You Must Break Down the Question Before You Start Writing
- Don't start writing your essay until you've broken down the prescribed title.
- Every strong TOK essay starts by breaking the question open: identifying its hidden assumptions, its key concepts, and the knowledge issue it’s really asking about.
Note
If you skip this step, you risk writing an essay that misses the point entirely.
Identify Command Terms
- TOK essay titles rarely say “analyse” or “evaluate,” but the task is always implied. Look at the wording carefully.
- It signals how you’re expected to respond.
Example
- “To what extent…” → requires weighing both sides, not a simple yes/no.
- “Discuss…” → requires exploring perspectives before forming a judgment.
Unpack Key Concepts
- Key concepts are the central ideas in the prescribed title.
- You need to define these concepts clearly and consider their implications.
Example
- For example if the title mentions "certainty," consider:
- Is certainty always positive?
- Is it emotional confidence, or logical proof?
- Does it look different in maths vs. history?
Locate the Implicit Knowledge Question
- Every prescribed title contains an implicit Knowledge Question (KQ).
- This is the underlying question about how we know what we claim to know.
Example
- Title: “Does visual representation always aid knowledge?”
- Implicit KQ: How do different forms of communication help or hinder our understanding of knowledge claims?
Paraphrase the Prescribed Title
- Paraphrasing helps you clarify the question in your own words.
- This makes it easier to stay focused on the task.
Example
- Original: “Does visual representation always aid knowledge?”
- Paraphrased: “Do images help us understand, or can they distort meaning?”
Break Down the Question into Sub-Questions
- Breaking the question into smaller parts helps you structure your essay.
- Each sub-question can become a paragraph or section.
Example
- In what ways do images enhance understanding in the natural sciences?
- How can images mislead in history?
- What role do cultural context and interpretation play in shaping visual evidence?
- What does this reveal about reliability and perspective in knowledge?
Self review
- Can I define the key concepts in my own words?
- Have I identified the implicit knowledge question?
- Have I paraphrased the title clearly enough to explain it to a friend?
- Do I have 3–4 strong sub-questions that could each anchor a body paragraph?
