Pueblo West High School International Baccalaureate

Extended Essay Handbook

Updated October 2012

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Dear IB Student, While the extended essay is a requirement of the diploma, it is much more than just one more hoop that you need to jump through. This essay is first and foremost an ACADEMIC WORK created by YOU. It involves you doing independent research on a topic of your choice and investigating that topic under the supervision of a mentor of your choice. This is a formal academic piece that once produced, you should be very proud of. You should approach this piece of the diploma program with fervor, rigor, seriousness, discipline, enthusiasm, and academic honesty. Beyond the requirement and the grade that you will receive, the reward will be in the fact that you wrote a 4,000-word college essay with inquisitiveness, investigation skills, and produced an academic work that demonstrates your expertise in a topic of your choice. It will be something that you will be able to carry on to the next phase of your education and lean on when you are asked to write another research paper at the college level. This paper should not be viewed as just another requirement. It should be fun for you to write since you are the one who gets to choose the topic about which you write. In addition to you electing the topic, you will also be able to choose a mentor whom you enjoy and feel comfortable working with within our building. According to the Extended Essay Guide First Exams 2013, the extended essay is “intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.” Whether you choose to pursue research investigating the use of dance in Jane Austen’s novels, a study of malnourished children in Indonesia and the extent of their recovery after a period of supervised improved nutrition, or how and why the explanations of the Cuban missile crisis have changed since 1962, the goal should be to have fun working through another process of your education. Please read this booklet carefully, come to the IB office to read through extended essays that have been scored by graders, and let me know what I can do to help you through this process. Carpe diem, Rachelle Eastep IB Coordinator

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Questions and Answers about the EE 1. What is the Extended Essay?

The Extended Essay is a focused piece of research on a topic of the student’s choice. It must be no longer than 4,000 words, and it must reflect approximately 40 hours of work by the student. The 4,000-word requirement does not include the abstract, acknowledgments, the contents page, maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables, equations, formulas, and calculations, citations/references (whether parenthetical or numbered), footnotes or endnotes, the bibliography, or appendices.

2. Do I have to write the extended essay in order to earn the full diploma? Yes. This, along with the theory of knowledge course, and the creativity, activity, and service piece must be completed in order to earn a full diploma.

3. Must my mentor be a teacher at the school?

Yes. Your mentor must be a teacher at Pueblo West High School, but he/she does not have to be one of your IB class instructors.

4. Are there any example papers at which I can look?

Yes. There are exemplar papers, papers that have been scored by IB graders, to look at and review in the IB office. There is also a CD available to use entitled 50 Excellent Extended Essays. This CD contains a collection of essays which all scored a top A grade by senior examiners. The CD contains essays in all of the areas that are currently taught at Pueblo West High School with the exception of Business and Management. There are, however, hard copies of exemplar papers available for review in the IB office in the area of Business and Management if this is an area that interests you.

5. What are the elements of the extended essay?

According to the Extended Essay Guide First Examinations 2013, the elements of the essay are a title page, an abstract, contents page, introduction, body (development/methods/results), conclusion, references and bibliography, and appendices

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6. How will the extended essay be graded?

Each student’s essay will fall into one of the categories listed below: A Work of an excellent standard B Work of a good standard C Work of a satisfactory standard D Work of a mediocre standard E Work of an elementary standard

7. How many points is the extended essay worth towards the diploma? A maximum of three points are awarded for a student’s combined efforts in theory of knowledge and on the extended essay. The total number of points awarded for this combined effort is outlined in the chart below.

8. Must I have bibliographies, references, and citations?

Because you are required to display academic integrity as an IB candidate, credible research practices require that you provide your reader with EXACT sources of quotations, ideas and points of view through accurate bibliographies and referencing. “Failure to comply with 4

this requirement will be viewed as plagiarism and will, therefore, be treated as a case of malpractice.” (Extended Essay Guide: First Examinations 2013, 10) In addition to the above information, students should be aware of the fact that the electronic service provided through www.turnitin.com that checks for plagiarism will be used by instructors to monitor academic honesty.

So……how do I get started? 1. Choose a group in one of the areas of study for the IB programme on which you would like to base your research and writing. Extended essays may be submitted in one of the subject areas listed below: English: In this area, students may choose three different areas of study about which to write. Category 1 includes a study of a literary work originally written in English. Category 2 includes a study a literary work originally written in English compared to a literary work originally written in another language. In category 1 and 2 these essays often address philosophical, political, or social questions. It is important that students are not simply writing an essay that summarizes the views of literary critics that are already out there in the research. Essays that are written as a biography of literary authors are not acceptable for category 1 or 2. Category 3 includes an essay which explores a study in language. A category 3 essay analyzes the use of language and the potentially conflicting viewpoints on the text based on cultural difference and the use of the language in the text. If you are choosing an essay in this area, please see Mrs. Eastep for a list of possible essay titles to use as examples. Spanish: These essays must be written in Spanish. There are three categories for a Spanish essay. Category 1 is language. This type of essay should be an analysis of the use, and structure of the Spanish language in relation to its cultural context or a specific text. Category 2 essays pertain to culture and society. These essays analyze the impact of a particular issue on the impact of the language used. These essays may also be based on cultural artifacts. These could include fine art to newspapers, magazines and cartoons, to films, television programs, and popular music. Category 3 essays fall under the heading of literature. These essays should b e an analysis of a literary type, based on a specific work or works of literature that are written in the target language. If you are choosing an essay in this area, please see Mrs. Eastep for a list of possible essay titles to use as examples. 5

Biology: It is important that an extended essay in this area clearly has a biology focus and not some other science. “Biology is a science that deals with living organisms and life processes.” (Extended Essay Guide First Examinations 2013, 34). It should also be researched within the realm of a scientific investigation. Essays in the field of Biology may include research that is conducted by the student or may be based on data obtained from literature that the student manipulates or analyzes in an original way. “Essays that simply restate facts or data taken directly from the sources are of little value.” (Extended Essay Guide First Examinations 2013, p. 35) If you are choosing an essay in this area, please see Mrs. Eastep for a list of possible essay titles to use as examples. Business and Management: Topics in this area provide students with the opportunity to review business theory, concepts and principles, and critically analyze how these have been put into practice in the business world and the impact on business activity. Students writing an essay in this area are expected to apply business theory, tools and techniques. Students that write an essay which simply summarizes research rather than analyzing and evaluating data will not score well. If you are choosing an essay in this area, please see Mrs. Eastep for a list of possible essay titles to use as examples. Chemistry: Topics in this area provide students with the opportunity to investigate a particular aspect of the materials of our environment. Essays in this area must contain a chemical emphasis dealing with the composition, characterization and transformation of substances. Essays in this area may be based on literature, theoretical models or experimental data. Essays in this area should be written with a high level of scientific quality. Essays written at the level similar to a newspaper magazine article will not score well. Students writing essays in this area must undertake experimental work. If you are choosing an essay in this area, please see Mrs. Eastep for a list of possible essay titles to use as examples. History: Topics in this area must focus on the human past, be worthy of study and lend themselves to systematic investigation. Essays focused on events in the last 10 years are not acceptable as these are considered current affairs, not history. Essays in this area must focus on a research question and not merely summarize secondary sources. If you are choosing an essay in this area, please see Mrs. Eastep for a list of possible essay titles to use as examples.

