tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84530184525033033692012-01-20T07:11:58.286+08:00While I Read, I WriteOBJECTIVES : THINKING + CLARITY + KNOWLEDGEh2hrrnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-85983338787190098292012-01-20T06:15:00.004+08:002012-01-20T07:11:58.307+08:00Just Testing Google Earthh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-37126285398061937812011-08-17T20:08:00.000+08:002011-08-17T20:08:22.055+08:00SAYONARA, BLOGSPOTDear Everyone !
We are migrating to a new address.
I've already put up the more essential material at our new site.
I think that the new site is more organised and I hope it helps you find what you need
See you thereh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-81343755227280964312011-07-15T09:25:00.007+08:002011-07-18T21:06:39.429+08:00Principle for Formulating Thesishttps://docs.google.com/present/view?id=ddcdq6sf_157f53m6pgw&revision=_latest&start=0&theme=blank&cwj=true
for pieces of sample writing
DON'T THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER !!!h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-34888689797629125432011-07-04T09:29:00.001+08:002011-07-04T09:29:42.488+08:00What is the point of the President?What is the point of the President?h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-58052409053468181862011-07-01T11:19:00.003+08:002011-07-29T07:56:38.774+08:00Some Leaks Good, Some Leaks Bad by Gareth Evans (1 Jul 2011)TASK : CRAFT A GP-style QUESTION FOR THIS ESSAY
(1 - INTRO) AS A British court weighs whether Julian Assange should be extradited to Sweden, and American prosecutors weigh the criminal charges they will file against Private Bradley Manning, the alleged major source of the disclosures by Mr Assange's WikiLeaks, global debate continues on whether such revelations do more good than harm. However, h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-58155293142551433622011-06-28T12:34:00.002+08:002011-07-01T10:42:09.300+08:00Doctors, what does it mean to do the right thing in your vocation ?http://news.sma.org.sg/4102/President.pdfh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-73696966547680013442011-06-09T07:53:00.001+08:002011-07-20T11:08:43.366+08:00Jun 8, 2011
Racism a thing of the past? Think again
I BEG to differ from the views put forth by Professor Lee Wei Ling in her letter last Saturday ('Singaporeans are mostly not racist').
Prof Lee posits that racism is a phenomenon limited by and large to the elderly and the less educated, and cites the substantial Indian population in her working environment and in her social circle as h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-54647147746447669232011-06-09T07:49:00.003+08:002011-06-09T10:45:15.418+08:00Jun 8, 2011
Disturbed by judgment, says Aware
WE REFER to last Friday's report ('Divorce and the attractive woman') and the judgment rendered by the High Court in this case.
The High Court took the view that it was relevant for a judge to take into account the attractiveness of a wife in determining her chances of remarriage when exercising its discretion on whether to grant lump sum or h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-56984616620764113742011-05-10T11:37:00.004+08:002011-05-10T12:13:31.384+08:00General Election 2011 - most memorable clips (incomplete)h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-78385122940940492062011-04-26T13:46:00.002+08:002011-04-26T13:46:39.265+08:00Education in Modern Societyh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-32613995050053026032011-04-13T12:34:00.002+08:002011-04-13T12:34:38.138+08:00The Generations Explainedh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-26231723082722817422011-04-09T10:35:00.001+08:002011-04-09T10:44:14.531+08:00CRIME & PUNISMENT - in a nutshell (incomplete)Dealing with Crime :
Preventive measures
Punitive measures : The Nature of Punishment
Rehabilitative measures
How subjective is crime ?
-consider universal principles
-consider social norms
-consider national concernsh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-73020193083793243972011-04-09T10:24:00.000+08:002011-04-09T10:24:04.021+08:00Worldwide Demographic Winter
Why are low birth rates a concern ?
Thomas Malthus's theory explainedh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-5712682887583656082011-04-09T08:59:00.001+08:002011-04-09T10:43:55.199+08:00EDUCATION - in a nutshell (incomplete)Higher Aims of Education
Education - Noble Aims, but imperfect practice
Public Education for the government/national agenda
Education as a social leveller
How effective is assessment ?
