Essay Writing Skills - WordPress.com · 2019-06-01 · Essay Writing Skills and Techniques • Trend/Data/Pattern Statistical Analysis • Cartoon/Image Interpretation • Cause/Factor/Reason

1 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀

Essay Writing Skills

and Techniques

• Trend/Data/Pattern Statistical Analysis

• Cartoon/Image Interpretation

• Cause/Factor/Reason Analysis

• Impact Analysis

• Difficulty, Challenges

• Raising Suggestions

• Explain how the sources support the view

• Concern, Problem

• Raising Arguments (For and Against)

• To what extent stance (Agree/Disagree)

• Conflicts between stakeholders

• Comparison Type Question


Content Page

Type 1 – Statistical Analysis P.3-8

Type 2 – Cartoon/Image Interpretation P.9-13

Type 3 – Cause/Factor/Reason Analysis P.14-22

Type 4 – Impact Analysis P.23-28

Type 5 – Raising Suggestions P.29-38

Type 6 – Difficulty, Challenges P.39-44

Type 7 – Explain how the sources support the view P.45-51

Type 8 – Concern, Problem P.52-54

Type 9 – Raising Arguments (For and against) P.55-60

Type 10 – To what extent stance (Agree/disagree) P.61-77

Type 11 – Conflicts between stakeholder and controversy P.78-92

Type 12 – Comparison Type Question P.93-98


Type 1 – Statistical Analysis

What is data analysis?

Observe the trend/pattern/sequence/similarities from the statistic ->

Point out the phenomenon (Implication of the Graph)

Question Type

• Describe the trend/pattern/mode/features of _______(issue)________ as shown in

source X

• It usually consists of 4 marks (Sometimes 5 marks)

Difference of Different Question Words

Trend • The direction of the phenomenon

• Involving time change (Year)

• Need to state the time performance change as a trend

• E.g. Hong Kong’s Agricultural Development is declining

Pattern • Common Patterns, Similarities of items

• Conceptualization required to summarize the groups

• Relationship between different items of the statistic

• E.g. Hong Kong’s Agricultural Development is similar to Hong

Kong’s Industrial Development

Features • Key Characteristics

• Focus of the statistic

• Special phenomenon explicitly shown from the statistic

• E.g. Generally, male commit suicide more than female

Mode • Conceptualization required for the phenomenon

Performance • Generally subjective, personal evaluation required

• State the performance

When you read the question, carefully highlight which key word (Trend/Pattern/Feature)

the question is asking about.


Observing the Statistic

1. Look at the title

a. To know what the statistic is talking about

2. x-axis (Horizontal Bar)

a. What does the horizontal bar represent?

b. Find out the relationships between horizontal bars

c. Conceptualize similar items

3. Y-axis (Vertical Column)

a. What does the vertical column represent?

b. Find out the relationship between vertical columns

c. Conceptualize similar items

4. Macroscopic Overall

a. Observe the relationship between horizontal bar and vertical column

b. Find out the changes/differences/maximum/minimum of the statistical data

c. The general trend/pattern/feature

5. Microscopic Overall

a. Description of Statistics: Calculate fluctuation, increase decrease change,

percentage change, average

b. Calculate the changes (E.g. Percentage change formula: New-old/oldx100%),

ratio, difference between maximum and minimum, difference between years

c. Figure out strange data -> Ignore/Specify it

6. Overall Implication

a. Point out the social phenomenon/trend/situation

b. Data -> Literal Understanding

Find out 2-3 remarkable trends/features/pattern from the statistic for a 4-mark question.

You should write at least 2 and if you have time you should write 3 trends/features/pattern.

Make sure that your trends/features/pattern are not duplicated or too similar, you should

find two/three distinct trends/features/pattern from the statistics to write in your essay.


Writing the Essay

You must include the following points in one paragraph (one point):

Description of data + Quote the data

Elaborate the data (E.g. Calculation)

Phenomenon/Situation implication

1. Firstly/Secondly/Thirdly

2. Topic Sentence (The Implication Trend)

3. Quote the source with description of data

4. Elaborate the data (E.g. Calculation to show that you have analytics)

5. Explain the implication behind/phenomenon reflected

6. Concluding Sentence (Same as Topic Sentence)

Firstly/Secondly, ____________(Topic Sentence – The Implication Trend)_____________.

Source X shows that __________(Quote the data)__________, __________(analyse the

data i.e. calculations)____________. This implies/shows that _________(the

phenomenon/ situation implied)______________. Therefore, _______(Concluding

sentence)________________.

Topic Sentence

✓ Short and precise

✓ Show the implication trend/phenomenon reflected

Firstly/Secondly, _______________(Topic Sentence)___________________________.

E.g. Firstly, in terms of sex, binge drinks are mainly male.

Secondly, the agricultural development of Hong Kong is declining.

The topic sentence has to be conceptualized/summarised.


Data Elaboration Part

OP Sentence Structure

Year + Item + Increase/decrease + Adverb + From X to Y + Which is %

Year Item Increase/decrease Adverb From X To Y Which is %

In

2015

Population of

Hong Kong

Has increased Gradually 7,000,000 7,100,000 1.43%

Description of Data Performance

Increased sharply Increased gradually/steadily Remains unchanged/constant Decrease gradually/steadily Decrease sharply/drastically

(a) (b)

(a) Fluctuated

(b) Uncertain (Describe every

point/change/maximum/

minimum)

If the given statistic is a table

Step 1: Calculate the approximate % change of every

item

Step 2: Relative Concept

Relative small percentage

change -> Gradually

Relative large percentage

change -> sharply

If sometimes it is about valuation and scoring, you might consider the average figure.

Or even sometimes to show the uniqueness of the statistic, you might consider the

maximum and minimum figure to show about the statistic.


Implications and Social Phenomenon

Sentence structure

This implies that

This shows that

This reflects that

Social Phenomenon/Situation

The implications and social phenomenon

• Be conceptualized, shows out the trend of modern issues

• Don’t use numerical, use all literal wordings

• Reflects a situation that happens, a trend that occurs

• E.g. This implies that more male get involved in binge drinking, this reflects that

Hong Kong people’s sense of national identity has been declining.

Concluding Sentence

• You can repeat the topic sentence

Examine and Determination

Some questions might ask you to evaluate the trend, for example: The scores

• Find average/median score, highest, lowest (Higher/lower than average)

• Find passing score (1/2 50%) -> Pass/Fail

• Determine whether good or bad base on the scores

How many points/trends/patterns should I write?

• If the question specifies the amount -> Write that particular amount

• If not, 4 marks question write at least 2 points, better write 3 points

• But remember, you should use only 10 minutes at maximum for 4 marks question

• No introduction paragraph and concluding paragraph is required


Trend Description Framework

Increased sharply Increased gradually/steadily Remains unchanged/constant Decrease gradually/steadily Decrease sharply/drastically

Type

(Trend/Pattern/Feature)

Look source to find

relevant trends/patterns

Firstly/Secondly, ____________(Topic Sentence)_______________

Numerical Data Description -> Raising Numerical Evidences from source

(From source A, _____________)

Social Implications/Phenomenon/Situation reflected from the numerical data

(This shows that……….)

Therefore, ____________(Concluding Sentence)_______________

1

2

3

4

5


Type 2 – Cartoon/Image Interpretation

What is cartoon interpretation?

Describe the image/cartoon/drawing

Interpret the message shown behind the image/cartoon/drawing

Question Type

• Interpret the message of the cartoon as shown in source A.

• Elaborate on the phenomenon shown in the cartoon.

• It usually consists of 4 marks, but sometimes cartoon and images can connect with

other question types which varies from 4-8.

While reading the cartoon, pay attention to the following:

Topic Link to the knowledges you have learnt, understand what the cartoon is

mainly about, find conceptualizations

➔ Have a main idea of the cartoon

Words Words written in the cartoon, labels will show some direct literal

information on what the cartoon is related to/about

Environment Where is the background of the cartoon -> HK/China/World

Comfort (good) background or Disgusting (poor) background

To know the environment of the cartoon -> better understanding

Object and

Symbolism

What are the objects shown in the cartoon -> relate it to the issue ->

find out what does the object symbolize. Link the object to LS concepts

(E.g. Luncheon -> Tax money, Panda -> China……)

Character and

Clothing

Find out the character referring to -> The party/stakeholder

view/concern. Clothing -> Rich/poor/relevant parties -> distinguish their

role and identity (E.g. Chinese people/WTO/ethnic minorities……)

Action Find out what the character action is to show the view/stance/eagerness

of a stakeholder towards an issue (E.g. Holding hands -> cooperative,

raising middle finger -> anger……)

Emotions Find out what the character emotion is to show the view/stance

/eagerness of a stakeholder towards an issue (E.g. happy, angry, sad…..)


Conversations Observe what the stakeholders/parties are arguing/talking about, see

what their conflict points and the concerns of the issue towards

different parties are

Find out 2 remarkable phenomenon/situation reflected from the cartoon for a 4-mark

question. You should write at least 2 situations reflected from the cartoon.

Make sure that your cartoon phenomenon does not overlap and duplicate with each other,

you should find two distinct situations reflected from the cartoon, don’t be too similar/same

type

Writing the Essay

You must include the following items:

Describe all details shown in the cartoon (Cartoon description)

Elaborate on your description of cartoon

Point and interpret out the message behind the cartoon

1. Firstly/Secondly,

2. Topic Sentence (The Reflected Situation)

3. Describe the cartoon (Quoting the source)

4. Elaborate on the cartoon (Symbolism, elaborate detail what the cartoon wants to

talk about)

5. Explain the implication behind/phenomenon reflected (Symbolism, what has been

shown from the cartoon)

6. Concluding Sentence (Same as topic sentence)


Structure

Firstly/Secondly, the cartoon shows that ________(Topic Sentence)______________. The

cartoon as reflected in source X shows that ________(Describe the cartoon, quote the

source)____________. ___________(Elaborate on the cartoon)___________. This

reflected/implies/shows that _________(The phenomenon /situation implied)________.

Therefore, _________(concluding sentence)_____________.

Topic Sentence


✓ Show the implication/phenomenon + objective description reflected from the

cartoon

Firstly/Secondly, the cartoon shows that ________(Topic Sentence)______________.

E.g. Firstly, the cartoon shows that politicians protest about the interpretation of law from

China. Secondly, the cartoon shows that teenagers are materialistic towards new brand

phones.

The topic sentence has to be conceptualized/summarised (Can integrate the description of

cartoon, the situation/phenomenon reflected behind)

Cartoon Main Content

Step 1: Describe what is shown in the cartoon

Step 2: Elaborate what is shown in the cartoon (Depth-in elaboration)

Step 3: Interpret and find out the message behind

表面

內裏

深層


Step 1 – Describe the cartoon

When describing the cartoon, for the first argument, particularly describe the cartoon part

that fits your argument. (E.g. If your first phenomenon is about stakeholder A, then

particularly describe all things related to stakeholder A in the cartoon)

Describing steps:

From overall to particular

1. Topic The cartoon is about___________________________________

E.g. housing problem of Hong Kong, situation of the legislative council

2. Environment The cartoon shows a ________(environment)____________

E.g. A sunny day of Hong Kong, a Starbuck shop built in Chinese style

3. Character and

Clothing

From the cartoon, one character wearing _________________. Looks

like ______(a person)

E.g. From the cartoon, one character dressing with tie looks like CY

Leung.

4. Action He/she is ______(Doing something)________

E.g. He is drinking a cup of luxurious red wine.

5. Emotion He/she looks _________(emotion)__________

E.g. He looks happy with a big grin.

6. Words The words ____________________ are shown in ___(location of

cartoon)_________.

