IB Extended Essay Planner
educationPlan your IB extended essay with research question, methodology, argument structure, and bibliography.
About this template
The IB Extended Essay Planner template solves the common challenge of organizing complex research projects required by the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Traditional linear documents or spreadsheets often struggle to capture the evolving, interconnected nature of an extended essay’s components – from the research question to the argument structure and bibliography. Using a mind map, you can visually structure your thoughts, trace logical connections between ideas, and quickly adapt your plan as your research develops. The IB Extended Essay Planner allows you to see the big picture and the details in a single glance, making it far easier to manage deadlines, track sources, and ensure your argument flows cohesively. This template is especially useful for IB Diploma Programme students aged 16-19 who are embarking on their 4,000-word extended essay. It’s also a valuable resource for IB coordinators, academic advisors, and teachers guiding students through the process. Outside of secondary education, tutors and academic coaches may use it to help students break down large writing assignments, while parents supporting their children’s IB journey will find the structure helpful for check-ins and progress tracking. To use the IB Extended Essay Planner, start by entering your chosen topic and research question at the center. Branch out to methodology, where you detail your research methods (like primary/secondary sources, data collection, or experiments). Next, map out your argument structure by creating nodes for introduction, key arguments, counterarguments, and conclusion. Under each, add bullet points for evidence, analysis, and links to relevant sources. Finally, build your bibliography section, linking each citation to its corresponding argument or evidence node. As you progress, drag and drop to reorganize sections, add deadlines, or attach files and quotes directly to each node for easy reference. Customize your IB Extended Essay Planner by adding nodes for milestones, advisor feedback, or self-reflection notes. If your essay requires multiple methodologies, create sub-nodes for each method. You can remove or collapse sections that aren’t relevant to your subject area, such as experimental details for a literature essay. For interdisciplinary topics, add branches for each discipline’s perspective. Teachers may wish to insert assessment criteria or checkpoints to help students self-evaluate. With AmyMind’s AI features, you can automatically expand your mind map with idea suggestions, research prompts, or even generate draft arguments. Export your completed IB Extended Essay Planner to PDF, PPT, or Word for easy sharing with teachers or inclusion in your planning portfolio. AmyMind offers a robust free plan to get started and unlocks advanced features and unlimited exports with Pro, starting at just $45/year. This makes it affordable and powerful for IB students who want to elevate their project planning and execution.
What's inside this template
A structured breakdown of the IB Extended Essay Planner mind map.
Topic Selection
- Brainstorm Ideas
- Check Subject Suitability
- Preliminary Research
- Define Research Question
Research Process
- Gather Sources
- Evaluate Credibility
- Take Research Notes
- Organize References
Planning & Structure
- Create Outline
- Draft Timeline
- Set Milestones
Writing Stages
- Write First Draft
- Revise Content
- Edit Language
- Format Document
Supervision & Feedback
- Schedule Meetings
- Submit Drafts
- Incorporate Feedback
Final Submission
- Proofread Thoroughly
- Check IB Criteria
- Submit on Time
Who uses this template
IB Student Research Project
A high school student in the IB Diploma Programme uses the IB Extended Essay Planner to outline their research question, plan their methodology, and structure arguments before submitting the proposal to their supervisor. This enables clear progress tracking and ensures all IB requirements are met.
Teacher-Led Essay Workshops
An IB English teacher runs a workshop using this template to guide students through brainstorming topics, structuring arguments, and organizing sources. The mind map is shared digitally with the class, fostering collaborative planning and feedback.
Academic Tutoring Sessions
A private tutor supports students preparing for their extended essay by customizing the template in AmyMind, adding checklists and feedback nodes. This helps students manage deadlines and systematically improve their drafts.
Parent-Student Essay Planning
Parents use the IB Extended Essay Planner with their child to break down essay tasks and set achievable milestones. The visual layout helps facilitate discussions, monitor progress, and reduce stress around the extended essay process.
How to use this template
- 1 Click "Use this template" to open it in AmyMind editor.
- 2 The template loads instantly — no sign-in required to start editing.
- 3 Customize the template with your own content, colors, and structure.
- 4 Export to PDF, PowerPoint, Word, or PNG when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IB Extended Essay Planner and how does it help with essay writing?
The IB Extended Essay Planner is a mind map template specifically designed for organizing all phases of the IB extended essay process, including research question selection, methodology, argument structure, and bibliography. It provides a visual layout that helps you manage complex ideas, link evidence to arguments, and keep track of sources and deadlines. By using this planner, you can improve your essay’s coherence and ensure you meet all IB requirements. Its flexible structure lets you adapt your plan as your research evolves.
IB Extended Essay Planner vs. spreadsheet: which is better for essay planning?
The IB Extended Essay Planner as a mind map offers a dynamic, visual way to organize your essay compared to a spreadsheet’s rigid, linear format. Mind maps make it easy to see connections between ideas, reorganize arguments, and add new insights without losing context. Spreadsheets are better for tabular data or tracking numerical progress but can become overwhelming for structuring complex narratives. For essay planning, the mind map approach fosters creativity, flexibility, and a clearer overview of your project.
How can I use AmyMind’s AI with the IB Extended Essay Planner?
To use AmyMind’s AI features with the IB Extended Essay Planner, simply select a node (like your research question or argument section) and click the AI expand button. AmyMind will suggest relevant ideas, sources, or subtopics to deepen your outline. You can then organize these AI-generated nodes, edit content, and even export the finished mind map to PDF, PPT, or Word for submission or sharing. This streamlines brainstorming and helps ensure a thorough, well-structured essay plan.
Why AmyMind?
- ✓ AI-powered content generation
- ✓ Export to PDF, PPT, Word, PNG
- ✓ Collaborate in real-time
- ✓ Free plan available
- ✓ Pro from just $45/year