h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-71576041002936942282011-03-14T21:18:00.005+08:002011-03-22T04:37:57.004+08:00The Arts in Sg
About Sg's prominent, prolific film makers :
Boo Junfeng
Royston Tan
Eric Khoo
About Sg's accomplished fashion industry professionals :
Photographers Chuando & Frey
Hairstylist David Gan
Designer Ashley Ishamh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-38681728283894021852011-03-12T10:34:00.003+08:002011-04-09T10:15:44.478+08:00Young Entrepreneurs in Sgh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-23968603166045057862011-03-12T10:02:00.006+08:002011-07-09T12:13:30.030+08:00The Plight of the Migrant Workerh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-17773234177087010832011-03-12T09:19:00.000+08:002011-03-12T09:19:16.712+08:006 Reasons to Invest in Sgh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-1198852353084533992011-03-12T09:06:00.004+08:002011-03-12T09:18:03.347+08:00Sg has among the best civil servants - HOW ?h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-46636460386591996572011-03-12T08:53:00.003+08:002011-03-12T09:17:44.284+08:00Interview with Sg's Minister for Educationh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-52952266448602301592011-03-12T08:52:00.002+08:002011-03-12T09:17:21.910+08:00PM Lee on Education during the National Day Rally Speechh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-20457342620028452942011-03-11T16:17:00.002+08:002011-04-09T10:22:37.569+08:00The Sandwich Generationh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-54048290489989595902011-03-11T15:55:00.005+08:002011-04-09T10:16:22.349+08:00The Elderly in Japan (with other references to India & Tunisia)If advertisements are blocking your view, click on the "full screen" button to view.
h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-71588005993513664472011-03-08T11:35:00.000+08:002011-03-08T11:35:44.933+08:00Sg Start-Up Sold for 8-figure sum (ST 1 Mar 2011)A THREE-YEAR-OLD Singapore start-up has been snapped up by a regional media group for a tidy eight-figure sum.
Brandtology - whose business is to keep track of what Internet users are saying about its clients, ranging from SingTel to DBS Bank - has been bought over by the Australian-headquartered Media Monitors group.
'This is the logical and exciting next step for Brandtology, allowing us toh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-22829434395405719142011-03-08T11:15:00.002+08:002011-03-08T12:02:29.673+08:00Are blogs now brands ? (ST 1 Mar 2011)By Jonathan Holburt, For The Straits Times
THE purchase of The Huffington Post for US$315 million (S$402 million) by AOL is a sign that blogs have moved from the fringes of the media universe to its hot core. The Post, run by Ms Arianna Huffington and Mr Kenneth Lerer, is driven by its blogger contributors. Contrast the price it got versus the US$1 (plus liabilities) that Newsweek was sold for h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-8278790918372430672011-03-04T01:06:00.003+08:002011-03-04T06:58:56.324+08:00Making $$$ onlineThis post is primarily intended to furnish you with concrete illustrations of how $$ can be made online to support your writing
Note1 : Never sell anything that isn't yours. Never sell anything that's shared / communal property.
Note2 : Nothing's going to work without lots of effort
Note3 : In any venture, always read the fine print
Click here to learn about how $$ is made by h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-31541951060897797442011-03-04T00:52:00.002+08:002011-03-04T08:24:09.317+08:00ALL ABOUT METACOGNITIONThis clip is a really concise intro :
This clip is for listening tasks, but the tips here can be used for reading tasks as well :
h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-24748726529686728842011-03-04T00:09:00.003+08:002011-03-04T00:26:17.893+08:00Harm caused by Corporations
Some ideas to look out for :
- the "science of exploitation" (1st 6 min)
- different types of harm to human health (6:44)
- harm to animals (10:58)
- harm to the biosphere (15:10 to end)h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-30370417784257227362011-03-03T13:26:00.003+08:002011-04-09T10:23:09.506+08:00The Impact of A Shrinking Population : Case Study of Germanyh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-29989698442550057272011-03-02T14:54:00.003+08:002011-04-09T10:24:27.505+08:00Gender Stereotyping in the Mediah2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-60643725565329449592011-02-18T23:15:00.002+08:002011-02-18T23:19:21.953+08:006 Types of Socratic Questions & Other Techniques (FOR TEACHERS)http://www.softpanorama.org/Social/Toxic_managers/Communication/socratic_questions.shtml
http://changingminds.org/techniques/questioning/questioning.htm
http://faculty.ntcc.edu/apt/pdf/Questioning.pdfh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-87706422669979333572011-02-17T07:37:00.002+08:002011-04-09T10:26:03.112+08:00Women's Lib Vid
Key Ideas to look out for in video :
"The Good Wife's Guide"
Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique
The impact of World War 2
The impact of the birth control pill
The aims of N.O.W.h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-12759688897878481422011-01-25T13:16:00.002+08:002011-01-25T13:26:06.050+08:00Study Habits of Foreign Students in Singapore (from Razor TV)h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-42108261300761125832011-01-25T12:28:00.005+08:002011-07-20T11:10:06.865+08:00Western vs Chinese Style Parenting : Which works better to prepare children for the future?Click this link to read the original article by self-styled Tiger Mother-cum-Yale University professor Amy Chua :
WHY CHINESE MOTHERS ARE SUPERIOR
Here's the a video of Amy Chua's interview that adds more insight to the article above :
Click these links to other responses to her article :
AN AMERICAN DAD ON RAISING A TIGER DAUGHTER
ROARING TIGERS, ANXIOUS CHOPPERS
TIGER MOTHERS IN h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-31670633709068762932011-01-13T07:36:00.002+08:002011-01-13T07:36:37.141+08:00What's the motive for this ?http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/01/12/govt-to-gazette-political-blog-the-online-citizen/h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-21721523499342544542010-11-14T09:04:00.002+08:002011-07-20T11:11:06.828+08:00Preparing for GP next year ?Give yourself a headstart !
