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The Complete IB Extended Essay Guide: Examples, Topics, and Ideas

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

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Not sure where you want to go to college? Read our guide to finding your target school . Also, determine your target SAT score or target ACT score .

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Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

• Areas of Knowledge
• Human Sciences
• Knowledge and Language
• Knowledge and Technology
• Knowledge and the Knower
• Knowledge Framework
• Knowledge Questions
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Optional Themes
• The Core Theme
• TOK Concepts
• TOK Exhibition

TOK exhibition Sample 1

Alexey Popov February 21, 2021 Assessment , TOK Exhibition

In this post you will find the first one of our TOK exhibition samples: the written commentary itself as well as a video that gives a step-by-step explanation of the full creation process.

TOK exhibition Sample 1 uses the following approach:

• Choose the IA prompt
• Think about one aspect in relation to it
• Find an object supporting it
• Link the object to the prompt
• Depending on how it was linked, choose where to look for the other two objects

The IA prompt that was selected is “Bias is inevitable in the production of knowledge”. The three objects are:

• the Big K (the prototype kilogram)
• Casio FX-83GT PLUS calculator
• Brendan Cole’s article “‘Little Red Riding Hood’ Banned from School over Sexism Concerns” (2019)

Why we are doing this

ThemEd’s TOK textbook for the new syllabus

We at Themantic Education think that the best way to support students in making their TOK exhibition is to demonstrate some specific examples – not only the final product, but the full thinking process that went into it. This way students will understand not only where they need to go, but also how to get there.

For this reason we have created several sample TOK exhibitions each using a slightly diff erent approach to selecting the objects.

Each of our sample exhibitions includes the fully written TOK exhibition commentary and a YouTube video that gives a step-by-step explanation of how the exhibition was created. Together they will help your students understand the process thor oughly.

Don’t forget to check out our other TOK exhibition samples! See Thematic Education’s IB TOK playlist on YouTube

(And buy our textbook , it’s awesome and different from all other textbooks)

EXPLAINER VIDEO: The process of creation

WRITTEN COMMENTARY: Is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge?

I will define bias as a systematic deviation. “Systematic” is what makes bias different from an error or a mistake. If we measure something 100 times, we will get slightly different readings each time – this is random error. However, if all our measurements are systematically slanted in one direction – this is bias.  

If we want to show that bias is inevitable in the production of knowledge, we should find examples of knowledge that, by common sense, is most definitely not biased . Then we should try to find elements of bias in this believed-to-be-unbiased knowledge. If we do succeed in finding such elements, we must agree that bias is inevitable. 

This is the Big K, the prototype kilogram. It is a block of platinum-iridium alloy that has been housed at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in France since 1889. Back then scientists agreed to define a kilogram as the mass equivalent to the mass of this object. All 1 kg weights existing in the world today are copies of copies of copies of copies of this boulder. Scientists have taken great efforts to ensure that the mass of this prototype kilogram does not change. However, despite all precautions, it changed. Since 1889 it has become approximately 50 micrograms lighter – that is the weight of an eyelash (Resnick, 2019).  

This object links to the idea of bias because, since the prototype has become lighter, we are systematically overestimating how much a kilogram is. It is a case of systematic deviation (which, by my definition, is bias). The object also illustrates the idea of inevitability of bias: the Big K has lost some mass due to natural fluctuations of matter, physical laws that are beyond human control. 

This object was included in the exhibition because it demonstrates the idea that even the most precise scientific measurements are done against a standard, but standards themselves may change, and when they do, our new measurements become biased. I tried to find an example of something that is believed to be unbiased, and then I found an element of bias in it.

What are some other examples of knowledge that are typically believed to be free of bias? Mathematical knowledge has this kind of aura around it, especially when it is aided by technology. When we use a calculator, there is no reason to believe that the result of our calculation is biased. So it may seem.

This object links to the concept of bias because it is a case of systematic deviation from the truth. It is only this particular model, and this particular problem, that produces a biased result. This object also exemplifies the idea of inevitability of bias. The reason for this error is that pi is infinite, but the calculator’s memory is not. Therefore there is some truncation involved at some point somewhere. It is inevitable because technology cannot have infinite power.

This object has been included in the exhibition because it shows that even in something as certain as mathematics there could be systematic mistakes (biases). Unless we create technology that is infinitely powerful, we cannot recreate the infinite accuracy that is intrinsic in mathematics. Once again, I found something that is widely believed to be unbiased, and then I found an element of bias in it. 

For my third object I am using Brendan Cole’s online article “‘Little Red Riding Hood’ Banned from School over Sexism Concerns” (2019) – this is a screenshot of the article. 

The context behind this is that creating this exhibition has made me think about my own biases. I might have absorbed some cultural biases at an early age. 

As described in the article, a school in Spain has withdrawn from its library 200 classic children’s books including Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood, after analyzing them and concluding that they were “toxic” in how they depicted sexist stereotypes. For example, in Sleeping Beauty the man who kisses a sleeping woman without her consent is presented as a hero. No wonder some parents have made the choice to not expose their children to tales like that (Cole, 2019). 

This object exemplifies the idea of bias because it shows how gender bias manifests in units of culture. It also conveys the idea of inevitability because we absorb these units of culture at a very young age when our critical thinking abilities are limited, so the biases may gradually become part of our personality on a deep level without us being aware of it. 

This object has been included in the exhibition because it highlights another reason why bias is inevitable. While my first object (the Big K) shows that bias may be created by fluctuations of physical matter that are beyond our control and my second object shows that bias may be a result of ever imperfect technology, the third object highlights the idea that bias may be a result of cultural transmission at a young age. All three factors are very difficult or even impossible to avoid, which does indeed make bias inevitable. 

Word count: 936 words

References:

Cole, B. (2019, November 4). ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ Banned From School Over Sexism Concerns. Newsweek . Retrieved from: https://www.newsweek.com/little-red-riding-hood-banned-school-over-sexism-concerns-1393134  

Parker, M. [Stand-Up Maths]. (2020, July 17). Why do calculators get this wrong? (We don’t know!) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LKy3lrkTRA

Resnick, B. (2019, May 20). The new kilogram just debuted. It’s a massive achievement. Vox . Retrieved from: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/5/17/18627757/kilogram-redefined-world-metrology-day-explained

Alexey Popov is a teacher of IB Psychology and Theory of Knowledge. He is an IB author, examiner and workshop leader. He also authored Oxford IB Psychology books. He currently lives in Hong Kong.

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How To Write A ToK Essay - Updated 2023

Ace your ToK Essay with our expert tips & tricks! Get the latest and greatest techniques on "How To Write A ToK Essay" and impress the IB examiners.📝💡

Table of content

• Introduction

Purpose Of ToK

Assessment of tok, the game plan, execution of the gameplan, planning for tok essay, structure of tok essay, conclusions, bibliography.

