Completing the essay PPF
Completing and uploading your Presentation Planning Form (PPF) means that you’ve done the hard part of writing your essay, and are nearly at the end of the process.
Check out our short video explainer for the TOK essay; you can find more explainers about other aspects of the course in our TOK explainer playlist.
TOK essay pages
Learn about how the essay is marked, and the skills you are expected to demonstrate in order to succeed.
Find out how to evaluate the six prescribed essay titles, and decide on which one will work best for you.
Learn about the three interactions with your TOK teacher, and what you should be discussing in each one.
Gain a few tips on how to structure your TOK essay, how to articulate your ideas, and ways to justify your claims.
Find out about how to fill in the essay PPF, and why this is an important indication of your engagement with TOK.
Writing your TOK essay PPF
The three PPF comments are a record of what you discussed during the three . Your comments will not be assessed directly, but they should be taken seriously! They provide evidence that you have spent time and effort on your essay, and approached it in a systematic, planned way.
We strongly recommend that you write your PPF comments as soon as you have had your interactions with your teacher. This will mean that it will be fresh in your mind, and much easier to records – rather than having to remember what you talked about several months down the line. We also recommend using a platform like ManageBac to record your thoughts – this will make your life a lot easier.
Bullet points are perfectly acceptable for your PPF – indeed, this is a clearer way of recording the different points you covered in the interactions than writing full paragraphs. Try to get close to the word limit – it’s 689 characters for each interaction.
More support for the TOK essay
Make sure that your TOK teacher has given you access to all the documents and online material that support the essay. These include the TOK Subject Guide, the TOK essay rubric, and exemplar TOK essays (found in ‘MyIB’, which is accessible to teachers).
Make sure you go through our other pages on writing the TOK essay. You’ll find help on understanding what the is looking for, that works for you, what each of the should focus on, how to an effective TOK essay, and how to fill in your .
If your school is a member of theoryofknowledge.net, we have designed a series of lessons on the essay, with two formative assessment tasks. These will familiarize you with the essay rubric, knowledge questions, real-life situations, how to deal with perspectives and implications, and structuring an essay. If you are signed into the site, you can access these lessons here.
You can also find out our thoughts on the TOK essay (and the TOK exhibition) in several webinars that we have delivered. The main one is the TOK Assessment 2022 webinar, but we also consider this form of assessment in our free webinars on the 2022 course. You can see these webinars on this page of the site.
Using the exploration points
The EPs enable you to develop a deeper understanding of the AOKs, via media sources and unpacking suggestions, links to TED talks, guidance on the 12 key concepts of TOK, and other features. Join us to gain access to this incredibly useful tool for supporting your essay arguments.
FAQs about the TOK essay PPF
Is my PPF marked?
No, but it is a mandatory part of the TOK essay task. Writing a thorough PPF gives a great impression about your essay, and shows that you have followed the right process in planning, structuring, and writing it.
How do I submit my PPF?
You should add your comments to the official TK/PPF form, and upload it with your TOK essay. This is all done on the IB dashboard, which is quite user-friendly. Ask your TOK teacher or DP coordinator to help you if you’re not sure.
Links to the areas of knowledge
Use the links below to take you to the areas of knowledge. You’ll find ideas from influential thinkers, the latest real-life situations, key terms and concepts, and other content to help you create an authoritative and accomplished TOK essay.
Arts
You should explore your prescribed title within the context of two or more areas of knowledge. Follow the link below to take you to the arts.
History
You should explore your prescribed title within the context of two or more areas of knowledge. Follow the link below to take you to history.
Hum Sci
You should explore your prescribed title within the context of two or more areas of knowledge. Follow the link to take you to human sciences.
Mathematics
You should explore your prescribed title within the context of two or more areas of knowledge. Follow the link below to take you to mathematics.
Nat Sci
You should explore your prescribed title within the context of two or more areas of knowledge. Follow the link to take you to natural sciences.
Get real with TOK by subscribing to the newsletter
Step into the real and unpackaged world by subscribing to our unique monthly TOK newsletter. You’ll receive links to great media sources from all over the world that place the TOK themes and areas of knowledge into an authentic context.
You’ll meet great thinkers and ideas, hone your understanding of key TOK concepts, and build up a library of examples for the essay and exhibition. Subscribe HERE!