art extended essay criteria

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Visual Arts Extended Essay: The Complete Guide for IB Students

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by  Antony W

May 8, 2023

An extended essay in visual arts allows you to conduct study in a particular area of visual arts that is of interest to you. The conclusion of the study should be a clear and structured piece of writing that tackles a topic or research question pertinent to the visual arts in an effective manner.  

The strongest EE in arts is the one that demonstrate a thoughtful selection of socially and culturally relevant topics, which frequently have a personal significance for the candidate in respect to his or her cultural identity, a potential university program, or present creative interests, such as studio work.

It is discouraged to rely solely on textbooks and the Internet, and no long essay in visual arts should rely solely on such sources.

You should only read your textbooks to the extent that they generate unique ideas, give models of disciplined, organized, and informed methods, and foster direct and personal engagement with the essay topic.

Choice of Arts Extended Essay Topic

When it comes to choosing a visual arts extended essay, we strongly recommend that you avoid themes that rely solely on summarizing generic secondary sources and those that are likely to result in an essay that is mostly narrative or descriptive in nature.

You must address a pertinent subject or research question and reach a specific, ideally individual, conclusion.

Choosing a topic that encompasses several areas of art history or a lengthy time span is likewise unlikely to result in a great essay. Restriction of the essay’s scope will help you to establish a clear focus and create opportunities for exhibiting in-depth comprehension and critical evaluation of your extended essay.

How Should You Treat Visual Arts Extended Essay Topic?

The topic you choose must have a clear and direct connection to visual arts. If the relationship is only tenuous, you risk introducing irrelevant material, which will confuse the investigation and undermine the case.

You should construct a research issue that is of personal interest and use a range of materials to support your claims, including textual analysis, the study of actual artworks or designed artifacts, and interviews with practitioners and subject-matter experts.

Questions that do not provide a systematic examination that exhibits critical creative analysis and in-depth comprehension are unlikely to be appropriate. In certain cases, it may become apparent early in the research process that there are insufficient sources to conduct such an examination. In such situations, consider a shift in emphasis.

In visual arts extended essays, the incorporation and discussion of pertinent visual reference material is of special relevance. However, such material must directly support and be relevant to the analysis/argument. It should be cleanly presented, appropriately acknowledged, and appear as near as feasible to the first reference in the body of the essay.

To stimulate personal investment in the extended essay, your work should include local and/or original sources wherever feasible. However, you may not have access to original materials in some circumstances. In such instances, high-quality replicas, movies and films , or photographs/Internet pictures are acceptable sources.

An argument should be well supported, with remarks and conclusions supported by evidence that is relevant and well-founded, as opposed to being based only on preconceived notions.

Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics Examples

Now that you know about the kind of topic you should choose for you visual arts extended essay, let’s consider some good and bad examples.

The worst example can be something like:

• The variation within human perception
• Architecture is functional art.
• Postmodernism
• Islamic architectural design

You want avoid these types of examples because they’re broad and therefore can’t fit within the scope of extended essay requirements .

You want to consider only the best topic for the project, particularly making sure you pick a subject that’s specific enough to form a research question that you can answer within the respective scope of the assignment.

Some of the best examples include but not limited to the following:

• What role did national themes have in the creative activity of Russian avant-garde artists associated with the Knave of Diamonds society?
• How did men and women’s clothes communicate National Socialist ideals?
• How does Yinka Shonibare’s work represent the evolving importance of African art in a global society?
• What are the origins of Romanesque architecture in Arles?
• Are there pop art elements in the design of Pakistani trucks?
• Titles for Protracted Essays
• Appropriateness of Picasso’s usage of the Mbangu mask in ‘Les Demoiselles d’Avignon’ in terms of cultural borrowing
• How does Ketna Patel’s work reflect the increasing influence of media culture on Asian cultures?
• How does Yinka Shonibare’s work represent the evolving significance of African art in a global society?
• How far did Andy Warhol’s “Death and Disaster” series develop his interest in morbidity?
• How Jesse Trevino’s cultural experiences influenced his artwork
• How would one identify the crucial balance between design and function for four pedestrian bridges of the 21st century?
• In what way does Damien Hirst’s art tackle the themes of Life and Death? (2013)
• To what degree has Federation Square’s design proven successful?
• When does photojournalism become an art form?
• How does Fra Angelico’s picture of The Annunciation represent him in Renaissance Florence?

