A-Level General Paper Tuition Singapore/GP Tuition/General Paper Tutor

[Ong Aaron]

Aaron OngFeb 21, 2013 – Discussion
http://www.google.com/glass/start/how-to-get-one/

[Ong Aaron]

Aaron OngFeb 25, 2013 – Discussion
24 Feb Summary:
1. Reviewed White Paper Executive Summary
2. Watched Video on different parliamentarians views on White Paper
3. Writing Assignment for White Paper Qn
5. Submission for ‘last sunday of the month’ newspaper review due on 26 Feb (Tue) – on Google+
6. Handed out Essay questions for YJC Prelim for class practice next lesson 3 March

[Ong Aaron]

I was certainly shocked when I saw this headline. To me, Switzerland is one of the best countries in the world to live in. The word “Swiss” reminds me of peace, fine watches and chocolates. In fact, Switzerland is ranked number 1 on the Quality of Life index. It is extremely rare and shocking to see such a violent event occurring in this serene country.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21601323

[Ong Aaron]

Anne WongFeb 28, 2013 – Discussion
In my opinion, children are growing up too quickly nowadays because of a combination of early testing in schools, advertising, good childcare and a reliance on media. On the other hand, people often lament about children of the new generation being weak and depend heavily on their parents, reflecting their immaturity. It is a fact that the widespread use of digital devices and the ability to get information anywhere by anyone has allowed children into some adult worlds that they have never experienced before. I feel that the pace at which children grows varies from individuals to individuals, but generally, children are indeed maturing at a faster pace due to certain advancements and motivations.

Aaron OngMar 3, 2013Edit
It would be useful if you could find a few reasons why on one hand the article claims that children are going up fast but there is still a reliance on their parents. In what sense is the article saying that children are growing up fast? You also mentioned about children of the new generation being ‘weak’. Were you referring to mental weakness in the sense that children have less perseverance or physical weakness? The article I have linked shows how children grow weaker because they play more computer games. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/may/21/children-weaker-computers-replace-activity

[Ong Aaron]

Clover YapFeb 28, 2013 – Discussion
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/shanmugam-high-speed-rail-presents-huge-opportunities-both-countries-2
I feel that the high-speed rail is a worthy investment coming up. Malaysia and Singapore share close bilateral ties and this project is bound to strengthen the relationship between both nations. Not only that, it saves the traveling time of commuters from either nation. Currently, transports between the two cities by train takes 8 hours and 5 hours by bus/car. The high speed railway that is projected to be completed in 2020 will be a good medium for traveling between both countries for a quick get-away, for it only takes 90 minutes. This might even create business opportunities within.

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/shanmugam-high-speed-rail-presents-huge-opportunities-both-countries-2

Aaron OngMar 3, 2013Edit
Malaysia and Singapore have definitely grown closer bilaterally. You should also read up about the development of the Iskandar Region and also a though-provoking question of whether elderly Singaporeans would one day be ‘forced’ to retire in Malaysia because Singapore has become too expensive to live in. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1255416/1/.html

[Ong Aaron]

Lee yi tingMar 3, 2013 – Discussion
http://lhsnews.org/features/2012/11/21/1791/#

Aaron OngMar 3, 2013Edit
+Lee yi ting You need to post a short write up on the article that you have linked. Thanks!

[Ong Aaron]

Aaron OngMar 3, 2013 – Discussion
I remembered posting an article on overpopulation on cars in China and I have asked the class whether Singapore policies of the COE and ERP system is effective in curbing the growing car population in Singapore. In a recent swift car ownership policy move, the MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) have placed certain financing restrictions on car ownership in Singapore. It involves restricting the loan tenure to 5 years and, depending on the Open Market Value (OMV) of the car, a downpayment of between 50% – 60%? Does this policy spell financial prudence for the car buyer or does it dash the dreams of middle-class Singaporean families who wish to own a car for convenience? Also, would you consider a priority system which gives priority to young married couples with children to own small cars?

http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/mas-caps-loan-amount-motor-035335522.html

[Ong Aaron]

How has social media affected the behaviour of some people to such an extent?

