Acing The TOK Exhibition and Essay

The one course that every IB student takes is Theory of Knowledge (TOK). This is something unique to the IB. You will get to study knowledge itself—what it is, and how it is produced and acquired. The TOK course is assessed through an exhibition and an essay. 

With the new syllabus being launched in August 2020, it has been quite the roller coaster for students who have chosen the TOK (Theory Of Knowledge) Diploma Program. The most significant addition is undoubtedly the TOK Exhibition. The TOK Exhibition, which has replaced the earlier Presentation Assessment, examines how TOK appears in our surroundings. The TOK Exhibition was introduced by the IB to encourage students to connect their classroom learning to real-world applications.

Let’s take a look at how you can ace both of them. 

TOK Exhibition:

The exhibition counts as an individual project that makes up 33% of your overall Theory of Knowledge grade. Basically, you are required to pick one of 35 predetermined questions, respond to it, and support your response with three objects. 

Two sections make up the exhibition. The first section is the display and presentation itself. This component is handled differently by each school. The second component, which is the 950-word written analysis counts for your final IB grade.

Tips to ace your TOK Exhibition:

• Choose your IA Prompt wisely: You will have 35 IA prompts to select from in 2022, so it’s critical that you choose one before moving on to the others. There are 35 possible topics on the list, so it shouldn’t be difficult to decide which one to focus on while writing your Exhibition remark. Picking an IA prompt at random is not advised. Instead, take some time to look over the complete list of questions before choosing the one you want to focus on.

• Be clear with your choice of objects: Prior to beginning your TOK exhibition commentary, you must carefully select your artifacts as well as an IA prompt to examine. Three items must be chosen for your exhibition. The items you select must also have connections to one another and relate to the IA prompt. The object you select for your show must not only exist inside a specific place and time but also be specific in kind in addition to having a real-world context.

• Be authentic with your research: Plagiarism is taken seriously in IB, therefore it is very crucial to conduct original research. If anything, the research serves as the foundation for your TOK remark writing. Gather as much information as you can by looking for the appropriate sources. Additionally, create a research outline for an exhibit to make it easier and organized.

• Make sure your commentary is thorough: If you adhere to the guidelines, writing a commentary is not difficult. The most crucial point is that it shouldn’t be longer than 950 words. You shouldn’t waste your time writing more than the recommended word count because TOK professors will simply dismiss it. 

• Ask your teacher for advice: If you run into trouble, don’t be afraid to seek assistance from your TOK teacher. Ask your teacher for clarification if you feel that some ideas aren’t clear, if you need additional information on your TOK Exhibition IA prompt, or if you’re unsure of whether you selected the proper items for the exhibition. They ought to guide you in the appropriate path so that you can succeed and score the high marks you aim to achieve.
• Don’t procrastinate: It’s rather dangerous. There is never a bad time to begin working on your TOK Exhibition or essay, for that matter. Despite the odd figures, starting late is the main reason why many IB students don’t achieve the highest grades. Keep in mind that there are numerous components to the TOK display. 

Some of them are: 

1. Select an IA question 
2. Picking three things that have context in the real world 
3. Conducting research 
4. Before submitting, write a 950-word remark and proofread your work. 

Additionally, the 1,200-word TOK essay is also required, so starting early is the only way to finish your task on time.

TOK Essay:

Theory of knowledge (TOK) is additionally assessed through a 1,600 word essay. It asks students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. The TOK essay is an external component that carries 67% weightage. The student is required to answer one of the six pre-released Tok essay titles. 

Tips to ace your TOK Essay:

• Familiarize yourself with the AOKs and WOKs: It is crucial to have a fundamental understanding of WOKs and AOKs since they enable you to identify the knowledge claim in your inquiry. In your essay, you should try to use 2-3 WOKs and AOKs. Review all of your notes to make sure you can see the connections that are important and to make sure they contain both fascinating assertions and counterclaims.

• Choose your title wisely: Break down each title on offer and see if you feel you have enough interest to be able to approach the question with the detail required. 

• Understand and use TOK specific terminology: A successful TOK essay depends on having a firm grasp of the extensive vocabulary and its definitions. Using TOK-specific lingo increases your likelihood of achieving a higher grade.

• Break your essay down to chunks: Set a deadline to each section of finishing your essay. Have a timeline that you could follow. One such timeline is shown below:

1. 1. Choose the title and run it by your teacher
   2. Create an essay plan
   3. Write your first draft
   4. Check your draft against the marking criteria
   5. Edit, edit, edit then write your second draft
   6. Strengthen & improve your examples
   7. Show the draft to your teacher for feedback
   8. Review and complete your final edit

• Research using more than just one method: You can obtain arguments to back up both sides of your thesis and evidence to back up your claims and counterclaims by using a range of research sources.

• Create an outline. Be organized: Outlines are the best approach to structure your thoughts. By using an outline as a road map, you can order your body paragraphs such that each one builds on the one before it, make little and large modifications, and more. Keep in mind that a solid thesis statement is crucial; it should be debatable, distinct, focused, and pertinent. Regarding the final point, it ought to provide a conclusion and a direct answer to the essay question.

The goal of TOK is to educate students on the interpretive nature of knowledge, including their own personal ideologies and whether they should be accepted, changed, or rejected. 

It gives students and their teachers the chance to critically reflect on many forms of knowledge and subject areas and think about the function and character of knowledge in their own culture, in other cultures, and in the larger global community. 

How we can help you:

Our teachers at Tychr can help you perform well on the ToK and earn an A. As there is no correct response to any question, it will be difficult to ace the ToK even if you are an academically motivated student. With no question, having an IB ToK tutor will help you comprehend this subject better and prevent confusion with each concept you study. We will assist you with idea generation, step-by-step instructions, reviewing drafts, and essay finalization. Don’t worry! We have your back!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the TOK Exhibition, and how can I ace it?

A: The TOK Exhibition is a project where you create a visual display that represents your understanding of a TOK issue. Choose a topic that you are passionate about, conduct thorough research, and create a visually engaging display that effectively communicates your ideas. Be prepared to explain your ideas and thought processes to your teacher and classmates during the presentation.

Q2: How can I choose a good TOK Essay topic?

A: You should consider a question that is relevant and interesting to you, and that relates to your own experiences and knowledge. You should also choose a topic that allows for multiple perspectives and interpretations, and that can be explored in depth. Avoid topics that are too broad or vague, and instead focus on a specific aspect or issue within the TOK framework.

Q3: What is the format for the TOK Essay, and how can I structure it effectively?

A: The TOK Essay is a 1600-word essay that explores a TOK topic or issue. The essay should include an introduction, body paragraphs that explore your ideas and arguments, and a conclusion that summarizes your main points and provides a final reflection. To structure your essay effectively, you should create a clear and coherent thesis statement, and use evidence and examples to support your arguments.

Q4: How can I demonstrate my critical thinking skills in the TOK Exhibition and Essay?

A: To demonstrate your critical thinking skills in the TOK Exhibition and Essay, you should aim to analyze and evaluate the TOK concepts and issues you are exploring. This involves questioning assumptions, considering different perspectives, and making connections between different areas of knowledge. You should also demonstrate your ability to identify biases and limitations in your own thinking and in the sources you are using.

Q5: How can I use real-life examples in the TOK Exhibition and Essay?

A: Using real-life examples can be an effective way to illustrate and support your TOK arguments and ideas. When using examples, you should choose ones that are relevant and interesting, and that illustrate the concepts you are exploring. You should also make sure to provide detailed and accurate descriptions of the examples, and to explain how they relate to the TOK issues you are discussing.