Introduce your topic accurately and state your thesis statement for the essay carefully.  A thesis statement is like a teaser to your entire essay wherein you define your key terms and introduce your interpretation of the question. Make sure that you do not reword the prescribed title in your thesis. Instead, it needs to, as the word says, INTRODUCE your readers to what your essay is about. A strong introduction allows the reader to deduce what knowledge question(s) you are trying to answer.

So, in a nutshell

• Write interesting things about the given TOK essay title .
• Define key terms
• Narrow in on the particularly interesting aspect
• State your thesis statement . This will be your short answer to your given title if you don't know how to write a killer thesis statement check out this blog from SparkNotes .
• State your Roadmap. This will help the readers in understanding the direction of your essay.

How to write a TOK Essay? 

To answer that, you must familiarise yourself with what a TOK Essay is about.

Before you start reading this article,  Amanda  has some excellent TOK tips for you!

Theory of Knowledge is one of the most meta subjects that IB offers. Despite its complexity, TOK helps in providing a base for holistic learning and allows students to have a multidisciplinary experience. 

To understand TOK is to understand the essence of IB, a task that most people consider unattainable.

But not for you! 

Thank your lucky stars who made you land on Nail IB. How exactly will Nail IB help you? 

Well, nailing International Baccalaureate is something we will discuss later. 

Let's focus on cracking your TOK essay, shall we?

TOK demonstrates how students  can apply their knowledge  with  greater awareness  and  credibility .

Big words, huh? 

Now that we know that we cannot just slide through the Theory of Knowledge, let's understand how we can conquer this battle all guns blazing.

ToK essay’s primary objective is to answer the  why  behind our studies. 

It makes one aware of the real-life implications of their subjects. The students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions and appreciate the diversity of different perspectives. It helps the students find their unique perception, a prerequisite for excelling in the IB TOK essays.

Before we dive into our gameplan, let’s overview the rules of the game.

There are two assessment tasks in the TOK: an essay and a presentation . While a presentation encourages students to explore a real-life situation through the lens of TOK, an essay is written on the basis of the various questions provided by the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

• The presentation is to assess a student’s ability to apply TOK thinking to a real-life situation whereas IB TOK essay is more conceptual.
• The essay is externally assessed by IB and must be on any one of the prescribed TOK essay titles issued by the IB for each examination session.
• Word limit of a TOK essay is 1600 words ( excludes extended notes, footnotes, bibliography).

Now that we have unleashed the game, let’s move ahead towards the gameplan of acing both, your presentation and your essay.

One of the fundamental tasks of TOK is to examine different areas of knowledge and find out their similarities and differences.

The TOK essay requires the students to investigate two Areas of Knowledge (AOK)  and two Ways of Knowing   (WOK) . AOKs and WOKs are investigated via questions such as:

• How do we know what we know? (WOK)
• What counts as evidence for X? (AOK)
• How do we judge which is the best model of Y? (WOK)
• What does theory Z mean in the real world? (AOK + WOK)

The aforementioned are  Knowledge Questions  which help combine the Areas of Knowledge and the Ways of Knowing that they are using. This eliminates the superficial way of learning and makes an individual sensitive to the nature of the information.   Our acquisition of Knowledge can be broadly divided into Shared Knowledge and Personal Knowledge.

Shared knowledge: What WE know It is the product of more than one individual. Although individuals contribute to it, shared knowledge does not solely depend upon the contributions of a particular individual—there are possibilities for others to check and amend individual contributions and add to the body of knowledge that already exists.

Personal knowledge: What I know It is essentially dependent on the experiences of a particular individual. Also known as procedural knowledge, it is gained through experience, practice and personal involvement and is intimately bound up with the particular local circumstances of the individual such as biography, interests, values, and so on.

The best hack to ace TOK essay is to develop a habit of making connections between the construction of knowledge, its acquisition and its relevance in the real world. 

After that one needs to develop an interest in understanding the difference between diversity and cultural perspectives and personal assumptions.

One also needs to critically reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions, leading to more thoughtful, responsible and purposeful lives.

Yes, this is what you signed up for. It may sound a little intimidating but once you get the hang of it you will be able to see the matrix and understand this beautiful world a little better.

Understand that to provide the best version of your writing, it will take you more than one or two drafts. First and foremost, you need to pick your essay topic diligently. Try to choose an essay topic that best interests you. The topic should also allow you to explore the Areas of Knowledge towards which you are naturally inclined. Here are a few sample questions:

a) 'Ways of knowing are a check on our instinctive judgments.' To what extend do you agree with this statement?

b) With reference to two areas of knowledge discuss the way in which shared knowledge can shape their personal knowledge.

c) How can we know if knowledge is produced more through 'Passive Observation' or 'Active-Experiment' within the Human and Natural-sciences under a Mathematical-Perspective?

d) "The whole point of knowledge is to produce both meaning and purpose in our personal lives". Assess the validity of this statement.

Great things take time. It took me more than a couple of weeks to finalize this TOK essay guide. It is completely okay if the first few drafts may not look pleasing or award-winning to you. You will require sharpening your perspective towards the topic each time you polish your draft. Your writing journey from a dull draft to a masterpiece will be a whole process that you will have to be patient with. Have faith in yourself and proceed stepwise.

You need to consider the opinions of others who have devoted hours of research and a lifetime of dedicated studying the topic that surrounds your writing. Unravelling the realms of your mind palace is so Sherlock but let’s not deny the fact that at times, Watson is the one whose expertise helps Sherlock through pretty difficult times. I mean even Batman needs a Robin. In support of my awesome sauce examples, the point I am trying to make is that  finding support for our claims and counterclaims through research is a good thing .

Use real-life examples to support your claims and counterclaims. These examples need to be documented researched examples like studies, experiments, articles, presentations by well-known people, etc. Examples that stem from your diploma subjects are highly encouraged, but those will need to be supported by research as well.   

It is suggested that you choose a title, stick to it, tackle it and not be afraid. Do not change your mind unless there is a good reason. Also, try choosing Areas of knowledge that you truly enjoy. You know slaying a known devil is much easier than an unknown one. Allot a TIMELINE to your essay. Start with creating an outline of your essay. This will help you to track your progress and accomplish your goals

You can use tools like  Trello  to organize your ideas and plan your TOK essay.

Areas of Knowledge (AOKs): TOK distinguishes between eight areas of knowledge. They are mathematics, the natural sciences, the human sciences, the arts, history, ethics, religious knowledge systems, and indigenous knowledge systems. It is suggested that students study and explore six of these eight.

