ib art extended essay topics

50+ Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics for IBDP

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Writing Metier

Finally, this is our exploration of Visual Arts Extended Essay topics. As you set out on this creative path, you’re about to enter a world where art meets identity, emotion intertwines with nature, and spirituality dances with performance.

Suppose you’re fascinated by how artists express their cultural roots, intrigued by the emotional power of expressionism, or curious about the role of art in fashion. In that case, this article is your gateway to many inspiring topics.

With the help of IB experts from Writing Metier, we’ll venture into the realms of art conservation, examine the interplay between art and performance, and even delve into the ethical considerations of art restoration.

Art and Identity

Cultural Identity : Exploring how artists express cultural identity through their work.
Personal Identity : Investigating the role of art in shaping and reflecting personal identity.
National Identity : Analyzing how art is used to construct and communicate national identity.

Art and Emotion

Expressionism : Exploring how expressionist artists convey emotion through their work.
Art Therapy : Investigating the therapeutic effects of art on mental health.
The Sublime in Art : Analyzing the concept of the sublime and its emotional impact in art.

Art and Nature

Land Art : Exploring the relationship between land art and environmentalism.
Botanical Illustration : Investigating the scientific and artistic aspects of botanical illustration.
Animal Representation : Analyzing the symbolic and aesthetic representation of animals in art.

Art and Spirituality

Sacred Art : Exploring the role of art in religious and spiritual practices.
Mysticism in Art : Investigating the influence of mysticism on artistic expression.
Art and Meditation : Analyzing the use of art as a meditative and contemplative tool.

Art and Performance

Performance Art : Exploring the evolution and significance of performance art.
Theatre Design : Investigating the role of visual art in theatre production and design.
Dance and Visual Art : Analyzing the intersection of dance and visual art in interdisciplinary performances.

Art and Fashion

Fashion Illustration : Exploring the artistic techniques and impact of fashion illustration.
Art and Haute Couture : Investigating the relationship between art and high fashion design.
Street Art and Fashion : Analyzing the influence of street art on contemporary fashion trends.

Art Conservation and Restoration

Art Conservation Techniques : Exploring the methods and challenges of art conservation.
Restoration Ethics : Investigating ethical considerations in the restoration of artworks.
Preserving Digital Art : Analyzing the strategies for preserving and archiving digital art.

These categories offer a broader range of topics for an Extended Essay in Visual Arts, allowing students to delve into various aspects of the subject and contribute to the understanding of complex artistic issues.

Each category offers a unique lens through which to view the vibrant tapestry of visual arts.

So, grab your palette and brush (or pen and paper) as we set the stage for a journey into the heart of artistic exploration.

IB VA EE Topic Ideas and RQs

Our team has carefully compiled a diverse range of ideas spanning various artistic mediums, cultural contexts, and conceptual frameworks. In this block, you will find three topics and research questions for each category for an IB Visual Arts Extended Essay:

In “Art and Identity,” we’ll dive into the fascinating ways artists express themselves and their cultural, personal, and national identities through their art. It’s all about exploring how art can be a mirror reflecting who we are and where we come from.

Cultural Identity

Research Question: How have contemporary Australian artists incorporated indigenous art elements to express cultural identity?
Research Question: How did African American artists during the Harlem Renaissance use art to express and shape their cultural identity?
Research Question: How does calligraphy function as a tool for expressing cultural identity in Islamic art?

Personal Identity

Research Question: How does Frida Kahlo use self-portraiture to explore and express her personal identity?
Research Question: How do émigré artists represent the impact of migration on their personal identity through their artwork?
Research Question: How do contemporary artists use visual art to explore and express gender identity?

National Identity

Research Question: How do Canadian landscape paintings reflect and shape the national identity of Canada?
Research Question: How has postcolonial art contributed to the construction of national identity in India?
Research Question: How did propaganda art in Soviet Russia shape and reflect national identity during the 20th century?

Here, we’ll uncover how artists channel their feelings into their creations , from the raw intensity of expressionism to the healing power of art therapy. Let’s delve into the emotional depths of art and its impact on our hearts and minds.

Expressionism

Research Question: How does Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” embody the principles of expressionism and convey emotion?
Research Question: How do expressionist artists use color to convey emotion in their paintings?
Research Question: How does Egon Schiele’s portraiture reflect expressionist themes and the human psyche?

Art Therapy

Research Question: How effective is art therapy as a treatment for anxiety disorders compared to traditional therapies?
Research Question: How does art therapy facilitate trauma recovery and emotional healing in children?
Research Question: How does art therapy contribute to enhancing mental well-being and reducing feelings of loneliness in elderly populations?

The Sublime in Art

Research Question: How do Romantic landscape paintings, such as those by Caspar David Friedrich, depict the concept of the sublime?
Research Question: How do contemporary digital art installations create a sense of the sublime for viewers?
Research Question: How does the concept of the sublime influence the emotional impact of Mark Rothko’s color field paintings?

In “Art and Nature,” we’re going to explore the beautiful interplay between the natural world and artistic expression.

From land art that harmonizes with the environment to botanical illustrations that capture nature’s details, this section is all about art’s green side.

Research Question: What is the environmental impact of Robert Smithson’s “Spiral Jetty,” and how does it interact with its natural surroundings?
Research Question: How has land art been used as a tool to promote environmental awareness and conservation?
Research Question: How does Andy Goldsworthy’s use of site-specific natural materials in his sculptures enhance the viewer’s connection to the environment?

Botanical Illustration

Research Question: How did botanical illustration in the 19th century contribute to scientific knowledge and artistic expression?
Research Question: How have botanical illustration techniques evolved from traditional media to digital media, and what are the implications for scientific accuracy and artistic expression?
Research Question: How can contemporary botanical illustration be used as a tool for environmental education and promoting biodiversity conservation?

Animal Representation

Research Question: How are animals symbolically represented in indigenous art, and what cultural meanings are associated with them?
Research Question: How has wildlife photography contributed to conservation efforts and public awareness of endangered species?
Research Question: How does anthropomorphism in children’s book illustrations influence children’s perceptions of animals and nature?

Here, we’ll delve into the sacred side of art, exploring how it intersects with religious practices, mystical experiences, and meditative contemplation. It’s a journey into the soulful dimensions of artistic expression.

Research Question: How does iconography function in Christian sacred art to convey theological concepts and spiritual experiences?
Research Question: How are Hindu deities represented in Indian temple architecture, and what is their significance in religious practices?
Research Question: How is art used in Buddhist meditation practices to enhance spiritual experiences and understanding?

Mysticism in Art

Research Question: How are mystical experiences represented in medieval art, and what do they reveal about the spiritual beliefs of the time?
Research Question: How do Kandinsky’s artworks reflect his interest in theosophy and mystical concepts?
Research Question: How is Sufi symbolism expressed in Persian miniature paintings, and what does it convey about Sufi mystical teachings?

Art and Meditation

Research Question: How are mandalas used in art therapy and meditation to promote mental well-being and spiritual growth?
Research Question: How does the practice of Zen calligraphy serve as a form of artistic expression and mindfulness meditation?
Research Question: What are the therapeutic effects of engaging in the creative process of art-making on mindfulness and stress reduction?

“Art and Performance” is where we’ll dive into the dynamic world of performance art, theatre design , and the interplay between dance and visual art. Get ready to discover how artists bring their visions to life on stage and beyond.

Performance Art

Research Question: How has performance art evolved in the 20th century, and what are the key themes and innovations that have shaped its development?
Research Question: How has performance art been used as a medium for feminist expression and activism?
Research Question: How does audience participation impact the meaning and experience of performance art?

Theatre Design

Research Question: How does set design influence audience experience and immersion in theatrical productions?
Research Question: How is digital technology integrated into contemporary theatre design, and what are its implications for storytelling and audience engagement?
Research Question: What are the sustainable practices being implemented in theatre design and production, and how do they impact environmental sustainability?

Dance and Visual Art

Research Question: How do collaborations between choreographers and visual artists influence the creation and interpretation of dance performances?
Research Question: How do visual elements such as costumes, lighting, and set design contribute to the aesthetics and narrative of contemporary dance?
Research Question: How has dance been represented in visual art throughout history, and what does this reveal about the cultural significance of dance?

In this section, we’ll explore the stylish intersection of art and fashion, from the creativity of fashion illustration to the haute couture runway.

>via GIPHY

Let’s unravel the threads that weave together the worlds of art and fashion.

Fashion Illustration

Research Question: How have fashion illustration techniques evolved from traditional methods to digital media, and what are the implications for the fashion industry?
Topic: The Role of Fashion Illustration in Brand Identity
Research Question: How does fashion illustration contribute to the development and communication of brand identity in the fashion industry?
Research Question: How has the rise of social media platforms influenced the style, visibility, and relevance of fashion illustration?

Art and Haute Couture

Research Question: How have specific art movements, such as Art Deco or Surrealism, influenced the design and aesthetics of haute couture collections?
Research Question: How do collaborations between contemporary artists and fashion designers impact the creative process and final designs in haute couture?
Research Question: How does haute couture contribute to the preservation and innovation of traditional artisanal techniques in fashion?

Street Art and Fashion

Research Question: How has street art influenced urban fashion trends and the development of streetwear brands?
Research Question: How is graffiti used in fashion design and branding to convey urban identity and cultural messages?
Research Question: How do collaborations between street artists and fashion brands impact the artistic value and commercial appeal of fashion collections?

“Art Conservation and Restoration” is all about the science and ethics behind preserving art for future generations. We’ll dive into the techniques used to conserve and restore artworks, and the challenges faced in keeping art alive and authentic.

Art Conservation Techniques

Research Question: What are the challenges in conserving contemporary art, and what innovative techniques are being used to address them?
Research Question: How is technology being used to enhance art conservation practices and extend the lifespan of artworks?
Research Question: What ethical considerations arise in the conservation of cultural heritage, and how are they addressed by conservators?

Restoration Ethics

Research Question: What are the ethical debates surrounding the restoration of damaged artworks, and how do different approaches impact the integrity of the original piece?
Research Question: How does the restoration process affect the authenticity and historical value of paintings?
Research Question: What ethical dilemmas arise in the restoration of religious artifacts, and how are they navigated by conservators and religious communities?

Preserving Digital Art

Research Question: What are the challenges in preserving digital art, and what strategies are being developed to ensure its longevity?
Research Question: How are museums adapting their conservation practices to accommodate and preserve digital media art?
Research Question: What methods are being used to archive and document digital artworks to maintain their accessibility and integrity over time?

All these topics and research questions are designed to inspire IB Visual Arts students to engage in meaningful and manageable research projects that contribute to their understanding of various aspects of art while meeting the IB Extended Essay criteria.

Final Thoughts

At WritingMetier, we firmly believe that the Visual Arts extended essay is a transformative experience that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the boundless realms of artistic expression.

As you peruse through this list, allow your curiosity and passion to lead the way, and remember that the true essence of the extended essay lies in your ability to articulate your unique artistic vision and contribute to the ever-evolving discourse within the Visual Arts community.

If you need further assistance in finding the perfect topic or even require a custom-written IB Visual Arts extended essay, WritingMetier is here to help . Our team of experts can guide you through the process, ensuring your extended essay is well-researched, engaging, and aligns with all the IB’s requirements .

So, let your creativity flow, and set out on this artistic voyage with confidence and enthusiasm. Your journey through the visual arts is bound to be as colorful and dynamic as the subjects you choose to explore.

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the complete ib extended essay guide: examples, topics, and ideas.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

A title page
Contents page
Introduction
Body of the essay
References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

A check on plagiarism and malpractice
Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

Business Management 1
Chemistry 1
Chemistry 2
Chemistry 3
Chemistry 4
Chemistry 5
Chemistry 6
Chemistry 7
Computer Science 1
Economics 1
Design Technology 1
Design Technology 2
Environmental Systems and Societies 1
Geography 1
Geography 2
Geography 3
Geography 4
Geography 5
Geography 6
Literature and Performance 1
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IB Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics

As a writer and tutor with extensive experience in the IB Diploma Programme, I’ve gained invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of crafting a standout Visual Arts Extended Essay. Today, I’m excited to share these insights with you, particularly about choosing the best Visual Arts Extended Essay topics.

Visual Arts Extended Essay Requirements

In my opinion, this essay is not merely an academic task but a canvas where you paint your intellectual curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills. According to general IB criteria, your essay demands more than superficial topic research. It requires a deep investigation of the essence of your chosen subject, supported by meticulous research and personal engagement. Here’s a breakdown of what the IB looks for in an exceptional Visual Arts Extended Essay.

In-depth Understanding of the Topic

Your essay should highlight your chosen subject in a way that demonstrates a profound comprehension of its nuances and complexities. It’s not enough to simply relay information; you must dig into the topic’s significance within the Visual Arts course .

Clear and Coherent Arguments

Every claim you make should be underpinned by solid evidence and articulated logically and persuasively. Your essay should flow seamlessly from one point to the next, with each argument building upon the last to support your thesis.

Effective Research

High-quality research is the backbone of your essay. It includes primary sources like artworks and artist interviews and secondary sources like scholarly articles and critical essays. Your ability to select, analyze, and reference these materials is crucial.

Personal Engagement

The IB values your unique voice and perspective. Your essay should reflect your personal experience with the subject, including how your understanding and appreciation of the topic have evolved throughout your investigation.

Analysis of Artworks

You’re expected to choose relevant artworks and dissect them within their historical, cultural, and theoretical contexts. This analysis should go beyond mere description to examine the significance of the artworks with your research question. Moreover, employing the correct terminology demonstrates your knowledge of the subject and boosts your essay’s clarity and precision.

Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics and Research Questions

Choosing a topic for an extended essay is a significant step that directly affects the quality of your work and your grade. I will now give you some ideas that you can use and improve upon as you see fit. Here are Visual Arts Extended Essay topics and research questions to consider:

The Influence of Cultural Heritage on Contemporary Aboriginal Art . How does contemporary Aboriginal art reflect the cultural heritage and traditions of its creators?
The Evolution of Feminist Themes in Modern Art . How have feminist themes evolved in modern art from the 20th century to the present day?
The Impact of Digital Technology on Traditional Painting Techniques . How has digital technology influenced traditional painting techniques and artists’ approaches to creating art?
The Role of Street Art in Urban Spaces. How does street art contribute to the identity and cultural landscape of urban spaces?
Surrealism and Dreams: A Research of Symbolism . How do Surrealist artists use symbolism to depict dreams and the unconscious mind?
The Renaissance Influence on Modern European Art . To what extent does modern European art retain the influences of Renaissance principles and techniques?
Art as a Form of Social Protest . How is art used for social protest and political commentary in contemporary societies?
The Psychology of Color in Abstract Art . How does color psychology affect abstract art’s interpretation and emotional impact?
The Intersection of Fashion and Art in Modern Design . How have modern designers blurred the lines between fashion and art to create innovative works?
Eco-Art: The Role of Art in Environmental Awareness . How do eco-artists use their work to promote environmental awareness and sustainability?
The Representation of Gender Fluidity in Contemporary Art . How is gender fluidity represented in contemporary visual art?
Cubism’s Influence on Modern Architecture . In what ways has Cubism influenced modern architecture and the design of public spaces?
Photography as a Historical Document: Capturing Social Change . How has photography been used to document social change throughout the 20th and 21st centuries?
The Revival of Classical Techniques in Modern Sculpture . How are classical sculpting techniques being revived and reinterpreted by modern sculptors?
Art Therapy: The Healing Power of Creative Expression . How is art therapy utilized to facilitate healing and emotional well-being, and what evidence supports its effectiveness?
The Renaissance to Modern Day: The Evolution of Portrait Painting . How has the art of portrait painting evolved from the Renaissance period to the modern day in terms of technique and representation?
Art in Times of War: A Reflection of Society and Conflict . How do artists represent and reflect upon the impact of war and conflict in their work across different historical periods?
The Influence of Japanese Art on Western Aesthetics . In what ways has traditional Japanese art influenced Western artistic aesthetics and practices?
The Role of Art in Public Health: Murals and Community Well-being . How do public murals contribute to community well-being and health, particularly in urban areas?
Sustainability in Art: Materials and Practices . How are contemporary artists incorporating sustainable materials and practices into their work, and what impact does this have on the art world?
Animation as a Fine Art: Evolution and Acceptance . How has animation evolved as a form of fine art, and how is it being integrated into mainstream art discourse?
The Role of Women in the Art World: From Creation to Curation . How has the role of women in the art world changed from creators to curators over the last century?
Art and Technology: Virtual Reality as a New Medium . How is virtual reality redefining the boundaries of art and creating new forms of immersive experiences?
The Revival of Folk Art in the 21st Century . What factors contribute to the revival of folk art in the 21st century, and how is it being reinterpreted in a modern context?
The Influence of Pop Art on Modern Advertising . How has Pop Art influenced modern advertising and consumer culture?
The Concept of Beauty in Contemporary Sculpture . How do contemporary sculptors challenge and redefine the concept of beauty in their works?
Street Photography: Capturing the Essence of the Urban Experience . How does street photography capture and convey the essence of the urban experience?
The Impact of Social Media on Contemporary Art Practice and Appreciation . How has social media impacted contemporary art practice, and how is art appreciated and consumed?
The Representation of Mental Health in Visual Arts . How do visual artists represent and interpret mental health issues in their work, and how does this impact public perceptions?
The Symbolism of Animals in Medieval Art . What roles and symbolism do animals play in medieval art, and how do these representations reflect the beliefs and values of the time?
The Cultural Significance of Tattoos in Indigenous Societies . How do tattoos function as a form of cultural expression and identity in indigenous societies, and what are the traditional techniques and meanings behind them?
Art Censorship: The Fine Line between Provocation and Freedom of Expression . Where does the line lie between provocation and freedom of expression in art, and how have artists dealt with censorship across different cultures and eras?
The Influence of Art on Architectural Design . How have specific art movements significantly influenced architectural design, and what are the most notable examples of this intersection?
Interactive Art: The Role of the Spectator in Contemporary Art Installations . How do contemporary art installations incorporate interactivity, and what role does the spectator play in completing these works of art?
The Renaissance of Collage in Digital Art . How has the medium of collage been reinterpreted in the digital age, and how do digital collages challenge our perceptions of reality and art?
The Revival of Analog Photography in the Digital Age . What factors contribute to the resurgence of analog photography in the digital era, and how does it affect contemporary artistic expression?
The Role of Minimalism in Modern Design Aesthetics . How has minimalism influenced modern design aesthetics, particularly in the digital interface design of the 21st century?
The Evolution of Self-Portraits in Digital Art . How has the emergence of digital art forms transformed the traditional self-portrait?
Art and Resistance: The Role of Visual Arts in Social Movements . How have visual arts been used as a tool for resistance in global social movements?
The Intersection of Performance Art and Multimedia Installations . What are the implications of combining performance art with multimedia installations for audience interaction and artistic expression?
The Depiction of Mental Illness in Contemporary Art . How do contemporary artists represent mental illness, and how does this impact societal perceptions?
Biographical Influence on Artistic Style . How do the biographies of artists influence their artistic styles and the themes they explore in their work?
Postmodernism and Irony in Visual Arts . How is irony used as a stylistic and thematic element in postmodern visual art?
The Role of Art in Cultural Diplomacy . How is visual art employed as a tool in cultural diplomacy, and what are the outcomes of such initiatives?
Sculpture and Space: The Dynamics of 3D Art in Public and Private Spheres . How does the sculpture’s placement in public versus private spaces affect viewer perception and interaction?
The Influence of Classical Mythology on Modern Visual Arts . How do modern visual artists incorporate classical mythology, and what new meanings are ascribed to these ancient narratives?
Consumer Culture and Pop Art: Reflections and Critiques . How does Pop Art reflect and critique consumer culture through its visual representations?
Artistic Representations of Climate Change . How do artists use different media to address the theme of climate change, and what reactions do these works evoke?
The Art of Book Covers: Graphic Design Meets Literature . How does the art on book covers contribute to interpreting and marketing the literature it envelops?
The Renaissance of Artisan Crafts in Contemporary Art . How are traditional crafts like weaving, pottery, and woodworking being revitalized in contemporary art?
The Art and Science of Color Theory in Visual Design . How do visual designers use color theory to enhance usability and aesthetic appeal in their creations?
Digital Art and Artificial Intelligence: Collaboration or Competition? How does integrating artificial intelligence in digital art challenge traditional notions of creativity and authorship?
The Role of Political Cartoons in Visual Commentary . How do political cartoons contribute to public discourse, and what makes them effective or controversial?
Graffiti and Urban Identity . How does graffiti contribute to the identity and culture of urban environments?
The Visual Language of Comics and Graphic Novels . How do comics and graphic novels use visual language to create complex narratives and emotional depth?

Choosing the right topic is like picking the perfect palette for a masterpiece. In my experience, the best topics pique your interest and offer ample room for investigation and analysis.

Think about the issues, movements, or artists that fascinate you. Are there particular questions or controversies in the visual arts world you want to research? Remember, a well-chosen topic can be the difference between an essay that feels like a chore and becomes a passion project.

Don’t let the stress of the IB curriculum hold you back.

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Our experienced writers can help you choose the perfect topic and assist you with any assignment.

You can order an Extended Essay tailored to your specific subject and requirements.

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Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics: Exploring the World of Art

Luke MacQuoid

Visual Arts is a fascinating and diverse field that encompasses various forms of art, including painting, sculpture, architecture, and photography, among others. Writing an extended essay on Visual Arts offers an opportunity to delve deeper into the creative world of art, its history, and its impact on society. Therefore, selecting the right Visual Arts extended essay topic is essential for a successful paper.

Yes, a well-chosen topic is key to crafting a successful Visual Arts extended essay. To ensure that you create an engaging and informative essay, consider selecting a topic that resonates with you personally.

Your passion for the topic will show in your writing and make the research process more enjoyable. However, ensuring that the topic and research question is feasible, and not too general , and can be thoroughly researched within the word count limit is essential.

To do this, narrow your focus to a specific question or issue that can be analyzed in depth. By selecting a specific and focused topic, you’ll be able to craft a clear and well-supported argument in your essay. And this is one of the most important parts of the IB EE rubric .

