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A Level GP – A Complete Guide to Junior College H1 General Paper (GP)

May 31, 2021 | GP Tuition

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A Complete Guide to JC & A Level GP

Entering a Junior College (JC) can both be an exciting and stressful event for students, where they will be exposed to an extensive syllabus that they are expected to be well-versed in by the end of 1.5 years. In addition, being exposed to what seems like a completely new subject – General Paper (GP) in place of English can be daunting for most. Here at MindFlex, we have compiled an ultimate guide to the A Level GP syllabus, stocked with all the information you’ll need to know about A Level GP; together with free resources that’d help you achieve an A for A Level GP!

1. An Overview to A Level GP

Under the A Level curriculum, GP is a compulsory subject to be taken by students in place of the English language subject. Essentially, A Level GP bears many similarities with English, with the written examination format largely following that of the PSLE and O Level English. In addition, A Level GP also aims to allow students to develop the ability to think critically and construct coherent arguments through concise and accurate language. A Level GP also exposes students to a wide variety of global and local issues, allowing students to be more in-touch with the real world. This allows students to build a strong foundation in the key understandings of the fast-changing world in order to meet the demands of higher education and the workplace in the future.

A Level GP poses challenges for most students due to the need for a good foundation in the English language, as well as the need for immense amounts of general knowledge of global and local affairs. Hence, it is pivotal for students to grasp a good foundation in both the English language and the skills required in the A Level GP examination during their JC1 year, in order to further build on their skills and knowledge in the second year, which will allow them to do well for their A Level GP. 

In addition, doing well in A Level GP is crucial if the student is intending on applying to local universities either to be exempted from the Qualifying English Test (QET), or to apply for undergraduate degrees such as Law, Public Policy and Global Affairs, Economics, Psychology and more. 

Here at MindFlex, we have over 7,000 experienced A Level GP Tutors who will be able to help you ace your A Level GP. Request for GP Tuition with MindFlex today!

2. Objectives of A Level GP

The aim of A Level GP is to enable students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world through fostering critical awareness, as well as to develop skills for critical thinking, effective communication and evaluation.

Paper 1 (Essay)

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diverse range of topics
• Analyse and evaluate topics across disciplines 
• Express understanding and critical and creative thinking 
• Formulate cogent arguments

Paper 2 (Comprehension)

• Comprehend text(s) in detail and as a whole
• Identify and infer information
• Summarise and evaluate information
• Make observations of trends and relationships
• Apply understanding and interpretation in tasks derived from the text(s)

Use of English

• Usage of good spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Employ a variety of linguistic styles and expressions suitable for the context
• Use and demonstrate understanding of a range of vocabulary
• Clear presentation of information

More information can be found under the SEAB Syllabus .

3. A Level Exam Format

A Level GP consists of 2 segments – namely the Paper 1 (Essay) and Paper 2 (Comprehension). In addition, a portion of the mark allocation for each paper is also dedicated to the use of language . 

Here’s a guide to what the A Level GP paper is about!

3.1. Paper 1 (Writing)

50 marks, 1 hour 30 mins

Content Marks: 30

Language Marks: 20

The A Level GP Paper 1 comprises 12 questions of different topics. Topic areas are derived from issues drawn from across disciplines or issues of local interest and global concern. Examples of topics may include: social media, society, politics, law, culture or marriage. Students are required to pick 1 out of the 12 questions and write a 500-800 word essay. View the A Level GP 2020 Essay Questions for examples of questions.

3.1.1. Challenges Faced in A Level GP Paper 1

As with any other open-ended essay-based paper, students might find it difficult to brainstorm ideas or express their ideas coherently. In addition, added difficulty is placed on the A Level GP Paper 1 due to the need for a wide range of general knowledge and content required to do well. Students are required to be well-versed in the topic in order to generate ideas and arguments for their essays. In addition, sufficient writing skills are required for students to frame their essay and put forth their arguments coherently and clearly with appropriate language and vocabulary.

3.1.2. How To Score Well for A Level GP Paper 1

In order to do well, students are encouraged to be well-versed with global and local issues and current affairs, as well as to invest time and effort in consolidating a content bank with issues and arguments across different topics. Extensive in-depth understanding of key issues discussed in society presently will also be helpful in helping students do well for the A Level GP Paper 1. Above all else, students should also have a strong foundation in the English language as well as possess appropriate essay-writing skills. Here at MindFlex, our experienced A Level GP Tutors have years of teaching experience and are well-versed with the GP syllabus to provide concise and guided support for students in their GP essay.

3.2. Paper 2 (Comprehension)

Content Marks: 35

Language Marks: 15 (a separate but holistic score based on entire script)

In Paper 2, students are required to answer various Short-Answer Questions (17 marks) based on one or two text(s). The Short-Answer Questions will cover the understanding of the comprehension text, including literal and inferred meaning, as well as vocabulary. In addition, students are also expected to answer a Summary Question (8 marks) and Application Question (10 marks), which requires students to possess technical and analytical skills in order to answer the questions well.

3.2.1. Challenges Faced in A Level GP Paper 2

In Paper 2, Time Management has been proven to be something that many A Level English students struggle with as there are many different sections with questions of varying lengths. In particular, the Application Question is usually deemed as the most difficult and time-consuming section of the Paper 2, and it is usually also the last question. Hence, students tend to spend too much time on the front of the paper, leaving the Application Question only to the end – resulting in the lack of time available to complete the question and hence compromising the quality of the answer.

3.2.2. How To Score Well for A Level GP Paper 2

Here, practice and exposure are needed to ensure that students are well-versed in the various sections and are able to critically analyse and make meaning of both the text(s) and the questions. Students should also aim to get sufficient practice through attempting past-year papers under timed conditions to simulate examination conditions, in order to ensure that they are able to complete the entire paper in time. Lastly, having a comprehensive knowledge on general and current affairs or knowledge on a wide range of topics can also come in handy for students in the Application Question.

4. A Level GP Tips and Resources

The sheer amount of content mastery required for A Level GP is definitely a lot for students. Furthermore, students might also be caught up with extracurricular activities or other A Level subjects, which makes studying for A Level GP even harder. Here at MindFlex, we have compiled a list of key study tips and free resources, perfect for giving you the head start to ace the A Level GP examination.

4.1. A Level GP Tips

1. Start a Content Bank

In order to do well for A Level GP, students are required to read up extensively on global and current affairs and be exposed to different topics ranging from marriage and culture to politics and law. Hence, MindFlex recommends starting a content bank. This can be done through either a hardcopy notebook or an online one. Upon reading up or researching on a particular topic, students can note down key points, arguments and important issues to note, as well as brainstorm possible questions revolving around the particular topic. 

This way, students will be able to get a good bird’s eye view of the various important topics and issues happening around the world, hence making it easier to study the content for examinations.

2. Craft a Study Plan

Many students struggle with doing well in their A Levels due to increased commitments and the sheer amount of workload for their multiple subjects. Hence, it is crucial for students to plan and allocate their time wisely in order to set aside sufficient time to study in addition to their other commitments and rest time. Students can get started with planning their study schedule through using printables, their school handbook/planner or drawing their own calendar/timetable.

3. Form Study Groups

Multiple studies have shown the benefits of study groups – hence it is no doubt that forming study groups with a bunch of friends or classmates can prove to be advantageous in helping students prepare for the A Levels. Given the rigour and stress involved in the A Level exam preparation, having a study group can help students to clear any doubts and form a healthy, productive study schedule. In addition, students can also destress with the study group at the end of their study session, which helps to promote a healthy work-life balance.

4. Exam Practice

A lot of practice is needed for students to grasp the content and be familiarised with the different question types and skills required – which is why MindFlex has researched a list of free downloadable A Level GP exam papers . By attempting a range of GP exam papers, students can be exposed to different topics and question types which has proven to be beneficial for A Level GP students in ensuring that they are exposed to a breadth of content and skills.

Additionally, it is also advantageous if students are able to take the exam papers under exam settings (ie. under timed conditions) in order to simulate real-life examination conditions. This way, students will be made aware of the speed and accuracy required to do well for their A Level GP examination.

5. Getting Extra Help

Tackling A Level GP can be extremely difficult if not armed with the correct skills and guidance. In addition, given the difficulty in amassing the accurate analytical skills required to analyse and interpret the various GP topics and Comprehension texts, students might require additional guidance that is tailored and customised. Given the subjectivity in marking and grading GP essays, it might also be difficult for students to study the subject on their own.

Hence, getting an A Level GP Tutor might come in handy. Here at MindFlex, we have over 7,000 trained and experienced A Level GP Tutors who have valuable tips and resources that will help improve students’ GP grades. Our A Level GP Tutors also have a wealth of resources, notes and content that will be made available to students to help them learn better. 

4.2. A Level GP Resources

Here, we have compiled our top 9 resources for your child to aid him/her in their A Level GP preparation.

1. A-Level General Paper Model Essays By Themes

The guidebook serves as a good starting point for students who are struggling with their GP Paper 1. With 30 model essays from a wide range of topics, students can extract key concepts and ideas from the model essays, which will be extremely beneficial in preparing for their Paper 1 examination.

Excel in your GP Paper 1 with this guidebook.

2. A-Level General Paper Understanding Singapore Issues

Written by the same author as the guidebook before, this guidebook is solely focused on unpacking Singapore issues that can come in handy for GP essays, which can be used for both the Paper 1 Essay and the Application Question in Paper 2. 

The key to doing well in A Level GP is to have a solid grasp on the key issues in Singapore.

3. GP Study Magazine

GP Study Magazine is a mobile app dedicated to helping students study and revise for their A Level GP examination. It features multiple GP essays and articles from a wide range of topics and issues to enrich students with content for their future essays. In addition, the app also includes many videos, infographics, data and figures to help supplement students’ learning. Furthermore, the easy-to-access interface allows for easier on-the-go learning.

GP Study Magazine is currently only available on the Google Play store .

Take learning on-the-go with this handy app.

Staying focused is something that is a struggle for many A Level students – especially with the large amounts of distractions and temptations posed to them. Hence, Forest comes in handy as an app to help students focus without getting distracted by their phones. It features a well-designed interface that can motivate students to engage in it by planting a virtual tree. While the tree is planting, a timer is triggered and students are unable to use their phones for that situated amount of time, or risk ‘killing’ their tree. Through this gamified interface, it will be beneficial for students who are trying to reduce their mobile phone usage and instead, focus on studying. 

Forest is available on the App Store and Google Play Store .

Stay productive when studying for GP with the Forest App.

As mentioned in our tips, starting a content bank for GP can be beneficial for students. Notion is a note taking app that offers a powerful, database-driven note-taking experience. It has multiple useful features that can make the note-taking experience smoother. In addition, since it can be used online, students can write their notes on-the-go while they are commuting, and be rest assured that their notes will be safe and will not be lost or misplaced. 

Find out more information about Notion on their website .

Notion is an all-in-one note taking app, perfect for A Level GP students.

6. Free A Level GP Notes

Since GP relies heavily on content knowledge and skills, it can be extremely helpful to have a consolidated stack of notes to aid you in studying. Furthermore, having collated content on global affairs can greatly ease the amount of workload required to sieve through the Internet or newspapers for content – this way, students can focus on understanding and digesting the consolidated content provided to them.

Download free A Level GP notes here .

7. Free A Level GP Exam Papers

We know how expensive extra exam resources can be – so, here at MindFlex, we have collated a list of free A Level GP exam papers that are downloadable, perfect for extra practice or revision. 

Download the A Level GP papers here .

8. A Level GP Tuition

Nothing beats an extra pair of hands to guide your child in their learning. Engaging in effective tuition classes can help you improve and gain an even greater interest in GP as a subject. Hence, it might be beneficial to seek help early from an A Level GP Tutor in Singapore.

9. MindFlex GP Home Tutors

We completely understand the hectic school and study schedules of JC students. This is why home tutoring might be a more suitable option to ensure that students are able to study comfortably. MindFlex has over 7,000 A Level GP Home Tutors for you to choose from – all of whom are experienced and will be able to help aid students in their GP. Enjoy high-quality guidance and education at the comforts of your own home with MindFlex’s A Level GP Tutors. 

Request for a MindFlex A Level GP Tutor today!

5. Conclusion

The A Levels are undoubtedly one of the most stressful and rigorous examinations for students. However, it is still important to realise that the A Levels are a crucial stepping stone for one’s future. Apart from doing well, it is also important for students to learn the correct mindsets and transferable study skills in order to do well in their further studies. 

