What are the 5

AoKs?
Areas of knowledge?
 History
Mathematics
Natural
Sciences 
Human Sciences
Arts 
2. How do I do well in the ToK
Essay?
Remember, the
essay is 2/3 of
your TOK
mark.
 In the next two lessons, we will be unpacking in groups with other teachers. 
Before then please ensure you have picked 4 essay titles you like and wish to examine more in the library
sessions.

Task: In order to be sorted into breakout rooms, please choose your top 4 PTs you would like to examine more in
the next two sessions. Fill out this form here. 

• #1 Can there be knowledge that is independent of culture? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
• #2 To what extent do you agree with the claim that “there’s a world of difference between truth and facts” (Maya Angelou)? Answer
with reference to two areas of knowledge.
• #3 Is there solid justification for regarding knowledge in the natural sciences more highly than knowledge in another area of
knowledge? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
• #4 How do historians and human scientists give knowledge meaning through the telling of stories? Discuss with reference to history
and the human sciences.
• #5 How can we distinguish between good and bad interpretations? Discuss with reference to the arts and one other area of
knowledge.
• #6 If we conclude that there is some knowledge we should not pursue on ethical grounds, how can we determine the boundaries of
acceptable investigation within an area of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Starter

Read through the All the 1s - Find out about the first
Assessment Criteria criterion for assessment -
(next slide). ‘understanding knowledge questions’

How would you

summarise what you All the 2s - Find out about the second
need to do in the TOK criterion for assessment - ‘analysing
essay? knowledge questions’
 A  B  C  D  E 
KNOWLEDGE QUS  Knowledge questions Knowledge questions There is some There is limited There is little
are thoroughly and are explored.  consideration of consideration of consideration of
effectively explored.  knowledge questions.  knowledge questions.  knowledge questions. 

ANALYSIS   Analysis is clear and Analysis is clear, coherent Discussions are focused on Discussions Discussions are simplistic
coherent with and focused on knowledge knowledge and knowing are simplistic and mainly and highly descriptive,
a sustained focus on and knowing.  but are descriptive, with minimal focus on
knowledge and knowing more descriptive than with some focus on knowledge and knowing. 
throughout.  analytical.  knowledge and knowing. 

LINKS  Links are clearly made Links
and well-explained.  are made and explained,
although these
explanations may lack
precision. 
Some relevant links are Superficial links are made.  Where links are made,
made.  these
are inappropriate or lack re
levance. 

EXAMPLES AND EVIDENCE  Points are well-developed, Examples and evidence Examples and evidence Where examples and Discussions consist
with examples and are used to support the are included.  evidence are included, of unsupported assertions. 
evidence used effectively exploration.  they do not support the
to support the points being made. 
exploration. 

PERSEPCTIVES  Discussions Discussions identify some Different points of view There is little reference to Different points of view
include consideration of implications and/or are identified but are not different points of view.  are not identified. 
implications, assumptions assumptions and evaluated. 
and different points of include some
view.  consideration of different
points of view. 
Looking at Choose three example essays in groups of three – click the link.

examples 1. What made the ones with the higher marks good?
2. What problems did the lower marks ones have?

Task: Justify each mark using the possible characterises section on

the previous slide.
Planning your ToK Essay
• Your ToK essay wll have the following
• Intro
• Paragraph 1
• Paragraph 2
• Paragraph 3
• Paragraph 4
• Conc
 Essay plan overview
Introduction:  150 words
1. A ‘hook’ to grab the attention of your readers - this could be an engaging, interesting,
intriguing opening, like a quote or a key idea or theory

2. Explain the keywords and concepts/ambigous words of the title, and how you

will interpret them in the main body of your essay. Define the ambiguous word in the
title, explain the scope/remit of the essay clearly. 

3. Outline the scope of your essay -  what two AoKs you will be using ad the knowledge
question/s that you will explore.
 Essay plan overview
Main body 1: AoK 1 - agree
150 - 200 words
• State your claim in the first line or two of this section
• Discuss this claim in general terms first, without specific examples. 
• Then support what you are saying by reference to one or two real-life situations

Example: “When should we discard explanations that are intuitively appealing?” (A title

from a previous year) Your chosen AoKs are AoK 1: History and AoK 2: Natural Sciences.

