TOK Objects (2025)- How to Choose and Describe Objects For Your Exhibition
Learn how to structure your TOK exhibition commentary, stay within the 950-word limit and present your objects correctly.
Why Your TOK Objects Matter
Your TOK exhibition objects are the foundation of your TOK Exhibition. They give your commentary something real to analyze and connect to the chosen prompt.
The commentary is what’s assessed, but your TOK object choices directly shape its quality. Well-chosen, specific, and contextualized objects make your justification stronger and your argument clearer. Generic TOK objects make it harder to show insight or connect ideas to real-world knowledge.
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What Counts as a TOK Exhibition Object
In the IB’s definition, a TOK exhibition object is a real-world, specific item with a clear and identifiable context. It must exist in reality - something that can be referenced, displayed, or documented - and it should directly connect to your chosen TOK Exhibition prompt.
Your TOK objects can take many forms:
Physical TOK objects: a diary, scientific model, newspaper clipping, or piece of artwork.
Digital TOK objects: a social media post, an online artwork, or a screenshot from an app.
Conceptual or documented TOK objects: a law, public policy, or historical document.
What doesn’t count: vague, abstract, or symbolic ideas like “the Internet,” “love,” or “freedom.” The IB requires real, specific examples that exist in a tangible or documentable way.
In short: if you can describe where it comes from, when it appeared, and who created it, it likely qualifies as a valid TOK real-world object.
Need help mastering your TOK Objects? Whether you’re choosing your objects, or preparing for final IB assessment, our experienced TOK tutors are here to guide you every step of the way.
How to Choose Strong TOK Exhibition Objects
Not all TOK objects are equal. The best TOK exhibition objects make your commentary easier to write and more insightful to read. When you’re choosing, focus on three key criteria:
Specificity – Your TOK object should have a clear origin, creator, or context.
Example: instead of “a newspaper,” specify “The Guardian front page from 9/12/2001.”Relevance – It should connect naturally to your chosen TOK exhibition prompt, without forcing the link.
Example: if your prompt is about bias, choose something that clearly reflects perspective or interpretation.Depth – Pick objects that open space for TOK discussion - ideas like evidence, justification, values, or perspective.
Example: “My grandmother’s Nokia 3310 with old messages saved” says something about memory, technology, and knowledge - not just communication.
TOK objects that are too broad or too generic (like “a book,” “a phone,” or “the internet”) make it difficult to justify your points. Aim for ones that are real, contextual, and analyzable.
Linking TOK Objects to the Exhibition Prompt
Every TOK exhibition object must connect explicitly to one of the 35 prescribed TOK exhibition prompts. This link is what turns a random object into a TOK-worthy example.
Here’s a simple 3-step formula for making that link clear and effective:
Identify what the TOK object shows about knowledge.
Relate it to a key TOK concept - like evidence, perspective, justification, or responsibility.
Write one clear sentence that ties the TOK object back to the exact wording of the prompt.
Example 1
Object: A political campaign poster (from a specific campaign and specific date)
Prompt: “What challenges are raised by the dissemination of knowledge?”
Concept: Power
Link: The poster shows how political power influences the way information is presented and accepted as knowledge.
Example 2
Object: A lab report from a particular chemistry experiment
Prompt: “What counts as good evidence for a claim?”
Concept: Evidence
Link: The report demonstrates how scientific data is used to justify claims and establish reliability.
The key is to keep each connection explicit and concise - the examiner shouldn’t have to guess how your object relates to the prompt.
TOK Object Variety and Balance
Variety matters. Choosing three TOK exhibition objects that differ in type, source, or context shows examiners that you understand how knowledge appears in multiple forms. It also keeps your commentary from sounding repetitive.