Join :
reach.gov.sg
Find out about the latest concerns in Singapore & what other S'poreans & PR think in a no-nonsense, civil online environment.
Challenge yourself to make meaningful contributions (thereby practising AQ).
Make this your little step to bigger contributions in civil society. Remember : “I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can doh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-6237938035993727682010-10-29T21:10:00.008+08:002010-11-01T19:28:50.861+08:00Dedicated to ALL esp. those doing self study (& have missed the practice papers we did)Compre & AQ Reminders / FAQ (for the nth time)
(1) What does the preamble of the AQ say ?
(When the preamble or the opening lines of the AQ are quotes, you must first locate the quote in the text. This is to help you decide whether that quote limits you to the ideas around it or whether the quote allows you to apply other parts of the text)
(2) Can you identify the writer’s own views from the h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-62373166147513721662010-10-05T09:27:00.007+08:002010-10-30T08:36:08.273+08:00ONCE AND FOR ALL ... summary of individual consultationsReminders :
1) Address the topic words and keywords in every paragraph
2) The explanations of your examples must be directly connected to the relevant argument/point you are trying to deliver i.e. NO STORY TELLING !!!!
- How to ensure this ?
3) Help the marker spot your distinct points and sub-points i.e. USE CLEAR CONNECTORS
4) Use explicit phrases to avoid contradictions : Which is your h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-56501318919546238792010-09-27T22:00:00.002+08:002010-09-27T22:00:42.083+08:00Singapore's Water Story in 5 minsh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-11750140963436814332010-09-07T04:47:00.009+08:002010-10-30T08:39:14.755+08:00SAMPLES OF SUPER SIMPLE INTRODUCTIONS (for beginners & those suffering from writer's block) - part 1 of 3Technology will increasingly allow people to work from home.’ Is this desirable?
We live in a world that is powered by technology. Technology continues to affect our lives in many profound ways. This includes allowing people to work from home. On one hand, this development can be seen as a time-saving** measure for workers and bosses, as well as a cost-cutting** measure for bosses. It also h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-74468754171766020032010-09-06T06:03:00.001+08:002010-09-06T06:05:30.636+08:00Costa & Kallick's 16 HABITS OF MIND
(click image below to get to the main site)
h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-4671314170625044292010-09-04T08:05:00.005+08:002011-08-03T08:52:16.742+08:00ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES in a nutshellConsider the 3 main parties involved and what their roles are :
THE CONSUMERS
Consumer demand sends signals to businesses/corporations. So, if we change consumer attitudes, we can protect the earth better.
What are some of these damaging attitudes?
"The more we own, the better." (status consciousness) OR "We're rich; we just want more things."
"We're used to comfort & convenience - we don't h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-59854559781175752042010-09-04T07:39:00.002+08:002010-09-04T07:40:53.133+08:00WHAT THE STATE DOES in a nutshellIn sum, for domestic issues, the government has to L.I.E.
L = LEGISLATE
I = INVEST & INCENTIVISE
E = EDUCATE
For international / foreign affairs, the government must "C" (see)
C = COOPERATE, to avoid Conflicth2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-86672817749297933982010-09-02T04:00:00.001+08:002010-09-02T04:36:36.391+08:00HAPPY TEACHERS' DAY !!!!In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something else.
