Please note that while I have a lot of general knowledge about the Extended Essay, I focus largely here on English EEs because, well, the reason should be obvious. 🙂
EE Guidelines from IB
Sample English EEs
Both of these samples, completed by former BTHS students, received As. Note the focus on a literary technique. EEs that focus on the author’s life and those that summarize rather than analyze will most likely get a low score.
Sample Film EE
- Sample 1 (score: B)
Format Template
- Here is a document that contains all relevant instructions for the EE, as well as a template for how to format your paper.
- If you open this EE sample format and save it as your EE, your formatting is done for you! It’s formatted according to MLA guidelines, so if you’re doing a science EE, you’ll have to tailor it to APA.
Assessment Criteria
- Here are the official IB assessment criteria for the Extended Essay.
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How and why have Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief and Roberto Bolaño’s Amulet used symbolism to portray the power of literature in Nazi Germany and in the Tlatelolco massacre in Mexico?
This is the RQ we have. Can you give me some feedback in terms of structure? Bests, Juan.
Hi Juan,
Sorry, I don’t really understand what you are asking here. Please clarify.
Hi, this is the RQ for the extended essay, I would like to know if in terms of structure (for the IB) it’s fine, or not. What I mean if it’s narrowed down well. If the subject still it’s too broad, how would you make it more straightforward. Bests,
Well, like I said in my reply yesterday, I am only an IB teacher, so my responses are simply my professional opinion. However, it looks good to me. I’d probably advise the student to clarify what specific symbol they are analyzing. Symbolism itself is too broad.
Can I send you the Extended Essay? We’re almost done. She later on explains symbolism as the basement in the case of the book thief, and in the case of bolaño’s Amulet, the main character is trapped in the bathroom. There other elements that she explains, such as the setting, the political situation (nazi germany and dictatorship), and inanimated objects. Thanks a lot for the comments.
Sorry, I would not feel comfortable reviewing the essay itself. It would be against the rules of IB, and I do not feel that it would be a wise professional decision to give feedback on an essay from another school. The rules are very clear; the EE must be the student’s own work, and the feedback they receive may only be general. Sorry! Good luck!
oh, I didn’t know that. Thanks a loy for the comments though. Bests, Juan. 😀
No problem! 🙂
Dear Michelle, I know that you are not part of the IB, but do you know if I can add secondary sources in Spanish? Or they need to be English. My student is translating them into English to cite them in text. Thanks in advance.
If the EE is registered as an English EE, they need to be in English. I believe they can use them if they are translated, though. I am not 100% sure.
Do you have access to the EE guide?
Yes, I have access to the EE guide, but it only appears that literary work needs to be in translation. However, regarding the bibliography it doesn’t appear anything on it. I think that my student can write put them there. But, it needs to be translated to English in-text. What do you think about that? Have you ever come across with something similar?
I have not experienced that, but I do believe it should be in English in text. Maybe post on the OCC and ask? Or on IB Answers?