Students at Queensland Academies Creative Industries (QACI) are required to complete the Extended Essay task, a compulsory component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
Students have the opportunity to do an in-depth critical research on a topic of their individual interest. Students commence this research project in Year 11 and submit in the second year of IB study. Through writing this 4,000-word essay, students develop independent research and academic writing skills that will prepare them for the rigour of study at university level.
The in-depth researched topic, under the guidance of a supervisor, is chosen from the list of approved IB Diploma Programme subjects.
The Extended Essay leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing, in which ideas and research is communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject chosen.
The aims of the Extended Essay are to provide students with the opportunity to:
pursue independent research on a focused topic
develop research and communication skills
develop the skills of creative and critical thinking
engage in a systematic process of research appropriate to the subject
experience the excitement of intellectual discovery.
In working on the Extended Essay, students are expected to:
plan and pursue a research project with intellectual initiative and insight
formulate a precise research question
gather and interpret material from sources appropriate to the research question
structure a reasoned argument in response to the research question on the basis of the material gathered
present their Extended Essay in a format appropriate to the subject, acknowledging sources in one of the established academic ways
use the terminology and language appropriate to the subject with skill and understanding
apply analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject, with an understanding of the implications and the context of their research.
In summary:
The Extended Essay must be based on one of the subjects of the IB Diploma curriculum under the supervision of a qualified teacher at the school.
Extended Essays submitted in a group 1 or group 2 language must be written in that language. Extended Essays in all other subjects must be written in English, French or Spanish.
The Extended Essay is externally assessed.