Ways of knowing (WOKs): TOK identifies eight specific WOKs- language, sense perception, emotion, reason, imagination, faith, intuition, and memory. It is suggested that studying four of these eight in-depth would be appropriate. WOKs underlie the methodology of the areas of knowledge and provide a basis for personal knowledge.

Moving ahead, let us discuss the structure of your TOK essay.

Your essay will consist of 4 broad segregations

Before breaking down further on the pillars, keep the following in mind

• Please note what the TOK essay title is asking you. (Read it a couple of times. We highly recommend that you brainstorm ideas with your TOK coordinator)
• Make sure you understand the command term and the question it is asking.
• What kind of knowledge is being elicited?
• When choosing your areas of knowledge (AoK) and ways of knowing (WoK) make sure that you are able to draw contrasts and comparisons, that is, you are able to find evidence that supports as well as challenges your claims.
• Identify key terms in your TOK essay title. Make sure you define them. Your essay will gravitate around them. Key terms/words in your titles are your essay anchors. Your response should be built around them.
• Your writing skills come in handy while you work on your IB TOK essay. Like any other essay make sure you have proper thesis statements and topic sentences to guide the evaluator through your work.
• Respect the TOK essay title. Rephrasing the topic is not encouraged . Your main job is to address the title.

The body can be mainly divided into 3 segments.

Body (1st Segment)

• AoK Claim:  Here you investigate your first Area of Knowledge and draw parallels between your AoK and the question. This is done by stating your claim. Claims can be general in nature and need not reference a particular area of knowledge. They help you shape your essay and investigate the question further. 
• Evidence: Example of a real-life situation, describe thoroughly and accurately, which supports your stated claim. (AoK)
• Counter-Claim: State your counter-claim: like claims, those can be general and need not reference a particular area of knowledge. Counterclaim helps you show the other side the coin and gives your essay a holistic nature. 
• Evidence: A referenced real-life situation/example. Describe thoroughly and accurately, show how this supports your counterclaim (AoK ).
• Don’t forget to weave in your WoKs:  You need to take into account the source of your knowledge. Here you can also investigate if your nature of acquiring the knowledge has, in any way, affected it. It is good practice to question if your knowledge would be different had it been acquired through a different source/method
• Mini-conclusion: Here you analyze your examples in reference to your claims and counterclaims. You must connect to your thesis statement and the prescribed title. How does your proposed argument, in this particular part of the body, connect to the prescribed title and the knowledge questions you are trying to answer?

Body (2): Follow the above process for your second AOK.

• Use this part of your essay to compare and contrast your varying AoKs. You need to connect them to your thesis and your prescribed title clearly showing how your arguments respond to the PT.

Your conclusion section will make your essay come together. It is the glue that will make your essay stick together. Herein, you need to

• Reiterate your thesis (initial response).
• Use your mini conclusions to write a final conclusion.
• Tell the reader what the significance is for knowing what we know in this particular PT.
• Discuss implications as well.
• Offer another perspective, how will the perspective of a different person affect the claims/counterclaims you make in the essay?
• Don’t forget to make the end strong.

We recommend all the ib students use the  citation machine  (It's FREE) to organize or generate a bibliography for your TOK essay. Please go through this extensive guide provided by the IB before you start working on your citations.

If you are still struggling heaps with your TOK essay feel free to subscribe to our tok notes bundles or get access to more than 500+ IBDP notes and past papers here .

Nail IB is your virtual companion that helps you hustle through your diploma and provide you with the right resources at the right time. To know more about acing IB, click  here .

I hope this article will become the foundation for figuring out how to write a TOK Essay.

Remember to have faith in yourself.

I hope you NAIL your TOK essay!

Quoting the great Napolean Hill

"Whatever the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

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Unpacking the 2024 November TOK Titles: A Comprehensive IB Solved Guide

The November 2024 IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Essay Titles are out!

Let's be honest – tackling the TOK essay can be a daunting task. With so many ideas, concepts and topics at our disposal and a myriad of ideas swirling around, it's easy to feel overwhelmed at the outset.

That's where we come in.

In this article, we'll delve into each title and offer some strategic advice on how to approach them.

General Tips to Unpacking a Title

When we first encounter a prompt, we want to think in terms of perspectives and counter-perspectives (formerly known as claims and counterclaims). This framework allows for a structured essay, exploring the title through the lens of two chosen Areas of Knowledge (AOKs) and weaving in different arguments. While the ultimate conclusion you draw may often reside somewhere between these extremes or on a conditional basis (e.g. perspective 1 is correct in certain circumstances, while perspective 2 is a better approach in other), starting with opposing arguments can facilitate the development of a more nuanced exploration and argument.

So let's get to it – here is everything you need to know about the November 2024 TOK Essay titles:

Title 1:  Does our responsibility to acquire knowledge vary according to the area of knowledge? Discuss with reference to history and one other area of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: History (Mandatory) and Natural Sciences/The Arts/Human Sciences

This title prompts an assessment of whether we have different levels of responsibility to acquire knowledge across different AOKs. While you are open to argue against the title directly, suggesting that the responsibility is the same across AOKs, this would be unwise. It would be better to reflect on each AOK and perhaps present one perspective in support of the responsibility and one perspective against it, drawing a conclusion on which argument is stronger in each AOK.

Also consider the difference between the acquisition and production of knowledge – perhaps we have a broader responsibility to produce new knowledge in some areas of knowledge but not necessarily to acquire it as individual knowers.

Some perspectives you may consider:

Perspective: We have a responsibility to acquire knowledge to ensure that we construct an accurate record of the past. It is our responsibility to know our History and learn from the past.

Counter-Perspective: Historical knowledge is limited by subjectivity and collective memory, hence it is not essential to acquire knowledge of our past to build a successful future.

Perspective: We have a responsibility to acquire artistic knowledge to understand cultures and societies.

Counter-Perspective: The acquisition of knowledge in the Arts is for aesthetic purposes and enjoyment, not the fulfilment of a responsibility.

Natural Sciences/Human Sciences

Perspective: We have a responsibility to acquire new scientific knowledge for the continual development of mankind.

Counter-Perspective: Understanding how the world/humans work is not necessary knowledge for knowers to acquire.

Title 2:  In the production of knowledge, is ingenuity always needed but never enough? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: Mathematics (Mandatory) and Natural Sciences/The Arts/Human Sciences

This is a super interesting title – ensure you define 'ingenuity' from the outset. The essay almost structures itself – your first paragraph in each AOK can consider how/whether ingenuity is 'always needed', exploring how this plays out in each AOK, while the second paragraph can explore whether or not it is 'never enough'.

