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International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

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IB Extended Essay: Past Essays

• Research Questions
• Past Essays
• Notes & Outlines
• Works Cited Page
• In-Text Citations
• Assessment Criteria
• Reflections
• Supervisor Info
• Net Valley Library This link opens in a new window

Check these CAREFULLY to be sure your topic fits with IB expectations!

• Language & literature (language A)
• Language acquisition (language B)
• Mathematics
• Visual Arts
• World Studies

Business Management

English a & b ee examples.

• English A EE Example
• English A EE Example 1
• English A EE Example 2
• English A EE Example 3
• English B EE Example
• English B EE Example 1
• English B EE Example 2
• English B EE Example 3
• English B EE Example 4
• English B EE Example 5
• English B EE Example 6

Philosophy EE Examples

• Philosophy Example 1
• Philosophy Example 2
• Philosophy Example 3
• Philosophy Example 4

Economics EE Examples

• Econ Example 1
• Econ Example 2
• Econ Example 3
• Econ Example 4
• Econ Example 5
• Econ Example 6
• Econ Example 7
• Econ Example 8

Review Past Papers

• From the IB:  papers from other students and how they scored
• Renaissance Library Past Essays :  Links to all subject area examples

Music EE Examples

• Music EE Example 1
• Music EE Example 2
• Music EE Example 3
• Music EE Example 4

Psychology EE Examples

• Psych EE Example 1
• Psych EE Example 2
• Psych EE Example 3

Chinese EE Examples

• Chinese EE Example 1
• Chinese EE Example 2
• Chinese EE Example 3
• Chinese A EE Cat 1
• Chinese A EE Cat 2
• Chinese A EE Cat 3
• Chinese B EE Example 1
• Chinese B EE Example 2
• Chinese B Example 3
• Business EE Example 1
• Business EE Example 2
• Business EE Example 3

Visual Arts EE Examples

• Visual Arts EE Example 1
• Visual Arts EE Example 2
• Visual Arts EE Example 3
• Visual Arts EE Example 4

Film EE Examples

• Film Example 1
• Film Example 2

Chemistry EE Examples

• Chemistry EE Example

Biology EE Examples

• Biology EE Example
• Biology EE Example 1
• Biology EE Example 2
• Biology EE Example 3

Physics EE Examples

• Physics EE Example
• Physics EE Example 1
• Physics EE Example 2
• Physics EE Example 3
• Physics EE Example 4
• Physics EE Example 5

Math EE Examples

• Math EE Example 1
• Math EE Example 2
• Math EE Example 3
• Math EE Example 4
• Math EE Example 5
• Math EE Example 6

World Studies EE Examples

• World Studies Example 1
• World Studies Example 2
• World Studies Example 3
• World Studies Example 4
• World Studies Example 5
• World Studies Example 6
• World Studies Example 7
• World Studies Example 8
• World Studies Example 9
• World Studies Example 10
• World Studies Example 11
• World Studies Example 12
• World Studies Example 13
• World Studies Example 14
• World Studies Example 15
• World Studies Example 16
• World Studies Example 17
• World Studies Example 18
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• Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024 3:00 PM
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What I learned from messing up my biology extended essay

Each year we invite IB alumni to share their experiences, interests and advice with our global community in the  graduate voices  series. We welcome Diploma Programme (DP) graduate Lim Hui Yuan to share some tips and advice to DP students completing their extended essays after completing her DP education at Hwa Chong International School .

By Lim Hui Yuan

I’m sure all the current and past IB students know the hardship of completing an Extended Essay (EE). And for those who are not familiar with EE, it is actually “ an independent, self-directed piece of research ”, which culminates into a 4,000-word paper.

To many (including me), EE was a real boot camp training because of the effort and tenacity it requires one to possess. Well, it was quite daunting a time for me, BUT—I have to admit that I learned a lot from messing up my project. Looking back, the nine months I spent on my EE was indeed an endurance experience.

Here are my takeaways from almost failing my Biology EE. Some of them might be relevant to other EE subjects, but they mainly revolve around the challenges I personally faced.

