tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74418600935865236612024-02-08T07:43:59.840-08:00JC General Paper EssaysJC General Paper Essays is an education website devoted to showcasing good H1 A Level General Paper (GP) essays and teaching students how to craft excellent essays, make strong arguments, and think and reason critically.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-35266563701797560172015-10-24T20:57:00.000-07:002015-10-24T20:57:17.585-07:00How important is a sense of history in shaping the future of Singapore’s society? <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Written by: Goh SW, September 2015</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Singapore has made her way from ‘Third World to First’ in the past 50 years. Looking around the city-state today, we see a modern metropolis. Who knew that this very ‘global city’, which houses a global trade and finance centre, was a once upon a time one of many port towns in the world surrounded by slumps and villages. This is nothing short of startling. More astonishingly, Singapore became a success despite being a small and open island nation-state without the endowment of natural resources. What is being described here as the success of ‘The Singapore Story’ will forever be written in the annals of world history. Nevertheless, one might question the utility of a sense of history when approaching Singapore’s future, given that the circumstances described in the annals were very much different from those in the present. Borrowing the words of Singapore’s economic architect Dr. Goh Keng Swee: will living in the ghost of history help Singapore “as a base from which to scale new heights”? This essay seeks to explore the utility of a sense of history when approaching Singapore’s geo-political and socio-cultural challenges in a period of transition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The historical situations which shaped the building of modern Singapore were a very tumultuous one – British colonisation, Japanese occupation during World War II, joining the Malaysian Federation in 1963, and Independence in 1965. These events, which shaped the mettle and iron in her founding fathers to rule, such as the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and Dr. Goh Keng Swee, would almost never occur again, not at least in the same form. At the same time, the world was a very different place then. Globalisation had not become so widespread a phenomenon, and the world was polarised in a ‘Cold War’ between the US and the USSR over political ideologies and economic practices. The two very different climates of past and present makes it easy for one to undervalue the utility of a sense of history to guide our future development, especially when Singapore we see today was built in the climate of the past.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, study and deeper observation of Singapore’s history allows to understand the tenets on which the republic was founded upon, and continue to flourish on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once a part of the Federation of Malaysia formed in 1963, separation came on 9th August 1965 over irresoluble differences of governance. Founding Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman led a ‘Malay Malaysia’ founded upon on the supremacy of the ethnic Malay majority and their rights; while the leaders of Singapore’s self-governing People’s Action Party (PAP) campaigned for a ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ based on multiracial meritocracy. Having an ethnic-Chinese majority is not something helpful, or even sometimes welcomed. This is especially when Singapore’s immediate neighbours such as Malaysia and Indonesia are demographically distinct, and base themselves on fundamentally different political principles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Singapore’s subsequent economic success and contributing socio-political stability compared to her neighbours is itself an imbedded criticism of their systems. The fundamental differences in ‘organising principles’ will forever shape the dynamism of her relations with Malaysia and Indonesia, especially when bilateral contentions are present. For instance, the issues of sovereignty over the supply of water and land reclamation with Malaysia, and Indonesia’s recent naming of two warships after marines who have set off bombs in Singapore during her state-launched policy of Confrontation. Without a sense of history and understanding of these intricacies, these real external threats will not be identified and dealt with ‘prudently’ where other contentions may possibly arise. As Machiavelli teaches in The Prince, when “the malady has become incurable” there is “no longer remedy.” Future generations of Singaporeans will suffer if they fail to have a sense of these ‘historical baggages’, let alone foresee and resolve the issues when they arise at infancy. Hence, a sense of history sheds Singapore wisdom in her future dealings with realpolitik in international relations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Simultaneously, having a sense of history allows citizens to form a sense of identity and belonging. The social stability in modern Singapore’s social stability did not come without challenges. During the 1950 to the mid-1960s, post-war Singapore underwent a dark age of civil unrest, most of which occurred on racial lines. While still part of Malaysia, the 1964 Racial riots left 36 dead and 556 injured when violence between ethnic Chinese and Malays groups. The conflict was spurred by members of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the dominant political party in peninsula Malaysia, inciting Malays in Singapore to violently press for their ‘Special Rights.’ At that time, the local PAP government campaigned for a “Malaysian Malaysia” in the Malayan Solidarity Convention with other Malaysian opposition parties. The dark ages were formative on Singapore’s practice of “the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of her people in a more just and equal society” upon independence. These were the very words declared by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew in the Proclamation of Singapore. The rights of minority groups such as the Malays and Indians were ensured by the government, and these minorities were accorded political representation in parliament under the Group Representation Constituency electoral system. Housing and education policies were made such that the races intermingled and embraced diversity, and this has helped weave Singapore’s social fabric. A sense of history hence gives us the ability to better understand and reaffirm the ideals Singapore are built upon, and how we can continue to embrace diversity and not the ‘universality’ that certain peoples deem as more ‘right’ than other competing ‘rights.’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This understanding is even more important nowadays, especially when considering how globalisation brings about more intense and rapid social and cultural exchanges. A look back into our past can bring an awakening in the citizenry as to how we can stem incidents such as the unprecedented Little India Riots in 2014, which were sparked by migrant workers over xenophobic concerns. This is on a global backdrop of increased labour flows and migration. A sense of history hence helps Singapore to build upon the ‘Singapore Identity’, strengthening her multicultural and inter-religious roots. The mutual respect for other will be a helpful implement as the world continues its transit into late-modernity. As the Chinese proverb goes “When you drink water, remember the source.” Singaporeans should not forget how racial, religious and even ethnic harmony, not tolerance, has made it possible for them to prosper economically vis-a-vis good governance and pragmatic policies. This has allowed Singapore to remain relevant to the world despite being a small nation-state. