The two most important considerations for IB extended essay are subjects and topics. This independent research assignment requires you to pick one subject, identify a topic of your interest, and write an in-depth report based on a research question developed from the topic.
In this article, we give you a list of topics for up to 15 subjects approved by IBO. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve already picked a subject and you’re currently in the brainstorming stage, these topics can give you the ideas you need to step the right foot forward.
Best Extended Essay Topics and Ideas for Different Subjects
The following are description and examples of extended essay topics and ideas in different IB approved subjects:
English
The following are some of the best examples of topic ideas to consider if you choose to write an Extended Essay in the English subject.
- How the heroic couplets of the neoclassical period differed from those of the romantic period, and why classical poetry had so many rules.
- How many different styles of poetry can we observe from the English Renaissance through modernism and postmodernism?
- Does colonialism have an effect on modern poetry and the manner in which it evolves during the many eras of colonial rule?
- Why has euphemism been so prominent in the English language for so long and how does this affect the lexicon and structure of the language?
- Can we argue that, unlike other languages of the globe, English is a language of conventions and traditions with no hard and fast rules?
- What function does slang play in the English language, and how are slang terms now preserved in official and academic dictionaries?
- What are the primary causes of the gradual shift in the spelling of English words through time?
- Impact of globalization on the evolution of the English language as it becomes the universal language.
We encourage you to read more about English Extended Essay for further insights.
Biology
- How do age and gender influence the photoreceptor cells in the human retina?
- What effects does climate change have on the appearance of coral reefs?
- An analysis of how antioxidants function in the human body?
- Which of hand sanitizer, hand soap, or antibacterial wipes inhibits the development of E. coli the most effectively?
- How does population density between X and X’s population size relate?
- What is the link between the growth hormone indoleacetic acid and the growth of X?
You can read more about Biology EE here.
Business Management
We put together an in-depth guide on IB Business Management EE to give you more insight about the subject.
In addition to teaching you exactly how to write an EE in this subject, the post includes some interesting topic ideas as well as their respective research questions.
Remember to check it out to learn more.
Chemistry
- What effect does acid rain have on the trees, plants, and public gardens in your neighborhood?
- Analyze the chemical composition of various types of lava and magma rocks from across the world.
- What kinds of chemical components are responsible for the majority of food allergies?
- Examine the chemistry of MDMA and other “nightclub” or designer drugs in users of various ages.
- Examine how chemical experiments and the knowledge gained from them have altered the globe.
- How has the usage of fluoride in the community’s water supply benefited and harmed the community?
- What chemical difference does choosing organic foods vs pesticide-treated foods have on our bodies?
- What impact have big cosmetics manufacturers made on our contemporary understanding of chemistry?
- What type of chemistry is involved in making generic medications cheaper than brand-name pharmaceuticals?
Computer Science
An extended essay in computer science gives you the opportunity to study a topic of computers and its impact to the society and the world. You can explore recent advancements in technology or future inventions that are likely to break new limits. Here are examples of topics to get you started with your research process:
- In what way are support vector machines more accurate in predicting ATP tennis matches than artificial neural networks?
- To what extent are Java-generated pseudo-random numbers more predictable than C#-generated numbers?
- How much more effectively does MP3 encoding reduce quality loss and file size than OGG in terms of algorithmic efficiency and encoded file quality?
- How well does the binary search algorithm locate specific values among variable-sized data sets?
- How much more efficient is Depth First Search than Breadth First Search for path finding in artificial intelligence and robot motion planning?
- To what degree is hashing a more appropriate and efficient method than binary search for locating specific values in different-sized data sets?
- How do Password Length and Character Variation Influence the Entropy of a Password?
Economics
An economics extended essay requires you to conduct in-depth research and writ a comprehensive report on a topic focused on economics. You’ll apply economic theories, models, and concepts to real-world issues or explore a theoretical question in a well-structured manner.
To do well, you’ll need to choose an interesting topic with a strong focus on economic issue, evaluate data, economic trends and policies, and combine demonstrate your ability to combine theoretical understanding with empirical investigations.
Here are some topic ideas to get you started with brainstorming:
- What is the connection between unemployment and economic contraction?
- Is Alcohol Consumption Regulation Beneficial to the Stock Market?
- Trucking Companies and the Effects of Sanctions and Trade Embargoes
- Analysis of the Effects of Increasing Taxes on Multinational Corporations and Religious Organizations
- What Negative Effects Will a “Hard” Brexit Have on Scotland and Wales?
- How Will the Substitution of Fossil Fuels with Solar Power Affect the Economies of Middle Eastern Nations?
- In Sub-Saharan Africa, deforestation and man-made disasters are the leading causes of poverty.
Environmental Systems and Societies
- What forest and woodland restoration strategies exist in Siberia, Russia, and one is the most effective?
- How can human meddling in X city/country/continent produce ecological imbalances?
- What effect does urbanization have on the bee population in X city?
- What are the distinctions between Yosemite National Park (California, USA) and Lake District National Park (United Kingdom) in terms of dialogue efforts?
- How much have healthcare policies in nation X affected its human population curve?
- What impact has X’s landfill had on the surrounding terrestrial ecosystem?
Film
An extended essay in film requires you to conduct an in-depth investigation on a topic related to film. Your task should be to explore your passion for cinema in an academic context. By writing an extended essay in this area, you’ll developing your skills in research, analysis, and creative writing.
- Relationship between IMDB ratings and several national and international film honors
- The current transformation of masculinity as represented in Fight Club
- Varieties of timeline modification methods in cinematography
- Sci-fi film portrayals of scientists and the scientific method are grossly inaccurate.
