Review of GP Paper 1 Skills

JC2 2019

Mrs Eliza Gunasagaran {ST/GP}

&
Ms Beatrice Chai
 PAPER 1 – GP Examination Syllabus
Issues drawn from across disciplines

 Historical, social, cultural,  Literature and language

economic, political,
philosophical topics
 Arts and crafts
 Science, including its history,
philosophy, general principles,  Topics of local interest and
current developments and global concern
applications

 Mathematical and
geographical topics
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SECTION 1A: Essay Question Analysis/Interpretation
Your choice of question is important. Do not
choose a question just because it deals with a
popular issue or topic.
Be clear that you can address the question
requirement.
Bear in mind these three important
considerations:
Stand: clear position
A balanced argument: relevance, balance and
cogency of the arguments
Illustration: the breadth, originality of
exemplification and substantiated personal
views

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PLANNING your work is extremely important.
 “
Detail Management:
╺ As eager as you may be to get started and avoid running
out of time, focus first on examination instructions and
explore the full range of questions.

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 “
Time Management:
╺ Your time-management skills will help you parcel out your work in
the limited time you have and perform effectively under pressure.

 Question choice and Brainstorming [15 minutes]

 Actual writing [1 hour 10 minutes]

 Checking for language errors [5 minutes]

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 Section 1C: Steps to completing
the GP Essay
STEP ONE: Scan all the 12 questions (15
minutes)
Make a careful selection of the question
Begin your brainstorming exercise/Draft a mind-
map
Organise your arguments in a coherent manner
Before you begin step 2, you should check that
the arguments address the question, and
there is a coherent line of argument

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STEP TWO: Write the essay (1 hour 10
minutes)
Pay attention to:
Coherence markers
Linguistic features
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STEP THREE: Pay attention to:

• Proof read the essay • Grammar and

(5 minutes)
spelling slips
• Punctuation errors
• Handwriting

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 Section 1D: 6 Key Considerations –
Question Analysis
1. Do I Example from Response:
2014:
have to You must check to see if there is more
‘Gambling on than one part to the question. You will
consider sports
be heavily penalised, and may fail
altogether if you only answer one part.
more than undermines
its spirit AND Example:
one part
╺
should be
to this banned.’ Gambling on sports undermines the spirit
of sports AND
question? How realistic Gambling on sports should be banned
is this AND
The extent to which such a position is
position? realistic
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 Section 1D: 6 Key Considerations –
Question Analysis
2. How do I Example from Response:
2014:
consider “In the modern world”, “In your society”,
the context IN TIMES OF “In the digital age” are important
ECONOMIC qualifiers.
mentioned HARDSHIP, In times of economic hardship – sets the
in the should a condition/context/qualifier
country still be This is not a generic question on whether
question
expected to a country should be expected to provide
and its provide financial or material aid to others.
implication financial or Attention has to be paid to the qualifier
material aid to “in times of economic hardship”
s? others?
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 Section 1D: 6 Key Considerations –
Question Analysis
3. What is Example from Response:
2014:
the central The question demands an evaluation of
concern in ‘Traditional marriage as an institution.
marriage is an A response based on just the traditional
the OUTDATED wedding ceremony is too limited.
question? CONCEPT.’ To The central tension is whether the
what extent is concept of marriage as an institution is
this true of your outdated, given the various developments
society? in your society today.

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 Section 1D: 6 Key Considerations –
Question Analysis
4. Which Example from Response:
key words 2014: What do you understand by “regulation”?
must I To what What are the basic principles
extent can underpinning the “justification” for
consider?
the regulation of scientific or technological
regulation on developments?
scientific or Consistently use the words of the question
technological (or words with similar meaning) in your
developments essay, especially in the topic sentence.
be justified? This will serve to emphasise to the
assessor that you are consciously being
relevant.
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 Section 1D: 6 Key Considerations –
Question Analysis
5. Should I Example from Response:
define all 2014: The parameters of this question require
key words How far should careful clarification in terms of the
firms be allowed parameters of what comprises workers’
that are
to limit their rights.
present in WORKERS’ Clarifying the parameters will enable
the RIGHTS when candidates to evaluate how far particular
question? profits are at activities on the part of the different firms
stake? are justifiable, especially in the light of
falling profits.
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 Section 1D: 6 Key Considerations –
Question Analysis
6. How do I Example from Response:
deal with 2014:
philosophy The more open-ended and philosophical
‘Getting what questions with abstract terms require
/value-
one wants in life clarity in the terms used in order to avoid
judgement is what nebulous and unclear discussions.
questions? matters.’ Using specific examples in support of
Discuss. your claim will also help you to provide
suitable context to your writing.

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 Section 1E: Advice based on the Cambridge Examiners’ Report
{2014 }

Use topic sentences to set up the argument in the paragraph.