Tips for Writing a Visual Arts Extended Essay

You are supposed to assess critically the sources you consulted while writing the essay by asking yourself the following questions:

• Which sources are essential to my ideas, beliefs, and assertions?
• Which sources are irrelevant to the analysis?

For the research question, you can:

• Utilize primary and secondary sources to develop and evaluate diverse perspectives.
• Use these primary sources to explore and explain particular aspects of the visual arts, with emphasis on a particular aspect of the visual arts collecting and analyzing reproductions of artwork.

You must also exhibit an understanding of various topics associated with the studied work.

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the worth and limitations of the work you’re studying by analyzing its origin and function
• Show a continuous high level of creative comprehension by addressing the study subject comprehensively and effectively.

Relevant findings from this analysis must feature in your argument, not to mention that you should carefully support the arguments.  

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

IB Extended Essay: Assessment Criteria

• Research Questions
• Past Essays
• Notes & Outlines
• Works Cited Page
• In-Text Citations
• Assessment Criteria
• Reflections
• Supervisor Info
• Net Valley Library This link opens in a new window

Score Descriptors for each Criterion:

• A - Focus and Method
• B - Knowledge and Understanding
• C - Critical Thinking
• D - Presentation
• E - Engagement

Printable: Full Rubric  for all subjects

To view details for your SUBJECT, open the correct page below.

• Choose "Interpreting the EE Assessment Criteria" on the sidebar to see how to score well in YOUR subject area

Language & literature (language A)

Language acquisition (language B)

Mathematics

Visual Arts

World Studies

Business Management

Grade Boundaries

What's Expected?

• A: Focus/Method
• B: Knowledge
• C: Critical Thinking
• D: Presentation
• E: Engagement
• A: Focus and Method (6 marks)
• B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)
• C: Critical Thinking (12 marks)
• D: Presentation (4 marks)
• E: Engagement (6 marks)
• Total marks possible: 34 (see grade boundaries below)
• Printable:  Full Rubric
• Printable: A3 size with details
• Printable:  Details for each criterion , via the Oxford guide

Criterion A:  Focus and Method (6 points)

What It Means:   This criterion focuses on the topic, the research question and the methodology. It assesses the explanation of the focus of the research (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.

Questions to ask:  

• Does this essay meet the requirements for the subject for which you are registering it?
• Is your research question stated as a question?
• Have you explained how your research question relates to the subject that you selected for the extended essay?
• Have you given an insight into why your area of study is important?
• Is your research question feasible within the scope of the task? Could your research question be “answered” or it is too vague?
• Did you refer to your research question throughout the essay (not only in the introduction and conclusion)?
• Did you explain why you selected your methodology?
• Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to answer your research question? How might this change the direction of your research?
• If you stated a particular methodology in the introduction of your essay, or specific sources, have you used them?
• Are there any references listed in the bibliography that were not directly cited in the text?

(Source: Susan Trower, via West Sound Academy)

Criterion B:  Knowledge and Understanding (6 points)

What It Means:   This criterion assesses the extent to which the research relates to the subject area/discipline used to explore the research question; or in the case of the world studies extended essay, the issue addressed and the two disciplinary perspectives applied; and additionally, the way in which this knowledge and understanding is demonstrated through the use of appropriate terminology and concepts.

• Have you explained how your research question relates to a specific subject you selected for the extended essay?
• Have you used relevant terminology and concepts throughout your essay as they relate to your particular area of research?
• Is it clear that the sources you are using are relevant and appropriate to your research question?
• Do you have a range of sources, or have you only relied on one particular type, for example internet sources?
• Is there a reason why you might not have a range? Is this justified?

(Source: Oxford EE manual, p. 110)

Criterion C:  Critical Thinking (12 points)

What It Means:   This criterion assesses the extent to which critical thinking skills have been used to analyze and evaluate the research undertaken.

