Lesson on SEQ writing and weighing of 2 factors for Type II essays

Social Studies SEQ

Type I SEQ

Explain how having more immigrants [Given Factor] will help Singapore overcome our low population growth. [Issue to be explained]

Levels of Response Marking [LORMs]

Levels	Details	Marks
L1	Write about issue without  focus	1
L2	Describe given factor	2-3
L3	How the given factor à explains the Issue Add 1 mark for details and examples	4-5

GIVEN factor	Issue to be explained
Bring in immigrants or foreigners	How does this increase the population or solve Singapore’s low birth rate problem.
Citizen’s feedback / Role of the people	a)Ensuring Singapore’s growth and prosperity b) Why is it an important principle of governance à Improvement in life of citizens à Singapore’s growth & prosperity.

  Type II SEQ

Levels of Response Marking [LORMs]

Levels	Details	Marks
L1	Describe the given factor	1
L2	How the given factor à explains the Issue	2-3
L3	Provide details of your explanation for GF1	4-5
L4	Explain GF1 + Describe Given Factor 2	6-7
L5	Explain GF1 and GF2	8-9
L6	L5 + Weigh/compare GF1 and GF2 and explain which is more important	10

2 other factors Q. There are other principles of governance such as Meritocracy (GF1) and the people feedback is to be valued(GF2). Which do you think is the more important principle? Explain your answer. Q. Name 2 other principles of governance and explain which one is more critical to lead to Singapore’s success. Explain your answer. Note: To be able to write the weighing paragraph, you should be able to determine a common criterion to compare the 2 Given Factors. Without a common criterion, weighing and comparing which 2 given factors is more important as in this case is not possible because depending on the perspective you take, either one of the given factors could be viewed as more important than the other. Thus, using a common criterion to compare the weighing paragraph is necessary.

1 paragraph to explain GF1 1 paragraph to explain GF2 1 paragraph to compare GF1 and GF2 Compare GF1 and GF2 to show which is more important. (Common Criterion) à Which POG will lead to Singapore being more bonded or united? In conclusion, for Singapore to succeed and do well, it is important that Singapore is bonded and united and so the more important principle of governance must be the one that ensures this better. In my opinion, it would be the people’s feedback being valued because when this happens, all citizens will feel more connected to Singapore and be loyal since their views are valued. However, not everyone may benefit from meritocracy and so those who do benefit will have a connection to Singapore while those who do not get rewarded will feel less so.

 

Homework 6: Post weighing paragraph for population policy here

Post your weighing paragraph here for the following question:

"The most effective way to increase the population in Singapore is by attracting foreign talent." How far do you agree? Explain.

SEQ writing techniques IV - The stand MUST match the weighing word

The stand of the essay depends on the weighing paragraph.

Example 1:
The most effective way to manage traffic flow is through ERP. How far do you agree? Explain.

NB: We know that ERP is NOT the most effective way. Hence we agree with this statement to only " a small extent.".

Example 2:
The most effective way to manage traffic flow is through VQS. How far do you agree? Explain.
NB: Since we know that VQS is the most effective way, we will agree with this statement to " a large extent."

Learning point: The stand is linked to the weighing paragraph AND you must already decide beforehand what is your peferred factor.

SEQ writing techniques III - How the weighing paragraph looks like

2 key things in weighing:
1. The choice of preferred factor MUST match the stand. Hence, you need to pre-decide your factor beforehand. You need to study and prepare!

2. The weighing paragraph consists of:
a. Defining the weighing word
b. Explain how the chosen factor meets the defiition
c. Explain how the other 2 factors are less able to meet the definition.

Model answer for traffic flow essay weighing paragraph:
In conclusion, the most effective method of mangaing traffic flow is the method that has the widest impact by controlling traffic flow throughout Singapore and at any time of the day. The VQS will be able too directly control the number of vehicles on the road by issuing fewer COEs than cars scrapped. By doing this over a few months, the overall car population will decrease and all roads will be free from jams. This will cut down the number of vehicles on all Singapore roads and therefore reduce traffic congestion across Singapore at any one time. However, ERP and Park and Ride can only control traffic at the CBD area and has no impact on traffic flow outside of the CBD area. The ERP system is also operational at only some times and thus it has no impact on taffic flow outside of these times. Hence, the method that can control traffic on all road and at all times would be the VQS.

SEQ writing techniques II - The link between the stand & the weighing paragraph

The stand must agree with the weighing paragraph which is linked to the question asked and the given factor.
Confused? Don't be!

Here is what can be done:

Take this everyday example:
100 Plus is the best canned drink. How far do you agree? Explain.

Step 1: Define "best"
Step 2: Use that definition to decide which is the "best" drink.
Step 3: If you believe the given factor is the "best" drink - your stand will be:
I agree with the statement to a large extent.
If you feel that the given factor is NOT the "best" drink - your stand will be:
I agree with the statement to a small extent.

Step 4: Write 3 paragraphs - Explaining why the given drink and 2 other drinks are good drinks.
Step 5: Write the weighing paragraph which must explain why the drink you have chosen to be the "best" drink is the best based on the criterion you have set for the comparison and why the other 2 drinks based on the criterion are not as good.

NB: Your criterion for comparison could be:
1. Nutrition level
2. Replenishes energy faster
3. Not too sweet

SEQ writing techniques I - How to do weighing

SEQ - How to do weighing.

Weighing requires:
1. Find a criterion to compare all factors.
2. Explain why based on the criterion 1 factor is superior to the other factors.

For example:
Here are 3 drinks:
1. Pokka Green Tea
2. 100 Plus
3. Coca Cola
Explain which of these 3 drinks is the best.
Questioin to chew on: Best in what way?

Here are 3 ways to control traffic flow:
1. VQS
2. ERP
3. Park and Ride
Explain which of these 3 method is the most effective way to control traffic flow.

Here are the steps to weigh well.
Step 1: Define the weighing word - how would you want to define "effective". This will be your criterion for comparison. In what way "effective"? All methods do reduce traffic flow right?


Step 2: Explain how your chosen factor is "effective" based on your definition and why the other 2 factors are not as "effective" based on your definition.

Hint for Homework 2: Traffic Flow Management

You can work on the explanation for your answer to the question and also do the final paragraph on weighing by working through these series of questions. Notice, it offers a factor/point and an explanation that answers the question. Give it a go and see if you can construct a 5 paragraph answer!

Q2. How far is the park and ride scheme the most effective method in controlling traffic flow? Explain your answer

Instructions: Pupils will do self-questioning by asking themselves questions of “What”, “Why” and “How”.
Definition of key terms in the question.
What does “controlling traffic flow” mean?
Ans: Reducing Traffic Congestion.

Factor 1
Point - What is the area licensing scheme?

Explanation How does the area licensing scheme control traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion?
Why does the area licensing scheme control traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion?

Factor 2
Point - What is Electronic Road Pricing?
Explanation How does the Electronic Road Pricing control traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion?
Why does the Electronic Road Pricing control traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion?

Factor 3
Point - What is the Park and Ride Scheme?

ExplanationHow does the Park and Ride Scheme control traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion?
Why does the Park and Ride Scheme control traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion?

Factor 4
Point - What is the Vehicle Quota Scheme?
ExplanationHow does the Vehicle Quota Scheme control traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion?
Why does the Vehicle Quota Scheme control traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion?

Weighing paragraph
Compare all 4 methods, which approach is the most effective and why? 2 Hints:
1. On one hand, explain which method will actually reduce the actual number of vehicles throughout Singapore. Explain how this happens.
2. On the other hand, explain which methods tend to only reduce traffic flow in some parts of the island but not others?