TOK exhibition structure: sections, criteria and word count

At a glance

The structure, section by section

1. Title: prompt number and wording

Required by the IB · Criterion: Single instrument (the zero and relevance rules) · Outside the word count

The chosen prompt from the 35, word for word, with its number.

1. Shortlist prompts that fit objects you already know.
2. Choose 1 prompt.
3. Copy its number and wording exactly.
4. Check that all 3 objects answer this same prompt.

2. Theme line

Common practice (optional; rooting the exhibition in the core theme or 1 optional theme is recommended, themes carry no marks and no introduction is required) · No criterion · Only when it applies

The theme, if you use one, in 1 or 2 sentences.

1. Name the core theme or 1 optional theme, if you use one.
2. Keep it to 1 or 2 sentences, since it likely counts towards the 950.
3. Skip a conclusion: the IB reads one as a possible sign of misunderstanding.

3. Object 1

Required by the IB · Criterion: Single instrument (context, link, justification)

An image of the specific object; a caption with its credit or an own-work note; a commentary that identifies the object and its real-world context, links it to the prompt and justifies its place.

1. Add an image of this specific object, credited or marked as your own.
2. Name it precisely: what it is, who made or used it, when and where.
3. State its real-world context and how you came across it.
4. Explain how it bears on the prompt, using the prompt's key terms and evidence from the object.
5. Say what it contributes that is distinct from the other 2 objects.
6. Cite sources where you use them.

4. Object 2

Required by the IB · Criterion: Single instrument

The same parts as Object 1: an image, its credit and a commentary that makes a new point.

1. Repeat the object 1 steps.
2. Check that its link to the prompt makes a new point.

5. Object 3

Required by the IB (building 1 case from the 3 justifications is a convention) · Criterion: Single instrument (repetition is penalised)

The same parts as Object 1, with the 3 justifications building 1 case.

1. Repeat the object 1 steps.
2. Read the 3 justifications together and remove any repeated point.

6. References

Required by the IB · Criterion: Integrity rule · Outside the word count

Citations for every image and source, and a reference list.

1. Reference every image.
2. Mark your own photos and work as your own.
3. List every source in 1 style.

What counts toward the limit

Counts the commentaries on the 3 objects, any theme line and any headings you add. The title and prompt line, text on or within images, labels on images, captions and credit lines, citations, the reference list and acknowledgements are left out.

The limit: 950 words for the whole exhibition, or 1,150 characters in Chinese and 1,900 in Japanese. Examiners stop reading at the limit.

Graphs and visuals

• Student's own photo of a physical object, or of their own earlier work Image, very common
  3 images are required. An own-work flag; the object must exist before the exhibition and may not be made for it.
• Sourced image of a specific object the student cannot show Image, common
  It must show that specific object, since a generic image of a type of thing falls to the bottom levels; a full reference.
• Screenshot of a digital object, such as a post or an article Image, common
  Embed it as an image; no live links.
• An object that is itself a chart, map or table Image, occasional
  Treat it as an image of an existing object, with its source; text inside it is not counted.

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; reference every object image and mark your own work as your own. References sit outside the 950 words.

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

• Choose 3 specific, real objects that existed before the exhibition, and avoid generic or stock images and any object a classmate also uses.
• Link all 3 objects to the same prompt, worded exactly as listed.
• Include 3 objects, since fewer caps the mark at 6 or 3, and stop at word 950.
• Analyse each object, give each a distinct justification, and cut description and repeated points.
• Reference every image, and mark your own work as your own.
• Check that 3 real objects fit the prompt before you commit to it, and leave enough words for the last commentary.

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, "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)

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 →