GP Guide to Writing

Essays
Contributed by Minh Nhat Nguyen, James Lao and Chang Si Yuan

Table of Contents
What is GP all
about?..................................................................................................................... 1
Picking a Topic to
Mug.................................................................................................................... 3
Picking a
Question…...................................................................................................................... 3
Essay Structure….....................................................................................................................4
Writing the Introduction…..........................................................................................................6
Argumentation
101......................................................................................................................... 7
Planning
Matters........................................................................................................................... 13
Language
Matters......................................................................................................................... 16
......................................................................................................................
Common Errors1 18

1
Added 23 May by James Lao and Chang Si Yuan

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 1 What is GP all about?
The Need To Show The Probable Truth
GP is not much different from any other subject. Maths, Physics Econs and Chem all devote
a massive amount of their marks to showing your working. The only real difference is that,
due to the complexity and range of its issues, it’s more subjective. Students are not
expected to put out an accurate, objective assessment of complex geopolitical, scientific or
social issues.

Instead, in GP, you don’t prove the absolute truth, only the probable truth, i.e. a focus on
validity and accuracy. To score requires the fulfilment of both conditions.

Validity The point is backed up by (legitimate) evidence

Accuracy There is a clear logical link made in the point

Point of Error! Most students focus on the concept of truth, wherein they spam
examples that are individually true in the hopes that one true point after another will
prove something. But that’s not how you’re supposed to argue probable truth.
You need to also provide a clear logical train explaining how the point makes
sense, which is equivalent of showing one’s working.

Essays in KS Bull are awarded points not because they have obscure or potent
examples, but because their logic is well-elaborated and coherent, making their points
well justified.

This is a variation of a structure most of you are probably familiar with but (some) misunderstand,
the PEEEL structure.

Point Link between your examples and your elaboration to your

overarching argument which should take the form of a clear
topic sentence that demonstrates an aspect of your
argument
Example An instance of the point you are making in reality to show it
exists. This makes your point accurate.

Point of Error! No matter how obvious your evidence is,

spamming evidence does not explain your logic.

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Evaluation A more thorough step-by-step explanation of how your point
holds
Elaboration How your evidence proves this logic does exist in the real world

Link Tie up everything and remind your reader of the point you're
trying to make
2 Picking A Topic To Study
Media arguments are largely based off specific content knowledge, knowledge of
media channels and specific events and case studies. Generally the most
straightforward arguments (i.e. censorship), but sometimes requires you to argue
through the functions of the media.

Politics: Unless you actually know Politics thoroughly beforehand, it’s generally not
recommended to attempt to study Politics, given the degree of nuance usually required
for Politics questions.

Science, Technology and Maths are generally straightforward with the variety of
its questions, and evidence is generally accessible. Generally either content-based
questions or questions that ask about nature of science (i.e. purpose of science), or
ethics.

Arts generally require both good conceptual knowledge and good case study
knowledge for the specific question. Most arguments are scope-heavy and require
you to contextualise ideas, requiring significant understanding to make a coherent
and nuanced argument.

Social Issues generally rely on trend-based arguments, because there’s not

enough evidence to prove every social trend that goes around. Effective topic if
you don’t like remembering facts, and also with more emphasis on recent
events.

Point of Error!
Most people assume the best way to pick a topic is to pick one that you have the most
knowledge about. That’s not necessarily true. You can have a lot of content
knowledge about a field but still be incapable of following the required style of thought
in that topic. Pick a topic that fits your style of writing and thought and then read up on
it. The facts you understand, you’ll be able to integrate into your essay more easily.

3 Picking A Question
Topic - The field of knowledge the question asks about

Content knowledge - How much specific content knowledge is required

Special Parameters - What certain parameters restrict your answer to

Weighing of Points - How the question asks to weigh the points made

Interest - How interesting the possible points are. Easier questions have less
room for manipulation and nuance, so your essay may start to irritate the examiner
very quickly.
 4 Essay Structures
The Opposing Arguments Method
Also known as the Antithesis/Thesis structure. It first examines the strongest
argument(s) for the opposing side to your stand but also highlights what is
wrong with these points

Introduction

Opposing View/ What important argument is being used to deny your

Alternative View
1 stand? Why is it such an important stand to bring out?

