"Scoring well in the General Paper AQ requires relentless effort and adaptability, as the topics can vary widely, but with determination, conquering is within reach."
Scoring well for the AQ in the General Paper demands relentless effort, especially considering the substantial variations in each paper and question. Add to that, topics can range from the benefits of solitude to the perils of geopolitical turmoil. Conquering an English A Level application question may appear intimidating, but with a determined approach, it becomes conquerable. Read on for some tips and tricks, and download some model AQ answers.
Reading
Reading widely, from newspapers and magazines to novels and biographies will get you a leg up in the application question. Furthermore, since the subject matter of GP comprehensions are so varied, it is important to know a little bit about almost everything. Since the AQ focuses on how you can link the subject matter to your society, and being well versed in local matters will be of great help.
PESTLE
When in doubt, use the acronym PESTLE to break the topic down in order to understand the perspectives that can be discussed.
P = Political
E = Economic
S = Societal
T = Technological
L = Legal
E = Environmental | Educational
Highlight pivotal keywords and phrases that aid in formulating a response. Subsequently, unleash a flood of ideas through brainstorming. Leverage existing knowledge about the topic and explore external resources that can augment your answer.
Once a wealth of ideas has been generated, embark on a research expedition. Employ credible sources and meticulously record detailed notes. This meticulousness will enable you to track the accumulated information and facilitate the writing process.
Organisation
The AQ is a mini essay and to ensure triumph, organisation and a strategic plan are paramount. Try and use the following structure:
1. Recommended Structure
- Introduction + Stand
- Argument (a)
- Argument (b)
- Argument (c) [optional]
- Conclusion
2. Analysis
- Highlight question’s demands
- Focus on keywords
- Balance: Write 1 paragraph in support and 1 paragraph against OR Agree to a certain extent to each author’s point, and then explain your counter
3. Introduction
- Does not need to be more than 3 lines: State summary of passage | State summary of your argument | State your stand
- Your stand: E.g. “Even though there are alternate possibilities in the scenario mentioned by *author* I largely agree with her views as I find them highly relevant in the context of Singapore.”
4. Body Paragraphs
- Start with a topic sentence: An observation that the author has made. E.g. “The author posits that <quote>”
- Explain the quote
- State your stand e.g. “As this observation is highly relevant in Singapore’s context, I agree with the author that…”
- State an example of what you have observed in Singapore in relation to the quote you have picked.
- Evaluate: (a) Agree with the author by emphasising the point they have made by using a reason within the Singapore context OR (b) Disagree with the author by explaining that the viewpoint is limited/applicable to a small group of people/irrelevant to most people in Singapore
- Balance: e.g. “There are still pockets of people in Singapore who will not find this applicable…” or “The author’s points are relevant when we consider the next two years, but they may be obsolete in twenty years because…”
- Link back to the question e.g. “Therefore, it is clear that the author’s views are highly relevant to my society as…”
When constructing your response, ensure that you directly address the question and employ compelling evidence from your research to fortify your arguments. Vigilantly proofread your answer to eliminate any errors in spelling or grammar.
Lastly, the indispensable component of success is practice. Undertake practice tests and meticulously evaluate your answers. This will cultivate familiarity with the material and enable you to identify areas necessitating improvement. Try out our GP programme to ace your AQ. https://curio.sg/programmes/gce-a-levels-general-paper-programme/
Download the following papers and start practicing today!
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