Practice ToK Essay – A checklist
1. When choosing which essay;
 Listen to your teachers advice
2. Pay attention to the criteria;
Criteria A: Understanding Knowledge Issues (10)
 3 Areas of Knowledge and 2 Ways of Knowing or vice versa
 Perception does not = opinion
 Compare and contrast As of K and Ws of K
Criteria B: Knower’s Perspective (10)
 Your experience as a learner
 Detailed discussion
 Valid arguments
 Main points are justified
 Biases in knowledge
Examples
 No name dropping
 From your own experience as well as researched ones, although this is not a
research paper
 Developed egs but not dominating the essay
 No fictitious Historians etc
 Avoid Hitler and 23 types of snow – ie try to be original
 From differing cultures
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Criteria C: Quality of analysis of knowledge issues (10)
 Uncertainties in knowledge
 Limitations and strengths of knowledge
 What are the problems with the ways in which knowledge is verified (tested)
 Counter claims recognized and discussed
 Implications of main points recognized
Criteria D: Organization of ideas (10)
 Word count 1200-1600 or you can’t score more than 4 on this criteria
 Introduction, paragraphs and conclusion
 Clearly written
 Logical arguments
 Clear definitions of concepts
 When in doubt reference – and do it properly
 Bibliography
 Don’t get basic facts wrong eg Newton’s Big Bang Theory
 Do not use our names as references
3. Presentation
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Title, name, candidate number, word count,
Hard copy to your teacher by………………………………..
Submit to Turnitin.com
4. Introducing your essay – do’s and don’ts
DO
DON’T’S
Identify the knowledge issues
Repeat the title
Briefly discuss the knowledge issues and
state their implications
Say ‘in this essay I will..’
Define any difficult terms in your own words
or using a philosophical dictionary
Use a regular dictionary
Use a quotation which is relevant to the Knowledge
Issue
Use an irrelevant quotation
Do use an example as a starting point
5. The main body of your essay – some general advice
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Structure your essay in a way which makes it possible to compare and contrast
the Ws of K
Make sure you consistently refer to problems and strengths of knowledge
Implications for knowledge must be mentioned regularly
Don’t be too absolute in your views - don’t forget counter claims
Be aware of your personal biases and be willing to accept there are counter
claims to these too
Don’t be tempted to take the ‘it’s all down to your upbringing/culture/religion’
point of view. If it were, then all Christians, for example, would think the same and
they certainly don’t!
Perception does NOT equal opinion. For ToK it means sensing and interpretation
of what is sensed
Make sure your essay flows
Ensure your arguments are logical, the use of the word ‘therefore’ means
something logically follows and should not be used when it is only loosely
connected to the premise in an attempt to sound intellectual!!
6. Concluding your essay – do’s and don’t’s
DO’s
DON’T’s
Be consistent with your main arguments
Suddenly remember your
counter claims
Be original
Repeat your introduction
Use an example or quotation
Answer the question
Ask a connected question