The Unknowns
Speak, and be heard, or hold your silence forever till it is too late. Seek, & you shall find. Ask & you might just receive not only from me but from your peers here.
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another blog: by kwok 
There is a question regarding the need for a summary in the introduction before you launch into the AQ answer in full. I thought most of you would need this security blanket so here goes:
You do not need the summary. AQ is not about summary. I should have made this clearer in class, but this is what stands–the AQ requires you to identify main points above and infer, and of course you need to paraphrase the cited points.
1 – Introduction – Brief evaluation of the two passages; State stand
2.1 – Body – Cite point in paragraph
2.2 – Body – Elaborate on the point / Provide gist of that paragraph relevant to point
2.3 – Body – Provide examples/evidence (global, international)
2.4 – Body – Provide local examples/evidence
2.5 – Link – Restate stand
3 – Another point
4 – Yet another point
5 – You can have another point if you have the time
6 – Time to conclude – bring particular attention to your context & your stand
Note that for point 2.3 & 2.4, do not provide examples that have been talked about in the passages.
mr kwok,
how many points do we need to raise in our answer?
and for the examples is it come up with 1 example per passage?
then for the examples, is it compulsory top give global examples?
thanks^^;
Thanks for the summary to AQ…
By the way, would it be possible for Mr Kwok to provide the transcript for the Rk house and Russell Peters episode for the e-learning task? The transcript would be easier and more helpful for the e-learning task because I dun wanna laugh my a** off when doing the e-learning task due nxt week… Hopefully the proposed transcript would be of hlep to all and many thanks by the way…
>Wendy
2 points, 1 from each passage, are the bare minimum that can help you score a bit better. I strongly advise everyone to use 3-4 points, 2 from each passage.
Do not use the same examples used by the passage(s)! You should have at least 1 example per point in your answer. Otherwise you wouldn’t be fulfilling 2.3 & 2.4.
It is, again, not compulsory to give global example, but my advice to you is to give it. It will not go wasted (unless it is not answering the question).
Keep those questions coming in! Your peers may even know the answers & they may reply quicker than I!
>Zi’Ang
I would love to have the transcript for Russell Peters, but I don’t have it. If anyone has it, please post it here for everyone to share.
As for RK House, if my memory serves me well, there are some subtitles on the clip itself.
Dear 19/07,
Please hand in your Reading Files, as well as the RJC Common Test comprehension with AQ on Monday 10 September when Term 4 starts. Thanks!
Learning points from Essay Writing- “A picture is always more powerful than mere words. What is your view?” lesson on 13th September 07
1. One can choose to set the boundaries for both pictures and words (limit context to discussion)
– This can be done in terms of domain
However, do not OVERLY LIMIT yourself
2. If the question was changed to “A picture is sometimes more powerful than mere words”…
-By saying NO, one will be taking an ABSOLUTE STAND
-By saying YES, one will be taking a NOT ABSOLUTE / BALANCED STAND
3. The use of (good) examples
– Past
– Current
– In between (e.g. sixties)
E.g. SLIM 10 (slimming ads- pictures)
Remember to ELABORATE on examples
4. Mr. Kwok’s Outline for the Essay: “A picture is always more powerful than mere words”.
Stand: No (balanced stand)
Support:
1) – Economical
– Literature
– Novels
– Shakespeare
2) – Advertisements
(Words in small font – refer to notes on GP: Essay Writing)
3) – Information
(Purpose in news)
Do not support:
1) – Art
2) – 21st Century
(New media)
* Equally powerful:
E.g. Ads- use of WORDS in ads (provides a clearer idea?)
Books- pictorial books
PS: Take note of PURPOSE when writing the essay.
hey mr kwok,
can i meet u on monday to consult u abt the mockk exam essay and the PIct essay? =DD
thx (:
Hey people, check this out for the interested:
http//singaporealternatives.blogspot.com
I stumbled upon this blog by a social activist when I was working on my Bio research essay… Hmm, hopefully this blog will be of use to GP *grins* through the alternatives it offers.
(To Mr Kwok, you may wish to demonstrate your argumentation prowess on this blog though… :D)
Hey people, for the interested, check this out:
http://singaporealternatives.blogspot.com
I stumbled upon this blog by a social activist when I was working on my Bio research essay… Hmm, hopefully this blog will be of use to GP *grins* through the alternatives it offers.
(To Mr Kwok, you may wish to demonstrate your argumentation prowess on this blog though… :D)
Ignore my first post, there was some mistake in that post… Thanks
Shifted from the other Page to this as this is GP-related. Thanks for sharing, Zi’Ang!
