IB DP Extended Essay: The EE Checklist for DP1 Term 2

EE Checklist for DP1 Term 2 — the moment to set your research engine running

DP1 Term 2 is a sweet-spot: you’ve chosen subjects, you’ve been exposed to a few research approaches, and you’re starting to feel the shape of an idea that could become a real Extended Essay. The EE is an independent, self-directed piece of research that finishes with a 4,000-word paper — a project designed to stretch your academic muscles, sharpen your argumentation, and prepare you for university-style research.

Photo Idea : a student at a desk surrounded by open books, sticky notes, and a laptop, mid-research

Quick facts you should carry in your pocket

• Length: aim for a focused 4,000-word argument — not a scattershot long-form of everything you found.
• Supervision: you will be supported by a supervisor (often a teacher) who guides rather than writes.
• Reflection: three mandatory reflection sessions are required, with the final one being a reflective concluding interview (viva voce).
• Assessment: essays are externally assessed and reported on a 0–34 scale and converted into bands that contribute to the Diploma in combination with TOK.

Those reflection meetings, the supervision structure, and the externally marked nature of the EE are part of what makes it both challenging and incredibly valuable — they’re not bureaucratic hoops but tools to help you think more clearly about the research process.

Your DP1 Term 2 checklist — what to do now and why it matters

Think of this checklist as a practical map you can adapt. The aim is to leave Term 2 with a sharpened research question, a realistic method plan, a first wave of secondary sources, and a schedule that fits the ebb and flow of DP life. Below each item you’ll find short examples and quick actions you can complete during term time.

1) Lock the focus: refine your research question

A research question that is too broad is the most common EE trap. Instead of “How does climate change affect coastal towns?” you could aim for “To what extent has rising sea level affected local fishing economies in [a defined place] between X and Y?” Focus means place, timeframe (or not), and a clear measurable/analytical angle.

• Quick action: write three versions of your question — one too broad, one too narrow, one “just right.”
• Example of iterative improvement: transform a curiosity into a testable claim or comparison, then ask “how would I prove this?”

If you want a tutor to work through question-sculpting with you, consider using Sparkl‘s 1-on-1 tutors, who can simulate supervisor conversations and suggest follow-up questions that make your RQ sharper.

2) Map the literature: do a smart, early literature sweep

Term 2 is a great time for a rapid but strategic literature sweep: find authoritative books, recent journal articles, and a few good sources that represent different perspectives. Keep notes keyed to your evolving research question — you’ll be synthesizing these later, not merely stacking quotes.

• Quick action: collect 8–12 solid secondary sources and write a one-sentence note for each describing its claim and how it could support or challenge your question.
• Tip: use a reference manager from the start (Zotero, Mendeley, etc.) so your bibliography grows with you and isn’t a last-minute scramble.

3) Plan methodology: match method to question

The methodology must fit the question. If you’re doing a science EE you might plan a controlled experiment; for history you might identify archives, primary sources, and historians’ interpretations; for economics you might outline data sources and the statistical approach. Write a short methods paragraph now — keep it realistic and ethical.

• Quick action: draft a one-page methodology sketch that explains what you will measure or analyse, how you will collect it, and why that method answers the question.
• Ethics: if your research involves human participants or sensitive data, note the permissions you’ll need and plan to discuss them with your supervisor and school.

4) Build a realistic schedule — milestones beat panic

Work backward from your school’s EE submission window. Breaking the two-year project into short, measurable milestones makes the workload manageable and protects DP2 for polishing and reflection. Below is a compact milestone table you can adapt to your terms and free periods.

5) Word economy: allocate words before you write

Split 4,000 words so every section has a purpose. A rough allocation keeps you focused and helps escape the “everything goes in” temptation.

6) Make supervision work: plan reflective conversations

Supervisors are your sounding board, accountability partner, and guide. You’re required to have three reflection sessions, culminating in the viva voce — short reflective conversations that clarify process and intent. Use each meeting to leave with a clear, written next step.

• Meeting 1 (early): discuss RQ and methods; leave with a 3-point action plan.
• Meeting 2 (mid): show preliminary findings or drafts; ask for targeted feedback.
• Meeting 3 (final viva): reflect on learning and confirm final adjustments.

Frame your meetings: bring a brief agenda, a one-page update, and explicit questions. This professional practice saves time and keeps the supervisor-student relationship focused and meaningful.