• Have you made links between your results and data collected and your research question?
• If you included data or information that is not directly related to your research question have you explained its importance?
• Are your conclusions supported by your data?
• If you found unexpected information or data have you discussed its importance?
• Have you provided a critical evaluation of the methods you selected?
• Have you considered the reliability of your sources (peer-reviewed journals, internet, and so on)?
• Have you mentioned and evaluated the significance of possible errors that may have occurred in your research?
• Are all your suggestions of errors or improvements relevant?
• Have you evaluated your research question?
• Have you compared your results or findings with any other sources?
• Is there an argument that is clear and easy to follow and directly linked to answering your research question, and which is supported by evidence? Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to answer your research question? How might this change the direction of your research?

(Source: Oxford EE Manual p. 111)

Handy Links:

• Presentation One Pager  via Catalina Bordoy
• Presentation Checklist
• Sample Title page   (see below - top half of the page)

Criterion D:  Presentation ( 4 points)

What It Means:   This criterion assesses the extent to which the presentation follows the standard format expected for academic writing and the extent to which this aids effective communication.

• Have you read and understood the presentation requirements of the extended essay?
• Have you chosen a font that will be easy for examiners to read on-screen?
• Is your essay double-spaced and size 12 font?
• Are the title and research question mentioned on the cover page?
• Are all pages numbered?
• Have you prepared a correct table of contents?
• Do the page numbers in the table of contents match the page numbers in the text?
• Is your essay subdivided into correct sub-sections, if this is applicable to the subject?
• Are all figures and tables properly numbered and labelled?
• Does your bibliography contain only the sources cited in the text?
• Did you use the same reference system throughout the essay?
• Does the essay have less than 4,000 words?
• Is all the material presented in the appendices relevant and necessary?
• Have you proofread the text for spelling or grammar errors?

Criterion E: Engagement

• Three reflections (best after meeting with your supervisor)
• 500 words TOTAL (100 + 150 + 250?)
• Reflections are done in Managebac on your Reflection space
• See the "Reflections" tab above for prompts to write about

(Source: Oxford EE Manual p.135)

(Source: Oxford EE Manual p.133)

• Sample Reflections
• Full chapter on Reflections from the Oxford Guide

Criterion E:  Engagement (6 points)

What It Means:   This criterion assesses the student’s engagement with their research focus and the research process. It will be applied by the examiner at the end of the assessment of the essay, after considering the student’s RPPF (Reflections on planning and progress form).

• Have you demonstrated your engagement with your research topic and the research process?
• Have you highlighted challenges you faced and how you overcame them?
• Will the examiner get a sense of your intellectual and skills development?
• Will the examiner get a sense of your creativity and intellectual initiative?
• For prompts to deepen your reflections, go  here  and then to the bottom of the page
• Presentation Quick Guide
• << Previous: In-Text Citations
• Next: Reflections >>
• Last Updated: Apr 9, 2024 9:39 AM
• URL: https://sis-cn.libguides.com/ExtendedEssay

IBDPVAwithMISSA

A website for IB DP VA support

KNOW THE DP VISUAL ART CRITERIA FOR EE

It is very important, before you begin writing your EE, that you know what you are being assessed on. The Visual Art EE is different than other EE’s and there is a strong focus on art analysis – with an expectation of a strong understanding of art vocabulary.

On this page, you will learn how relevant each criterion is to developing your high-scoring Extended Essay. I’ve included key questions for each criterion that will help you to consider (and include) all relevant requirements.

