From November 24thto November 28th2025 our school held a Viva Voce session for all DP2 students. Viva Voce is the final meeting between students and their supervisors, where you explain the aim, process, and results of your Extended Essay (EE). This is the perfect moment for DP1 students to look ahead and learn from those who have already completed the journey.
The EE might seem overwhelming at first, but it truly doesn’t have to be. It’s your chance to explore a topic you care about, in any subject you choose, as long as you decide your topic before the end of June in DP1. To help you get started — and to make the whole process less stressful, easier to manage, and more survivable — here are some simple, honest tips based on IB students’ real experiences.
Top Tips for Writing Your Extended Essay
1. Choose a topic you actually care about.
This sounds obvious, but it is the most important decision you will make. If you don’t like your topic, the EE becomes a nightmare. If you do like it, the work feels more like a passion project than a task.
2. Start early (seriously).
Use your DP1 summer. The earlier you begin, the fewer breakdowns you’ll have later. Implement feedback as soon as you receive it. Future You will thank you for it.
3. Ask for help.
Your supervisor is there for a reason. Use them. Ask questions. Show drafts. Don’t wait until the last minute.
4. Cite everything as you go.
Many students add sources throughout the writing process. What’s painful is waiting until the end to add citations. Don’t do that to yourself. It really isn’t a pleasant feeling to finally finish your EE after such a long and exhausting process, only to spend hours afterwards citing all the sources you used. Writing the bibliography alone can take hours.
5. Make your first draft strong.
You only get one round of detailed written feedback. If your draft is weak, your feedback will be weak. Give your supervisor something solid to work with.
6. Play to your strengths.
Choose a subject you’re confident in. Don’t pick something just because you think it “looks good.” You’re the one writing 4,000 words — do it on a subject you actually understand.
7. Don’t fear the word count.
4,000 words really isn’t a lot. Most students struggle to stay under the limit. If your research question is focused and clear, you will have plenty to write.
8. Reflections matter.
These are easy marks. Ask a language teacher or your supervisor for help to make Extended Essay Reflections polished and thoughtful.
9. Proofread again and again.
Read the full essay more than once. Make sure it’s logical, clear, and cohesive — not just a collection of paragraphs. To do this effectively, write the essay in advance and go over it again after a week or so.
10. Enjoy the process.
This is the one IB task where you get total freedom. Make the most of it. When you write about something you love, the EE feels meaningful, not miserable. Hence, it is really important to choose something you are interested in. If you really can’t think of an innovative topic, online examples can always help.
