TOK Exhibition Object Ideas: Examples and Tips

Struggling to come up with TOK exhibition object ideas? You’re not alone. Many IB students feel stuck when choosing objects because they’re unsure what counts as “appropriate” or how to connect them to TOK prompts. Selecting the wrong type of object can make the whole task harder than it needs to be.

The good news is that strong objects don’t have to be rare or complicated. The best choices are specific, meaningful, and allow you to explore knowledge questions in depth. This article explains what makes a good TOK exhibition object, provides categories and examples to inspire your own choices, and offers tips for writing about your objects effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Good TOK exhibition objects are specific and real, not abstract ideas.

• The strongest choices are personally meaningful and clearly linked to a TOK prompt.

• Objects can be physical, digital, historical, artistic, or everyday — as long as you can analyse them through a knowledge lens.

• Avoid picking something too broad, generic, or difficult to connect to TOK concepts.

What Makes a Good TOK Exhibition Object?

Your TOK exhibition is an essential part of your IB TOK course, worth 33% of your overall TOK grade. To find out more, consult our guide to the TOK exhibition, or check out our guide to IB grades to see how TOK fits into the bigger IB picture.

So, it’s worth taking a little time to think about what your TOK exhibition object might be. According to the IB TOK assessment details (opens in a new tab), “The exhibition requires the students to create an exhibition of three objects that explores how TOK manifests in the world around us.” 

In other words, your objects should show how IB TOK key concepts connect to everyday life, history, culture, or knowledge in practice. They are not just ‘interesting things’ to put on display. They’re examples that let you investigate how knowledge works in the real world.

A strong TOK exhibition object usually meets these criteria:

• It’s real and specific. You can’t use abstract concepts like “justice” or “love.” Instead, choose a concrete object such as a protest sign, a court judgement, or a personal letter.

• It links clearly to a TOK prompt. Each object should be chosen to answer part of your selected prompt, not just selected because it’s unusual or eye-catching.

• It invites exploration of knowledge. The best objects raise questions about how knowledge is created, shared, or understood. For example, a scientific model opens a discussion about evidence and certainty.

• It can be personal or global. Everyday items like a family recipe book are as valid as historical artefacts, as long as you can analyse them.

• It’s meaningful. An object works best when you have a personal connection or genuine interest in it. That way, your reflection feels authentic.

Think of your objects as the evidence you use to explore TOK. If you can explain how each one shows TOK “manifesting in the world around us,” you’re on the right track.

How to Choose Your TOK Exhibition Objects

Your objects should be chosen with care, since they shape the whole exhibition. The key is to start with a TOK prompt and select objects that let you explore it in depth.

Here are some guidelines:

• Start with a TOK prompt. You must base your exhibition on one of the 35 official TOK prompts. The object isn’t chosen first. It should be picked to fit the question you want to answer.

• Look for personal meaning. Strong exhibitions often make use of objects that matter to you. This could be a family photo, a favourite book, or something connected to your culture or experiences.

• Think about knowledge. Each object should give you a way to discuss knowledge: how it’s created, used, interpreted, or questioned.

• Check for depth. Ask yourself: “Can I say enough about this object to explore the prompt properly?” If not, choose something richer.

• Avoid vague or abstract items. An idea like “freedom” or “art” is not an object. You need something specific, like a protest poster or a particular painting.

• Make sure it’s practical. Pick objects you can access and describe clearly. An object that is too obscure or technical will be hard to analyse.

Here’s a good test: Ask yourself, “If I showed this object to someone outside TOK, could I explain how it connects to my chosen prompt?” If the answer is yes, you’ve probably found a strong candidate.

TOK Exhibition Object Ideas

Here are some categories and examples to spark inspiration. Remember: your objects don’t have to be unusual - they just need to connect meaningfully to a prompt and allow for analysis.

Personal & Everyday Objects

• A childhood photo: Could link to prompts like “What role do personal experiences play in the production of knowledge?” or “How can we distinguish between knowledge, belief, and opinion?”

• A family recipe book: Connects to “How is knowledge affected by the context in which it is produced?”, especially through cultural traditions.

