strategies for general paper -...
TRANSCRIPT
Purpose of General Paper
1. Aims to develop in students the ability to think critically.
2. To construct cogent arguments.
3. To communicate their ideas using clear, accurate and
effective language.
Scheme of Assessment for Paper 1
Paper Description Marks allocation
Paper 1
Essay
12 questions offered
Topic Areas:
• Issues drawn from
across disciplines
• Issues of local
interest and global
concern
Answer any one out of
total of 12 questions.
500-800 words
Duration: 1hr 30mins
Content:30
Language: 20
Total marks: 50
2015 ‘A’ Level Paper 1 Questions
1. ‘There is no such thing as bad publicity.’ To what extent is
this true?
2. How far is it possible for one country to forgive another for
its past actions?
3. How effectively is public health promoted and managed in
your society?
4. ‘No cause is ever worth dying for.’ Discuss.
5. Consider the argument that the main purpose of television
should be to educate rather than simply to entertain.
6. In your society, how well are the demands of the economy
and the environment balanced?
2015 ‘A’ Level Paper 1 Questions
7. ‘Parents have no right to impose their own values and beliefs
on their children.’ Discuss.
8. ‘Books serve little purpose in education as technological
developments become more sophisticated.’ How far do you
agree?
9. To what extent should the arts in your society focus on local
rather than foreign talent?
10. Should there be any controls over the production of energy
when the need for it is so great?
11. When a government’s finances for social welfare are limited,
should they be directed towards the young or the old?
12. ‘Human actions should be based on scientific fact, not
religious faith.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
SAJC’S APPROACH TO PAPER 1
ISSUE-DRIVEN APPROACH: Key issues pertaining to certain topics and to identify the contentious issue in the question
BREADTH OF CONTENT KNOWLEDGE: Weekly newspaper articles
READING MODELS:
(1) What - EVENT
(2) Why - SIGNIFCANCE
(3) How - APPLICATION
ANNOTATION TOOLS
CULTURAL LITERACY
PROCESS WRITING
Scheme of Assessment for Paper 2
Paper Description Range of Marks
Paper 2
Compre-
hension
Text comprises 1 or
2 passages.
Questions cover:
1. Understanding,
including literal
comprehension
and inference
(17 marks)
2. Summary Qn
(8 marks)
3. Application Qn
(10 marks)
Answer all questions.
The length of text(s) will be about 1200
words in total.
Duration:
1hr 30mins
Content:35
Language: 15
(A separate but
holistic score
based on the
entire script)
Total marks: 50
Past Years’ P2 Topics
Choices (2004)
Aggression (2005)
Freedom (2006)
Gender Revolution (2007)
History (2008)
Work & Play (2009)
Food (2010)
Green Spaces (2011)
Music (2012)
Fame and Celebrities (2013)
Revolution in communications, past and present (2014)
Sports (2015)
2012 P2 Application Question
In this article, Michael Gordon writes about some of the roles
and functions music plays in modern life. To what extent do
you agree or disagree with his views? Illustrate your answer
by referring to the ways in which you and your society regard
music.
“Your society”
National policies/ Government’s views & stance
Community’s views (eg. Forum page, netizens sentiments)
Individual’s views/ personal opinions.
GP LESSONS & RESOURCES @ SAJC
Lecture/Tutorial system: Integration of Content and Skills (Immediate Application)
Skills focus: Question Analysis, Error Analysis, How to write a captivating Introduction, Paragraph development, Strategies for scoring in AQ
Reading Packages: Topics such as Mass Media, Politics, Prejudice and Discrimination, Science and Technology, Religion vs. Secularism, Ethics
Skills Packages: Paragraph Development, Answering Inferential Questions, Summary Skills, AQ Skills.
Activities to make thinking “visible” (mind maps, gallery walk, peer evaluation, IT platforms…)
Discussion of issues using the weekly newspaper articles
Timed Assignments
The GP Fact File
GP PROGRAMMES @ SAJC
Consultations with GP tutors
Weekly GP remedial for weaker students
JC1 weekly Mastery Classes for students who are weaker in their English
JC2 weekly GP Clinic for students who need extra help in their language and skills (5-6 students per group)
GP Current Affairs Quizzes
Weekly Night Study Programme lectures (in addition to timetabled lectures) in the 2nd half of the year conducted by HOD/SH/ST in the department.
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
a) Reading widely and purposefully
‘Light’ Reading ‘Heavy’ Reading
• Mobile applications such as BBC, CNN, CNA, The Flipboard (daily news bites)
• Ted Talks • BBC documentaries, CNA “On
the Red Dot”
• Straits Times (‘think’ pages, analysis)
• Huffington Post, NY Times (Opinionator, Philosopher’s Stone), Project Syndicate, TIME (opinion pieces)
• GP Insights Saints on FB (new!)
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
Research on local examples for essays on ‘your society’
and for AQ:
Other relevant websites:
[Singapore Government Information]
http://www.gov.sg/government/web/content/govsg/classic/factually
[Ministry of Social and Family Development]
http://app.msf.gov.sg/
[Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth]
http://www.mccy.gov.sg/
[Reflections of Our Singapore Conversation]
http://www.reach.gov.sg/Portals/0/Microsite/osc/OSC_Reflection.pdf
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
b) Cull and consolidate examples in GP Journals
c) Get into the habit of WWH and QA
d) Develop your personal voice
PRACTICE IS KEY!
Students are advised to do additional comprehensions
and write additional essays
Comprehension papers and essay questions are found
in GP Package
Detailed answer schemes are given to the students after
every exam
Good essays and AQs are made available to all
students