Opposing View/ Evidence to suggest to give strength to this opposing point

Alternative View
2

Rebuttal To OVs What is wrong about the OV/AV despite its merit?

Supporting Point What critical point supports your stand? Can you come up
1 with a topic statement for the point?

Why does the point merit your consideration to your

Supporting Point
thesis statement?
2
What evidence can you bring out to show the truth of your
point?
Conclusion Is there an interesting example/story that illustrates the
strength of your stand on the question? OR What can be the
long term consequences if your stand is not supported?
 The Critical/Sufficient Arguments Method
This method examines why a claim made by the essay question is a valid one but is
not a sufficient criterion to fulfill the entire claim made in the essay question.

Introduction

Critical Point 1 Why is this point critical to support the claim in the essay question?

Evidence to show that this is an essential point

Critical Point 2

Insufficient Point What are CPs lacking despite being critical points? What other
1 factors must come in along with CPs to deal with the claim of the
essay question?

What other factor must CP1 have to complete the

Insufficient Point
statement? (Hence making it insufficient as a point)
2
● Cannot be discussed without CPs to avoid a ‘hijack’

Conclusion Is there an interesting example/story that illustrates the

strength of your stand on the question? OR What can be the
long term consequences if your stand is not supported?
5 Writing The Introduction
Structure

Prime example demonstrating points (Hook)

Demonstrate and explain ideas behind points and link to argument

Explicitly state ideas as topic sentences

Thesis Statement

The first few sentences are technically not important content-wise, but the essay reader’s
impression of your essay will be established very quickly, and since GP grades can be very
subjective this could greatly affect your score. As much as possible, avoid cliché and
meaningless sentences at the start. Some methods include:

● A straightforward and broad description of the issue at hand and its context.
● Establishing a definable at the very beginning. Best used for contentious topics
with contestable definitions (i.e. “modern art”)
● A short and interesting two-sentence anecdote or incident which demonstrates
the issue at hand.

Pretty soon, you’ll have to get to your points. If you started off well, it should be easy to
transition to your thesis and your points without awkwardness. Thesis first, then points.
Here are some things to note about the thesis and points:

● Your stand needs to be clear and apparent. Acknowledge the opposing point but
stand firm on your own ground.
● Clearly state what arguments you will be expressing in your topic sentences later
on
● Make points as short and as clear as possible.
6 Argumentation 101
The arguments. This is the meat of the essay, what makes up the majority of your
essay scores. With it being so significant, it is only natural that most of the biggest
and most important errors appear here.

1 Using relevant example or statistics and assuming automatic validity

2 Using common assertions/opinions and assuming them to be true

3 Assumptions without evidence

4 Spamming points in the hope of making an argument valid

Error Analysis

Reference Paragraph

Point In most cases, investing in leading a healthy lifestyle is often a much more
cost-effective method to ensure good health than investing in medicinal
curative technology.

Evidence The American Heart Association estimates upwards of $900 billion is spent
on cardiovascular disease treatment, which cause the majority of deaths
worldwide. It has stated that “preventive care can be cost-effective in the
long term.” and that with regards to preventative lifestyle measures, “costs
are negligible” as compared to that of treating cardiac arrests after they
occur.

