IB Extended Essay Ideas for All Subjects

Have you been trying to think of your IB Extended Essay topic for a while now? If the ideas aren’t flowing freely, try not to worry. Choosing the perfect research question can feel overwhelming when you're staring at a blank page that needs to be filled with 4,000 words.

With the right inspiration, you can find a topic that's both manageable and genuinely interesting to explore. This guide takes a deep dive into subject-specific IB Extended Essay ideas across all the six core IB groups. Plus, we’ll explore practical tips to help you choose and refine your own unique research question.

Key Takeaways

• The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word independent research project that requires focus, analysis, and critical thinking.

• Strong topics are specific, researchable, and genuinely interest you.

• Each IB subject group offers unique opportunities for investigation, from literary analysis to scientific experiments.

• Avoid topics that are too broad, purely descriptive, or impossible to research within your resources.

What Is the IB Extended Essay?

The Extended Essay (EE) is a 4,000-word independent research project and your chance to investigate a topic you're passionate about. Think of it as your opportunity to become a mini-expert on something that really interests you. Whether you're fascinated by the psychology behind memory techniques or curious about renewable energy solutions, the EE lets you explore it properly. 

The International Baccalaureate Organisation (opens in a new tab) emphasises that examiners look for focus, critical analysis, and clear structure. Rather than summarising what others have said, you need to be thinking like a researcher to produce a truly academic piece of work.

Your EE contributes up to 3 points towards your final IB score when combined with Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Those points could make all the difference for university applications. If you're keen to learn more about IB scoring, check out our comprehensive guide to IB Grades.

How to Choose a Strong Extended Essay Topic

Before diving into specific ideas, let's take a look at what makes a topic actually work.

• Focus is everything. Your topic needs to be narrow enough to explore thoroughly in 4,000 words. "The causes of World War I" won't work, but "How did propaganda posters influence public opinion in Britain during 1914-1916?" absolutely could.

• Make sure it's researchable. You need access to reliable sources and data. If you're planning a science investigation, can you actually get the equipment? If you're analysing literature, can you access the texts and scholarly sources?

• Pick something you genuinely care about. You'll be spending months on this topic, so choose something that sparks your curiosity rather than what you think will impress examiners.

Each IB subject has specific assessment criteria, so your topic must align with what examiners expect in that discipline. We'll cover this in our detailed guide on choosing Extended Essay topics.

IB Extended Essay Ideas by Subject Area

Studies in Language and Literature (Group 1)

• Literary comparison topics:

  • How do Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Zadie Smith portray cultural identity differently in their novels?

  • What techniques do Shakespeare and Arthur Miller use to create dramatic tension in their tragedies?

• Single text analysis:

  • How does Maya Angelou use symbolism to convey themes of resilience in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"?

  • What role do stage directions play in conveying character relationships in Tennessee Williams' plays?

• Cultural and historical context:

  • How do war poets from different countries represent the experience of conflict?

Why these work: Language and Literature EEs allow for detailed textual analysis. You can: 

• Examine specific literary techniques

• Compare authorial styles

• Explore how historical context shapes meaning

The key is having enough textual evidence to support sustained analysis.

Language Acquisition (Group 2)

• Language and identity topics:

  • How does code-switching between Spanish and English reflect cultural identity in contemporary Mexican-American literature?

  • What impact does learning Mandarin have on students' understanding of Chinese cultural values?

• Media and communication:

  • How do French political leaders use rhetorical devices in televised debates?

  • What persuasive techniques appear most frequently in German advertising campaigns?

• Translation studies:

  • How do different English translations of "Don Quixote" handle cultural references?

Why these work: Language Acquisition EEs connect language learning with real-world communication. They often involve:

• Analysing authentic materials like speeches, media, or literature. 

• Exploring how language shapes culture and identity.

Individuals and Societies (Group 3)

• Economics topics:

  • What has been the impact of introducing a minimum wage increase in [your local area] on youth employment?

  • How effective are carbon taxes in reducing emissions? A comparison between [two countries of your choice].

• History topics:

  • How did propaganda techniques differ between Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia during the 1930s?

  • What factors led to the success of the civil rights movement in Los Angeles?

• Psychology topics:

  • How effective are different memory techniques for improving vocabulary retention in language learning?

  • What factors influence bystander intervention in emergency situations among teenagers?

• Geography topics:

  • How has urban regeneration affected housing accessibility in [your specific neighbourhood]?

Why these work: These subjects thrive on data, evidence, and critical analysis. You can:

• Use statistics

• Conduct surveys

• Analyse historical sources

• Examine case studies 

The key is having a clear research question that can be answered through investigation.

Sciences (Group 4)

• Biology topics:

  • Do natural plant extracts have antibacterial properties against common skin bacteria?

  • How does caffeine concentration affect the heart rate of water fleas?

