are quotes included in word count extended essay

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How Long Is IB EE? Minimum and Maximum Word Count

As a seasoned IB writer, I’ve seen my fair share of extended essays ranging from the succinctly brilliant to the lengthy and sprawling. So, let’s cut to the chase: What exactly is an IB extended essay, and why is its word count crucial? This essay, a cornerstone of the International Baccalaureate diploma , challenges students to focus on a topic they choose. Managing the minimum and maximum word count is crucial, setting the stage for well-structured research of your chosen subject.

What Is the Word Count Requirement for the Extended Essay?

From my extensive experience guiding students through the intricacies of IB extended essay writing, I can confidently say that understanding word count is crucial to your success. Firstly, the absolute upper limit for an extended essay is 4,000 words. This is a strict threshold. According to general IB criteria, essays exceeding this count risk being penalized, affecting your overall score. This cap is in place to encourage precision and conciseness in your argumentation and analysis.

While the IB mandates no official minimum word count, aiming for at least 3,500 words is widely recommended. Writing fewer than 3,500 words may signal that you have not researched your topic thoroughly. In my opinion, adhering to this suggested minimum helps ensure that you’ve adequately developed and substantiated your essay’s argument with sufficient evidence. From my experience, students who meet or come close to the recommended minimum tend to produce essays that feel complete and robust, reflecting well on their overall investigative and analytical skills.

Balancing between these word counts — not too brief, yet not verbose — is an art form. As you plan and draft your essay, consider these numbers as guides, not just limits. The goal is to build a compelling argument within this range, using each word effectively to strengthen your case.

Extended Essay Word Count for Each Section

Understanding how to allocate your word count across different sections is essential for maintaining a well-structured and balanced argument. In my experience, a clear plan for distributing words helps ensure that each section of your essay receives adequate attention and contributes effectively to your thesis.

Introduction (300-400 words)

The introduction sets the stage for your essay. It should clearly state your research question, provide some background on the topic, and outline the scope of your investigation. This section should capture the reader’s interest and explain why the topic is worth attention. Around 300 to 400 words are generally sufficient to lay a solid foundation without preempting the detailed analysis that will follow.

Body (2800-3200 words)

The body is where you will develop your argument, analyze data, and discuss evidence. This section should be the heart of your essay and use most of your word count. Here’s a breakdown of how you might structure the body:

Literature Review (500-600 words) . Discuss existing research and different perspectives on your topic.
Methodology (300-400 words) . Explain the methods used to gather and analyze data.
Analysis (1400-1600 words) . The bulk of your word count should go here, where you critically analyze your findings.
Discussion (600-700 words) . Interpret the implications of your findings in light of your research question and existing literature.

Managing the word count across these sections effectively ensures that your essay is balanced and provides a detailed investigation within the constraints set by the IB. From my experience, essays that adhere to these guidelines are more coherent and received better by examiners.

Conclusion (300-400 words)

In the conclusion, you wrap up the essay by summarizing your findings and restating how they answer the research question. This section should also reflect on the implications of your findings and suggest areas for further research. Keeping it concise and focused is critical, so aim for 300 to 400 words.

Appendices and Bibliography

While the appendices and bibliography are essential components of your essay, remember that words here do not count towards your overall word count. Use appendices for supporting documents and data, and ensure your bibliography is comprehensive and formatted correctly.

How Many Pages and Paragraphs Are in a 4000-Word EE?

In my opinion, the formatting of your Extended Essay is as crucial as the content itself. According to general IB criteria, your essay should be typed in a clear, readable font like Times New Roman or Arial, at a size of 12 points. These options are standard across most academic writing, ensuring your work is accessible and professionally presented.

When double-spaced, the typical requirement for the extended essay, a 4000-word document will usually span about 15 to 16 pages. This estimate includes a title page and often a table of contents, which, while they do not contribute to the word count, are essential parts of your essay’s structure.

As for the structure within those pages, from my experience, it’s prudent to aim for about 100 to 150 words per paragraph. This guideline helps maintain clarity and coherence in your argumentation. With this approach, you would expect to have approximately 27 to 40 paragraphs. Each paragraph should ideally present a distinct idea or piece of evidence, systematically building your case and supporting your thesis.

This structure not only aids in the logical flow of your essay but also makes it easier for your examiners to follow and appreciate your analysis. Remember, a well-organized essay reflects your ability to think critically and organize knowledge, which is at the heart of the IB philosophy.

Tips for Managing Your IB Extended Essay Word Count

Managing the word count in your extended essay can be a daunting task. As a seasoned IB writer, I’ve guided many students through this process, helping them meet and effectively use their word limit to produce compelling and thorough research essays. In my experience, efficiently managing your word count is as crucial as the research and analysis. Here are some tips I’ve found invaluable, and I believe they can help you write a well-balanced essay.

Plan Your Essay Structure

In my opinion, the best way to manage your word count begins before you even start writing. Creating a detailed outline of your essay is crucial. It should include a breakdown of how many words you allocate to each section. As I know from guiding IB students, an outline keeps your writing on track. It ensures that each part of your essay contributes effectively to the argument without one section disproportionately consuming the word count.

Write Concisely

According to general IB criteria, clarity and precision are highly valued in an Extended Essay. From my experience, students often struggle with being verbose in their writing. My advice is to prioritize clarity and conciseness. Avoid convoluted sentences and overcomplicated vocabulary that inflate your word count unnecessarily and obscure your points. Instead, focus on being direct. A well-chosen word can often do the job of five.

Use the Iterative Editing Process

As I often tell my students, writing is only the first step. The real magic happens during editing. It’s essential to check for grammatical errors and consistency and refine and reduce your word count. From my experience, always aim to write your first draft slightly over the word limit. This strategy allows you more creative freedom initially, and later, you can trim down excess without the pressure of adding more content.

Get Help With Your Paper

Focus on the analysis, not just description.

A common pitfall for many IB students is spending too many words describing their topic or recounting their research without adequately analyzing it. As I know, and as general IB criteria suggest, the Extended Essay is an analytical research paper, not just a report. Make sure you dedicate a significant portion of your word count to interpreting your findings, discussing implications, and reflecting on the significance of your results concerning your research question.

Regularly Check Your Word Count

Throughout the writing process, keeping an eye on your word count is vital. As I advise, check your word count after completing each section to ensure you’re within the expected range. This strategy helps prevent a last-minute realization that you need significant cuts or additions, which can be disruptive and stressful.

Seek Feedback

Finally, don’t underestimate the value of external feedback. Sharing your draft with peers, teachers, or even former IB students like myself can provide new perspectives on effectively managing your word count. Often, they can identify areas where the writing is unclear or overly verbose, which you might have missed.

So, effectively managing the word count in your IB extended essay isn’t just a formal requirement — it improves the quality and clarity of your argument and makes your insights stand out. Every word in your essay should serve a purpose, whether building an argument, providing evidence, or analyzing data.

Remember that the word count is not just a number but a framework to create a clear, focused, and insightful argument. With careful planning, a disciplined approach to writing, and thorough editing, you can master the art of precision. And if you need help or simply want to buy an extended essay from the best IB writers, simply contact our experts and place an order.

Nick Radlinsky

Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.

Nick's article, featured in Routledge's " Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization ," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.

are quotes included in word count extended essay

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Extended Essay Guide: Criteria, Format, Sample EEs

Criteria, Format, Sample EEs
Annotated Bibliographies
DP Research Process
Databases & Academic Journals
Evaluate Sources
Academic Integrity
MLA Citation Format
CSE Citation Format (Science & Math)
Video Tutorials 2024

The Assessment Crtiteria in Detail!

Criterion A: Focus and method
Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding
Criterion C: Critical Thinking
Criterion D: Presentation
Criterion E: Engagement
EE_How to maximize marks for different subjects?

Criterion C: Critical thinking

Notes from the IB

RE: Research Question and Title of Extended Essay

Please note the statement below from the EE curriculum manager regarding the need to have both a title and a RQ for all subjects. Previous versions of the EE Guide indicated that the title and the RQ should be the same for History, Business Management and Mathematics. This is no longer the case. All essays, regardless of the subject, need to have both a RQ and a title.

Hi Kathy,

To answer your question, I am going to quote directly from a response John Royce provided, on this forum, in October in response to a very similar question: (it was a question about using Spanish sources - hence the mention of Spanish)

It is certainly permissible to use sources which are not in the language of the essay, but translation into the target language is required , one cannot assume that the reader understands the original language.

It is usual to quote the original as well as presenting the translation. [Do not put quotation marks around your translation, just around the original]

Umberto Eco argues ("in Mouse or rat?") that direct translation may lose meaning, paraphrase or use of different idioms may be required to get the ideas across. Paul Bellos ("Is that a fish in your ear?") makes a similar argument - direct translation may confound meaning... Direct translation may not be ideal - meaning and understanding are preferred - so, not to worry that your student with her good Spanish cannot present a direct translation.

What must be made clear is that the translations are those of the student; these are her understandings. Readers can make of that what they will - and if unsure, are presented with the original - they can seek another translation. A note in the acknowledgements and/or in the introduction to the effect that all translations are those of the writer is ... essential.

In response to the question about the Bibliography/Works cited, my preference would be to list the source in its original Thai version, but perhaps with the English in brackets, to help the examiner.

Your bibliography will have the entries in Thai characters first in the document. Any in-text citation to Thai sources will be in (Thai characters [English translation]).

Citation in Thai [English translation]

Works Cited Example:

วงษ์ปัญญา, ธนกร [Wongpunya, Thanakorn]. “โรงงานยาสูบรวยแค่ไหน และเอาเงินไปทำอะไรบ้าง.” [How rich is the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly and where does the money go?] (candidate translation). The Standard, The Standard, 30 Aug. 2018, thestandard.co/thailand-tobacco-monopoly/.

Format of the Extended Essay

Required Formatting

The extended essay should be written in a clear, correct and formal academic style, appropriate to the subject from which the topic is drawn. Given that the extended essay is a formally written research paper, it should strive to maintain a professional, academic look.

To help achieve this, the following formatting is required:

12-point, readable font (Calibri or Times New Roman);
double spacing throughout entire Essay;
page numbering - top right corner;
no candidate or school name or supervisor name on the title page or page headers.

Submitting the extended essay in the required format will help set the tone of the essay and will aid readability for on-screen assessment by examiners.

