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The Complete IB Extended Essay Guide: Examples, Topics, and Ideas
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.
30-34 | Excellent: A |
25-29 | Good: B |
17-24 | Satisfactory: C |
9-16 | Mediocre: D |
0-8 | Elementary: E |
Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):
A | 10.1% |
B | 24.4% |
C | 40.8% |
D | 22.5% |
E | 1.4% |
N (No Grade Awarded) | 0.7% |
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: Apr 9, 2024 9:39 AM
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2016-2025 IB Extended Essay: Sample IB EE's
- Workshop 1: Getting started
- Workshop 2: EE Options
- Workshop 3: Selecting a topic
- Workshop 4:Research Questions
- Workshop 5: Supervisors and Reflections
- Finding Books & Ebooks
- Primary Sources
- Citation Guide
- Subject guidance
- Sample IB EE's
|
- Biology (2018 new rubric)
- Biology Light Intensity
- Does Age Have an Effect on Short-term Memory of 6 to 18 Year Old Students?
Chemistry:
- Chemistry 1
- What are the Alternative Fuels for the Depleting Fossil Fuels and which is the Best Fuel in Accordance with the Energy Output?
- A Copper Ions
- Chemistry 3
Design Technology
- Does Hull Trim and Balance Affect the Speed of a Boat?
Individuals & Society:
- Market Form of the Retail Petroleum Supply Industry in Parklands
- Economics 1
- Economics 2
- Economics 3
I have an exemplar but the file is too big to upload. If you are interested in this topic I can share the essay with you.
- Geography 2
- History EE (2018 new rubric)
- To What Extent was the Establishment of the State of Israel in Palestine in 1948, Influenced by Theodor Herzl?
Information Technology in a Global Society
- Philosophy 1
- Philosophy 2
- Philosophy 3
- Philosophy 4
- Psychology EE (2018 new rubric)
- Applied Behavior Analysis and Early Intervention: The Extent of Recovery from Autism
- Psychology 1
- Psychology 2
- Psychology 3
Social & Cultural Anthropology
- Social & Cultural Anthropology 1
- Social & Cultural Anthropology 2
World Religions
- To What Extent do the Core Scriptural Teachings of Sikhism Permit them to Marry Outside of the Religion?
- World Religions 1
- World Religions 2
Language Acquisition:
- French: Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Literature & Language
- Journeys in the Inferno and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
- Toni Morrison
Math:
- Cryptography and Rubik's Cube: An Investigative Analysis
- Pascal's Triangle
Visual Arts:
- How Does the work of Yinka Shonibare Illustrate the Changing Role of African Art in a Global Society?
- Ballet's Accessibility and Costumes Affecting Society's View of the Art Form
- Visual Arts 1
- Visual Arts 4
Interdisciplinary Essays:
Environmental Systems & Societies
- ESS Extended Essay (2018 new rubric)
World Studies
- World Studies EE History, Economics, & Politics (2018 new rubric)
- Does the Production of Dairy and Meat from Dairy Cows in the United States affect the Environment and Well Being of Animals and Humans?
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- Last Updated: Aug 25, 2024 12:34 PM
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Chemistry Extended Essay Topics: 30+ Ideas to Get You Started
by Antony W
September 2, 2022
Have you searched for the best IB Chemistry Extended Essay topics but you haven’t found any that’s useful for further investigation?
Or maybe you don’t know how to choose a topic for the subject and you need guidance?
Continue reading this guide to learn more.
What is an Extended Essay in Chemistry?
An extended essay in chemistry gives you the chance to study a specific area of our environment's components.
Within a more broad set of research standards, the essay should highlight a particular chemical aspect.
The result of the study should be a logical and organized piece of writing that effectively tackles a certain subject or research question and reaches a specific, and ideally personal, conclusion.
Chemistry Extended Essay Writing Help
Are you struggling with topic selection for your Chemistry EE? Or maybe you have no idea how to start your preliminary research to develop your research issue?
You can contact Help for Assessment right now for professional help.
If you’re asking yourself who can write my Extended Essay for me , you can be sure that our platform has the writing team that you’re looking for. We can help you with IB Chemistry EE topic selection, conduct preliminary research, develop a relevant research issue, and get the writing done.
