TOK+Essay+Criteria

=TOK ESSAY Checklist:= toc

This guide is adapted from the works of Richard van de Lagemaat: http://www.cambridge...ets/pdf/TOK.pdf
 * Reference **

**Writing a TOK Essay**
 *  //Tones of people freak out over the TOK essay when they see the topics. I know I did. It took me a lot of investigation, tips, and going to talk to my professor to figure out the process. In the end, my teacher gave me the best advice, which I have given bellow. It helped amazingly.// **

> ** > ** > ** > ** > ** > **  //**//All of these are common questions asked by TOK students. I have given the information bellow that I find most important for writing a solid, well-rounded, critical and organized essay. If anyone would like to add in advice or information, or give me suggestions of advice and information to add into this document, feel free, and I will get right on it.// **//
 * **Where do I start?
 * **What do I write?
 * **How many paragraphs should I have?
 * **How many examples should I have?
 * **What about counter-arguments?
 * **Can I use outside sources?
 * **How do I define terms? Do I even need to define them? **

** How to Remember the Assessment Criteria ** //Keep in mind the Assessment Criteria when writing your TOK essay. Use it as a checklist throughout your writing process. // <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**A. Understanding knowledge issues**__ <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**B. Knower’s perspective**__ <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**C. Analysis of knowledge issues**__ <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**D. Organisation of ideas**__
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Does your essay contain each criteria, A, B, C and D?
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You essay is focused on //knowledge issues//
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You have made links and comparisons
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You have only relevant information
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your understanding of the prescribed topic is sophisticated
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your thinking and reasoning is independent
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You demonstrate self-awareness
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You mention different perspectives about specific issues
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your examples are varied, well-explained and relevant
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your writing style and organization demonstrates insight and depth
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your main points have been justified
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You essay contains both arguments and counter-arguments
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your essay clarifies assumptions and implications mentioned
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The essay is well-structured
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The key concepts are explained
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your facts mentioned are accurate
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Your essay contains a //Reference Page//

//<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Remembering the each criteria throughout the writing process may be difficult; therefore, another method of keeping the basics in your mind while writing is by using the "4 Cs" explained below: //
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> ** CONTENT ** (criterion A)- incorporation of Knowledge Issues
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> ** CREATIVITY ** (criterion B)- incorporation of Personal Thought
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> ** CRITICAL THINKING ** (criterion C)- incorporation of arguments and counter-arguments
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> ** CLARITY ** (criterion D)- well-structured essay

<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #b79000; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">** Choosing a Question from the Prescribed Titles and Brainstorming ** //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">When choosing a question for your essay from the IBO Prescribed Titles, make sure the question you choose can fulfill the following: //


 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> You understand the question **
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">If you don't understand the question, than don't try to figure out what it means. Just don't choose that question! Choose something easier! You should be clear about what the question means, what knowledge issues it raises and what is and is not relevant to it.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> You are interested in the question **
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">How can you write about something you are not interested in? You will encounter many difficulties and also become very bored. Remember, one goal in writing an essay it to keep it interesting for the reader!
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> You have something to say about the question **
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Can you come up with knowledge issues, possible examples and explanations for the question? You need to display confidence in your essay, if you cannot identify it's features, you cannot display that confidence. Try not to choose a question that covers a topic you did not study in your TOK class.

<span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Now it is time to Brainstorm your ideas:**__
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Read exemplar essays
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Keep in mind the TOK diagram (if you have trouble remembering it, print it out and have it in front of you at all times)
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Keep in mind the Assessment Criteria or the "4 Cs"
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Jot down ideas that come to mind when thinking about the question
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Compare and contrast the ideas, than get rid of unimportant ideas.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Think about how your ideas are related to each other
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Create a mind map to visualize your ideas, and connect them
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Start giving your main ideas sub-points
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Don't start writing by using a textbook with information. The essay is all about your ideas, and your reflection on the question.

<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #b79000; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">** Writing and Organizing the Essay ** //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Now that you have brainstormed your ideas and have a good idea about what you want to write. Begin writing. //

<span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__** Structure: **__
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Introduction
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Body Paragraphs
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Conclusion

<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Introduction**

<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Paragraphs**
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Tell the reader what you are going to do in the body paragraphs of your essay
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">There are three steps to a solid introduction:
 * have an attention grabber at the beginning of the introduction to hold the reader's attention
 * explain what you understand by the question
 * outline how you will approach the question and undertake the issues
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">In order to explain yourself, you should:
 * write the question you are undertaking in your own words
 * explain key terms/give definitions for key terms (in order to avoid ambiguity throughout your essay)
 * state why the question is important
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">impose your own limits on the question (you can never cover everything, so choose the main fields you wish to work work with)
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Thesis Statement **
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">the fundamental claim you are making in your essay
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">write a rough Thesis Statement before you start writing
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">your Thesis Statement will most likely need to be changed a the end of your writing

<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Conclusion**
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Purpose of the paragraphs (i.e. the body) of your essay- break down, and set apart major new points in your arguments
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Organization of the paragraphs of your essay- a group of arguments and evidence that have to do specifically with the point of the main argument being discussed in that specific paragraph
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">How long should each paragraph be and how should they be or set-up?
 * Make sure your paragraphs don't have any irrelevant information
 * Major points will, obviously, be longer paragraphs; meanwhile, minor points will be shorter, possibly only 4-5 sentences
 * Transition smoothly from paragraph to paragraph (i.e. from point to point). Use appropriate **transition words** and **concluding sentences** in your paragraphs to achieve this smooth transition
 * Since it is a long essay, you may want to occasionally recap on what you have written, as to not lose the reader in many points, examples and information.