  • What factors influence the rate of fermentation in different fruit juices?

• Chemistry topics:

  • How does temperature affect the rate of reaction between sodium thiosulphate and hydrochloric acid?

  • Which household substances are most effective at removing different types of stains?

• Physics topics:

  • How does the angle of a solar panel affect its energy output throughout the day?

  • What factors affect the efficiency of different types of insulation materials?

• Environmental Systems and Societies topics:

  • How effective are different methods of water purification in removing common pollutants?

Why these work: Science EEs give you the chance to design and conduct real experiments. You'll:

• Collect primary data

• Analyse results

• Draw conclusions

Make sure your investigation is safe, ethical, and actually doable with available equipment.

Mathematics (Group 5)

• Mathematical modelling topics:

  • How can mathematical models predict population growth in urban areas?

  • What is the optimal strategy for different game theory scenarios?

• Pure mathematics exploration:

  • How do fractals appear in nature and what patterns can we identify?

  • What mathematical principles govern the structure of honeycombs?

• Applied mathematics topics:

  • How can statistics be used to analyse patterns in sports performance?

  • What mathematical models best predict house prices in a specific market?

Why these work: Mathematics EEs encourage abstract thinking and real-world applications. You might:

• Create mathematical models

• Explore pure mathematical concepts

• Apply statistical analysis to genuine data sets

The key is showing mathematical reasoning throughout.

The Arts (Group 6)

• Film studies topics:

  • How does Christopher Nolan use non-linear narrative techniques to create suspense?

  • What visual techniques do Studio Ghibli films use to portray environmental themes?

• Music topics:

  • How has jazz improvisation influenced contemporary pop music composition?

  • What role does traditional folk music play in modern national identity?

• Visual arts topics:

  • How do Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe use symbolism differently to express female identity?

  • What techniques do street artists use to convey political messages?

• Theatre topics:

  • How do different staging approaches affect audience interpretation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth"?

Why these work: Arts EEs combine creative understanding with critical analysis. You're:

• Examining artistic techniques

• Exploring cultural impact

• Analysing creative processes

The challenge is balancing personal response with scholarly analysis.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some pitfalls to dodge when honing your EE Extended Essay ideas.

• Choosing something too broad. "The impact of social media" won't work. But, "How does Instagram use affect body image among 16-18 year olds in international schools?" might.

• Picking a topic you don't actually care about. You'll lose motivation pretty quickly if you're just choosing something because it sounds “academic”.

• Writing a descriptive essay instead of analytical. Your EE should argue something or investigate a question, rather than just summarise information.

• Ignoring your subject's assessment criteria. Each subject has specific requirements. A History EE needs different skills than a Chemistry EE.

• Leaving everything until the last minute. The EE needs you to be committing to months of research. Start early and plan properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Subject for an IB Extended Essay?

There's no single "best" subject for your Extended Essay. The right choice depends on your interests, strengths, and available resources.

If you love conducting experiments and have access to lab equipment, Sciences might suit you perfectly. If you're passionate about literature and enjoy close textual analysis, Studies in Language and Literature might be a better choice.

Consider which subjects you're already taking and performing well in. You'll have better background knowledge and understand the assessment criteria more clearly.

How Do I Know If My EE Topic Is Too Broad?

A topic is too broad if you can't adequately cover it in 4,000 words.

Ask yourself: "Can I explore this topic in sufficient depth within the word limit?" If you're trying to cover multiple countries, time periods, or complex theories, you probably need to narrow your focus.

Tip: A good test is whether you can write your research question in one clear sentence. If it takes a paragraph to explain what you're investigating, it's probably too broad.

Can I Do an EE in a Subject I Don't Take?

Yes, but it's generally not recommended unless you have strong background knowledge in that subject.

You'll need to understand the subject's methodology, assessment criteria, and academic conventions. Without classroom experience, this becomes much more challenging.

If you're determined to write in a subject you don't take, make sure you have access to a supervisor who knows that subject well and can guide you properly.

How Much Data Do I Need for a Science EE?

There's no specific amount of data required, but you need enough to draw meaningful conclusions and demonstrate trends.

For experimental investigations, aim for at least thirty data points per variable you're testing. This gives you enough information to identify patterns and calculate averages with confidence.

Remember that quality matters more than quantity. Five well-controlled experiments with reliable results are better than twenty poorly conducted ones with inconsistent data.

The Choice is Yours

Your Extended Essay should be an enjoyable part of your IB! It’s your chance to explore something you really care about. Don't just pick the first idea that sounds impressive.

Think about what actually interests you. What topics make you curious? What questions keep you wondering? When you're genuinely interested, the research feels less like work and more like discovery.

Remember, you've got 4,000 words to become a mini-expert on your chosen topic. Make it count by picking something that sparks your curiosity.

References

IBO - EE Subject Brief (opens in a new tab)