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Extended Essay: Writing your EE Conclusion

Everything you need to know about the Extended Essay and more!

Writing the EE Conclusion

The most important thing to know about your conclusion is that it MUST ANSWER YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION. So often we see students get caught up in an aspect of their research that leads them so far away from their original research question that they have not properly answered it in their conclusion. 

For more information about writing your conclusion along with excellent examples, please see page 71 of the Oxford EE Guide. 

 

From the EE Guide:

The conclusion says what has been achieved, including notes of any limitations and any questions that have not been resolved. While students might draw conclusions throughout the essay based on their findings, it is important that there is a final, summative conclusion at the end. This conclusion(s) must relate to the research question posed.

From Baltimore City College

A conclusion is not merely a summary of the main topics covered or a re-statement of your research question, but a synthesis of key points and, if applicable, where you recommend new areas for future research. For most essays, one well-developed paragraph is sufficient for a conclusion, although in some cases, a two or three paragraph conclusion may be required.

From the University of North Carolina

New Insight, Not New Information!

Don't surprise the reader with new information in your conclusion that was never referenced anywhere else in the paper. If you have new information to present, add it to the discussion or other appropriate section of the paper. Note that, although no actual new information is introduced, the conclusion is where you offer your most "original" contributions in the paper; it's where you describe the value of your research, demonstrate that you understand the material that you’ve presented, and locate your findings within the larger context of scholarship on the topic, including describing how your research contributes new insights or value to that scholarship.

EE Conclusion Checklist

The conclusion is a brief summary of whether or not the research question has been fully answered. It is an opportunity to give your opinion on whether or not the arguments from your research are convincing or not. It is also an opportunity to use critical thinking about your own work. Lastly, you should comment on the ways in which the Extended Essay was a learning experience for you.

  • Have you stated the conclusion clearly and concisely? (Even though it may seem obvious to you, be sure that you have made it obvious to the reader: “In conclusion, it can be said that...” or “To conclude, it is possible to deduce that...”) 
  • Does your conclusion directly and fully answer the research question? 
  • Does it stay on topic and does it satisfy the reader's curiosity by giving a full answer?
  • Is your conclusion based solely on the arguments presented in the essay? 
  • Have you explained how the arguments that were developed in your essay prove that your conclusion is a reasonable one? Have you judged your own essay?
  • Have you included details about places you got stuck and could not find answers? (Be careful here – keep it brief. The problems should not be the main
  • Have you described aspects of the Extended Essay which made you stop and think?
  • Have you included some of the new questions which arose as you were doing your research? (If you had the time and energy to continue researching and writing, what aspects would you want to know more about? In other words, in what ways has your essay writing sparked your interest and given you the inspiration to explore new issues related to your topic?)
  • Have you avoided introducing any new arguments in the conclusion?
  • Have you presented a synthesis of your arguments which takes into account varying viewpoints rather than simply restating everything you already said in the body?
  • Have you avoided reintroducing ideas presented in your introduction?

From Scotch College - Conclusions

Conclusion – Roughly 600 words

  • Paragraph one: Answer the Research Question! Clearly tie all the main points of your argument together to address the exact wording of your RQ
  • Paragraph two: Include an implicit link to TOK.  Once you have become very familiar with your investigation you will find it easy to identify the knowledge questions that arise
  • Paragraph three: Any construction of new knowledge – which is what your investigation has achieved! – leads to further questions to be answered in future investigations.  Suggest future lines of inquiry