ToK course is a mandatory course for all IB students. You will need to complete an exhibition project and write a ToK essay, which you’ll submit for assessment alongside an extended essay and internal assessments. But does the ToK essay need a bibliography?
Your ToK essay should have a bibliography after the conclusion paragraph. Here is where you acknowledge ideas, thoughts, or works by someone else if you quoted their work in your assignment. The bibliography is the key that unlocks the credibility of your work.
Key Takeaways
- IB ToK essay is a 1,600 piece of assignment based on an already prescribed essay title.
- A level 7 essay is one that reflects on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we know.
- Your essay should include a bibliography at the very end to show the credibility of your research and the authenticity of your writing.
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Do You Need a Bibliography in a TOK Essay?
You should include a bibliography in your TOK essay to show that you acknowledge the inclusion of other people’s work in your assignment.
Keep in mind that even if you present a well-constructed argument, the lack of proper citations can easily undermine the credibility of your work.
In this respect, the primary purpose of referencing within TOK (Theory of Knowledge) is to enable the verification of your sources.
However, it’s unnecessary to include a reference for every point. Instances of established facts, which we regarded as common knowledge, do not require citation.
Note that what qualifies as common knowledge in one cultural context might be unfamiliar to someone from a different region. So in cases of uncertainty, provide a reputable source to substantiate your assertion.
Precision is paramount when citing factual claims or ideas originating from such sources. For instance, you should include the speaker’s name and the date when referencing discussions or class notes.
When factual claims constitute a foundational element of your essay’s argument, verify these claims and include a legitimate and traceable source to support them.
TOK Essay Bibliography Structure
The TOK essay is by no means a research paper. However, you must acknowledge and reference sources if you use other people’s work in your assignment.
Your bibliography can be a collection of journals, online publications, TOK relate books, and magazines.
Here’s the structure to use:
1. Author(s)
Include the author’s name(s) in your bibliography, with the surname preceding initials if available. If there are more than three authors, reference the first author followed by “et al.,” meaning “and all.”
For sources such as websites lacking a known author, use the webpage or document title, or the organization’s name.
2. Date of Publication
Incorporate the publication year or specific date (for newspapers or journals) in your bibliography. For web sources, note the date of the last edit or update.
3. Title of Piece
Include the title of the work, such as article, journal, webpage, or book title. Italicize titles as a standard practice. For books, specify the edition to aid others in locating information.
Books may have consistent content but reorganized layouts in different editions, leading to varying page numbers. Mention the edition for accuracy.
4. Publisher Information
This is primarily applicable to books.
5. Page Numbers
When citing a specific section of a book, indicate the relevant page number(s) in your citation.
- Use “p” for a single page (e.g., p 123).
- Use “pp” for multiple pages (e.g., pp 120-125).
Why You Should Reference in Your TOK Essay
Referencing plays an important role in academic work by providing context, recognizing others’ contributions, and validating your research’s depth.
A fundamental guideline for referencing is to attribute ideas to the original writer whenever used.
You should reference for the following reasons:
- Prevent plagiarism: Referencing prevents plagiarism by distinguishing your ideas from others.
- Give a clear understanding: Referencing demonstrates your thorough grasp of the topic.
- Support your work with evidence: Referencing offers evidence that bolsters your arguments, opinions, or concepts.
- Make sources easy to trace: Referencing enables others to locate and verify the sources you’ve consulted.
By adhering to these referencing principles, you not only safeguard against plagiarism but also enhance your essay’s credibility and authenticity.
When to Reference in Your TOK Essay
When you use someone else’s idea in you Theory of Knowledge essay, whether it’s from a textbook, website, or journal, attribute the work to the original author.
Attribution is a practice that ensures the origin of the idea is transparent.
Note that proper referencing is essential regardless of whether you’ve summarized, quoted directly, or paraphrased the work.
More importantly, referencing stands as a fundamental aspect of academic writing, as it helps to solidify the credibility and integrity of your work.
Final Thoughts
You can write a Theory of Knowledge essay without including reference. However, you should cite sources if you referred to views, facts, opinions, or theories of other scholarly writers. Doing so goes a long way to demonstrate that you recognize and respect IB Academic Honesty principles.
Keep in mind that TOK essay uses the same referencing principles of the IB extended essay. In this case, you can use any of the main referencing styles. Just ensure you follow the style consistently.
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