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How to Write a TOK Essay

Last Updated: December 28, 2023

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA . Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. This article has been viewed 251,015 times.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Theory of Knowledge essay is a 1200–1600 word essay on prescribed topics or titles created by the IB. As the name suggests, your Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay should focus on knowledge issues (what is knowledge? why and how do we know things?) and link to other areas of knowledge as well. About two-thirds of your final TOK grade is determined by your score on your TOK essay.

Choosing Your Essay Title

• Mathematics
• Natural sciences
• Human sciences
• Religious knowledge systems
• Indigenous knowledge systems

• “Compare the roles played by reason and imagination in at least two Areas of Knowledge.”
• “When mathematicians, historians and scientists say that they have explained something, are they using the word ‘explain’ in the same way?”

• Do you understand the keywords or concepts in the title? You may not be clear on what a title is asking you to do. Go through the title and highlight any words or concepts you are unsure about. Some titles will use keywords from TOK courses, such as “belief”, “knowledge” “truth”. You may want to check back on your class notes and consider what these words mean in the context of the title.
• Do you have a strong interest in the title? The title should play to your interests and you should feel you can write about the title with care and diligence. For example, if you are skilled or interested in the arts, you may choose a title like “Compare the roles played by reason and imagination in at least two Areas of Knowledge” and pick the arts as one area of knowledge. Keep in mind, however, you should balance your passion for the title with an objective perspective.
• Do you have something relevant to say about the title? It’s important that you relate the question to the ideas you have covered in your TOK course, as well as the topics you have studied in class, and your own personal experiences or thoughts. The essay should have an objective tone, but you will still need to inject it with personality, passion, and clarity.

• For example, in a title like: “When mathematicians, historians and scientists say that they have explained something, are they using the word ‘explain’ in the same way?”, you may rephrase it into two sentences. The title refers to three AOK: mathematics, history, and science. It is then asking you to compare and contrast the way these three AOK use explanation as a way of knowing about a topic or issue.
• By breaking down the title into short sentences, you now have a clearer picture of what the title is asking you to do and how you might go about answering the title sufficiently.

Structuring the Essay

• Understanding the knowledge issues: your essay must be focused on the knowledge issues, link and compare at least two knowledge issues, show relevancy between at least two knowledge issues, and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the knowledge issues.
• Knower’s perspective: your essay must demonstrate independent thinking, self-awareness, at least two different perspectives, and several supporting examples.
• Analysis of the knowledge issues: your essay must show insight and depth, justify your main points, present arguments and counter-arguments, and explore any assumptions and implications of your topic.
• Organization of ideas: your essay must be well structured, explain key concepts, be factually accurate, and cite references where applicable.

• You may also be asked “to what extent” or “in what way” a statement is justified. You will then need to present for and against arguments for the statement.
• If you are asked a direct question, your essay should address to what extent or in what ways you are for and against an argument or position.

• Start by doing a general, open brainstorm. Write down everything that comes to mind when you think about the title without passing judgement on any of the ideas, or stopping to read over your brainstorm.
• After five minutes of brainstorming, read over your notes. Identify ideas that relate to each other or that contradict each other. If you are evaluating or assessing a claim in the essay title, create a for column and an against column. Group your brainstorming ideas into either column. Create a third column for grey area ideas, or ambiguities, and place ideas in that column.
• Note any examples of the ideas that you wrote down. For example, you may be addressing a title like: “When mathematicians, historians and scientists say that they have explained something, are they using the word ‘explain’ in the same way?” You may create a brainstorm for each area of knowledge (mathematics, history, science) in relation to the idea of explaining something. You may then use examples of “something” that can be explained in each AOK: a mathematical equation, a historical moment in a battle or a trial, and a scientific theory.

• You should also identify the areas of knowledge you will be discussing in your essay. For example, for a title like: “Compare the roles played by reason and imagination in at least two Areas of Knowledge” you may choose two AOK: the arts and science. You may then compare and contrast the function of “reason” and “imagination” in the arts and in science.

• Paragraph 1: Introduction. You would provide an explanation and interpretation of the title and identify the key terms in the title. You would also state your thesis and explain or identify a knowledge issue related to the title.
• Paragraph 2: First Area of Knowledge. For example, the arts. Discuss how the arts answers the title and provide supporting examples. You should also note any counter-arguments against the title or any limitations of the supporting examples.
• Paragraph 3: Second Area of Knowledge. For example, mathematics. Note how mathematics answers the title and provide supporting examples. You should also note any counter-arguments against the title or any limitations of the supporting examples.
• Paragraph 4: Third Area of Knowledge (if applicable)
• Paragraph 5: Conclusion. Summarize your main ideas and restate your thesis. Conclude by answering the title fully, taking into account the counter arguments and limitations of the areas of knowledge.
• You may also decide to structure your essay based on a main argument and a main counter-argument. Your outline may contain four paragraphs total:
• Paragraph 1: Introduction and explanation of the knowledge issue.
• Paragraph 2: Main argument, with justification and one to two supporting examples.
• Paragraph 3: Main counter-argument, with justification and one to two supporting examples.
• Paragraph 4: Conclusion.

• Some students find it useful to draft their thesis statement once they have finished writing a first draft of the essay. By this point, you will likely have a better sense of the main arguments in the essay and be able to write a clear, concise thesis statement.
• For example, you may need to create a thesis statement for this title: “Compare the roles played by reason and imagination in at least two Areas of Knowledge.” You have chosen two AOK: the arts and mathematics. Consider how reason and imagination function in the arts and in mathematics, as well as the different ways they function in each AOK. Your thesis may be: “Through reason and imagination play an important role in both mathematics and the arts, the imaginative thoughts of mathematicians must be provable, while the imaginative thoughts of artists need only be reasonable.” [5] X Research source

Writing the Essay

• You may want to also refer back to your brainstorming notes to identify the supporting examples for your two areas of knowledge, or your main argument and your main counter-argument.

• For example, you may be discussing the use of reason and imagination in the arts. Rather than discuss a familiar artist, like Picasso, or a familiar example of imaginative thinking, like the Sistine Chapel, use supporting examples that feel original and insightful. Though the essay should be objective in nature, it should also feel reflective and personal. Using a supporting example that you feel passionate about, like Pollack’s kinetic movement paintings, or Rodin’s sculptures, will show you have taken the time to explore unique examples.

• Reference surprising or little known claims, but not well known facts or commonly held opinions. For example: “The sun is the center of the solar system” is a well known fact you will not need to cite. But “Rodin was a traditionally-schooled artist and had a craftsman-like approach to his work” will require a citation as it is maybe a little known fact.
• Reference any sentences or sections where you are closely following someone else’s train of thought or argument, even in your own words.
• Reference exact quotes, and use quotation marks.
• Be consistent with your citations and the way you reference certain sources.

• As you read your essay out loud, make sure there are no vague or abstract sentences or terms. You want to ensure you use your 1600 word count in a clear and concise way. Every word will count in your TOK essay.
• Confirm you have addressed knowledge issues in your essay. Your essay should answer the question “How do you know?” and assess the strengths and weaknesses of knowledge claims in at least two areas of knowledge. You should also use arguments and counter-arguments to support your thesis statement, as well as strong supporting examples.

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• ↑ http://www.dirk-solies.de/TOK/how%20to%20write%20a%20ToK%20essay%20cambridge.pdf
• ↑ http://www.toktalk.net/2009/11/20/starting-and-planning-the-tok-essay/

About This Article

To write a TOK essay that compares several areas of knowledge, start with an introductory paragraph that explains your title and states your thesis. Then, write 2-3 main body paragraphs, discussing in each a single area of knowledge and how it relates to your title. Try to provide supporting examples in each case, and address any potential counter-arguments, as well. Finally, end your essay with a conclusion that summarizes your main ideas and restates your thesis. When you’re done, check to be sure that you’re within the 1,200-1,600 word limit for the essay. To learn from our English reviewer how to choose an essay title and create your thesis statement, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How To Write A ToK Essay - Updated 2023

Ace your ToK Essay with our expert tips & tricks! Get the latest and greatest techniques on "How To Write A ToK Essay" and impress the IB examiners.📝💡

Table of content

Purpose of tok, assessment of tok, the game plan, execution of the gameplan, planning for tok essay, structure of tok essay, introduction, conclusions, bibliography.

How to write a TOK Essay? 

To answer that, you must familiarise yourself with what a TOK Essay is about.

Before you start reading this article,  Amanda  has some excellent TOK tips for you!

Theory of Knowledge is one of the most meta subjects that IB offers. Despite its complexity, TOK helps in providing a base for holistic learning and allows students to have a multidisciplinary experience. 

To understand TOK is to understand the essence of IB, a task that most people consider unattainable.

But not for you! 

Thank your lucky stars who made you land on Nail IB. How exactly will Nail IB help you? 

Well, nailing International Baccalaureate is something we will discuss later. 

Let's focus on cracking your TOK essay, shall we?

TOK demonstrates how students  can apply their knowledge  with  greater awareness  and  credibility .

Big words, huh? 

Now that we know that we cannot just slide through the Theory of Knowledge, let's understand how we can conquer this battle all guns blazing.

ToK essay’s primary objective is to answer the  why  behind our studies. 

It makes one aware of the real-life implications of their subjects. The students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions and appreciate the diversity of different perspectives. It helps the students find their unique perception, a prerequisite for excelling in the IB TOK essays.

Before we dive into our gameplan, let’s overview the rules of the game.

There are two assessment tasks in the TOK: an essay and a presentation . While a presentation encourages students to explore a real-life situation through the lens of TOK, an essay is written on the basis of the various questions provided by the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

• The presentation is to assess a student’s ability to apply TOK thinking to a real-life situation whereas IB TOK essay is more conceptual.
• The essay is externally assessed by IB and must be on any one of the prescribed TOK essay titles issued by the IB for each examination session.
• Word limit of a TOK essay is 1600 words ( excludes extended notes, footnotes, bibliography).

Now that we have unleashed the game, let’s move ahead towards the gameplan of acing both, your presentation and your essay.

One of the fundamental tasks of TOK is to examine different areas of knowledge and find out their similarities and differences.

The TOK essay requires the students to investigate two Areas of Knowledge (AOK)  and two Ways of Knowing   (WOK) . AOKs and WOKs are investigated via questions such as:

• How do we know what we know? (WOK)
• What counts as evidence for X? (AOK)
• How do we judge which is the best model of Y? (WOK)
• What does theory Z mean in the real world? (AOK + WOK)

The aforementioned are  Knowledge Questions  which help combine the Areas of Knowledge and the Ways of Knowing that they are using. This eliminates the superficial way of learning and makes an individual sensitive to the nature of the information.   Our acquisition of Knowledge can be broadly divided into Shared Knowledge and Personal Knowledge.

Shared knowledge: What WE know It is the product of more than one individual. Although individuals contribute to it, shared knowledge does not solely depend upon the contributions of a particular individual—there are possibilities for others to check and amend individual contributions and add to the body of knowledge that already exists.

Personal knowledge: What I know It is essentially dependent on the experiences of a particular individual. Also known as procedural knowledge, it is gained through experience, practice and personal involvement and is intimately bound up with the particular local circumstances of the individual such as biography, interests, values, and so on.

The best hack to ace TOK essay is to develop a habit of making connections between the construction of knowledge, its acquisition and its relevance in the real world. 

After that one needs to develop an interest in understanding the difference between diversity and cultural perspectives and personal assumptions.

One also needs to critically reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions, leading to more thoughtful, responsible and purposeful lives.

Yes, this is what you signed up for. It may sound a little intimidating but once you get the hang of it you will be able to see the matrix and understand this beautiful world a little better.

Understand that to provide the best version of your writing, it will take you more than one or two drafts. First and foremost, you need to pick your essay topic diligently. Try to choose an essay topic that best interests you. The topic should also allow you to explore the Areas of Knowledge towards which you are naturally inclined. Here are a few sample questions:

a) 'Ways of knowing are a check on our instinctive judgments.' To what extend do you agree with this statement?

b) With reference to two areas of knowledge discuss the way in which shared knowledge can shape their personal knowledge.

c) How can we know if knowledge is produced more through 'Passive Observation' or 'Active-Experiment' within the Human and Natural-sciences under a Mathematical-Perspective?

d) "The whole point of knowledge is to produce both meaning and purpose in our personal lives". Assess the validity of this statement.

Great things take time. It took me more than a couple of weeks to finalize this TOK essay guide. It is completely okay if the first few drafts may not look pleasing or award-winning to you. You will require sharpening your perspective towards the topic each time you polish your draft. Your writing journey from a dull draft to a masterpiece will be a whole process that you will have to be patient with. Have faith in yourself and proceed stepwise.

You need to consider the opinions of others who have devoted hours of research and a lifetime of dedicated studying the topic that surrounds your writing. Unravelling the realms of your mind palace is so Sherlock but let’s not deny the fact that at times, Watson is the one whose expertise helps Sherlock through pretty difficult times. I mean even Batman needs a Robin. In support of my awesome sauce examples, the point I am trying to make is that  finding support for our claims and counterclaims through research is a good thing .

Use real-life examples to support your claims and counterclaims. These examples need to be documented researched examples like studies, experiments, articles, presentations by well-known people, etc. Examples that stem from your diploma subjects are highly encouraged, but those will need to be supported by research as well.   

It is suggested that you choose a title, stick to it, tackle it and not be afraid. Do not change your mind unless there is a good reason. Also, try choosing Areas of knowledge that you truly enjoy. You know slaying a known devil is much easier than an unknown one. Allot a TIMELINE to your essay. Start with creating an outline of your essay. This will help you to track your progress and accomplish your goals

You can use tools like  Trello  to organize your ideas and plan your TOK essay.

Areas of Knowledge (AOKs): TOK distinguishes between eight areas of knowledge. They are mathematics, the natural sciences, the human sciences, the arts, history, ethics, religious knowledge systems, and indigenous knowledge systems. It is suggested that students study and explore six of these eight.