Here at MindFlex, our A Level GP Tutors strongly emphasise on holistic education that is relevant in the fast-paced and ever-changing environment. By focusing on transferable skills, students will be able to gain genuine interest in the subject and learn important life skills and expand their mastery on general and current affairs, helping to mould them into ambassadors and future citizens.

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FAQ for A Levels General Paper (GP) Essay

Welcome to the zascension gp genie , the page of faqs 😎 .

This page is designed as a platform to let you ask any questions that you may have for GP . We remember how awesome it is to have genius friends who could answer any of our questions when we were studying for A Levels, and we want to offer that to you too! GP Genie is here to help!

We will try our best to address the questions posed by students. We will feature FAQs and Answers here so that it is easy to see everything on one page 😃

How to ask questions? Scroll all the way down to the ‘Comment’ Section below and ask away!

48 Important FAQs for GP (Essay Skill)

Generic tips and requirements for essay.

1. FAQ: Are some Essay questions easier than others? How do we tell?

Answer: Yes, the more requirements a question has, the harder it is because it means you have to address all the different requirements to comprehensively answer the question. For instance, a question that is cross-themed (having more than 1 theme) would be harder since you need examples and knowledge from both, and the context becomes much more specific and hence limited.

Other requirements include modications like absolutes, extent, comparison etc. This is why question analysis is extremely crucial and must be thoroughly done before we begin writing the Essay

2. FAQ: How many paragraphs do you recommend for essay?

Answer: I would say 4-5 body paragraphs would be ideal (that means excluding Intro + Conclusion). Out of these paragraphs, it would be good for the argument to have more paragraphs (you can have any combination but logically the argument should have more since it’s your stand). Doing a 2-2 split between both stands is also okay as long as you explain why you have chosen one stand over the other. Explain this in the intro.

Anything fewer than 4 paragraphs would be lacking in content, so do try to write at least 4. Of course, quality still matters but quantity is a necessary pre-requisite to give your essay enough scope

3. FAQ: I don’t get why I can’t just memorise essays? Why wont it work?

Answer: Memorising and regurgitating are honestly not effective for GP because subjects at the A Levels tend to value evaluation and critical thinking, especially GP. For GP, your entire essay is based on that 1 question with maybe around 7 words. It means that keywords in the question are extremely significant. Even if an exam question seems similar to the question of some model essay you memorised, they will still be important nuanced differences unique to this exam question. Arguments must suit the question requirements in order to ATQ.

Hence, the most effective way is really to have sound question analysis skills and be able to craft cogent arguments (TLDR: You can be inspired by content you read, but you need to know how to tweak it to the exam question)

4. FAQ: Should I try essay questions I’m unfamiliar with?

Answer: To do well for essays, we need to have a decent content knowledge of that specific theme so that we can provide nuanced perspectives and concrete examples. This would also help to differentiate our essay and let it stand out. Hence, it would be advisable to pick a question that we are at least somewhat familiar with, if we are talking about the exam context.

During practices, however, we can feel free to explore other unfamiliar questions. This is especially good to practice our brainstorming techniques and skills. Who knows, we may also end up enjoying some other themes that we don’t usually consider. In short, pick something familiar for the exams unless we have no choice, but feel free to experiment with other themes in practices

5. FAQ: What kind of feedback do I need to improve my essay?

Answer: This is a great question because feedback is extremely crucial to help us pinpoint our areas of improvement. GP is ultimately a skills-focused subject. We should actively seek back for our work so that we can maximise learning and know how to improve these skills.

i) Effective feedback breaks down the essay into different skills to analyse it. Breaking it down is far more useful than general feedback about whether our argument is persuasive or not. In this way, we can zoom in on specific skills to take concrete steps of improvement

ii) Effective feedback needs to diagnose the problem and explain exactly how to improve. Identifying lacking aspects is only step one. The more important step is to outline what is needed to improve. For e.g. Why is the example lacking? Why is the topic sentence not answering the question? How can scope be well addressed?

iii) Effective feedback should be tailored to our strengths, weaknesses and needs. It would be ideal for the feedback to consider how we have been progressing so that we can track our improvement and evaluate how to tweak our current studying strategies

6. FAQ: How long should each main paragraph be in my essay?

Answer: Typically, I would recommend students to look at 250-350 words. 250 is a good minimum because we do need words to sufficiently explain the logic in our argument and make it persuasive. 350 is the upper cap because we cannot write excessively such that the paragraph becomes convoluted. That being said, we must remember that quality matters. It’s not about writing random things till we hit 250 words. We would still need to ensure our argument is coherent and explicitly addresses question

7. FAQ: What should I be looking out for when my essay has been marked?

Answer: To make the fullest use of feedback and comments provided, we need to look at a few things. First, identify the different issues we are facing. Second, the more important step is to examine the WHY. Think about why these problems exist and not just what these problems are. For e.g, if we did not manage to answer the question, was it because our topic sentence was not well-elaborated enough? Third, think about what this means for the future. How can we turn this issue into an actionable? What would we need to remember and do next time? Ideally, these three aspects are already clearly stated in the feedback. Feel free to ask questions or go for consultation sessions if we need a clearer idea

8. FAQ: How long should each of my essay paragraphs be?

Answer: The good rule of thumb to follow is about 280-400 words. As much as quality matters more than quantity, we would still need sufficient words to ensure that our ideas are well elaborated and well substantiated.

The most common issue observed is the lack of explanation, where we assume some of our ideas are automatically link, or we only touch on the surface of an example but fail to show its significance to the question. Body paragraphs that are too short would likely suffer from this issue

Essay Planning & Question Analysis

1. FAQ: How do I plan for my essay? What do I have to do for my planning step?

Answer: You could plan by focusing on three things: Stand, Arguments, Examples.

Know what Stand you will pick and have a reason for why you have chosen that over the opposing stand.

Outline the Arguments and Examples for each individual paragraph. You should know very clearly how they will go from one point to another before you even start writing, so that you have a clear direction how to proceed when you begin! It shouldn’t be a vague idea. It needs to be very clear and very convincing.

In the planning stage, you could also brainstorm different points you want to write and consider whether your points have sufficiently covered the entire scope of the question, and provided enough insight

2. FAQ: How to brainstorm and think of points to write?

Answer: There are a few frameworks that I personally use and I will share a few. Firstly, you can think about the different parties involved in an issue, and think about what different perspectives they may have. From there it could help you understand some arguments for that topic.

Secondly, you can consider the tensions existing. What tensions exist? Between who? Why do they exist? How are these tensions reconciled?

Lastly, you can also try reverse brainstorming from examples. From your examples, think about what makes them significant and hence what argument are you able to construct from there. Some students find this easier because the moment they see the question some examples already come to mind

3. FAQ: Cher, I want to ask how many words I need to write per paragraph!

Answer: As I mentioned previously, quantity doesn’t guarantee quality. But writing too little would definitely compromise quality because the paragraph would lack persuasive argumentation or lack diverse examples, or maybe even lack explicit links to the question.

Hence, a rule of thumb I have is for students to write somewhere between 250-350 words. Anything below 250 is often quite lacking. Anything above 350 ends up sounding convoluted and not focused. So the sweet spot is really somewhere in this range. And it would also depend on how many paragraphs you have, if you only have 4 instead of 5 then you would definitely want paragraphs that are in the higher part of our word count range. But above all, quality is key, please ensure you’re making good arguments that are well-developed, thoughtful and nuanced

4. FAQ: Can you please outline for me what I need to do for planning my essay?

Answer: Begin by analysing the question and understanding all the various requirements. Some questions could have more requirements than others (like additional context, conditions or comparison between variables etc). Ensure you are very clear what is the assertion/claim you are addressing with your essay.

Next, think of your points. You may use some brainstorming tools at this point. The idea is to go beyond just points to also think of the logic that underpins these arguments. Elaborate on your points to make them convincing (focus on the logic). This adds depth to your arguments and yes it should be done in the planning so that the writing process can proceed smoothly later.

You may then think of your stand/thesis + reason why you chose it. Finally, think about how to structure your intro + define key terms

5. FAQ: What do I have to do when the essay question has 2 variables?

Answer: A common mistake students have is dedicating different paragraphs to different variables. For instance, if the question has ‘environment’ and ‘economy’, students may discuss environment in one paragraph and discuss environment in the next, with no overlaps.

The right approach is to actually discuss both variables in every paragraph, in every point. The question focuses on the relationship between the variables. Hence, we would have to address this comparative element consciously and consistently throughout the essay

6. FAQ: I always struggle to think of points. What methods do you suggest I can use for brainstorming?

Answer: The basic rule thumb of is: the more content knowledge we have, the easier it is for us to think of points. However, that is not to say that brainstorming has no purpose. Brainstorming is extremely important for us to ACTIVATE this latent knowledge. Regardless of whether we have a lot/a little content knowledge, brainstorming helps to turn our knowledge into essay points.

Brainstorming methods include: thinking about the tensions that exist and why they exist, considering perspectives of different parties in the issue, thinking about the positive and negative aspects, examining the significance of related examples. The bottom line is ask questions. Questions are powerful triggers to help activate our knowledge

7. FAQ: How many perspectives should we consider in an essay?

Answer: Broadly speaking, we should look at 2 views for every question: agree/disagree. However, within these 2 views, there would be different perspectives involved. For instance, attitudes towards artificial intelligence could differ between companies and governments. Even though both parties could express support for AI, their perspectives would still have a nuanced difference in terms of factors being considered when evaluating AI.

Simply put, we should consider various perspectives among both views and we should try to analyse as many as possible to provide a comprehensive discussion

8. FAQ: Is PEEL structure useful?

Answer: The PEEL structure for essay paragraphs is a good framework that explains what components exist in a paragraph. However, the more important thing is to understand what determines a strong PEEL that is done effectively and how we can achieve that.

We need to understand that PEEL is trying to build a coherent argument; they are not just separate parts. The point must be related to the example, and the explanation needs to link back to the question. A strong PEEL pays very close attention to the main argument the paragraph is trying to put forth

9. FAQ: How do we define keywords in essay questions? Is there a method we can use?

Answer: After identifying the keywords, I would suggest two methods. Method 1 involves thinking about the synonyms. Method 2 is my preferred one that considers ‘what does it look like?’. For example, what does it look like when we say tech is dangerous, what does it looks like when we say that social media can create change, or that conservation should be prioritised?

Thinking about the meaning can be more helpful than simply finding synonyms. This question helps us to critically reflect on certain key traits and aspects that the keyword entails

10. FAQ: Do we think before we write or do we write and think along the way?

Answer: Thanks for this important question. Extensive planning should be done before writing, where we think about the details of our arguments, the significance of our examples and our overall direction & scope. We need to have a clear idea how we will proceed before we start writing, in order to deliver a coherent and logical essay.

That being said, we would still need to think and analyse even while writing. We have to check whether our points are making sense, whether our language is appropriate and whether we are sticking to what the question is asking for. In other words, clearly plan the details but also actively check while writing

Essay Intro & Conclusion

1. FAQ: What do I have to write in the Thesis statement?

Answer: Simply put, Thesis should contain 2 main components: STAND + REASON. In your stand, you should explicitly answer the question and show what your view is. Try not to just repeat the question word-for-word; it’s better to vary your expression and paraphrase it.

For the Reason, you’re explaining why you have chosen your stand over the opposing stand. In other words, what makes your stand more compelling than the other stand. Reason is very important, a thesis is not simply stating your stand, you must make sure it’s an argument that seeks to persuade

2. FAQ: What is the focus or purpose of an Essay intro?

Answer: i) You are unpacking key ideas pertaining to the topic. This is important because it gives substance to your ideas. It includes defining the main keywords that you need to address

ii) You set the context of the topic, it helps your reader to be on the same page as you and hence be more convinced by your arguments

iii) You outline the arguments that you will be making so it gives the reader a clear idea of what to expect, and it will also enhance the coherence of your essay

iv) You clearly state your stand and provide a reason for it. In doing so, you’re directly answering the question

3. FAQ: What should I write in the conclusion of my essay?

Answer: The important thing about both Intro and Conclusion is how they emphasise your stand. The intro first conveys the idea and the conclusion needs to then reiterate it. There should be a clear link between the intro and conclusion. This means that we should have thought of how we want to conclude before we even begin writing.

