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Extended Essay: Subject and Topic Exploration

This guide is to assist NPS students with their Extended Essay.

First Step: Choosing a Topic and IB Subject Area

Your First Step in the EE process - Check List for Choosing a Topic and IB Subject 

  • Explore and Brainstorm:
    • Use brainstorming activities to get ideas of what most interests you to find an idea or topic you can remain enthusiastic about for 6 months or more.  
    • Read the DP subject guide/guides that your topic connects to, paying attention to the description of sample topic choices (broad and narrow), approaches and questions. You should be excited about possibilities and ideas when reading the guide. IF you aren't try a different subject.
    • Look at and read sample essays in the subject(s) of interest to you.
  • Start your Researchers Reflection Space to keep track of your time, your ideas, and your progress.
  • Decide on a general topic and an IB DP subject area.  Be sure that both the topic and the IB DP subject area interest you. (For example you may be interested in a business topic, but the DP Business subject area and approach may not interest you.)

  • Do some preliminary research and background reading and begin to identify some specific research topics within your topic and subject area.

  • Read a few example essays and the assessment criteria in the Extended Essay Guide specific to the subject area you have chosen. You must become VERY familiar with the Subject Guide for your chosen subject.

  • Make an appointment with the EE Coordinator to discuss you current ideas and complete Topic Choice survey to identify possible supervisors

The Researcher's Reflection Space in ManageBac

Brainstorming Your Topic: Activities

More Activities, Handouts and Organizers

Brainstorming Your Topic: Websites

Links to resources that may help you consider different topics and possible approaches

Mind Mapping/ Brainstorm

Concept mapping (or mind mapping) is a way to visually organize a topic in order to identify relevant themes and connections. A concept map can be made using sketching software, a whiteboard or just a pen and scratch paper - whichever you prefer.

The below documents are here to help you organize your ideas to narrow broader ideas into more narrow and manageable concepts. 

 

 

Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS)

The Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS) is a personal learning environment that can be either a physical or virtual support tool - like a research or process journal  You use it to record reflections on what you are reading, writing and thinking. The use of the RRS will help you prepare for your reflection sessions with your supervisor and inform the discussions that take place.

In preparing for your reflection sessions you could use your RRS to:

  • record your reflections
  • respond to items that have come up in your research, such as photos, newspaper clippings, twitter feeds, blogs, and so on
  • respond to prompts and questions that may arise in your subject area, TOK class or other aspects of the Diploma Programme
  • create MindMaps ®
  • record emerging questions

You may already be keeping a research journal on the planning, researching and writing phases of your work on the extended essay - that's your RRS!  Having a RRS will provide you benefits in terms of the management of your workload and focus on your extended essay. 

For more ideas on how to record your thoughts and ideas, see:

Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS) examples

Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps

 

Developing your Question

Consider Your Research Method

Source: OWL at Purdue (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/736/02/)

Source: OWL at Purdue (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/736/02/)

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