- Moving camera – inventive approaches (such as those utilized in The Matrix or Guy Ritchie’s film)
- How can filmic approaches depict the evolution of Disney princesses from 1937 to 2012?
- How are transgender characters portrayed in two films from distinct periods?
Geography
An extended essay in Geography requires students to conduct in-depth research focused purely on geographical investigation. You need to have a clear focus and the ability to apply geographical theories to do well in this subject.
You’ll need to choose a narrow, focused topic to prompt in-depth investigation. It’s best to base your topic on local research. Doing so enables you to think critically and conduct original research. Below are some example topics to consider:
- What socioeconomic and urban design elements contribute to high vandalism rates in Eindhoven’s neighborhoods?
- How does the quality of life of Filipina Foreign Domestic Workers in Downtown Singapore compare to that of Filipinas in the Philippines?
- An inquiry examining whether Singapore qualifies as a sustainable city
- To what degree do migratory patterns and motivations in the northern area of Thailand correspond to predicted migration movements in an LDC?
- Comparative analysis of the provision of public services in Warsaw’s districts
Global Politics
An extended essay in global politics requires you to focus on a topic of political issue that revolves around the distribution of power and operations within a social organization. You’ll examine how people think about and engage to matters that directly or indirectly affect their lives.
To write a solid global politics EE, you need to choose a topic within your lifetime and plan your writing process for it. Below are some examples.
- The legitimacy of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq; to what extent was the invasion justified? (2021)
- How media depictions and government information can diverge
- How the success of a political party in one nation may affect the results in another.
- Comparing the influence of global political trends on two countries reveals contrasting results.
- The effect of a single crisis on the political ties between two countries
History
In history extended essay, you focus your independent research into a historical issue and analyze historical evidence and arguments. The topic you chose has to center on a historical perspective, mostly on events that are at least 10 years old. You’ll use primary and secondary sources to develop a thesis and support your arguments.
Here are some topics to get started:
- The consequences of dropping nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- You can investigate the economic, ethnic, social, and even environmental consequences of conflict diamonds.
- The evolution of military technology during the American Civil War
- The post-apartheid work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Southwest Africa
- The rise and collapse of the Ottoman Empire and its economic influence
Mathematics
In mathematics extended essay, you focus on a topic of mathematical emphasis. According to IB, the essay can be an application of knowledge gained in a class session or an extension of the math syllabus. Depending on your strengths in mathematics, you can choose between Math AI and AA then find a topic to explore.
Below are some topic ideas to consider:
- How you use mathematics to determine the ideal distance from the try line for positioning the ball for a Rugby Union Conversion Kick?
- How long does it take to travel around the whole Singapore MRT network? (2015)
- Modeling mathematics – An examination of the Richardson arms race model (2020)
- Real-world applications of a study of differential equations of the second order
- A mathematical examination of shock absorbers’ damped harmonic motion
Physics
An EE in Physics focuses on broad scientific standards. The subject takes the form of a research that incorporates a model or hypothesis. Alternatively, it may take a critical analysis that shows argumentation, comparison, or extraction of pertinent data.
Here are some good topics to consider in this area:
- How may the design of an airplane’s wings affect its aerodynamic performance?
- Why is it required for the wing of an aircraft to have an ‘angle of attack’?
- If landing gears are a cause of drag during flight, how is a Cessna able to deliver a sufficient amount of force to overcome drag?
Psychology
A psychology extended essay examines biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences on human experiences and behavior. This self-direct research project requires you to put together a report that demonstrates your intellectual discoveries.
Working on an EE in psychology starts with topic selection. Below are ideas to start with:
- How well biological (or sociocultural) variables explain the origin of homosexuality.
- What do we know about the connection between stress and bodily disease, and can we utilize this information to manage stress?
- The difficulty of identifying particular genetic variables that might indicate an autism risk
- Which strategies are most effective in assisting autistic youngsters in improving their everyday functioning?
- Are Montessori schools, which utilize a humanistic approach to education, also consistent with cognitive theory?
Visual Arts
A visual arts extended essay requires you to conduct a study in an area of visual arts that appeal to you. Your task is to demonstrate a thoughtful selection of socially and culturally relevant topic of personal significance in respect to creative interest, a potential university program, or creative interests.
Below are some interesting topics to consider:
- What role did national themes have in the creative activity of Russian avant-garde artists associated with the Knave of Diamonds society?
- How did men and women’s clothes communicate National Socialist ideals?
- How does Yinka Shonibare’s work represent the evolving importance of African art in a global society?
- What are the origins of Romanesque architecture in Arles?
- Are there pop art elements in the design of Pakistani trucks?
What’s an Extended Essay?
An extended essay is an individual assessment component that requires students to conduct research on a topic of their choice and demonstrate knowledge beyond the classroom curriculum.
The extended essay presents an opportunity for students to develop their critical thinking, an attribute necessary for in-depth research and writing in advanced learning institutions.
You’ll begin to work on the essay during the second term of your first year in the IB diploma program. You’ll consult with and report to a supervisor throughout the writing period. And you’ll write three reflections no more than 500 words long.
Can I Buy an Extended Essay Online?
You can buy an extended essay on Help for Assessment. Our platform has an expert IB writer ready to provide the assistance you need to complete the task on time. We help you cover every part of the task, from topic selection and research question development to in-depth research and custom writing.
We charge $12.99 to $40 per page depending on the urgency of the report. Additional features such as charts, slides, expert proofreading, list of sources, and choice of write also add to the overall cost of writing the extended essay in any subject.
You can read more about Chemistry Extended Essay in this post.