The Extended Essay (EE) is more than just another school assignment. It’s a 4,000-word personal research project that reflects your interests and expertise. Ever stare at the blank page, wondering what topic might make your essay memorable?
The right topic can transform the process from a dull task into a rewarding journey of discovery (and yes, it can even help your final grade). In this guide, we’ll walk through how to choose an EE topic that’s both interesting and distinct.
Start with Your Interests
First things first: pick something you actually care about. If you love what you’re researching, the work suddenly feels a lot less like a chore. Writing about something you care about makes the process way less painful — and maybe even fun. One IB graduate calls it a game-changer: choosing a topic she was passionate about made her EE feel like an adventure, not just homework. So ask yourself:
- What subjects or ideas make you curious or excited?
- Are there things you find yourself talking about with friends or reading about in your free time?
Remember, the IB doesn’t force you to stick only to your courses. You have the freedom to explore. As IB alum Stephanie Stan points out, you can pick any subject area, even one you aren’t studying, as long as it fits EE rules. For example, if you’re a science student who also loves art, maybe there’s a historical science discovery you want to explore. Or if literature fascinates you, could you study the cultural impact of a novel? The key is that your topic should excite you. You’ll be working on it for months, so it should be something you won’t get tired of quickly.
Here are some ways to find ideas:
- Think about hobbies, books, or recent articles that grabbed your attention.
- Consider projects or events in your classes that feel engaging.
- Draw from personal experiences (like travel, family, or community issues) for unique angles.
The idea is to find a topic that you can own. When the research question truly interests you, you’re more likely to dive deep and go beyond surface details. As one student reflected, a good EE topic “will make or break both your essay and your experience with it”. Passion-driven topics often become essays that stand out because they feel genuine, not forced.
Make It Feasible and Focused
While enthusiasm is important, practicality is too. The IB keeps strict guidelines: each subject has its own rules, and your topic must fit that framework. Before you get too attached to an idea, do some quick checks:
- Confirm IB guidelines: Each subject has a list of allowable topics or approaches. For example, an IB guide on choosing topics highlights that a great idea can fall apart if it doesn’t follow the official rules. Double-check the IB Subject Guide for the Extended Essay in your subject area.
- Narrow your focus: A 4,000-word essay can’t cover everything, so avoid topics that are too broad. Instead of “climate change,” try something tighter like “How does climate change affect coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean?”. A focused question is easier to research and more impressive in analysis.
- Preliminary research: Google your idea or browse your library. Are there enough books, articles, or studies to support it? If reliable sources are scarce, you might hit a dead end later. As one advice article warns, if you find “hardly any information” now, you’ll struggle in the writing phase. Aim for a topic with a healthy balance of interest and available data.
Stand Out by Being Original
So what is going to make your EE better than everyone else’s? Often, students pick the same classic topics that everyone knows about, which is not what makes their essays stand out. Again and again, teachers read essays about topics like the broad effects of social media or the significance of World War I.
There’s a reason these are all valid topics, but they are there for the taking so frequently that it’s hard to add something fresh. Selecting an original angle is crucial. Overused topics lack novelty. Instead, shoot for a question that causes readers to stand up and take notice. Perhaps think of an underappreciated case or a new angle on something well-trodden. For instance, you might not take a sweeping look at global warming, but on its effect on a specific local ecosystem, or an ignored pollutant. You concentrate not on some popular Shakespeare plays, but you concentrate on how one undiscovered play was perceived in another culture.
“Standing out” does not mean choosing a weird topic for the sake of weirdness. It means finding a topic where your angle or take is fresh. The EE prizes independent thought. You’re creative, passionate, and you look at things in a new light. As one guide insists, “The nature of the topic means that a student will be able to make a valuable contribution to knowledge in their field of study.” A well-worn topic is less likely to make an engaging essay that will prompt your reader to want to learn more about you.
Get Organized and Seek Feedback
Once you have a promising idea, don’t just dive into writing—plan it. A good organization can turn a decent essay into a great one. Consider these steps:
- Develop a research question: Turn your topic into a clear, specific question. For example, “How did [X] influence [Y] in [Z context]?” A focused question guides your research and keeps your essay on track.
- Make a timeline: Break the work into chunks—research, notes, drafting, editing. It’s ideal to start early. One of the many IB alumni we have met in recent times revealed that he found pacing himself with smaller goals helped him to feel less overwhelmed. With that, you get to refine your topic slowly as needed.
- Speak to your instructor: Seeking feedback from your instructor would help you organize your ideas accordingly, since they understand the rules and can guide you on the right path. One way they will help you is to recommend resources that will help you or explain the requirements.
Conclusion
Choosing an Extended Essay topic is your moment to shine. It’s a chance to show your curiosity and how well you can conduct research. A great topic feels personal: it’s something you’re excited to explore, something manageable to research, and something that adds a little new insight to the world. By focusing on your passions, checking feasibility, and adding an original twist, you’ll end up with an essay that truly stands out. Now go brainstorm: your next big idea is waiting!