Extended Essay Essentials

What's in this guide?

In this guide, you will find essential documents for writing the EE in the following subjects

• Film
• Music
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

Essential documents include Subject Specific Guidelines and Sample Essays for each course.

Introduction to the EE in Arts

From the Guide:

An extended essay (EE) in the arts gives students an opportunity to undertake an in-depth investigation into a topic within an arts subject of particular interest to them.

The EE must demonstrate in-depth understanding of the subject matter studied. This should be shown in the form of:

• a coherent analysis and interpretation of their chosen area in relation to a posed research question
• the testing and validation of the research and consideration of its effect on the practice of the investigated area of the arts
• development and exploration of its effect on the practice of the investigated area of the arts
• development and exploration in a disciplined and imaginative way of an area of study specifically appropriate to the curriculum area chosen
• a link to a practical dimension.

The research outcome should always include a link with a practical dimension. Where relevant and possible, students may wish to consult practitioners and professionals, such as performers, directors, researchers, writers, designers, painters, sculptors, composers or critics; or they may wish to visit theatres, galleries, museums and arts centres.

For a longer general overview of an arts-related EE, see The arts: An introduction. This document contains information on:

• Topic Selection
• Literature Review
• The Research Question
• Research Methods
• A Framework for the EE in Arts

Film

• Film Subject Specific Guidelines - A short guide on how to write the Film EE
• Score Reports - See what students did (and did not do well) in these short reports from the chief examiner.
• Sample Papers - Read sample EE papers provided by IB and see how they scored.

Music

• Music Subject Specific Guidelines - A short guide on how to write the Music EE
• Score Reports - See what students did (and did not do well) in these short reports from the chief examiner.
• Sample Papers - Read sample EE papers provided by the IB and see how they scored.

Theatre

• Film Subject Specific Guidelines - A short guide on how to write the Theatre EE
• Score Reports - See what students did (and did not do) well in these short reports from the chief examiner.
• Sample Papers - Read sample EE papers provided by IB and see how they scored.

Visual Arts

• Visual Arts Subject Specific Guidelines - A short guide on how to write the Visual Arts EE
• Score Reports - See what students did (and did not do) well in these short reports from the chief examiner.
• Sample Papers - Read sample EE papers provided by IB and see how they scored