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">History might never repeat itself, not at least in the same form. However, the process of societal development and nation building, and the conditions which shaped these processes, should not be forgotten in the least. The greatest utility a sense of history gives is in teaching Singapore and her citizenry important lessons about human nature, society and the real world. Among the team of Singapore’s founding fathers was Mr. S. Rajaratnam. He famously proclaimed in a speech that independent Singapore was “like a nun that had wandered by accident into a red-light district.” This was a harsh, yet truthful, description of our situation in Southeast Asia, a harsh geopolitical environment which has also been a traditional battleground for great and emerging powers. To continue to remain relevant to the world and thrive in a world of globalisation, Singaporeans should never forget our historical roots. They remind us that success is an act of human endeavor and should be maintained by so, not a godsend, especially to a small nation state.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>JC General Paper Essays </b>- This GP essay on Singapore's society and history is a really good read, and is well-argued and well-prepared. I really like this GP essay contributed by Goh S. W., a very hardworking and motivated student. What makes this GP essay good, and how can it be better? Thank you for reading this essay and cheers! </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-80971026760794831942015-10-24T20:54:00.000-07:002015-10-24T20:54:15.368-07:00Globalisation and greater interconnectedness worldwide means more conflict, rather than less. How far do you agree with this statement? <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Written by: Goh SW, September 2015</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Global’ is a pervasive term today –from the ongoing ‘global war on terror’ coined by George W. Bush to ‘global cities’ to describe important node cities in the worldwide financial system like New York and Singapore. The widespread usage of this term derives from the ongoing process we term globalisation: an intricate web of processes which has made the world increasingly interconnected in worldwide technological, political, social, economic, and cultural exchanges and interdependencies. However, it remains to be seen whether this process has caused, or conversely prevented, more conflict. This essay will explore this key question based on the effects of globalisation in the political, socio-cultural and economic spheres of human endeavor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anthony Giddens identifies the concept of ‘Time-Space separation’ to elucidate modernity’s dynamic nature in his Consequences of Modernity. While mankind’s concept of ‘time’ has been made homogeneous through a worldwide standardization of calendars and international time, our physical, geographical ‘places’ have been conversely separated from our social ‘spaces.’ This phenomena is largely attributed to the rise of information and communications technologies, most ostensibly the Internet. With the advent of social media and social networking sites, social influences from afar are given a platform to penetrate and subsequently shape our immediate surroundings. This often results in extensive political repercussions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2011, a combination of influence of western ideas of liberalism from abroad and the use of social networking sites to circumvent state-operated media channels aided activists to orchestrate the Arab Spring against the incumbent Middle East governments. Mass protests and armed civil resistance came about from that combinnation. That aside, greater interconnectedness from the blurring of locale and global lines has potentially curtailed authoritarian, inhumane, and corrupted regimes from inflicting greater harm on their people. Western supporters of liberal ideals strongly purported these views at the time of insurrection. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, the proliferation of de-territorialising technologies can also be a double-edged sword. Fast-forward four years from the Arab Spring, the ‘global war on terror’ faces a new, globalised, threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), more commonly known as ISIS, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Capitalising on technological advances and operating on social media platforms, ISIS is an extremist Muslim terrorist organisation which willingly shares information – or creates and manufactures “information”, or disinformation – to coax a global audience to join their cause. These platforms are also used to broadcast their acts of violence worldwide as a show of might, such as the infamous beheading of a Japanese journalist. In fact, ISIS propaganda has radicalised many moderate Muslims and disenfranchised youths in surrounding nations. It is hence evident that greater interconnectedness has, in fact, promulgated conflict beyond Iraqi and Syrian borders. The shifting sands in the Middle East create an impact on other regions too. In Southeast Asia, Malaysians, Indonesians and even a few Singaporeans have been inspired to join ISIS’ fight. The situation has created much domestic friction and polarisation, and is a good example of how globalisation has facilitated the spread of conflict. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I have argued, globalisation is deeply characterized by the omnipresent media and lines of communications. Different cultures and ideas interact and exchange over these platforms, and the local lines are increasingly blurred. This has not only created awareness of other cultures worldwide, but also, fostered understanding. From July 2012, South Korean musical artist PSY gained international fandom as his music video Gangnam Style went viral over Youtube. Even international sensations like Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Tom Cruise amongst millions of others took to Twitter to share their appreciation of the music video. The video was known not only for its humour, but a strong satirical message on the pursuit of the outward appearance of wealth and luxury. This seemed to have created resonance across the globe. Commenting on this, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon remarks that “in this era of instability and intolerance we need to promote better understanding through the power of music." This demonstrates that cultural exchanges, be it through music or other mediums, can be a constructive force to promote collaboration, inter-cultural understanding, and – in an ideal situation – world peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, many critics see that the same cultural aspect of globalisation promotes the ‘cultural imperialism’ of western ideals. This means a greater and more dominant powers (nations) privileging and imposing their ideals over others. When a minority of Hong Kongers took to the streets in the Occupy Central movement over cries of ‘universal suffrage’, U.S. President Barack Obama pronounced that the U.S. would continue to speak up for the “right of people” to both protest against and change the elections process determining Hong Kong’s Chief Executive. More ironically, Hong Kong’s ex-British governor and other British parliamentarians mention ‘democracy’ in Hong Kong despite her citizens being deprived of any democratic electoral processes under British administration. All this is despite Hong Kong having agreed to the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ constitution, which grants them not a full, but an altered, form of democracy given her historical circumstances. The aforementioned actions by western leaders have galvanized the protestor’s activism against the Chinese government in Beijing, resulting in a massive economic shutdown and violent clashes. This proves to show that cultural globalisation does have aspects which promote conflict, especially when people feel that their ideals are universal and can be replicated elsewhere. This seems to be too true, especially in relation to the earlier mentioned Arab Spring, which has later metamorphosed into an ‘Arab Winter’ of social and ethnic conflicts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Globalisation and greater interconnectedness also bring economic aspects of free-market capitalism and industrialisation around the world. This has facilitated greater free-trade, increased capital flows, increased transport and communication, and the growth of multi-national companies (MNCs). One example of how these have brought more stability, less conflict, to a country once ravaged by the ills of war is South Korea. Under the leadership of third President Park Chung Hee, South Korea shifted her focus from self-sufficiency in the Syngman Rhee’s administration to export-oriented industrialisation. This facilitated the rise of multinational conglomerates such as Hyundai in heavy industries and motors, and Samsung in electronics and shipbuilding. To facilitate the above operations, infrastructures and communications were improved. As a result, a once socially instable and poverty-ridden post-war South Korea transformed into a wealthy, developed and socially stable nation in a span of four decades. The ‘Miracle on the Han River’ is a testament that globalisation and greater interconnectedness have allowed nations to experience less evils, hence conflict, compared to what would have been in the past. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the contrary, the same economic aspects have ironically brought scourge to other parts of the world. There was an initial belief that Congo, which holds more than 80% of the world’s coltan reserves, would benefit socio-economically from the rise in demand of consumer electronics starting from the late 1990s. This is because coltan is a raw material used to produce tantalum in capacitors, a critical component in manufacturing computers and smart devices. However, the digital revolution proved to be more of a bane than a boon. Warring rebel forces attack villages and displace families to mine and supply coltan in response to demand from MNCs. This finances their ensuing civil war. Even neighbouring Rwanda has joined in the pillaging to exploit the coltan reserves. As a consequence, more than a few million civilians have perished. This shows that when nations have weak governance and polarized societies, there are rendered unfit to best take advantage of too widespread a phenomena as globalization. In these cases, civil unrest, and conflict results.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ultimately, our transition into an age of ‘late-modernity’ has been indubitable a multi-faceted and complex process. Globalisation and interconnectedness will likely remain an irreversible trend, but gloablisation can simultaneously bring more and less conflict. This largely depends on political, cultural, and historical climates of the geographical ‘places’ in which the related events occur. However, what remains important is that humanity continues to learn from her circumstances, and face them to construct a better age. This is through both the conflicts which globalisation has promoted in certain places such as the Middle East, Hong Kong and Congo; and the good it has done to other nations like South Korea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>JC General Paper Essays (GP essays) -</b> What makes this GP essay good, and how can it be better? Thank you for reading and cheers. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-70900955067984423932015-08-22T10:20:00.002-07:002015-08-22T10:20:33.717-07:00Start Strong: How to Write a Successful Introduction in Your General Paper Essay<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<i><span lang="EN-SG">This post on <b>JC General Paper Essays</b> shares the
secrets of how to write a successful and significant introduction in your General
Paper essay. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></i></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-SG">Introduction – to How
to Write an Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">Writing a strong, successful, and impactful opening
introduction for your General Paper essay, or any essay in general, can sometimes
be a challenging task. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">How does one write a strong and impactful introduction
that sets the significance, direction, tone, and even the pace of the paper? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">In this post, I will help you learn the secrets
of how to write an introduction for different types of essays. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-SG">Disclaimer – Different
Opinions Abound<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">Now, before we begin, it should be obvious that
there are no actual hard-and-fast rules about how you should write your
introductory paragraph. It is not a fixed formula, like in Mathematics. Therefore,
if two different people give you two apparently different ideas on writing an
introduction, then chances are … both of
them are right, but it really depends on the context, question, and situation
being presented. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">This is exactly what happens most of the time
with GP students, for example, when student A complains that one teacher said
this, while another student B said another tutor said something entirely
different, and then a very interesting and perhaps strongly-worded conversation
may ensue … but I digress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">This difference in opinion on what makes a good
introduction is true because there are different methods, tactics, techniques,
or approaches to crafting a strong introduction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-SG">Focus on Principles,
Yet Know Techniques<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">Therefore, it is more productive to focus on
principles on writing a strong, successful, and impactful opening for your
General Paper essay instead – and there can be some more or less universal
principles or rules of how to write a good introduction for your GP essay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">This post will share useful, universal
principles or rules on how to write a good introduction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">Yet, in addition to principles, in this post we
also share some common techniques and methods as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">Both strategies and tactics will be covered for
your benefit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">First, before we begin to learn the principles
and the secrets of what makes a good introduction, you need to first understand
the purpose of introduction paragraph to write it well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-SG">Purpose of an
Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">The introduction generally serves the following
functions or purposes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">1. An introduction introduces the topic or
theme of discussion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">2. An introduction sets the context and lays
the foundation or basis for your arguments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">3. An introduction states the thesis statement (a
thesis statement is what you want to argue as your overall argument, but it can
consist of a thesis (“for”) and an anti-thesis (“against”)) and informs readers
about what to expect in the essay when they read it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">Now, if you meet these purposes, then your
introduction will be good, however you frame it or approach it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-SG">Principles for
Successful Introductions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">In other words, the principles for successful
introductions are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">1. You need to make sure that you introduce
your specific topic or theme. In fact, that is why it is called an introduction
in the first case. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><b><i>You need a topic or theme. </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG">2. You need to make sure that you set the
context and background of your topic or theme. Some people go so far as to say