• CRITERIA A: Focus and Methodology
• CRITERIA B: Knowledge and Understanding
• CRITERIA C: Critical Thinking
• CRITERIA D: Presentation
• CRITERIA E: Engagement
• Updates (2018)

CONSIDER THE KEYWORDS FOR AN A+ SCORING EXTENDED ESSAY: The submission demonstrates effective research skills resulting in a well-focused and appropriate research question that can be explored within the scope of the chosen topic; effective engagement with relevant research areas, methods, and sources; excellent knowledge and understanding of the topic in the wider context of the relevant discipline; the effective application of source material and correct use of subject-specific terminology and/or concepts further supporting this; consistent and relevant conclusions that are proficiently analysed ; sustained reasoned argumentation supported effectively by evidence; critically evaluated research ; excellent presentation of the essay, whereby coherence and consistency further support the reading of the essay; present and correctly applied structural and layout elements. Engagement with the process is conceptual and personal , key decision-making during the research process is documented, and personal reflections are evidenced, including those that are forward-thinking.

CRITERIA A: FOCUS AND METHODOLOGY

To score high in FOCUS AND METHODOLOGY, you will want to pay close attention to your topic, the research question, and the methodology. This criterion is looking for an explanation of the focus of the research (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.

Your EE must be specific and sharply focused on a research question that is well-connected to Visual Art. In addition to traditional forms of so-called “fine art”, the visual arts should be understood to also include some aspects of architecture, design, and contemporary forms of visual culture. 

Titles must give a clear indication that the  research is significant and should not, for example, lead to a simple narrative account of an artist’s life or compare the work of two randomly chosen artists.  

While a topic with opportunities for access to original artworks is a good choice, this is not a requirement and students should not shy away from library-based research. 

If you choose a popular topic that has been well researched by others (e.g. an essay on Banksy or the French Impressionists), you must attempt to structure a research question that may lead to a new point of view, focus, or interpretation. 

The significance of the research must be explained and some indication of how the research question relates to existing knowledge in the visual arts must be given.  

In the visual arts,  you are expected to include visual images —some of which (depending on the area of research) may even be the student’s own photographs.  But these should be chosen carefully to support the RQ. Don’t add extra images to supplement the visual component. Also, if you insert images that you have written words, perhaps you are explaining a thought within the images, those words COUNT in your word count.

Overall for Criteria A, you are encouraged to demonstrate that your essay has been well-planned and that you have selected an appropriate approach to address the research question. 

• Does your EE meet the requirements for the subject (VISUAL ARTS)?
• Is the RQ stated as a question?
• Is the RQ explained? Did you explain how it relates to the subject (VISUAL ARTS)?
• Is there insight given into why this area of study is important?
• Is the RQ feasible within the scope of the task? Can the RQ be answered in the word count or is it too vague?
• Have you referred to the RQ throughout the essay (not just in the intro and the conclusion)?
• Have you explained why the methodology was selected?
• Was the explained methodology stated ACTUALLY used in the EE?
• Are there any references in the bibliography not directly cited in the text? Are you adding fillers to the bibliography?

CRITERIA B: KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

To score high in your KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, you must be critically aware of sources related to their area of study, particularly those that help to place their work in historical, social, or cultural context. 

Although the internet can provide a good source of visual material, it is expected that in choosing written sources that support their argument students  will move beyond an exclusive reliance on internet references .  In other words, use journal sources, actual interviews with artists and/or VA experts.. and books.

Try and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the visual arts through fluency in  the use of appropriate terminology  when discussing formal artistic aspects (such as terms related to an understanding of the elements and principles of design). 

Vocabulary used by art historians, critics, and scholars in cultural studies may also be important (eg, using appropriate vocabulary related to artistic periods or styles). The student must try to maintain a consistent linguistic style throughout the essay. 

• Is the relevant terminology and concepts used through the EE related to VISUAL ARTS?
• Is it clear that the sources used are relevant and appropriate to the RQ?
• Is there a range of sources or is there only one particular type (say only museum sites, or only wikipeida/general type sites)? If there is not a range of sources, is this justified?
• Are you using subject-specific language? Consider Miss A’s glossary if you need brushing up.
• Is your use of subject-specific language appropriate and effective? Does it make sense?

CRITERIA C: CRITICAL THINKING

Students who are familiar with scholarly writing in the visual arts (art history, art criticism, cultural studies) will be aware of the need for clarity and coherence.  To score high in CRITICAL THINKING you will need to give your essays the backbone of developing an argument that is clearly related to the research question.  A clear and logical argument is often achieved by making consistent references to the research question throughout the essay. 