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/swiss-nurse-under-fire-over-facebook-corpse-pictures-150601800.html

[Ong Aaron]

Aaron OngMar 3, 2013 – Discussion
3 March Summary:
1) Reviewed Google+ Posts (+Colin Foong Hao Sheng +Maverick Lim +Donavan Mui @zhengxuan +Mark Lim +Lee yi ting
2) Argumentative Essay Structure
3) Sample Essay on Competition
4) YJC 2012 Prelim Essay
4.1) Outline (Due 10 March)
4.2) Essay (Due 17 March)

[Ong Aaron]

I remembered teaching last class on the essay topic of competition and how some companies can be involved in unscrupulous tactics in order to increase their sales. I received this letter a few days ago in my mail box from Reader’s Digest telling me that I’ve been one of the lucky 2% of Singaporeans who have been given the chance to enter into their Sweepstakes draw (I.e. lucky draw). This gives me the chance to win $250,000. I was rather unconvinced by this and I went to google if anyone else has received this kind of letter from Reader’s Digest before just in case this was a kind of scam. Unsurprisingly, I found out from some forums that this is actually a ploy to get people to sign up for their magazines when they reply to this letter that they wish to enter the Sweepstakes. Lesson learnt here is that there is no such thing as quick cash and to be careful of such marketing gimmicks. In any event, from a legal stand point, there is no formation of a valid contract even if I sent my reply to Reader’s Digest because I had the intention of entering into the Sweepstakes and not to subscribe to their magazine. However, there may be some fine print somewhere in the reply slip which may prove troublesome if it states that by replying, I am contracting to subscribe to their magazines. On a related note, Reader’s Digest has filed for bankruptcy. What an irony! http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/18/us-rda-bankruptcy-idUSBRE91H0PL20130218

Anyway the fate of this letter is that it found its rightful place in the end: in the trashcan.

[Ong Aaron]

Aaron OngMar 8, 2013 – Discussion
In light of the fact that today is international women’s day.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/2013/03/08/Women-in-the-Arab-world-speak-up-speak-out.html

[Ong Aaron]

Colin Foong Hao ShengMar 9, 2013 – Discussion
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130308/NEWS01/303080075/Prosecutors-will-seek-death-penalty-Joseph-Banis?nclick_check=1

Initially, I felt that in this case, the death penalty was justifiable but as I thought deeper, I wondered who gave the right to the prosecutors and the judge to determine the life and death of another person, regardless whether he is a murderer or an innocent man, he is still a fellow human being. People may say that it is in the name of the Law to maintain order but once again Laws are being set-up by another group of human beings to maintain order with accordance to what they perceive as “right” and “wrong”.

I continued to read on about death penalties and I found out that some people have been put to death wrongly (http://www.inquisitr.com/236994/carlos-deluna-wrongfully-executed-in-texas-says-report/) and in most countries, death penalties has never deterred further crime as crime rates in countries such as America still remain high. And there was one article which interestingly described death penalties as “private revenge”.

[Ong Aaron]

Maverick LimYesterday 2:09 PM – Discussion
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/tax-income-of-the-rich-even-more–wp%E2%80%99s-sylvia-lim-093350717.html

I think this is a good scheme to ensure the income disparities between the rich and the poor do not become further widened.

Aaron OngYesterday 3:48 PMEdit
It’ll be good to post at least a paragraph of your thoughts after stating your stand that you agree with this scheme.

[Ong Aaron]

Donavan MuiYesterday 3:36 PM – Discussion
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/02/19/women-sit-on-saudi-council-for-first-time/

I picked this article as I felt that it has a very close relation to the prevalent issue of gender inequality within the society. Among all the countries, Saudi Arabia is actually rated one of the countries with the worst “gender gap index”, which measures the extent of discrimination between the 2 genders. However, this article serves to be excellent news as they are finally able to progress as a society, signaling the increasing importance of women rights within the society. However, they still have a long tedious road in front of them as they attempt to strike a balance between religion and humanity.

Aaron OngYesterday 3:47 PMEdit
Some info on the Saudi’s Shura Council: http://www.saudiembassy.net/about/country-information/government/Majlis_al_shura.aspx

[admin]

A Level GP/General Paper Tuition Singapore

GP Overall Structure

GP essays are argumentative essays.

An argumentative essay is different from an expository essay. An expository essay aims mainly to explain a topic. An argumentative essay is one in which the writer attempts to change the minds of his readers by persuasion. The writer takes a clear stand on an issue for which there is no clear answer. Usually, the topic is controversial in nature. The stand is clearly indicated in the THESIS which appears in the introduction of the essay (usually at the end and sometimes, at the beginning or the middle of the paragraph).

An important feature of an argumentative essay is that the writer also shows awareness that there may be others who may not agree with his views and seeks to refute their views by showing how their views are wrong, not as good as his or just as good. Refer to the section on balance for more help in this area.

