TOPIC Number

Question Title
DATE

Name: First name Family name (IB ID Number)

School: School name
Words: Add word count that must be 1200 1600

Your Name (001111-111)May 2013 TOK Essay

Use this as a template for your essay, if you wish. In the introduction you should
mention assumption(s) of the topic. Challenge them as this shows you are thinking
critically and independently. Write a thesis statement or mention which issues you
will explore and provide a short overview of which ideas you will discuss in your
essay. Avoid dictionary definitions; rather focus immediately to knowledge issues
(some which you have identified by challenging the assumptions of the topic).

Remember to leave a space between each paragraph. In this paragraph take an

example from an area of knowledge (if relevant; please note this COULD refer to
Way of Knowing too). Show how it supports your thesis. Discuss an area of
knowledge but make it specific. Instead of talking about science in general, talk about
a particular scientific theory or discovery. Remember to discuss counter-arguments
i.e. what in what way this example may not provide comprehensive support to your
argument.

In this paragraph take an example from another area of knowledge, and do the same
as above.

In this paragraph discuss some of your personal experience and how they link to the
topic. Try to keep personal voice throughout the essay.

In next few paragraphs discuss how some ways of knowing (perception, reason,
language, emotion) are linked to your topic. Tell how these ways of knowing affect
what kind of knowledge we gain and reliability of knowledge.

Your Name (001111-111)May 2013 TOK Essay

Remember to consider counter arguments. Do not only try to prove your thesis by
providing supporting evidence but also discuss also conflicting evidence and
arguments against your thesis.

Add some personal reflection. Show how in course of answering the question you
have become more aware of your own biases and limitations as a knower.

Use interesting and topical examples relevant to the topic. You may have to do some
research to find these. Ask your teacher, consult the TOK textbook, visit the library,
search the Internet, search the BBC websites and buy popular science and current
affairs magazines and watch relevant TED talks. Or, use my favorite, RADIOLAB.

Add in-text referencing or footnotes. When you mention an idea from some source,
write the sentence first and then after that put your reference in brackets before the
full stop, like this (Smith, J., 1995: 25). This style of referencing is called the Harvard
style. If your school uses some other style of referencing, for example the Oxford
style that requires footnotes, you can generate them in Word by clicking Insert,
Reference, Footnote and you get a footnote like this.1

As you are writing the essay, keep the assessment criteria visible. You are writing
towards the assessment criteria to maximize your grade. Use the terminology used in
the assessment criteria in your essay: talk about ways of knowing, areas of
knowledge, knowledge issues, self-awareness, reflection, justification,
evidence, counterclaims and concepts.
1Richard van de Lagemaat, Theory of Knowledge for IB Diploma, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, 2005, p. 25. (This is an example of an Oxford style footnote, use point 10 font size, and
line spacing 1)
3

Your Name (001111-111)May 2013 TOK Essay

In conclusion, refer back to the essay question and provide a short answer to it. Refer
to the arguments and evidence you have mentioned in your essay. Shortly mention
what are the strengths and limitations of your argument and pose open questions.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, J. 1995, What is Knowledge, Oxford University Press, London.
van de Lagemaat, R. 2005, Theory of Knowledge for IB Diploma, Cambridge University
Press, London.
[This is the Harvard style bibliography. Remember it has to be in the alphabetical order]