Choosing Your EE Pathway & Topic | Extended Essay Topic Planner | Grades 11–12

Choosing Your EE Pathway & Topic | Extended Essay Topic Planner | Grades 11–12

Help students move from “What am I interested in?” to “Is this actually a viable Extended Essay topic?” This no-prep Extended Essay preparation resource guides students through one of the most important early stages of the EE process: exploring genuine interests, investigating potential topics, and determining whether an idea is better suited to a subject-focused or interdisciplinary pathway.
Students conduct initial research, evaluate available sources and evidence, compare pathway options, and identify potential problems such as topics that are too broad, too descriptive, or too difficult to support with evidence. They then refine their strongest idea and prepare for a productive conversation with their EE supervisor.

What's Included
- Teacher Directions for 1–2 45–60 minute classes
- Topic and pathway overview
- Mini research questions
- 5-step Topic Discovery & Pathway Planner group activity
- Online research resources
- Discover & Research My Topic Ideas worksheet
- Test My Pathway comparison worksheet
- Strengthen My Topic & Prepare to Share worksheet
- Research-question readiness check
- Supervisor conversation preparation
- Feedback and next-step planning
- Color + black-and-white student pages

Students practice research, critical thinking, source evaluation, topic development, comparison, reflection, and academic planning while building a stronger foundation for their Extended Essay.

Perfect For: IB Diploma Programme • Extended Essay preparation • EE orientation • Topic selection • Research planning • Supervisor preparation

Please Note: This independently created educational resource is not an official International Baccalaureate (IB) product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to the International Baccalaureate Organization.