Selecting the right IA prompt is critical for crafting a compelling ToK Exhibition. The prompt serves as the foundation for your exploration of real-world objects and their connection to ToK Concepts.
5 Step Guide
1.
Understand the Purpose of the Prompt
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The prompt serves as the foundation of your exhibition. It frames your analysis of knowledge concepts and how they relate to real-world objects.
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Each prompt is an open-ended question that allows you to explore knowledge questions. Your goal is to create a clear, thoughtful, and personalized response through objects.
2.
Identify Your Strengths and Interests
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Your personal interest will make the process more engaging and meaningful.
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Think about your strengths, preferred Areas of Knowledge (AOKs), and objects that fascinate you.
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Consider personal experiences, current events, or stories from the news that could become your objects.
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Reflect on your favorite subjects (e.g., history, science, art, etc.) and the AOKs you feel most confident discussing.
Example:
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If you love biology, a prompt like "What counts as good evidence for a claim?" could work since you can potentially explore how scientific experiments or scientific models serve as evidence in justifying knowledge claims in natural sciences.
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If you love psychology, a prompt like “Can new knowledge change established values or beliefs?” could work since you can potentially explore how discoveries in psychology challenge traditional views on human behavior such as shifting attitudes on mental health.
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If you love history, a prompt like “Are some things unknowable?” could work since you can potentially explore the limitations of producing knowledge only through historical artifacts.
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If you love mathematics, a prompt like “Are some types of knowledge more useful than others?” could work since you can potentially explore how mathematical knowledge is often seen as universally applicable compared to more context-dependent knowledge in other fields.
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If you love art, a prompt like “What is the relationship between personal experience and knowledge?” could work since you can potentially explore the influence of memory and emotions in the creation of art.
3.
Shortlist ~3 Prompts
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By narrowing your options, you reduce choice paralysis and focus on the most promising prompts.
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Pick prompts that you feel comfortable answering with potential objects in mind.
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For each prompt, think of 2-3 possible objects that could connect to it.
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If you can’t think of any objects for a prompt, it may not be the right fit.
4.
Choose 1 Prompt with Strong Objects and Concepts
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You want a clear and manageable focus.
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Select the prompt that feels most personal, interesting, and conceptually rich.
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There are no prompts you should or should not pick that guarantees a higher score. It’s more important to pick a prompt that you fully understand and personally interested in.
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Ask yourself these questions:
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Do I find this topic interesting to explore for several weeks?
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Do I have at least 3 strong objects that clearly connect to the prompt?
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Can I link at least 3-4 key TOK concepts to this prompt?
If you answer "yes" to all three questions, you’ve found your prompt!
5.
Confirm Your Choice with a Teacher
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Remember, the exhibition is internally assessed (and moderated by IB) so your teacher’s feedback ensures you’re on the right track.
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Your teacher can spot issues with unclear objects or misaligned prompts.
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Ask for specific feedback on the relevance of your objects to the prompt.