E.g. The words “Reject 8.31” are shown in the banner of protesters.

7. Object and

symbolism

The ________(object)____________ reflects

_______(symbolism)_________ + With step 2 included

E.g. The luncheon hold by CY Leung throwing to the river reflects a

waste of people’s tax money/taxes.

Step 2 - Elaboration on Cartoon

Deep in explain every argument, explain deeply and elaborate on different stakeholder view

shown in the cartoon.

As cartoon can only show photos but less words, it is the time for you to describe deeply not

only the surface but also the details of the photo to express the cartoon in word form


Step 3 – Interpret the message behind

Skill 1: Link to concepts of study (E.g. China one child policy, impact of globalization and

related response……)

Skill 2: Interpret to the general deep view of stakeholder (E.g. The Chinese government

thinks that ……………..)

Skill 3: Infers a resolution of a social phenomenon/problem/reflects the impacts of a social

phenomenon

Skill 4: Your method: Reflect the message behind in-depth

Usually the message cannot be easily directly found from the cartoon, you have to interpret

the meaning of the cartoon first.

E.g. The cartoon shows a message that the Chinese government refuses to help the poor

developed places in China.

-> Interpret the message behind.

Concluding Sentence

• You can repeat the topic sentence


Type 3 – Cause/Factor/Reason Analysis

What is cause/factor/reason analysis?

Find out the problem

Reason behind the problem

How the reason lead to the problem (Explain how)

Question Type

• Identify and explain TWO causes/factors/reasons leading to the

_________(issue)__________.

• Usually consists of 6 marks (3 marks per factor analysis)

Difference of Different Question Words

Reason • Simple and direct

• You can directly point out the reason

• E.g. Too much homework leads to teenager suicide

Factor • Require conceptualization (Conceptualize to an aspect)

• You need to conceptualize into a wide/macroscopic

view

• E.g. Teenager academic pressure from school leads to

teenager suicide

Cause • Between reason and factor

• Quite general, you can directly point out the

reason/factor/cause leading to the issue

When you read the question, carefully highlight which type of reason/factor/cause are they

asking, conceptualization is required if you are doing factor analysis.


Find the cause/factor/reason from the source

1. Identify the problem occurring from the question (Problem of the issue)

a. What has been done wrong?

b. Something harmful to something (E.g. Individual, business, environment)

c. What is the issue occurring?

d. What are the impacts that arise from the issue?

e. Some commonly used in problems (E.g. Lack of ……., depression, not enough,

conflicts, harmful to, affect, destruct)

f. E.g. Lack of social mobility, destruct biodiversity, not enough public housing

2. Identify the root cause from the sources provided

a. Referring back to the problem (Relationship is formed)

i. E.g. Problem: Depression; Cause: Too many homework

ii. Relationship: There is a relation between the cause and problem that

the cause can transit into problem

b. A problem is negative so a cause should also be negative

c. The root cause is the root of the cause, be the origin

i. E.g. Cause: Too many homework -> origin of depression)

d. The cause is negative -> You have to use negative terms

i. E.g. Lack of….., not enough….., something negative

In paper 1, you will need to identify the cause base on the sources provided. Usually, the

sources are limited to give you 2 to 3 factors so you just choose those factors and add on

elaboration on your own.

But in paper 2, you will need to identify the cause/factor/reason by your own. The source

cannot provide you any support of cause/factor/reason so you need to think it by your own.

Choose the strongest connecting reason/most persuasive cause/factor/reason to elaborate

and explain on.


Writing the Essay

You must include the following points in one paragraph (one point):

Identify the problem of the issue

Identify and explain the root cause of the issue from the sources provided

Explain deeply how the root cause lead to the problem + conceptualization

1. Quotation words (Firstly, secondly)

2. Topic sentence (The root cause and the problem)

3. Raise information from the sources

4. Define and explain the meaning of the root cause

5. How to root cause lead to the problem

6. The problem occurrence and restate topic sentence

Firstly/Secondly, the cause/factor/reason leading to _________(problem)________ is

___________(root cause + aspect)____________. The ___________(root cause)_______

means that ____________(definition and explanation)_____________. From source X,

___________(quote the information from the source)____________. The ________(root

cause)_________ will lead to ___________(phenomenon/consequence 1)___________

such that will lead to __________(phenomenon/consequence 2)___________. Then it will

__________(phenomenon/consequence 3)_________. Eventually, it will lead to the

___________(problem)_____________. Therefore, the cause/factor/reason leading to

__________(problem)__________ is __________(root cause)______________.

2 paragraphs – 2 factors – each factor carrying approximately 3 marks (Total: 6 marks)

For a 6 mark question, you should use around 15 minutes to complete it.


Topic Sentence


✓ Directly show the problem and root cause

✓ If factor: you need to show XXX aspect

Firstly/Secondly, in ______(aspect)_______ aspect. _________(The root cause)_______ is

the cause/factor/reason leading to ____________(the problem)_________________.

E.g. Firstly, in family aspect, lack of parental care is the factor leading to teenager suicide.

Secondly, the government lack of subsidy on public hospital is the cause leading to over

capacity of emergency rooms in Hong Kong public hospitals.

The topic sentence has to be conceptualized/summarised.

Raise Information from the sources

Sometimes, directly copy information from the source is not that good

-> You have to conclude what the source is about to show your high-order organization

ability.

1. To generalize/conceptualize the source

a. To conclude the information from the source using few simple words in order

to get a root cause

2. Case Conceptualization (Examples to push out the factor/cause)

a. Conceptualization -> use one term to conclude the information from the

source

b. E.g. Annie is a mother who ignores and neglects her son. -> Uninvolved

parenting style

3. Group conceptualization

a. From a group of terms, use one term to conclude the group of terms shown

in the source

b. E.g. Light pollution, lack of housing, traffic congestion -> urban problems


Define and Explain the meaning of root cause

Definition (Conceptualization) – To define about the concept involved

1. Use less than 20 words to define the meaning

2. Use your own words to show your understanding (not the ability of memorizing)

3. Use some generally accepted concept terms:

a. Quality of life, personal development, self-esteem, rule of law, identity,

public health……

Structure for conceptualization (definition)

_________(Conceptual Term)___________ is the __________(meaning)______________.

E.g. Quality of life is the satisfaction of people towards material and spiritual life.

After defining the concept, you should extend the concept

Such as: Quality of life -> You can expand to spiritual life and material life

Skill:

1. By the defined concept, explain the concept to extend your ideas that relate to the

cause of the question

2. Explain and elaborate more on the concept

3. Base on the defined concept, using “how….lead to…..” skill to elaborate more on the

concept


How the root cause lead to the problem

You need to clearly explain how a phenomenon lead to/affecting another phenomenon.

Connect the relationship between cause and consequence (causation)

Methods:

1. Time-to-time logical flow (Phenomenon 1 -> phenomenon 2)

2. Clearly describe the phenomenon change

a. Don’t change step

b. Through logical flow

c. Explanatory (Clearly explain + examples)

d. Refer back to the last phenomenon (connection)

3. Use connectives: e.g. lead to, such that, then, after that…..

Example: Lack of housing -> no houses for the poor to live -> no shelter of the poor -> they

need to live in poor places -> poor places have poor hygiene -> affect health

(一個 concept 接一個 concept term)

Explanation Process Diagram


Explanation Requirements:

Explanatory (Clear and can explain)

Step by step (One step leading to one step leading to one step -> finally leading to

the problem occurrence)

Root Cause -> Phenomenon/Consequence -> Phenomenon/Consequence ->

Consequence (The Problem)

It is suggested to have 3 phenomenon/consequence as a connective

The process need to be described and explained, use connectives such as : firstly,

secondly, after that, such that, therefore, will lead to…..

Advanced Strategies

1. Define and explain the root cause

2. Define and explain the problem

3. Connect the “lead to” part by the conceptualization of the properties

到底因素有什麼特徵與問題的特徵吻合？ (Match of root cause and problem -> 5**)

For Example: Root Cause: Too much homework, Problem: Teenager Suicide

Properties of Homework Properties of Teenager Suicide

• The huge quantitative amount of HW

cause pressure

• Hard and difficult

• Suicide due to the unaffordable

pressure

• Complicated reasons for suicide

Matching: Pressure -> Pressure from HW will lead to pressure and lead to suicidal


Concluding Sentence

You might just simply repeat the topic sentence or rephrase it

Common Mistakes:

Cannot identify the root cause/cause is not the root

Cannot connect relationship between the cause and the problem

Lack of conceptualization/generalization

No/lack of explanation

Structure is messy and unclear, you should follow the logical flow

Wrong concept

Timeline Thinking

You might consider what happens from the start to the current situation by drawing a

timeline and think the events involved inside -> connective (situation/consequence)

Root Cause Current situation

Frames

Originally………… -> Lead to …………….. -> Finally ………………

Add marks

✓ Add mark due to conceptualization

✓ Add mark due to large connection between root cause and problem

✓ Add marks due to better connection of “lead to part”


Cause Analysis Framework

Explanatory Process:

Root Cause

Phenomenon / Consequence 1



Leading to the Problem

Conceptualization Involved : ________________________________________________________________


Type 4 – Impact Analysis

What is impact analysis?

Point out the current problem/situation of the issue

Explain what effects might arise from the current problem/situation

Explain the impacts and of the arising problem

Question Type

• Identify and explain TWO impacts arising from _____(issue)________

• What might be the possible impacts of __________(issue)_________

• Explain the impacts of ________(a problem)___________ from

________(issue)________

• Usually impact analysis requires a standard argument, each standard argument

containing of 3 marks. In general, it will ask you 2 impacts (=2 standard arguments)

so usually impact analysis worth 6 marks

What is an impact?

a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation

It asks about the consequence of the issue,

How should an impact be?

• Influential and changing -> It will lead to a change in the current situation, changing

from one situation to another situation

• Multi-aspect -> An impact isn’t necessarily negative, there can be positive impacts.

So when we have impact analysis, you should include positive impacts as well to

show that you have the multi-aspect analytical thinking.

• In order to show the change, you need to show the features, backgrounds and

conceptualization of the issue


Finding the impacts from the sources and application of sources

1. Searching for possible impacts

a. Find wordings such as: Will lead to…… Cause…….

b. The aspect and explanation of the impact will be shown

c. The impacts should be different variety (Environmental, social, economic…….)

2. Application of examples from the sources

a. The sources might have give you examples of possible impacts (situation

causing to change). Quote and apply that example in your argument

Should I use positive impacts or negative impacts?

• If the question didn’t state, you should include both (1 positive + 1 negative)

• But sometimes, the question hinden keywords might have guided the answer.

o E.g. Identify and explain TWO impacts of contaminated rice towards the

quality of life of Hong Kong People

o Contaminated rice must be negative because it is poisonous so your impacts

should be both negative, using positive impacts will just make sensible

arguments illogical which deeply affect your score

• If the question states which aspect of impacts you have to state, you must follow

that aspect

General Processing of Impact Analysis:

1. Describe and explain the features of the current situation/problem

2. Background of the current situation/problem

3. Changes (Impacts) bought by the problem arising

4. Conceptualization -> Conceptualize the changes/impacts bought

Causation Analytics:

Because impact and cause are interrelated as a causation relationship (因果關係) therefore

each step has to be interconnected and have a close relationship.


