How to Improve Your IB Extended Essay Draft Using Supervisor Feedback
The IB Extended Essay (EE) is a major research paper that requires independent thinking and polished academic writing. One of the most valuable opportunities you have in the EE process is receiving feedback on your draft. Done well, this feedback can transform your draft into a focused, coherent, and high-scoring essay.
Here’s how to use supervisor feedback effectively to refine your EE.
1. Submit a Complete, Polished Draft
- Don’t hand in a partial or rough draft—supervisors can give the best feedback when they see your full argument and structure.
- The more effort you put into the draft, the deeper and more meaningful your supervisor’s comments will be.
2. Understand the Role of Supervisor Feedback
- Supervisors provide open-ended guidance, not detailed editing.
- They might ask questions like:
- Is your research question consistent throughout?
- Have you justified your methodology clearly?
- Does this argument fully answer your research question?
- They cannot correct spelling, punctuation, or calculations, or rewrite sections for you.
3. Discuss Feedback in a One-to-One Meeting
- Arrange a meeting with your supervisor to clarify comments and explore how to apply suggestions.
- Use the discussion to map out a clear revision plan.
4. Prioritize Your Revisions
Focus on:
- Major issues: Structure, argument clarity, research question consistency, evidence.
- Medium-level issues: Coherence between sections, transitions, analysis depth.
- Minor issues: Citation accuracy, formatting, reference style.
5. Revise Thoughtfully
- Reflect on feedback and apply it in your own words.
- Stay true to your voice as an independent researcher.
- Strengthen your argument, refine your methodology, and improve critical analysis.
6. Self-Review Your Essay
- Read your work aloud to spot awkward phrasing.
- Check against the IB rubric to ensure you meet all criteria.
- Verify your citations and data for accuracy.
7. Document Your Revisions
- Keep notes on how you addressed supervisor comments.
- Use this material for your Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF) and viva voce.
8. Final Proofread
- After revisions, proofread carefully or ask someone you trust to review for grammar, spelling, and formatting.
- Make sure your bibliography is complete and follows your chosen citation style.
Summary Checklist
✅ Submit a full, polished draft for feedback.
✅ Understand and engage with your supervisor’s open-ended guidance.
✅ Discuss feedback in person to plan revisions.
✅ Prioritize major changes before minor edits.
✅ Revise independently, keeping your unique voice.
✅ Self-review and check IB criteria.
✅ Finalize with careful proofreading and citation checks.
FAQ
How many drafts can my supervisor review?
Only one full draft can receive formal feedback as per IB rules, but you can ask general questions at other times.
Can my supervisor correct grammar and punctuation?
No. Supervisors can only provide open-ended comments and cannot fix language, calculations, or formatting errors.
What happens if I don’t use the feedback?
You are not required to follow all suggestions, but ignoring key feedback could weaken your final score.
Should I change my research question after feedback?
If your supervisor flags major inconsistencies, revising the research question early in the process can strengthen your essay.
Want examples of top-scoring EEs, annotated samples, and revision checklists? Explore RevisionDojo’s EE resource library today and give your essay the edge it needs! Visit RevisionDojo now.
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