tok essay questions november 2021

IB ToK Essay Titles and Topics: November 2021

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• Topic 2. TBA
• Topic 3. TBA
• Topic 4. TBA
• Topic 5. TBA
• Topic 6. TBA

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ToK Essay Titles November 2021 | Explained + SAMPLES

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• Writing Metier

With the arrival of fall 2021 comes the new academic year. While the world starts reopening, educational institutes have started resuming their semesters following different pathways. You might have noticed some going the hybrid teaching route, while some remain on completely remote teaching. Either way, it is type of students to resume their academic routes without any further delays.

Having that said, students who wish to do IB diplomas need to start gearing for this year’s academic training as well. And if you want to write a ToK essay , you should start by searching for November 2021 ToK prescribed titles.

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You can request an IB ToK essay help from one of our expert IB ToK Essay writers .

Or simply read this article and use the suggestions provided to write a ToK essay on your own.

In this article, we will be talking about the six Theory of knowledge essay topics students enrolled in the IB diploma need to be aware of. Just like every year , this TOK November’s topics vary in different elements and in this article, we will share descriptions of each topic that the students need to keep in their minds when selecting the essay topic for their diplomas. Also, we are adding several TOK essay samples for the year 2021 completed by our TOK essay experts .

“Why is it so difficult to identify a clear line between accepted and disputed knowledge within a discipline?” Answer with reference to two disciplines, each taken from a different area of knowledge.

With this topic, you need to keep the pragmatic theory of knowledge in your mind when composing the essay. Covering the different aspects of the theory of knowledge is important in any IB essay and including it in this topic is equally crucial. Additionally, you need to differentiate between the non-rational and rational disputes claimed by knowledge. Finally, you need to study and reflect the justification while making the claims with respect to knowledge.

IB ToK Essay Sample | Why is it so difficult to identify a clear line between accepted and disputed knowledge within a discipline?

“Knowledge gained through direct experience is powerful but problematic.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

In this essay, you need to reflect and differentiate between perceiving and sensing because you will be discussing two aspects of direct experience. Do not forget to include the concepts and role of making experiences in our lives. Finally, you need to differentiate between belief and knowledge.

IB ToK Essay Sample | Knowledge gained through direct experience is powerful but problematic. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.” (Arthur Conan Doyle). Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Start this essay by reflecting on what facts mean for truth-makers. Move to the differentiating between reality and appearance – what makes these two different from one another and why are they so prominent aspects in our lives. Do not forget to differentiate between non-trivial and trivial facts in this essay.

“Areas of knowledge always rely on a systematic process of trial and error to aid the production of knowledge.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Every IB essay topic involves a lot of research and topic 4 is no different; in fact, you need to dig deeper with this topic. Start by differentiating between a posteriori knowledge and a priori knowledge. You will then need to talk about inductive and deductive reasoning and the role it plays in producing knowledge. Finally, include the role of scientific abduction as inference.

“If all knowledge is provisional, when can we have confidence in what we claim to know?” Answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Your focus in this essay should be to differentiate between claiming to be aware/claiming to know and knowing. You should then focus on probability in this essay as well because of how it is linked with confidence as well. Finally, in this essay topic you need to reflect on the pragmatic theory of knowledge.

“We are rarely completely certain, but we are frequently certain enough.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.

In this essay, you can talk about the indecisive human nature and reflect on the self-evident truth and certainty when making claims. Differentiate between theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. Lastly, you need to include the pragmatic theory of knowledge in this essay.

Choose any ToK Essay title and start writing

The latest latest prompts so far:

• November 2023 TOK essay titles

Like the new November 2022 TOK essay prompts or the ones released for May 2022 TOK essay topics , all the November 2021 ToK essay titles this intake are very interesting and as said earlier, involve a good work of research. Make sure you do your homework before selecting the topic you need to work on.

GET HELP WITH YOUR TOK ESSAY

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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How to get an A in TOK essay? Rubric + A-grade SAMPLES

Writing a Theory of Knowledge essay can seem challenging to most students because they guess how hard it is to get an A in TOK. No matter how hard they try, they feel like they just can’t crack the IB TOK essay, and one of the major reasons for this is that the structure of this essay is very different from other essays.

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IB TOK Essay examples

Type a search phrase to find the most relevant TOK Essay examples for you

Not sure what to search for? You can always look through our example Internal Assessments below for inspiration.