Knowing what you’re interested in isn’t always that easy

They always say, “follow your heart”

“Pick a project topic that you are interested in.”

Sometimes, we might not even know what our heart wants and where our interests actually lie. We students face a dilemma when choosing an EE subject or topic in the same way we are confused when standing at the junction of deciding which university path to choose.

There is a plethora of topics that we could work on, but not all of them could keep us motivated for more than half a year. I chose, “The Efficacy of Natural Plant Extracts and Commercial Disinfectants in Reducing Bacterial Growth.”

I like to think of it like becoming a gardener. Your project starts off small, you have to nurture it, and once the research topic is settled, it just keeps growing. In the end, you’ll have an EE that has grown from just a tiny seed into a big plant you are really proud of.

Nevertheless, I came to realise that no matter what topic you choose, as long as you pour your heart into it, you will not regret the outcome.

Asking yourself, “ why do I want to do this project?” helps to keep you on the right track (even if the answer was “to get a good grade”).

Failing is more common than succeeding

After diving into my biology EE, I realised how easy it was to carry out experiments in class compared to conducting your research project. There’s no lab manual you can simply refer to. Instead, you have to create your own recipe , adapting from previous work. And since it’s your own custom-made experiment, you can never predict how the results will turn out.

As much as you try to fix the controlled variables, it seems like you can’t control the outcome of the study.

In my case, I expected some of the plant extracts to show antibacterial properties. However, I underestimated how mischievous the bacteria can be, contaminating all my plant samples.

I took the success of the experiment for granted.

This bump went on for over five months. At one point, I was so traumatised by the lack of progress that I couldn’t bring myself into the lab. Frustrated and drained, I was on the verge of giving up.

Here’s when you should take a breather to flush away the negative emotions and reset everything—including your impression of the project itself.

Learn to move on

Just as the wise Ryan Higa mentioned, “ here’s a bridge; now, get over it ”.

Whatever will happen has happened and all you can do is to move on.

After getting yourself ready for a fresh start, you should turn on troubleshoot mode and make amendments to your procedures. Try to pinpoint the problem and then search for plausible solutions to tackle it. The trial and error method is the only way!

Imagine beginning to piece a puzzle together; you usually know what the big picture looks like first before connecting the parts. The same applies to your EE. Plan ahead.

Set mini-deadlines as you draft your action plan. The timeline is essential so that you don’t feel too overwhelmed by a load of work (especially when you have a month left to write your EE after getting your results, which was exactly my case).

Be careful not to be too optimistic with the progress of your experiments. I expected and planned that mine would take at most two months to finish, but I completely neglected some time factors such as time needed for the bacteria to incubate, to make the agar plates, the opening hours of the lab (which leaves me only a few hours after school), and of course , failures.

You may have a supervisor to nag you about your EE progress. However, once you’re out of high school, nobody will be there to alarm you and snoozing off will cost you more than just your grades.

You’re not alone on this

If it weren’t for my EE supervisor and friends, I would’ve given up.

My EE supervisor kept encouraging me and taught me how to endure an initial lack of results, and I’ve learned since then that this is actually a norm of scientific research . One of my best friends, who was also doing a biology EE, took his time to teach me how to write a biology EE amidst his busy schedule (you know who you are, thank you!).

Remember to discuss your difficulties to your advisor or friends; they’ll be your pillar of support.

EE is not only here to prepare you for undergraduate research, but also provide a resilient attitude for life, in general.

Honestly, I’m quite grateful that I faced so many problems during the process. It feels like playing a game with many obstacles and overcoming each hurdle leads you to a higher-level ranking. I am, by no means, a “Legend”, but I’ve certainly passed the “Rookie” level.

P.S. Remember to pat yourself on the back after completing your EE. After all, you’ve shed blood, sweat and tears into raising your seedling into a plant.

Lim Hui Yuan is a graduate of Hwa Chong International School , Singapore. She is currently pursuing her degree in science, specifically a major in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, at the University of Hong Kong. She likes to experiment with new things and loves dancing and cooking. Also, you can find her binge-watching dramas most of the time.

