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Extended Essay
Course Description and Aims
The extended essay is an in-depth study of a focussed topic chosen from the list of approved DP subjects - normally one of the student’s six chosen subjects. The extended essay is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity, engaging students 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, coherent and appropriate manner.
The extended essay is a compulsory, externally assessed piece of independent research/investigation. Presented as a formal piece of scholarship containing no more than 4000 words, it is the result of approximately 40 hours of student work and 3 mandatory reflective sessions with the supervisor.
The aims of the extended essay are to provide students with the opportunity to:
- pursue independent research on a focussed topic;
- develop research and communication skills;
- develop creativity and critical thinking;
- engage in a systematic process of research;
- experience the excitement of intellectual discovery.
Curriculum Model Overview
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Component
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The research process
1. Identify a subject and topic of interest.
2. Carry out some background reading on the topic selected.
3. Prepare a literature review of all research material.
4. Formulate a well-focussed research question.
5. Plan the investigation and a structure for the essay writing process.
6. Carry out the investigation.
7. Ensure all citing and referencing is adequate.
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Writing and formal presentation
The required elements of the final work to be submitted are:
• Title page.
• Contents page.
• Introduction.
• Body (development/methods/results).
• Conclusion.
• References and bibliography.
• Appendices.
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Three reflection sessions
These are interviews between the student and the supervisor which gives an opportunity to reflect on successes and difficulties and on what has been learned. It is a way to provide formal support to the student by helping him/her reflect on his/her engagement in the process and it is assessed by one of the 5 assessment criteria.
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Assessment at a Glance
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Assessment criteria /34
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Description
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Focus & Method
Marked out of 6
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This criterion focusses on the topic, the research question and the methodology. It assesses the explanation of the focus of the research, how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.
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Knowledge & Understanding
Marked out of 6
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This criterion assesses the extent to which the research relates to the subject area/discipline used to explore the research question, and the way in which this knowledge and understanding is demonstrated through the use of appropriate terminology and concepts.
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Critical Thinking
Marked out of 12
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This criterion assesses the extent to which critical thinking skills have been used to analyse and evaluate the research undertaken.
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Presentation
Marked out of 4
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This criterion assesses the extent to which the presentation follows the standard format expected for academic writing and the extent to which this aids effective communication.
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Engagement
Marked out of 6
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This criterion assesses the student’s engagement with their research focus and the research process. It will be applied by the examiner at the end of the assessment of the essay, after considering the student’s reflections on planning and progress form.
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