- Lee Iacocca, businessman, former CEO, Chrysler Corporation h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-40990142501135772322010-08-30T03:50:00.000+08:002010-08-30T03:50:39.076+08:00What the examiners want to see for AQGOOD ANSWERS- referred to at least 3 ideas from the passage
(with half a dozen references to the text) - commented on ideas from the text,- making judgements- supported by appropriate illustration and example.
- show impressive knowledge in their examples- argue coherently
MIDDLE RANGE MARKS ONLY (3 or 4 marks?)
- for those who go into undue length on one point (turning the AQ into a mini h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-75983323687166388632010-08-20T05:08:00.004+08:002010-08-20T06:03:01.726+08:00Practical Tips for summaryBOX the connectors
// to mark out distinct points
underline the pts to show how much (of the sentence) needs to be included
NUMBER your pts
consider examples - they may or may not need to be inferred from
WRITE SIMPLY !!!!!
if you are indirect,
if your expressions are confusing, convoluted...
then steps 1 to 5 are WASTEDh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-39073708864128155882010-08-19T07:05:00.004+08:002011-03-29T05:04:19.070+08:00“Greed is good.” Can this statement ever be justified?LANGUAGE TIP :
ONCE YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED THE TOPIC, ACTIVATE A LIST OF HELPFUL WORDS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNT.
The words/phrases highlighted below show an example of this
SAMPLE INTRO :
“Greed” is an inherently negative word that connotes excessive desire which involves taking more than what one needs. Being greedy means being rapacious even to the point of depriving someone else of what he h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-69400906710548708742010-08-18T13:59:00.006+08:002011-07-30T12:36:05.369+08:00Cyberactivity and Marriage : NOTE THE EXPRESSIONS USEDhttp://sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20100805/twl-us-facebook-cheating-dispute-ef375f8.html
CLEVELAND – Dread of the unknown hung in the air as Lynn France typed two words into the search box on Facebook: the name of the woman with whom she believed her husband was having an affair.
Click. And there it was, the stuff of nightmares for any spouse, cuckolded or not. Wedding photos. At Walt Disney World,h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-47414440469822173082010-08-18T09:54:00.006+08:002010-10-30T08:43:30.377+08:00Essay Grade A or B or C ? Whatever YOUR aim, U MUST show ...THINKING(RELEVANT ideas/points/support/brainstorm + logic + structure)
- an irrelevant answer means "game over" for you!
CLARITY
(grammar + expression)
- remember, it's CLEAR language we want - NOT fancy language!
KNOWLEDGE
(show you know + update your answer!)h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-14385536693180638222010-08-14T23:52:00.003+08:002010-08-20T11:42:15.979+08:00WikiLeaks, Blackberry and National Security issuesThese are the latest developments that you ought to know about !
http://mis-asia.com/news/articles/wikileaks-releases-92,000-hidden-afghan-war-docs?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=print
http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/blackberry-has-problems-in-india-and-bahrain-too-2010-08-01-1.273563
http://www.dailyfinance.com/article/bahrain-says-no-plans-to-ban-blackberry/1198343/
Don't know about the h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-82825820850148124302010-08-13T06:11:00.049+08:002010-10-31T14:33:10.802+08:00EVENTS OF THE LAST 2 DECADESWhat are the learning points from these events ? [ I.S.E.P.E.T. ; P ]
2000 to 2010
( click here for more :
http://www.infoplease.com/yearbyyear.html#axzz0wR1E74bL
http://history1900s.about.com/od/timelines/tp/timeline.htm
http://www.pcworld.com/article/184887/top_15_tech_events_of_the_decade.html
http://inventors.about.com/od/timelines/a/ModernInvention.htm )
The US mortgage h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-57545328151040583622010-08-08T09:17:00.003+08:002010-08-08T09:18:07.352+08:00RECOMMENDED SITEhttp://www.english-for-students.com/index.htmlh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-29303881019431484002010-08-05T09:15:00.004+08:002010-09-03T06:40:09.681+08:00HAPPY NATIONAL DAYKey events in Sg history gleaned from student writing (almost cliched)
Japanese Invasion & British retreat from Singapore
the Hock Lee bus riots Operation Coldstore & the Confrontation period with Communists
the Maria Hertogh & Prophet Muhammad birthday procession riots
Less frequently used e.g.s :
migration & the change in ethnic composition of Singapore
family related policies & its h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-28493643861344815182010-08-05T07:26:00.005+08:002010-09-02T04:35:00.247+08:00About the essays written by the Class of 2009...."If I've learnt nothing else, it's that
time and practice equal achievement." - Andre Agassi in "Open - An Autobiography"
MOST SCRIPTS...
show awareness of structure (intro... awareness of key issues...attempt at balance...conclusion) KEEP THIS UP !
