IB Diploma: Extended Essay, EE, Choosing a Subject, Selecting a DP Subject for Independent Research

What This Is and Why It Matters for IB

Choosing a Subject is a crucial skill for IB Diploma Programme students. It involves selecting a subject for independent research that aligns with their interests, strengths, and career goals. This skill appears in the syllabus under Subject Selection in the Diploma Programme Handbook. Students often get it wrong by choosing a subject without considering its relevance to their future plans or without sufficient research. This can lead to losing marks in the Extended Essay or failing to meet the subject's requirements.

Where It Appears in the IB Syllabus

This topic appears in the Diploma Programme Handbook under Subject Selection. It is also relevant to the Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) components.

Key Command Terms

• Analyze: Break down a subject into its key components to understand its relevance to the Diploma Programme.
• Evaluate: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of a subject in relation to your interests and career goals.
• Discuss: Consider the implications of choosing a subject on your future academic and professional path.

Step-by-Step Understanding

1. Reflect on your interests: Think about the subjects you enjoy and excel in.
2. Research career options: Explore how different subjects relate to various careers.
3. Consider your strengths: Choose a subject that aligns with your academic strengths.
4. Verify subject requirements: Confirm the requirements for each subject, including coursework and exams.
5. Avoid choosing a subject solely for its perceived ease: Be honest about your abilities and choose a subject that challenges you.

Assessment Criteria Connection

Real Student Mistakes

Student 1: Chose a subject without researching its requirements and ended up struggling with the coursework. Student 2: Selected a subject solely for its perceived ease and ended up bored and disengaged.

Exam Technique (Paper-specific)

For the Extended Essay: - Allocate 30 minutes to reading and understanding the subject's requirements. - Structure your response using a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. - Link your analysis to the command terms analyze, evaluate, and discuss.

Internal Assessment / Extended Essay Relevance

When choosing a subject for the Extended Essay, consider how it aligns with your interests and career goals. This will help you to produce a well-focused research paper that meets the subject's requirements.

TOK Connections (if applicable)

This topic connects to the Ways of Knowing (WoK) component of TOK, specifically the Empirical and Interpretive ways of knowing. Consider how the subject you choose relates to these ways of knowing and how it can inform your knowledge question.

Quick Check (Self-Assessment Questions)

1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing a subject for the Diploma Programme?
   • Model answer: Interests, career goals, strengths, subject requirements.
2. Why is it essential to research a subject's requirements before choosing it?
   • Model answer: To ensure you meet the subject's requirements and to avoid struggling with coursework.
3. How does choosing a subject relate to the Extended Essay?
   • Model answer: Choosing a subject for the Extended Essay should align with your interests and career goals.

Revision Card (60-Second Summary)

• Reflect on interests: Think about the subjects you enjoy and excel in.
• Research career options: Explore how different subjects relate to various careers.
• Consider strengths: Choose a subject that aligns with your academic strengths.
• Verify subject requirements: Confirm the requirements for each subject.
• Avoid choosing a subject solely for its perceived ease.
• Link to Extended Essay: Choose a subject that aligns with your interests and career goals.
• Consider TOK connections: Think about how the subject relates to the Ways of Knowing component of TOK.

If You Get Stuck

• Review the Diploma Programme Handbook: Check the subject selection guidelines.
• Ask your teacher: Discuss your concerns and get advice.
• Consult online resources: Look for subject-specific guidance and advice.

Related IB Topics

• Subject Selection: This topic is closely related to subject selection in the Diploma Programme Handbook.
• Extended Essay: Choosing a subject for the Extended Essay is a key aspect of this topic.
• Theory of Knowledge: This topic connects to the Ways of Knowing component of TOK.