List of Visual Arts IB Extended essay topics

Below are some intriguing Visual Arts extended essay topics that can help you kickstart your research:

The Significance of Color in Contemporary Art: An Analysis of the Work of Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko.

With this topic, the student can begin by researching the use of color in art, its significance, and its impact on the viewer. The student can then choose specific works of Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko that use color in interesting ways and analyze the color schemes, techniques, and meanings behind them.

The essay can also explore the similarities and differences between the two artists’ approaches to color and the influence of their work on contemporary art.

Examining the Importance of Context in the Interpretation of Contemporary Art: A Case Study of Banksy’s Graffiti.

To approach this topic, the student can begin by researching the concept of context in art and its role in shaping meaning. The student can then analyze Banksy’s graffiti, specifically focusing on one or more pieces that are known to have created controversy or sparked public discourse.

Such an extended essay can explore how the context in which the graffiti was created, the location, and the message conveyed by the artwork affect its interpretation and reception.

How Have Women Artists Contributed to the Development of Art Movements in the 20th Century?

With this topic, the student can begin by researching the history of women artists and their struggles for recognition in the male-dominated art world.

The IB student can then choose one or more women artists who played a significant role in the development of a particular art movement, such as Frida Kahlo in Surrealism or Mary Cassatt in Impressionism.

The essay can analyze the artist’s work, their impact on the art movement, and the challenges they faced as a woman in the art world.

A Comparative Analysis of the Relationship between Art and Society in Renaissance Europe and Modern America.

To approach this topic, the student can begin by researching the historical and cultural contexts of Renaissance Europe and modern America and how art reflects and responds to the social and political changes of the time .

Moreover, the student can then choose specific works from both periods that illustrate the relationship between art and society, such as Michelangelo’s David and Shepard Fairey’s Hope poster.

This IB EE can compare and contrast the works’ meanings, techniques, and the social and cultural contexts that shaped them.

An Exploration of the Intersection of Technology and Art: The Emergence of Digital Art in the 21st Century.

Working on this topic, the student can begin by researching the history of digital art, its emergence as a new art form, and the impact of technology on artistic expression.

Following this topic, the student can then analyze specific examples of digital art, such as Cory Arcangel’s Photoshop gradient demonstrations or Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s interactive installations, and explore the ways in which technology has influenced the creation, reception, and interpretation of these works.

The Role of Art in Documenting Historical Events: An Analysis of Goya’s The Third of May 1808 and Picasso’s Guernica.

To approach this topic, the student can begin by researching the role of art in documenting historical events and the ways in which artists use their work to respond to social and political issues.

The student can then analyze specific works of Goya and Picasso that depict significant historical events, such as The Third of May 1808 and Guernica.

The essay can explore the ways in which these works convey meaning, the social and political contexts in which they were created, and the ways in which they have influenced art and society.

The Significance of Architecture in Shaping Urban Environments: A Case Study of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

With this topic, the student can begin by researching the significance of architecture in shaping urban environments and the ways in which buildings can impact their surroundings. The student can then analyze the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao as a case study, exploring its design, construction, and impact on the city of Bilbao.

IB EE can also explore the ways in which the museum’s architecture reflects its function as an art museum and its relationship to the artworks displayed within it.

The Impact of the Avant-Garde Movement on Contemporary Art Practices.

To approach this topic, the student can begin by researching the history of the Avant-Garde movement and its influence on contemporary art practices. The student can then analyze specific works of contemporary artists who the Avant-Garde movement, such as Yayoi Kusama or Marina Abramovic have influenced.

This extended essay can explore the ways in which these artists have incorporated Avant-Garde concepts and techniques into their work and the impact of this influence on contemporary art practices.

The Influence of African Art on European Modernism: An Analysis of the Work of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

To approach this topic, the student can begin by researching the influence of African art on European modernism and the ways in which European artists incorporated African aesthetics into their work. An IB student can then analyze specific works of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse that show the influence of African art, such as Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Matisse’s Blue Nude.

The essay can explore the ways in which African art influenced these artists’ techniques and aesthetics and the impact of this influence on modern art.

An Exploration of the Concept of Beauty in Contemporary Art: An Analysis of the Work of Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami.

The student can begin by researching the concept of beauty in art and its evolving meaning in contemporary art. One can then analyze specific works of Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami that explore the concept of beauty, such as Koons’ Balloon Dog and Murakami’s Superflat.

The essay can explore the ways in which these artists challenge traditional notions of beauty and the impact of this challenge on contemporary art.

Each of the Visual Arts extended essay topics listed above requires thorough research and analysis of specific artworks, artists, or movements. To successfully approach each Visual Arts idea, an IB student should begin by conducting preliminary research on the topic and then choosing specific artworks or artists to analyze.

The student should then carefully analyze the works, explore their meanings and impact, and relate them to the larger context of art and society. With dedication and focus, an IB student can produce a compelling and informative Visual Arts extended essay.

Ready to select an appropriate topic for your VA extended essay?

When selecting a Visual Arts extended essay topic, it is important to choose a topic that you are passionate about and interested in exploring further. A topic that resonates with you will make it easier to research and write about, and your passion will be evident in your writing, making it more engaging for your readers.

Need help with your IB EE?

You can also use our extended essay writers team’s services if you need assistance selecting a topic . Furthermore, we can also help you write your extended essay from scratch or edit your draft following the IB criteria.

Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that your topic is feasible and has enough information available for research. The best way to ensure this is to conduct preliminary research on your EE topic before finalizing it.

This will help you determine whether there is enough information available and whether the research will be manageable within the given word count .

All our team at ExtendedEssayWriters wishes you to construct a research question of your dream and complete a good IB extended essay following the structure and general IB criteria. With good topic you can be almost 100% sure that you will not fail your IB extended essay .

Luke MacQuoid has extensive experience teaching English as a foreign language in Japan, having worked with students of all ages for over 12 years. Currently, he is teaching at the tertiary level. Luke holds a BA from the University of Sussex and an MA in TESOL from Lancaster University, both located in England. As well to his work as an IB Examiner and Master Tutor, Luke also enjoys sharing his experiences and insights with others through writing articles for various websites, including extendedessaywriters.com blog

100 IB Extended Essay Topic Ideas!

One of the biggest keys to the Extended Essay is choosing which subject you want to write your work in and developing that crucial research question. Read on to find inspiration for topics across a wide range of subjects.

Extended Essay: The Love/Hate aspect of the IB

One of the biggest keys to the Extended Essay is choosing which subject you want to write your work in and developing that crucial research question. Annoyingly, coming up with that idea and research question can be the toughest part of the entire process. Writing 4,000 words about something you are interested in is a big ask and it often feels impossible to narrow down your thoughts. To make everything super clear, here are 100 Extended Essay Topics for you to draw inspiration from! Use these as a springboard to create your own research question !

Get Support from A Top Tutor Today

At Lanterna we have over 300 tutors who smashed their Extended Essay. They know exactly how to get an A in your EE and can give you tips and tricks on how you can do the same. What are you waiting for? Get your own tutor today !

How to Begin Your IB Extended Essay

To make everything super clear, here are 100 Extended Essay Topics for you to draw inspiration from! Use these as a springboard to create your own research question !

Get Support from a Top Tutor Today

At Lanterna, we have over 300 tutors who smashed their Extended Essay. They know exactly how to get an A in your EE and can give you tips and tricks on how you can do the same. What are you waiting for? Get your own tutor today!

10 Steps to Writing an Extended Essay

Before we look at specific topics for your essay, let’s recap the 10-steps you’ll need to follow to complete your extended essay.

1. Define the Topic and Draft the Research Question

2. Create a Timeline

3. Identify and gather Sources

4. Set Deadlines

5. Plan the structure according to the total word count

6. Evaluate

7. independent Research

8. Write the extended essay draft

10. Present

By following the steps above, you should be able to produce a logical and coherent rationale to follow when writing the extended essay for your IB diploma programme.

By starting with a solid research question, you’ll be able to put an extended essay of global significance together, from the research and writing process all the way through to your final submission with a favourable extended essay grade.

Below, we’re sharing 10 topics across 10 subjects to inspire your next IB extended essay.

1. How the change of habitat affects an X organism?

2. How does climate affect the growth of X plant?

3. Can photosynthesis take place without sunlight?

4. What is the effect of age and gender on the photoreceptor cells in the human retina?

5. How is climate change impacting the appearance of coral reefs?

6. An evaluation of how antioxidants work in our bodies?

7. Does hand sanitizer, hand soap or antibacterial wipes have the greatest ability to inhibit the growth of E. Coli?

8. To what extent do live cultures in yogurts/milk/other dairy products reduce the concentration of lactose present over the course of a 2 hour incubation period at x°C?

9. What is the relationship between population density between X and population size of X?

10. What is the relationship between indoleacetic acid, a growth hormone, and the growth of X (a crop)?

11. How does human influence impact an aquatic ecosystem?

12. How can one organize a pollution check along a X canal in X?

13. What is the effect of the increased ecological footprint in the Amazon ?

14. What are the forest and woodland restoration in Siberia, Russia and which one is most effective?

15. How does human interference cause ecological imbalances in an X city/country/continent?

16. What is the impact of urban development on the bee population in X city?

17. What are the differences in the conversation efforts in Yosemite National Park (California, USA) and the Lake District National Park (UK)?

18. To what extent have healthcare policies in X country influenced their human population curve?

19. How have changes in environmental systems influenced the value system of X country?

20. How has X landfill site affected the surrounding terrestrial ecosystem?

21. What is the profitability of airline companies ?

22. How does unemployment affect the market?

23. Why did X recession occur?

24. How did the financial Policy affect the economy in X?

25. How effective are government policies in reducing overconsumption of alcohol (specifically hard liquor)?

26. To what extent are public buses and subways substitute goods in a country?

27. How did the tax reform in country x affect its growth and development? (many countries to choose from)

28. To what extent was weak government policy responsible for the Latin American financial crisis of 1997?

29. How effective is the Big Mac Index in measuring purchasing power parity?

30. To what extent would the UK suffer from leaving the European Customs Union if Brexit happens?

31. Is there an association between viewing violence on television and the display of violent acts?

32. What motivational climate should a coach employ in order to achieve optimal performance in athletes?

33. How does X hormone affect human behavior ?

34. Compare theories explaining altruism in human behaviour

35. Discuss short-term and long-term consequences of exposure to violence

36. Why do relationships change or end?

37. Discuss how social variables (poverty, parenting, educational environment) may the affect cognitive environment.

38. To what extent do mirror neurons play a role in empathy? (2014)

39. To what extent does Mindfulness help people cope with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

40. To what extent is drug therapy effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder?

41. Does the British Parliamentary reforms act of 1832 deserve its title as the great reform act?

42. To what extent are there similarities in Hitler and Mussolini’s Rise to Power?

43. To what extent did Mao’s tackle the problems which he faced?

44. Was Tsar Alexander II of Russia reforms a success or failure?

45. To what extent was the bombing of Dresden in 1945 justifiable?

46. To what extent can Sweden be considered neutral during WWII ?

47. The impact of structural economic weakness on the collapse of the Soviet Union.

48. How were women treated differently in 1920s and 1950s Great Britain?

49. Why did Israel win the Six Day War of 1967?

50. What role did economics play in the unification of Germany from 1834 to 1871?

English Literature

51. What are the Compare and Contrast Jane Austen Books?

52. How does Joseph Conrad’s portray Racism in A Heart of Darkness?

53. How does Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman critique today’s capitalist society? The American Dream?

54. To what extent does Chris McCandless in Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild escape familial influence?

55. What are the similarities and differences between J.K. Rowling’s characterization of Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

56. How does Yaa Gyasi use structure in her novel Homegoing to portray the evolution of time?

57. What is the impact of the social context on Holden Caufield and Huckleberry Finn?

58. How does Sylvia Path’s use of Inanimate objects in Bell Jar?

59. How is the empowerment of Feminine portrayed in the Lord of the Rings?

60. Compare the political rhetoric as used in the inaugural addresses of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.

61. The design, construction and calibration of an apparatus for measuring lipid concentration in milk.

62. What is the effect of a change in the optimal lift on the horizontal gliding distance of an aircraft?

63. How does the sugar concentration affect the refractive index of water?

64. How does temperature affect the viscosity of X juice/soda?

65. Is the relationship between temperature and conductivity and insulators and conductors?

66. What is the Oberth Effect?

67. What is the temperature dependence of work performed on an AA battery?

68. How can the rotational frequency of a fan driven by a flame measure distance?

69. Do wine bottles of different shapes behave as Helmholtz resonators?

70. How does the diameter of a wheel affect stability in different weather conditions?

71. What factors influence the location of industries in country/city X?

72. An investigation into the significance of preserving the quality of water in a continent/country/city?

73. An investigation into the degree to which City X can be considered a Sustainable City/Community.

74. To what extent is Biodiversity being managed successfully in city X?

75. To what extent does the education and employment of women affect Country x’s fertility rate?

76. To what extent do gender, educational attainment, and working parameters influence obesity risk?

77. To what extent has urban development affected human thermal comfort levels in Country/city x (a country/city that has developed in a rapid rate over the past decades)?

78. To what extent is the Company x corporate waste management program effective, demonstrating environmental sustainability?

79. To what extent is biodiversity being managed successfully at National Park X?

80. What types of urban design encourage high rates of vandalism in X neighbourhoods?

81. The kinetics of Enzymatic Reactions.

82. How do Iron Intake Diets differ in X country?

83. What are the different factors that affect the iodine values in cooking oils?

84. What is the effect of standing time and temperate on the acid content in X juice or soda?

85. Can caffeine in tea or coffee be reduced?

86. What is the effect of temperature on the souring of milk?

87. What are the sources of error in calorimetry?

88. Does brushing your teeth affect the pH in your mouth after eating?

89. How does changing the concentration of the reagents affect the formation and spacing between Liesehang rings in the reaction between X chloride and X when conducted in a test tube?

90. What effect does the coating of aspirin tablets have on the hydrolysis of aspirin?

Social and Cultural Anthropology

91. How clothing relates to the cultural anthropology of X culture.

92. The extent to which social media networks affect different societies.

93. The relationship between ritual, myths and faith in an X society.

94. The history of rituals in X culture.

95. How different marriage rituals inform the cultural anthropology of X culture.

96. Climate change and its impact on the evolution of different creatures on the planet.

97. Understanding the social and cultural anthropology of the supernatural in X culture.

98. An analysis of body modification in relation to social and cultural anthropology.

100. Chaste systems and social ranks in societies.

There are so many class subjects that can form the basis of your extended essay, including these popular six subjects:

– Information technology

– Computer science

– Health science

– World studies

– Visual arts

– Business management

Extended essays are a great way to improve your writing skills in academic writing. Essays of a high standard that demonstrate critical thinking and in depth analysis can be submitted to academic journals. These have the potential to reach the global society.

Start Writing Your Extended Essay Topic

We hope this gave you some great inspiration for the variation of topics available for your Extended Essay . The research question you select is what will carry you through the entire process, so be sure to choose wisely!

Remember, if you are looking for more help with your Extended Essay, make sure to check out our guide which will tell you exactly how to plan, structure, research and write your Extended Essay!

Grab Free Extended Essay Resources!

No matter the subject groups in your diploma program, we’re here to help all of our IB students. Whether you’re writing about social and cultural anthropology, business management, design technology, or scientific methods for your IB diploma, Lanterna has you covered.

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How to Choose an EE Topic (Visual Arts)

Choosing the EE Subject

It’s important to:

Choose a subject you are willing to dedicate many hours to, and
Understand what an EE in that subject is like. For example, science EEs look like longer science IAs and involve a lot of lab work, whereas English EEs are similar to long Written Task 2s and involve a lot of reading and analysis.

I knew I wanted to write a Visual Arts EE because I loved learning about art history. I’d previously enjoyed analysing artworks for an academic competition, so I wanted to take that interest further through my IB work.

Brainstorming Ideas

For a Visual Arts EE, you can write about virtually any topic using any approach. This intimidated me because I had NO clue what to write about. So, I looked at what sort of questions have been addressed in past essays. I’ve compiled a few popular approaches here for you:

I began by researching various movements in art history, followed by looking into art from different countries and cultures. Then I dove into specific aspects of artwork such as lighting and lines. Finally, I researched artists I liked. This last step was the most important to me because it was what I found most interesting.

Narrowing Down your List

I circled my favourite topics and looked for connections between them. For example, I liked Edward Hopper’s artwork, which relies heavily on lighting and coincides with my fascination for American history and art. One of the questions I came up with was: “How does the use of lighting in Edward Hopper’s work evoke emotion in his audience?” Through making further connections, I shortlisted three other subjects I was eager to study—colour in Munch and Hopper’s paintings, sensuality and controversy of the Vienna Secession, and emotions in post-Chinese Cultural Revolution art.

Selecting the Final Question

My supervisor urged me to choose a question that was both challenging and personally fulfilling. Though I found the Hopper question interesting, I was familiar with Hopper’s work and could answer it before even writing the EE. Upon reflection, I realized I wanted to use an artistic lens to explore an aspect of my Chinese background I’ve never learned about before. Thus, my final question was: “How have contemporary Chinese artists’ responses to the Cultural Revolution evolved from 1976 to the present day?”

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the Extended Essay process from start to finish, especially the synthesis of academic research and first-hand data collection (I surveyed 300 people and interviewed a gallery owner!). My findings also helped inform my IB Visual Arts pieces.

The brainstorming process might seem overwhelming because there are just so many topics to choose from! Create mind maps, discuss your ideas with others, and only shortlist topics that you really like—you’ll soon find that you have a direction. And remember, it’s okay to change your question later on!

Visual Arts Extended Essay: The Complete Guide for IB Students

by Antony W

May 8, 2023

An extended essay in visual arts allows you to conduct study in a particular area of visual arts that is of interest to you. The conclusion of the study should be a clear and structured piece of writing that tackles a topic or research question pertinent to the visual arts in an effective manner.

The strongest EE in arts is the one that demonstrate a thoughtful selection of socially and culturally relevant topics, which frequently have a personal significance for the candidate in respect to his or her cultural identity, a potential university program, or present creative interests, such as studio work.

It is discouraged to rely solely on textbooks and the Internet, and no long essay in visual arts should rely solely on such sources.

You should only read your textbooks to the extent that they generate unique ideas, give models of disciplined, organized, and informed methods, and foster direct and personal engagement with the essay topic.

Choice of Arts Extended Essay Topic

When it comes to choosing a visual arts extended essay, we strongly recommend that you avoid themes that rely solely on summarizing generic secondary sources and those that are likely to result in an essay that is mostly narrative or descriptive in nature.

You must address a pertinent subject or research question and reach a specific, ideally individual, conclusion.

Choosing a topic that encompasses several areas of art history or a lengthy time span is likewise unlikely to result in a great essay. Restriction of the essay’s scope will help you to establish a clear focus and create opportunities for exhibiting in-depth comprehension and critical evaluation of your extended essay.

How Should You Treat Visual Arts Extended Essay Topic?

The topic you choose must have a clear and direct connection to visual arts. If the relationship is only tenuous, you risk introducing irrelevant material, which will confuse the investigation and undermine the case.

You should construct a research issue that is of personal interest and use a range of materials to support your claims, including textual analysis, the study of actual artworks or designed artifacts, and interviews with practitioners and subject-matter experts.

Questions that do not provide a systematic examination that exhibits critical creative analysis and in-depth comprehension are unlikely to be appropriate. In certain cases, it may become apparent early in the research process that there are insufficient sources to conduct such an examination. In such situations, consider a shift in emphasis.

In visual arts extended essays, the incorporation and discussion of pertinent visual reference material is of special relevance. However, such material must directly support and be relevant to the analysis/argument. It should be cleanly presented, appropriately acknowledged, and appear as near as feasible to the first reference in the body of the essay.

To stimulate personal investment in the extended essay, your work should include local and/or original sources wherever feasible. However, you may not have access to original materials in some circumstances. In such instances, high-quality replicas, movies, films, or photographs/Internet pictures are acceptable sources.

An argument should be well supported, with remarks and conclusions supported by evidence that is relevant and well-founded, as opposed to being based only on preconceived notions.

Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics Examples

Now that you know about the kind of topic you should choose for you visual arts extended essay, let’s consider some good and bad examples.

The worst example can be something like:

The variation within human perception
Architecture is functional art.
Postmodernism
Islamic architectural design

You want avoid these types of examples because they’re broad and therefore can’t fit within the scope of extended essay requirements .

You want to consider only the best topic for the project, particularly making sure you pick a subject that’s specific enough to form a research question that you can answer within the respective scope of the assignment.

Some of the best examples include but not limited to the following:

What role did national themes have in the creative activity of Russian avant-garde artists associated with the Knave of Diamonds society?
How did men and women’s clothes communicate National Socialist ideals?
How does Yinka Shonibare’s work represent the evolving importance of African art in a global society?
What are the origins of Romanesque architecture in Arles?
Are there pop art elements in the design of Pakistani trucks?
Titles for Protracted Essays
Appropriateness of Picasso’s usage of the Mbangu mask in ‘Les Demoiselles d’Avignon’ in terms of cultural borrowing
How does Ketna Patel’s work reflect the increasing influence of media culture on Asian cultures?
How does Yinka Shonibare’s work represent the evolving significance of African art in a global society?
How far did Andy Warhol’s “Death and Disaster” series develop his interest in morbidity?
How Jesse Trevino’s cultural experiences influenced his artwork
How would one identify the crucial balance between design and function for four pedestrian bridges of the 21st century?
In what way does Damien Hirst’s art tackle the themes of Life and Death? (2013)
To what degree has Federation Square’s design proven successful?
When does photojournalism become an art form?
How does Fra Angelico’s picture of The Annunciation represent him in Renaissance Florence?

Tips for Writing a Visual Arts Extended Essay

You are supposed to assess critically the sources you consulted while writing the essay by asking yourself the following questions:

Which sources are essential to my ideas, beliefs, and assertions?
Which sources are irrelevant to the analysis?

