The International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay is a 4,000-word research paper that provides students with the opportunity to explore a topic of their choice in depth. The Extended Essay (EE) is an integral part of the IB Diploma Programme and allows students to engage in independent research and analysis on a topic of their choosing. The process of writing an Extended Essay requires students to develop skills in research, critical thinking, and organization, making it an excellent opportunity for students to challenge themselves academically and develop important skills for future success.
There are many different topics that students can choose for their Extended Essay, and the best topic will depend on the student's interests and areas of expertise. Some potential ideas for an Extended Essay include:
An analysis of a literary work: Students could choose to analyze a specific work of literature, exploring themes, symbols, and other elements of the text in depth.
A historical investigation: Students could choose to research a specific event or time period in history, analyzing primary sources and exploring the context of the time period.
A scientific investigation: Students could choose to conduct experiments or analyze data to explore a specific scientific concept or theory.
An economic analysis: Students could choose to explore a specific economic theory or policy, analyzing data and examining its impact on society.
A philosophical investigation: Students could choose to explore a specific philosophical concept or theory, analyzing the ideas of key philosophers and examining the implications of their ideas.
An artistic analysis: Students could choose to explore the work of a specific artist or artistic movement, analyzing the themes and techniques used in their work.
A psychological investigation: Students could choose to explore a specific psychological concept or theory, analyzing data and examining its relevance to human behavior.
No matter what topic students choose for their Extended Essay, it is important that they choose a topic that is of interest to them and that they are passionate about. This will help them stay motivated throughout the research and writing process and will ensure that their final essay is of the highest quality.
Writing an article critique involves carefully evaluating and analyzing a published piece of writing. This can be a helpful exercise for a number of reasons, including gaining a deeper understanding of the article's content, identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and developing critical thinking skills.
The first step in writing a critique is to carefully read and reread the article, taking notes and highlighting key points as you go. As you read, consider the following questions:
- What is the main argument or purpose of the article?
- What evidence does the author use to support their argument?
- Is the evidence presented in a logical and coherent manner?
- Does the author use any logical fallacies or questionable reasoning?
- Are there any biases or assumptions made by the author?
After you have thoroughly read the article, you can start organizing your thoughts and preparing to write your critique. One helpful way to do this is to create an outline, which can help you stay focused and organize your ideas. Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
In the introduction, you should introduce the article and provide some context for your readers. You should also state your main thesis or argument, which should summarize your overall evaluation of the article.
The body paragraphs should be focused on specific aspects of the article, such as the author's argument, the evidence they present, or the organization of the article. As you write these paragraphs, make sure to support your points with specific examples from the article and explain how these examples support or undermine the author's argument.
In the conclusion, you should summarize your main points and restate your thesis. You should also consider offering some recommendations for how the article could be improved or further developed.
As you write your critique, it's important to be objective and fair. Avoid making personal attacks or using emotive language, and try to focus on the content of the article rather than the author's personality or reputation.
Overall, writing a critique requires careful reading, critical thinking, and clear and concise writing. By following these steps, you can effectively evaluate and analyze a published piece of writing and improve your own critical thinking skills.