You must include all the following items in one standard argument:

Point out the current problem/situation of the issue

Background of the problem/situation of the issue

Explain what effects might arise from the current problem/situation

Explain the impacts and of the arising problem

General Steps:

1. Quotation Words (Firstly, secondly)

2. Topic Sentence (Point out the impact)

3. Discuss about the current problem/situation and the background of the issue with

sources supporting (Originally the problem did not happen)

4. Causation: Changes bought if the problem happens -> Impact

5. Conceptualization: Generalize and conceptualize the impact bought

6. Concluding Sentence

Structure:

Firstly/Secondly, _______(the problem)______ will lead to positive/negative

______(aspect)________ impacts. The problem ________(discuss the features of the

problem )__________. Originally, ______(background: if there is no problem)_______.

However, ______(change bought: the impacts, if the problem occurs)________.

______(explain the causation from the problem to the impact step by step)________.

Therefore, ________(the impact)_________ will happen. To round up, _______(the

problem)______ will lead to positive/negative ______(aspect)________ impacts

3 marks per standard argument, including all the above relevant items of impact analysis.


Thinking of Different Aspects of Impacts

When we talk about impacts of different stakeholders of an issue, we might consider the

following aspects:

• Economic aspect -> economic impact

• Social aspect -> social impact

• Cultural aspect -> cultural impact

• Political aspect -> political impact

• Environmental aspect -> environmental impact

• Personal aspect -> personal impact

An impact

Positive

Negative

Aspect

Impact

Economic

Social

Cultural

Political

environmental

Try to expand your points to multi-variety to show your multi-angle thinking in LS

Topic Sentence

Firstly/Secondly (Quotation Words), __________(the impact)___________ is the

positive/negative ___(aspect)_____ impact of ___________(the issue/problem)________

❖ Clear and precise

❖ Get the main idea of the impact of the issue


Discuss about the problem/issue

❖ Describe the current problem existing/briefly describe about the issue

o E.g. The China government decides to implement the two-child policy in

China

o Provide relevant module concepts and conceptualization about the issue

❖ Changes that will be bought by the issue

o E.g. There will be more and more babies born

o The phenomenal change (impact)

Background of the problem/issue

❖ What is the current situation if the problem/issue did NOT occur

❖ Brief introduction of the background e.g. Hong Kong, China……

Changes bought by the issue

❖ What are the changes brought if the issue appears

❖ Describe the changes step by step using the causation system analytics

❖ From the original background scenario to an impact

❖ State which aspect of impact and whether positive or negative


Common Mistakes:

Lack of variety of impacts

Did not categorize your impacts into aspects e.g. positive v.s. negative,

social/economic/cultural……

Follow the instructions of the question

Show the relationship between the source and your impact

The explanatory causation process of the impact is not enough

Framework

Features A of the Issue (Conceptualization with relevant module knowledge)

Background of the Issue (What will happen if Feature A didn’t appear)

Changes bought by features A + Causation Explanatory Process explaining the

impact/consequence of A

Conceptualization from A to B (E.g. Concepts -> QoL Impacts)

1

2

3

4


Type 5 – Providing Suggestions

What is raising suggestion?

Explain the current situation

Provide methods to solve the problem

Solving the root cause of the problem

Determine through feasibility and effectiveness

Requirements:

✓ Raise out the aspect and suggestion clearly with corresponding stakeholders

involved

✓ Explain clearly in detail of the flow of your suggestion

✓ Explain clearly the workable, time period and effectiveness

When you raise a suggestion, you have to consider the stakeholders -> who is responsible to

solve the problem

Stakeholder Targeting Issue

Personal/Individual Personal Development of oneself

Family Personal Development of oneself and teaching to the children

School (Teachers) Education to teach and guide a student

NGO (Non-governmental organization)

Provide guidance and support to solve the issue (Financially, resources…..)

Government All the things (E.g. policy, education, consultation……)

5W1H – A suggestion property

• Who is/are the stakeholder(s) involved?

• What are the measures?

• Where does it take place to solve? (It can be everywhere)

• When does it take to implement the suggestion? (Time period)

• Why your suggestion should be taken to consideration?

• How is your suggestion going to be implemented?


Getting Suggestions from Sources

You have two directions to obtain your suggestions:

1. From the source find the root cause and target on that

2. Use suggestions directly provided from the source (if possible)/use examples to re-

obtain the suggestion

Method 1: Tackling with the root cause from the source

Identified and explained about the root cause in part (b) -> According to xxx source is

implying to you that your suggestion needs to target/solve the root cause

方針: 針對根本

Method 2: Tackling with suggestions provided from the source

From another source, the source provides you some suggestion from a

stakeholder/authority

-> Directly use that information as your suggestion idea. Base on that information, retrieve it

to your essay and elaborate more by yourself + evaluate with effectiveness, workable,

feasibility, effective rules

How should a suggestion be?

Stakeholder involved

Action from stakeholders

o Policy/education/changing attitude or value

o E.g. Put subsidy, promote education

o It should be positive (so as to correlate with negative cause)

Targeting the root cause

o There is a relationship between the root cause and your suggestion, the

suggestion should be aiming on the root cause


Essay Structure

You must include the following elements in one paragraph (one suggestion):

The root cause of the problem

Your suggestion + details

Evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, time……

1. Quotation words (E.g. firstly, secondly)

2. Topic Sentence (Stakeholder + Suggestion)

3. Raise information from the source

a. Root Cause

b. Suggestion raised from the source

4. Identify and explain the root cause

5. Explanation of your suggestion + details

6. Effectiveness rules (Feasibility, time…..)

7. Restate topic sentence + effectively solve the problem.

Firstly/Secondly (Quotation) Words, the _______(stakeholder)_______ can/should

__________(your suggestion)___________. From source X, it mentioned that

___________(quote the source)_______________. The root cause of the problem is that

_________(root cause)_____________. My suggestion is to ____________(detail

explanation of your suggestion)_________. This will lead to ______(explanatory

process)__________ and finally a decreasing trend of the problem such that it can

effectively solve the problem by/through ___________(effectiveness)___________. This

is a short/long term (time) measure and it can be carried out through

____________(workable)____________. _________(and other effectiveness measure

rules)_________. Therefore __________(your suggestion)_____________ can effectively

solve the problem of __________(the problem)_____________.


Topic Sentence of your suggestion

Firstly/Secondly (Quotation word), the ___________(stakeholder)_____________

should/can ____________(your suggestion topic sentence)________________________.

Quoting the sources

Terms you can use to retrieve information from the source:

• According to source X,

• Referring to source X,

• Base on source X,

• From source X, it mentioned that……

• With reference to source X,

Raising a suggestion

State your measure (Which stakeholder, what aspect)

What will the stakeholder do

Deeply explain the measure (for example: cost, promotional strategies, quota

amount…..)

Explanatory process (Explain how the measure would relieve the problem) [Deeply

explain the process]

Finally go to the effectiveness (How the measure can eventually relieve the problem)


High Order Raising Suggestion Skills

Multi-angle Perspective (多角度思維)

• Different stakeholders

• Different level

• Different Structure of suggestion

• Different Time Interval (Short-term/Long-term)

• Different Effectiveness

• Soft (軟性) / Hard (硬性)

• Demanding / Supporting

• Solving Current Situation (治標) / Root Cause (治本)

Specific Elaboration (具體說明)

• Use subject knowledge, news examples, source, conceptualization to elaborate

and explain the feasibility and effectiveness

• Connect relationship between knowledge and your suggestion

• Clearly explain and describe your suggestion in detail

o Using 5W1H to explain your suggestion

Cognitive Ability

• Considering and thinking about the target, workable and effectiveness for your

suggestion

• Clearly explain and distinguish between targetability, workable, effectiveness,

feasibility, time…..


Effectiveness Measure Indicators

W - Workable (可行性) -> Whether it can be carried out or not?

T - Time (時間性) -> Long-term/short-term, what is the time needed to be carried out

E - Effectiveness (有效性) -> Can it successfully solve the problem? Solving the root cause

1. Workable or not?

a. It can be carried out -> Basic for suggestion

b. Simple to carry out, it can be worked out through simple steps

c. E.g. Killing people X, against human right X

2. Time

. Long-term / Short-term measure (Time required)

3. Effectiveness

. Can it solve the problem? Is there a decreasing trend?

You will need to evaluate your suggestion in terms of effectiveness to see/check whether

your suggestion is valid or not

Sticking to the question - Terms I can use to support my suggestion

• This can effectively solve the problem through…….

• This will lead to a decreasing trend of cases/absolutely banned the possibility of the

problem

• Successfully solve the problem

• Efficiently solve the problem


Further Analysis on WTE

Workable (可行性)

Format: It can be carried out by ………… so it is easy to implement/workable.

* It should be simple and easy to carry out your suggestion

Factors to determine workable/simple to carry out or not:

• Amount of resources used (Money? Resource?)

• Current Situation whether supporting the suggestion

• Simple/Complicated?

Time (時間性)

Format: It is a short-term/long-term solution where ………

Short-term: Can be solved immediately, in a short-term (Usually within 1 yr)

Long-term: Need to be implemented step-by-step, requires a long period of time (Usually

more than 1 year)

• Suggestion Steps: Simple steps or complicated steps?

• Process Required by the stakeholder (Government? NGO’s?)

• Immediate (Surface problem) or Long-term (Root problem)

Effectiveness (有效性)

Format: This can effectively solve the problem by/through………

Factors determining Effectiveness of a suggestion:

• Can it solve the root cause? (治本)

• Successfully lead to a decreasing trend/curbing of the problem

• Is your suggestion widely applicable to all people

• Attractiveness?


1. Short-term V.S. Long-term [Immediate v.s. Root Cause]

Short Term (Immediate Reduction 即時紓緩) - Some short term, and suggestions that can

solve the current problem immediately. (短期即時措施), ban it happening first (治標先)

E.g. Interpersonal Conflict -> Avoid and leave the scene first to prevent further conflicts

Long Term (Solving the root problem) - Some long term, and suggestions that needs time

to solve the root of the problem. (長期治本措施)

E.g. Interpersonal Conflict -> Communicate to understand the difference between one

another and then solve the problem

2. Soft Power (Attractiveness) V.S. Hard Power (Deterring) 軟硬兼施

Soft Power (Attractiveness): It should be soft handling, it should be attractive to others to

solve the problem (Positive)

Common Examples: Education, Promotion, Subsidies

Hard Power (Deterring): It should be hard handling, deterring, threatening and mandatory

push for people to solve the problem (Negative)

Common Examples: Legislation, Monitoring, Enforcement

3. Target (Root Cause)

Your suggestion must be targeting the root cause

-> A direct target on how to curb the root cause

Common Mistakes for 5**

1. Too much explanation on root cause but you should mention and explain more on

suggestions

2. Uneven distribution of content


3. Contradictory (Limitations of your suggestion), you raised out the limitation but

did not provide solution or explanation of your alternative, makes your suggestion

contradictory

4. Surface level only, not deep enough. (E.g. Increase promotion, what is your detail

of your promotion?)

5. Single angle only, it should be in multi level or different level of explanation

More Strategies in terms of the use of language

1. Use suggestions vocabularies

a. Should, shall, may, could, can, X Must

2. Use connectives to connect between your suggestion and the effectiveness

. Such that, lead to, finally

a. A decreasing trend, curb the situation

More about Suggestion Elements (5**) [WEST]

Workable/

Feasibility (可行

性)

Effectiveness

(有效性)

Suitability

(適切性)

Time (時間性)

1) Specificity (具體

性)

2) Approval (認受

性)

3) Operational (操

作性)

1) Comprehensive (全

面性)

2) Attractiveness (吸

引性)

3) Utility (效用性)

1) Limitation (局

限性)

2) Target (針對

性)

3) Root (根本性)

1) Period/Stage by stage

(階段性)

2) Immediate

(即時性)

3) Urgency (迫切性)


Limitations of your suggestion (Only for 5**)

Usually, no suggestions are perfect, someone may need to pay and sacrifice for your

suggestion and conflicts may arise between different stakeholders.

