TOK prescribed titles typically fall into a few distinct types of questions, each designed to prompt critical thinking and nuanced analysis of knowledge issues. Here's an overview of the common types of questions in prescribed titles.
1.
Yes/No Questions
These questions invite the writer to take a stance but require justification, nuance, and exploration of both sides. Though it appears as a yes/no question, a strong TOK essay will explore the complexities, conditions, and implications of answering in either direction.
"In the production of knowledge, are we too quick to dismiss anomalies? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
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Example Argument: “In the natural sciences, anomalies often serve as catalysts for paradigm shifts, and dismissing them too quickly risks overlooking opportunities to drive transformative advancements in knowledge.”
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Example Counter Argument: “However, in the natural sciences, dismissing anomalies can be a practical necessity to avoid being misled by experimental errors, ensuring the focus remains on replicable findings.”
2.
“To What Extent” Questions
These questions require evaluation of the degree or limits of a claim or principle. They emphasize analysis, comparison, and weighing of evidence.
“To what extent do you agree that there is no significant difference between hypothesis and speculation? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.”
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Example Argument: “In the human sciences, hypotheses differ significantly from speculation because they are systematically developed based on observable phenomena, whereas speculation lacks the methodological rigor required to generate knowledge.”
Example Counter Argument: “Nonetheless, in the human sciences, the distinction between hypothesis and speculation is often blurred because the complexity of human phenomena sometimes prevents hypotheses from being empirically tested, leaving them closer to informed speculation.”
3.
“How” Questions
These questions focus on mechanisms, methodologies, or relationships between concepts, often requiring detailed exploration of processes or implications.
“How might it benefit an area of knowledge to sever ties with its past? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
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Example Argument: “In history, severing ties with its past allows the field to overcome entrenched biases and prioritize marginalized perspectives, fostering a more equitable understanding of historical narratives.”
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Example Counter/Second Argument: “Moreover, severing ties with the past in history can also benefit the discipline by encouraging historians to redefine methodologies, focusing on present-day relevance rather than adhering to outdated traditions.”
4.
“What” or “Why” Questions
These open-ended questions focus on exploration and analysis of key concepts, roles, or principles in the TOK framework.
"In the pursuit of knowledge, what is gained by the artists adopting the lens of the scientists and the scientists adopting the lens of the artist? Discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences.”
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Example Argument: “When artists adopt the lens of scientists, they gain a deeper appreciation for precision and accuracy, allowing them to refine their techniques to achieve more detailed works.”
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Example Counter/Second Argument: “Additionally, artists adopting the lens of scientists gain the ability to challenge traditional aesthetics through experimental methods, pushing the boundaries of what art can convey.”
In all types of questions, constructing a strong argument involves clearly stating your position, providing evidence, and relating it to TOK concepts, while constructing a counterargument involves acknowledging alternative perspectives, providing evidence for them, and critically evaluating their impact. By addressing both sides of an issue, you demonstrate critical thinking and the depth of your understanding in the TOK essay.