that you need to set the motivation – the why of this context, the why of this
paper in the first case – to make a good introduction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><b><i>You need context, background, and motivation. </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">3. You want to make sure you make an overarching
argument that you will develop in the paper. You need to show, as it were, an
outline or main argument of what you will be discussing in the paper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-SG"><b><i>You need to tell me what you will be telling me
in your paper. </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">That is all. Very simple, yet effective
principles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">The issue is, as always: how can these
principles be realised in practice?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG">Simple and Effective
Methods to Crafting Introductions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">There are some simple and effective methods
that you might need to be familiar with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG">1. Defining Keywords
to start your General Paper essay<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">One way to introduce is by defining the
keywords of your essay question. Using definitions in your introduction is
appropriate when the meanings of certain terms need to be clarified, when it is
either necessary, or more likely appropriate, and when you need to set limit to
the scope or focus of your General Paper essay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG">2. Using Anecdotes to
start your General Paper essay<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">Another easy and effective method of starting
your General Paper essay is to use anecdotes to set up the context. An anecdote
is basically a short and interesting story, with a moral or a point to the
story. Such anecdotes set a context and situation for your General Paper essay
and communicate your argument to the reader. If you can come up with an extended
anecdote, your General Paper essay can be very attractive to your readers as
well as effective in conveying your overall message.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG">3. Using quotations
and/or rhetorical questions to start your General Paper essay<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">Quotations can include any famous sayings, or
proverbs which are suitable in the context of the question. Such quotations not
only make it easier to begin your essay, but also provide you with more ideas
on the topic. So, it is another useful way to introduce your essay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">As Benjamin Franklin, a polymath and one of the
Founding Fathers of the United States, might say:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">“The wise man draws more advantage from his
enemies than the fool from his friends.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">“Eat to live, and not live to eat.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">“A true Friend is the best Possession.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG">4. Moving from general
to specific arguments in your General Paper essay introduction <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">Another way to begin your General Paper essay is
by making a general statement about the theme or topic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">You first introduce the general ideas on the theme
or topic and then proceed towards more specific ideas, which you’ll be
discussing in the essay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG">A Model Example<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">Now, let’s look at an example of a good model introduction
to a GP essay, and you can reflect and think about why this paragraph is good: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><i>"If we examine the world today, we often see many
people aspiring to achieve better things for themselves or their loved ones
around them, or in metaphorical terms, they “march to a different drummer”.
Dreams can be defined as aspirations or ambitions, and can be to pursue a
passion or a career. These aspirations or ambitions are arguably necessary as
objectives and purposes in life. Yet, some more realistic, even grounded, critics
counter-argue that dreams are not necessary because they only serve to distract
one from the practicalities of life’s demands, or are a frivolous and
impractical waste of time pursuing mere chimeras. While it is true that most
dreams do not result in real changes and transformations, these myopic critics may
not see the power and impact of dreams to make real changes in society. Hence,
this paper argues that dreams have the ability to be powerful because of their
meaning to individuals, their impact on society, and their strongly symbolic
significance, but they should be taken in a context of realism and their
applicability to real life."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG">Concluding Remarks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">Think about what makes this essay introduction good
and strong, and why? How could you improve on this introduction? What makes a really good essay, and what arguments could be advanced to support this introduction?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">Always reflect on how you can improve. Be even better than you already are. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG">Thank you for reading, and cheers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG">JC General Paper
Essays – how to prepare for GP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-65762885284647936142015-08-15T20:36:00.000-07:002015-08-15T20:36:15.298-07:00Prepare for the H1 General Paper essay: Practise writing within a time limit<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Practise, practise, and practise some more. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a saying that practice makes perfect. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is another saying that practice makes permanent. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Having the requisite practice, within the time limit, will help make your essay perfect and also solidify your essay writing skills. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even if you read a lot, and have thought through many issues and themes, and you are strong in your language abilities, you will still need to practise writing your essay within your time limit. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Practise writing GP essays within a time limit to ensure that you can actually do so within an examination context. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The question is, how should you practise writing your GP essay? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, you will have to draft up a plan within 10 to 15 minutes (15 minutes should be the maximum time for planning). If you fail to plan, you plan to fail – as the saying goes. Your plan should be a point form version of your essay preparation and the various clusters of arguments you have prepared, except that you align your content with the demands of the essay question. In other words, adapt your plan to fit the requirements of the essay question. Purely regurgitating what you have learnt is not an adequate plan, but adapting your content and examples, and aligning them and making them relevant towards answering the question is. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Always remember to answer the question posed, and not a question that you think was asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Second, after you have planned, then start writing for real, to get down your arguments and evaluative comments on paper, in neat, legible, and plain writing. Now this is pure common sense, but writing in neat, legible, and plain writing is very important to scoring marks. I have, on occasion, not given marks to students simply because I could not read their handwriting. However, I also do know of teachers who have given a slightly higher grade because of the presentation of the ideas – neat, legible, plain, and readable handwriting, with proper paragraphing of roughly equal lengths each, and with proper margins, and with good grammar and spelling. