7 Steps to the writing of an AQ

Step 1: Reference the text

In this step, refer to an argument from the passage. Such an argument should be a point of view, not a fact.
You may quote, or paraphrase the passage. Quoting, however, is preferred.  

Step 2: Explain your reference

Do justice to the writer’s argument: fully explain for your reader what the writer means. There is little merit to taking down a weak opponent; little merit in under-representing the writer’s point of view.

Step 3: Take a stand, in relation to Singapore.

The writer’s argument is relevant/irrelevant to Singapore to a large/small extent.
Do note that we are generally not arguing against the writer’s argument itself, but arguing about the argument’s relevance to Singapore. 

Step 4: Contextualise

Tell me about the Singaporean context/background/social psyche. What is Singapore like? Why should we care about the topic? Why is the writer’s argument an issue of contention?

Step 5: Evaluate 

This is the step students are most prone to stumble over. To evaluate is to comment on the validity of the writer’s argument in relation to Singapore. Is the writer’s context relevant to Singapore? Does he/she assume a demographic that is applicable to Singapore’s context? Is the writer’s vision long-term or short-term, and does such a vision relate to Singapore? Is the writer’s argument logical? Your job here is to tell me why the writer’s argument is applicable/inapplicable to Singapore.

Step 6: Example

Your example should prove the point in your evaluation, not the reference!

Step 7: Link

In this step, restate your argument in relation to your stand in step 3.

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