IB Global Politics Extended Essay: An Examiner’s Guide to Excellence
If you plan to write your IB Global Politics EE, this in-depth guide covers everything you need. From selecting powerful global politics extended essay topics to understanding the assessment criteria, it’s designed to support you at every step.
You’ll also learn how to structure your essay effectively, meet examiner expectations, and apply best practices throughout the writing process. Let’s explore what makes a successful IB Global Politics Extended Essay and how to approach each section clearly and confidently.
What is IB Global Politics Extended Essay?
The IB Global Politics Extended Essay is a 4,000-word research paper that examines a contemporary political issue using real-world examples and political theories. It emphasises current events, critical thinking, credible sources, and the application of key concepts to real political systems and issues.
What does a strong IB Global Politics EE involve?
You’ll need to demonstrate understanding, analysis, and insight to write a high-quality Global Politics EE. Here are the key components your essay should be built upon:
A contemporary political issue
Choose a topic based on events that occurred during your lifetime. Historical context can be included, but the main focus should be on its current relevance and impact.
A clearly formulated research question
Your question must be specific, analytical, and manageable within 4,000 words. It should require interpretation using real-world data and political theory, not just description.
Relevant theoretical perspectives
Apply key concepts from the IB Global Politics course such as power, sovereignty, legitimacy, development, and human rights. Use both foundation and critical theories to support your analysis.
Reliable sources
Base your research primarily on credible secondary sources like academic journals, NGO reports, and reputable media. You may also include primary sources such as interviews or surveys if appropriate.
A global, national, or local lens
Your issue can be explored at any level, whether international, national, or local, as long as it clearly connects to global political concepts and frameworks.
The IB Global Politics Extended Essay lets you think like a political scientist by analysing a real-world issue of interest and offering insight into global challenges.
IB Global Politics EE: Structure and Format
A clear structure in your IB Global Politics Extended Essay helps examiners follow your argument and ensures your ideas are focused and well-supported.
- Title Page: This should include a clear title written as a statement (not a question), your research question, the subject (Global Politics), and the final word count excluding the bibliography and appendices.
- Table of Contents: Lists all major sections with corresponding page numbers.
- Introduction (approx. 350 words): Introduce the topic and its context, present your research question, and explain the relevance and scope of your investigation.
- Methodology (approx. 450 words): Outline your sources and tools, justify your choices, and acknowledge any limitations in your research approach.
- Main Body (approx. 2,800 words): Present your analysis in well-structured sections. Link each part to your research question and draw from relevant political theories and perspectives.
- Conclusion (approx. 400 words): Directly answer the research question, summarise key insights, and reflect on any limitations or unanswered questions.
- Bibliography: Use a consistent citation style (such as MLA or APA) and include only the sources referenced in your essay.
- Appendices (optional): Not assessed, but useful for supporting materials like interview transcripts, charts, or raw data.
This structure follows official IB guidelines and reflects examiner preferences.
IB Global Politics EE Assessment Criteria
Your IB Global Politics Extended Essay is assessed out of 34 points, divided across five key criteria:
- Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points)
Assesses the clarity and focus of your research question, as well as the appropriateness of your methodology and sources. - Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points)
Evaluates your use of political terminology and your understanding of relevant theories, contexts, and political actors. - Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points)
Measures the strength of your argument, depth of analysis, and your ability to evaluate evidence and different perspectives. - Criterion D: Presentation (4 points)
Focuses on the structure, formatting, and consistent citation throughout your essay. A well-presented essay helps the examiner understand your work more easily and reflects your attention to detail. - Criterion E: Engagement (6 points)
Based on your reflections in the RPPF, this criterion looks at how thoughtfully you engaged with the research process.
These criteria highlight the importance of analytical thinking, clear structure, and meaningful reflection.
How to Choose IB Global Politics Extended Essay Topics
Selecting the right topic is one of the most important steps in writing a successful IB Global Politics Extended Essay. A strong topic guides your research and ensures that your analysis remains focused, relevant, and academically rigorous.
Your chosen topic must meet several key criteria:
- It must be contemporary, meaning it should involve political events or issues that have occurred during your lifetime. While you can include historical context to help explain the issue, the main focus should be on current developments and their implications.
- It must center on a clear political issue. This could involve areas such as power, governance, sovereignty, human rights, conflict, development, or political participation. A clear political issue provides a solid foundation for analysis and aligns with the core themes of the IB Global Politics course.
- It must allow for critical, in-depth analysis. Your topic should be specific enough to explore thoroughly within 4,000 words and must invite the application of key concepts and theories from the IB Global Politics syllabus.