THE BETTER SCRIPTS...
conclusions provide succinct incisive views or perspectives
introduction is meant to impress
intro (& the use of English in h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-63482047693515720302010-08-03T10:08:00.002+08:002010-08-03T11:11:20.647+08:00AQ : WHAT TYPES HAVE WE SEEN SO FAR ?SPECIFIC VS GENERAL
How far do you agree ? VS OTHER WAYS OF PHRASING THE QUESTION
SINGLE PASSAGE
BOTH PERSPECTIVES INCLUDED (together with other explanations)
DOUBLE PASSAGE
OPPOSING VIEWS - both plausible, reasoned out and illustrated, but each being absolute.
OPPOSING VIEWS - but one is balanced, while the other is more extreme (too the point of being ridiculous)
h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-43619609968195601902010-08-03T09:56:00.002+08:002010-08-05T06:44:26.290+08:00SUMMARY POINTERS from you examinerCandidates who reproduced 80% were judged worthy of full marks (when the text yields many points) -- 2005 paper
Examiners count the summaries and strike out anything above the word limit
Examiners make a preliminary assessment of the quality of the language whilst marking summary.
Barely legible scripts thanks to numerous crossings out, words over-written, arrows taking bracketed words and h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-63107396973517448082010-07-27T07:46:00.001+08:002010-07-27T07:46:29.275+08:00THEORIES AND SOCIOLOGYh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-57233168633103394542010-07-27T07:36:00.000+08:002010-07-27T07:36:04.926+08:00MASLOW'S HIERARCHY OF NEEDSh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-82919351729576494322010-07-15T16:21:00.004+08:002010-07-16T14:05:05.259+08:00AQ Review for MIDYEAR 2010MAJOR ERRORS FOUND IN STUDENTS' AQ ANSWERS :
!!!! Students tend to pick ANY point they want from the text
and, then, in their evaluation, they DO NOT make the paragraph relevant to the issue of the question.
The issue is spelt out in the opening line(s) of the AQ.
QUESTION :
Berry proposes that consumers should be fully aware of the choices we make about food. How relevant are the views h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-69252651575259020772010-07-09T13:48:00.003+08:002010-07-09T14:01:49.504+08:00MY FAVORITE QUOTES ON WRITINGThe secret to being a writer is that you have to write. It's not enough to think about writing or to study literature .... You really have to lock yourself away, alone, and get to work. ----- Augusten Burroughs
No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.
----- Robert Frost
You know, as a writer, I'm more of a listener than a h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-36606062444227352842010-07-05T11:19:00.003+08:002011-03-29T05:07:33.024+08:00Is it wrong to punish..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48GLYWSHFW4&feature=PlayList&p=998EBD4370C89741&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1
Listen to the speaker's :
1) arguments
2) use of the literary, such as his references to Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice"h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-24619821688884258562010-06-25T09:26:00.004+08:002010-06-26T06:32:46.303+08:00The CONTEXT of your responses : MODERN SOCIETY
Modern society is characterised by :
individualism (i.e. pro-freedom, pro-democracy, pro-rights,
pro-choice, pro-meritocracy, capitalist, materialistic, morally relativist, me-first mentality, competitive, narcissistic)
+
globalisation (i.e. integrated/interconnected, technology-driven, with social, political and economic repercussions)
=
Those with wealth, knowledge, technology,h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-52901365489515774502010-06-25T08:26:00.020+08:002011-07-31T22:19:45.911+08:00Past Year Questions - in categoriesGP Question Analysis
• Note how themes and topics may overlap or may be combined in questions.
• Note : You could probably see other themes or topics (e.g. business) since this table does not categorise all past-year questions
1) GLOBALISATION / GLOBAL TRENDS
A) MIGRATION
(Q6,2008)
B) SUPRANATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
C) MNCS
(multinational businesses Q9,2004)
(small vs big businesses Q1,2003)
D) h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-67104646459568541932010-06-24T07:53:00.004+08:002010-07-12T10:21:58.303+08:00KNOW WHAT TO DO UNDER TEST CONDITIONS !
