1: Select a title from the IB list. 4. Organize your ideas and plan argument.
2. Read the instructions and the marking criteria. 5. Write the essay.
3. Gather your ideas. 6. Hand it in.
I give you here just the description of the top mark for the essay, your goal.

MARKING CRITERIA

A. KNOWLEDGE ISSUE(S) (10 points)

Is/are the problems of knowledge implied by the prescribed title recognized and understood, and prominently maintained throughout the essay?

The phrase “problems of knowledge” refers to possible uncertainties, biases in approach to knowledge or limitations of knowledge, and the methods of verification and justification appropriate to the different areas of knowledge.

for the top mark of 10:
• an excellent recognition and understanding of the problem(s) of knowledge implied by the prescribed title;
• the development of ideas is consistently relevant to the prescribed title in particular, and to ToK in general;
• it is a balanced, purposeful enquiry,
• and reflects the voice of the candidate.

B. QUALITY OF ANALYSIS (10 points)

Do the analysis, and the treatment of counter-claims, show critical reflection and insight in addressing the problem(s) of knowledge?

for the top mark of 10:
• an excellent level of critical reflection and insight;
• the discussion is detailed, and arguments are logically valid;
• the main points are cogently justified and evaluate, and there is effective acknowledgement of their implications;
• counter-claims are identified and thoroughly evaluated.

C. BREADTH AND LINKS (5 points)

Does the essay reflect an awareness of different Ways of Knowing and different Areas of Knowledge, and of how they may be linked?

The terms “Ways of Knowing” and “Areas of Knowledge” refer to the elements of the ToK diagram. This is not to discourage reference to elements which do not feature on the diagram and which may be equally relevant and appropriate.
The word ”across” here denotes links and comparisons across elements in the same radial section of the diagram. The word “between” here denotes links and comparisons between elements in different radial sections of the diagram.

for the top mark of 5:
• an excellent level of awareness of different Ways of Knowing and different Areas of Knowledge;
• effective links and comparisons are drawn across and between them

D. STRUCTURE, CLARITY, AND LOGICAL COHERENCE (5 pts)

Is the essay structured, clear and logically coherent?

If the essay is of fewer than 1200 words or exceeds 1600 words in length, zero will be awarded for this criterion.
This criterion is not intended to assess linguistic skills. Rather, it is intended to assess the extent to which the main ideas are clearly and coherently conveyed in an appropriate structured form.

for the top mark of 5:
• excellently structured, with a concise introduction, and a clear, logically coherent development of the argument leading to an effective conclusion;
• concepts and distinctions are succinctly defined and clarified.

E. EXAMPLES (5 points)

Is the essay well supported by appropriate examples drawn from a variety of sources?

for the top mark of 5:
• excellent (consistently appropriate and effective) examples, drawn from a wide variety of sources, including the candidate’s own experience, to illustrate succinctly the main points of the argument;
• the examples reflect a high degree of cultural diversity

F. FACTUAL ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY (5 points)

Are the affirmations factually accurate and, if sources were used, were they reliable and correctly cited?

Essays which require facts to support the argument, but omit to use them, will be awarded zero.
for the top mark of 5: an excellent level of factual accuracy, and sources are reliable, and are consistently and correctly cited, according to a recognized convention

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