IB ToK Essay Titles and Topics: November 2018

Below are links to ideas on the themes of the six November 2018 IB ToK Essay topics.

• Theme 1. Classification systems and new knowledge
• Theme 2. Technology and personal knowledge
• Theme 3. Resolving knowledge disputes within a discipline
• Theme 4. Knowledge and prediction (Lao Tzu quote)
• Theme 5. Relevance and hindering knowledge production
• Theme 6. Facts, ambiguity and knowledge

I briefly mention some points to consider for each title below; however, the personalised service I offer is tailored to each student.

The IB organization holds copyright in the theory of knowledge (TOK) prescribed titles and does not permit any reproduction of any IB materials on a public website without its prior written consent. Please contact me if you wish to know any particular title verbatim.

You should be very wary of simply repeating phrases and words from ToK websites.

In particular, basing your essays on downloaded templates carries considerable risks. First, you don't know with whom you are dealing.

Secondly, your essay will share the same structure as many others and will likely be considered as plagiarised. As an experienced philosophy and ToK examiner I know how easy it is to identify essays with a common source.

At any time, you can access free podcasts, videos, and articles, relevant to your IB ToK essay or presentation, from the site's social media pages.

The posts also provide links to discussions of WoKs, AoKs and real-life examples; so it's worth following or liking them:

If you require personal help choosing your November 2018 ToK essay topics, I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Theme 1: Classification systems and new knowledge

Thoughts to consider with essay 1 include:

• conceptual schemes as classification systems
• implicit and explicit classification
• how do new classification systems come about?

If you require tailored help with topic 1 of the November 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Theme 2: Technology and personal knowledge

Thoughts to consider with essay 2 include:

• the importance of instant access to knowledge
• the difference between knowledge and information
• the difference between practical and theoretical knowledge

If you're considering answering topic 2 of the November 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Theme 3: Resolving knowledge disputes within a discipline

Thoughts to consider with essay 3 include:

• the distinction between actually knowing and sincerely claiming to know
• the difference between rational and non-rational disputes
• the common ground logically required for rational disputes

If you'd like to discuss topic 3 of the November 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Theme 4: Knowledge and prediction (Lao Tzu quote)

Thoughts to consider with essay 4 include:

• does all knowledge involve prediction?
• the difference between practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge
• the distinction between actually knowing and sincerely claiming to know

If you'd like help with topic 4 of the November 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Theme 5: Relevance and hindering knowledge production

Thoughts to consider with essay 5 include:

• how do we measure the quantity of knowledge in a discipline?
• do academic disciplines correlate with university departments?
• is it information or knowledge that hinders?

If you're considering addressing topic 5 of the November 2018 ToK essay titles, then by all means email me:

Theme 6: Facts, ambiguity and knowledge

Thoughts to consider with essay 6 include:

• is the phrase 'incontrovertible fact' a tautology?
• under what circumstances, if ever, would you prefer ambiguity to clarity?
• the difference between factual and practical knowledge

If you're writing on topic 6 of the November 2018 ToK essay titles, then I'd be happy to receive your email: