Written on February 8th, 2008 by Oliver Kim
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The TOK Essay is marked against 4 criteria (A-D). I will explain these criteria to sensitize you on what to look out for when you write the essay.
In this edition I will give you a brief introduction into the marking criteria for the TOK essay.
A. Understanding knowledge issues
- Depth and breadth of understanding: Are you considering different ways of knowing and areas of knowledge and do you explore them in sufficient depth? Are you comparing them?
- Careful: Is the knowledge issue relevant to the prescribed title?
B. Knower’s perspective
- Are you including your own experience and relevant examples from your life?
- Are you aware on how your own perspective is similar/different to other perspectives? Are you able to critically reflect on your own viewpoint?
- Careful: The essay should not be a mere summary of TOK theory and textbook examples.
C. Quality of analysis of knowledge issues
- Are the main points and arguments in the essay justified?
- Are the arguments compelling? Are there and contradictions in the essay?
- Did you consider counterclaims?
- Did you identify assumptions?
- Careful: You will only receive points for those ideas that are relevant to the prescribed title!
D. Organization of ideas
- Is the world count between 1200-1600 words?
- Is the essay well organized?
- Are the facts in the essay correct? Are they properly referenced?
- Careful: If the essay does not relate to the prescribed title, then criterion D will receive 0 points.