TOK ESSAY

 The title sets the scope of the question. Your

job is to find the knowledge issues within that
scope.
 Then, decide what AoK and WoK to include:
A minimum of 2 AOKs
 A variety of WOKs

 Breadth and links are essential

TOK ESSAY
 Beware of talking only about Ways of
Knowing, without reference to Areas of
Knowledge – resulting in an essay that is
too abstract.

 Stick with the terminology given in the title.

Clarify and define, do not alter or adapt.
TOK ESSAY
 Intuition can be considered a WoK. Ethics can
be considered a WoK or an AoK.
 The TOK diagram is not the limitation.
 You must justify your position.

 Be careful about being dogmatic about “justified

true belief” as the definition of knowledge.
 E.g., How does JTB apply to the Arts?
TOK ESSAY
 First and most important step in planning
and writing the essay: decide what stance
you take!
 Give examples/illustrations:
 Your DP courses (the best type of example)
 Personal experience
 TOK course
 Hypothetical examples: BE CAREFUL!
TOK ESSAY
 Examine counterclaims: this is essential!

 Examine implications of your position.

Answer the SO WHAT question. Why is
this question and your conclusion
important?
TOK ESSAY
 Voice of the knower: Make sure that your
voice comes through!

 If possible, avoid hypothetical examples!

 Don’t let the examples become the essay.

Your analysis is necessary.
TOK ESSAY
 The reader should not have to do the work
in “unpacking” the essay.

 The writer has to do the work:

 Connecting examples to the knowledge
issues
 Implications: Answering the “so what”
question
TOK ESSAY
 Citation
 Remember that “common knowledge” is
cultural. Assume an international examiner.
Especially with “popular culture” references.

 Don’t spend time criticizing the title!

TOK ESSAY
 A checklist:
 What are the knowledge issues?
 What stance will you take?
 What AoK and WoK will you address?
 What are the examples?
 Deal with any counterclaims.
 Note any implications.
Writing “Formal / Academic” essays: basic plan
(e.g. “Essay” questions in History, Geography, Science, English,
extended essays and TOK essays)

INTRODUCTION:
Introduces the TOPIC or interprets the QUESTION and mentions the
different ASPECTS which will be covered in the essay WITHOUT
giving details.

MAIN BODY:
Presents a LOGICAL PROGRESSION of ASPECTS of the topic, along
with EXAMPLES, EXPLANATIONS and INTERPRETATIONS of
meaning, ARGUMENTS in support of a point of view and / or
COUNTER ARGUMENTS.

CONCLUSION:
EVALUATES the evidence and presents your OPINION or your
CHOICE in the matter with PERSONAL REASONS for your decision.
For ToK specifically..
 What to put in the Introduction: Make sure the key concepts you use
are discussed in the introduction along with a statement of the
Knowledge Issues and a brief statement of your position. You should
give the reader some helpful signposts here about how you will deal
with the issues raised in the Title.
 What to put in the Body of the Essay: The arguments and main
examples should appear in the body of the essay. Here you should give
some detailed support for your position. Then there should be some
anticipation of possible weaknesses in, or objections to, your position.
 What to put in the Conclusion: The conclusion should state an
evaluation of the arguments presented and the implications of this.
There should be an answer to the question "So what?" For example you
could end with a 'forward looking view'.

(Source: Ric Simms - http://uwcac.org.uk/acad/thok/tentips_e_2.htm)

Meaningless Statements:
…such as "Since the dawn of time man has
been obsessed with knowledge". The essay
does not need a romantic lead-in so you should
start it straight away. Like a film the first
paragraph should be packed with TOK Action.
Gross Unsubstantiated
Generalizations
…such as "Americans see wealth itself as a moral good". Be very
careful with the use of the word ‘all’. Check carefully what it is you want
to say. Ask yourself whether it is necessary for your essay to make
such a sweeping statement?

The embodiment of moral good -according to ALL Americans.

Pseudo-examples
These are fictional examples usually based on stereotyping - "An
Israeli would regard the Defensive Wall as necessary while a
Palestinian would see it as an infringement of his basic human
liberties". Rather than relying on fiction, try and find a statement
made by a real Israeli and a real Palestinian.
Worse are examples which typecast Areas of Knowledge, such as
"A scientist would look at the statue and try to work out the forces in
it while an artist would react emotionally to it" or "All scientists are
atheists” and “religious believers are highly emotional and prone to
superstition".