For the research question, you can:

Utilize primary and secondary sources to develop and evaluate diverse perspectives.
Use these primary sources to explore and explain particular aspects of the visual arts, with emphasis on a particular aspect of the visual arts collecting and analyzing reproductions of artwork.

You must also exhibit an understanding of various topics associated with the studied work.

Demonstrate a knowledge of the worth and limitations of the work you’re studying by analyzing its origin and function
Show a continuous high level of creative comprehension by addressing the study subject comprehensively and effectively.

Relevant findings from this analysis must feature in your argument, not to mention that you should carefully support the arguments.

About the author

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

IBDP Visual Arts

Website by Heather McReynolds & Shannon Brinkley

Updated 2 June 2024

A Good Read: the Visual Arts Extended Essay

Friday 27 March 2015

Turning the pages

A stack of extended essays is piled high on my desk..this is my reading this month. I try to pace myself, reading only a few each day so that my approach remains fresh and curious.

Although there are inevitably some essays that disappoint, there are many more delightful surprises this year. Some essays astound with their clear lucid writing, others with the sheer dedication and passion for the chosen topic. I have read engaging essays on topics as diverse as handmade artist books, cult performance art, site specific architectural decoration, Picasso's muses and many more.

The best essays have a very focused research question or topic and thus a real incentive to research; having a clear focus also helps to build up a convincing argument or thesis.

Essays driven by strong personal interest and meaningful contact with an artist, or work of art are often very successful, especially if guided in the early stages by a wise teacher who can help the student to formulate an angle or research question. Supervisors can help to point the student in the direction of appropriate resources and research methods and a good supervisor can make a big difference.

As would be expected, the weakest essays are those without a clear focused topic. Essays with topics that are too broad and general such as “the role of women in art” , or even “the role of women in abstract art” are difficult to build up a convincing argument or point of view. Much better to take a narrow approach such as “ Joan Mitchell and Agnes Martin; different approaches to abstract painting in the late 20 th century”.

I find It is always beneficial when essays refer to examples of specific artworks, which in turn allow for detailed visual analysis. An essay without these specific examples misses the opportunity for analysis and for using art terminology.

On the whole, it seems that students from schools all over the world are producing mostly high quality essays that show a genuine interest and sensitivity to the visual arts in a broader context.

The Extended Essay teaches so many important skills: not least how to research, structure, and write an essay. If students can succeed at this in high school they will be well prepared for higher education, and for any occasions in their lives when they encounter the need for formal writing skills.

Tags: EE , essay , topic , research question , supervisors

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How To Write The Extended Essay (With Topics and Examples)

This comprehensive guide navigates through every aspect of the EE, from selecting a topic and developing a research question to conducting in-depth research and writing a compelling essay. It offers practical strategies, insights, and tips to help students craft a piece of work that not only meets the rigorous standards of the IB but also reflects their academic passion and curiosity. Join us as we explore the keys to success in the Extended Essay, preparing you for an intellectually rewarding experience.

Posted: 13th February 2024

Section jump links:

Section 1: Understanding the IB Extended Essay

Section 2: the importance of the extended essay, section 3: selecting a topic, section 4: developing your research question, section 5: research methodology and theoretical frameworks, section 6: evaluating sources and data, section 7: integrating evidence and analysis, section 8: writing and structuring the extended essay, section 9: reflection and the rppf, section 10: the significance of academic discipline in the ee, section 11: good practice in extended essay writing, section 12: managing the extended essay process, section 13: collaboration and feedback, section 14: avoiding plagiarism, section 15: emphasising original thought, section 16: final presentation and viva voce, section 17: beyond the extended essay, what is the ib extended essay.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay (EE) is a cornerstone of the IB Diploma Programme . It’s an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000-word paper. This project offers students an opportunity to investigate a topic of their own choice, bridging the gap between classwork and the kind of research required at the university level.

Key Objectives and the Role of the EE in the IB Curriculum

The Extended Essay has several key objectives:

To provide students with the chance to engage in an in-depth study of a question of interest within a chosen subject.
To develop research, thinking, self-management, and communication skills.
To introduce students to the excitement and challenges of academic research.

The EE plays a critical role in the IB curriculum by:

Encouraging intellectual discovery and creativity.
Facilitating academic growth and personal development through research and writing.
Preparing students for the rigours of higher education.

Extended Essay Word Count and Requirements

The EE has a maximum word count of 4,000 words. This does not include the abstract, contents page, bibliography, or footnotes (which must be used sparingly). Here are some essential requirements:

Research Question: Your essay must be focused on a clear, concise research question. You should aim to provide a comprehensive answer to this question through your research and writing.
Subject : The EE can be written in one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma or in a subject recognized by the IB.
Supervision : Each student is assigned a supervisor (usually a teacher in their school) who provides guidance and support throughout the research and writing process.
Assessment: The essay is externally assessed by the IB, contributing up to three points towards the total score for the IB diploma, depending on the grade achieved and the performance in the Theory of Knowledge course.

The Extended Essay is not just an academic requirement but a unique opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest in depth. This can be an incredibly rewarding experience, providing valuable skills and insights that will serve you well in your future academic and professional endeavours.

The EE is more than just a requirement for the IB Diploma. It’s an essential part of the IB experience , offering profound benefits for students. Let’s explore why the EE holds such significance.

Academic and Personal Development Benefits

Skill enhancement:.

The EE fosters a range of academic skills crucial for success in higher education and beyond. It teaches students how to:

Conduct comprehensive research
Develop a coherent argument
Write extensively on a subject
Manage time effectively

Personal Growth:

Beyond academic prowess, the EE encourages personal development. Students learn to:

Pursue their interests deeply
Overcome challenges independently
Reflect on their learning process
Enhance their curiosity and creativity

Contribution to University Admissions

Standout applications:.

The EE can be a significant advantage in university applications . It demonstrates a student’s ability to undertake serious research projects and commit to an intensive academic task. Universities value this dedication, seeing it as indicative of a student’s readiness for undergraduate studies.

Showcase of Skills:

The EE allows students to showcase their research, writing, and analytical skills. It provides concrete evidence of their academic abilities and their capacity to engage deeply with a topic of interest.

Skill Development: Research, Writing, and Critical Thinking

Research Skills:

Students learn to navigate academic literature, evaluate sources, and gather relevant data. This process sharpens their research skills, laying a solid foundation for future academic endeavours.

Writing Skills:

Crafting a 4,000-word essay challenges students to express their ideas clearly and persuasively. It hones their writing skills, teaching them the art of structured and focused academic writing.

Critical Thinking:

The EE encourages students to analyse information critically, assess arguments, and develop their viewpoints. This critical engagement fosters a sophisticated level of thought, beneficial in both academic and real-world contexts.

In conclusion, the Extended Essay is a pivotal element of the IB Diploma Programme. It’s an invaluable opportunity for intellectual and personal growth, preparing students for the challenges of higher education and beyond. With its emphasis on independent research and writing, the EE equips students with the skills and confidence to navigate their future academic journeys successfully.

Choosing a topic for your Extended Essay is the first step in a journey towards developing a deep understanding of a specific area of interest. It’s crucial to select a topic that is not only academically viable but also personally engaging. Here’s how to navigate this critical phase.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your EE Topic

Interest and passion:.

Select a topic that fascinates you. Your interest will sustain motivation over the months of research and writing.

Availability of Resources:

Ensure there are enough resources available on your chosen topic. Access to libraries, databases, and experts in the field is essential for comprehensive research.

Scope and Focus:

The topic should be narrow enough to allow for in-depth study yet broad enough to find sufficient research material. Balancing specificity with resource availability is key.

IB Subject Areas:

Your topic must align with one of the subjects you are studying in the IB Diploma Programme or an approved subject area. Familiarity with the subject’s methodology and criteria is crucial for success.

How to Align Your Interests with the IB Subjects

Explore the syllabus:.

Review the syllabus of your IB subjects to identify topics that interest you. This can provide a framework for your EE.

Consult with Teachers:

Teachers can offer insights into feasible topics that align with the IB criteria and offer guidance on how to approach them.

Consider Interdisciplinary Topics:

Some of the most engaging EEs explore the intersection between different subjects. If this interests you, ensure your approach meets the criteria for an interdisciplinary essay under the IB’s World Studies EE option.

Extended Essay Topics: Examples Across Various Disciplines

Sciences: How does the introduction of non-native plant species affect biodiversity in your local ecosystem?
History : What was the impact of Winston Churchill’s leadership on Britain’s role in World War II?
English: How does the use of unreliable narrators influence the reader’s perception in Ian McEwan’s novels?
Mathematics: Investigating the application of the Fibonacci sequence in predicting stock market movements.
Visual Arts: Exploring the influence of Japanese art on Claude Monet’s painting style.

Selecting the right topic is foundational to your EE journey. It shapes your research direction, influences your engagement with the essay, and ultimately contributes to the satisfaction and success of your EE experience. Take your time, consult widely, and choose a topic that you are eager to explore in depth.

Crafting a focused and clear research question is a pivotal element of your Extended Essay. This question not only guides your research but also frames your essay’s entire structure. It’s the question to which your essay will provide an answer, and as such, it requires thoughtful consideration and precision.

A well-developed research question should be specific, relevant, and challenging. It should invite analysis, discussion, and the exploration of significant academic literature. Here’s a deeper look into formulating a robust research question for your EE.

Characteristics of a Strong Research Question

The hallmark of a strong research question is its specificity. It shouldn’t be too broad, as this could lead to a superficial treatment of the topic.

Conversely, a question that’s too narrow might not allow for comprehensive exploration or significant discussion. Finding a balance is key. The question should also be focused on a particular aspect of a subject area, enabling in-depth analysis within the word count limit.

Another important characteristic is the question’s alignment with available resources. Before finalising your question, ensure that you have access to sufficient data and scholarly research to support your investigation. This might involve preliminary searches in academic databases, libraries, or consultation with your supervisor.

Tips for Refining Your Research Question

Start by brainstorming broad topic areas that interest you. Once you’ve identified a general area of interest, begin narrowing down by asking yourself specific questions about the topic. What aspects of this topic are unexplored or underexplored? What specific angle can I take that will make my research unique?

It’s also beneficial to review past EEs or academic journals for inspiration. Seeing how others have structured their research questions can provide valuable insight into crafting your own. However, ensure your question remains original and tailored to your interests.

Examples of Effective Research Questions

To give you an idea of what a well-formulated research question looks like, here are a few examples:

Biology: How does the concentration of a specific nutrient affect the growth rate of plant species X in a hydroponic setup compared to soil-based growth?
History: To what extent did the public speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. influence the public’s perception of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States between 1963 and 1968?
Economics: How significant is the impact of recent economic policies on small businesses in [specific location] during the COVID-19 pandemic?
English Literature: How does the use of magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez’s ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ reflect the political and social issues of post-colonial Latin America?

Developing your research question is an iterative process. It may evolve as you delve deeper into your research. Be open to refining your question based on the information you discover and discussions with your supervisor. A well-crafted research question will not only guide your research effectively but also engage your interest throughout the writing process, leading to a more meaningful and insightful Extended Essay.

A critical component of your Extended Essay is selecting an appropriate research methodology and theoretical framework. These elements are foundational to conducting your research and crafting your argument, influencing how you collect, analyse, and interpret data.

Understanding Research Methodologies

Research methodology refers to the systematic approach you take to investigate your research question. It encompasses the methods and procedures you use to collect and analyse data. Your chosen methodology should align with the nature of your research question and the objectives of your essay.

In the sciences, for example, your methodology might involve experiments, observations, or simulations to gather empirical data. In the humanities, you may lean towards content analysis, comparative analysis, or historical investigation, relying on textual or archival sources.

Selecting the right methodology is crucial. It should provide a clear path to answering your research question, considering the resources available and the scope of your essay. It’s also important to justify your choice of methodology in your essay, explaining why it’s appropriate for your research question and how it will help you achieve your objectives.

Applying Theoretical Frameworks

Theoretical frameworks provide a lens through which your research is conducted and interpreted. They offer a structured way to understand and analyse your findings, grounding your study in existing knowledge and theories.

Choosing a theoretical framework involves identifying relevant theories, models, or concepts that apply to your topic. For instance, if you’re exploring media representation of gender, you might utilise feminist theory as a framework to analyse your findings. In economics, you might apply game theory to understand competitive behaviours in a market.

The framework should guide your analysis, providing a coherent basis for interpreting your data. It helps to structure your argument, offering a deeper insight into the significance of your findings within the broader academic discourse.

Integrating Methodology and Frameworks into Your Research

Successfully integrating your chosen methodology and theoretical framework involves a few key steps:

Clarify the Scope: Ensure your research question, methodology, and theoretical framework align in scope and focus. They should work together seamlessly to guide your research.
Justify Your Choices: Explain the rationale behind your chosen methodology and framework. Discuss why they are suitable for your research question and how they will support your investigation.
Apply Consistently: Use your methodology and framework consistently throughout your research and analysis. This consistency strengthens the coherence and academic rigour of your essay.

Reflecting on these components during the planning stage can enhance the quality of your research and the clarity of your argument. Your methodology and theoretical framework are not just academic requirements; they’re tools that shape the direction and depth of your inquiry, enabling a more structured and insightful exploration of your topic.

In the journey of crafting an Extended Essay (EE), the ability to critically evaluate sources and data stands as a fundamental skill. This evaluation is crucial in establishing the credibility and reliability of the information that forms the backbone of your research. Understanding how to discern the quality and relevance of your sources ensures that your EE is built on a solid foundation of trustworthy information.

Criteria for Selecting Credible and Relevant Sources

Authority: Consider the source’s authorship. Look for works by experts in the field, academic institutions, or reputable organisations. The author’s qualifications and affiliations can significantly impact the reliability of the information.

Accuracy: The information should be supported by evidence, referenced appropriately, and free from factual errors. Reliable sources often undergo a peer-review process, ensuring that the content is scrutinised and validated by other experts in the field.

Currency: The relevance of information can diminish over time, especially in fields that evolve rapidly, such as science and technology. Ensure that the sources you use are up-to-date, reflecting the latest research and developments.

Purpose: Understand the purpose behind the information. Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell? Recognising the intent can help you assess potential biases, which is particularly important when dealing with controversial topics.

Techniques for Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of Data

Cross-Verification: Cross-check information across multiple sources to verify its accuracy and reliability. Consistency among various sources can be a good indicator of the information’s validity.

Statistical Analysis: When dealing with numerical data, consider its statistical significance and the methodology used in its collection. Reliable data should be gathered using sound scientific methods and accurately represent the population or phenomena studied.

Source Evaluation Tools: Utilise tools and checklists designed to evaluate the credibility of sources. These can provide a structured approach to assessing the quality of your research materials.

Incorporating Primary vs. Secondary Sources Effectively

Primary Sources: These are firsthand accounts or direct evidence concerning the topic you’re researching. They include interviews, surveys, experiments, and historical documents. Primary sources offer original insights and data, allowing for a deeper and more personal engagement with your subject.

Secondary Sources: These sources analyse, interpret, or summarise information from primary sources. They include textbooks, articles, and reviews. Secondary sources can provide context, background, and a broader perspective on your topic.

Balancing primary and secondary sources enriches your research, providing both the raw data and the interpretations that help frame your analysis. By rigorously evaluating sources and data, you ensure that your Extended Essay rests on a foundation of credible and relevant information, enhancing the depth and rigour of your investigation.

The heart of a compelling Extended Essay (EE) lies in the seamless integration of evidence and analysis. This integration not only supports and substantiates your arguments but also demonstrates your ability to critically engage with your research topic. Here’s how to weave evidence and analysis together in a way that enhances the strength and persuasiveness of your EE.

Strategies for Integrating Evidence Seamlessly into Your Argument

Directly Link Evidence to Your Thesis: Every piece of evidence you include should directly support or relate to your thesis statement. This ensures that all the information contributes to building your argument coherently.

Use Evidence to Illustrate Points: Utilise examples, data, quotes, and case studies as concrete evidence to illustrate your points. This makes abstract concepts more tangible and convincing to the reader.

Analyse, Don’t Just Present: For every piece of evidence, provide analysis and interpretation. Explain how it supports your argument, what it demonstrates, and its implications for your research question.

Balancing Descriptive and Analytical Writing

Avoid Over-Description: While some description is necessary to set the context, avoid dedicating too much space to merely describing your evidence. The focus should be on analysis.

Develop a Critical Voice: Cultivate a critical approach to your evidence. This means evaluating its reliability, considering its limitations, and discussing its relevance to your argument.

Synthesise Information: Aim to synthesise evidence from multiple sources to support your points. This demonstrates comprehensive understanding and the ability to draw connections across your research.

How to Critically Analyse Sources and Data Within Your Essay

Question the Source: Consider the source’s origin, purpose, and potential bias. How might these factors influence the information presented?

Evaluate Methodology: If the evidence comes from a study or experiment, evaluate the methodology used. Is it sound and appropriate for the research question?

Consider the Broader Context: Place your evidence within the broader scholarly conversation on your topic. How does it fit with, challenge, or expand existing knowledge?

By thoughtfully integrating evidence and providing in-depth analysis, you can create a nuanced and compelling EE that goes beyond mere description to offer original insights into your topic. This approach not only strengthens your argument but also showcases your critical thinking and analytical skills, essential qualities for success in the IB Diploma Programme and beyond.

The Extended Essay presents an opportunity for IB students to engage deeply with a topic of their choice. However, to effectively communicate your research and insights, your essay must be well-structured and clearly written.

This section provides guidance on how to write and structure your EE, ensuring your work is coherent, persuasive, and academically rigorous.

Outline of the Extended Essay Structure

A well-organised structure is crucial for the readability and coherence of your EE. Typically, an Extended Essay includes the following components:

Title Page: Displays the essay title, research question, subject the essay is registered in, and word count.
Abstract: A concise summary of the essay, including the research question, methodology, results, and conclusion (Note: For essays submitted in 2018 and forward, the IB no longer requires an abstract, so check the most current guidelines).
Contents Page: Lists the sections and subsections of your essay with page numbers.
Introduction: Introduces the research question and your essay’s purpose, outlining the scope of the investigation.
Body : The main section of your essay, divided into clearly titled subsections, each addressing specific aspects of the research question. It’s where you present your argument, supported by evidence.
Conclusion: Summarises the findings, discusses the implications, and reflects on the research’s limitations and potential areas for further study.
References/Bibliography: Lists all sources used in the essay in a consistent format, following the chosen citation style.
Appendices: (If necessary) Contains supplementary material that is relevant to the research but not essential to its explanation.

Detailed Breakdown of Each Section

Introduction:

The introduction sets the stage for your research. It should clearly state your research question and explain the significance of the topic. Briefly outline the theoretical framework and methodology, and provide an overview of the essay’s structure.

The body is the heart of your essay. It should be logically organised to build your argument step by step. Each paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence, followed by evidence and analysis. Use subheadings to divide the sections thematically or methodologically, ensuring each part contributes to answering the research question.

Developing Arguments: Present and critique different perspectives, systematically leading the reader through your analytical process.
Using Evidence: Incorporate relevant data, quotes, and examples to support your arguments. Ensure all sources are appropriately cited.
Analysis and Discussion: Go beyond describing your findings; analyse and interpret them in the context of your research question and theoretical framework.
Conclusion: The conclusion should not introduce new information. Instead, it should synthesise your findings, highlighting how they contribute to understanding the research question. Reflect on the research process, acknowledging any limitations and suggesting areas for further investigation.

Importance of Coherence and Logical Flow

Maintaining coherence and a logical flow throughout your EE is essential. Transition sentences between paragraphs and sections can help link ideas smoothly, guiding the reader through your argument. A coherent structure ensures that your essay is accessible and persuasive, making a strong impression on the reader.

A well-written and structured EE is a testament to your understanding of the research process and your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. By adhering to a clear structure and focusing on coherence and logical progression, you can craft an essay that is engaging, insightful, and academically rigorous.

A unique and integral component of the IB Extended Essay (EE) process is the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF). The RPPF serves as a personal and academic exploration tool, guiding students through the planning, research, and writing phases of their EE. It encourages students to reflect on their learning journey, documenting insights gained, challenges encountered, and the evolution of their thinking.

The Role of Reflection in the EE Process

Reflection is at the heart of the EE, enabling students to engage critically with their own learning processes. It helps in:

Self-Assessment: Encouraging students to consider their strengths and areas for improvement.
Skill Development: Facilitating a deeper understanding of the research and writing skills developed during the EE process.
Critical Thinking: Promoting an evaluative approach to the research process, allowing students to make informed decisions about their methodologies, sources, and arguments.

How to Effectively Complete the RPPF

Completing the RPPF involves three formal reflection sessions, which are crucial milestones in the EE journey:

Initial Reflection: Focuses on the selection of the topic and formulation of the research question. Students should discuss their motivations, initial ideas, and anticipated challenges.
Interim Reflection: Occurs midway through the process. Students reflect on the progress made, adjustments to their research plan, and any challenges they’ve faced. It’s an opportunity to reassess the direction of the EE and make necessary modifications.
Final Reflection: After completing the EE, students reflect on their overall experience, the skills they’ve developed, and the knowledge they’ve gained. This reflection should also consider the impact of the research process on their personal and academic growth.

In each reflection, students should be honest and critical, providing insights into their learning journey. The reflections are not just about documenting successes but also about understanding the learning process, including setbacks and how they were overcome.

Examples of Reflective Questions and Insightful Responses

Initial reflection:.

Question: “What excites me about my chosen topic?”

Insightful Response: Discuss the personal or academic interest in the topic, any prior knowledge, and what you hope to discover through your research.

Interim Reflection:

Question: “What challenges have I encountered in my research, and how have I addressed them?”

Insightful Response: Describe specific obstacles, such as difficulty accessing resources or refining the research question, and the strategies employed to overcome them.

Final Reflection:

Question: “How has my understanding of the topic evolved through the research process?”

Insightful Response: Reflect on how the research challenged or confirmed initial assumptions and what was learned about the topic and the research process itself.

