Discover Topic Ideas & Tips for an English A Extended Essay

An English A extended essay is a rigorous academic undertaking that requires in-depth research into a specific topic. It’s a chance to explore a chosen subject in-depth and gain new knowledge that can be applied to other areas of study. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of extended essays, including useful topic ideas and tips, research sources, writing techniques, and how to structure your essay. We’ll also cover referencing styles, editing advice, and presentation guidelines. Finally, we’ll touch on feedback, offering advice on how to cope with criticism. By the end of this guide, you will have the essential knowledge to create an excellent English A extended essay.

So let’s get started! In the following sections, you’ll find out more about extended essays, learn how to brainstorm and research topics, get handy writing and presentation tips, and discover techniques to analyze data and arguments. With this guidance, you’ll be well on your way to writing a successful extended essay.

English A Extended Essay Topic Ideas

What is an English A Extended Essay?

An English A Extended Essay is a long-form essay of up to 4,000 words that is used to evaluate a student’s ability to research and write on a given topic. This type of essay requires a high level of research and critical thinking, and often requires multiple drafts and revisions before submission.

Structure of an Extended Essay

The structure of an extended essay typically follows an inverted pyramid format. This means that the essay begins with a clear introduction and expands through the body paragraphs until a conclusive summary is reached in the conclusion.

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Requirements

In order for students to complete their extended essays successfully, they must adhere to certain requirements. These include having a clear thesis statement, correct formatting and citations, appropriate academic tone, and accurate grammar and spelling.

Evaluation Criteria

Extended essays are evaluated based on three criteria: research, argument, and presentation. In order to achieve a high score, students must demonstrate their understanding of the material, possess a well-developed argument, and present their ideas in an organized and professional manner.

Research

A successful extended essay requires comprehensive research. This includes reading reliable sources, interviewing experts, analyzing data, and synthesizing information from various sources. It is important to note that original research is not required for this type of essay, though it is recommended.

Topic Ideas & Tips for an English A Extended Essay

Coming up with your own topic ideas for an English A extended essay can be a daunting task. It’s important to research topics that interest you, as well as make sure the topics are feasible to research and write about in the limited timeframe given. To help you come up with inspiring essay topics, here are some ideas and tips.

Popular Topic Ideas

A good starting point for your research is to explore popular English A extended essay topics. These topics may have been covered in other essays or textbooks in the past, which can provide a foundation for your own research and writing. Some popular topics include:

  • Analysis of a specific author’s work
  • Comparative study of two authors
  • Literary analysis of a novel
  • Exploring themes and motifs in literature
  • Exploring language and its effects

English A Extended Essay Topic Ideas

  1. The portrayal of mental illness in contemporary literature: An analysis of “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath and “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman.
  2. Exploring themes of dystopia and control in “1984” by George Orwell and “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.
  3. The role of unreliable narrators in modern fiction: A study of “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn and “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel.
  4. The use of magical realism to address social issues: A comparative analysis of “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and “Beloved” by Toni Morrison.
  5. The evolution of the detective genre: A study of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories and Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series.
  6. The depiction of the immigrant experience in contemporary American literature: An analysis of “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri and “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
  7. Exploring the theme of identity in LGBTQ+ literature: A study of “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin and “Call Me by Your Name” by André Aciman.
  8. The impact of war on individual identity in literature: A comparative analysis of “Atonement” by Ian McEwan and “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien.
  9. The role of landscape and setting in shaping narrative in “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë and “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy.
  10. The portrayal of women’s struggle for autonomy in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys.
  11. The use of satire to critique society in “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley and “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller.
  12. The representation of trauma and memory in “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer and “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak.
  13. Exploring the theme of existentialism in “The Stranger” by Albert Camus and “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk.
  14. The depiction of family dynamics and dysfunction in “We Were the Mulvaneys” by Joyce Carol Oates and “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls.
  15. The use of intertextuality in modern literature: A study of “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys and “Foe” by J.M. Coetzee.
  16. The portrayal of the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald and “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller.
  17. The exploration of racial identity and tension in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas.
  18. The role of fate versus free will in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles.
  19. The representation of the female gothic in “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë and “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier.
  20. Exploring the theme of rebellion in young adult literature: A study of “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and “Divergent” by Veronica Roth.
  21. The impact of colonialism in literature: A comparative analysis of “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad and “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe.
  22. The portrayal of mental and emotional healing in “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty and “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng.
  23. The influence of mythology on modern fantasy literature: A study of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” by Rick Riordan and “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman.
  24. The use of stream of consciousness as a narrative technique in “Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf and “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger.
  25. The exploration of ethics and morality in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde and “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro.
  26. The role of food as a symbol of culture and identity in “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel and “Kitchen” by Banana Yoshimoto.
  27. The portrayal of loneliness and isolation in “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky.
  28. The representation of historical trauma in “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi.
  29. The impact of technology on human relationships in “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury and “Black Mirror” by Charlie Brooker.
  30. The role of narrative structure in shaping reader perception: A study of “Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell and “If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler” by Italo Calvino.