Also, these are good areas to unpack the topic and deliver out interpretation of the topic. It is where personal voice can truly stand out, be sure to seize the chance to write something that is powerful and memorable

4. FAQ: May I know how to write an effective intro and conclusion for essay?

Answer: The intro’s purpose is to unpack some key words from the question, to help our reader understand how we understood the topic and issues involved. More importantly, the intro aims to provide an overview of the various arguments and counter-arguments we would discuss in the essay. Finally, the intro needs to provide a clear stand and be sure that this stand has to be substantiated with reason; it cannot merely be stated. Focus on these objectives to craft an effective intro.

As for the conclusion, it is a lot simpler. The only requirements are to reiterate main points that have l been raised in the question and emphasise the stand. The conclusion is much shorter than the intro.

Ideally, both the intro and conclusion have strong personal voice because we need to establish favourable first and last impressions of our writing

5. FAQ: What’s the difference between a thesis statement and a stand? Is it the same?

Answer: I would say that a thesis statement is more than a stand. Our stand states which side of the issue we are aligned with (agree or disagree with the question). But the more important question is: why? The thesis statement, therefore, combines the stand with a reason.

A compelling thesis statement should clearly express the stand and support it with justification. In doing so, it can also take the opportunity to provide an overview of key arguments that will be outlined in our essay. Essentially, it is 1-2 lines that capture the entire essence of the essay and helps reader know what to anticipate in the upcoming paragraphs

6. FAQ: What goes into a good thesis statement?

Answer: An effective thesis statement provides a stand together with a reason. This stand should clearly ATQ (many students express an ambiguous stand that don’t have much connection with the question). More importantly, there should be a compelling argument that explains why this stand is made. With that, the thesis statement should provide readers with a clear direction of how the essay would proceed

7. FAQ: What’s the difference between thesis and argument?

Answer: Our thesis statement contains our stand and the reason for our stand. We can understand it as our overall argument for the entire question. In this overall argument are different body paragraphs of supporting and counter arguments. When we put all these points together, they form a common thread that answers the question. Simply put, arguments in different paragraphs come together to form our thesis statement

8. FAQ: What do I write in my essay conclusion? Is it just repeating my points?

Answer: The conclusion serves as a nice wrap-up of all the points discussed. We shouldn’t simply repeat our points, we should strive to draw links between all the points we have raised, explaining how they relate to one another or how one point limits the validity of another.

Making these macro connections could increase the coherence of the essay. We should also use the space to reiterate our overall stand, particularly explaining why we have chosen our stand over the opposing one. Finally, we may offer some interesting insights or food for thought to end off

Essay Arguments & Elaboration

1. FAQ: What is the difference between a Counter-argument and a Rebuttal?

Answer: CA refers to the view opposite from your stand. In CA, you can discuss and explain why other people may have a different stand for the question. A Rebuttal is showing the limitations of your CA. You can also think of it as a kind of argument because in rebutting the CA, you’re building towards your main stand, just like how your arguments support your stand

2. FAQ: Should I just memorise essays? I heard that my senior did well because the essay he memorised came out for A Levels.

Answer: In general, you shouldn’t memorise the entire essay and hope to regurgitate in the exams. Questions have many variations, so if you were to simply copy-paste what you have memorised, you may not have addressed the question’s requirements. Maybe the ones you memorised are not even in the exam at all!

What is more important is for you to understand the logic behind some of the model essays you’re reading. How are the arguments constructed? This logic is the truly useful takeaway that can be applied regardless of what question appears.

That being said, of course you may memorise certain phrases or words that left an impression on you. A little bit of memory work here could help you become more confident in your writing. In short, focus on Skills and Logic instead of simply memorising

3. FAQ: Is the Rebuttal same as the Argument?

Answer: The Rebuttal (R) and your Argument (A) paragraphs are similar because they contribute to the same stand (your stand). The Counter-argument (CA) contributes to the opposing stand.

However, the R has an added requirement of responding to your CA. It is not an entirely new point; it has to address the CA and show its limitations. The A, on the other hand, can be a completely different point with no link to the CA, and simply supports your stand

4. FAQ: Because of stuff you shared on this channel, recently I went to read comments on my past essays. Can I ask what it means when my teacher say I nvr link to question? I don’t get what I’m doing wrongly.

Answer: Not ATQ is one of the most common mistakes for Essay. To ensure that you ATQ, the easiest way is to first establish what you’re answering. Which part of the question are you answering? There will always be a word/phrase that you’re responding to.

For e.g. Should we be wary or Artificial Intelligence? Wary becomes the question. Your 2 views are: Should be wary + Should not be wary. So each paragraph has to explicitly link to this requirement in order to ATQ. You cannot just discuss the pros and cons of AI. You must take it one step further and look at whether the pros/cons mean we should be wary or should not. Be very mindful about ATQ and make it a very conscious step throughout your writing

5. FAQ: How do I show balance and not contradict myself or at least not sound contradictory for my essay?

Answer: Typically, when we introduce counter-arguments we would also highlight who holds such a perspective. We would make it clear that it’s not our opinion (since it contradicts our stand), but rather it’s a possible opinion that a group of individuals could express.

It would be helpful to use terms like ‘Detractors’, ‘Realists’, ‘Critics’ to clearly indicate the people who hold this counter-argument view. Of course the word you use need to make sense in the context of your point. Just make sure your essay clearly distinguishes your arguments from your counter and not sound like you’re ambivalent or fickle

6. FAQ: For my counter argument can I write smth that is not so good? I don’t want it to weaken my stand.

Answer: The quality of your counter-argument would also contribute to the quality of your entire essay. It shows how well you understand different perspectives presented on an issue and how proficient you are at analysing the possible arguments made for an issue.

Purposely writing a weaker counter is what we call a strawman fallacy where you purposely created a weak argument just so you can refute it. It’s ok for the counter to be strong, it will not sound contradictory nor undermine your stand as long as you have a solid reason to explain why you have chosen your view. This explanation can either be in the rebuttal paragraph or in your thesis in the intro

7. FAQ: Actually how long is a topic sentence, is it just the first line I use in my paragraph?

Answer: This is an interesting question. A topic sentence (TS), contrary to its name, is actually not just one single sentence. One single sentence would have difficulties sufficiently explaining the argument. As such, the next 1-2 sentence after your TS should work on explain some ideas you have introduced in your TS. To put it simply, a well-argued TS should comprise 2-3 sentences and the goal of the TS is to give a clear idea of what argument you will be presenting in this paragraph. Also make sure that your TS directly answers whatever the question is asking, a lot of students always overlook this!

8. FAQ: Should I write my counter first, or is it something like counter, my view, counter, my view?

Answer: I usually recommend that we write our counter-arguments (CA) first because what comes after would have more impact. What comes after will have the chance to respond to what has been said. In other, writing our CA first allows us to respond to the CA and explain why we have chosen our view over the CA. This is quite important because it expresses a strong view even while we show balance.

Switching between CA and our view back and forth could make it quite confusing for readers. We could also run the risk of sounding contradictory. It’s better to separate them neatly and allow for a more coherent read. If we want to put out CA at the end, that’s alright too but we must make sure we use the right transition phrases to avoid sounding contradictory

9. FAQ: How do i elaborate more in my body paragraphs?

Answer: The first thing we should remember is that elaboration = argumentation. Our elaboration is supposed to help develop our argument by providing details to the point that we have raised. To elaborate more, we need to plan beforehand what argument we want to craft in the paragraph. Having a clear idea of the argument would give us a direction to elaborate.

Next, it’s about making our arguments persuasive. What do I have to elaborate on in order for my point to make sense and effectively persuade? What would my reader want to know? This should be the key question we keep in mind when we are writing. Also, elaborate on the significance of the examples, explain how these facts relate back to the question

10. FAQ: What are the question types for essay and which are easier?

Answer: We typically organise questions based on the themes they belong to. But we may also think along the lines of question requirements. There are mainly 4 questions requirements that could appear and take note that these are additional requirements, meaning that not all questions have them. The more requirements there are, the harder the question is. These 4 are: Absolute, Context, Extext, Variables.

In our writing, we have to show awareness of and actively address these requirements. For eg, if there are 2 variables, every paragraph needs to address BOTH variables. If there’s a context, our examples need to reflect that context. As I mentioned, the easier questions are those without these extra requirements

11. FAQ: How to be persuasive in essays?

Answer: Persuasion comes in two main forms: Logos, Pathos. In other words, Logic and Emotions. Our writing is persuasive when we provide sound logic. There needs to be a strong logic that underpins our arguments and this logic needs to be developed. Explanation is key instead of merely stating our point. Be sure to actively check the logic of our points, and plan this logic before writing.

Emotion comes in with personal voice and language. This relates more to the choice of words we use, how we describe ideas or even how we vary sentence structures. All of these contribute to the mood/feel of our writing which adds to persuasion. Pay attention to the connotation of words (whether they sound positive or negative), and use them appropriately based on the stand of the paragraph

12. FAQ: How do I practice writing topic sentences?

Answer: We would first need to know what makes an effective TS. An effective TS needs to give an idea of how the argument will be developed in the paragraph, as well as directly ATQ. ATQ is very important right from the start of the paragraph and the TS should capture that.

We can practice by writing out TS for different questions (we can skip the examples). From there we would be able to quickly practice writing multiple TS for multiple questions. After writing, proceed to check whether the TS achieves the dual purpose stated above (overview of argument + ATQ).

This process of crafting a TS and reviewing it would help us get more familiar, as well as let us practice many different questions in a short period of time

13. FAQ: Should I write my counter argument together with my rebuttal in the same paragraph?

Answer: I would usually encourage students to separate them, to increase clarity and coherence. The CA and the Rebuttal belong to different views because the latter is aligned with our supporting argument (our thesis). It is useful to clearly distinguish between them to prevent any confusion. The rebuttal should also be substantial, having its own examples to support it (just like any other body paragraph), so it would be better to put it as its own paragraph

14. FAQ: How can I give more depth to the points I write? How can I better explain?

Answer: Depth and critical thinking are indeed key aspects of persuasive argumentation in GP. We arrive at them by focusing on the idea of logic and explanation. Whenever we explain A leads to B, we need to recognise there are many steps in between the elaborate on the details to clearly outline how this relationship happens. Of course, examples would help to substantiate, but the baseline is we need to have a strong logic that underpins our claims

15. FAQ: Can I put my topic sentence at the end of my paragraph?

Answer: It would be recommended for the TS to appear at the start of a paragraph so that readers have a clear idea of how the paragraph would proceed. It also ensures that we focus on answering the question before moving on to describe examples. Putting it at the end could leave readers lost while reading the paragraph, having to decipher the main argument and maybe even missing the point. This would compromise the persuasiveness of the argument

16. FAQ: How to not sound contradictory when giving a balanced view?

Answer: Usually in essays we would clearly state what our view is (in our thesis). The opposing view would be phrased as a possible view that some individuals might have, and we could even specify these individuals. This would clearly differentiate between what views we have and what views others possibly hold. Clear transition would also ensure that we do not contradict ourselves

Essay Examples

1. FAQ: How do I find examples for my essay?

Answer: Current affairs can be your best friend. Think of significant news events around you and try to link them to a GP topic. Any event can be potentially turned into an example if you know the details and can explain why it is significant to the topic

2. FAQ: How many examples do I need to have in my essay?

Answer: In general, a stronger paragraph usually has 2 in-depth examples. If you’re going to write 4-5 body paragraphs, you would need to have 8-10 examples. Try to hit 8 examples minimally because that would help you cover the entire scope set out by the question. This is referring to examples where you really go in-depth to provide details, not those that you namedrop or briefly state. This is why it becomes important to study GP content in a focused manner (unless of course you read very very widely – and read the right stuff)

3. FAQ: I was trying to study for my examples yesterday. Actually is it okay to use stats as example for essay?

Answer: When it comes to examples, there are different types of examples (with some being more effective than others). Statistics are helpful for certain specific arguments where the numbers really matter. However, we should not overuse statistics because for any issue we can always find supporting AND conflicting statistics, which means it can end up being subjective. Numbers alone may not be the best evidence to support an argument.