Therefore, to show your critical thinking and 多角度思維, to show that your suggestion has

been considering multi aspects

E.g. MTR company should decrease traffic fare to attract people taking public transport in

order to solve traffic congestion.

Limitations: MTR company may not be able to earn more profit, MTR decreases capacity

so it will be very crowded in MTR, Vehicle Companies may not be able to run their

business well…..

1. You solve the problem of your suggestion

a. E.g. Government subsidy for buying train carts

2. You mention about why your suggestion is better than other alternative suggestion

(Comparison)

. E.g. Comparing to banning vehicles, it is impossible and it is hard to be implemented

in the society. Therefore, instead of banning vehicles, NGO’s promotion will be better and it

is more economically effective

** Remember you must provide a solution for your limitation or else it will be 自相矛盾,

this part should be handled carefully, only for Level 5**.


Type 6 – Difficulty and Challenges

What are difficulties and challenges?

State the current problem happening

Difficulties, challenges in tackling the issue

Question Type

• Identify and explain two difficulties……

• What are the barriers of………

• What might be the possible challenges of……

• Usually required to write 2 standard arguments (3 marks per argument) so usually it

contains 6 marks

Difficulty and Challenges Questions

Usually for something which has difficulty is usually negative, or hard to achieve it so

it has difficulty. Therefore, there must be a problem behind in order to have a difficulty to

achieve it. So you should mention and describe the problem occurring/issue

Asking Types e.g.:

• Difficulties for the government to maintain……

o Generalize and conceptualize the difficulty for the government towards a

certain issue

• Difficulties to reach consensus among different stakeholders

o Identify the stakeholders involved in the issue, state their values and

conflicts, and then explain the difficulties in reaching consensus among all

different stakeholders


Problem/Reason VS Difficulty

A problem/reason is different with difficulty

Problem/Reason Difficulty

Direct point out the problem happening Higher level on the problem reason and

difficulty in encountering the issue

Can be neutral Negative

E.g. AIDS are arising in Hong Kong Lack of Technology in tackling AIDS

E.g. Low Recycling Rate E.g. Lack of environmental intension

Simple and Direct Macroscopic View, Conceptualization

So do not use a reason to answer a difficulty question, conceptualize your reason and

convert it to a difficulty in order to respond to the question.

In order to show that you relate the question about difficulty, it is suggested to use more

terms about difficulty to show that your argument is really a difficult:

• It is difficult that……

• It is hard to……

• The government faces difficulty……

• It is highly difficult that……

Difficulty

Problem/

Reason


Common Arguments for Difficulty Question

Difficulties for the government:

❖ Lack of Financial Resources

• Money and Financial Resources

• Lack of Subsidization

❖ Lack of Human Resources

• Insufficient Human Resources

• Lack of Diversity, way of entertainment

❖ Divergent View (The government hard to balance stakeholder views)

• Divergent and difference of view among stakeholder -> the government is

difficult to find a method to balance both views perfectly

• Dissenting voices -> some citizens oppose the plan and have dissenting voice

-> becomes the pressure to pass the policy

• Lack of socio-political participation among citizens

❖ Low Public Awareness

• The public has low intention and concept about the issue

❖ Lack of Technology and experiences

• Lack of technical support and experience becomes a difficulty to maintain the

feasibility of a policy

❖ Low Credibility of the Government

❖ Huge Impacts and damages of the policy

❖ Low feasibility

Difficulties in reaching consensus among stakeholder:

❖ Divergent View (The government hard to balance stakeholder views)

• Divergent and difference of view among stakeholder -> the government is

difficult to find a method to balance both views perfectly

• Dissenting voices -> some citizens oppose the plan and have dissenting voice

-> becomes the pressure to pass the policy

• Lack of socio-political participation among citizens

百搭 – 扣連到去 feasibility

(可行性)


Aspect of Difficulties

Stakeholder Divergent Views, Dissenting Voices, Conflict between stakeholder

Execution and

Feasibility

Technology Level, Feasibility, Monitor, Execution, Cost

Culture People’s Mind and Intension and Concept, Traditional Values, Social

Atmosphere

Policy Limitation, Ineffective, Not attractive

百搭 Lack of Financial Resources, Lack of Human Resources

Steps:

1. Quotation Words (Firstly, Secondly)

2. Topic Sentence (State the difficulty)

3. Point out the problem and policy and the role of stakeholder (government)

4. Point out the difficulty and explain the difficulty

5. Provide relevant information from the sources and examples


Structure:

Firstly/Secondly, __________(difficulty)___________ is the difficulty for

_______(stakeholder)_________ to _________(refer to question e.g. policy)_________.

____________(Discuss about the problem and the policy)____________. However, it is

difficult that _________(deeply elaborate on the difficulty of the policy)___________.

From the source, _________(raise relevant information from the source and

examples)_________. Therefore, __________(difficulty)___________ is the difficulty for

_______(stakeholder)_________ to _________(refer to question e.g. policy)_________.


Topic Sentence (Concluding sentence as well)

Firstly/Secondly (Quotation Words), the _________(difficulty)__________ is the difficulty

for _________(stakeholder)__________ to __________(refer to question)___________.

E.g. Firstly, lack of financial resources is the difficulty for the government to implement

Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme.

Difficulty: As mentioned use the common arguments

Stakeholder: Government, other stakeholders, divergent views among stakeholder

Refer to question: The policy, the government’s solution to the problem

Background Information

• The problem happening now -> causing the government/stakeholder raise up a

measure/solution to tackle with the problem/issue -> background information and

knowledge (application of module concept) + source

• Discuss the background of the measure/solution -> background information and

knowledge (application of module concept) + source

• If it is about the government, apply the role of government concepts

Difficulty Explaining Process

• From all background information, find one difficulty point and start elaborating on

• Explain how difficulty the policy is

o E.g. How to implement (hard), what are the resources (many), what are the

views among different stakeholder (divergent)

• Explain how hard it is

• How can the stakeholder solve the problem easily/hardly

• Clear and logical flow of argument

Raising Information from the source

• The background of the issue

• The solution/measure to tackle the issue

• The direct difficulty shown from the sources

• Examples


Common Mistakes

Did not pay attention to question stakeholder e.g. government, consensus

Lack of elaboration

The difficulty is not difficult, must elaborate more deeply on the difficulty

Hong Kong has a lot of financial resources in the government, so it is hard to have

lack of financial resources unless a very big project

Framework

Topic Sentence – The difficulty of the measure

Background of the Issue (The problem background and the measure background)

The difficulty of the measure (e.g. lack of resources, divergent views, low feasibility……)

Conceptualization and explain the difficulty with raising information from the sources

1

2

3

4


Type 7 – Explain how the sources support the view

Common Question Type

• “XXX.” Explain how the sources support this view.

Requirement

Use the sources provided and conceptualize the source

Explain the argument just using the source

Not required:

Stance

Rebuttal

Personal View

DSE Record – Explain how the sources support this view

Year Question Question Content Mark

2016 P1Q1c "Urban farming will improve the quality of life of people in Hong Kong." Explain how the sources support this claim

8

2014 P1Q2a "The costs of wind power outweigh the benefits.' Do sources A, B and C support this view? Explain your answer.

8

"Urban farming will improve the quality of life of people in Hong Kong." Explain how the

sources support this claim

"The costs of wind power outweigh the benefits.' Do sources A, B and C support this

view? Explain your answer.

From above, you can observe that there are two keywords which you have to show the

relationship in to what extent question.

It has a very similar method on the procedures of raising argument but just slightly different.

A

A

B

B


What you need to do?

✓ Conceptualize the sources

Conceptualize the similar items/arguments from different sources

Conceptualize the view of argument from the sources

✓ Using different sources as an evidence to support the claim

Explaining how the sources support the view

1. Provide the view of the supporting stance

2. Provide supporting arguments (Explaining A -> B)

3. Provide supporting examples and evidences

It is essential to know all the question keywords of the view.

Steps for writing “Explain how the sources support the view” Essay

1. 拆題

2. Source Conceptualization -> Organizing Arguments

3. Topic Sentence

4. Quote the sources and show the sources

5. Extended Elaboration



Firstly, the source shows that ___________(argument topic

sentence)________________. According to source X, it shows

that __________(raise evidence from the source (conceptualized

evidence))____________. From the above, it shows that

_________(extended elaboration)__________. Therefore, the

sources support ___________(the view)______________.

Secondly, the source shows that ___________(argument

topic sentence)________________. According to source X, it

shows that __________(raise evidence from the source

(conceptualized evidence))____________. From the above, it

shows that _________(extended elaboration)__________.

Therefore, the sources support ___________(the

view)______________.

Using and applying sources is the key of this type of essay

Students should demonstrate source integration this type of skill

➔ Find out the similarities of the point in different sources -> Conclude it into a singular

argument

You have two methods to write this type of essay

Method 1

(Simple) but you

won’t get high

mark

Explain each source do they support the view

Paragraph 1 – Source A support this view

Paragraph 2 – Source B support this view

Paragraph 3 – Source C support this view

X Source Integration is needed as you explain it source by source

Method 2

(Advanced) hard

but can get high

mark

Like to raising arguments in stance question

Standardize argument

Apply the framework

S1

(Supporting claim

argument 1)

S2

(Supporting claim

argument 2)


1 – 拆題 + 2 – Constructing arguments using sources

Usually for this type of question, the claim will include 2 keywords A and B

Analyze the relationship between A and B

Jot down keywords and abstracts of keywords A and B

List out the features of keywords A and B

➔ See whether the source has the keywords that matches the features of A and B

➔ From the view, abstract arguments of views that you have (Base on that view, think

of your own arguments)

➔ And then see whether the source supports your argument

For 6 marks question, you should include 2 arguments of views

For 7-8 marks question, you should include 3 arguments of views

Use different highlighter to highlight different information from the source so that you can

do source integration

Use conceptualization to conceptualize different information form the source to your own

words

Definition

Feature

Definition

Feature

Conceptualization

A

The Process B


Topic Sentence

• Indicating Words (Firstly, secondly)

• Which aspect? Social, economic, environmental……/ Which stakeholder? The

government, NGOs

• Some sub-points that relate to the view

** It tests your conceptualization skills on summarising your argument into a sentence

General: Firstly, the sources support that will _______(your conceptualized

argument)_______ so that it will/will not

Abstract from source

According to source X, it shows that __________(raise evidence from the source

(conceptualized evidence))____________. Source Y also shows that

___________________(raise evidence from the source (conceptualized

evidence))___________________.

Raise the evidence from the source that is related to the argument of the topic sentence

Do not directly copy from the source, use your own words to conceptualize/conclude the

idea

Do not use personal examples

Extend your argument

Structure: From the above sources, it shows that ___________(extend your

argument)____________.

You have to use examples and detail elaboration

Explain A to B relationships when you extend your argument

For this part, it is just like raising arguments in to what extent stance.

A

B

\

A x B common argument (connector)


Elaboration + Full Explanation

Use this framework to show the relationship between the two keywords, it is a key that you

to connect the two key words and explain in accordance to your argument

A to B Relationship Explanation (Application of Conceptualization)

Definition

Feature

Definition

Feature

Conceptualization

A

(The Root Cause)

Explain how the root cause lead

to the problem (Using the

framework on P.9)

B

(Problem)


So as to make sure the every sentence is connected so that the connection, you should

follow the following framework:

___________(feature of A)_____________ -> Connector 1 -> Connector 2 -> Connector 3

(More if needed) -> __________(feature of B)_____________ -> leading to the

phenomenon of B

Always remember each sentence must be relate to the previous sentence. Do not open a

new point/new concept if the concept is not mentioned/related to the previous sentence.