 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Wrap up your essay; do not end abruptly.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Do not briefly restate what you have already said in your body paragraphs
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Formulate a new way to state your major insight/argument
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Mention unresolved issues
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Have a striking concluding sentence, giving the reader a positive view on your essays argument.

<span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__** Style **__
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Clarity
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Economy
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Precision

<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Clarity** <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- make sure the reader can understand what you are saying. Do not feel the need to use complicated words, which would brake the flow of your essay. <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Economy** <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- make your essay flow, but also eliminate irrelevant adjectives and other words that are unnecessary and take up your limited word count <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Precision** <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #b79000; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">** Key Features that Should Appear in Your Essay ** <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Content**__ <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Key Question: //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> could your essay have been written by someone who has never taken a TOK class? If yes, than you have a problem: there is not enough TOK content (vocabulary, arguments, areas of knowledge, issues of knowledge, etc.) <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Personal Thought**__ <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Key Question //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">: does the accumulation of your examples and personal thoughts to justify your arguments give your essay a distinctive voice? If your essay sounds bland and boring, you have a problem: go back, be creative and thoughtful.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">avoid clarifying too many words; people will get overwhelmed by definitions
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">make sure to use language that is correct. Some words have subtle differences, others sometimes are inadequately used
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">display TOK-type **critical thinking** abilities
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">the central question: How do you know
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">tell about the subject, not just facts
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">compare and contrast difference sources, knowledge issues and areas of knowledge

<span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Definitions**__ <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Key Question //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">: Does your essay begin with explanations/definitions of possible contested concepts you will be utilizing throughout your essay? If someone was to highlight the definitions in your essay, would they be in the introduction, before the reflection?
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Demonstrate your personal thoughts through: **
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">specific positions you take and the points you make for the positions
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">your well-organize, structured essay
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">your comparisons
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">your choice of examples
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">your use of language
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">your awareness of bias
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Define the contested concepts
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Definitions should be at the beginning of the essay, and a reflection should end the essay
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Explain why the definition is important and what hangs on it.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You may need to refine your definitions after you finish writing your essay.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Steps for a good definition:
 * look into typical examples
 * find common characteristics
 * test the concept

<span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Arguments**__ <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- Key Question: Are your arguments a connected series of statements? Do your arguments gives premises to support your claim (your conclusion paragraph) <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Evidence**__ <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Key Question //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">: Do you have examples for your arguments that give your reader a typical, real-lie event to identify with? <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Counter-arguments**__ <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Key Question //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">: Did you give substantial counter-arguments and refute them successfully? <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Sound Reasoning**__ <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Key Question //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">: Go through your essay and identify all of the arguments. Have they been properly justified? <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Think about 5 main factors: <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Breadth**__ <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Examples**__ <span class="bbc_underline" style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #800080; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">__**Quotations**__ //<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">According to the IBO definition, plagiarism is ‘the representation of the ideas or work of another person as the candidate’s own’. You will not be awarded your IB Diploma if it is discovered that you plagiarized your essay. To avoid plagiarism, the IBO says that: ‘Candidates must always ensure that they acknowledge fully and in detail the words and/or ideas of another person.’ Be sure to, therefore, reference (give credit) to any quotations written in your essay. // <span style="font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif;"> =** //TOK ESSAY TIPS:// **= <span style="font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif;"> = <span style="font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif;">  =
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">//**"Therefore"**// **test**- put //therefore// in front of your statements, and the series makes sense, then it is an argument.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">As a rough guide, you should give supporting evidence if what you are saying is:
 * central to your argument
 * disputable or surprising.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The more that hangs on an assertion and the more disputable it is, the more evidence you should give in support of it.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Approach your sources critically:
 * Who says?
 * Do they have the relevant expertise?
 * Are they trustworthy?
 * Do they have a vested interest?
 * What’s the evidence?
 * How plausible is it?
 * Do they show both sides?
 * Do they use emotive language? Do other experts agree?
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Pretend like your essay is a dialogue: someone is trying to contradict your argument, and you are refuting them
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Once you have given a counter-argument, you will need to decide how it affects your original argument. There are two main types of response you can make:
 * **Refutation**- reject the counter-argument, proving its mistakes, unlikeliness or unimportance
 * **Concession-** You allow that there is some truth in the counter-argument and qualify your original argument to take account of it.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">To have a well-justified argument, be careful for:
 * Hasty generalization- generalizing from insufficient
 * Black-and-white thinking- fallacy of going from one extreme to the other.
 * Inconsistency- Check the overall consistency of your essay and ensure that your various points do not contradict one another.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="bbc_underline" style="color: #800080;">__Depth__ **<span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">- taking your analysis to an upper level; giving the essay weight
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Depth of dialogue** try to not go back-and-forth between arguments and counter-arguments, and think of a response to the counter-argument and a counter-response to that. Think about: the quality as well as the quantity of such exchanges, at what point to bring them to a close.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Weight of evidence** The more supporting evidence you can give for your arguments the more conviction they will be.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Relevant distinctions** Introducing relevant distinctions will add subtlety and finesse to your argument.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Key implications** By exploring the implications of your argument, you show that you are thinking around the issue. Ask yourself what follows from the point you are considering.
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">**Background assumptions** What assumptions am I making? Be willing to question them. Try not to confuse what is cultural and what is natural
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">make connections
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">consider both similarities and differences
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">consider different perspectives
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">think beyond your own assumptions
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">bring in hidden assumptions in your own thinking
 * <span style="background-color: #f5f6f7; color: #474747; font-family: helvetica,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">use varied and effective examples
 * Keep in mind when giving examples:
 * Hypothetical examples
 * Clichéd examples
 * Representative examples
 * Varied examples
 * Brevity of examples
 * Examples vs statistics- use both if you want
 * //@http://gen2.ca/DBHS/TOKRequiredAssessment.pdf// **