Assignment instructions: Do a keyword analysis and clarification of 4 essay questions using the template provided.

A sample has been provided for you. Deadline: Term 3 Week 1 (1st July 2013 @ 12pm) Sample Question: The best way to assess ones ability is through examinations. Discuss with reference to your society. What are the TOPIC WORDS?

What is the debate in the question?

Exams are commonly used because they are efficient/convenient/objective/etc. However, there are many different kinds of ability beyond just academic ability, and different kinds of assessments beyond just exams. PRO: Exams may not measure all kinds of ability, but their standardization and efficiency make them superior to other options. CON: Although examinations have a few advantages, they are not the best way to assess ability because they offer only limited measures of a narrow range of abilities. Drive for Equality: National standardised exams create a meritocratic system that leads to increased social mobility. Drive for Progress: Given modern ideas about different kinds of intelligences and the demands of 21st century jobs, exams are increasingly seen as oldfashioned.

assess, ability, examinations

What are some possible stands? (Remember to use qualifiers!)

Clarify topic words? Assess: to test or measure Ability: academic ability, technical skills, creativity Examinations: formal tests administered by schools

What is the Value Term?

the best way

Clarify Value Term? Way implies that there are other ways/methods of assessing ability, but that examinations are better than all the others. Whether an assessment is the best might be determined by its efficiency, accuracy, usefulness, convenience, appropriateness, rigour, etc. What is the context?

What trends of the world are relevant to this question? (Recall the research on Understanding the world)

Rewrite the question and summarise the ISSUE in the question IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Your summary must be at least 100 words. Some may argue that Singapores national exams are prized as objective ways of determining which students have the most aptitude for highlevel academic work and, ultimately, the jobs with the highest pay and social status. Exam results have the additional advantages of being easily calculated, compared, and standardized. However, the recent debate about abolishing the PSLE and the introduction of courses like Project Work have raised questions about what kinds of ability are important, and how effectively they can be measured. Coursework, projects, presentations, interviews, and teacher recommendations might offer clearer views of someones creativity, technical skills, maturity, social skills, etc. Exams might only measure someones ability to perform within strict limits on a set date and time, and should perhaps not be used to predict ability to lead or otherwise excel in the workplace.

your society

Clarify the context?

Your society refers to Singapore [or your home country if you are not Singaporean].

What is the debate in the question? Question 1: How important is it that celebrities should be good role models? What are the TOPIC WORDS?

Clarify topic words?

What are some possible stands? (Remember to use qualifiers!)

What is the Value Term?

Clarify Value Term?

What trends of the world are relevant to this question? (Recall the research on Understanding the world)

Rewrite the question and summarise the ISSUE in the question IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Your summary must be at least 100 words.
What is the context?

Clarify the context?

Question 2: It is possible to buy love with money in todays society. Do you agree? What are the TOPIC WORDS?

What is the debate in the question?

Clarify topic words?

What are some possible stands? (Remember to use qualifiers!)

What is the Value Term? What trends of the world are relevant to this question? (Recall the research on Understanding the world)

Clarify Value Term?

What is the context?

Rewrite the question and summarise the ISSUE in the question IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Your summary must be at least 100 words.

Clarify the context?

Question 3: Outwit, Outplay and Outlast. Is this a valid principle for survival today? What are the TOPIC WORDS?

What is the debate in the question?

Clarify topic words?

What are some possible stands? (Remember to use qualifiers!)

What is the Value Term? What trends of the world are relevant to this question? (Recall the research on Understanding the world)

Clarify Value Term?

What is the context?

Rewrite the question and summarise the ISSUE in the question IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Your summary must be at least 100 words.

Clarify the context?

Question 4: 11 Discuss. What are the TOPIC WORDS?

Competition brings out the worst in people.

What is the debate in the question?

Clarify topic words?

What are some possible stands? (Remember to use qualifiers!)

What is the Value Term?

Clarify Value Term?

What trends of the world are relevant to this question? (Recall the research on Understanding the world)

What is the context?

Rewrite the question and summarise the ISSUE in the question IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Your summary must be at least 100 words.

Clarify the context?