All TOK Essay Examples

Filter exemplars, to what extent is the knowledge we produce determined by the methodologies we use discuss with reference to history and one area of knowledge., 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., want to get full marks for your tok essay allow us to review it for you 🎯, is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge., 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., are visual representations always helpful in the communication of knowledge discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics., fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by ib examiners. upgrade now 🚀, tok essay: 5. “how can we distinguish between good and bad interpretations discuss with reference to the arts and one other area of knowledge”, 如果我们是在排除某些信息和声音的“信息同温层”里获取知识，这有关系吗请参考两个知识领域展开你的应答。, does it matter if our knowledge acquisition happens in "bubbles" where some information and voices are excluded discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge., is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge, do you agree that it is “astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power” (bertrand russell) discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge., 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., to what extent is the knowledge weproduce determined by the methodologieswe use, 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 natural science., êtes-vous d'accord qu'il est "étonnant que si peu de connaissance puissent nous donner autant de pouvoir" (bertrand russell) - discutez cette question en faisant référence aux sciences naturelles et à un autre domaine de la connaissance, est-il important que notre acquisition des connaissances se fasse dans des « bulles » où certaines informations et certaines voix sont exclues discutez cette question en faisant référence à deux domaines de la connaissance., to what extent is the knowledge we produce determined by the methodologies we use discuss with reference to history and one other area of knowledge., is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge discuss with reference to two area of knowledge, are visual representations always helpful in communicating knowledge discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics., are visual representations always useful in communication of knowledge discuss with reference to the human sciences and mathematics., for artists and natural scientists which is more important: what can be explained or what cannot be explained, do you agree that it is "astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power" (bertrand russell) discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge., is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge, is replication necessary in the production of knowledge discuss with reference to two aoks..

Example essays

As part of theory of knowledge (TOK), each student chooses one essay title from six issued by International Baccalaureate®(IB). 

The titles change in each examination session. 

Upcoming and past questions include: 

• “To what extent are areas of knowledge shaped by their past? Consider with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
•  “'There is no reason why we cannot link facts and theories across disciplines and create a common groundwork of explanation.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?”
• “There is no such thing as a neutral question. Evaluate this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
• “'The task of history is the discovering of the constant and universal principles of human nature.' To what extent are history and one other area of knowledge successful in this task?”

Further guidance on the TOK essay and exhibition can be found in the IB’s Programme Resource Centre (PRC) .

Materials in the PRC are only available to existing IB World Schools. These materials are free.

There are a number of resources on TOK in the IB Store , which are available to everyone.

Find out how to become an IB World School .

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TOK DISCUSSIONS

“Now I know how to write my essay, am not afraid anymore.”

Theory of Knowledge Assessments Ultimate Guide is the only guide you need to get an A in IB TOK Essay and Exhibition. The book has five chapters, each of which explains in detail how to master the TOK course and pass TOK assessments with flying colors. You can follow its step-by-step method to choose your IA prompt, and essay title, create your exhibition, and write your TOK essay. You will also benefit from suggested objects , themes , AOKs , RLEs , samples texts from actual assessed works , and sample analytical texts .

You will learn,

how to choose the “right” essay title, and IA prompt.

how to form guiding knowledge questions, and develop your arguments.

how to write the essay's introduction and conclusion paragraphs, and exhibition commentaries.

You will have access to,​

full explanations of all 35 IA prompts.

sample texts from students actual assessed works.

suggested objects, themes, AOKs, and RLEs.

15 sample analytical texts written for IA prompts and official prescribed titles.

- IB1 Student

“It’s a goldmine where each DP student and DP teacher “must” go and mine.”

- TOK Teacher

“I can make everyone surprised by my ability to organize and explain the ideas.”

- IB2 Student

“It took half of my daughter's stress away.”

- IB Parent

“The best part ... is about how to write good/bad claims and counterclaims and the analogy of the courtroom.”

Read on Google and Amazon .

Title Knowledge Question (May 2022 session prescribed titles): To what extent do you agree with the claim that “there’s a world of difference between truth and facts” (Maya Angelou)? Related Optional Theme: Knowledge and Politics Related Area of Knowledge: History Related Knowledge Framework Element: Perspectives

Putin Calls Ukrainian Statehood a Fiction. History Suggests Otherwise.