Personal views, while they may be quite common in the visual arts, need to be supported by reasoned argument, often with reference to images, interviews with artists, site visits etc, as well as carefully evaluated written material.  

While some biographical information may help to advance an argument,  the simple recounting of an artist’s life is not always helpful.  Try to focus the majority of your EE on ANALYSIS. It is  important for you to evaluate their own research , particularly in terms of unresolved issues and further research questions that may be generated by their study. 

• Is there ANALYSIS?
• Is the research and analysis clearly and effectively related to the RQ?
• If the research and analysis is not directly related to the RQ, has its importance been explained?
• Are your conclusions supported by the research and the analysis?
• If unexpected information was found during the research process, was its importance discussed?
• Was a critical evaluation of methods used provided?
• Is the reliability of sources considered?
• Has your RQ been evaluated? Is your argument clear and easy to follow and directly linked to the RQ and supported by your analysis and research?

CRITERIA D: PRESENTATION

To score high in PRESENTATION, you will need to be aware to the extent in which your essay conforms to accepted academic standards in relation to how research papers should be presented. You also need to consider how well these elements support the reading, understanding, and evaluation of the essay. 

You may provide a section and subsection structure to their essays if this is appropriate for the topic area chosen. Please be aware of the appropriate format for their chosen subject. 

For Visual Arts EE, it is a requirement that images are included in-text. This is a VISUAL ESSAY. Images should be placed and discussed in the body of the text.

When using images, consider that carefully chosen and referenced images form an integral part of an essay in the visual arts . They should be of a good resolution and be of a reasonable size. So awareness of how to include images; properly label them in-text as well as include them in your bibliography is important. Referencing and labeling images is as important as documenting text.

Image references must include: 

• artist’s or designer’s name 
• title of the work 
• ownership 
• (where relevant) dimensions and media 
• source from which the image was scanned or downloaded. 

Having said that, random and non-related images will do you more harm than good. Only include images that are relevant to your research and analysis and help to support your argument.

Any material that is not original must be carefully acknowledged,  with specific attention paid to the acknowledgment and referencing of quotes and ideas. This acknowledgment and referencing is applicable to images, audiovisual material, text, graphs, and data published in print and electronic sources. If the referencing does not meet the minimum standard as indicated in the guide (name of author, date of publication, title of source, and page numbers as applicable), and is not consistently applied, work will be considered as a case of possible academic misconduct.  Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is an extremely useful site for clear instructions of citations and references of either MLA or APA formats.

A bibliography is essential and has to be presented in a standard format. Title page, table of contents, page numbers, etc must contribute to the quality of presentation. 

The essay must not exceed 4,000 words of narrative. Students should be aware that examiners will not read beyond the 4,000-word limit, or assess any material presented past this. 

• Are presentation requirements of the EE understood
• Is the font chosen legible? Easy for examiners to read on-screen?
• Is the EE double spaced with size 12 font?
• Is the Title and RQ on the cover page?
• Are all the pages numbered?
• Is the Table of Contents included and correct?
• Do page numbers in the TOC match the correct page numbers in the text?
• Is your EE subdivided into appropriate subsections?
• Are all Figures (Images) properly numbered and labeled?
• Does the bibliography contain ONLY sources cited in the text?
• Do you have a separate List of Figures in our bibliography?
• Is your referencing system CONSISTENT throughout the essay? Did you choose either MLA or APA?
• Does your EE have 4000 words (or a bit less)?
• Have you included material in the appendices? Is it REALLY relevant and necessary?
• Have you included explanations or small text in your images? Do you know this is INCLUDED in the word count?
• Has your EE been proofread? A few times? Have you corrected all your spelling and grammar errors?

CRITERIA E: ENGAGEMENT

This criterion assesses your ENGAGEMENT with the full process of research and writing your EE. This grade will be applied by the examiner at the end of the assessment of your EE and is based solely on the candidate’s reflections as detailed in the  Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF) with the supervisory comments and extended essay itself as context. 

