TOK is one of the most confusing subjects in terms of the contents and the assessments, yet it’s essential to get a good score for the bonus point. We previously introduced the assessment model and tips for TOK (see Exam Strategy for Theory of Knowledge), but some of you might still be unsure what kind of essay you should write for TOK. But don’t worry, you can get freed from TOK anxiety! We’ve summed up IB graduates’ first hand experience on TOK essays based on an online questionnaire that they kindly answered for us.
1. Overview of TOK Essay
To give you a brief summary of the fundamental information about the assessment, the essay accounts for 2/3 (67%) of the final grade of TOK and it’s an external assessment which means IB examiners will mark your essay.
TOK subject brief published by IBO states “Students are required to write an essay in response to one of the six prescribed titles that are issued by the IB for each examination session.” This means IB students will have to come up with their own content based on the concept they choose from one of the prescribed titles.
Here’s the thing about the grading criteria for TOK essay. The reason why there’s no criteria table like other subjects is because all you need to know is what key components make up a “top level” essay! It might sound simple but there are just three things your essay must have: strong and balanced arguments, connections to your real life examples, and connections to TOK concepts. Remember, your English doesn’t have to be perfect for the TOK essay. What’s important is the content of your essay.
Does the candidate present an appropriate and cogent analysis of knowledge questions in discussing the title?
- Aspect: Level 5 / Excellent / 9-10
- Typical characteristics
- Understanding knowledge questions: There is a sustained focus on knowledge questions connected to the prescribed title, developed with investigation of different perspectives and linked effectively to areas of knowledge and/or ways of knowing.
- Quality of analysis of knowledge questions: Arguments are clear, supported by effective real life examples and are effectively evaluated; counterclaims are fully explored; implications are drawn.
- Some possible characteristics
- Cogent, Accomplished, Discerning, Individual, Lucid, Insightful, Compelling
2. Example TOK Essay Titles
Here’s the list of prescribed titles IBO had given for the past 4 years. Underlined titles were chosen by IB graduates and it would be a great practice for your TOK essay writing to try writing an essay using one of the titles below.
| Exam Session |
Prescribed Titles |
| May 2018 |
- “The fields of study of academic disciplines can overlap, but adopting interdisciplinary approaches to the production of knowledge leads only to confusion.” Discuss this claim.
- “We know with confidence only when we know little; with knowledge doubt increases” (Adapted from JW von Goethe). Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Without the assumption of the existence of uniformities there can be no knowledge.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Suspension of disbelief” is an essential feature of theatre. Is it essential in other areas of knowledge? Develop your answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “The quality of knowledge produced by an academic discipline is directly proportional to the duration of historical development of that discipline.” Explore this claim with reference to two disciplines.
- “Robust knowledge requires both consensus and disagreement.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
|
| November 2018 |
- “Existing classification systems steer the acquisition of new knowledge.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Technology provides ever-expanding access to shared knowledge. Therefore, the need to assimilate such knowledge personally is relentlessly diminishing.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
- Are disputes over knowledge claims within a discipline always resolvable? Answer this question by comparing and contrasting disciplines taken from two areas of knowledge.
- “Those who have knowledge don’t predict. Those who predict don’t have knowledge” (Lao Tzu). Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Too much relevant knowledge in a field might be a hindrance to the production of knowledge in that field.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “The importance of establishing incontrovertible facts is overestimated. Most knowledge deals in ambiguity.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
|
| May 2019 |
- “The quality of knowledge is best measured by how many people accept it.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “The production of knowledge is always a collaborative task and never solely a product of the individual.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- Do good explanations have to be true?
- “Disinterestedness is essential in the pursuit of knowledge.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “The production of knowledge requires accepting conclusions that go beyond the evidence for them.” Discuss this claim.
- “One way to assure the health of a discipline is to nurture contrasting perspectives.” Discuss this claim.
|
| November 2019 |
- “In the acquisition of knowledge, the responsibility for accuracy lies with the user not the producer.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Each human being is unique, unprecedented, unrepeatable” (René Dubos). Assuming this statement to be correct, what challenges does it create for knowledge production in two areas of knowledge?
- Shared knowledge often changes over time. Does this fact undermine our confidence in current shared knowledge?
- To produce knowledge just observe and then write down what you observe. Discuss the effectiveness of this strategy in two areas of knowledge.
- Is there a trade-off between sceptism and successful production of knowledge?
- “The pursuit of knowledge is not merely about finding truths; it is about finding significant truths”(adapted from PD Magnus). Discuss this statement.
|
| May 2020 |
- “Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not” (Pablo Picasso). Explore this distinction with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “There is a sharp line between describing something and offering an explanation of it.” To what extent do you agree with this claim?
- Does it matter that your personal circumstances influence how seriously your knowledge is taken?
- “The role of analogy is to aid understanding rather than to provide justification.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
- “Given that every theory has its limitations, we need to retain a multiplicity of theories to understand the world.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Present knowledge is wholly dependent on past knowledge.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
|
| November 2020 |
- “If a disagreement about knowledge claims needs to be resolved, then it is essential to give equal attention to both sides.” Under what circumstances is this good advice?
- “Understanding something requires being able to answer ‘What if…?’ questions about it.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
- “Too much of our knowledge revolves around ourselves, as if we are the most important thing in the universe” (adapted from Carlo Rovelli). Why might this be problematic?
- “The process of gaining knowledge is more valuable than reaching an end result.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “The questions we can ask depend more on what we already know than on what we do not know.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Reliable knowledge can lack certainty.” Explore this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
|
| May 2021 |
- “Accepting knowledge claims always involves an element of trust.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- Within areas of knowledge, how can we differentiate between change and progress? Answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Labels are a necessity in the organization of knowledge, but they also constrain our understanding.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Statistics conceal as much as they reveal.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Areas of knowledge are most useful in combination with each other.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Avoiding bias seems a commendable goal, but this fails to recognize the positive role that bias can play in the pursuit of knowledge.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
|
| November 2021 |
- Why is it so difficult to identify a clear line between accepted and disputed knowledge within a discipline? Answer with reference to two disciplines, each taken from a different area of knowledge.
- “Knowledge gained through direct experience is powerful but problematic.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
- “There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact” (Arthur Conan Doyle). Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “Areas of knowledge always rely on a systematic process of trial and error to aid the production of knowledge.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “If all knowledge is provisional, when can we have confidence in what we claim to know?” Answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- “We are rarely completely certain, but we are frequently certain enough.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
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3. Tips for TOK Essay Writing
3.1 Keep the Structure Clear
This may not be specific for TOK, but it’s very important to keep your essay structured with purpose so that examiners can understand what you’re trying to say more easily. As with any essays, TOK essays need to have an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The most effective use of body paragraphs is using each body paragraph to explore a real life situation or a counterclaim. Of course, there should be a topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph to point out the main idea of the paragraph, and a mini-conclusion at the end of the paragraph to summarize the main idea again.
3.2 Use Visual Images Effectively
Students can use images and photos in the TOK essay as long as they are valid in exploring your ideas. Having these visual images can often make it easier to explain a real life situation so don’t hesitate to use them. Don’t forget to label them using figure numbers and descriptive titles. Also, don’t forget to cite the source of the images.
3.3 Try to Be Unique
One of the things examiners look for in your essay is originality. It’s ok to use major historical events or famous arts as real life situation, but there’s a chance someone else might refer to it as well since there are thousands of IB students every year. It doesn’t mean you will be discredited for using real life situations that’s the same as someone else’s, but examiners probably wouldn’t want to read similar arguments multiple times. So, try to use real life situations that are unique to you, like something you experienced or something unique in your hometown.
