GUIDE TO EVALUATION

Perspective
What stand does the writer take? What is the writers attitude?
You should identify the writers perspectives in your focus paragraph and when you subsequently discuss the writers ideas.

The Denitive Application Question

Positive stance Goh makes a case for..

To make a case for is to argue for or recommend something

Negative stance Cutter dismisses..

To dismiss is to disregard or to treat as unwrothy / wrong

Goh proposes that we should..

To propose for something is to suggest an action or initiative

Cutter undermines the need for..

To undermine is to reduce or diminish in signi cance

Goh propounds the idea that..

To propound something is to put forward an idea or theory

Cutter rejects the notion that..

To reject a concept is to be against its implementation or validity

Goh embraces the phenomena of..

To embrace something is to accept it strongly

Cutter has qualms about..

This means to be doubtful of or to question a belief or argument

Gohs idealisation of..

To idealise is to represent as perfect or near-perfect

Cutters denouncement of..

To denounce is to condemn or show strong disapproval

Goh takes a moderate / reasoned approach to..

A moderate or reasoned approach is usually logical and neutral

Cutter takes a polemical / radical standpoint on..

A polemical or radical view is extreme, one-sided and intense

argues, asserts, believes, claims, posits, postulates, puts forward, supposes that
Neutral, less evaluative verbs that you can use

Argumentation
How does the writer argue his case? How valid, convincing or balanced is it?
You should identify, challenge or reinforce one of the writers views / ideas in every body paragraph.

Reinforce Goh eectively asserts that..

A more subtle judgement of a writers argument

Challenge Cutter mistakenly claims that..

An unsubtle means of showing that you disagree

Goh astutely argues that..

A less subtle judgement of a writers argument

Cutter myopically argues that..

A harsh indictment of a writers stand as lacking insight or foresight

Goh acknowledges that..

A writers argument should be supported by apt considerations

Cutter fails to take into account..

Point out an area the writer does not address (that the other does)

..thus presenting a more balanced argument

Balance is a key measure of a thesiss strength

..is based on the singular assumption that

A writer may not have adequately considered other factors / views

Goh refutes the claim that..

A writer may address the claims made in the other passage or by others

Cutter neglects the issue of..

A writer may miss a pertinent consideration that would alter his thesis

Goh recognises the fact that..

A useful phrase to frame the writers idea as valid and applicable

Cutter makes the false assumption that..

The basis of a writers argument may be fallacious or just.. wrong

Goh is measured in his assertion that..

To be measured is to be carefully considered and weighted

Cutter exaggerates the seriousness of..

A writer may overstate consequences to make his point

Gohs case is backed by concrete evidence..

Strength of a writers arguments is determined by substantiation

Cutters proposition is not substantiated by..

Arguments may lack concrete evidence or just elaboration

While there is some truth to Gohs claims..

A useful phrase to establish balance - agreeing to some extent

While Cutter explores several valid points..

A useful phrase to establish balance - agreeing to some extent

Application
How relevant are the writers arguments to your context?
You should assess, where required, how relevant or re ective the writers views / ideas are to your society in every paragraph.

Relevant / re ective Gohs argument is more relevant to..

Explicitly analyse the applicability of the writers ideas

Not relevant / re ective Cutters thesis is less applicable to..

Explicitly analyse the applicability of the writers ideas

Gohs supposition is well-evidenced in..

Evaluate your context to show the relevance of the claim

My context contradicts Cutters belief..

Evaluate your context to show the irrelevance of the claim

The cogency of Gohs claim is evinced by..

Present examples to show the relevance of the claim

Cutters claim is inappropriate to Singapore..

Justify why you think the writers claim is not applicable

Gohs stand is reinforced by..

Present examples that further or strengthen the writers thesis

Cutters stand is undermined by..

Use examples to argue against the writers thesis

..lends credence to Gohs assertion

Present examples that further or strengthen the writers thesis

Cutters claim is questionable in light of..

Use examples to argue against the writers thesis

..is a common sight / practice .. is prevalent / abundant / highly evident there is a shared belief that..
Evaluate your context by identifying trends, patterns and commonalities

Responding to an AQ
Requirements, Evaluation, Explanation and Coherence

Focus Paragraph EX Summarise perspectives or arguments FS Answer all questions (your stand) EV Justify your stand EV Assess your society Body Paragraphs EX Refer to one idea from the passage R Answer the question EV Provide ample, detailed examples EV Assess your society EV Assess the authors ideas R Tie your elaboration and evidence to your stand Conclusion C Reiterate your stand to all the questions EV Evaluate your context with reference to stand