GETTING TO KNOW GP:!! AN OVERVIEW! * * *!

GETTING TO KNOW GP:!! AN OVERVIEW! * * *!

PowerPoint Credits: RESEARCH & DESIGN Jill Pavich, NBCT RESOURCES Cambridge International Examinations CIE MATERIALS Sample Test handout

PART 1: The GP Exam u EXAM DAY: u What is it? u How is it scored? u What will be expected of me?

What is? What is? AICE: GP: Which means that the Paper, or essay, is about General topics that span the curriculum, from science and math all the way to literature and the arts.

SAMPLE TEST TAKE A MINUTE TO OBSERVE THIS FAUX, GP EXAM KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT IS HALF THE TESTING BATTLE!

The General Paper WHAT IT?! A WRITTEN examination, (1 day of testing) in 2 HOURS Administered in MAY/June and Oct./Nov. Candidates must choose two questions, each from a section. As of FY14: The exam paper will be divided into three sections, with four prompt options in each for a total of. (Prior to FY14 there were 5 prompts per section for a total of 15)

SCORING The AICE: General Paper exam grades students on two aspects of the final essay product: CONTENT (30 points) CONVENTIONS (20 points)..2 ESSAYS = 100pts max Each essay is weighted at 50% of the final mark. BAND 1 = BEST BAND 5 = WORST

SECTION 1: Historical, Social, Economic, Political and Philosophical the role of history and war; terrorism the role of the individual in society the family, marriage, peer pressure, social class cultural changes youth and drug culture education and welfare sport, leisure, international competition wealth; changes in work practice the importance and impact of tourism on a country implications for the economy, employment public transport, environmental concerns aid provision the State and its institutions; development of State, democracy postimperialism, nationalism minority groups, pressure groups freedom of speech, action, thought Judiciary matters of conscience, faith, tolerance, equality.

SECTION 2: Science, Geography, Math medical dilemmas and issues of research and ethics; concept of progress in science drug manufacture and provision diet, health education old and new industries spin-offs from space industry; weaponry information and communications technology; the Internet environmental concerns; renewable energy resources; climate change migration; population dynamics feeding the global population; farming techniques for the twentyfirst century public transport and travel the uses and applications of mathematics in everyday life.

SECTION 3: Literature, Language, Arts and Crafts literature, biography, diary, science fiction language heritage, tradition, dialect the global media tv, radio, satellite; influence and controls; effects on lifestyle, culture and habits cultural dilution and diversification; advertising; role models censorship; privacy; the right to know; freedom of the press, etc. uses and abuses traditional arts and crafts; creativity; national heritage/preservation; effects of tourism architecture; painting; fashion; photography; sculpture; music; heritage, etc.

Is there a set, essay formula I will learn? Though we will learn and be expected to apply the basic elements of a GP essay, we will NOT force a formula! EXAMPLE FORMULA: You must have x amount of examples in every single paragraph. IMPACT: Student tries to stuff anything into the paragraph to fit the formula s mold, but this ends up throwing off the essay s focus because the example is too forced!

ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY: Learning the various METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT will be our guide for organizing the GP essay, not a formula. Methods of Development include: Main Idea/Detail Argument/Support Problem/Solution Cause/Effect Compare/Contrast Order of Importance

EXPOSITORY GOAL: to provide information; to objectively EXPLAIN, define, clarify or interpret UNIQUENESSES: doesn t require an argument! Just tell it like it is!

ARGUMENTATIVE GOAL: to take a specific stance on an issue in order to CONVINCE the reader to adopt your way of thinking; meanwhile, gives FAIR consideration to the opposition while still managing to dismiss it (counter-argument); admits to imperfections in one s own argument (admissions, limits) as necessary but rebuilds/ problem-solves despite these. UNIQUENESSES: biased! Values ONE side over the other!! Acknowledges the opposition and even empathizes with it, but still dismisses it as the weaker option.

3 Essay Styles The third style of essay is, perhaps, brand new to you DISCURSIVE GOAL: asks you to consider BOTH sides of a single issue, objectively analyzing each before arriving at any kind of value judgment. UNIQUENESS: Basic Layout: Begin with a neutral introduction, provide evidence for the case, provide evidence against the case, conclude by either adopting one side of the argument or maintaining a neutral (middle-of-the- road) standpoint.

Examples of that Demonstrate the Various Essay EXPOSITORY: What are the most important areas for government spending? PERSUASIVE: Is science a dream or a nightmare? DISCURSIVE: In what ways does a country benefit and suffer from where it is situated? To what extent is there equality of opportunity in your country? HYBRID PROMPT (Expository + Discursive): What are the main environmental problems in your part of the world and how effectively are they being tackled?

THE for GP Prompts GOLDEN RULE #1 What goes up DOESN T come down! If the prompt is argumentative, but you feel compelled to argue both sides, feel free to UPgrade to a discursive approach. If the prompt asks for both sides, don t DOWNgrade the essay by only arguing one side! Remember, Once a discursive, always a discursive.

THE for GP Prompts GOLDEN RULE #2 IF argue, THEN counter. Despite the fight, play fair! An argumentative essay differs from the discursive approach because it takes a clear position by choosing one side to support. Cambridge weights argumentative and discursive essays equally; neither style is better than the other as long as it is well-written. An argumentative essay is different from a persuasive one because it gives fair consideration to the opposing side. Cambridge prefers an argumentative approach, as opposed to one-sided, assertive persuasion!

THE for GP Prompts GOLDEN RULE #2 Con t...play fair! Here are a few ways you can play fair while still supporting one side: Use Point-Counterpoint strategies to address, yet dismiss, the opposition (i.e. expose misinformation) Admit when there are weaknesses to your own side, but follow-up with a positive to re-build. Expose limits to your own side since it s an argument, not a full-proof answer.

THE for GP Prompts GOLDEN RULE #3 The aim of expository is information. Don t overanalyze. The task seems simple enough, yet even as we explain, we assert an opinion, so it s natural to wonder if you re straying into argumentative territory i.e. What is the greatest threat to the world and why? My opinion likely differs from yours, right?! Don t let this distract you. As long as you are explaining what is being asked of you, then you re answering the question appropriately!

GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR!