Curriculum information of Carey Baptist Grammar School

Carey Website | Contacts | Sitemap | Home  
Middle School | Senior School | Co-curricular
YEAR 10 | IB | VCE | OTHER CURRICULUM | LEARNING DEVELOPMENT | LEARNING AREAS

 

Group 1 - Language A
Group 2 - Language B
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences
Group 5 - Mathematics
Group 6 - The Arts and Electives
Creativity, Action and Service
Theory of Knowledge
Extended Essay
Extension Studies
Tertiary Entry

 

IB  >  Extended Essay

© IBO 2007

Description

The Extended Essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic chosen from the list of approved Diploma Program 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.  

The recommended length of time for students to spend on the preparation and writing of the Extended Essay is approximately 40 hours.

The choice of subject

  • The subject in which the Extended Essay is registered must be chosen from the list of available subjects in the regulations.
  • It is advisable to choose the subject for the Extended Essay before deciding what the topic or research question will be. Since a limited range of subjects is available, certain topics may not be appropriate for an Extended Essay.
  • In choosing a subject, an essential consideration is the personal interest of the student.
  • Each student is assigned a staff supervisor and follows a writing program over six months, commencing in Semester 2, Year 11.

The choice of topic

The topic of the Extended Essay is the particular area of study within the chosen subject.

  • Students should aim to choose a topic which is both interesting and original to them.
  • The topic chosen should be limited in scope to allow the students to analyse the topic in depth.
  • The topic should allow for personal research.
  • The choice of topic should present the student with the opportunity to collect or generate information and/or data for analysis and evaluation.

Assessment

All Extended Essays are externally assessed by examiners appointed by the International Baccalaureate Organisation. They are assessed against common criteria, which are interpreted in a manner appropriate to each subject. The Extended Essay in combination with the grade for the Theory of Knowledge, contributes up to three points in the total score for the IB Diploma.

The Extended Essay contributes to the overall Diploma score through the award of diploma points.

EXAMPLES OF EXTENDED ESSAY TOPICS

Claire (English)

The portrayal of mental illness in fictional and non-fictional literature as seen in Ken Kesey's 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' and Anne Deveson's 'Tell Me I'm Here'.

Simon (History)

An evaluation of the 1936-39 purges of the Peoples Commissariat for Foreign Affairs and their effect on the August 1939 signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact

Angus (English)

The reasons for, and ways in which Les A. Murray has based his song cycle 'The Buladelah-Taree Holiday Song Cycle' on 'Song Cycle of the Moon-Bone' and other traditional Aboriginal literature

Belinda (Psychology)

How effective is Rational Emotive Therapy as a treatment for alcoholics?

Lisa (Biology)

Investigating the presence of an Ri plasmid in the bacterial strains Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Rhodospirillum rubrum and staphylococcus albus, detected through the formation of hairy root disease in innoculated Daucos Carota cells.

Jane (Philosophy)

Anarchism, Nihilism, and the 1970s Punk Movement in London.