Additional AQ slides

SLIDES FOR ASKNLEARN(AQ)

PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT FOR AQS

What might the body paragraphs

look like? 2

What to write in each body paragraph

1. Identify author‟s claim

• Paraphrase (Ex) or Quote (not more than a phrase)

2. Explain this claim: Use your own words.

• What does he mean by this?

3. Answer the Qn: Make your stand:

• Do you agree / disagree? (R)

• Is it applicable to Singapore? (R)

4. Evaluate argument• Is his reasoning sound / valid? (Ev)

• Is it applicable to Singapore? (Ev)

5. Exemplify with evidence from Singapore. (R+ Ev)

6. Reiterate point that answers the question.

NOT: why does he

say this?

4

Street-Porter highlights that although people do not enjoy their

work, they put up with “all of the crap” because work provides

income for people to then spend on luxuries and rewards (para

4).

1. IDENTIFYING AUTHOR‟S CLAIM

In addition, Street-Porter points out that for many people, work

now takes top priority in their lives and we do not have time left

(para 5).

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1. IDENTIFYING AUTHOR‟S CLAIM

• According to (writer‟s last

name)…

• Reeves raised the point that…

• Reeves asserted that…

• Reeves‟ view that …

• In his article, Reeves claimed

that…

(State the point you have

chosen to discuss).

Note: It is a good practice cite

where the argument is found

in the passage ie (para 4) or

(line 45)

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1. Why should I PARAPHRASE THE CLAIM?

WHY? If paraphrased accurately, you will, in

essence also be EXPLAINING the key

terms used by the author.

If you are able to accurately TRANSLATE a phrase into another

language, you effectively demonstrate that you UNDERSTAND the

essence of the phrase.

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Hey!. I just met you. This is

crazy. And here‟s my number.

So call me, maybe.

--- Carly Rae Jepson

Paraphrased:

When NOT to paraphrase

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1. WHICH CLAIMS DO I IDENTIFY?

Basically, the points must be arguments that ideally support

the author‟s overall thesis, and not random detail.

Tip: Have a look at the summary question; it usually asks

you to pick out the passage‟s main ideas.

.

TO ILLUSTRATE… USING VJC MYE 2011

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Select the main arguments:

• Suroweicki claims that the Amish are a content and

optimistic group of people.

• The author believes that there is something “inherently

unstable” about people‟s perceptions of their well-being.

• Suroweicki highlights that we very quickly take new

technological advances for granted and soon find them

“mundane” or even a source of frustration.

• The author believes that buying a 70-inch plasma

television will ensure that our satisfaction levels do not

drop for the next few years.

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Select the main arguments:

• Suroweicki claims that the Amish are a content and

optimistic group of people.

• The author believes that there is something “inherently

unstable” about people‟s perceptions of their well-being.

• Suroweicki highlights that we very quickly take new

technological advances for granted and soon find them

“mundane” or even a source of frustration.

• The author believes that buying a 70-inch plasma

television will ensure that our satisfaction levels do not

drop for the next few years.

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3 AQ Evaluation Strategies:

1. Evaluate causative link in the argument

Key terms: Valid/ invalid; Sound/ unsound;

2. Question the social context of argument and its applicability

Key terms: (Ir)relevant/ (In)applicable/ Feasible/ not feasible

3. Evaluate author‟s underlying assumptions

Key terms: Biased? Baseless assumption? Fraudulent? Dated assumption?

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4. EVALUATING the author‟s claims

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1. Evaluate causative link in the argument:

4. EVALUATING the author’s claims

Correlation DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN Causation

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Does the author make SIMPLISTIC CAUSATION LINKS?

Does the author neglect other mediating factors?

Claim #1:Violent films are harmful for children because they provoke aggressive behaviour in them.

Claim #2:Violent films may be harmful for children because they may increase the risk of aggressive behaviour, especially if parents/ guardians are not around to point out that such behaviour is unacceptable.

Correlation DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN Causation

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Claim #1:Violent films are harmful for children because they provoke aggressive behaviour in them.

Claim #2:Violent films may be harmful for children because they may increase the risk of aggressive behaviour, especially if parents/ guardians are not around to point out that such behaviour is unacceptable.

Both claims imply correlation.

• The first one implies a simplistic causation.

• The second ACKNOWLEDGES that there are other FACTORS that may also contribute to children exhibiting aggressive behaviour.

How do I show BALANCE in my EVALUATION?

