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Choosing a good extended essay topic
All Cumbria Institute of the Arts departments will insist that you do not end your second year without having handed in a working title for your third year extended essay.
 
  1. The single biggest problem most students have is distinguishing between a subject and a topic. Here are two pairs of examples
  1. The life and paintings of Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840).
  2. The transfer of the silhouette technique from humans to landscape in the later paintings of Caspar David Friedrich.
  1. Raku pottery.
  2. The impact of Raku glazes on contemporary western pottery.
 
 
  1. In both cases it should be evident that the first choice is far too vague and that only in the second choice does the reader get an idea of what the extended essay will be about. Many students fall into the trap of simply describing art or artists chronologically (the Friedrich 1. option) or an impossibly huge subject with no focus (both first (1) choices)
 
 
  1. Answer 'yes' to all the following before handing in your working title:

Is it a topic rather than a subject, and is it specific enough to be contained in the Word -limit and time available?

Does it give scope for original input and research from me?

Will it keep me interested for the next six months and will the research possibly contribute to my future career?

Is it clear from the title what the extended essay hopes to achieve?

Am I clear as to what research is needed and the best sources to go to, including questionnaire subjects and focus groups? (Using the internet alone is insufficient for all Cumbria Institute of the Arts essays, however technical.)

Do I have at least a basic idea of the structure of my extended essay?

The onus is on you, and you alone, to find a suitable topic. Do not expect your supervisor to produce a topic for you.

 
Questions regarding : Choosing a good extended essay topic
1. What's the difference between an extended essay subject and a topic?
2. Which one of these titles could best be described as an extended essay topic?
| E-learning team welcome suggestions |