Elaboration This shows that in a majority of cases, lifestyle not only plays a key role in
ensuring good health, but investments in preventative lifestyle measures
are much more cost-effective than investments in medical intervention
cures,
Evaluation making lifestyle often a much more desirable route to pursue with regards
to ensuring good health as compared to medical intervention. This means
that on an individual level, a healthy lifestyle is a better investment than
medicinal intervention.
Link This shows that on an individual level, lifestyle should be treated as
more effective in ensuring good health rather than medicine.
Using relevant example and assuming automatic validity

Point In most cases, investing in leading a healthy lifestyle is often a much more
cost-effective method to ensure good health than investing in medicinal
curative technology

Evidence The American Heart Association estimates upwards of $900 billion is spent
on cardiovascular disease treatment, which cause the majority of deaths
worldwide. It has stated that “preventive care can be cost-effective in the
long term.” and that with regards to preventative lifestyle measures, “costs
are negligible” as compared to that of treating cardiac arrests after they
occur.

Link This shows that on an individual level, lifestyle should be treated as

more effective in ensuring good health rather than medicine.

● The difference between the two is that this one doesn’t really show how lifestyle is
more important than medicine. You have a point and example that both separately
demonstrate lifestyle is more cost-effective, but it’s never explained how cost
effectiveness shown in the example demonstrates that lifestyle is the overall more
effective method in ensuring good health - because it is never explained how
your evidence proves your point, your evidence also loses its relevance,
making your paragraph kind of moot entirely.
There’s no link between what the example demonstrates (lifestyle is more cost-effective)
and how it answers the question (lifestyle is more important than medicine). Especially in
examples where statistics are used, the logic may already be apparent, but you have to
really show your working in order for the examiner to know that you actually
understand your own point.
 ●
Assertion/ Opinions ≠ True

Point In most cases, investing in leading a healthy lifestyle is often a much more
cost-effective method to ensure good health than investing in medicinal
curative technology

Example In a survey done by the American Heart Association, the

majority of United States citizens agreed that ensuring a
healthy lifestyle is more cost-effective than spending
money on medical cardiovascular treatments.

Elaboration This shows that in a majority of cases, lifestyle not only plays a key role in
ensuring good health, but investments in preventative lifestyle measures
are much more cost-effective than investments in medical intervention
cures,
Evaluation making lifestyle often a much more desirable route to pursue with regards
to ensuring good health as compared to medical intervention. This means
that on an individual level, a healthy lifestyle is a better investment than
medicinal intervention.

Link This shows that on an individual level, lifestyle should be treated as

more effective in ensuring good health rather than medicine.

Opinions by themselves don’t really say anything unless backed up by solid reasoning as to
how the opinions directly support the point. Generally, this kind of evidence should be
avoided unless:
● The question specifically requires stating an opinion
● The opinion is stated as being from established experts with relevant
knowledge in the field

If you’d put “the majority of cardiologists agreed that ensuring a healthy lifestyle is more
cost- effective”, then the evidence would be pretty solid, because a cardiologist would
know the relevant information to make a sound decision, while the average citizen
might not.
Assumption Without Evidence

Point In most cases, investing in leading a healthy lifestyle is often a much more
cost-effective method to ensure good health than investing in medicinal
curative technology

Example The American Heart Association estimates upwards of $900billion is spent

on cardiovascular disease treatment, which cause the majority of deaths
worldwide.

Elaboration As cardiovascular diseases are generally more easily

prevented by good lifestyle habits, this means that in a majority of
cases, lifestyle not only plays a key role in ensuring good health, but investments
in preventative lifestyle measures are much more cost-effective than
investments in medical intervention cures,

Evaluation making lifestyle often a much more desirable route to pursue with regards
to ensuring good health as compared to medical intervention. This means
that on an individual level, a healthy lifestyle is a better investment than
medicinal intervention.

Link This shows that on an individual level, lifestyle should be treated as

more effective in ensuring good health rather than medicine.

Here, you are introducing a new claim that was not directly logically derived from another
claim, so you have to prove the new completely unjustified claim.
Spamming points

Generally, multiple examples to say the same thing will not make the point any
more logical or stronger than just using one adequate example.
● If it’s a bunch of bad examples, the examples won’t be relevant anyway. If it’s a
bunch of good examples, you’ll only need one good example anyway.

Point In most cases, investing in leading a healthy lifestyle is often a much more cost-
effective method to ensure good health than investing in medicinal curative
technology.

Example The American Heart Association estimates upwards of $900billion is spent on

cardiovascular disease treatment, which cause the majority of deaths
worldwide. It has stated that “preventive care can be cost-effective in the long
term.” and that with regards to preventative lifestyle measures, “costs are
negligible” as compared to that of treating cardiac arrests after they occur.

Example A healthy lifestyle is also the most accessible way to ensure

good health, as those living in areas without extensive
medical infrastructure.

Example A healthy lifestyle is a more reliable way to ensure good

health, as the benefits of a good lifestyle have been
proven to work for much longer than the benefits of
medical technology.
Link Hence, this shows that on an individual level, lifestyle should be treated as
more effective in ensuring good health rather than medicine.

You introduced a bunch of points that could by themselves have been a good idea, and but
since you didn’t actually explain or prove any of them you just wasted a whole bunch of
points.

Only use multiple examples in the same paragraph if:

● You need to introduce more than one claim so that your point makes sense.
○ For example, the sample above made two claims which had to be
substantiated: “cardiovascular diseases are a major health issue faced by
most people” and that “cardiovascular issues can be effectively prevented by
lifestyle
 choices with less cost to the individual”. These claims were needed to prove
the point made.
● The claim you’re making sounds like too much of a logical stretch or
some very very strange to the point where it needs verification
○ For example, if you logically reach the very unusual/controversial
conclusion
that Mexico should pay for the wall on the US border, then just to be safe
you should probably state a case where a border wall paid for by the
immigrant’s source country has actually worked, just to show that the
conclusion you arrived at is still logically sound and that you’re not just
making up and twisting arguments.
To clarify, small general assertions without proof are perfectly fine, as long as you have a
solid case or example that demonstrates your overall point. If not, the point itself
remains a very big unproven assertion. Do plan out your essay so this doesn’t happen.
Don’t assume the examiner will accept your point because you have
the right example.
7 Planning Matters
GP requires planning and linking of overall points on an essay-wide level. There should
generally be coherent linking and conciliation of points.

Stand While lifestyle remains a more important key in the pursuit of good health,
medicine is playing an increasing role in helping humans improve their
health beyond what was once possible through lifestyle alone.

Point 1: Obviously, advances in medicinal technology have greatly expanded Man’s

Counter ability to ensure his health beyond what his lifestyle could achieve by dealing
argument with many previously unpreventable ailments

Point 2 However, in most cases, investing in leading a healthy lifestyle is still a much
more cost-effective method to ensure good health than investing in medicinal
curative technology.

Point 3 A healthy lifestyle is also the most accessible way to ensure good health.

Point 4 A healthy lifestyle is a more reliable way to ensure good health.

Point 5 As the field of medical technology advances, however, medicine could possibly
radically alter the human form to the point where medicine could push and
redefine the very limits of “good health”.

The idea here is to make your overall argument consider all possible angles to form a
coherent picture based on what the question asks. None of these points ever directly go
against the other, because they’re all showing unique concepts of the same stand.

Points of Error!
Common errors made include:

1 Using relevant example or statistics and assuming automatic validity

2 Using common assertions/opinions and assuming them to be true

Contradictory points
Due to not having a comprehensive overarching argument to accommodate nuance, some
essays have points that are entirely devoted to contradicting each other.

Stand I believe books still have some roles in modern society.

Point 1 The book has no place in modern society, as it has been rendered
obsolete by other forms of media

Point 2 However, books still have uses in modern society

Point 3 The book, however, has declined in use in modern society, diminishing its
role

Point 4 However, books in other forms have began to serve other uses

Conclusion Books have no place in society.

Each point by itself would be valid, however because the writer displays each
point as absolute fact and they make claims that directly go against
each other, the points just all seem to cancel each other out. You also should
generally not make a weak point/ counterargument to be torn down to support your
stand, your stand should instead support all your logical points.