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve run out of time or your grasp of Chemistry is weak.
We connect you with professional writers with experience in the subject, so you never have to worry about quality and relevance of the work you get from us.
Take advantage of this writing service, and let us help you score top grades in your Chemistry EE.
How to Choose Chemistry Extended Essay Topics
Below are some points that will help you to choose the best Chemistry extended essay topics:
1. Pick a Topic Focused on Chemistry
It is essential that the emphasis of the extended essay be on chemistry, and not on another subject.
Chemistry is the study of the composition, classification, and change of substances.
Therefore, a long essay in chemistry should include chemical principles and theory and underline the core character of chemistry, which is the study of matter and its transformations.
2. Pick a Topic for Which You Can Provide a Chemistry-based Approach
Although the same evaluation criteria apply to all extended essays, the topic chosen for a chemistry extended essay must provide a different chemistry-based approach.
Whereas you can handle a topic from several perspectives, you have to treat everything from a chemical standpoint.
For instance, if registered as a chemistry extended essay, a biochemistry extended essay will be evaluated based on its chemical content, not its biological content.
3. Pay Attention to the Assessment Criteria
The topic's breadth and accompanying research should allow for the consideration of all criteria.
An excellent subject is one in which the single research question is focused and may be adequately addressed within the word limit.
Perhaps the most crucial component is your ability to provide an in-depth analysis of the issue.
Broad or complex survey topics (such as investigations into health problems caused by water pollution, chemotherapy for cancer treatment, or the use of spectroscopy for chemical analysis) will not allow you to discuss opposing ideas and theories or produce an in-depth personal analysis within the word limit.
4. Avoid Topics that Raise Safety Concerns
Some topics may not be acceptable for examination due to safety concerns.
You should not experiment using poisonous or hazardous chemicals, carcinogenic compounds, or radioactive materials, for instance, unless suitable safety equipment and competent supervision are available.
5. Avoid Topics Whose Outcomes are Already Documented in Textbooks
Other topics may not be appropriate since the outcome is well documented in standard textbooks and the student may not be able to demonstrate personal involvement.
Example: a study of the interactions of alkali metals with water, which is previously covered in the curriculum.
However, you must use caution when determining if a topic is appropriate; for instance, the study of the allotropes of carbon may have been considered trivial in the past, but this is no longer the case.
Related Reading
- Chemistry Extended Essay Complete Guide
- Physics Extended Essay Guide for IB Students
- Computer Science Extended Essay
IB Chemistry Extended Essay Topic Ideas
The following are some Chemistry Extended Essay topic ideas that you can start exploring right away – or just use for inspiration.
- How does the flower come into being?
- Why do plants grow while submerged in water?
- The influence that shifts in climate have on the reproductive processes of plants
- Sugar and cocaine are both very addictive.
- Why do some individuals consume more food but still manage to seem thin?
- What causes the pollen tube to develop, and how does pollination take place in isolated areas?
- The several kinds of eucalyptus trees
- The impact that rising temperatures are having on plant life.
- What is the one item that is absolutely necessary for the development of plants?
- The process of photosynthesis that takes place in the absence of sunlight
- The connection between the brain and the rest of the body The health and safety regulations regarding the preservation of cow milk for commercial purposes
- What distinguishes plants that grow in water from those that grow on land?
- The effectiveness of pollination by different species
- The possibility that medications used to treat pain and other similar substances might be harmful to the human brain.
- How can plants be used as a kind of treatment?
- Is it feasible for plants growing in the same environment to act in a variety of ways?
- What kind of an impact does a shift in habitat have on the touch-me-not plant?
- The phases of development that occur in a fetus
- Ultrasound's influence on the ratio of elimination to substitution yields in the reaction of halogenoalkanes with sodium hydroxide.
- How does the equilibrium change when you replace hydrogen in ethanoic acid with groups that pull electrons and release them?
- Diaper gel (sodium polyacrylate) absorbs liquids, but how much sodium chloride (as well as the solution's pH) depends on how much water is present.
- A Green Chemistry approach is used to studying the synthesis of vanillyl alcohol from vanillin and sodium borohydride.
- Raw milk's accessible calcium is studied in relation to the temperature at which it was heated, and lab-treated milk is compared to commercially-processed milk.
