Social

Studies SBQ
Before doing anything
1. 2. 3. Highlight the issue (What is the entire SBQ about?) Look at the questions and identify the 5 types of questions (as listed below). Look at the sources and determine whether they are for or against the issue. a. A source can never be neutral, it might be an opinion from someone not involved in the issue but may still be slanted to a certain side (May support one side) 4. Start the questions.

Type 1: Inference
1. For pure inference question, basically find 2 inferences and remember to state the evidence from the Source. a. The source might not have a purpose or tone, especially if there is no provenance (rare). b. Answer the question in the opening statement

Type 2: Comparison
2. L1: Start by comparing the provenance. [L1/1] a. Similarity: Source A and B are similar as both of them are written sources. b. Difference: Source A and B are different as Source A is an interview whereas Source B is a report/article. c. Some e.g. of Source types: Text, picture, interview, newspaper article, cartoon, photograph. L2: Next, do false matching. [L2/2] [Differences only] a. Sources A and B are different as Source A says _______________ but Source B doesnt. L3: Next do content. [L3/4-5] a. Similarity: Find common criterion. i. Common Criterion is basically the message of the Source (what is the Source all about?) ii. Common Criterion has something to do with the issue. iii. Common Criterion must match the 2 sources. b. Difference: Use the common criterion from the similarity. i. Use Common Criterion and branch out to find the different aspects of the Common Criterion. ii. E.g. Both Sources A and B talk about discrimination against Tamils, but they are different as both sourcesm deal with different forms of discrimination. iii. Differences between sources may not necessary have common criterion. If there isnt, briefly describe what the 2 sources say and quote evidence, but there must be a clear difference. Positive Negative L4: Lastly, do purpose/tone. [L4/6-7] Optimistic pessimistic a. Purpose: Impact of the source on the readers/audience, which might prompt the Supportive Against readers to do something. Base it on provenance! Formal Informal b. Tone: Reflects the emotions/feelings of the author and how he/she views a Neutral One-Sided particular issue. Offensive Defensive c. Words to describe tone: Sensionalizing Downplaying

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Type 3: Reliability
N.B. Reliability MUST use provenance!. N.B.2: Special Qns: The 2 sources are diff. Does it mean one of them is wrong? 6. L1: Yes/No, based on Provenance/typicality a. Yes: Answer question in opening statement. Source is reliable as it is a historical account / is a recount from a war veteran who has participated in the war, thus he should know what he is saying. b. Yes: Source A is very reliable as it is from a Tamil Tiger who is supporting the Sinhalese. [LORMS may be higher] c. No: SourceA is not reliable as the comment is made by one source. It does not represent other views on the issue. 7. L3: Yes and No, supported by content. a. Yes, the source proves that b. No, it does not prove that as c. (Prejudice make conclusion based on limited information, Discrimination prejudice in action, Bias one-sided, Propaganda influence people to support the cause)

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Type 4: Utility
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L5: Yes and No, cross reference with other sources: a. Yes, Source A is reliable/not reliable as it is supported/contradicted by Source B. b. Source A says evidence and Source B says evidence. c. Since both sources talk about __________, thus Source A is reliable.

L1: Yes/No, based on Provenance/typicality [L1/1] a. Yes: Answer question in opening statement. Source is useful as it is a historical account / opinion of a renowned b. No: Source A is not useful as it is the view of one person, thus it is not representative and may not be reliable. 10. L2: Yes/No, supported by content. [L2/3-4] a. Yes, the source is useful as briefly describe what the Source says b. No, the source is useful as what the sources does not tell you c. (Prejudice make conclusion based on limited information, Discrimination prejudice in action, Bias one-sided, Propaganda influence people to support the cause) 11. L3: Yes and No, cross reference with other sources: [L3/5-6] a. Yes, Source A is useful/not useful as it is supported/contradicted by Source B. b. Source A says evidence and Source B says evidence. c. Since both sources talk about __________, thus Source A is not useful. 12. L4: Yes, because it provided a balance view. [L4/7] a. E.g. Despite talking about the advantages of having this system, it also shows the weakness of it.

Type 5: Judgment
E.g. Study all Sources. How far you agree that Iraq is to be blamed for the Iraq-Kuwait conflict? EYA. [7m] N.B. The Judgment question use all the answers from the questions before, thus must do. 13. L1: State the sources. [L2/3] a. Sources A, B and E agree that Iraq is to blamed for the Iraq Kuwait Conflict. b. Sources C, B and D disagree that Iraq is to be blamed for the Iraq Kuwait Conflict. c. A source can both agree and disagree, but the explanation have to be different. [Ref. L2] 14. L2: Explains the sources (why they are blamed) (1 agree/1 disagree). [L2/4-7] a. Source A agree that Iraq is to blamed for the Iraq Kuwait Conflict as Source A says evidence. Therefore, _____________ (explains why the source agree) b. Source B disagree that Iraq is to blamed for the Iraq Kuwait Conflict as Source B says evidence. Therefore, _____________ (explains why the source disagree) c. As long as 1 source from each side is correct, you get the full marks!!!

Social Studies Structured Essay Question Skills

Basic Revision
1. Identify whether the question is a factor or judgment. a. You can refer to 2(a), 3(a) or 4(a) to identify. 2. Plan your answer. [5min] a. Factor: Given Factor + 2 other factors, 4 paragraphs b. Judgment: 2 factors for each side (or 1+2, 2+1), 3 paragraphs c. Judgment in Factor form: Just explain all 3 factors to get L5/11, 4 paragraphs. 3. Write your answer. a. Dont be too detailed, just 1/3 page per factor will do. b. Attempt to at least state examples to support your description. c. Start your explanation with therefore, _________________ and link it to the issue. d. Dont spend too much time. 20min for 1 question recommended; 25min at most.