For the fun of it, something senseless also..
For those interested in reading animal farm by George Orwell,
http://www.george-orwell.org/Animal_Farm/index.html
here’s a link to read it online.
Mr kwok is there supposed to be gp lecture this fri for everyone?
Hi,
My reply was that I’ve already tried typing in your hotmail address[the lower-case one]to invite you as an author. An error message was returned everytime saying that your XXXhotmail.com is currently not a registered user with wordpress. Would you like to invite your friend to wordpress?
Cheers.
Hi again,
I’ve sent a message to the Puma House committee member that you’re unavailable for that day unfortunately…The sports day is the track and field meet and I am unsure of the scheduled day.
Cheers,
JHJH
Yes, it is a Wednesday according to the school handbook. I will be away on course… sigh!
Hi!
Here’s my query 😀
How do we structure (or techniques for) each paragraph (not referring to PEEEL that structure) according to the question types?
For example, when we have cause & effect questions, we can elaborate/explain that point using the “cause and effect” framework.
How about the other techniques?
I found this in the GP times, not sure if you were referring to this.
1)Advantages / Disadvantages
2)Problem / Solution
3)Functions / Purposes / Objectives / Reasons
4)Impacts / Outcomes
5)Cost / Benefit
6)Sub-type / Sub-categories / Features / Properties
7)Values / Ethics
8)Policies / Recommendations
9)Cause / Effect
Many Thanks!
The PEEEEEL structure and its variants fit the seasons anytime. Of course I have also been advocating this particular structure, LPEEEEEL, where L1 = Link sentence to relate to the previous paragraph. It can sometimes be taken as Ev.
The “structure” you talk about should not become the main worry when one writes the essay, as the main worry has always been the ability to understand the question.
But since you asked, you shall receive. This is a very technical way of looking at writing but if you find it useful, feel free to embrace it although I think to get the basics right itself has to be more useful than other tricks.
1 Adv/Disadv: preferrably, there must be comparison in each para if the Q is the comparison type of question. Otherwise, listing is also possible (rather lower level)
2 Prob/Sol: preferrably, the problem should be ‘solved’ in each para if the Q is not the listing type of question.
3 Funct/Purp/Obj/Reasons: naturally, you list. It is increasingly difficult to find such explanatory type of questions in the exam.
4 Imp/Outcomes: I see it as being similar to the Cause-effect type.
5 Cost/Benefit: CBA. Cost-benefit analysis. Again, rather similar to cause-effect type of question.
6a Sub: you are looking at relationship of the mentioned ideas.
6b Feat/Prop: again, listing.
7 Values/Ethics: a lot of clear cut and dry knowledge about what you are talking about is required here. It is mainly Ex based on explanation via logic, philosophy or theories.
8 Policies/Recommend: you clearly will require first an explication of the problem, then a solution. As a policy, you have to consider the greater impact any action can have on everyone. You have to, like solution-problem type of questions, explain the rationale of any proposed policy.
As you can see, there are similarities in the proposed technique. I will boldly claim that whoever actually advocates wholeheartedly the need for different techniques are actually hyper-analysing. While it is important to know the different types of question, it does not negate the fact that if you still don’t understand the question, there’s hardly any technique that can help. Please don’t cheat.
And here’s a second one 😀
With regard to the “cause and effect” framework, I noticed that many arguments for the “cause and effect” question-types were elaborated with a show of the knowledge / understanding of the trends in the world. i.e. the elaboration that comes after the thesis statement / point starts off with a global trend e.g. In capitalist societies where science research and innovation is propelled by market demand….etc
Is this valid or is it just a coincidence?
It is just stylistics. Ultimately, you still have to prove what you claim. That “show of knowledge” you talked about has been mentioned since Day 1. It is not something new.
The method of starting with a global trend has also been advocated since 2008. But you have to be aware. Don’t mention the trend for the sake of mentioning. It must be relevant.
Don’t name-drop for the sake of looking knowledgeable. Relevance is crucial.
With your sample, I’m expecting you to show how market demand had propelled R&D where capitalism is the value of the system (of course, I’m not sure what the essay question is).
Here are some ideas on selecting an essay question. The following questions are from the A levels 2008. When approaching a question, we will identify what type of question it is and what are the requirements of it. (E.g Is it a Yes/No question? Does it require us to explore the extent of the topic at hand?) We can then move on to look at the various keywords in the question. Certain words have more than one meaning so it will be good if you are able to explore the various meanings behind the words in the essay.
1) Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems?
-This question basically requires us to state our stand on the situation is a Yes/No. We can further explore the word foreign power as well. It does not necessary require direct foreign intervention. Consider indirect impacts of nations. (Soft power)
2) How important are dreams?
-The word “How” hints that the essay must tackle the aspect of the extent/in what ways are dreams important. It is not asking for us to state if dreamsa re imoportant. It has already established the fact that it is in fact important. But it explores the question to what extent is it really important.
3) “The more science advances, the more religion will decline.” To what extent do you agree.
– As stated in the question, you are required to state the extent of it.
4) How far do physical features,such as size and location, determine a country’s progress?
– The words “how far” hints that this is a “to what extent” question. As the question clearly spells out size and location as two physical feautres, it would be best to address the two aspects in your answer.
5) “Nowadays, the pleasures of reading can never compete with the pleasures of visual entertainment.” To what extent do you agree?
-As stated in the question, you are required to state the extent of it.
6) To what extent does the migration of people have a positive effect?
-As stated in the question, you are required to state the extent of it.
7) “Air travel should be discouraged , not promoted.” To what extnet do you agree?
-As stated in the question, you are required to state the extent of it. Take note of the words discourage and promoted.
8) Many developed countries are paying increasinfg attention to the needs of the disadvantaged. How far is this true in Singapore?
– True/False. At the same time, explore “how far” is this true/false in Singapore.
9) Discuss the view that too much faith is placed in statistics.
– The word “dsicuss” allow various perceptives on the issue itself.
10) “Contemporary music has no artistic value.” It this a fair comment?
– Yes or No question
11) How far is it possible to ensure that all producers of food and goods are fairly rewarded?
-As stated in the question, you are required to state the extent of it.( how far)
12) Tio what extent is design important in your society?
-As stated in the question, you are required to state the extent of it.
Thanks for sharing the information you got from the consultations.
Hi Mr Kwok, I have a little problem here with 2 terms. I tried researching but comments and ideas seemed to clash so I do not know which one is the right one.
Are religious fanatics the same as fundamentalists? or religious fundamentalists?
They are different. I do not have my Oxford with me so I do not know if there is any additional denotations to “fundamentalist”.
What is certain is that fanatics are more extreme than fundamentalists who just follow very closely the rules of the religion but not to the extent of madness like the former. The operative word is “dangerous”, as stated in Longman.
Oh, and “foolhardy” means recklessly bold.
Seems like I’m spamming here.
Here’s a website to facilitate your consultation thingy.
http://eTimeWeb.com
1 month free trial (which expires on the first day of each month regardless of when you create your account) 😀
Thanks will check it.
Hi Mr Kwok, Iskandar and I came across this question:
“Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction” (Blaise Pascal). How far is this true?
We were wondering if Men who committed evil on the pretense of furthering their religious convictions can be regarded as doing it from religious conviction?
Also, would it be valid / NAQ to write about Men doing evil from / with other sources / ideologies such as Capitalism?
Good question.
(1) You can include that as a valid point in your essay provided you have explicated this paradox.
(2) NAQ; look at what account for such ignorance and the resulting bliss.
Something Mr. Kwok asked to post……
“When the economy turns down, the foreign workers provide us with a buffer … In the first half of this year, in fact the number of Singaporeans working has gone up. Local employment actually increased – not much, 7,000 more jobs – but in this environment, to have more Singaporeans at work is amazing.
And why did it happen? Because the impact was absorbed by foreign workers … we have 20,000-odd foreign workers nett job loss. So therefore, I think the foreign workers do a good job, in Singapore, for Singaporeans.”
Source: http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC090917-0000066/Why-the-pace-must-slow
Evaluation:
1. If recession leads to decrease in number of jobs, the number of jobs available would still decrease as the firms will not continue to hire anymore workers… Won’t the statement ‘Local employment actually increased – not much, 7,000 more jobs…’ be untrue ?
=> the assumption made is that companies do not cut jobs and still offer the same number of jobs typically available. Whether or not that assumption is valid will depend on the information available as regards the situation.
2. The claim that the negative impacts of the recent recession is buffered by foreigners is not entirely true as not all companies retrench foereign workers first, followed by Singaporeans.
Well done, Lina. You have shown a keen eye for details.
The thing is, a lot of people don’t bother about speeches. Or maybe Singaporeans are just not sensitive to the language; or we give people the benefit of the doubt readily. I find this speech which you read from interesting, and I will return the good deed with another.
