6 steps to a really good TOK essay

• Modified from Eileen Dombrowski

Step one

Choose a title from the list

Do not instantly seize upon a title that sounds appealing and plunge into it

headlong.

Which one allows you todemonstrate best your understanding of

ToK issues and your own critical skills?

What are the key words or concepts?

Are you clear about what they mean?

Give these words some thought.

Check your notes to clarify.

What are the key words or concepts?

Are you clear about what they mean?

Give these words some thought.

Check your notes to clarify.

Put the title into your own words to make sureyou understand what is being asked.

Step two

Read the Instructions and the Assessment Criteria

Read the general instructions for the essay. AND read the essay title you've chosen: what are

the key words?

Read the assessment criteria – focus on the top band!

Step three

Gather your ideas

Read your title and start to identify the knowledge issues it raises.

Which Areas of Knowledge and Ways of Knowing are relevant here?

Give it some personal thought

Step four

Organise your ideas

Put your notes in related groups and then start to put them into some sort of order.

E.g.Introduction

Argument/counter argumentstrengths/weaknesscomparisons of AOK

ExamplesConclusion

There is no set formula but it must fulfill the criteria

Step five

Write the essay!

Keep your notes in front of you.

Keep it relevant.

Do not use clichéd examples.

Do not use dictionary definitions.

Make sure you understand what you have written.

Check your facts.

Identify your sources.

Read it out loud.

Step six

Hand it in and celebrate!