Sample TOK Essay MarkingMs. Halle Bauer

Theory of Knowledge 1/Government

2013-2014

Directions

1. Individually read both sample essays. You may write on them.

2. Individually mark each essay using the TOK Essay Rubric. Give each essay a letter grade and an IB mark from 1-10.

3. In your small group, compare marks. Agree upon a final group letter grade and a final group IB mark from 1-10.

4. Be prepared to justify your marks as a group.

Sample 1

Actual Mark

• B• New Guide Mark of 7

Examiner Comments

• “The essay is well organized with paragraphs devoted to claims and counterclaims.”

• “Regarding personal examples (doubt about the origin of life, the origin of the Swedish wooden plate), some were more effective than others. Also the use of psychology to counter claim that doubt is the origin of knowledge was pertinent and coherent.”

• “Some of the examples, in spite of being pertinent and coherent, were not original and thoroughly evaluated.”

Sample 2

Actual Mark

• A• Old Guide Mark of 31• New Guide Estimated

Mark of 9

Examiner Comments

• “The student consistently addresses relevant knowledge issues (whether or not we can know the meaning of a novel, the limits of psychology, fallacious reasoning, scientific method, reductionism/holism, what it means to ‘learn’.”

• “Varied and effective examples…show a fine ability to link the ideas of the prescribed title to a broad range of academic and everyday situations in an independent and personal way.”

• “The analysis of knowledge issues is less effective than their identification and exemplification.”

• “Counterclaims are implicitly explored.”

WHAT SETS AN “A” ESSAY APART FROM THE REST?

Want More Samples?

• More sample essays are available on the class Moodle page, including at least one paper for each letter grade.