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Mathematics: Topics in this area allow students to research a wide range of topics from applicability of math to solve both real and abstract problems, the beauty of math as in, for instance, geometry or fractal theory, the origin and subsequent development of a branch of mathematics over a period of time, measured in tens, hundreds or thousands of years, or the way that a branch of math has been born, or has flourished, as a result of technology. Essays in this area should not focus on the lives of mathematicians. If you are choosing an essay in this area, please see Mrs. Eastep for a list of possible essay titles to use as examples. Psychology: Topics in this area allow a student to actively research a question which will develop communication and analytical skills in the area of behavior. The focus of a paper in psychology should be on the behavior of human or non-human animals. Topics that fall into the category of “pop psychology” or “self-help” are not appropriate for an extended essay in psychology. Essays written under the heading of psychology should use terminology embedded within the IB psychology course. If you are choosing an essay in this area, please see Mrs. Eastep for a list of possible essay titles to use as examples.

2. Develop a “research question.”

To earn the maximum amount of credit, the research question should be clearly stated in the introduction and sharply focused. Examples: English: What are the role and the significance of dance in Pride and Prejudice and Emma? Spanish: Which roles do women play in tango lyrics? Biology: Are commercially available antibacterial cleaning agents effective at controlling the growth of E. coli on nutrient agar under laboratory conditions? Business and management: To what extent has the introduction of Total Quality Management (TQM) improved quality at ABC Ltd.? Chemistry: Does the time it takes to brew a cup of tea using a specific commercial brand of tea leaves significantly alter the amount of caffeine that is dissolved in the drink? History: How and why have explanations for the Cuban Missile Crisis changed since 1962? 7

Math: How does the exponential function, and its calculus, inform areas of science such as nuclear physics, geology, anthropology or demography? Psychology: How can findings from psychological research on perception differences between Asians and Americans be applied to website design?

3. Find a mentor and return the mentor agreement form to Mrs. Eastep in the IB office. Your mentor teacher does not necessarily have to be a teacher who is teaching an IB course. He or she does, however, have to be a teacher at Pueblo West High School. Please keep in mind that each teacher is limited to supervising one essay.

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IB Extended Essay Supervisor/Mentee Agreement Thank you for agreeing to assist me in the writing of the extended essay for my IB diploma. I understand and appreciate the effort that this requires of you and promise to fulfill the commitments listed below: _____1. I will choose a topic that fits into one of the subjects on the approved extended essay list that the IB Coordinator discussed with us. _____2. I will observe the regulations relating to the extended essay as outlined by the IB Coordinator. _____3. I will meet all deadlines set by the IB Coordinator and my mentor. Failure to meet deadlines will result in me losing the possibility to earn the full IB Diploma. _____4. I will acknowledge all sources of information and ideas in an approved academic manner. _____5. I will start work early in order to not put my mentor in a position where he/she is unable to help me. _____6. I will think very carefully about the research question for my essay and discuss it with my mentor. _____7. I will plan how, when and where I will find material for my essay. _____8. I will plan a schedule for both researching and writing the essay, including extra time for delays and unforeseen problems. _____9. I will record sources as my research progresses rather than trying to reconstruct a list at the end. _____10. I will have a clear structure for the essay itself before beginning to write. _____11. I will check and proofread the final version carefully before submitting it to my mentor. _____12. I will make sure that all basic requirements are met. _____13. I will submit a copy of the rough draft of the extended essay to www.turnitin.com to check for plagiarism. Student Name _________________________________________________________________ Student Signature ______________________________________________________________ Year of Graduation_________________ Research Question: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

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Name of Extended Essay Supervisor ________________________________________________ Please initial each line below indicating that you have read and understand the responsibilities of the EE supervisor. As the Extended Essay Supervisor, I understand that it is my job to _____offer guidance on the research and writing of the Extended Essay. _____ensure that the chosen research question satisfies appropriate legal and ethical standards with regard to health and safety, confidentiality, human rights, animal welfare and environmental issues. _____familiarize myself with the regulations governing the Extended Essay and the assessment criteria. There will be a meeting for all Extended Essay supervisors where documents and instructions will be made available. _____read and comment on the first draft only of the Extended Essay (but I am NOT TO EDIT the draft). _____monitor the progress of the Extended Essay to offer guidance and to ensure that the essay is the student’s own work; and to read the final version to confirm its authenticity. _____submit a predicted grade for the student’s Extended Essay with the IB Coordinator _____complete the supervisor’s report. (This is basically a form to sign off on verifying that this is actually the student’s own work.) _____write a report and present it to the school’s IB Diploma Programme coordinator if malpractice, such as plagiarism, is suspected in the final draft. Signature of Extended Essay Supervisor ________________________________ Date: _______

