GETTING TO KNOW GP: !

!AN OVERVIEW !

* * * !

PowerPoint Credits:

�  RESEARCH & DESIGN ¡  Jill Pavich, NBCT

�  RESOURCES

¡  Cambridge International Examinations CIE

�  MATERIALS ¡  “Sample Test” handout

u EXAM DAY:

u What is it? u How is it scored? u What will be expected of me?

PART 1: The GP Exam

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, in 2 HOURS (1 day of testing)

�  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 post-

imperialism, 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 twenty-

first 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!