STRUCTURING THE TOK
ESSAY
● Here’s one way of structuring your TOK essay.
● Note that there are other ways of doing it, and some essay titles don’t specify a limit of two
areas of knowledge, so make sure you consult with your teacher extensively
● Make the most of the three interactions to create an effective essay
INTRODUCTION
1. A ‘hook’ to grab the attention of your readers - this could be an engaging, interesting,
intriguing opening, like a quote or a key idea or theory.
2. Explain the key words and ideas of the title, and how you will interpret them .
3. Outline the scope of your essay - ie the AOKs you will focus on. Usually, TOK essays ask
you to look at 2 different areas of knowledge.
The introduction of your TOK essay is massively important! If tricky terms in the title are not defined,
or the scope of the essay not properly explained, your essay will always struggle to make sense.
DISCUSSION 1a (argument)
● Outline your first claim or argument in your opening sentence. The context for this should
be an area of knowledge, which you should clearly identify.
● Your argument should be based VERY CLOSELY on the title - for example, supporting an
assertion or quote it includes, and considering why it is valid.
● Discuss this argument in general terms first, without specific examples.
● If you can, mention the ideas of a key thinker.
● Support what you are saying by referring to one or two real-life situations. These can be
from your own experiences, or things you have read about.
DISCUSSION 1b (counter-argument)
● Outline an alternative point of view, or counterargument, to your argument.
● This may involve considering the limitations of the assertion in the title, or disagreeing with
it.
● Offer an analysis and justification in a similar way to your argument, again including real-life
situations, and, if you can, the idea of a key thinker.
INTERLINKING AOKS
● Link the second AOK to the first AOK, by comparing and contrasting how they both relate to
the question.
DISCUSSION 2a (argument)
● State your second claim or argument. This will probably be similar to your first argument,
but now in the context of your second AOK.
● Discuss this claim in general terms first, without specific examples. Again, the idea of a key
thinker would be good to include here.
● Support what you are saying by referring to one or two real-life situations. These can be
from your own experiences, or things you have read about.
DISCUSSION 2b (counter-argument)
● Outline an alternative point of view, or counterargument, to your argument.
● This may involve considering the limitations of the assertion in the title, or disagreeing with
it.
● Offer an analysis and justification in a similar way to your argument, again including real-life
situations, and, if you can, the idea of a key thinker.
CONCLUSION
● Restate the key points of your essay, and answer the question directly.
● Don’t sit on the fence - have a position on what you’re exploring.
● Try to tell your reader something they didn’t already know.
● A conclusion can often be improved by drawing on a quote from a relevant thinker.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Only include books, magazines, webpages, etc. that you have used directly. There’s no mandatory
format, but be consistent and clear, and arrange publications in alphabetical order and source type.
In the age of ChatGPT, the bibliography has never been so crucial!
Characteristics of effective and ineffective essays
Highlight in different colors which of these aspects are effective, and which are ineffective.
1. Shows an awareness of his or her own perspective as a knower in relation to other
perspectives
2. Lots of generalizations
3. RLSs chosen because of suitability rather than interest
4. Arguments in the essay are fully justified
5. Clear and coherent arguments
6. Examples are fresh, original, and specific
7. Not enough personal thoughts and opinions
8. Misunderstandings about the nature of the AOKs - for example, confusing ‘history’ with ‘the
past’, or treating the arts purely in terms of artistic techniques
