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Ten Tips on Writing a Good Theory of Knowledge Essay (2)

by Ric Simms

While there is no standard formula for approaching a TOK essay the following advice may well be helpful.
  1. Familiarize yourself with the Assessment Criteria:

    Read the criteria and understand what is meant by the paragraphs at the top of each.

  2. Find a 'Knowledge Issue' in the Title:

    Pick a title from the list and find 3 examples which illustrate a Knowledge Issue or "controversy" in the Title. Quite often knowledge Issues deal in uncertainty. For example the evidence for a Knowledge Claim might leave open the possibility that the claim may be false. Or there may be a problem of induction or justification. There might be questions of subjectivity and objectivity that have to be addressed. These Knowledge Issues and "controversies" form the centre of a TOK essay.

    If you don't think that the title suggests anything problematic or controversial about 'knowledge' then perhaps you should look at a different Title.

  3. Brainstorm and plan the essay before writing it:

    A use model to use here might be:

    1. Brainstorm Knowledge Issues - draw a 'mind map';
    2. Find examples that illustrate the Knowledge Issues and "controversies" - try to use real examples if possible;
    3. Identify important concepts to introduce in order to understand these examples - don't use dictionary definitions. Illustrate your definitions with (short) examples;
    4. Identify two (or more) supporting and conflicting sides to the controversy or positions regarding the Knowledge Issues. What are the key concepts needed to understand the issue?;
    5. Find arguments that support each position or side to the controversy. What are the assumptions on which these arguments are based?;
    6. Evaluate these arguments (look for their strengths and weaknesses);
    7. Write an essay plan: (plan what you want to say in each paragraph, an essay should have (at least) an introduction, a body and a conclusion);
    8. Write the essay.
  4. Clarity:

    Try to think clearly and write clearly. Try to avoid using complicated language if you can. TOK Examiners like 'precise language' - so make it crystal clear what you mean when you use a term. Make sure that key words such as 'subjective', 'belief or 'emotion' are illustrated by small examples to help the Examiner understand what you mean. Try to develop an 'abstract' for your essay. A short summary of your argument (one paragraph, say) on a separate sheet will help you keep track of your thinking. You might want to change the abstract as you progress in your thinking.

  1. Knowledge Issues:

    Make sure that your essay is always focused on the Knowledge Issues you have identified in the Essay Title. Every paragraph should contain a link back to the question or the Knowledge Issues you identified in the introduction.

  2. Areas of Knowledge:

    Many TOK titles refer to different Areas of Knowledge such as the Natural Sciences or Mathematics. Make sure that any discussion of these Areas of Knowledge answers the question - "What is special about say Mathematics that is not special about the other disciplines?"

    It should not be possible to substitute another Area of Knowledge in a statement you have made and still get a true statement. For example if you have written about Mathematics it should not be possible to substitute "The Arts" and still get true statements.

  3. Examples:

    Try to use real examples wherever possible. Good sources of examples can be found in your school subjects, your own life, or topical issues in Magazines or Newspapers or on the Internet. Try to ensure that your examples are taken from a variety of sources and do not make implicit cultural assumptions. Make sure that you tell the reader what the example is supposed to illustrate. What is it an example of?

  4. What to put in the Introduction:

    Make sure the key concepts you use are discussed in the introduction along with a statement of the Knowledge Issues and a brief statement of your position. You should give the reader some helpful signposts here about how you will deal with the issues raised in the Title.

  5. What to put in the Body of the Essay:

    The arguments and main examples should appear in the body of the essay. Here you should give some detailed support for your position. Then there should be some anticipation of possible weaknesses in, or objections to, your position.

  6. What to put in the Conclusion:

    The conclusion should state an evaluation of the arguments presented and the implications of this. There should be an answer to the question "So what?" For example you could end with a 'forward looking view'.

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Things to Avoid

  1. Meaningless Statements: such as "Since the dawn of time man has been obsessed with knowledge". The essay does not need a romantic lead-in so you should start it straight away. Like a film the first paragraph should be packed with TOK Action.
  2. Gross Unsubstantiated Generalizations: such as "Americans see wealth itself as a moral good". Be very careful with the use of the word all. Check carefully what it is you want to say. Ask yourself whether it is necessary for your essay to make such a sweeping statement?
  3. Pseudo-examples: These are fictional examples usually based on stereotyping - "An Israeli would regard the Defensive Wall as necessary while a Palestinian would see it as an infringement of his basic human liberties". Rather than relying on fiction, try and find a statement made by a real Israeli and a real Palestinian.

    Worse are examples which typecast Areas of Knowledge, such as "A scientist would look at the statue and try to work out the forces in it while an artist would react emotionally to it" or "All scientists are atheists and religious believers highly emotional and prone to superstition".

    The reaction of most examiners reading these lines is to write in red pen: "Would they?" and knock off some points under Criteria A, B or C or combinations of these depending on the context.
  1. Dictionary Definitions: These are usually not at all helpful in clarifying TOK concepts. These are best dealt with in your own terms. It is better for you to explain what you understand as 'knowledge' as opposed to 'belief', 'subjective' versus 'objective', 'inference' as opposed to 'deduction'?

    On the whole avoid being 'bogged down' by definitions. If one had to define Art before writing any essay on it then one would hardly get anywhere at all.

  2. Avoid Taking Examples from Textbooks or Quoting Philosophers: Textbooks used in a authoritative way, without and critical evaluation, often lead to poor TOK essays. The examiners are interested in what you have to say not the author of a textbook or a Philosopher. If you use a textbook or quote a Philosopher make sure you stand back and look critically at what is said. Do you agree with the author or philosopher - if yes, why? - and if not, why not?

    If possible, always include your own counter arguments to quotes which are taken to support the Essay Title.

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Ric Simms is a Chief Examiner of Theory of Knowledge for the International Baccalaureate Organization.

The above advice was originally published at a TOK Conference in Munich, 2006.