TOK Essay Feedback Comments: Examples Teachers Can Reuse

Students revise faster when feedback names the exact thinking move they need to make. These TOK comment stems are designed to be copied, edited, and attached to a specific paragraph.

Comments for focus

• "Bring this paragraph back to the prescribed title by explaining how it changes your answer."
• "The example is relevant, but the link to the knowledge question needs to be stated more directly."
• "Your introduction should define the tension in the title, not only restate it."

Comments for claims and counterclaims

• "Add a counterclaim that challenges the assumption behind this claim."
• "Explain why your claim is stronger than the alternative view you introduce."
• "The counterclaim is present, but it needs evaluation before the paragraph ends."

Comments for examples

• "Use the example to test your claim, not just illustrate the topic."
• "Add one sentence explaining what this example reveals about knowledge in this area."
• "This example needs enough context for the reader to understand why it matters."

Comments for conclusions

• "Synthesize the perspectives by explaining what your comparison shows about the title."
• "Avoid adding a new example in the conclusion. Use this space to resolve the argument."

Next steps

Use these comments as a starting point, then generate a full first-pass draft with the TOK Essay Grader.