How to Choose An Extended Essay Topic

If you’re just starting the International Baccalaureate (IB), you might be feeling a little overwhelmed about how to choose your Extended Essay topic. Try not to worry. Many students find this decision incredibly stressful, worrying they'll choose something too broad, too boring, or impossible to research.

However, choosing a brilliant Extended Essay topic doesn't have to be a nightmare. With the right approach and by diving into our comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to choose an IB extended essay, you can find a topic that's interesting, manageable, and sets you up for success.

Key Takeaways

• Choose a subject you genuinely enjoy and feel confident in.

• Narrow your idea down to a specific, researchable question.

• Make sure you can find enough reliable sources and resources.

• Avoid overly broad topics or overused, cliché ideas.

• Get feedback from your supervisor early in the process.

Step 1 – Understand the Extended Essay Requirements

Before diving into topic ideas, it’s important to get to grips with what you're actually writing.

The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word independent research project. It's one of the three core requirements for your IB Diploma, alongside TOK (Theory of Knowledge) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service).

The essay must be written in one of the six subjects you've chosen as part of your IB. This could be anything from Biology to Visual Arts, Economics to World Studies. Alternatively, you could take an interdisciplinary approach and combine two subjects. The IB Diploma’s official Extended Essay guidance (opens in a new tab) goes into this in more detail.

Most importantly, you need a focused research question. This is a specific question you'll spend 4,000 words investigating and answering.

The Extended Essay tests your ability to: 

• Conduct independent research

• Think critically

• Present a well-structured argument. 

Examiners aren't looking for groundbreaking discoveries. They want to see clear thinking and solid research skills.

Step 2 – Start with Your Interests

If there’s one golden rule, it would be this: choose something you actually care about.

You'll be spending months researching and writing about this topic. If you pick something you find boring just because it seems academic, you'll struggle to stay motivated.

Think about the subjects where you naturally perform well:

• Are you strongest in the sciences? 

• Do you love analysing literature? 

• Are you fascinated by historical events?

Consider topics that connect to your hobbies or personal experiences too. 

• Massive football fan? There could be a Sports Science angle to explore.

• Passionate about social media? Psychology or Business Management might offer interesting perspectives.

• Animal lover? Perhaps your Extended Essay could lean into Biology with an ethics element.

Keen for more inspiration. Here are some popular subject areas for Extended Essays: 

• Psychology (exploring human behaviour and mental processes)

• Economics (examining market trends or policy impacts)

• Biology (investigating scientific phenomena or conducting experiments)

• Geography (investigating spatial patterns, human–environment interactions, or impacts of development strategies)

Remember, enthusiasm is infectious. If you're genuinely interested in your topic, it'll show in your writing.

Step 3 – Narrow Down Your Ideas

This is where many students get stuck. You might love Biology, but "Biology" is an entire subject. You need to narrow down your focus.

Use the funnel method to help you do this:

• Start broad: Biology 

• Get more specific: Human health 

• Make it researchable: The effect of caffeine on heart rate in teenagers

See how we've moved from a massive subject area to a focused, investigable question?

Here's another example:

• Start broad: Literature 

• Get more specific: Shakespeare's portrayal of women 

• Make it researchable: How does Lady Macbeth's character development reflect changing attitudes towards female ambition in Elizabethan England?

And here’s one more:

• Start broad: Economics 

• Get more specific: Microeconomics

• Make it researchable: How has the introduction of ride-sharing apps (e.g., Uber, Bolt) affected the taxi market in your city?

The key is moving from a general area of interest to something specific enough that you can actually research and analyse it in 4,000 words.

Step 4 – Check Resource Availability

Having a brilliant idea is difficult to take forward if you can't research it properly.

That’s why it’s important to do a quick resource check before committing to a topic. Can you find enough books, academic articles, or primary sources? 

• For humanities subjects, you'll need access to:

  • Academic books and journal articles

  • Primary sources (historical documents, interviews, surveys)

  • Reliable online databases

• For science subjects, consider:

  • Whether you can conduct experiments safely and practically

  • If you have access to necessary equipment

  • Whether you can collect sufficient data

Don't panic if you can't find everything immediately. Your school library and online databases will have more resources than you might think. But, if initial searches turn up almost nothing, it might be time to adjust your topic.

Step 5 – Test Your Topic Against IB Criteria

The IB has specific criteria for Extended Essays. Your topic needs to allow for:

• Analysis, not just description. Your essay should examine, evaluate, and argue - not just list facts or summarise information.

