TOK Prescribed Essay

1
TOK Prescribed Essay

• How do you write the best one you can?

2
TOK Prescribed Essays - Choosing the right essay
title for you.

• You need to choose the title that speaks to you.
  Consider key issues such as
• - you, as a knower
• - certainty and reliability of knowledge in an
  AOK
• - truth
• - validity
• - context, culture, gender etc..

3
TOK Prescribed Essay

• TOK essays tend to fit into 4 basic or broad
  categories

4
TOK Prescribed Essay

• 1. Titles that focus on a TOK-related term (or
  two), asking for evaluation across AOKs and WOKs.
  
• When mathematicians, historians and scientists
  say that they have explained something, are they
  using the word explain in the same way?
  Explain. (just kidding Mr. H) (Title 1 2006-7)

5
TOK Prescribed Essay

• 2. Titles that focus on an area of knowledge (or
  maybe two) and require comparison or contrast
  btwn AOKs or across WOKs, generally looking at a
  TOK-related term (or two).
• It is often claimed that scientific results
  must be replicable. Is this possible or desirable
  in other areas of knowledge? (Title 2, 2006-7)

6
TOK Prescribed Essay

• 3. Titles that focus upon a way of knowing (or
  maybe two), and require comparison with other
  WOKs or across AOKs, generally looking at a
  TOK-related term (or maybe two).
• Some people say that religious beliefs can be
  neither justified nor refuted by reason to what
  extent is faith a legitimate basis for knowledge
  claims ? (Title 7, 2006-7)

7
TOK Prescribed Essay

• 4. Titles that focus on an example, quote or
  general statement, to be explored by reference to
  AOKs and /or WOKs and /or TOK-related terms.
• There are many different authorities, including
  academics, politicians, global orgs and
  companies, who make knowledge claims. As an
  experienced TOK student, what criteria do you use
  to distinguish btwn knowledge, opinion and
  propaganda? (Title 1, 2005-6)

8
TOK Prescribed Essay

• When choosing a title consider
• 1. What does the title want you to do?
• 2. Do any of the titles link strongly to matters
  that your class covered in depth and detail?
• 3. Do any of the titles suit your style of
  learning?
• 4. Would any of the titles allow you to focus on
  the WOKS that you prefer to use to gain
  knowledge?
• 5. For any of the titles, could you draw on your
  extended essay research, or your CAS activities?
• 6. Would any of the titles allow you to focus on
  activities and projects that interest you outside
  school?

9
TOK Prescribed Essay checklist

• 1. How will you use key terms will you need to
  explain your interpretation of them?
• 2. What is the KI for your essay? How will you
  word it?
• 3. How will you ensure you achieve the tasks
  demanded by the action terms?
• 4. What exactly does the title mean?
• 5. What ambiguity might the title contain?
• 6. If there are any assumptions in the title will
  you agree, demur or question them?

10
TOK Prescribed Essay titles for May 2013

• 1. In what ways may disagreement aid the
  pursuit of knowledge in the natural and human
  sciences?
• 2. Only seeing general patterns can give us
  knowledge. Only seeing particular examples can
  give us understanding. To what extent do you
  agree with these assertions?
• 3. The possession of knowledge carries an
  ethical responsibility. Evaluate this claim.

11
TOK Prescribed Essay titles for May 2013

• 4. The traditional TOK diagram indicates four
  ways of knowing. Propose the inclusion of a fifth
  way of knowing selected from intuition, memory or
  imagination and explore the knowledge issues it
  may raise in two areas of knowledge.
• 5. That which can be asserted without evidence
  can be dismissed without evidence. (Christopher
  Hitchens). Do you agree?
• 6. Can we know when to trust our emotions in the
  pursuit of knowledge? Consider history and one
  other area of knowledge.

12
TOK Prescribed Essay

• So you think you have the right title?
• Produce a 100 200 word written explanation of
  your chosen title for a seven (7) year old child.
  Ensure the meaning of the title in maintained.

13
TOK Prescribed Essay

• Now in groups of 3, explain your chosen title to
  someone who has a very limited understanding of
  English. Use any other form of communication
  other than sophisticated language. Ensure the
  meaning of the title in maintained.

14
TOK Prescribed Essay

• Explain your chosen title in words of only one
  (1) syllable. Ensure the meaning of the title in
  maintained.

15
TOK Prescribed Essay

• Why did you do these strange things?
• Unpacking the title is the most critical facet of
  the essay. Once successfully achieved, everything
  else is just research!

16
TOK Essay Criterion A

• Understanding of KI assesses to what extend your
  essay shows that you understand the KI/s directly
  related to the essay title.
• Show your understanding through your own
  expression and perspectives.
• Use the Introduction to show the marker your
  understanding theyll be looking for it.
• Show Breadth (compare and contrast) and Depth
  (explore and analyse).

17
TOK Essay Criterion B

• Knowers Perspective is central to your whole
  understanding of TOK and critical to your essay.
• 1. Think for yourself dont follow peers,
  teachers or text-books. An original approach is
  gold!
• 2. Link your own life experience as a learner to
  the KIs.
• 3. Be aware of how your pov has been shaped and
  manipulated. Your ability to analyse yourself
  adds originality.
• 4. Consider how there may be multiple
  perspectives and approaches to the KIs.
• 5. Support with authentic examples.
• 6. Convince the marker that only you could have
  written this essay. Use I judiciously.

18
TOK Essay Criterion C

• Quality of analysis of KIs looks at your ability
  to explore with depth, detail and insight.
• 1. What is your major claim?
• 2. How are your arguments joined together?
• 3. How have you presented /or developed counter
  claims?
• 4. Does your essay flow? Have you sign-posted
  with transitions markers dont like surprises!
  If its not in the introduction its not in the
  essay!
• 5. Have you identified implications and
  assumptions made in your essay?

19
TOK Essay Criterion D

• Organisation of ideas does it make sense?
• 1. Answer only the question? Dont blab, dont
  stray.
• 2. Is your essay connected and relevant?
• 3. Have you explained key terms?4. Does your
  introduction offer a clear approach to your
  essay?
• 5. Does your conclusion answer the title? If it
  introduces new material change it!
• 6. Have you been factual?
• 7. Have you referenced EVERYTHING?

20
TOK Essay - Examples

• Read the examples given to you. Dont copy them.
  Every marker has already read them.
• Find 3 examples for your essay from sources other
  than a text book or newspaper.
• Try to use the widest variety of examples that
  you can.