To hear more from Diploma Programme (DP) graduates check out these  IB programme stories. If you are an IB grad and want to share your story, write to us at [email protected].  We appreciate your support in sharing IB stories and invite you to connect with us on LinkedIn , Twitter and now Instagram !

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About the IB

2016-2017 IB Extended Essay: Sample IB EE's

• Workshop 1: Getting started
• Workshop 2: EE Options
• Workshop 3: Selecting a topic
• Workshop 4:Research Questions
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5 Tips for writing a Biology Extended Essay

5 Tips for writing a Biology EE

Biology is a popular subject for the IB extended essay and is great preparation for any student hoping to major in a science at university, as there will be plenty of lab reports (and eventually a thesis/dissertation!) in the future that will be structured quite similarly to the EE!

Here are 5 main tips to guide you in writing a Biology EE:

1. Choose the right topic and scope.

- It needs to be beyond the scope of the IB curriculum but not so complicated that you won’t be able to understand the concepts!

- Remember, you’re not expected to find anything groundbreaking, but you also can’t investigate something that a standard textbook can easily answer!

- Half of the battle is making sure your scope is neither too broad nor too specific - remember, 4000 words isn’t a lot when you want to write in detail and depth

- Brainstorm topics that you are interested in, or questions that you are personally curious about, then make sure your school/area has the resources to pursue this idea!

2, Be organised, but be realistic about your goals

- It might be helpful to create a timeline, for example, deciding on deadlines for:

- Finishing data collection

- Finishing your introduction

- When you need to hand in your first draft

- When you need to hand in your final draft

-Being organised is extremely important given that you will have many other projects and subjects you will have to work on while doing your EE!

3. Keep it simple

- Don’t carry out extremely complicated experiments with lots of different variables

- And mind the time; how long will the experiments take, including waiting time and repeats? - Does anything need time to grow?

- Remember that your supervisor sadly cannot write the EE for you, so make sure you choose a topic that you will be able to understand.

4. Justify yourself

- Where possible and within reason, explain your decisions e.g. changes you’ve made to the method, certain species you’ve used, why you’ve chosen one question over another, why you’ve chosen certain chemicals.

- Examiners like to see that you have thought carefully not just about the how and what but the WHY behind the process of answering your research question!

5. Mind your language!

- Don’t use too much scientific jargon, but be clear and specific

- Don’t be too wordy, but be detailed

- It’s a difficult balance, but here you’ll need to use your intuition: does your essay read smoothly? Would someone be able to read through all 4000 words in more or less one go?

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Extended Essay: Sciences: Biology

• Step 1 - Choosing a Subject
• Step 2 - Choosing a Topic
• Step 3 - Draft a Research Question
• Step 4 - Finding Sources
• Step 5 - Evaluating Information
• Step 6 - Bibliography & Citation
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Extended Essay in Biology

Extended Essays in Biology

Choosing a topic

Choosing a Topic

Biology is the science that deals with living organisms and life processes. A biology EE should incorporate biological theory and emphasize why it is relevant today.

The topic must relates specifically to biology. Many topics can be approached from different viewpoints, but for an EE in biology the treatment of the topic must be clearly biological. For example, an EE in an interdisciplinary area such as biochemistry will, if registered under the subject of biology, be judged solely on its biological content.

Disease, for example, could be considered through many different lenses. A biology paper about diseases would focus on their impact on particular organisms or life processes, and not on medical treatment, or the economic effects of the disease on society.

Approaches to research

Primary Research

Essays in biology may be based on data collected by the student through:

Essays that involve lab work, or fieldwork, should include a clear and concise description of the experimental procedure. Students taking an experimental approach must also consult secondary sources.

Secondary Research

Students can base their essays on data or information obtained from literature (secondary studies). However, in this case they should use the data in an original way. Essays that simply restate facts or data taken directly from the sources are of little value.

Biology Sources

Even students doing primary research will still need to reference secondary sources. And students relying entirely on secondary sources will need to find sources not only of written information but also experimental data which they can analyze.