To score high on ENGAGEMENT, you are expected to provide reflections on the decision-making and planning process undertaken in completing the essay. Your reflections should show in-depth consideration of your topic and engagement with the process, demonstrating how you arrived at a topic as well as the methods and approach used. Effective reflection highlights the journey you have engaged in through the EE process. To score high, you are encouraged to show evidence of critical and reflective thinking that goes beyond simply describing the procedures that have been followed. 

For example, you may reflect on: 

• the approach and strategies they chose, and their relative success 
• the  IB Approaches to Learning  skills they have developed and their effect on the student as a learner 
• how their conceptual understandings have developed or changed as a result of their research 
• challenges they faced in their research and how they overcame these 
• questions that emerged as a result of their research 
• what they would do differently if they were to undertake the research again. 

The reflections must provide the examiner with an insight into  your  thinking, creativity, and originality within the research process. Your voice must be clearly present and demonstrate the learning that has taken place. 

• Is your engagement demonstrated within the development of your research topic and research process?
• Are challenges faced been highlighted? Have you discussed how you overcame challenges?
• Is there a sense of intellectual and skill development?
• Is there a sense of creativity and intellectual initiative?
• Is there a sense of how you have responded to actions and ideas in the research process?
• Have you discussed external explorations that relate to and elevate your research such as visiting art galleries or reaching out to artists and experts in their field for interviews?

RELATIVELY (NEW??) UPDATES (SINCE 2018 ) TO KEEP IN MIND…

• Titles are required 
• Reference to external sources or supplementary information is not permitted and examiners will not access them 
• Irrespective of the subject, the extended essay should be a complete piece of independent research, modeled on an academic journal/research paper, which can exist and be understood on its own, without the need to access external links, such as hyperlinks, or accompanying material such as DVDs. 
• The abstract will no longer be a requirement of the extended essay. Some schools may still want to include one, though this is not explicitly assessed in the new model – where this is the case, the abstract is part of the 4000 word limit.  
• The use of footnotes, endnotes, and appendices is clarified: Where these are used for referencing alone, they are not part of the word count. Students who use footnotes to expand upon a point made in their essay, thus including information central to their investigation as a footnote must either explicitly confirm that their word count includes explanatory footnotes, or where this is not clear, the examiner must give an indication of how many words beyond those stated have been submitted for assessment. 
• The formatting of the extended essay is clarified (see the EE IBO detailed guide)
• A Reflections on Planning and Progress form has been introduced (RRPF) 

• Support Sites

Extended Essay Support Site

Visual art - klee.

Study the assessment criteria for the Extended Essay before reading the example essay and RPPF that have been provided below. How would you apply the assessment criteria ? How many marks would you award the essay for Criteria A-D and the RPPF for Criterion E? Discuss your comments and marks with a colleague or classmate, before revealing the examiner's comments and marks below.

When writing about Visual Arts

There are a few points worth considering when writing an EE in Visual Arts. Take these into consideration when reading the following essay: 

• Be careful not to summarise secondary sources (i.e. history books on art).
• Focus on applying theories and ideas on art to particular artists.
• Avoid writing a biography on an artist.
• There should be evidence of critical analysis of primary sources (i.e. artwork).
• Try to come to a personal conclusion that is based on an orginial argument. 

An RPPF with examiner comments is also on this site here . In fact the RPPF that is annotated is the one from this essay. In brief, it is a rather mediocre RPPF , which could have scored much better with a few key changes. Learn from this student's mistakes, so that you do not have to make them on your RPPF . 

Extended Essay

• Mathematics
• Studies in language and literature
• World studies extended essay
• Visual arts
• Language Acquisition

Visual Arts: Sample A

Visual arts: sample b, visual arts: sample c.

• Last Updated: Oct 14, 2021 3:31 PM
• URL: https://keystoneacademy-cn.libguides.com/extended-essay

Current Unit: Sense of Place

Extended Essay

Visual arts and ee.

An extended essay in visual arts provides you with an opportunity to undertake research in an area of the visual arts of particular interest to you.