116th minute out of 120 minutes of play : )h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-7825079409461982202010-06-23T18:47:00.003+08:002010-06-23T19:03:20.864+08:00THE ORIGINAL KARATE KID AND THE NEW ONEh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-40538269865661790912010-06-17T09:19:00.003+08:002010-06-17T09:26:06.781+08:00WHAT KIND OF THINKER ARE YOU?
h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-68579039147272791292010-06-17T08:30:00.002+08:002010-06-17T08:35:32.365+08:00BP oil rig explosion off the Gulf of Mexico (April 2010)
PICTURES HERE FROM THE DISASTER-STRUCK AREAS!
INTERACTIVE MAP TO SHOW EXTENT OF SPILLh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-68532198266043200652010-06-17T07:53:00.002+08:002010-06-17T07:53:58.133+08:00The Value of Learning the Humanitiesh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-66418380703627247962010-06-15T08:33:00.002+08:002010-06-15T08:44:34.047+08:00Watch what can happen when someone tries to throw an argument off-trackh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-19174876276986680442010-06-15T08:25:00.005+08:002010-06-19T09:53:09.585+08:00THE VALUE OF PRIMARY SOURCES - What happens when primary sources seem to give conflicting accounts?h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-42001881791463652902010-06-13T10:38:00.005+08:002010-06-19T09:54:44.305+08:00h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-73476151274464436422010-06-11T16:33:00.003+08:002010-06-15T08:08:29.637+08:00SAVING THE PLANET ONE MEAL AT A TIME (summary of ST Saturday Report, 30 Jan 2010)
TIPS FOR ETHICAL EATING :
1) GO LOCAL
a) Save on the fossil fuel used to transport imported food i.e. "reduce food miles"
BUT
a) Food sourced nearer is not always cheaper e.g. Indonesian pork is more expensive than Australian pork because the former is sold by auction
b) Food sources need to be diversified for the sake of food security
c) Delivering small quantities of local products to many h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-91251811469516010482010-06-10T08:22:00.004+08:002010-06-15T17:51:06.483+08:00GPS PROS & CONS (by Nicholas Carr from ST, Washington Post)Internet mapping services and GPS navigation systems are extraordinarily useful. They guide us to distant and out- of-the-way places that were once a hassle to find. Listening to instructions from a GPS device certainly beats wrangling with a big paper map while trying to steer a car. In extreme situations, GPS units can even be lifesavers. Just ask anyone who's been lost in the wilderness duringh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-54990706927801284672010-06-10T08:01:00.004+08:002011-04-09T10:27:29.322+08:00Divorce in Old Age (by Deidre Bair from ST, NYT)About what this new trend is about and why it came to be...
For my book, I interviewed 126 men and 184 women who divorced after being married 20 to 60-plus years. What surprised me most was the courage they showed as they left the supposed security of marriage. To them, divorce meant not failure and shame, but opportunity.
Men and women I interviewed insisted they did not divorce foolishly orh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-78788241745265970382010-06-05T18:27:00.001+08:002010-06-08T17:49:01.603+08:00S'pore beat China 3-1 in the World Team Table Tennis Championships (ST Jun 1, 2010)The Nanfang Daily criticised Chinese sports authorities for allowing China-born players like Feng Tianwei, Wang Yuegu and Li Jiawei to leave and don other nations' colours, adding that China not only shipped out top players, but also coaches, including current Singapore trainer Zhou Shusen, who used to coach the Beijing municipal team. (His inside knowledge of former charges like Ding Ning and h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-68319868904133057332010-05-31T21:48:00.000+08:002010-05-31T21:54:57.334+08:00culture-race-genes : REALLY???http://www3.ntu.edu.sg/lib/ne/lky/raceculturegenes.pdfh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-43556819764215405622010-05-28T15:55:00.001+08:002011-03-29T05:02:27.854+08:00HOW TO MAINTAIN RELEVANT ESSAYSUSE&REUSEthe TOPIC WORDS and KEYWORDSin the question (or their synonyms)appropriatelyAS YOU EXPLAIN (E)
& GIVE EXAMPLES (E)
for your point (P)& when you do your linking (L) back to the question
h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-30496775730156504602010-05-28T15:42:00.002+08:002010-09-02T05:05:23.805+08:00Do you mean one thing but write another?Student's Concern :
"I mean to tell the examiner that I agree / disagree to a large extent, but I end up writing a "balanced" essay. I seem to be just recognising and agreeing equally to both sides of the argument."
Possible Solution : Refute the arguments for the side you are actually against (see the 2 versions below).