Instead, effective examples tend to be case studies where there is an in-depth examination of a particular issue, be it via an individual, an event or a trend. Case studies that are significant are very effective in substantiating our arguments. A helpful indicator is whether your example has a narrative – Case studies have narratives that reveal insights to ATQ

4. FAQ: For ‘in your society’ questions, can I use examples from other countries? Or has to only be about Singapore?

Answer: ‘In your society’ essay questions have a specific focus on the local context. This means that the arguments and examples should all be relevant for the situation in Singapore. Doing well for such questions requires a very nuanced and keen understanding of Singapore, including the perspectives, the issues and the recent events relating to the topic

If we wish to bring in examples from other countries, we may only do so as a point of comparison. This is to say we shouldn’t just talk about some overseas example without relating it to Singapore. We can only use it to explain similarities or differences, and it would be best to follow-up with a corresponding local example

5. FAQ: Should I have 1 or 2 examples per paragraph?

Answer: Ideally, 2 examples substantiating a point makes our argument a lot stronger. It will also show how we are not example-driven because our arguments can be applied across different contexts. Two examples would also allow us to cover a broader scope for the question.

That being said, not every paragraph needs to have 2 examples. We need to still take into account time constraints. In cases where we only have 1 example, we must ensure that it is a substantial one that is significant enough for us to use just 1 example to craft a compelling argument. This 1 example should not just be a single statement of fact

6.FAQ: How important are examples in AQ?

Answer: I would say, just like essay, examples are crucial to support our arguments. However, arguments are still very key to deliver a strong piece. In the case of AQ, arguments refer to how we evaluate the author’s points and how we argue whether the point applies to Singapore. Essentially, the claim we are addressing is whether or not the author’s points are relevant for Singapore. We can think of examples and arguments as equally important. Take note that examples help to illustrate the unique characteristics of Singapore, which underpins our arguments

ZAscension GP Genie is a new initiative, the list will continue to expand when we receive more questions, so please feel free to ask!

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One thought on “ FAQ for A Levels General Paper (GP) Essay ”

Hi, i know this is not a question, but i’m writing this so that you see it. I am a private candidate taking A levels for the first time, and maneuvering open-ended subjects like gp was quite daunting. I would scour the net for notes, and was really surprised to find so many materials and detailed tips on your website. Thank you for the resources you have provided and the daily posts in the tele group. Youve had an incredibly profound impact on my journey as a private c.

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How to Study General Paper (GP): 3 Secrets to Success

This is the first in the Subject Guides series, which gives detailed advice on how to study and score well for specific subjects. It contains edited excerpts from Chapter 4 of the book “How I Study” .

General Paper, or GP, is probably one of the most daunting papers we’re confronted with in the A Levels. It demands not just knowledge of current affairs and global issues, but also an ability to think critically on those issues.

What’s more, these can’t be mere thoughts in your head—you have to express them eloquently on paper. In other words, your proficiency in the English language is put to the test.

You Can Study for GP

“GP? Just wing it.”

Heard that before? Well, let’s face it, if you want an A, waiting for the exam to come and improvising on the spot is simply not going to make the cut.

At the start of the year, I met with a junior to give her a bit of guidance for GP. I spent more than an hour talking non-stop about all my GP study methods.

She looked a little stunned. Some (or perhaps most) of what I was saying seemed to be things she was hearing for the first time.

That’s when I realised perhaps not all students studied for GP they way I did. Perhaps not everyone knew that if they simply used the right methods, they could ace GP. Without incurring expensive tuition fees. Even if you think you are terrible at writing or suck at English.

So I decided to put together a comprehensive post on how exactly I studied for GP (and got consistent As, and had my essays featured as model essays). By the end, you’ll discover how you can master the subject—in just 3 simple steps.

Understanding the GP Exam Format

I will not go into the details here, since your teachers will likely be going through with you, in-depth, the format of the two papers, as well as exam skills for each. You can also check out the SEAB syllabus document for GP .

This is a very concise overview of what each paper entails:

Expanding Your GP Inventory

You can rely purely on your school’s resources if they are good enough. However, since GP is not a facts-based subject (unlike the Sciences), and concepts are not neatly laid out for you to absorb, you may find it worthwhile to curate your own notes.

That begins from reading widely and keeping up with the latest news.

Where Can I Start Reading and Gathering Content?

I recommend subscribing to two news magazines : TIME and The Economist . These are paid subscriptions, but it’s a worthy investment.

Newsletters (free!) are a great way to keep abreast of current affairs. I mainly got my news from The Straits Times (local news) and The New York Times (global news). Any credible news site is fine.

Other resources include TED talks and books. These are entirely optional.

The 3 Secrets to GP Success

1. focus on two topics (only).

There are so many topics you can possibly be tested on. It’s impossible to know all of them and to know each one in-depth.

You have to be selective. Choose two—and only two—topics that interest you most (you can also go for topics you think have the highest likelihood of coming out in the A Levels).

The smart thing to do would be to focus on “Your Society” (Singapore)—either as one of your two topics, or as a third. This is essential for the Application Question (AQ) in Paper 2. It can also be used for “your society” essay questions in Paper 1.

Then, importantly, study your two chosen topics exclusively and intensively . Prepare for them so well that you become an expert on these topics. So, how do you do that? For each topic:

• Make content notes : Read relevant articles on your topic. Condense them into key points. Make sure to cover all aspects—you can do this systematically by breaking the broad topic (e.g. “Science and Technology”) into subtopics (e.g. “The Fourth Industrial Revolution”, “Artificial Intelligence”, etc).
• Save good articles : Some articles are so well-written they are worth keeping in full. These are usually opinion articles that analyse (rather than describe) a news event or issue.
• Practise writing essays : For every test and assignment hereafter, write essays for only those questions on your chosen topics. This will give you ample practice.

Details and examples of exactly how I make GP notes can be found in How I Study . (While I find value in making my own notes, if you wish to skip the arduous process of synthesising vast amounts of information from different sources, I’ve actually done it for you. My GP notes are available here .)

2. Express Your Opinions (Write!)

To ace the GP paper, you need to (1) present a balanced argument , and (2) take a nuanced stand . If you’re not used to expressing your opinions—with felicitous vocabulary—you’ll find it hard to convince the GP examiner to elevate you to the highest band.

There are many ways to hone your skills, including engaging in an intellectual debate at the dinner table. And that’s a great place to start. But I would suggest that you force yourself to write sometimes. (You’ll be writing for the GP exam, after all.)

One way to do this is to write news journals . It’s simple. Select a new article, then write a response with the following components:

• Summary : What the article is about in your own words
• Reflections : Your response to the article
• Vocabulary : Words that you don’t know and their definitions

The “Reflections” portion should form the bulk of your news journal (2 to 3 main points).

Your news journals do not have to be long. And you should commit to writing them regularly (weekly or fortnightly, for instance). You will see improvements in the long run.

3. Expand Your Vocabulary

Note that for Paper 1, 20 out of the total 50 marks (40%) are awarded for the “Use of English”; for Paper 2 it’s 15 out of 50 marks (30%).

In Paper 1, you need apposite expressions to argue your case convincingly. In Paper 2, you have to be able to express ideas using your own words for the Short Answer Questions and paraphrase adroitly for the Summary.

I keep a Vocabulary List (using Google Docs, so that it’s easily accessible from my phone and any other device). Every word I come across that I don’t know, or know but seldom use in writing, goes into this list.

Another useful list to have on hand is a compilation of common words and their paraphrasing for Summary. Just note that you cannot be rigid about it when doing the paper. Chucking in any synonym won’t work; you have to paraphrase in context.

A-Level General Paper (GP) Notes

Have a question? Leave a comment below or drop me a message anytime. Don’t forget to check out the other articles in the Subject Guides series too.

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6 Mistakes to Avoid in Writing Your A Level GP Essay

Table of Contents

Writing an A Level General Paper (GP) essay can be a daunting task, especially when you consider the time constraints and the expectations placed upon you. However, with careful planning and practice, you can improve your essay writing skills and avoid common mistakes that may hinder your success. In this article, we will explore six critical mistakes to avoid when writing your A Level GP essay, providing you with practical tips to enhance your writing prowess and maximize your chances of achieving a stellar grade.

Mistake #1: Lack of Understanding the Essay Question

One of the most crucial mistakes students make when tackling their A Level GP essay is failing to fully comprehend the essay question. Without a thorough understanding of the question, it is challenging to develop a coherent and focused argument. Therefore, it is essential to dedicate sufficient time to analyze and interpret the essay prompt. Pay attention to keywords, identify the main themes, and consider any underlying assumptions or perspectives the question may imply.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding, break down the essay question into smaller parts and examine each component individually. Ask yourself what the question is asking, what ideas or concepts it is exploring, and what specific arguments or examples you can use to address it effectively. By taking the time to grasp the essence of the essay question, you lay the foundation for a strong and well-structured essay.

Mistake #2: Poor Structure and Organization

A well-structured essay is essential for conveying your ideas coherently and convincingly. Unfortunately, many students neglect this aspect and end up with essays that lack clarity and logical progression. To avoid this mistake, start by outlining your essay before diving into the writing process. A solid outline acts as a roadmap, guiding you through each section of your essay and ensuring a logical flow of ideas.

Begin your essay with an engaging introduction that provides context and clearly states your thesis statement. The body paragraphs should present your arguments in a systematic manner, with each paragraph focusing on a single point or idea. Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph and provide smooth transitions between them. Finally, wrap up your essay with a concise and impactful conclusion that restates your thesis and summarizes your main arguments.

Mistake #3: Insufficient Research and Evidence

An A Level GP essay requires a strong foundation of research and evidence to support your arguments. Neglecting this aspect can result in weak and unsubstantiated claims. Take the time to gather relevant and reliable sources that enhance your understanding of the topic and provide evidence to back up your assertions.

Utilize various resources such as books, scholarly articles, reputable websites, and even interviews to gather information. When incorporating evidence into your essay, ensure that you properly attribute it to the original source through citations and references. This not only strengthens your arguments but also demonstrates your ability to engage with different perspectives and sources of information.

Mistake #4: Weak Thesis Statement and Arguments

The thesis statement is the backbone of your essay, serving as the central claim or argument you aim to prove. A common mistake is developing a weak or vague thesis statement that fails to provide a clear direction for the essay. Your thesis statement should be concise, specific, and arguable, allowing you to explore different facets of the topic.

In addition to a strong thesis, it is crucial to develop compelling arguments that support your main claim. Each argument should be distinct and directly related to the thesis statement. Utilize relevant evidence, examples, and logical reasoning to bolster your arguments and convince the reader of your viewpoint. By strengthening your thesis statement and arguments, you lay the groundwork for a persuasive and impactful essay.

Mistake #5: Lack of Clarity and Coherence

Clear and coherent writing is essential for effective communication in your A Level GP essay. Ambiguous or convoluted sentences can confuse the reader and detract from the overall quality of your essay. Therefore, strive for clarity and simplicity in your writing.

Start by organizing your thoughts before writing and ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single idea. Use topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph to introduce the main point, and provide supporting details and examples to substantiate your claims. Additionally, use cohesive devices such as transition words and phrases to create smooth connections between sentences and paragraphs. By prioritizing clarity and coherence, you enhance the readability and impact of your essay.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Counterarguments

Addressing counterarguments is a crucial aspect of a well-rounded A Level GP essay. Failing to acknowledge opposing viewpoints weakens your arguments and undermines the overall credibility of your essay. When discussing your main points, take the time to anticipate potential counterarguments and address them proactively.

By recognizing and refuting counterarguments, you demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the topic and showcase your ability to engage with different perspectives. This strengthens your essay by presenting a more comprehensive and balanced analysis. Remember to remain respectful and objective when addressing counterarguments, engaging in a constructive dialogue rather than dismissing opposing viewpoints outright.