Writing the Essay

An essay in the sciences requires is more than just generating and presenting data. Analysis of the data is also essential. The main body of the essay should consist of an argument or evaluation based on the data or information presented . You can gather your own data through a variety of methods, or rely on secondary data. You should use graphs, tables, or diagrams to point out the significance of your findings.

You should ensure that the main body of the essay is well structured and has an obvious logical progression. You can use numbered and headed paragraphs to impose a clear structure. Your evaluation should show that you understand the the data they have collected and its significance to the world.

In your analysis, you should also describe and explain the limitations imposed on the research by factors such as

• the suitability and reliability of the sources accessed
• accuracy and precision of measuring equipment
• sample size
• validity and reliability of statistics

Students  should also consider biological limitations such as:

• those arising from the problem of repeatability and control when using living material
• the difficulties of generalizing from research based on a single type of organism or environment.

Exceptions for Safety and Academic Honesty

Safety and Ethics in Choosing a Topic

In all cases where human subjects are used as the basis for an investigation, clear evidence of informed consent must be provided in accordance with the IB guidelines.

Some topics may be inadmissible because their means of investigation are unethical. For example, investigations that:

• are based on experiments likely to inflict pain on, or cause stress to, living organisms
• are likely to have a harmful effect on health, eg culturing micro-organisms at or near body temperature (37°C)
• involve access to, or publication of, confidential medical information.

Some topics may be unsuitable because of safety issues. Adequate safety apparatus and qualified supervision is required for experiments involving dangerous substances such as:

• toxic or dangerous chemicals
• carcinogenic substances
• radioactive materials.

Other topics may be unsuitable because the outcome is already well known and documented in standard textbooks.

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Extended essay

The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students.

Read about the extended essay  in greater detail.

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Biology EE Topics: How to Choose, Plus Good Examples

by  Antony W

September 3, 2022

Have you scoured the web for Biology EE topics but came out empty? Or maybe you’ve considered writing an EE in the subject but you still have no idea what to focus your research on?

You’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the best biology extended essay topic to explore in your assignment. In addition, we’ll give you some topic ideas as well as teach you how to treat the topic you choose.  

What’s the Purpose of a Biology Extended Essay? 

An extended essay in biology allows you to apply biological knowledge while conducting research on a topic of personal interest within the area of biology.

A concentration on biology within the framework of a broader scientific research is what defines the nature of a biology extended essay.

How to Choose Biology EE Topics

The following are important considerations to make when selecting a topic for your biology extended essay:

1. Select a Topic Focusing Strictly on Biology

Biology is the scientific discipline concerned with living beings and biological processes. Therefore, a biology extended essay should contain biological theory and underline the subject's fundamental character.

It is essential that the emphasis of the extended essay be clearly biological and not more closely connected to another subject.

Although identical grading criteria apply to all extended essays in the experimental sciences, the topic you choose for a biology extended essay must provide a distinct biological perspective.

2. Avoid Topics That May Cause Harm

Certain topics are inappropriate for research due to ethical concerns. Investigations based on trials that are likely to cause pain or needless stress to living beings are ineligible for submission.

Investigations that are likely to have a negative impact on health, such as microorganism cultivation at or near body temperature, or that may require access to or release of personal medical information are inappropriate.

Some topics may not be acceptable for examination due to safety concerns.

You need to avoid experiments involving the use of poisonous or hazardous chemicals, carcinogenic compounds, or radioactive materials, unless proper safety equipment and trained supervision are available.

3. Avoid Obvious Topics

Other topics may be inappropriate because the conclusion is already well known and documented in standard textbooks.

Biology Extended Essay Writing Help

Are you finding Biology Extended Essay topic selection process tedious? Have you selected a topic but have no idea how to proceed?

Or maybe you have other overwhelming assignments waiting for you and you can’t find the time to complete an EE in this subject?

We’re here to help. 

You can  buy an EE in Biology online   from Help for Assessment and get professional writing help within your time limit Whether you have a week left before submitting your first draft or you’re planning to attend the last reflection meeting to present your final draft, our writers are here to help.

Our writing service involves topic selection, preliminary research, development of a research issue, and writing and editing.

