TOK ENDGAME:
TOK Essay blunders to avoid

Dead Man’s fingers Xylaria polymorpha

TOK ESSAY BLUNDERS TO AVOID

  • Any dictionary definition—even worse if earnestly and pedantically cited.

  • Phrases like, “Since the dawn of time...”

  • Presenting a singular, linear “winning” argument that makes little effort to evaluate different points of view.

  • Simply quoting a famous philosopher or other authority out of context and then saying, “therefore”...

  • The conspicuous absence of any multi-cultural or international point of reference.

  • Presenting an essay entirely lacking in personal voice.

  • Enormous paragraphs or no paragraphs at all.

  • Unjustified broad assertion or generalizations.

  • Using hypothetical rather than specific real world examples

  • Actual errors... double check everything.

  • Banal examples like dead pet stories, school gossip or Disney film characters.

  • Using obscure terms without even briefly explaining them.

  • Procrastinating to the last moment so that you unable to edit your own work with a fresh critical eye.

  • What else?