How to plan and write your IB Extended Essay

1. Choose the subject before the topic

Your essay is assessed through a disciplinary lens. Decide which IB subject provides the concepts, methods and conventions needed to answer the question. A topic that crosses several areas still needs a clear route unless you are using an approved interdisciplinary pathway.

2. Turn an interest into a researchable question

A useful question identifies the object of study, the relationship or problem being investigated, and sensible boundaries such as place, period, text, dataset or case. Test whether reliable evidence exists before committing.

3. Build an evidence map

• Write a provisional answer to expose what you need to prove.
• Break it into three or four claims.
• Pair every claim with primary or secondary evidence.
• Record full reference details as you research.
• Identify contrary evidence rather than collecting only material that agrees with you.

4. Use a structure that serves the argument

1. Introduction. Context, rationale, research question, scope and approach.
2. Main argument. A sequence of analytical sections, each answering part of the question.
3. Discussion. Competing interpretations, uncertainty, limitations and implications integrated where relevant.
4. Conclusion. A direct, proportionate answer based only on the evidence presented.
5. References. Consistent citations and bibliography, with appendices used sparingly.

The 4,000-word maximum is a ceiling, not a target that rewards padding. Confirm precisely what is included in the word count with the current IB guidance supplied by your school.

5. Reflect on decisions, not just feelings

Useful reflection records why you changed the question, rejected a source, adapted a method or reconsidered an assumption. Be specific about what caused the change and how it improved — or limited — the research.

Final checklist

• The title and research question agree.
• Every main section advances the answer.
• Important claims have credible evidence and citations.
• Sources are evaluated, not merely accumulated.
• The conclusion answers the exact wording of the question.
• Limitations are linked to their effect on the findings.
• Formatting, references and required administrative elements follow current school guidance.
• The submitted writing is authentically your own.

Extended Essay — frequently asked questions

Guidance aligned to current Extended Essay practice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Where to go next

Open Extended Essay tool · EE checklist. Other guides: TOK guide · CAS guide. All guides.