• A personal journal or diary: Relates to “How does our perspective influence our knowledge?” and raises questions about memory and bias.

Historical & Political Objects

• A propaganda poster: Links to “What role do material tools play in the production or acquisition of knowledge?” and discussions of manipulation and authority.

• A war medal: Could be used with “How is knowledge shaped by its historical context?”, focusing on commemoration and selective memory.

• A historical newspaper: Relates to “What counts as a good justification for a claim?” by showing how reporting reflects bias or perspective.

Artistic & Creative Objects

• A painting (e.g. an Impressionist work): Fits with “How can we know that current knowledge is an improvement upon past knowledge?”, showing shifts in artistic value.

• A novel or short story: Connects to “How is knowledge shared between different communities?” through literature and empathy.

• A piece of music or film scene: Relates to “What role do emotions play in the formation of knowledge claims?”

Scientific & Technological Objects

• A microscope or scientific model: Fits with “What role do models play in the production of knowledge?”

• A mobile phone: Connects to “How does technology shape what we know and share?” by exploring knowledge access and digital communication.

• An AI-generated image: Works with “How do we decide between competing knowledge claims?”, raising questions about authenticity and evidence.

Digital & Media Objects

• A meme: Relates to “How can we know that knowledge we have is reliable?” and shows how ideas are distorted or simplified online.

• A tweet or social media post: Could connect to “What counts as good evidence for a claim?”, especially in the age of misinformation.

• A YouTube video or vlog: Works with “How is knowledge communicated across different media?” and highlights the trade-off between accessibility and credibility.

Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Objects

Even strong students can lose marks if their objects don’t meet IB requirements. Watch out for these common pitfalls:

• Being too broad or abstract. Ideas like “freedom” or “justice” are not objects. You need something concrete and specific.

• Forgetting the prompt. Every object must clearly connect to your chosen TOK prompt. Otherwise, the exhibition loses focus. 

• Mixing prompts. You only answer one prompt in your exhibition. Don’t choose different objects for different prompts.

• Choosing the hard-to-analyse. An object that’s too obscure, technical, or inaccessible will leave you with little to say.

• Relying only on appearance. Objects should be chosen for their potential to spark discussion about knowledge, not just because they look impressive.

Tips for Writing About Your TOK Exhibition Objects

Once you’ve chosen your objects, the next challenge is writing about them clearly and analytically. 

Here are some tips to keep you on track:

• Always link back to your chosen prompt. Every paragraph should show how your object helps answer the question.

• Explain the context. Don’t just name the object. Describe where it comes from, what it represents, and why it matters.

• Analyse knowledge, not just the object. Go beyond description. Discuss what the object reveals about how knowledge is created, communicated, or understood.

• Use TOK vocabulary wisely. Terms like “perspective,” “evidence,” and “bias” are useful, but make sure they’re applied naturally and correctly.

• Keep it personal and reflective. The exhibition is about your interpretation. Show why the object is significant to you or to the knowledge question.

Think of each object as your “evidence.” Your task is to show how it helps you explore TOK in the real world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use digital or virtual objects in the TOK exhibition?

Yes. Objects can be physical or digital, as long as they are real and specific. 

For example, a social media post, a video, or an AI-generated image can work if you explain how it connects to your chosen prompt.

Do my objects have to relate to my IB subjects?

Not at all. Your exhibition isn’t limited to your subject areas. 

Objects can come from your personal life, culture, or the wider world. As long as you can analyse them in TOK terms, they’re valid.

Is a book considered one object or multiple?

A book can count as a single object.

However, you should focus on a specific element, such as a key quote, theme, or chapter, rather than treating the entire book as your object.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right TOK exhibition object ideas is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your TOK course. Strong choices make it easier to connect with your prompt and show how TOK ideas are applied in real life. If you’re still undecided, look around your home for inspiration. Choose objects, take some time to reflect on how they matter to you, and check that they allow for real analysis, not just description.

For extra guidance to help you with your IB Diploma programme, check out our IB resources and IB study guides.

References:

• Diploma Programme core: Theory of Knowledge (opens in a new tab)

• What is the Theory of Knowledge - International Baccalaureate® (opens in a new tab)