“I understand and empathise … These are worries which have grown because there has been a large inflow of new arrivals in recent years.” –We don’t refer to humans as “arrivals” and the usual collocates from what I can gather as evidence show the referent to be typically aeroplanes, or goods and products. But if you look at the entire intention of the speech, it is trying to put the most powerful man in Singapore in the same seat as the commoners. This is a risk, a gamble, but probably a well-calculated one to gain support from the ground.
“Foreign workers absorbed job losses”–Of course this was a header crafted by the papers, but when you normalise the passive sentence from the speech, you get this. It seems like we are importing sponges! Some Singaporeans may actually think foreign workers are sponging off us, our opportunities. If this metaphor were to be believed, we are in fact importing a lot of Spongebobs. Spongebob, for those of you ignorant of his existence, is a silly, happy-go-lucky, hardworking and dedicated employee. He is content. He doesn’t complain about his employer. He loves his job, something of an opposite of his colleagues. He is a foreign object in a sea of sea creatures (he’s a sponge!) He is a foreigner, an ideal worker who makes the locals look lethargic. He is a good sponge, cheap and good. Of course I’m not saying the most powerful man in Singapore watches Spongebob Squarepants. In fact I’d digressed. But you get the drift.
“If the foreign workers did not come here, they would still compete against us, but just from other countries. In fact, they would add strength to our competitors … So better to have them here with us on our team.”–The earlier referents are vague: “foreign workers” seem to refer to both expats and the low-skilled foreign workers, but in the next paragraph, the latter seems to be the focus. Naturally the reference in this paragraph in question here would take the closest referent. If this were the intention, then the sentence wouldn’t make sense. I don’t really care if they are cleaning the trays in NTU or in MIT. They can “add strength” to MIT for all I care. NTU students can clear their own trays (of course this isn’t really true as I had pointed out in my previous posts). But, I must add, some information has been ellipsed (those three dots) and there might be some other things talked about. Thus my analysis is limited and it happily waits to be debunked.
I think there are more… but I’m tired. I need Spongebob.
http://www.blurty.com/users/sleepless77/
http://www.unsoughtinput.com/index.php/2008/10/29/socialism-let-us-understand-it-so-we-are-not-afraid/#more-991
Got these websites from friends, thought would be helpful for GP given on the issue presented
Just wanna ask, can we use lyrics from the more meaningful songs like “War” by Bob Marley and so forth in the same one uses quotes in the essays and AQ?
mr kwok, check out this article!
(this is seriously not spam. its about the lees)
Thanks Nick! I’ve just read it. I hope to use this as a debate for all three classes–along with the previous comment you made about Ionescu. The commonality between these two international headliners is that both commented on the judicial system.
I have another article about Safire somewhere on the blog. Check it out too (if you have not).
If you can, spot the language use of the article you linked us to. This is an exceptionally good article to be used to teach (and learn about) how language use (eg: tone, modality, attitude) can portrray a particular image of both the author and the subject of writing.
Having said, I might just use this article for the CAM Elective. No guarantees, as I am still stringing the whole thing together in a coherent narrative currently. It seems like it will hit 2h. What a scary way to end the semester.
Cheers
http://blog.swiftkickonline.com/2010/07/valedictorian-speaks-out-against-schooling-in-graduation-speech.html
Great find, Nick. Here’s food for thought: Is it expected that schools prepare students for everything in life sufficiently or entirely?
Great find, Nick. Here’s food for thought: Is it expected that schools prepare students for everything in life sufficiently or entirely? Besides that question, there is also at least one fallacy in the speech. I do think she’s a frustrated student, but she might ultimately have martyrdom in mind; if she was to be castigated by her peers, it would have proven that there are students who care and do learn beyond being a “slave” and they are better than her thus, which was what she was ‘jealous’ of, the ability to enjoy life and yet be good at academic work (not necessarily topping the class). If no one reacts to that, she would have failed, but I think it’s a success, not as a critique of the ivory tower and its legacy, but as a timely interception of everyone’s celebration of personal success.
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/08/breaking-news-president-has-no-discretion-in-clemency-appeal/
Mr Ravi: “now we understand the President has no power in these matters. It seems the President has allowed his power to be usurped….the elected President’s powers have been taken away from him”
anonymous comment: “If Nathan is the puppet president, who is the real president of Singapore ?”
this is just sad 😦
Oh my…
fancy that! a president without discretion!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog.
You have some really great posts and I feel I would be a good
asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link
back to mine. Please shoot me an e-mail if interested.
Thank you!