Writing a successful A Level GP essay requires careful planning, effective organization, and attention to detail. By avoiding these six common mistakes, you can significantly improve the quality of your writing and increase your chances of achieving excellent results. Remember to thoroughly understand the essay question, structure your essay effectively, conduct thorough research, develop strong arguments, prioritize clarity and coherence, and address counterarguments. With practice and dedication, you can refine your essay writing skills and excel in your A Level GP examinations.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

• How long should an A Level GP essay be? A Level GP essays typically range between 800 to 1,200 words. However, the length may vary depending on the specific requirements set by your educational institution or exam board. It is crucial to follow the given guidelines and focus on the quality and coherence of your arguments rather than solely aiming for word count.
• Can I use personal anecdotes in my essay? While personal anecdotes can be engaging and add a personal touch to your writing, it is important to assess their relevance to the essay question. In most cases, A Level GP essays require a more objective and analytical approach. Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize evidence, examples, and scholarly sources that contribute to the strength of your arguments.
• Should I memorize model essays for reference? Memorizing model essays is not recommended as it restricts your ability to think critically and develop your unique perspective. While it can be helpful to study model essays to understand effective writing techniques and structures, it is crucial to develop your own ideas and arguments based on your research and analysis.
• Are there any recommended essay writing techniques? Effective essay writing techniques include thorough pre-writing planning, creating a well-structured outline, conducting comprehensive research, developing a strong thesis statement, utilizing relevant evidence, and maintaining clarity and coherence throughout your essay. Additionally, practicing timed writing exercises can help improve your time management skills during the exam.
• How can I improve my time management during the exam? Time management is crucial during A Level GP exams. To improve your time management, allocate specific time slots for planning, writing, and revising your essay. Stick to the allocated time for each section and prioritize the completion of essential components such as the thesis statement, topic sentences, and conclusion. Practicing timed writing exercises beforehand can also help you become more efficient in managing your time during the exam.
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Strong English Proficiency in General Paper Essays: A Key Ingredient for Success

A Level General Paper (GP) is a subject that demands critical thinking, analytical skills, and eloquence in expressing ideas. You may be wondering whether a good command of the English language is a guarantee of an A grade in GP essays . There is no doubt that English is essential. However, it is not the only factor that determines success in this subject. In this article, we will look at the importance of English language skills in GP essays and important tips that contribute to the achievement of excellence.

Understanding the Importance of English Proficiency

A good grasp of the English language is very important when writing GP essays. Being skilled in English helps students express their thoughts clearly, use many different words, and make their sentences sound smart. This skill lets them communicate complicated ideas well, which makes their essays better.

Also, being good at English is crucial for using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. These things are needed to make an essay organized and well done. If an essay has lots of mistakes and is hard to understand, it won’t be able to share its message well. So, English is a key part of writing good GP essays.

Beyond Language: Developing Critical Thinking Skills

While a strong command of English provides the foundation, the essence of GP essays lies in the development of critical thinking skills. GP essays require students to critically analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources. Proficiency in English can help convey these analyses clearly, but the ability to think critically and engage deeply with the topic is equally, if not more, important.

Students need to develop the skill of identifying key arguments, evaluating evidence, and presenting well-reasoned counterarguments. These skills allow students to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of complex issues, showcasing their ability to think critically and independently. A thoughtfully constructed argument, supported by evidence and logical reasoning, can significantly enhance the quality of the essay, leading to a higher grade. According to Kelvin Hong, Chief Tutor of Ace GP Tuition , “It is the strength and logic of a student’s arguments that usually make or break their essay. This is why we focus a lot on effective argumentation in our weekly GP classes.”

Effective Research and Source Integration

In addition to critical thinking , doing good research and using sources are important for a great GP essay. Students have to find sources that make sense and are trustworthy, take out the useful information, and put it in their essays smoothly. Being good at English helps with understanding and explaining hard sources, so students can use different ideas and expert thoughts in their essays.

Also, English skills help with giving credit to the sources and showing where the information came from. This makes sure the essay is honest and doesn’t copy other people’s work. When the essay has good research and reliable sources, it makes the arguments better and shows that the student can talk about serious ideas the right way.

Structural Organization and Coherence

A well-organised essay with a clear structure and logical flow of ideas is essential for effective communication. English language skills enable students to form coherent paragraphs, ensuring that each idea flows smoothly into the next. Logical organisation enhances the readability of the essay and allows examiners to follow the argument effortlessly.

Here is a simplified format and GP essays can vary in complexity and structure depending on the specific topic and requirements. It’s important to adapt your format and content to the specific essay prompt and guidelines.

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6 Mistakes to Avoid in Writing Your A Level GP Essay

General papers are a challenge to write for some students because they are uncertain how to write it efficiently.

Some may write beyond what is requested in the topic and go off-track with their essay. Others might write a few details which is not enough to explain the idea they are trying to convey to their readers. A few may be able to ace it but there are some parts that don’t make much sense.

To help you to score in your GP paper, you need to understand your GP syllabus and avoid 6 major mistakes when you write your GP.

Forgetting Contexts and Conditions

Some questions can lull students into failing to provide the right answer. Whether it is exam stress or carelessness that cause them to miss a certain keyword that would change the entire question completely.

These modifiers are there to see how well the student understood a topic , and if they are able to see this trick term in the question. Sadly, students tend to look past these modifiers or think that they already answered it because of their rush to finish their work and move on to the next task.

You should watch out for the usual modifiers used in questions and how to work in addressing them in your answers. You should also plan your answers accordingly because it will allow you to explore how you can answer the question efficiently with the right points and explanations.

A good example is taken from 2019 A levels GP essay papers “Science is the only answer to global hunger’. Discuss.’

While a quick glance at the question, many students will attempt to draw on how science can be the answer to global hunger but the modifier here is the keyword “only”. With the word “only” in the question, the answer should be focus on how and why science is THE ONLY ANSWER to global hunger compared to other alternative solutions like government funding or humanitarian aid. Without arguing using comparison, your answer will only be half right because it doesn’t show how science tops every other solutions to end global hunger.

Not answering the questions directly

Whenever students write, they often zone out on the question and forget about it as they write.

As a result, they only point out some key points but not fully expound on it as to why it is the answer for the question. In some cases, the answer is too vague to the point it is not really the answer to the question.

To get past this problem, you need to analyse the question first before trying to answer it. A good GP tutor can teach you how to analyse exam questions quickly using keyword identifier.

After which, you will need to elaborate on the points you identified and explain why it is your answer. Ask the question to yourself to see how you can form the answer in your head and use it as a basis to write the paper.

Describing rather than explaining the significance of the example provided

Another common mistake some students make in their GP papers is by making it a descriptive paper rather than an argumentative paper. Some students tend to go to this route because they feel it would be prudent to show more examples than adding to the argument.

As a result, they don’t know when to stop adding examples to try answering the question.

It is important for you to know when you need to stop providing examples and start learning how to explain in order to relate them to the given question. You must also learn to argue rather than describing something, then present the impacts of these arguments.

As an example using the global hunger question above, it is easy for students to deviate from listing the alternatives to global hunger as a comparison argumentative point but instead, went on in-depth description of each alternative solution which does not reply to the question at all.

Using a narrow scope topic

It is very easy to tell if a GP paper is going to pass based on the topic that it has. A strong essay with a very specific scope can definitely offer a great discussion. However, an essay with a weak topic can definitely give you a low grade for their GP paper.

When you are conceptualising your GP topic, think about the arguments you want to discuss or what points you want to work on and if you have covered all the areas you want. Map out your points using concept mapping. 

For example, if you want to discuss something related to science, what area of science do you want to focus on and how will you go about in your arguments.

Arguments lack any elaboration and depth

If you want to get an A in your GP paper, you must be able to provide reasonable and in-depth arguments aside from providing them with just the points when answering the question provided. Some students tend to “elaborate” by providing examples but not connecting them to the arguments they listed.

While analysing the problem and listing down the points they can argue, connect your examples to the points you want to address . This will help the readers to understand their argument and where they are supporting.

The flow of argument should be easy for a reader to follow and not having points jumping all over the essay. It is similar to writing a good A level literature review.

A good example taken from 2019 A levels GP essay papers “Should both parents take equal responsibility for raising their children?”

Students may argue the pros and cons of having both parents taking equal responsibility for raising their children and missed out the opportunity of having an in-depth discussion on how it will impact on the children if it is one-sided parenting.

Rushing through the ending

Finally, it is important to tell students to avoid rushing their answers so they could get to concluding the entire essay.

This is a common problem for students who are uncertain about their answers or think their answers are already too long and they should have concluded the essay.

Some may even have conclusions which may leave the reader hanging because  it sounds like the essay isn’t finished yet or it is talking about something else entirely.

To avoid this, you need to allocate enough time to reread what you have wrote and then ask yourself to sum up the entire essay in less than three sentences.

Exposing yourself to global issues like using Ted Talks is a good starting point in understanding the arguments on both sides. Look at how each topic is carefully dissect and how each example is described and linked to the main question.You may not get it immediately but keep in mind of the 6 mistakes and take care to avoid them. The key to a perfect argumentative essay is to practice, practice and practice. Or, get help .

Need more insider tips on scoring your General Paper? Here are some articles to help you:

How To Apply Statistics Effectively In Your A-Level GP Golden Tips To Score In AQ Section For A-Level GP Paper 2

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5 Tips for Writing a General Paper Essay that Will Score You an 'A'

Students often fall into two camps when it comes to how they approach the General Paper (GP) essay. The first group believes religiously in spotting questions and the power of the memorised template essay. However, tweaks to familiar questions by crafty examiners can negate the template’s effectiveness, and what if the spotted questions fail to turn up altogether? The second group is the opposite, and regard GP as a subject they can breeze through without much studying. Just choose any question that looks easy or interesting, write what comes to mind and hope for the best, right? Sadly, the best is rarely achieved. You have probably been in one or even both of these groups at some point. Neither approach is entirely wrong or correct - they wouldn’t exist if they didn’t work to some extent. However, if your goal is to write a GP essay that will score you an A, then you will need more than an approach that works to some extent. 

Here are 5 tips from The Learning Lab that will help you improve your writing and your chance at an A for the General Paper. 

1. Read the Questions Carefully

You get a total of 12 questions to choose from for your GP essay. Take a moment to read all of them carefully. While you should choose a topic that you are familiar with or passionate about (e.g. tech, government legislation, foreign affairs, generation gaps), avoid choosing a question immediately just because it seems familiar. As your teachers would have told you, some questions are traps! You may have studied the Cold War and the demise of the Soviet Union in A-Level History, but that doesn’t mean you have the arguments and examples to adequately answer if communism is dead today. 

Conversely, you may find that some of the general knowledge you have absorbed in preparation for the exam can be applied to a question on a less familiar topic, and provides the breadth of examples that markers look for. A good practice is to shortlist two or three questions before you start planning, just in case you hit a snag when formulating your argument and need an alternative.

2. Plan Out Your Essay

Planning out your essay is essential for many reasons. Firstly, it helps you avoid the perils of jumping straight in with a template argument or no argument at all, only to realise after an hour that you haven’t really been answering the question. The subject may be called General Paper, yet your essay should be anything but. This is also when you spot the trap questions and steer clear. Secondly, it allows you to structure your points and counterpoints in a logical flow to best support your thesis statement and overall argument. Thirdly, planning enables you to take stock of the examples you have to back up your points.

Ask yourself:

Do you have enough to substantiate each point? 

Which example is better used for which point?

 Are there obvious gaps that you can’t think of a way to fill, and should you quickly go and look at another question instead?

3. A Clear and Concise Introduction is Better than a Stylish One

A good introduction in a GP essay does its job and quickly moves both you (the writer) and the reader on to the meat of the essay. It sets up your argument clearly and provides a preview of what is to come. Under timed conditions, style that piques the reader’s attention is a bonus. Remember that a complete essay with all points substantiated and a conclusion will always score better than an incomplete essay with an impressive and memorable introduction.

You should also avoid giving too detailed a description of your points in the introduction. A good rule is to keep the introduction as short as possible: you should not write much more than an opening sentence, a thesis statement, and a sentence to link your introduction to your first point. 

4. Link Your Arguments Together and Stay on Point

This is often the difference between an average essay and a good one, and between a good essay and an excellent one. The highest-scoring GP essays are not the ones with the most distinctive style or the most flowery language, but the ones with the tightest arguments and structure. Everything you write should aim to answer the question, so that your thesis statement, points, and examples mutually reinforce each other and your overall argument. Signposting is your best friend: leave the examiner in no doubt of which piece of evidence supports which point and why, and use keywords from the question and your thesis statement repeatedly. 

If a favourite example of yours doesn’t quite fit the argument you are crafting, cut it. Unlike Mathematics or the Science subjects where plonking down some calculations or facts could earn you some marks, in GP, it’s better to keep your examples on point rather than try to show everything you know.

5. Pay Attention to Grammar and Spelling 

While you don’t have to be Shakespeare to ace the General Paper exam, you do need to communicate what you have to say clearly. If you have followed the previous 4 tips to the letter, the last thing you want is to distract your marker from your compelling argument with basic spelling or punctuation errors. Writing essays under exam conditions can often be a mad rush, but it’s wise to slow down a little to make sure you don’t spell words wrongly or leave them out by mistake. And of course, if you happen to have time to spare after finishing, do read through your essay again!