The topic we select is strictly within Biology, and we come up with research issues that we can address within the scope of the Biology Extended Essay assignment. 

10+ Biology Extended Essay Topics

The following are 20+ examples of Biology Extended Essay topics. You can pick a topic from the list, modify it further, and share it with your supervisor for review.

Or you can use this list as an inspiration to help you come up with a topic that would suit your research.  

• Determine the link between the growth hormone indole acetic acid and the growth of X.
• How much do living cultures in dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, and cheese lower the lactose content after 2 hours of incubation?
• The connection between photoreceptor cells in the human retina, “age, and gender."
• Are commercial techniques of oral rinse (mouthwash) more efficient at preventing the growth of Micrococcus luteus than traditional methods of oral hygiene?
• Which of hand sanitizer, hand soap, or antibacterial wipes inhibits the development of E. coli the most effectively?
• Investigating the time necessary for two distinct species of tadpoles to attain metamorphic climax from the pre-metamorphosis stage at four different temperatures
• How much does a 2-hour incubation at 37°C lower the lactose content in yogurts containing live cultures?
• The effect do different light combinations on the movement of red-eared sliders, in relation to the position of the light sources.
• What is the prevalence of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among kids at Tanglin Trust School, and what are the related risk factors?
• Investigate the antibacterial effects of copper, barium, and silver on bacterial growth.
• Photo acclimation is the capacity of diverse symbiodinium-hosting coral species to endure aberrant light circumstances.
• Is it feasible for plants in the same ecosystem to act differently?
• The risk of painkillers and similar medications to the human brain
• Near hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor are indications of life's development on Earth.
• Current ideas and evidence concerning the molecular reasons responsible for the rising prevalence of allergy disorders in industrialized nations
• Blood group relative frequencies in distinct geographic locations used to trace ancient migrations of humans.
• How millennia of breeding have caused domesticated dogs to respond to eye contact through bonding (by producing oxytocin hormone)
• An examination of malnourished children in Indonesia and the degree of their recovery following a period of supervised increased nutrition.
• The competitive and evolutionary nature of Paramecium Bursaria’s symbiotic connection

Related Reading

• The Complete Guide for Biology Extended Essay
• Learn About Chemistry EE From This Guide
• A List of Mathematics Extended Essay Topics

How to Analyze Your Biology Extended Essay Topic

You should explain early in the essay how you formulated the research topic and, if applicable, how you narrowed it by briefly elaborating on any relevant elements.

You should develop one or more hypotheses, especially since a single, well-formulated inquiry can generate a handful of specific hypotheses.

It’s possible to base your biology extended essays on data obtained through experiments, survey, microscopic observations, biological sketching, fieldwork, or any acceptable biological method.

Alternately, you can base the essay on facts or information collected from literature, ideally from primary sources, then alter or analyze in an innovative way. 

If you’re working on an essay that requires laboratory or fieldwork test, you should provide a clear and brief description of the experimental methodology.

Explain how you chose the research technique and methodology, as well as any options that you investigated but rejected.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve given you a list of 10+ Biology extended essay topics, it should be easy for you to identify an area to explore.

It can be an area you’re always interested in or a topic that you’ve always wanted to explore.

You should do research for your essay under the direct supervision of a supervisor.

Regardless of where or under what conditions you conduct studies, you must demonstrate your personal contribution to the research methodology and selection of methodologies in the essay.

Generating and presenting data should not be a goal in and of itself. Remember, proper scientific analysis is vital.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

