The TOK essay is an imperative component of the TOK assessment that a student needs to complete to pursue an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The IB TOK Essay is one of the two components of the TOK assessment. A student is expected to write a 1600-word essay on any of the specific topics given by IB. While the task on the outer surface may seem easy, it’s a lot of work. TOK, or Theory of Knowledge, seeks to delve into the various aspects of knowledge. The way it is acquired, its presentation, and its dispersal, you can’t simply copy and paste the contents from the internet. First-hand research on the practical application of theoretical concepts must be put into the essay. It can then be supported by further evidence based on the secondary data. The research must have practical implications and may aim to provide a critical analysis.
Every student has a specific way of writing an essay, and it may or may not be the same as the others. There’s no best way to make the essay stellar or to attain good grades. The style of presentation and research will differ from one student to another. However, through this article, we will provide some tips that can help you write a stellar TOK essay:
- Grasp the concept well:
The first and foremost thing is to understand the concept of the given topic well. If a student strides into ambiguity, they are bound to suffer. There should be zero ambiguity in the research. You must be aware of what is being asked specifically and then work on your way to present the data critically and analytically.
Now, the key to grasping the concept well lies in understanding it from various viewpoints and then focusing on what feels closer to your own research area.
- Go with a definitive knowledge question:
You can pick a specific knowledge question from the list by IB, or you can make your own research question if the area of research is too wide and no specific question pertains to specific research. - Do the SWOT analysis:
SWOT refers to strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. You must do the SWOT analysis in order to find out the areas where more research is required. This helps in not wasting time in areas where data is already available. The opportunity lies in creating your unique perspective on the knowledge idea and building your thesis around it.
It is evidently said that failing to plan is planning to fail. If one doesn’t plan properly, one is bound to fail. So, the key is to plan your research well. Keep adequate timelines within which you can accomplish your project. Follow the deadlines. Remember that the entire essay can’t be written in a day, and nothing will work if one doesn’t pay enough attention to the details. So, be specific with what you need to study and when you need to do it in order to make your research wholesome.
- Structure your essay well:
You can’t just put anything anywhere. Your essay must be structured. Now, what does a structured essay look like? - Begins with a concise and clear introduction of the topic.
- It is supported by thorough research evidence and clear experimentation.
- The essay must be composed of specific paragraphs that contain information related to specific concepts. An essay must be supported by thorough research.
- Present your findings in the context of the various criticisms available. This makes the essay complete, as it is supported by enough data to bring the findings into place.
- Perspectives should be multi-dimensional:
One should not be stubborn enough to stick to a single perspective. The perspective should be multi-dimensional and involve various arguments, and the essay should seek to answer them positively. This multi-dimensional approach helps bring more clarity to the research and makes the Theory of Knowledge essay complete. - Focus on the dialect and vocabulary:
Don’t make your essay too hard to read. If you are going to use exotic semantics, then your essay is going to definitely stray away from the main topic. Choose a good vocabulary that intensively explains and does not just sugarcoat your essay with fancy words. The vocabulary and dialect are bound to have a great impact on the quality of your essay. You must make your essay complete and thorough by including a good vocabulary. - Don’t forget the word count:
Your essay should never exceed the maximum limit of 1600 words. It should be the perfect balance, neither more nor less. - Be critical:
Without feedback, your essay is hard to be highly polished. Make sure to receive the criticism effectively, and then submit your essay.
So, you, as a student, definitely have a personal perspective while writing the essay, but these are common guidelines that, if followed, can make your work easier to do.
