TOK Essay Instructions
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Laajenna
Jaa
How to proceed with the TOK essay? TO BE
UPDATED!!!
General instructins: Use all possible materials you can find. You can start with the materials
and links below. Remember the school's TOK Handbook (under construction).
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the example TOK essays. Before seeing the examiner's
comments, try to evaluate at least a couple of the samples with the TOK essay assessment
instrument. How many marks would you give to each sample you cover?
Step 2: Choose ONE title from list of prescribed titles (PT). Make sure that you use the right list!
Your TOK teachers will provide you with the correct lists and the lists are also updated to
ManageBac
Step 3: Update your choice of PT to ManageBac
Step 4: Write your first interaction of the PPF form to ManageBac. Base your first interaction on
the question "Why did you choose the the topic you chose from the list of six prescribed
titles?" and classroom discussions. Always make a backup of your interaction!
Step 5: Start writing the TOK essay. Remember the following:
- The essay must be written in standard 12 font and double spaced. Maximum length of the essay
is 1600 words.
- There shouldn't be any personal data in the TOK essay (no names and no candidate codes).
- Choose one referencing system (footnotes, Chicago, APA etc.) and use that consistently
throughout the essay.
- Keep your focus on the PT.
- Define the key concepts in the PT and your essay text. In other words, unpack the key terms.
Use the terms to resolve into something. Moreover, use the terms as a part of your overall
argument.
- Think of your TOK essay as a massive argument that resolves into something. The whole
argument should address the PT with different claims and counter-claims, arguments and
counter-arguments and different perspectives.
- Keep the FOCUS narrow, incisive and concise. Aim for interesting and informative analysis.
Avoid superficialisms.
- Do NOT fall into the pithole of epistemic relativism. Although there are obstacles to
knowledge, we know a great deal. The point of TOK is NOT to challenge the basic foundations
of knowledge at any cost. Despite difficulties in knowing, knowledge is REAL!
- TOK essay is comparative in nature. Compare AOKs according to the PT. Use the
KNOWLEDGE FRAMEWORK when covering and comparing AOKs. Keep your FOCUS on
knolwedge with each AOK. If you reference history as an AOK for example, do not state
historical narratives, but explain the nature of knowledge in history as a part of your essay.
- Remember that religion is a difficult topic. Thorough fact check and analysis is required if
religion is covered. Personal experiences are ok as a part of the TOK essay, but those
experiences must be connected to the KNOWLEDGE FRAMEWORK and contextualised. Aim
for wider context with religious knowledge systems.
- Do NOT use dictionary definitions. Use genuine sources with concepts and all other contents.
- Substantiate your claims, but don't reference everything. If you don't use any sources, your
analysis will lack depth. If you reference every phrase in your TOK essay, you don't express
your own thinking. Aim for a balanced approach with sources and your own thinking. Examiners
reward original TOK essays.
- Use the TOK essay assessment instrument to self-assess the state of your TOK essay.
Step 6: Provide a TOK essay plan for your TOK teacher. This plan should contain the initial
ideas in written form. Set of notes are perfectly fine. The plan doesn't have to be a piece of
formal text. Use peer-review as well to get further support.
Step 7: Write your second interaction of the PPF form to ManageBac. Base your second
interaction on the initial exploration and discussions in step 6. The question "How have I
developed my ideas related to the prescribed title I chose?".
Step 8: Upload the first submission of your TOK essay to ManageBac by the deadline provided
by the TOK teachers.
Step 9: Wait for TOK teachers' feedback on your essay. It takes a lot of time to give extensive
feedback to TOK essay. Be patient. You can progress your TOK essay without the the feedback
from the first submission of your TOK essay. After you have received your feedback, finalise
the essay with the help of the feedback and the instructions in step 5.
Step 10: Write the third and final interaction of the PPF form to ManageBac. Base your third and
final interaction on the question "How will I develop my ideas based on the TOK teacher's
feedback?".
Step 11: Upload the final submission of your TOK essay to ManageBac by the deadline
provided by the TOK teachers.
Step 12: Upload the final version of your TOK essay to IBO's eCoursework by the deadline
provided by the TOK teachers. Your job is to upload the essay. TOK teachers will upload the
forms for you.
Step 13: Relax and enjoy life!
Files supporting the TOK essay