TOK essay structure: sections, criteria and word count

At a glance

The structure, section by section

1. Title line

Required by the IB (the prescribed title, word for word; placing it as the heading with its number is a convention) · Criterion: Single instrument (the zero and relevance rules) · Outside the word count

The chosen title exactly as published for your session.

1. Pick the title from your session's list.
2. Check that the list matches your exam session.
3. Keep every word as published.
4. Leave out your name, session number, school and logo.

2. Introduction

Rewarded by a criterion (about 150 words is a convention) · Criterion: Single instrument (focus, clarity)

Your reading of the title's key terms, the knowledge question at stake, the 2 areas of knowledge, your position and your route.

1. Mark the key terms and decide what each means here.
2. Name the knowledge question the title raises.
3. Name your 2 areas of knowledge, using any the title specifies.
4. State the position you will defend and its limits.
5. Preview the route in 1 or 2 sentences.

3. Body section 1: first area of knowledge

Rewarded by a criterion (links to areas of knowledge, specific examples and other points of view are rewarded; 1 section per area and about 600 words are conventions) · Criterion: Single instrument

A claim, a specific example, a counterclaim with its own example, a judgement tied to the title, an implication.

1. Write a claim that answers part of the title.
2. Choose a specific, named, real example from the area.
3. Analyse what it shows about how knowledge is made or justified, and keep any retelling short.
4. Set out the strongest counterclaim with its own example.
5. Weigh the 2 and state a judgement in the title's terms.
6. Note 1 implication.

4. Body section 2: second area of knowledge

Rewarded by a criterion (the same conventions as body section 1) · Criterion: Single instrument

The same parts as the first body section, plus a comparison with the first area.

1. Repeat steps 1 to 6 of the first body section for the second area.
2. Compare how the 2 areas produce or test knowledge.
3. Tie the comparison back to the title.

5. Conclusion

Rewarded by a criterion (about 250 words and no new examples are conventions) · Criterion: Single instrument

An argued answer to the title, its limits and its implications.

1. Answer the title directly, drawing on both sections.
2. State the conditions or limits of your answer.
3. Draw out the implications.
4. Name a perspective the essay leaves open.
5. Add no new examples.

6. References

Required by the IB (when you use sources: cite at the point of use and list at the end) · Criterion: Integrity rule · Outside the word count

Citations in the text or in footnotes, and a list in 1 style.

1. Log each source the first time you use it.
2. Cite it at that point.
3. Build the list in 1 style at the end.

7. TK/PPF planning record

Required by the IB (a mandated form that is never marked; keep it from the start) · No criterion (authenticity) · Outside the word count · Submitted separately

Dated notes on the 3 interactions with your teacher.

1. Read all 6 titles before interaction 1.
2. Record your chosen title and your reasons the same day.
3. Bring notes or a plan to interaction 2 and record the outcome.
4. Bring 1 full draft to interaction 3 and record the advice.
5. Put your name and session number on this form only.

What counts toward the limit

Counts the introduction, body sections and conclusion, with quotations included. Acknowledgements, citations, reference footnotes, the bibliography, tables and figures are left out; the guide is silent on the title line, headings, captions and explanatory footnotes, so the counter leaves out the title line and captions and counts headings and explanatory footnotes.

The limit: 1,600 words, or 2,000 characters in Chinese and 3,200 in Japanese. Examiners stop reading at the limit.

Graphs and visuals

• Artwork, photo or screenshot discussed as an example Image, rare
  Insert only if the argument needs it; credit the source; outside the count.
• Comparison table Table, rare
  Outside the count.
• Concept diagram Drawn, rare
  Outside the count.
• Chart of published data Plotted, rare
  Cite the data source; outside the count.
• Map Map, rare
  Outside the count.
• Equation used as a mathematics example Math, rare
  Outside the count; work with equations is uploaded as a PDF.

The frequencies are our estimates, from what the IB guide expects and what teachers advise. We did not count them in marked work.

Citations

The IB sets no style; cite at the point of use as well as in the list. References in the text, footnotes or endnotes all sit outside the count.

The workspace keeps your sources and writes the bibliography in APA 7th to start with. You can switch to MLA 9th, Chicago author-date, Chicago notes (footnotes) or Harvard at any point.

Pitfalls

• Use the title exactly as published for your session, since a reworded title loses relevance and a title from another session scores 0.
• Stop at word 1,600, because examiners read no further.
• Keep your name, session number and school logo out of the essay file.
• Complete the TK/PPF with 3 teacher interactions, and ask for comments on 1 full draft only.
• Ground the discussion in argument and specific examples, since description and unsupported assertions sit in the bottom levels.
• Cite at the point of use as well as in the list, and write URLs as plain text.

The workspace is free with an account, and it never writes or rewrites your text. What we will and will not do with your coursework →

Sources

• Diploma Programme subject brief: Theory of knowledge, first assessment 2022 (IB, © 2020)
• IB, "Theory of knowledge" (DP core page; last updated 19 February 2026)
• IB, "Collaborative review of the DP and CP" (16+ review; last updated 19 February 2026)
• IB, Examiner Instructions 2027: Theory of knowledge (essay and exhibition)
• Theory of knowledge guide, first assessment 2022 (IB, published February 2020; 58 pp.)
• Diploma Programme Assessment procedures 2025 (IB, April 2025; 282 pp.; sections A2, C3.8, C5.2, C8.2.4 Figure 8, D8 Theory of knowledge pp. 243–249)
• IB form TK/PPF, "Theory of knowledge – Planning and progress form" (for use from May/November 2022; © IBO 2020)

The IB documents behind this page, checked 29 October 2026. The linked ones are on ibo.org; the others are IB documents we read in copies hosted elsewhere, so we name them without a link. Everything above is in our own words: the official wording is in your subject guide, which your coordinator can give you. LimeAdmissions is independent of the International Baccalaureate Organization, which has not endorsed this page. Every coursework structure →