Post on 14-Jul-2020
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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…..)
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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)
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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
✓ Short and precise
✓ 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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Topic Sentence
✓ Short and precise
✓ 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
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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
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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
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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
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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”
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Cause Analysis Framework
Explanatory Process:
Root Cause
Phenomenon / Consequence 1
Phenomenon / Consequence 2
Phenomenon / Consequence 3
Leading to the Problem
Conceptualization Involved : ________________________________________________________________
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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)_____________.
32 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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)
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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…..
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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
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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?
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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
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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)
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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**.
39 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
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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
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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)
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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
6. Concluding Sentence
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)_________.
43 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
44 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
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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
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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
6. Concluding Sentence
47 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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)
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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
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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)
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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)
51 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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)
2. Clearly describe the phenomenon change
a. Don’t change/skip step
b. Through logical flow
c. Explanatory (Clearly explain + examples)
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.
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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
53 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
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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.
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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
• 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/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 x B common argument (connector)
A x B common argument (connector)
A
B
\
A x B common argument (connector)
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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
3. Use that conclusion and relate to A and B of your argument
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
2. Use that conclusion and relate to A and B of your argument
Using common
arguments
1. Directly point out and copy the argument provided from
the source
57 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
Constructing Arguments Step 3: 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)
58 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
So as to make sure 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:
3. Time-to-time (Phenomenon 1 should happen before Phenomenon 2)
4. Clearly describe the phenomenon change
a. Don’t change/skip step
b. Through logical flow
c. Explanatory (Clearly explain + examples)
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.
59 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
60 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
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)________.
61 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
62 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
63 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
64 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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)
65 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
66 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
4 + 5 – 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)________.
Steps:
1. Topic Sentence
2. Adapt information from the source
3. Elaboration + Full Explanation (Connect the relationship)
4. Raise examples to support your view
5. Concluding Sentence
Constructing Argument Step 1: 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/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 x B common argument (connector)
A x B common argument (connector)
A
B
\
A x B common argument (connector)
67 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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)
6. Use that conclusion and relate to A and B of your argument
Using causation 4. Quote the content from the source
5. Explain the casual relationship from the content and draw
up a conclusion
6. Use that conclusion and relate to A and B of your argument
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
4. Use that conclusion and relate to A and B of your argument
Using common
arguments
2. Directly point out and copy the argument provided from
the source
68 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
Constructing Arguments Step 3: 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)
69 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
So as to make sure 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:
5. Time-to-time (Phenomenon 1 should happen before Phenomenon 2)
6. Clearly describe the phenomenon change
a. Don’t change/skip step
b. Through logical flow
c. Explanatory (Clearly explain + examples)
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.
70 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
71 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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)___________.
72 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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 x B common argument (connector)
A
B
\
A x B common argument (connector)
A
\
73 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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.
74 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
\
A x B common argument (connector)
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
75 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
76 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
77 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
78 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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
79 © LS Hub S4 大考精讀
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 >_<
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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
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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)
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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
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Achieving 5**
Content
• 8 marks questions, you should include at least 3 pairs of stakeholders
• 10 marks questions, you should include at least 4 pairs of stakeholders
• 12 marks questions, you should include at least 5 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
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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)_____.
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Firstly, ___(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)____.
Secondly, ___(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)____.
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)____.
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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
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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……
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• 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
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• 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
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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
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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)_____.
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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)_____.
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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
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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
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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
9. Concluding Sentence
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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
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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
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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)
2. Argument 2 (More good than harm)
3. Argument 3 (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)
2. Argument 2 (Aspect 2 – Good points
+ harm points + comparison which
one is better)
3. Argument 3 (Aspect 3 – Good points
+ harm points + comparison which
one is better)
4. Argument 4 (Aspect 4 – Good points
+ harm points + comparison which
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