Required S tructure

The structure of the essay is very important. It helps students to organize the argument, making the best use of the evidence collected.

There are six required elements of the final work to be submitted. More details about each element are given in the “Presentation” section. Please note that the order in which these elements are presented here is not necessarily the order in which they should be written.

Six required elements of the extended essay:

Contents page
Introduction
Body of the essay
References and bibliography -- if MLA "Works Cited" if CSE "References"

1. Required Title Page

The title page should include only the following information:

the title of the essay
the research question
the subject the essay is registered in (if it is a language essay also state which category it falls into; if a world studies essay also state the theme and the two subjects utilized)

The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays.

2. Required Contents Page

A contents page must be provided at the beginning of the extended essay and all pages should be numbered. Please note that an index page is not required and if included will be treated as if it is not present.

3. Required Introduction

The introduction should tell the reader what to expect in the essay. The introduction should make clear to the reader the focus of the essay, the scope of the research, in particular an indication of the sources to be used, and an insight into the line of argument to be taken.

While students should have a sense of the direction and key focus of their essay, it is sometimes advisable to finalize the introduction once the body of the essay is complete.

4. Required Body of the Essay (research, analysis, discussion, and evaluation)

The main task is writing the body of the essay, which should be presented in the form of a reasoned argument. The form of this varies with the subject of the essay but as the argument develops it should be clear to the reader what relevant evidence has been discovered, where/how it has been discovered and how it supports the argument. In some subjects, for example, the sciences, sub-headings within the main body of the essay will help the reader to understand the argument (and will also help the student to keep on track). In structuring their extended essay, students must take into consideration the expected conventions of the subject in which their extended essay is registered.

Once the main body of the essay is complete, it is possible to finalize the introduction (which tells the reader what to expect) and the conclusion (which says what has been achieved, including notes of any limitations and any questions that have not been resolved).

Any information that is important to the argument must not be included in appendices or footnotes/endnotes. The examiner will not read notes or appendices, so an essay that is not complete in itself will be compromised across the assessment criteria.

5. Required Conclusion

The conclusion says what has been achieved, including notes of any limitations and any questions that have not been resolved. While students might draw conclusions throughout the essay based on their findings, it is important that there is a final, summative conclusion at the end. This conclusion(s) must relate to the research question posed.

6. Required References & Bibliography

Students should use their chosen style of academic referencing as soon as they start writing. That way they are less likely to forget to include a citation. It is also easier than trying to add references at a later stage. For more information on this, refer to the guidelines in the IB document Effective citing and referencing.

Writing the essay takes time but if students have used their Researcher's reflection space and reflection sessions in a meaningful way they should be well prepared to develop their arguments.

Extended Essay - Examples & Exemplars

Essays from May 2018 with IB marks and commentaries
Assessed Student Work & Commentary 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. Following the first assessment session in 2018, exemplars will be refreshed with authentic sample material." more... less... Biology English Economics History Studies in language and literature Language acquisition Mathematics Psychology Visual arts World studies extended essay (WSEE)
Excellenet Extended Essays Concordian GoogleDoc
EngA1_Othello EE Othello 2018 From inThinking.net Click the link to see the score and evaluation.
Fifty (50) More Excellent Extended Essays DVD by International Baccalaureate Call Number: HS DVD 808.4 ISBN: 9781906345600 Publication Date: 2011 1 DVD-ROM (1:33 min.)

Past CIS Extended Essays

Available in the library behind the desk are file folders of past Extended Essays by Concordian students and IB EE Exemplars. Feel free to browse the papers which must be kept in the library.

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Extended Essay: Advice (and Warnings) from the IB

Extended Essay- The Basics
Step 1. Choose a Subject
Step 2. Educate yourself!
Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps
Identify Keywords
Do Background Reading
Define Your Topic
Conduct Research in a Specific Discipline
Step 5. Draft a Research Question
Step 6. Create a Timeline
Find Articles
Find Primary Sources
Get Help from Experts
Search Engines, Repositories, & Directories
Databases and Websites by Subject Area
Create an Annotated Bibliography
Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
Chicago Citation Syle
MLA Works Cited & In-Text Citations
Step 9. Set Deadlines for Yourself
Step 10. Plan a structure for your essay
Evaluate & Select: the CRAAP Test
Conducting Secondary Research
Conducting Primary Research
Formal vs. Informal Writing
Presentation Requirements
Evaluating Your Work

Advice from the IB on Referencing and Citations

Documentation Checklist

Acknowledging the Work of Another Person

Referencing Online Materials

Caution on using footnotes and endnotes.

IB Publications on Academic Honesty

Use this checklist from IB to make sure you've done a complete job of referencing all the sources in your EE.


When you have used an author’s exact words, have you put “quotation marks” around the quotation named (cited) the original writer? (If you indent your quotation(s), quotation marks are not needed, but the author must still be cited; have you cited your indented quotations?)
When you put someone else’s thoughts and ideas in your own words, have you still named (cited) the original author(s)?
When you use someone else’s words or work, is it clear where such use starts—and where it finishes?
Have you included full references for all borrowed images, tables, graphs, maps, and so on?
Have you included the page number(s) of print material you have used (especially important with exact quotations)?
Have you included both the date on which the material was posted and the date of your last visit to the web page or site?
Have you included the URL or the DOI?
For each citation in the text, is there a full reference in your list of references (works cited/bibliography) at the end? Is the citation a direct link to the first word(s) of the reference?
For each reference in the list of references (works cited/bibliography) at the end, is there a citation in the text? Do(es) the first word(s) of the reference link directly to the citation as used?
Is your list of references (works cited/bibliography) in alphabetical order, with the last name of the author first?

'Acknowledging the Work of Another Person' from IB Extended Essay Guide

Students must acknowledge all sources used in work submitted to IB for assessment.

Diploma Programme students submit work for assessment in a variety of media that may include audio-visual material, text, graphs, images and/or data published in print or electronic sources. If students use the work or ideas of another person, they must acknowledge the source using a standard style of referencing in a consistent manner. A student's failure to acknowledge a source will be investigated by the IB as a potential breach of regulations that may result in a penalty imposed by the IB final award committee.

The IB does not proscribe which style(s) of referencing or in-text citation should be used by students; this is left to the discretion of appropriate faculty/staff in the student's school. In practice, certain styles may prove most commonly used, but schools are free to choose a style that is appropriate for the subject concerned and the language in which students' work is written.

The following criteria must be applied:

Students are expected to use a standard style and use it consistently so that credit is given to all sources used, including sources that have been paraphrased or summarized.
When writing, students must clearly distinguish (in the body of the text) between their words and those of others by the use of quotation marks (or other method like indentation) followed by an appropriate citation that denotes an entry in the bibliography.
Students are not expected to show faultless expertise in referencing, but are expected to demonstrate that all sources have been acknowledged.
Students must be advised that any audio-visual material, text, graphs, images and/or data that is crucial to their work and that is not their own must also attribute the source. Again, an appropriate style of referencing/citation must be used.
name of author
date of publication
title of source
page numbers as applicable
date of access (electronic sources)

Adapted from "Introduction; Academic honesty, Acknowledge the work or ideas of another person", from Extended Essay Guide, International Baccalaureate Organization, 2016.

References to online materials should include the title of the extract used as well as the website address, the date it was accessed and, if possible, the author.

In other words, all electronic sources must be date stamped by including the date the student accessed the resource (for example, accessed 12 March 2016). Caution should be exercised with information found on websites that do not give references or that cannot be cross-checked against other sources. The more important a particular point is to the essay, the more the quality of its source needs to be evaluated.

IB has a caution for students using footnotes and/or endnotes in their Extended Essays:

Shark warning sign - Britannica ImageQuest

Footnotes and endnotes may be used for referencing purposes and if this is the case will not be included in the word count of the essay.

In order to avoid confusion and unwittingly exceed the word limit, students are advised to avoid using footnotes or endnotes other than for referencing purposes unless it is appropriate.

As footnotes and endnotes are not an essential part of the extended essay students must take care to ensure that all information with direct relevance to the analysis, discussion and evaluation of their essay is contained in the main body of it.

An essay that attempts to evade the word limit by including important material in footnotes or endnotes will be compromised across the assessment criteria. Please note that footnotes and endnotes are added to the word count as they are encountered.

Extended Essay Guide, International Baccalaureate Organization, p. 86, 2016.

IB Publications

For information on academic honesty in the IB Diploma Programme, see these IB publications:

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Extended Essay Resources: Paper Formatting

Research Video Tutorials
In-text Citations
Plagiarism VS. Documentation
Primary Sources
Subject Resources
Cite Your Sources This link opens in a new window
Evaluate Your Sources This link opens in a new window
Supervisor Resources
Note Taking Templates
Paper Formatting
October EE orientation presentation
Extended Essay calendar
Submit your topic selection

How to format the EE

To help achieve this, the following formatting is suggested.

Arial 12 or Times New Roman 12
Double-spaced
page numbering
no candidate, supervisor, or school name on the title page, page headers, appendices or acknowledgment pages
the file size must not be more than 10 MB. (Note that the RPPF is uploaded separately and is not part of the overall file size of the essay.)

What's on the Title Page?

The title page should include the:

title of the essay
research question
if it is a language essay also state which category it falls into;
if a world studies essay also state the theme and the two subjects utilized)
word count.

DO NOT include any personal information like your name, the name of the school, or your candidate number. The IB wants each EE to be anonymous and assessed without bias.

Images and Illustrations

From the mla style guide at purdue, labels, captions, and source information.

Illustrations appear directly embedded in the document. Each illustration must include a label, a number, a caption and/or source information.

The illustration label and number should always appear in two places: the document main text (e.g. see fig. 1 ) and near the illustration itself ( Fig. 1 ).
Captions provide titles or explanatory notes (e.g., Van Gogh’s The Starry Night)
Source information documentation will always depend upon the medium of the source illustration. If you provide source information with all of your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.
All visuals/illustrations that are not tables or musical score examples (e.g. maps, diagrams, charts, videos, podcasts, etc.) are labeled Figure or Fig.
Refer to the figure in-text and provide an Arabic numeral that corresponds to the figure. Do not capitalize figure or fig .
MLA does not specify alignment requirements for figures; thus, these images may be embedded as the reader sees fit. However, continue to follow basic MLA Style formatting (e.g. one-inch margins).
Below the figure, provide a label name and its corresponding arabic numeral (no bold or italics), followed by a period (e.g. Fig. 1.). Here, Figure and Fig . are capitalized.
Beginning with the same line as the label and number, provide a title and/or caption as well as relevant source information in note form (see instructions and examples above). If you provide source information with your illustrations, you do not need to provide this information on the Works Cited page.
If full citation information is provided in the caption, use the same formatting as you would for your Works Cited page. However, names should be listed in first name last name format.

