Topic, subject & question
All Extended Essays have three things: a topic, a subject and a research question (RQ). Some people advise you start your EE by thinking within the discipline of an IBDP subject and then explore suitable topics within that discipline. Keep in mind, however, that you will be working on this essay for 10-12 months. What topics in the real world interest you? Wouldn't you rather explore your interest during this time?
Topics should be inspired from real-world problems or primary sources, such as works of art or literature. You may be following an interesting topic in the news. You may have covered a topic in class that captured your interest. In any case, topics are more interesting than subjects, because often they explore an argument. And all good EEs have an argument.
Your topic may or may not fit neatly into an IBDP subject. It may fall under two subjects, in which case you may want to explore an interdisciplinary essay. In any case, it is recommeded that the topic is explored in a subject that you are taking. Here is a handout to show the importance of aligning your topic, subject(s) and research question.
Handout: Topic, subject(s) and questions
| Topics | Subjects | Research questions |
|---|---|---|
| Social media and teenage anxiety | Psychology | To what extent does Instagram use contribute to increased anxiety levels among adolescents aged 14–18? |
| Fast fashion and sustainability | Environmental Systems & Societies. | How significantly does fast fashion production contribute to freshwater pollution in Southeast Asia? |
| Gender representation in advertising. | English A | How are traditional gender roles reinforced or subverted in Nike advertising campaigns from 2015–2023? |
| The mathematics of gambling | Mathematics | How can probability theory be used to model long-term outcomes in European roulette? |
| Migration and identit | Geography | How has migration shaped urban spatial segregation patterns in Berlin since 2015? |
What subjects does the IB offer? Click on the link below to reveal a list of IB Diploma Programm subjects.
- Studies in Language and Literature (Group 1)*: Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Belarusian, Bengali, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Modern Greek, Nepali, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sesotho, Sinhalese, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swahili, SiSwati, Swedish, Thai,Turkish Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Welsh
- Language Acquisition (Group 2)*: Arabic, Chinese – Cantonese or Mandarin, Classical Greek, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Malay, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tamil
- Biology
- Business management
- Chemistry
- Computer science
- Dance
- Design technology
- Economics
- Environmental systems and societies
- Film
- Geography
- Global politics
- History
- Literature and performance
- Mathematics
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Social and cultural anthropology
- Sports, exercise and health science
- Theatre
- Visual arts
- World religions
Points worth noting
- You may wonder: What about 'title'? Shouldn't every good essay have a title? The IB has removed this requirement (ironically) from their requirements for the 'title page'.
- What if your topic is not really researchable within a subject area? Then find a different topic! Each subjects has restraints around methods and sources. Check with a supervisor if it is even possible to research your topic and research question within the subject requirements and 4,00 words.
- Can you ask AI for a topic? It's not a bad idea to brainstorm with someone about your interests. A person who knows you is more likely to give you meaningful feedback.
- Is your topic interdisciplinary? Are you not taking one of the subjects that you will need to explore this essay? Talk to a supervison. Every subject is different. If you take English A but not film, and you'd like to explore a film to explore both the words and the cinematography, talk to your English teacher. Perhaps it is possible.
TOK
Under which Area of Knowledge (AOK) does your essay's subject fall? Consider the 'knowledge framework' from this AOK. How is knowledge traditionally acquired in this subject? What is the history of this subject? Talk to your TOK teacher about your EE as well!
Assessment
Do you want to make a strategic choice for your EE subject by learning which subjects score highest? You're not the first to ask this. Google'IB Statistical Bulletin' to find the latest report. You will see which subjects tend to award higher and lower marks. History, for example, is a very popular subject for which the majority of students earn a 'c'.