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a lot of practice, you will find that scoring a top grade for A level General Paper is actually much easier than it seems. You just need to make sure that you know exactly what you are doing and why you are doing it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You plan to make sure you answer the question, and to align your content and examples to the context of the question; and you write neatly, legibly, plainly, and readably, in proper paragraphs, and with proper margins, and with good grammar and handwriting, so that you can help your GP tutor or the A level examiner award you a high and well-deserved grade. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember to practise within a time limit – and practise in the proper way. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>JC General Paper Essays – how to prepare for GP</b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-40942711628989352622015-08-15T20:33:00.000-07:002015-08-15T20:33:38.945-07:00Prepare for the H1 General Paper essay: Prepare clusters of arguments <div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Prepare clusters of arguments, especially for and against various core positions. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Essay outlines can just be prepared in terms of “for and against”, “pros and cons”, “theory vs practice”, “thesis-anti-thesis” point form arguments, so you can memorise and prepare for the GP essay examination using these essay outlines. It is more efficient that way. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cluster closely-related arguments together, by collating various pieces of evidence and quotations and sub-points or additional points into different sheets of paper. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I was in the school debate team back in secondary school, there was a popular book which clustered arguments for and against various themes and topics, for instance arguments for and against euthanasia, or arguments for and against reducing foreign aid to the Third World. It was a useful guide and we depended on it quite a bit to form our debate arguments, especially for impromptu debates – and in the case of GP, having a guide like that would be great. Preparing your own personal guide like that with clusters of arguments and evidence is even better. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why is it important to prepare clusters of arguments on various positions? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These clusters of arguments can be learnt and memorised easily, so that you can summon up evidence and information rapidly during an examination context. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You will also have a counter-argument or an opposite point for each and every argument you make in your preparation for GP, which you need for crafting a good GP essay. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In summary: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To excel in GP, prepare clusters of arguments, ready with evidence, quotes, and sub-points for detailed arguments, especially for and against various core positions, for the themes you have prepared. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>JC General Paper Essays – how to prepare for GP</b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-49721493933929251312015-08-10T01:15:00.001-07:002015-08-10T01:15:20.410-07:00Prepare for the H1 General Paper essay: Prepare essay outlines<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will need to
prepare many essay outlines if you want to succeed in GP. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Success in GP also comes about from strong
preparation in terms of writing and preparing essay outlines. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect - but also remember that practice makes permanent too! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First, look for
GP essay questions (you can find some on <b><a href="http://jc-general-paper-essays.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">JC General Paper Essays</a></b>) that you can practise,
and then start preparing essay outlines to the essay questions related to your chosen
themes and topics that you have read and prepared for. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Start preparing your essay outlines, being
careful to link to your readings and conducting additional research where
necessary. I normally like to write long points and elaborate by using sub bullet points, but some prefer to use tables, in the form of graphic organisers. You could also create information tables or draw mind-maps with information and
arguments that you will be using in an examination. As for writing by hand or typing out information - each has pros and cons, that you should discover for yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Having long and detailed essay outlines will be
useful and relevant for examination preparation for GP. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If your essay outlines
are detailed and well-researched, this will help you during memorisation later.
In addition, if these outlines are detailed and well-researched, this will help
you think through your approaches (structure and style of your writing) and
content (your studying and reading of your themes). As you start to prepare
essay outlines, you can find out if you really understand your topic or if you
have been merely skimming through difficult and challenging arguments. This would
help you plug gaps in your understanding, and make you an even better expert on
your themes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also remember to answer the questions posed rather
than answering essay questions that you think have been asked. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Examiners are often very happy to give high marks and good grades to students who answer the questions by responding to and addressing
accurately what is required. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will need to prepare many detailed,
well-researched essay outlines of essay questions related to your theme if you
want to succeed in crafting your winning GP essay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JC General Paper
Essays – how to prepare for GP</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-7007709297996885482015-08-10T01:10:00.000-07:002015-08-10T01:10:08.595-07:00Prepare for the H1 General Paper essay: Read sample GP essays<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read sample or model GP
essays to understand what makes a good essay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Choosing a few related themes and topics to
study for GP, followed by extensive reading on the topics while taking copious, relevant notes are the first few
steps to success in GP. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What else can you do to make sure that you are
well prepared for GP? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Now, you should read good GP essays so that you
have a firm idea of what makes a good GP essay and see what examiners are looking out for. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reading sample or model GP essays would be
useful in helping you understand what can be expected under examination
conditions. This is pure common sense. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But I would say, hold yourself to even
higher standards than these model essays – instead, just think of these model
or sample essays you read as baseline or foundational – and hold yourself to even
higher standards where you can and will eventually write even better, and craft
even better GP essays. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In other words, see what makes the essays good, and then
try to reach that standard, and then, beyond that, strive to write even better.