Figure Example

In-text reference:

Some readers found Harry’s final battle with Voldemort a disappointment, and recently, the podcast, MuggleCast debated the subject (see fig. 2).

Figure caption (below an embedded podcast file for a document to be viewed electronically):

Fig. 2. Harry Potter and Voldemort final battle debate from Andrew Sims et al.; “Show 166”; MuggleCast ; MuggleNet.com, 19 Dec. 2008, www.mugglenet.com/2015/11/the-snape-debate-rowling-speaks-out.

Appendices are not an essential part of the extended essay and examiners will not read them, or use any information contained within them, in the assessment of the essay. Students must take care to ensure that all information with direct relevance to the analysis, discussion and evaluation of their essay is contained in the main body of it. Appendices should therefore be avoided except in the following instances:

an exemplar of a questionnaire or interview questions
an exemplar of permission letters
group 1, category 1 essays: copies of poems or short stories (of less than three pages)
group 1, category 3 essays: excerpts from newspapers, advertisements and transcripts of speeches
language acquisition, category 1 and 2: excerpts from newspapers, advertisements, transcripts of speeches, etc
language acquisition, category 3: excerpts or copies of poems or short stories (less than 3 pages)
an external mentor letter, where one has been used
raw data or statistical tables for experimental sciences (this should not include any analysis or conclusions).

Students should not continually refer to material presented in an appendix as this may disrupt the continuity of the essay and examiners are not required to refer to them.

The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays.

Please refer to the following guidance on what content should be included in the word count.


The introduction	The contents page
The main body	Maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations
The conclusion	Tables
Quotations	Equations, formulas and calculations
Footnotes and/or endnotes that are not references	Citations/references (whether parenthetical, numbered, footnotes or endnotes)
	The bibliography
	The
	Headers

Please refer to the document entitled Assessment principles and practices—Quality assessments in a digital age for further clarification of word count requirements.

A note for students writing in Chinese, Korean and Japanese:

Students writing their extended essay in Japanese, Korean or Chinese should use the following conversions.

Japanese: 1 word = approximately 2 Japanese characters (upper limit 8,000 characters)
Korean: 1 word = 1 Korean character (upper limit 4,000 characters)
Chinese: 1 word = approximately 1.2 Chinese characters (upper limit 4,800 characters)

When typing in Chinese, Korean or Japanese word processing software is likely to include the number of characters and punctuation in the word count. Students are asked to not include punctuation in the word count for assessed work. The word count should only take into account the number of characters typed.

A note about acknowledgments and dedications:

An acknowledgment/dedications page may be included in the EE if this is important to the student, but it must contain no “identifiers”, for example, people should not be detailed in any way that makes the student’s school identifiable. An acknowledgment/dedications page is not a formal requirement of the EE, so it does not contribute to either the word count or assessment.

Header and Footnotes

Students may wish to use the header function for their research question, so that it appears on each page. This may help retain focus.

Footnotes and endnotes

Footnotes and endnotes may be used for referencing purposes and if this is the case will not be included in the word count of the essay. If information is contained in a footnote or endnote and is not a reference, this must be included in the word count. In order to avoid confusion and unwittingly exceed the word limit, students are advised to avoid using footnotes or endnotes other than for referencing purposes unless it is appropriate.

One appropriate use of footnotes is for the placement of the original quotation (where the original quotation is in a language other than the language of registration). This use of footnotes would not need to be included in the word count.

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What Is a Word Count for Extended Essay?

As someone who has cut through the complexities of the International Baccalaureate or IB program, I feel it is necessary first to clarify what an Extended Essay (EE) entails. The Extended Essay is a cornerstone of the IB diploma, a task that challenges students to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice. In my experience, understanding the Extended Essay word count is not just about meeting a requirement but mastering the art of concise, focused academic writing.

Understanding the Basics of IB EE Wordcount

In my years of guiding students through the IB curriculum , one frequently asked question is why the Extended Essay word count is so critical. According to general IB criteria, adhering to this strict requirement is not merely a formal requirement but a crucial element of the academic discipline. From my experience, the word count of the Extended Essay has several essential functions.

The limit allows you to research a topic thoroughly but within a concise framework. It encourages you to discuss the topic comprehensively yet succinctly enough to maintain focus and coherence.

Moreover, managing the word count requires careful planning of your essay structure and content. You learn to evaluate what is essential to your argument and what can be omitted, enhancing your critical thinking skills. Adhering to the word count also demonstrates your ability to follow academic conventions, a skill highly valued in higher education. Here’s why maintaining the proper word count can make or break your Extended Essay:

Precision in Argumentation . Staying within the word limit forces you to articulate your arguments precisely, avoiding unnecessary digressions. This precision makes your essay easier to follow.
Skillful Resource Management . You learn to use your sources and evidence strategically, choosing only the most relevant information to support your argument.
Balanced Research . A strict word count helps ensure that no single area of your essay is disproportionately long or short, contributing to a balanced and well-rounded argument.

As I know from tutoring many students, the discipline of adhering to a word count dramatically improves the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. No matter whether you are just beginning your Extended Essay or are in the final stages of editing, remember that every word should have a purpose in your narrative.

What Is the Minimum Word Count for Extended Essay?

In my years of involvement with the IB program, a common question I’ve encountered from students is the minimum word count for the Extended Essay. According to general IB criteria, the Extended Essay has no officially specified minimum word count. However, any essay significantly shorter than 3,500 – 3,600 words might struggle to fulfill the comprehensive requirements expected of this significant research project.

So, how many words is Extended Essay? I’ve observed that while the IB does not enforce a strict minimum, aiming for a word count close to the 4,000-word maximum is advisable. This approach ensures you have sufficient space to develop your arguments thoroughly and incorporate critical analyses and complex reasoning that the Extended Essay demands. In my opinion, writing an essay much shorter than this can sometimes indicate that the topic has not been investigated in the depth and breadth necessary for an upper-level research paper.

Moreover, as I know from guiding students, essays that are too brief may fail to engage deeply with the subject matter, potentially leading to a superficial treatment of the topic. Using the Extended Essay to demonstrate your ability to conduct detailed research and present a well-structured, persuasive argument is essential. This depth is often hard to achieve in fewer words.

Therefore, while there’s no formal minimum, I advise students to use the word count as a guideline to ensure comprehensive coverage of their chosen topic. This way, you will be better positioned to meet the expectations of the IB examiners looking for rigorous analysis and a demonstration of your research skills.

Remember, the 4,000-word count is the maximum allowed, and it does not include the acknowledgments, contents page, maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations, tables, bibliography, appendices, or footnotes as long as they are not substantive explanatory text.

How to Effectively Manage Your Word Count?

Managing your word count in an Extended Essay can seem daunting at first. Still, with the right approach, it becomes an opportunity to sharpen your writing skills and ensure your research is clear and concise. Below are some strategies I’ve found helpful over the years.

1. Plan Your Essay Structure

Before you start writing, plan your essay’s structure. As I know from guiding many students, a detailed outline helps you distribute your word count effectively across different sections of the essay. This strategy ensures that each part (introduction, body, conclusion) receives adequate attention and word allocation. According to general IB criteria, a well-planned essay facilitates a clear and logical presentation of your research.

2. Be Concise and Direct

In my opinion, one of the critical skills in essay writing is learning how to express ideas succinctly. Avoid filler words and redundant phrases that do not add value to your argument. Instead, focus on strong, active verbs and clear, precise language. This approach helps manage your word count, making your essay more compelling and easier to read.

3. Regularly Check Your Word Count

As you write, keep a close eye on your word count. Modern word processors make this easy, and regularly checking can prevent you from drastically exceeding or not meeting your word limit. From my experience, frequent checks allow you to adjust on the fly, ensuring each section stays within its targeted word range without last-minute, drastic cuts.

4. Refine and Condense

Once your first draft is complete, the editing phase begins. Here, be ruthless in cutting or rewriting overly verbose or tangential parts. As I know from revising countless student essays, this step is critical in enhancing your argument’s clarity and impact. Effective editing often involves tightening up your prose, removing repetitive points, and ensuring every word counts.

5. Get an External Perspective

Finally, don’t underestimate the value of feedback. Having another set of eyes on your work can help identify areas where the word count could be better managed. Feedback is invaluable, whether it’s a teacher, a peer, or an experienced IB writer like myself. From my experience, this external perspective provides insights you might have missed, especially in areas where your argument could be more concise or clear.

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Word Count Distribution Across Your Extended Essay

As an experienced IB writer, I’ve seen many students grapple with how to allocate their words across the different sections of an Extended Essay. It’s essential to balance the essay so that each part has enough space to effectively contribute to the overall argument without any single section dominating. Here’s how, in my experience, you can distribute your word count effectively across the various parts of the Extended Essay:

Introduction (10-15% of total words) . Typically, this would range from 400 to 600 words. This section introduces your research question and provides the necessary background information. According to general IB criteria, the introduction should set the stage for what follows, clearly outlining the scope and direction of your essay.
Body (70-80% of total words) . This section should use approximately 2,800 to 3,200 words. The body is where you develop your argument, analyze your research, and discuss your findings. As I know from guiding students, dividing this word count among various points or sections is crucial to maintaining a coherent and logically structured argument.
Conclusion (10-15% of total words) . Aim for about 400 to 600 words. In the conclusion, you combine your research insights and reaffirm how they answer the research question. From my experience, it’s essential to briefly summarize the argument without introducing new information.

Balancing these sections ensures that each part of your essay contributes to a coherent and persuasive argument. From what I’ve seen, students who follow this guideline tend not only to meet the required word count but also to produce well-structured and compelling essays. Remember, each section should transition smoothly to the next, maintaining the flow and reinforcing the central thesis. Adhering to these proportions ensures that your Extended Essay demonstrates depth and precision, hallmarks of outstanding scholarly work.

Mastering the word count in your Extended Essay is about more than meeting a numerical requirement. It’s about concisely communicating complex ideas. Remember, this essay is your chance to focus in-depth on a topic that fascinates you, so make every word count.

