Analysis & Conclusion
How to develop strong analytical arguments, structure your body paragraphs, and write a conclusion that earns top marks.
The Core of Your EE: Analysis Over Description
The single biggest difference between a Band A and a Band C Extended Essay is the quality of analysis. Description tells the reader what happened. Analysis tells the reader what it means, why it matters, and how it answers your Research Question.
Description (low marks)
What happened?
‘The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, leading to German reunification.’ This is factual but does not analyse anything.
Analysis (high marks)
What does it mean?
‘The rapid collapse of the Wall, driven by miscommunication rather than deliberate policy, reveals how Soviet authority had become structurally hollow by 1989 — a conclusion that challenges the traditional agency-focused historiography of Gorbachev’s role.’
Body Paragraph Structure: PEEL
P — Point
Make a clear, arguable claim that directly addresses your RQ. One main idea per paragraph.
E — Evidence
Support your point with specific, cited evidence from your sources. Be precise — names, dates, data.
E — Evaluation
Analyse what the evidence means. Why does it support your point? What are its limitations? What does it reveal?
L — Link
Connect back to the Research Question and signal the transition to the next argument.
Writing a Band A Conclusion
1
Restate your thesis — concisely
Remind the reader of your Research Question and your overall answer — but in fresh language, not a copy-paste of your introduction.
2
Synthesise your key arguments
Show how your body arguments together support your conclusion. Do not just list them — show how they build on each other.
3
Address limitations and further research
What could not be covered in this essay? What questions remain open? This shows intellectual maturity.
4
End with a broader insight
Connect your specific finding to a broader significance — for the field, for society, or for future research. This is what separates an A from a B conclusion.
💡 Expert Tip
Your conclusion should not introduce any new evidence or arguments. Everything in the conclusion should grow directly from what you have already established in the body.
Analysis & Conclusion Checklist
- ✓ Every paragraph follows a clear point → evidence → evaluation → link structure
- ✓ I analyse my evidence — I do not just describe or quote it
- ✓ My conclusion directly answers my Research Question
- ✓ My conclusion synthesises, not summarises
- ✓ I acknowledge limitations and suggest further research directions
- ✓ Total word count is between 3,500 and 4,000 words (body + intro + conclusion)
Want expert analysis feedback on your EE draft?