Appreciating the aspects of a

TOK Essay

The TOK Essay just like any other essay must follow this structure:

1. INTRODUCTION

2. MAIN BODY OF PARAGRAPHS / ARGUMENTS

3. CONCLUSION

ESSAY STRUCTURE

1. INTRODUCTION

a) Does the essay try to get the readers attention?

Provide definitions (not dictionary) or

Begin with something surprising or puzzling (e.g. paradox, anecdote etc) which is relevant to the topic.

b) Does the essay try to explain what we understand by the question (i.e. asking what is the topic question asking us to do)?

reformulating it in student's own words (but not changing its meaning)

indicating key terms that are unclear or ambiguous

suggesting why the question is interesting or important.

What do we think we know (=believe to be true) and want to determine and evaluate its validity?

c) Does the essay briefly outline the plan to tackle the topic question?

Setting the parameters of the essay (which AoKs / WoKs you will cover / wont cover).

Setting out the main knowledge questions for each section/paragraph.

Which perspectives/ theories / approaches will be discussed?

Announcing Response / Thesis (= What does the student want to show by the end of the discussion )

2. MAIN BODY OF ARGUMENTS IN PARAGRAPHS

a) Where is the analysis & discussion through argument/claim and counter-argument/claim?

Discussing the strengths (=arguments) and the weaknesses (=counter-arguments) of the response when applying a particular perspective/theory/ approach.

b) Which are the examples?

Providing an example for each argument.(keep in mind that an example illustrates but doesnt prove. It rather makes our thoughts more clear)

c) What are the implications and assumptions?

Implications involve applying the arguments and counter-arguments to another AOK/WOK.

Assumptions involve spotting the differences between different AOKs/WOKs.

3. CONCLUSION

a) Is there a summary of arguments?

Rather than repeating what you has already been said, are there new ways of formulating the key aspects of the response?

b) Are unresolved issues or broader implications of the arguments mentioned?

c) Is there a sense of closure?

Think in particular about the final sentence: a striking and well-crafted last sentence acts as an effective full stop and helps to give your reader a positive overall impression of the essay.