Please view the word count not as a barrier but as a framework within which you can craft a clear, detailed, and persuasive argument. With proper planning and a little creativity, you will produce an exceptional Extended Essay that proudly presents your research skills and intellectual rigor. Also, if you are having trouble writing an Extended Essay within 4,000 words, our experts at IBWritingService.com are always happy to help. We are available 24/7!

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Extended Essay: Formatting your EE

Introduction.

Subject Guidance & Proposal Forms
8 Simple Steps to writing an Academic Essay... and Outlines!
Finding a Topic
Academic Sources of Information
Researcher's Spaces
Reflections
In-Text Citations (MLA9 & APA7)
In-Text Citations (Chicago)
Images and Screenshots
Graphs and Tables
Citations and Referencing - IB REQUIREMENTS
Formatting your EE
IB Resources for Students
Ms Sally's Presentations

PLEASE NOTE

All final submissions must be made in pdf format to these 4 places:, google classroom, emailed to your supervisor, formal presentation basics.

All essays must follow this format:

Standard Margins (1-inch or 2.5 cm margins)
12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended)
Double-spaced
Page Numbers start on the Table of Contents
No Candidate or School name is to appear anywhere in the document
Title of the Essay
Research Question
Subject for which the Essay is registered
Category - If a Language A or B Essay
Theme & 2 Subjects utilized - If a World Studies Essay
Contents Page
annotated illustrations and tables
formulas and calculations
parenthetical or numbered
footnotes or endnotes
Bibliography
The RPPF Form
The Research and Writing Process: Word Counts
The Research and Writing Process: Footnotes and Endnotes

Labelled "Table of Contents" in 12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended)
Headings and subheadings within the body of the essay may be included

References and Bibliography

Topic, purpose and focus of the research clearly identified and explained
Research Question bolded within the introduction and phrased as on the title page
Methodology of research and insight into the line of argument

Body of the Essay

The body of the essay must:

Examiners will not read appendices, endnotes or footnotes, so all essential elements to your argument must be included in the body of the essay
Include headings and sub-headings as appropriate to the subject

Your conclusion must be:

A Summative conclusion based on the information presented in the body of the essay
A Conclusion linked directly to the research question
Notes of limitations and unresolved questions (as appropriate) can be included

Your References and Bibliography must follow this format:

Cross-referenced: each reference in the essay is ticked off in the bibliography to ensure all references are included and no extraneous references exist
All tables, charts, diagrams, illustrations etc. must be clearly labelled and referenced in the body of the essay
References are presented alphabetically
Use hanging indents for all entries
Include Date Accessed or Retrieved for websites (as outlined on the IB Requirements page)
Remove all hyperlinks
The Research and Writing Process: Tables
The Research and Writing Process: Illustrations

Appendices should only be used if required by the subject discipline:

Appendices titled
Headings labeled
Included in the Table of Contents
Reliance on external resources such as DVDs, music, specimen materials etc. is not permitted
The Research and Writing Process: Reliance on External Materials
The Research and Writing Process: Specimen Materials
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Last Updated: Aug 9, 2024 10:49 AM
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September 14, 2021

A Definitive Guide to the IB Extended Essay (EE)

The Extended Essay (EE) is an independent, self-directed academic research, presented in the form of a 4,000-word paper. One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students. The final work is given a grade from E to A, and makes up part of each student’s final IB score. These are our thoughts on how to do well in the EE:

Step 1: Choosing a Extended Essay (EE) topic

Choosing a good topic for your extended essay can make a huge difference on your final score. Firstly, you should always choose a topic that you are interested in! The writing process becomes much more engaging, and will also be good content you can write in your personal statement for your university applications.

Always be creative and original when choosing your research topic. Think about how you can make your research question and the way you communicate your academic research unique. In addition, if you wish to explore a multidisciplinary field , you could consider writing a World Studies extended essay . This research is analysed through at least two disciplines, encouraging students to apply their knowledge to a problem with global significance. For example, you may want to consider the effects of an electric vehicle subsidy on climate change. This is an exciting opportunity and provides a good insight to an interdisciplinary university degree such as PPE.

Step 2: Framing your research question

Once you know your extended essay subject, your next step is to choose a question. Often, questions will be framed as “To what extent does…”. Exploring multiple perspectives, and critically analysing each of these, are key to success. Therefore, try and shape your question so that more than one point of view can be explored.

Similarly, make sure your question is specific ! Having a focused question will guide your research and show that you can explore one area in detail. For example, here are 2 examples of Economics extended essay questions:

To what extent do smartphone companies compete with each other?
To what extent do Apple and Samsung operate in a duopoly in the global smartphone market?

The second research question is more focused, allowing for greater in-depth research into which areas they are competing over. You can use secondary data from both companies’ annual reports, competitor websites, and undertake primary research (such as through an Economic survey or personal interview) – Having a research question that allows you to explore a specific area critically will definitely help you to score highly.

Step 3: Meeting your supervisor to establish specific targets

We recommend meeting with your supervisor as early as possible to check whether your research question is appropriate. If it is, this is a great opportunity to explore potential avenues of research. For example, a Physics extended essay on the path of a bowling bowl may look to incorporate several different features, such as force, weight, and air resistance into a model. Whichever subject area you choose, your supervisor is usually your first port of call for any questions you have.

During the meeting, it will be good to establish a timeline for your extended essay. Although this may only be rough, this will give you deadlines to work towards (much like you will need to do for university essays). Similarly, setting specific targets for your next meeting, such as writing an introduction or doing your survey, will also give you definitive targets to meet. Make sure at the end of this meeting you have clear goals to achieve and by your next meeting.

Furthermore, make sure that you are keeping a record of all of your meetings with your extended essay supervisor. 6 of the 36 marks for the EE are from your Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF) where you reflect on the meetings you have had with your supervisor. These should show that you are engaged with your topic, so discuss the ideas you have considered in response to setbacks whilst writing your extended essay and make sure to use personal pronouns (I, my) to convey your engagement. Detail any changes you made to your research method and demonstrate how you have taken a creative approach to your topic, as these will highlight what you have done to stand out.

Step 4: Starting your EE research

Following the meeting with your supervisor, it is time to begin researching your topic! This does not have to be too detailed to begin with, and we recommend aiming to research enough to write an introduction to your essay. This introduction should outline the main themes you will explore and your line of argument. To reiterate, your main argument may change as your essay develops, so do not worry if it is not perfect when you begin.

Some useful sources of information are your school library or Jstor. Your school librarian may be able to suggest some good books or articles to start reading, whilst using academic sources like Jstor or Google scholar gives you access to a wide range of academic material. When reading books or journal articles, you do not have to read them cover to cover! In fact, you should only read the sections that are relevant to your topic, and reading the introduction and conclusion will often tell you whether a journal article is relevant.

When reading, consistently keep in mind your essay title as this will help you to focus your reading on key sections of texts. For instance, highlight the key sections of the texts to review later. Alternatively, you could make notes in a separate word document; such as Googledocs; or with pen and paper. It is useful to keep everything you do in the same format, however, so you can easily collate it.

Step 5: Writing the essay’s first draft

The most difficult part with the EE is getting the first draft down. Many students struggle o to write the perfect introduction and methodology, and get stuck for weeks in the process. Your introduction and first draft do not have to be perfect but should form the base of your essay moving forward. It is often good to form a plan from your research that contains the key elements of each paragraph. Once you are confident with this and have filled it in with more research, you can turn this into a fully operational first draft.

We recommend breaking down the writing stage into several paragraphs, setting yourself mini-goals to achieve. This will help you to move along faster and make the seemingly daunting task of a 4,000-word essay a lot simpler. Similarly, you should use the research you have to support your ideas. Your research might consist of facts to back up your analysis or other writers’ opinions that agree with your own. Furthermore, you can also use this research to explore multiple points of view, coming to a conclusion as to which one is most appropriate. However, save yourself time whilst doing this by including links to the original article, rather than full references, as it is likely you may change the content of your essay and the references you use as you progress.

Make sure you save your extended essay frequently and to an accessible platform such Dropbox or Google Drive so that if your computer were to crash your progress will be stored!

Step 6: Reviewing your first draft

Your aim when meeting with your supervisor this time is to look over your first draft to see which parts are excellent, which can be explored further and which need to be rethought. This can be split into a number of meetings; for example, I looked at my introduction, then at the 4 sections of my main body, and finally at my conclusion. This reshaped the goals that I had moving forward and gave me specific subsections to work on.

Whilst editing your first draft, do not be afraid to delete, reword or move some parts that you have written, as this will help you shape your extended essay into the finished article. You can, if needed, even slightly alter your question. I changed my question at the start of April, with a June deadline for my essay. However, changing my essay question did not leave me with a whole new essay to write, as I was able to use most of what I had already written, adapting it to focus on the new question. Whatever changes you have to make, they are all moving you towards a complete final version, so stay positive!

Step 7: Refining your Extended Essay

After your meeting, review the changes you have to make to your methodology and research process. You should consider whether you have critically investigated the variables in your RQ and whether it is backed up by a solid methodology. For instance, are there any counter arguments you have not considered? Does your research process flow? Always draw links to each paragraph, so that your essay has a logical flow from its introduction to its argument, counter arguments, responses, and conclusion.

When researching areas in more detail, make use of what you have learnt from your current research. For instance, look at the suggested reading or references in books that you have read or look at articles from the same journal. Furthermore, stay up to date with the news in case you can include new research in your extended essay.

When editing, it is useful to save a new copy of your extended essay (for example, EE draft 2) so that you can track any changes that you make. Also, if anything were to happen to your new copy, you always have the previous copy and notes from the meeting to re-do any changes. We recommend doing this on Googledocs whether changes are saved real-time on the servers so you don’t lose precious work if your computer crashes.

Step 8: Final Notes

Once you are done with your initial drafts, ensure that you have professional presentation, consistent formatting, and proper citations. Make sure that you have included page numbers and a bibliography (if required). Additionally, make the layout justified, font and size, as well as double spaced as per IB requirements. You have to include a cover page with a title, your research question, word count and subject. You also have to meet your supervisor the final time to fill out your viva voce (oral) section of the RPPF before the final submission.

Step 9: Final Submission

When submitting your extended essay, ensure that your name, candidate number and your school’s name are not on the document. This will ensure that your EE is marked fairly without prejudice. Your EE is electronically stamped and the IB can track who it belongs to, as is your RPPF.

