Potential Mistakes to Avoid in Your IB Extended Essay

The Extended Essay stands as a pivotal component of the IB diploma program, demanding students' utmost dedication to craft distinct reflections. Often, students commit common errors in their IBDP Extended Essays. This article presents strategies to sidestep these pitfalls and enhance your writing experience.

Extended essays typically must adhere to the following criteria:

1. Establishment of a well-formulated research question

2. Inclusion of an abstract

3. Effective introduction

4. Thorough investigation

5. Demonstration of knowledge

6. Attainment of a deeper understanding

7. Development of a logical argument

8. Application of analytical and evaluative skills

9. Use of appropriate language

10. Conclusion

11. Presentation in a formal style

12. Assessment through holistic judgment

Crafting a Strong Research Question for Your Extended Essay

A fundamental aspect of the Extended Essay (EE) is the selection of an effective research question, which serves as the blueprint for the essay's structure. The research question should be centred on a specific topic, avoiding excessive narrowness. It should provide sufficient depth to facilitate thorough investigation.

One commonly recommended strategy, advocated by Blen for its students, is the Taper Down method for crafting research questions. This method involves gradually refining the focus of the question to address the core themes of the essay. By employing this approach, students can ensure that their research question aligns well with the essay's content and scope.

Navigating the Abstract

Another common misstep students encounter is mishandling the abstract section of their essay. Often, students mistakenly perceive the abstract as the introductory segment, leading to significant misunderstandings. To clarify, an abstract should always be composed after the completion of the entire report. In essence, an abstract serve as a trailer for a movie. A well-crafted abstract should be succinct, typically spanning a maximum of 300 words. A clear and concise abstract significantly enhances the likelihood of your writing standing out.

Avoiding Procrastination

Another common mistake students commit is procrastinating in search of the perfect motivation and peace of mind before starting their Extended Essay (EE). It's a misconception that you need to feel inspired before beginning to write. Blen advises students against wasting time in such illusions. A more practical approach is to initiate by creating a rough draft, reserving time for subsequent editing. Additionally, it's highly recommended to share your draft with your mentor for preliminary feedback before submission. This allows you to incorporate necessary changes based on the feedback before the final submission.

Additional Advice:

Finally, it's essential for students to appropriately acknowledge the sources from which they gather information in a manner consistent with academic standards. Similarly, students should steer clear of plagiarism by ensuring proper citation and referencing practices are adhered to.

Blen serves as your virtual mentor, offering invaluable blogs and study materials to enrich your IBDP experience.