IB EE examples for all subjects

Filter exemplars, what is the relationship between the height of the siphon and the flow velocity out of the siphon, what effect does the difference in radius at the top and bottom of the roller coaster loop have on the maximum change in g-force that a passenger experiences, want to get full marks for your ee allow us to review it for you 🎯, to what extent does the type of alcohol used in the fischer-speier esterification reaction affect the average rate of reaction as measured through back titration., to what extent does vivienne westwood's sustainable fashion initiatives provide it with a competitive advantage over other luxury brands, how have amazon's market strategies contributed in successfully growing its e-commerce business internationally, fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by ib examiners. upgrade now 🚀, to what extent were the nuremberg trials defendants afforded a fair due process, how has apple used sustainable innovation to gain a competitive edge, how is the lift at various angles of attack affected by flap deflection angles, how does the concentration of harpagoside, which is identified by the surface area of the spot on the chromatography paper, changes in the equine mane over the period of one month after gradual consumption of the supplement “devil’s claw”, how do different concentrations of punica granatum extracts: peel, flower and leaves (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/ml) affect the rate of reaction of α-amylase and compare with metformin (anti-diabetic drug) as measured by a spectrophotometer at 587nm, fluid’s density effect on falling objects, to what extent has zoom’s freemium business model influenced its market leadership position in the north american video conferencing market from 2020 to 2021, to what extent have tesla’s distinct marketing strategies been effective at promoting its automotive business”, to what extent can the growth of disney+ be sustained as the pandemic’s effects begin to wear off, how does increasing the angle of a simple pendulum affect its time period, to what extent has the vehicular emissions scheme (ves) been effective in increasing the consumption of light electric vehicles between 2018 and 2020 in singapore, to what extent can robert iger's leadership style influence the organisational culture and creative success of the walt disney company, to what extent were legal measures responsible for the exclusion of jews from german society from 1933-1938, to what extent was amazon’s decision to expand into the physical grocery retail industry a successful change management strategy, to what extent has spotify’s podcast innovation been an effective growth strategy to increase its profitability, how does the velocity of a bicycle on a flat horizontal surface affect its stability, how successful has netflix inc.’s content strategy been at ensuring market and financial growth, effect of storage temperature and time on the vitamin c concnetration in citrus fruit juices, to what extent has innovation and product development contributed to apple being a market leader, to what extent is blood pressure related to the development of alzheimer’s disease in people in age above 50, to what extent has the change in corporate leadership at apple inc. from steve jobs to tim cook impacted the company's innovation and product development, what is the effect of salinity stress (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mm nacl) measured through microscopic (stomatal aperture) and morphological (leaf area, leaf dry mass, and root length) characteristics on pre-treated radish (raphanus sativus) seeds with magnetopriming (48 hours), to what extent do extracts of allium sativum (garlic) and zingiber officinale (ginger) reduce antimicrobial activity and how effective it is compared to antibiotics, to what extent can elon musk’s twitter acquisition affect different stakeholder groups, to what extent does the success of mcdonald's in the real estate business compared to the fast-food business in united states, how effective have the strategies used by coca cola been in ensuring it remains competitive in the beverage industry in india, to what extent were starbucks’ marketing strategies effective in increasing its growth in revenue between 2015-2022 in india, to what extent do different species of chili pepper consumption biologically affect the rate of lipid digestion in terms of ph change within 30 minutes, how effective is the cone repair technique when treating ebstein’s anomaly in comparison to other treatments, to what extent implementing effective product strategies have led hp inc. to increase the market share in the indian market in the last 5 years, to what extent was at&t’s acquisition of time warner an effective growth strategy, to what extent do phytochemicals such as resveratrol, glyceollin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (egcg) possess comparable antibacterial effects against staphylococcus aureus bacteria to a non-prescription otitis externa (oe) treatments such as ciprofloxacin using bacillus subtilis as a prokaryotic model organism, to what extent does performing the dance styles, cha cha, viennese waltz, and modern contemporary affect human fitness levels as measured by oxygen consumption (vo2) and maximum heart rate (bpm), to what extent does inhaling e-cigarettes affect the lungs’ vital capacity of high school students in jakarta.

Extended Essay Exemplars

Below are Extended Essay Exemplars in some of the most common subjects submitted to IB offered at MHS. They include the IB examiner's comments on each part of the rubric and a sample RPPF. When writing your paper, pay special attention to how these papers are constructed and use them as models when you construct your own essay. Pay attention to the examiner's comments as they will provide insight as to how to write a good Extended Essay. Finally, at the bottom is a blank RPPF that you will need when you submit your final EE to IB.

