When writing the IB Extended Essay, being original is critical for crushing it. As someone around the IB writing scene, I can say that fresh ideas make your essay pop. So, what’s the deal with originality in EE? How can you make sure your essay shows that off?
In this piece, I will explain why originality is super important, how to keep it accurate, and what to watch out for to dodge the usual traps. Let’s start by figuring out what originality in EE is all about.
What Is Originality in the IB Extended Essay?
Originality in EE means how different your ideas, reasons, and way of doing things are from everyone else’s. In my experience, originality doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel or coming up with a new idea that no one has ever thought of before.
Let’s face it: most topics have already been studied a lot. But the beauty of being original is coming at a well-known subject in a new way. These parts of your essay, like how you approach research, analyze available data, or organize and show your results, all add to how original it is.
I believe that a genuinely original Extended Essay changes a well-known topic to show you have thought seriously about the material and not just repeated what has already been said.
For instance, if you’re writing an essay about climate change, you might not want to focus on the big picture or world effects. Instead, examine how climate change affects a certain area or town. You might look at how a small island country is dealing with rising sea levels or how changing weather trends affect how people in a particular place live. It shows that you’re repeating what has been said and adding something new to the conversation.
The ability to generate ideas shows that you can think critically, which IB examiners value. I’ve seen students who do this often get better grades because they’ve demonstrated more depth in their research. When you read your EE with new eyes and ideas, you show that you know much about the subject and can think of new things independently. This part of your essay stands out and strikes the people reading it.
What Is the Importance of IB EE Originality?
Let’s now talk about why being unique is so important. IB standards say that writings that show unique points of view and critical thinking usually get better grades. I believe that being original shows the reviewer that you have learned about the topic, given it a lot of thought, and come up with your ideas.
Originality is essential if you want your essay to stay interesting and, more importantly, stand out from all the others turned in. Every year, IB tutors read a considerable number of Extended Essays. Many of these writings are about the same things, but what makes some of them stand out is the unique way they look at things. A lack of creativity in your essay can make it fit in with the rest, which makes it harder to make an impact on the reviewer.
Original essays not only keep the reader interested, but they also show how much you know about the subject. It shows that you have taken the time to:
- Critically examine current literature — you don’t just restate what other people have said; you add your point of view.
- Find holes in the present studies — point out places that haven’t been thoroughly investigated yet and fill in those holes.
- Come up with new ideas — take a well-known subject and look at it in a new way, generating new ideas that aren’t often discussed.
- Craft your case — use what other people have said to help your case, but make it your own in a way no one else has.
Also, IB extended essay uniqueness isn’t just about developing a new Extended Essay topic. It’s more about how you make your point, what angle you choose to look at it from, and how you frame your case.
Learn how to address the situation when your teacher thinks you plagiarized your Extended Essay.
How to Ensure Originality in Your IB Extended Essay?
Ensuring your IB Extended Essay is original might seem complicated, but it’s completely doable if you take the proper steps. From what I’ve seen, being original doesn’t mean you have to develop something new. It means how you approach your topic, study, and make your case.
I’ve written a step-by-step plan below to help you make your essay more original while still passing the IB’s requirements.
Step 1 – Choose a Unique Research Question
Creating a unique research question is the first and most crucial step toward being original. Instead of writing about something already written about a lot, try to find a new angle or a less well-known part of a famous topic.
Here are some ideas for coming up with your research question:
- Focus on a specific issue or area instead of a big, well-known subject.
- Find holes in the study that you can fill in with more information.
- Reframe familiar problems in a way that is new and different.
- Think about topics that bring together thoughts from different fields.
Think about what you’re most interested in and how you can learn more about it in a way that hasn’t been done before. This part is what your writing will be about after this.
Step 2 – Conduct Independent Research
The next step is to do your study after you’ve chosen your research question. From what I’ve seen, being original often depends on how you gather and make sense of knowledge. You can bring something new to the table if you do your study. Try to use primary sources as much as possible, like polls, conversations, or tests. When you use secondary sources, you should think critically about them and add your analysis.
Step 3 – Critically Analyze and Interpret Your Findings
How you look at and explain your research results makes or breaks the IB Extended Essay’s uniqueness. You need to show that you’ve thought about and researched the material. It’s not enough to just give facts and figures. You need to be able to think critically about this. Think about what the information means regarding your research question and how it connects to your points of view.
To help you figure out what your results mean, ask yourself:
- What patterns or trends do you notice?
- Are there any contradictions in the data?
- How do your findings compare to existing research?
- What new insights can you offer?
You can develop a more original way to understand your research if you answer these questions.
Step 4 – Avoid Over-Reliance on Secondary Sources
It’s easy to rely too much on secondary sources, especially when writing about topics already covered. But from what I’ve seen, relying too much on current literature can make your essay seem dull and repeated. Secondary sources are helpful, but remember to add your thoughts and ideas. It is essential to use them to build your analysis, not as the main point of your essay.
Step 5 – Review and Revise for Originality
Before you wrap up your essay, check it and tweak it to keep it fresh and unique. I think this step gets ignored, but it’s super important. Take a second to peep your essay and ask yourself: Is this vibe fresh? Did I throw something fresh into the conversation? You can also use tools like Turnitin.
Sometimes, you stumble upon ways to level up your creativity when editing. Switching up some parts, rewording your points, or polishing your wrap-up can make your essay stand out.
Common Pitfalls That Can Compromise Originality in EE
Your point of view will be lost if most of your essay comprises quotes or paraphrases from others. To avoid this, I always tell students to limit the number of straight quotes they use in their essays and ensure they add their thoughts or analysis after every source they use.
Another major issue is plagiarism in Extended Essays, even if it’s unintentional. Copying someone else’s ideas or writing without proper citation can seriously harm your essay’s originality — and, more importantly, your academic integrity.
Plagiarism is taken very seriously in the IB program and can result in losing marks or disqualifying. From my perspective, even the best Extended Essays can fall apart if plagiarism is detected, whether intentional or not.
In my experience, if students are in a hurry or don’t know how to cite sources properly, they might accidentally plagiarize. This situation can be avoided by crediting your sources, even if you are just copying. IB requires you to use the correct citation type and check your work twice. Another great way to ensure your extended essay does not plagiarize is using a tool like Turnitin.
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Final Thoughts
Ultimately, being original in your IB Extended Essay is essential for more than just getting a good grade. I believe that coming up with your ideas is a skill that will help you in school and even in your job. Being original lets you learn new things, think critically, and feel like you own your work.
In the end, add something new if you want to do well on your Extended Essay. Originality in EE is the key to success, whether through a unique research question, an original analysis, or a creative way of combining different pieces of information.
Remember that your style matters as you work on your extended essay. Let your voice be known, and if you need help with your Extended Essay, feel free to get in touch with us at IBWritingService.com.
