3 Common Mistakes To Avoid While Writing Your IB EE

Extended Essay (EE) is an integral part of your IB diploma. It is equally essential for you to do an excellent job while writing it, or else all your efforts will go in vain. This task can be overwhelming, given the number of criteria for writing an outstanding Extended Essay. This article has broken down the three common mistakes that IB students make while writing their IB EE.

Extended Essay has a lot of ambiguous criteria.

A clear understanding of these terms mentioned above will ensure that you score well on your Extended Essay. 

Before we break down these terms, it is essential to note that an Extended Essay is not a report. Instead, it is an academic essay. Although the distinction might be obvious, students must be mindful while writing their EE. An easy way to do so is by understanding that the narrative of your Extended Essay is built around your point of view. Your point of view is the hypothesis used to develop your Essay. Your EE's entire point is to prove or disprove your theory.

A research question embodies your hypothesis and helps your report in taking shape. While writing your research question, you must ensure that it is focused on a specific topic yet is not too narrow. It will help if you hit the right spot where the research question is thin enough for a thorough investigation.

A good practice for writing your research question is the Taper Down Methodology. Your research question should be constructed so that it tapers down and highlights the area of focus for your Essay. Look at this sample question 'To What Extent does Kanban helps Company X improve its efficiency in the Production Demand.' This made-up question first talks about Kanban, a comprehensive lean methodology. Then it ties it to a very niche and limited production topic in Company X. This research question can be ideal for an Extended Essay on Business Management. Let's walk through this example. As the research question suggests, the report will start by talking about what Kanban is. Then it will elicit the relevance of Kanban in Company X. From there, the student will further narrow down the report to the production of Company X. Here, the student will bring up the report's hypothesis, that is, a statement conveying whether or not the student believes if Kanban Methodology can help the Company's production. The entire information, after that, will be dedicated to interpreting data to support the hypothesis. Think of your IB EE as a treasure hunt. Proofing or disproving your hypothesis is like finding the hidden treasure. Your Research Question is your map, giving you a crisp outline to help you navigate. And the body of your IB EE is the story of your quest.

Another way to look at the taper-down effect is via a funnel. It would help if you examined a broad terminology through the lens of a narrow scope. The elements related to the area will help you in your investigation. Returning to our sample question, the broad methodology is 'Kanban,' the scope is Company X, and the elements allowing the methodology's investigation through your range are production.

Once you understand this, writing a research question will be a cakewalk. However, it is recommended that you write at least 5 versions of your research question to hit the nail at the right spot. If you wish you learn more about writing a good research question and integrating IB terms in it, then may we recommend you check out our latest guide: 'The Art Of Buillshiting: Learn How To Write Academic Reports Like A Pro.' Make sure you follow us on Instagram @nailib_com so that we can keep you posted about other IB resources.

Now back to the mistakes you must avoid while writing your IB EE! The second criterion that IB students need to improve is the Abstract. Let me be loud and clear, THE ABSTRACT IS NOT THE INTRODUCTION TO YOUR IB EE.' While it is true that chronologically, an abstract supersedes the introduction, it must be written after you have finalized your report. Why, you ask? Well, think of your Abstract as a trailer for your IB EE. One cannot make a trailer without shooting the entire movie. If one tries to do so, they may be unable to give a good gist of their film. An abstract is a glimpse of your approach to writing your IB EE. It is a 300-word summary of the entire content Essayur essay. Like a good movie trailer, your Abstract should be clear and concise and keep your reader wanting more. 

Note: As of 2018, the Abstract is optional in writing the EEssayed Essay. However, if you include an abstract Essayur essay, it will be counted in the word limit.

Other criteria are equally important as the Research Question and Abstract. We have decoded them in-depth and given you tricks to handle them elegantly in our extensive guide: The Art Of Bullshitting. Be sure to check it out before starting your IB EE.

Most students wait for some inspiration before they begin writing. The reality is that there is no such thing as having the right inspiration for writing your IB EE. Those who wait for it are delusional, and you must share this blog to save them! So how should one proceed to write their IB EE? A prevalent way is to write the first draft and share it with your mentor. Then you edit it to make it better. Get it reviewed by your mentor again. Then you submit it hoping your examiner will be in a good mood while reading your IB EE. While there is nothing wrong with this method, it can be further broken down into smaller milestones. By doing so, you will not only have more explicit targets to achieve but also build momentum, which will keep you motivated throughout.

• Make a rough outline for your IB EE
• Write a quarter of your IB EE
• Meet with your mentor to discuss the way ahead
• Finish the first draft of your IB EE 
• Allow your mentor to review your IB EE
• Add the required changes to your IB EE
• Design and Format your IB EE 
• Finish the final draft of your IB EE
• Submit and do 45 Hail Marys

You can break the process as per your convenience and understanding. The outline mentioned above is one of the ideal ways to do it. The more you break down the process, the easier it will be for you to track it. You will also be mindful of paying attention while writing your Extended Essay. This method has been used by almost all of our subscribers, who got a perfect score of 36/36. On that note, did you check out our Sample Extended Essay, which got a 36/36? You must! 

This is the most critical point for writing your IB EE. There are certain expectations that IBO has from its students while they write their Extended Essay. Since IBO is all about empowering students and making them global scholars, the last thing it encourages is spoon-feeding. The same is true for your IB EE. While writing your EE, you must expect the slightest help from your mentor. Your mentor is there to guide you, but your responsibility is to extract as much help as possible from them. It is your responsibility to meet your mentor at least once a month and show them the progress that you have made. The mentor can only help if you have something to get reviewed. Thus it is ideal that you stick to your breakdown of writing your IB EE and schedule meetings as and when you meet your milestones.

Furthermore, you must acknowledge all the sources of information and ideas in an approved academic manner. IB takes plagiarism very seriously. You cannot expect a good grade even if you have done extensive research and interpreted your finding but have failed to do citations properly. Once again, we have compiled a comprehensive IB writing-related guide called The Art of Bullshitting. Our writers have put in their blood and sweat to help you with citations and other IB EE-related challenges. The directory lists all the criteria to meet if you wish to score well on your IB. Make sure to get access to The Art Of Bullshitting now. Feel free to dm us on Instagram @nailib_com, in case you cannot find 'The Art Of Bullshitting: Learn How To Write Academic Reports Like A Pro.' 

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