Ways of knowing (WOKs): TOK identifies eight specific WOKs- language, sense perception, emotion, reason, imagination, faith, intuition, and memory. It is suggested that studying four of these eight in-depth would be appropriate. WOKs underlie the methodology of the areas of knowledge and provide a basis for personal knowledge.

Moving ahead, let us discuss the structure of your TOK essay.

Your essay will consist of 4 broad segregations

Before breaking down further on the pillars, keep the following in mind

• Please note what the TOK essay title is asking you. (Read it a couple of times. We highly recommend that you brainstorm ideas with your TOK coordinator)
• Make sure you understand the command term and the question it is asking.
• What kind of knowledge is being elicited?
• When choosing your areas of knowledge (AoK) and ways of knowing (WoK) make sure that you are able to draw contrasts and comparisons, that is, you are able to find evidence that supports as well as challenges your claims.
• Identify key terms in your TOK essay title. Make sure you define them. Your essay will gravitate around them. Key terms/words in your titles are your essay anchors. Your response should be built around them.
• Your writing skills come in handy while you work on your IB TOK essay. Like any other essay make sure you have proper thesis statements and topic sentences to guide the evaluator through your work.
• Respect the TOK essay title. Rephrasing the topic is not encouraged . Your main job is to address the title.

Introduce your topic accurately and state your thesis statement for the essay carefully.  A thesis statement is like a teaser to your entire essay wherein you define your key terms and introduce your interpretation of the question. Make sure that you do not reword the prescribed title in your thesis. Instead, it needs to, as the word says, INTRODUCE your readers to what your essay is about. A strong introduction allows the reader to deduce what knowledge question(s) you are trying to answer.

So, in a nutshell

• Write interesting things about the given TOK essay title .
• Define key terms
• Narrow in on the particularly interesting aspect
• State your thesis statement . This will be your short answer to your given title if you don't know how to write a killer thesis statement check out this blog from SparkNotes .
• State your Roadmap. This will help the readers in understanding the direction of your essay.

The body can be mainly divided into 3 segments.

Body (1st Segment)

• AoK Claim:  Here you investigate your first Area of Knowledge and draw parallels between your AoK and the question. This is done by stating your claim. Claims can be general in nature and need not reference a particular area of knowledge. They help you shape your essay and investigate the question further. 
• Evidence: Example of a real-life situation, describe thoroughly and accurately, which supports your stated claim. (AoK)
• Counter-Claim: State your counter-claim: like claims, those can be general and need not reference a particular area of knowledge. Counterclaim helps you show the other side the coin and gives your essay a holistic nature. 
• Evidence: A referenced real-life situation/example. Describe thoroughly and accurately, show how this supports your counterclaim (AoK ).
• Don’t forget to weave in your WoKs:  You need to take into account the source of your knowledge. Here you can also investigate if your nature of acquiring the knowledge has, in any way, affected it. It is good practice to question if your knowledge would be different had it been acquired through a different source/method
• Mini-conclusion: Here you analyze your examples in reference to your claims and counterclaims. You must connect to your thesis statement and the prescribed title. How does your proposed argument, in this particular part of the body, connect to the prescribed title and the knowledge questions you are trying to answer?

Body (2): Follow the above process for your second AOK.

• Use this part of your essay to compare and contrast your varying AoKs. You need to connect them to your thesis and your prescribed title clearly showing how your arguments respond to the PT.

Your conclusion section will make your essay come together. It is the glue that will make your essay stick together. Herein, you need to

• Reiterate your thesis (initial response).
• Use your mini conclusions to write a final conclusion.
• Tell the reader what the significance is for knowing what we know in this particular PT.
• Discuss implications as well.
• Offer another perspective, how will the perspective of a different person affect the claims/counterclaims you make in the essay?
• Don’t forget to make the end strong.

We recommend all the ib students use the  citation machine  (It's FREE) to organize or generate a bibliography for your TOK essay. Please go through this extensive guide provided by the IB before you start working on your citations.

If you are still struggling heaps with your TOK essay feel free to subscribe to our tok notes bundles or get access to more than 500+ IBDP notes and past papers here .

Nail IB is your virtual companion that helps you hustle through your diploma and provide you with the right resources at the right time. To know more about acing IB, click  here .

I hope this article will become the foundation for figuring out how to write a TOK Essay.

Remember to have faith in yourself.

I hope you NAIL your TOK essay!

Quoting the great Napolean Hill

"Whatever the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

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Guide to the TOK Essay

What’s covered:.

• What is Theory of Knowledge (TOK)?
• What is the Theory of Knowledge Essay?

How is the Theory of Knowledge Essay Scored?

How to structure your theory of knowledge essay.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB/IBDP) is a rigorous and rewarding internationally based educational program that offers courses in numerous studies, from humanities to chemistry. Students take part in a two-year curriculum that includes external examinations, internal assessments, research papers and community service hours. Essentially, students will have to do a bit of everything, especially with IB’s core, which is CAS, TOK, and the extended essay (EE). Understanding how TOK, IB’s flagship class, is assessed with its essay is important to success in the course overall. 

What is Theory Of Knowledge (TOK)?

Theory of Knowledge is IB’s way of introducing a more intuitive way of thinking into classrooms. TOK is at its surface as simple as it sounds: you essentially learn the “what” and “why” of how we learn and understand knowledge. In order to assess students of their skills in TOK, IB uses an essay and a presentation. The essay makes up 67% of your total TOK score, making it the most important task to focus on for getting a high score. 

What is the Theory Of Knowledge Essay?

The TOK essay is a 1600 word essay written about topics usually given to students from their teachers from a list of numerous options. It is an essay that promotes arguments and counterarguments for the topic at hand. Understanding your ways of knowing (WOKs) and areas of knowledge (AOKs) is extremely crucial before you even start choosing a topic to write on, as your essay will revolve around and structure itself based on these two concepts. Being able to demonstrate higher-level thinking and using examples to solidify the points you make in your essay is also important. Additionally, you’ll need to reference every source of information that you use, since that is something examiners look for as well.

As said earlier, 67% of your grade is from the essay, and your overall TOK score receives a letter grade using a calculated score out of thirty. Your essay score and presentation score are each out of ten. The grades for your TOK presentation and essay are determined by sending material to the board of IB, from which they designate a grader/examiner to read your essay and grade based on a rubric that determines the level of knowledge you exhibit in your writing.

The following formula should better explain how to find your TOK grade. 

(presentation score) + (essay score * 2) = overall score out of 30

The grade boundaries out of 30 that determine your letter grade can vary each year so checking in with your school for the most recent ones is the best course of action, but an example set would be like this:

Once you have a letter grade for IB, your extended essay, which is another part of the core, is also included into a larger grading schema to calculate your core score, which is three additional points required to complete and earn the diploma. The following table details this grade further:

Doing well in the core is important to passing IB and getting three points out of the total 45 attainable points. 

There’s a trick that most IB students use in writing the TOK essay, and it boils down to understanding four key components of learning:

• Content : Understanding knowledge issues
• Clarity : Structuring your essay in a legible and clear/easy to read manner
• Creativity : Using your personal ways of thinking and applications of knowledge specific to your understanding of the knowledge issue
• Critical Thinking : Using a counter argument for every argument you have to analyze your own claims constantly 

Dividing your actual essay into three main chunks helps, starting with an introduction. Your introduction should be where you state your knowledge question, the central point of your essay, and you should make use of jargon specific to the concept. As the basis of your essay, the introduction should be where you form claims and counterclaims that either support or challenge the knowledge question through heavy analysis and evaluation. 

The body of the essay follows the introduction, and it is where most of the conceptual analysis of your knowledge question takes place. Every argument and its counterargument should have a dedicated paragraph of its own, and make sure to not jump back and forth too much throughout the essay. to avoid creating messy transitions for the reader and potentially harming your score. Understanding the essay from the reader’s point of view is important, as it will help you better understand how to structure the body of your essay.

A conclusion in the TOK essay is mainly for finding closure among the numerous arguments that have been taking place thus far in the essay. Make sure to summarize but not repeat previous information entirely to refresh the reader. A conclusion should essentially loop back to the beginning of the essay, the knowledge question. The knowledge question’s answer should be the conclusion and the stopping point of the essay, and by now the answer you provide should be backed by paragraphs of supporting claims and counterclaims. If done right, concluding the essay can be how you earn most of your points. 

Start Early

Starting early is an obvious and effective advantage to students. Aside from TOK, let alone the presentation, IB has substantial work that requires focus and allocated time dedicated to it, such as external examinations and the extended essay. These tasks are equally as important as the TOK essay, so starting your outlining, drafting or even just planning early will set you up for success.

Send Your Drafts to Your Teacher

Your TOK teacher is a great resource for drafting essays and making edits to perfect your final product. Making use of time outside of the classroom to catch your teacher for a quick review of your essay could be a bigger advantage than you realize. Making use of an outside perspective is essential to forming a great essay. 

While your final IB grade isn’t as important as you’d think regarding college admissions, understanding how to pass TOK and using the lifelong practices you’ll learn in the class is even more important. TOK creates students who think outside conventional methods, making them excellent candidates in the eyes of college admissions offices. Taking TOK and showing proof of understanding it as well as capability of academic rigor is what colleges are looking for. For more information on how your chances of college admissions might look, use CollegeVine’s admissions calculator !

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Example essays

As part of theory of knowledge (TOK), each student chooses one essay title from six issued by International Baccalaureate®(IB). 

The titles change in each examination session. 

Upcoming and past questions include: 

• “To what extent are areas of knowledge shaped by their past? Consider with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
•  “'There is no reason why we cannot link facts and theories across disciplines and create a common groundwork of explanation.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?”
• “There is no such thing as a neutral question. Evaluate this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
• “'The task of history is the discovering of the constant and universal principles of human nature.' To what extent are history and one other area of knowledge successful in this task?”

Further guidance on the TOK essay and exhibition can be found in the IB’s Programme Resource Centre (PRC) .

Materials in the PRC are only available to existing IB World Schools. These materials are free.

There are a number of resources on TOK in the IB Store , which are available to everyone.

Find out how to become an IB World School .

TOK - Theory of Knowledge: Researching & referencing for the TOK Essay

• Introduction
• General TOK resources
• Personal and shared knowledge
• Sense Perception
• Imagination
• Natural sciences
• Mathematics
• Human Sciences
• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Religious knowledge systems
• Paraphrasing and quoting
• Researching & referencing for the TOK Essay
• Acknowledging sources in a TOK presentation
• Areas of Knowledge
• Fiction that prompts TOK thinking

Researching for the TOK essay

As well as the print and online resources specifically mentioned on this libguide, we recommend you use subscription databases, which are authoritative and reliable sources of information. The College subscribes to a number of these databases, and they are available via the Reference Sites page/tab on the College Portal. In particular, the following databases might be useful:

Referencing for the TOK Essay

It is possible to complete a TOK essay without the need for references. However, if you refer to specific facts or opinions, views and theories of individuals, you need to reference in the usual manner, following IB Academic Honesty principles. 

In other words, it is no different to the referencing you would have done for your Extended Essay submission. 

You may use any major referencing style you and your teacher wish, but you must follow it consistently. 

Remember that if you've made an account with EasyBib directly through the Google, that is the free version, and the only style of referencing available to you is MLA. You may wish you look at the College libguide on EasyBib and join the subscription version of EasyBib, which gives you extra functionality, including choice of reference styles - APA, Harvard, Chicago, etc. 

You don't have to use EasyBib. There are other libguides to help you with aspects of referencing and citation. Simply go to  http://research.uwcsea.edu.sg/  and select the Research and Information Literacy tab. Here you will find a selection of helpful libguides about aspects of research and referencing. Additionally, you can ask the Librarian for help.

For your convenience, these links provide further information on major referencing styles:

• << Previous: Paraphrasing and quoting
• Next: Acknowledging sources in a TOK presentation >>
• Last Updated: Apr 24, 2018 3:38 PM
• URL: https://research.uwcsea.edu.sg/TOK

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Rhyming Capacity: Everything You Need to Know

Phonological awareness: everything you need to know, product review of kate spade’s bloom: the perfect mother’s day gift, learning to read: everything you need to know, product review of the arzopa z1c portable monitor, how to teach phonics: everything you need to know, reading groups: everything you need to know, product review of the ultenic p30 grooming kit, reading anxiety in children: everything you need to know, iep meetings and parent-teacher conferences: everything you need to know, how to write a tok essay: 15 steps.

The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay is an important component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program. It challenges students to reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we come to know what we know. By following these 15 steps, you can craft an effective and well-structured TOK essay.

1. Understand the assignment: Familiarize yourself with the TOK essay’s purpose and requirements before you begin writing. Read through the assessment criteria offered by your teacher or IB coordinator.

2. Choose a title : Select a prescribed title from the list provided by the IB. Pick one that interests you or that you have thoughts about already, as this will make researching and organizing your ideas easier.

3. Prepare for research: Compile a list of potential sources and areas to explore in relation to your chosen title. Use prior knowledge, class notes or external resources as starting points.

4. Gather evidence: Conduct research using reputable sources such as journal articles, books, and websites. Be sure to evaluate each source for credibility and relevance to your topic.

5. Develop your Knowledge Questions (KQs) : KQs are central to a successful TOK essay. These open-ended questions help you explore different perspectives on the nature of knowledge in relation to your chosen title.

6. Create an outline : Sketch out a rough structure for your essay, listing the main arguments, counterarguments, and supporting evidence in a logical order.

7. Craft an engaging introduction: Grab your readers’ attention by explaining the importance of your topic and providing context for your discussion.

8. Develop your thesis statement: This is a clear and concise statement that conveys your main argument in response to the title question.

9. Build your body paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on one point or argument supported by relevant evidence, examples or real-life situations.

10. Analyze alternative perspectives: Identify and explore alternative views that challenge or contradict your central argument. This demonstrates your ability to think critically and engage in open-minded inquiry.

11. Challenge your assumptions : Recognize the limitations of your own perspective and the potential biases influencing your ideas. Addressing these uncertainties strengthens the depth of your TOK essay.