In the summer of 2021, Russian president, Vladimir Putin, published an essay, “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians.” In his essay, Putin explains the “truth” about the unity of all Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians, by bringing countless historical “facts” in his pursuit to convince the world that Ukrainian statehood was nothing but a fiction created by the Bolshevik, communist Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin. The title question I chose for this text asks us to explore and express the extent of our agreement with a quote from American poet Maya Angelou that says, “there’s a world of difference between truth and facts.” I chose a tweet by The New York Times on Feb 22, 2022, only two days before Russia invaded Ukraine, that studies the Russian president’s “facts” and “truth” behind his invasion as my RLE/object. continue reading in the book

Title Knowledge Question (IA prompts): Can new knowledge change established values or beliefs? Related Optional Theme: Knowledge and Religion Related Area of Knowledge: The Human Sciences Related Knowledge Framework Element: Perspectives

Germany's largest mosque to broadcast call to prayer on Fridays

On October 11, 2021, Reuters tweeted on its Twitter account, linking to one of its news reports on the largest mosque in Germany. It reports that the largest mosque in Cologne, also the largest in Germany, “will be permitted to broadcast the call to prayer over loudspeakers” only at a specific time of the week. The title question for this text, IA prompt #11, asks us to explore whether new knowledge can change established values or beliefs. I assume it is best to find out what “knowledge” is in this news story and what “values” and “beliefs” are already established by a group of knowers.  continue reading in the book

Title Knowledge Question (May 2022 session prescribed titles): How can we distinguish between good and bad interpretations? Related Optional Theme: Knowledge and Language Related Area of Knowledge: The Arts Related Knowledge Framework Element: Methods and Tools

Renegades: Born in the USA

On October 26, 2021, a book titled “Renegades: Born in the USA” was published, which was based on a podcast of the same name, as a series of conversations between two longtime friends, Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen. The title and the theme are inspired by the singer’s bestselling album also song, Born in the USA, which is also considered one of the most misunderstood songs in America. The title question for this text asks us to explore the differences between “good” and “bad” interpretations and how to distinguish these from each other. Rereading the story behind this song and studying what happened after its release with all the misinterpretations may take us closer to the point where “good” and “bad” interpretations separate.

continue reading in the book

Title Knowledge Question (IA prompts): Are some types of knowledge more useful than others? Related Optional Theme: Knowledge and Indigenous Societies Related Area of Knowledge: The Natural Sciences Related Knowledge Framework Element: Methods and Tools

Australia fires: Aboriginal planners say the bush ‘needs to burn’

Bushfires in Australia are considered by many a serious rampant natural phenomenon leading to the death of human beings and animals and the destruction of lands and cities. Aboriginal Australians think differently. At the beginning of 2020, Gary Nunn, journalist and author, wrote a news article for BBC News (World), bringing another contrasting perspective to the heated discussion surrounding the bushfires and how to control them. The title question asks whether “some types of knowledge are more useful than others,” I intend to explore this question within the theme of Knowledge and Indigenous Societies and AOK of The Natural Sciences through the lens of the TOK element of Methods and Tools. I have to clarify something in the beginning, that “methods and tools” of producing knowledge, in this text, are not to be mistaken for the differences between the methods and techniques used by modern organizations and those used by aboriginal Australians.  continue reading in the book

Title Knowledge Question (November 2021 session prescribed titles): “There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact” (Arthur Conan Doyle). Related Optional Theme: Knowledge and The Knower Related Area of Knowledge: The Natural Sciences Related Knowledge Framework Element: Ethics

The Doctor Who Fooled the World

In Epistemology, a branch of philosophy, sometimes referred to as the Theory of Knowledge, “self-evident truth” or “obvious fact” is a proposition known to be true by understanding its meaning without proof or, simply, by ordinary human reason. The discussion is of a complex nature, and examples need comprehensive explanations and explorations to be fully understood. What I think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, intended in this quote (from one of his mysterious stories), title of this text, “there is nothing more deceptive Nov ’21 Prescribed Title #3 □ 143 than an obvious fact,” is not the philosophical meaning of “obvious fact” and rather the common daily understandable of the term. “Obvious fact” could be something that “everyone knows,” something that is so “obvious” that it does not leave room for further investigation or exploration. Therefore, the quote implies that, at times, we encounter situations or claims that are readily acceptable based on what we already believe. “Everyone knows that smoking is bad for health,” or “if you want to have a good life, you need to go to college and get a good degree,” and many more examples of this kind.  continue reading in the book

And 10 More for You to Study!