The outcome of the research should be a coherent and structured piece of writing (with appropriate illustrations) that effectively addresses a particular issue or research question, appropriate to the visual arts (broadly defined also to include architecture, design and contemporary forms of visual culture).

The research may be generated or inspired by your direct experience of artwork, craftwork or design, or interest in the work of a particular artist, style or period. This might be related to your own culture or another culture. Personal contact with artists, curators and so on is strongly encouraged, as is the use of local and/or primary sources.

The strongest EEs often show careful choice of socially and culturally interesting subjects, which often had a special meaning for the candidate either in relation to your own cultural identity, a future university program, or for a current artistic reason, e.g. your personal studio pursuits.

Whatever you choose your question needs to be narrowed down and strictly focused in order for the rest of the criteria - investigation, analysis, evaluation, a valid argument, and purposeful understanding of the question, to be treated effectively. Without a strong focused research question it is difficult to collect data and evaluate sources for comparison.

Absolute reliance on textbooks and the Internet is discouraged and no extended essay in visual arts should be based exclusively on such sources. Textbooks should be consulted only insofar as they may stimulate original ideas, provide models of disciplined, structured and informed approaches, and encourage direct and personal involvement with the essay topic.

Choice of topic

Topics that are entirely dependent on summarizing general secondary sources (such as universal art history textbooks, and encyclopedias), and topics that are likely to lead to an essay that is essentially narrative or descriptive in nature, should be avoided. Biographical studies of artists must address a relevant issue or research question and arrive at a particular, and preferably personal, conclusion. Choosing a topic that covers many aspects of art history and/or a long period of time is also unlikely to result in a successful essay. Restricting the scope of the essay will help to ensure a clear focus and will provide opportunities for demonstrating detailed understanding and critical analysis.

The following examples of titles for visual arts extended essays are intended as guidance only. The pairings illustrate that focused topics (indicated by the first title) should be encouraged rather than broad topics (indicated by the second title).

“How did Wassily Kandinsky use colour?” is better than “The Bauhaus”

“In what way did African art influence on the work of Henry Moore” is better than “20th-century British sculpture”

“What is the artistic significance of recent poles raised by the First Nations of Haida-Gwai?” is better than “The art of Native North American people”

It may help if you define the topic chosen for study in the form of a more specific research question, followed by a statement of intent that indicates which broad process is going to be used in answering the question. In this way, the approach to the topic chosen may be even further clarified. Some examples of this could include the following.

Topic Cultural influences on Pablo Picasso’s work

Research question Picasso: individual genius or cultural thief?

Approach An investigation of the extent to which selected images in Picasso’s work may have been appropriated from other cultural sources.

Topic The influence of Renaissance architecture in Montreal

Research question Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde, Montreal: a replica of St Peter’s, Rome?

Approach An original investigation into the stylistic similarities in the architecture of these two buildings.

Topic The impact of immigration on an artist’s work

Research question What is the impact of transcultural experience on the art of Gu Xiong?

Approach An investigation into the effects of migration on a selected artist’s work.

Treatment of the topic

It is essential that the topic chosen be clearly and directly related to visual arts. If the connection is only incidental, you risk introducing material that is of only marginal relevance, and will confuse the inquiry and weaken the argument. You should formulate a research question of personal interest and draw on a variety of sources to support your arguments, such as textual analysis, study of original artworks or designed artifacts, and interviews with practitioners or authorities on the subject. Research questions that do not allow a systematic investigation that demonstrates critical artistic analysis and detailed understanding are unlikely to be suitable. In some instances, it may become clear at an early stage in the research that too few sources are available to permit such an investigation. In such cases, a change of focus should be made.

The inclusion and discussion of appropriate visual reference material is of particular importance in visual arts extended essays. Such material must, however, be directly supportive of, and relevant to, the analysis/argument. It should be neatly presented, properly acknowledged, and should appear in the body of the essay, as close as possible to the first reference.

In order to promote personal involvement in the extended essay, the use of local and/or primary sources should be encouraged wherever possible. However, it is appreciated that, in certain situations, you may not necessarily have access to primary sources. In such situations, reproductions, videos, films or photographs/Internet images of a high quality are considered acceptable sources. An argument should be well substantiated, with comments and conclusions supported by evidence that is relevant and well-founded, not based simply on your preconceptions.