12. Write a conclusion: Summarize the main points of your essay, restate your thesis, and reflect on the implications of your findings as they relate to the broader TOK themes.

13. Proofread and edit : Review your essay for coherence, grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation errors. Make revisions as necessary to ensure clarity and overall quality.

14. Seek feedback : Share your essay with teachers or peers to gain valuable feedback that can help you refine and polish your work.

15.Write a bibliography: Ensure that you’ve accurately cited all sources used throughout the essay, adhering to a consistent citation style (e.g., MLA or APA).

By following these 15 steps, you’ll be well-prepared to craft an engaging and thought-provoking TOK essay, demonstrating not only an understanding of the topic at hand but also showcasing exceptional critical thinking skills. Dive into your chosen title with confidence and curiosity!

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TOK - Essay: MLA9

• Natural Science
• Human Science
• Mathematics
• Class of 2024 Essay Topics

MLA9 gives you options for in-text citations; Parentetical citations or Parenthetical citations with Footnotes and / or Endnotes.

Parethetical Citations

You can use parenthetical citation after a quote or paraphrase, and before the period at the end of the sentence. Begin with the shortest piece of information that directs to reader to the Reference in your Works Cited List:

• Author’s last name
• “Title or Description”

You would then include the location within the source:

• Page number
• Paragraph or chapter number
• Act, scene and line number for plays with numbered lines
• Time range or timestamp for audiovisual sources

If there are no numbered divisions, there is no need to include the location in the in-text citation.

If you use a signal phrase, mentioning the author or title (whichever best directs the reader to the reference in your Works Cited List) within your sentence, you only need to note the location in parentheses at the end of the sentence, before the period.

NOTE  – There is NO PUNCTUATION between the Author/Title and the location.

Citation in prose (Signal phrase):

Houston refers to the Roman practice of placing dots between words as being a “brief dalliance” (162).

Parenthetical citation:

“Roman writing had never much cared to separate words” (Houston 162).

Reference in the Works Cited List:

Houston, Keith. The Book :  A Cover-To-Cover Exploration of the Most    Powerful Object of our time.  W.W. Norton & Company, 2016. p 162.

Citation in prose (signal phrase):

Symonds and Havens claim that “The history of books has its roots in bibliography and librarianship…” among other things.

There is some discussion that the history of books is a “new subject” (Symonds and Havens).

Symonds, Matthew, and Earl Havens. “What is the History of Books?”  archeologyofbooks.org , 2016, Accessed 29 Nov. 2021. archaeologyofreading.org/historiography/

Footnotes & Endnotes

Footnotes or endnotes can be used to direct the reader to  additional sources or add extra information or comments  that would interrupt the flow of your text.  Footnotes and Endnotes DO NOT replace parenthetical in-text citations! Full references are still found in the Works Cited List at the end of your essay.  Purposes for using Footnotes and Endnotes include:

• To cite a lengthy string of sources
• To explain an unusual documentation practice
• To flag editions and translations used
• To amplify, explain or justify
• To provide more examples or counter-examples
• To identify or comment on allusions
• Personal references or authors who appear as et. al.

Note numbers are generally placed AFTER any punctuation marks and take the form of superscript numbers – 1,2,3 etc. preferably at the end of a sentence. ¹

If necessary, more than one note can be placed in a sentence. Place the note in the “least distracting unambiguous spot” (MLA Handbook 291), ² always after a punctuation mark, except for dashes, where the superscript number comes before the dash. ³

______________________________________________________________________

1 See MLA Handbook 287; (“MLA Endnotes and Footnotes / Purdue Writing Lab”) and McCombes.

2 Notes can be made for sentences that already contain an in-text citation.

3 Discussion on this point can be found in multiple sources including MLA Handbook, McCombes and Purdue

Works Cited List

McCombes, Shona. “MLA Footnotes and Endnotes.”  Scribbr , 23 Aug. 2019, Accessed 16 Dec, 2021, www.scribbr.com/mla/footnotes-and-endnotes/.

MLA Handbook . The Modern Language Association Of America, 2021, pp. 287–91.

Purdue Writing Lab. “MLA Endnotes and Footnotes // Purdue Writing Lab.”  Purdue Writing Lab , 2018, Accessed 21 Mar. 2022, owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_endnotes_and_footnotes.html.

References Example: Book

Reference Example: Journal found online

Reference Example: Video (e.g. YouTube)

Reference Example: Classes / Tutorials / Seminars

Table example (also labeled as a Figure with full citation)

Fig 2.  Streefkerk, Raimo, and Jack Caulfield. “MLA Format for Tables.” Scribbr , 29 July 2021, Accessed 17 May 2022, www.scribbr.com/mla/formatting/.

References Example: Website

References Example: Website, no author and no date

Reference Examples: Personal Interview

Figure Example: Image with full reference in the Works Cited List

Fig 1. Chen Rong

Chen Rong, et al. Nine Dragons . https://jstor.org/stable/community.15623280. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston;Boston, Massachusetts, USA;Francis Gardner Curtis Fund;17.1697;http://www.mfa.org/. Accessed 17 May 2022.

Images, Graphs & Tables

When using images, graphs, and tables to illustrate your argument, you still need to cite and reference each item. Place the illustrations as close as possible to the relevant parts of your text and then refer to the captions below each image or graph, or above each table. Do not include illustrations that you do not refer to in your text.

Captions begin with the Figure Number (Fig. 1), then provide enough detail to refer the reader to a Works Cited list entry (e.g. the title or description, whichever is first in your Works Cited List). Your in-text citation would then include; (Author’s Surname, Figure number).

If you are the creator or author of the item, you do not need to include your name – it is assumed that you created the item unless otherwise indicated. 

Images and Graphs

When creating captions for images or graphs, you have 2 options.

1. After the Figure number, include only enough information to refer the reader to your Works Cited List (Author or Title / Description).

2. Include the full bibliographic information as part of the caption. Use this method if you are not including a Works Cited List at the end of your work. For example, if you do not include a Works Cited List at the end of a Slide Presentation.

Tables are labeled Table , assigned a number and then on the next line, given a capitalized title above the Table .

Captions and notes are then placed below the table. The caption would include enough bibliographic information to indicate where the table's information came from. Any notes can be used to give more information about the source(s) of the information and are denoted using lowercase letters and indentation. Use dividing lines as needed to differentiate between the table information and your text.

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Custom TOK essays, exhibitions, scripts, presentations, PPDs

How Many Sources Needed for TOK Essay?

Hey, IB scholars! If you’re grappling with your Theory of Knowledge course, you’ve likely pondered this question: “How many sources for TOK essay should I use?” Well, you’ve come to the right place! In my long history with IB programs, one thing I’ve found pivotal is the role of TOK essay sources and references. Buckle up because we’re going to break it down for you!

6. Expert Interviews

The ideal number, striking the balance, the importance of tok essay sources.

Unlike a traditional research paper, a TOK essay requires you to examine the basis and boundaries of human knowledge. In this work, you will assess knowledge claims and investigate how people collect, understand, and communicate information. You’re not simply presenting an argument; you’re deconstructing the entire essence of arguments. This is not an easy task and no wonder many students look for TOK essay assistance .

Now, on to the pressing issue of sources. Imagine constructing a building; your arguments form the structure, but your sources are the foundation. They provide the supporting evidence that lends credence to your knowledge claims:

• Peer-reviewed articles, established theories, and verified data add depth to your essay and fortify it against skepticism and scrutiny.
• According to general IB criteria , relying on credible sources is not optional; it is required for a successful TOK essay.
• A well-sourced paper demonstrates your knowledge of the subject matter and your understanding of its broader context. As a result, higher grades are possible , and who doesn’t want that?

Thus, including quality TOK essay references does more than fulfill a requirement. It adds substance to your arguments, allowing them to resonate with your readers, whether they are IB examiners or curious minds like yourself.

By the way, you can find a lot of useful material in our blog, for example about Plato’s Theory of Knowledge essay .

Types of Sources You Can Use in TOK Essay

Selecting the suitable types of sources for your work is like choosing the right ingredients for a perfect dish. So, before you start your source-hunting spree, let’s discuss the different kinds of TOK essay references you can use to enrich your paper.

1. Academic Journals

First off, academic journals are often considered the gold standard when it comes to sourcing. These are peer-reviewed, meaning experts in the field have vetted the information. They’re filled with specialized and up-to-date insights that can add a scholarly touch to your essay.

However, the downside is that these articles can be dense and require more time to understand fully. Also, you might encounter paywalls when trying to access some of these articles.

Now, let’s move on to reputable books. These provide comprehensive insights into the topic at hand. The beauty of books lies in their ability to get into subjects at length, offering you a broader understanding that can add depth to your TOK essay.

Conversely, books can sometimes need to be updated, especially if the field of knowledge you’re discussing evolves. And remember, thumbing through hundreds of pages to find one relevant point can be highly time-consuming.

3. Websites

Websites present a mixed bag of opportunities. Reputable sources can offer the most current data or perspectives, which is especially helpful if your TOK essay focuses on a modern or evolving issue.

But tread carefully here: the Internet is a minefield of misinformation. Stick to credible websites like academic databases, educational platforms, or well-known encyclopedias.

4. Primary Sources

Primary sources like documents, letters, or diaries created during the event you’re discussing can offer an irreplaceable, firsthand perspective. However, these options often need more analytical depth and should ideally be used to complement secondary sources.

5. News Media

News media, particularly well-established outlets, can offer a goldmine of current and relevant information for your TOK essay. However, news articles are not academic sources. They can be biased and usually don’t offer the in-depth scholarly analysis that a TOK essay thrives on.

Lastly, there are expert interviews. Conversations with people with specialized knowledge in your TOK essay topic can offer unique perspectives and even some insider information. These, however, are not peer-reviewed, and their claims should be supported by other credible evidence.

How Many Sources Do You Need for TOK Essay?

Once you’ve reached the Goldilocks zone of five to seven relevant, diverse, and reputable sources, you’ll be well on your way to writing a TOK essay that’s enjoyable and interesting to read. So, instead of aiming for the bare minimum, try for an essay that portrays the breadth and complexity of human knowledge. After all, that is the purpose of the TOK essay.

Minimum Requirements

Ah, the question that looms large for every student facing a TOK essay: how many sources should one ideally include? According to general IB criteria, the guidelines are somewhat vague, refraining from setting a specific number of sources. What they do hint at, however, is that a TOK essay should have at least three to five solid references to add credibility to your arguments.

You may think that fewer sources will save you precious time and effort. But let’s hold on a minute. Cutting corners in this area can have some significant downsides. First and foremost, an under-sourced essay can leave your arguments appearing half-baked or, worse, unfounded. This glaring issue can undercut your paper’s credibility, putting a damper on your overall grade:

• Your essay may appear to lack rigorous academic grounding, which can seriously weaken your argument.
• If you’re making any claims without enough sources to back them up, the chances of convincing your reader — or the IB examiner, in this case — drop substantially.
• Insufficient sourcing will most likely lead to lower marks, as you fail to meet one of the critical criteria for a solid TOK essay — adequate support for your arguments.
• An essential aspect of the TOK essay is your intellectual path. Skimping on sources deprives you of valuable perspectives that could enrich your essay and your understanding of the topic.

So, while it may seem like a good idea to breeze through your TOK essay with minimal references, my advice would be to think twice. Aim for at least the lower end of the recommended three to five sources to ensure your essay is well-grounded and your arguments are compelling.

Drawing on years of IB involvement, I’ve found that a sweet spot exists when selecting the number of sources for your TOK essay. Aim for about five to seven high-quality sources. This range allows you to construct well-supported arguments without overwhelming your essay with too much information.

If you go overboard with a dozen or more sources, your essay may lose its central focus. You risk presenting a collage of other people’s thoughts rather than developing a coherent argument of your own. Conversely, using fewer than the minimum recommended number of sources might make your TOK essay seem superficial or uninformed.

Need Help with Your IB TOK Essay?

Maximize your potential and boost the excellence of your TOK Essay with the help of our experts at BuyTOKEssay.com! Whether you’re starting from scratch or fine-tuning your existing journal assignment to meet the demands of your supervisor, our team is here to make your dream of a perfect paper a reality. Say goodbye to writer’s block and hello to success with just one click.

As they say, it’s not just quantity but quality that matters. Your sources should not only be numerous but also diverse. Blend in academic articles with books, and sprinkle in a primary resource or a reputable website to achieve a well-rounded research base. This mix can give your TOK essay the necessary breadth and depth, making it engaging and academically robust.

But remember, the sources should serve your argument, not vice versa. The focus should always be your unique perspective and analysis, and the sources are there to back you up. By maintaining this balance, you can easily write a TOK essay in a week or less.

Properly Referencing Your Sources

Improper citation can land you in hot water and turn your hard work into a one-way ticket to Plagiarism City if you’re not careful. Failure to properly cite your sources is a severe academic sin.

Using widely accepted citation styles such as APA, MLA, or Chicago is critical. These are the most commonly used standards in the International Baccalaureate program , and they ensure the integrity of academic work. Now, I give you some practical tips for referencing:

• Citation generators can save lives, but they are not perfect. Always check the generated citations against the official style guide or other trustworthy resources.
• Whether you generate your citations manually or through a tool, it’s critical to double-check each one. A mistake here might reduce the quality of your TOK essay and perhaps risk its integrity.
• Ensure that you use the same citation style throughout your essay. Mixing and matching styles can confuse your readers and detract from the coherence of your work.
• I suggest citing your sources as you incorporate them into your TOK essay. This practice avoids last-minute citation scrambling and ensures that every resource is noticed.

In summary, proper citation isn’t just an academic requirement; it’s a practice that enhances the quality and integrity of your TOK essay. Take it seriously, and you’ll not only avoid pitfalls but also earn the respect of your readers and examiners.

So there you have it, my friends! A TOK essay is only as good as its resources, and now you’re well-equipped to strike that perfect balance. With the correct number of reputable TOK essay sources, you’re not just meeting criteria but adding depth and quality to your arguments.