7) Keep academic honesty airtight

Plagiarism is avoidable with disciplined note-taking and consistent referencing. Always note where an idea came from, paraphrase conscientiously, and use quotation marks for direct quotes (sparingly). If in doubt, cite. Your school will have an academic integrity policy — learn it now and follow it strictly.

• Quick action: keep a single research log (digital or paper) that records quotes, page numbers, and your immediate reaction or paraphrase.
• Tip: a good reference manager plus a clear bibliography style chosen early prevents formatting panic later.

8) Draft-feedback cycles: iterate like a researcher

Drafts should be a conversation: you write, you receive feedback, you refine. Resist the urge to polish every paragraph before you have the whole draft; instead prioritize getting a full draft down, then edit for clarity and argument strength.

• Quick action: aim for a first complete draft several weeks before your school’s final polishing window — that gives you time for a serious revision cycle.
• Feedback practice: when you receive comments, separate them into content-level changes (argument, evidence), structural changes (flow, headings), and surface edits (grammar, citation format).

One helpful option for structured feedback is working with tutors who can provide targeted 1-on-1 guidance; for example, Sparkl‘s tutors can help you interpret supervisor feedback and translate it into an actionable revision plan.

9) Connect to TOK and CAS where relevant

The EE and Theory of Knowledge are intentionally linked — strong reflection on knowledge questions can strengthen both. Use insights from TOK to deepen your methodology and analysis, and document instances where your EE links to TOK questions in your reflections.

Remember that the EE contributes to the Diploma in combination with TOK — together they can influence the award of up to three additional points for the Diploma, depending on how they’re graded. Keep in mind how assessment decisions across both elements can affect your final points.

Common pitfalls (and exactly how to avoid them)

• Too broad a question — fix by adding a clear parameter (place, time, population, or measurable variable).
• Late data collection — protect DP2 for analysis, not last-minute fieldwork.
• Weak argument structure — use paragraph topic sentences and signposting to guide the reader.
• Poor note-keeping — commit to a system now (date each note; record full citation details).
• Over-reliance on a handful of internet sources — prioritize peer-reviewed or reputable primary sources where possible.

Resources and where to look for detailed guidance

The IB publishes subject briefs, guidance documents, and sample essays that show what strong work looks like. Your school may provide access to the Programme Resource Centre for digital copies of the Extended Essay Guide and exemplar essays. Make it part of your workflow to consult official guidance when you’re unsure about formatting, supervision limits, or reflective session requirements.

For the detailed rules about structure, subject-specific expectations, and assessment criteria, the Extended Essay Guide is the authoritative reference — treat it as your policy manual rather than optional reading. Schools and supervisors use it to align feedback and to ensure fairness in assessment.

Photo Idea : a small group meeting between a student and a supervisor at a classroom table with notes and a tablet

Practical mini-checklist you can use this week

• Write three versions of your research question and choose the most workable one.
• Assemble 8–12 credible secondary sources with one-sentence annotations.
• Draft a one-page methodology and note any ethical approvals needed.
• Book your next supervisor meeting and prepare a one-page agenda.
• Set three firm calendar dates for milestone checks before the end of the year.

How to measure progress — simple metrics that actually help

Progress isn’t just words written: it’s clarity of argument, viability of data, and the quality of feedback loops. Track these metrics:

• Research question stability: has your RQ changed more than twice? (If yes, note why.)
• Source diversity: percentage of peer-reviewed or primary sources in your bibliography.
• Draft completeness: percentage of sections with at least a first pass.
• Supervisor responsiveness: time between request and meeting or feedback.

These simple indicators tell you whether you’re moving toward analysis (which is what earns marks) rather than accumulating more descriptive material.

Final notes on pacing, resilience, and the viva voce

Pacing is the secret superpower of a good EE. Slow, steady progress prevents panic; scheduled reflection prevents tunnel vision. The viva voce is short and reflective: it’s an opportunity to demonstrate how your thinking developed and how you responded to challenges — not an exam to be feared but a conversation that confirms your scholarly journey.

Keep in mind that the Extended Essay is as much about demonstrating the process of inquiry as it is about presenting polished conclusions. If you treat Term 2 as the place to establish structure and momentum, DP2 becomes the season of refinement and confident argumentation.

This checklist and roadmap are designed to help you move from idea to evidence to analysis without losing sleep. With clarity, steady milestones, and focused supervision conversations you will build an EE that reflects genuine curiosity, disciplined research, and clear writing.