If your points contradict your stand, then your points are not the problem, your stand is.

Repeated points

Basically examples which are different iterations of the same point (social, economic,
political, vitamins, supplements, surgery) This is a very popular way to argue, but compared
to arguing conceptually, it’s not so good.

Point 1 An active lifestyle is important in maintaining cardiovascular health.

Point 2 Diet is important in ensuring nutritional balance.

Point 3 Supplements help ensure good health by boosting one’s immune system

Point 4 Vaccinations prevent otherwise unpreventable diseases, hence being crucial

 in ensuring good health

Point 5 Complex surgical procedures help treat ailments that would otherwise
be untreatable

Conclusion Medicine is more important than lifestyle in ensuring good health.

This proves that each part of the larger concept (of medicine helping ensure good
health) is true, but:
● It doesn’t necessarily/directly prove the larger concept is true. For
example, if a
question asks you to question whether medicine is effective today, arguing that
“supplements can provide a wide variety of nutrients that can benefit our
health”, and then going on to elaborate on this point proves that supplements
are effective in treating our health, but just because supplements, which are a
kind of medicine, are effective, doesn’t mean that medicine as a whole is
effective, which is the point of the question.

● This approach doesn’t really prove anything new with each

point, because you’re basically reiterating the same point over and over again.
For example, if you argue in three paragraphs that “magazines”, “comic books”
and “medical journals” are useful, and since they are all “books”, books are useful
in today’s world, you are essentially making one argument that since
“books are still widely used in different contexts in today’s world, books remain
relevant in our modern world”.

● You narrow yourself to arguing this particular point without considering

wider implications and directly addressing the question. If you
argue that studying history is irrelevant because “the qualifications and skills you get
from learning history are not as useful as those you can obtain from learning STEM”
and proceed to base your arguments about the practicality of studying history, you
miss an entirely new dimension of how the nature of history as unreliable makes it
pointless entirely. This makes your argument shallow.
 8 Language Matters
Language, of course, is also important. Common crippling language errors that have
led to loss of marks include:

Over This happens when the rough concept of an argument is there,

Generalizatio but the point is phrased in a very absolute way, leading to

an incorrect point.
n
For example, arguing that “the closure of performing arts venues
will result in a destruction in interest for the arts scene in Singapore”.

While it is true that closing performing arts venues can affect the
interest that some may have in Singapore because they feel that
there are no longer spaces for them to publicly perform their art, it
is quite ludicrous to suggest that interest will be destroyed because
there are always other avenues of expression that artists can use
besides traditional performing arts venues. While the point is
discernible, the sweeping statement used over-generalises the
point and ends up conveying an inaccurate point.

Extreme GP is a subject that focuses a lot on the idea of nuancing your

Language point. Similar to how you should avoid agreeing with an extreme
stance, you should also avoid using extreme language in stating
your points.

Most sweeping statements have their roots in this problem,

when legitimate points such as
“nuclear technology should be regulated as they poses a potential risk
for the safety of nations”
can be converted to sweeping points like
“nuclear technology poses a definite extreme threat to the stability
and continuity of our world today and thus must be firmly controlled”

While the first point affords much-needed room for

concession and nuance, the second one, with the usage
of extreme language such as “definite”, “extreme” and “must”
both over-generalises
 the point and removes any room for discussion and
nuance.

Conversatio Many examples exist of conversational/informal language.

One such example includes relying too much on casual
n al /
rhetorical questions to prove a point. Asking the marker
Informal
“After all, when fast and convenient e-books are available, who will
Discussion
read books?”, will depress your language marks and this
rhetorical statement establishes a rhetorical link that the
examiner expects you to concretize.

A better and more formal statement to make would be “The

accessibility of e-books, allowing you to purchase any book from a
store and have it available for you to read instantly, would be more
appealing to a more efficiency-centred modern person than the hassle
involved in retrieving physical books from obscure locations”. It not
only makes the point clearer and gives you more room to input
details, but also makes your essay look more mature.