US IB Theory of Knowledge: TOK Essay

• Knowledge Framework in TOK
• TOK & The Learner Profile Attributes
• The Learner Profile Attributes Quiz
• Areas of Knowledge
• Optional Themes
• Knowledge Questions
• TOK Exhibition
• TOK Exhibition Prompts
• TOK Exhibition Rubric
• Ways of Knowing (Pre 2022)
• Recommended Reading
• RSS News Feeds

TOK Prescribed Titles

The International Baccalaureate Organization releases six TOK essay titles, twice a year for submission either in May or November. So you need to know which cohort you're submitting with. The essay titles for submission in May are released in the previous September. The essay titles for submission in November are released the previous March.

• May 2022 topics
• November 2021 topics
• May 2021 topics
• November 2020 topics
• May 2020 topics
• November 2019 topics
• May 2019 topics
• November 2018 topics
• May 2018 topics
• November 2017 topics

"A" example Essays

• Reason vs Emotion in Ethics
• Breaking Conventions
• Context is All
• Moral Wisdom
• Valuable Knowledge
• Experience & Culture

Essay Guidelines

The word count is 1600 words. This includes quotations. You have to write down the number of words when you submit the essay. The examiner will not read past 1600 words. References, maps/charts/illustrations and bibliographies are not included in the word count. You can choose any standard referencing system, but be consistent with the one you chose.

Assessment Criteria: Markscheme from the TOK Guide (as of Class of 2022)

TOK Essay Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions that students and teachers frequently ask about the TOK essay. Read through these questions and the answers to check that you are doing the right thing.

What’s the most important thing to bear in mind?

The first thing is to BE CLEAR! Most students do not even manage to communicate their ideas clearly to the examiner. Regardless of whether or not your answer is stunningly original or crammed with a variety of interesting examples, if it is clear then you will already have a massive head start over the majority of other students from elsewhere in the world. That is why it is absolutely vital to plan in detail – if you have a clear plan you will write a clear essay. If you start the essay without a clear plan then the chances are you will not do very well.

The second thing is to remain focused on the question. It is really easy to lose focus and when you do your score will instantly drop. A slight switch from discussing ‘what we believe is true’ to ‘what is true’ might be enough to make most of your answer irrelevant to the question that you have been asked so you have to be really, really careful here. Always ask yourself whether you are correctly focused on the question.

If my answer is not completely different to everyone else’s will I lose?

Most good essays will offer well balanced, plausible and convincing answer to the knowledge question that has been asked. Clearly there is not an infinite variety of plausible and convincing answers to any question and so you should not expect your answer to be completely different to everyone else’s and nor should you strive to make it bizarrely and outlandishly strange in an attempt to seem original. A good answer will usually point out that x is true in some case cases because of a certain set of reasons, while it is less true in other cases and pretty much completely untrue elsewhere. Students who take very extreme positions tend not to do so well in TOK because, unlike in English where you can usually find some evidence to back up even the most unusual reading, TOK is meant to be firmly grounded in the real world and so, for instance, it is not really that plausible to argue that we can never know anything because that just doesn't fit with how we live our daily lives. Similarly, answers which are overly simply probably won't do that well because most things in TOK just aren’t that clear cut. For example students who claim that Art is completely subjective and that we can never know whether one painting is better than another have trouble when accounting for how the IB award some students Level 7s in art while failing others.

So in this sense your essay might be balanced in the same way as someone else’s but the difference between your essay and everyone else’s should be in exactly how you strike that balance, exactly which discriminations you make and the kinds of evidence that you use to persuade me that your answer is correct. The more convincing your position: the better you will do.

How many examples do I need?

In terms of number of examples there is no set answer. However, in a 1600 word essay you should try to have about 4-6 main body points with one clear example that is central to each one. The best marks will not go to those students who have lots of examples but those who choose examples that support their point really well and then go on to consider the counterclaims against this position (possibly using the same example or a different one) and then respond to this counterclaim (again using the same example or a different one - however three examples in paragraph might be getting a bit too much).

How important is it to talk about myself?

It is important to demonstrate personal engagement, indeed the highest marks will really only be awarded to essays that create a sense that the writer has really engaged and got to grips with the question that they have chosen to answer. However, there are a number of different ways to do this. Using the personal pronoun ‘I’ and talking about something that has happened to you is one way to do this but it will not score highly unless it is a strong example that convincingly supports the point you are trying to make. For example, you will are unlikely to get any points for a personal example about your summer holiday or your Mum’s noodle soup unless it clearly and convincingly supports your answer to the question.

Other ways to demonstrate personal engagement and independent thought are by offering personal definitions of key words and researching original examples that you have come up with yourself rather than the obvious example or the one that everyone else in your class is using because that is the one that the teacher gave you.