And remember, our experienced IB writers are always ready to help if you want to get TOK essay assistance . 😉

TOK Essay Sources FAQ

Can i have many sources in my tok essay, what happens if i don't cite my tok essay sources properly, what citation styles can i use for my tok essay, are citation generators reliable for tok essay.

Liliana Duman

Liliana Duman has a strong background in teaching English language, having graduated from Hacettepe University’s English Language Teaching Department in 2008. With over two decades of experience in the field, she has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with her students. In addition to her bachelor’s degree, Liliana holds a master’s in Teaching Turkish as a Second Language and has previously worked at Başkent and Hacettepe University in Ankara. Currently, she is an EFL instructor at Sakarya University, teaching various skills, including methodology, speaking, reading, writing, and listening. In addition to her teaching, Liliana has also contributed to material development and testing efforts. As well as her work as a teacher, Liliana is an experienced private online ToK essay tutor, providing personal help for both IB ToK students and teachers in all aspects of IB ToK essays and exhibitions. She is dedicated to helping her students succeed and achieve their full potential. In her spare time, Liliana also writes articles for buytokessay.com, sharing her expertise and insights on ToK with a wider audience.

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Extended Essay Writers

How to Structure the TOK Essay?

Luke MacQuoid

Hello, fellow IB students! Fear not if you’re struggling with the IB Theory of Knowledge essay. I’m here to guide you through writing a stellar work. Having been in your shoes and now a seasoned IB writer, I understand how daunting this task can feel. But let’s break it down together. In this article, I’ll share insights on how to structure the TOK essay, a skill I’ve honed over years of experience.

Fundamentals of TOK Essay Structure

Let’s dig into the TOK essay structure, an essential aspect of successful IB essay writing. In my view, understanding the basic structure is like having a guide for your academic paper. So, a typical TOK essay includes three main parts.

The introduction is where you set the stage. It’s about introducing your topic and presenting your thesis statement — your central argument or standpoint. A strong introduction captures the reader’s attention and clearly outlines what you will discuss.

The body of your essay is where the discussion takes place. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your thesis. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Point . Start with a clear point that relates to your thesis.
• Explanation . Elaborate on this point. Why is it relevant? How does it relate to the TOK concepts ?
• Example . Provide examples to support your point. It could be real-life situations, specific knowledge claims, or references to areas of knowledge.
• Analysis . Analyze your example; don’t just describe it. How does it support your argument? What implications does it have for knowledge?

In the conclusion, you’re wrapping up your essay . Restate your thesis in a new light, considering the arguments and examples you’ve presented. It’s your final chance to make an impact on your reader, so make it count by summarizing your main points and leaving them with a final thought or question to ponder.

Remember, while the structure is like a skeleton, how you articulate your arguments, provide evidence, and engage with TOK concepts breathes life into your essay. Keep your writing clear, coherent, and focused on your thesis throughout.

How to Choose the Right Title for Your TOK Essay?

Selecting the appropriate title for your TOK essay is a significant step. From my extensive experience writing and mentoring in the IB program, I can tell you that your chosen title sets the tone for your essay. It’s not just a label; it’s the guiding star of your argument.

When faced with the list of prescribed titles from the IB, take your time to reflect on each one thoroughly. Which of these titles sparks your curiosity or challenges your thinking? The right title should resonate with your interests and knowledge. Here’s why this is crucial:

• Personal Engagement . A title that genuinely interests you will inspire deeper thought and more passionate writing. Your connection to the topic will shine through in your essay, making it more compelling.
• Scope for Exploration . Consider how the title allows for the exploration of TOK concepts. A good title should offer enough breadth to discuss various perspectives and areas of knowledge yet be specific enough to allow for in-depth analysis.
• Connect with Areas of Knowledge . Consider how the titles relate to different areas of knowledge (AOKs) and ways of knowing (WOKs). Choose a title that allows you to draw on the AoKs and WOKs you are most familiar with or find most intriguing.
• Formulate Your Argument . A well-chosen title will help you formulate a clear and concise thesis statement and meet a TOK essay word count . It should offer a clear path to build your arguments upon.

The title of your TOK essay is more than just a starting point; it’s the framework upon which your entire argument is built. Take the time to choose wisely, and ensure it’s a title you can engage deeply and critically. This careful consideration at the beginning significantly affects the ease of writing and the quality of your final essay.

Writing a Captivating Introduction for Your TOK Essay

Writing an introduction for your TOK essay is like setting the stage. It’s your first impression on your reader and, more importantly, the examiner. Having guided many students through this process, I’ve learned that the introduction is not just about stating facts; it’s about engaging, intriguing, and presenting your stance. Your introduction should serve several key purposes.

Present Your Thesis Statement

It is the cornerstone of your essay. Your thesis statement should clearly state your perspective or argument to the TOK title. It must be concise yet powerful, giving the reader a clear sense of your viewpoint and how you intend to research it.

Interpret the Essay Title

Before digging into your argument, you must show you’ve thought deeply about the title. Explain the title and hint at the angles you will research. It sets the context for your argument and shows the examiner that you’re addressing the title directly.

Outline Your Approach

Give the reader a map of your essay. What aspects will you cover? How will you approach them? It doesn’t mean listing every point you’ll make but giving a general idea of the structure and flow of your argument.

Engage the Reader

The introduction is also about capturing the reader’s interest. Start with an intriguing statement, a thought-provoking question, or a compelling quote. It can be a great way to draw the reader into your discussion.

Connect to TOK Concepts

Briefly indicate how your essay will engage with key TOK concepts. It could include the areas of knowledge you will focus on or the ways of knowing that will be most significant in your analysis.

Structuring the Body of Your TOK Essay

This part of the TOK essay is where you develop your ideas, present evidence, and conduct a thorough analysis. Here’s a comprehensive guide to writing the body of your TOK essay.

Paragraph Organization

Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence related to your thesis. This sentence should introduce the paragraph’s main idea, clearly linking your argument. Each section must focus on a single main idea to maintain clarity and coherence.

Develop Ideas

After introducing the main idea, it’s time to develop it. It involves explaining your point in more detail, relating it to TOK concepts, and showing how it supports your thesis. Be sure to include your insights and understanding. Your engagement with the topic is what brings your essay to life.

Use Evidence

Each point you make should be supported by evidence. It could be real-life situations, historical examples, science, literature, or personal experiences. What’s important is that your examples are relevant and help to substantiate your argument.

Critical Analysis

Don’t just present evidence; analyze it. Discuss its implications, strengths, and weaknesses. How does it support your point? What does it say about knowledge? This analysis demonstrates your critical thinking skills and depth of understanding.

Ensure that your paragraphs are interconnected. The end of each paragraph should naturally lead to the beginning of the next. This can be achieved through transition sentences summarizing one point and hinting at the next or directly linking the concepts discussed in consecutive paragraphs.

Reflect on Counterarguments

In your body paragraphs, it’s also effective to consider counterarguments or alternative perspectives. It shows the breadth of your understanding and strengthens your argument by demonstrating that you have considered and rebutted opposing views.

How to Add Real-Life Examples to Your TOK Essay?

When selecting examples, ensure they directly illuminate the point you’re making. The beauty of TOK is its interdisciplinary nature, so draw various areas like history, science, current events, or even personal experiences. This variety demonstrates your broad understanding of knowledge across different fields.

However, it’s not just about listing examples. The art lies in how you link them to TOK concepts. Each example should be a tool to explore these concepts, shedding light on your argument. It’s essential to analyze your examples, discussing their implications and relevance to the essay question. This approach shows critical thinking and a deep engagement with the material.

Also, consider the limitations of your examples. Acknowledging potential biases or missing perspectives reflects your ability to evaluate knowledge claims from multiple angles critically. Smoothly integrating these examples into your essay improves its flow and coherence, making your arguments more compelling. Remember, effective use of real-life examples can turn a good TOK essay into a great one.

Need help with your IB TOK essay?

From research and analysis to structuring and editing, our skilled mentors will be by your side, helping you write an exceptional TOK essay that meets the word count and stringent IB criteria.

Making Conclusion for Your TOK Essay

The conclusion of your TOK essay is much more than just a summary. It’s your final opportunity to make an impact. Drawing from my extensive experience in IB writing and mentoring, I can give some key elements to include.

Synthesize Key Points

Your conclusion should summarize the main points you’ve made. It isn’t about listing each point again but about drawing connections between them to reinforce how they collectively support your thesis. Show the reader how the pieces fit together.

Address the Implications

Discuss the broader implications of your argument. What does your analysis suggest about the nature of knowledge? How does it contribute to our understanding of the TOK themes? It’s your chance to demonstrate the significance of your discussion beyond the confines of the essay.

Reflect on AOKs and WOKs

Briefly reflect on how your essay engages with different areas of knowledge and ways of knowing. How have these contributed to your understanding of the topic? This reflection shows your ability to think about knowledge holistically and interconnectedly.

Leave Thought-Provoking Idea

End your essay with a thought-provoking idea or question. It could be related to a gap in the current understanding, a future direction for research , or a philosophical question that emerged from your discussion. The goal is to leave the reader thinking deeply about the topic even after reading.

The Bottom Line

And there you have it! A guide on how to structure the TOK essay. Remember, this is your opportunity to showcase your critical thinking skills. With a clear structure and a bit of creativity, you’re well on your way to success. Best of luck, and remember that our experts are always ready to help you with TOK essay writing.

Luke MacQuoid has extensive experience teaching English as a foreign language in Japan, having worked with students of all ages for over 12 years. Currently, he is teaching at the tertiary level. Luke holds a BA from the University of Sussex and an MA in TESOL from Lancaster University, both located in England. As well to his work as an IB Examiner and Master Tutor, Luke also enjoys sharing his experiences and insights with others through writing articles for various websites, including extendedessaywriters.com blog

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How to Write a Good TOK Essay | Steps &#038; Tips

Table of contents

• Writing Metier

If you’re wondering how to write a TOK essay, then there are a few things that you need to keep in mind for it. What is a TOK essay? A TOK essay is also known as a theory of knowledge essay. It is usually written when doing an IB diploma. The essay is a comparative one that discusses problems using various different sources of knowledge.

You need to be extremely creative to come up with examples from real life as well as different areas of interest. You must be able to write engaging content and you must also be able to present it in a very coherent and naturally flowing way. You must first do your research to come up with content that is very engaging. To present your argument clearly, you must write a well-structured TOK essay and you must also be able to support your arguments with valid evidence.

Attention all IB students! If you’re hoping to earn top marks in your Theory of Knowledge class, you’ll need to put in the effort to complete the Personal Portfolio of Development (PPD) and Personal Portfolio of Experiences (PPF) forms. While it may not be the most thrilling task, it’s a great opportunity to demonstrate your critical thinking skills and show that you’re more than just a surface-level learner. Plus, no matter what is your IB learner profile , it’ll give you a legitimate reason to put off all your other homework for a while. So go ahead and get started on those forms – your future self (and your TOK supevisor) will thank you.

So, for now, it has become transparent, we know what this TOK essay is and how it tastes. Let’s get deeper into the requirements.

⏩ TOK essay assistance from experts ⏪

General TOK essay Requirements

You must begin with a clear introduction. This is where you establish the mode of contact between the audience and the writer. Here, you must be able to state what you are going to write about. This is in fact the most important part of the essay because you can write your opinion here and can also capture the reader to keep going on.

Then you come to the body of the essay, where you put forth your main arguments. Like planning time for your CUEGIS essay , you should ideally spend more time planning this part, with the main idea being that you put forth your comments in a very well-structured way. Consider your audience and then ideally plan what you are going to write about. When transitioning from one paragraph to the other, make sure that you write in such a way that your ideas automatically flow coherently.

When writing the conclusion of the essay, you are supposed to give the audience closure in terms of being able to summarize all that you have talked about. Here you need to give the audience a full idea of what you tried to explain to them. Your arguments need to be backed up and they also need to be flowing in the right manner. Make sure that you sound convincing when you try to sum up what you were saying.

Like with other IB assignments for example Internal Assessment , when you are done with the essay, it is imperative that you proofread it to check for any errors or contextual mistakes. This is in fact something that is very important to ensure that you are headed in the right direction and that you are summing up your arguments effectively. A g ood TOK essay is one where the writer ideally explains his point of view and also backs it up with evidence to show what he was talking about.

Theory of knowledge Essay Structure

Below you will find an infographic made by our team at WritingMetier.com that will briefly describe the structure of a TOK essay and an approximate number of words for each section.

The first thing that you need to do is to choose your title. This is in fact something that is the most important. You must choose a title that you like and that you have enough evidence on. This is important to ensure that you are able to work on it and have enough material to form an entire argument. Next, you need to choose your areas of knowledge. You need to pick two areas of knowledge that you have the most evidence on and check the main concepts of the TOK . Then you need to give arguments and counterarguments on these areas of knowledge that you choose. Ideally, you should be giving examples to support your claims as well.

TOK essay word count

The essay length should be around 1600 words. You might also ask, what is the minimum length of a TOK essay? The minimum word count is 1200 words, and the most you can go up to is 1600 words.

Introduction

The first paragraph is the introduction where you define the key terms of your topic and you also give a roadmap. Here, you talk about what all you will be discussing here. The idea is to give the reader a fair idea about what you will be hinting at in this essay. The introductory paragraph can be anywhere between 100 to 150 words.

First Development

Next, you can move on to the first development. Here, you explore the first area of knowledge that you have picked and state your claim. Once that is done, you give a topic sentence about what you will include here. Then you give an example here that supports your claim. You explain this example well to show what you meant when you talked about this. You should relate this to the title and see how the two are related to each other.

In the paragraph after that, you can talk about a counterclaim. This is where you counter your own argument by giving an example against what you just said. You also need to make sure that you have enough evidence for this and that you explain all of that well for the reader to be able to ideally understand what you have said. Once you’re done with that, you have to sum up all that you have said here. This is important for you to grab the reader’s attention and make sure that they understood well. In total, these two body paragraphs of the first development section must be around 600 words. This word count is enough for you to be able to explain your point to the reader ideally. You also have to include a work of knowledge here where you can explain how to come to this conclusion or what helped you form this argument ideally.

