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

II. THE ESSAY
what extent do the concepts that we use
“To
the conclusions that we reach?”
shape
good place to start is to pay attention
A
the requirements in the PT. Some PTs
to
specify an AOK to be discussed, or the
will
of AOKs you must explore in the
number
Follow these requirements closely; your
essay.
must address the PT fully in order
response
be effective. If the PT calls for two AOKs,
to
a third and a fourth is seen as taking
including
and words away from offering a
attention
analysis of the two that were required.
deeper
particular PT leaves that open—you can
This
discuss any number of AOKs, as
technically
key terms that stand out are “concepts”
The
“conclusions”. Having an understanding
and
these terms, and offering a discussion around
of
will be crucial to an effective response.
them
is where students sometimes turn to
This
definitions. This is ineffective and
dictionary
discouraged for a reason—unless you
strongly
specifically discussing the formation of
are
as a knowledge issue, it is mostly
definitions
to rely on and include dictionary
unhelpful
of key terms in your TOK essay.
definitions
consider what concepts look like in
Instead
AOKs, starting perhaps with the
different
you have encountered in your subjects.
concepts
these concepts generally accepted, or
Are
among practitioners in the AOK they
disputed
to? What are the relationships between
belong
and theories, schools of thought or
concepts
And what kind of conclusions do
ideologies?
different AOKs seek to reach? Are concepts
the
and useful for being able to reach
necessary
in these AOKs? Think about
conclusions
like these early and you will be well
questions
to develop a strong essay.
placed
also that this PT asks a question of
Note
this type of question is common in PTs.
extent;
can be given a statement or quote and
You
about the extent to which you agree
asked
it, or the extent to which this is the case
with
a number of AOKs. This specific PT asks
in
the extent of the influence of concepts
about
conclusions, and offers the term “shape” to
on
that influence. You should evaluate
describe
extent of the shaping influence of concepts
the
then there is the word “we”—very easy
And
overlook, and yet critical to an effective
to
In a PT, always look for the knower
response.
community of knowers that is being
or
to. Is it mathematicians, historians,
referred
scientists, or is it—as is the case in
experts,
PT— an unspecified “we”? “We” should
this
be taken as an invitation to write an essay
not
a general group of unspecific knowers,
about
if such a group even existed. Instead, it
as
be seen as an opportunity to explore
should
knowers. For instance, does the
different
of concepts on conclusions differ
influence
experts versus non-experts? Is it more
for
is important to flag that you must make sure
It
to alter the PT in the process of unpacking it,
not
to respond to it exactly as it was presented.
and
a few questions in relation to the
Brainstorming
can be helpful to identify in which directions
PT
take your response, but these questions
to
not displace the PT. In the case of this PT
must
might consider whether it is possible to
you
different conclusions by using the same
reach
or the same conclusion by using
concepts,
concepts. As you begin writing, always
different
that your discussion is related to what the
check
is asking for and that you are giving adequate
PT
to all the key terms in the PT.
attention
this sequence, try unpacking a
Following
all—of the PTs in your session. If you
few—or
doing this for practice before they become
are
try one of the PTs in the sections
available,
or a different one provided by your
below,
teacher.
12
Consider this PT from May 2016.
on conclusions throughout your essay.
long as you consider different perspectives.
significant in one AOK as opposed to another?
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