Some ideas you may consider:

Paradigm Shifts – To revolutionise an AOK, often ingenuity is needed to enact a paradigm shift (a new way of thinking which changes the entire knowledge structure of an AOK) and to ensure progress.

Creativity – Creative thinking is important not only for AOKs such as the Arts, but even in Mathematics and the Sciences. Discovering innovative ways of devising experiments or utilising clever analogies to explain incredibly complex concepts is integral to these AOKs.

Structure – Ingenuity is only valuable within a framework for knowledge production, whether this be an artistic process or the scientific method.

Title 3:  How might it benefit an area of knowledge to sever ties with its past? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: History, Natural Sciences, The Arts and Human Sciences

The 'How' of this title restricts the scope to discussing different 'benefits' rather than a standard 'perspective-counter' analysis. It will also be important to define exactly what 'severing ties' involves – does this mean completely ignoring all past knowledge or simply becoming less attached to existing ways of thinking?

Some ideas for this title:

Fresh Ideas and Paradigm Shifts – By severing ties, you open up the possibility of acquiring knowledge which can overhaul an entire AOK, drastically accelerating progress.

Bias – By severing past ties, knowers can free themselves of the biases of their predecessors.

Innovation – Since existing frameworks of thinking often lead to similar conclusions, you can expand the possibilities of new knowledge by severing past ties.

However, you may interestingly conclude that these benefits are only reaped when ties to the past are severed to an extent, as it may be detrimental to an AOK to entirely negate past knowledge.

Title 4:  To what extent do you agree that there is no significant difference between hypothesis and speculation? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: Human Sciences and History/Natural Sciences

This prompt is very focused on your definitions. I would suggest defining these terms distinctly and precisely from the outset. The primary question which this title is asking is whether hypotheses are mere "speculation" or "guesses", or if there is a significant difference.

Also, if selecting the Human and Natural Sciences, please ensure that your perspectives aren't repetitious and highlight the differences between these AOKs.

Development – Speculation and hypothesis differ in the fact that the development of a hypothesis generally requires significant prior research and an understanding of existing knowledge

Experimentation – Hypotheses are developed purposefully and then empirical experimentation are conducted to provide evidence either in support or against them

Emotion – Speculation tends to come from 'feelings' or 'impressions', whereas the development of a hypothesis is far more methodical

Title 5:  In the production of knowledge, are we too quick to dismiss anomalies? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: Human Sciences/History/Natural Sciences

This title allows you to reflect on whether or not we dismiss 'anomalies' (a key term to be defined) too quickly when producing knowledge.

Paradigm Shift – Anomalies are often the prompt for a paradigm shift in the sciences, causing us to challenge existing beliefs and ideas

Exceptions – Often rather than investigating anomalies further and considering an overhaul of existing knowledge, anomalies are dismissed as 'exceptions' to the rule, rather than a justification to question the rule itself

Generalisation – There is often a focus on generating 'general' rules and theories which can lead anomalies to be dismissed (think of the Human Sciences – how often do we produce a rule about human behaviour but ignore those who behave contrary to the rule)

Title 6:  In the pursuit of knowledge, what is gained by the artist adopting the lens of the scientist and the scientist adopting the lens of the artist? Discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences.

Recommended AOKs: The Arts and the Natural Sciences

This title requires you to define the 'lens' of each of these AOKs from the outset. It will be better to define them quite opposingly – the scientist is more methodical, experimental and structured, whilst the artist is more free-flowing and creative. You will then be able to take these attributes and argue which elements would be better across the two disciplines.

Creativity – Scientists can benefit from the creativity of artists when developing innovative ways of experimenting, presenting results and constructing abstract theories

Structure – Artists can often benefit from a methodical approach to constructing art, particularly when aiming to convey a specific message or purpose through their art

Flexibility – Artists are often quite flexible when constructing an artwork, always willing to change and adapt to their free-flowing thoughts, an attribute which is highly beneficial for scientists who at times may become rigid in their thinking and fixed to pre-existing scientific beliefs.

And that's it - our comprehensive guide to the 2024 November TOK Titles! If you're still racking your brain as to how to begin the writing process for your TOK essay, why not check out our post on The Complete IB TOK Essay Guide . Or check out one of our Grade A Exemplar TOK Essays ! Or better yet, if you are looking for some more personal assistance with your IB TOK Essay, click below to reach out to us and we can work with you through the entire writing process, from title selection to the best structure for success!

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TOK ESSAY TITLE MAY 2023

Tok essay title 6, to what extent is the knowledge we produce determined by the methodologies we use discuss with reference to history and one other area of knowledge..

Title 6 of the May 2023 TOK essay prompt draws attention to the methods and tools used in the TOK knowledge framework.

The essay explores the extent to which the observations collected and evaluated through the use of methodologies impact the nature of newly produced knowledge. The focus lies on examining the influence of different methodologies on the contestability and accuracy of the knowledge produced.

In the field of history, primary sources may provide evidence for interpreting the past, raising questions about the reliability and biases associated with different historical methodologies.

Similarly, in the natural sciences, it is intriguing to investigate the nature of knowledge produced through empirical approaches, considering the role of experimentation, data collection, and analysis.

To excel in the May 2023 TOK essay and achieve a perfect score, it is advisable to start early and seek guidance from TOK experts throughout the essay writing process.

Economics Extended Essay Topic Ideas for IB Students

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The International Baccalaureate Extended Essay in Economics can cover a wide range of topics. However, the choice of topic must enable the student to apply a range of economic theories and concepts to address a research question. 

This will be a long read, but everyone will likely find a good idea of the topic and research question for their Economics extended essay.

Extended essay in Economics topic categories

The IB Economics EE is expected to demonstrate a good understanding of the subject and the application of economic theory to real-world situations .

Btw…if you need assistance, you can always count on our extended essay writing service at Writing Metier. We will help you with your Economics extended essay.

