Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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.
Goh propounds the idea that.. Cutter rejects the notion that..
To propound something is to put forward an idea or theory To reject a concept is to be against its implementation or validity
Goh takes a moderate / reasoned approach to.. Cutter takes a polemical / radical standpoint on..
A moderate or reasoned approach is usually logical and neutral 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 Challenge
..thus presenting a more balanced argument ..is based on the singular assumption that
Balance is a key measure of a thesiss strength A writer may not have adequately considered other factors / views
Goh refutes the claim that.. Cutter neglects the issue of..
A writer may address the claims made in the other passage or by others A writer may miss a pertinent consideration that would alter his thesis
Goh recognises the fact that.. Cutter makes the false assumption that..
A useful phrase to frame the writers idea as valid and applicable The basis of a writers argument may be fallacious or just.. wrong
Goh is measured in his assertion that.. Cutter exaggerates the seriousness of..
To be measured is to be carefully considered and weighted A writer may overstate consequences to make his point
Gohs case is backed by concrete evidence.. Cutters proposition is not substantiated by..
Strength of a writers arguments is determined by substantiation Arguments may lack concrete evidence or just elaboration
While there is some truth to Gohs claims.. While Cutter explores several valid points..
A useful phrase to establish balance - agreeing to some extent 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 reflective the writers views / ideas are to your society in every paragraph.
Gohs argument is more relevant to.. Cutters thesis is less applicable to..
Explicitly analyse the applicability of the writers ideas Explicitly analyse the applicability of the writers ideas
The cogency of Gohs claim is evinced by.. Cutters claim is inappropriate to Singapore..
Present examples to show the relevance of the claim Justify why you think the writers claim is not applicable
Responding to an AQ
Requirements, Evaluation, Explanation and Coherence
Focus Paragraph
Body Paragraphs
Conclusion