This is a simple powerpoint presentation meant to be used as a revision tool or for the purpose of self-learning. This covers the different techniques of answering SBQ questions and how to identify and recognise what type of question it is and which asnwering technique to use.

1. By Mr Rahim

2.  Ensure that you do not tackle from behind.
 Do not tackle using two legs.
 Do not tackle with your eyes closed.
 Do not hesitate when you tackle.
 Do not tackle halfway
JUST KIDDING LAH! Now, let’s get serious…

3.  Flip the pages to the Sources.
 Look at the Question Issue which can be
found just above the Background
Information.
 The Question Issue serves as the
“Compass”, giving direction and focus for
you.
 All the sources will be answering the
Question Issue
 Read through ALL sources and identify if it is
positive or negative, supporting or
against, the question issue.

4.  Once you have identified every single
source, flip back to the questions.
 All cartoons used as a Source is meant to be
negative, or against, or to criticize.
 You will now need to identify which technique
of answering to employ for the different
questions.

5.  Different types of questions will require
different type of techniques.
 Techniques of answering a question depends
on the identity of the question itself.
 Learn to identify the questions and recognise
the relevant techniques to apply.

6.  This is the identity of the most basic type of
SBQ question.
Eg, What can you tell from this source?
 You will be required to answer in this format;
 Inference
 Support with evidence
 Explain
 Link

7.  This is known as the “purpose” question.
Eg, Why do you think this source was published?
 You will be required to answer in this format;
 Audience (who is/are the source meant for?)
 Action (what is expected or hoped for the
audience to do or react in what way?)
 Impact (how will the audience’s actions impact
the question issue?)

8.  This is known as the “comparison” question.
Eg, How similar are Sources A & B?
How different are Sources A & B?
 There are 4 things which you can compare.
1. Content
2. Purpose
3. Tone
4. Provenance

9.  Generally, Content is the easiest to compare.
 However, be careful not to commit this
common error.
 Sources A & B are similar/different in terms of its
content.
 You will not get marks for such statements
because you are not specific enough.
 Good Eg, Sources A & B are similar because they both
mention that the policy of foreign talent is not
beneficial to Singapore.

10.  Your answer should be in this format.
Paragraph 1
Statement.
Evidence. (Give 2)
Explain.
Link back to Question Issue.

11.  After talking about the Content, mention one
more point. Choose between
Purpose, Provenance and Tone.
Avoid “Tone” because it is the most difficult.
Do the same format.

12. Paragraph 2
Statement.
Evidence. (Give 1 or 2)
Explain.
Link back to Question Issue.

13.  This is the one where you must do cross-refer
and check for bias.
 The keywords to identify are “believe”,
“trust”, “prove”.
 Eg,
 Can you believe what is said about the policy?
 Does the source prove that the policy is good?
 Can you trust what is mentioned about the policy in this
source?

14. Answer in this format.
Paragraph 1
Answer the question directly. Eg,
Source A proves that the policy of foreign talent is
beneficial towards Singapore.
Then, quote 2 evidences from the Source. Eg,
From the source, it says “….blah blah blah…” and
“…blah blah blah bwuek…”.
Next, explain. Eg,
This means that ……… explain clearly.
Lastly, link back to the question issue.
Therefore, Source A proves that Singapore has
benefited from the policy of using Foreign Talent to build
its economy.

15. Paragraph 2
This is when you start to cross-refer.
As a rule of thumb, it is always wiser to cross-refer 2 sources. 1 supporting
and 1 against.
Make your cross-refer statement in the first line. Eg,
However, when I cross-refer to Source B, I find that the policy of foreign talent
does not benefit Singapore.
Then, quote 2 evidences from the Source. Eg,
From the source, it says “….blah blah blah…” and “…blah blah blah
bwuek…”.
Next, explain. Eg,
This means that ……… explain clearly.
Lastly, link back to the question issue.
Therefore, Source B proves that Singapore has not benefited from the
policy of using Foreign Talent to build its economy.

16. Paragraph 3
This is when you cross-refer to another source.
If the 1st cross-refer was against, your 2nd cross-refer should be supporting.
Make your cross-refer statement in the first line. Eg,
When I cross-refer to Source C, I also find that the policy of foreign talent has
benefited Singapore.
Then, quote 2 evidences from the Source. Eg,
From the source, it says “….blah blah blah…” and “…blah blah blah
bwuek…”.
Next, explain. Eg,
This means that ……… explain clearly.
Lastly, link back to the question issue.
Therefore, Source C proves that Singapore economy has benefited
from the policy of using Foreign Talent.

17. Paragraph 4
This is the paragraph when you check for bias. You can
only check the given source in the question.
The biggest clue whether or not a source is bias can be
found in the provenance. For example, An Australian
commenting about the policy of using Foreign Talent in
Singapore. Naturally, the source will be biased.

18. Make your bias statement in the first line. Eg,
Source A is a comment made by an Australian about the policy of
using Foreign Talent in Singapore.
Then, explain how it is bias. Eg,
The Australian is a foreign talent in Singapore and he has given a
good remark about the policy and how Singapore has benefited from
the policy.
Lastly, link back to the question issue.
Naturally, he would speak up and support the policy because he
himself is a foreign talent. Therefore, this source is bias and it does
not prove that Singapore’s Foreign Talent policy has benefited
Singapore.