Second Development

You can then move on to your second development where you touch upon the other area of knowledge. You have to do the same thing here that you did for the first area of knowledge. Here, you have to first talk about your claim, then give evidence about that and then also explain how this example supports your claim. Then you have to give a counterargument doing the exact same thing again. This can again be around 600 words where you can develop your claim and your counterclaim.

Then after that, you can finally write your conclusion where you sum up all of the main points and also make your way back to the knowledge question with which you started off initially. You also talk about the implications and the significance of the arguments that you made. This is something important to ensure that you are working in the right direction. You also shed light on your perspective of the entire situation after which you end your essay. How much you score on your essay depends entirely on how well you have written it and how you have been able to support your points and your arguments. The idea is to ensure that you write with clarity in a way to engage the reader and to make sure that they also understand the point that you are trying to put across to them.

Steps to Write a TOK Essay

If you haven’t written a TOK essay before and are confused about how to write a good one , then here are a few steps that can help you do so. The idea is for you to be able to support your points clearly. That is what affects your chance of scoring well.

Step 1: Title Selection

The first step is for you to look at all the titles and understand what each of them asks you to do. When you choose a title, make sure to understand what all you will have to write in each of them. Remember that you need to write an entire essay on this title, so you need to make sure that the one you choose is the best one and that you can draw comparisons and contrasts in that essay. You need to be clear about what examples you will put in those and how you will write on that. This is one of the most important steps to writing a good essay. You need to be able to support your arguments and you need to be able to make the reader understand what you are trying to.

You can find an article with a list of IB TOK essay titles from the current and previous years:

• 2023 May TOK Prompts
• November 2022 Prescribed TOK essay prompts
• May 2022 TOK essay titles
• November 2021 ToK Essay titles
• May 2021 Theory of Knowledge essay prompts

Pick a topic wisely based on the information that is available on it. You shouldn’t just go for a title that you think is simple, but rather one that you are familiar with, and one on which you have information to write. The list is long, so make sure that you spend the most time on this. Understand what each of them requires you to do and then begin writing on it. Once you select the title, write it down in your own words so that you can understand it well. When you break it down into shorter sentences, you will surely be able to work on it well.

Step 2: Understand the Grading Criteria

The main reason why you are writing this essay is that you want to score well. So make sure that you understand the grading criteria. At first, when you read the grading criteria, it might seem confusing to you. But in actuality, it is extremely simple. You just have to give arguments and counterarguments based on the title that you have chosen, as well as the areas of knowledge. There are mainly four areas based on which you are assessed. These are:

Knowledge issues: you need to be well versed with the knowledge issues that you are talking about. You should have at least two knowledge issues, and should ideally also be able to support your point of view on those issues.

Knower’s perspective: you need to also demonstrate enough thinking capability so that you can support your examples well and can convince the reader about what you are saying. For this, you need to be well versed with the topic and you need to have ideas that you can support.

Analyzing knowledge issues: You shouldn’t only be aware of what you are talking about, but should also be able to back your knowledge claims up. You need to be able to justify the key points and should be able to make your ideas work in such a way that they flow very naturally.

Organization of ideas: you need to structure your essay in such a way that your ideas are well structured. You also need to explain all key points in the right way and also add references so that you can show the authenticity of your work as well.

Step 3: Brainstorm

Once you have come up with the right ideas, you need to brainstorm and analyze them so that you know how to form your arguments. Understand the key terms so that you can provide arguments for and against, just as you require. If your essay asks a direct question, then understand how you need to form your argument for that. In the same way, if your essay asks you something indirectly, then first you need to understand what is being said.

Make sure that you put all your ideas and examples down on paper so that you know exactly what is being said and how you need to frame it. Gather all the relevant evidence so you know how to come forth with it and present it clearly. Go over your notes to fully be aware of what you are saying.

Step 4: Create an Outline

Once you have all of your ideas written down, you need to create an outline. Make points about what goes into each paragraph. This way, you will know exactly what you are going to be writing about in your essay. This is mainly the planning stage of the essay and is very important for you so that you can jot down what you want to talk about and then write it correctly. You need to make your thesis statement here as well so that you clearly tell the reader about your stance and what you are going to be talking about over here.

Step 5: Begin Writing

Once you have gone through the planning stage, you need to write your essay. Make sure that you stick to the word count, which should be anywhere between 1200 to 1600 words. Go through your notes and then begin writing, so that you know what you are writing about and so that you don’t go wrong at any point in time.

Using these five steps, you can get just the essay that you want. Even if you are a beginner and are new to writing TOK essays, you will easily be able to do so with these few steps.

If you do not have enough skills or time to do it on your own, you can always buy TOK essays from reliable services like Writing Metier. In such a way you will get assistance from IB experts that can cover any topic for your IB ToK essay.

Tips To Write a Good TOK Essay

If you want to write a passable TOK essay, here are a few tips using which you can write just the type of theory of knowledge essay that you want.

And now let’s talk seriously – a list of tips from expert TOK essay writers from Writing Metier:

• You need to be very well connected with your areas of knowledge. When you are familiar with your areas of knowledge, you can give the right examples and you can make sure that you write in a way that suits your readers too. When you are familiar with the areas of knowledge, you can write your claims and counterclaims very well too.
• You also need to make sure that you familiarize yourself with the terminology. When writing a TOK essay, it is important that you understand what you are writing about first so that you can explain the terms better and also be able to come up with operational definitions of what is being talked about. It is crucial that you don’t use definitions from the dictionary. This only makes things harder for you.
• It is also important that you put aside your personal biases and preferences, which tend to play a huge part when you are writing about something like this. They tend to distort your entire view of the situation and can be really hazardous when writing theory of knowledge essays. You need to be able to look at things from several different perspectives and then apply them in the right way. Do not forget to select the right RLSs and of course connect them with the selected AOKs and WOKs . This is very important for you to be able to write a good TOK essay. You need to be able to analyze things in different ways.
• When looking for information, make sure that you get the right information. It is ideal that you search for information using several different sources. Not only does that help you cross verify the information, but also helps to make sure that the information that you are getting is supported enough. The best way to do this is to use several different places to look for information. This includes web sources, books, journal articles, and so on.
• It is always a great idea to learn from what other people have been doing. To write a great TOK essay and to score well on it too, you need to look at essays that have been done by previous students to get a fair idea on how they have been writing. That can really help you understand what has been done and how they have formed their arguments to put forth their point of view. This is one of the most important things for you to do.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to write a good TOK essay. Meanwhile, check another article for those of you searching for tips in writing an IB extended essay .

Final Thoughts

Now that you know all about TOK essays and how they are written, you should be able to write a really great one. Make sure to keep these tips in mind so that you can write just the type of essay that you want and won’t fail your TOK essay . Keep in mind the formatting guidelines and the marking criteria to be able to write a great essay.

Having said that, writing is not easy for everyone. If you still think that writing a TOK essay is something hard, then you can get in touch with us at the Writing Metier and we will be happy to help. We have several writers who are experts at TOK essays. They can write your essay for you and can help you score well as well. Our writers are very hardworking, competent and disciplined and have written numerous essays like these in the past.

Once you hand over your work to our writers, you will not have anything to worry about. All you have to do is place your order with us and give us a deadline for your TOK essay . You also need to tell us if you have any specific instructions that you want the writer to follow and we will make sure that you get your task duly done. Our writers are professionals who are experts in the field of writing.

So if you want to score well on your TOK essay , you should get in touch with us and we will make sure to give you just what you want. When you decide to place an order with us, be assured that you will get your order right at the deadline. We offer plagiarism-free content. Our goal is to make sure that our clients are very satisfied with what we do. Not just that, but we also offer revisions. If you think that there is something that needs to be done again or that something wasn’t done the way that you wanted to, then you can let us know and we will get your order revised for you.

⏩  Get help with your TOK essay from expert writers ⏪

All you have to do is to head over to our website and place your order with us. We will make sure that we give you exactly what you are looking for. Once you place your order with us, your worry is ours and we will make sure that we give your task to a writer who is specialized in this. You can then easily score very well.

Our writers make sure to proofread and check for grammatical errors too. since we have our customers’ best interests as our top priority, we make sure that clients are very satisfied. We go the extra mile to make sure you are happy with what we give you. So what are you waiting for then? Head over to our website and place your order with us. We assure you that you will be delighted with your work!

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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Essay Guides

• Exhibition Guides
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• For Teachers
• Tips & Resources

Between 4500 – 7000 words each, these comprehensive essay guides are designed to help you understand the key terms of the title as well as how to approach it using the different AOK’s and other applicable TOK concepts such as the Knowledge Framework .

Each aok section includes a range of real life examples whilst also addressing the potential implications of different claims and counterclaims ., unpacking the title.

• Exploring the Question
• Relevant Concepts
• Points to Remember
• Knowledge Framework Connections

Areas of Knowledge

• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Human Sciences

Also included with your purchase are THREE additional ToK essay resources including:

• The ToK Essay: Top Do´s & Don´ts
• ToK Essay Introductions (Examples & Analysis)
• ToK Essay Conclusions (Examples & Analysis)

To get instant access to the guide and bonus resources, please click the ‘Purchase´ button on the guide page. If you do not have a PayPal account, please choose the ‘Guest Checkout’ option.

Please do not directly copy and paste sections of these essay guides into your work. They are designed to help you understand the question and formulate your own ideas and arguments.

When ordering a guide, please ensure that you have chosen the correct title as guides cannot be exchanged once purchased.

These guides are currently only available in English .

Essay Guides November 2024

TITLE 1: Our Responsibility to Acquire Knowledge

TITLE 2: Ingenuity in Knowledge Production: Necessary but Insufficient?

TITLE 3:  Severing Ties with the Past: Benefits for AOK’s?

TITLE 6: Artists & Scientists: Swapping Lenses

Essay Guides May 2024

TITLE 1:  Subjectivity in History & the Arts

TITLE 2: Reconciling Specialization & Generalization in Knowledge Production

TITLE 3: Why Are AOK´s Slow to Adopt Fresh Ideas?

TITLE 4: Transferring Knowledge Between Contexts

TITLE 5: Are Custodians of Knowledge Essential?

TITLE 6: Recent Evidence: Inevitably the Strongest?

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IB TOK Essay examples

Type a search phrase to find the most relevant TOK Essay examples for you

Not sure what to search for? You can always look through our example Internal Assessments below for inspiration.

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Filter exemplars, for artists and natural scientists, which is more important: what can be explained or what cannot be explained discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences., does it matter if our acquisition of knowledge happens in "bubbles" where some information and voices are excluded discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge., want to get full marks for your tok essay allow us to review it for you 🎯, is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge., are visual representations always helpful in the communication of knowledge discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics., fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by ib examiners. upgrade now 🚀, to what extent is the knowledge we produce determined by the methodologies we use discuss with reference to history and one area of knowledge., tok essay: 5. “how can we distinguish between good and bad interpretations discuss with reference to the arts and one other area of knowledge”, 如果我们是在排除某些信息和声音的“信息同温层”里获取知识，这有关系吗请参考两个知识领域展开你的应答。, does it matter if our knowledge acquisition happens in "bubbles" where some information and voices are excluded discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge., is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge, do you agree that it is “astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power” (bertrand russell) discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge., does it matter if our acquisition of knowledge happens in “bubbles” where some information and voices are excluded discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge., to what extent is the knowledge weproduce determined by the methodologieswe use, for artists and natural scientists, which is more important: what can be explained or what cannot be explained discuss with reference to the arts and natural science., êtes-vous d'accord qu'il est "étonnant que si peu de connaissance puissent nous donner autant de pouvoir" (bertrand russell) - discutez cette question en faisant référence aux sciences naturelles et à un autre domaine de la connaissance, est-il important que notre acquisition des connaissances se fasse dans des « bulles » où certaines informations et certaines voix sont exclues discutez cette question en faisant référence à deux domaines de la connaissance., to what extent is the knowledge we produce determined by the methodologies we use discuss with reference to history and one other area of knowledge., is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge discuss with reference to two area of knowledge, are visual representations always helpful in communicating knowledge discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics., are visual representations always useful in communication of knowledge discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics., for artists and natural scientists which is more important: what can be explained or what cannot be explained, is replication necessary in the production of knowledge discuss with reference to two aoks., do you agree that it is "astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power" (bertrand russell) discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge., is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge.

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• theory of knowledge essay

How to Write a Tok Essay Step by Step Guide

You may or may not be aware that TOK essays are required for the IB Diploma. It is intimidating just thinking about how to create a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay. Don't worry, we're here to assist you in completing this work effectively. Here, we'll provide you with all the useful pointers and TOK guidance from our knowledgeable team of educators , so you can write a TOK essay that earns you the finest possible grade.

What is Theory of Knowledge (TOK)?

Theory of Knowledge is the International Baccalaureate's approach to introducing a more natural style of thinking into classrooms. TOK is, on the surface, as straightforward as it sounds: you study the "what" and "why" of how humans learn and understand information. The IB employs an essay and an explanation to measure students' TOK skills. Since the essay accounts for 67% of your total TOK score, it is the most critical activity to work on if you want to earn an excellent grade.

What is a Theory of Knowledge Essay?

The TOK essay is a 1,600 word article composed on subjects typically assigned to students by their professors from a list of various alternatives. It is an essay that supports arguments and objections for the issue at hand. Recognising your modes of knowing (WOKs) and fields of knowledge (AOKs) is critical before even beginning to choose a topic to write about, because your essay will center around and structure itself around these two notions. It is also crucial to be able to display more advanced thinking and use examples to back up your views in your essay. You'll also need to cite every source of material you utilize, as this is something evaluators search for.

