Introduction to General Paper

Introduction to General Paper

Syllabus 8807

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Deep insight and reflection

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WHERE HAS ALL OUR EMPATHY GONE?

(from The Straits Times: 25th Jan 2014)

Anton Casey might have been rather “atas” (Malay colloqual term referring to someone one who Is arrogant), but should his home address have been revealed to an angry mob?

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Did Singaporeans over-react?


“I think of it often and imagine the scene clearly. Even if they come to kill me, I will tell them what they are trying to do is wrong, that education is our basic right.”

Malala Yousafzai


Right to privacy

Edward Snowden: the whistleblower behind revelations of NSA surveillance

Do they serve national interest? But the NSA targets the communications of everyone,

collects, filters and analyses everything, stores information for a period of time; collecting information in the name of addressing potential terrorists


Right to privacy "I am making it known that I ended my communal life

with Valerie Trierweiler," Hollande said, adding that he was speaking personally and not as the head of state because the matter concerned "his private life."

Should the privatelives of public figures

be any of our concern?


institutionalised sexism low status of women India: urgent need to promote and protect the safety of

women and girls in India. Every girl and woman should be able to live safely and

free of violence.

Is gender equality

truly achievable?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHnleOQAeh0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRyZbqqIIE http://

www.theguardian.com/world/video/2013/jun/09/nsa-whistleblower-edward-snowden-interview-video

http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2013/dec/25/edward-snowden-christmas-message-video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHnleOQAeh0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHnleOQAeh0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRyZbqqIIE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRyZbqqIIE

http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2013/jun/09/nsa-whistleblower-edward-snowden-interview-video




What is General Paper?

aims to develop in students the ability to think critically, to construct cogent arguments

and to communicate their ideas using clear, accurate and effective language

encourages students to explore a range of key issues of global and local significance and provides students with a good foundation to thrive in a fast-changing world

What is General Paper?

Maturity

Challenge your stereotypesAccept alternative opinions

Insight (to see beyond the obvious)

Make Connections, create new knowledge

Formulate informed opinions

Effective communicationAre you able to convince the reader?

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Misconceptions of what GP is

It is the same as ‘O’ Level English/ It is impossible to study for GP GP is less important than the other subjects because it

is a H1 subject I can study last minute for it I need to memorise a lot of facts

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Computation of University Admission Score »

Subject Combinations Selection for Admission•Three H2 content-based subjects•Two or three H1 content-based subjects •MTL •GP •PW

Take grades in:•Three H2 subjects & best H1 subject (at least one has to be a contrasting subject) •GP •PW

•Four H2 content-based subjects•MTL •GP •PW

Take grades in:•Best three H2 subjects, with worst H2 subject counted as one H1 subject (at least one has to be a contrasting subject) •GP •PW


ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS (…content)

At the end of the course, students should demonstrate: A broad and mature understanding of a range of

subject matter from the - Humanities - Culture and the arts- Science and technology- Current affairs, social, political and economic issues of

global significance - and issues of significance to Singapore.


ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS (…skills)

demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diverse topic areas

analyse and evaluate issues across disciplines, showing awareness of their significance and implications for the individual and society

express understanding as well as critical and creative thinking through informed personal responses

formulate cogent arguments.


Formulation of General Paper

Paper 1- Essay: 50 marksPaper 2 – Comprehension: 50 marks


SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT – paper 1English at O level General Paper

-> communicate clearly and effectively to suit purpose, audience, context and culture

-> write in standard English

-> plan, organise and write coherently and cohesively-> write relevantly, showing development of ideas

-> write creatively on a given topic or situation

-> use appropriate vocabulary with clarity and precision

-> use grammar and punctuation, and spell accurately.

-> candidates to express an informed, critical, creative and relevant response.

-> The suggested areas are: • historical, social, cultural, economic, political and philosophical topics • Science including its history, philosophy, general principles, current developments and applications • Mathematical and geographical topics • Literature and language • Arts and crafts • Topics of local interest and global concern.


SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT – paper 2English at O level General Paper

-> comprehend texts at the literal and inferential levels-> understand how the purpose of various texts is achieved through text organisation and the use ofcohesive devices, grammar and vocabulary-> identify the main ideas and details in texts-> use contextual clues to understand the information present in a text-> synthesise, summarise and organise information-> give reasons to support an opinion or a response.

-> One or two passages

-> There will be a range of questions on the text(s), requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to comprehend, explain, infer, evaluate and summarise.

-> Candidates will also be required to synthesise information and respond to concepts or ideas conveyed.

They will apply their response, based on their understanding and interpretation of the text(s) as a whole, to a task derived from the text(s).


Paper 1 - Specifications

12 questions, choose 1 500–800 words

Breakdown of marks: Content: 30 Use of English: 20 Total mark: 50

1 hour 30 minutes


Sample of Paper 1 questions1. Should the rights of the individual be placed before the

needs of the state?

2. Have schools become a dangerous place for our youth?

3. Is gender equality always desirable?

4. History is nothing but a well-written fiction. Do you agree?

5. Has information and communication technology truly kept us connected?

6. ‘In sports, winning is the only thing that matters.’ What is your view?


2.

Have schools become a dangerous place for our youth?

…GUNSDEBATE…BULLIES… SECURITY ISSUES…

PROTECTING OUR YOUNG


Sample of Paper 1 questions6. Ageing well is more enviable than youth. What is your view?

7. Do you agree that caring for the environment is a luxury developing countries cannot afford?

8. The media reinforce gender inequalities rather than redress them. Discuss.

9. Is the availability of choices in life more a blessing or a curse?

10. "The help we give to the poor is often no help at all." To what extent do you agree with this?


Sample of Paper 1 questions11. A world without strangers. Has modern travel achieved this?

12. Assess the value of the arts to a developed country.


Sample of Paper 1 questions1. Does globalisation lead to equality?

2. To what extent can women be considered liberated today?

3. The family should remain the main source of support for the elderly. Do you agree?

4. Discuss the view that the Singapore education system is becoming outdated.

5. Is religion relevant to the young today?

6. Can investments in military power be justified?

7. ‘Freedom of the media is desirable.’ Discuss.

8. ‘Anger is a useful emotion.’ Comment.

9. Commercialisation erodes the value of sports. To what extent do you agree?

10. Social networking sites are appealing but serve no real purpose. Discuss.

11. Discuss the view that music only serves to entertain.

12. ‘Technology today guarantees a better tomorrow.’ To what extent is this a valid assessment of technological developments today?


Study by topics, or issues?Topics Issues

History – value of history Is the study of History still relevant?

Economics – Global economy 1.To what extent has your society pursued economic progress at the expense of morality today? 2. ‘Rich nations should help the poor countries in the world.’ How true is this?

Politics – features of democracy

To what extent should the government interfere with matters of individual

Philosophy – value of happiness To what extent does material wealth guarantee happiness

Literature The book is dead. How far do you agree?


Study by topics, or issues?

Questions will not necessarily be set on every topic area

They will be general in nature and require candidates to draw on their knowledge from across disciplines

to show an awareness of the implications of significant global/national/ local/individual phenomena, trends, problems


Examination of CONTENTIOUS ISSUES

Freedom of the media at the expense of national harmonyRole of religion in an increasingly secular worldThe struggle between commercialisation of sports and maintaining sports professionalismRelevance of tradition in the face of modernityState intervention in matters of individual choiceToo much importance is placed on achieving equality between men and women


Examination of contentious issues


Examining multiple perspectives Financial Times:(“Riot tarnishes Singapore’s image as place of ethnic harmony“) reported about how the riot tarnished Singapore’s image and connected the incident to another event that occurred on the same day – the PAP party conference. FT noted how PAP “has for months been appealing for greater social harmony in the wake of rising unease among Singaporeans over a recent influx of foreign workers, many of them immigrants from South Asia”.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/9266db8a-602e-11e3-b360-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9266db8a-602e-11e3-b360-00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=intl&siteedition=intl&_i_referer=http://singaporedaily.net/2013/12/09/daily-sg-9-dec-2013/

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/9266db8a-602e-11e3-b360-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9266db8a-602e-11e3-b360-00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=intl&siteedition=intl&_i_referer=http://singaporedaily.net/2013/12/09/daily-sg-9-dec-2013/



Text comprises one or two passages. The length of text(s) will be about 1200 words in total.