Here are 12 potential categories for IB Economics Extended Essay topics:

• Market Structures (e.g., Monopolies, Oligopolies)
• Market Failure (e.g., Externalities, Public Goods)
• Elasticity (e.g., Price Elasticity of Demand/Supply)
• Economic Cycles (e.g., Business Cycles, Economic Growth)
• Fiscal Policy (e.g., Government Spending, Taxation)
• Monetary Policy (e.g., Interest Rates, Money Supply)
• Trade Policies (e.g., Tariffs, Trade Agreements)
• Exchange Rates (e.g., Currency Fluctuations, Foreign Exchange Markets)
• Balance of Payments (e.g., Current Account, Capital Account)
• Measures of Development (e.g., GDP, HDI)
• Poverty and Inequality (e.g., Income Distribution, Poverty Alleviation Strategies)
• Sustainable Development (e.g., Environmental Sustainability, Social Sustainability)
• Consumer Behavior (e.g., Bounded Rationality, Heuristics)
• Nudge Theory (e.g., Choice Architecture, Incentives)
• Market Behavior (e.g., Bubbles, Herd Behavior)
• Wage Determination (e.g., Minimum Wage, Bargaining)
• Labor Markets (e.g., Unemployment, Labor Mobility)
• Human Capital (e.g., Education, Training)
• Resource Management (e.g., Renewable Resources, Conservation)
• Environmental Policies (e.g., Carbon Tax, Emissions Trading)
• Cost-Benefit Analysis (e.g., Environmental Impact Assessments)
• Healthcare Systems (e.g., Insurance, Public vs. Private Provision)
• Health Outcomes (e.g., Life Expectancy, Quality of Life)
• Health Policies (e.g., Regulation, Subsidies)
• Government Expenditure (e.g., Public Goods, Welfare)
• Taxation (e.g., Progressive vs. Regressive Taxes)
• Fiscal Federalism (e.g., Central vs. Local Government Finance)
• Firm Behavior (e.g., Mergers, Acquisitions)
• Market Regulation (e.g., Antitrust Laws, Competition Policy)
• Innovation and Technology (e.g., R&D, Patents)
• Financial Markets (e.g., Stock Markets, Bond Markets)
• Financial Instruments (e.g., Derivatives, Futures)
• Financial Regulation (e.g., Banking Regulation, Financial Crises)
• Economic Thought (e.g., Classical, Keynesian)
• Economic History (e.g., Historical Economic Development, Historical Crises)
• Methodological Issues (e.g., Econometrics, Qualitative vs. Quantitative Analysis)

Each of these categories can be further refined into specific research questions suitable for an extended essay . Below, I’ll be providing some ideas for your ease.

The choice of topic should be such that it allows for a systematic investigation that can be effectively analyzed using economic theories and data. 

It’s also essential to ensure that the topic is narrow enough to be addressed within the word limit and broad enough to allow for an in-depth analysis.

Economics IB EE Topic Ideas and Research Questions

Starting with Microeconomics, we’re zooming in on the nitty-gritty of individual markets and how they tick. 

Microeconomics Topics and Research Questions

We’ve got our classic battles of market structures—monopolies holding the fort, oligopolies playing chess with each other, and perfect competition being the ideal we rarely meet.

Then there’s the whole drama of market failure, where things get messy with externalities and public goods, and no one’s quite sure who should clean up the mess. 

And elasticity? It’s like the pulse check of the market, seeing how it reacts to price changes. It’s all about the small scale, the details, the fine print.

Market Structures

Topic:  The impact of local monopolies on consumer choice in rural areas.

Research Question:  How do local monopolies in rural areas affect consumer choices and prices?

Topic:  The competitive strategies of oligopolies in the smartphone industry.

Research Question:  What competitive strategies do oligopolies in the smartphone industry use to maintain market share?

Topic:  The prevalence of monopolistic competition in the fast-food industry.

Research Question:  How does monopolistic competition influence product variety in the fast-food industry?

Market Failure

Topic:  The role of government in addressing negative externalities in urban transport.

Research Question:  How effective are government interventions in reducing traffic congestion as a negative externality in urban areas?

Topic:  The effectiveness of public goods provision in rural education.

Research Question:  How does the provision of education as a public good affect educational outcomes in rural areas?

Topic:  The impact of plastic bag taxes on environmental externalities.

Research Question:  Have plastic bag taxes significantly reduced the environmental externalities associated with plastic waste?

Topic:  Price elasticity of demand for organic produce in urban markets.

Research Question:  How does the price elasticity of demand for organic produce affect consumer purchasing patterns in urban markets?

Topic:  Cross-price elasticity between electric cars and fossil fuel vehicles.

Research Question:  What is the cross-price elasticity of demand between electric cars and fossil fuel vehicles, and what does it imply for future sales?

Topic:  The elasticity of supply in the housing market during economic booms.

Research Question:  How does the elasticity of supply in the housing market respond to economic booms?

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Macroeconomics Topics and Research Questions

But then we step back and look at the big picture with Macroeconomics. Here we’re talking about the economy’s heartbeat—those business cycles that keep us on our toes, wondering if we’re heading for a boom or bracing for a bust. 

Governments step in with their fiscal policies, wielding taxes and spending like surgeons trying to fix the economy without making it bleed out. 

And let’s not forget the central banks, playing with interest rates and money supply like some high-stakes game of poker.

Economic Cycles

Topic:  The impact of economic cycles on unemployment rates in industrial sectors.

Research Question:  How do different phases of economic cycles affect unemployment rates in the manufacturing sector?

Topic:  The correlation between economic growth and income inequality.

Research Question:  Is there a significant correlation between economic growth and the level of income inequality in developed countries?

Topic:  The role of technological innovation in driving economic cycles.

Research Question:  To what extent does technological innovation influence the length and magnitude of economic cycles?

Fiscal Policy

Topic:  The effectiveness of fiscal stimulus in recession recovery.

Research Question:  How effective are fiscal stimulus packages in accelerating recovery from recessions?

Topic:  The impact of taxation on small businesses and economic growth.

Research Question:  What is the impact of changes in small business taxation on economic growth?

Topic:  Government spending priorities and their impact on long-term economic growth.

Research Question:  How do government spending priorities influence long-term economic growth?

Monetary Policy

Topic:  The effects of interest rate changes on consumer spending.

Research Question:  How do changes in the central bank’s interest rate affect consumer spending patterns?

Topic:  The relationship between money supply growth and inflation.

Research Question:  What is the relationship between the growth of money supply and the rate of inflation in emerging economies?

Topic:  Central bank policies and their impact on currency exchange rates.

Research Question:  How do central bank policies in developed countries affect their currency exchange rates?

Each of these topics and research questions can be tailored to fit the specific requirements of an IB Economics Extended Essay , including the availability of data, the scope of the research, and the word count limitations. 

It’s important to conduct preliminary research to ensure that there is enough material to support the investigation.

Next stop, International Economics. This is where countries shake hands or sometimes wrestle over trade policies. 

International Economics Topics and Research Questions

Tariffs, trade agreements, and who gets the better deal—it’s like a global marketplace where everyone’s trying to haggle their way to prosperity. 

Exchange rates bounce around like ping pong balls, and the balance of payments tells us who’s spending too much on their credit card and who’s got money in the bank.

Trade Policies

Topic:  The impact of trade tariffs on the domestic automobile industry.

Research Question:  How have recent changes in trade tariffs affected the competitiveness of the domestic automobile industry?

Topic:  The effectiveness of free trade agreements in promoting economic growth.

