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SingaporeGeneral PaperQuick questions
The Argumentative Essay
Quick questions on Crafting a thesis and stand explained: H1 General Paper
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is unpack the key words first?Show answer
Every question hides its demands in a few load-bearing words. Before planning, identify and define them:
What is make the thesis arguable, not obvious?Show answer
A claim that no reasonable person would dispute is not a thesis. "Pollution is bad" cannot be argued. "Economic growth should take priority over environmental protection in developing economies" can, because a thoughtful person could disagree. If you cannot imagine an intelligent opponent, sharpen the claim until you can.
What is let the thesis control the essay?Show answer
A good thesis is a map. Each body paragraph should defend one part of it, and you should be able to trace every paragraph back to the stand. If a paragraph does not advance or qualify the thesis, it does not belong. This is why the thesis is written before the body: it is the spine that keeps a discursive essay from wandering.
What is a thesis that is a fact, not a claim?Show answer
"Social media is widespread" cannot be argued. Make the stand contestable.
What is q1?Show answer
Identify the directive and one key scope word in: "Is the freedom of the individual always more important than the good of society?" [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Rewrite the un-arguable claim "The arts are valuable" into a contestable thesis. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why a qualified thesis scores higher than a one-sided one. [3 marks]
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