How to Write a Geography Extended Essay?

Writing a Geography Extended Essay for the IB DP Geography course is both tough and rewarding. I’ve helped many students through this process, so I know how scary it can initially seem. But if you do things the right way, your Geography EE can be a fun way to show how well you understand the curriculum and how well you can research on your own.

What Is the Geography in IB DP?

Geography is one of the most interesting and useful subjects you can study for the IB Diploma Programme. It’s more than just learning about different countries or remembering maps; it’s about knowing how people, places, and the world are connected in complicated ways. As an experienced IB writer, I’ve seen how Geography teaches students how to think about global problems like climate change, urbanization, and sustainability, which are becoming increasingly important in our world right now.

One of the best things about IB DP Geography is that it uses ideas from different fields and many sources. It takes parts from nature and social studies and looks at the world from various angles. You’ll be involved in such things as:

Physical Geography. Looking into rivers, mountains, and ecosystems in nature and how they work.
Human Geography. Researching human activities, like urban development, population dynamics, and cultural patterns.
Environmental Geography. How human actions affect the world and how the environment affects people.

This all-around method helps you learn about the world and prepares you for the Geography Extended Essay, an integral part of the IB DP. In it, you’ll do an in-depth study on any subject you choose. From personal experience, this essay is a great chance to dig into a local problem that interests you a lot while using what you’ve learned in class.

In IB DP Geography, this means connecting people, places, and the world. Geography makes you think critically about the world, and the Extended Essay lets you use those skills.

How to Choose a Topic for Your Geography Extended Essay?

From my experience, picking a topic for your Geography Extended Essay is the most important thing you must do. Not only should your topic interest you, but it should also fit within the limits of the IB DP Geography course. I know that your topic dramatically affects how your study goes and how well it turns out. Because of this, choosing something you’re interested in is essential, which lets you do a lot of research.

From my point of view, a good topic will have the following traits:

How this relates to the subject. It should be based on ideas and concepts from Geography.
A lot of detail. The topic should be specific enough for a deep look at it.
Ability to handle. Make sure you can study the topic in the time and words allotted.
Interested and involved. Pick something that interests you.

For example, if you’re interested in urban geography, you could look into how urban sprawl impacts ecosystems in a specific place. Also, ensure your topic is not too broad or too narrow. It can be hard to cover everything there is to know about a big subject like “The effects of urbanization on the environment.” On the other hand, a topic that is too narrow might not have enough information for a complete study.

Check out our comprehensive article for detailed guidance on structuring and writing your Anthropology Extended Essay.

The next step is to turn your broad thought into a specific research question. In my opinion, a straightforward research question is the most critical part of a good Geography EE. You can use it to plan your study and stay on track with your writing. For example, you could ask, “What are the effects of urban sprawl on biodiversity in Alaska?” instead of “How does urbanization affect the environment?” With this more specific question, you’ll be able to learn a lot about the topic and write an in-depth study with lots of evidence.

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How to Conduct Research for Your Geography EE?

I believe that real work starts with thorough research. Collecting accurate data for your Geography EE is essential because it is the paper’s basis. Depending on your subject, you might need to use primary and secondary research methods. For example, if your work is about looking at trends in space, you could use GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to gather data and figure out what it means.

From what I’ve seen, these are some of the best ways to do original study in Geography:

Fieldwork means going into the real world to look at, measure, and write down things that happen in geography.
Interviews and surveys are good ways to do research when your topic is human geography.
Even though they aren’t used very often in geography, experiments can be used to test ideas about how the world works.

Secondary research methods, on the other hand, examine information that someone else has already gathered. It can include academic papers, books, government studies, and available statistics.

It is important to use regional theories and models in your research in addition to gathering and analyzing data. Using these ideas in your essay strengthens your case and shows you know what you’re talking about for IB DP Geography. For instance, if your study is about urban sprawl, you could use the Bid-Rent Theory to explain how land use is spread out in your study area.

Importance of Geographical Tools and Techniques

I think there is no way to study Geography without using geographical tools and methods.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, are among today’s most valuable tools for studying Geography. You can get location data, store it, examine it, and see it visually. This data can then be used to find patterns, connections, and trends. For example, if you’re studying urban sprawl, GIS can help you show how land use has changed over time, figure out how that has affected local ecosystems, and even guess what will happen.

Fieldwork Techniques

Fieldwork is an important part of regional study, and all Geography students must learn how to do it well. You can use methods like surveys, sampling, and watching to get first-hand information from the world. For instance, if your research is about how rivers wear away over time, you might use sediment traps, flow meters, and GPS devices to track different parts of the river’s movement.

Cartography and Mapping

Making maps, or cartography, is another critical skill in Geography. Correct maps allow you to see spatial data and clearly explain your results. So, cartography or map-making lets you show complicated data in a way everyone can understand, whether you’re tracking population growth, land use, or climate trends.

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How to Structure Your Geography Extended Essay?

Once you have all the required data, it’s time to organize your Geography Extended Essay. Your paper should have a clear and sensible framework, with each part building on the one before it to make a strong case.

Start with a Strong Introduction

A good introduction should describe the topic, explain why it’s essential in Geography, and state the research question or theory that will guide your study.

At the beginning of your essay, you should also describe what it is about. Outline what you’re going to talk about and what you’re not going to talk about, and give a quick outline of how your essay is organized. This way, readers understand what to expect and how your case will develop.

Craft a Detailed Methodology

From what I’ve seen, this part should be particular and full of details since it’s where your study starts. IB rules say that your approach should describe what you did and explain why you chose the methods you did.

For example, if you did research, you should talk about the exact places you went, the methods you used to gather information (like polls, conversations, or notes), and any problems you ran into. If you used secondary data, discuss how you chose your sources and ensured they were reliable and relevant to your work.

Present Your Results

In my view, this part should be as neutral as possible, just giving the facts without any opinions. When it makes sense, use tables, charts, and graphs to make your information easier to find and understand.

Based on what I have learned, it is important to order your data according to your research question. For instance, if your research question asks you to compare different parts of the world, you should organize your data by area. It will help your readers understand your point of view and see how the data you used supports your research question.

Analyze Your Data

IB standards say that this is where you should show that you can think critically about your facts and see how they fit into the bigger picture of Geography.

Here, you should show how your study aligns with your research question. What does your research tell you about the question you set out to find? What do they tell you about the ideas and theories you’ve learned about geography?

Conclude Your Geography Extended Essay

The EE conclusion is your last chance to make a mark on your readers that will last. In my view, a good ending does more than just restate your results. It ties everything together and deeply makes you think about your study’s meaning. General IB criteria say that your conclusion should answer your research question directly, giving a clear and straightforward answer based on the evidence you used in your essay.

Final Tips for Success

Remember that as you work on your Geography EE, this is your chance to show off your best skills and knowledge. Start early, keep things in order, and ask for feedback often. I believe determination and a genuine interest in your subject are the secrets to success.

After following these tips and keeping your mind on the task, you can write a great Geography EE. If you want to leave more time for exam preparation and get an excellent grade for an Extended Essay, just contact our experts at Buy EE Service.

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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