This document provides formatting requirements for the IB Extended Essay. It outlines the main parts of the essay, including the title page, abstract, contents page, introduction, body, conclusion, references, bibliography, appendices, and footnotes/endnotes. Each section is described in one to two sentences. Requirements include using a 12 point font and double spacing for the body, and word count limits of 300 words for the abstract and 4000 words total. Citations and references are distinguished from the bibliography.

1. IB Extended Essay
Formatting Requirements
prepared by: MPI Librarians - 30 Aug. 2013

2. Parts of the Extended Essay
● Title Page
● Abstract
● Contents Page
● Introduction
● Body (development/methods/results)
● Conclusion
● References and Bibliography (Works Cited)
● Appendices

3. Title Page
To include:
● Title - clear indication of the
focus of the essay
● Name
● IB number
● “International Baccalaureate
Extended Essay”
● Subject
● Date
● School
● Word Count
ALL CENTERED
Page Number in header or footer
IB number in header or footer

4. Abstract
What is an abstract?
ab-stract (n.) a summary of ideas

5. Abstract
Look at EBSCOhost articles for
examples ...
**Should be written up after your
paper is completed, but goes in
front of your paper in the final
product.**

6. Abstract
● Normally written last
○ State clearly: research question,
scope of investigation, conclusion
of essay
● No more than 300 words
● Placed right after title page

7. Contents Page
http://macmost.com/creating-a-table-of-contents-
in-pages.html

8. Contents Page
Remember:
● Start your paper BEFORE you make
the table of contents
● Make sure your cursor is on the page

9. Introduction

10. Introduction
● Written after main body is complete
● Introduces the topic
○ Tells reader what to expect
● Enables the reader to comprehend the
significance of your research question
○ Include your research questions

11. Body (development/methods/results)
Typed double-spaced
and 12 pt font

12. Body (development/methods/results)
● Upper limit is 4000 words
○ Included:
■ introduction
■ the body
■ the conclusion
■ any quotations
○ Not Included:
● the abstract
● acknowledgements
● the contents page
● maps, charts, diagrams, annotated
illustrations, and tables
● equations, formulas, and
calculations
● Essays longer than 4,000 words are
subject to penalties
● examiners are not required to read
materials in excess of word limit
● citations/references (whether
parenthetical or numbered)
● footnotes or endnotes
● the bibliography
● appendices

13. Conclusion
What is a conclusion?
● NOT a summary
● consistent with your thesis
● How have you supported
your thesis and answered
the research question?

14. References, Citations,
Bibliography
● References
○ You must include references in your body
○ Anytime you refer to someone else’ work -
a book you read, a website you used, an
interview - that is a reference.
○ ALL references MUST be cited

15. References, Citations,
Bibliography
● Citations
○ quick way to refer the reader from a
reference to the bibliography
For example:
Winnie the Pooh lived in the Hundred Acre
Wood and loved honey (Milne, 6).

16. References, Citation,
Bibliography
● Bibliography Works Cited
○ Goes at the END of the body
○ SAVE YOUR SOURCES!!!
○ Follow MLA format - EasyBib does a lot
for you!
For example:

17. Appendices
What is an appendix?
● A collection of supplementary materials,
usually appearing at the end of a report,
proposal, or book. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/appendix

18. Footnotes and Endnotes
MLA discourages extensive use of explanatory notes.
However, MLA allow you to use endnotes or footnotes for
bibliographic notes, which refer to other publications your
readers may consult. The following are some examples:
1. See Blackmur, especially chapters 3 and
4, for an insightful analysis of this trend.
2. On the problems related to repressed
memory recovery, see Wollens 120-35; for a
contrasting view, see Pyle 43; Johnson, Hull,
Snyder 21-35; Krieg 78-91.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/04/

19. Good Luck Completing Your
Extended Essay
If you have any questions, please
contact librarians or refer to this
presentation