Use connective to connect the process: lead to, such that, then, after that…..

Changing from one phenomenon to another phenomenon:

1. Time-to-time (Phenomenon 1 should happen before Phenomenon 2)


a. Don’t change/skip step



d. Refer back to the last phenomenon (Connection)

E.g. How lack of housing affect health?

Lack of housing -> No houses for the poor to live -> No shelter of the poor -> They need to

live in poor places -> Poor places poor hygiene -> Affect health

Key Word match with key word -> Do not start a new key word if the new key word is

not mentioned in the previous sentence

This part is about your personal elaboration, so try to blow more accurately and explain

the relationship clearly in order to support your stance.

Finally, conclusion (concluding sentence)

Structure: Therefore, the sources support ______________”View”________________ this

claim.


Type 8 – Concern and Problem

What is concern and problem?

There is an existing problem of the issue

The problem raised some attention/concern of certain stakeholders

Oppositional views

Question Type

• Identify and explain TWO concerns arising from ___________(issue)_____________

• Usually in contains two standard arguments so it is a 6 mark question

What is a concern?

• To be important to some party/stakeholder directly

• It is more in-depth analysis than impact, apart from explaining why concern, you also

need to explain how the stakeholders concern

Steps:

1. Situation/Issue

2. Impact of the situation/issue (Basic level of the impact)

3. Main body talk about the impacts towards stakeholders and their concern

4. Concern Point -> Why they concern

5. How the stakeholder concern about the issue

As a concern arises up from a problem, a concern is usually occurring in a negative issue


Structure:

Firstly/Secondly (Quotation Words), _________(the concern)___________of

______(stakeholder)_______is one of the concern of ______(the issue)__________. From

the source, _________(raise information and examples from the source)________. The

problem of the issue is that _________(background information of the issue)_________

causing ___________(impact of the issue)_________. Some ____(stakeholder)_____

concern that ______(stakeholder concern)_______, they concern that ________(deeply

explain their concern e.g. towards rule of law, human values)________. Therefore,

_______(stakeholders)_______ _________(method to raise their concern)_________.

Therefore, ), _________(the concern)___________of ______(stakeholder)_______is one

of the concern of ______(the issue)__________.

Topic Sentence

E.g. Firstly, the concern of equality of law among pan-democrats is one of the concern of

arising from the Electoral Affairs Commission banning candidates from running for the

election of Legislative Council

-> Point out the concern using relevant LS concepts

Background Information

Raise the background information with relevant LS concept of

• The Issue

• The problem arising

Deeply Explain the Concern

The stakeholder interest -> how they concern about the issue

E.g. Business sectors concern about profit maximization -> how the issue affect their profit

Use the causation explanatory process, explain how the issue affect the stakeholders

concern step by step

Talk about the impacts of the issue <-> concern of stakeholders


Concerning Point

The concerning point should contain an oppositional view

E.g. Some people think is good but some people concerned about that

Common concerns among stakeholders

Government Citizens Interest

Business Sector Money, profit maximization

Pan-democrats Human rights, rule of law

Pro-establishment National Security, economic development

Labour Income, labour rights

Concerning Method

Apart from raising their concern and impacts, you also need to raise the method of concern

among the stakeholder.

E.g. Socio-political participation

Writing petition letters

Strike……

In order to show that those sectors really concerned about it

Writing multi-angle

For different concerns, you should use different stakeholder concern in order to show that

you have include the multi-variety.


Type 9 - Raising Arguments (For and Against)

Constructing Arguments

This is the general structure an argument: A1/A2

Firstly, ________(Argument 1 Topic Sentence)_________. From the source,

__________(Info from the source)________. Actually/in fact, _________(your elaboration

and full explanation)_________. For example, _______(raise examples to support your

view)__________. Therefore, _______(refer back to the question/concluding

sentence)________.

Raising Arguments

• “XXXX” Suggest and explain one argument supporting this claim and one argument

opposing this claim, using the sources provided

In this type of question, you have to write both sides -> One supporting and one opposing.

Therefore, choose the strongest argument on support and oppose.

Constructing Argument Step 1: Topic Sentence



government, NGOs



General: Firstly/Secondly, will _______(your conceptualized argument)_______ so

that it will/will not

Examples:

• (Agree) Firstly, Hong Kong has different ethnic cuisine and activities so that Hong

Kong is ethnically integrated.

• (Disagree) Secondly, Hong Kong has a low acceptance of South Asian and African

in the neighbourhood so Hong Kong is not an ethnically integrated society.

A

B

\

A

B

\



A

B

\



Constructing Arguments Step 2: Adapt Information from the source

Structure: From source X, it mentioned that ______________(Information from the

source)_____________.

When you get information from the source, DO NOT directly copy the words from the

source, use your own words to conceptualize (conclude) the information from the source

(E.g. From a large paragraph to a short sentence).

Some common information you abstract from the source:

Using statistics 1. Quote the data from the source

2. Explain what phenomenon is happening from the data

(Draw conclusion from the data)

3. Use that conclusion and relate to A and B of your argument

Using causation 1. Quote the content from the source

2. Explain the casual relationship from the content and draw

up a conclusion


Using comparison

(Advanced)

1. Quote the positive content from the source

2. Use the negative content to draw a conclusion to show the

importance

3. Use that conclusion/importance and relate to A and B of

your argument

(E.g. From the source, when there is more public housing, people

will have higher life satisfaction (positive). That means when there

is less public housing, people will have lower life satisfaction

(negative) -> Show the importance of public housing

Using

image/cartoon

1. Draw a conclusion from the image on what phenomenon

the image is trying to express


Using common

arguments

1. Directly point out and copy the argument provided from

the source


Constructing Arguments Step 3: Elaboration + Full Explanation




Definition

Feature

Definition

Feature

Conceptualization

A

(The Root Cause)



framework on P.9)

B

(Problem)


So as to make sure every sentence is connected so that the connection, you should follow

the following framework:



phenomenon of B



















Constructing Arguments Step 4: Raising examples to support your view

Examples are good evidences to support your argument but it may not be necessary but

good and accurate examples will add you marks.

Structure: For example, _____________(raise the example)_______________,

____________(relate to your argument)_______________.

What examples you can raise?

Event Examples from

source 事例

For example, from source B, Hong Kong has a lot of cuisines

such as Indonesia, China, Japan, Europe……

Quote Examples

from source 名言

For example, from source C, Mr. Lam said that “I am not willing

to communicate with the south-Asian because I think they are

too dangerous, and they might be terrorist.”

Common Examples

from your own

knowledge

For example, Vivek Mahbubani is an Indian comedian who

performs comedy in HKTV, providing joy and cultural quality of

life to Hong Kong people.

After you raise your example, you have to relate back to your argument so as to support

your argument/view.

Solution: To conceptualize the example, point out the phenomenon from the example

and match with your argument

For example, from source B, Hong Kong has a lot of cuisines such as Indonesia, China,

Japan, Europe…… -> It shows that Hong Kong is culturally diversified -> ethnically

integrated

For example, from source C, Mr. Lam said that “I am not willing to communicate with the

south-asians because I think they are too dangerous and they might be terrorist.” -> It

shows that Hong Kong people are unwilling to accept ethnic minorities -> Not ethnically

integrated


Constructing Arguments Step 5: Concluding Sentence

Structure: Therefore, ________(Relate to the question)

Simple method: repeat your stance on statement/repeat topic sentence

E.g. Therefore, Hong Kong is an ethnically integrated society/Hong Kong is not an

ethnically integrated society.

For one more type of question, this “to what extent” framework is applicable

Raising Arguments

• “XXXX” Suggest and explain one argument supporting this claim and one argument

opposing this claim, using the sources provided

In this type of question, you have to write both sides -> One supporting and one opposing.

Therefore, choose the strongest argument on support and oppose.

How do you write your argument?

Follow steps 1-4

1. 拆題, question key words

2. Think points, constructing your arguments -> Confirm your stance

3. Introduction (Opening Paragraph) -> Show your stance

4. Argument

Framework





sentence)________.


Type 10 – To what extent stance (Agree/Disagree)

Common Question-type

• “xxx” To what extent do you agree with this view? Explain your answer with

reference to the sources

• “xxx” Do you agree with this view? Explain your answer with reference to the

sources

Usually for this type of commentary question “to what extent”, it will consist of 8 marks

(high-mark valued question)

➔ 8 marks, you should write at least 3 arguments (2 argument + 1 counter argument

and rebuttal). If possible and time is allowed, you should write 4 arguments (3+1 or

2+2 is fine)

➔ For high-mark valued question, you may always get only around 4-5 marks. It is very

hard to achieve 6-8 marks so don’t aim too much in high-mark valued question.

➔ 8 marks x 2.5 = 20 minutes, you should use 20 minutes in maximum in completing 8

marks question

For this type of question, it tests students’ ability on:

Raising arguments

Connecting A->B relationship

Building up points and arguments

Elaboration Ability (How can you elaborate to prove your stance/argument is

correct)

Constructing Counter Argument (The opposition view)

Rebuttal -> Rebut on the counter argument

Organization and essay writing techniques


Structure of to what extent essay

To a large extent I agree/disagree with _________(the

view)____________.

Firstly, ________(Argument 1 Topic Sentence)_________. From

the source, __________(Info from the source)________. Actually/in

fact, _________(your elaboration and full explanation)_________. For

example, _______(raise examples to support your view)__________.

Therefore, _______(refer back to the question/concluding

sentence)________.

Secondly, ________(Argument 2 Topic Sentence)_________.

From the source, __________(Info from the source)________.

Actually/in fact, _________(your elaboration and full

explanation)_________. For example, _______(raise examples to

support your view)__________. Therefore, _______(refer back to the

question/concluding sentence)________.

Some people may argue that ______(opposite argument topic

sentence)________. From the source, _________(info from the

source)_________. They think that _______(opposite argument

elaboration and explanation)________. As a result __________(refer

back to the question (opposite view))_________. However,

__________(rebuttal topic sentence)___________.

_________(elaboration and explanation of your

rebuttal)______________. _________(Use examples and source

information to support your rebuttal view)___________. Therefore,

__________(refer back to the question/concluding

sentence)___________.

Therefore, to a large extent I agree/disagree with the statement.

Introduction

Argument 1

(A1)

Argument 2

(A2)

Counter

Argument

(CA)

Rebuttal (R)

Conclusion


Steps for writing “to what extent” essay

1. 拆題, question key words

2. Think points, constructing your arguments -> Confirm your stance

3. Introduction (Opening Paragraph) -> Show your stance

4. Argument 1 (A1)

5. Argument 2 (A2)

6. Counter Argument + Rebuttal (CAR)

7. Conclusion (Closing Paragraph) -> Restate stance

1 – 拆題

Some question samples about to what extent stance (2016 and 2017 DSE) in Paper 1

Year Question Question Content Mark

2016 P1Q2c "A more presentative composition of the election committee for the chief executive and the legislative council would enhance the global competitiveness of Hong Kong." Do you agree with this view? Explain your answer with reference to the sources provided and your own knowledge.

8

2017 P1Q1c "Hong Kong is an ethnically integrated society." To what extent do you agree with this view? Explain your answer with reference to the sources provided and your own knowledge.

8

Using these two questions as an example, use a highlighter to highlight the keywords of the

question:

"A more presentative composition of the election committee for the chief executive and

the legislative council would enhance the global competitiveness of Hong Kong." Do you

agree with this view? Explain your answer with reference to the sources provided and

your own knowledge.

