Understanding the prompt – uncommon and specialised exam prompts

In this checkpoint we’re going to talk about how to understand the prompt when you have an uncommon and specialised exam prompt.

These are prompts that are on specialised subjects (all past exam topics) like:

• cloning
• self-driving cars
• whaling
• corporate sponsorship

And more…

While such prompts are surprising at first and catch students unaware, most often they come with details and hints as to possible arguments / discussion points. Additionally, as long as you understand what the issue is about, you can still come up with arguments using the 3 dimensions.

We’re going to still apply the 4-step process from dealing with common and classic prompts, just so that we understand the question (see below), but in addition, we’re going to read more deeply to find hints/tips.

Here’s the 4-step process again:

1. Read the exam question once and circle the key words
2. Now ask yourself the following: (a) Does it require me to make a decision? (b) What is that decision? (c) What themes or issues does it touch upon?
3. Read the question again, and given your thoughts in point 2. (a) – (c) above, ask yourself whether your thinking relates specifically back to the exam question and to the key words of the exam question.
4. If so, it's likely that you have understood the exam question correctly. If not, you may have misunderstood the exam question.

Now, that you understand the question, you can work backwards from the 3 dimensions to find arguments.

For example:

• How does cloning affect someone’s rights? Social interaction?
• How does cloning affect someone’s health? Mental health?
• How does cloning affect the economy? Jobs?

Let’s see how you can come up with arguments or discussion points for the following uncommon and specialised prompts (see video for workings):

1 - Internet censorship is the control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the Internet. Usually, governments enact Internet censorship. For example, the Chinese government has blocked YouTube and Facebook from being accessed on the Internet for Chinese citizens. Australia should censor the Internet. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point.

2 - Animal testing is the use of non-human animals in research and development projects, especially for purposes of determining the safety of substances such as foods or drugs. Discuss the benefits and disadvantages.

3 - Slacktivism is a pejorative term for ‘feel-good’ measures in support of an issue or social cause. This could be something simple like “sharing” a post in support of an issue or using a particular hash tag. A criticism of slacktivism often involves the idea that Internet activities are ineffective, and/or that they prevent or lessen political participation in real life. However, a 2011 correlational study conducted by Georgetown University found that ‘slacktivists participate in more than twice as many activities as people who don't engage in slacktivism, and their actions have a higher potential to influence others’. Slacktivism is useful in creating awareness of important issues. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point.

4 - Slum tourism, or ghetto tourism is a type of tourism that involves visiting impoverished areas. Originally focused on the slums of London and Manhattan in the 19th century, slum tourism is now becoming increasingly prominent in many places, including South Africa, India, Brazil, Kenya, Indonesia, Detroit, and others (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slum_tourism, 2017). Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of slum tourism.

Key Rules to remember

• Use hints in the question, if any, to guide you.
• Thinking about arguments requires thought, as long as you understand the issue (usually it’s explained) you can reason and come up with arguments (using the 3 dimensions).

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

The questions in this checkpoint are provided to help you develop your writing skills.

To do your practice questions, click on the below to download your question paper. You can print it out or work from the electronic version. We do recommend that you write your answers by hand in a notebook or on paper.

PDW-CP14-Questions.pdf

Once you have completed your questions, review the suggested solutions. You can download (and print if you wish) the PDF suggested solutions and/or watch the suggested solutions video (all below).

Once you're done with reviewing the practice question suggested solutions, move on to the next checkpoint.

PDW-CP14-Answers.pdf

---