Brainstorming Ideas

In addition to researching popular topics, it’s also important to consider what topics you feel passionate about. Think of issues related to the subject that inspire and excite you, as these will be the ones you most want to explore. Spend some time brainstorming and jotting down all the ideas that come to mind, no matter how far out they may seem. Once you have these ideas, start doing further research to see if any of them are feasible and relevant for your essay.

Research Resources

Once you have decided on a few potential topics, you can start researching more deeply. Take some time to read up on the topics, both from academic and nonacademic sources. Reading opinion pieces, journals, interviews, and other literature related to your chosen topics can give you a better understanding of the issues and deepen your knowledge. There are an abundance of resources available both online and in print, so make sure to explore different sources!

Conclusion

Coming up with a great topic for your English A extended essay can seem like a daunting task – but with the right research and brainstorming, you will be well on your way to creating an intriguing, relevant, and successful essay. So take the time to research topics, brainstorm ideas, and explore resources, and you’ll be sure to come up with the perfect topic.

Research Sources

Conducting research for an English A extended essay can be overwhelming. To make the process easier, it is important to understand the different types of sources available and best practices for researching these topics.

The first step is to identify and narrow your topic. This will help you decide what type of source material you need. For example, if you are exploring the effects of video game violence on young people, you may need to find academic studies, interviews with experts, newspaper or magazine articles, or other primary source materials.

Once you have identified the types of sources you need, you can start researching them. It is important to remember that not all sources are created equal. Quality sources should be reliable and accurate; utilizing peer-reviewed articles from respected journals or magazines and authoritative websites are good places to start.

It is also important to be aware of potential bias in sources. Consider the author’s qualifications, their affiliations, and their biases when evaluating the source. Also, consider the publication date; older sources may no longer be relevant or up to date.

When searching, use keywords and phrases to help narrow your search. Be sure to take notes and cite any sources used. You should also keep track of the research process, such as the websites visited, the search terms used, and the results of each search.

Finally, it is important to stay organized throughout the research process. Use folders and labeling systems to organize your research into categories. Taking the time to properly organize your notes and sources at the beginning of the research process will save hours of frustration later.

By understanding the different types of sources available and best practices for researching your topic, you can save time and create a strong foundation for your extended essay.

Referencing Sources with MLA Guidelines

When creating an English A extended essay, it is important to properly reference any sources that you use. This not only shows that you have done your research and presented accurate information, but also encourages academic integrity. The most common style for citing sources is the Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines.

Citing sources using MLA guidelines involves a few steps. First, you need to identify the author of the source that you are referencing. For books, this means the writer’s name, while for websites and other electronic sources, this could be the organization or website name. At the end of the sentence when you are referencing the source, or at the end of the paragraph, you will include the in-text citation. This should include the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses.

After the in-text citation, the final step is to include a Works Cited entry. This should include information such as the author’s name, title of the work, place of publication, publisher, and year. All of this information should be formatted correctly to follow the MLA guidelines.

