WHAT IS AN IB PAPER?

An IB paper is a specific type of research paper, assigned in international baccalaureate programs and schools, in which your research essay must integrate specific components which are unique to IB programs. An IB Paper is an essay or research paper but must meet the conventions of the IB Program that you are enrolled in. This typically means that your IB paper will need to be written on the basis of a specific type of formatting and referencing and that it will include IB-specific concepts like the areas of exploration. With this in mind, writing an IB paper means that you must successfully integrate core IB elements, like the areas of exploration, into your IB papers. With the Areas of Exploration representing structures which allow IB students to explore how knowledge is produced and thinking critically about multidisciplinary, writing an IB essay requires that you use the areas exploration to first understand how you can approach your topic from multiple disciplines and then how you can reflect on the work you have done in relation to your topic. The purpose of applying the areas of exploration in writing your IB paper is to thus show your thinking process in a formalized manner that meets all of the criteria and objectives associated with your international baccalaureate program.

When writing an IB paper, you will typically have a high degree of freedom in terms of choosing your topic. This said, and because the interests of your IB paper advisor might differ from your own, you should consult with your IB paper advisor regarding what topic you should write your IB paper on. Consulting with your IB advisors means that the two of you will be on the same page as you write your IB paper. You are also more likely to get a good grade if you write your IB paper on a topic that is of interest to your IB advisor. Maintaining communication with your IB advisor throughout the process of writing it is something that is thus advised for all students who have to write an IB paper. Ultimately, an IB paper is a modified form of research paper that is meant to reflect the standards of the varying organizations that accredit international schools and international baccalaureate programs. This means that when you write an IB paper, you must stick to the elements which these IB certification bodies value in terms of defining what an international baccalaureate is. With these standards varying across different international baccalaureate certification groups and bodies, this means that there is some variation in the specifications that IB papers are written to. Nevertheless, integration multidisciplinary and the areas of exploration is something that all students who write IB papers will have to do.