Prescribed Titles Unpacking Form

Directions: This worksheet is intended to help you understand exactly what any given TOK
prescribed title requires of you. Follow the directions to answer all of the questions about each title
you are considering using for your TOK essay.

Step 1: Copy the prescribed title exactly as it is given:

Step 2: List all the command verbs from the title. Step 3: For each of the command verbs, explain
in your own words what it requires you to do.

Step 4: List key terms in the prescribed title. Step 5: Define the key terms/Explain the
significance of the key terms.

Step 6: Given your assessment of the key words, identify and list all of the assumptions and
implications that underlie the statement or question in the title. Note that these cannot be
contravened in your essay. If the title makes an assumption about something, your essay cannot be
argued on the basis that that assumption is false. If you disagree with these assumptions, then you
need to select a different prescribed title to work on.

Step 7: If the prescribed title is not already a question, reword it in question form. BE CAREFUL!
You must not alter the meaning of the statement in any way. Just reorder the words into question
format. Your job in writing a TOK essay is to answer the question which is implied or stated in the
prescribed title.

Step 8: Now that you have examined in detail the demands of the modified prescribed titles from
which you can choose to write your essay, make your choice. Write a reflection in the box below
explaining why you have chosen the title you chose. Include some brief discussion of your particular
knowledge and skills which make this title a good fit for you. Also identify any difficulties you
anticipate.