As a teacher and tutor I specialize in helping students write top-scoring essays. I wanted to share with you a helpful way to think about this, which will help you show strong critical thinking --something that often counts for close to 50% of your essay grade, so you can do well, even if you don’t work with me as your tutor.
First, let’s notice that there are 3 very different actvities required to create a great analytical essay. You need to:
If you do those 3 things thoughtfully you can definitely get a 7 (or an A, if it's TOK or your EE).
We can think of those 3 activities as relating to 4 different roles you need to play: You need to
Here you'll find the Theory of Knowledge Essay prescribed titles for the May 2023 session.
The video analysis of these titles is also available already in the member's area.--which you can watch using a free trial! (Just click the "subscribe" tab at the top of this page. Once you're signed up and signed in, the video link will work for you). You can also find our entirely new TOK Essay Video Course (11 helpful videos) here.
1. Is replicability necessary in the production of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
2. For artists and natural scientists, which is more important: what can be explained or what cannot be explained? Discuss with reference to the arts and the natural sciences.
3. Does it matter if our acquisition of knowledge happens in “bubbles” where some information and voices are excluded? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
4. Do you agree that it is...
Here is a step-by-step structure you can follow to complete your Extended Essay in Economics. The layout has changed recently, for example in terms of the cover sheet requirements and the reflections, but this post is up-to-date (and it includes a lot of helpful links).
Here are a few key points and other helpful links you’ll want to use:
Here are the Theory of Knowledge Essay prescribed titles for the November 2022 session.
The video analysis of these titles is already available in the member's area (here) and there are already discussions posted in our community area. So you'll find lots of help inside IBMastery, with topics and ideas to consider for each title, some tips for the new rubric and helpful advice for each title.
1. Within an area of knowledge is it more important to have credibility or power? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
2. If pushed too far, can open-mindedness itself become restrictive? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
3. Is it better to “have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned” (adapted from Richard Feynman)? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
4. Why do we seek...
Our full video on the Peacewick University case (May 2022 - Paper 1) is ready for you in the member's area.
We've gone through the May 2022 Paper 1 case and created an exhaustive video analysis (around 27 minutes of clear analysis) explaining everything we think you'll need to know to master the paper 1 exam.
This is the best analysis you'll find anywhere, so this video will save you time and stress, as you prepare for your May IB Business Management exams.
To subscribe: Click here
And then, once you're logged in click here to start watching the video.
Our full video on the Megamin Mining case (November 2021 - Paper 1) is already streaming in the member's area.
We've gone through the November 2021 Paper 1 case and created an extremely exhaustive video analysis (around 27 minutes of clear analysis) explaining everything we think you'll need to know to master the paper 1 exam.
I promise this is the best analysis you'll find anywhere, so these will save you time and stress, as you prepare for your November IB exams.
To subscribe: Click here
And then, once you're logged in click here to start watching the video.
Here are the Theory of Knowledge Essay prescribed titles for the May 2022 session.
Tim has made a full, May 2022 TOK Essay Titles Analysis, which you can watch inside IBMastery. It will help you understand how to approach each of the titles (i.e. things to avoid, things to consider and some tips and helpful advice for each title).
1. Can there be knowledge that is independent of culture? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
2. To what extent do you agree with the claim that “there’s a world of difference between truth and facts” (Maya Angelou)? Answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.
3. Is there solid justification for regarding knowledge in the natural sciences more highly than knowledge in another area of knowledge? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
4. How do historians and human scientists give...
Here are the TOK Essay prescribed titles (for the November 2021 session).
I've created an in-depth November 2021 TOK Essay Titles Analysis, which you can watch inside IBMastery. It will help you understand how to approach each of the titles (i.e. things to avoid, things to consider and some tips for each title).
I know you'll really benefit from the video.
It is already available here (that's a Member's Link). If you're not yet a member, you can watch it by signing up here.
1. Why is it so difficult to identify a clear line between accepted and disputed knowledge within a discipline? Answer with reference to two disciplines, each taken from a different area of knowledge.
2. “Knowledge gained through direct experience is powerful but problematic.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
3. “There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact” (Arthur...
Hi Business Management students!
Our full video course on the Multi Marketing case (May 2021 - Paper 1) has ready for you, in the member's area. You'll need to subscribe to access it.
We've gone through the May 2021 Paper 1 case and created an extremely exhaustive video analysis (around 70 minutes of video analysis) explaining everything we think you'll need to know to master the paper 1 exam, including a lot of background insights into the marketing industry and MM's potential new location.
I promise this is the best analysis you'll find anywhere, so these will save you time and stress. (You've had enough stress this year).
To subscribe: Click here
And then, once you're logged in click here to start watching the videos. You'll get a new video every day for 5 days, to help you get fully-prepared for paper 1.
See you inside!
The TOK Exhibition (also sometimes called the TOK IA) counts for one-third of your marks in the course. As you know, you need to choose one of the 35 IA prompts to base your exhibition on.
This is a challenging task and I’ve created a blog post explaining how you to get all of the marks on these here). But, first you’ll need to choose ONE prompt from this list.
(A video course, to help you complete your exhibition and commentary is available to IBMastery subscribers. You can access the whole thing by taking a free trial here).
1. What counts as knowledge?
2. Are some types of knowledge more useful than others?
3. What features of knowledge have an impact on its reliability?
4. On what grounds might we doubt a claim?
5. What counts as good evidence for a claim?
6. How does the way that we organize or classify knowledge affect what we know?
7. What are the implications of having, or not having,...