We wish you the best of luck with your extended essay and hope you enjoy the process. If you would like help with your extended essay, please take a look at our courses or contact us for more information. We also offer IB tuition for various subjects and University applications mentoring and are more than happy to tailor our classes to your needs and requirements!

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Extended Essay (IB): Expressing your ideas

The Inquiry Process
EE Seminar 1
EE Seminar 2
IT Workshop 1
EE Investigation Days
EE Writing Days
Choosing a subject and topic
Developing a line of inquiry
Finding and selecting sources
Working with ideas
Expressing your ideas
Using ManageBac
Supervisor resources
Who can help?

Introduction

This is the stage you have been building towards - writing your essay. On this page you will find guidance on:

Am I ready to start writing my essay?

Referencing styles

Citing and referencing, academic writing.

Key IB presentation requirements

As well as resource boxes at the side containing:

Link to the Subject Specific Guides
IT guides for PC users and Mac users
Examples of sample EEs with mark schemes
Constructing your understanding grids for Group 4 (and some Group 3 and 5) essays and Non-Group 4 essays .

Am I ready?

Before you start writing, think:

Is my investigation largely complete? As you write you may find that you need a few additional resources or information to support your argument, but you should not start to write until you are largely sure where your argument is going.
Have I filled in a Research Organiser (see sidebar)? This will help you to organise your thoughts and make sure you understand the argument you intend to make and have the evidence to support it.
Do I understand the formal requirements of the EE (what sections I need, word limits, referencing and layout requirements)? It is significantly easier to set all this up correctly from the start than to try to correct it at the end.
Do I understand how to write in an appropriate academic style ?
Do I know how to import my sources from my Investigative Journal? Don't waste time putting all your citation data in again! Import all your sources as you set up your EE document. There are helpsheets in the Resources for PC / Mac users boxes to the right and more help in IT Workshop 2 .

You should use the Oakham APAv3 Academic Writing Template - click on the image below - rather than a generic Word template to set up your essay. Further guidance will be given in EE Seminar 4.

The document below is a model of how to lay out an Extended Essay, with notes to explain how it meets the formal requirements.

Oakham School's 'house' referencing style is APA (version 6), which is an 'Author-date' style. Although the IB do not dictate which referencing style you should use, you are required to use a recognised style. We strongly recommend that you stick to APA as Library staff are unable to support you in citing and referencing accurately if you choose to use a different style. We do not support the use of footnote referencing styles.

The only deviation from this style is that the IB require you to add the "date accessed" for websites to show when you viewed the site (because information on websites can change). You can do this in Word by checking the "Show All Bibliography Fields" box when you add or edit a source and scrolling down to "Year/Month/Day Accessed"

For detailed information and guidance on how to use sources in your writing and how to cite and reference them accurately using the tools in Microsoft Word, consult the Citing and Referencing LibGuide . Note that this site includes IB specific guidance, such as how the IB require you to reference websites and interviews (which is slightly different to standard APA referencing) and what to do if you are using a source written in a language that is not the language of your essay.

Stages in an academic essay

Your thesis is the point you want to make. It emerges from your research and your task is to use the evidence you have found to establish it as the most reasonable response to that research.


A persuasive (or argumentative) approach proceeds from the answer to the research question through a detailed analysis of the arguments surrounding the research question — their claims, their evidence, and their assumptions.

In both approaches, you must state the research question in your introduction, and follow your Subject-specific guidelines carefully.

Sections required in your essay

Note: the rule changes for 2018 onwards state that an Abstract is no longer required. Given the strict word limit, examiners reports state that you SHOULD NOT INCLUDE AN ABSTRACT as it would now be included in the word limit and this reduces the number of words you have left to make your case.

Paragraph Structure

Paragraphs themselves have a structure - the most common you will have come across is likely to be PEEL. The letters often stand for slightly different things in different subjects, but the idea is largely the same - introduce your main idea for the paragraph ( Point ), justify it with Evidence and/or Examples , and Evaluate this evidence. Finally, Link back to the Research Question and/or Link forward to the next paragraph.

This is not the only way to write a paragraph and, with experience, you will soon find that your argument develops a flow of its own that does not require a formula - indeed, your essay would be very dull if every paragraph followed exactly the same structure. However, this structure can be a useful scaffold to get you started and make sure you don't miss anything important.

The structure of academic writing

Planning your essay

It is vital to plan your essay before you start writing. An essay plan provides an outline of your argument and how it develops.

Reread your EE Subject Guide . What MUST your essay include? Make a checklist to refer to throughout your essay.

Do you have to have a map or chart? Data? Primary and/or secondary sources?
Reread the assessment criteria, particularly Criterion D: Presentation . Are there any presentation requirements specific to your subject? Note that some subject guides say advise a section-subsection structure, some say it must be used and some say it is unusual in that subject area and a "continuous body of text" is normal. Make sure you know which is the case for your subject. Regardless of how whether or not you use subheadings for the main body of your essay (and in most subjects, you will), you should have a clear plan for the structure of your essay before you start writing, so...

What sections and subsections do you need?

Although this might change as you write your essay, you should not start writing until you have your overall structure. Then think about roughly how you are going to divide your word 4000 words between the different sections. 4000 words seems like a lot before you start writing, but it is much easier to write to the limit, section by section, than to try to cut your essay down once it is written.

What will the reader will expect to see and where?

Look back at your checklist and think about where in your essay you are planning to include the required information. Make sure the flow of your essay makes sense to a reader who may be a subject expert but knows little about your topic. Have you included background information? Details of experimental methods? Arguments and counter arguments?

Now get writing!

You've read all the guidance. You've made your plan. Now you have a blank screen in front of you and you just need to get started! Start with the section you think you will find easiest to write and work outwards from there, or follow the steps below to get started. Don't forget to write with the word limit in mind though.

What if you are writing lots of paragraphs but your essay just doesn't seem to be coming together?

1. Condense each paragraph into a short statement or bullet point. This is the skeleton structure of your essay.

2. Look at the order of the statements.

Is the order logical?
Does each point follow another in a sensible order?
Do you need to change the order?
Do you need to add paragraphs?
Do you need to remove paragraphs?

3. Add, subtract and rearrange the paragraphs until your structure makes sense.

4. Redraft using your new paragraph order.

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Willard, D. (2003) My journey to and b eyond tenure in a secular university . Retrieved from: www.dwillard.org/articles/individual/my-journey-to-and-beyond-tenure-in-a-secular-university . Accessed: 9th May 2020

Oh no! It's too long!!

If you haven't managed to write to the word limit and are suddenly faced with cutting down an essay that is over the word limit, try these tips on concise writing from Purdue Online Writing Lab.

Use the menu on the left of this page from Purdue OWL to browse the four very practical pages on writing concisely and one on the Paramedic Method for reducing your word count.

Key presentation requirements for the EE

General requirements

Your essay MUST have:

"font, font size and spacing conducive to on-screen marking. [We recommend Arial 12pt, which was the previous IB recommendation.]
page numbering [In the Header or Footer]
no candidate, supervisor, or school name on the title page, page headers, appendices or acknowledgment pages
the file size must not be more than 10 MB. (Note that the RPPF is uploaded separately and is not part of the overall file size of the essay."

(IB EE Guide 2020, Presentation)

It is also suggested that:

You include a header containing your research question on every page to help you to maintain focus

You essay must have at most 4000 words. While there is no set penalty for exceeding this, examiners will stop reading at 4000 words, so may not, for example, read your conclusions and your mar is likely to suffer siginficantly. The following table summarises what is and is not included in the word count:

Note: The Guide states explicitly in several places that text in tables should be brief and tables should not be used to get around word limits. If the examiner feels you have put too much text into tables, then they will include it in your word count.

Illustrations (anything that isn't just text)

Must only be included if they relate directly to the text, are acknowledged where appropriate and help you to make your argument more effectively. It is not acceptable to include images just to make it look pretty!
Whether they are photographs, other images, graphs, tables, maps or charts, they must be clearly labelled with the minimum information required for the examiner to understand them. This labelling will not be included in the word count as long as it does not include any commentary .
We recommend that ll illustrations have brief captions with Figure/Table numbers to allow you to refer to them clearly in the text, and anything that is not entirely your own original work must be cited and referenced as you would for text.

Footnotes and endnotes

May be used for referencing (but we recommend you use APA, which is an in-text citation system and does not require footnotes. The Library will not provide any technical referencing support for any other system).
Otherwise the IB advises against using them to avoid confusion with word counts. The only exception to this is for quotations in languages other than the language of the essay. In this case you can provide a translation in the body of the essay with the quotation in the original language in the footnote. In this case it would not be included in the word count.

Since examiners will not read appendices, the IB suggests they should NOT be used, except in the following cases:

"an exemplar of a questionnaire or interview questions
an exemplar of permission letters
group 1, category 1 essays: copies of poems or short stories (of less than three pages)
group 1, category 3 essays: excerpts from newspapers, advertisements and transcripts of speeches
language acquisition, category 1 and 2: excerpts from newspapers, advertisements, transcripts of speeches, etc
language acquisition, category 3: excerpts or copies of poems or short stories (less than 3 pages)
an external mentor letter, where one has been used
raw data or statistical tables for experimental sciences (this should not include any analysis or conclusions)."

External sources and specimen materials

Examiners will not access any external resources (e.g. hyperlinks or DVDs), and you may not submit any specimen materials made during the EE (although you may include clearly labelled photographs of these in your EE).

Acknowledgements

The material in this section has been informed by:

The Academic Writing in English at Lund University platform for their overview of writing an academic essay
Daniel Kies, Department of English, College of DuPage, for his detailed descriptions of the analytical and argumentative approaches to writing an academic essay
The Harvard College Writing Center, Harvard University, for their Strategies for Essay Writing resource, especially Elizabeth Abrams for her guidelines for mapping an academic essay

EE Checklist

Use this checklist as a starting point for a discussion with your EE Supervisor to determine whether you are ready to submit your final draft to Managebac.

You should use it in conjunction with:

The example EE layout : https://oakham-rutland.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=33268875

The essay outline document : https://oakham-rutland.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=33268851

You should be able to answer “Yes” to all of the questions.

Links to other tabs

Don't forget to review your subject specific guide before you start writing!

If you need some guidance about the difference between a Title, Topic and Research Question, look here .

