Essay
This is one of two assessed components for TOK. It makes up 67% of the overall mark for TOK.
The TOK essay engages students in a formal, sustained piece of writing in response to one of the six titles that are prescribed by the IB for each examination session. These titles take the form of knowledge questions that are focused on the areas of knowledge (The Arts, Human Sciences, Natural Sciences, History, and Mathematics).
The TOK essay is an external assessment component.
The IB releases a set of six prescribed titles for each examination session. The chosen title must be used exactly as given; it must not be altered in any way.
The maximum length of the essay is 1,600 words. Extended footnotes or appendices are not appropriate for the TOK essay.
Here is the assessment instrument (rubric) for the TOK Essay.
Prescribed titles:
May 2023
Sample TOK Essays: