History Extended Essay: A Simplified Guide for IBDP Student

This is the complete guide to History extended essay. It covers an overview of the subject, the recommended structure, and the assessment criteria used to grade the report.

At its core, IB History EE requires you to conduct in-depth research on a historical topic of your interest provided the issue has local, regional, and global significance.

You’ll need a research question that evokes investigation that lead to in-depth analysis and critical commentary.

Rather than focus on the “what” or “how to” type of research questions, invest your time on “how significant” or “how successful” type of questions because they encourage comprehensive analysis of the topic.

What is IB History EE?

A History extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research that requires you to explore a historical topic in-depth.

The topic you choose has to be historical in nature, mainly focusing on a research question that has historical significance.

Depending on what fascinates, you may explore a specific historical event, trend, individual, or concept within a specific geographical context or defined time.

An extended essay in History requires primary and secondary research, critical analysis, and well-supported arguments. 

When writing an extended essay in History, ensure you demonstrate a clear understanding of how historians have interpreted events and issues over time. Additionally, your work should demonstrate that you’ve clearly evaluated sources in a balanced manner without a stint of biasness.

How to Structure IB History Extended Essay

Below an outline you can use as a guide for organizing your research and writing process for an extended in History.

While this outline focuses on the key components and provides a clear structure, the specific content and depth of each section will depend on your research question and findings.

1. Introduction

• Introduce the historical topic and explain why it is of historical significance and worth exploring.
• State the research question you will address in the essay. This should be specific, focused, and feasible for the scope of the EE.
• Present your main argument or hypothesis, outlining what you aim to prove or discover through your research.
• Discuss the objectives of the essay and set boundaries for the research, such as the time, geographical area, and specific aspects of the topic.

2. Methodology

• Explain the methods you used to gather information, including primary and secondary sources, and justify why these were appropriate for your research question.
• Outline the types of sources you have used (e.g., documents, interviews, archival material, secondary scholarly sources) and how you have evaluated their reliability, relevance, and bias.
• Acknowledge any limitations in your research, such as restricted access to sources or potential biases in the available evidence.

3. Historical Background

• Provide a thorough background to the topic by introducing key events, individuals, and ideas that are relevant to your research question.
• Place the topic in its broader historical context to help the reader understand the period and circumstances surrounding the issue.
• Briefly discuss how historians have previously addressed the topic. Highlight any debates, differing perspectives, or gaps in the literature.

4. Main Body

• Present your major points or sub-topics related to the research question.
• Analyze and discuss relevant evidence, and make sure you integrate both primary and secondary sources.
• Link the evidence back to your research question to show how it supports your argument.

Continue breaking down the argument into sections, as needed, ensuring each subsection supports your central thesis statement. Each section should follow a logical progression that helps build your overall argument.

5. Counterarguments or Alternative View

• Address any opposing viewpoints or counterarguments that exist in the historiography of your topic.
• Consider whether these alternative perspectives are valid, and explain why your research supports your main thesis despite these viewpoints.

6. Conclusion

• Summarize the key findings of your research. Highlight how the evidence supports your thesis and answers your research question.
• Reflect on the broader implications of your findings for understanding the historical topic and its relevance to historiography.
• Offer any final thoughts on the topic, such as areas for further research or unresolved questions.

7. Bibliography

Provide a full list of all sources you have used in your research. Ensure proper citation in a consistent format (e.g., MLA, Chicago, etc.), according to the guidelines given by your supervisor.

8. Appendices (Optional)

Include any supplementary materials that support your research, such as charts, maps, documents, or interview transcripts. Reference these appropriately in the body of the essay.

IB History Extended Essay Assessment Criteria

The following is the marking scheme used to grade IB History EE:

Focus and Method (6 Points)

• Your topic must be historical and confined to a specific period, geographical location, and a group of people or event that occurred at least 10 years ago. 
• The research question has to be clear, specific, and manageable for thorough analysis while staying within the word limit.

Knowledge and Understanding (5-6 Points)

• Demonstrate a solid understanding of your research question within its broader historical context.
• Use relevant historical terminology and concepts correctly, and adhere to the ten-year rule.
• Demonstrate knowledge of your chosen topic and apply the skills and methods you've acquired in your coursework to analyze the topic thoroughly.

Critical Thinking (12 Points)

• Show a deep engagement with historical analysis.  
• Don’t’ simply repeat what you find in secondary sources. Instead, critically evaluate and analyze your sources to develop a well-supported argument. 

Your focus should be on analytical skills, not on merely describing historical events. Once you’ve formed your stance on the sources, construct a convincing argument, backed by evidential analysis.

Presentation (4 Points)

This criterion assesses how well you present your essay according to IB’s academic standards.

• Structure your essay properly with well-organized sections and proper formatting.
• Use charts, graphs, tables, and other figures only if they enhance the clarity of your argument.
• Cite any external figures, calculations, or content directly taken from sources.

Make your presentation clear and well organized so that your History extended essay is easy to read and evaluate.

Engagement (6 Points)

This criterion assesses your interaction with the research process. To score a 6 in this area:

• Show a high level of personal engagement with the research process by providing a clear insight into your thought and decision-making process.
• Present clear evidence to support your conclusions and avoid assumptions.
• Demonstrate a reflective approach by being critical of your methods and conclusions.
• Mention challenges you faced, as well as what you did to overcome them.

Where Can I Buy History Extended Essay Online?

You can buy an extended essay in History on Help for Assessment. Whether you have a topic or you haven’t even started brainstorming, our team will take you from a completely blank page to a well-written essay before your due date. 

With us, you get the kind of History assignment help that gives you the best value for your money. The writer assigned your task will suggest a topic, develop a research question, structure your extended essay, and write the 4,000-word report for you. 

We charge $12.99 to $40 per page depending on the urgency of the task. We also offer a discount of up to 10% to customers who’re new to Help for Assessment.