4. Begin working on your research with the guidance of your mentor. 10

As you begin the research process, please be aware of the importance of working with your mentor closely for guidance. It is also critical that you are working closely with the IB Coordinator to meet all required dates. Ultimately, this is your responsibility.

Extended Essay Student Deadlines (Non-negotiable)

(These deadlines will have specific dates attached that will be given to each candidate during the spring of his/her junior year.) Junior Year January 9: Candidates meet with coordinator to review guidelines and requirements of the extended essay. By January 23rd:

Candidates are required to read the assessment criteria required on the EE and submit a written reflection on Managebac commenting on each of the assessment criteria and their thoughts about them.

By January 30th:

Candidates must submit an area to the IB Coordinator that they plan to write in. Area is defined as English, Spanish, French, history, psychology, business and management, biology, or chemistry

By February 14th:

Submit the name of your EE supervisor to Mrs. Eastep along with the Mentor/Mentee form signed by the candidate and the supervisor. This form must contain a preliminary research question that your mentor agrees to sign off on.

By February 28th:

All candidates must have visited Mrs. Eastep’s office to read a sample EE and reflect on how the graders assessed it. The written reflection should be approximately two pages long and show the IB Coordinator that you fully understand how your EE will be graded. All candidates must have met with their supervisors a second time and have a

By March 4th:

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revised research question that is narrowed down. By March 11th:

All candidates must have met with Mrs. Vail, media specialist in order to explain you topic and explore media resources that are available to you through the media center.

By March 18th:

Students must submit the titles of three sources to be used on their EEs to Mrs. Eastep on Managebac.

By April 1st:

A written summary on the three sources reported to Mrs. Eastep by March 18th must be submitted on Managebac.

By April 15th:

Students must submit the titles of three more sources to be used on their EEs to Mrs. Eastep on Managebac

By April 29th:

A written summary on the three sources reported to Mrs. Eastep by April 15th must be submitted on Managebac.

By May 6th:

All candidates must have a basic outline for their research paper submitted on Managebac after having it approved by their supervisor.

By May 13th:

One body paragraph of the paper must be submitted on Managebac.

By May 20th:

A second body paragraph with documentation must be submitted on Managebac.

By May 27th:

A third body paragraph with documentation must be submitted on Managebac.

By June 26th:

The entire body of the paper is written and on Managebac to see.

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By July 15th:

The entire body of the paper is written with documentation and an introduction, conclusion and title page have been added.

By July 30th :

The entire EE is now posted on Managebac with an abstract and Works Cited Page.

First Day of School:

All papers are submitted to turnitin.com for the first draft

By September 15th:

All students must have met with their supervisor to review the draft with the assessment rubric. An assessment rubric with student comments on it must be submitted to the Coordinator.

By September 30th:

Second draft of EE is due on turnitin.com

By October 15th:

All students must have met with their supervisor to review the draft with the assessment rubric. A second assessment rubric with student comments on it must be submitted to the Coordinator.

By October 31st:

Final Draft of EE due to Coordinator. Students must submit 3 hard copies to the coordinator

By Thanksgiving Break:

All candidates must have met with their supervisor to complete the Viva voce.

Works Cited International Baccalaureate Organization. Extended Essay Guide: Diploma Programme. Chippenham, Wiltshire, GB: Antony Rowe Ltd. 2010. International Baccalaureate Organization. Handbook of Procedures for the Diploma Programme: May and November 2013 Examination Sessions. Cardiff, Wales, GB: Peterson House. 2009. 13