Knowing how to correctly reference sources is an important skill that all students should learn. Not only does it show that you have done your research and referenced reliable sources, but it also helps to establish credibility for your writing.

Writing Tips

When you write an English A Extended Essay, there are certain elements that must be present in order to make the essay effective and successful. It’s important to understand the structure of a good essay before you begin writing your own. This includes having a strong thesis statement, clear organization, and an appropriate tone.

Strong Thesis Statement

Your essay should have a central argument or idea that is supported throughout the entire paper. This main idea is known as your thesis statement. A thesis statement provides clarity and direction for your essay, and establishes the purpose of your writing. A clear and concise thesis statement should be used in the introduction of your essay and can be restated in the conclusion.

Clear Organization

Organizing your thoughts and writing into sections will help make the essay easier to read and understand. You should use headings and subheadings to divide the content into meaningful sections and use transitions to ensure that the essay flows logically from one point to the next. Your essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Appropriate Tone

The tone of your essay should be appropriate for the subject matter. For example, if you are writing about a serious topic, then the tone should be professional and scholarly. On the other hand, if you are writing about something lighthearted, then the tone can be more casual and humorous. Ultimately, the tone of your essay should fit the content and convey your ideas clearly.

There are many key writing elements to consider when writing an extended essay. By following the advice in this guide and focusing on having a strong thesis statement, clear organization, and appropriate tone, you can create an effective English A Extended Essay that will impress your teachers and peers.

Editing Tips

Having written your essay, it is essential to go back and review your work to ensure it meets the standards expected of an English A Extended Essay. Making sure your grammar and spelling are correct, as well as editing for clarity, are all important steps in the process.

Checking for grammar and spelling errors should be done several times over the course of writing and editing your essay as small mistakes can easily slip through. Use a spell-checker for a first pass, then read through your essay yourself or have someone else read it in order to pick up on any typos or grammatical errors that might have been overlooked.

Editing for clarity is just as important as fixing grammar and spelling errors. Make sure each sentence is clear, concise, and reads well to the reader. Re-read your essay and cut any unnecessary words or redundancies. Also look for any words or phrases that could be replaced with more precise or efficient ones. Finally, see if each sentence adds something to the narrative, if not, consider deleting it.

It’s also important to read your essay from the perspective of your audience. If a sentence appears confusing, ask yourself why and then attempt to re-write it to make it accessible to your readers. The goal is to ensure your essay is easy to understand while also accurately conveying your message.

In conclusion, proper editing is essential to producing a successful English A Extended Essay. By thoroughly checking for grammar and spelling errors, and ensuring your sentences are clear and concise, you will be able to present your essay in the best possible light.

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Presentation Tips

When writing an English A Extended Essay, presentation can be just as important as the words you choose. Your paper should be presented in a compiled and organized way, with appropriate formatting and visuals.

Writing Style

Your writing style should be clear and concise. Avoid repetition, jargon and overly complex colocations. Additionally, double check that the tone stays consistent throughout the paper. This can be accomplished by writing in the third person point of view.

Formatting

Formatting should be tailored to the style guide or assessment criteria. This will make sure that your extended essay stands out from the crowd. Commonly used guidelines include APA and Chicago Manual styles.

Visuals

Including visuals is a great way to illustrate complex concepts. Visuals used should be relevant to the topic and accurately credited. Popular visual presentations like graphs, charts, and tables are all acceptable. For example, using a table to compare and contrast the different ideas or a graph to track changes over time.

Other Aspects

  • Make sure you write a strong introduction paragraph – this is where you will draw in your reader.
  • Include page numbers and/or headings to break up text and help with navigation.
  • Proofread your essay for accuracy and any potential errors.

Presentation is a key factor when completing an English A Extended Essay. If your written representation and visuals are well-presented, it can greatly enhance your overall grade.