Simply do not support EVERY one of the 3-4 main arguments

picked out. For “in your society” questions:

Ideally:

You can provide two to three points that find author‟s views

applicable, and maybe one point where it is not so applicable.

BUT 16

What if I find it difficult to disagree with the

author’s claim?

Ways to DISAGREE with an argument:

• The „Not true‟ rebuttal.

Refute by looking at the causative links and the underlying

assumptions.

• The „Even if‟ Rebuttal. (Higher-level)

Here, you‟re conceding that the author‟s claim is accurate for

some points, but despite that, the author‟s points do not

undermine your personal stand. 17

Ways to DISAGREE with an argument:

• The „Ignores the fact that…” Rebuttal

This kind of argument really demonstrates higher-order

thinking.

Authors are usually masters in the art of persuasion and it is

not so easy spot what they are ignoring.

For example, refer to the VJC MYE AQ.

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Suroweicki claims that technology‟s perpetual generation of new

products directly results in a decline in our happiness levels (para ..). He

even goes as far as to make the sweeping statement that

“disappointment were built into acquisition [of new products] from the

beginning”. I find that these are sweeping statements; whilst technology

does not hold the key to long-term happiness, it is NOT TRUE that

disappointment is embedded into our acquisition of new technological

tools. In Singapore, and other developed countries, people formed

snaking queues outside Apple branches so as to purchase the latest

gadget. Are they queuing to purchase „disappointment‟? I think not.

EVEN IF these tech-savvy consumers know that Apple will come up with

a newer iPhone/ iPad, they continue to stand in line, because…..

Suroweicki IGNORES the emotions of anticipation/ amazement/ awe,

and instead chooses to focus only on the potential for

disappointment….As such, [concluding statement]

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Task: Disagree with these statements.

[O]ne of the few things we can say for certain is that the

more friends and close relationships people have, the

happier they tend to be.‟

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First, identify that this is an ASSUMPTION. Then ask yourself:

“More friends and close relationships” = Happiness?

Is this a CAUSATIVE LINK or a COORELATION?

“More friends and close relationships” = Higher tendency to be happy?

Task: Disagree with these statements.

On relentless generation of newness:

“It is as if disappointment were built into acquisition from the beginning (para 9)”

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First, identify that this is an SWEEPING STATEMENT/

GENERALIZATION. Then ask yourself:

• Does the author focus only on the negatives?

• Has the author neglected the positive impact on our well-being ie positive

emotions like ANTICIPATION/ AWE/ HOPE?

How to finesse your EVALUATION

Tip: The ‘given how…’ tag.

The „given how…‟ tag helps ensure that your reasoning is not

a mere rehash of the very same generic reasons stated in the

passage. Instead, you will (most likely) list down

characteristics of your society that make an argument

applicable/ inapplicable.

(ie. “Given how Singapore is a small, multiracial, Asian, pragmatic,

young, developed, densely-populated, knowledge-based economy,

…).

Disclaimer: The tag „given how…‟ does not automatically make

your reasoning original and insightful.

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TO ILLUSTRATE… USING VJC MYE 2011

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Surowiecki highlights the speed at which we

become accustomed to new technologies (para 4) and

argues that this “hedonic adaptation” could result in

technology being a source of frustration. I largely

agree and see this phenomenon evident in Singapore.

Given how Singaporeans are heavily-dependent on

technology for its transport network, it is no surprise

that recent MRT breakdowns have led to frustration

amongst commuters who rely on the reliability of the

MRT system every day…………………….Thus, I agree

that hedonic adaptions strips the novelty factor away

from technological inventions, and may even cause

additional frustration when…

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- Identify claim- Explanation

- Make a stand

- Evaluate applicability by identifying characteristics of Singapore

- Exemplify/ Supportwith evidence from Singapore

- Reiterate and answer the question

Johnson points out that the study of

History has value because it helps us to learn

from the mistakes of others (para 3). I feel

that an understanding of history is important

for my society. Given how Singapore is a

fairly young and inexperienced country,

learning from the mistakes and obstacles of

similar nation states before us is essential for

helping us progress in an informed and

cautious manner…..………………………………..

………………………………………………………………….

…Thus, Johnson’s view confirms my

assessment of history’s value for my society.

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- Identify claim- Explanation

- Make a stand

- Evaluate applicabilityby identifying characteristics of Singapore

- Exemplify/ Supportwith evidence from Singapore (not shown)

- Reiterate and answer the question