Example Strength Scorecard Walkthrough
Score the Source
A TOK example can feel strong because it is interesting, famous, or recent. But interesting is not the same as useful. Use this scorecard to judge whether the example can actually support TOK analysis.
Score the Specificity
Score one point for specificity. Can you name the exact case and the relevant details? A broad topic gets zero. A clear case with enough context gets one.
Score the Knowledge Link
Score one point for knowledge relevance. Does the example reveal something about evidence, method, interpretation, perspective, certainty, language, or values? If it only illustrates subject content, it does not earn the point.
Score the Claim Fit
Score one point for claim support. Can you state a clear claim the example supports? The claim should be about knowledge, not just the event. 'This case shows that evidence can be interpreted differently depending on method' is stronger than 'this case shows science is complicated'.
Decide Whether to Use It
Score one point for limitation. Can the example help you discuss a boundary, exception, or counterclaim? Examples that only support one obvious point often produce flat paragraphs.
Score one point for essay fit. Does it connect to your prescribed title and chosen AOKs without forcing the link? If you need three sentences of explanation just to justify why it belongs, the fit may be weak.
A score of five means the example is strong. Four means usable with care. Three means you need to repair it before drafting. Two or below means it is probably a topic, not a working example.
Let's imagine a student chooses 'AI bias'. Specificity might be weak unless they name a system or study. Knowledge relevance could be strong because it raises questions about models, data, and objectivity. Claim support depends on whether they can say what the example proves. Limitation might involve noting that one biased system does not make all AI knowledge unreliable. Essay fit depends on the prescribed title.
The point of the scorecard is not to reject every imperfect example. It helps you see what repair is needed. A weak specificity score means research more. A weak limitation score means add nuance. A weak essay fit score means choose a different example or change the role it plays.
Need More TOK Support?
If you want more annotated TOK examples, examiner-style feedback support, and planning tools, use the TOK Bundle Link.