"Hong Kong is an ethnically integrated society." To what extent do you agree with this

view? Explain your answer with reference to the sources provided and your own

knowledge.

A

B

A B


From above, you can observe that there are two keywords which you have to show the

relationship in to what extent question.

Write down a list of key words and modules related to the key words from the question so

that you can think more easily when you think about the arguments

Pay attention to some tricky words:

More important than/better than -> Implying that comparison is required

Most/least -> Comparison

Quality of Life V.S. Living Standard -> Two different meanings

2 – Think points, constructing your arguments

Here are some main points for you to think of the points and construct your arguments, you

are adviced to list down all supporting and opposing points in a list so that you can choose in

your stance. The following are elements you can think of to think point, they are set in

priority, think of the first element below first then the next one:

Priority Element Explanation

1 Look from

source

Usually the source will provide some arguments for you, after

you have jot down the key words during 拆題, you can scan

through the sources to find the arguments/examples that

support the point/stance

2 Distinctive

Points

Prevent overlapping for arguments, try to raise distinct and

unique points to support your argument and don’t overlap A1

and A2 or else cannot show multi-perspective

3 Common

Logic of

issue

For some issues, there is a common logic thinking behind (For

example: Quality of Life you can think of 社經政文環) Make

good use of these thinking frameworks to construct your

argument

List all the valid points/arguments in a list and highlight it from the source (One colour

highlighter, one argument from source)


3 – Introduction (Opening Paragraph)

From this stage, after you have listed all the valid points/arguments in the list, choose your

stance, here are some suggestion on how can choose your stance:

For 保障分:

• More sources support the stance -> choose that stance

• More arguments you can think of -> Choose that stance

• More people will agree/disagree of that stance -> Choose that stance (Follow the

majority)

For 5**:

• One counter argument you can handle to rebut on -> Choose that stance

• More people have an oppositional view of that stance -> Choose that stance (Follow

the minority -> show that your points are distinct and unique)

After confirmation of your stance, you need to write a short opening paragraph to show

what is your stance. One sentence is already fine:

E.g. To a large extent I agree that Hong Kong is an ethnically integrated society.

Stance: Agree

If you agree with the view -> To a large extent I agree with this view.

Stance: Disagree

If you disagree with the view -> To a large extent I disagree with this view.

To a small extent I agree with this view

Don’t write these:

To a medium extent I agree with this view

To a small extent I disagree with this view


4 + 5 – Constructing Arguments

This is the general structure an argument: A1/A2





sentence)________.

Steps:

1. Topic Sentence

2. Adapt information from the source

3. Elaboration + Full Explanation (Connect the relationship)

4. Raise examples to support your view


Constructing Argument Step 1: Topic Sentence



government, NGOs



General: Firstly/Secondly, will _______(your conceptualized argument)_______ so

that it will/will not

Examples:

• (Agree) Firstly, Hong Kong has different ethnic cuisine and activities so that Hong

Kong is ethnically integrated.

• (Disagree) Secondly, Hong Kong has a low acceptance of South Asian and African

in the neighbourhood so Hong Kong is not an ethnically integrated society.

A

B

\

A

B

\



A

B

\



Constructing Arguments Step 2: Adapt Information from the source

Structure: From source X, it mentioned that ______________(Information from the

source)_____________.

When you get information from the source, DO NOT directly copy the words from the

source, use your own words to conceptualize (conclude) the information from the source

(E.g. From a large paragraph to a short sentence).

Some common information you abstract from the source:

Using statistics 4. Quote the data from the source

5. Explain what phenomenon is happening from the data

(Draw conclusion from the data)


Using causation 4. Quote the content from the source

5. Explain the casual relationship from the content and draw

up a conclusion


Using comparison

(Advanced)

4. Quote the positive content from the source

5. Use the negative content to draw a conclusion to show the

importance

6. Use that conclusion/importance and relate to A and B of

your argument

(E.g. From the source, when there is more public housing, people

will have higher life satisfaction (positive). That means when there

is less public housing, people will have lower life satisfaction

(negative) -> Show the importance of public housing

Using

image/cartoon

3. Draw a conclusion from the image on what phenomenon

the image is trying to express


Using common

arguments

2. Directly point out and copy the argument provided from

the source


Constructing Arguments Step 3: Elaboration + Full Explanation




Definition

Feature

Definition

Feature

Conceptualization

A

(The Root Cause)



framework on P.9)

B

(Problem)


So as to make sure every sentence is connected so that the connection, you should follow

the following framework:



phenomenon of B



















Constructing Arguments Step 4: Raising examples to support your view

Examples are good evidences to support your argument but it may not be necessary but

good and accurate examples will add you marks.

Structure: For example, _____________(raise the example)_______________,

____________(relate to your argument)_______________.

What examples you can raise?

Event Examples from

source 事例

For example, from source B, Hong Kong has a lot of cuisines

such as Indonesia, China, Japan, Europe……

Quote Examples

from source 名言

For example, from source C, Mr. Lam said that “I am not willing

to communicate with the south-Asian because I think they are

too dangerous, and they might be terrorist.”

Common Examples

from your own

knowledge

For example, Vivek Mahbubani is an Indian comedian who

performs comedy in HKTV, providing joy and cultural quality of

life to Hong Kong people.

After you raise your example, you have to relate back to your argument so as to support

your argument/view.

Solution: To conceptualize the example, point out the phenomenon from the example

and match with your argument

For example, from source B, Hong Kong has a lot of cuisines such as Indonesia, China,

Japan, Europe…… -> It shows that Hong Kong is culturally diversified -> ethnically

integrated

For example, from source C, Mr. Lam said that “I am not willing to communicate with the

south-asians because I think they are too dangerous and they might be terrorist.” -> It

shows that Hong Kong people are unwilling to accept ethnic minorities -> Not ethnically

integrated


Constructing Arguments Step 5: Concluding Sentence

Structure: Therefore, ________(Relate to the question)

Simple method: repeat your stance on statement/repeat topic sentence

E.g. Therefore, Hong Kong is an ethnically integrated society/Hong Kong is not an

ethnically integrated society.

6 – Counter Argument (CA) + Rebuttal (R) = CAR

Counter Argument (CA) + Rebuttal (R) = CAR (One Argument)

Where CA consist of 1/3, R consist of 2/3

It is not necessary to do counter argument if you don’t have time or if you cannot manage

to handle it.

➔ The major task is to complete A1 and A2 first, CAR is just a benchmark to reach 5-6

marks out of 8. You can still get 3-4/8 if you don’t do CAR.

➔ Good CAR will add you mark, poor CAR will affect your final score

➔ Good CAR but poor A1/A2 will affect your final score significantly

➔ A1 + A2 > CAR

Counter Argument + Rebuttal Structure

Some people may argue that ______(opposite argument topic sentence)________. From

the source, _________(info from the source)_________. They think that

_______(opposite argument elaboration and explanation)________. As a result

__________(refer back to the question (opposite view))_________. However,

__________(rebuttal topic sentence)___________. _________(elaboration and

explanation of your rebuttal)______________. _________(Use examples and source

information to support your rebuttal view)___________. Therefore, __________(refer

back to the question/concluding sentence)___________.


Steps:

1. CA Topic Sentence

2. CA Point of View from Source

3. CA Point of View Explanation

4. However, R Topic Sentence

5. R Point of View from Source (If applicable)

6. R Point of View Explanation

7. Raise examples to support your view in R (If applicable)

8. How CA is wrong/not effective/being rebutted by R (Disadvantage of CA and

advantage of R)

9. Concluding sentence -> refer back to the argument

CAR Step 1: CA Topic Sentence

Unlike normal topic sentence, you need to show the opposite relationship

Structure: Some people claim/think that, ___________(Opposite viewer’s view point topic

sentence)______________________.

General: Some people think that , will _______(your conceptualized

argument)_______ so that it will/will not

Examples:

• (If you disagree, you have to raise opposite side (agree) arguments) Some people

think that Hong Kong has different ethnic cuisine and activities so that Hong Kong

is ethnically integrated.

• (If you agree, you have to raise opposite side (disagree) arguments) Some people

think that Hong Kong has a low acceptance of South Asian and African in the

neighbourhood so Hong Kong is not an ethnically integrated society.

B

\

A

B

\


A

B

\


A

\


CAR Step 2: CA Point of View from Source

Because usually the sources will also provide opposite side arguments and you can also

think and find out some opposite side arguments from the source -> You can raise their

views easily from the source

➔ Using source to point out Counter Argument is necessary

Method: Directly point out the opposite stances’ argument from the source

Structure: From source X, the source shows that ________________________________.

Do not directly copy all the wordings from the source, try to conceptualize (conclude) the

information from the source

CAR Step 3: CA Point of View Explanation

For a counter argument, a detailed explanation is required.

You have to explain why there is a view like this, what causes the argument to rise. Just

like helping the opposing side to raise their arguments, detailed argument is required

Details for how to write a detailed argument, please refer back to P.9-10

The above steps are for writing the Counter Argument Part (CA)

The Counter Argument should consist the overall proportion of 1/3 of the whole Counter

Argument + Rebuttal Point

The Counter Argument is not the key point of the essay so don’t write too much and waste

too much time on the counter argument part, the rebuttal is the key. If you focus too much

on counter argument but you write very little/no rebuttal, your marks of the essay will be

affected as you don’t “to a large extent” agree/disagree with the view.


CAR Step 4: However, R Topic Sentence

Now the rebuttal part starts, first you have to state the topic sentence of your rebuttal.

Structure: However, will _____________________________ such that it

will/will not

Also, state the AB relationship but this time you have to target on the counter argument

you have made.

From this stage, you may think that it is very hard to make a rebuttal, so here are some

ideas for you to think of a rebuttal:

Urgency/

Important

Point out that the counter argument is not urgent,

not important

Short term/

long term

Point out that the counter argument is just short

term, it is not sustainable, lack of continuity

Soluble Point out that the counter argument has a solution /

it is currently solving the problem -> the argument is

not valid anymore as it is being solved

Majority /

Minority

Point out that the counter argument will only benefit

little/minority of people -> not effective

Disadvantages The counter argument has a large disadvantages but

rebuttal has less disadvantage, or it can bring

advantage

More comparison:

Rights V.S. Responsibilities, Corporate Responsibility V.S. Social Responsibility, Public Lead

V.S. Government lead, Democratic V.S. Autocratic, Individualism V.S. Collectivism, Necessity

V.S. No Necessity, Personal Interest V.S. Social Interest

A

\ B

\


Counter Argument (CA)

Correct (Valid) Wrong (Unvalid)

Directly point out how

wrong is the counter

argument using facts:

How wrong?

• Contradictory

• Not feasible

• Not factual


CAR Step 5: R Point of View from Source (If Applicable)

It is hard to point out the rebuttal view from the source so this part depends whether you

can find information from the source

If you can, copy the information from the source and conceptualize (conclude) the

information, don’t directly copy from the source

CAR Step 6: R Point of View Explanation

The rebuttal explanation requires you to deeply explain the rebuttal point you have

raised.

For this stage, you may not need to prove how counter argument is wrong/ineffective yet

because you will do it in CAR step 8. You just need to deeply explain about your rebuttal,

what makes your rebuttal valid, using connectors to connect A and B

Details for how to write a detailed argument, please refer back to P.9-10

CAR Step 7: Raise examples to support your view in R (If applicable)

It is hard raise examples to support your view in rebuttal from the source so this part

depends whether you can find information from the source

Ways to raise examples to support your view in Rebuttal:

• Using opposite side examples shown from the source (Examples which support

your rebuttal)

• Using statistics as an example to support your rebuttal

• Use your own knowledge and well-known examples of the issue to support your

rebuttal


CAR Step 8: How CA is wrong/ineffective (D.CA + A.R)

In order to prove the counter argument is wrong, you have to show that in the rebuttal.