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Examples of good EE titles

• What part did national motifs play in the creative work of Russian avant-garde artists of the Knave of Diamonds society?
• Should the old neon signs of Warsaw be moved to a new Museum of Modern Art?
• In what ways did men’s and women’s fashion convey the ideals of National Socialism?
• How does the work of Yinka Shonibare illustrate the changing role of African art in a global society?
• Le Corbusier: Chapel at Ronchamp. How does Le Corbusier use both cubist and organic architecture to create aesthetic and functional harmony?
• What were the origins of the Romanesque in Arles?
• Are there influences of pop art in the decorations on Pakistani trucks?

The following examples are more appropriate for the Comparative Study rather than an EE topic

• The Orient in the works of three orientalist artists and their diverging perspectives – Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres, Jean-Leon Gerome, Osman Hamdi Bey.
• A comparison of the marriage of high art and fashion in the designs of Sonia Delaunay and Yves St-Laurent.

Examples of weak EE Titles

• The Variation within perception amongst human beings.
• Architecture: Art with a purpose.
• Salvador Dali. (in fact any purely biographical study of a very famous artist - what more can you say that has been written already in countless books)
• Postmodernism.
• Islamic architecture.

Writing the EE

You are expected to evaluate critically the resources consulted during the process of writing the essay by asking yourself the following questions.

• Which sources are vital to the support of my ideas, opinions and assertions?
• Which sources do not contribute to the analysis?

Many different approaches to the research question can be appropriate, for instance:

• use of primary sources (artwork and artists) and secondary sources (material about the visual arts) in order to establish and appraise varying interpretations
• analysing sources (primary and secondary) in order to explore and explain particular aspects of the visual arts
• using primary source material for an analysis, with emphasis on a particular aspect of visual arts
• collecting and analysing reproductions of artwork, possibly leading to a comparison of similar or different images.

You should also demonstrate awareness of other issues surrounding the art studied.

• Do I show an awareness of the value and limitations of the art I am studying through analysing its origin and purpose?
• Do I show a consistently good artistic understanding in setting the research question into context and addressing it fully and effectively?

Relevant outcomes of this analysis should be integrated into the your argument.

• The argument should also be well substantiated:
• With what evidence do I support my comments and conclusions?
• Is this evidence relevant and well founded, and not based simply on my preconceptions?

Extended Essay Titles

Borrowing culture: the appropriateness of Picasso's use of the Mbangu mask in 'Les Demoiselles d'Avignon' (2008)

Can Luc Tuymans be classified as a political painter?

How does the work of Ketna Patel illustrate the growing impact of media culture on Asian cultures? (2014)

How does the work of Yinka Shonibare illustrate the changing role of African art in a Global Society? (2008)

How far Andy Warhol's interest in morbidity explored in his "Death and Disaster' series? (2014)

How the cultural aspects of Jesse Trevino's life impacted his artwork (Part1, Part2) (2008)

How would one determine the essential balance between form and function in the cases of four 21st century pedestrian bridges? (2014)

The influence on the Casa Batllo (1904-6) by the architect Antoni Gaudi (Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4) (2011)

Is the distortion of Francis Bacon and Jenny Saville's artwork gender related? (Part1, Part2, Part3) (2011)

To what extent has Damien Hirst explored the themes of Life and Death in his work? (2013)

To what extent has the design of Federation Square been a success?

To what extent have Jungian theories of the unconscious archetypes, influenced Rotho's 'The Omen of the Eagle, 1942' and 'No. 18, 1948,' and in what ways are they expressed? (2012)

To what extent was Toulouse-Lautrec's lithograph 'Dican Japonais' influenced by the culture of Montmartre and technical developments of 'Belle-Epoque'? (2013)

When does photojournalism transcend into art? (Part1, Part2, Part3) (2011)

How does Fra Angelico present himself within Renaissance Florence though his depiction of The Annunciation? ( 2017)