Ultimately the best way to demonstrate your personal engagement with the question is through your tone of voice and the sense that you have really ‘got’ what this question is asking and honestly offered your own answer to it. However, this can be hard to identify for an examiner so it is probably best if you try to cover all of the different methods mentioned above in order to come across as a student who is thinking for themselves and relating this question to experiences in their own education.

Should I offer definitions of all the words in my title?

Obviously not – beginning your essay with a list of personal definitions does not make for a very engaging start.   However, there may be some terms in your question title that it is important to define and so you might need to start by doing this. In these case it is best to offer a   brief   personal definition (avoid Dictionary.com!), but be careful with going into any more detail than that. Otherwise the best way to show that you understand what the words in the title mean is to continually link back to the key words from the question throughout your essay. Just like in an English essay you would usually do this at the beginning or end of a paragraph but the best students will be able to make the link clear throughout.

One handy trick to bear in mind when thinking about definitions is that, considering different definitions of key words can actually be a good way of incorporating different perspectives into your essay. For example, if your essay question asks you whether progress is equally possible in the sciences and the arts then how you answer that question might depend on how you define progress and a good structure for the essay might be to start by considering one definition of progress (i.e. progress from one perspective) and then go on to contrast this with the answer that we get if we consider a different definition of progress from another perspective.

Is it a good idea to argue that it’s impossible to know anything at all?

Generally no … TOK examiners tend to be quite dismissive of essays that argue either that we can’t know anything at all or that you can have your ‘truth’ and I can have my ‘truth’ and that these truths are both true. The first of these approaches is often called ‘lazy scepticism’ and the second ‘easy relativism’ and you can see that the names imply that these are not particularly impressive positions to adopt. This is not to say that it’s impossible to be sceptical about knowledge and argue that there are problems with it because clearly there are. It’s also not to say that it’s impossible to argue that in some situations the ‘truth’ might actually be different for different people. However, by and large TOK is looking at how we can know things despite the problems we face when acquiring with knowledge or in spite of the different opinions that exist. TOK is in many ways a pragmatic and realistic subject that is trying to move away from creating the impression that we just can't know anything at all. As such, the best essays will admit that the acquisition of knowledge may not be straight-forward, but will go on to consider how we can overcome these obstacles in the successful pursuit of knowledge.

Do I have to cover every AOK and WOK in my essay?

No, you won’t have enough space. However, you should start by considering all of the   AOKs   and   WOKs   when you begin planning your essay and then narrow it down to the 2 or 3   AOKs   or   WOKs   where you can say the most interesting things. Make it clear that this narrowing down is a conscious decision that you have made and you can even briefly explain the reasons why you have made the choice that you have, if you think that it is relevant. Remember that the highest marks will go to the students who explore a few really key ideas in depth rather than those who try to cover everything. Remember also that the best and most original ideas are not necessarily going to be the ones that spring to mind first so try to use   AOKs   or   WOKs   that not everyone else is using – as long as they work.

So how do I know which   AOKs   or   WOKs   would be good ones to pick?

In general, it can be good to compare an AOK where a statement 'x' really applies well and contrast that with one where it doesn't or doesn't seem to. So for example 'All knowledge is subjective' seems to fit well with The Arts and Ethics, but less with Maths and Science so if you just talk about The Arts and Ethics then you are just going to have an essay that keeps saying ... and this is also true in Ethics, and we can see another example of subjectivity in the Arts, etc. It would be much better to say that this is true in the arts because of xyz reasons and not true in Maths because of   abc   reasons.

If you are really confident with TOK you might try inverting an obvious stereotype about an AOK and seeing if you can find examples where that isn’t true. For example, most students’ first reactions are that the Arts are a subjective subject whereas Maths is a subject which contains objective, universal truths. While there is some   truth to this stereotype   it is not true all the time and the best students will be able to explore where that stereotype breaks down and why it breaks down.   For example, while judgement in art is subjective, some truths – e.g. that this picture was painted by   Da   Vinci - are empirical and so we can have objective agreement about them. Additionally, even the subjective truths aren't allowed to be absolutely anything - even my Mum doesn't think that my Primary School paintings are as good as   Da   Vinci's. This kind of subtlety is what marks out the best answers.

In addition, do not make sweeping statements about aspects or areas of knowledge that imply that what you are saying is always and absolutely true without exception. Instead, phrase things in a way that acknowledges the limitations of your own knowledge and experience: for example ‘Accepting for the moment the premise that … then we can say …’

Do I have to use TOK words like ‘Areas of Knowledge’ in my essay?

