The TOK Exhibition requires picking 3 objects of your liking, explaining them as they are in their real-world context, and then relating them to an abstract knowledge prompt. Which prompt is the best?

You must select 1 knowledge prompt out of the full list of prompts, and you will be building your TOK exhibition based on the prompt you pick. All 3 objects you choose to exhibit will have to be linked to this IA prompt.

If you are unsure about picking objects for your TOK exhibition, take a quick look at the article below:

How to Pick Objects for the TOK Exhibition

The TOK Exhibition prompts, also called IA (internal assessment) prompts, are a set of 35 knowledge questions that are very broad in their nature. You must ideally use the IA prompt exactly as it is given - you must try to not alter it any way.

IA Prompts for the TOK Exhibition

Here is the full list of the Exhibition prompts for you to showcase how TOK manifests in the world around us. You can select any one of the following:

What counts as knowledge?
Are some types of knowledge more useful than others?
What features of knowledge have an impact on its reliability?
On what grounds might we doubt a claim?
What counts as good evidence for a claim?
How does the way that we organize or classify knowledge affect what we know?
What are the implications of having, or not having, knowledge?
To what extent is certainty attainable?
Are some types of knowledge less open to interpretation than others?
What challenges are raised by the dissemination and/or communication of knowledge?
Can new knowledge change established values or beliefs?
Is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge?
How can we know that current knowledge is an improvement upon past knowledge?
Does some knowledge belong only to particular communities of knowers?
What constraints are there on the pursuit of knowledge?
Should some knowledge not be sought on ethical grounds?
Why do we seek knowledge?
Are some things unknowable?
What counts as a good justification for a claim?
What is the relationship between personal experience and knowledge?
What is the relationship between knowledge and culture?
What role do experts play in influencing our consumption or acquisition of knowledge?
How important are material tools in the production or acquisition of knowledge?
How might the context in which knowledge is presented influence whether it is accepted or rejected?
How can we distinguish between knowledge, belief and opinion?
Does our knowledge depend on our interactions with other knowers?
Does all knowledge impose ethical obligations on those who know it?
To what extent is objectivity possible in the production or acquisition of knowledge?
Who owns knowledge?
What role does imagination play in producing knowledge about the world?
How can we judge when evidence is adequate?
What makes a good explanation?
How is current knowledge shaped by its historical development?
In what ways do our values affect our acquisition of knowledge?
In what ways do values affect the production of knowledge?

What next?

Once you pick an IA prompt that seems interesting to you, you can begin brainstorming to pick your 3 objects, and a theme. While picking objects, make sure you pick objects that are of personal interest to you - meaning you have caught yourself thinking about it, or perhaps you had a conversation about it either as part of your coursework, or outside the classroom.

Other than picking 3 objects, IB recommends that you choose a core theme or optional theme, and base your exhibition on one of these themes.

Core Themes for TOK

Core themes are the compulsory elements of TOK, and one of the first things that you might have learned in your TOK classes. They are compulsory elements because the core themes are present in the optional themes too! However, you can choose to do your TOK Exhibition on just one of the following core themes:

Scope
Perspectives
Methods and Tools, and
Ethics

Optional Themes for TOK

Optional themes are slightly more narrowed down, and allows you to take an in-depth look into the 4 core themes. All the optional themes must be connected to the 4 core themes, and thus to "Knowledge and the Knower". Thus if you are picking an optional theme, make sure you can link it to the core themes in some manner.

While the core themes focus on your perception of knowledge, the optional themes will broaden the focus of your answers to five factors that have a huge impact on the world today:

Knowledge and Technology
Knowledge and Language
Knowledge and Politics
Knowledge and Religion, and
Knowledge and Indigenous Societies

While your focus should remain on the optional theme you choose, you must also make connections to the one of the 4 core themes - because that is the best method by which you can link your object to the prompt you choose.

3 other essential things you should know:

Word Count: You need to type a commentary on each object you pick - since the word count is 950 words, try to write 300 - 315 words per object.
Justification is key: Justify each object and relate it's importance for your TOK Exhibition. This includes explanations and reasons why you have chosen each object.
Link each object: Your objects must somehow relate to the core theme or optional theme that you have chosen, and must have a clear link to your IA prompt.

The IB TOK Assessments are very rigorous in their grading rubrics. Although TOK will increase your critical thinking skills, it can still be intimidating!

In fact, most students can have trouble understanding exactly what is expected from them. This is where experienced tutors can step in and help you understand the criteria you need to cover, so that you can approach TOK or your other subjects with confidence.

These IB TOK tutors will guide you and nudge your understanding in the right direction, and help you develop your critical skills as well as your chances at scoring highly for your assessments. Request for a lesson by clicking here, and tackle IB TOK with logic and understanding! Good luck for your assessments.