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You can get into a historical topic, improve your critical thinking, and show off your study skills in an IB History Extended Essay. But, from personal experience, I know this paper needs strategy, planning, and a clear idea of what the IB demands.
In this post, I will discuss how you can write a strong, focused IB History Extended Essay that meets the requirements of the Diploma Programme.
What Are the Requirements for a History Extended Essay?
For the IB History Extended Essay, students choose a historical question, research it, and then write an organized essay to show what they’ve learned. The History EE essay differs from most school writings because it focuses on critical thought, analyzing sources, and building a case. It can change how you do things if you know the plan and the main requirements beforehand:
- The IB says a History EE should be between 3,500 and 4,000 words long. Staying within this range gives you enough room to think deeply about your subject without giving the reader too much to read.
- The IB wants you to have a straightforward research question, a strong thesis, and a good mix of primary and secondary sources.
- Other subjects might focus on theory or scientific methods, but a History EE is different because it stresses evaluating sources and making historical arguments.
For this assessment, you’ll have to determine your sources’ reliability, look for possible biases, and make a case that goes beyond what you already know. In the sciences and math, facts are often set in stone. But in history, you must think critically and analyze what you find.
Learning to analyze sources and think critically from a young age is crucial. It will help you do better in History EE and improve your critical skills in many other subjects. Meeting IB requirements and understanding past events and how they are understood are essential parts of mastering this method.
What Are the Main Components of a High-Grade History EE?
When planning your History Extended Essay, remembering a few rules can mean the difference between an excellent paper that gets good grades and one that doesn’t. As an experienced IB writer, I can say that focusing on these things will help you keep your essay on track and make it more interesting.
1. Focused Research Question
The research question is the most crucial part of any good History EE. It should be about a specific person, event, or historical trend that interests you.
Choose a clear question; it will guide your whole research process. For example, instead of asking a broad question like “What caused the fall of the Roman Empire?” that could have many answers, ask something more specific like “How did economic instability contribute to the fall of the Western Roman Empire?”
2. Primary and Secondary Source Balance
When writing an EE in History, you should use a good mixture of primary and secondary sources, as the IB requires:
- The primary sources can bring your History Essay Extended to life and give it depth.
- Secondary sources offer opinions, academic conversations, and more background information for a complete picture.
That is, don’t just use books written by historians as secondary sources; also, use letters, speeches, or government records written during your study period.
3. Thesis-Driven Argument
A good History EE has a clear case based on a thesis. It’s like your answer to the research question; every point you make in the essay should be based on it. It gives each part organization and meaning, so think of it as the backbone of your case.
Instead of saying, “The Treaty of Versailles caused WWII,” you could say, “The Treaty of Versailles’ harsh economic terms destabilized Germany, making the conditions that led to WWII much worse.” This type of thesis answers the question directly and sets up a straightforward way for your analysis.
More topics to read:
- IB History Extended Essay Topics
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- Anthropology IB Extended Essay Topics
- English A Extended Essay Topic Ideas
- How to Write IB Extended Essay
4. Critical Source Evaluation
Not all sources are similar, and you must critically evaluate them:
- IB rules say you should determine how reliable each source is, if it has any flaws, and how relevant it is to your question.
- Primary sources often have political, cultural, or social views from the source itself. Carefully looking at these assumptions can make your essay much better.
For instance, an Indian newspaper from the same period might report on India’s freedom movement in a way that is different from what a British newspaper would have reported. When you can spot and discuss these differences, IB examiners value this. It shows that you can think critically and understand things deeply.
5. Structured Analysis
Last but not least, a well-organized essay with a smooth flow is very important for understanding your thoughts. Putting your points in a way that makes sense doesn’t just make your essay easier to read; it also makes your case stronger.
With a good structure, each part builds on the one before it, creating a smooth flow that leads the reader through your analysis. Start with background information and setting, then move on to analysis, and finally show proof that supports your conclusions.
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Tips for Writing and Revising Your History Extended Essay
Avoid the urge to send in your first draft immediately after finishing it. There are several steps to writing a History EE; rewriting is where most change happens. I believe the real polish and accuracy come from reviewing and improving every part many times.
Write Your First Draft
Making a plan first can help you avoid writer’s block and save you a lot of time. From what I’ve seen, a plan is like a road map. It helps you break down each point into digestible pieces and ensure the whole thing makes sense.
Each part of your essay should flow into the next, making a story that leads the reader through your analysis. Don’t stress over getting your first draft with data analysis just right. Instead, focus on writing down your ideas. Keep in mind that you will have many chances to improve them during the editing process.
Revise and Edit for Precision
When you revise, you do more than just fix grammar mistakes; you also look at the topic of your essay with a critical eye. From what I’ve seen, this step involves asking yourself a few important questions:
- Does every paragraph answer my research question? Each part of your paper should closely relate to your main point or help you answer the research question.
- Are there a lot of facts to back up my arguments? To back up each claim, make sure you use reliable sources. Strong evidence backs up your case and makes it more credible.
- Have I thought about counterarguments or other points of view? Including different points of view not only shows that you understand the topic well but also that you’ve considered it seriously.
- Is the structure of each paragraph clear? The topic line of each paragraph should be clear, and then there should be proof and an explanation.
- Is my theory clear through the essay? Make changes as needed to ensure your main point is always supported.
If you answer these questions while revising, your History EE will be clearer and more convincing. When you edit for clarity, ensure every line adds something to your case and doesn’t fill space.
Proofread for Grammar and Style
For the last step, proofreading, check that your Extended Essay’s language, phrasing, and style are correct. In this step, you’ll make sure your ideas are presented correctly and that there are no other things that could distract from your case. Small things like correct language and spelling are important because they show that you’ve put effort into making good work.
How to Properly Cite Sources in a History Extended Essay?
Not giving credit where it’s due can have significant effects, such as fines or being kicked out of the program. Using proper citations shows that you respect other people’s work and gives your points more weight.
The IB suggests sticking to a single reference style, like Chicago or MLA, to ensure all sources are correctly credited every time. I’ve found that picking a reference style early on and sticking with it throughout the essay saves time.
Each style has a different way of writing footnotes, endnotes, and references. For example, in history, Chicago is often chosen because it allows you to use footnotes to add background and source information without stopping the flow of your writing.
A good habit is to make an annotated bibliography early on. Don’t wait until the end to list your sources; do it as you find them. This method keeps you from losing track of sources and lowers the chance of plagiarizing without meaning to. Keeping your bibliography up to date will also help you keep track of your sources as you write more than one draft.
The Bottom Line
A History Extended Essay is both a challenging and rewarding assignment. Everything you put into planning, researching, and editing will, in my opinion, pay off. Keep in mind that critical interpretation and analysis of historical events is the ultimate aim, not only their recounting. Recognize your History EE for what it is: a test of your intellectual mettle, and rise to the challenge.
Good luck, and remember — every great historian started with a question like yours. And by the way, at BuyExtendedEssay.com, you can order papers written by experts in any IB subject.
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.