Yes you do as this will demonstrate a good understanding of the course but be wary of just throwing them in everywhere: judicious and correct use of TOK terminology is better than going over the top. The words that should come up more frequently are the key words from the question to show that you are remaining focused on the question and not getting distracted by anything else.

Do I have to include any Philosophy or Philosophical words?

No   - the IB have made it clear that TOK is not a philosophy course, instead it is meant to be grounded in the real world and your own experiences as a student. As such you should try to avoid including complex philosophical points unless you really understand them and they really are fully relevant to the essay, even then it is often to put these points into your own words rather than quote philosophers because TOK is about you thinking for yourself rather than quoting someone else’s thoughts.

Do I have to research the quotations in the question title?

It is a good idea to know where the quotation came from, who said it and why but you wouldn’t necessarily include any of this in your essay. In fact, the quotation may not really be relevant at all to the essay question as they are sometimes just used to give you a flavor of   the what   the essay is about. For example in the ‘What I Tell You Three Times is True’ question – the number ‘three’ and the fact that this comes from Lewis Carroll are not necessarily as important as the point about repetition and so detailed research into the works of Lewis Carroll will not really help you with this question.

Can I use quotations from famous people to back up my argument?

Students often like starting essays, concluding essays or supporting points with quotations from famous people like Oscar Wilde or Albert Einstein. The fact that these people are experts tends to lend an air of credibility to your argument. However, the opinion of someone like Oscar Wilde is only going to be relevant in certain, very specific circumstances, for example, if you are exploring esthetics (the theory about what makes beautiful things beautiful) then it might be worth considering Oscar Wilde’s perspective on this topic as he was an artist… but you have to remember that his view is only one perspective and just because Wilde said it, it doesn’t mean that he has the best or most convincing theory about beauty. You should also remember that, outside of the topic of esthetics, it might not be a such good idea to quote Oscar Wilde at all: his opinions on how to live a good life, for example, can be sharply witty and sound quite appealing ... but we need to remember that he did die penniless and alone in Paris so is he really someone that we want to listen to?

Similarly, Einstein is a hugely important figure in the history of science and it might be worthwhile quoting him if you were exploring the forces that drive or inspire genius. However, again you should bear in mind that Einstein’s personal statement about what inspires him is not necessarily something that is going to be true of all thinkers. On top of that you should remember that it has been almost 100 years since the publication of Einstein’s last great work, the General Theory of Relativity, so if you are looking for an up to date comment on the nature of scientific knowledge then it might be best to look elsewhere.

In general the rule with quotations is that you should only quote from someone when they are an expert in the relevant field and even then you have to bear in mind that their opinion is nothing more than that, an opinion. Just like your opinions have to be backed up with evidence and proof, so do the opinions of experts… just because Einstein said it, it doesn’t mean it’s true until you show me the proof. One danger you should also be aware of if you quote too much is that the expert’s voice can come to replace your own and so you should only quote opinions sparingly. One additional way to prevent the expert’s voice from dominating your essay is to use quotations from them in your counterclaims; if you go on to disagree with the expert then that’s usually a clear indication that you are thinking for yourself.

Finally, be careful where you get your quotation from. ‘Brainyquote.com’ might be a repository of thousands of fantastic and completely accurate quotations but it doesn’t create a great impression of your ability to select reliable sources so try to find the original source for your quotation and quote that!

Do I need to include different perspectives in my essay?

Definitely, although remember that ‘different perspectives’ can mean a range of different things. One nice way to include different perspectives is by considering the question from the ‘perspective’ of the different   AOKs . So, for example, you might answer the question from the perspective of the sciences and then compare this with the perspective of the arts – this is a particularly nice trick because it also enables you to draw in some comparisons between the   AOKs   at the same time. However, there are other perspectives that you considering and exploring different cultural, political, philosophical, historical and intellectual perspectives or different schools of thought within an AOK can lead to a more interesting and more convincing essay.

Do I have to distinguish between ‘personal’ and ‘shared’ knowledge in my essay?

It’s definitely a good idea to consider these ideas in your planning but, as with anything, you should only really include them if they are relevant to your essay. One effective way to include these different kinds of knowledge in your essay is to treat them as different perspectives on the same issue. For example, if you are looking at whether it is possible to make progress in the arts then the answer might be quite different depending on whether I am talking about progress at a personal level (clearly I can get better at drawing) or at a shared / communal level because it’s not entirely clear what it would mean for art overall to get ‘better’. This links nicely with the previous point as a way of considering different perspectives on the same issue and can be a good way of killing two birds with one stone.