How to compose a TOK Essay

We created this article to assist you understand " how to write a TOK essay " even if it's your initial attempt. In fact, with the material in this piece, you can produce an excellent theory research essay in a matter of hours and without putting in too much effort. Now, read through this comprehensive, step-by-step instruction to discover "how to write a TOK essay" for yourself.

1. Recognise the Prescribed Titles The title expects you to understand the command phrases and the theory of knowledge queries being raised.

• What kind of knowledge is being sought?
• Is it necessary to have shared or personalized expertise?

These pieces compare and contrast. As a result, when choosing your AOK and techniques for knowing, it's critical that you can readily draw similarities and differences.

Take note of whether the mandated title requires you to address two different fields or areas of expertise.

2. Consider Your Title With Caution The topic you pick should include at least one AOK that you are acquainted with or are very interested in.

However, you should not choose a topic solely because it appears straightforward or attractive. Instead, carefully examined every title on the list and ask yourself numerous questions:

Read the title attentively and make a note of any ideas or expressions you don't understand.

Except for History and Maths, you must be quite sure on the AOK discipline you have picked. Take your time deciphering the title. This entails establishing the keywords, comprehending what the title asks, and then developing an answer.

3. Change the Title to Your Own Words When you study theory research titles for the very first time, they will appear complicated. Even the terms and ideas in the title will be difficult to grasp.

You might even be uncertain of what you require to compare and contrast in the headline. However, you can Y rewrite the title and then divide it into two lines to make it more apparent.

Splitting it down into shorter phrases gives you a clearer sense of what is being asked in the heading as well as how you might go in answering the topic adequately.

4. Recognise the Grading Standards The IB grades your essay based on four criteria, each of which is given equal weight. It is essential that you keep a printed version of these assessment requirements on hand and adhere to them while composing your essay. The four areas of evaluation are as follows:

• Addressing knowledge concerns : Make certain that your essay emphasizes knowledge challenges, demonstrates connection between at least two knowledge challenges, links and relates at least two knowledge concerns and demonstrates advanced awareness of knowledge issues.
• Knower's point of view : You must demonstrate creative thinking skills, at least two diverse perspectives, multiple corroborating instances, and self-awareness.
• Analyzing knowledge problems : You must display insight and depth, give counter-arguments and arguments, support your essential points, and analyze the effects and implications of the subject.
• Organization of ideas : You must have a well-organized essay, be true to the facts, explain major topics, and mention sources where relevant.

5. Take your time reading the essay instructions. Make a note of the keywords in the essay directions. The inquiry may request that you "evaluate" or "assess" an argument. This simply implies that you must examine both the positive and negative aspects of the title.

You must also account for any ambiguities or gray regions in the title.

Here are two instances to consider:

• If an inquiry asks "in what way" or "to what extent" an assertion is proper, you must present arguments that are in favor and against the assertion.
• Where the topic asks for an explicit inquiry, your essay must discuss how or to what degree you agree or disagree with a viewpoint or argument.

6. Creating ideas Possibilities for the Essay Title Don't start writing your outline right away. Rather, spend a few minutes brainstorming.

The TOK essay is introspective by definition. This implies you must provide evidence that you have thoroughly considered the title and are well prepared to analyze and remark on it.

Begin with a broad brainstorming session. Take down everything that comes to mind when you see the title.

After about 5 minutes of jotting down ideas go over each note you made. Choose thoughts that are related to one another or that dispute one another.

If you are reviewing or evaluating a claim in the title, separate it into two columns, one for and one against it. Fill up the blanks with your ideas. Create a third column for ambiguity or grey regions, and then enter thoughts into that column.

Identify any instances of your concepts that you wrote down.

7. Determine the Knowledge Challenge from the Essay Title This could be a query or a problem with how you see yourself and the world in connection to your search for knowledge.

A knowledge challenge in the ** title of an essay **frequently refers to one or two of the eight AOKs and examines potential disputes or issues within these AOKs or between them.

8. Make an outline for your TOK essay. You should be able to generate an outline based on the idea generation and the AOK you selected. The outline serves as a road map for your essay and contains the framework of your paper. An overview may include 5 paragraphs , which are often arranged as follows:

Paragrapgh 1 : The first section is the intro. It should provide title descriptions and translations. This is also where you will outline your thesis and determine a knowledge challenge relevant to the subject.

Paragraph 2 : This must involve the initial AOK. For example, if it's Mathematics, describe how it solves the title issue and provide examples. Make a note of any counter-arguments or limits of the instances you used to back up your assertion.

Paragraph 3 : Discuss the second AOK. Discuss how the subject responds to the title and provide examples to back it up. Similarly, include a list of any limits of the examples as well as any counter-arguments to the title.

Paragraph 4 : Where necessary, this includes the third area of understanding. This should be the final paragraph. It sums up your important points and restates your thesis. Finally, respond completely to the title while considering the constraints and counter-arguments against the fields of expertise.

9. Produce a Thesis Statement Before developing your thesis statement, go review the essay title again, as well as your essay structure and ideation notes.

Remember that the thesis statement is the major point of your essay. It should tie everything together in the essay.

After you have completed the first draught, you can compose your thesis statement. You should now have a better understanding of the important points in the essay, allowing you to develop a clear and simple thesis statement.

10. Compose Your Essay Your essay framework will be essential to your writing because it will serve as a direction.

Simply expand each section of your blueprint, keeping in mind that the word restriction must be within 1200 to 1600 words.

Look over the idea generation notes for evidence-based examples for the two areas of knowledge you selected. Also included in the idea generation notes are your primary points and opposing viewpoints.

If you don't have time to compose your TOK essay first, we at Assignment Santa for Assessment can assist you with conceptualizing the project and completing it as soon as feasible. Click here to order a TOK essay , and we will do it within 24 hours.

11. Don't Use Dictionary Definitions in Your Essay You should demonstrate to the TOK assessment panel that your piece of writing is analytical rather than filled with academic jargon.

Avoid overusing academic terms to bolster a counter-argument or illustrate your point. This will suggest to the assessment panel that you did not interact with the topic and avoided its complexities by using dictionary terms.

12. Identify Your Sources When writing a TOK essay , you must cite all of your sources of information using MLA format citations.

This is a no-brainer, so it should be as simple as you can envision.

13. Read the Paper Aloud It is one thing to understand how to produce an excellent essay. But you won't know if your work is up to par unless you study it from start to finish. You may even have to read it aloud at times.

You may determine how simple and exact your language is by reading your essay loudly. It also assists you in confirming that your points of view have been appropriately developed and arranged.

Your writing should have spontaneous flow and glide from one section to the next.

14. Check Your Work for Errors You don't intend to waste your efforts by submitting material that contains ridiculous grammar or typographical errors. Before revision, it's best to take a pause. This allows you to go over it with a fresh head and eyes.

If possible, have someone else read it to ensure there are no glaring errors.

Quick Hints on "How to Write a ToK Essay"

Begin Early Beginning early is a clear and successful edge for students. Apart from TOK, not to mention the presentation, IB has major assignments that requires emphasis and time given to it, such as external tests and the lengthy paper. These assignments are just as crucial as the TOK essay , so get started on outlining, designing, or even just planning early.

• Avoid using dictionary definitions in your essay.
• As we already explained it above, you should skip dictionary terminology.

You intention should to demonstrate to the assessors that you are producing a reflective essay, not a definition-heavy textbook paper. Don't rely too heavily on dictionary definitions to illustrate your point or refute a counterclaim. This demonstrates that you did not participate with the topic and avoided difficulties surrounding it.

Add personal touch Instead of giving typical responses or using hackneyed scenarios, strive to incorporate personal tales in order to make it unique and informative for your audience. Though the piece of writing should be impartial, it should also have individuality and character.

Send Your Drafts ts to Your Teacher Your TOK teacher is an excellent resource for generating essays and making modifications to improve your final result. Using time outside of class to catch your teacher for a quick assessment of your essay may be more beneficial than you realise. Using an outside perspective is vital for writing an excellent essay.

Bottom Line TOK essays are required for all students seeking the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Every TOK essay is unique. To pass your essay, you must thoroughly prepare. Treat it like any other sort of research, and make an overview and compose your thesis statement. While your overall IB score isn't as significant as you might believe for college applications, learning how to pass TOK and using the lifelong practises you'll learn in class is. The essay prompts you to consider the nature of knowledge and how you understand what you are claiming to know. TOK develops children who think beyond the box, making them ideal prospects in the eyes of university admissions authorities. Colleges are searching for students who can take TOK and demonstrate knowledge as well as intellectual rigour.

Do you require assistance with your TOK essay ? You can rely on AssignmentSanta. Visit our website and fill out an application form to learn more about the IB TOK materials offered by the Assignmentsanta Team. Visit to AssignmentSanta today to discover "how to write a ToK essay"!

FAQs on how to write a ToK essay

What are the 12 tok ideas.

Evidence, assurance, Truth, Translation, Energy, Justification, Explanation, Objectivity, viewpoints. Cultural diversity, Morals, and Responsibilities are the 12 concepts.

What is the TOK passing score?

The diploma is not issued if the programme is not completed with at least 24 points

What should a TOK essay include?

A TOK essay focuses on the way we know (rather than what we know): how we gather, develop, and transmit knowledge within various domains. You should provide examples to support your views, which may originate from academic lectures.

Is the TOK essay difficult?

The TOK course is evaluated by a 1,600-word essay and the TOK exhibition, and learners frequently report that it is one of the most difficult elements of the IB Diploma programme.

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What’s the Deadline for Submitting your TOK Essay?

Table of contents.

The Theory of Knowledge essay is an important part of any International Baccalaureate curriculum. It is a written assignment that tests a student’s ability to think critically about a given topic and form an argument based on research. The TOK essay is unique in that it has a specific structure and focuses on different ways of knowing, thinking, and learning.

The purpose of the TOK essay is to demonstrate how well a student can interpret, evaluate, and communicate different types of knowledge. It also allows students to engage with philosophical concepts and explore their own creativity. By writing a TOK essay, students gain insight into their own world views, as well as those of their peers.

When it comes to writing a TOK essay , there are three key concepts to keep in mind – the focus of the essay (the target search terms), the argument that the essay makes, and the evidence that supports the argument. The target search terms are the keywords used when researching the essay topic. These terms will guide the student as they look for evidence in books, articles, lectures, and other sources. The student must then use this evidence to form an argument and structure their essay. Finally, the essay must be formatted according to the guidelines provided by the IB program.

Writing a TOK essay can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By following the steps outlined in this guide, students can feel confident that they are on the right track to submitting a top-notch TOK essay on time.

Step 1: Doing Your Research

Doing your research is the most important step in writing a successful TOK essay. To make sure you score top marks and get the best possible result, it is essential that you have a good understanding of the topic and have done your research properly.

Start by reading up on the subject and familiarising yourself with all the key concepts. If you are struggling to understand any of the terms, try looking them up online or talking to someone who has more experience with the subject.

Next, you need to find some reliable sources for your essay. Make sure you are using reputable websites and don’t use any unreliable sources as this could lead to weaker arguments and even poorer grades.

You should also make sure to look at different perspectives, so that you can build a more detailed argument. Read multiple books and articles to ensure you have a thorough understanding of the topic.

Finally, make sure to write down any quotes or ideas you find while researching. This will help you to think of new ways to approach the topic and may provide inspiration for later drafts of your essay.

By following these tips and doing your research properly, you will be well on your way to writing an outstanding TOK essay.

Brainstorming and Structuring Your TOK Essay

• Introduction: The introduction should provide an overview of your essay and explain why the topic is important.
• Body: This is where you will present your argument and evidence, as well as any counter-arguments or opposing views.
• Conclusion: Sum up your argument and tie together any loose ends in your essay.

Step 3: Writing Drafts

How to write a draft.

• Create an outline: Break your essay into sections and subsections that support your main argument. This can help keep your writing focused, clear and organized.
• Evaluate your work: Once you’ve written the first draft, read through it carefully and make notes on any areas that you feel could be improved. Are there any gaps in your argument that need to be filled? Is the structure cohesive? What could be made clearer?
• Revise and edit: Use your notes to make changes in the second draft. If possible, have someone else look through it for you to catch mistakes you might have missed.

The Importance Of Revision

Step 4: final touches.

The fourth and final step in submitting a successful TOK essay is to give it the finishing touches. Writing multiple drafts of your essay is important, but these drafts may still not be up to submission standards. This is why it’s essential to do an extensive edit and proofread of your essay before handing it in.

Editing is the process of refining your essay by adjusting sentences, paragraphs, and ideas so they flow in a logical order. When editing, consider whether there are better ways to communicate your argument, or if any part of the essay can be restructured. You should also look out for any typos or spelling mistakes in the text.

Proofreading is the last step of the writing process and involves meticulously going through each word and punctuation mark to make sure the sentence structure and punctuation is correct. You should double-check that all the references you used in the essay are formatted correctly, and any additional sources you may have added are cited properly.

It’s also important to add any further references or links that support your argument. This step is essential for making your work more reliable. Try to find sources from reputable organizations or institutions, and make sure that the information you’re adding is up to date and relevant.

By taking the time to edit and proofread your TOK essay, you can ensure that your work is of the highest quality and meets the criteria for submission.

What is the Deadline?

It is absolutely essential that you meet the deadline for submitting your TOK essay. The timeline for submitting your essay will depend on you or your school’s individual circumstances, but it is important to be aware of the deadlines and ensure that your essay is submitted in good time.

In general, students and schools should aim to submit the TOK essay at least two weeks before the start of the exam. This means that if your exam starts on June 1st, your essay should be submitted no later than May 15th. It is important to note that some schools and universities may have slightly different timelines, so you should always check with your school or university to find out their specific deadlines.

It is also important to be aware of the consequences of missing the deadline. If you are a student, you may not be allowed to sit for the exam. If you are a school, you may be penalized for late submission. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you are aware of the relevant deadlines and remain vigilant to ensure that your essay is submitted on time.

In conclusion, it is essential that you understand and adhere to the timeline for submitting your TOK essay. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the relevant deadlines and ensure that you submit the essay in good time. By taking these simple steps, you can ensure that you do not miss the deadline and avoid any potential penalties.

