Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang

II. THE ESSAY
other way you demonstrate your learning
The
TOK is by writing an essay, in response to
in
of six prescribed titles (PTs) issued by the
one
each year. Unlike creating an exhibition,
IB
writing tasks are something you will be
extended
with. And yet there are some differences
familiar
the TOK essay and other essays or
between
written tasks. An effective TOK essay is an
long
of TOK concepts and ideas, through
exploration
development and articulation of arguments,
the
by real examples representing a
supported
of perspectives, and consolidated into
diversity
conclusion that is of consequence. The essay is
a
opportunity to demonstrate that knowledge
an
in the world, and has significant
matters
and consequences.
implications
PTs published by the IB will be in the form of
All
questions, which we discussed earlier in
knowledge
chapter. A worthy reminder here, however,
this
regarding the contestability of knowledge
is
will by definition be open to
questions—they
multiplicity of possible good answers. But
a
say that there is no right or wrong answer
to
a knowledge question is not the same as to
to
there are no poor answers to a knowledge
say
The TOK essay task asks for an
question.
of the knowledge question contained
exploration
the PT, but also asks for this to be done
within
Next, you should have an opportunity to share with your teacher your ideas about
2.
you are planning to explore your chosen PT.
how
Based on this discussion and your teacher’s feedback, you will proceed to
3.
a draft of the essay.
write
the following pages, we walk through
In
elements in the thinking and writing
different
for the essay and offer some essential
process
on moving through them while
guidance
Your teacher will read your draft and comment with suggestions
4.
how it can be improved, and you will get an opportunity to act
on
Finally, you will hand over a final version of your essay
5.
submission to the IB.
for
address perhaps the biggest pitfall of all
We
at the start: you will notice that at no
here
in the process does it say “visit one of the
point
TOK help websites online” or “google
many
12
I I . T H E E S S AY
clearly and critically.
1. First, together with your teacher or as a class, you will discuss the list of PTs.
on these comments and incorporate the feedback.
avoiding some of the most common pitfalls.
your PT word for word”. Whatever you do,
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