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Once you have explored your topic, focused your thinking and tested your research question, you are ready to write your Extended Essay proposal. Your proposal is a short piece of academic writing that shows you have a thoughtful, feasible and ethical plan for your investigation.
A proposal is not a contract. Your ideas may continue to evolve. Its purpose is simply to demonstrate that you are beginning your Extended Essay in a clear and informed way.
A good proposal shows that you have a question worth exploring, a clear plan for investigating it and an understanding of what it will take to begin the Extended Essay with purpose.
What your proposal should do:
A strong proposal shows that you can:
communicate your research question clearly
explain the thinking behind it
show evidence of early reading
describe how you intend to investigate the question
reflect on feasibility and ethical considerations
demonstrate readiness to begin your Extended Essay
Every proposal looks different, but these elements are common to all subjects and both pathways.
Your working research question
Your working research question
Begin with your provisional question.
It should be clear, focused and analytical.
Good questions often:
investigate a specific issue
require interpretation or evaluation
connect to academic ideas in your subject or subjects
allow for depth rather than breadth
Avoid questions that are vague, descriptive or too general.
Why this question matters
Why this question matters
In a short paragraph, explain what makes your question worth investigating.
You might comment on:
what drew you to this idea
what problem, puzzle or tension the question explores
why your topic is significant within your subject or framework
how your thinking developed during early reading
This section shows your academic purpose.
What you have read so far
What you have read so far
Show that you have begun to explore your topic through credible sources. You are not expected to be an expert. You only need to show that you have started.
You might include:
a few key sources you have looked at
one or two ideas or findings that influenced your thinking
how these contribute to your understanding of the question
This demonstrates that your proposal is grounded in real scholarship.
Plan of investigation
Plan of investigation
Describe the approach you intend to take. This will differ depending on your pathway, but the aim is the same everywhere: to show that your question can be answered through an appropriate academic method.
You might explain:
the types of sources, data or texts you will examine
the analytical approach or method you expect to use
any theories, concepts or frameworks that may guide your thinking
how the method suits your subject or interdisciplinary pathway
This section shows that your plan is coherent and realistic.
Feasibility and ethical thinking
Feasibility and ethical thinking
Your proposal should reassure the reader that your investigation is feasible and responsible. This means thinking ahead about what you will need and how you will conduct your research ethically.
You might briefly note:
how you will access the sources or material you need
any practical considerations that may affect your plan
any ethical issues your topic raises and how you will address them
This helps show maturity and awareness.
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