The choice of an Extended Essay subject has been a source of much debate among students. Let me tell you right away that the History Extended Essay subject is one of the most popular, and for good reason. It gives you a chance to be part of interesting events, reflect on past times, and test your reasoning skills. But is it the right option for you? Let’s carefully break it down so you can make a wise choice.
What Is the History Extended Essay Subject?
I think you should know exactly what the IB History Extended Essay is about before deciding if it’s right for you. IB standards say that the History EE is all about coming up with a clear historical research question and finding a thorough answer to it. Along with presenting your case and carefully analyzing evidence, you will be expected to use both primary and secondary sources.
Also, the essay needs to be around 4,000 words, but don’t be intimidated by that! The words will come out easier than you think if you are excited about the topic. But keep in mind that each paragraph needs to have a reason; you can’t just list facts. You need to make a strong case that makes sense. That’s where the real struggle is, and it’s also where the real fun lies.
From what I’ve seen, this subject forces you to go beyond memorization and find your style as a historian. For instance, if you write about what led to the Cold War, you’re drawing on decades of research and giving your own opinion. To do this, you need to be able to do research, be creative, think critically, and easily communicate your thoughts.
Also, one of the best things about the History Extended Essay subject is that you can focus on what really interests you, whether it’s political movements, cultural changes, war plans, or the everyday lives of people in the past. Most of the time, this link makes the writing process much more interesting.
In short, the History EE is about combining ideas, analyzing data, and sharing your own opinion.
Why Is History a Popular Extended Essay Subject Choice?
Many students choose History as the subject for their Extended Essay because it offers them a lot of freedom and variety that few other subjects can match. World wars, revolutions, civil rights movements, cultural changes, and even local history that is relevant to your neighborhood are all topics that you can write about. This range makes it easy to connect your essay to things you’re interested in. You are much less likely to feel stressed when you care deeply about your topic and are more inspired to do research and write.
IB History EE is a very popular subject because it allows you to learn about more complex topics. History isn’t always black and white; there are many murky areas, different perspectives, and unanswered questions. This is exciting for students who enjoy thinking deeply. It’s not enough to just list what happened; you want to know why it happened, what it meant, and how different people saw it.
For another thing, history is full of arguments and disagreements, and the IB loves students who can fight well from both sides. You can take a stand on this subject and back it up with proof, which is not only fun but also great practice for college. From my point of view, students who think about different points of view and balance their opinions often do well in the History EE.
The connections between IB History and other fields are also fantastic. You could examine the effects of a war on the economy, the philosophical roots of a political movement, or the creative responses to a social change as examples. This mixing of different fields of study can make your essay even more interesting and lively. History isn’t just about times and names, as I often tell students, but it’s also about understanding the forces that make the world we live in today.
Who Should Select the History Extended Essay Subject?
Writing and studying a history Extended Essay isn’t something every person will enjoy, but for the right students, it can be very satisfying. How do you know if this is the right fit for you? I’ll break it down.
You’re Curious About Causes, Not Just Events
“Am I the type of student who should choose the IB History EE subject?” you may be thinking. From what I’ve seen, the best people are naturally curious about the past and how it influences the present. You don’t have to be the best student in IB History, but you should enjoy reading, thinking critically, and making your points.
I think that students who are good at this subject are those who like to ask why things happened instead of just remembering what happened. You shouldn’t just list the events that led to a change; you should also know what the political, social, and economic forces were that made it happen. People who can think critically and aren’t afraid to question easy answers will do well in this subject.
You’re Ready to Do Long-Term Research
Generally, the IB expects students to spend several weeks researching, writing, and preparing for the Extended Essay in History. This subject might be great for you if you’re calm, organized, and willing to dedicate the time to conducting proper research.
Remember that you will have to:
- Choose a clear and specific research question.
- Find primary and secondary sources that you can trust and rate them.
- Carefully keep track of your sources and organize your notes.
- Make many drafts, changes, and polishes of your essay.
IB students who are orderly and steady, even if they don’t feel like it all the time, tend to do well here.
You’re at Ease Dealing With Difficult Materials
You are a good candidate for the IB History EE subject if you’re not afraid of challenging things. There will be sources that are opposed to each other, points that aren’t clear-cut, and historical readings that make you question what you think you know.
When these problems come up, you need to be open-minded and strong. There aren’t just clear answers to be found in this subject; there are also interesting, messy arguments that historians have been having for hundreds of years.
Don’t let the stress of the IB curriculum hold you back.
Are you struggling to come up with topic suggestions for your IB Extended Essay?
Our experienced writers can help you choose the perfect topic and assist you with any assignment.
You can buy an Extended Essay tailored to your specific subject and requirements.
Our experienced IB writers are always ready to help.
Is the History Extended Essay a Hard Subject?
It’s likely that this is what interests you the most. “Is the IB History EE subject really that hard?” many of my students ask me. And the answer I give is: it depends on how you do it. Every Extended Essay subject has its own unique set of difficulties, but you can be well prepared if you know what to anticipate. To help you understand what makes it hard and what makes it possible to achieve, read this part.
How Hard Is It to Narrow Your Topic?
Choosing the right research question is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Big, interesting topics like World War II, the Cold War, and the French Revolution are of interest to many students. The catch is that these topics are often too broad.
It’s almost impossible to explain a question like “What caused World War II?” in 4,000 words. Instead, you should ask, “How much did the Treaty of Versailles help Hitler become the leader from 1919 to 1933?” That’s a straightforward question that you can answer.
Where to Find the Right Sources?
Research is a significant obstacle in the History Extended Essay Subject. Finding adequate primary or secondary sources is a problem for some students. Others feel overloaded with information and are unsure of what to add or omit.
I think the trick here is to learn how to filter sources. You’ll need to strike a balance between reputable literature, academic papers, and historical materials. Selecting the most relevant and convincing evidence is more important than trying to fit in as much material as you can.
What Challenges Can You Face when Writing a History EE?
To help you see what I mean, here is a list of the most common problems students have when they are writing their History EE:
- Focusing on a single, researchable question about the topic.
- Mixing primary and secondary sources effectively.
- Focusing on research instead of detailed writing.
- Putting together a case that makes sense and is well-structured in the essay.
- Using your time well to meet IB goals.
From my point of view, History EEs are usually very analytical and do a lot of research, which can be overwhelming for some students. You won’t be doing experiments like in a science EE, and you won’t be focusing on how to understand literature like you would in English. Instead, you will discuss historical events and make cases based on facts.
Conclusion
Finally, I want to give you some honest advice: the IB History EE subject can be one of the most rewarding ones in the IB program if you’re interested, well-organized, and ready to dive into historical analysis. It’s difficult, but it’s completely doable with the right attitude and planning.
That being said, if you’re unsure which subject to choose, consider IB History. It could be the subject that makes writing your Extended Essay something you’ll never forget. Our pros at IBWritingService.com are also ready to help you write your History Extended Essay whenever you need it.