Questions will be set on one passage or on two different passages that allow for comparative analysis.



Types of Questions Literal and inferential questions (15–17 marks) Summary (8–10 marks) Application (10 marks)

http://www.seab.gov.sg/aLevel/2013Syllabus/8807_2013.pdf




Paper 2 Specifications

Content: 35 marks

Use of English: 15 marks(A separate but holistic score based on the entire

script.)

Total mark: 50 marks

1 hour 30 minutes

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Sample questionsFrom paragraph 1

“…a part of me knows that I’m in Japan.” (line 7) How does the writer know this? Use your own words as far as possible.

From paragraph 2

In the phrase “a floating café of a whole new global order” (lines 18 – 19), what does “floating” imply? Use your own words as far as possible.

From paragraph 1 Why does the writer put quotation marks round “exotic” (line 8)?


The Summary Question (Change)

Using material from paragraphs 1 – 4 (lines 1 – 37), summarize what the writer has to say about the changes in Italian society with regard to food and lifestyle.

Write your summary in no more than 130 words. Use your own words as far as possible.


The Application Question1. Identifying arguments

Select key arguments from the text

2. Understanding and evaluating arguments

Clarify and his/her arguments and see if they are valid.

Express your understanding of the text and

3. Apply it in a given context, usually your society

It requires you to think about what you have read and offer your opinions on the topic.

3 steps to the Application Question

Select an argumentEvaluate the argumentApply in context (depending on the

question)



http://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm#


Thinking critically

How critical a thinker are you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OLPL5p0fMg&gl=SG&hl=en-GB



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Key points from the clip

Willingness to deal with uncertainty

Not memory

work

Evaluating information in a disciplined

way

Healthy scepticism

Search for sound

consistent logic

Understand, examine

reasoningAvoid

making rash

conclusions

Avoid emotions and

social pressure

Argue with reason

Refine thought & reasoning process

consider possible flaws and biases

Identify and reject ideas false ideas and ideo

Think and assess information in a more comprehensive way,


Sources of reading1. Reading and Skills packages2. Fact File3. Weekly newspaper readings4. The Straits Times5. TIME, the Economist

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Take Charge of your Readings, Lectures and Tutorials

Pay attention during lectures and tutorials

Review your notes and previous reading assignment.

Identify areas that are difficult to understand and clarify with your tutor

Respect your own ideas and those of others.

Engage in discussions and challenge assumptions and views

Develop questions that will help you clarify challenging aspects of the material.


Take Charge of your Lectures Highlight key learning points/definitions as you follow

the lecture or tutorial

Capture key ideas and listen actively to add value to the points already presented on the slides

Connect key ideas between topics, issues, to what you already know



Lectures and Tutorials

Lectures:Terms 1 and 2:- Weekly Lectures (1 hour per week)- Tutorials: 2 hours per weekTerm 3:- 2 Lectures- Tutorials: 1 X 1.5 hours

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Milestone Assessments in J1 MSA – P1 : essay writing skills 5%Term 2 Week 2-4 Continuous Assignments 10%Common Test (P1 and P2) 20% Term 2 Week 10 Final Examinations 65%Term 4 Week 2

Total (Promotional Exam Score 100%


Next Lecture

Next Monday (17th Feb):

Reading: GLOBAL TRENDS 2030Come for the lecture having read the article!


Documents

Introduction to General Paper