Extended Essay Supervisor Feedback: Criterion-by-Criterion Comment Bank

Extended Essay feedback should help students make research decisions. Use these comment stems when you need criterion-aligned language that still leaves final judgment to the supervisor.

Focus and method

• "Narrow the research question so your method can answer it directly."
• "Clarify why this method is appropriate for the type of evidence you are using."
• "Define the scope of the investigation so the essay does not become descriptive."

Knowledge and understanding

• "Use subject-specific terminology consistently when explaining this concept."
• "Add context for this source before using it as evidence."
• "Distinguish between background information and evidence that advances your argument."

Critical thinking

• "After presenting the evidence, evaluate what it proves and what it cannot prove."
• "This paragraph reports the source accurately, but it needs more analysis of significance."
• "Compare the evidence from these sources instead of treating them as separate summaries."

Presentation and engagement

• "Move this section so the reader sees the method before the findings."
• "Check that each citation supports a claim that appears in the same paragraph."
• "In your reflection, explain the decision you made and why it mattered to the investigation."

Next steps

For full draft review, use the Extended Essay Grader. For a broader workflow, read the Extended Essay Feedback Playbook.