Table of Contents
It’s very hard to write and organize a literature review for an Extended Essay, especially if you want it to be clear, have good research, and meet IB standards. This part of the EE often determines whether it feels cohesive or completely disorganized. And since many students ask me how to write a literature review that helps them answer their research question, I’m going to break it down into easy-to-follow steps.
What Is a Literature Review in EE?
A literature review for an Extended Essay is a well-organized summary of how other scholars, theorists, historians, scientists, or critics have looked at your topic. So, it also helps you explain why your research question is important. When you demonstrate what has been previously researched, you automatically point out what is still unclear, open to debate, or worth looking into.
A good EE literature review usually has three main parts.
- What experts or academics already know about your subject.
- Contrasts, trends, and arguments.
- How does the existing research back up your next point?
Plus, the literature review helps you avoid redoing work that’s already been done, which is something that examiners really care about.
The EE may be different for each subject, but the literature review has the same main goal: it indicates that you comprehend the academic debate around your research issue. When writing it, you cannot simply repeat what writers say. Instead, you explain how their points of view relate to, contrast with, or support the direction of your own analysis. This portion of your essay shows that you are ready to use sources like a professional researcher since the IB emphasizes independent thinking.
The literature review is the most important part of your essay. It helps the reader follow your analysis and grasp your logic. Your Extended Essay will be much better, both academically and structurally, if this part is clear, structured, and in line with what you are researching.
What Should Be Included in the Literature Review for IB Extended Essay?
You can’t start writing a literature review until you know what it should cover. This part of the Extended Essay is the foundation of your argument. It should express important ideas, disagreements, points of view, and areas where there is a lack of research. It should also show the examiner that you understand the main ideas and sources that support your topic.
As I already said, there are three key parts to a good literature review for an Extended Essay. To begin, you need a list of the writers, experts, or theorists in your field. You should also point out the similarities and differences between these sources. Finally, you need to explain why these sources are important for your argument.
The table below makes it easier to understand what should be in any literature review:
Component | Description | Example of Use |
Key theories, concepts, or academic frameworks | Overview of foundational ideas in your subject area | Mentioning a psychological theory that your research question is built on |
Major scholars or writers | The most influential voices connected to your topic | Citing leading historians or literary critics |
Agreements in the literature | Points where researchers share similar conclusions | Multiple studies support the same hypothesis |
Contrasting viewpoints or debates | Differences in interpretation or methodology | Historians disagree on the causes of an event |
Gaps in the research | Areas that are unclear, under-researched, or contested | Lack of recent studies on a specific angle |
Connection to your research question | Explanation of why each idea or source matters | Linking theories to the angle you plan to analyze |
Your literature review should never feel like a list. Instead, it must flow logically. When one source is linked to the next, the whole section reads deliberately and academically.
How to Structure a Literature Review for IB Extended Essays?
Here are some solid structural approaches that tend to work great for most IB subjects.
Thematic
A thematic structure sorts your sources into groups based on ideas, concepts, or problems that come up again and again in your topic. Because IB English, Psychology, Global Politics, and Biology are all centered around main ideas, this method works exceptionally well in those courses.
You can group the literature by topics like motivation, identity, conflict, treatment effectiveness, or environmental change. Each part focuses on a clear idea instead of a single writer. This method makes it easy to explain how writers agree with, disagree with, or expand on each other’s ideas.
Theoretical
The theoretical method looks at the academic models or theories that are linked to your research question.
For example, this structure is useful in Psychology, Economics subject, Philosophy, and Global Politics, where theories help interpret evidence. You could put your sources into groups based on political theories, economic models, literary lenses, or cognitive theories.
From what I’ve seen, this structure works well when your EE is mostly about applying or contrasting ideas. You can use it to show why specific theories help you answer your research question and others don’t.
Get Help With Your Paper
Chronological
It shows research in the order that ideas came up with in a chronological structure. This structure is helpful when it’s important to show how ideas change over time, like in History or Literature EE. You can start with early ideas, then move on to big changes, and end with how people see things now.
Chronological structure fits exceptionally when the timeframe helps show how the topic changed or why there are certain arguments. Time progression can feel forced, though, if it has nothing to do with your research question.
