TOK Essay Title May 2024
TOK essay title 5 ideas
Title 5: “Do we need custodians of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.”
1) Introduction and Connection to the Title
○ Rudimentary (1-2): Offer a brief overview of what custodians of knowledge are, without making connections to any area of knowledge.
○ Basic (3-4): Simply introduce the concept and its potential relevance to two areas of knowledge you will discuss.
○ Good (7-8) to Excellent (9-10): Frame the essay by questioning the role, importance, and ethical implications of having custodians in the realm of knowledge.
2) Links to Areas of Knowledge
○ Rudimentary (1-2): Name the two areas of knowledge but do not elaborate.
○ Basic (3-4): Mention how custodians may appear in these areas but without much depth.
○ Good (7-8) to Excellent (9-10): Identify key institutions or roles that act as custodians in your chosen areas and the complexities involved therein.
3) Arguments and Examples
○ Rudimentary (1-2): Offer generalities like “custodians are important.”
○ Basic (3-4): Provide one or two examples, such as the role of peer review in the sciences or curators in the arts.
○ Good (7-8) to Excellent (9-10): Use well-developed case studies or historical events to demonstrate the pros and cons of having custodians in each area. Evaluate these roles considering ethical, practical, or social dimensions.
4) Different Points of View
○ Rudimentary to Basic: Overlook or only superficially include counterarguments.
○ Satisfactory (5-6): Acknowledge that the role of custodians can be debated.
○ Good (7-8) to Excellent (9-10): Delve into the debate, possibly introducing perspectives that question the necessity or ethics of having custodians. Compare and contrast these perspectives with your main argument, offering a balanced view.
5) Conclusion
○ Rudimentary to Basic: Conclude by simply restating the question or your main points.
○ Satisfactory to Excellent: Summarize your nuanced stance on the issue, reflecting on the broader implications for society and knowledge production in the selected areas.
