Having written numerous IB essays, I often get one question from students: “What’s the difference between an Extended Essay and a regular essay?”. Grasping this distinction can significantly influence your approach to both forms of writing. In my opinion, understanding the differences between the two is essential for improving your grades and your growth as a writer.
What Is a Regular Essay?
The standard essay is a fundamental part of every student’s academic life. Whether in high school or college, you’ve likely written numerous standard essays. The assignments usually range from 500 to 1,500 words and are meant to assess your comprehension of a particular subject. Regular essays typically prioritize clear and concise argumentation backed by evidence from one or a few sources, as opposed to more intricate forms of writing.
In my experience, regular essays follow a simple formula that helps keep them manageable, even when you’re short on time. The structure is typically set in advance, with clear instructions on how to present your argument. Typically, a standard essay consists of the following components:
- Introduction. This part is where you lay out your thesis or main argument.
- Body paragraphs. Every paragraph introduces a fresh point reinforcing your thesis, typically supported by evidence or examples.
- Conclusion. A concise summary that reinforces your main point and brings your argument to a close.
Typically, regular essays don’t involve extensive research or revolutionary concepts. Instead, their primary focus is carefully analyzing existing information logically and well-structured. You must show that you can grasp and handle the stuff you’ve been given, whether it’s a book, article, or lecture notes. A regular essay is a foundation for developing writing skills without requiring extensive research or groundbreaking ideas.
Regular essays are fantastic for students to boost their writing and argumentation abilities. Although they may appear simple, getting a handle on the structure and flow of a typical essay lays the groundwork for tackling more complex writing assignments, like research papers and, of course, the IB Extended Essay. Regular essays also help students develop the discipline for more complex academic work.
What Are the Characteristics of the Extended Essay?
From my perspective as an IB writer, the Extended Essay is a distinctive and demanding piece of work that distinguishes itself from other essays you may come across in your academic life. The EE is more than just another assignment; it’s a research project that demands dedication, careful planning, and original thinking. Unlike a typical essay, the Extended Essay challenges you to examine a topic more thoroughly.
The word count of the EE is a big deal. The Extended Essay allows for a generous word count of 4,000, giving you ample space to expand your ideas and arguments. However, it’s important to remember that this assignment’s longer length requires careful research planning and precise essay structuring. I believe students who do well in the EE are highly organized and have excellent time management skills.
The Extended Essay has a few key characteristics that set it apart:
- Doing your research. Make sure you develop a solid research question and dig into it.
- Detailed examination. The EE demands critical thinking and analysis beyond what is typically expected in most essays.
- Use of multiple sources. You must gather information from various sources, such as academic journals, books, and primary research.
In my view, what sets the EE apart is the high level of independence it requires. You’ll have the freedom to choose the direction and focus of your research while still receiving guidance from a supervisor. It will help you prepare for writing at the university level and will assist in developing critical thinking, time management, and self-discipline. These skills will be valuable in both academic and professional environments.
Gain insights from real EE case studies that showcase how top-scoring students approached their research and structured their arguments.
How Does an Extended Essay Differ from a Regular Essay?
The Extended Essay stands apart from a typical essay due to its notable distinctions, particularly in its profoundness, breadth, and the demanding level of research it necessitates.
Purpose and Academic Level
An Extended Essay’s purpose differs significantly from a regular essay’s. A typical essay is commonly used to assess your comprehension of a subject, whereas the IB EE serves as a means to evaluate your capacity for conducting independent research. The EE is tailored explicitly for IB Diploma students, making it a more sophisticated form of academic assignment. On the other hand, regular essays are written at different levels, ranging from high school to college.
Topic Selection
Picking a topic for an essay is a whole other ball game when you’re talking about an EE. Most of the time, your teacher will give you the topic for a regular essay, and it’s up to you to develop a well-written response. However, in the IB Extended Essay, you can choose your topic, allowing you to concentrate on something that genuinely excites you. Selecting a solid research question is crucial for the EE process. Unlike a typical essay, the Extended Essay necessitates formulating a unique research question.
Research Requirements
In a typical essay, you’ll typically depend on a few sources, usually given by your teacher or found through primary research. Conversely, the IB Extended Essay demands extensive research, often involving numerous sources, primary data, and critical analysis. In my opinion, this adds extra difficulty and satisfaction to the EE. You’ll learn to assess primary or secondary resources, interpret data, and articulate a unique perspective.
Length and Time Investment
There is a significant disparity in length and the time needed to finish each type of essay. A typical essay can be done within a week or even a day if you feel the time crunch. On the other hand, tackling an Extended Essay requires a significant investment of time. Usually, IB students dedicate much time to their Extended Essay, going through multiple drafts and fine-tuning their arguments. I believe dedicating time to the EE is worthwhile, as it helps develop essential skills in time management and research.
Mentorship and Guidance
Having a supervisor during the EE process sets it apart from a regular essay. You may get some initial guidance from your teacher when writing a regular essay, but for the most part, you’re on your own. Regarding the EE, your supervisor keeps you on the right path. They give you feedback and make sure your research question is doable. From my perspective, this mentorship is incredibly valuable regarding the Extended Essay. It provides a taste of the guidance you can expect in university research projects.
Grading Criteria in Extended Essay vs. Regular Essay
In my experience, grading regular essays is pretty straightforward and doesn’t throw any curveballs. Usually, your teacher will evaluate three key factors: how well you grasp the subject, how clear your argument is, and how organized your essay is.
The main objective of a typical essay is to demonstrate your ability to present ideas logically and back them up with evidence from the materials you have studied. You don’t need to go all out with research or bring in fresh perspectives. Instead, the key is to organize and communicate the information you possess effectively. When grading regular essays, teachers typically consider:
- Thesis clarity. Is your main argument clear and concise?
- Evidence. Do you provide sufficient support for your thesis?
- Organization. Is the essay well-structured, with a logical flow between paragraphs?
On the other hand, the grading criteria for the IB EE are significantly more comprehensive and detailed. In addition to being clear and well-organized, the EE is assessed on various other aspects, demonstrating its complexity and academic rigor.
From my perspective, a crucial distinction lies in your expectation to engage in independent research and showcase your critical thinking abilities. Your grade will depend on more than just your argument. The originality of your research question and the depth of your investigation into the topic are also essential elements.
In contrast to typical essays, the IB Extended Essay also considers your ability to participate in your research and collaborate with your supervisor actively. How you go about things is just as important as the result.
For guidance on writing a strong introduction, check out our tips on crafting your IB extended essay abstract.
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Which Is More Challenging: Extended Essay or Regular Essay?
When comparing the workload, there’s no denying that the Extended Essay is a lot more challenging. Regular essays are typically shorter, require less extensive research, and can often be completed within a shorter time frame. However, tackling the EE requires extensive preparation and research. I believe that the skills you gain from writing your EE, like critical thinking, time management, and independent study, make it a challenge worth taking on.
Both the Extended Essay and regular essays are valuable tools for honing essential academic skills. On the other hand, the EE provides a more profound educational path. By writing the EE, you’ll acquire research skills that will prove invaluable during your college years and in the future. In my experience, students who complete the EE are significantly more prepared for research at the university level.
Ultimately, a solid grasp of the differences between various types of essays is essential for every IB student. Whether you’re working on a typical essay or taking on your Extended Essay with the help of our IB Writing Service, having a clear understanding of the expectations and requirements will significantly facilitate your writing process.
