TOK essay format and structure

Is your TOK essay deadline coming up? Do you know how to correctly structure your work? Clastify is here to help! This guide contains our recommendations on formatting and structuring such essays. We base our tips on our extensive experience helping IB students achieve the best marks for their coursework. 

TOK essay format and structure 

A TOK essay should include the following: the introduction, 1st Area of Knowledge, 2nd Area of Knowledge, and the conclusion. The AOK sections should be subdivided and contain both arguments and counterarguments relating to the area under study. The word count cannot exceed 1,600 words.

Introduction

Start your TOK essay with a short introductory section. Here, you'll introduce the prescribed title, clarify essential terms relevant to your investigation, and provide a brief overview of your strategy for addressing the research. Choosing the right prompt from the list of prescribed titles is crucial, so take some time. Don't settle on the easiest title, think of interesting examples to support your analysis and various perspectives that you can include. 
 

This essay is worth taking a look at. 

First Area of Knowledge

In your TOK Essay, you must analyse 2 Areas of Knowledge. Sometimes you have full independence, while in other cases one AOK is already stated. After having chosen the fields that will be subject to your study, move on to their analysis. 

Each Area of Knowledge should be approached from 2 contrary perspectives. Therefore we suggest dividing it into 2 paragraphs. First, state a claim in reference to the chosen prescribed title and use examples from an appropriate subject to support it. Clearly describe what is the relation between the prompt and the example. Next, you are expected to present an opposing view. Again you must base your counterclaim on real-life cases making references to the analysed Area of Knowledge. Finally, balance the presented evidence and briefly conclude your view on the topic in relation to this AOK. 

See here to get a glimpse of the matter. 
 

Second Area of Knowledge

Analogically, you should investigate the second Area of Knowledge in the context of the prescribed research question. Repeat the structure: 

1. first argument - state a claim concerning the title 

2. a real-life example drawn from the AOK - present an example from the analysed field of study that will support your argument 

3. explanation - clearly explain how the described case reflects on the study 

4. second argument (counterargument) - state an argument with a contrary view 

5. a real-life example drawn from the analysed AOK - relate to objects, theories, history, events, or developments from this Area of Knowledge. 

6. explanation - use the example to support the second argument

7. brief summary - present the key takeaways from the analysis 

Check out this exemplar for inspiration. 

 

Check out our free TOK Essay exemplars

View all exemplars on Clastify

Grade received: A

Are we too quick to assume that the most recent evidence is inevitably the strongest? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.

Grade received: A

Present knowledge is wholly dependent on past knowledge.

Grade received: A

“Given that every theory has its limitations, we need to retain a multiplicity of theories to understand the world.” - Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

View hundreds of other TOK Essay exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: A

How can we reconcile the opposing demands for specialization and generalization in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

Grade received: A

TOK Essay: 5. “How can we distinguish between good and bad interpretations? Discuss with reference to the arts and one other area of knowledge”

Grade received: A

Does it matter if our acquisition of knowledge happens in "bubbles" where some information and voices are excluded? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Grade received: A

Is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

View hundreds of other TOK Essay exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: A

Are visual representations always helpful in the communication of knowledge? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics.

Grade received: A

To what extent is the knowledge we produce determined by the methodologies we use? Discuss with reference to history and one area of knowledge.

Grade received: A

For artists and natural scientists, which is more important: what can be explained or what cannot be explained? Discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences.

Grade received: A

Are we too quick to assume that the most recent evidence is inevitably the strongest? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.

Grade received: A

Present knowledge is wholly dependent on past knowledge.

Grade received: A

“Given that every theory has its limitations, we need to retain a multiplicity of theories to understand the world.” - Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

View hundreds of other TOK Essay exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: A

How can we reconcile the opposing demands for specialization and generalization in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

Grade received: A

TOK Essay: 5. “How can we distinguish between good and bad interpretations? Discuss with reference to the arts and one other area of knowledge”

Grade received: A

Does it matter if our acquisition of knowledge happens in "bubbles" where some information and voices are excluded? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Grade received: A

Is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

View hundreds of other TOK Essay exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: A

Are visual representations always helpful in the communication of knowledge? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics.

Grade received: A

To what extent is the knowledge we produce determined by the methodologies we use? Discuss with reference to history and one area of knowledge.

Grade received: A

For artists and natural scientists, which is more important: what can be explained or what cannot be explained? Discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences.

Grade received: A

Are we too quick to assume that the most recent evidence is inevitably the strongest? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.

Grade received: A

Present knowledge is wholly dependent on past knowledge.

Grade received: A

“Given that every theory has its limitations, we need to retain a multiplicity of theories to understand the world.” - Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Conclusion

After having presented the various perspectives on the topic, summarize your view in the conclusion. In this section, you'll conclude your investigation and respond to the research question. Highlight the key findings. You should also emphasize the importance of investigating this subject and suggest potential avenues for expanding upon your research.

This essay has a good conclusion. 
 
 

TOK Essay Tips

Remember about the maximum word count and proper allocation of words between the sections. We recommend the following distribution to write a balanced essay: 

• Introduction - around 150 words 

• First Area of Knowledge - 2 x 300 words 

• Second Area of Knowledge - 2 x 300 words 

• Conclusion - around 250 words 

Also, keep in mind the assessment criteria: 

• Throughout the entire essay keep focus on the title and make strong connections to the Areas of Knowledge. 

• Make sure to acknowledge different perspectives while examining the 2 AOKs. 

• Keep the essay critical and argumentative. 

• Maintain a logical structure. 

• The arguments should be logical and well-supported with concrete examples.

• Provide justifications and explanations where necessary. 

• Evaluate your findings and form mini-conclusions. 

• Properly acknowledge the sources and include in-text citations. 

   

We are hoping that you are now one step closer to writing a perfect TOK Essay! 

If you are looking for examples to use for references in the writing process, you must check out the variety of free TOK Essays available on Clastify. We also recommend visiting our blog for more guides and tips regarding completing a high-scoring IB coursework.