You have to have a sense to prove that the counter argument is wrong by comparing the

rebuttal and counter argument

With reference to the indicators shown in P.15, show that the counter argument is

wrong/ineffective/not majority…….

You may also need to show how your rebuttal is valid by showing how valid the rebuttal

is, so as to compare between counter argument and rebuttal

CAR Step 9: Concluding sentence

There are too much views in the Counter Argument + Rebuttal Part. Therefore, you have

to go back to your stance.

Structure:

If you agree (to a large extent) -> Therefore, to a large extent I agree with __________(the

view)_______________

If you disagree (to a small extent) -> Therefore, to a small extent I agree with

__________(the view)____________

This concluding sentence is to show that you are connected to the topic/your stance.

Prevent the marker thought that you changed your stance


Finally the last step

7 – Conclusion

Open a new paragraph

You can just simply restate your stance

Structure:

If you agree (to a large extent) -> Therefore, to a large extent I agree with __________(the

view)_______________

If you disagree (to a small extent) -> Therefore, to a small extent I agree with

__________(the view)____________

Time Management Skills

For 8 marks question, you have to handle the time well, you should use 20 minutes in

maximum to handle 8 marks questions

In basic level, you have to write 2 points + 1 CAR = 3 DETAILED points

However, unless it is written extremely good, or else 6 marks in maximum.

So when exceed 20 minutes, cut and start doing the other question.

If you have time at last and you think the remaining time is sufficient enough to write

another argument, write it in to what extent essay. 3 points may not be enough so you

may need to write 4:

• 2 points + 1 CAR + 1 additional point = 4 points

• 2 points + 2 CAR = 4 points

Just write 4 points if you have time, if don’t have time then only write 3 points, 4 points is

just extra


Type 11 – Conflicts between Stakeholders

Conflicts between stakeholders (持分者之間的矛盾)

• Stakeholders involved in an issue (Stakeholders must be 2 or above to show the

contrary)

• Stakeholders with oppositional views (the 2 stakeholders have opposite views:

One supporting and one not supporting)

• Due to the oppositional views, conflicts arise from different stakeholders

Steps for dealing with question about Conflicts between different stakeholders:

1. Identify the pair of stakeholders of the issue

a. Who are the people/stakeholders involved in the issue?

2. Views of the pair of stakeholders

a. What are the views/opinions/ideas/stance of different stakeholders?

3. Contrary of the views of different stakeholders

a. What are the oppositional views between different stakeholders?

b. How are they opposite? What are the difference?

4. The Conflict and Contrary Point

a. Match with the contrary

b. Find out the conflict point

Requirements

• Identify pairs of stakeholders

• State the view of different stakeholders

• The Conflict Point

• In-depth and comprehensive analysis


Stakeholders (持分者)

Stakeholders are people/organization/parties that are involved in an issue.

Common Types of Stakeholders:

Family Parents, Children, Generations…...

School Principal, School Committee, Teachers, Social Workers…...

Government Chief Executive, Advisory Board, Legislative Council, Financial

Secretary…...

NGO/NPO Non-governmental Organization, Non-profit organization, social

enterprise…..

Local Business

Sectors

Property Agent, Limited Liability, Entrepreneur, Company…...

Multi-national

Cooperation

Transnational Corporation, Multi-national Corporation…...

Global Cooperation United Nations, UNESCO, World Trade Organization (WTO), World

Health Organization, Red Cross…..

Personal Ownself

The General Public Middle Class, Poverty Set, Slightly above poverty line, Rich

People…...

百搭 Tips***

In all/most issues, there must be one involving stakeholders: The Government (政府)

As long as we are not living in an anarchy state (無政府狀態), all issues including personal

pressure, family have one stakeholder which is the government. The government is

responsible for all issues and all citizens in the society.

所以，乜都賴晒落個政府到，就百無一失 >_<


And usually, with respect to the conflicts between stakeholder, the government is always

one of the involved stakeholder with a side view.

E.g. Landuse: Government plans to reclamation but environmental organizations oppose it

Article 23: The government urges the legislation for article 23 but pan-democratic camp (泛

民主派) LegCo member oppose this legislation

政府在事件議題上有立場，所以可以應用於立場衝突題目上

Views of Stakeholder

Every stakeholder have different views towards different events.

In general, views can be separated into 2:

Support (支持) Oppose (反對)

The stakeholder support and agrees with a

certain thing

The stakeholder opposes and disagrees with

a certain thing

However, views can vary:

Strongly Disagree Disagree Medium Agree Strongly Agree

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------>

1. Grouping Method

In terms of using the land in the golf club,

The government, business sectors, general public mainly support but the golf club and

environmental sectors mainly oppose.

Method***Group the stakeholders with similar view and stakeholders with opposing view


2. Conceptualizing Method

• The government wants any method to provide as much land as possible

• However, the environmental sectors raise the concern of harming the environment

due to some harmful methods that harm the environment such as reclamation, using

countryside park.

• The business sectors supports the increase of land supply as long as not affecting the

market in the housing economy

Method*** Conceptualizing the views of different stakeholders, generalize their views and

compare the contrary point in terms of their views

When we talk about conflict between different stakeholders, there should be 2 or more

stakeholders in order to produce the conflict, so the conflicts between stakeholder exist in

pairs

The Contrary Point and Conflict (矛盾點／衝突)

Usually, the contrary point and conflict is within the following items:

• Identity (身份)

• Belief (信念)

• Value (價值觀)

• Value Conflict

• Value Difference

• Concern (關注點)

• Interest Conflict (利益衝突)

*Skill: Stand in the side of the stakeholder view to find out the conflict)


Student Common Mistakes

• The pair of stakeholder do not have oppositional views, so that there are NO

conflicts between the TWO stakeholders

• There is only ONE stakeholder in ONE paragraph which cannot show the contrary

between the TWO stakeholders

• Did not compare between the TWO stakeholder, it is required to give a comparison

so that it shows the contrary between the TWO stakeholder

• Conflicts V.S. Contradiction

• Your stakeholder should be a person/organization instead of a angle or factor

• E.g. Government, Chief Executive -> Correct

• E.g. Environment, Economical -> Incorrect

• To convert it, consider “Environmental sectors”, “Economic sectors”

• Lack of elaboration

• Both stakeholder view should be equally and in-depth elaborate instead of

just talking one side but lack of elaboration on the other side

• Wrong stakeholder view

• In different issues, different stakeholders have different views. Don’t simply

think that in all issues, the government will support and the environmental

sectors will not support

• No conceptualization

• Students should conceptualize the stakeholder view so that the marker can

easily see the point of view

Difference between Conflicts and Contradiction

Conflict (衝突) Contradiction (矛盾)

Conflict an action caused by

contradiction

Contradiction is the difference of views between

different parties

Different Views among stakeholders -> Contradiction -> Conflict


Achieving 5**

Content

• 8 marks questions, you should include at least 3 pairs of stakeholders



• Your stakeholder pairs should be different and with huge variety of stakeholders,

don’t just simply all the stakeholders are government, use more different types of

stakeholders

• In-depth elaboration and clear explanation

• Steps: 1. View of stakeholder 2. Evidence to support the view

• 3. Use examples to support the evidence/view

• 4. Compare between the view of two stakeholder, analyze the

difference such that it lead to ______ conflict.

Conceptualization

• Conceptualize the views between different stakeholders, use a sentence/term to

simply conclude the stakeholder view

• Use a conceptual term to conceptualize the conflict (E.g Interest conflict, value

conflict…..)

Structure

• For 8 marks or above questions, you should have an introduction to briefly

introduce about the topic and respond to the question requirement

• For 8 marks or above questions, treat it as an essay and you need to have a

conclusion to briefly conclude what you have been writing during the whole essay

Structure of Each Conflict Point

Directions:

1. Stakeholder

2. Conflict Point

3. Reason of Conflict


Structure of each conflict point

Firstly/Secondly/Thirdly, ___(stakeholder A)____ thinks that ____(View of stakeholder

A)____ while ____(stakeholder B)_____ thinks that ____(View of stakeholder B)_____.

Therefore it causes ____(Type of conflict e.g. Value/belief conflict…..)_____.

_____(stakeholder A)____ thinks that ___(View of stakeholder A + in-depth

explanation)______. However/oppositely, _____(stakeholder B)____ thinks that ____

(View of stakeholder B + in-depth explanation)____. Therefore/From the above

explanation, ____(stakeholder A)____ concerns ____(Stakeholder A view

[Conceptualize])_____ and ____(stakeholder B)____ concerns ____(stakeholder B view

[conceptualize])_____ and that causes _____(conflict)____.

Topic Sentence

1. The ___(stakeholder)___ value of _________________ is in conflict with the

____(stakeholder)____ value of _________________.

2. On the concept of _______________, there is a conflict between

_____(stakeholder)____ and ____(stakeholder)_____.

Conclusion

• Conceptualize the view of different stakeholders

• Restate the conflict point between different stakeholders

• Structure of the Whole Essay

• Because you can see that these type of conflict between stakeholder question

consists of more than 8 marks. Therefore, the structure of the essay is very

important. You MUST have an introduction, main body and a conclusion. The general

structure will be shown like this:

•

_____(Issue of the question)_____ is a controversial issue that involves multi

stakeholders. In my essay/opinion, I will be writing/the following points are the conflicts

between stakeholders of the issue: _____(Conflict 1)____, _____(Conflict 2)____ and

____(conflict 3)_____.


Firstly, ___(stakeholder A)____ thinks that ____(View of stakeholder









Secondly, ___(stakeholder A)____ thinks that ____(View of stakeholder









Thirdly, ___(stakeholder A)____ thinks that ____(View of stakeholder










In conclusion, _____(Conflict 1)___, ____(conflict 2)_____ and ____(conflict

3)____ are conflicts between stakeholder in ____(issue)_____.

Introduction

Conflict 1

Conflict 2

Conflict 3

Conclusion

Introduction

Since it is a 8 mark question, your introduction might need to be separated into a single

paragraph independently.

The introduction should respond to the question (i.e. What is the issue), as well it should tell

the basic background of the issue. As well point out directly the stakeholders and the

conflict point.

Conclusion

Since it is a 8 mark question, your conclusion might need to be separated into a single

paragraph independently

Conceptualize the conflict views and restate the conflict point between different

stakeholder


Thinking Directions (百搭思考方向)

1. Common Types of Stakeholder Pairs with oppositional views

• Government V.S. Citizens (General Public)

• Social Contract Theory - There is a contract between the government and the

citizens, the citizen may overthrow and disagree with the view of the

government and this may cause an oppositional view and conflict

• Government V.S. Non-governmental Organizations (NGO)

• Government side supports the ideas from the government but Non-

governmental organizations may oppose the idea, they are two totally

opposite organizations so there is usually an oppositional view

• Government V.S. Environmental Sectors

• Especially in issues about land supply, the government hopes to increase land

supply immediately but the environmental sectors concerns a lot about the

environmental impacts, oppositional views arise between them

• Business Sectors V.S. Environmental Sectors

• Business sectors may have the value to earn the most profit but they may

harm to the environment, environmental sectors only have the value to

protect the environment and this may cause conflict between stakeholders

• Government V.S. Business Sectors

• In some economic public policies, the government may want to help citizens

and ignore the economic benefit but business sectors only put their eyes on

the economic benefits, that may cause conflict in terms of economic benefits

• Business Sectors V.S. Consumers

• Business sectors sell product and consumers buy product, conflicts might

arise between the miscommunication between buyer and seller, also due to

consumer rights, legal responsibilities……


• Employer V.S. Employee

• The relationship between employer and employee is that employer employ

employees, the employee works for the employer, conflicts might arise due

to the unequal treaty, mis-agreement…….

