Theory of
knowledge
exhibition
commentary
Annotated exemplar
About this annotated TOK exhibition commentary exemplar
This annotated exemplar is designed to help both teachers and students demystify the
process of completing a TOK exhibition commentary effectively, making explicit what is often
implicit for examiners, and provides a valuable model for students to achieve success. Kindly
note that this exemplar is not prescriptive.
What is included:
A high-quality student commentary in response to the following IA prompt:
“Are some types of knowledge more useful than others?”
Annotations of different parts of the commentary to explain how the requirements
of the assessment instrument have been successfully met. This exemplar falls into
the highest level of the TOK exhibition assessment instrument.
02
TOK exhibition commentary annotated exemplar
I have selected the TOK IA prompt: "Are some types of knowledge
Indicate clearly the chosen IA prompt
more useful than others?". This exhibition explores this prompt by 1
for this exhibition.
focusing on the core theme of knowledge and the knower, and more
specifically, how the knower evaluates the different types of
Identify clearly the theme
knowledge based on personal perspective. Further, the explorations 2
for this exhibition.
will reflect on the extent to which the context impacts our evaluation
of knowledge and the extent to which this evaluation is consistent
across time and space. This is a worthy exploration as it helps us fairly 3 Identify clearly a TOK concept.
evaluate knowledge and understand our needs as knowers.
4 Justify the choice of this IA prompt.
03
Object 1: Directions to a location from my house
Identify the first object clearly
and explain its real-world
1
context.
This object is a screenshot of a Google map taken from my mobile,
providing me with directions. The map provides me with route Provide a clear link between the
2 object and the IA prompt through
options, estimated time to reach the location, and traffic details to
explicit references.
decide the best route. This object is explicitly linked to the IA prompt
as it highlights how knowledge gained from Google maps is useful to
me as a knower as it provides me with seamless directions to a
Justify explicitly and clearly how this
particular destination.
3 object contributes to the IA prompt.
Elaborate on this justificaiton.
Knowledge derived from applications such as Google maps is
extremely useful in this age. As knowers, we have become dependent
04
on technology as it helps us achieve desired targets with relative
Justify explicitly and clearly how this
ease. This type of knowledge is procedural, in the sense that my 3
object contributes to the IA prompt.
knowledge of this application is one that can actually be applied.
Hence, the usefulness of this knowledge is in its practicality.
It is, however, important to highlight that the usefulness of this
knowledge is time-bound. Upon reaching the desired destination,
this knowledge ceases to become useful. Hence, in this context, the
extent of its usefulness has an expiration date. Further, it is also 4 Elaborate on justification.
equally important to highlight that for a person who is not well versed
with technology, the usefulness of this knowledge becomes
redundant and thus useless. So, while Google Maps is a useful tool,
the extent of its usefulness is determined by the knower.
In today's world, the number of people who can actually read a map
Include evidence that explains
is dwindling compared to past times. According to a study done by 5
which parts of the object manifest
the IA prompt and how they do so.
Ordnance Survey, 1 in 7 millennials have never read a map and
The evidence can come from
resorted to technology to get around, and 6 in 10 millennials admit external sources but stays focused
on the issue presented by the object
they rely on their phone's map whenever going somewhere new
and IA prompt.
(Allied Analytics). This indicates that digital mapping has transformed
how we navigate, highlighting the usefulness of this object, especially
that it is heavily used by those who know how to use it.
05
Object 2: My Mathematics book
Identify the second object clearly
1 and explain its real-world context.
This object is my IB Oxford Mathematics book. The book provides me
with explanations of mathematical knowledge under different topics.
Provide a clear link between the
This object is explicitly linked to the IA prompt as it highlights how 2 object and the IA prompt through
knowledge gained from this book is useful to me as a knower as it explicit references.
provides me with information necessary for examination success.
Knowledge derived from an academic book is useful to knowers
undertaking that relevant course. This type of knowledge is
propositional, whereby the knower knows that something is true and Justify explicitly and clearly how this
3
is represented with language. In this context, the knower understands object contributes to the IA prompt.
that a certain mathematical equation in the book is true. Further, for
06
knowers, such books provide the information in one place, which
Justify explicitly and clearly how this
3
simplifies the learning process. Therefore, this book’s explicit and object contributes to the IA prompt.
focused communication style makes it extremely useful to knowers.
