3. STEPS TO TAKE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Read the essay question carefully.
What are the key words in the question?
What are the key issues in the essay title?
What are your opinions on the matter?
Plan you answer with opening points in each paragraph.
4. FORMAT OF WRITING PARAGRAPHS
1.
Opening Point
2.
Explanation and Example
3.
Always answer the question at the beginning by stating your
point of view
Keep one point per paragraph
Always write in small paragraphs
Each point must be elaborated with an explanation and support it
further with examples
Link back to Question
Make a link to the question and the start and end of the
composition
Always write a well-thought conclusion at the end of the essay
5. TYPES OF QUESTIONS
Explanation Question
Explain a given statement
No counter-examples are needed here
Worth 4 to 7 marks in the exam
Argument Question
Decide if a statement is true and to what extent is it true
This means that counter-examples have to presented also
Your stand has to be stated clearly to the examiner at the
start of your essay
However, do not contradict yourself
Worth 7 to 8 marks in the exam
7. FORMAT FOR THE ENTIRE ESSAY
1.
2.
Point paragraph 1
Link to question
Point paragraph 2
Link to question
8. EXAMPLE – WHY DID JAPAN ATTACK SOUTHEAST ASIA?
1.
To seek alternate sources of raw materials
Japan attacked Southeast Asia as she wanted to have an
alternate supply of raw materials.
Japan was not on good terms with the US because of Japan’s
encroachment in China.
Thus the US placed an embargo on Japan and so Japan was
denied access to the US market to buy or sell any commodity.
As a result Japan was in desperate need for raw materials and
oil and thus Japan attacked Singapore.
Southeast Asia was a good alternate supply of raw
materials and oil and thus Japan attacked Southeast Asia.
9. EXAMPLE – WHY DID JAPAN ATTACK SOUTHEAST ASIA?
2.
To establish an East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
Secondly, Japan attacked Southeast Asia because she
wanted to establish an East-Asia Co-prosperity Sphere.
Japan wanted to establish an economic system whereby
the Asians would have an economic sphere where all Asian
states can trade and exchange goods and services.
This was only for the Asians and Europeans will be
excluded.
Japan wanted Europeans to be driven out and also
introduce the East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
11. FORMAT FOR THE ENTIRE ESSAY
1.
2.
3.
4.
State your stand and your “counter-point”.
Stand-agreeing point paragraphs
“Counter-point” paragraph
Balanced conclusion
12. EXAMPLE 1 – THE FALL OF SINGAPORE WAS A COMPLETE
SUCCESS FOR THE JAPANESE.
1.
Yes, the fall of Singapore a success for the Japanese
to the extent that they defeated the British and terrified
the Europeans. However, they were only successful
from a military perspective.
13. EXAMPLE 1 – THE FALL OF SINGAPORE WAS A COMPLETE
SUCCESS FOR THE JAPANESE.
2.
The Japanese managed to defeat the British.
Not only had they managed to defeat the British, but they
had also destroyed the two famous battleships of the
British, thereby asserting their superiority.
They easily caused the British, Indian and Australian
soldiers to retreat to Singapore.
Also, most of the Europeans were so terrified that they
ran away for their lives.
The British who had all along had been invincible in battle
had been dealt a devastating blow by the Japanese in such
quick time with minimal casualty.
14. EXAMPLE 1 – THE FALL OF SINGAPORE WAS A COMPLETE
SUCCESS FOR THE JAPANESE.
3.
However, they were only successful from a military
perspective.
While the victory over Singapore was won, yet it was
another matter in capturing the hearts and minds of
people.
The Japanese were feared and hated by the local people
so much that they were secretly despised.
15. EXAMPLE 1 – THE FALL OF SINGAPORE WAS A COMPLETE
SUCCESS FOR THE JAPANESE.
4.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the fall of Singapore a complete success for
the Japanese to the extent that they defeated the British
and terrified the Europeans.
Yet, they were only successful from a military perspective,
as they did not win the hearts of the people.
16. EXAMPLE 2 – THE MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL IMPACT THAT THE IMMIGRANTS
HAD ON SINGAPORE WAS THE RISE IN CRIMES AND SOCIAL VICES.
1.
Yes, the coming of the immigrants had led to an
increase in crimes and social vices. However, another
significant social impact the immigrants had on
Singapore was acts of philanthropy.
17. EXAMPLE 2 – THE MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL IMPACT THAT THE IMMIGRANTS
HAD ON SINGAPORE WAS THE RISE IN CRIMES AND SOCIAL VICES.
2.
Abuse of coolies and slave trade
Coolies were cramped into ships and brought into
Singapore. They were given rotting food and hardly any
water.
They were forced into hard labour with low-paying wages.
Secret societies and opium smoking
Innocent young girls often became victims of secret
societies and brothels.
Fights and riots between secret societies were also
rampant those days.
18. EXAMPLE 2 – THE MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL IMPACT THAT THE IMMIGRANTS
HAD ON SINGAPORE WAS THE RISE IN CRIMES AND SOCIAL VICES.
3.
However, besides the impact of growth of Singapore
as a trading centre, there were other social impacts
such as acts of philanthropy by rich businessmen.
These businessmen from different ethnic groups saw the
need to contribute to the well-being of the society and
started kind acts such as building schools, hospitals and
places of worship for their fellow countrymen.
An example would be Tan Tock Seng. Such acts were
important as they made lives of the immigrants more
bearable and ensured that these immigrants were well
taken care off so that they could continue to contribute to
Singapore growth.
19. EXAMPLE 2 – THE MOST IMPORTANT SOCIAL IMPACT THAT THE IMMIGRANTS
HAD ON SINGAPORE WAS THE RISE IN CRIMES AND SOCIAL VICES.
4.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the most important impact of the coming of
the immigrants was the growth of Singapore as a trading
centre as it is due to their hard work that Singapore could
continue to grow and this would benefit everyone.
As for the acts of the philanthropists, some of these acts
were given to specific ethnic groups only, hence the impact
is not as great as the first.