Nurturing Independent Thinkers and Writers 

The ability to write clearly is an asset for students even when they move from the classroom to the working world, as effective communication is what greases the wheels of the corporate world.

At The Learning Lab, we want our students to go beyond simply learning how to read and write. Our teachers work closely with students to instil in them the fundamental principles of good writing. Find out more about our writing programmes here . 

The Learning Lab is now at 8 locations . Find a location that suits your needs.

If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 6733 8711 or  [email protected] .

The Learning Lab is now at  8 locations . Find a location that suits your needs.

If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at  [email protected] .

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About Dr Neil Laurence Coomber

Dr Coomber is the Director of Pre-University Studies and Business English at Academia.

Highly respected by his former students, he spent five years teaching General Paper at Raffles Institution, where he set examination papers ranging from Prelims and Promos to Common Tests. He possesses exam setting, marking and standardisation expertise, having developed school curriculum and infopacks for a variety of themes. His teaching skills are highly regarded by those who have had the good fortune to study under him and his legendary General Paper notes are highly sought after. Prior to teaching in Singapore, he taught English to MBA, graduate and business students internationally. His impeccable credentials include a PhD from Oxford University supervised by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Oxford University, Professor Dame Jessica Rawson, as well as a Certificate in Teaching Gifted and Talented Students from Purdue. He has trained at the Raffles Teaching Academy and NIE and many will remember him as the Master of Ceremony during the quintessential school rugby finals for several seasons running. He knows how to guide students with their UCAS applications and testimonials to top universities, ranging from Oxbridge to the Ivy League.

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5 Things You Must Know For The General Paper Essay

Writing a great essay is absolutely essential to General Paper. However, it’s not as easy as it seems – many students get it wrong at the very start, and have already doomed themselves to a mediocre grade even before they have written their first word.

Don’t be one of those students. Having taught GP at Raffles Institution for years, I’ve identified 5 main ways students go wrong and I’m here to share them with you.

① Question keyword analysis is absolutely fundamental.

This early stage in writing the essay can either make or break the response. So many essays go wrong because students don’t pay attention to the keywords in the question and don’t think about the words carefully in terms of their meaning and implications. And, when students do try to analyse the keywords, they simply underline them and move on without then dissecting them.

I really can’t emphasise the importance of keyword analysis enough. Many students think that this stage doesn’t matter, but it does – because a single word in a GP question can change the focus of your essay completely, as well as the arguments being used.

Here is a terrible strategy that is unfortunately very common: a lot of students also try to force points or arguments from essays they’ve memorised into other similar questions with slightly different keywords. THIS APPROACH DOES NOT WORK. If the keywords are different, the essay you write has to be different.

And no, there’s no point in just being shown how to analyse keywords. I have met students who, after two years, still cannot identify and analyse keywords. You have to learn to do it yourself.

② Engage deeply with the keywords you identify.

As I noted above, simply underlining the keywords as a matter of routine and then moving on without any analysis won’t get you very far. Students need to actively engage with the key words in their response in a sustained and coherent manner. But I hear you asking: what does this mean?

Engaging with the key words means that one’s arguments and ideas are formulated around the key words. The arguments then become body paragraphs where each part of the body paragraph (topic sentence, explanation, evidence) should engage with the key words in the question. This ultimately ensures that you are answering the question.

③ Watch out for badly written topic sentences.

Writing topic sentences sounds easy enough, right? You need a sentence that answers the question clearly and contains a concept or reason that is broad enough for you expand your ideas and write a coherent paragraph that answers the question clearly.

While this sounds relatively easy in theory, in practice this is not that straightforward. Many students write topic sentences that are example-driven, such that the topic sentence contains an example that should be in the evidence part of the paragraph. Others lack a clear concept or reason, so the reader struggles to understand what the main idea and argument is in the paragraph or the main idea and argument are unclear.

Sometimes, the latter could be due to either a content or language issue in that the student either doesn’t possess the necessary content that will allow him to answer the question in meaningful way or a student uses inaccurate and imprecise language that results in the topic sentence being unclear.

④ You need to practise and practise!

All of the issues outlined above can be worked on and developed, but only by practising and receiving feedback. You need to dissect essay questions, write topic sentences, plan paragraphs, plan essays and ultimately you need to write! And I certainly don’t mean writing one or two topic sentences. I mean: you need to write paragraphs and essays and get feedback on them on a regular basis. (Yes, yes, I know it’s tiring.) Only by doing this will you develop the necessary skills that will enable you write a convincing GP essay.

⑤ Don’t just memorise essay plans. You're taking a huge risk.

This is the most important point: Memorising essay plans is not sufficient. If you get a question that is slightly different from the essay plan you’ve memorised, you’re basically doomed. Yes, I also know that many students see a familiar “trigger” word in their examination essay questions and immediately start forcing points from a similar essay plan into that essay.

Don’t do it.

What I believe students need is a comprehensive set of general notes about particular topics – such as science and funding or gender and equality – and then be able to use the information from those notes in a flexible and adaptive manner to answer the question in front of you.

An essay plan only allows you to answer 1 essay: literally that exact same essay question that you have planned for. Nothing else. In contrast, if you are able to take your content and adapt it to any question, you’ve already gotten off to a good start.

If you are looking for comprehensive notes and essay writing practice, my General Paper course at Academia provides three different sets of notes for each essay topic: content notes, revision notes and a general essay workbook. These notes are the most comprehensive General Paper notes you can find anywhere.

We’ll do at least two essays each month (more if you want to), in addition to two comprehensions, summaries and application questions on alternate weeks.

If there’s one thing you take away from this article, I hope it is this:

"Getting an A for General Paper is a lot of good, honest, hands-on work. There are no shortcuts and practice is essential." ~ Dr Neil Coomber

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How To Study For GP Essay Writing And Ace The A Levels

• January 24, 2023
• Posted by: Eliana
• Category: Study Tips & Advice

Essay writing can study one meh? That’s something we heard a lot as students and now, as tutors. True, essay writing is not something you can study by reading a textbook and remembering facts. However, you can study for it and improve your essay writing for JC General Paper. It’s not just about talent or luck – it’s about hard work and smart work!

General Paper is one of those love-or-hate subjects in JC, because there’s no escaping it (unless you go for its even more challenging big brother, Knowledge and Inquiry). If you are good at it, it is instant points for you. But if you are bad at it, it’s going to put an ugly mark on your A Level cert.

So, while we are on the subject of General Paper essay writing, here are some of our favourite tips on how to actually study for the GP essay component. Don’t say we never share hor!

1. Engage with current affairs daily

The ‘general’ in GP refers to general knowledge. Essay questions typically revolve around a few realms of topics, as outlined by the Singapore Examinations and Assessments Board (SEAB):

• Historical, social, cultural, economic, political and philosophical topics
• Science including its history, philosophy, general principles, current developments and applications
• Mathematical and geographical topics
• Literature and language
• Arts and crafts
• Topics of local interest and global concern

There’s no way you can study and be prepared for every topic under the sun. But a good way to prepare is by catching up on the news daily. We love the suggestion of following popular news accounts on your social media accounts, so you will conveniently see news updates throughout your day.

Try to take note of recurring themes, hot-button issues, and debatable topics. When you read something you find interesting or which you think can be used as supporting example for a topic, make a note of it so you can go back to it later.

2. Debate hot-button topics with friends or family

Unlike an expository essay which is more objective and informative, a good General Paper essay is about formulating a persuasive argument with a balanced point of view. That means you can’t just push your argument forward without considering the opposing perspective.

Explore different perspectives to an issue by speaking about them often with friends or family. Joining a group JC GP Tuition class may also offer you another platform to think and discuss about popular topics with your tutor and classmates.

One useful brainstorming framework for expanding your view to the different stakeholders and angles of looking at an issue is “SPERM”, which stands for:

P: Political

E: Economic / Educational / Environmental

R: Race & Religion

M: Media / Morality

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3. Practise analysing question keywords

Having good general knowledge and argumentative skills is not enough if you are not answering the question correctly. GP essay questions can be worded in very tricky ways, and you need to pick out the keywords and respond to it appropriately to get your marks.

If you find that writing out-of-point essays is a big issue for you, spend some time just analysing questions and highlighting the keywords.

Look out for:

• Absolutes (e.g. never, always)
• Question word (e.g. Do you agree? Compare… Consider the view… Is this true? Discuss… Should…?)
• Words signalling the topic
• Words that you need to define (e.g. freedom, responsibility, power, happiness)

4. Practise writing essay outlines

The content of your GP essay makes up 30 out of 50 marks; so, having a sound argument is highly crucial. To avoid going out of point or running out of examples midway through your essay, our GP tutors recommend planning out your essay before you start to write.

You can hone your essay structuring skills by practising writing essay outlines when you study for GP. This helps you verbalise the different arguments surrounding a topic, and organise them into a coherent essay.

Remember, GP essays need to be well-supported with evidence and examples. This is time to whip out your stash of notes you take from the news! You can also use historical examples, anecdotes, statistics, or findings from reputable research journals.

Different schools and teachers recommend different essay structures with different orders of supporting and opposing arguments. But regardless of their order, each essay outline should include:

Thesis statement

2-3 Supporting points, each including:

• Explanation
• Examples or Evidence

1-2 Opposing points, each including:

• Opposing point
• Counter argument

5. Analyse well-written GP essays

When you can recognise and identify what makes another essay well-written, you can apply those skills to your own essay. With the model essays that your school provides or that you get from an assessment book, you shouldn’t try to memorise every one of them. Instead, try to understand what makes them good.

Besides the content and arguments, pay attention to how they are written. After all, 20 marks is set aside for good language in your GP essay! Build a list of phrases to use for signposting, agreeing and disagreeing, and presenting counterarguments.

Now, the next time you are tempted to think that you can just ‘wing’ your GP exams, don’t! If you follow the steps above diligently, there is a very good chance that you will see a marked improvement in your GP grade. But here is a huge caveat: You have to start early and work consistently!

Another thing that would help immensely is getting feedback and one-on-one guidance for your writing. In Future Academy’s GP Tuition classes, the small group format makes it conducive for group discussions as well as individual consultations. With the best of both worlds in an engaging and interactive class, learning GP will feel less like a burden and more like fun!

Interested in our High Quality Small Group Tuition?

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Learn more about our high profile  tuition teachers , tuition fees and  time table for all on-going classes. And check class listing  for subjects you are interested in. For enquiries, please SMS/Whatsapp 8457 7888 or reach us at 6884 6566 now!

Category - Paper 1 Essay

We will be uploading sample GP essays that cover a range of popular GP topics and address essay questions taken from past exam papers. More than just Content, we hope you pick up Language Skills and Essay Organization Skills through these essays. If you’d like to have more in-depth analyses of the essays and improve your Essay Writing for Paper 1, do sign up for our GP tuition lessons  here  or whatsapp us at 98-333-156 !

GP Essay #66: ‘The adoption of online trade has made traditional businesses irrelevant in this digital age.’ How far is this true of your society?

 “Out with the old, in with the new” is a common catchphrase that proponents of technological change proudly extol. Underlying this confident proclamation is the view that new is invariably better and the retail industry is one...

GP Essay #65: ‘What an individual eats or drinks should not be...

 Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once famously said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be...

GP Essay #64: Do you agree that the biggest challenge that...

“In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against...

GP Essay #63: To what extent should disadvantaged groups be...

 “There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.” Thomas Jefferson’s...

GP Essay #62: To what extent is charitable giving desirable?

When the Russian-Ukraine conflict broke out, many around the world were looking for ways to provide...

GP Essay #61: ‘Advertising is largely about persuading people to...

 “Just Do It”. Nike’s iconic slogan is certainly one of the most recognisable advertising phrases...

2022 GCE A-Levels General Paper (GP) Paper 1 Essay Questions

Our JC2 students have just completed their GP exams for this year, and here are the Essay Questions...

GP Essay #60: Is competition essential for effective education...

“Intelligence plus character- that is the true goal of education.” This quote by Martin Luther King...

GP Essay #59: Discuss the effectiveness of social media activism.

“Can a click make a difference in the world? By itself, probably not, but when combined with tens...

GP Essay #58: ‘If you want to be happy, be.’ Does happiness seem...