Citing and Referencing Guides

Guides for PC users

Citing and Referencing in Word 2016 for Windows
Managing Sources in Word 2016 for Windows
Creating a Table of Contents in Word 2016 for Windows

Guides for Mac users

Managing Sources in Word 2016 for Mac
Citing and Referencing in Word 2016 for Mac

Examples of EEs with mark schemes

Sample EEs These are sample essays, with mark sheets, on the IB Extended Essay website. Do not spend too long reading the essays - the most important use of these is to look at the mark schemes for essays in your subject to see what examiners are looking for, and what mistakes to avoid.

Sample EEs in German Language and Literature A (not provided on site above)

NOTE: These were all written before the 2018 rule changes so contain structural features such as abstracts, which should no longer be used. The mark scheme has also changed substantially, so be careful how you use these.

May 2015—Example A
May 2015—Example B
May 2015—Example C
May 2013—Example A
May 2013—Example B
May 2013—Example C

Constructing your understanding from your information G4

Before you start to write your essay you need to understand the argument you are trying to make clearly, and that you know what information you are required to include. This resource has been carefully designed using Group 4 mark schemes to make sure that you address all the main points required. It may also be useful if you are writing in Groups 3 or 5. Complete it in note form once you are close to completing your investigation to help you to structure your final essay.

While this is not an official IB document, so is not compulsory, it is very strongly recommended and it will almost certainly make it much quicker and easier to write your essay if you complete this first.

Constructing your understanding from your information (not G4)

Before you start to write your essay you need to understand the argument you are trying to make clearly, and the evidence you are using to support it. This resource has been designed to help you to organise your ideas. Complete it in note form once you are close to completing your investigation to help you to structure your final essay.

<< Previous: Working with ideas
Next: Reflecting >>
Last Updated: Jun 24, 2024 10:46 AM
URL: https://oakham-rutland.libguides.com/ib-extended-essay

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What is the maximum word count for an extended essay (A Clear answer)

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Extended essay word count is an important consideration for IB students. An extended essay is a research paper essential in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It allows students to delve into a topic, develop their research and writing abilities and explore their critical thinking skills. The word count of an extended essay is an essential part of the essay itself. It helps ensure that students are clear in their writing, can communicate well, and display their arguments clearly and logically. Sticking to the set word count shows that students can plan, write, organize, and edit their essays which is central to success in the academic field.

What is included in the extended essay?

In the Extended Essay, the word count includes everything in the essay’s main body, including the introduction, body, conclusion, and any quotations or citations.

When you write your Extended Essay, you should be aware of the word count because going over can result in a penalty. 3,500 to 4,000 words are the recommended word count for the extended essay. But, as long as it is well-written and adheres to the rules, it is also fine to have an essay that is a little bit shorter or longer.

The ideal word count varies slightly depending on each subject area’s research question and methodology. For instance, the maximum word count of biology extended essays is 4,000, while the restriction for history extended essays is 3,500.

Going above the specified word count for an Extended Essay can have major repercussions, such as grade reduction or disqualification. It’s critical to remember that there is a word count limit, and adhering to it shows that one can properly organize, plan, and edit creative writing.

Do quotes count in an extended essay word count?

Yes, quotes do count in the word count for an extended essay. Any words you include in your Extended Essay, whether written by you or someone else, are part of the word count. Therefore, any in-text citations, footnotes, and direct quotations you use from various sources are included in the word count.

When writing your Extended Essay, it’s crucial to keep this in mind to ensure you don’t exceed the allowed extended essay word count. Use quotes wisely to support your arguments and thoughts, and only include the most pertinent and significant ones. Also, instead of extensively relying on direct quotations, try to paraphrase or condense the information from your sources. This can help you keep your word count in check while presenting evidence to back up your statements.

How long is the EE introduction?

There is no particular length or specific word count required for the introduction of an Extended Essay, but it is always wise to keep the introduction clear and straight to the point

The introduction should present a short overview of the thesis or research question, explain the topic’s relevance, and offer some context for your research. The EE introduction also outlines your essay’s structure and gives your reader a roadmap.

As a rule of thumb, the introduction should not exceed 10% of your essay’s total word count. For 4000 words, your introduction should not be more than 400 words. But always remember that what matters most is the clarity and effectiveness of your introduction, and the extended essay word count should help you stay in line with the structure of the essay.

What is omitted in EE word count?

Some sections are not part of the word count in an extended essay. These include:

Title page: The title page is not part of the word count.
Abstract: The abstract summarizes your extended essay and should be over 300 words.
Contents page: The content page is not included in the word count.
Acknowledgments: Acknowledgments are optional and are not included in the word count.
References: The list of references or bibliography is not included in the word count.
Appendices are additional materials you include to support your arguments or ideas. They are not included in the word count.

Tips for Staying Within Extended Essay Word Count Limit

Here are some tips on staying within extended essay word count limit

Tips for staying within extended essay limit.

Planning and Organizing Your Essay

Planning and organizing your writing effectively is essential to stay within the word count limit for an extended essay. Here are some tips to help you plan and organize your essay:

Start with a well-defined research question to assist you in remaining on track and ensure your paper is pertinent and precise.
Create an outline: An outline will assist you in organizing your thoughts and arguments and allow you to see where you may be over the word limit.
Utilize strong transitions to assist you in going from one concept to the next without repeating, reducing the number of words you need overall.

Avoiding Unnecessary Details and Repetition

Another important tip for staying within the extended essay word count limit for your EE is to avoid unnecessary details and repetition. Here is how to go around it.

Focus on the most crucial points: When planning your essay, identify the essential points you want to make and focus on them. Do not include too much information or go off track with information that does not directly relate to your research question or thesis.
Use specific examples: Do not just provide general information or descriptions. Use clear and specific examples to strengthen your arguments.
Cut out unnecessary repetition: Repetition can lengthen your essay beyond what is necessary and add extra words to your work. Ensure you thoroughly read your essay and eliminate any unnecessary sentences Or words.
Don’t over explain: While being clear and concise is crucial, you don’t want to go into too much detail with your ideas. If your reader already understands something, don’t explain it again using superfluous words or phrases.
Utilize clear language: Use precise, specific terminology to be more succinct and omit superfluous details. Ensure the language you use properly and communicate your ideas and points of argument.

Properly Editing and Proofreading Your Essay to meet Extended Essay Word Count

Editing and proofreading your essay are crucial steps in the extended essay writing process. They play a crucial role when staying within the word count limit. Check out some quick tips to help you stay within the word limit.

Take a break.
Read your essay out loud.
Use editing tools.
Cut unnecessary words.
Check your formatting.

The maximum word count for an extended essay is critical for students in the IB program. To create a top-notch extended essay within the word limit, you must carefully analyze and organize your work, avoid fluff or repetition, and properly edit and proofread your essay. It is also imperative to remember what is included in the word count of an extended essay and what is not. When you take the steps outlined in this blog, you will be better able to write an outstanding extended essay that will earn you top grades.

What is in the word count for the extended essay (EE) ??

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Extended Essay: Criteria D - Check your Formatting

Introduction to the EE
Step 1 - Choose a subject
World Studies
Step 3 - The Researchers Reflection Space
Identify Sources
Tools for Note Taking
Video Guides
Step 5 - Creating Research Questions
Step 6 - Outlines and Plans
Step 7 - Citing
Criteria E - 3 Reflections
Know Your Criteria
Criteria D - Check your Formatting
4000 words final hand in

Why it is important

Criteria D is giveaway marks time - You get 4 marks for just formatting and citing properly. Do not lose any of these marks for simple errors.

Recommended Template

Recommendation for Criteria D - If you want to get full marks on Criteria D you should use this fantastic template provided by Sammy Strozo....

No Abstract required

PLEASE NOTE

7 years ago the syllabus changed. You must not put an abstract in your Extended Essay. If you do you will lose many marks.

a) because it will show your lack of engagement

b) it will use up 300 words at the beginning of the essay. Therefore your conclusion will not be read.

Use only the latest criteria!!! DO NOT WRITE AN ABSTRACT

There are a number of checklists that you can use to ensure that you max out for Criteria D.

1) This is one that I recommend and is in a google doc format - the checklist.

2) The one below (which you can download here as a pdf ) is taken from the excellent EE course companion by Kota Lekanides that is found in all of your AG classes.

There is also a fantastic check list in the book that you have in your AG classes. It is Simply called Extended Essay by Paul Hoang.

What you need to do

Required Formatting

To help achieve this, the following formatting is required:

12-point, readable font (Calibri or Times New Roman);
double spacing throughout entire Essay;
page numbering - top right corner;
no candidate or school name or supervisor name on the title page or page headers.

Required S tructure

The structure of the essay is very important. It helps students to organize the argument, making the best use of the evidence collected.

Six required elements of the extended essay:

Contents page
Introduction
Body of the essay
References and bibliography -- if MLA "Works Cited" if CSE "References"

1. Required Title Page

The title page should include only the following information:

the title of the essay
the research question
the subject the essay is registered in (if it is a language essay also state which category it falls into; if a world studies essay also state the theme and the two subjects utilized)

The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays.

Please note: Examiners are instructed not to read or assess any material in excess of the word limit. This means that essays containing more than 4,000 words will be compromised across all assessment criteria. Given the holistic nature of the assessment criteria, students who write in excess of the word limit will self-penalize across all criteria.

Note for Chinese/ Korean/ Japanese Essays - Clarification of word counts in Chinese for EEs. When typing in Chinese, word-processing software is likely to include the number of characters along with punctuation. Teachers and students are asked not to include punctuation in the word count for assessed work. The word count should only take into account the number of characters typed. (IBO Feb 2023)

Students writing their extended essay in Japanese, Korean or Chinese should use the following conversions.

Japanese: 1 word = approximately 2 Japanese characters (upper limit 8,000 characters)
Korean: 1 word = 1 Korean character (upper limit 4,000 characters)
Chinese: 1 word = approximately 1.2 Chinese characters (upper limit 4,800 characters)

source: ibo.org

2. Required Contents Page

3. Required Introduction

While students should have a sense of the direction and key focus of their essay, it is sometimes advisable to finalize the introduction once the body of the essay is complete.

4. Required Body of the Essay (research, analysis, discussion, and evaluation)

5. Required Conclusion

6. Required References & Bibliography

Writing the essay takes time but if students have used their Researcher's reflection space and reflection sessions in a meaningful way they should be well prepared to develop their arguments.

source: concordian-Thailand

<< Previous: Know Your Criteria
Next: 4000 words final hand in >>
Last Updated: Aug 18, 2024 5:40 PM
URL: https://cis.libguides.com/extendedessay

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Powerful blog for your brain, what counts in the word count for extended essay.