Learn from these essays only to make sure that you learn how to write even
better essays. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Always think of how you can improve. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When reading sample or model GP essays, you
could highlight key phrases and arguments made. How did the student make his
arguments? Were these arguments strong and valid, or should they have been
buttressed, or buttressed further? Do these arguments made gel with what you
have read and studied while preparing for your theme, or should you add these
to your repertoire? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In terms of language, notice the various
possible turns of phrases, or even quotations that you can use (be sure to
check these quotations up to make sure that they are accurate quotations from
real and famous personalities). What do these phrases mean, and how can you use
them in future GP essays? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In terms of examples, note how the examples are
made in the essay to highlight and portray certain arguments or points, or to
emphasise some arguments or some points made. What was the evidence given, and
was the evidence convincing? In other words, think of how you can learn from
the essays you read, and how you can improve upon the writing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But I would say once again, just to emphasise
and to make it loud and clear – you should just think of these excellent essays
or good essays you find as baseline or foundational for your purposes – and
hold yourself to even higher standards where you believe you can and will
eventually write even better, and craft even better GP essays than what you
have read. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Make consistent progress, and have even bigger
and better improvements.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In conclusion, remember to read sample GP
essays to understand what makes a good essay and learn from these essays. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JC General Paper
Essays – how to prepare for GP</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-18392615088782599872015-08-09T22:31:00.001-07:002015-08-09T22:34:36.101-07:00Prepare for the H1 General Paper essay: Read widely around your themes or topics and take notes<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read widely – read,
read, read … and take notes of what you have read<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>O</b></span>nce you have chosen your area of
specialisation (your themes or related topics that you will specialise in for
your GP essay), read a lot around the themes, topics, or subjects and take copious
notes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For me, for example, I love to read about modern
European history, especially events and developments from the French
Revolution in 1789, to the First and Second World Wars, all the way to Europe’s
context and situation today, including the excitement around Greece’s economy,
the possible Grexit, recession in Europe, and arguments that the pro-EU
camp make against the Euro-sceptics, and how the Euro-sceptics incite … well,
incite scepticism. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, I am also interested in international
history, which is innately interesting, and the history of Singapore, since after all I do love my beautiful
sunny little island, set in the sea. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I read up a lot on these topics and history
is something that makes me (academically speaking) happy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Read, read, read, and find out more. Be an
active reader. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to “what happened”, I also focus on
the “so what?” to learn about the impact, significance, and meaning of the
various events, facts, and contexts. Remember, that it is important not just to
learn facts, but also to learn about the meaning of the facts and to examine their
impacts or significance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fundamentally, you have to read really widely
around your chosen themes, and not just a few magazine articles for preparation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You could read a range of materials or sources, beyond books and the Internet, such as:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">This wonderful blog, <b><a href="http://jc-general-paper-essays.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">JC General Paper Essays</a></b>
(absolutely no bias here! :p)</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Newsweek</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">The Economist</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Forbes</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Harvard Business Review</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Reader’s Digest</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">National Geographic</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">The New Yorker</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Huffington Post (online and print)</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Time magazine</b></li>
<li><b>Newspapers </b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please don’t read Glamour, Sports Illustrated, and
8 Days, or even </span></span>Roy Ngerng's really flawed or poorly-researched Heart Truths,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to prepare for your GP essays; read these for leisure or entertainment instead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beyond reading widely around your themes, you
have to be disciplined and collate and write up notes on what you have read,
taking care to be clear, concise, yet accurate about what you have read. Some
students are not very accurate about what they have read, and this makes for
sloppy and unclear thinking and writing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You could do a lot to ensure your success in
assimilating information. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Highlight the key facts, dates, information,
quotes and phrases. What do these mean? What is the impact or significance? Write
these down. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can you express the idea in your own words? Are you certain that is
what was being said? </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On vocabulary, you could learn a lot of words. What are the words that you do not yet know, but will know
soon? What are the words that you thought you knew but you now realise that the
word has many other connotations and meanings? Write these down too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Surely when you read the article you did not know everything. What do you not know? What do you need to find
out, and who can you ask? Can you find the information online, and is it
credible and relevant? </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Think about your subject or theme or topic here too. What have you really learnt here? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you can think about
an issue carefully, you can write about it carefully. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you learn a lot about a certain theme, and
start to build some solid foundation on few related themes, you can start to do
some theme-weaving, which means to make sense of your notes and consolidate
them into a coherent whole. Beyond reading and taking notes, you need to have
some synthesis. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make your notes flow and draw linkages between
what you have read. Write out or draw a mind-map or a set of additional notes,
or an outline of the theme or topic. How do the different readings or articles
help you? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For instance, what has the intellectual history
of economics, for instance, have to do with the history of Europe? Is economics
as a discipline really Eurocentric in nature? Perhaps the industrial revolution
had a lot to do with the history of the world and might have led to colonialism
and trade, or other such thoughts and ideas such as the White Man’s Burden. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In conclusion, just remember:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once you have chosen your area of
specialisation (your themes or related topics that you will specialise in),
read a lot around your themes, topics, or subjects and take copious notes, so
that you can really make the material your own by absorbing it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JC General Paper
Essays – how to prepare for GP</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-32976387695215910702015-08-09T22:08:00.002-07:002015-08-09T22:09:35.662-07:00Prepare for the H1 General Paper essay: Choose a few themes or topics to specialise in<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Choose a few themes or
topics to specialise in for your GP essay paper. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>he first secret of successful preparation for
General Paper is to choose a few themes or topics to specialise in, and
concentrate your energies into mastering a few related topics for your essay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will work hard to becoming a mini-expert in
a few related thematic or topic areas - and this will give you an edge when crafting your essay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An extensive range of topics are covered in GP
A Level essay questions such as science and technology, religions, arts and culture, international
politics, society, history, economics, and current affairs. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, quite
naturally, GP Paper 1 can be on almost any theme or topic, and sometimes these
essays are very general in nature, and sometimes these topics can straddle and
be cross-thematic or cross-topic in nature, such as the intersection between
science and technology and religion, or history can be combined with society
and economics.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some suggested thematic or topic areas for GP students
to prepare for are:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Science and technology, and the ethics of
science</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Religions and comparative religion</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Arts and culture, literature</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">International politics and politics in general
(political science)</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Society and sociology</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">History</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Economics and current knowledge</b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Essay questions will not necessarily be set on
every topic area. In fact, it often tends to be the case that essay questions will be general in nature and require
candidates to draw on their prior knowledge from across disciplines, draw the links between various subject areas, as well as to
show an awareness of current, global and significant local or national issues. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All these skills will fundamentally depend on students having mastered or really deeply thought about a few related themes or topics in the first case. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I shared earlier on<b> <a href="http://jc-general-paper-essays.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">JC General Paper Essays</a></b>, for example, I am more of a humanities
and social sciences person, so I chose a history and current affairs related
topic, which was on whether history is only about wars. For students from a
more science background, choosing a topic about science and technology, or on
environmentalism might make a great deal more sense to them. However, choosing
only one topic for the GP essay is rather dangerous, so choose more than one
area of specialisation. I chose humanities, social sciences, arts and culture,
and literature. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember, the first secret of successful
preparation for General Paper is to choose a few themes or topics to specialise
in, and concentrate your energies into mastering a few related topics for your
essay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-SG"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JC General Paper
Essays – how to prepare for GP</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-43464591892377021632015-08-09T03:13:00.002-07:002015-08-09T03:13:34.476-07:00How to Prepare for General Paper (GP) Essays<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">G</span></b>eneral Paper is a very useful examination and covers many interesting issues, themes, and topics, but preparing for the examination often makes students think of long guidebooks and worksheets and class discussions with sometimes, but of course not always, boring classmates. Even more pertinent is the fact that the GP essay is one very important essay, which needs to be prepared for. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How can one prepare for success in the GP essay? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This post suggests a clear-cut yet comprehensive and useful approach to preparing for General Paper that you can do by yourself. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As this approach is an outline, different subsequent posts will elaborate and explicate with examples how you can use these key ideas to prepare for success in GP. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Choose a few themes or topics to specialise in </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, choose a few themes or topics to specialise in, and concentrate your energies into mastering a few related topics. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For example, I am more of a humanities and social sciences person, so I chose a history and current affairs related topic, which was on whether history is only about wars. For students from a more science background, choosing a topic about science and technology, or on environmentalism might make a great deal more sense to them. However, choosing only one topic for the GP essay is rather dangerous, so choose more than one area of specialisation. I chose humanities, social sciences, arts and culture, and literature – no surprise, since I was a Humanities Scholar and love the arts in general. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Read widely around your themes or topics and take notes</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once you have chosen your area of specialisation, read a lot around the subject and take notes. For me, for example, I love to read about European history, especially the events and developments from the French Revolution in 1789 all the way to Europe today, including the excitement around Greece, the possible Grexit, the recession in Europe, and the pro-EU camp against the Euro-sceptics. In addition to “what happened”, I also focused on the “so what?” to learn about the impact, significance, and meaning of the various events. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, in a related vein, for Economics, another love of mine, I love to learn about the history of the discipline, which in a sense is about the intellectual history of economics as a subject. What did Adam Smith say? What did Keynes actually say? How did the subject become a social science, and what is the difference between positive statements and normative arguments? What were the historical events behind the various economic ideas, or how have economic ideas been implemented in real historical situations and periods? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Collectively, you have to read really widely around your chosen themes.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Beyond reading widely around your themes, you have to be disciplined and collate and write up notes on what you have read, taking care to be clear, concise, yet accurate about what you have read. Some students are not very accurate about what they have read, and this makes for sloppy and unclear thinking and writing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>If you can think about an issue carefully, you can write about it carefully. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When you learn a lot about a certain theme, and start to build some solid foundation on a theme or two, you can start to do some theme-weaving, which means to make sense of your notes and consolidate them into a coherent whole. Make your notes flow and draw linkages between what you have read. What has the intellectual history of economics, for instance, have to do with the history of Europe? Is economics as a discipline really Eurocentric in nature? Perhaps the industrial revolution had a lot to do with the history of the world and might have led to colonialism and trade, or other such thoughts and ideas such as the White Man’s Burden. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Read sample GP essays</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next, you should read good essays so that you have a firm idea of what makes a good GP essay. Reading sample or model GP essays might be useful here in providing you with an idea or a sense of what makes for good GP essays, or what can be expected under examination conditions. But I would say, just think of these as baseline or foundational – and hold yourself to higher standards where you can and will eventually write even better, and craft even better GP essays. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Highlight key phrases and arguments made. Notice the various possible turns of phrases, or even quotations that you can use (be sure to check them up to make sure that they are accurate quotations from real and famous personalities). Note how the examples are given to highlight and portray certain points or to emphasise some arguments or some points made. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But I would say once again, just to emphasise and to make it loud and clear – you should just think of these excellent essays or good essays you find as baseline or foundational for your purposes – and hold yourself to even higher standards where you believe you can and will eventually write even better, and craft even better GP essays than what you have read. Make progress, and have bigger and better improvements.