Research Question:  What has been the impact of free trade agreements on the economic growth of member countries?

Topic:  The role of trade policies in protecting local agriculture.

Research Question:  How do trade policies affect the sustainability and profitability of local agricultural sectors?

Exchange Rates

Topic:  The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on the tourism industry.

Research Question:  How do exchange rate fluctuations impact the number of international tourists and tourism revenue?

Topic:  Currency wars and their impact on global trade.

Research Question:  What are the consequences of competitive devaluations, often referred to as ‘currency wars’, on global trade dynamics?

Topic:  The relationship between commodity prices and currency strength in exporting countries.

Research Question:  How do fluctuations in commodity prices affect the exchange rate of commodity-exporting countries?

Balance of Payments

Topic:  The impact of remittances on the balance of payments in developing countries.

Research Question:  What role do remittances play in the balance of payments of developing countries?

Topic:  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and its effect on the current account balance.

Research Question:  How does FDI influence the current account balance of emerging economies?

Topic:  The effects of tourism on the balance of payments in small island economies.

Research Question:  What is the significance of tourism revenue in the balance of payments of small island economies?

Then we get into the meaty issues with Development Economics. 

Development Economics Topics and Research Questions

It’s all about asking, “Are we getting better?” We measure development with things like GDP and the Human Development Index, but they don’t always tell the full story. 

We’re also tackling the tough stuff like poverty, inequality, and whether we can keep growing without trashing the planet. It’s about making sure progress today doesn’t rob tomorrow.

Measures of Development

Topic:  The correlation between GDP growth and improvements in Human Development Index (HDI) scores.

Research Question:  Does GDP growth have a significant correlation with improvements in HDI scores?

Topic:  The effectiveness of Gross National Happiness (GNH) as an alternative development measure.

Research Question:  How does GNH compare to GDP as a measure of development, and what are its implications for policy-making?

Topic:  The impact of technological advancement on economic development indicators.

Research Question:  What is the impact of rapid technological advancement on traditional economic development indicators?

Poverty and Inequality

Topic:  The effectiveness of microfinance in reducing poverty in rural areas.

Research Question:  To what extent has microfinance contributed to poverty reduction in rural communities?

Topic:  Income inequality and educational outcomes in urban environments.

Research Question:  How does income inequality within urban areas affect educational outcomes?

Topic:  The role of gender inequality in economic development.

Research Question:  What is the impact of gender inequality on economic development in developing countries?

Sustainable Development

Topic:  The economic impacts of transitioning to sustainable energy sources.

Research Question:  What are the short-term and long-term economic impacts of transitioning to sustainable energy?

Topic:  The role of sustainable agriculture in promoting food security.

Research Question:  How does sustainable agriculture contribute to food security and economic development?

Topic:  The cost-benefit analysis of environmental conservation measures.

Research Question:  What are the economic benefits and costs associated with environmental conservation measures?

Behavioral Economics Topics and Research Questions

Now, let’s talk about what makes people tick with Behavioral Economics. This is where we realize that humans aren’t always the rational robots some theories make us out to be. 

We’ve got our quirks—bounded rationality, heuristics, and sometimes we follow the herd off a cliff in a market bubble. It’s fascinating because it’s about the psychology behind the economics.

Consumer Behavior

Topic:  The influence of social media on consumer purchasing decisions.

Research Question:  To what extent does social media influence consumer behavior in the fashion industry?

Topic:  The impact of brand loyalty on price elasticity.

Research Question:  How does brand loyalty affect the price elasticity of demand for consumer electronics?

Topic:  Behavioral factors influencing impulsive buying behavior.

Research Question:  What behavioral factors are most significant in influencing impulsive buying behavior in online retail?

Nudge Theory

Topic:  The effectiveness of nudges in promoting healthy eating habits.

Research Question:  How effective are nudging strategies in changing consumer eating habits in school cafeterias?

Topic:  The role of default choices in retirement savings plans.

Research Question:  What is the impact of default options on the participation rates in employer-sponsored retirement savings plans?

Topic:  The use of framing effects in environmental policy compliance.

Research Question:  How do framing effects influence compliance with environmental policies among households?

Market Behavior

Topic:  The impact of investor sentiment on stock market bubbles.

Research Question:  To what extent does investor sentiment contribute to the formation and bursting of stock market bubbles?

Topic:  Herd behavior and its influence on cryptocurrency markets.

Research Question:  How does herd behavior manifest in the trading patterns of cryptocurrency markets?

Topic:  The role of overconfidence in financial market trading.

Research Question:  What is the role of overconfidence bias in the decision-making processes of individual investors in financial markets?

Each of these topics and research questions should be carefully considered and refined to ensure that they are feasible for an extended essay , with a clear focus and available data for analysis.

Labor Economics Topics and Research Questions

Shifting gears to Labor Economics, we’re in the world of work. Wages aren’t just about money; they’re about bargaining power, fairness, and sometimes just sticking to the minimum. 

The labor market’s a tough crowd, with unemployment and the quest for the right job in the right place. 

And human capital reminds us that it’s not just about filling positions but nurturing talent through education and training.

Wage Determination

Topic:  The impact of minimum wage increases on small business employment levels.

Research Question:  What is the effect of minimum wage increases on employment levels in the small business sector?

Topic:  Wage bargaining and gender pay disparity in the technology sector.

Research Question:  How does wage bargaining contribute to the gender pay gap in the technology industry?

Topic:  The influence of trade unions on wage determination in the automotive industry.

Research Question:  What role do trade unions play in shaping wage determination in the automotive industry?

Labor Markets

Topic:  The effects of automation on unemployment rates in manufacturing.

Research Question:  How has the increase in automation impacted unemployment rates in the manufacturing sector?

Topic:  Labor market flexibility and its impact on economic resilience during recessions.

Research Question:  How does labor market flexibility affect a country’s economic resilience to recessions?

Topic:  The role of labor mobility in regional economic development.

Research Question:  What is the impact of labor mobility on economic development in economically depressed regions?

Human Capital

Topic:  The return on investment in higher education for various fields of study.

Research Question:  What is the comparative return on investment in higher education across different fields of study?

Topic:  The impact of vocational training programs on employability in the service sector.

Research Question:  How do vocational training programs affect employability and income levels in the service sector?

Topic:  The correlation between educational attainment and labor productivity.

Research Question:  How does the level of educational attainment correlate with labor productivity in the tech industry?

Breathing in some fresh air, we move to Environmental Economics. 

Environmental Economics Topics and Research Questions

Here’s where we figure out how to play nice with nature. Managing resources, setting up environmental policies like carbon taxes, and doing the math to see if the benefits of saving a forest are worth the cost. 

It’s economics going green.