‘’If you want to be happy, be.” This statement provides us with an attractive notion which many...

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13 Best Essay Tips For JC Kids To Ace Their A Level General Paper Exams

General Paper A Level tips

“No need to study for GP lah . You’re either good at it or you’re not.” You might have heard or said this many times before, or even said it yourself. But according to students who have just finished their A levels and General Paper tutors themselves, there are definitely ways to up your GP game.

To get the deets on how to do well for GP, we talked to some students who’ve just finished their A levels , as well as a couple of GP tutors to get the best essay tips for you to ace your A level General Paper Exams:

The A Level General Paper

The General Paper exam is divided into Paper 1 – the Essay section – and Paper 2 – the Comprehension section. Both carry the same mark weightage and have the same duration, so they are both equally important. To do well for GP, you’ll need to think critically , read and understand , and communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. 

According to the Singapore Examinations and Assessments Board, suggested topics that will be covered are: 

• Historical, social, cultural, economic, political and philosophical topics 
• Science including its history, philosophy, general principles, current developments and applications
• Mathematical and geographical topics 
• Literature and language 
• Arts and crafts 
• Topics of local interest and global concern

1. Don’t be kiasu and study everything

There are a total of 12 questions for Paper 1 of the General Paper exam, from which you’ll choose only 1 to answer.

But you won’t have time to study everything . JC students we spoke to said their teachers advised them to specialise broadly in 3 to 4 of these topics, especially those that they are interested in or feel passionately about. 

However, you’ll need to be well-prepared for a wide range of approaches by reading widely, doing research and thinking through subtopics within your chosen three to four topics.

2. Let your social media work for you

While you’re keeping up with the Kardashians on social media, also follow IG news channels like @washingtonpost and @newyorktimes so that you see these on your feed while you’re scrolling on the MRT. There are also General Paper-specific IG accounts such as @generalpaper .

If TikTok is more your jam, @verbaldarrell is a tutor who frequently shares videos about exam tips and how to approach common GP topics. @guardian , @cnn and @time are some of the credible sources you can follow to keep you well informed about current affairs.

3. Revise on the go by taking notes on apps like Evernote

When you come across good articles online, clip them on your device or browser to a note-taking app such as Evernote , Notion or other free software . Later, you can compile GP notes on multi-device apps like Google Docs so that you can revise on the go.

4. Follow news from both ends of the political spectrum

Read news from sites that represent both sides of the political spectrum – that way, you can provide balanced points of view when you’re tackling your General Paper essay questions. 

Follow international sites like CNN , BBC , and AP News for international news. But since a lot of GP questions will ask about a topic in the context of “your country”, make sure you also follow local news sites like MS News , Straits Times , CNA for a Singapore perspective.

A GP tutor we spoke to said that you should not just read the news, but also think about the news – e.g. the reasons why the article is in the news, whose stand the article is representing, and what the possible consequences of the news platform taking such a stand might be.

5. Join Telegram groups for the latest free online resources

There are Telegram groups with GP resources that you can subscribe to. ZA Ascension has a GP FAQ or tip of the day. The Indigo Oracle features examples of possible essay questions with accompanying articles or videos.

Free model essays are available online from many website s such as The Knowledge Loft , GP Model Essays and Tick . 

Most JCs will give out booklets with model essays. Pro tip: KS Bull from RI is highly regarded, so get from your friends from there if you can.

6. Look for Google Drives like “The Holy Grail”

The Holy Grail is a publicly-accessible online collection of past-year exam papers from different schools. You can take a look at the GP papers there for a good selection of common topics and the ways questions can be asked about them.

The Drive doesn’t just contain past-year papers for all the A level subjects. It also has mini grails for O level and PSLE papers – although they are not as updated – so you can share this resource with your younger siblings and friends.

7. Make lists of good vocabulary

Make lists of good vocabulary – with synonyms and antonyms – and phrases such as idioms and metaphors. 

However, remember that big words are not necessarily good words if you don’t know how to use them properly – clear, concise sentences that convey your meaning accurately are far more important.

8. Do 20-min essay dry runs to hone your evaluation skills

Now that you’ve done your reading, research and thinking, it’s time to amass a content bank of essay outlines across different topics, with some points supporting your argument and others refuting it. It’ll take you around 20 minutes for each outline – 5 minutes to analyse the question, and another 15 minutes to come up with a thesis statement, introduction and 4 topic sentences.

“Everyone can memorise model essays. Writing outlines is also a good practice for your evaluation and nuancing skills, which is what sets your essay apart from everyone else’s,” says Steph.

While making GP notes can be a pain, doing it will be more useful in the long run as you can remember them better, says Gladys. It’ll be much more useful than memorising other people’s notes or model essays and then regurgitating them during your General Paper exams. 

9. Avoid practising essay-writing on devices

We love our devices and can type at 80 words per minute. Enya recommends not just typing, but physically writing out your essays with pen and paper to train yourself to plan and write an essay legibly and quickly within the time limit.

Even if your essay is brilliant, you need to have handwriting that your examiner can actually read to ace your General Paper exam.

10. Don’t be paiseh to book your GP tutor for consults

“Take the initiative to consult your General Paper tutor on how you can improve on your writing. You can consult them with your friends in a group so it’s less scary. You can also ask other GP tutors – not just your own,” suggests Krista.

Grab some friends and form study groups to discuss GP topics together. That way, you can get a wider understanding of possible topics and consider other points of view. You can include friends from other JCs as their schools might teach GP in ways different from how your school does it. 

For those who go for tuition, our GP tutor advises that if what your tuition teacher says conflicts with what you’ve been taught in JC, you should check back with your teacher in school to clarify your doubts.

11. Spend 5-10 minutes planning before writing

Don’t rush into writing – spend some time planning your Paper 1 essay first, so that you don’t blank out while writing your essay.

Write down all your ideas for your chosen topic, then organise them in order of the framework of the essay you’re intending to write, e.g. Plus Minus Interesting (PMI); Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT); short term/long term; or other brainstorming techniques that you might be familiar with.

12. Vary your sentence structures and lengths 

Make sure you vary your sentence structures and lengths to engage the reader. Big words and complex sentences don’t necessarily make for a good essay – it’s better to have grammatical, meaningful sentences that help your argument be organised and easy to follow.

If you’re not sure what the word means, or how to use a certain kind of punctuation – hello, semicolon, I’m looking at you – don’t use it.

13. Use your own words

For the summary writing question in Paper 2 of your General Paper exam, make sure you put the information concisely and in your own words . To avoid repetition , our GP tutor advis es rewording, using synonyms, recasting of points by flipping sentence structures so that the adverbial phrase is in front, or the substitution of key words without losing meaning.

Don’t spend too much time on this section, as it’s only 8 marks – spend perhaps 20 minutes on it, and definitely not more than 30 minutes . You’ll want to have enough time to tackle the rest of the questions as well.

Ace your General Paper at A levels

While all this might sound a little intimidating for H1 paper, remember that every little bit counts when it comes to getting a good overall A level score. There’s no magic pill to doing well for exams – it’s all about hard work and consistency.

If you follow these tips for acing your General Paper at A levels , by the time your prelims roll around, you’d have amassed a sizeable bank of notes and information you can refer to while studying, and be well-versed in thinking about and writing on the possible topics that will eventually come out.

While you’re busy acing your exams, check out our other study-related posts:

• Free study spots in Singapore
• Quiet cafes to study at  
• Best table lamps for to study with
• Unofficial guide to NUS
• 14 Best Shopping Malls In Johor Bahru To Visit For A Quick Getaway This June Holidays
• 1-Day JB Itinerary – Mount Austin Cafes, Massage & Next-Level Cinemas For A Classic Weekend Trip
• Travelling Then Vs Now – 6 Things Gen X Used To Do That Millennials Now Could Never 
• 22 New Hotels In Singapore 2024 Including Mandai’s Treehouse Resort & Private Villas On Sentosa
• Kiztopia Opens In New Bahru With Trampolines, Ball Pits & An In-House Cafe

Interpreting GP essay questions

Writing a GP essay is always a daunting task if you are not prepared or worse, do not know how to start. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tackle a GP essay question.

1. Understand the question

A lot of times, students make the fatal mistake of misinterpreting the question and thus end up writing off-topic or hijacking the question i.e. changing the question. A GP essay question becomes very straightforward if you can identify its main components:

The opinion gives you the discussion topic. The context tells you the time frame and/or society from which your examples should come from and finally, the task tells you what you need to do.

Unlike the Arts, such as writing or music, Mathematics lacks the capacity for creativity. How far do you agree with this statement? (2013)

In the first example, the question is only made up of two components: opinion and task . There is no context, which means that your examples can come from anywhere and any time period.

Looking at the opinion , the question is hinting at us to compare the Arts’ and Mathematics’ ability to foster creativity. You then need to decide whether to agree to a large or small extent if ‘Unlike the Arts, Mathematics lacks the capacity for creativity’. This is your task .

How important is it for people in your society to retain a sense of tradition ? (2010)

In the second example, we see all three components: opinion , context and task . Looking again at the opinion , the question wants us to discuss the importance of tradition, however the context limits us to using examples from our society only i.e. Singapore. Finally, the task wants you to decide if preserving tradition is very or not so important .

2. Plan your essay

Now that you have understood what the question wants you to do, you can proceed to plan how to write your essay. As the saying goes, ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’ so planning is VERY important. Planning gives your essay a clear direction. Moreover, you are less likely to deviate from the topic or suddenly get stumped in the middle wondering how on earth to continue.

You should spend a maximum of 10 minutes planning. First, brainstorm quickly for ideas, counter-arguments and relevant examples. And by quickly I mean anything that comes to mind (I usually brainstorm using a mind map but any way is fine as long as it is fast and easy for you to understand).

Image taken from: one.garazx.cu.cc

Second, select the strongest points which support your stand and the weaker points belonging to your counter-argument. Doing so will help make your argument sound more convincing. Typically, the ratio is 3 strong points : 1-2 counter argument(s).

Finally, plan your paragraphs. A basic GP essay layout includes a/an:

• Introduction
• Body : this may consist of 3-4 paragraphs depending on how many points you want to argue

For the essay body, order your points and counter-arguments in a way that allows you to present the most convincing argument.

3. Write your essay

Once you have finished planning, start writing your essay and stick to your plan . Do not add or change anything unless it is absolutely necessary because this will eat into your time.

In summary, it only takes three steps to kick-off writing a GP essay. Pull out past year papers and try your hand at planning some of the essay questions. With practice, one should get familiar with the process in no time.

[…] Interpreting GP essay questions How to craft a good essay introduction? How to craft a good body paragraph How to write a good conclusion? Common Pitfalls […]

[…] 1. Science vs. Arts – Which is better? 2. Value of Arts 3. Fun Facts about Women 4. Problem of over-generalisation in General Paper 5. Analytical Question on Philosophy 6. Type of Science and Technology Questions 7. Top 10 Pitfalls for Essay Writing 8. How to write an essay that will get you an A? 9. How to tackle GP Summary (1) 10. How to tackle GP Summary (2) 11. How to write a good essay Introduction? 12. How to craft a good essay body paragraph? 13. How to write a good essay conclusion? 14. Interpreting GP essay Questions […]

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• Oct 4, 2021

How to Analyze a GP essay

Updated: Oct 5, 2021

It is important to have an A Level GP essay that is structurally sound and riddled with high-quality content. As a continuation of the article on approaching essays at the A Levels , this one, brought to you by the top GP tuition center in Singapore, aims to go in-depth into the intricacies of how you can go about analyzing an A Level GP essay.

Types of essay structures

There are two main essay structures tested at the A Level GP exams. The first kind of essay tests you on, in the first half, arguing for a given stand, and then in the second half, purely refuting it. The second kind of essay demands that you support a given stand, but instead of refuting it in the second half, provide limitations to prove how the given stand is indefensible. In essence, an A Level GP essay is asking either for an opposing refutation , or opposing limitation . To elucidate what refutation or limitation essays can look like, refer to the explanation below.

Fig 1. Examples of A Level GP questions and their associated essay structures

With R and L referring to refutation and limitation question types respectively, we can become more adept at identifying them from Fig 1. above. Generally, refutation structures are used when the question poses a general statement. For instance, question 1 asks us to ‘consider the claim that...’ Question 6 asks us ‘should’, a conditional statement, while questions 7 and 10 state ‘is this true...’ and ‘do you agree...’ respectively. All of these mean that the questions are prompting us to disagree with the given stand. Therefore, a refutation would be most suitable here.