Main body 1: AoK 1 – agree

You need to designa knowledge question showing how the statement could agree within
this AoK.
Ex. In history there are certain to discard explanations that are intuitively appealing.
 Essay plan overview
Main body 2: AoK 1 - disagree
150 - 200 words
• State your claim in the first line or two of this section
• Discuss this claim in general terms first, without specific examples. 
• Then support what you are saying by reference to one or two real-life situations

Example: “When should we discard explanations that are intuitively appealing?” (A title

from a previous year) Your chosen AoKs are AoK 1: History and AoK 2: Natural Sciences.

Main body 1: AoK 1 – disagree

You need to designa knowledge question showing how the statement could agree within
this AoK.
Ex. However, in history there is also considerable value in explanations that are intuitively
appealing.
 Example...

Main body 2: AoK 1 - disagree​

• State your claim in the first line or two of

this section​
• Discuss this claim in general terms first, without
specific examples. ​
• Then support what you are saying by reference
to one or two real-life situations​
Do the same with the next AoK for the next
two paragraphs
• You must show both sides of the argument.
• But you answer must be nuanced – avoid vague, simplistic
statements. Use the RLS to go into depth.
 Essay plan overview
Conclusion:  150 words

• Your conclusion should restate the key points of your essay, and answer the question
directly 

• Don’t sit on the fence - take a position on what’s being asked!  A conclusion can often
be improved by drawing on a quote from a relevant thinker 

• Try to give your reader the impression that their knowledge has been moved forward by
the essay - persuade the reader they now know something they didn’t before reading
the essay. 
 
 
 Essay plan overview
Conclusion: 
• Your conclusion should restate the key points of your
essay, and answer the question directly 

• Don’t sit on the fence - take a position on what’s

being asked!  A conclusion can often be improved by
drawing on a quote from a relevant thinker 

• Try to give your reader the impression that their

knowledge has been moved forward by the essay -
persuade the reader they now know something they
didn’t before reading the essay. 
 
 
Essay plan overview
BIBLIOGRAPHY “The bibliography or works cited should include only those works (such as books,
journals, magazines and online sources) used by the student… A list of books at the end of the essay
is not useful unless reference has been made to all of them within the essay.” (IB Diploma TOK
Guide) 

Academic integrity is a guiding principle in education and a choice to act in

a responsible way whereby
others can have trust in us as individuals. It is the foundation for ethical
decision-making and behaviour in
the production of legitimate, authentic and honest scholarly work.
• how to correctly attribute sources, acknowledging the work and ideas of
others
• the responsible use of information technology and social media
• how to observe and adhere to ethical and honest practice during
examinations.
The criteria 1. UNDERSTANDING KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS

- distilled ● Consideration of different points of view

● Clear and explicit links to AOKs 

2. ANALYSING KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS

● Lucid, analytical arguments
● Compelling real-life situations
● Properly explored counterclaims
● Implications of what you are saying

ToK Key Terms are in Y13 channel in ‘IBDP Core’  

What role do RLS’s play in the TOK essay?
Discuss each one.

Engaging? Anecdotal?
Interesting? Original?
Hypothetical? Significant?
Up-to-date? Accurate?
Vague? Clichéd?
What role do RLS’s play in the TOK essay?

● Engaging ● Anecdotal
● Interesting ● Original
● Hypothetical ● Significant
● Up-to-date ● Accurate
● Vague ● Clichéd
What role do RLS’s play in the TOK essay?
● Support your claim/counterclaim discussion
● Brand your essay as ‘compelling’ and ‘individual’
● Provide you with a way of considering different perspectives
● Help you to draw implications
● Places your essay in a real world context
● But should not overshadow your whole essay
● One RLS may be personal but the rest should be outside of your own
experience

● From your own learning experiences (EE, CAS, Diploma lessons)

● From the TOK classes you have attended
● From reading and research you have done
● From the TOK newsletter
● From recommendations in class
Exit

What do you still not fully

understand about how to
write a TOK essay?