Propositional knowledge is extremely important in many areas and is
a cornerstone of many educational systems. It is considered the first
step in acquiring new knowledge. Developing procedural knowledge
will be difficult without propositional knowledge, as presented in this Include evidence that explains which
parts of the object manifest the IA
mathematics book. For example, a knower needs to understand how 4 prompt and how they do so.
to calculate the area of a shape by multiplying its length by its width
before attempting to apply it. Hence, this object showcases the
importance of propositional mathematical knowledge as a
preliminary step to using it in the real world.
Beyond the course and the book, mathematical knowledge is equally
important in the real world as it helps the knower manage money,
Include evidence that explains which
shop efficiently, calculate distance and currency exchange, parts of the object manifest the IA
5 prompt and how they do so. The
understand health reports, understand sports, etc. Hence, unlike the
evidence can come from external
time-bound nature of Google Maps' usefulness, the usefulness of this sources but stays focused on the issue
presented by the object and IA prompt.
type of knowledge is constant through space and time.That being
said, it is important to note that even this type of mathematical
knowledge might evolve over time and cannot be considered finite.
07
Object 3: A packet of turmeric
Identify the third object clearly
and explain its real-world
1
context.
This object is a picture of the Catch spice, Turmeric, heavily used in
Indian cuisine. In addition to adding taste to food, it is also used for its
Provide a clear link between the object
2
ayurvedic properties, such as improving digestion, energizing the and the IA prompt through explicit
references. Use keywords from the IA
body, and dispelling stomach worms. This object is explicitly linked
prompt to establish this link.
to the IA prompt as it highlights how cultural knowledge is useful to
me as a knower as it provides me with knowledge based on years of
experience. Knowledge derived from culture is deemed useful
Justify explicitly and clearly how this
3
based on the context in which said culture resides. Cultural object contributes to the IA prompt.
knowledge is often transmitted verbatim across generations and is
often the go-to remedy for members of said culture. This type of
08
knowledge is often called implicit knowledge, which is knowledge
achieved through real-life experience.
3
Justify explicitly and clearly how this
object contributes to the IA prompt.
It is, however, important to highlight that the usefulness of this
knowledge is culture-bound. This means that it could be viewed
alternatively beyond that culture, and, hence, it ceases to remain
useful. For instance, there is a tendency of 'western' medical experts
Include evidence that explains
to determine the effectiveness of a medicine through repeated
which parts of the object manifest
experimentation and trials, in order to generate statistical data over a the IA prompt and how they do so.
4 The evidence can come from
period of time. In contrast, many 'eastern' medicines, such as
external sources but stays focused
Ayurvedic ones like Turmeric, are considered effective by end-users on the issue presented by the object
and IA prompt.
because of word-of-mouth feedback from others. As such, the extent
of the knowledge of Turmeric’s usefulness is contextual.
Nevertheless, in a more interconnected world, it seems that ayurvedic
medicine is gathering stride. According to Research and Market, the Include further evidence for the
5
global Ayurvedic herbs market is anticipated to reach $21.6 billion by justifications made.
2028, growing at a CAGR of 10.8% (Allied Analytics). This indicates
that ayurvedic medicine has altered how we approach health
management, highlighting the usefulness of this object, especially
since it is heavily used by those who are exposed to this knowledge.
09
Works Cited
Allied Analytics. “Ayurvedic Herbs Market anticipated to reach $21.6 billion by 2028”,
Digital Journal, Allied Analytics, 18 January 2022
https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/ayurvedic-herbs-market-anticipated-to-reach-21-6-
billion-y-2028-with-a-cagr-of-10-8#ixzz7SxvGAnHE.”, Accessed 10 April 2021.
Hughes, Alice. “Millions of millennials have never read a paper map, study claims.”
The Independent, Independent, 28 May 2019, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/
home-news/map-reading-millennials-smartphones-ordnance-survey-a8932976.html.
Accessed 11 April 2021.
10
Curriculum DP Core: CAS,
planning EE, ToK
Toddle for DP!
Toddle can make a 10x difference at
Assessment
Family
your school - plan collaboratively, & reports communication
assess authentically, foster student
agency, and engage families - all
from one intuitive interface!
I.A. and Student Streamlined
portfolios accreditation
Book a demo
Classroom Teaching and PD
management resources
dk dk dk