The RPPF is not just a formal requirement but a valuable component of the EE that enriches the student’s learning experience. By fostering reflection, the RPPF helps students to articulate their journey, offering insights into the complexities of research and the personal growth that accompanies the creation of an extended academic work.

The Extended Essay allows students to explore a topic of interest within the framework of an IB subject. The choice of academic discipline not only shapes the content and focus of the essay but also influences the methodologies and theoretical frameworks that students may employ. Understanding and adhering to the conventions and requirements of the chosen discipline is crucial for the success of the EE.

Adhering to Disciplinary Conventions and Guidelines

Each academic discipline has its own set of conventions regarding research methodologies, writing styles, and citation formats. For example, a science EE might require empirical research and quantitative analysis, whereas an essay in the humanities might focus on qualitative analysis and critical interpretation of texts.

Key considerations include:

Methodology: The choice of methodology should align with disciplinary norms. Science EEs might involve experiments, whereas essays in history might rely on primary source analysis.
Structure: While the basic structure of the EE remains consistent across subjects, the presentation of arguments and evidence might vary. Essays in the arts and humanities might follow a thematic structure, while those in the sciences might be organised around experimental findings.
Citation Style: Different disciplines prefer specific citation styles. For instance, APA might be favoured in psychology, while MLA is commonly used in literature essays. Adhering to the appropriate style is crucial for academic integrity.

How Different Disciplines Influence the Approach to Research and Writing

The academic discipline not only dictates the formal aspects of the EE but also influences the approach to research and writing. For instance, an EE in Visual Arts would require a different analytical lens compared to an EE in Economics. The former might analyse the impact of cultural contexts on artistic expressions, while the latter could evaluate economic theories through case studies.

Disciplinary perspectives also affect:

Argumentation : The way arguments are constructed and evidenced can differ. In the sciences, arguments are often built around data and logical reasoning, while in the humanities, they might be more interpretative, drawing on various theoretical perspectives.
Critical Engagement: The extent and nature of critical engagement with sources can vary. In subjects like History or English, a critical analysis of diverse interpretations is fundamental, whereas in the Sciences, the focus might be on empirical evidence and hypothesis testing.

Examples of Disciplinary Perspectives in Extended Essay Examples

Biology EE: An investigation into the effects of environmental changes on local biodiversity, employing scientific methods for data collection and analysis.
Economics EE: An analysis of the impact of a specific economic policy on a local economy, using economic theories and models to interpret data.
English Literature EE: A comparative study of the theme of alienation in two novels, using literary theories to explore the authors’ narrative techniques.

Understanding the significance of academic discipline in the EE ensures that students approach their research with the appropriate methodologies and analytical frameworks. It encourages respect for the depth and breadth of the subject area, contributing to a more nuanced and informed exploration of the chosen topic.

Writing an Extended Essay involves more than just conducting research and presenting findings; it requires careful planning, effective engagement with your supervisor, and a critical approach to your sources. Here are some best practices to help you navigate the EE writing process successfully.

Time Management and Planning

Time management is crucial in the EE process. The project spans several months, so it’s essential to break down the work into manageable stages. Create a timeline early in the process, including key milestones such as completing the research, drafting sections, and finalising the essay. Allocate time for unexpected challenges and ensure you have buffer periods for revision and feedback.

Planning Tips:

Set Goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for each phase of your EE journey.
Use Tools: Leverage planning tools or software to organise your tasks and deadlines.
Regular Reviews: Periodically review your progress against your plan and adjust as necessary.

Engaging with Supervisors Effectively:Your supervisor is a valuable resource throughout the EE process. They can provide guidance on your research question, methodology, and essay structure, as well as feedback on your drafts.

Maximising Supervisor Engagement:

Prepare for Meetings: Come to each meeting with specific questions or sections of your essay you want feedback on.
Be Open to Feedback: Constructive criticism is essential for improvement. Listen to your supervisor’s suggestions and consider how to incorporate them into your work.
Communicate Regularly: Keep your supervisor informed of your progress and any challenges you encounter.

Critical Engagement with Sources

A critical approach to the sources you use is fundamental to a high-quality EE. Evaluate the reliability, relevance, and bias of your sources to ensure your essay is grounded in credible evidence.

Strategies for Source Evaluation:

Source Variety: Use a range of sources, including academic journals, books, and reputable online resources, to provide a balanced perspective on your topic.
Critical Analysis : Don’t just summarise sources. Analyse their arguments, identify limitations, and consider how they contribute to your research question.
Citation and Paraphrasing: Accurately cite all sources to avoid plagiarism. When paraphrasing, ensure you’re genuinely rephrasing ideas in your own words while still crediting the original author.

Good practice in EE writing is not just about adhering to academic standards; it’s about engaging deeply with your topic, embracing the research process, and developing skills that will serve you well in your academic and professional future. By managing your time effectively, leveraging the support of your supervisor, and critically engaging with sources, you can craft an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also personally rewarding.

Successfully navigating the Extended Essay process requires more than just academic skill; it demands effective project management. This encompasses planning, organising, and executing your EE from initial conception to final submission. Here are strategies to help you manage the EE process, ensuring a smooth journey and a rewarding outcome.

Planning and Time Management Strategies Specific to the EE

Develop a Detailed Plan: Start by breaking down the EE process into stages: topic selection, research, drafting, and revising. Assign deadlines to each stage based on the final submission date, allowing extra time for unforeseen delays.

Use a Calendar or Planner: Keep track of deadlines, meetings with your supervisor, and other important dates. Digital tools can be particularly useful, offering reminders and helping you stay organised.

Set Regular Milestones: Milestones offer checkpoints to assess your progress. These could be completing the research phase, finishing a first draft, or finalising your citations. Celebrate these achievements to stay motivated.

Milestones and Checklists to Keep You on Track

Create Checklists: For each phase of the EE process, develop a checklist of tasks. This could include conducting initial research, writing specific sections of the essay, or completing rounds of revision.

Regular Progress Reviews: Schedule weekly or bi-weekly reviews of your progress against your plan. Adjust your plan as needed based on these reviews.

Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adapt your plan. Research might take longer than expected, or you might decide to change your focus slightly after discussing with your supervisor.

Dealing with Challenges and Setbacks During the EE Journey

Anticipate Potential Issues: Think ahead about what might go wrong and how you would address it. Having contingency plans can reduce stress and keep you on track.

Seek Support When Needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor, peers, or other mentors if you encounter obstacles. They can offer advice, support, and perspective.

Maintain a Positive Attitude: Challenges are part of the learning process. View setbacks as opportunities to improve your problem-solving and resilience skills.

Managing the EE process effectively is about more than just completing a requirement for the IB Diploma; it’s an exercise in self-management and personal growth. By carefully planning your work, setting and celebrating milestones, and being prepared to tackle challenges, you can navigate the EE process with confidence and achieve a result that reflects your hard work and dedication.

Mastering the art of collaboration and effectively incorporating feedback are pivotal aspects of crafting a high-calibre Extended Essay (EE). These processes enrich your work, offering new perspectives and insights that can significantly enhance the depth and quality of your research and writing. Let’s delve into how to navigate these collaborative interactions and integrate feedback productively.

Effective Collaboration with Your Supervisor

Your supervisor is a key ally in your EE journey, providing guidance, support, and expert insight into your chosen topic. Building a productive relationship with your supervisor involves clear communication, active engagement, and receptiveness to their advice.

Prepare for Meetings: Maximise the value of your meetings by preparing questions and topics for discussion. This shows initiative and helps you focus on areas where you need the most guidance.
Be Open to Suggestions: Your supervisor brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. Being open to their suggestions can unlock new avenues of inquiry and refine your research focus.
Follow Up: After meetings, review the guidance provided and take action. Following up on suggestions and demonstrating progress is key to a fruitful collaboration.

Incorporating Feedback Constructively

Feedback is a gift, offering you fresh eyes on your work and highlighting areas for improvement. Whether it comes from your supervisor, peers, or other mentors, constructive feedback is instrumental in elevating the quality of your EE.

Critically Evaluate Feedback: Not all feedback will be equally applicable or helpful. Assess suggestions critically and decide which ones align with your research goals and vision for your EE.
Implement Changes Thoughtfully: When integrating feedback, do so thoughtfully and systematically. Consider how each piece of advice enhances your argument or strengthens your analysis.
Maintain Your Own Voice: While it’s important to consider feedback, your EE should ultimately reflect your ideas, analysis, and voice. Balance the input from others with your own scholarly insights.

Balancing Independent Research with Guidance

Navigating the balance between independent research and the guidance received is a delicate aspect of the EE process. While the EE is your project, drawing on the expertise and feedback of others can significantly enhance its depth and scope.

Value Independence: Embrace the opportunity to conduct independent research, making your EE a true reflection of your interests and intellectual curiosity.
Seek Guidance Wisely: Utilise your supervisor and other resources judiciously. They can provide clarity, offer new perspectives, and help you navigate complex aspects of your research.
Synthesise Input: Integrate the guidance and feedback you receive in a way that complements your research, ensuring that your EE remains a coherent and cohesive piece of scholarly work.

The interplay between collaboration, feedback, and independent research is central to the EE process. By engaging effectively with your supervisor, thoughtfully incorporating feedback, and maintaining a balance between guidance and your own scholarly pursuits, you can craft an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also a true testament to your growth as a learner.

Plagiarism is a critical concern in academic writing, including the Extended Essay. It involves using someone else’s work without proper acknowledgment, which can compromise the integrity of your essay and result in severe penalties. Understanding what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it is essential for maintaining academic honesty and ensuring the credibility of your research.

Understanding What Constitutes Plagiarism

Plagiarism can take many forms, from directly copying text without quotation marks to paraphrasing someone else’s ideas without proper citation. It also includes using images, charts, or data without acknowledging the source. Even unintentional plagiarism, where sources are not deliberately misrepresented but are inadequately cited, can have serious consequences.

How to Properly Cite Sources and Paraphrase

Citing Sources : Every time you use someone else’s words, ideas, or data, you must cite the source. This not only includes quotes and paraphrases but also data, images, and charts. Familiarise yourself with the citation style recommended for your subject area, whether it be APA, MLA, Chicago, or another, and apply it consistently throughout your essay.

Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing involves rewording someone else’s ideas in your own words. It’s essential to do more than just change a few words around; you need to completely rewrite the concept, ensuring you still cite the original source. Good paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of the material and integrates it seamlessly into your argument.

Using Plagiarism Detection Tools

Many schools and students use plagiarism detection tools to check the originality of their work before submission. These tools compare your essay against a vast database of published material and other student submissions to identify any matches. Utilising these tools can help you identify areas of your essay that need better paraphrasing or citation.

Avoiding plagiarism in the EE involves diligent research, careful writing, and thorough citation. It’s about respecting the intellectual property of others while demonstrating your own understanding and analysis of the topic. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your EE is both original and academically honest, reflecting the hard work and integrity that define the IB learner profile.

In the Extended Essay, showcasing original thought is not just encouraged; it’s a cornerstone of what makes an EE stand out. Originality in this context means more than just avoiding plagiarism; it involves presenting unique perspectives, developing novel arguments, or exploring new areas within a subject. Here’s how you can emphasise original thought in your EE.

The Value of Originality and Creativity

Originality and creativity in the EE demonstrate your ability to think independently and engage critically with your subject. It shows that you’re not just capable of summarising existing knowledge but also contributing to the conversation in your discipline. This level of engagement is what the IB looks for in assessing the EE, as it reflects a deeper understanding and application of the subject matter.

Balancing Academic Rigour with Personal Voice and Analysis

While it’s important to ground your EE in academic research and follow disciplinary conventions, finding a balance with your personal voice and analysis is key to originality. Here are ways to achieve this balance:

Personal Insight : Inject your essay with your insights, interpretations, and conclusions based on the research. This personal engagement with the topic distinguishes your EE from a mere literature review.
Critical Analysis: Go beyond describing what others have said. Critique the arguments, identify gaps in the research, and propose new ways of understanding the subject.
Innovative Approach: Consider addressing less explored aspects of your topic or applying theories and methodologies from other disciplines to bring fresh perspectives.

Strategies for Developing and Showcasing Original Thought

Question Assumptions: Start by questioning the prevailing assumptions or widely held beliefs in your subject area. This critical stance can open up avenues for original analysis.

Interdisciplinary Connections: Drawing connections between different disciplines can reveal new insights and approaches that enrich your essay.

Reflect on Your Learning: Use the insights gained from your coursework and personal interests to inform your approach. Often, your unique educational and life experiences can inspire original perspectives.

Emphasising original thought in your EE is about striking a balance between demonstrating your mastery of the subject and pushing beyond the boundaries of existing knowledge. It involves a blend of thorough research, critical thinking, and creative engagement with the topic. By fostering a unique perspective and injecting your personal voice into your analysis, you can create an EE that is not only academically rigorous but also distinctly yours, leaving a lasting impression on your readers.

The culmination of the Extended Essay process includes the final presentation and the Viva Voce, a concluding interview between the student and their supervisor. These components serve not only as a summation of your EE journey but also as an opportunity to reflect on your learning and the skills you’ve developed. Understanding the significance and how to prepare for these elements is crucial for a successful EE completion.

Preparing for the Final Presentation

The final presentation is an opportunity to share the highlights of your EE journey, including your research question, methodology, key findings, and any challenges you overcame. It’s a moment to showcase the depth of your research and the personal growth you experienced throughout the process.

Key Elements to Include:

Overview of Your Research: Briefly summarise your research question and why you chose it, highlighting your methodology and the scope of your investigation.
Significant Findings: Share the key insights and discoveries you made during your research. This is a chance to underscore the original contributions of your EE.
Challenges and Solutions : Discuss any significant obstacles you faced and how you addressed them. Reflecting on these challenges shows your problem-solving skills and resilience.
Reflections on the Process: Share what you’ve learned about yourself as a learner, the skills you’ve developed, and how the EE has impacted your academic and personal growth.

Tips for a Successful Viva Voce

The Viva Voce is a short interview with your supervisor after you’ve submitted your EE. It’s an integral part of the reflection process, allowing you to discuss the successes and challenges of your research journey.

To Prepare for the Viva Voce:

Review Your EE: Be familiar with your essay’s content, as you’ll discuss your work in detail. Be ready to explain your research decisions and reflect on your learning process.
Anticipate Questions: Your supervisor might ask about how you selected your topic, the development of your research question, your approach to research and writing, and the skills you’ve developed.
Reflect on Your Learning: Think about the entire EE process, including what you learned, how you’ve grown, and how the experience might influence your future academic or career goals.

How the Viva Voce Contributes to Your Overall EE Assessment

While the Viva Voce doesn’t directly affect your EE grade, it plays a crucial role in the holistic assessment of your IB Diploma. It demonstrates the authenticity of your work and your engagement with the EE process, providing insights into your approach, dedication, and intellectual growth.

The final presentation and Viva Voce are essential milestones that mark the completion of your EE journey. They offer a platform to reflect on the challenges you’ve navigated, the knowledge you’ve gained, and the skills you’ve honed. Preparing thoroughly for these elements ensures you can confidently articulate your research journey, showcasing the depth of your inquiry and your development as an IB learner.

The journey through the Extended Essay is more than an academic exercise; it’s a transformative experience that equips IB Diploma students with skills and insights that extend far beyond the programme.

Reflecting on how the EE prepares you for future academic and professional endeavours can highlight the lasting value of this rigorous project.

How the Skills Developed During the EE Can Benefit You in Future Academic and Professional Endeavours

Research and Analytical Skills: The EE demands a high level of research and analysis, teaching students how to gather, assess, and interpret data. These skills are invaluable in higher education and many professional fields, where evidence-based decision-making is crucial.

Critical Thinking: Crafting an EE requires students to evaluate sources critically, consider multiple perspectives, and develop well-reasoned arguments. This ability to think critically is highly sought after in both academia and the workplace.

Project Management: Completing an EE involves planning, organisation, time management, and problem-solving. Managing such a long-term project successfully can boost your confidence in handling complex tasks and projects in the future.

Communication: Writing the EE enhances your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, a skill that is essential in any professional setting. Additionally, the final presentation and Viva Voce develop your verbal communication and presentation skills.

Examples of How the EE Has Helped Alumni in Their Post-IB Journeys

Many IB alumni attribute their success in university and their careers to the foundation laid by their EE experience. For instance, alumni often report that the EE made the transition to university-level research and writing much smoother. Others have found that the skills developed through the EE, such as critical thinking and project management, have set them apart in job interviews and workplace projects.

Encouragement to View the EE as a Stepping Stone to Lifelong Learning

The EE is not just a requirement for the IB Diploma; it’s an introduction to a lifelong journey of inquiry and discovery. It encourages a mindset of curiosity and a habit of continuous learning that can enrich both your personal and professional life. Viewing the EE through this lens can transform it from a daunting task into an exciting opportunity to explore your passions and develop essential skills for the future.

The Extended Essay is a hallmark of the IB Diploma Programme, embodying the essence of inquiry, critical thinking, and scholarly engagement. From selecting a topic and formulating a research question to conducting in-depth research and presenting findings, the EE challenges students to transcend the boundaries of traditional learning, fostering skills and insights that extend far beyond the confines of the classroom.

This comprehensive guide has navigated the critical aspects of the EE process, offering strategies for managing time, engaging with supervisors, and ensuring academic integrity. It has underscored the importance of original thought, the role of academic discipline, and the value of reflection, aiming to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in this rigorous academic endeavour.

The Extended Essay is a testament to your dedication, intellectual curiosity, and academic prowess. Embrace this opportunity to shine, to explore, and to make your mark on the world of knowledge.

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Current Unit: DEVELOPING YOUR EXHIBITION

Extended Essay

Visual arts and ee.

An extended essay in visual arts provides you with an opportunity to undertake research in an area of the visual arts of particular interest to you.

The outcome of the research should be a coherent and structured piece of writing (with appropriate illustrations) that effectively addresses a particular issue or research question, appropriate to the visual arts (broadly defined also to include architecture, design and contemporary forms of visual culture).

The research may be generated or inspired by your direct experience of artwork, craftwork or design, or interest in the work of a particular artist, style or period. This might be related to your own culture or another culture. Personal contact with artists, curators and so on is strongly encouraged, as is the use of local and/or primary sources.

The strongest EEs often show careful choice of socially and culturally interesting subjects, which often had a special meaning for the candidate either in relation to your own cultural identity, a future university program, or for a current artistic reason, e.g. your personal studio pursuits.

Whatever you choose your question needs to be narrowed down and strictly focused in order for the rest of the criteria - investigation, analysis, evaluation, a valid argument, and purposeful understanding of the question, to be treated effectively. Without a strong focused research question it is difficult to collect data and evaluate sources for comparison.

Absolute reliance on textbooks and the Internet is discouraged and no extended essay in visual arts should be based exclusively on such sources. Textbooks should be consulted only insofar as they may stimulate original ideas, provide models of disciplined, structured and informed approaches, and encourage direct and personal involvement with the essay topic.

Choice of topic

Topics that are entirely dependent on summarizing general secondary sources (such as universal art history textbooks, and encyclopedias), and topics that are likely to lead to an essay that is essentially narrative or descriptive in nature, should be avoided. Biographical studies of artists must address a relevant issue or research question and arrive at a particular, and preferably personal, conclusion. Choosing a topic that covers many aspects of art history and/or a long period of time is also unlikely to result in a successful essay. Restricting the scope of the essay will help to ensure a clear focus and will provide opportunities for demonstrating detailed understanding and critical analysis.

The following examples of titles for visual arts extended essays are intended as guidance only. The pairings illustrate that focused topics (indicated by the first title) should be encouraged rather than broad topics (indicated by the second title).

“How did Wassily Kandinsky use colour?” is better than “The Bauhaus”

“In what way did African art influence on the work of Henry Moore” is better than “20th-century British sculpture”

“What is the artistic significance of recent poles raised by the First Nations of Haida-Gwai?” is better than “The art of Native North American people”

It may help if you define the topic chosen for study in the form of a more specific research question, followed by a statement of intent that indicates which broad process is going to be used in answering the question. In this way, the approach to the topic chosen may be even further clarified. Some examples of this could include the following.

Topic Cultural influences on Pablo Picasso’s work

Research question Picasso: individual genius or cultural thief?

Approach An investigation of the extent to which selected images in Picasso’s work may have been appropriated from other cultural sources.

Topic The influence of Renaissance architecture in Montreal

Research question Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde, Montreal: a replica of St Peter’s, Rome?

Approach An original investigation into the stylistic similarities in the architecture of these two buildings.

Topic The impact of immigration on an artist’s work

Research question What is the impact of transcultural experience on the art of Gu Xiong?

Approach An investigation into the effects of migration on a selected artist’s work.

Treatment of the topic

It is essential that the topic chosen be clearly and directly related to visual arts. If the connection is only incidental, you risk introducing material that is of only marginal relevance, and will confuse the inquiry and weaken the argument. You should formulate a research question of personal interest and draw on a variety of sources to support your arguments, such as textual analysis, study of original artworks or designed artifacts, and interviews with practitioners or authorities on the subject. Research questions that do not allow a systematic investigation that demonstrates critical artistic analysis and detailed understanding are unlikely to be suitable. In some instances, it may become clear at an early stage in the research that too few sources are available to permit such an investigation. In such cases, a change of focus should be made.

The inclusion and discussion of appropriate visual reference material is of particular importance in visual arts extended essays. Such material must, however, be directly supportive of, and relevant to, the analysis/argument. It should be neatly presented, properly acknowledged, and should appear in the body of the essay, as close as possible to the first reference.

In order to promote personal involvement in the extended essay, the use of local and/or primary sources should be encouraged wherever possible. However, it is appreciated that, in certain situations, you may not necessarily have access to primary sources. In such situations, reproductions, videos, films or photographs/Internet images of a high quality are considered acceptable sources. An argument should be well substantiated, with comments and conclusions supported by evidence that is relevant and well-founded, not based simply on your preconceptions.