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Analyzing Data and Arguments

Analyzing data and arguments is a key part of forming evidence-based conclusions. This includes looking at the facts or evidence to decide what you think about an issue. To analyze data and arguments, you’ll need to understand the facts or data available. You’ll need to think critically about the different viewpoints that may be present and ask yourself questions.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the information, it’s time to start analyzing the data and arguments. You can do this by asking questions such as: What are the underlying assumptions being made? Are they valid? Does the data support the claim? Does the evidence contradict the claim? Are there any logical inconsistencies in the arguments being made?

By asking these questions, you can analyze the data and arguments that are presented. You can also start to form your own opinion based on the evidence. However, keep in mind that analyzing data and arguments is a process. You may need to go back and revise your opinion as more evidence comes to light.

In addition to asking questions, make sure to look for any bias or prejudice in the evidence. People may have different opinions or backgrounds that can affect how they see the issue. It’s important to acknowledge these differences and make sure to include them in your analysis.

Finally, review your conclusions and consider if there is any additional evidence that could strengthen or weaken your opinion. Analyzing data and arguments is an essential skill when writing an extended essay as it helps you form evidence-based conclusions and persuasive arguments.

Structure an Extended Essay

Writing an English A extended essay is a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Having a structure in place will help make the writing process easier and ensure that you produce a comprehensive essay in the end.

First, plan out your introduction. This is where you will introduce the topic and explain what you’re trying to show or prove in your essay. Depending on the length of your essay, you may also want to include a thesis statement.

Next, move into the body of the essay. This is where you will provide evidence, data, and examples to support your argument. Each paragraph should present a point and evidence to back it up. Make sure that all of your paragraphs are logically connected to each other and that they support your thesis statement.

Finally, write the conclusion. This is where you will summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis. It’s also a great opportunity to leave the reader with some final thoughts and reflect on the evidence presented.

Organizing your extended essay in this way can help you focus on producing a clear and well-structured essay. By taking the time to plan out your paper, you’ll be able to make sure that each part serves its purpose and that your essay is cohesive as a whole.

The Value of Receiving Feedback

When it comes to writing an extended essay, feedback is essential. Getting an outside perspective can help you identify aspects of your work that could be improved or strengthened. It can also provide affirmation that you are on the right track. As a result, seeking feedback from other people is a valuable step during the writing process.

Feedback from experts in your field or from those who have experience in writing extended essays can be especially helpful. You may want to consider asking a teacher, professor, librarian, mentor, or another trusted individual for input. Alternatively, some students opt to use peer-review services to receive impartial comments on their work.

Handling Criticism Constructively

It is important to keep in mind that criticism of your work is not necessarily meant to be personal or negative. Rather, it is intended to help you develop and improve your paper. Although it can often be difficult to take criticism, it is important to approach it in an open and constructive manner. Remember, if you choose to ignore the advice of others, you may be unable to accurately assess whether or not your work is of high quality.

Whenever you receive criticism, allow yourself time to process the feedback before responding. As you read the criticism, try to first observe the comments objectively. Then, consider the context and intent of the individual providing the feedback. Ask questions if something is unclear. Finally, if you disagree with the feedback, draw on your own understanding and experiences to explain your thought process.

Conclusion

Writing an English A extended essay can be a daunting process, but with the right research, structure and guidance, you can write one that stands out from the crowd. In this guide, we’ve covered many elements of essay writing so you can set yourself up for success.

The main topics covered in this guide include defining extended essays, topic ideas and tips, research sources, referencing, writing tips, editing tips, presentation tips, analyzing data and arguments, structuring an extended essay, receiving feedback, and more.

By following this guide and putting in the time and effort, you should now have the knowledge to write an English A extended essay that meets the required criteria. Remember to have confidence in your work and trust the process!

We hope you’ve found this guide useful and that it’s provided you with the information you need. If you’d like additional resources to help with your essay, there are plenty of books and websites available to explore. Good luck with the rest of your essay writing journey!

Valerie Green

Valerie Green

Valerie Green is a dedicated educator who spends her time helping high school and college students succeed. She writes articles and guides for various online education projects, providing students with the tools they need to excel in their studies. Friendly and approachable, she is committed to making a difference in the lives of students.

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