Exemplar English Language & Literature Essays

Exemplar History Extended Essays

Exemplar psychology extended essays, exemplar business management extended essays, exemplar biology extended essays, exemplar chemistry extended essays, exemplar physics extended essays, exemplar sports, exercise, and health science extended essays, exemplar math extended essays, exemplar film extended essays, exemplar visual arts extended essays, below is a blank copy of the rppf that you must submit with your extended essay. note that you must use adobe to complete the form; google chrome will not work.

Extended Essay Writers

Biology EE Topics | 40 Ideas

Luke MacQuoid

There are many potential topics for a biology Extended Essay (EE) in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Topic Ideas

Some possibilities include the following:

• The effects of pollution on a particular species or ecosystem.
• The genetic basis of a specific disease or trait.
• The comparative physiology of a specific mammal and bird.
• The effects of climate change on a particular species or ecosystem.
• The impact of human activity on the evolution of a species.
• The physiology of a specific plant species.
• The efficacy of a specific medicinal plant.
• The comparison of the anatomy and physiology of a specific animal species in captivity and in the wild.
• The impact of a specific invasive species on an ecosystem.
• The effect of different fertilizers on the growth and development of a specific plant species.
• The study of the symbiotic relationship between specific species.
• The effect of different light conditions on the growth and development of a specific plant species.
• The impact of different temperature conditions on the physiology of a specific microorganism.
• The study of the genetic diversity within a specific species.
• The study of the effects of different pH levels on the growth and development of a specific plant species.
• The impact of human activity on the population dynamics of a specific species.
• The study of the effects of different soil types on the growth and development of a specific plant species.
• The study of the impacts of different pesticides on the physiology of a specific species.
• The study of the effects of different water conditions on the growth and development of a specific plant species.
• The study of the impact of ocean acidification on the physiology of a specific marine species.
• Studying the Effects of Acid Rain on Local Flora.
• The Role of Gut Microbiota in Obesity.
• Influence of Insecticides on Honey Bee Population Decline.
• The Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Food Chains.
• The Role of Genetics in Determining Human Lifespan.
• Influence of Habitat Loss on the Genetic Diversity of a Specific Species.
• The Effects of Light Pollution on Nocturnal Animals.
• A Comparative Study of Photosynthesis Rates in Different Plant Species.
• The Impact of Noise Pollution on Avian Communication.
• Analysis of Biological Controls for Invasive Species.
• The Effects of Diet on the Gut Microbiota.
• Understanding the Effect of Climate Change on Disease Vectors.
• Exploring the Role of Genetics in Athletic Performance.
• Effects of Pharmaceuticals on Aquatic Ecosystems.
• The Impact of Urbanization on Local Bird Species.
• Understanding the Relationship Between Sleep and Immune Function.
• Studying the Effects of Air Pollution on Lichen Species.
• The Role of Epigenetics in Aging.
• The Effect of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets on the Human Body.
• Investigating the Biological Mechanisms of Meditation and Mindfulness.

It’s important to note that these are just examples of topics for your IB EE in Biology . You should choose a topic that interests you and that you can find enough information on.

Need help with your Biology extended essay?

From research and analysis to structuring and editing, our skilled mentors will be by your side, helping you craft an exceptional extended essay that not only meets the stringent IB criteria but also reflects your passion for Biology studies.

Additionally, it’s essential to consult with your supervisor to make sure the topic meets the requirements of the Extended Essay and that you have access to the necessary resources to complete the research.

Students can use these themes in their essays by researching and analyzing the specific topic, providing evidence and examples to support their claims, and discussing the implications and potential solutions to the issue at hand.

For example, in an essay on the effects of pollution on a particular species or ecosystem, a student could research the specific pollutants that are affecting the species or ecosystem, analyze the effects those pollutants are having, and discuss potential solutions to mitigate the pollution and its effects.

