Choosing the right subject for your Extended Essay (EE) is crucial, especially if you aim to make the process as smooth and manageable as possible. Based on insights from IB students and various sources, here are some of the easiest subjects to score well in, along with tips for each.
1. English (Language A)
Why It’s Considered Easy:
- Familiarity: Most students have been studying English for years, making it a comfortable subject.
- Flexibility: You can write about books, films, TV shows, or even song lyrics, making it easier to choose a topic you’re passionate about.
- High A Scores: Historically, English EEs tend to have higher percentages of A grades because students are familiar with essay writing and literary analysis.
Tips for Success:
- Choose a Focused Thesis: Have a narrow, focused thesis and ensure everything connects back to it.
- Primary Source Analysis: Spend significant time on analyzing your primary sources, whether they are books, films, or lyrics.
- Organize Your Essay: Break down your analysis into clear sections, such as characterization, themes, and stylistic devices.
2. History
Why It’s Considered Easy:
- Plentiful Resources: There are abundant primary and secondary sources available for historical topics.
- Clear Structure: History essays follow a clear, analytical structure that many students find straightforward.
- Familiar Format: Students are used to writing essays in history, making the EE format familiar.
Tips for Success:
- Narrow Down Your Topic: Choose a specific event, period, or figure to avoid a broad scope.
- Use Diverse Sources: Utilize a mix of primary and secondary sources to provide a well-rounded analysis.
- Contextualize: Place your topic within a broader historical context to highlight its significance.
3. Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)
Why It’s Considered Easy:
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Combines elements of science and social studies, allowing flexibility in approach.
- Real-World Relevance: Many topics are directly relevant to current environmental issues, making research more engaging.
- Practical Focus: Often involves practical research, such as field studies or experiments, which can be straightforward to conduct.
Tips for Success:
- Choose a Local Issue: Focus on an environmental issue relevant to your local area to simplify data collection.
- Field Research: Incorporate practical research methods, such as surveys or fieldwork, to gather primary data.
- Interdisciplinary Analysis: Ensure your essay integrates both environmental science and societal impacts.
4. Business Management
Why It’s Considered Easy:
- Structured Framework: Business topics often follow a clear framework of analysis (e.g., SWOT, PEST).
- Practical Applications: Topics can be related to real businesses, making data collection and analysis more tangible.
- Case Studies: Using case studies of well-known companies can simplify the research process.
Tips for Success:
- Focus on a Specific Company: Choose a well-documented company to ensure access to sufficient data.
- Apply Business Theories: Use established business theories and models to structure your analysis.
- Practical Recommendations: Provide practical recommendations based on your analysis to enhance the real-world relevance of your essay.
5. Visual Arts
Why It’s Considered Easy:
- Creative Freedom: Allows for a more creative and subjective approach.
- Interest-Driven: Students who are passionate about art can find this subject enjoyable and engaging.
- Visual Analysis: Focuses on the analysis of visual elements, which can be easier for visually-oriented students.
Tips for Success:
- Choose a Specific Artist or Movement: Narrow your focus to a particular artist, movement, or theme.
- Visual Examples: Use plenty of visual examples to support your analysis.
- Personal Engagement: Reflect on your personal connection to the art and its impact on your analysis.
To Conclude,
Choosing the easiest EE subject depends largely on your interests and strengths. While English and History are often cited as the most manageable due to familiarity and availability of resources, subjects like ESS, Business Management, and Visual Arts can also be easier if they align with your interests and provide practical research opportunities. Ready to choose your EE subject? Dive into RevisionDojo’s resources for more tips and tools to help you succeed in your IB journey!