NOTE THAT CLEAR TRANSITIONAL DEVICES FOR THESE TWISTS AND TURNS ARE VITALh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-13663661498773394852010-05-24T03:29:00.001+08:002010-05-24T10:44:34.741+08:00strictly for those who want to enhance style, apart from by varying vocab (not for those still mastering basics)http://www.figarospeech.com/10-ways-to-use-figures/h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-49193875484881905932010-05-24T03:19:00.001+08:002011-03-29T05:04:48.092+08:00clever word play (student sample)Q) The only future for the car is its elimination. Discuss. (from tys)
One of the defining features of the modern world would be the car. One could hardly imagine imagine a world without this machine. This machine literally moves the people of the world. As one of the major forms of transport of many in the developed world, the car does not seem to be threatened with displacement. In short, it h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-25778143523114461362010-05-23T20:37:00.000+08:002010-05-23T20:37:15.337+08:00What verbs would you use in reported speech?http://academicenglishcafe.com/ReportedandQuotedSpeechVerbs.aspxh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-53989263871098600042010-05-23T20:33:00.000+08:002010-05-23T20:37:47.892+08:00What do the perspectives of time mean in your writing?http://www.figarospeech.com/the-3-basic-issues/
PAST = BLAME
PRESENT = VALUES
FUTURE = CHOICESh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-4912738044775221912010-05-19T14:01:00.000+08:002010-05-19T14:01:02.853+08:00Don't Keep Giving Cash to the Poor (key ideas)Source : ST 19 Mar 2010
THOSE who believe that more government spending on welfare will lift people out of penury have got it dead wrong, says Dr Ron Haskins, 66, a well-known American expert on poverty and human development.
'We should improve education,
expand work and
strengthen families,' he says. These 'predictable, ridiculously simple solutions' are the only ones that really work.
h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-90007133429708037782010-05-18T06:46:00.001+08:002010-10-30T08:42:29.681+08:00AQ on FEAR (just before your mid-year exam)Pointers / Areas for improvement :
1) When a question has 2 or more requirements, what can you do to get an efficient, marker-friendly answer? DEMARCATE REQUIREMENTS CLEARLY (if the question has more parts, it's not for fun - the parts probably have different emphases anyway)
2) JUST LIKE ESSAYS..... Do the question requirements have key words /key phrases ? Address them, or risk losing h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-83217723492808101672010-05-15T09:57:00.000+08:002010-05-15T11:01:45.957+08:00What are the implications of this quote in the world today ?"iPod, therefore iAm."
It's a 21st century take on philosopher Descartes' "I think, therefore I am"
Find out more about about the original idea here :
http://www.iep.utm.edu/descarte/h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-76504395789164750762010-05-14T22:12:00.001+08:002011-04-09T10:27:51.096+08:00Family & Poverty Statistics presented using revolutionary animation by TrendalyzerHans Rosling shows the best stats you've ever seen - 49 Translation(s) dotSUB
Another Hans Rosling video on poverty. Read the comments from other viewers for even more insightsh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-49637143503319907542010-05-14T22:04:00.001+08:002011-04-09T10:28:14.583+08:00Singapore's birth dearth and gender equity (learn how the ideas are worded, please!)http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_525556.html
SINGAPORE fathers are the real losers when they abdicate child-rearing responsibilities to mothers. And the state, too, becomes much poorer for it, says noted Swedish international health professor and public statistics advocate Hans Rosling.
Singapore, he notes, vexes over its baby shortage because the situation h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-70921257611283536002010-05-14T21:54:00.001+08:002011-03-29T05:05:37.899+08:00Impact of media on religion : Example of the Catholic ChurchFor centuries, the papacy has operated with the conviction that it answers to no earthly power. Many in Rome still believe that to be the case, but nowadays the church's faithful also believe in the sanctity of a free and vigorous press, with its unrelenting questions and nose for controversy. This all makes running modern media relations for the Vatican, in polite terms, a job from hell.
... h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-60541563950534027742010-05-08T17:05:00.002+08:002010-06-10T07:51:53.773+08:00Quote by CS LewisLiterary adds to reality,
it simply does not describe it.
It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires;
and in this respect it irrigates the deserts that our daily lives have already become.h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-21647849238874683682010-05-06T10:29:00.000+08:002010-05-06T10:32:58.059+08:00Has Culture & Tradition Lost its Relevance in the World Today?What MORE would you say for this essay ?
