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TOK Prescribed Essay

TOK Prescribed Essay. How do you write the best one you can?. TOK Prescribed Essays - Choosing the right essay title for you. You need to choose the title that speaks to you . Consider key issues such as: - you, as a knower - certainty and reliability of knowledge in an AOK - truth

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TOK Prescribed Essay

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  1. TOK Prescribed Essay How do you write the best one you can?

  2. TOK Prescribed Essays - Choosing the right essay title for you. You need to choose the title that speaks to you. Consider key issues such as: - you, as a knower - certainty and reliability of knowledge in an AOK - truth - validity - context, culture, gender etc..

  3. TOK Prescribed Essay TOK essays tend to fit into 4 basic or broad categories:

  4. TOK Prescribed Essay 1. Titles that focus on a TOK-related term (or two), asking for evaluation across AOKs and WOKs. “When mathematicians, historians and scientists say that they have explained something, are they using the word ‘explain’ in the same way?” Explain. (just kidding Mr. H) (Title 1 2006-7)

  5. TOK Prescribed Essay • 2. Titles that focus on an area of knowledge (or maybe two) and require comparison or contrast between AOKs or across WOKs, generally looking at a TOK-related term (or two). • “ It is often claimed that scientific results must be replicable. Is this possible or desirable in other areas of knowledge?” (Title 2, 2006-7)

  6. TOK Prescribed Essay 3. Titles that focus upon a way of knowing (or maybe two), and require comparison with other WOKs or across AOKs, generally looking at a TOK-related term (or maybe two). “Some people say that religious beliefs can be neither justified nor refuted by reason … to what extent is faith a legitimate basis for knowledge claims …? (Title 7, 2006-7)

  7. TOK Prescribed Essay 4. Titles that focus on an example, quote or general statement, to be explored by reference to AOKs and /or WOKs and /or TOK-related terms. “ There are many different authorities, including academics, politicians, global orgs and companies, who make knowledge claims. As an experienced TOK student, what criteria do you use to distinguish btwn knowledge, opinion and propaganda?” (Title 1, 2005-6)

  8. TOK Prescribed Essay When choosing a title consider: 1. What does the title want you to do? 2. Do any of the titles link strongly to matters that your class covered in depth and detail? 3. Do any of the titles suit your style of learning? 4. Would any of the titles allow you to focus on the WOKS that you prefer to use to gain knowledge? 5. For any of the titles, could you draw on your extended essay research, or your CAS activities? 6. Would any of the titles allow you to focus on activities and projects that interest you outside school?

  9. TOK Prescribed Essay –checklist 1. How will you use key terms – will you need to explain your interpretation of them? 2. What is/are the Knowledge Issues for your essay? How will you word it/them? 3. How will you ensure you achieve the tasks demanded by the action terms? 4. What exactly does the title mean? 5. What ambiguity might the title contain? 6. If there are any assumptions in the title will you agree, demur or question them?

  10. TOK Prescribed Essay titles for May 2014 • 1. Ethical judgments limit the methods available in the production of knowledge in both the arts and the natural sciences. Discuss. • 2. “When the only tool you have is a hammer, all problems begin to resemble nails.” (Abraham Maslow). How might this apply to ways of knowing, as tools, in the pursuit of knowledge? • 3. “Knowledge is nothing more than the systematic organisation of facts.” Discuss this statement in relation to areas of knowledge.

  11. TOK Prescribed Essay titles for May 2013 4. That which is accepted as knowledge today is sometimes discarded tomorrow.” Consider knowledge issues raised by this statement in two areas of knowledge . 5. ‘The historians task is to understand the past; the human scientist, by contrast, is looking to change the future.” To what extent is this true in these areas of knowledge? 6. “A skeptic is one who is willing to question any knowledge claim, asking for clarity in definition, consistency in logic and adequacy of evidence” (adapted from Paul Kurtz, 1994). Evaluate this approach in two areas of knowledge.

  12. TOK Prescribed Essay So you think you have the right title? Produce a 100 – 200 word written explanation of your chosen title for a seven (7) year old child. Ensure the meaning of the title in maintained.

  13. TOK Prescribed Essay Now in groups of 3, explain your chosen title to someone who has a very limited understanding of English. Use any other form of communication other than sophisticated language. Ensure the meaning of the title in maintained.

  14. TOK Prescribed Essay Explain your chosen title in words of only one (1) syllable. Ensure the meaning of the title in maintained.

  15. TOK Prescribed Essay Why did you do these strange things? Unpacking the title is the most critical facet of the essay. Once successfully achieved, everything else is just research!

  16. TOK Essay – Criterion A Understanding of Knowledge Issues assesses to what extend your essay shows that you understand the KI/s directly related to the essay title. Show your understanding through your own expression and perspectives. Use the Introduction to show the marker your understanding – they’ll be looking for it. Show Breadth (compare and contrast) and Depth (explore and analyse).

  17. TOK Essay – Criterion B Knower’s Perspective is central to your whole understanding of TOK and critical to your essay. 1. Think for yourself – don’t follow peers, teachers or text-books. An original approach is gold! 2. Link your own life experience as a learner to the KIs. 3. Be aware of how your pov has been shaped and manipulated. Your ability to analyse yourself adds originality. 4. Consider how there may be multiple perspectives and approaches to the KIs. 5. Support with authentic examples. 6. Convince the marker that only you could have written this essay. Use ‘I’ judiciously.

  18. TOK Essay – Criterion C Quality of analysis of Knowledge Issues looks at your ability to explore with depth, detail and insight. 1. What is your major claim? 2. How are your arguments joined together? 3. How have you presented &/or developed counter claims? 4. Does your essay flow? Have you sign-posted with transitions – markers don’t like surprises! If it’s not in the introduction – it’s not in the essay! 5. Have you identified implications and assumptions made in your essay?

  19. TOK Essay – Criterion D Organisation of ideas – does it make sense? 1. Answer only the question? Don’t blab, don’t stray. 2. Is your essay connected and relevant? 3. Have you explained key terms?4. Does your introduction offer a clear approach to your essay? 5. Does your conclusion ‘answer’ the title? If it introduces new material – change it! 6. Have you been factual? 7. Have you referenced EVERYTHING?

  20. TOK Essay - Examples Read the examples given to you. Don’t copy them. Every marker has already read them. Find 3- 5 examples for your essay from sources other than a text book or newspaper. Try to use the widest variety of examples that you can. Remember, I recommend one which is personal to you, (or known by you or close person); one which relates to your IB experience; one which puts YOU where you are – a female Italian, living in Venezuela, for example…. And then any one or two which may be contemporary or historical……

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