From www.mrhoyestokwebsite.com

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TOK Essay Titles November 2021

Tok essay title 6 nov 2021, tok essay title 5 nov 2021, tok essay title 4 nov 2021, tok essay title 3 nov 2021, tok essay title 2 nov 2021, tok essay title 1 nov 2021, tok essay title may 2021.

Title 6- Avoiding Bias seems a commendable goal, but this

Titles 5- Areas of Knowledge are most useful in

Title 4 -Statistics conceal as much as they Reveal

Title 3- Labels are a necessity in the organization of

Title 2- Within Areas of knowledge, how can we

Title 1- Accepting knowledge claims always involves an

Unpacking the 2024 November TOK Titles: A Comprehensive IB Solved Guide

The November 2024 IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Essay Titles are out!

Let's be honest – tackling the TOK essay can be a daunting task. With so many ideas, concepts and topics at our disposal and a myriad of ideas swirling around, it's easy to feel overwhelmed at the outset.

That's where we come in.

In this article, we'll delve into each title and offer some strategic advice on how to approach them.

General Tips to Unpacking a Title

When we first encounter a prompt, we want to think in terms of perspectives and counter-perspectives (formerly known as claims and counterclaims). This framework allows for a structured essay, exploring the title through the lens of two chosen Areas of Knowledge (AOKs) and weaving in different arguments. While the ultimate conclusion you draw may often reside somewhere between these extremes or on a conditional basis (e.g. perspective 1 is correct in certain circumstances, while perspective 2 is a better approach in other), starting with opposing arguments can facilitate the development of a more nuanced exploration and argument.

So let's get to it – here is everything you need to know about the November 2024 TOK Essay titles:

Title 1:  Does our responsibility to acquire knowledge vary according to the area of knowledge? Discuss with reference to history and one other area of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: History (Mandatory) and Natural Sciences/The Arts/Human Sciences

This title prompts an assessment of whether we have different levels of responsibility to acquire knowledge across different AOKs. While you are open to argue against the title directly, suggesting that the responsibility is the same across AOKs, this would be unwise. It would be better to reflect on each AOK and perhaps present one perspective in support of the responsibility and one perspective against it, drawing a conclusion on which argument is stronger in each AOK.

Also consider the difference between the acquisition and production of knowledge – perhaps we have a broader responsibility to produce new knowledge in some areas of knowledge but not necessarily to acquire it as individual knowers.

Some perspectives you may consider:

Perspective: We have a responsibility to acquire knowledge to ensure that we construct an accurate record of the past. It is our responsibility to know our History and learn from the past.

Counter-Perspective: Historical knowledge is limited by subjectivity and collective memory, hence it is not essential to acquire knowledge of our past to build a successful future.

Perspective: We have a responsibility to acquire artistic knowledge to understand cultures and societies.

Counter-Perspective: The acquisition of knowledge in the Arts is for aesthetic purposes and enjoyment, not the fulfilment of a responsibility.

Natural Sciences/Human Sciences

Perspective: We have a responsibility to acquire new scientific knowledge for the continual development of mankind.

Counter-Perspective: Understanding how the world/humans work is not necessary knowledge for knowers to acquire.

Title 2:  In the production of knowledge, is ingenuity always needed but never enough? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: Mathematics (Mandatory) and Natural Sciences/The Arts/Human Sciences

This is a super interesting title – ensure you define 'ingenuity' from the outset. The essay almost structures itself – your first paragraph in each AOK can consider how/whether ingenuity is 'always needed', exploring how this plays out in each AOK, while the second paragraph can explore whether or not it is 'never enough'.

Some ideas you may consider:

Paradigm Shifts – To revolutionise an AOK, often ingenuity is needed to enact a paradigm shift (a new way of thinking which changes the entire knowledge structure of an AOK) and to ensure progress.

Creativity – Creative thinking is important not only for AOKs such as the Arts, but even in Mathematics and the Sciences. Discovering innovative ways of devising experiments or utilising clever analogies to explain incredibly complex concepts is integral to these AOKs.

Structure – Ingenuity is only valuable within a framework for knowledge production, whether this be an artistic process or the scientific method.

Title 3:  How might it benefit an area of knowledge to sever ties with its past? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: History, Natural Sciences, The Arts and Human Sciences

The 'How' of this title restricts the scope to discussing different 'benefits' rather than a standard 'perspective-counter' analysis. It will also be important to define exactly what 'severing ties' involves – does this mean completely ignoring all past knowledge or simply becoming less attached to existing ways of thinking?

Some ideas for this title:

Fresh Ideas and Paradigm Shifts – By severing ties, you open up the possibility of acquiring knowledge which can overhaul an entire AOK, drastically accelerating progress.

Bias – By severing past ties, knowers can free themselves of the biases of their predecessors.

Innovation – Since existing frameworks of thinking often lead to similar conclusions, you can expand the possibilities of new knowledge by severing past ties.

However, you may interestingly conclude that these benefits are only reaped when ties to the past are severed to an extent, as it may be detrimental to an AOK to entirely negate past knowledge.

Title 4:  To what extent do you agree that there is no significant difference between hypothesis and speculation? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: Human Sciences and History/Natural Sciences

This prompt is very focused on your definitions. I would suggest defining these terms distinctly and precisely from the outset. The primary question which this title is asking is whether hypotheses are mere "speculation" or "guesses", or if there is a significant difference.

Also, if selecting the Human and Natural Sciences, please ensure that your perspectives aren't repetitious and highlight the differences between these AOKs.

Development – Speculation and hypothesis differ in the fact that the development of a hypothesis generally requires significant prior research and an understanding of existing knowledge

Experimentation – Hypotheses are developed purposefully and then empirical experimentation are conducted to provide evidence either in support or against them

Emotion – Speculation tends to come from 'feelings' or 'impressions', whereas the development of a hypothesis is far more methodical

Title 5:  In the production of knowledge, are we too quick to dismiss anomalies? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Recommended AOKs: Human Sciences/History/Natural Sciences

This title allows you to reflect on whether or not we dismiss 'anomalies' (a key term to be defined) too quickly when producing knowledge.

Paradigm Shift – Anomalies are often the prompt for a paradigm shift in the sciences, causing us to challenge existing beliefs and ideas

Exceptions – Often rather than investigating anomalies further and considering an overhaul of existing knowledge, anomalies are dismissed as 'exceptions' to the rule, rather than a justification to question the rule itself

Generalisation – There is often a focus on generating 'general' rules and theories which can lead anomalies to be dismissed (think of the Human Sciences – how often do we produce a rule about human behaviour but ignore those who behave contrary to the rule)

Title 6:  In the pursuit of knowledge, what is gained by the artist adopting the lens of the scientist and the scientist adopting the lens of the artist? Discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences.

Recommended AOKs: The Arts and the Natural Sciences

This title requires you to define the 'lens' of each of these AOKs from the outset. It will be better to define them quite opposingly – the scientist is more methodical, experimental and structured, whilst the artist is more free-flowing and creative. You will then be able to take these attributes and argue which elements would be better across the two disciplines.

Creativity – Scientists can benefit from the creativity of artists when developing innovative ways of experimenting, presenting results and constructing abstract theories

Structure – Artists can often benefit from a methodical approach to constructing art, particularly when aiming to convey a specific message or purpose through their art

Flexibility – Artists are often quite flexible when constructing an artwork, always willing to change and adapt to their free-flowing thoughts, an attribute which is highly beneficial for scientists who at times may become rigid in their thinking and fixed to pre-existing scientific beliefs.

And that's it - our comprehensive guide to the 2024 November TOK Titles! If you're still racking your brain as to how to begin the writing process for your TOK essay, why not check out our post on The Complete IB TOK Essay Guide . Or check out one of our Grade A Exemplar TOK Essays ! Or better yet, if you are looking for some more personal assistance with your IB TOK Essay, click below to reach out to us and we can work with you through the entire writing process, from title selection to the best structure for success!

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November 2022 TOK Essay Prescribed Titles

The IB has released the May 2022 TOK Essay Prescribed Titles.  Make sure you get the “official” two-page document from your TOK teacher / coordinator.  Page 1 of the document contains some important instructions for students.

The “unofficial” November 2022 TOK essay prescribed titles:

• Within an area of knowledge is it more important to have credibility or power? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
• If pushed too far, can open-mindedness itself become restrictive? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
• Is it better to “have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned” (adapted from Richard Feynman)? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
• Why do we seek indisputable evidence when it is so often unattainable? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
• To what extent do you agree with the directive to “measure what is measurable and make measurable what is not so” (Galileo Galilei)? Answer with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.
• If the artist has freedom to interpret past events in ways that are denied to the historian, is this an asset or an obstacle to our understanding of the past? Discuss with reference to the arts and history.

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