Padding Using complex/obscure words to give the impression of a

Vocabulary better vocabulary

● If it sounds weird to you, it sounds weird to the examiner
● The point of your essay is to convey a specific argument
clearly and effectively. If there is no need to use
convoluted language, using it will dilute your message.
 9 Common Mistakes
Taken from 2015 Y6 CT1 Teachers’ Remarks

1. Worrying instances of severe misreading of the question leading to failing

marks. The major problem is the ignoring of key terms.
○ E.g. for the question: “Democracy is essential for a country to become a developed
nation. Do you agree?”, ‘essential’ and ‘to become a developed nation’
were routinely ignored to the detriment of the students.
2. Students need to address the question fully, directly and consistently.
○ E.g. For the question: “Freedom of Speech should be a privilege, not an entitlement.
How far do you agree?”, many students treated it as a question on the pros and
cons of freedom of speech without addressing the question directly.
3. Address core issues, tensions and concerns before addressing peripheral
ones. Avoid excessive listing and descriptions.
4. Punctuation like semi-colons, colons and commas were used
indiscriminately at times. Incorrect usage is a sign of weak linguistic ability.
○ Successive misuse has a cumulative effect, are highly distracting and may
dilute
the force of arguments. This may affect language and content marks.
5. Examples are most effective when they are driven by a good grasp of context
(sense of time and place) and function (how it supports an argument
made).
○ Contrast with ‘ornamental’ examples which are used to simply ‘prop up’
assertions made, without qualifying how its relevance to the overall
argument.
6. Students must pay close attention to how keywords relate to one
another within a question. They ought to be decoded and engaged thoroughly.
○ Weaker students assume what the issues ought to be based only the subject
matter covered in the question. The rich premise (or assumptions) inherent in
the given question must never be ignored.
7. Students must plan with a clear thesis in mind. This includes how the
points offered within the body of essay contribute to a decisive and balanced
take on the question.
○ Weaker scripts feature clumsy attempts to demonstrate ‘balance’ by offering
an
opposing view just before a paragraph that was conceding to the
question closes. Appears as if students changed their mind midway
through the essay.
8. Clear topic sentences, or at least sentences with a clear focus, are
essential, preferably near the start of each paragraph.
9. Accurate and apt supporting and illustrative details are essential.
 ○ E.g. students need to refer to specific societies they bring up.
10. Students need to familiarise themselves with the marking
rubrics. This is to ensure that they display the skills that markers are looking out
for.
○ Please read P8-9 of your Introduction to GP package (Year 5). The aims and
objectives and essential skills needed are clearly stated. Cambridge refers to
this document when they mark students’ scripts, in addition to the marking
rubrics.
11. Writing an essay is an act of communication. Students need to keep their
readers in mind. They need to display the following skills so that the reader
can follow the arguments; otherwise, the communication act has failed. Please
display:
○ Legible handwriting.
● Failure to do so may hamper the spirit of assessment. Markers are
NOT able to credit what cannot be read. Write to convince and not to
confuse or distract. A handwritten script works the senses subtly in the
form of providing basic access or appreciation through visual appeal
and comprehension of the text. Be sensitive to the fact that the
assigned markers from Cambridge will not have the same level of
tolerance school tutors may have concerning illegible aspects in
students’ handwriting.
○ Clear topic sentences/focus within each paragraph.
○ Clarity of expression. Students can write clearly without being simplistic.
○ Personal voice means that the marker can see the understanding and
conviction in students’ writing. Do not attempt to obfuscate.
○ Coherence between points, sentences, within paragraphs, and across the entire
essay. Please use appropriate discourse markers.
○ An effective introduction and conclusion.
○ Minimal language errors. Cambridge is very strict with the penalising of
language errors.
● Students should avoid complex sounding vocabulary when they are prone
to making basic subject-verb agreement, spelling and tense errors.
● Student should learn to hedge their views, especially when dealing
with human behaviour which is rarely defined by absolutes.