Extended Essay “Soft Opening”

Dear Grade 11 parents and students,

Next week I will meet with all the G11 students and introduce the Extended Essay (EE). This could be seen as a “soft opening”, and the start of the thought process behind the choice of EE topic. The decision making and research phase of the EE writing process willl then continue through the beginning of next term, with a chosen topic and research question established.

The Extended Essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic chosen from the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects – normally one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma. It is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. It provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school). This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject chosen. In the Diploma Programme, the Extended Essay is the prime example of a piece of work where the student has the opportunity to show knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm about a topic of his/her choice.

In those countries where it is the norm for interviews to be required prior to acceptance for employment or for a place at university, the extended essay has often proved to be a valuable stimulus for discussion. For those universities that require a sample of student writing, the completed EE could be used as valuable proof of his/her writing ability.

Anders Hjelm

Diploma Programme Coordinator