A strong set of objects should approach the same TOK exhibition prompt from different angles - for example, personal experience, academic research, and cultural perspective.
| Weak Set | Strong Set |
|---|---|
| Three news articles on the same topic | A news article + a scientific diagram + a personal photograph |
| Three historical artifacts | One artifact + one policy document + one cultural artwork |
The goal here is balance - each TOK object should bring a slightly different angle to the same prompt. That mix of perspectives shows breadth without drifting off-topic.
TOK Object Presentation and Labeling
Every TOK exhibition object must be presented clearly and consistently. Each one needs three essential elements:
A title – short and descriptive (e.g., “Front page of The Guardian, 9/12/2001”).
A brief description – explain what it is and give context (who created it, when, where, and why it matters).
An image or clear visual – either embedded in your document or uploaded separately, depending on your school’s submission rules.
Always include attribution if the object isn’t yours - credit the source, creator, or publication. If you’re using a copyrighted or stock image, it must be relevant and properly referenced.
Clarity and transparency are part of what examiners expect from a well-presented TOK exhibition object.
Common TOK Object Selection Mistakes (and Fixes)
Even strong commentaries can lose marks if the objects aren’t carefully chosen. Here are the most common TOK exhibition object mistakes - and how to fix them:
Too generic: e.g., “a book.”
Fix: Specify the title, author, and edition - make it real and contextual.No clear link to the prompt:
Fix: Write a short justification for each object before you finalize your set.All objects too similar:
Fix: Choose from different knowledge contexts - personal, academic, and cultural.Irrelevant personal item:
Fix: Only include it if it clearly shows something about knowledge, not just emotion or memory.
Choosing the right combination of TOK objects makes your analysis smoother and keeps your commentary focused on what the TOK exhibition rubric rewards: clarity, justification, and insight.
Not sure if your TOK exhibition objects or commentary fully align with your chosen prompt?
Get expert feedback from an IB TOK tutor and ensure your exhibition is focused, insightful, and ready for submission.
TOK Exhibition Object Examples by Prompt
Seeing a few examples can make it easier to understand what strong TOK exhibition objects look like. These aren’t templates - just sample sets that show how variety, context, and TOK concepts come together to support different prompts.
(Use them for inspiration, not imitation - examiners reward originality and personal insight.)
Prompt: “What role do experts play in influencing our consumption of knowledge?”
Medical journal article → shows how evidence from experts guides public understanding.
Product advertisement → illustrates how authority and marketing shape what we accept as knowledge.
Family photo with a doctor → highlights how personal trust influences our view of expertise.
Prompt: “What counts as good evidence for a claim?”
Lab report from a chemistry experiment → shows how data supports scientific claims.
News headline about a research study → reveals how evidence can be simplified or distorted when shared publicly.
Scientific diagram from a textbook → demonstrates how visuals convey reliability in knowledge.
Each example uses specific, real-world TOK objects with clear context and a link to TOK concepts like evidence, perspective, and power.
TOK Exhibition Object FAQs
Can I use personal objects?
Yes - personal objects can make your exhibition more authentic, as long as they clearly connect to the chosen prompt and are used respectfully. Ethical use and context always matter.
Do I have to own the object?
No. You just need legitimate access or credible documentation - for example, a museum photo, a screenshot, or a referenced news article.
Can I repeat object types?
You can, but variety usually makes for a stronger exhibition. Different sources or formats help show breadth and avoid repetitive analysis.
Can I use a digital object?
Yes. Screenshots, online posts, or websites count as valid objects if they’re specific, contextualized, and properly referenced.
Expert Help With Your TOK Exhibition Objects
Choosing the right TOK exhibition objects can easily become the hardest part of the process. The options feel endless, and it’s not always clear which ones examiners will find relevant or insightful.
Getting expert feedback early can save hours of second-guessing - and make sure your final commentary is focused, original and examiner-ready.
At Think Smart Tutoring, we’ve helped thousands of IB students refine their TOK exhibitions and essays over the past decade. Our tutors are IB graduates, experienced teachers, and examiners who know exactly what makes a strong object–prompt link.