Finishing Up

We hope this guide has been helpful in preparing you for the TOK essay. Writing a great essay can be a challenge, but by doing your research, getting organized, and staying on top of your deadlines, you’ll have a greater chance of success.

Don’t forget to proofread your essay several times before submitting it. This will help you to check for any mistakes and make sure that your essay is free from grammatical and spelling errors.

Finally, if you’re having difficulty meeting the deadline, don’t panic. Talk to your teacher or your parents, as they can offer you advice and support. Also, take advantage of all the available resources, such as websites and books, to help you write a successful TOK essay.

We wish you the best of luck with your TOK essay!

International Context

For international students, it is important to be aware of the regulations and guidelines for submitting a TOK essay. While all students must adhere to the wider frameworks set out by the International Baccalaureate (IB) for the essay, there can be important differences between countries.

For example, in some countries the grading system may be different or the format of the final essay can have specific requirements. As such, it is important to check this information with your local school or institution before starting the writing process.

It is also important to note that the deadline for submission of the essay may vary from country to country. Some countries may require the essay to be completed in one academic year while others may adopt a more relaxed approach and allow students more time to submit their essays.

In addition, some international schools may apply specific rules regarding how to structure the essay and what topics students are permitted to write about. For instance, some countries may require the inclusion of certain cultural references in the essay or may even require students to use particular software.

To ensure you meet the requirements of your institution, read the guidelines closely and make sure you research thoroughly.

By understanding the regulations and guidelines for international students, it is possible to make sure that the TOK essay is up to the highest standard and is submitted on time.

Tips and Resources for Submitting Your TOK Essay on Time

Submitting your TOK essay can be a daunting task. Writing quality, argumentative essays requires lots of research, organization, structure and editing. The tight timeline prescribed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) program may seem intimidating, but there are tips and resources that you can use to make sure your essay is submitted on time.

Start by setting up a timeline. Make sure to give yourself plenty of cushion time so you don’t have to rush your essay at the last minute. Plan out when you will do your research, brainstorm your topic, write drafts, edit, and submit. Utilise free online tools like Google Calendar or a Plain Text editor to help track your progress and deadlines.

Set aside regular times each week to work on your essay. Aim to make progress everyday, even if that progress is small. Break the process into manageable chunks and focus on one element at a time instead of trying to tackle everything all at once.

Finally, take advantage of the wealth of online resources available. Look up trusted scientific sources, websites, and blogs. Ask teachers and fellow students for help with understanding the material. Utilise online proofreading tools to help edit and refine your writing. Take advantage of online essay writing services to get feedback from professional editors.

These tips and resources can help you make sure your TOK essay is great and submitted on time. Remember, it is much easier to make steady progress toward your goal than it is to scramble at the last minute. So take the time to set up a timeline, break the process into manageable chunks, and utilise the wealth of online resources available.

Writing a good TOK essay can be a daunting task – especially when it comes to meeting the deadline. We hope that this guide has been helpful in giving you an insight into writing a TOK essay, from researching to formatting and submitting the final copy.

It’s important to remember that by using the available resources, you can ensure that you meet the deadline for your TOK essay. Take some time to explore all the options available – from online tutors to sample essays and useful tips – so that you can submit a top-quality essay on time.

We also encourage you to stay up to date with your local examinations board or school guidelines when submitting a TOK essay. This will help ensure that you meet the correct deadline and don’t incur any penalties.

By following these simple steps and utilising the available resources, you can easily submit your TOK essay on time and get one step closer to achieving your educational goals.

Citing Sources

When writing an essay, it is essential to include references to the sources that you have used. This allows readers to verify the accuracy of your statements, as well as being able to investigate further. Therefore, at the end of your TOK essay, you should include a comprehensive list of all sources that you have used throughout the article.

Including references will also help to boost the overall credibility of your essay. By citing authoritative sources, you can show the reader that you have done your research and provide evidence to back up any claims that you make.

When citing sources, it is important to use the correct format. There are different formats for different types of source material, such as books, journals or websites. It is best to check with your teacher to ensure that you are using the correct style.

In addition to providing a comprehensive list of all the sources used in your essay, it is also useful to add any further links or resources that readers may find useful. This could include additional information on the topic or related articles that discuss similar issues.

By adding these extra resources, you can provide your readers with a wealth of information to explore further. Remember to include these references as part of your list of sources as this will help to keep your citations accurate.

So, when submitting your TOK essay, it is important to include a list of all the sources used. This should be accurately formatted and include any additional resources that the reader may wish to explore.

• Last Edit 15 AUG 2023

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Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.

Nick's article, featured in Routledge's " Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization ," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.

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A Deep Dive Into TikTok’s Sketchy Mental Health Advice

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A high school counselor can track what’s trending on TikTok by hearing what undiagnosed mental health or neurological condition her students think they have.

An elementary school counselor listens to 3rd graders say they have depression—a word she’s pretty sure they picked up on social media.

And more half of teens surveyed by the EdWeek Research Center earlier this year said they have used social media to diagnose their own mental health conditions.

The 24/7 conversation about mental health taking place on sites like TikTok is finding its way into classrooms. To be sure, there are some positive effects: Social media has destigmatized many mental health conditions and encouraged students to be more open about their feelings, educators and experts say. But students are also seeing a lot of potentially counterproductive misinformation.

One way to combat the problem: Teach students to apply the same media literacy skills to the mental health information they see online that they would to a news opinion piece, educators and experts said.

Educators can “really get [students] to kind of do this critical thinking,” said Dan Florell, a professor at Eastern Kentucky University who teaches school psychologists. Have students consider if the video cites a valid study to back up its claims, and if the creator of it has professional credentials in mental health.

Florell even suggested teachers or counselors turn this into a classroom activity. “OK, let’s go online and find some TikTok videos that are claiming certain stuff. And then let’s break it down and see if this is true. And if not, why not?” he said.

As a reporter for Education Week covering mental health, technology, and the intersection between the two, I asked Florell to put his advice into practice. Earlier this month, I searched TikTok for popular videos offering a range of mental health advice, and then showed them to Florell over Zoom. I asked: Is the source reputable? How do you know? Is the advice sound? How can you tell?

My goal was to give teachers a sense of the mental health content their students see on social media, and to create a resource teachers could use in their classrooms—read the video description, ask students what they think, then share Florell’s take. (This could also be used for professional development.)

Following is a sampling of what I found on TikTok, and how Florell responded. The videos described below were not embedded to avoid amplifying misinformation.

Hawking supplements to relieve ADHD symptoms

Video: A woman in a pajama tank top stands in a kitchen and takes viewers through an “unboxing” of the supplements she takes every night that she says help her attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, including magnesium and Vitamin D. She holds up each bottle so that the brand name is clear.

Source: The creator of the video, who has more than 150,000 followers, identifies in her bio as a person with ADHD—and that’s what most of her videos are about.

Florell’s take: It’s a good bet the video was made by an influencer who is getting paid to promote certain products, he said.

“Anytime I hear the word ‘unboxing,’ I’m thinking that there’s a sponsorship involved,” he said. “I’m putting [the video] into the advertising category. Anytime you see an ad, you’ve got to know that they are not necessarily expressing what’s best for you as the viewer. They are hawking a particular item for sale.”

It’s unlikely there’s evidence to back up her claims. “Supplements are unregulated by the FDA,” Florell said. “So even if there’s some grain of truth to the fact that some of these may be helpful for certain mental health conditions, there’s probably not been much research on it.”

This song will relieve anxiety

Video: An exuberant man wearing scrubs and a stethoscope quotes research saying that listening to a particular song for just three months could reduce anxiety as much as 65 percent—a similar level of effectiveness to a class of anti-anxiety drugs known as Benzodiazepines.

Source: The creator, who has over 600,000 followers, identifies himself as an anesthesiologist.

Florell’s take: The video feels silly, but in this case TikTok may be offering helpful—or at least not particularly harmful—mental health advice.

It’s relatively easy to check the man’s claim that he’s an anesthesiologist with a quick Google search, Florell said. (In fact, someone matching the man’s name and appearance works for a hospital affiliated with a major university.)

While some TikTok creators with real medical credentials may offer advice outside their area of expertise, an anesthesiologist must see plenty of patients who are anxious about surgery—so he’s on firm ground here. What’s more, it’s not hard to find the real study referred to in the video, which was conducted by another major university and does show that a certain song has a significant calming effect on listeners.

“The more people’s statements give you chances to check on [them], the more legitimate [their advice] likely is,” Florell said. But, he cautioned, “people misinterpret findings all the time. And you may still have to find that article to make sure” the claims are true.

Unlike taking supplements that haven’t been prescribed by a doctor, there’s not much potential downside in listening to a song, Florell added.

“It’s minimal risk, and possible high benefits,” Florell said.

Don’t stop taking your medication without talking to a doc

Video: A young woman (playing herself) tells her doctor that her mental health medication worked so well that she felt great and stopped taking it. The same woman then plays her doctor giving a disapproving double take.

Source: The creator, who has nearly 20,000 followers on TikTok, says she is a pharmacy student. The website she links to in her bio showcases an unrelated hobby, not medical expertise.

Florell’s take: The creator’s message is “actually great advice,” he said. But it would be hard for a layperson to know that.

Patients stopping their medication because they feel better—without letting their doctor know—is a perennial problem in the mental health field.

Even though the woman’s point is spot on, it would be hard to tell from this video—or the additional context in her bio—that she knows what she’s talking about. The video is “not presented in a very professional way,” Florell said, because it is obviously meant to be humorous.

“I think it’s giving the right message, but I would have no way to know that’s the right message if I wasn’t a psychologist or someone who works” in the mental health field, Florell said.

People with ADHD don’t miss their friends when they aren’t around

Video: A man is talking straight to camera about ADHD. He claims that those who have the disorder don’t miss their friends when they aren’t around because they forget about them.

He says: “People with ADHD have the ability that we do not miss anyone. And it is object permanence in a sense and time permanence, that we are almost in a sense blind to this,” he says. “It’s how our brain functions. … They’re not texting us. … we forget about them.”

Source: The creator has more than a million followers. A link to his website identifies him as a mental health advocate but does not list additional professional credentials.

Florell’s take: The advice in the video is simply “not true,” Florell said. For one thing, most people establish object permanence—the understanding that something doesn’t go away just because it isn’t right in front of you—in early childhood. It’s very rare not to have grasped that concept, Florell said. “So, he’s using some buzzwords about psychology, and then taking them to an extreme,” Florell explained.

What’s more, “if I was watching [this video] and taking his word for it, and I have a friend with ADHD, I don’t feel obligated to ever touch base, because you know, they’re not going to miss me,” Florell said. “Their feelings can’t be hurt, right?”

But as a school psychologist who has treated patients with the disorder, “I’ve known a lot of ADHD individuals, I know a lot who feel quite hurt by being excluded,” Florell said.

It’s unlikely the man in the video is being intentionally misleading, Florell added. Instead, he may be “relaying his own experience,” Florell said. What the man describes “may be true of himself, but he is not representative of the millions of people who have this diagnosis,” Florell explained.

Is ‘functional freeze’ a real thing?

Video: A woman sits on a couch with a cheerless expression. Across the screen it says: “Signs you’re stuck in a functional freeze: Procrastinating, scrolling, or binge-watching TV when you have free time instead of doing the things you actually want to do. Feeling emotionally numb except for the ‘internal overwhelm.’ Living life just going through the motions but disconnected from your body. … Follow for tips on how to shift out of this state.”

Source: The creator identifies herself as a “burnout dietician” and links to supplements and other health information, as well as a hiking retreat she’s leading. She has over 140,000 followers.

Florell’s take: “Functional freeze” isn’t a medical diagnosis, Florell said. And that’s easy enough to check by going to a reputable health site like the Mayo Clinic. “You can type in functional freeze [on that site], you’re not gonna get any results.” That means whatever the woman is offering to help the situation is “probably not going to be legitimate.”

The symptoms described in the video sound more like depression, Florell added. Many people with depression are still able to go about their daily lives, although they sleep a lot in their free time and lack motivation, he said.

Dubious claim that alcohol cures autism

Video: This video is a “stitch” or reaction to an earlier video. In the first video, a young woman says, “The cure to autism is an IV that administers alcohol.” In the second video, another woman says, “I have autism and I can confirm this is true because the second alcohol touches my bloodstream, I become a neurotypical person.”

Source: The creator of the first video has more than 40,000 followers. She does not give any professional credentials. The second one has more than 2,000 followers and also, no professional credentials.

Florell’s take: This is obviously false, and easily fact-checked. “I think that would be one you could give a Google search real quick,” he said. “And [you’d] probably figure out is not true.”

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ByteDance would shut down TikTok in US rather than sell it, sources say

App’s ‘secret source’ algorithm reportedly core to operations of parent company, which sources say make a sale highly unlikely

ByteDance would prefer to shut down TikTok rather than sell it if the Chinese company exhausts all legal options to fight legislation to ban the platform from app stores in the US, four sources said.

The algorithms TikTok relies on for its operations are deemed core to ByteDance’s overall operations, which would make a sale of the app with algorithms highly unlikely, said the sources close to the parent.

Though TikTok is ultra-popular, boasting more than a billion users, it still operates at a loss, accounting for a small share of ByteDance’s total revenues and daily active users. The parent company would rather have the app shut down in the US in a worst-case scenario than sell it to a potential American buyer, they said.

A shutdown would have limited impact on ByteDance’s business, while the company would not have to give up its core algorithm, said the sources, who declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

ByteDance said late on Thursday in a statement posted on Toutiao, a media platform it owns, that it had no plan to sell TikTok, in response to an article by The Information saying ByteDance is exploring scenarios for selling TikTok’s US business without the algorithm that recommends videos to TikTok users.

In response to a request for comment, a TikTok spokesperson referred to ByteDance’s statement posted on Toutiao.

TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, said on Wednesday the social media company expects to win a legal challenge to block legislation signed into law by Joe Biden that he said would ban its popular short video app used by 170 million Americans.

