Framework for Developing Writing Skills (Economics)

Framework for Creating Structure in Writing

(Joyce Van Tassel-Baska (2008), Alternative Assessments: with the Gifted and Talented Students)

Emphasizing Multiple Perspectives: Reasoning about a Situation or Event

What is the situation?

Who are the

stakeholders?

What is the point of view

of each stakeholder?

What are the assumptions

of each group?

What are the implications

of these views?

Note: The implications should be viewed also in terms of current and future time period. This model will
help the mind frame perspectives clearly and neatly before essay writing. E.g. consumer, producer, govt.

Developing Written Arguments: The Hamburger Model for Persuasive Writing

Introduction
(State an opinion)

Elaboration
Elaboration Elaboration

Reason Reason Reason

Elaboration Elaboration
Elaboration

Conclusion

Note: The Hamburger Model sets a basic guideline on how essays can possibly be written. The depth and
quality of analysis (from the bubbles ‘Reason’ and ‘Elaboration’ can be seen on the next page.

Prepared and adapted by Goh Soon Hoe (2003-08) – version 3 1

National Junior College, Humanities Department (Economics)
 Framework for Developing Writing Skills (Economics)

Suggested Framework for Demonstrating Analysis using Cause-Effect Model

Adaptation: Hilda Taba Model of Cause and Effect Analysis

Step 1: Identify Cause and Effect

Cause Effect

Step 2: Establish the Theory to be Used

Cause Concept Effect

Concept

Step 3: Explicit awareness of Assumptions & Applications to Context

Cause Concept Effect

Concept
assumptions assumptions / assumptions /
applications applications

- Step 1 and 2 will provide evidence of content knowledge (Level 1)

- Step 2 will provide evidence of strong use of economic theory if assumptions
are clearly stated with a strong structure/framework established (Level 2)
- Step 3 will provide evidence of Application to the context and how
cause-effect may change as a result (Level 3)

How do I know what to Evaluate?

Step 4: Establishing validity of assumptions and reviewing applications

Cause Concept Effect

Concept
assumptions assumptions /
Broken assumptions /
applications applications
New
Concept Effect

New assumptions or
application in special context

- Step 4 will provide hints or avenues (by breaking the arrows) where you can start
evaluating (E1). In order to achieve E2, you will need to elaborate on your
evaluations. It has to be substantial so that the NEW reality becomes inevitable.
- Sometimes, evaluation is attempted by re-examining the initial root cause!

Prepared and adapted by Goh Soon Hoe (2003-08) – version 3 2

National Junior College, Humanities Department (Economics)
 Framework for Developing Writing Skills (Economics)

Is Analysis so Neat in Reality?

There is no reason why Cause and Effect can be or should be a 1-1 link. There are
always possibilities of multiple causal-effect links.

Effect 1 Cause 1
Cause
Effect

Effect 2 Cause 2

becomes
Effect 1 Cause Effect 3
Cause

Effect 2

Example to Apply the Framework used for Demonstrating Analysis and Evaluation

Analyse what happens to the Demand for Pepsi when Price of Coke falls (Note: what if
the question changes to ‘Analyse what happens the Market for Pepsi when the Price
of Coke falls?)

Commonly observed example of Poor / Weak Analysis (even though there is common
sense and the answer is correct).

When the price of Coke falls, the demand for Pepsi will fall.

Why is this candidate not given full credit in terms of Level marking?

Prepared and adapted by Goh Soon Hoe (2003-08) – version 3 3

National Junior College, Humanities Department (Economics)
 Framework for Developing Writing Skills (Economics)

Recall the 4 Steps

Cause Concept Effect

Concept
assumptions assumptions /
Broken assumptions /
applications applications
New
Concept Effect

New assumptions or
application in special context

QD of Demand of
P coke ↓
Coke ↑ - Substitutes in Pepsi ↓
consumption (Define)
- Normal Good P
P
- Close substitutes (XED
- Obeys Law of Demand
D is large +ve number) D0
D1
Q Q
- ceteris paribus

Once the cause-effect link is established grounded in theory and explicit

assumptions and applications made, it becomes much easier to establish what can
possibly be used as evaluation. Consider, should we break the following
assumptions or application? (P/S: It has to be meaningful and realistic)
- Coke and/or Pepsi as inferior goods?
- Coke and/or Pepsi as exceptional demand (i.e. upward sloping DD curves)?
- Coke and Pepsi are not substitutes? (In what special circumstances?)
- Coke and Pepsi are not close substitutes (this however only effects magnitude of
shift)
- Of course the very cliché assumption of ceteris paribus. As the entire economic
analysis is based on ‘all else held constant’. Otherwise the economic theory
becomes quite meaningless.
Once we break one of the ‘arrows’, the cause and effect link no longer holds
and we move into an alternative end-effect.

Consider
What if the reason for
the ↓P Coke is due to a
fall in Demand for
Coke (due to a health
scare on Coke only).
Being substitutes in
consumption, the
Demand for Pepsi
actually INCREASES!

Prepared and adapted by Goh Soon Hoe (2003-08) – version 3 4

National Junior College, Humanities Department (Economics)
 Framework for Developing Writing Skills (Economics)

Try out using this Framework of Cause and Effect for Demonstrating
Analysis and Evaluation for the following Question.

Discuss the extent to which problems are likely to result from an

appreciation of Singapore’s exchange rate. [15] 2006 GCE’A’ Level

Examiners’ Comments
- The question allowed candidates the opportunity to use their knowledge of appropriate economic
analysis, such as the Marshall-Lerner condition, to explain and discuss whether an appreciation
might or might not lead to problems for the Singapore economy. These answers showed very
clear understanding of the benefits for a small island economy of a controlled appreciation in
terms of the cost implications for imported goods. Most referred to at least two KPIs and links
were made to an appreciating currency. Evaluative comments were less in evidence but the
better candidates did discuss the potential problems within the context of the Singaporean
economy.
- Mid-range answers tended to cover similar ground but they lacked depth of understanding or
were more descriptive in nature.
- Weak answers simply made a few unexplained statements about the possible impact of an
appreciation of the currency. These were usually assertions that export prices would rise and
hence that there would be an ensuing balance of payments deficit. These answers were not
explained or developed, nor were they applied to the Singapore case.

Prepared and adapted by Goh Soon Hoe (2003-08) – version 3 5

National Junior College, Humanities Department (Economics)