Step-by-Step TOK Exhibition Prep
Step 1: Understanding the TOK Exhibition
• Review the TOK Exhibition guide and Rubric thoroughly.
• Understand that the exhibition demonstrates how TOK concepts appear in real-
world contexts through selected objects.
Step 2: Selecting the Prompt
• Carefully read all 35 IA prompts provided by IB.
• Choose a prompt that genuinely interests you and about which you feel confident
exploring different dimensions.
Step 3: Choosing your Objects
• Identify three tangible, specific, real-world objects.
• Ensure each object clearly connects to your chosen prompt.
• Each object must provide a different angle or perspective to discuss the prompt
comprehensively.
Step 4: Initial Justification of Object Choices
• For each object, clearly write:
o What the object is.
o The real-world context from which it is drawn.
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o Why you have selected this object (initial justification related to your
prompt).
Step 5: Linking Objects to TOK Themes
• Choose one TOK theme (Knowledge and the knower) or one of the optional themes
(e.g., Knowledge and technology, Knowledge and language).
• Briefly note how your objects link individually and collectively to your chosen TOK
theme.
Step 6: Structuring your Commentaries
Each commentary (~300 words per object) should explicitly include:
• Introduction to Object:
o Describe clearly and briefly the object and its specific real-world context.
• Link to Prompt:
o Clearly articulate how the object specifically relates to and explores the TOK
prompt.
• TOK Analysis:
o Explain explicitly how TOK manifests in this object.
o Identify and discuss relevant TOK concepts (e.g., evidence, certainty,
interpretation, power, values).
o Use precise and explicit language.
• Justification for Inclusion:
o Clearly justify why this object was selected in relation to the prompt and the
theme.
o Highlight how this object helps in understanding the complexities or different
dimensions of the prompt.
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Step 7: Ensuring Cohesion and Clarity
• Ensure each commentary explicitly references and stays consistently linked to the
prompt.
• Avoid general or vague statements—be specific in explaining how each object
provides insight into the prompt and TOK theme.
Step 8: Reviewing Exemplars
• Review the provided exemplars with the corresponding examiner’s comments.
• Identify the strengths noted by examiners:
o Specificity of objects
o Clear links between prompt and object
o Explicit justification of object selection
o Strong, relevant TOK analysis
• Aim to reflect these strengths clearly in your commentaries.
Step 9: Drafting and Revising
• Write a first draft of your commentaries using the structure above.
• Peer-review and self-review drafts explicitly against the IB rubric criteria.
• Revise commentaries for clarity, precision, explicit linkage to prompt and theme,
and coherence across the three objects.
Step 10: Final Check
• Confirm that each commentary is within the 300-word limit.
• Ensure all three objects and commentaries clearly and explicitly address the same
prompt.
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• Double-check grammar, spelling, punctuation, and precise TOK terminology.
Following these explicit, structured steps will help ensure your TOK Exhibition is clear,
coherent, and robust in demonstrating TOK thinking and analysis.
