TOK Essay Outline
Writing a TOK essay involves several aspects that begin even before the pen meets the paper. The writer needs to understand the topic he/she intends to cover in a theory of knowledge essay, the audience and how to deliver what they intend to say. When dealing with the subject, the author comes up with suitable ideas that present their point of view and relevant evidence to justify their claims. Once a writer has these, they formulate a blueprint that they can use to ensure that the writer effectively organizes all the major points they want to deliver. This blueprint is the outline.
An essay outline is a framework that an author uses to organize an essay. In a theory of knowledge essay, a TOK essay outline becomes very critical. This type of an essay is complex in nature for many writers need to create a framework that enables them to address all the points they wish to discuss. A TOK essay delves on understanding a particular area of knowledge by using knowledge questions. For many of its topics, there does not exist a correct way to answer the knowledge questions.
While writing a TOK essay outline, it is critical to understand the format of writing a theory of knowledge essay.
The introduction of TOK essay
This section introduces your reader to the topic at hand. It gives details on what you intend to say and a little background information. For a theory of knowledge essay, this area has two major parts. It contains the thesis statement, which gives the scope of your essay and a general idea of what you wish to tackle. Secondly, it has the knowledge issue, which is the central question that you will be dealing with. Cite why the area is important and worth delving into. More importantly, you need to define complex terms that the reader may encounter to make it easier for them to understand your work.
The body of TOK paper
These paragraphs provide arguments and counterarguments to support your point of view. They provide reasoning as to why your claim that you made with the thesis statement is true. Each paragraph is backed by evidence to justify your claims. Simply put, these paragraphs have topic sentences (the main idea in support of the thesis), evidence to justify, a counterclaim against the thesis, evidence for the counterclaim, a rebuttal (why the counterclaim is insufficient) and a conclusion.
The conclusion of TOK essay
This section is the final part where the author restates his thesis statement, a summary of all the main points he wanted to deliver in the TOK paper and a personal reflection on the possible implications of his work.
TOK ESSAY OUTLINE EXAMPLE
Paragraph one
Introduction (approx. 200 words)
- Introduce your TOK essay
- Provide explanations for key terms
- Identify various KI you will tackle. (approximately three)
- Introduce a thesis statement
- Make brief overview of your major points
- Set up a transition for the body of the TOK essay
Body (approx. 1200 words)
Paragraph 1 (An exploration of KI #1 using approx. 200 words)
- Give your topic sentence
- Provide your main reasoning why your thesis is true
- Provide real life examples and evidence to back up your claims
- Write a conclusion that is emphatic on the relevance of the KI
- Transition to the next paragraph
Paragraph 2 (200 words)
- Provide a counter-claim to KI Point #1
- Support your counter claims’ validity against the thesis statement
- Provide examples to support your claims
- Rebut the counterclaim and drill holes into the evidence you have provided
- Give credence to your main thesis
- Provide a conclusion.
Paragraph 3 (An exploration of KI #2 using approx. 200 words)
- Topic sentence
- Second reason why the thesis is true
- Provide examples and evidence to support your claims
- Conclude your paragraph
Paragraph 4 (200 words)
- Provide counter claim against your second KI
- Provide evidence
- Rebut the counterclaim with evidence
- Provide a conclusion.
Paragraph 5 (An exploration of KI #3 using approx. 200 words)
- Provide a topic sentence
- Third reason why the thesis is true
- Provide examples and evidence to support your claims
- Conclude your paragraph
Paragraph 6 (200 words)
- Provide counter claim against your second KI
- Provide evidence
- Rebut the counterclaim with evidence
- Provide a conclusion.
Conclusion (200-250 words)
- Restate your thesis
- Review your main points and sum up the main arguments
- Make a personal reflection and a very persuasive argument
- Rephrase the importance of the knowledge issues and the thesis statements
- Discuss the implications of your research
- Provide an alternative perspective of your subject
While writing the theory of knowledge essay, there are several important tips that a writer needs to know.
Topic
Settle on a topic, which you can easily explain and justify if you have the option for choice. Always understand the topic and the direction you wish to take on your TOK essay.
Base your outline upon the knowledge issues and the thesis
Let these two agenda guide you in identifying the main points and evidence. Identify knowledge issues that you can accurately describe and support.
Define the scope of your TOK essay
The interdisciplinary nature of knowledge questions makes it easy to delve into several areas of knowledge. The author must be careful to stick to the topic without providing excess information that may end up taking away from your argument. This should be evident in the TOK essay outline. Only put down the areas that are necessary for your points of discussion.
Consider your style and language
Your TOK paper should be reminiscent of three things:
- clarity (ensure your TOK essay outline allows you to communicate with your reader),
- economy (use space wisely. Ensure your points get you to the 1600 word limit) and
- precision (do not be vague or make empty assertions).
Create an account of your evidence
Theory of knowledge essays encompass a lot of evidence and data. It is important to note down all your sources and cite them appropriately. Completely eliminate the likelihood of plagiarism in your work. Within the TOK paper outline, list various sources against your major points.
Approach
Demonstrate independence and self-awareness while structuring your ideas on the TOK essay. Effectively describe your position, ideas and choice of examples while being aware of any personal biases that you may hold. These factors will affect the choice of main points that you will put down in your outline.
Writing a well-developed outline for the theory of knowledge essay enables a writer to organize and effectively deliver on the essay. The writer will reflect on each of the parts of the TOK paper and put down only those points, which strengthen the position held by the thesis statement. Outlining helps with transitions from one idea to another making it easy for the author to write his essay and subsequently the readers. It is therefore undeniable that an elaborate outline is the central core of a well-written theory of knowledge essay.
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