The Extended Essay
Purpose
Your purpose is to convince others to:
1. Agree with your fact-based opinions
2. Share your values
3. Accept your argument and conclusions
4. Adopt your way of thinking
Important Elements
Establish facts to support your argument
Clarify relevant values
Prioritize and sequence your points to build a coherent argument
Form and state your conclusions clearly
Persuade your readers that your point of view is valid
Be confident, but not arrogant
Techniques
Link introduction to conclusion
Step by step approach – build your essay
Quotation – one that is well known but not overused
Statistics and figures
Facts – topical information
References to reliable sources
Useful Strategies
Write out the question (and relevant sub-questions) in your own words
Think about the specific question while researching to filter the relevant material
List out facts: prioritize, edit, sequence, discard, and ask yourself ‘what’s missing?’
Anticipate the feelings / response of your reader
Write your first draft – do not be overly concerned with spelling and punctuation at the initial stage; just get your basic argument down on paper. Editing is for later.
Your opening paragraph is essentially important – entice your reader to read on
Keep your voice active
Stay focused on your point of view throughout. Each paragraph needs to be purposeful and related to the question.
Focus on logical arguments
Don’t lapse into summary – wait for your conclusion to do this
Conclusion - summarize your argument
Edit / rewrite the first paragraph to telegraph your development and conclusion
Before Submitting Draft
Re-read your paper with a fresh mind
Ask yourself:
Does this make sense? Am I convinced? Will this convince a reader? Will they understand my values, and agree with my facts?
Edit, correct, and re-write as necessary
Check spelling, punctuation and grammar
Have a friend read it and respond to your argument. Were they convinced?
Revise if necessary
Your purpose is to convince others to:
1. Agree with your fact-based opinions
2. Share your values
3. Accept your argument and conclusions
4. Adopt your way of thinking
Important Elements
Establish facts to support your argument
Clarify relevant values
Prioritize and sequence your points to build a coherent argument
Form and state your conclusions clearly
Persuade your readers that your point of view is valid
Be confident, but not arrogant
Techniques
Link introduction to conclusion
Step by step approach – build your essay
Quotation – one that is well known but not overused
Statistics and figures
Facts – topical information
References to reliable sources
Useful Strategies
Write out the question (and relevant sub-questions) in your own words
Think about the specific question while researching to filter the relevant material
List out facts: prioritize, edit, sequence, discard, and ask yourself ‘what’s missing?’
Anticipate the feelings / response of your reader
Write your first draft – do not be overly concerned with spelling and punctuation at the initial stage; just get your basic argument down on paper. Editing is for later.
Your opening paragraph is essentially important – entice your reader to read on
Keep your voice active
Stay focused on your point of view throughout. Each paragraph needs to be purposeful and related to the question.
Focus on logical arguments
Don’t lapse into summary – wait for your conclusion to do this
Conclusion - summarize your argument
Edit / rewrite the first paragraph to telegraph your development and conclusion
Before Submitting Draft
Re-read your paper with a fresh mind
Ask yourself:
Does this make sense? Am I convinced? Will this convince a reader? Will they understand my values, and agree with my facts?
Edit, correct, and re-write as necessary
Check spelling, punctuation and grammar
Have a friend read it and respond to your argument. Were they convinced?
Revise if necessary