Resource Management

Topic:  The economic viability of renewable energy sources in rural communities.

Research Question:  What are the economic challenges and benefits of adopting renewable energy sources in rural communities?

Topic:  The impact of water resource management on agricultural productivity.

Research Question:  How does effective water resource management influence agricultural productivity and economic sustainability?

Topic:  The effects of conservation policies on the forestry industry.

Research Question:  What economic impact do conservation policies have on the forestry industry?

Environmental Policies

Topic:  The effectiveness of carbon taxes in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Research Question:  How effective have carbon taxes been in achieving their intended reductions in greenhouse gas emissions?

Topic:  The economic impacts of emissions trading schemes on heavy industries.

Research Question:  What are the economic consequences of emissions trading schemes for heavy industries?

Topic:  The role of environmental regulations in shaping the automotive industry.

Research Question:  How have environmental regulations influenced innovation and economic outcomes in the automotive industry?

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Topic:  The cost-benefit analysis of urban green space preservation.

Research Question:  What are the economic costs and benefits of preserving urban green spaces?

Topic:  The economic evaluation of flood defense systems in coastal cities.

Research Question:  From an economic perspective, how do the costs and benefits of flood defense systems in coastal cities compare?

Topic:  The financial implications of biodiversity conservation programs.

Research Question:  What are the economic trade-offs associated with biodiversity conservation programs?

Health Economics Topics and Research Questions

Health Economics brings us to the crossroads of wealth and well-being. Healthcare systems are complex beasts, and we’re trying to tame them so that they can heal without causing financial heartache. 

We’re measuring health outcomes and life quality, all while navigating through the maze of health policies.

Healthcare Systems

Topic:  The economic effects of public versus private healthcare provision on quality of care.

Research Question:  How does the mode of healthcare provision (public vs. private) affect the quality of care and economic efficiency?

Topic:  The impact of insurance coverage on healthcare utilization rates.

Research Question:  How does the level of insurance coverage influence healthcare utilization rates among different socioeconomic groups?

Topic:  The cost-effectiveness of universal healthcare systems.

Research Question:  From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, how do universal healthcare systems compare to multi-payer systems?

Health Outcomes

Topic:  The economic burden of chronic diseases on healthcare systems.

Research Question:  What is the economic impact of the rising prevalence of chronic diseases on healthcare systems?

Topic:  The relationship between socioeconomic status and health outcomes.

Research Question:  How does socioeconomic status affect health outcomes across different regions?

Topic:  The impact of mental health services on workplace productivity.

Research Question:  What is the economic impact of providing mental health services on workplace productivity?

Health Policies

Topic:  The economic implications of pharmaceutical regulation on drug prices.

Research Question:  How do pharmaceutical regulations affect drug prices and the availability of new medications?

Topic:  The cost-benefit analysis of preventive healthcare measures.

Research Question:  What are the long-term economic benefits of investing in preventive healthcare measures?

Topic:  The effects of subsidies on the consumption of health-related goods.

Research Question:  How do subsidies for health-related goods (e.g., gym memberships, healthy foods) affect consumption patterns and health outcomes?

Public Sector Economics Topics and Research Questions

Public Sector Economics is where we see how the government tries to steer the ship. They’re spending on public goods and welfare, trying to keep the economy afloat without springing too many leaks. 

Taxation is a hot topic—progressive, regressive, who’s paying their way, and who’s getting a free ride? And with fiscal federalism, it’s a tug-of-war between local needs and central control.

Government Expenditure

Topic:  The impact of government spending on public goods on economic growth.

Research Question:  How does government expenditure on public goods such as infrastructure contribute to economic growth?

Topic:  The effectiveness of welfare programs in reducing poverty.

Research Question:  What has been the impact of welfare programs on poverty levels in developed countries?

Topic:  The economic consequences of military spending.

Research Question:  How does military expenditure affect the allocation of government resources and economic growth?

Topic:  The economic effects of progressive taxation on income distribution.

Research Question:  Does progressive taxation lead to a more equitable distribution of income?

Topic:  The impact of value-added tax (VAT) on consumer spending.

Research Question:  How does the implementation of VAT affect consumer spending patterns?

Topic:  The role of tax incentives in promoting renewable energy investments.

Research Question:  How effective are tax incentives in encouraging investment in renewable energy projects?

Fiscal Federalism

Topic:  The challenges of fiscal coordination between central and local governments.

Research Question:  What are the main challenges in achieving fiscal coordination between different levels of government?

Topic:  The impact of fiscal decentralization on local economic development.

Research Question:  How does fiscal decentralization affect economic development at the local level?

Topic:  The role of intergovernmental transfers in balancing regional disparities.

Research Question:  How do intergovernmental transfers help to address regional economic disparities?

Industrial Organization Topics and Research Questions

We’re watching firms and their power moves—mergers, acquisitions, and the regulatory hoops they have to jump through. 

It’s about keeping the market fair and innovative, making sure the big fish don’t eat all the little ones and that new ideas get a chance to grow.

Firm Behavior

Topic:  The economic rationale behind mergers and acquisitions in the tech industry.

Research Question:  What economic factors drive mergers and acquisitions in the technology sector?

Topic:  The impact of corporate governance on firm performance.

Research Question:  How does the quality of corporate governance affect firm performance and economic outcomes?

Topic:  The effects of vertical integration on market competition.

Research Question:  Does vertical integration by large firms lead to less competition in the market?

Market Regulation

Topic:  The effectiveness of antitrust laws in promoting fair competition.

Research Question:  How effective are antitrust laws in maintaining competitive markets?

Topic:  The economic impacts of deregulation in the airline industry.

Research Question:  What have been the economic outcomes of deregulation in the airline industry?

Topic:  The role of competition policy in fostering innovation.

Research Question:  How does competition policy influence the rate and direction of innovation in high-tech industries?

Innovation and Technology

Topic:  The relationship between R&D investment and economic performance in pharmaceuticals.

Research Question:  How does R&D investment correlate with economic performance in the pharmaceutical industry?

Topic:  The economic implications of patent laws on innovation.

Research Question:  What is the impact of patent laws on the rate of innovation in renewable energy technologies?

Topic:  The role of government subsidies in technological advancement.

Research Question:  How do government subsidies affect technological advancement in emerging industries?

Financial Economics Topics and Research Questions

Financial Economics is where the money’s at—literally. Stock markets, bond markets, the exotic world of derivatives—it’s all about the flow of money. 

And with financial regulation, we’re trying to keep the party responsible so that the financial hangover doesn’t hit too hard.

Financial Markets

Topic:  The impact of stock market volatility on economic decision-making.

Research Question:  How does stock market volatility influence corporate investment decisions?

Topic:  The role of bond markets in public debt management.