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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.

What counts towards a word count?

Word count includes everything in the main body of the text (including headings, tables, citations, quotes, lists, etc). The list of references, appendices and footnotes2 are NOT included in the word count unless it is clearly stated in the coursework instructions that the module is an exception to this rule.

What happens if you don’t meet the word count?

If you write significantly less than the word count there is a risk that your work will not adequately address the assignment or the learning outcomes. Your work will be assessed on its academic merits and this will be reflected in the mark awarded and the feedback on the piece of work.

Is it okay to go over a word limit?

First, we’ll answer the question directly: Schools are not out to reject you for going over a word limit by a small amount. However, if you can stay within 10% of the word limit for an essay, you probably are okay. Having said that, we rarely encounter an essay that we don’t think can get down to the word limit.

What is 500 word limit?

Other Word Counts to Consider100 wordsless than 3 inches300 wordssomewhat more than half a page400 wordsmost of a page500 wordsone full page1000 wordstwo pages4 •

What does word limit mean?

What does a word limit mean in a college application essay? Basically, it means that the college would like your essay to be a certain length, measured by how many words you use. The reason behind this is that they have many applicants and don’t want to read a ton of fluff; they want to get to know you.

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What counts as a word when dealing with a word limit?

I am trying to determine if it will be feasible to revise a manuscript for a journal that has a 6500 word limit. Currently, the manuscript is between 7500 and 8000 words long, depending on how I count words. However, it is not clear which of the following words will count toward my word count (in decreasing order of word count):

Figure and table legends
Math equations
Section headings

Which of these uses count toward a word limit? Are there general rules for which words count toward a word limit?

Bonus: how strict are editors with word limits?

technical-writing
scientific-publishing

First of all, you should check and see if they have any guidelines posted that will help you to be certain that you stay within their listed range. If they don't have anything listed, then you could send them an inquiry to try to find out.

Generally, the word count would not include the title page, if you have one.
Words used in tables or graphs, including the legends, would not normnally be included.
If you use abstracts as part of the body of your material, then they would be included.
Citations, on the other hand, would not.
If the math equations constitute any portion of your overall content, then they would be included.
Section headings should be included.
When you mention numbers, I assume you mean numbers that are used as part of your formulas or equations, in which case they would be included.

If you make use of an appendix or a table of contents, then neither of those would be included in your word count. I would recommend creating a second copy of your document and removing the items that would NOT be included and see what your word processor comes up with for the word count. That would probably put you pretty close to where you need to be.

As far as editors,it just depends. Some may be flexible, especially if the content warrants it. Others, however, set limits as a hard and fast rule and are not willing to concede and additional space at all.

thank you for the advice. I wanted to ask here first before bothering the editor with a naive question. The numbers I was curious about are in the text. – David LeBauer Commented Sep 6, 2011 at 18:00
In that case, your numbers would inded count. – Steven Drennon Commented Sep 6, 2011 at 18:08

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Ask Us: Academic Skills Team

What is included in the word count, before you start to write up your assignment you should check the information provided in your module handbook or assignment brief on the required word count, or ask your tutor for guidance..

Generally speaking, the word count will include the following:

All titles or headings that form part of the actual text.
All words that form the essay (the main body of text).
All words forming the titles for figures, tables and boxes, are included but this does not include boxes or tables or figures themselves
All in-text (that is bracketed) citations
All directly quoted material

It will not include:

All words that form the title page
All words that form the reference list
Captions added to visual material (i.e. diagrams, tables, maps, and/or images)

Academic Writing
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Last Updated 12 Apr, 2024
Views 31460
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IB Extended Essay: In-Text Citations

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

Direct Quotations
Common Knowledge

You should cite when:

Referring to a source and stating someone else's opinions, thoughts, ideas, or research

When referring to a source, you have 3 options:

Directly Quoting
Summarizing
Paraphrase

Which option you should choose depends on how much of a source you are using, how you are using it, and what kind of paper you are writing--since different fields use sources in different ways.

You do not need to cite a source for:

Your thoughts and your interpretations
Common knowledge

via, Otis Library

What is a direct quotation?

"Must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author."

If summarizing or paraphrasing cannot capture the essence or meaning of the text
To retain a specific or unique phrasing used by the source's author
If you are analyzing the text itself (often in English or language classes)

Be advised:

Most of the time when you cite a source, you want to summarize or paraphrase. Direct quotations should be used sparingly when the situation meets the criteria above. When you do use direct quotations:

Do not take the quote out of context. The author's meaning should not change.
Be sure to integrate multiple sources within your text. You don't want to have a paper or a passage that seems to have come only from one source, with little original text from you.
Use transitions to make sure your quote adds to your paper without interrupting its flow.

How to Cite a Direct Quotation:

Place quotation marks around the entire word-for-word passage, whether it's a phrase or a sentence.
Attribute with an in-text citation ; most citation styles request that you provide a page or paragraph number when directly citing.
If your quotation is longer, check with your citation style guide to see if additional formatting is necessary (block quotations, for example).

via, Otis Library

What is a Summary?

"Involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s).... Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material."

"Similar to paraphrasing, summarizing involves using your own words and writing style to express another author's ideas. Unlike the paraphrase, which presents important details, the summary presents only the most important ideas of the passage."

To provide necessary background information for your audience
When broad, concise information will suffice

How to cite a summary:

Attribute with an in-text citation; some citation styles request that you provide a page or paragragh number whenever available.
You should not be using any word-for-word quotations or language unique to the source, so you do NOT need quotation marks around your summary

What is a paraphrase?

"A paraphrase is a detailed restatement in your own words of a written or sometimes spoken source material. Apart from the changes in organization, wording, and sentence structure, the paraphrase should be nearly identical in meaning to the original passage. It should also be near the same length as the original passage and present the details of the original."

Paraphrasing is "your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form."

When paraphrasing, you must change both the sentence structure and the language of the original text

"When the wording is less important than the meaning of the source"
If a summary would not provide enough specific details

How to cite a paraphrase:

Attribute with an in-text citation; some citation styles request that you provide a page or paragraph number whenever available.
When paraphrasing, you must change both the sentence structure and language of the original text. Therefore, since you will be changing the text, you do NOT need quotation marks around your paraphrase

Common Knowledge:

It doesn't necessarily mean that most people would know it offhand. And sometimes it's a judgment call because what seems like common knowledge to one person isn't to another. Here are good rules of thumb:

If you can find the same information in multiple places, stated in relatively the same way, it's common knowledge (Generally, it is said that you should find the information three to five sources)
If most people are aware of this fact, or if it's general reference, it's common knowledge

Caution: Opinions and unique terminology/phrasing do not qualify as common knowledge.

In-text Citations from Imagine Easy Solutions on Vimeo .

How do I write an MLA parenthetical (also called "in-text") reference?

Next to each citation you create in NoodleTools, you'll find a link titled "In-text reference." Click the link to get information about how to refer to that particular entry in-text, as well as a list of rules to follow for parenthetical references in general. We've listed that information here as well for your convenience.

What is a parenthetical reference?

A parenthetical reference is a reference within the body of your paper to one of the sources listed in your Works Cited list. It indicates to your reader exactly what you derived from the source, and specifically where they can find it. You need to write a parenthetical, or "in-text" reference, whether you quote the material directly from the source, paraphrase it in your own words, or refer to an idea derived from the material.

What typically goes in an MLA-style parenthetical reference?

The information that you need to include depends on what type of source the material comes from. For printed material, you normally only need to include the author(s) (or title if there is no author) and page number(s) in your reference. For multi-volume works like encyclopedias, you may also need to include a volume number (see Rules 6 and 7 below). For Internet sources, sometimes an alternative to page numbers, such as paragraph numbers , are cited.

The information described above can be either included in the sentence that you write, or added in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

What other rules do I need to know to write a parenthetical reference?

Rule 1: Placement The parentheses are usually placed at the end of a sentence, between the last word and the period. If you are quoting material directly, the parentheses should go between the closing quotation mark and the period:

"The chicken came before the egg" (Smith 21).

Rule 2: Sentence vs. parentheses Only information that is not already contained in your sentence is necessary in the parenthetical reference. For example, in the following example the author's last name, Smith, is already stated, so only the page numbers are necessary within the parentheses:

Smith theorizes that the chicken came before the egg (21).

Rule 3: When author names are similar or the same Information you provide in the parenthetical reference should distinguish exactly which work in your source list you are referring to. Add a first initial or whole first name if the last name is not unique in your source list, or add the title of the work if there is more than one work by the same author. For example:

It has been proven that the chicken came before the egg (J. Smith 21).
It has been proven that the chicken came before the egg (John Smith 21).
It has been proven that the chicken came before the egg (Smith, 21-33).

Rule 4: When there is no author If the work is listed and alphabetized in your source list by its title (no author), then you should refer to it in the parenthetical reference by its title as well. The title may be shortened to just the first word (not including articles like "The" and "A"), and should be quoted or underlined if it is quoted or underlined in your source list. For example:

Experts believe that the chicken came before the egg ( 21).
Experts believe that the chicken came before the egg ("Egg" 21).

Experts believe that the chicken came before the egg (Smith, 2006).
Experts believe that the chicken came before the egg ("Egg," ).

Rule 5: Page numbers and other numbering systems Sources sometimes use alternate numbering systems like sections (sec.), chapters (ch.), books (bk.), parts (pt.), verses, lines, acts, or scenes. Content within online sources can often only be referenced by paragraph number. If an alternate numbering system is used, include that information instead of page numbers. Note that a comma is used after the author (or title) in this case.

Experts believe that the chicken came before the egg (Smith, pars. 3-4).
In "Egg Poem" Smith asks "how do we know, which came first?" (lines 5-6).

Occasionally, you may find that page numbers are available in addition to these other numbering systems. In this case, it is helpful to include both; provide the page number first, followed by a semicolon, and then the other identifying information. An example follows:

One novel reports a different theory (Smith 55; pt. 1, sec. 3, ch. 1).
In "Egg Poem" Smith asks "how do we know, which came first?" (6; lines 5-6).

