Extended Essay Structures VS Outlines
A common mistake I see with extended essay students is confusing the essay's structure with its outline. Both are fundamental, but they serve distinct functions when crafting a compelling extended essay.
Essay Structures
The extended essay structure organizes the essay into sections. All essays include introduction and conclusion sections. The structure of the main body varies based on the research question, approach, and subject area. It is important to determine the structure when you are midway into the research process. By now you have enough research to make good decisions and you most likely have a thesis. Deciding on a structure at this point can give your final research phase more focus.
Tailor the structure to support your thesis and answer your research question effectively.
Essay Outlines
The essay outline is more detailed than the structure. It is an expansion on the structure's framework. It includes specific topics for paragraphs, arguments, supporting evidence, and explanations.
Because crafting a thorough outline is a time-intensive process, you might be tempted to skip this step. This is a mistake! It will results in a longer overall process and a lower score. Outlining is crucial. It manages the essay's complexity and minimizes the need for extensive revisions later.
The myth that you can "free write" a research paper will get you in trouble. Research papers are not the same as an English Paper 1 or 2. They are far more complex. The pantsing skills you may have developed for your English assessments will not serve you well here. A detailed outline helps to clarify thoughts, organize logical arguments, and identify potential issues early in the writing process. It keeps revisions to a minimum.
But you can't start the outlining process without first creating an effective structure.
Creating an Effective Essay Structure
To start, you must design a tailored essay structure. Some subjects have a prescribed general structure, while others do not. Speak to your supervisor about this first.
Regardless of whether your subject has a prescribed general structure, you must hone your structure to meet the needs of your research question.
For years students have problem-solved their essay structures without AI assistance. I still believe that you will get the most intellectual growth by solving the structure problem yourself. That said, I'd be foolish to think many of you will ignore the AI-tools at your fingertips.
Ethical and Effective use of AI in Structuring
AI tools like ChatGPT can assist in envisioning multiple essay structures. You are not outsourcing the work to them!
Alway ask the AI to suggest several different structures, rather than simply accepting the first one it produces.
Critically evaluate each suggested structure against the essay’s objectives. Ensure it adequately addresses the research question. It is likely that no AI-generated structure will be perfect, so be prepared to make amendments.
Evaluating Your Essay Structure
Whether you solve the structure problem yourself or use an AI-assistn, you'll need to do a thorough evaluation. Consider these questions when evaluating your essay structure:
Does the structure align with and support the research question? Does each part of the structure directly contribute to answering the question?
Is the organization logical, with each section building upon the previous one?
Does the structure allow for in-depth analysis rather than mere description?
Are all major points adequately covered without overshadowing others?
Does the structure facilitate the completion of the essay within the 4000-word limit?
Are the arguments clear and effectively supported by evidence and analysis?
For world studies essays, also consider if the structure balances the analytical tools of both subjects involved. Remember that treating one subject as mere context will result in a very poor score.
Final Steps
After selecting a structure, discuss it with your supervisor. They can help you refine it further and identify areas needing more research. It is best to finalize the structure before proceeding to the detailed outlining.
Conclusion
If you want to success in the extended essay process, you'll need to distinguish between the structure and the outline. You'll need to approach both analytically. Ask for help if you are struggling, and be careful not to trust those seductive AI-tools. Remember that you have a beautiful brain, so put it to good use!
