Use real-life examples to support the claims and counterclaims. These examples need to be documented researched examples like studies, experiments, articles, presentations by well-known people, etc.
The TOK essay requires to investigate two Areas of Knowledge (AOK) and Ways of Knowing (WOK).
Areas of Knowledge (AOKs): TOK distinguishes between eight areas of knowledge. They are mathematics, the natural sciences, the human sciences, the arts, history, ethics, religious knowledge systems, and indigenous knowledge systems. It is suggested that students study and explore six of these eight.
Ways of knowing (WOKs): TOK identifies eight specific WOKs- language, sense perception, emotion, reason, imagination, faith, intuition, and memory. It is suggested that studying four of these eight in-depth would be appropriate. WOKs underlie the methodology of the areas of knowledge and provide a basis for personal knowledge.
AOKs and WOKs are investigated via questions such as:
- How do we know what we know? (WOK)
- What counts as evidence for X? (AOK)
- How do we judge which is the best model of Y? (WOK)
- What does theory Z mean in the real world? (AOK + WOK)
Essay will consist of 4 broad segregations ( do not write these as the names of the paragraphs)
- Introduction ( When choosing areas of knowledge (AoK) and ways of knowing (WoK) make sure that you are able to draw contrasts and comparisons, that is, you are able to find evidence that supports as well as challenges your claims.
- Identify key terms in TOK essay title. Make sure you define them. This essay will gravitate around them. Key terms/words in the titles are the essay anchors. The response should be built around them.
- Body ( Body (1st Segment)
- AoK Claim: Here investigate the first Area of Knowledge and draw parallels between AoK and the question. This is done by stating the claim. Claims can be general in nature and need not reference a particular area of knowledge. They help shape the essay and investigate the question further.
- Evidence: Example of a real-life situation, describe thoroughly and accurately, which supports the stated claim. (AoK)
- Counter-Claim: State the counter-claim: like claims, those can be general and need not reference a particular area of knowledge. Counterclaim helps to show the other side the coin and gives the essay a holistic nature.
- Evidence: A referenced real-life situation/example. Describe thoroughly and accurately, show how this supports your counterclaim (AoK ).
- Don’t forget to weave in your WoKs: You need to take into account the source o the knowledge. Here you can also investigate if your nature of acquiring the knowledge has, in any way, affected it.
- Mini-conclusion: Here analyze examples in reference to claims and counterclaims. You must connect to the thesis statement and the prescribed title. How doesthe proposed argument, in this particular part of the body, connect to the prescribed title and the knowledge questions you are trying to answer?
Body (2): Follow the above process for your second AOK.
Body (3)
- Use this part of your essay to compare and contrast varying AoKs. You need to connect them to thesis and essay question clearly showing how arguments respond to the PT.
- Conclusion (Your conclusion section will make the essay come together. It is the glue that will make essay stick together. Herein, you need to
- Reiterate thesis (initial response).
- Use mini conclusions to write a final conclusion.
- Tell the reader what the significance is for knowing what we know in this particular PT.
- Discuss implications as well.
- Offer another perspective, how will the perspective of a different person affect the claims/counterclaims you make in the essay?
- Don’t forget to make the end strong.
- Bibliography
For a maximum of points:
- The essay begins by introducing the title and clarifying key terms relevant to the investigation
- Throughout the entire body, the essay maintains focus on the title and makes strong connections to the Areas of Knowledge.
- Two Areas of Knowledge are examined. Different viewpoints are presented and assessed with clarity .
- The essay is critical and argumentative.
- The arguments are logical and well-supported with concrete examples. Their implications are considered
- There are elements of evaluation throughout the essay.
- The essay has a logical structure consisting of the introduction, main body (analysing 2 AOKs), and conclusion
- The research is insightful and convincing.
- There are in-text citations and the external sources are properly acknowledged
- The work fits within the word limit of 1600 words