IB Theory of Knowledge Topic 5.3.1 Breakdown & Cheat Sheet Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Theory of Knowledge Topic 5.3.1 Breakdown & Cheat Sheet Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

IB May 2026 (M26) TOK Essay Title #3 Outline

Is the power of knowledge determined by the way in which the knowledge is conveyed? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

The Core of The Question

The most important part of the question here is “power of knowledge.”
It's intentionally vague, so don’t rush to pigeonhole yourself into a single definition of "power."
The better strategy would be for you to show how “power” can mean different things: practical application, reach across communities, ability to persuade, enduring validity.

Note

These are all valid forms of power, that show up differently across contexts and AOKs.

Exam technique

Pick 2–3 interpretations of “power” and revisit them consistently.
Examiners like essays that hold multiple threads together rather than picking one definition and abandoning it.

“Conveyed” Is Confusing

Again avoid a rigid definition.
Communication looks different in mathematics, history, the arts, and sciences.
It might mean symbols, language, publication, teaching, or even digital media.

Tip

You should show how form and medium change how knowledge travels.
This demonstrates you understand it's a flexible concept contingent on both the transmitter of power/knowledge, and the receiver/knower.

Avoid Binaries At All Costs

Weak essays naively stack "yes's" and "no's"
Strong essays will probe why conveying matters in some cases and not in others.
The power of knowledge may sometimes depend on how it’s conveyed, sometimes resist poor communication, and sometimes change over time as reinterpretation happens.

For Mathematics

Yes cases:
1. Mathematical notation is concise and universal within the community of mathematicians.

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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IB May 2026 (M26) TOK Essay Title #3 Outline

Is the power of knowledge determined by the way in which the knowledge is conveyed? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

The Core of The Question

The most important part of the question here is “power of knowledge.”
It's intentionally vague, so don’t rush to pigeonhole yourself into a single definition of "power."
The better strategy would be for you to show how “power” can mean different things: practical application, reach across communities, ability to persuade, enduring validity.

Note

These are all valid forms of power, that show up differently across contexts and AOKs.

Exam technique

Pick 2–3 interpretations of “power” and revisit them consistently.
Examiners like essays that hold multiple threads together rather than picking one definition and abandoning it.

“Conveyed” Is Confusing

Again avoid a rigid definition.
Communication looks different in mathematics, history, the arts, and sciences.
It might mean symbols, language, publication, teaching, or even digital media.

Tip

You should show how form and medium change how knowledge travels.
This demonstrates you understand it's a flexible concept contingent on both the transmitter of power/knowledge, and the receiver/knower.

Avoid Binaries At All Costs

Weak essays naively stack "yes's" and "no's"
Strong essays will probe why conveying matters in some cases and not in others.
The power of knowledge may sometimes depend on how it’s conveyed, sometimes resist poor communication, and sometimes change over time as reinterpretation happens.

For Mathematics

Yes cases:
1. Mathematical notation is concise and universal within the community of mathematicians.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

1. Core Theme: Knowledge and the Knower2 subtopics

2. Optional Themes5 subtopics

3. Areas of Knowledge5 subtopics

4. TOK Assessments2 subtopics

6. Nov 2026 TOK Titles7 subtopics

IB Theory of Knowledge 5.3.1 Breakdown & Cheat Sheet Notes

1. Core Theme: Knowledge and the Knower2 subtopics

2. Optional Themes5 subtopics

3. Areas of Knowledge5 subtopics

4. TOK Assessments2 subtopics

6. Nov 2026 TOK Titles7 subtopics

IB May 2026 (M26) TOK Essay Title #3 Outline

The Core of The Question

“Conveyed” Is Confusing

Avoid Binaries At All Costs

For Mathematics

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

IB May 2026 (M26) TOK Essay Title #3 Outline

The Core of The Question

“Conveyed” Is Confusing

Avoid Binaries At All Costs

For Mathematics

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account