Research Question:  What role do bond markets play in the management of public debt?

Topic:  The effects of quantitative easing on financial markets.

Research Question:  How has quantitative easing affected financial markets post-2008 financial crisis?

Financial Instruments

Topic:  The use of derivatives in risk management by corporations.

Research Question:  How do corporations use derivatives to manage financial risk?

Topic:  The impact of futures trading on commodity price stability.

Research Question:  Does futures trading contribute to the stability of commodity prices?

Topic:  The role of cryptocurrency in the financial portfolio diversification.

Research Question:  How do cryptocurrencies affect the diversification of financial portfolios?

Financial Regulation

Topic:  The effectiveness of banking regulation in preventing financial crises.

Research Question:  How effective have banking regulations been in preventing another financial crisis?

Topic:  The economic effects of capital adequacy requirements on banks.

Research Question:  What are the economic effects of increased capital adequacy requirements for banks?

Topic:  The impact of international financial reporting standards on market transparency.

Research Question:  How do international financial reporting standards improve market transparency and economic outcomes?

Economic Methodology and History Topics and Research Questions

Lastly, we’ve got Economic Methodology and History. It’s a bit like time travel, seeing how past thinkers shape our current policies and how historical events steer us towards new economic shores. 

And methodology? It’s the toolbox that helps us figure out if what we’re doing actually makes sense, with all the number crunching and case studies that help us understand the why behind the what.

Economic Thought

Topic:  The influence of Keynesian economic policies on modern fiscal strategies.

Research Question:  How have Keynesian economic principles shaped contemporary fiscal policy-making?

Topic:  The relevance of classical economics in today’s market economy.

Research Question:  To what extent are the principles of classical economics applicable in the current market economy?

Topic:  The impact of behavioral economics on traditional economic models.

Research Question:  How has behavioral economics challenged the assumptions of traditional economic models?

Economic History

Topic:  The economic consequences of the 1970s oil shocks.

Research Question:  What were the long-term economic consequences of the oil shocks of the 1970s?

Topic:  The role of economic policies in the Great Depression.

Research Question:  How did economic policies contribute to the onset and duration of the Great Depression?

Topic:  The economic impacts of the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Research Question:  What were the economic impacts of the dissolution of the Soviet Union on Eastern European countries?

Methodological Issues

Topic:  The application of econometrics in evaluating fiscal policy.

Research Question:  How can econometric models be used to evaluate the effectiveness of fiscal policy?

Topic:  The challenges of qualitative analysis in economic research.

Research Question:  What are the main challenges associated with using qualitative analysis in economic research?

Topic:  The comparison of case study and statistical methods in economic analysis.

Research Question:  How do case study methods compare to statistical methods in the analysis of economic phenomena?

So, there you have it—a whirlwind tour through the interconnected world of economics extended essay topics. 

Each piece of the cake tells part of the story, and it’s only when you put them all together that you see the full tasty picture. What’s your take on all this?

If you need some other IB EE topic options, we also have many other articles with various extended essay topic ideas . Do not miss a chance to check some that may interest you.

Conclusion 

I would have continued with other options, but I believe this list of Economics extended essay topic ideas are quite enough for today. Good luck with your RQ selection, research and writing .

If you find a better article that provides more comprehensive and detailed suggestions for Economics extended essay topic ideas, share it with me 😉

If you need topic suggestions with outlines or assistance with writing a custom IB Economics EE, our IB experts at Writing Metier are always ready to assist you.

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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Comprehensive TOK Essay Guide for 2025 Titles

Subject: Philosophy and ethics

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Other

Last updated

3 September 2024

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This document offers an in-depth analysis of the 2025 IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay titles. Ideal for students aiming for a high pass grade, it breaks down each title thoroughly, providing:

Detailed Unpacking of Key Concepts: Clear explanations of each title, ensuring you understand exactly what’s being asked.

Expert Analysis of Areas of Knowledge (AOKs): Insightful connections between the essay titles and various AOKs, such as History, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts.

Real-World Examples: Concrete examples tailored to each essay question, which can be directly used or adapted in your writing.

Critical Argumentation Tips: Guidance on how to craft balanced, coherent arguments, including how to integrate counterarguments.

Conclusion Strategies: Learn how to effectively conclude your essay with clarity and depth.

This guide provides everything you need to confidently tackle the TOK essay titles for 2025, making it a valuable resource for IB students looking to maximize their scores.

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IB Economics EE examples

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computer hardware production in india, to what extent did the hungarian government's implementation of price caps on fuel reduce high inflation in hungary between march 2021 and march 2023, to what extent do the negative externalities of production of bangladesh's garment industry affect the living standards of its citizens, assessing the differences in economic performance between north and south korea caused by their contrasting economic systems, to what extent have grain farmers in brandon, manitoba, canada, been positively affected by supply-side shocks in the wheat and rapeseed market following the russian invasion of ukraine, to what extent has the eu ban of russian coal imports impacted the export performance of indonesian coal to the eu, to what extent did the (first) covid-19 lockdown reduce negative externalities caused by car use in portugal, how are savings the major determinant of the productivity of home-based garment workers in south delhi, following covid-19, which 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government policies in australia, france and singapore achieve optimal covid-19 vaccination rates in 2021, what market structure best represents ice cream parlours in the old town of bratislava, how has the 'punjab regulation of wood based industries rules, 2019' enacted by the punjab government had an effect on the wood furniture manufacturers of nabha , are direct taxes the best way to address overconsumption of demerit goods, to what extent does the presence of other cocoa processing firms in cameroon’s cocoa processing industry affect the economy of the “sic cacaos”, to what extent has the covid-19 pandemic affected the pricing of the residential housing market in the austin-round rock metropolitan statistical area since march 2020”, to what extent did microcredit create economic growth and development in dhaka, bangladesh through the empowerment of women before and after the covid-19 pandemic, to what extent and why has covid-19 made india substitute cash with digital modes of payment through upi and what are its spillover effects, to what extent pm kisan samman nidhi yojana (pmksny) has affected debt, income and expenditure on education and healthcare raising the living standards of farmers in sitapura ramoli village and achanchukya village in jaipur from 2020-2021, to what extent were canadian energy-rich provinces’ revenue losses from the oil crash of 2020 offset by gains in the net export market, what have been the economic consequences of covid-19 on the hotel industry in new york city, to what extent did china’s tariffs on american seafood imports impact the export performance of pakistani seafood in china, impact of the “make in india” campaign on growth and development of india., to what extent has the state of california government’s policy to permit electric vehicles in “high occupancy lanes” been effective in reducing negative externalities of internal combustion vehicles in los angeles city, what are the main factors that affect consumers’ demand 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