• A clear, focused research question. "What happened in World War II?" is too broad. "To what extent did rationing affect civilian morale in Britain during World War II?" is much better.

• Critical thinking opportunities. You should be able to present different perspectives, evaluate evidence, and form your own conclusions.

• Appropriate scope for 4,000 words. Not too narrow (you'd run out of things to say) and not too broad (you'd barely scratch the surface).

Use this quick checklist:

If you’ve answered “yes” to all these questions, you’re onto a winner.

Step 6 – Get Feedback from Your Supervisor

Your Extended Essay supervisor is there to help, so use them!

It’s a good idea to book a meeting as soon as you have some initial ideas. Teachers are brilliant at spotting potential problems early. They might point out that your topic is too broad, too narrow, or difficult to research.

Don't be disheartened if they suggest changes. This is normal and helpful. It's much better to refine your topic early than to struggle with an unsuitable question for months.

Your supervisor can also:

• Suggest additional resources or research methods

• Help you fine-tune your research question

• Point out interesting angles you might not have considered

• Connect you with other teachers or experts who might help

Remember, they want you to succeed, so take their advice seriously.

Once you’re happy with your choice of topic, you might want to explore our guide to structuring the Extended Essay to help you organise your research, build a strong argument, and meet the IB assessment criteria effectively.

Examples of Strong and Weak EE Topics

Strong Topics

"To what extent did US propaganda influence public opinion during the Vietnam War?" (History) 

This works because it's specific (US propaganda, Vietnam War), analytical (examining extent of influence), and manageable in scope.

"How effective is caffeine as an ergogenic aid for 100m sprinters?" (Sports Science) 

This is clear, measurable, and allows for experimental investigation with real data.

"How does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie use narrative perspective to challenge Western stereotypes about Africa in 'Half of a Yellow Sun'?" (English Literature) 

A question focused on one author, one novel, and a specific literary technique with broader implications.

Weak Topics

"History of World War II" (History) 

Far too broad. You could write entire books about this and barely scratch the surface.

"Is coffee bad for you?" (Biology) 

Too vague and simplistic. What aspect of health? What type of coffee? Over what time period?

"Shakespeare's plays" (English Literature) 

Where do you even start? Which plays? What about them? This lacks any focus or direction.

5 Common Mistakes When Choosing an EE Topic

Avoiding these pitfalls will help ensure that your topic will lead to a successful Extended Essay:

1. Picking something too broad. "Climate change" or "mental health" sound important, but they're massive topics. Narrow it down to something specific you can actually investigate.

2. Choosing topics with no available sources. That fascinating local legend might seem perfect until you realise there's nothing written about it anywhere.

3. Going for trendy topics you don't care about. Just because everyone's talking about artificial intelligence doesn't mean you should write about it if you find it boring.

4. Forgetting subject area criteria. Make sure your topic clearly fits within your chosen IB subject and allows you to demonstrate the skills that subject values.

5. Picking topics that are too personal. While passion is important, avoid topics that are so close to your own experiences that you can't be objective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my EE topic later?

Yes, but try to avoid it if possible. You can change topics, but you'll lose time and research you've already done. It's much better to spend extra time choosing the right topic initially than to switch halfway through.

Most schools have deadlines for topic changes, so check with your supervisor about timing.

What's the easiest EE subject?

There's no universally "easy" subject. It depends entirely on your strengths and interests.

Some students find English Literature easier because they're comfortable with essay writing. Others prefer sciences because of the clear methodology. The "easiest" subject for you is probably one where you're already performing well.

How do I know if my EE topic is too broad?

If you're struggling to narrow down what to include, or if you feel like you could write 20,000 words instead of 4,000, your topic is probably too broad.

Try the "dinner party test". Can you explain your research question to someone in two sentences? If not, it might need more focus.

Can I use my Extended Essay for university applications?

Yes, absolutely! Your Extended Essay can be a brilliant addition to university applications, especially if it connects to your intended course of study.

Many universities value the independent research skills the Extended Essay develops. Some even give credit or advanced standing for strong Extended Essay work.

Just make sure you're choosing your topic for the right reasons – because you're genuinely interested – rather than just trying to impress admissions officers.

Next Steps

There's no such thing as a "perfect" Extended Essay topic. What matters is finding something you're genuinely curious about and can research properly. Trust your instincts, use the steps we've covered, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Your teachers, supervisors, and even your friends can offer brilliant insights.

The Extended Essay is your chance to dive deep into something that fascinates you. Once you've picked the right topic, you'll be surprised how much you enjoy the research and writing process.

References

IB Diploma Extended Essay Subject Brief (opens in a new tab)