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Examples of good EE titles

What part did national motifs play in the creative work of Russian avant-garde artists of the Knave of Diamonds society?
Should the old neon signs of Warsaw be moved to a new Museum of Modern Art?
In what ways did men’s and women’s fashion convey the ideals of National Socialism?
How does the work of Yinka Shonibare illustrate the changing role of African art in a global society?
Le Corbusier: Chapel at Ronchamp. How does Le Corbusier use both cubist and organic architecture to create aesthetic and functional harmony?
What were the origins of the Romanesque in Arles?
Are there influences of pop art in the decorations on Pakistani trucks?

The following examples are more appropriate for the Comparative Study rather than an EE topic

The Orient in the works of three orientalist artists and their diverging perspectives – Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres, Jean-Leon Gerome, Osman Hamdi Bey.
A comparison of the marriage of high art and fashion in the designs of Sonia Delaunay and Yves St-Laurent.

Examples of weak EE Titles

The Variation within perception amongst human beings.
Architecture: Art with a purpose.
Salvador Dali. (in fact any purely biographical study of a very famous artist - what more can you say that has been written already in countless books)
Postmodernism.
Islamic architecture.

Writing the EE

You are expected to evaluate critically the resources consulted during the process of writing the essay by asking yourself the following questions.

Which sources are vital to the support of my ideas, opinions and assertions?
Which sources do not contribute to the analysis?

Many different approaches to the research question can be appropriate, for instance:

use of primary sources (artwork and artists) and secondary sources (material about the visual arts) in order to establish and appraise varying interpretations
analysing sources (primary and secondary) in order to explore and explain particular aspects of the visual arts
using primary source material for an analysis, with emphasis on a particular aspect of visual arts
collecting and analysing reproductions of artwork, possibly leading to a comparison of similar or different images.

You should also demonstrate awareness of other issues surrounding the art studied.

Do I show an awareness of the value and limitations of the art I am studying through analysing its origin and purpose?
Do I show a consistently good artistic understanding in setting the research question into context and addressing it fully and effectively?

Relevant outcomes of this analysis should be integrated into the your argument.

The argument should also be well substantiated:
With what evidence do I support my comments and conclusions?
Is this evidence relevant and well founded, and not based simply on my preconceptions?

Extended Essay Titles

Borrowing culture: the appropriateness of Picasso's use of the Mbangu mask in 'Les Demoiselles d'Avignon' (2008)

Can Luc Tuymans be classified as a political painter?

How does the work of Ketna Patel illustrate the growing impact of media culture on Asian cultures? (2014)

How does the work of Yinka Shonibare illustrate the changing role of African art in a Global Society? (2008)

How far Andy Warhol's interest in morbidity explored in his "Death and Disaster' series? (2014)

How the cultural aspects of Jesse Trevino's life impacted his artwork (Part1, Part2) (2008)

How would one determine the essential balance between form and function in the cases of four 21st century pedestrian bridges? (2014)

The influence on the Casa Batllo (1904-6) by the architect Antoni Gaudi (Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4) (2011)

Is the distortion of Francis Bacon and Jenny Saville's artwork gender related? (Part1, Part2, Part3) (2011)

To what extent has Damien Hirst explored the themes of Life and Death in his work? (2013)

To what extent has the design of Federation Square been a success?

To what extent have Jungian theories of the unconscious archetypes, influenced Rotho's 'The Omen of the Eagle, 1942' and 'No. 18, 1948,' and in what ways are they expressed? (2012)

To what extent was Toulouse-Lautrec's lithograph 'Dican Japonais' influenced by the culture of Montmartre and technical developments of 'Belle-Epoque'? (2013)

When does photojournalism transcend into art? (Part1, Part2, Part3) (2011)

How does Fra Angelico present himself within Renaissance Florence though his depiction of The Annunciation? ( 2017)

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Guide to the IB Extended Essay in 2024

January 24, 2024

If you’re an International Baccalaureate student getting ready to write your IB Extended Essay, you might be experiencing some very understandable trepidation. But have no fear—we’re here to help you understand what’s required of you, how to plan ahead (IB extended essay topics), and how you’ll be graded (IB extended essay rubric). Keep reading for a good dose of preparation and confidence before you begin the journey. In this article, we’ll cover:

What is the IB Extended Essay?

The ib extended essay—required content, ib extended essay topics.

IB Extended Essay—Sample Essays

IB Extended Essay Tips

Ib extended essay rubric, ib extended essay—more resources.

The IB Extended Essay is a 4,000-word paper that asks you to immerse yourself in research and academic writing. A required part of the IB program, the Extended Essay is a chance to dig deep into a topic that fascinates you.

Although it’s no small task, the IB Extended Essay is an opportunity to gain practical research and writing skills that will come in handy again in college. As you write, you’ll learn how to:

Identify credible sources
Formulate a research question and limit your scope of research
Communicate ideas to an audience
Develop a well-supported argument

The IB Extended Essay is largely an independent, self-directed project, but don’t worry—the IB program doesn’t throw you into the deep end. You do get to select a mentor (usually a teacher at your school) to help guide you through the process. As you write, you’ll be required to meet with your mentor three times. As part of your final evaluation, your mentor will interview you in a final reflection section called a viva voce . During the viva voce, your mentor will check for plagiarism and malpractice, ask you to reflect on challenges and difficulties, and prompt you to discuss what you’ve learned through the research and writing process. Your mentor will then generate a report that factors into your final grade.

Your final essay must include the following:

Contents page
Introduction
Body of the essay
References and bibliography

For this essay, it will be up to you to generate a topic; the International Baccalaureate does not provide prompts. However, your essay will need to fit within one of six provided subject areas . You’ll choose from the following list of IB Extended Essay Topics:

Language and literature
Language acquisition
Individuals and societies
Mathematics

IB Extended Essay Topics (Continued)

At a glance, the subject areas might look limited, but the topics you can choose to write about are actually wide-ranging. The “Individuals and societies” category includes social science topics like economics, history, world religions, and philosophy. And, if you’re leaning toward “Science,” you can choose from classic subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics, or related topics like environmental systems or health science, among others.

The IB also offers a special “World Studies” option for students interested in researching global issues. This subject would allow you to center your writing on global issues such as migration, global health, cultural exchange, or climate change.

Wondering what an outstanding IB Extended Essay looks like? The International Baccalaureate provides quite a few sample student essays online . Here are five essays that earned A grades.

Language and literature: An exploration of an aspect of the narrative voice in Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita

Environmental Systems and Societies: The economic impact of the 1995 reintroduction of grey wolves to Yellowstone National Park

Psychology: To what extent do social networking sites (SNS) usage lead to experience of anxiety in adolescents?

Music: Composition techniques in the 1st movement of Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 2, Op. 73

Business Management: Corporate Culture at Oracle

1) Pick something you’re passionate about

As you can see from the titles above, the IB Extended Essay is a great place to delve into a niche topic that fascinates you. Since you’ll be spending many months on this essay, you’ll want to pick a topic you genuinely enjoy spending time learning about. It’s also smart to choose something you’ve already learned about in your IB classes so that you have a strong foundation of knowledge to start with. In music class, do you love pondering why music makes us feel a certain way? Maybe an essay about music theory will keep your gears turning. Do you come alive trying to solve seemingly impossible problems in physics class? Now’s your chance to put those equations into action.

Since this essay is all about your academic interests, it’s also a good idea to pick a topic that’s relevant to what you plan to study in college. Selecting a relevant topic will provide you with significant exposure to the field and will also give you something meaningful to talk about in your college admissions essays.

2) Limit your scope

What’s the meaning of life? Why do wars happen? What is time? Some questions are just way too big to answer, and your IB Extended Essay is not a good place to tackle expansive, philosophical questions. Instead, think of this essay as a place to investigate one piece of a big question. If, let’s say, you’re generally interested in what helps women reach positions of leadership in business, this is a good place to examine how one or a few companies approach this issue. Or, if you’re interested in studying what inspires surrealist painters, you’ll want to pick one or a few painters to research, likely all from the same time period. For both these topics, you’d need a whole textbook to tackle the full question, but limiting your scope will make it much easier to write a clear and cohesive 4,000 words.

On the other hand, it’s possible to narrow your focus too much. It would be impossible, for example, to write 4,000 words about a single sentence in a novel. Make sure you talk about scope early and often with your mentor. Together, you can find the perfect Goldilocks scope for your project that’s not too big and not too small.

3) Choose a good mentor

Speaking of mentors, choosing wisely will help you enormously as you embark on your IB Extended Essay. You’ll want to make sure you choose someone with existing knowledge in your research topic. Your English teacher may be able to give you great writing advice, for example, but they won’t be able to guide your research and scope if you’re writing about marine animals or modern dance.

Before you approach a teacher, make sure you have at least one topic idea (or even a few ideas) in mind so that you can make sure they’ll be a good fit to supervise your project. When you meet with them, find out what their mentorship style is like. Make sure they’ll have time to read several drafts of your essays, meet with you a few times, and give you feedback. Some IB schools will require your IB Extended Essay mentor to sign an agreement form too, so make sure you find out what paperwork is required in advance.

4) Get organized, way organized

The IB Extended Essay is not something you can crank out the night before it’s due. The essay is meant to be a substantive, in-depth, thoughtful, and thoroughly researched analysis, and Rome simply isn’t built in a day. This might be the longest paper you’ve written to date, and this project might require more research than you’ve been asked to do before. Timelines vary by school, but you’ll likely spend between eight months and a year working on your IB Extended Essay. So, how will you pull it all off? For these 8-12 months, organization will be your guiding light. We recommend you:

Get started early. If your essay is due November of your senior year, start generating topic ideas during your junior year right after winter break.
Create a long-view schedule for yourself. What will you accomplish each month of your process?
Give yourself deadlines. Once you choose a mentor, suggest 2-3 draft deadline dates so that you will be held accountable throughout the writing process.
Find a note-taking system that works for you. You’ll be reading many articles and books and it’s hard to keep track of all your sources. Create a document or spreadsheet where you keep track of the sources you’ve found and check them off as you read. As you finish reading a text, type up important quotes and a few notes explaining how it connects to your topic and to your other texts.

5)Write a messy first draft

Writing never comes out perfect the first time, even for New York Times bestselling authors and the most experienced researchers. In your first draft, give yourself permission to get all your thoughts out, no matter how unstructured or rambling they are. Call this your brainstorming draft. When you’re ready to revisit it, see what patterns emerge, what common ideas you can group together, what beginning buds of ideas you can make bloom into full-fledged analysis.

6) Communicate for an audience

When you’re used to producing writing that only your teacher reads, it can be hard to remember to write for an audience. But at the end of the day, writing is communication , and the best writing is clear and thorough communication that anyone could pick up and read. For your IB Extended Essay, you’ll want to remember that many people will be reading your final essay, and not all of them will be experts in the niche topic you choose to study. Ask yourself: how can I explain my research to an audience who doesn’t already agree with my analysis?

To communicate to an audience, you’ll want to:

Provide lots of general background information on your topic.
Don’t assume your reader is familiar with your sources. Introduce them as if they’re guest speakers about to walk up to a podium and deliver a lecture.
After including quotes, facts, and figures, be sure to explain what those sources mean in your own words and how they connect to your bigger-picture argument.
Don’t assume your arguments are self-evident. In this essay, communicating for an audience means supplying ongoing interpretation and analysis, even if it feels like you’re explaining the obvious. Your reader isn’t on your research journey with you, so your points might not be so obvious to your reader.

Although your IB Extended Essay provides a report that factors into your grade, your essay will also be assessed by external examiners the IB. Per the IB Extended Essay Rubric , essays are graded on a scale from 0 to 34 based on 5 different criteria:

Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

As you can see, Critical Thinking is the most significant rubric category. This means that the IB wants to see you arrive at your own unique analysis of your topic, drawing connections between sources and data, and making well-supported arguments. This means they want a lot of you: your ideas, your interpretations, your thoughts. Make sure you emphasize that in your essay, but of course don’t forget the other categories.

The score a student receives corresponds to a letter grade scale that is slightly different than what we’re accustomed to in the U.S. Here’s the letter grade to numerical score breakdown:

You must earn a D or higher to receive your IB Diploma. To learn more about the different criteria included in the IB Extended Essay Rubric, you can explore the IB’s full guide to the Extended Essay .

We hope you found our look at the IB extended essay rubric and IB extended essay topics to be helpful. Ready to dive into research? You may want to read our 10 Expert Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension before you hit the books.

And if you’re a high school student in the process of mapping out your pathway to college, take a look at a few other useful guides:

IB vs AP—Which Classes are Best for College Admission?
How to Earn College Credit in High School
High School Course Requirements for College Admission
SAT Score Calculator
ACT Score Calculator
High School Success

Christina Wood

Christina Wood holds a BA in Literature & Writing from UC San Diego, an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in English at the University of Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and first-year composition courses. Christina has published fiction and nonfiction in numerous publications, including The Paris Review , McSweeney’s , Granta , Virginia Quarterly Review , The Sewanee Review , Mississippi Review , and Puerto del Sol , among others. Her story “The Astronaut” won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a “Distinguished Stories” mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology.

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The IB Extended Essay: Topic ideas and research Questions

Details of the EE
Topic ideas and research Questions
Subject Guides & documents you need
Writing a research paper
Check the list of available subjects here
Read the IB's criteria for your subject
Read an exemplar essay in your subject
Decide on a topic within this subject
This means you will need to do some research!
During the first meeting with your advisor, discuss the research you've done, your ideas, and the requirements for your subject.
Your revised research question proposal is due May 16.

Adapted from O'Farrell, Finbar. Approach your assessment the IB Way: Extended Essay. pg. 13

Examples of marked EEs in all subjects

From the IB website Have a look at the specific subject you plan on writing your EE for a marked example. You will be able to identify what you need to be successful.

Design Technology

Guide on writing an EE in DT The pdf explains everything clearly and is full of ideas and topics to write about.

Question: Has the introduction of new materials improved the performance of modern racing bicycles?

Question: What are the most ethical and efficient methods--through current technologies--private organizations can use to make Mars habitable for Human life?

History or Geography

Question : In what ways did the Cold War impact American public education? Question: To what extent have Maori non-violent struggles for their land been effective? Question: How could the UN intervention in the Rwandan genocide be justified? Question :Is it politically possible for the US government to win the drugs war? (Politics)

Question: How are the depictions of Marie Antoinette in politics and portraiture significant to the French revolution and the fall of the French Monarchy?

Question: To what extent was film able to further pro-Nazi sentiment in Germany during the early 1930s to mid 1940s?

Question: To what extent were the Vietnam War and cultural shifts occurring in the 1960s and early 1970s vital factors in the development of the student activism on college campuses in the United States and abroad?

Question: To what extent was Matthew Perry’s 1853 arrival in Edo Bay the leading motivator for Japan’s rapid modernization during the Meiji Restoration?

Question: What made the Federal Theatre Project such a success when after only four years of operation it was disbanded by the House of un-American Activities Committee?

Question: To what extent were Kepler’s scientific discoveries revolutionary and how did they impact the development of science in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries?

Question: In what ways did the Hitler Youth organization impact the youth of Nazi Germany?

Question: How did the works of classical Greek philosophers influence the domestic policy of Thomas Jefferson?

Question: How did the Bushido Code influence the meaning of tattoos in Asian culture?

Question: In what way did the Catholic Church affect politics in the Kingdom of Spain during the Dark Ages?

Question: What are the impacts of melting ice in the North and South Poles on the coastlines of the continental United States?

English EEs - ideas for Language and Literature

The EE Guide says the following on p 112 (EE Guide 2018, revised Jan 2017) - remember EACH subject has their own EE guides too.

Quote The EE may relate to work students have already completed during the course, but they must also demonstrate relevant wider reading and individual study. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the topic of their EE does not overlap with any other work they are preparing for assessment in language A—for example, the written assignment in the literature course, or the written task in the language and literature course.

Question: How did Eugene Gladstone O'Neill express the themes of family relationship and sadness in his work Long Day's Journey Into Night?

Question: How does the writing of Japanese horror artist and novelist Junji Ito contrast with the writing of American horror novelist Stephen King?

Question: How do the final movies of the Harry Potter series compare to the final book? What has been changed or depicted differently in terms of characterization and storylines?

Sport Science

Question: How does age affect the process of instant muscle reaction?

Economics or ITGS

Question: What impact does public healthcare have on low income households in the United States compared to those in Canada?

Question: To what extent has deforestation influenced Indonesia's economic and environmental growth?

Physics, Chemistry or Biology Ideas

Question: How have climate change and forestry practices contributed to the spread of the mountain pine beetle in the Pacific Northwest in recent decades, and what does the outbreak show us about the ecological intricacies of climate change?

Question: What evidence is there to support the theory of life on Mars?

Question: How does the DNA sequence of a transthyretin (TTR) gene affect whether Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (FAP), Familial Amyloidotic Cardiomyopathy (FAC) or Senile Systemic Amyloidosis (SSA) form?

Arts - Visual/Performing

Question : What female stereotypes did Brecht employ in his plays, and how can these be compared and contrasted in performance, based on an analysis of a selection of Brecht's plays? Question : Picasso: individual genius or cultural thief?

Question: How does Rachmaninoff apply thematic development in his composition, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini ?

Question: How do the Peanuts comics, written by Charles Schultz, show visual language?

Question: How did the casting of the leading lady in Cole Porter's Anything Goes affect each production on Broadway?

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IB Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics

If you’re preparing to make your mark in the IB Visual Arts extended essay, you’ve chosen a fantastic platform to express your artistic flair. Today, I will tell you how to find the best Visual Arts extended essay topics and give you some great ideas.

Btw, you can get expert IB EE assistance , but do not tell anyone…joking, please tell everyone who are in need 😉

5. Think About Your Learning Goals

What is the ib visual arts course.

In my perspective, the IB Visual Arts subject is about studying the influence of art in various cultural, historical, and social settings. This course invites students to engage in practical art-making and intellectual research, providing a comprehensive educational experience. As I understand it, the IB Visual Arts curriculum is structured to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

One crucial component is also an extended essay or in-depth research of a focused topic according to general IB criteria. This is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills and creativity. An extended essay in Visual Arts allows students to research an area of particular interest.

The essay must be detailed and scholarly, with a maximum of 4,000 words. It starts with the selection of a topic, ideally one that matches personal interests in the IB Visual Arts. The chosen theme could range from researching a specific artist or artistic movement to analyzing a particular piece of art or examining an issue related to the Visual Arts. From my experience, the most successful essays often connect deeply with the student’s artistic pursuits or interests.

Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics and Research Questions

The scope of the IB Visual Arts course is broad; hence, it offers a canvas to express diverse interests, whether in painting, sculpture, or contemporary digital installations:

The Influence of Social Media on Contemporary Art Forms . How has the rise of social media platforms influenced the techniques and thematic choices of contemporary artists?
Comparative Study of Art and Politics: Propaganda Art in Different Regimes . How do the propaganda artworks from Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia compare in terms of artistic technique and political message?
The Evolution of Feminist Art from the 1970s to the Present . How have feminist artworks evolved over the decades in their representation of women?
The Impact of Digital Technology on Traditional Painting Techniques . How has the introduction of digital technology transformed traditional painting techniques?
Surrealism and Its Influence on Modern Advertising . To what extent has Surrealism influenced the visual and conceptual approaches in modern advertising?
Eco-Art: The Role of Art in Environmental Activism . How do eco-artists use their artworks to influence public opinion and policy on environmental issues?
The Renaissance Influence in Contemporary Art . What elements of Renaissance art are most prevalent in contemporary artworks and why?
The Relationship Between Art and Mental Health . How has art been used as a therapy tool for mental health in different cultures?
The Role of Photography in Shaping Public Perception During Wars . How did war photography during the Vietnam War alter public perception compared to previous conflicts?
Street Art as a Form of Social Commentary . What are the predominant themes in street art, and how effectively do they comment on social issues?
The Commercialization of Indigenous Art . How has the commercialization of indigenous artworks affected the cultural significance and authenticity of these art forms?
Postmodernism in Visual Arts: Characteristics and Critiques . What are postmodern art’s defining characteristics, and what critiques have been directed at this movement?
The Use of Light in the Works of Caravaggio and Contemporary Light Artists . How do contemporary artists employing light as a medium draw upon the techniques used by Caravaggio?
The Intersection of Art and Technology: A Study of Bio-Art . How do bio-artists integrate living organisms into their artwork, and what ethical questions does this raise?
Animation as an Art Form: Its Evolution and Cultural Impact . How has animation evolved as an art form, and what has been its impact on global cultures?
The Aesthetics of Minimalism in Contemporary Architecture . How does minimalism influence modern architectural design, and what does it convey about contemporary culture?
Art as Resistance: Examining Graffiti in Political Movements . How has graffiti been used as a tool of resistance and expression in political movements worldwide?
Symbolism in Renaissance Art and Its Messages . What common symbols were used in Renaissance art, and what messages were they intended to convey?
The Role of Women Artists in the Surrealist Movement . How did women artists contribute to and shape the Surrealist movement?
The Influence of Japanese Art on Western Aesthetics . How did Japanese art influence Western artistic styles and techniques in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
Cubism and Its Impact on Modern Graphic Design . How has Cubism influenced modern graphic design regarding form, structure, and perspective?
Contemporary Native American Art and Cultural Identity . How do contemporary Native American artists use art to express their cultural identities?
The Psychological Impact of Color in Abstract Art . What psychological effects do colors have in abstract paintings, and how do artists manipulate color to influence viewers’ emotions?
Performance Art as a Reflection of Societal Change . How does performance art reflect societal changes, and what does it reveal about the period in which it was created?
The Renaissance of Classical Elements in Neoclassical Art . What classical elements were revived in Neoclassical art, and why were they significant during this period?
Art Therapy and Its Effectiveness in Trauma Recovery . How effective is art therapy in helping individuals recover from trauma, according to current research?
Gender Fluidity in Contemporary Art . How do contemporary artists represent gender fluidity in their works?
The Evolution of Landscape Painting from Romanticism to Modernism . How did landscape painting evolve from the Romantic to the Modernist period, and what influenced these changes?
The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Creating Art . How is artificial intelligence being used to create art, and what does this mean for the future of artistic production?
The Representation of Urban Life in Modern Photography . How do photographers represent urban life, and what themes are commonly researched in these representations?
The Artistic Representation of Climate Change in Contemporary Media . How do contemporary artists use different media to represent and communicate climate change issues?
The Influence of African Art on Modern European Artists . How have African art forms influenced modern European artists, and what aspects of African aesthetics have they incorporated into their work?
The Development of Photorealism in the 20th Century . What technological and artistic developments contributed to the rise of Photorealism, and how has this style impacted the perception of realism in art?
The Role of Interactive Installations in Modern Art Museums . How do interactive installations enhance visitor engagement and understanding of art in modern museums?
The Revival of Handicrafts in Contemporary Art Practice . In what ways has contemporary art seen a revival of traditional handicrafts, and what does this say about modern attitudes toward craftsmanship and technology?
Modern Revival of Ancient Art Techniques . How are ancient art techniques being revived and used in modern art?
The Art of Political Satire: A Historical Perspective . How has political satire in art evolved from the 18th century to today?
Art and Consumer Culture: The Pop Art Movement . How does Pop Art represent and critique consumer culture?
The Impact of Exile on Artist Expression . How does the experience of exile influence the artistic expression of displaced artists?
Art as a Tool for Social Change . How have artists used their works to effect social change in their societies?
The Evolution of Sculpture in the 21st Century . What are the significant trends and innovations in sculpture since 2000?
Artistic Responses to Globalization . How do artists respond to the challenges and opportunities of globalization in their work?
The Role of Women in the Development of Modern Art . What role have women played in the development of modern art movements?
Intersection of Technology and Art in New Media . How does new media art integrate technology to create innovative artworks?
Influence of Indigenous Art on Contemporary Artists . How have contemporary artists been influenced by indigenous art traditions?
Researching the Surreal in Cinema and Photography . How do surreal techniques manifest in modern cinema and photography?
Artistic Representations of Mental Illness . How do artists depict mental illness and its impacts on human life?
Transformation of Public Spaces Through Mural Art . How do murals transform public spaces and engage communities?
The Revival of Classical Motifs in Modern Fashion Design . How are classical motifs incorporated into modern fashion design?
Documentary Photography’s Role in Social Awareness . How has documentary photography contributed to social awareness and change?
The Influence of Music on Abstract Expressionist Painters . How have abstract expressionists been influenced by contemporary music genres?
Art in the Age of Artificial Intelligence . How is artificial intelligence shaping the creation and perception of art?
Cultural Representation in Video Game Art Design . How do video game artists incorporate and represent different cultures in their designs?
Legacy of Colonialism in Contemporary Art Practices . How does contemporary art address and reflect on the legacy of colonialism?
Fashion Illustration: From Commercial Art to High Art . How has fashion illustration evolved from a commercial craft to a recognized form of high art?
The Rise of Performance Art in the Digital Age . How has the digital age influenced the development and reception of performance art?
The Role of Art in Public Health Campaigns . How is art used in public health campaigns, and what impact does it have on public awareness?
Art and Science: A Study of Bioart and its Ethical Implications . What are the ethical implications of using living organisms as part of artistic creations in bioart?
The Rebirth of Calligraphy in Modern Visual Culture . How is calligraphy being revived and reinterpreted in contemporary visual culture?
The Visual Rhetoric of War Memorials . How do war memorials use visual elements to communicate messages about history, memory, and identity?