An exception to this rule is that when you are citing a classic verse play or poem, it is standard to omit page numbers even if they are given, and instead cite by division (act, scene, canto, book, part) and line. Divisions and the line number(s) are separated with periods, as in the following examples:

In his classic play, Smith jokes about the egg ( 1.4.55-56).
In "Egg Poem" Smith asks "how do know, which came first?" (4.5-6).

Rule 6: When to cite the volume number If you are referring to a multi-volume work like an encyclopedia AND you used more than one volume of that work in your paper, then your parenthetical reference should include the volume number you used, as in the following example where we are referring to pages 5-6 of the third volume:

Experts believe that the chicken came before the egg ("Egg" 3:5-6).

Rule 7: Referring to an entire work If you are referring to an entire work (like an opera or an entire novel) and not a specific section of the work, state the author and/or title within the sentence, and do not add any further information in parentheses. For example:

Smith's opera "Chicken and Egg" is a light-hearted comedy.

An exception to the rule above is that if you are citing an entire volume of a multi-volume work, you should include the volume number (either within the sentence, or in parentheses as shown below). Note that we use the abbreviation vol. when page numbers are not provided, unlike the example for Rule 5.

Volume 2 of Smith's book solves the chicken and egg mystery.
solves the chicken and egg mystery (Smith, vol. 2).

Rule 8: Quoting or paraphrasing a quotation If what you quote or paraphrase in your paper is itself a quotation in the source, add the phrase "qtd. in" to the parenthetical reference as shown here:

"I have proven that the chicken came before the egg" (qtd. in J. Smith 21).

There are several citation styles out there. SIS uses MLA 9; however, speak with your supervisor or librarian if you'd like to choose a different one. Whichever you choose, BE CONSISTENT with citions and works cited page.

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Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024 9:39 AM
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EE word count

I'm writing my EE in my Language B subject. I had a question regarding if the quotes are included in my EE word count or not. Do anybody know about that?

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Extended Essay Support Site

Presentation.

4 of the 34 marks for the Extended Essay are for Criterion D: Presentation. The IB does not provide a checklist to remind you to include page numbers, captions and correct citations. Instead Criterion D asks:

To what extent does the structure of the essay lend itself to the topic, subject and argument?
To what extent is the layout correct?
To what extent do the structure and layout support the reading, understanding and evaluation of the essay?

The first bullet point is arguably the most difficult and is inextricably related to Criterion C: Critical thinking. However, there is no reason why you should lose marks for the second two bullet points on layout. Here is a checklist that you can use to determine if your essay is ready to submit:

EE checklist

Have you checked your word count (under 4000 words, after you have excluded words which are not counted towards the word count)?

Have you numbered tables and figures/illustrations, i.e. Fig.1, Table 1?

Does each table, figure or illustration have a caption or label?

For tables, illustrations and figures that are not based on your own work, have you included citations or full references?

Are tables, illustrations and figures mentioned in the text, using a numbered reference?

Do all in-text citations refer to a source in the bibliography or works cited section?

Is your list of works cited / references / bibliography in alphabetical order?

In your bibliography / works cited, are your sources formatted according to the requirements of your style guide (APA, Chicago, MLA)?

Are your pages numbered?

Does your table of contents include section headings and page numbers?

Are quotations clearly indicated by quotation marks or indented blocks?

Are appendices titled, referenced in the text and listed in the table of context?

Have you used a readable, conventional font? Have you double spaced your lines and used standard margins?

Does your title page include both your title and research question ? (Note: do not include your name, candidate number or school name or number on the title pages)

Do your introduction and conclusion answer the research question ? Does the answer to your research question follow logically from your arguments, evidence and findings?

Does the structure of your essay lend itself well to your topic, question and research?

How well does your essay structure lend itself to your argument? See the subject-specific interpretations of the assessment criteria in the EE Guide on the Programme Resource Centre under MyIB. There you can find advice on how to use headings and structures that are appropriate for your subject.

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COMMENTS

Extended Essay Word Count: IB EE Word Count Limits
Firstly, the absolute upper limit for an extended essay is 4,000 words. This is a strict threshold. According to general IB criteria, essays exceeding this count risk being penalized, affecting your overall score. This cap is in place to encourage precision and conciseness in your argumentation and analysis.
Extended Essay Guide: Criteria, Format, Sample EEs
The title page should include only the following information: ... word count . The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. Please note: Examiners are instructed not to read or assess any material in excess of the word limit. This means that essays containing more than 4,000 words will be compromised across all assessment criteria.
Extended Essay: Advice (and Warnings) from the IB
An essay that attempts to evade the word limit by including important material in footnotes or endnotes will be compromised across the assessment criteria. Please note that footnotes and endnotes are added to the word count as they are encountered. Extended Essay Guide, International Baccalaureate Organization, p. 86, 2016.
LibGuides: Extended Essay Resources: Paper Formatting
Word count. The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. Please note: Examiners are instructed not to read or assess any material in excess of the word limit. This means that essays containing more than 4,000 words will be compromised across all assessment criteria.
EE word count: what counts? : r/IBO
From the guide : The length of the extended essay. The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. This upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion and any quotations, but does not include: • the abstract. • acknowledgments. • the contents page. • maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables.
Extended Essay Word Count
Here's how, in my experience, you can distribute your word count effectively across the various parts of the Extended Essay: Introduction (10-15% of total words). Typically, this would range from 400 to 600 words. This section introduces your research question and provides the necessary background information.
Formatting your EE
All essays must follow this format: Labelled "Table of Contents" in 12-point, readable font (Arial is recommended) Headings and page numbers for required components of the essay include: Introduction. Body of the essay: Headings and subheadings within the body of the essay may be included. Conclusion.
PDF Extended essay guide
Formal presentation of the extended essay The extended essay should be written in a clear, correct and formal academic style, appropriate to the subject from which the topic is drawn. The use of word processors is encouraged. The length of the extended essay The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays.
A Definitive Guide to the IB Extended Essay
The Extended Essay (EE) is an independent, self-directed academic research, presented in the form of a 4,000-word paper. One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students. The final work is given a grade from E to A, and makes up part of each student's
Extended essay
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 ...
Smallbone Library: Extended Essay (IB): Expressing your ideas
Word count. You essay must have at most 4000 words. While there is no set penalty for exceeding this, examiners will stop reading at 4000 words, so may not, for example, read your conclusions and your mar is likely to suffer siginficantly. The following table summarises what is and is not included in the word count: (IB EE Guide 2020, Presentation)
What is the Maximum Extended Essay Word Count in 2023?
The ideal word count varies slightly depending on each subject area's research question and methodology. For instance, the maximum word count of biology extended essays is 4,000, while the restriction for history extended essays is 3,500. Going above the specified word count for an Extended Essay can have major repercussions, such as grade ...
What is in the word count for the extended essay (EE)
taken from Extended Essay Guidelines booklet we got given: the upper limit is 4000 words. This upper limit includes: > the main part of the EE > any quotations this upper limit does not include: > any acknowledgements > the contents page > the references (for example footnotes, endnotes) > any maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables > the bibliography > the appendix > the ...
LibGuides: Extended Essay: Criteria D
The extended essay should be written in a clear, correct and formal academic style, appropriate to the subject from which the topic is drawn. ... Teachers and students are asked not to include punctuation in the word count for assessed work. The word count should only take into account the number of characters typed. (IBO Feb 2023)
What counts in the word count for extended essay?
The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. ... Word count includes everything in the main body of the text (including headings, tables, citations, quotes, lists, etc). ... appendices and footnotes2 are NOT included in the word count unless it is clearly stated in the coursework ...
Do in-text citations count in the EE word count? : r/IBO
The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. This upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion and any quotations, but does not include: the abstract acknowledgments the contents page maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables equations, formulas and calculations
What counts as a word when dealing with a word limit?
Generally, the word count would not include the title page, if you have one. Words used in tables or graphs, including the legends, would not normnally be included. If you use abstracts as part of the body of your material, then they would be included. Citations, on the other hand, would not. If the math equations constitute any portion of your ...
EE Word count: What counts?? : r/IBO
The length of the extended essay. The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. This upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion and any quotations, but does not include: • the abstract. • acknowledgments. • the contents page. • maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables.
What is included in the word count?
Generally speaking, the word count will include the following: All titles or headings that form part of the actual text. All words that form the essay (the main body of text). All words forming the titles for figures, tables and boxes, are included but this does not include boxes or tables or figures themselves.
In-Text Citations
Rule 1: Placement. The parentheses are usually placed at the end of a sentence, between the last word and the period. If you are quoting material directly, the parentheses should go between the closing quotation mark and the period: "The chicken came before the egg" (Smith 21). Rule 2: Sentence vs. parentheses.
EE word count : r/IBO
This is from the IB extended essay guide: The upper limit is 4,000 words for all extended essays. This upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion and any quotations, but does not include: • the abstract • acknowledgments • the contents page • maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables
Extended essay: Presentation
4 of the 34 marks for the Extended Essay are for Criterion D: Presentation. The IB does not provide a checklist to remind you to include page numbers, captions and correct citations. Instead Criterion D asks: ... Have you checked your word count (under 4000 words, after you have excluded words which are not counted towards the word count)? ...

How Long Is IB EE? Minimum and Maximum Word Count

What Is the Word Count Requirement for the Extended Essay?

Extended Essay Word Count for Each Section

Introduction (300-400 words)

Body (2800-3200 words)

Conclusion (300-400 words)

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How Many Pages and Paragraphs Are in a 4000-Word EE?

Tips for Managing Your IB Extended Essay Word Count

Plan Your Essay Structure

Write Concisely

Use the Iterative Editing Process

Get Help With Your Paper

Regularly Check Your Word Count

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How to Effectively Manage Your Word Count?

1. Plan Your Essay Structure

2. Be Concise and Direct

3. Regularly Check Your Word Count

4. Refine and Condense

5. Get an External Perspective

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Word Count Distribution Across Your Extended Essay

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PLEASE NOTE

Table of Contents

References and Bibliography

Body of the Essay

A Definitive Guide to the IB Extended Essay (EE)

Step 1: Choosing a Extended Essay (EE) topic

Step 2: Framing your research question

Step 3: Meeting your supervisor to establish specific targets

Step 4: Starting your EE research

Step 5: Writing the essay’s first draft

Step 6: Reviewing your first draft

Step 7: Refining your Extended Essay

Step 8: Final Notes

Step 9: Final Submission

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Extended Essay (IB): Expressing your ideas

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Am I ready?