Methodological
With this structure, you can group your sources according to the methods scholars used. Common organizational choices include:
- Themes or concepts,
- Theories or academic frameworks,
- Time periods,
- Research methods,
- Academic perspectives or schools of thought.
For example, psychologists may use surveys, case studies, or experiments. Historians tend to use old records or personal accounts. Scientists often compare field studies to lab tests.
Putting your review together this way helps you show the strengths and weaknesses of various research methods. It also helps you be more specific in your study because you can see how the choice of method affects the results that researchers come to.
Hybrid Structure
There are times when your research question needs more than one structure. That’s fine. A mixed structure might start with a summary of events to set the scene, then move on to parts that are more thematic or theoretical for a more in-depth look.
Some Extended Essays use this method because it gives them both past knowledge and a targeted comparison. I have found that a mixed structure works best when your topic has both a history aspect and several main ideas that need their own care.
How to Write Your Literature Review for IB EE?
Begin by grounding your work in the research question. In my experience, this is the most reliable way to stay focused, because it immediately helps you recognize which sources truly support your topic and which ones only create noise. When you’re clear about what you’re trying to answer, choosing your materials becomes far less confusing.
After clarifying your research direction, select the sources that genuinely matter. Many students collect more books and articles than they could ever use, yet a strong literature review depends on meaningful choices rather than sheer quantity. It’s far more effective to work with a smaller group of high-quality sources that add depth and perspective to your argument.
After you choose your sources, examine how they relate to one another. This is where your understanding becomes visible. Examiners will see that you’ve thought critically about what you’ve read if you show them where writers agree and disagree and how certain points of view change over time. That amount of interest is precisely what the IB wants.
To keep your structure consistent and meaningful as you write, rely on a simple pattern:
- Explain the main idea or contribution of each source.
- Compare it with others when relevant.
- Connect it back to your research question.
By the way, most literature reviews should be between 700 and 1,200 words long. For research-heavy subjects like English, History, Psychology, and Economics, it’s closer to 1,200 words. For science-based EEs that put more weight on methods and research, 700 to 900 words will be enough.
It’s a general rule that your literature review should take up about 20–30% of your total essay.
To Sum It Up
Following these steps will make your literature review much more than a summary of existing work. According to general IB criteria, your voice should guide the discussion, showing that you get why each source matters. When those links are clear, your literature review naturally strengthens the entire Extended Essay.
And don’t worry, you can always count on IBStudentHelp.com for extra help, clearer explanations, or professional support. We’ve got you covered with research advice and writing assistance, tailoring our help to meet real IB requirements and student needs.
Nick Radlinsky
Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.
Nick's article, featured in Routledge's "Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.
Structuring a Literature Review for IB Extended Essays
It’s very hard to write and organize a literature review for an Extended Essay, especially if you want it to be clear, have good research, and meet IB standards. This part of the EE often determines whether it feels cohesive or completely disorganized.
What Are the IB TOK Essay Prescribed Questions for May 26?
If you’re an IB student, you may have seen the TOK essay titles for May 26. These six questions will help you write one of the most significant papers for your IB Diploma.
How to Write an Effective Abstract for IB Research Papers?
One of the most important parts of your IB research paper is the abstract, which gives readers a clear picture of your work. This guide shows you how to write an effective abstract that sticks out to examiners, properly describes your research, and gives your IB paper a more professional touch.
Can You Use Rhetorical Techniques in IB Essay Writing?
It’s likely that the person who wrote an essay that made you think, “Wow, that sounds powerful,” used rhetorical techniques. And the big question at this point is, can you use rhetorical techniques in IB essay writing?
How to Transition from IB to University: A Pre-University Preparation Guide
In this article, I’ll provide you with useful tips that worked for me and my students. The transition from IB to university can feel less like a leap off a cliff and more like a sure step forward if you use the proper strategy.
World of IB Internships: Tips, Opportunities, and How to Stand Out
Today, IB internships are one of the best ways for students to learn practical skills. This refers to internships at the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) or IB World Schools, not investment banking, which is commonly confused.
