Extended Essay Assessment Criteria

Know your Subject Guide thoroughly
 Subject Guide
• Overview
• Choice of Topic
• Treatment of the Topic
 Look for:
• What to avoid
• What the focus should be
• How to approach the topic
• Anything emphasized as being important


Choice of Topic: The Research
Question


A Good Research Question:

 Takes a stand.
 Justifies discussion.
 Expresses one main idea.
 Is specific. (Think 4,000 word limit)
 Lends itself to systematic investigation.
Specific to the EE
 Can’t be answered with yes/no.
 Can’t be influenced by personal opinion.

Page 4 © International Baccalaureate Organization 2009

What is a good research
question?
 Biology: Does classical music, rock music or
silence in any way influence memory?
 Group 1: Is Harry Potter an effective way to get
children to read?
 Economics: To what extent have the South
Tyrolean government’s policies been effective in
reducing vehicle carbon emissions?


Command Terms Can Become Question
Stems
 Account for — Asks candidates to explain a particular event or
outcome. Candidates are expected to present a reasoned case for
the existence of something.

 How — On its own this is a straightforward invitation to present an
account of a given situation or development. Often a second part
will be added to such an essay question to encourage analysis.
• Adding a second word such as "successfully", "effective",
"accurate", or "far" turns a "how" question into one that
requires a judgment. The candidate is now expected to provide
his/her detailed reasons for that judgment.

Command Terms Can Become Question
Stems
 To what extent — Asks candidates to evaluate the success or
otherwise of one argument or concept over another. Candidates
should present a conclusion supported by arguments.

 Why — This short key word invites candidates to present reasons
for the existence of something. Thus, the brevity of this command
rather disguises a powerful requirement to present a detailed,
reasoned argument. In effect it is similar to the invitation "account
for".


Assessment Criteria

A Research Question 2
B Introduction 2
C Investigation 4
D Knowledge/Understanding 4
E Reasoned Argument 4
F Apply Analysis & Evaluation 4
G Language Appropriate 4
H Conclusion 2
I Formal Presentation 4
J Abstract 2
K Holistic Judgment 4

EE Grade Boundaries for IB

A 29 – 36
B 23 – 28
C 16 – 22
D 8 – 15
E 0 – 7 (failing condition)


EE Grades in GCPS Value
IB EE Grade GCPS Equivalent
A 30-36
A 29 – 36 B 23-29
B 23 – 28 C 17-22
C 16 – 22 D 11 – 16
D 8 – 15 F 10 and below
E 0–7

Criterion A: The Research Question 2
points

 Assesses the extent to which the purpose of the essay is specified
 Getting this right is the most critical aspect of writing the
essay
• Can limit achievement in other areas
 Topic must be relevant to the subject


Choose the correct achievement level for this research
question: Why did Israel win The Six Day War of
1967?
A. 0
71%
B. 1
C. 2

014% 14%

1

2

Criterion B: Introduction 2 points

 Assesses how the research question relates to existing
knowledge AND assesses explanation of how topic is significant
and why worthy of investigation
 Recommend a header for this section; 1-2 paragraphs
 Point out if research addresses an open issue; an unresolved
question; or issue that hasn’t been explored in same manner
 Should be well referenced and point out what others have said
and what’s already known


Choose the correct achievement level:

A. 0
82%
B. 1
C. 2

18%

0%
0

1

2

Criterion C: Investigation 4 points

 Assesses how investigation is planned and sources used/data
collected
 NOT a summary of facts and information
 Works Cited needs a wide range of sources actually used/cited in
text of paper
 Should include process for obtaining and selecting information
and their relevance or reliability



A. 0 30% 30%

B. 1 26%

C. 2
D. 3
13%
E. 4

0%
0

1

2

3

4

Criterion D: Knowledge and
understanding of the topic studied 4
points
 Assesses the extent to which a pre-university student can relate
their investigation to the current state in the field of study
 Explain underlying theories, basic terms
 Paraphrasing!! Students should put research into their own words
 Explain info, draw inferences, point out possible relationships



A. 0
B. 1 52%

C. 2
D. 3
26%
E. 4

7% 7% 7%
0

1

2

3

4

Criterion E: Reasoned argument 4 points

 Assesses extent to which essay presents ideas in a logical and
coherent manner
 Assesses development of reasoned argument in relation to the
research question
 Must explicitly link information’s importance or relevance to
research question
 Probably will be most difficult part of writing process for students



A. 0
64%
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. 4 28%

8%
0% 0%
0

1

2

3

4

Criterion F: Application of analytical and
evaluative skills appropriate to the subject 4
points
 Examines finding and describing data patterns, trends and
relationships
 Critical analysis of a student’s own work should be included



A. 0
42%
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
21% 21%
E. 4
0
8% 8%

1

2

3

4

Criterion G: Use of Language
Appropriate to the Subject 4 points
 Use of clear and precise language as well as terms that are
appropriate to the subject
 Define and use key terms and use terminology appropriate to the
subject
 Avoid sudden changes in style



A. 0 38%
B. 1 33%

C. 2
D. 3
19%
E. 4
10%

0%
0

1

2

3

4

Criterion H: Conclusion 2 Points

 Assesses relevance of conclusion to research question and
consistency with evidence presented
 Recommend a header for this section
 Good idea to restate the research question
 Make clear that conclusions presented are supported by evidence
from body
 Mention unresolved questions



A. 0 78%
B. 1
C. 2

13%
0 9%

1

2

Criterion I: Formal Presentation 4 points

 Assess the layout, organization, appearance, formal elements for
a consistent standard format
 Clear title page, table of contents, page numbers
 MLA style
 EASY points!!!


Criterion J: Abstract 2 points

 Does not exceed 300 words.
 Should examine development of EE argument and importance of
conclusions reached.
 Must clearly state:
• Research question
• Scope of investigation (how conducted)
• Conclusions reached
 Introduces reader (examiner) to entire scope of the EE.


Criterion K: Holistic Judgment 4 points

 Assesses qualities that distinguish an essay from average –
intellectual initiative, depth of understanding and insight
 References to unexpected ideas
 Showing connections between unrelated facts
 Using a novel approach to finding information


Academic Honesty

 Student is ultimately responsible
 Work or ideas of others must be fully and correctly acknowledged
 Supervisor confirms that the EE submitted is the authentic work of
the student
 Both plagiarism and collusion are forms of malpractice
 Same piece of work, or two versions of same, cannot be
submitted by student


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