Also, discuss your topic ideas with your visual arts teacher and extended essay supervisor. From my experience, their guidance is often instrumental in refining your ideas and ensuring they meet the IB criteria.

How to Choose Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics?

As someone who has helped many students through the IB curriculum, I’ve found that selecting an appropriate topic and formulating an IB research question greatly influences the quality of your research and writing. Here are some steps and advice based on my expertise to assist you in picking the best option.

1. Reflect on Your Interests

Start by considering areas of art that genuinely fascinate you. From my experience, students who select topics close to their hearts tend to have a more intrinsic motivation, which is crucial in sustaining effort through the EE process.

2. Research Broadly

Initially, you should cast a wide net in your research. Use resources like art books, academic journals, online databases, and discussions with your art teachers to gather a broad understanding of potential topics.

3. Narrow Your Focus

Once you have a general idea of your interests, begin narrowing down your options. Look for a specific aspect of a broader area to research in depth. For instance, instead of choosing a broad subject like “Renaissance Art,” consider focusing on “The use of light in the works of Caravaggio.”

4. Consider the Availability of Sources

As you hone in on a topic, consider the availability of primary and secondary sources. A good Visual Arts extended essay should be well-supported by evidence and perspectives from reputable resources. You can access necessary books, art pieces, galleries, and online sources.

Finally, consider how the topic aligns with your learning objectives and future goals. If you plan to pursue art or a related field in higher education, choose a topic that could provide foundational knowledge or skills beneficial for your future studies.

Need Help with Your IB Extended Essay?

Maximize your potential and boost your Extended Essay’s excellence with the help of our experts ! Whether starting from scratch or fine-tuning your existing assignment to meet your supervisor’s demands, the BuyTOKEssay.com team is here to make your dream of a perfect paper a reality. Say goodbye to writer’s block and hello to success with just one click.

The extended essay provides a unique chance to investigate a topic that interests you. Remember, this is your opportunity to demonstrate your analytical abilities and creative understanding. Maintain a systematic approach, be resourceful, and, most importantly, let your enthusiasm for the arts reflect through your study. Furthermore, our IB writers can assist you if you need help with your extended essay.

Liliana Duman

Liliana Duman has a strong background in teaching English language, having graduated from Hacettepe University’s English Language Teaching Department in 2008. With over two decades of experience in the field, she has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with her students. In addition to her bachelor’s degree, Liliana holds a master’s in Teaching Turkish as a Second Language and has previously worked at Başkent and Hacettepe University in Ankara. Currently, she is an EFL instructor at Sakarya University, teaching various skills, including methodology, speaking, reading, writing, and listening. In addition to her teaching, Liliana has also contributed to material development and testing efforts. As well as her work as a teacher, Liliana is an experienced private online ToK essay tutor, providing personal help for both IB ToK students and teachers in all aspects of IB ToK essays and exhibitions. She is dedicated to helping her students succeed and achieve their full potential. In her spare time, Liliana also writes articles for buytokessay.com, sharing her expertise and insights on ToK with a wider audience.

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IB Extended Essay: 250+ Ideas and Guide

Charles Whitehouse

What is the IB Extended Essay?

The Extended Essay , along with the Creativity, Activity, Service component and Theory of Knowledge , forms an integral part of the IB Diploma Programme . It offers IB high school students an opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest in-depth, develop research and writing skills, and experience the rigours of academic investigation.

One of the distinguishing features of the IB Extended Essay is its length. It requires students to write a substantial essay of up to 4,000 words, which is equivalent to about 16-20 pages. This allows students to delve into their chosen subject matter and demonstrate their ability to engage with complex ideas.

Over 88,000 IBDP students across the globe undertook the Extended Essay in 2022 as part of their IB Diploma requirements. It has been lauded as an effective preparation for university-level research and writing, helping students develop critical thinking, analytical, and independent research skills.

The Extended Essay is an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and skills gained from their chosen subjects in a multidisciplinary manner. It encourages interdisciplinary exploration, enabling students to connect different areas of knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

In order to successfully complete the Extended Essay, students must adhere to a structured process that includes selecting a research question, conducting thorough research, organising their findings, and presenting their analysis and conclusions in a coherent manner. By undertaking the IB Extended Essay, students not only enhance their academic skills but also develop essential skills such as time management, critical thinking, and independent inquiry.

How to Choose Your Extended Essay Research Question?

Choosing a research question for your IB Extended Essay is a crucial step that sets the direction and scope of your investigation. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when selecting your research question:

1. Personal Interest: Choose a topic that genuinely interests you. Passion for the subject matter will fuel your motivation and dedication throughout the research process.

2. Feasibility: Ensure that your research question is manageable within the constraints of the Extended Essay. Consider the availability of resources, time required for research and analysis, and the scope of the topic.

3. Specificity: Formulate a research question that is focused and specific. A broad question may lead to a lack of depth in your analysis, while a narrow question may limit the availability of relevant sources and data.

4. Relevance: Select a research question that is relevant to the subject you are investigating. It should align with the objectives and content of the chosen subject area.

5. Novelty: Aim for a research question that offers a unique perspective or contributes to existing knowledge. Originality in your approach and analysis can make your Extended Essay stand out.

6. Consultation: Seek guidance from your teachers, mentors, or IB tutors . They can provide valuable insights and help you refine your research question.

Remember that your research question will shape the entire trajectory of your Extended Essay, so take the time to carefully consider and refine it before proceeding with your research.

Now, let's explore a variety of ideas for each subject, providing you with a diverse range of potential topics to consider for your IB Extended Essay.

Top 10 IB Extended Essay Subjects in 2022

Extended Essay Ideas for Each Subject

1. How Do Fibonacci Sequences Apply in Real World Scenarios?

2. Do Fractals Have a Role in Modelling Weather Patterns?

3. Is the Monty Hall Problem Really Counter-Intuitive? A Statistical Analysis.

4. To What Extent Does the Golden Ratio Appear in Architecture?

5. How Does Bayesian Probability Predict Election Outcomes?

6. The Role of Game Theory in the Cold War: A Mathematical Perspective.

7. Can Catastrophe Theory Model Stock Market Crashes?

8. How Effective are Neural Networks in Predicting Future Events?

9. A Study of the Mathematical Strategies Employed in Chess.

10. Comparing the Accuracy of Different Numerical Methods for Solving Differential Equations.

11. Is Bitcoin's Value Deterministic or Stochastic?

12. How Does Voronoi Diagram Optimize Emergency Service Locations?

13. Using the Markov Chain to Predict Weather Patterns.

14. To What Extent is RSA Encryption Secure?

15. How Does Linear Algebra Apply in Computer Graphics?

16. An Investigation into the Math Behind Google's PageRank Algorithm.

17. How Effective is the Math Behind Machine Learning Algorithms?

18. Exploring the Effect of Maths in Optimising Traffic Flow.

19. Are There Mathematical Patterns in Successful Lottery Numbers?

20. How Efficiently Can Prime Numbers Be Generated?

Have a look at our comprehensive set of IB Study Notes and IB Practice Questions , developed by expert IB teachers and examiners!

English Literature

1. The Role of Feminism in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

2. A Study of Racial Identity in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye.

3. Is Hamlet Truly Mad or Just Pretending? An Analysis.

4. The Impact of Post-Colonialism in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart.

5. How Does Orwell Use Language to Depict Dystopia in 1984?

6. The Influence of Gothic Elements in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.

7. The Depiction of Mental Illness in Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar.

8. The Role of Nature in William Wordsworth's Romantic Poetry.

9. The Effect of Social Hierarchy in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.

10. How Does Harper Lee Convey Themes of Racial Injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird?

11. Exploring Gender Stereotypes in George Eliot's Middlemarch.

12. The Role of Supernatural in Shakespeare's Macbeth.

13. Exploring the Influence of Marxism in George Orwell's Animal Farm.

14. A Study of Homosexuality in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray.

15. How Does Virginia Woolf Explore Feminism in Mrs Dalloway?

16. The Depiction of War in Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front.

17. The Role of the American Dream in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.

18. The Use of Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter.

19. A Study of Isolation in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

20. The Impact of Social Class in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.

1. How Do Different pH Levels Affect the Activity of Enzymes in Yeast?

2. Investigating the Effects of Light Intensity on the Rate of Photosynthesis.

3. How Does Temperature Affect the Germination of Seeds?

4. Impact of Varying Salinity Levels on Brine Shrimp Survival Rates.

5. The Role of Epigenetics in Gene Expression: Case Study on Identical Twins.

6. To What Extent Do Different Antibiotics Inhibit Bacterial Growth?

7. How Does Caffeine Affect the Heart Rate of Daphnia?

8. An Investigation into the Impact of Pollution on Local Plant Diversity.

9. The Impact of Various Drugs on the Pulsation Rate of Lumbriculus variegatus.

10. Comparing the Efficacy of Natural Vs. Synthetic Pesticides on Plant Growth.

11. The Role of Gut Microbiota in Obesity: A Literature Review.

12. Does the Level of Vitamin C in Oranges Change Over Time?

13. How Do Different Types of Soil Affect Earthworm Activity?

14. Investigating the Correlation Between Altitude and Plant Biodiversity.

15. Analysis of Microplastic Concentration in Local Freshwater Bodies.

16. Impact of Noise Pollution on Birdsong: A Case Study.

17. A Comparison of Antibacterial Properties in Manuka Honey Vs. Regular Honey.

18. The Effect of Different Light Wavelengths on the Growth of Pea Plants.

19. How Does Exercise Intensity Impact Blood Glucose Levels?

20. Is There a Correlation Between Water pH and Aquatic Life Diversity?

1. How Does Temperature Affect the Rate of Reaction in the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide?

2. Investigating the Effectiveness of Different Antacids on Stomach Acid.

3. A Comparative Study on the Vitamin C Concentration in Different Citrus Fruits.

4. How Does Cooking Time Affect the Vitamin C Levels in Vegetables?

5. To What Extent Does Enzyme Concentration Affect the Fermentation of Yeast?

6. Analysis of Caffeine Content in Different Types of Tea .

7. The Effect of Different Factors on the Corrosion of Iron.

8. How Does the Concentration of Sodium Chloride Affect the Electrolysis of Water?

9. Comparing the Energy Output of Different Biofuels.

10. The Effect of Temperature on the Crystal Size in the Recrystallisation Process.

11. Comparing the Acidities of Natural and Processed Foods.

12. Investigating the Effect of Various Catalysts on the Rate of Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition.

13. Synthesis of Aspirin: A Study on the Purity of the Product.

14. Comparing the Efficiency of Different Types of Solar Panels.

15. Investigating the Impact of Carbonation on pH Levels in Various Soft Drinks.

16. The Effect of Chelating Agents on the Solubility of Metal Ions.

17. A Study on the Photodegradation of Dyes Using Titanium Dioxide.

18. How Do Different Sugar Types Affect Fermentation Rates in Yeast?

19. Analysis of Water Hardness in Various Local Water Supplies.

20. Investigating the Efficacy of Different Water Filtration Methods in Removing Heavy Metals.

1. Investigating the Relationship Between the Drop Height and Crater Size in a Simulated Impact.

2. How Does the Angle of Incidence Affect the Efficiency of a Solar Panel?

3. Analysing the Relationship Between the Length of a Pendulum and Its Period.

4. To What Extent Does the Mass of a Projectile Affect Its Range?

5. Investigating the Factors Affecting the Drag Force on a Falling Object.

6. A Study on the Efficiency of Different Insulating Materials in Reducing Heat Loss.

7. How Does the Depth of Water Affect Wave Speed?

8. The Relationship Between the Angle of Release and the Distance Traveled by a Trebuchet.

9. Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Terminal Velocity.

10. How Does the Thickness of a Wire Affect Its Electrical Resistance?

11. The Impact of Varying Air Pressure on the Lift Force of an Airfoil.

12. Analysing the Relationship Between the Magnitude of an Earthquake and the Distance from the Epicentre.

13. Investigating the Factors Affecting the Speed of Sound in Different Media.

14. How Does the Concentration of a Solution Affect Its Refractive Index?

15. The Effect of Various Materials on the Absorption of Radiation.

16. A Study on the Efficiency of Wind Turbines at Different Wind Speeds.

17. Investigating the Effect of Temperature on the Viscosity of Liquids.

18. How Does the Type of Material Affect the Transmission of Sound Waves?

19. The Relationship Between the Angle of a Ramp and the Frictional Force Acting on an Object.

20. A Study on the Factors Affecting the Strength of Electromagnets.

1. The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers' Mental Health: A Cross-Cultural Study.

2. Investigating the Role of Parenting Styles in Child Development.

3. The Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance.

4. How Does Classical Conditioning Apply in Advertising Strategies?

5. The Impact of Colour on Consumer Behaviour: A Study in Retail Settings.

6. The Role of Social Support in Coping with Stress.

7. To What Extent Does Personality Influence Career Success?

8. Investigating the Effect of Group Dynamics on Decision Making.

9. The Impact of Music on Cognitive Task Performance.

10. A Study on the Effectiveness of Different Techniques for Reducing Test Anxiety.

11. The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Performance.

12. Analysing the Impact of Stereotype Threat on Test Performance.

13. Investigating the Factors Affecting the Formation of False Memories.

14. How Does the Bystander Effect Manifest in Online Settings?

15. The Role of Mindfulness in Reducing Stress and Anxiety.

16. Analysing the Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Occupational Choices.

17. Investigating the Influence of Cultural Background on Conflict Resolution Styles.

18. The Impact of Video Games on Aggression: A Meta-Analysis.

19. A Study on the Factors Affecting Altruistic Behaviour.

20. The Role of Attachment Styles in Romantic Relationships.

1. Investigating the Impact of Unemployment on Crime Rates in Urban Areas.

2. The Effect of Immigration on Wage Levels: A Case Study.

3. To What Extent Does Government Spending Influence Economic Growth?

4. A Comparative Analysis of the Economic Impact of Tourism in Coastal Vs. Inland Regions.

5. Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the UK's Trade Balance.

6. The Role of Microfinance in Alleviating Poverty in Rural India.

7. Investigating the Effects of Minimum Wage Policies on Small Businesses.

8. The Impact of Covid-19 on the Global Supply Chain: A Study on the Auto Industry.

9. How Do Oil Prices Affect Inflation Rates? A Historical Analysis.

10. A Study on the Relationship Between Income Inequality and Economic Growth.

11. The Effect of Trade Tariffs on Domestic Industries: The Case of US-China Trade War.

12. The Role of Foreign Direct Investment in Economic Development of Emerging Markets.

13. To What Extent Does Education Contribute to Economic Productivity?

14. The Impact of Climate Change Policies on the Energy Sector.

15. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fiscal Policy in Combating Recessions.

16. The Role of the Informal Economy in Urban Development: A Case Study.

17. Investigating the Correlation Between Real Estate Prices and Economic Growth.

18. The Impact of Population Aging on Healthcare Expenditure .

19. Assessing the Economic Consequences of Natural Disasters: A Case Study.

20. The Effect of Technological Advancements on Employment Rates in the Manufacturing Sector.

Business Management

1. The Impact of Leadership Styles on Employee Motivation in Tech Start-ups.

2. How Does Corporate Social Responsibility Influence Brand Image?

3. The Role of Human Resource Management in Employee Retention.

4. Investigating the Impact of E-commerce on Traditional Retail Businesses.

5. How Do Changes in Interest Rates Affect Small Business Financing?

6. The Role of Innovation in the Competitive Advantage of Businesses.

7. Investigating the Effects of Workplace Diversity on Team Performance.

8. The Impact of Organisational Culture on Employee Job Satisfaction.

9. How Does Supply Chain Management Affect the Profitability of Manufacturing Firms?

10. The Role of Digital Marketing in Enhancing Customer Engagement.

11. Assessing the Impact of Brexit on the Business Strategy of UK-based Companies.

12. The Effect of Ethical Practices on Business Reputation.

13. Investigating the Role of Strategic Alliances in Enhancing Market Position.

14. The Impact of Covid-19 on Remote Work Policies: A Case Study.

15. How Does Customer Relationship Management Influence Customer Loyalty?

16. The Effect of Government Regulations on Startup Ecosystem.

17. Evaluating the Role of Corporate Governance in Financial Performance.

18. The Impact of Merger and Acquisition on Employee Morale.

19. The Effect of Green Initiatives on Business Sustainability.

20. The Role of Business Intelligence in Decision-making.

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1. Investigating the Impact of Urbanisation on Local Biodiversity: A Case Study.

2. The Role of Climate Change in the Spread of Vector-borne Diseases.

3. The Effect of River Diversions on Local Ecosystems.

4. Assessing the Impact of Deforestation on Local Climate: A Case Study.

5. The Role of Tourism in the Sustainable Development of Coastal Regions.

6. Investigating the Impact of Gentrification on Urban Neighbourhoods: A Case Study.

7. The Effect of Climate Change on the Availability of Freshwater Resources.

8. Assessing the Impact of Agricultural Practices on Soil Erosion in Rural Areas.

9. Analysing the Relationship Between Population Density and Transportation Infrastructure.

10. The Role of Renewable Energy in Reducing Carbon Emissions: A Case Study.

11. Investigating the Impact of Land Reclamation on Coastal Ecosystems.

12. The Effect of Urban Sprawl on Air Quality in Major Cities.

13. Assessing the Vulnerability of Coastal Communities to Sea Level Rise.

14. The Impact of Industrialisation on River Water Quality: A Case Study.

15. How Does Waste Management Affect the Sustainability of Urban Areas?

16. Investigating the Relationship Between Income Inequality and Spatial Segregation.

17. The Role of Urban Green Spaces in Enhancing Residents' Well-being.

18. The Impact of Natural Disasters on Economic Development in Small Island Nations.

19. Analysing the Factors Affecting the Distribution of Earthquakes and Volcanic Activity.

20. The Effect of Land Use Change on Flood Risk in Urban Areas.

Computer Science

1. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Different Machine Learning Algorithms in Predicting Stock Prices.

2. Investigating the Impact of Encryption Techniques on Data Security.

3. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Automating Routine Tasks.

4. How Does the Implementation of Blockchain Technology Affect Supply Chain Management?

5. Assessing the Impact of Social Media Algorithms on User Behaviour.

6. The Effect of Augmented Reality on the User Experience in Mobile Applications.

7. Investigating the Feasibility of Quantum Computing in Solving Complex Problems.

8. The Role of Big Data Analytics in Enhancing Business Decision-making.

9. Analysing the Factors Affecting the Adoption of Cloud Computing by SMEs.

10. The Impact of Cybersecurity Measures on the Prevention of Data Breaches.

11. Investigating the Ethical Implications of Facial Recognition Technology.

12. The Effect of Internet of Things on Energy Efficiency in Smart Homes.

13. Assessing the Impact of Virtual Reality on Gaming Industry.

14. The Role of Natural Language Processing in Enhancing Human-Computer Interaction.

15. How Does the Development of Autonomous Vehicles Affect Traffic Management?

16. Investigating the Scalability Issues in Distributed Systems.

17. The Effect of Software Development Methodologies on Project Success Rates.

18. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Job Market: A Case Study.