Let’s be realistic—some considerations from the viewpoint of the marker

Time management: You only have one and a half hours to choose your question, plan a response and write your essay.

Marker’s expectations:

Answering the question you choose
You must ensure that you choose a question you can handle. Seek your tutor’s advice with regard to this.

An essay that does not address the question, however well-expressed, does not get a total mark of more than 22 out of 50.

The basic structure of an essay
The basic expectations you must fulfil are that you show in the given time your ability to craft a basic argument with all the necessary ingredients. Your markers are not expecting you to write copiously—5 to 6 good paragraphs are what most students can produce in the given time. Plan with this in mind.

All in all, ensure that your essay is coherent.

Essay Structure—Coherence

Coherence refers to how the ideas in an essay fit together so well, they form a united whole. In this section, we are interested in exploring how the whole essay “hangs together” such that there is a very obvious and strong argument running through the whole essay.

Coherence is one of the key areas the markers look out for when awarding marks for content (whether the stand taken is argued in a sustained fashion throughout the essay) and for language (whether there is clear paragraphing and inter-paragraph linkage).

One of the most effective ways to ensure that there is coherence in your essay is to address the given question clearly and directly by means of a thesis statement which is followed by topic sentences which are phrased in such a way there is little doubt they are all linked inextricably to the thesis.

The recommended place for the topic sentence is right at the start of each paragraph.

Coherent essays also contain good inter-paragraph linkage. This can be achieved with the use of appropriate connectives (refer to Year 1 GP Package File Page ) and/or the repetition of key words (from the question) and synonyms (related to the key topic). You may even wish to start your topic sentence by introducing a phrase referring back to the previous paragraph:

Eg. While it is true that the use of technology helps a country to achieve economic progress, on a more personal level, it also helps to improve relations between people.

Essay Structure –Some Possibilities

The following may be helpful for your consideration.

Possibility 1:

Paragraph 1: Introduction (Compulsory element: thesis)
Paragraph 2: Topic Sentence 1 highlighting the main idea to be discussed followed by the Explanation, Exemplification and Evaluation
Paragraph 3: As above
Paragraph 4: Refuting your opponent’s most obvious/ most likely/ most significant opposition to your point.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion (Compulsory to restate your thesis)

Possibility 2:

Paragraph 1: Introduction (Compulsory element: thesis)
Paragraph 2: Refuting your opponent’s most obvious/ most likely/ most significant opposition to your point. Start by introducing your opponent’s point and then spend the bulk of your paragraph refuting it. The statement introducing your refutation is Topic Sentence 1.
Paragraph 3: Topic Sentence 2 highlighting the main idea to be discussed followed by the Explanation, Exemplification and Evaluation
Paragraph 4: As above
Paragraph 5: Conclusion (Compulsory to restate your thesis)

Possibility 3:

Paragraph 1: Introduction (Compulsory element: thesis)
Paragraph 2: Refuting your opponent’s most obvious/ most likely/ most significant opposition to your point. Start by introducing your opponent’s point and then spend the bulk of your paragraph refuting it. The statement introducing your refutation is Topic Sentence 1.
Paragraph 3: As above (only this time you may want to introduce the next most likely . . .point.)
Paragraph 4: As above (only this time you may want to introduce the next most likely . . .point.)
Paragraph 5: Conclusion (Compulsory to restate your thesis)

Frankly, this third model can be difficult to sustain and it is often wiser to use a variety of paragraph structures if you wish to add variety to your essay. Do this only if you have a sufficiently good grasp of the basic structure of the argumentative essay. Consult your tutor with regard to your readiness to try out a more varied structure for your essay.

Possibility 4:

Paragraph 1: Introduction (Compulsory element: thesis)
Paragraph 2: Topic Sentence 1 highlighting the main idea to be discussed followed by the Explanation, Exemplification and Evaluation of the point without alluding to any other opinions
Paragraph 3: Refuting your opponent’s most obvious/ most likely/ most significant opposition to your point. Start by introducing your opponent’s point and then spend the bulk of your paragraph refuting it. The statement introducing your refutation is Topic Sentence 2.
Paragraph 4: Topic Sentence 3 highlighting the main idea to be discussed followed by the Explanation and Exemplification followed by Evaluation of the point by alluding to a point raised by the opposition which you then refute.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion (Compulsory to restate your thesis)

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