The bill, passed overwhelmingly by the US Senate on Tuesday , is driven by widespread worries among US lawmakers that China could access Americans’ data or use the app for surveillance.

The US president’s signing sets a 19 January 19 deadline for a sale – one day before Biden’s term is poised to expire – but he could extend the deadline by three months if he determines privately owned ByteDance is making progress.

ByteDance does not publicly disclose its financial performance or the financial details of any of its units. The company continues to make most of its money in China, mainly from its other apps such as Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, separate sources have said. The US accounted for about 25% of TikTok’s overall revenues last year, said a separate source with direct knowledge.

Reuters interviewed more than half a dozen investment bankers who said it was tough to value how much TikTok is worth compared with like-for-like competitors Meta Platforms’ Facebook and Snap, as TikTok’s financials are not widely available nor easy to access.

ByteDance’s 2023 revenues rose to nearly $120bn in 2023 from $80bn in 2022, said two of the four sources. TikTok’s daily active users in the US also make up just about 5% of ByteDance’s DAUs worldwide, said one of the sources.

TikTok shares the same core algorithms with ByteDance domestic apps like short video platform Douyin, three of the sources said. It would be impossible to divest TikTok with its algorithms as their intellectual property license is registered under ByteDance in China and thus difficult to disentangle from the parent company, said the sources.

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ByteDance also would not agree to sell one of its most valuable assets – its “secret source” – to rivals, said the four sources, referring to the TikTok algorithm. Moreover, separating the algorithms from TikTok’s US assets would be an extremely complicated procedure, and ByteDance is unlikely to consider that option, the sources added. Excluding algorithms, TikTok’s main assets include user data and product operations and management, said two of the people.

In 2020, the Trump administration sought to ban TikTok and Chinese-owned WeChat but was blocked by the courts. The short-form video app has since faced partial and attempted bans in the US and other countries.

China indicated it would be likely to reject a forced divestment of the TikTok app during a US congressional hearing in March last year.

“China will firmly oppose it [the forced sale of TikTok],” said a spokesperson for the ministry of commerce at a news conference in Beijing in late March 2023.

Former US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin has expressed interest in putting together an investor group to try to buy TikTok. ByteDance may struggle to attract any buyers for TikTok’s US assets excluding algorithms, the sources said.

ByteDance was valued at $268bn in December when it offered to buy back around $5bn worth of shares from investors.

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Reporting by Kane Wu and Julie Zhu; additional reporting by Josh Ye in Hong Kong, Sheila Dang in Austin, Texas and Milana Vinn in New York; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee, Jane Merriman and Jan Harvey

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Choosing a TOK essay title

TOK Home > Free TOK notes > TOK essay guidance > Choosing a TOK essay title

Once you’ve understood the basics of the essay, and have grasped the essay rubric , you can think about which title to choose. These are published in March and September every year, according to whether you are a Southern or Northern hemisphere school.

Here are a few consideration points that you can bear in mind when you read through the six prescribed titles (PTs), and decide which one to take on.

STEP 2: Choose a TOK essay title

1. have you properly considered your choice.

Be open-minded about the titles, and listen carefully to the opinions of others during the initial class discussion about the PTs. You may feel a strong reaction for or against certain titles, but don’t act on this yet. Wait until you have fully processed and understood what each essay is looking for, then make your choice.

2. How does your title relate to the TOK course structure?

Our way of structuring the course is via the Big Questions . These are designed to align with the TOK essay, so if you have followed this way of studying the TOK course, it’s your first way of linking the PTs to the course. Which BQ unit did you most enjoy? Which thinkers and ideas appeared in that unit? A measure of a title’s suitability is the ease with which you can link it to the course structure you have followed.

3. Does your title link to an AOK that you’ve enjoyed exploring?

As you consider the titles, you should be thinking about how they link to the areas of knowledge, and which AOKs might work as the context of your essay. Inevitably, you will have enjoyed, and had more success, with some AOKs than others, so your title should link naturally to these – if it doesn’t, then perhaps you need to rethink your choice.

4. How does your title relate to the key concepts?

The key concepts are 12 ideas of particular significance to the TOK course, and you should use them as much as you can in your TOK essay. Does the title you have chosen include a reference (either explicitly, or implicitly) to a key concept? Does it allow you to discuss a key concept that has resonated with you, or which enables you to draw on personal experiences? Try as much as possible to choose a title that allows you to mention and discuss one or more key concepts.

5. Can you find ways to challenge your title?

One characteristic of a top-level essay is that it offers a challenge to the statement or question within the title. Is the title you are considering based on an assumption that you could dispute? Is it based on a concept or idea that you could take issue with? This is a great way of showing that you have a critical approach to knowledge, and don’t just toe the line.

6. Can you relate the title to your own experiences?

Another consideration point is whether the title allows you to draw on your own experiences – either inside school, or outside it – as a knower. Can you draw on the process of writing your EE? CAS projects? Your other DP subjects? From books you’ve read, art galleries you’ve visited, thinkers you’ve encountered? All this works very well in a TOK essay.

7. Can you easily explore the title in a real-world context?

As well as your own experiences, what about events and issues on a local, national, or global level? Think about interesting real-life situations that you have read about or watched, via articles, documentaries, and podcasts. These will help when you start writing and justifying your ideas.

8. Can you think of key thinkers whose ideas might help you explore your title?

Adding the ideas of a key thinker adds authority and clarity to your essay, and enables you to consider the question via a different perspective. It also encourages you to offer an evaluative discussion. If you can link your title to the work of one or more key thinkers, this is a great indication that you’ve chosen wisely.

If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of the above questions, then you are definitely on the right pathway – and it’s time to move onto Step 3 !

A four-step guide to the TOK essay

Click on the buttons below to take you to the four steps of creating a great TOK essay. Don’t forget that we have plenty of videos on this and other aspects of the course, and members of the site have access to a huge amount of other resources to help you master the course and assessment tasks.

Check out our three-minute explainer video on the TOK essay here . The video goes over the basics of the TOK essay, such as how it’s assessed, the word count and other practical details, terms such as ‘perspectives’ and ‘implications’, and the role of real-world examples in justifying claims and arguments.

You’ll find more videos on this and other aspects of TOK here , and you can dive into much more depth via our free and premium webinars, here .

Watch our essay & exhibition webinars

Click on the images below to access these premium webinars on how to create the essay and exhibition. Access more webinars here , and watch our videos on the assessment tasks on this page .

FAQs about the TOK essay

How do i choose my tok essay title.

You choose your essay from six prescribed essay titles, that are released at the beginning of your second DP year. We give a few tips on how to choose a PT that will work for you here . But briefly, choose one that links to your pre-existing knowledge, and that you find personally engaging.

What will I be writing about in my TOK essay?

You’ll be answering your prescribed title, within the context of two areas of knowledge, considering how different perspectives might affect our response to the question, and what the implications of your arguments are.

Can I use ChatGPT to write my essay?

You can use ChatGPT to help you gather materials for your essay, but you should definitely not be using it to write the essay. Be very careful with ChatGPT. It bases its answers on online material, and much of this is inaccurate or out-of-date. For example, depending on what you ask it, it may tell you that you have to explore multiple areas of knowledge (rather than the two stipulated by the titles), and that you have to identify a separate knowledge question to the title (which is absolutely not the case).

How much help should I expect from my teacher?

Your teacher should run through the PTs when they are first released, and then meet you for three interactions, during which you’ll discuss your progress. They are allowed to give you one set of written feedback. But you can consult them at other times with specific questions.

Do I need to use real-world examples in my TOK essay?

Yes, real-life examples help illustrate your points and make your arguments more tangible. They can be drawn from personal experiences, historical events, scientific discoveries, etc.

Should I include my personal opinion in the TOK essay?

While the TOK essay is not about your personal opinion per se, it’s important to reflect on your perspective and how it shapes the way you understand the title. However, you should avoid using the essay as a platform for rants or unsubstantiated claims.

Is it necessary to include counter-arguments in my TOK essay?

Yes, including counter-arguments shows a deeper understanding of the complexity of the topic and demonstrates your critical thinking skills. It also enables you to consider different perspectives, and evaluate the implications of arguments.

Should I include the 12 key concepts in my essay?

Yes, as much as you can, draw on the key concepts such as justification, evidence, perspective, bias, certainty, and objectivity within your arguments linking them to the title, and to the real-world examples you draw on.

How do I ensure that my TOK essay reflects my own original thinking, and avoids plagiarism?

Clearly attribute ideas and sources that are not your own, and strive to present original insights and interpretations supported by evidence and reasoning. See our point above on using ChatGPT – never view this as more than a tool to help you gather material for your essay, rather than a tool to write it for you.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid when writing a TOK essay?

Avoid oversimplifying complex issues, relying solely on personal opinion without justification, neglecting counter-arguments, veering off the question, and failing to include a consideration of different perspectives.

How long do I have to write my essay?

You’ll have 6 months from the time the prescribed titles are released, to the deadline date for uploading your essay to the IB. However, most schools will set their own deadline for completing the essay, so that everyone has plenty of time to complete your PPF, and upload it on time. Follow what your school tells you about this.

How important is the TOK essay PPF?

The PPF (‘Planning and Progress Form’) is the document that you fill in to outline your discussions during the three essay. Although this is not directly assessed, it is an important part of demonstrating that you have approached the TOK essay in an ethical way, which is now particularly important in the era of ChatGPT.

What are some effective strategies for revising and editing my TOK essay to improve clarity and coherence?

Take breaks between revisions, seek feedback from peers or teachers, and carefully proofread for grammar, punctuation, and coherence.

Should I include references or a bibliography in my TOK essay?

While not required, referencing sources appropriately adds credibility to your essay; use footnotes or endnotes for citations.

Subscribe to the free TOK newsletter!

Subscribe to our free newsletter, and collect fantastic examples that will help you to understand the key ideas of TOK, support your essay and exhibition discussions, and help you to become an authentic critical thinker .

You’ll encounter some of the most important thinkers from the past and the present, go beyond the headlines of contemporary events and issues around the globe, and see how TOK concepts manifest in the real-world. Subscribe HERE !

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On TikTok, Resignation and Frustration After Potential Ban of App

While Congress says the social app is a security threat, critics of the law targeting it say it shows how out of step lawmakers are with young people.

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By Yiwen Lu

Reporting from San Francisco

As Congress voted Tuesday night on legislation that could ban TikTok, Americans were posting their real-time reactions on the embattled video-sharing app.

The Senate passed a revised TikTok bill, tied to a package to provide aid for Israel and Ukraine, with a 79-18 vote, and President Biden signed it into law Wednesday. It will force TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American entity within 12 months or face a ban in the United States. The House passed the bill on Saturday with a 360-to-58 vote.

Here’s what lawmakers who oppose the law, content creators and users said.

Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat representing Silicon Valley, had been a vocal opponent of the bill. He shared his opposition through videos posted on TikTok before and after the House vote. Mr. Khanna has been outspoken against a sweeping ban on TikTok, and has met with people who create content for TikTok to understand their concerns.

“I voted no today on the bill to ban TikTok because it hurts the free speech of creators, activists, organizers, and small business owners who rely on the app to have their voices heard,” Mr. Khanna said in a statement following the House’s vote. He added his support for a new law that would give users more control of their data.

Representative Jamaal Bowman, a New York Democrat, was another opponent of the bill and previously said that banning TikTok meant silencing the voices of young people. In a two-and-a-half-minute video on Saturday, he called for comprehensive social media reform instead of singling out TikTok.

“The House is showing a complete disconnect between what we are doing in the House of Representatives and what’s happening in the real world with young people,” Mr. Bowman said in the video.

Rebekah Ciolli, 35, a stay-at-home mother of three in Indiana, signed up for a TikTok account early last year.

Before that, she had hoped for a ban because, she said, she did not “need another social media app that is consuming your life.” But now, she spends a few hours on the app every day, looking up content like at-home learning and family-friendly recipes and finding like-minded users. To her, losing TikTok would mean losing a community.

“There’s all these moms across the world that I’m friends with, even though I’ve never truly met them in person,” Ms. Ciolli said in an interview. “I will definitely be sad to lose that.”

Content Creators

Ariana Afshar, also known as @arianajasmine--- on TikTok, usually creates content about political news. After the House passed the TikTok legislation, she filmed herself in front of a screenshot of CNN’s coverage of the bill to explain the vote, adding that “this is only going to hurt the trust that people have with the government.”

Because most of her audience is Gen Z and young millennials, Ms. Afshar worried that passing such a bill would dissuade young people from voting in this year’s election. “The younger generation is already pretty mad at this administration,” she said in an interview. “The ripple effect is going to be much larger than what lawmakers are calculating right now.”

To many content creators, TikTok is a lifeline. They built their businesses on TikTok, and the app is how their customers got to know them. The uncertainty surrounding TikTok is making many of them worry about their livelihood.

“It’s affecting everything, even down to our financial planning,” said Nadya Okamoto, who is a founder of August, which sells sustainable menstrual products, and is known for her content on menstrual health. “We have been able to grow organically. And what’s scary is that as small business owners, we don’t know what that looks like moving forward.”

Ms. Okamoto spearheaded an open letter to President Biden to oppose the passing of the bill. The letter, last updated on Monday, has 47 signatures from TikTok creators.

V Spehar, who runs the news aggregation and analysis account @UnderTheDeskNews on TikTok, posted 10 videos over the past week about the legislation. On Friday, Mx. Spehar told their over three million followers about the upcoming vote, calling it a way where the government misuses “the levers of power that they hold to pass a legislation that is deeply unpopular with the American public.”

One day after the vote, in a video dubbed with the song “Omigod You Guys” from the “Legally Blond” musical, Mx. Spehar filmed themselves shaking their head to the text, “Trying to get people to care about politics after Congress voted to ban TikTok.”

“The consequence is not that TikTok gets banned,” Mx. Spehar said in an interview. “It’s that the American public loses faith even more in the institute of the government than they already have.”

Yiwen Lu reports on technology for The Times. More about Yiwen Lu