Suggested structure (see also the exemplar essay plan)
Element Description No. words (approx)
Introduction ● Include a ‘hook’ to interest the reader 200 words
● Explain the key terms of your title, and how you will be interpreting them
● Refer to the scope of your essay plan - specifically the AOKs that you will explore
Discussion 1 ● State the claim of your argument, which should be very closely related to the title 150 - 200 words
● Discuss it generally (i.e. without referring to any specific examples). Include the ideas of a key thinker to
support this, and mention how different perspectives might affect the claim
● Support your points with at least one specific RLS
● State an alternative point of view (a counter argument/counterclaim), keeping it based on the same AOK. 150-200 words
● Discuss it generally, again, referring to any key thinkers, and perspectives
● Support your points with at least one specific RLS
Discussion 2 ● Before you move onto your second discussion, briefly compare and contrast the two AOKs (eg, thinking 150-200 words
about the processes of knowledge production, or the use/purpose of knowledge)
● Do the same as the claim for Discussion 1, this time in the context of your second AOK
● Do the same as the counterclaim for Discussion 2 (keeping it in the context of the second AOK) 150-200 words
Challenge to the ● Higher level essays also manage to challenge assumptions in the title. 150 words
question ● You can either do this within the rest of the main body, or you can offer a separate section here.
(optional) ● This links your discussion effectively to the title, shows that you have thought about it critically, and is one
of the ways you can construct an ‘accomplished’ essay
Conclusion ● Sum up your key points 150 words
● Answer the title directly
● Try to leave the reader with a feeling that they have read something meaningful and significant
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Bibliography ● This should provide the details of all the references you have used N/A
Question titles & links to the Big Questions
● The word limit for the essay plan is 1200 words.
● The deadline for the essay plan is…
● Your essay plan should answer ONE of the following titles. Do not alter it in any way.
1 “The more immediately knowledge comes to us, the more unreliable it is.” Discuss this in the context of two areas of
knowledge.
2 “Different knowledge claims all deserve to be given equal attention and consideration.” Discuss this statement in relation
to two areas of knowledge.
3 Who has more responsibility for the acquisition of knowledge: the user, or the producer? Discuss this with reference to
two areas of knowledge.
4 “The process of producing knowledge is more important than reaching an end result.” Consider this assertion in the
context of two areas of knowledge.
5 Is the production of valid knowledge about just writing down what you observe? Answer this in the context of two areas of
knowledge.
6 “Knowledge becomes more accurate over time.” Explore this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
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Does the student analyze the essay title in a clear, coherent, and critical way?
Excellent Very good Satisfactory Basic Elementary Irrelevant
9-10 7-8 5-6 3-4 1-2 0
Relevance to title The discussion offers The discussion offers The discussion offers The discussion is The discussion is The essay does not
a sustained focus on some focus on the title a little focus on the connected to the title weakly connected to reach any of the
the title title the title descriptors, or does
not answer any of the
Links to TOK The discussion is The discussion is The discussion is has The discussion is The discussion may correct titles
linked very effectively linked effectively to some links to AOKs linked superficially or have links to the AOKs
to the AOKs AOKs in a limited way to
AOKs
Quality of Arguments are clear Arguments are clear Arguments are Arguments are Arguments are
arguments and coherent, and are and coherent, and are present, and are descriptive, unclear, descriptive, or consist
effectively supported supported by supported by and supported only by only of unsupported
by specific examples examples examples ineffective examples assertions
Perspectives There is a clear There is an awareness There is some
awareness shown of shown of different awareness shown of
different points of points of view, and different points of
view, and these are these are evaluated view
evaluated
Implications of Implications of
arguments arguments are
considered
Typical Insightful, convincing, Pertinent, relevant, Acceptable, Underdeveloped, Ineffective,
characteristics of accomplished, lucid analytical, organized mainstream, basic, superficial, descriptive,
adequate, competent limited incoherent, formless
this level
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