Arguments Show Your Thinking
- An argument is a structured chain of reasoning where you:
- Make a claim.
- Support it with evidence/examples.
- Analyse what the evidence reveals about knowledge.
- Link back to the prescribed title or knowledge question.
- Without this structure, your essay turns into something wholly descriptive without any meat.
In TOK, arguments are the backbone of your essays and presentations, demonstrating your critical thinking skills.
Why Arguments Matter
Definition
Claim
A position you take, your attempt to answer the title.
Definition
Counterclaim
An opposing perspective that challenges your claim.
- Strong arguments:
- Demonstrate critical thinking: You’re not just stating ideas; you’re testing them.
- Show open-mindedness: You consider perspectives beyond your own.
- Promote clarity: Examiners can follow your reasoning step by step.
- Weak essays often fail because they stay at the level of “examples” without analysing what those examples mean for knowledge.
