One of the hardest parts of the TOK May 2026 essay is figuring out how to structure your arguments for each prescribed title. Students often have good ideas but lose marks because their essays lack organization. To help, we’ve built sample outlines for all six titles. These aren’t full essays—but clear frameworks you can adapt into your own work.
RevisionDojo specializes in giving IB students the tools to structure their TOK essays with clarity, balance, and examiner appeal.
Quick Start: What Makes a Strong Outline?
- Claim + Counterclaim: Each section should balance both.
- Examples: Real-life cases from different AOKs.
- Link to Title: Every paragraph must circle back to the prescribed question.
- Conclusion: Should evaluate, not just summarize.
For planning tools, see our Essay Planning Templates.
Sample Outlines for Each May 2026 Title
Title 1: Observation as an Essential but Flawed Tool
- Introduction: Define “observation” and “flawed.”
- Body 1 (Natural Sciences):
- Claim: Observation essential for discovery (Fleming’s penicillin).
- Counterclaim: Observations can mislead due to bias.
- Body 2 (Arts):
- Claim: Observation enables artistic interpretation.
- Counterclaim: Subjective perception distorts meaning.
- Conclusion: Observation is indispensable but must be supported by reasoning and tools.
Full guide: Title 1 analysis.
Title 2: Doubt as Central to Knowledge
- Introduction: Define “doubt” and its role in inquiry.
- Body 1 (Natural Sciences):
- Claim: Doubt leads to breakthroughs (Einstein vs. Newton).
- Counterclaim: Excessive doubt risks undermining trust.
- Body 2 (History):
- Claim: Doubt challenges official narratives.
- Counterclaim: Endless doubt creates relativism.
- Conclusion: Doubt is central but must be balanced with certainty.
See: Title 2 guide.
Title 3: Power of Knowledge Conveyance
- Introduction: Define “conveyance” and “power of knowledge.”
- Body 1 (History):
- Claim: Propaganda shows knowledge gains power through communication.
- Counterclaim: Some truths hold even if poorly conveyed.
- Body 2 (Mathematics):
- Claim: Mathematical notation enhances power of knowledge.
- Counterclaim: Knowledge remains valid even without perfect symbols.
- Conclusion: Conveyance influences knowledge’s impact but does not fully determine power.
See: Title 3 analysis.
Title 4: Context in Understanding Knowledge
- Introduction: Define “context” and “understanding.”
- Body 1 (Literature):
- Claim: Achebe’s Things Fall Apart requires historical context.
- Counterclaim: Readers can still grasp universal themes.
- Body 2 (Human Sciences):
- Claim: Context shapes interpretation of experiments (Milgram’s study).
- Counterclaim: Some data remain valid across contexts.
- Conclusion: Context enhances understanding but is not always absolute.
Full breakdown: Title 4 guide.
Title 5: Pythagoras and “All Things Are Numbers”
- Introduction: Define Pythagoras’ claim.
- Body 1 (Mathematics):
- Claim: Fibonacci sequence shows numerical patterns in nature.
- Counterclaim: Numbers simplify reality but miss qualitative richness.
- Body 2 (Arts):
- Claim: Golden ratio in architecture and music shows numbers in creativity.
- Counterclaim: Artistic meaning cannot be reduced to math.
- Conclusion: Numbers are powerful but incomplete in explaining reality.
Detailed guide: Title 5 analysis.
Title 6: Interpretation as a Tool in Knowledge
- Introduction: Define “interpretation” and “reliable.”
- Body 1 (History):
- Claim: Interpretation gives meaning to historical events.
- Counterclaim: Bias risks distorting the past.
- Body 2 (Natural Sciences):
- Claim: Interpretation needed in quantum mechanics.
- Counterclaim: Competing interpretations create uncertainty.
- Conclusion: Interpretation is necessary but not always fully reliable.
See: Title 6 guide.
How to Use These Outlines
- Choose your title.
- Adapt the outline with your own examples.
- Add depth by linking to TOK themes (language, politics, technology).
- Review against the TOK rubric.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I copy these outlines directly into my essay?
No. Use them as frameworks. Your essay must include your own examples and analysis.
2. Should I always include two AOKs?
Yes, at least two. More is possible, but depth is better than breadth.
3. Can I switch the order of claims and counterclaims?
Yes. Some students present counterclaims first for contrast—both approaches work.
Conclusion: Outlines Build Confidence
The best TOK May 2026 essays start with a clear plan. These outlines give you structure, balance, and a roadmap to follow, so you spend less time worrying and more time writing with confidence.
RevisionDojo provides not only outlines but full strategies for mastering every title.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
Want more structure? Explore our Planning Templates or Ultimate Essay Guide for detailed step-by-step planning.
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