Use a variety of linking words in your essay.

Use a range of synonyms and phrases to link to the question, rather than
repeat the key words from the question in a formulaic manner.

Use examples to clarify the argument that you have put forward.

Link the examples and their relevance to the question.

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 Section 2A:
General
Guidelines

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General
Guidelines
Do not focus on the general topic and
ignore qualifiers

Need to have an awareness of global

developments currently affecting the
world
Candidates
need to
answer the
question that
they have If a question refers to ‘your society’,
chosen it is imperative that arguments and
examples are taken from that society,
and not from a worldwide
perspective

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 Section 2B: General Guidelines

Good answers
show evidence Need to have
of ‘broad Have a clear Avoid being
balanced
general and focused excessively long-
arguments
knowledge introduction of winded or
and well-
beyond the the key issue(s) convoluted in your
developed
standard and stand writing
points
examples’
(adapted from Cambridge
Report)

Refer back to Concluding

Concise but Use a variety the paragraphs are
focused of coherence introduction (in
important- ‘last
expression is a markers your word’ of the
real advantage appropriately conclusion) candidate
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 Section 2C:
Mind Your
Language
[20 marks]

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• Common language problems need to be addressed –
inconsistent use of verb tenses, mismatch between subject
reference and pronouns
• Word Confusion [‘economic’ and ‘economical’]
• Misuse of definite article – the United States / the United
Kingdom

• Illegible handwriting -- too many crossing out and insertions –

affects cohesion of argument
• Pay attention to the spelling

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 Section 3: Brainstorming Technique –
PAL FRAMEWORK

Parties Aspects Levels

Who is involved?
 Social; Scientific  Individuals
 Individuals  Technological  Communal
 Corporations  Political; Psychological  National
 Society  Economic;Environmental;  Regional
 Government Educational;Ethical  International
 Non-governmental  Religious;racial;rights  Global/Worldwide
organisations  Military;moral

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 Section 4: TYPES of EVIDENCE
Statistical Evidence Testimonial Evidence

Statistical evidence is the kind of data Commercials that use spokespersons to testify
people tend to look for first when trying to about the quality of a company’s product,
prove a point. Every time you use numbers lawyers who rely on eye-witness accounts to
toLess
support a main point, you’re relying on
than 40% of countries provide girls and
win a case, and students who quote an
Famous and accomplished writer, Stephen King,
statistical evidence
boys with equal to to
access carry your Only
education. authority in their
advises young essays
writers that are all want
“If you usingto be a
argument.
39% of countries have equal proportions of testimonial evidence.
writer, you must do two things above all others:
boys and girls enrolled in secondary education. read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around
these two things that I’m aware of and no shortcut.”

Analogical Evidence Names

Actually, cars exemplify the public health
Analogies
approach weareneed
mainly useful
to apply whenWe
to guns. dealing
don’t For example, place names, names of
with a topic
ban cars, butthat is require
we do under-researched
driver’s licenses, individuals, organisations, movements, etc.
seatbelts, airbags, padded dashboards, safety
glass and collapsible steering columns. And United Nations, Building and Construction
we’ve reduced the auto fatality rate by 95 Authority, the #MeToo movement etc.
percent.
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 Section 4: TYPES of EVIDENCE
Documentary Evidence
Anecdotal Evidence (evidence from documents)
However, the critique that all the immigrants are
drains on society simply does not hold weight. Look
Anecdotal evidence is evidence that is based Letters, diaries, speeches, interviews and
for example at 24 year old Syrian Hesham
on a person’s
Modamani who observations of theforworld.
is a student searching the statements by relevant people
opportunity to continue his education in Germany. In
fact, UN studies have shown that over half of all Unpublished writings (early drafts of works
refugees enter Europe come from middle-class and
educational backgrounds. published later, juvenile works by famous
authors, etc.)

Expert Opinion Administrative policies, like the Washington

Administrative Code
According
This referstoto
Jimthe
Leape,
use co-director
of someone of the Stanford
else’s
Center for Ocean Solutions, people add 8 million Laws
knowledge oreach
tons of plastics opinion, notifthat
year, and currentoftrends
the
author—when theinauthor
continue, the plastic quotes
the ocean or the
will outweigh
fish by 2050.
mentions a recognised expert in the field.

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Section 5: TUTORIAL FOCUS {2017 GCE ‘A’ Level P1}

1) Read the essay questions carefully [refer to your lecture

handout].

2) Identify the key words and provide the relevant interpretation

for each essay question

3) Brainstorm the appropriate points for both the point and

counterargument paragraphs

4) Provide the necessary factual evidence for both the points and
evaluation segments of each paragraph
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 THE
END

ALL THE
BEST!!!

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