These are experiments students can use for Biology EE topics:

• Looking at how pollution impacts a certain type of animal or plant: This would involve checking out pollution levels in a specific place, then watching to see how it affects your chosen species.
• Understanding how certain genes affect a disease or characteristic: This would mean doing genetic tests to identify the genes involved, and potentially using genetic engineering techniques to change those genes and see what happens.
• Comparing how a mammal and a bird work: You’d do experiments to see how your chosen mammal and bird are similar or different. You could look at things like brain structure, behaviour, and thinking abilities.
• Exploring how climate change impacts a certain animal, plant, or ecosystem: This could involve experiments to see how changes in temperature, rain patterns, or CO2 levels affect your chosen species or ecosystem.
• Studying how people’s actions affect how a species evolves: This might mean looking at how things like habitat destruction, hunting, or pollution impact a species’ genetic diversity and population.
• Looking at how a certain plant works: You’d do experiments to see how the plant responds to things like light, temperature, or water.
• Studying how well a medicinal plant works: You’d do experiments to see how good the plant is at killing or slowing the growth of microbes, or reducing pain or inflammation.
• Comparing a certain animal in captivity and in the wild: You’d look at how being in captivity affects the animal’s body and how it works, and how it behaves.
• Seeing how an invasive species affects an ecosystem: You’d study how your chosen invasive species impacts the growth, reproduction, and health of native species.
• Studying how different fertilizers affect a plant: This could involve testing different types of fertilizers to see how they affect the plant’s growth rate, leaf size, and health.
• Looking at how certain species interact: You’d do experiments to understand the relationship between the species. This could involve seeing what happens when you remove one species, or how different environments affect the relationship.
• Studying how light affects a plant: This might mean doing experiments to see how different light conditions affect the plant’s growth, leaf size, and health.
• Looking at how temperature affects a microorganism: You’d do experiments to see how different temperatures impact the microorganism’s growth rate, metabolism, and health.
• Studying genetic diversity in a species: This could involve using genetic markers to identify genetic variations in the species, and then seeing how these variations affect the organism.
• Looking at how pH levels affect a plant: You’d do experiments to see how different pH levels impact the plant’s growth, leaf size, and health.
• Studying how people’s actions affect a species’ population: This might mean looking at how things like habitat destruction, hunting, or pollution impact the species’ population size, growth rate, and health.
• Looking at how soil types affect a plant: This could involve doing experiments to see how different types of soil affect the plant’s growth, leaf size, and health.
• Studying how pesticides affect a species: This might mean doing experiments to see how different pesticides impact the species’ growth, reproduction, and health.
• Looking at how water conditions affect a plant: You’d do experiments to see how different water conditions (like availability, salt levels, or temperature) affect the plant’s growth, leaf size, and health.
• Studying how ocean acidification affects a marine species: This could involve doing experiments to see how increasing acidity levels impact the species’ growth, reproduction, and health.

Additionally, in an essay on the comparative psychiatry of a specific mammal and bird, a student could research and compare the brain structures, behaviors, and cognitive abilities of the two species and discuss any similarities and differences found.

A student can ask for help from a writing service if they need assistance with their essay. This can bring several benefits to the student, such as:

• Professional guidance . Writing services often have experienced writers and editors who can provide guidance on the essay topic and structure, as well as help with research and editing.
• Improved quality . A writing service can help improve the overall quality of the essay, including grammar, punctuation, and formatting.
• Better grades . With the help of a writing service, a student’s essay is likely to be of higher quality, which can lead to better grades.
• Time-saving . A writing service can help save time as the student can focus on other responsibilities while the writing service works on the essay.
• Customization . Writing services can also provide a customized service that can be tailored to the student’s specific needs and requirements.
• Originality . Professional writers will provide original work that is free from plagiarism, which is important in academic writing.

It is important to note, however, that a student should always ensure that the writing service they use is reputable and that they review and understand the work they receive before submitting it as their own.

Luke MacQuoid has extensive experience teaching English as a foreign language in Japan, having worked with students of all ages for over 12 years. Currently, he is teaching at the tertiary level. Luke holds a BA from the University of Sussex and an MA in TESOL from Lancaster University, both located in England. As well to his work as an IB Examiner and Master Tutor, Luke also enjoys sharing his experiences and insights with others through writing articles for various websites, including extendedessaywriters.com blog

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