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have faith in you - and you should believe in yourself. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Prepare essay outlines </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Look through past year GP essay questions and perhaps take a look at various samples adapted from actual A level essay questions here on this site. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Start preparing your essay outlines, being careful to link to your readings and conducting additional research where necessary. Also remember to answer the questions posed rather than answering essay questions that you think have been asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you start to prepare essay outlines, you can find out if you really understand your topic or if you have been merely skimming through difficult and challenging arguments. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Prepare clusters of arguments</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes, these outlines can just be for and against point form arguments. Cluster arguments together, by collating various pieces of evidence and quotations and points into different sheets of paper. These clusters of arguments can be learnt and memorised, so that you can summon up evidence and information rapidly during an examination context. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Practise writing within a time limit</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Finally, practise real writing within a time limit. I often do this for all my writing and essay-based subjects, not just GP. Set aside some 10 to 15 minutes to plan (15 minutes should be the maximum) and then start writing for real, to get down your arguments and evaluative comments on paper, in neat, legible, and plain writing. </div>
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In conclusion, the simple yet effective system that would help students prepare successfully to craft an excellent essay for General Paper is - </div>
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<i>First, choose a few related themes or topics</i></div>
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<i>Second, read widely around the themes and take notes</i></div>
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<i>Third, read sample GP essays</i></div>
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<i>Fourth, prepare essay outlines</i></div>
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<i>Fifth, prepare clusters of arguments</i></div>
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<i>Sixth, practise writing within a time limit</i></div>
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Thanks for reading and cheers! </div>
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<b>JC General Paper Essays – how to prepare for GP</b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-36290464033770384402015-08-08T10:45:00.001-07:002015-08-08T10:46:54.044-07:00Sample A Level General Paper Essay Questions<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Here is a compilation of some of the sample A Level (H1) General Paper Essay Questions we will be grappling with on <b>JC General Paper Essays</b>: </div>
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1. Do people need the arts more nowadays rather than the hard sciences?</div>
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2. Globalisation and greater interconnectedness worldwide means more conflict, rather than less. How far do you agree with this statement?</div>
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3. Corporal punishment is more beneficial rather than harmful. How far do you agree with this statement?</div>
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4. Censorship of the media is always relevant. Discuss. </div>
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5. Consider the view that the spoken word is more important than the written word.</div>
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6. Only modern architecture and modern art have a place in today's world. How true is this statement of your society?</div>
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7. Can a belief in the supernatural be sustained in the modern world? Discuss. </div>
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8. Books have no place in modern society. Discuss this view. </div>
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9. To what extent is it justifiable for private companies to finance scientific research? Discuss the extent to which this statement is true in your society. </div>
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10. How far should medical resources be used to extent life expectancy? Discuss. </div>
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11. How far is it acceptable for technology to be used for financial benefit? Discuss. </div>
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12. To what extent has technology had a positive impact on the skill levels of people in your country? Discuss. </div>
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13. To what extent has technology had an impact on security issues in your country? Discuss. </div>
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14. Does modern technology always improve the quality of people’s lives? Discuss. </div>
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15. Does the modern world place too much reliance on technology? Discuss. </div>
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16. Why should people be concerned with current affairs when most of the news and current knowledge will soon be forgotten or made redundant? </div>
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17. "The most influential individuals in history are those who have caused the most harm to the world." How far would you accept this view as a fair comment? </div>
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18. History records male acts, written by males, and holds little interest for females as a result. Is this a fair comment? </div>
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19. How important is a sense of history in shaping the future of Singapore’s society? </div>
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20. Does the past offer any guidance for the present, and, by extension, the future?</div>
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21. People should be employed solely based on their skills and not their qualifications. Discuss the validity of this view. </div>
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<b>JC General Paper Essays </b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7441860093586523661.post-31341757505954092112015-08-08T09:51:00.002-07:002015-08-08T10:12:15.019-07:00Welcome to JC General Paper Essays! <div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to <b>JC General Paper Essays</b>. This is my first introductory post, which will kick off lots of interesting and thought-provoking essays to come in future. </div>
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General Paper essays are often more affectionately known as GP Essays, and many students around the world, not just in the United Kingdom and Singapore have to write essays. </div>
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When I was teaching, many of my students (I taught Economics and Project Work) often asked me: </div>
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<b>Sir, how can I improve on my writing? </b></div>
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<b>How can I write better GP essays?</b></div>
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I thought to myself, <b>what better way to help students improve in their writing by showcasing examples of good essays and by sharing secrets, tips, and techniques for improvement in GP</b>? </div>
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In this blog, I will write about a variety of academic topics and share GP essays, written by myself and also contributed by kind readers and former students. I will aim to have a high standard and hold students to achieve greater heights in their writing and argumentation. </div>
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I seek to share and showcase examples of good General Paper essays as well as share ideas and practices on good writing, how to craft argumentative paragraphs, and argue strongly for and against various positions. </div>
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In other words, <b>this will be a blog about good writing</b> - really, about <b>how to write good essays</b>. </div>
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Students can improve by reading more, and this site will one day be a one-stop point for students to read excellent essays and learn more about the art of quality, impactful, and significant essay writing. </div>
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Thank you for reading and cheers. </div>
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<b>JC General Paper Essays</b> - H1 "A" level Junior College General Paper (GP) Essays</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com