“That time of year, thou mayst in me behold…” (Shakespeare)

The Extended Essay. That’s what you’re beholding at this time of year. A 4000 word research paper.

But soft! Before you sigh heavily and walk away, read on! The Extended Essay (or the EE as it will be known from here on in) is not as daunting as it seems. If anything, you should be excited at the prospect of researching something in which you have a personal interest. This is your opportunity to engage in research specific to a topic of your choice:

Extracting DNA from peas using two different primary alcohols. (Chemistry)

A comparison of how the Hong Kong protests of late 2014 were portrayed in the official media in Singapore versus the reporting undertaken by NGOs X, Y and Z active in Singapore. (Global Politics)

The proof of the law of quadratic reciprocity. (Maths)

The influence of elements of conduct and mannerism of the 17th century imperial court on Japanese Mai style dance. (Dance)

The use of language and other persuasive techniques to confront the ideology of the United States by Malcolm X and other civil rights activists. (Language A English)

[Note: All of the above are sample research topics published on the IB Extended Essay Guide website. Full citation listed under “Works Cited” below]

But don’t fret … you’re not in this alone. You will have a teacher supervisor assigned to you, and s/he will guide you through the entire process. S/he will encourage you to reflect on the insights you’ve gained, evaluate the decisions you’ve made, and respond to any challenges you’ve encountered during your research.

By the end of your EE journey, you will have:

• developed high level research and writing skills
• honed your intellectual discovery
• awakened your creativity

The EE should be viewed as a challenging and rewarding experience, one that will help prepare you for various pathways beyond high school and university.

What areas of research interest you and why? Feel free to comment in the space below.

Works Cited

“Introduction.” The Nature of the Extended Essay, ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=2&chapter=3. Accessed 11 May 2017.

Shakespeare, William. “That Time of Year Thou Mayst in Me Behold (Sonnet 73).” Poets.org, Academy of American Poets, 10 Mar. 2016, http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/time-year-thou-mayst-me-behold-sonnet-73. Accessed 11 May 2017.

“Teacher Support Material.” Home, ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/index.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=1&chapter=1. Accessed 11 May 2017.