• Singular Person V.S. Whole Society (Singular Interest V.S. Benefits of the whole

society)

• Some singular person may think XXX but they may just be the minority, the

benefits and the development of the whole society may be more important

than the singular person’s view. How can the government balance between

singular interest and the benefits of the whole society? (DSE_2012_P2_Q1)

• Developed Countries V.S. Developing Countries (M4 - Globalization)

• Etc.

2. Common Types of Conflicts

a. In terms of values

• Conflicts arise due to difference of opinion, difference of value, difference of interest

b. In terms of actions

• Protests, Socio-political participation

• Protest -> Cause violence, contact, fierce confrontation

• Difference of opinion -> Many arguments and debates

3. Common Issues with Conflicts (Cross Module)

• Housing Problems and Land Supply in Hong Kong

• Multi stakeholders in the society are involved in the housing issues

and the land supply in Hong Kong, conflicts may arise between them

• Political Stance (Yellow ribbon v.s. Blue ribbon)

• Some people stand at the view of pan-democrats and some people

stand at post-beijing, they have different views and that cause conflict


• One-child and Two-child policy in China

• The born rate, family structure and policy making in China involves

different stakeholders, they may have different views

• Globalization or Anti-globalization

• Some countries think that globalization brings opportunity for their

development and improve QoL but some countries think that

globalization brings more harm than good, different views arise

• Genetic Testing, Cloning

• Science technology related to public health might be beneficial to

human invention but may break ethical conduct

• Use of Energy

• Some people may support the use of renewable energy while some

people in the islands do not support this because it affects their life


Controversies

What are controversy type questions?

Raise the concern of the issue

Discussing about the opposing view of an issue (opposing stance)

The basis of judging whether the argument is correct or wrong

Difference between Conflict (between stakeholder) and controversy

Conflict Controversy

• Stakeholder A is really harming with

stakeholder B, they are harming

each other’s benefits

• Conflict between stakeholder A and

B due to ____(conflict)______

• Stakeholder A and Stakeholder B

has an opposing view towards the

issue but not necessarily harming

each other’s benefits

• State the basis of judging whether

something is right or wrong

Elements for “Controversy” Question:

1. Prolonged: Continuity, arguable, argumentative

2. Public: Concern by various stakeholders

3. Disagreement: There is no consensus for the public, controversial so there are

different view points of the issue

4. Find out the basis for judging whether something is right or wrong – How can you

determine the controversy

• Usually it contains high-value question (E.g. 6 marks, 8 marks, 12 marks……)

• Arguments have to be made clear and as it does not require a stance, you have to

raise both sides (agree and disagree)

• Question Type: Explain the controversies of ____________(an issue)_____________

• As the controversy is about an issue/policy, the details of the issue/policy should be

provided


Thinking Process:

Step 1: Find out the details of the issue/policy

Step 2: Identify the concerns of the issue/policy

Step 3: Find out the supporting and opposing views of the issue/policy -> find controversy

point

How to write your arguments:

1. Short Introduction

2. Controversy x1-5

a. Topic Sentence: Basis of judging something is right or wrong

b. Details of the issue/policy

c. Concern of the issue/policy

d. Argument supporting the issue/policy

e. Argument opposing the issue/policy

f. Controversy compare

g. Conclusion: Basis of judging something is right or wrong

3. Short Conclusion

Structure per controversy argument

Firstly/Secondly, _____(issue)________ might cause _______(type of controversy)_____.

________(the basis of judging something right or wrong)_______. (From source X), the

issue/policy is about __________(some details (relate to your argument) about the

issue/policy)__________. It lead to a concern that _______(the concern of the

policy)_________. Some _____(people/stakeholder)_______ think that the (argument is

correct) because they think that _________(supporting arguments)________. While some

______(people/stakeholder)_______ think that the ( argument is incorrect) because they

think that __________(opposing arguments)___________. Therefore, there is a

controversy between stakeholder A and stakeholder B + some elaboration. Hence,

_____(issue)________ might cause _______(type of controversy)_____.


What you should contain in each controversy argument:

1. Topic Sentence

a. Firstly/Secondly (Quotation Words)

b. ___________(Issue)__________ will lead to __________(Type of

controversy)___________

i. E.g. Financial use controversy, moral and ethics controversy……

2. The Basis for Judging Right or Wrong (同一比較點)

a. Moral Rules (E.g. Ethical Standards)

b. Financial Rules (E.g. Financial and Taxation Standards)

c. Etc.

3. Concern of the issue

a. State the fact of the issue, some key information

b. Some stakeholders concern that __________(their concern)_________

c. While some stakeholders concern that ______(their concern)________

4. Arguments

a. Argument of stakeholder support something/a view is right + elaboration +

view of stakeholder

b. Argument of stakeholder oppose something/a view is wrong + elaboration +

view of stakeholder

c. Comparing the supporting and opposing view to generalize a controversy

5. Conclusion

a. Therefore, there is a controversy between stakeholder A and stakeholder B +

some elaboration. Hence, _____(issue)________ might cause _______(type

of controversy)_____.


Type 12 – Comparison Type Question

What are comparison type questions?

Comparing two or more types of things

Special Tricky Question Words

• Comparing to XXX

• “Most” -> the best -> have few options that imply the best

• A vs/over B

• Which one is more effective/better/higher priority?

• More important/better than

Question Type

• In comparison with……, which one would be a better choice?

• Which one is the most effective?

• “………….is the best solution.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

• Among…… and……, which one is more important?

• E.g. “Banning the sale of certain products in the best method to safeguard the public

health of teenagers.” Do you agree with this view? Explain your answer. (12 marks)

2017 DSE Paper 2 Question 2b

• Usually for questions that require to do comparison, it carries a very high value mark

(at least 8, mostly 12) so a deep analysis in comparison is required

Do we need to raise Counter Argument + Rebuttal (CAR)?

• If you are required to give a stance (e.g. do you think, to what extent, do you agree),

then you will need to give a counter argument + rebuttal

• If you are not required to give a stance (e.g. the question ask you to compare both

things with reference to the source) then you not need to give a counter argument +

rebuttal

• For medium achievers, you might just write 4 arguments for 12 marks question

because for each argument you did comparison already so it is kind of rebuttal. But

high achievers should have a separate paragraph on double rebuttal


Types of Comparison

Singular (Indirect) Plural (Direct)

• Which one is the best/most

effective/important……?

• Comparing among A and B, which

one should……?

• Which one, A or B……?

Only given one comparison options Give two or more comparison options

Set up criteria your own and raise similar

example (substitutes) by yourself to do

comparison

Set up criteria your own and use the criteria

to compare A and B (no need to find similar

substitutes)

Common Criteria

❖ Effectiveness

• Long Term VS Short Term + Sustainability (Long Run and Short Run)

• Cost-effective

• Incentives

• Will it bring negative effect

• Coverages (Number of People)

• Target the root cause VS Just target the problem

❖ Feasibility

• Human and Financial Resources

• Environmentally Friendly

• Technology

• Execution

• Cost

❖ Importance

• Urgency

• Global/Core Values

• Irreversible Damage

• Social needs

• Priority


Workable/

Feasibility (可行

性)

Effectiveness

(有效性)

Suitability

(適切性)

Time (時間性)

1) Specificity (具體

性)

2) Approval (認受

性)

3) Operational (操

作性)

1) Comprehensive (全

面性)

2) Attractiveness (吸

引性)

3) Utility (效用性)

1) Limitation (局

限性)

2) Target (針對

性)

3) Root (根本性)

1) Period/Stage by stage

(階段性)

2) Immediate

(即時性)

3) Urgency (迫切性)

• Capability and potential

• Efficiency and Effectiveness

• Sustainability and Short Long Run

• Feasibility

Remember, in LS you are required to have multi-angle analysis so you should use different

criteria for different arguments to show that you have the multi-variety.

Steps:

1. Quotation Words (Firstly, secondly)

2. Topic Sentence

3. Current Situation/Background Information

4. Measure and Example

5. Raise your criteria

6. Advantages of A that matches your criteria

7. Disadvantages of B that does NOT match your criteria

8. Compare why A is better than B in terms of 5,6,7



Structure per argument

Firstly/Secondly (Quotation Words), in terms of __________(criteria)_________,

____________(topic sentence)____________. ________(Background Knowledge and

Issue)_____________. In terms of ___________(criteria)___________,

________(definition and explanation of the criteria)____________. For A, it

________(how A matches with the criteria – Advantages)_________. For B, it

_______(how B does not match with the criteria)___________. Comparing between A

and B, _________(A is better than B in terms of the criteria)___________. Therefore, in

terms of __________(criteria)_________, ____________(topic sentence)____________.

Topic Sentence

Firstly/Secondly (Quotation Words), in terms of timeliness/deterring effect/targeting the

root cause (criteria), A is better than B/A is the best method/A is not the best method/etc.

Background Knowledge and the Issue

• Discuss about the background information using module concepts

• Briefly explain and talk about the issue/policy

Criteria

• In terms of ______(criteria)_______, (E.g. Timeliness, Coverage, Cost-effectiveness,

Sustainability, deterring effect…….)

• Define and explain the criteria

Matching with the Criteria

• Explain how A matches with the criteria (Policy features match with the criteria) ->

turns out to be an advantage -> best/better method

• Explain how B doesn’t match with the criteria (Policy feature does not fit the criteria)

-> turns out to be a disadvantage -> worse method


Comparison

• By comparing A and B match/does not match with the criteria, state that A is better

B in terms of the criteria

Concluding Sentence

• From the comparison, restate the topic sentence

Counter Argument + Rebuttal (CAR)

Some on might think that in terms of __________(criteria)___________, B is better A

because ________(brief introduction)__________. _______(stakeholder)________ think

that B is better than A because __________(B advantages)__________, (A

disadvantage)_________ so ________(comparison between A and B)___________.

However, I think that__________(rebuttal topic sentence)___________.

_________(elaboration and explanation of your rebuttal)______________.

_________(Use examples and source information to support your rebuttal

view)___________. Therefore, __________(refer back to the question/concluding

sentence)___________.

Similar approach as the rebuttal, just converse the first arguments into B is better than A

and rebuttal on it using the rebuttal approach

Usually this is a high-mark value question, so it is suggested to include a short introduction

and concluding paragraph.

REMEMBER FOR COMPARISON QUESTION -> YOU MUST ALWAYS KEEP A MIND OF 比較意

識


More Good Than Harm and Comparison Type Approaches

More good than harm question type

• You need to explain the policy brings more good than harm/more harm than good

using comparison in different aspects and criteria (E.g. Economically bring more

good than harm……

Approach 1 (B1 – Max. 9 marks) Approach 2 (B2- Max. 12 marks)

1. Argument 1 (More good than harm)



4. Counter Argument + Rebuttal (More

harm than good)

5. Overall Comparison (More good

than harm)

1. Argument 1 (Aspect 1 – Good points

+ harm points + comparison which

one is better)



one is better)



one is better)



one is better)

Think of 4-5 arguments -> simple and direct

but maximum score bar at 9

Think of 4x2 = 8 arguments (4 good and 4

harm with the same aspect pair) ->

complicated and risky but maximum score

not bar

Documents

Essay Writing Skills - WordPress.com · 2019-06-01 · Essay Writing Skills and Techniques • Trend/Data/Pattern Statistical Analysis • Cartoon/Image Interpretation • Cause/Factor/Reason