Having written IB for many years, I assure you that originality in EE is the lifeblood of a good IB project. Many students, rightly, concentrate on organization, research, and citations, but they often ignore something that may really set their work apart: their unique voice. I believe originality distinguishes the “good” extended essays from the “great” ones.
Therefore, let’s methodically dissect what this originality means and transform your IB extended essay into something remarkable.
How IB EE Originality Can Boost Your Grade?
While research quality and technical accuracy are essential, originality makes your essay come to life. Originality, in my view, does not imply creating anything from scratch. Instead, it entails offering a unique viewpoint, demonstrating independent thought, and addressing your subject in a novel and perceptive manner.
In other words, originality distinguishes an essay that contributes something significant to the discussion from one that just restates what has previously been written. To be original, many of the students I’ve worked with first believe they must produce ground-breaking research, but that isn’t the case. Rather, originality is in the little, deliberate decisions you make, such as how you formulate your research question, how you analyze your sources, or how you relate concepts from other fields.
Additionally, originality has a direct effect on your grade. As I know from dealing with this program, IB examiners want writings that demonstrate critical thought and unique interpretation. They want to see that you have personally and meaningfully connected with your issue, not merely that you have excellent grammar and correct citations.
As a result, when you illustrate the originality of your IB extended essay, you show that you did more than just repeat what you learned in the textbook. In the EE, this is precisely what receives greater scores.
The readability of your essay is also increased by originality. Let’s face it: hundreds of essays on similar subjects are examined by examiners each year. As a result, your essay instantly stands out when you use your unique voice.
In my experience, an essay with a unique voice (even if flawed) makes a greater impact than one with no personality, which may make even a well-researched paper seem uninteresting.
What Does Originality in EE Mean?
Let’s now address a frequent misconception. Many students share the concern, “How can I be original when others have already covered my topic?” It’s a reasonable question! In EE, however, originality does not always include developing a novel theory or making a Nobel Prize-winning breakthrough.
From my perspective, it usually involves presenting an established subject in a fresh manner that showcases your individuality, perceptions, and critical thinking.
Originality in essay writing can take many different forms. You could look at a subject that everyone knows about, like climate change, but apply it to a very specific local situation that no one else has researched. You could also use a less common psychological theory to look at a famous book. These choices show IB extended essay uniqueness because they show how you personally approach the question. Additionally, originality can result from fusing ideas from different fields or finding links that others might miss.
How to Add Originality to Your EE?
For example, the following list of ways to add originality to your EE:
- Getting more specific. Instead of discussing a big problem affecting people worldwide, talk about how it affects people in your school, city, or culture.
- Making use of a unique system. Look at your topic through a theory, method, or view that isn’t commonly used.
- Contrasting unexpected ideas. Put together two ideas or case studies that aren’t usually looked at together.
- Personal question posing. Regardless of how narrow it may seem, your research question should be linked to something important to you.
- Testing common assumptions and considering why commonly held beliefs might not always be true is also a good idea.
I believe that how you do your work is more important than being the first person to think about a specific topic. So, a student writing about Shakespeare might still be original if they base their analysis on a new, thought-provoking question or connect it to current social problems. Similarly, a science essay might stand out if it looks into a little-known event instead of trying to copy large-scale research.
Remember that IB examiners aren’t expecting you to change your field completely; instead, they want to see that you can think for yourself and have a strong interest in the subject. Focusing on your research method and asking, “What different approach can I bring to this topic?” will automatically add originality to your extended essay.
How to Make Your IB Extended Essay Unique?
Because so many students write on the same subject, how can you make your EE unique? Consider the tips below if you want to boost your IB extended essay uniqueness.
Find a Topic That Interests You
In my view, passion is the key component of originality. Selecting a topic that interests you allows your enthusiasm and curiosity to come through, turning the whole research and writing process into a fun walk. Examiners can see this excitement, which often results in more interesting work.
Here is a checklist to assist you in choosing a subject that piques your interest:
- Do I feel eager to learn more about this topic?
- Can I read, think, and write about this for weeks?
- Is there any link or experience I can provide on this topic?
- Is there something in particular about this topic that interests or confounds me?
- Can I contribute my viewpoint or interpretation to this topic?
Keep in mind that you are more likely to approach the research imaginatively and include viewpoints that other students may overlook when you are enthusiastic about it. The IB extended essay uniqueness depends mainly on this passion-driven approach.
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Formulate a Unique Research Question
A well-written research question is a significant factor in an IB extended essay’s uniqueness. Because they are too big to address effectively within the word limit, broad, general questions often result in generic essays.
Instead, strive for something particular and limited that allows you to deeply understand a problem. For instance, you may investigate “How has Instagram changed small business marketing strategies in my hometown?” instead of “How has social media affected society?” This method helps you concentrate better and opens new avenues for insightful analysis and original ideas. Remember that carefully formulating a research question shows examiners that you are responsible for your chosen topic.
Use an Unusual Point of View
Applying an unconventional theory or framework to your issue is an excellent approach to making a statement. The distinctiveness of your essay may be immediately increased by, for example, applying a marketing theory to a political movement or using a psychological lens to study it. This kind of cross-disciplinary thinking shows your ingenuity and impresses IB examiners.
Additionally, you might provide insights that others might miss or overlook by approaching your subject from an unconventional perspective. For instance, a literature analysis informed by feminist theory or a biology essay framed by environmental ethics creates room for novel linkages and surprising interpretations.
Add Original and Diverse Sources
Many students just use popular sources, but you may increase the originality of your work by going one step further and integrating primary data you acquired yourself, local interviews, or specialized magazines. This approach supports your claim and highlights how crucial IB EE originality is to your research methodology. Additionally, using various sources demonstrates your willingness to go beyond the obvious and do a thorough, well-rounded investigation of your subject.
I believe that students who combine scholarly sources with first-hand, cultural, or local elements often produce more memorable and rich essays, significantly impacting examiners.
Get Your Voice Heard
Last but not least, never undervalue the strength of your voice. Including your analysis, insights, and observations will improve your essay and greatly add to the distinctiveness of the IB extended essay, even if you must continue to be scholarly and evidence-based. In my view, this is the point at which your work stands out—not because of the subject you choose, but because of your unique approach.
Instead of just repeating what other people have said, you need to show that you are interested in the topic. Just ask yourself:
- What do I think?
- Why does this matter?
- What surprised me?
These ideas improve your essay’s academic value and help your ideas come across more naturally, which is what the IB values most.
Conclusion
In summary, IB EE originality is about being unique and sticking out from the crowd. Although presentation, research, and organization are essential, your unique voice, viewpoint, and novel ideas will make your essay stand out.
Students should, in my view, concentrate on being fully involved with their subject and allowing their own curiosity and analysis to lead them rather than feeling under pressure to produce something really original. Remember that sincerity, not perfection, defines originality in EE.
So, take a chance, speak out, and allow your essay to reflect your thought process. That is what will distinguish your work and help your examiners remember it. Also, you can contact our professional writers at BuyTOKEssay.com if you want assistance with any IB assignment, including extended essays and TOK essays.