- Thanaka powder and traditional sunscreens are compared for their thermal stability and photostability.
- Analysis of catalase denaturation during the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide
- Visible light absorption by 1,x-dihydroxyanthraquinone as a function of the location of the second hydroxyl group.
- Temperature's impact on the fading kinetics of a photochromic dye was studied using spectrophotometry.
Final Thoughts
There are many IB Chemistry Extended Essay topics, but these ones should be good for a start, especially if you’re already struggling to find topics in the first place.
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IB CHEMISTRY: INTERNAL ASSESSMENT & EXTENDED ESSAY II
- IB IA and EE
Independent and Dependent Variables – What to consider
In every IA or EE, the decision on which variable to manipulate and which variable that the manipulated variable affects is important. Typically, it is advisable to have only ONE dependent variable for IA and at least TWO for EE. The key reason for this difference is the amount of time that one spends in the laboratory – 10 hours for IA and 40 hours for EE. The big difference in the amount of time spent in the laboratory means two things
- The independent and dependent variables for IA should be easily measurable.
- The independent and dependent variables for EE can more complicated and indirect in measurement, but the method of measurement must be verified.
Independent Variable
There are principally two types of independent variables
- Type of reagent such as type of acid/base, catalyst/inhibitor etc
- Reaction condition such as temperature, pH, concentration, light intensity, light wavelength etc.
There are students who used other types of independent variables, such as
- Brands of household product, beverage, food etc
- Types of food and beverage
Some examples are
- Brands of detergents
- Types of tea, eg.English breakfast tea, Ceylon tea etc.
- Types of coffee eg. Arabica coffee, Blue Mountain coffee etc
While exploring the difference in types of food and beverage or brands of products may seem like a possible independent variable, we highly discourage it. The reason is that it will be very challenging to explain the results of the experiment using concepts in Chemistry, thus the “discussion” section of the report will not be substantial.
Some independent variables are harder to control, such as the wavelength or intensity of light. Such independent variables manipulation requires the setup of special units that disallow ambient light interference. We have helped students design and built such setups for experiments, and are contactable through email or phone for a discussion.
Dependent variable
In deciding the dependent variable, one has to consider the following
- Is the independent measurable using existing equipment or using methods doable in the school laboratory?
For example,
– Temperature using thermometer
– Concentration of coloured liquid substances using UV-VIS spectrophotometer or colorimeter
– Concentration of certain colourless organic liquid substances using uv-vis spectrometer
- Some students might vary the type of chemicals used in the experimental study. In this case, the student should check if the chemical(s) is available in the laboratory or permissible (non-hazardous or carcinogenic) in the laboratory. In some cases, the chemical might not be available in the school laboratory and the cost of the chemical might be beyond the budget allocated to each student. In such a scenario, it might be possible that the student has to pay for the chemical required.
Feel free to contact us via email [email protected] or phone +65 9616 1651 or + 65 8298 0709 for a more detailed discussion of how we can support you in your IA or EE project .
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EE Chemistry B. an investigation into the chemiluminescence of luminol. EE Chemistry. Comparison Between the Effects of the Addition of Various Cations via Salt Solution on the Aggregation of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized via the Reduction Method. EE Chemistry B. High scoring IB Chemistry Extended Essay examples.
EE Biology A. Fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by IB examiners. Upgrade now 🚀. Promoted. Advertise with Clastify. 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 ...
Body of the essay. Conclusion. 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.
These highlight the diverse range of topics covered by International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) students during their extended essays. Some examples are: "An analysis of costume as a source for understanding the inner life of the character". "A study of malnourished children in Indonesia and the extent of their recovery ...
Review Past Papers. From the IB: papers from other students and how they scored. Renaissance Library Past Essays : Links to all subject area examples.
2016-2025 IB Extended Essay: Sample IB EE's. Home; Workshops Toggle Dropdown. Workshop 1: Getting started ; Workshop 2: EE Options ; Workshop 3: Selecting a topic ; ... Chemistry: Chemistry 1. What are the Alternative Fuels for the Depleting Fossil Fuels and which is the Best Fuel in Accordance with the Energy Output?