To help narrow your focus, consider choosing a topic within one of these popular categories:
- Power and Sovereignty
Example: NATO’s strategic role in responding to the Russia-Ukraine conflict - Human Rights and Development
Example: The impact of gender equality initiatives on economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa - Peace and Conflict
Example: Evaluating the effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping missions in post-conflict African states - Globalisation and Identity
Example: The influence of global media on the preservation of national identity in small states - Economic Globalisation
Example: The role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in shaping economic policy in South America
Avoid broad or overly local topics that lack focus or global relevance. Choose a well-supported topic and review IB Global Politics EE examples to ensure it meets the required scope and structure.
Best Practices for Writing an Excellent IB Global Politics Extended Essay
To write a strong IB Global Politics Extended Essay, it is essential to follow key practices that ensure clarity, depth, and critical engagement with your chosen topic.
1. Choose a focused research question
Begin with a research question that is clear, specific, and narrow enough to explore in detail. A strong question invites analysis rather than description and can be effectively answered within the 4,000-word limit.
Example: To what extent has China’s Belt and Road Initiative influenced Kenya’s economic sovereignty?
2. Analyse and evaluate, don’t just describe
Avoid simply summarising events or facts. Focus on analysing different perspectives and assessing the reliability of your sources. Explain why the issue is important by linking it to relevant political theories.
3. Ensure proper methodology
Your methodology section should clearly explain what kinds of sources you used and how you approached your analysis. Choose methods that suit your research question and justify why you selected them. Common methods include:
- Comparative case studies
- Discourse analysis
- Literature and media reviews
- Quantitative data analysis (when appropriate)
Briefly address the strengths and limitations of each method to show critical awareness of your research approach.
4. Present multiple perspectives
Political issues are rarely one-sided. A strong essay includes differing viewpoints and explores how various stakeholders, groups, or theorists perceive the issue. This helps strengthen your argument and shows balanced critical thinking.
5. Connect theory to real-world examples
Use core concepts from the IB Global Politics syllabus, such as power, legitimacy, sovereignty, development, and human rights, to frame your analysis. Applying theory to real-world events is essential for demonstrating your understanding of both the issue and the course material.
6. Present evidence objectively
Use credible sources and always evaluate their reliability. Be especially cautious with media reports, NGO publications, or opinion pieces, which may contain bias. Discuss the origin, purpose, and limitations of your sources to show a mature and informed perspective.
7. Focus on contemporary global political issues
Your EE must be based on a current political issue, meaning something that occurred during your lifetime and is still relevant today. While a brief historical background may be helpful, avoid purely historical or speculative topics, as they do not meet IB requirements.
8. Organise a clear IB Global Politics essay structure
A well-structured essay helps examiners follow your argument easily. Use section headings such as Introduction, Methodology, Analysis, and Conclusion, and ensure that each part flows logically. Good organisation also supports Criterion D on Presentation.
9. Write your essay concisely
Stick to the 4,000-word limit and make every word count. Avoid unnecessary filler or repetition. Each section should contribute directly to answering your research question. Planning and revising your work carefully will help you stay focused.
10. Cite all your sources accurately
Use a consistent citation style such as MLA or APA, and ensure that every source cited in your essay is included in the bibliography and vice versa. Proper referencing demonstrates academic integrity and contributes to a higher Presentation score.
By following these best practices, you will produce a well-structured and insightful Global Politics Extended Essay. Your work will reflect strong critical thinking, a solid grasp of political concepts, and meaningful engagement with real-world issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in the IB Global Politics Extended Essay
To avoid losing marks on your IB Global Politics Extended Essay, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes that can affect your score and overall quality.
- Unfocused research question
A vague research question often results in weak analysis. It also makes your argument difficult to follow or develop clearly. Take time to refine your question so it leads to focused, analytical writing. - Overly descriptive writing
Simply retelling events or summarising facts is not enough. You must analyse and evaluate sources critically. Aim to explain why the evidence matters and how it supports your argument. - Poor source selection
Relying on news articles or blogs alone weakens your credibility. Use academic journals, NGO reports, and reputable think tanks. Strong sources enhance both your analysis and your overall mark. - Weak structure
A disorganised essay is hard to follow and weakens your argument. To avoid this, create a clear outline before you begin writing. A well-structured essay helps examiners understand your points easily. - Ignoring citation rules
Inconsistent or incorrect referencing affects your Presentation score and may raise concerns about academic integrity. Use one citation style consistently and check your references carefully. - Exceeding the word count
Examiners will not assess anything beyond 4,000 words. Be sure to stay within the word limit. Tight, concise writing is often more impactful than trying to say too much.
Avoiding these common mistakes will help you produce a clearer, stronger, and more academically sound Global Politics Extended Essay.
Create a Strong IB Global Politics EE with Expert Tutor Assistance
Even with a solid plan, writing a strong IB Global Politics Extended Essay can feel overwhelming. An experienced IB tutor can provide valuable support by helping you refine your research question, find reliable secondary sources, structure your argument effectively, review drafts, and prepare for your reflection sessions.
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