SG Issues- It's about you. Or is it?

So much to learn from this critical paper and interestingly, it's all about you :)

 

Do you feel that the perceptions are accurate?

 

How would you have expressed them without the right AQ training?

 

In fact, this entire piece evaluates your generation's outlook from another point of view- the PSC. Smells like, indeed, is AQ, with a real dose of reality
 about YOU.

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/what-18-year-olds-tell-us-about-singapores-future


Do you a close link to this second piece that was mentioned in class?

 http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/economy-population-identity-are-spores-key-challenges-next-50-years-pm-lee

3 coaching points:

 

1. Note the subject headings used. They pertain to a perspective, with some effort to sustain it with relevant examples. Your job in any exam to transform your best perspectives into clear arguments. See life beyond just passing exams, will you?
2.  Detect hints of AQ Frames as well (esp the first piece). Used thoughtfully and with the right examples, they always bring your ideas to a higher level of reasoning, i.e. evaluation. It's happening here.

           AQFs erases those run-of-the-mill remarks (<4 marks). Genuine and informed views will  always impress people, beyond your foreign marker.




3. There's plenty of hedging language used as well, in an attempt to inject realism and balance into a discussion. No one wants to write like God only to appear poorly read and rather naïve in the end. Unfortunately, there is a very small handful in each class who still do that.  Regular and intensive practice now will train you to present your ideas in a credible and mature way, leading to a rewarding set of grades you so richly deserve.

 

Further advice:

 

Even though a fairly authoritative piece like this carries many insights into SG society, you are still strongly advised NOT to take on any Social Issues in Paper 1. Topics like
-Marriage and Gender
-Youth
-SG History, Past/ Future (gulp)
-Work
-Education
-Elderly, Aged etc


are really hard to justify since we are dealing with too many target groups, beliefs and attitudes here and unless you are very well read, it is a feat not worth attempting. Learn from past experiences.




Channel your effort into AQ instead which will ALWAYS be about your own society.




I don't know if you have realized this but students who are non-Singaporeans have the immediate advantage in deploying an AQ frame (local vs foreign / overseas) to evaluate the views of the author whenever they compare some aspects in their own country of  birth with the views and experiences felt here, depending on the theme explored.

 

 To those who are keen to serve the public as a prospective scholarship recipient, I hope this article will also provide many illuminating insights into how your generation sees the world. Still, it is only one aspect of the truth and like the Desiderata piece we read, you will always need to find that missing piece of the puzzle yourself- one that will connect you to something greater in the broader scheme of things.

That's the reward we get from wide reading and introspection, one of the many intangible rewards in doing General Paper.