POINT 1 :
effects of modernisation
focus on weath leads to our neglect of our tradition and culture
e.g. fewer celebrate Qing Ming; go overseas instead of clelebrating CNY
POINT 2 :
impact of globalisation
more interconnected, more info
e.g. spread of pop culture
POINT 3 : HOWEVER,
local governments are trying to spur interest
e.g. seminars, h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-69078618196454582532010-05-06T10:21:00.000+08:002010-05-12T08:22:11.292+08:00The Mother (Tongue) of All Debateshttp://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?s=aa78a409c42130d7f58d5a870fe3687f&t=33048h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-28506765466853916202010-03-25T07:51:00.001+08:002010-05-20T00:31:59.808+08:00CLICK LINK FOR VOCAB REVISION GAMEhttps://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0ARUHNk4I4KwGZGRjZHE2c2ZfMTQxY2t6N3RkZmQ&hl=enh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-21990648392801363272010-03-08T10:56:00.000+08:002010-03-09T20:40:35.841+08:00Sample AQ (2004 A-levels) - adapted student's work (partial answer only)AQ:
Do you regard the increased degree of choice available to you and your generation as broadly beneficial or harmful?
INTRO :
(1) I regard the increased degree of choice to be broadly beneficial, just like Sherbone.
(2) I am not inclined towards Parks' views because his ideas are myopic as they are driven mainly by the irrational fear of mankind's inability to take responsibility for the h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-32945778752941578752010-03-08T10:02:00.001+08:002010-06-19T09:55:27.918+08:00PITCH YOUR OWN WRITING TO APPROACH OR MATCH THISNOTES :
· This essay was written under timed conditions in Term 2 of JC2, 2009
· The student’s final grade at A-levels was ‘A’
· The student’s pet topic was Politics
Question :
“Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
To what extent is it justifiable for governments to adopt this approach?
“In change we can believe in” – Barack Obama, 2008 campaign rally. The 44th president of h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-37289525931375685992010-03-03T16:17:00.000+08:002010-05-16T07:40:47.698+08:00USE AND RE-USE THE WORDS IN THE QUESTIONS (OR THEIR SYNONYMS) FREQUENTLY AND RELEVANTLY IN ALL YOUR PARAGRAPHSh2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-14839663316561596442010-02-28T06:34:00.000+08:002010-05-18T07:05:50.187+08:00How to plant the definition in the intro (part 1)Problem : There is more than 1 concept to define
Religion always hampers science. What do you think?
SAMPLE INTRO :
(1) Science - the body of knowledge using which we understand our world and how things work - has generally been applied to improve our lives.
(2) Because it has this aim, advocates of science do not wish for it to be hampered or obstructed. Yet, from time to time, science finds h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-26284763191216368622010-02-28T06:03:00.000+08:002010-05-16T07:40:47.699+08:00APPLY THE WORDS IN THE QUESTION WITHIN THE PARA - but NOT just at the end of the paraBased on the 1st timed essay task for term 1, 2010, I have come up with some observations and reminders for choosing and responding to the essay question.
REMINDER :
You MUST USE and re-use the words in the question (or their synonyms) in the paragraphs. Don't just leave it the last sentence (when you LINK BACK to the question)
(Q1) Instead of allowing Man to control his environment, h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-1473199264354954992010-02-21T07:48:00.000+08:002010-02-21T07:48:30.745+08:00MI Prelim 2005 AQIntro
(1) I am more inclined to Ridley’s optimistic view because the purpose of science is to understand the world and make it better for mankind. (2) If there are problems caused by science, then, even more scientific development, more education and legislation to ensure the responsible use of science can be applied. (3) On the other hand, Lundberg, despite being persuasive at parts, appears h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-57178803442596719452010-02-17T23:45:00.001+08:002011-03-29T05:06:17.933+08:00TIP : MAKE YOUR ULTIMATE POINT SHORT AND SWEETGood writing has rhythm. Try this :
After a long sentence OR a few long sentences, make your ultimate point (your punchline) short and sweet.
It creates impact.
It tells the reader you yourself are clear about the point you intend to deliver and the direction of your long explanations
What is insidious about the incessant stream of subliminal messages that we imbibe via the media is that they h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453018452503303369.post-22008142960927481212010-02-17T21:02:00.001+08:002010-02-17T23:09:56.011+08:00SRJC Prelim 2009 AQ
SRJC Prelim 2009 AQ : ONE POSSIBLE ANSWER (ver.8Feb2010)
While Ride’s view that migrants are scapegoats is extremely justified, there are situations where migrants are genuinely to blame for problems in their new country.INTRO :Both question requirements are responded to.
In addition I also find that, to a large extent, human migration makes society better, though not in absolutely all h2hrrnoreply@blogger.com0