An extended essay in chemistry provides students with an opportunity to investigate a particular aspect of the materials of our environment. Such extended essays must be characterized by a particular chemical emphasis within a more general set of research criteria. The outcome of the research should be a coherent and structured piece of writing ...
1. Pick a Topic Focused on Chemistry. It is essential that the emphasis of the extended essay be on chemistry, and not on another subject. Chemistry is the study of the composition, classification, and change of substances. Therefore, a long essay in chemistry should include chemical principles and theory and underline the core character of ...
In such a scenario, it might be possible that the student has to pay for the chemical required. Feel free to contact us via email [email protected] or phone +65 9616 1651 or + 65 8298 0709 for a more detailed discussion of how we can support you in your IA or EE project. Independent and Dependent Variables - What to ...
Yasmin, one of our experienced Chemistry tutors, breaks down what a Chemistry EE really is. She'll take you the through the criteria and how to score well in...
An extended essay in an interdisciplinary area such as biochemistry will, if registered as a chemistry extended essay, be judged on its chemical content, not its biological content. The scope of the topic and the research associated with it should enable all the criteria, particularly the subject specific criteria, to be addressed.
The IBO publishes two volumes of 50 Excellent Extended Essays, covering all Diploma Programme groups -- and all scored a top A grade. Click on the link below to access PDFs of the essays. 50 Excellent Extended Essays; All 50 essays are also available in electronic form in the QD Library on the iPads. Look for the display at the circulation desk.
Excellent Extended Essays - Chemistry. The effects of ultrasound on the relative yield of elimination and substitution mechanisms when Halogenoalkanes are reacted with Sodium Hydroxide? (2009) How does substituting hydrogen on ethanoic acid with electron-withdrawing and electron-releasing groups affect the equilibrium constant in the ...
The IB Extended Essay is a 4,000-word paper that asks you to immerse yourself in research and academic writing. A required part of the IB program, the Extended Essay is a chance to dig deep into a topic that fascinates you. Although it's no small task, the IB Extended Essay is an opportunity to gain practical research and writing skills that ...
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. You can also read about how the IB sets deadlines for ...
An In-Depth Sample IB History SL Extended Essay Analysis Awaits. Explore Now! History SL. A. 139 Likes. 20 mins read. 3885 words. ... Discover How Temperature Affects Anionic Detergent CMC Using Conductometric Analysis in This Sample IB Chemistry SL Extended Essay. Chemistry SL. C. 147 Likes.
Greetings, future innovators and explorers of the chemical world! As a co-founder of Writing Metier, a platform dedicated to fostering the academic growth of IB students, it's my pleasure to introduce you to THE LIST of good and the most important - working IB Chemistry extended essay topics.. The adventure through chemistry is a quest for knowledge, spanning the micro to the macro, from ...
IB CHEMISTRY: Extended Essay Assessment All extended essays are externally assessed by examiners appointed by the IBO. All extended essays are marked on a scale from 0 to 34. For each criterion, examiners are instructed to identify the level descriptor that is most appropriate (i.e. the best match) for the
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) provides several resources for IB World Schools. These include support materials for the extended essay. Items in the IB store are available to everyone. Publications include: 50 more extended essays, a DVD of essays submitted in the DP that all fulfil the requirements for an 'A' grade in the current ...
IB-provided. "Student sample extended essays, corresponding marks and comments from senior examiners are available for the following Diploma Programme disciplines. Please note that in light of not having authentic RPPFs to accompany these essays, they are marked against criteria A - D only, for a total of 28 possible marks.
can try that just might do the trick. xercise 1: Brainstorm your interests. If you know what subject you want to write about then take a piece of paper and give yourself 5 minutes to write down all the topics and. lessons you enjoyed in the past year. Then take another 5 minutes to write down all the.
All Chemistry IA Examples. Starting from the May 2025 session, the Chemistry IA requirements have changed. We created a couple of exemplars to show you how the new IA should look like. It's OK to refer to the old Chemistry IA exemplars (since the new IA is quite similar) for inspiration/ideas, but make sure to follow the new requirements.
The development of the world studies extended essay pilot has been underpinned by extensive academic research and development. IB staff have worked closely with both teachers in the pilot schools and Harvard Graduate School of Education, Project Zero Interdisciplinary Studies Project, to develop this exciting extended essay option.