How to Write an IB History Extended Essay?

You’re in the right place if you want to learn how to write an IB History Extended Essay. I’ve been helping students with the IB program for years, so I know how hard this essay can seem at first.  But this isn’t just another long writing task. Having said that, it takes more than reading a few papers and putting together a case.

This guide will show you how to write an excellent IB History EE. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re just starting out or having a hard time narrowing down your topic. I’ll give you specific, useful advice and share tips that have made all the difference for me.

What Is the IB History Extended Essay?

As part of the IB Diploma Program, you must write a History Extended Essay, a formal research piece of up to 4,000 words. The topic must be in the field of world history, and ideally, it should be about something that happened at least ten years before the essay was written. In real life, this means you’ll have to pick a specific problem, event, policy, or development in history and build a case about it based on research.

One thing that always jumps out to me about working with IB students over the years is how different the History EE feels from other writings. IB rules say that your History EE should have a clear, well-structured case built rationally and backed up by relevant proof. That proof needs to come from various solid sources, such as primary and secondary materials. There also should be a research question that guides the essay, one that can be carefully interpreted and analyzed.

The main thing that makes the IB History Extended Essay unique is its focus on making a case. This isn’t about reviewing facts or sharing the same story over and over again. You should instead look at the reasons, meaning, outcomes, or views of past events. It means asking more in-depth questions, like why something happened the way it did, how different points of view came about, and what bigger effects that had. You must think like a historian, not just a student reviewing what they’ve learned in class.

IB History EE Requirements

Academic rigor and creative thought are required to write an excellent IB History EE. The requirements are picking an interesting topic, researching, and organizing your thoughts rationally. In the essay, you can write about anything from political history to cultural or social changes, but it still has to follow IB standards. Some of these are:

• Following the word count (no more than 4,000 words).
• Using a consistent citation style (Chicago is usually suggested for History)
• Using constant, critical thinking skills.
• Clear use of historical evidence to support each claim.

Also, the tone of your work should be neutral and academic. While being involved in the topic can make the process more interesting, the research must be based on facts, not personal views or feelings.

I think that many students forget this balance and either write too much about the details or talk too much about how the topic is relevant today, which IB examiners usually mark down.

What Makes History Extended Essays Different?

A History Extended Essay differs from other types of writing because it uses the historical method. You’re not judging current events or using personal experiences like you would in a Literature or Global Politics EE. When you work with historical sources and events, you need to put them in their proper historical context. That means no guesses, theories, or “what-if” arguments about the future.

One mistake I see students make is talking about current events or presentism, which means judging past events by today’s moral or political standards. When you do this, the essay’s intellectual quality decreases, and you often lose points. The IB makes this very clear: for the History EE, you should only talk about the critical periods of your topic and not make up new ones.

In addition, your essay should show you how to use primary and secondary sources:

• Official records, addresses, letters, newspapers, and photos from the time of the event are examples of primary sources.
• On the other hand, analyses and interpretations by historians are examples of secondary sources.

Examiners want to see that you can differentiate between these two types and use them correctly. It shows that you’re gathering facts and critically thinking about them.

How to Pick the Right Topic for Your IB History EE?

As you stand at the smorgasbord of five thousand years of human history, it might be challenging to choose a topic.  But it’s a lot less daunting if you prefer something you’re really interested in. That’s not just my view; I’ve seen it repeatedly with high-achieving students.

Good research topics are specific, well-defined, and easy to study.  A more appropriate question is “How much of an impact was the Treaty of Versailles on the ascent of National Socialism in Germany from 1919 to 1933?” rather than “What caused World War II?”

Reducing your scope will improve the quality of your analysis. You should also ensure that you can locate sufficient primary sources and other high-quality sources.

Transform a Topic into a Question

It is necessary to transform a broad topic into a specific research question when you have obtained it. To put it simply, this is your Extended Essay about historical events. Starting with a broad question like “Was the Cold War inevitable?” is a common pitfall for students, in my opinion. It’s really too general. “How much did the choices made at the Yalta Conference influence the early years of the Cold War, from 1945 to 1949?” is a more appropriate question.

Remember that you should ask an analytical question rather than a descriptive one. The question must be open to discussion and different interpretations. It must prompt research and analysis to be scored well on the IB. You should rethink your question if it has a simple yes/no response or no historical context.

Why Is Analysis So Important in a History Extended Essay?

Analysis is critical when writing your IB History EE. We can’t say this enough. You’re not writing a recap for a guidebook or a tale about history. You should instead make a historical case and build it up step by step using proof, logic, and critical thought.

My experience has taught me that analysis makes a good essay great. Students often think they’ve written something critical using numbers or facts. On the other hand, the best History Extended Essays take those facts and explain what they mean. That’s what the examiners want to see.

Focus on Argument, Not Description

For some reason, I see students writing “chronological reports” a lot of the time. Each of these writings follows a schedule and lists events one after the other without adding anything new. This method usually scores poorly because it’s detailed rather than critical, even if the information is correct.

Instead, consider each paragraph as a piece that goes together to make your main point. Ask yourself, “What do I want to show?” After that, don’t just repeat what scholars already know; use your facts to support that idea. To make the link between your sources and your point clear, use words like “therefore,” “as a result,” “in contrast,” and “this suggests.”

When it comes to this, a lot of students fail. Even if they did a lot of research and meant well, their lines don’t argue; they just describe. There should be a clear, logical thread going through your essay. If there isn’t one, your score will go down.

Here is a real-life example:

✅ Analytical. “The Treaty of Versailles was not the only reason the Weimar Republic failed. Political instability and economic instability within the country were more important, as shown by the frequent falls of coalition governments in the 1920s.”

❌ Descriptive. “In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The sanctions imposed on Germany were severe, which was a difficult time for the Weimar Republic.”

Can you tell the difference? The first example makes a point, gives a reason, and suggests a conclusion. The second one just lists facts without providing any direction.

How to Include Historiography?

Achieving a high mark on the History Extended Essay requires active engagement with historiography. For this, you must be aware that historians often have different ideas about explaining the same events.

I understand that this sounds scary at first. But believe me, you don’t need to talk about ten different scholars in each line. You only need to show that your research question fits into a conversation that historians already have.

I’ve found that pointing out one or two views of your topic is the best way to do this. As an example:

“Historian Ian Kershaw says Hitler’s rise to power resulted from a well-thought-out political plan, while Alan Bullock says it was more due to luck and instability in other countries’ governments.”

That one line shows the reviewer that you’ve done your work. You’re not just expressing your own opinion; you’re putting it in the context of research into the past.

IB students frequently ask me, “Do I have to agree with one side?” Not always. You can present different points of view, criticize them, and then use the facts to form your own opinion. That’s more impressive because it shows you can think critically and analyze things fairly.

In the IB History EE, research is your most helpful tool. You will have a better chance of getting good grades if you show that you know a lot about your topic and make a well-thought-out case about it. Always keep your research question in mind and think like a historian when you make your points.

Also, if you need help with your History Extended Essay, feel free to contact us at IBWritingService.com.