19. Analysing the Factors Affecting the Performance of Mobile Networks.

20. The Role of Bioinformatics in Personalised Medicine.

Environmental Systems and Societies

1. Investigating the Impact of E-waste on Soil and Water Quality.

2. The Effect of Climate Change on Coral Reef Ecosystems.

3. Assessing the Impact of Invasive Species on Native Biodiversity.

4. The Role of Sustainable Agriculture in Reducing Environmental Degradation.

5. Analysing the Factors Affecting the Ozone Layer Depletion.

6. The Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life: A Case Study.

7. Investigating the Feasibility of Carbon Capture and Storage Technologies.

8. The Role of Urban Planning in Reducing Air Pollution in Cities.

9. The Effect of Overfishing on Marine Ecosystems: A Case Study.

10. Assessing the Impact of Renewable Energy Sources on Carbon Emissions.

11. Investigating the Relationship Between Deforestation and Climate Change.

12. The Impact of Industrial Pollution on Local Communities' Health: A Case Study.

13. The Role of Waste Management in Reducing Ocean Pollution.

14. The Effect of Pesticides on Soil Microorganism Diversity.

15. Assessing the Impact of Dams on River Ecosystems.

16. Investigating the Efficacy of Reforestation Efforts in Carbon Sequestration.

17. The Role of Environmental Education in Promoting Sustainable Consumption Behaviours.

18. The Effect of Acid Rain on Forest Ecosystems: A Case Study.

19. Analysing the Impact of Mining Activities on Local Water Quality.

20. The Role of Green Infrastructure in Enhancing Urban Sustainability.

Social and Cultural Anthropology

1. Investigating the Impact of Globalisation on Indigenous Cultures: A Case Study.

2. The Role of Language in Shaping Cultural Identity.

3. Analysing the Influence of Cultural Practices on Gender Roles.

4. The Effect of Migration on Cultural Assimilation: A Case Study.

5. The Impact of Western Media on Body Image Perceptions in Non-Western Societies.

6. Investigating the Relationship Between Religion and Social Norms in a Given Society.

7. The Role of Cultural Traditions in Shaping Food Habits.

8. The Impact of Social Media on Cultural Exchange: A Case Study.

9. Analysing the Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Educational Attainment.

10. The Effect of Colonialism on Cultural Diversity: A Case Study.

11. Investigating the Role of Folklore in Preserving Cultural Heritage.

12. The Impact of Urbanisation on Traditional Social Structures: A Case Study.

13. The Role of Music and Dance in Cultural Expression.

14. Analysing the Influence of Cultural Factors on Mental Health.

15. The Effect of Cultural Beliefs on Healthcare Practices: A Case Study.

16. Investigating the Impact of Tourism on Local Cultures.

17. The Role of Rituals and Ceremonies in Social Cohesion.

18. The Impact of Legal Systems on Gender Equality: A Comparative Study.

19. Analysing the Cultural Adaptations of Immigrants in a New Society.

20. The Role of Art and Literature in Reflecting Social Changes.

Visual Arts

1. Investigating the Influence of Social Issues on Banksy's Street Art.

2. The Impact of Japanese Art on Claude Monet’s Painting Style.

3. Analysing the Representation of Women in Renaissance Paintings.

4. The Role of Surrealism in Salvador Dali's Artistic Expression.

5. Investigating the Cultural Symbolism in Frida Kahlo’s Self-portraits.

6. The Impact of Pop Culture on Andy Warhol's Art .

7. Analysing the Use of Light and Shadow in Caravaggio's Paintings.

8. The Role of Spirituality in Wassily Kandinsky's Abstract Art.

9. The Influence of African Art on Picasso's Cubist Period.

10. The Depiction of War and Its Aftermath in Otto Dix's Works.

11. Investigating the Use of Colour in Mark Rothko’s Abstract Paintings.

12. The Role of Indigenous Culture in Emily Carr's Landscape Paintings.

13. Analysing the Evolution of Political Themes in Chinese Contemporary Art.

14. The Effect of the Harlem Renaissance on Aaron Douglas' Art.

15. Investigating the Use of Geometric Shapes in Kandinsky’s Abstract Art.

16. The Role of Dutch Culture and Society in Vermeer's Paintings.

17. The Depiction of Nature in Georgia O'Keeffe's Works.

18. Analysing the Impact of Feminism on Barbara Kruger's Art.

19. Investigating the Influence of Post-Impressionism on Vincent van Gogh’s Style.

20. The Representation of the American Dream in Edward Hopper's Paintings.

World Studies

1. Investigating the Global Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Mental Health.

2. The Effect of Climate Change on Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Analysing the Influence of Globalisation on Indigenous Cultures.

4. The Role of International Law in Resolving Border Disputes: A Case Study.

5. Investigating the Impact of Global Trade Policies on Developing Economies.

6. The Effect of Globalisation on Income Inequality: A Comparative Study.

7. Analysing the Influence of Western Media on Global Perceptions of Beauty.

8. The Role of International Organizations in Addressing the Refugee Crisis.

9. Investigating the Global Response to the Rise of Cybercrime.

10. The Impact of Climate Change on Natural Disaster Frequency and Severity Worldwide.

11. Analysing the Influence of Globalisation on Language Diversity.

12. The Role of Technology in Bridging the Education Gap in Developing Countries.

13. Investigating the Global Impact of Antibiotic Resistance.

14. The Effect of International Trade on Cultural Exchange: A Case Study.

15. Analysing the Impact of Global Warming on Polar Ecosystems.

16. The Role of the United Nations in Promoting Global Gender Equality.

17. Investigating the Impact of Social Media on Political Activism Worldwide.

18. The Effect of Globalisation on the Sustainability of Traditional Crafts.

19. Analysing the Global Strategies for Wildlife Conservation.

20. The Role of International Cooperation in Space Exploration.

How to Write a Great IB Extended Essay

Crafting an exceptional IB Extended Essay requires a combination of strategic planning, critical thinking, and effective writing. In this guide, we will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice to help you excel in your writing journey and produce an outstanding essay.

1. Develop a Clear and Coherent Structure : Creating a well-organised structure is crucial to convey your ideas effectively. Start by outlining the main sections and subtopics of your essay. Ensure a logical flow of information, with each paragraph building upon the previous one. This will guide the reader through your arguments and analysis smoothly.

2. Conduct Thorough and Methodical Research : Thorough research forms the foundation of a strong Extended Essay. Dive into reputable sources, including academic journals, books, and credible websites. Gather evidence, data, and expert opinions to support your arguments. Take meticulous notes and properly cite your sources to maintain academic integrity.

3. Apply Critical Thinking and Evaluation : Engage in critical analysis by examining and evaluating the evidence you've gathered. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different viewpoints, theories, or methodologies. Develop your own informed perspective and present a well-reasoned argument supported by reliable evidence.

4. Craft Engaging and Coherent Paragraphs : Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea or argument, clearly stated in a topic sentence. Support your claims with evidence, examples, and relevant data. Use smooth transitions between paragraphs to ensure a cohesive and coherent essay.

5. Revise, Edit, and Proofread : Give yourself ample time for revising, editing, and proofreading your essay. Review your work for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Consider seeking feedback from teachers, peers, or mentors to gain valuable insights and improve your essay further.

We asked one IB teacher what they had to say about writing a great essay:

"The key is to choose a topic that truly ignites your curiosity, one that you are passionate about exploring. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and delve into uncharted territories. Remember, this is your chance to showcase your unique perspective and make a meaningful contribution to your chosen field. Embrace the research process, be diligent in gathering reliable sources, and let your creativity shine through in your writing. And most importantly, enjoy the journey of discovery and growth that the Extended Essay offers."

Remember, the IB Extended Essay is an opportunity to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, research skills, and ability to present a coherent argument. Choose a topic that genuinely interests you, stay organised throughout the process, and invest time in thoughtful analysis and writing. To maximise your chances of success, you may also want to purchase an Extended Essay textbook or get the help of an IB Extended Essay tutor .

IB Extended Essay Grade Distribution in 2022

Finding Reliable Sources for Your Extended Essay

When writing your IB Extended Essay, it is essential to rely on credible and trustworthy sources. Follow these strategies to find reliable information:

1. Use Academic Databases: Access reputable databases like JSTOR and PubMed to find scholarly articles and research papers relevant to your subject.

2. Consult Library Resources: Take advantage of books, encyclopaedias, and reference materials available in your school or local library.

3. Explore Digital Libraries: Visit digital libraries such as the Digital Public Library of America and Europeana for access to a wide range of digitised resources.

4. Evaluate Websites Carefully: Verify the credibility of the author or organisation, check for peer-reviewed articles or references, and consider the domain (.edu, .gov, or .org) for reliable information.

5. Utilise Scholarly Search Engines: Utilise specialised search engines like Google Scholar and Microsoft Academic to find academic publications.

6. Consult Subject-Specific Journals: Look for reputable journals in your field and review their latest issues for current research.

7. Seek Guidance from Librarians and Experts: Librarians and subject experts can offer valuable assistance in finding reliable sources and publications.

By following these strategies and critically evaluating the sources you find, you can ensure the credibility and integrity of your Extended Essay research. Reliable sources will strengthen your arguments and provide a solid foundation for your essay.

Strategies for Conducting Primary and Secondary Research

To conduct comprehensive primary and secondary research for your essay, consider the following strategies:

Primary Research

Surveys and Questionnaires: Create well-designed surveys or questionnaires to collect data directly from participants. Utilise online survey tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey for wider reach and convenient data analysis.

Interviews: Conduct interviews with subject experts, professionals, or individuals relevant to your research topic. Prepare insightful questions and record their responses for later analysis.

Experiments and Observations: Design and conduct controlled experiments or observations to gather firsthand data. Document procedures, measurements, and observations accurately.

Secondary Research

Literature Review: Conduct a thorough review of existing scholarly articles, books, and reports. Analyse and synthesise the information to identify research gaps and contribute to the existing knowledge.

Online Databases: Utilise reputable academic databases such as PubMed, JSTOR, and IEEE Xplore to access peer-reviewed articles and research papers specific to your subject area.

Government and Institutional Sources: Explore official government websites, research repositories of educational institutions, and databases of international organisations for reliable data, reports, and statistics.

Subject-Specific Sources: Identify subject-specific journals, publications, and conferences related to your research topic. These sources provide up-to-date research and insights from experts in the field.

Remember to consider ethical considerations throughout your research process, including obtaining necessary permissions, maintaining confidentiality, and respecting the rights and privacy of participants. Documentation of your research methods, sources, and any challenges faced is crucial. Analyse and interpret your findings critically, using them as evidence to support your arguments and contribute to your overall analysis.

Formatting and Structure Guidelines for the IB Extended Essay

To ensure a well-organised and coherent IB Extended Essay, consider the following structure as a guideline:

1. Title Page : Include essential information such as the title, subject, research question, and candidate number. Refer to the official IB Extended Essay Guide for specific requirements.

2. Abstract: Provide a concise summary of your essay, outlining the main research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusions. Limit the abstract to 300 words.

3. Table of Contents : Create a clear and accurate table of contents that outlines the structure of your essay, including sections, subheadings, and page numbers.

4. Introduction : Start with an engaging introduction that presents the research question, provides background information, and explains the significance of the topic. Clearly state the aim and objectives of your research.

5. Body : The body of your essay should delve into your research in-depth. Organize your content into coherent paragraphs, each addressing a specific aspect of your research. Consider the following elements:

a. Literature Review: Provide an overview of the relevant literature and theories related to your research topic. Analyse existing research, highlight key concepts, and discuss any debates or gaps in knowledge.

b. Methodology: Describe the research methodology employed, including the research design, data collection methods, and ethical considerations. Explain why the chosen methods are appropriate for addressing your research question.

c. Data Analysis and Findings: Present your findings based on the data collected. Use appropriate analysis techniques, such as statistical analysis or qualitative coding, to interpret your data and draw meaningful conclusions. Include tables, charts, or graphs to support your findings.

d. Discussion: Analyse and interpret your findings in the context of your research question. Explore the implications of your results, compare them with existing research, and discuss any limitations or challenges encountered during the research process.

6. Conclusion : Summarise your key findings, address your research question, and draw meaningful conclusions based on your analysis. Reflect on the implications and broader significance of your research. Highlight any recommendations for future research or areas for further exploration.

7. References : Include a comprehensive list of all sources consulted in your research. Follow the appropriate citation style (e.g., MLA, APA, or Chicago) for in-text citations and the bibliography. Accurately cite all sources, including books, articles, websites, and any other references used.

8. Appendices (if applicable): Include any supplementary materials, such as raw data, charts, graphs, or additional supporting evidence that are relevant to your research.

Typically, the Extended Essay has a word limit of around 4,000 words. It is important to note that this word count does not include footnotes, citations, and the bibliography. Additionally, the essay should be formatted using a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial) and a font size of 12 points. It is recommended to have double-spacing throughout the essay and to include page numbers.

The IB Extended Essay Assessment Criteria and Grading

The IB Extended Essay is assessed by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34. Your essay will be evaluated based on five criteria, each carrying a specific point value. It is crucial to comprehend these criteria and how they relate to letter grades to gauge your performance accurately. Here's an overview of the assessment criteria:

Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum) Demonstrate a clear research question and a well-defined approach. Show how you applied appropriate research methods to investigate your topic.

Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum) Display a strong understanding of the subject matter, relevant concepts, and theories. Support your arguments with accurate and relevant evidence.

Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum) Apply critical thinking skills to analyse and evaluate information, theories, and arguments. Demonstrate the ability to consider alternative viewpoints and draw well-reasoned conclusions.

Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum) Organize your essay effectively with a clear and logical structure. Use proper formatting, referencing, and citation methods consistently.

Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum) Engage in a reflective process throughout your research and writing. Show awareness of the strengths, limitations, and implications of your research.

To determine your letter grade, it is important to understand how the rubric assessment points correlate to the overall score. Here is a rough estimation of how the point values align with letter grades:

30-34: Excellent - A
25-29: Good - B
17-24: Satisfactory - C
9-16: Mediocre - D
0-8: Elementary - E

However, relying solely on these point values is not sufficient. It is crucial to thoroughly read and comprehend the specific grade descriptors provided by the IB. These descriptors offer comprehensive information about the expectations and criteria that examiners consider when assigning letter grades.

The grade you receive on your IB Extended Essay contributes to your overall International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme points score. The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge combined are worth up to 3 points of the total 45 points available for the IBDP .

IB Extended Essay and TOK points matrix

Final Thoughts

The IB Extended Essay is a challenging yet rewarding endeavour that allows high school students to showcase their research and analytical skills. With proper guidance and adherence to the assessment criteria, students have the opportunity to excel and achieve outstanding results. Embrace this opportunity to delve into a topic of interest, conduct in-depth research, and present your findings in a well-structured and engaging manner. Remember to consult reputable sources, seek guidance from your supervisor, and enjoy the journey of exploration and academic growth through the IB Extended Essay.

Is the IB Extended Essay hard?

The IB Extended Essay is undoubtedly a challenging undertaking, requiring significant effort and dedication, and is one of the hardest IB subjects . It is estimated that between 70% and 80% of IB students successfully complete the Extended Essay each year. Less than 14% of students received an A in the extended essay in 2022, showing its difficult.

Can you change your research question after starting the Extended Essay?

Yes, it is possible to change your research question after starting the Extended Essay. However, it is important to consult with your supervisor and ensure that the new research question still meets the requirements and aligns with the subject area you are pursuing.

When is the deadline to submit the Extended Essay?

The deadline to submit the Extended Essay can vary depending on the policies and timelines set by individual schools. In most cases, schools establish internal deadlines to ensure students have ample time to complete and revise their essays before the final submission. The typical deadline for submitting the Extended Essay is often set in the first half of the senior year, ranging from November to January. It is essential to check with your school's IB coordinator or Extended Essay coordinator for the specific deadline applicable to your academic institution.

Can you fail the Extended Essay?

Yes, it is possible to fail the Extended Essay if the work does not meet the required standards or does not fulfil the assessment criteria set by the IB. It is important to carefully follow the guidelines, seek guidance from your supervisor, and ensure your essay demonstrates strong research, analysis, and critical thinking skills. In 2022, 1.1% of students did not received no grade for their Extended Essays.

Can you fail the Extended Essay and still pass the IB?

Yes, it is possible to fail the Extended Essay and still pass the overall IB Diploma Programme. The Extended Essay contributes to a maximum of 3 points out of the total 45 points available for the diploma. Failing the Extended Essay means not earning any points from this component, but it does not necessarily mean failing the entire IB Diploma.

Can you collaborate with other students on the Extended Essay?

The IB allows limited collaboration with other students on the Extended Essay. While you can seek advice and support from others, it is important to maintain individual responsibility for your research, writing, and analysis. Collaboration should not compromise the integrity of your work, and any collaborative effort should be properly acknowledged and cited in your essay.

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Charles scored 45/45 on the International Baccalaureate and has six years' experience tutoring IB and IGCSE students and advising them with their university applications. He studied a double integrated Masters at Magdalen College Oxford and has worked as a research scientist and strategy consultant.

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IB EE examples for all subjects

Filter exemplars, how does the total energy supplied during ultrasonic cavitation of benzene affect the integrated photoluminescence intensity and quantum yield of graphene quantum dots (gqds), to what extent does the type of alcohol used in the fischer-speier esterification reaction affect the average rate of reaction as measured through back titration., want to get full marks for your ee allow us to review it for you 🎯, to what extent does global self-esteem influence academic performance, to what extent has zoom’s freemium business model influenced its market leadership position in the north american video conferencing market from 2020 to 2021, to what extent do different concentrations of magnesium nitrate (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 mm) affect the concentration of chlorophyll a and b in ocimum basilicum at 645 nm and 662 nm wavelength using spectrophotometer, fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by ib examiners. upgrade now 🚀, how does 5g of different types of oils (palm oil, avocado oil, castor oil, and olive oil) contribute to the production of soap bars with a ph level closest to 7 measured at constant temperature (50°c) and after constant time of refluxing (30 minutes) through the saponification process, how have amazon's market strategies contributed in successfully growing its e-commerce business internationally, to what extent has the change in corporate leadership at apple inc. from steve jobs to tim cook impacted the company's innovation and product development, fluid’s density effect on falling objects, to what extent will toyota’s diversification help increase business revenues and market share, to what extent does vivienne westwood's sustainable fashion initiatives provide it with a competitive advantage over other luxury brands, to what extent were queer people liberated in weimar germany, 1919-1933, how is the lift at various angles of attack affected by flap deflection angles, to what extent is blood pressure related to the development of alzheimer’s disease in people in age above 50, how has apple used sustainable innovation to gain a competitive edge, to what extent do extracts of allium sativum (garlic) and zingiber officinale (ginger) reduce antimicrobial activity and how effective it is compared to antibiotics, how do different concentrations of punica granatum extracts: peel, flower and leaves (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/ml) affect the rate of reaction of α-amylase and compare with metformin (anti-diabetic drug) as measured by a spectrophotometer at 587nm, what effect does the difference in radius at the top and bottom of the roller coaster loop have on the maximum change in g-force that a passenger experiences, to what extent can four seasons hotel’s success be attributed to its corporate culture and isadore sharp’s leadership style, how does the concentration of harpagoside, which is identified by the surface area of the spot on the chromatography paper, changes in the equine mane over the period of one month after gradual consumption of the supplement “devil’s claw”, what is the relationship between the height of the siphon and the flow velocity out of the siphon, to what extent has the launch of disney+ proven successful in advancing disney’s digital presence and establishing market dominance in the subscription-based video on demand (svod) market, to what extent were the nuremberg trials defendants afforded a fair due process, to what extent has google's diversification into the wearables industry increased its profitability, to what extent was the popular violence of the cultural revolution driven by mao’s need to eliminate opposition, to what extent has the vehicular emissions scheme (ves) been effective in increasing the consumption of light electric vehicles between 2018 and 2020 in singapore, how does the type of solvent (ethanol, propanone) and its solvent to water ratio (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% v/v) in the extraction of polyphenols via ultrasound-assisted extraction (uae), affect the total phenolic content extracted from rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis), quantified by folin-ciocalteu assay, to what extent does varying the duration (0 mins, 5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins, 20 mins, 25 mins) at which a 25% solution consisting of ethanol-dissolved ayurvedic spices (curcumin and black cumin) is maintained at 60°c affect the antimicrobial activity of these spices against a k12 strain of escherichia coli, to what extent can the growth of disney+ be sustained as the pandemic’s effects begin to wear off, how does increasing the angle of a simple pendulum affect its time period, how do changes in viscosity of fluid affect the speed and amplitude of surface waves that are generated by an impact of spherical object, what effect does changing the concentration of the reagent, chitosan glycolate solution, have on the formation rate and the di↵usion coecient observed in the formation of liesegang rings in the reaction of the polymer-analogous transformation, from salt to base, of chitosan, to what extent was german defeat in the battle of stalingrad a result of german failures, how does varying the solution ph and sodium ethanoate concentration affect the rate and yield of ethane production from its electrolysis, to what extent were legal measures responsible for the exclusion of jews from german society from 1933-1938, to what extent have tesla’s distinct marketing strategies been effective at promoting its automotive business”, to what extent did logistical and environmental implications hinder napoleon’s victory in the russian campaign of 1812, how does the application of different corrosion inhibitors (green tea extract, acrylic paint, chrome plating) on iron affect the amount of rust produced and the rate of corrosion of an iron nail in a 3.5% nacl solution as measured through spectrophotometric and mass-loss methods, how do the angular momentum and orbital velocity affect the eccentricities of planetary orbits, to what extent was amazon’s decision to expand into the physical grocery retail industry a successful change management strategy.

Extended Essay Topics: 285 IB Ideas for You

High school students typically undertake this research project as part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. With a length of 3000-4000 words, it offers an opportunity for students to delve deeply into a topic of personal interest within one of the IB subject areas. Please follow the link to learn more about the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum .

If you want to learn how to write an extended essay, begin by selecting a well-defined research question that aligns with the subject's curriculum and your interests. Conduct thorough research using various reputable sources, analyze the gathered information critically, and develop a clear argument or thesis. Structuring the essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, students should present their findings cohesively, supported by evidence and examples. Additionally, adhere to academic conventions, including proper citations and referencing, and ensure clarity and coherence in your writing.

How to Choose an Extended Essay Topic?

Choosing an EE topic is crucial as it sets the direction for your research and impacts your overall experience. Here's a concise guide to help you select suitable IB extended essay topic ideas:

Identify Your Interests

Start by brainstorming subjects or topics that genuinely interest you. Consider your passions, hobbies, and subjects you excel in or find intriguing.

Review IB Subject Areas

Explore the IB subject areas you're studying and consider how your interests intersect with these disciplines. Your EE topic should align with one of these subjects.

Consider Feasibility

Assess the feasibility of potential extended essay ideas based on available resources, access to data, and your ability to conduct research within the given timeframe.

Narrow Down Your Focus

Once you have a broad topic in mind, narrow it down to a specific research question or area of investigation. A focused, well-defined research question will make your EE more manageable and coherent.

Consult with Teachers

Seek guidance from your teachers or EE supervisor. They can provide valuable insights, suggest potential topics, and help you refine your research question.

Evaluate Significance

Consider the significance and relevance of your chosen topic. Is it academically challenging? Does it offer opportunities for original research or critical analysis?

Reflect on Personal Connection

Reflect on why this topic matters to you personally. Connecting with your topic on a deeper level can enhance your motivation and engagement throughout the research process.

Pilot Research

Conduct some preliminary research to gauge the availability of sources and the depth of existing literature on your chosen topic. This will help you determine whether it's viable for your EE.

Stay Flexible

Be open to adjusting your topic or research question as you delve deeper into the literature and gather more information. Flexibility is key to finding the right balance between academic rigor and personal interest.

Finalize Your Topic

Once you've considered these factors, finalize your EE topic and research question. Ensure it meets the IB's requirements and aligns with your academic goals and interests.

The Ultimate List of Extended Essay Ideas

Are you ready for a surge of inspiration that will leave you no choice but to start writing? Then, let’s do this! For your convenience, EssayService distributed the topics among nineteen areas, depending on what subject you’re going to choose.

Best Extended Essay Topics

Social media's impact on teen mental health.
Renewable energy policy effectiveness.
Gender roles in contemporary literature.
Ethics of gene editing technology.
Diversity's effect on workplace productivity.
Propaganda's role in wartime opinions.
Music's influence on memory.
Bilingual education's language benefits.
Globalization's impact on indigenous cultures.
Mindfulness for stress reduction.
Socioeconomic status and academic success.
Mental illness portrayal in media.
Religion's role in politics.
Climate change and biodiversity.
Alternative medicine's efficacy in chronic illness.

Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics

The portrayal of light in Impressionist paintings.
Symbolism in Frida Kahlo's self-portraits.
The evolution of cubism in Picasso's works.
Cultural influences on Japanese woodblock prints.
Surrealism's impact on contemporary photography.
The use of color in Matisse's cut-outs.
Female empowerment in contemporary street art.
Environmental themes in Land Art installations.
Religious symbolism in Renaissance masterpieces.
The intersection of technology and art in digital animation.
Abstract expressionism and emotional catharsis.
Political commentary in Banksy's graffiti.
Gender representation in classical sculpture.
Art as a form of protest in the Civil Rights Movement.
Nature as muse in the Hudson River School paintings.

Computer Science Extended Essay Topics

Machine learning applications in predicting stock market trends.
Encryption techniques for securing cloud-based data.
Quantum computing's impact on cryptography.
Cybersecurity measures against ransomware attacks.
Artificial intelligence in personalized healthcare.
Algorithm optimization for autonomous vehicle route planning.
Ethical considerations in facial recognition technology.
Blockchain in supply chain management efficiency.
Natural language processing advancements in virtual assistants.
The role of big data analytics in business intelligence.
Cybersecurity challenges in the Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Exploring the potential of edge computing in IoT networks.
Data privacy regulations and their impact on technology companies.
The use of virtual reality in immersive learning experiences.
Advancements in computer vision for image recognition tasks.

English Extended Essay Topics

Identity exploration in contemporary literature.
Gender dynamics in Shakespearean tragedies.
Magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez's novels.
Postcolonial themes in Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart."
Symbolism in George Orwell's "1984."
Alienation in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye."
The hero archetype in epic literature.
Eco-criticism in environmental literature.
Satire in Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels."
Mental illness in Sylvia Plath's poetry.
Comparative dystopian literature analysis.
Mythology's influence on modern fantasy.
Power dynamics in Shakespeare's "Macbeth."
Narrator roles in postmodernist literature.
Social commentary in Octavia Butler's science fiction.

History Extended Essay Topics

The impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures.
Analyzing the causes and consequences of the Great Depression.
Women's suffrage movements around the world.
The role of Propaganda in shaping public opinion during wartime.
Comparing the French and American Revolutions.
The rise and fall of ancient civilizations: A comparative study.
Investigating the origins and consequences of the Cold War.
The effects of globalization on indigenous communities.
The significance of religious reformations in shaping modern societies.
Exploring the legacy of imperialism in Africa.
The role of technology in shaping the course of World War II.
Resistance movements during periods of oppression.
The impact of the Renaissance on European society and culture.
Analyzing the causes and consequences of the Civil Rights Movement.
The role of nationalism in the dissolution of empires.

Extended Essay Topics Human Rights

The impact and challenges of international human rights treaties.
Social media's influence on human rights activism.
Refugee rights: Navigating challenges in host nations.
Transitional justice mechanisms in post-conflict societies.
Environmental rights amidst the climate crisis.
Indigenous land rights: Struggles and victories.
Accountability and justice through international criminal tribunals.
Technology's implications for privacy rights.
Gender-based violence in conflict regions: Addressing root causes.
Economic sanctions: Balancing human rights and political goals.
Corporate responsibility in global supply chains: Progress and setbacks.
Advocating for disability rights in diverse societies.
Examining human rights impacts of mass incarceration.
Protecting migrant workers from exploitation.
Education's role in promoting human rights awareness.

Extended Essay Topics English Literature

Symbolism in "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Character development in "Pride and Prejudice."
Conflict resolution in "Lord of the Flies."
Themes of isolation in Emily Dickinson's poetry.
Literary techniques in Edgar Allan Poe's short stories.
Cultural identity in "The Joy Luck Club."
Gender roles in Shakespearean comedies.
Narrative structure in "The Great Gatsby."
The theme of love in sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Imagery in the poetry of Langston Hughes.
Symbolism in "The Catcher in the Rye."
Social commentary in George Orwell's "1984."
Religious motifs in "The Canterbury Tales."
Irony in Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn."
Allegory in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies."

Math Extended Essay Topics

Fibonacci sequences in nature.
Sorting algorithm efficiency.
Music and mathematics.
Game theory in economics.
Mathematics of cryptography.
Fractal patterns in geometry.
Mathematics in sports analysis.
Chaos theory: A mathematical view.
Quantum computing fundamentals.
Voting systems analysis.
Symmetry: Exploring group theory.
Population growth modeling.
Origami mathematics.
Neural networks: Math in AI.
Network theory in social sciences.

Chemistry Extended Essay Topics

pH's effect on enzyme activity.
Chemical reaction kinetics.
Food preservation chemistry.
Temperature and reaction rate.
Nanomaterials in chemistry.
Catalysts in reactions.
Water treatment chemistry.
Natural vs. synthetic polymers.
Photosynthesis and respiration.
Equilibrium factors in chemistry.
Chemical pollutants and remediation.
Medicinal drugs chemistry.
Green chemistry principles.
Taste and aroma chemistry of foods.
Alternative energy chemistry.

Extended Essay Business and Management Topics

Corporate social responsibility's impact on consumer behavior.
Effective supply chain management in global businesses.
Leadership styles' role in organizational success.
Marketing strategies' effectiveness in building brand loyalty.
Culture's influence on international business negotiations.
Entrepreneurship's challenges and opportunities in emerging markets.
Employee motivation's relationship with performance.
Globalization's effects on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Digital technologies' role in transforming business operations.
Diversity and inclusion policies' impact on organizational performance.
Change management strategies in organizations.
Factors influencing consumer buying behavior in the digital age.
Ethics' role in business decision-making.
E-commerce's impact on traditional retail businesses.
International expansion's challenges and opportunities for businesses.

Good Extended Essay Topics for Economics

Impact of government policies on income inequality.
Effectiveness of monetary policy in achieving price stability.
Role of human capital in economic development.
Effects of globalization on labor markets.
Relationship between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Impact of trade liberalization on developing economies.
Causes and consequences of financial crises.
Effects of technological innovation on economic growth.
Role of foreign direct investment in economic development.
Economics of healthcare systems and universal coverage.
Impact of income taxation on economic behavior.
Economics of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Role of government intervention in market failures.
Economics of poverty alleviation programs.
Impact of economic incentives on consumer behavior.

Physics Extended Essay Topics

How different surfaces affect the bounce of a ball.
Exploring the science behind a slingshot's launch.
The relationship between temperature and the rate of a chemical reaction.
Investigating the factors affecting the stretch of a rubber band.
The physics of a simple electric circuit.
Measuring the speed of sound in different materials.
Analyzing the effect of magnetism on the direction of a compass.
The behavior of light through different colored filters.
How the length of a pendulum affects its swing time.
Investigating the relationship between mass and acceleration.
Exploring the physics of a falling object.
The properties of static electricity: Attraction and repulsion.
The impact of surface area on the rate of heat transfer.
Understanding the basics of friction: Sliding vs. rolling.
Analyzing the effect of temperature on the volume of a gas.

Psychology Extended Essay Topics

How music affects mood.
Social media's impact on self-esteem.
Color and emotion perception.
Family dynamics and adolescent behavior.
Nature vs. nurture in personality.
Decision-making under pressure.
Mindfulness meditation for stress.
Sleep deprivation and cognition.
Exercise and mental health.
Psychology of addiction.
Childhood trauma and adult mental health.
Peer pressure and behavior.
Motivation in academics.
Culture's effect on cognition.
Attachment styles in relationships.

Racism Extended Essay Topics

Effects of racial bias in education.
Media's role in perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Economic disparities due to racial inequality.
Combating racial prejudice strategies.
Implicit bias and decision-making.
Intersectionality of race and gender.
Racial segregation in urban communities.
Privilege and systemic racism.
Racialization of immigration policies.
Colonialism's impact on contemporary racism.
Racial profiling in law enforcement.
Microaggressions and their impact on minorities.
Health disparities among different racial groups.
Historical roots of racial discrimination.
Representation of race in popular culture.

Global Politics Extended Essay Topics

International efforts in addressing climate change.
The impact of social media on political movements.
Nuclear proliferation and global security.
Human rights violations in conflict zones.
Gender equality in international politics.
The role of diplomacy in resolving conflicts.
Economic globalization and income inequality.
Refugee crises and humanitarian responses.
Cybersecurity threats in the digital age.
The rise of populism and its impact on democracy.
Global health governance and pandemic preparedness.
Ethnic conflicts and peacebuilding efforts.
Environmental policies and sustainable development goals.
Arms trade and its impact on global peace.
The role of non-governmental organizations in global governance.

Biology Extended Essay Topics

Effects of temperature on enzyme activity.
Plant growth responses to light intensity.
Genetics of flower color inheritance in plants.
Impacts of pollution on freshwater ecosystems.
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
The role of vitamins in human health.
Photosynthesis rates in different light conditions.
Investigating the biodiversity of a local ecosystem.
Cellular respiration and its environmental factors.
Effects of caffeine on heart rate in humans.
Genetics of blood type inheritance.
Investigating the effects of pH on aquatic life.
Comparative study of animal adaptations in different environments.
Impact of pesticides on bee populations.
Investigating the factors influencing seed germination.

Extended Metaphor Essay Topics

Life as a Rollercoaster: The ups and downs of life's journey.
Love as a Battlefield: Navigating the challenges and victories of love.
Education as a Garden: Cultivating knowledge and growth.
Friendship as a Ship: Sailing through the waters of companionship.
Time as a Thief: How time steals moments and memories.
Success as a Puzzle: Fitting together the pieces of achievement.
Dreams as Stars: Reaching for the stars in pursuit of our aspirations.
Courage as a Beacon: Guiding us through dark times with bravery.
Creativity as a River: Flowing with endless ideas and inspiration.
Challenges as Mountains: Conquering obstacles like scaling peaks.
Happiness as Sunshine: Brightening our lives with joy and warmth.
Knowledge as a Key: Unlocking doors to understanding and wisdom.
Emotions as Weather: Ever-changing like the skies above.
Society as a Garden: Cultivating harmony and growth within communities.
Ambition as a Flame: Burning bright with determination and drive.

Law IB Extended Essay Topics

Human rights and national laws.
Digital privacy regulations.
International criminal accountability.
Intellectual property and innovation.
Law, technology, and challenges.
Cultural influences on legal systems.
Environmental laws for sustainability.
Gender equality in legal contexts.
International law effectiveness.
Artificial intelligence and legal implications.
Corporate responsibility in law.
Reforming criminal justice systems.
Family law in modern society.
Legal ethics and dilemmas.
Law's role in global inequality.

Extended Essay Topics Language and Literature

The role of symbolism in a selected novel.
Cultural stereotypes in contemporary literature.
Comparing female characters in classic and modern literature.
Metaphors in poetry: Analysis and interpretation.
Historical context and its influence on literary themes.
Translation's impact on understanding literature.
Depiction of mental health in literary works.
Folklore's influence on modern storytelling.
Evolution of a literary genre.
Narrative perspective and reader interpretation.
Power dynamics in dystopian fiction.
Trauma and resilience in postcolonial literature.
Satire addressing social issues in literature.
Interplay of language and identity in literature.
Character development in a chosen play or novel.

Being a student of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program can be a mix of excitement and nerves. With many subjects and exams on the horizon, learning the ropes of academic writing is key. Luckily, there’s a handy solution – an extended essay writing service . They’re like your personal support team, ready to help you craft killer essays, ace your research, and nail those tricky citations. Think of them as your secret weapon, making your IB journey smoother and helping you shine bright.

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IB Extended Essay: Past Essays

Research Questions
Past Essays
Notes & Outlines
Works Cited Page
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Assessment Criteria
Reflections
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Check these CAREFULLY to be sure your topic fits with IB expectations!

Language & literature (language A)
Language acquisition (language B)
Mathematics
Visual Arts
World Studies

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English a & b ee examples.

English A EE Example
English A EE Example 1
English A EE Example 2
English A EE Example 3
English B EE Example
English B EE Example 1
English B EE Example 2
English B EE Example 3
English B EE Example 4
English B EE Example 5
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Philosophy EE Examples

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Economics EE Examples

Econ Example 1
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Econ Example 5
Econ Example 6
Econ Example 7
Econ Example 8

Review Past Papers

From the IB: papers from other students and how they scored
Renaissance Library Past Essays : Links to all subject area examples

Music EE Examples

Music EE Example 1
Music EE Example 2
Music EE Example 3
Music EE Example 4

Psychology EE Examples

Psych EE Example 1
Psych EE Example 2
Psych EE Example 3

Chinese EE Examples

Chinese EE Example 1
Chinese EE Example 2
Chinese EE Example 3
Chinese A EE Cat 1
Chinese A EE Cat 2
Chinese A EE Cat 3
Chinese B EE Example 1
Chinese B EE Example 2
Chinese B Example 3
Business EE Example 1
Business EE Example 2
Business EE Example 3

Visual Arts EE Examples

Visual Arts EE Example 1
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Visual Arts EE Example 3
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Film EE Examples

Film Example 1
Film Example 2

Chemistry EE Examples

Chemistry EE Example

Biology EE Examples

Biology EE Example
Biology EE Example 1
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Physics EE Examples

Physics EE Example
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Physics EE Example 4
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Math EE Examples

Math EE Example 1
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World Studies EE Examples

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COMMENTS

50+ Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics for IBDP
Our list of Visual Arts extended essay topics spanning diverse mediums, cultural contexts & concepts, carefully curated by IB experts.
IB Visual Arts EE examples
High scoring IB Visual Arts Extended Essay examples. See what past students did and make your Visual Arts EE perfect by learning from examiner commented examples!
The Complete IB Extended Essay Guide: Examples, Topics, and Ideas
Want help on the IB Extended Essay? Here's our complete guide, full of example ideas, essay topics, timeline, step by step plans to get a great score on your essay.
Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics: Ideas for IB Students
This list of Visual Arts Extended Essay topics is perfect for IB students who want to showcase their creativity and analytical skills.
IB Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics: Exploring the Ideas
Discover 10 intriguing Visual Arts extended essay topics and get guidance on how to approach each one. Craft a standout IB EE with our help!
100 IB Extended Essay Topic Ideas!
Here are 100 of the examples of the best EE titles out there! Find inspiration for your 4,000 word extended essay topic across a variety of subjects.
How to Choose an EE Topic (Visual Arts)
In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the Extended Essay process from start to finish, especially the synthesis of academic research and first-hand data collection (I surveyed 300 people and interviewed a gallery owner!). My findings also helped inform my IB Visual Arts pieces.
Visual Arts Extended Essay: The Complete Guide for IB Students
An extended essay in visual arts allows you to conduct study in a particular area of visual arts that is of interest to you. The conclusion of the study should be a clear and structured piece of writing that tackles a topic or research question pertinent to the visual arts in an effective manner.
DP Visual Arts: A Good Read: the Visual Arts Extended Essay
On the whole, it seems that students from schools all over the world are producing mostly high quality essays that show a genuine interest and sensitivity to the visual arts in a broader context. The Extended Essay teaches so many important skills: not least how to research, structure, and write an essay. If students can succeed at this in high ...
Tanglin LibGuides: IB Extended Essay (EE): Visual Arts
Excellent Extended Essays - Visual Arts. To what extent should Fred Williams be regarded a landscape artist (with focus on the Pilbara Series)? (2014) How far Andy Warhol's interest in morbidity explored in his "Death and Disaster' series? (2014) How does the work of Ketna Patel illustrate the growing impact of media culture on Asian cultures ...
Examples
These highlight the diverse range of topics covered by International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) students during their extended essays. Some examples are: "An analysis of costume as a source for understanding the inner life of the character". "A study of malnourished children in Indonesia and the extent of their recovery ...
How To Write The Extended Essay (With Topics and Examples)
Our complete guide to the IB Extended Essay. Choose topics, develop research questions, and showcase your academic skills and passion.
Top IB Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics: Expert Tips
Firstly, what is an IB Visual Arts Extended Essay? According to the general IB criteria, it's an opportunity to get into an art topic that fascinates you, presented through a structured, analytical lens. It's your chance to show your understanding of art and its myriad forms. From my experience, a strong extended essay reflects your knowledge and passion for the subject.
IBDP : Visual Arts
An extended essay in visual arts provides you with an opportunity to undertake research in an area of the visual arts of particular interest to you. The outcome of the research should be a coherent and structured piece of writing (with appropriate illustrations) that effectively addresses a particular issue or research question, appropriate to ...
Guide to the IB Extended Essay in 2024
IB Extended Essay Guide - We look at the rubric, essay topics, and offer advice for penning a stellar composition in 2024.
The IB Extended Essay: Topic ideas and research Questions
During the first meeting with your advisor, discuss the research you've done, your ideas, and the requirements for your subject. Decide on the most suitable research question. Your revised research question proposal is due May 16. Adapted from O'Farrell, Finbar. Approach your assessment the IB Way: Extended Essay. pg. 13.
Top Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics for IB Students
Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics and Research Questions. The scope of the IB Visual Arts course is broad; hence, it offers a canvas to express diverse interests, whether in painting, sculpture, or contemporary digital installations: The Influence of Social Media on Contemporary Art Forms. How has the rise of social media platforms influenced ...
Extended essay
The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students. Read about the extended essay in greater detail.
IB Extended Essay: 250+ Ideas and Guide
Discover over 250+ ideas and a comprehensive guide to excel in the IB Extended Essay. Explore diverse subjects, research tips, and how to get a top grade.
Supervising your Visual Arts extended essay
Supervising your Visual Arts extended essay. In this Diploma Programme (DP) Supervising the Visual arts extended essay (EE) resource, you will receive subject-specific guidance, learn about the assessment criteria, and explore three examiner-annotated student samples. To start, the resource will provide a quick overview of where to find the ...
IB EE examples for all subjects
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Extended Essay Topics for International Baccalaureate (IB)
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Past Essays
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50+ Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics for IBDP

Art and Identity

Art and Emotion

Art and Nature

Art and Spirituality

Art and Performance

Art and Fashion

Art Conservation and Restoration

IB VA EE Topic Ideas and RQs

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IB Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics

Visual Arts Extended Essay Requirements

In-depth Understanding of the Topic

Clear and Coherent Arguments

Effective Research

Personal Engagement

Analysis of Artworks

Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics and Research Questions

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Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics: Exploring the World of Art

List of Visual Arts IB Extended essay topics

The Significance of Color in Contemporary Art: An Analysis of the Work of Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko.

Examining the Importance of Context in the Interpretation of Contemporary Art: A Case Study of Banksy’s Graffiti.

How Have Women Artists Contributed to the Development of Art Movements in the 20th Century?

A Comparative Analysis of the Relationship between Art and Society in Renaissance Europe and Modern America.

An Exploration of the Intersection of Technology and Art: The Emergence of Digital Art in the 21st Century.

The Role of Art in Documenting Historical Events: An Analysis of Goya’s The Third of May 1808 and Picasso’s Guernica.

The Significance of Architecture in Shaping Urban Environments: A Case Study of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

The Impact of the Avant-Garde Movement on Contemporary Art Practices.

The Influence of African Art on European Modernism: An Analysis of the Work of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

An Exploration of the Concept of Beauty in Contemporary Art: An Analysis of the Work of Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami.

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