On the other hand, limitation structures come about when the question poses an absolute or encompassing statement. For instance, question 2 which states the term ‘real influence’, which is a strong term. For question 9, it states ‘always’, thus, it can be considered as a sweeping statement. Questions 8 and 12 are more straightforward, asking us for the level with which we agree with the statement, using ‘how far’ and ‘to what extent’ respectively. It is important to keep in mind that for limitation questions, we cannot purely disagree with the given stand. Instead, we must demonstrate the magnitude to which our disagreement extends to.

That being said, some common question types are classified as follows:

Limitations: To what extent, how far (Question asks specifically for a degree)

Refutations : Should, consider (Question poses a general statement)

To dive deeper, we’ve chosen 2 examples to analyze further.

1. Should people be allowed to enjoy greater freedom when they are unwilling to shoulder responsibility?

This is a refutation question, whose approach can be given as follows:

Part A: Explain why you believe that people should still be allowed to enjoy greater freedom despite them being unwilling to bear responsibilities for their actions.

Part B: Show why it is not tenable to allow people who shirk their responsibilities to enjoy greater freedom.

Part B serves to refute Part A to contradict its given points. It seeks to deny the claims laid out in Part A as false .

The second kind of essay structure, as identified by the best GP tuition in Singapore , is obtained as follows:

2. Do international organizations have real influence over global affairs today?

This is interpreted as a limitation question. That is because you cannot say that international organizations do not have any influence over global affairs. Instead, this question is asking for the degree of influence international organizations may seem to have:

Part A: While international organizations may seem to be able to influence global affairs,

Part B: In reality, the limitations that they face constrains their ability to assert real influence.

Additionally, Zenith wishes to remind students to include examples and explanations relevant to the local context should a question include the term “in your society”.

Identifying keywords

Being able to pick out keywords from your A Level GP essay is a crucial skill that our top JC GP tuition programme constantly emphasizes on. Keywords provide the structure in which your essay is built upon, and set the boundaries of what you can or cannot write. We start off by defining the keywords in question 1. To recap:

1. Should people be allowed to enjoy greater freedom when they are unwilling to s houlder responsibility ?

Should - Consider the desirability, obligation, wisdom (right or wrong) of granting greater freedom to this group of people.

Greater freedom - This refers to the greater number of individual liberties people enjoy today and the greater protection given to these liberties.

Shoulder responsibilities - To be ready to account for the consequences. In this case, as implied in the question, this group of people has no intention of shouldering any burden.

For question 2 which is on international organizations:

International organizations - An organization with an international membership, scope, or presence. These can include International Governmental Organizations (IGOs), made up primarily of sovereign states. For example, the UN, ASEAN, EU, and NATO.

On the other hand, it could also refer to International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that operate internationally. Examples include Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Real - Whether international organizations have actual/significant/tangible influence over global affairs.

Influence - Power; the ability to alter or affect the outcomes of global affairs.

Global affairs - Significant political, economic, or social events that are of interest to other countries.

Building a high-quality body

Now that we know what to build our essay around, we move on to its body. At the top GP tuition center in Singapore , it is essential that the points, examples, and explanations in your body paragraphs are detailed and comprehensive. For instance, for question 1’s Part A , Zenith argues that:

Point: Liberal democracies view freedom as a constitutional right, one that cannot be repealed by human laws.

Explanation: Freedom is often perceived as a natural right of any thinking individual. Thus, making it conditional is a violation of a person’s dignity. The abolition of slavery, for instance, is a demonstration of society’s belief that people are born free and should remain so. Placing the condition that freedom must be relative to the degree of responsibility a person is willing to bear negates the true meaning of freedom and its role as an inalienable right.

Example: As stated in the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, the right to keep and bear arms is fiercely defended by American citizens who believe that armed citizens take responsibility for their own security. In light of contemporary gun-control debates, the right to arms goes beyond trading their liberty for an illusion of security. Many elite opponents of gun control raise their voices against infringements of their rights of self-defense, which is the core principle on which their liberal republic was founded.

Subsequently, more paragraphs of different topic sentences and examples will be required to bolster Part A. Moving on, we refute Part A with Part B , by describing how:

Point: When people have no intention of taking charge of their responsibility, there is no obligation to grant them more freedom as they have forfeited their right to it.

Explanation: The willingness to shoulder responsibility is a prerequisite for enjoying greater freedom. People in any society are parties to a social contract, where each person agrees to follow the laws of the state on the condition that everyone else does the same. People are thus obliged to give up some of their personal freedom to be accountable to the larger society’s well-being . This way, people are all relatively safe from one another and we all benefit from the other social goods as a result.

Example: The freedom of speech should not include the freedom to offend . Ultimately, an individual’s right to respect and dignity should never be undermined to protect someone else’s right to freedom of speech. In Singapore, it is important to note that apart from race and religion being sensitive issues, minority groups such as the elderly, the LGBT community, and foreign domestic workers are equally at risk of being at the receiving end of verbal abuse and discrimination. Words matter and everyone should be mindful of what they say out loud. It is one thing to disagree, dislike, or even dissent, but another to offend, humiliate or insult.

Add on one or more paragraphs of different topic sentences and examples to bolster Part B.

Moving on to question 2’s Part A, Zenith argues that:

Point and Explanation: International organizations having a large membership, maintain the ability to amass a significant pool of resources such as funds, manpower, and supplies, enabling them to assert their influence when intervening in crises around the world.

Example: The IMF, EU, and European Central Bank came together during the 2009 Financial Crisis with bailout packages totaling 289 billion Euros, to rescue Greece from certain financial ruin. This enabled Greece to remain as a member of the Eurozone and avert the possibility of financial contagion. As part of its loan conditions, the IMF was also able to force Greece to implement austerity measures, structural reforms, and privatization of government assets.

Subsequently, more paragraphs of different points, elaboration, and examples will be required to bolster Part A. Moving on, we limit/curtail Part A with Part B , by describing how:

Point and Explanation: The power that international organizations are able to exert is dependent on the willingness and consensus of states in accepting their jurisdictions. Countries still reserve their right to assert their sovereignty and reject actions taken by international organizations to meddle in their affairs when it does not fit their strategic interests.

Example: China, which claims 90% of the South China Sea, rejected the Hague Tribunal’s 2016 ruling of there being no legal basis for her to claim historic rights to resources within the sea, proceeding to vehemently continue land reclamation despite international condemnation and pressure.

Similarly, more paragraphs of different topic sentences, examples and elaborations will be required to bolster Part B.

The above, taken from the best JC GP tuition programme in Singapore, demonstrates Zenith’s systematic and methodological method for analyzing A Level GP questions. In all, we start by identifying the essay type, defining keywords, and then setting out a two-pronged approach of Part A and B. We then fill up the parts with informed and well-elaborated paragraphs of content, each containing a topic sentence, relevant examples, and a detailed explanation.

Follow the above tips and ace your A Level GP essay with ease! Click here , if you’re keen on joining the best JC GP tuition programme in Singapore! You may also visit our testimonials page to find out more or jump straight to contacting us for a free trial today!

• General Paper

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• College essay

How Long Should a College Essay Be? | Word Count Tips

Published on September 29, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on June 1, 2023.

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit. If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

You should aim to stay under the specified limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, if you write too little, it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a thoughtful and developed essay.

Table of contents

Word count guidelines for different application types, how to shorten your essay, how to expand your essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Each university has a different suggested or required word count depending on which application portal it uses.

Some application portals will allow you to exceed the word count limit, but admissions officers have limited time and energy to read longer essays. Other application portals have a strict limit and will not allow you to exceed it.

For example, in the Common App , the portal will not allow you to submit more than 650 words. Some colleges using the Common App will allow you to submit less than 250 words, but this is too short for a well-developed essay.

For scholarship essays , diversity essays , and “Why this college?” essays , word count limits vary. Make sure to verify and respect each prompt’s limit.

Don’t worry too much about word count until the revision stage ; focusing on word count while writing may hinder your creativity. Once you have finished a draft, you can start shortening or expanding your essay if necessary.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

On some application portals, you can exceed the word limit, but there are good reasons to stay within it:

• To maintain the admissions officer’s attention
• To show you can follow directions
• To demonstrate you can write concisely

Here are some strategies for shortening your essay.

Stay on the main point

It’s good to use vivid imagery, but only include relevant details. Cut any sentences with tangents or unnecessary information.

My father taught me how to strategically hold the marshmallow pierced by a twig at a safe distance from the flames to make sure it didn’t get burned, ensuring a golden brown exterior.

Typically, my father is glued to his computer since he’s a software engineer at Microsoft. But that night, he was the marshmallow master. We waited together as the pillowy sugary goodness caramelized into gooey delight. Good example: Sticks to the point On our camping trip to Yosemite, my family spent time together, away from technology and routine responsibility.

My favorite part was roasting s’mores around the campfire. My father taught me how to hold the marshmallow at a safe distance from the flames, ensuring a golden brown exterior.

These college essay examples also demonstrate how you can cut your essay down to size.

Eliminate wordiness

Delete unnecessary words that clutter your essay. If a word doesn’t add value, cut it.

Here are some common examples of wordiness and how to fix them.

Use a paraphrasing tool

If you want to save time, you can make use of a paraphrasing tool . Within the tool you can select the “short” mode to rewrite your essay in less words. Just copy your text in the tool and within 1 click you’ll have shortened your essay.

If you’re significantly under the word count, you’re wasting the opportunity to show depth and authenticity in your essay. Admissions officers may see your short essay as a sign that you’re unable to write a detailed, insightful narrative about yourself.

Here are some strategies for expanding your essay.

Show detailed examples, and don’t tell generic stories

You should include detailed examples that can’t be replicated by another student. Use vivid imagery, the five senses, and specific objects to transport the reader into your story.

Reveal your feelings and insight

If your essay lacks vulnerability or self-reflection, share your feelings and the lessons you’ve learned.

Be creative with how you express your feelings; rather than simply writing “I’m happy,” use memorable images to help the reader clearly visualize your happiness. Similarly, for insight, include the follow-up actions from your lessons learned; instead of claiming “I became a hard worker,” explain what difficult tasks you accomplished as a result of what you learned.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit to write a developed and thoughtful essay.

You should aim to stay under the specified word count limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely. However, don’t write too little, as it may seem like you are unwilling or unable to write a detailed and insightful narrative about yourself.

If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words.

If you’re struggling to reach the word count for your college essay, add vivid personal stories or share your feelings and insight to give your essay more depth and authenticity.

If your college essay goes over the word count limit , cut any sentences with tangents or irrelevant details. Delete unnecessary words that clutter your essay.

You can speed up this process by shortening and smoothing your writing with a paraphrasing tool . After that, you can use the summarizer to shorten it even more.

There is no set number of paragraphs in a college admissions essay . College admissions essays can diverge from the traditional five-paragraph essay structure that you learned in English class. Just make sure to stay under the specified word count .

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GP Tuition & O Level English Tuition

General Paper notes: Essay Introductions

The opening paragraph or introduction to a GP essay is one of the most important parts of the essay.

GP students should aim to begin their essay in a manner which accomplishes three main things:

• Introducing and clarifying the key ideas so as to let the reader know what the essay is going to be about
• Effectively signalling the direction in which the essay is heading. This is usually achieved by a clear thesis statement that uses the key ideas discussed earlier as leverage.
• And as a bonus, to get the interest of the reader. From a reader’s perspective (and from our teaching experience), an essay that has a interesting start is a sheer delight after marking dozens of bland openings!

Each of these components have specific strategies. This will be elaborated later under a dedicated “Writing Introductions” GP tuition lesson.

Yet very often, GP students do none of these things. Instead they resort to rather odd techniques to get started. Here are a few.

Mistake no. 1 The “Encyclopedia or Dictionary definition” opening – Some students go overboard in beginning their essay by defining every term in the question,  whether the terms need explanations or not. To begin an essay with: “The internet can be defined as a network of computers . . .” or “War is defined as armed conflict between nations” is both unnecessary and an insult to the reader. You can assume that the marker of your GP essay knows what ‘war’ or ‘internet’ is,  despite how you might think of your GP tutor! 🙂 Worse, you spend needless time and effort that will get you no marks and might even penalise the overall impression. Do Note! Definitions do have  a place in the introductions but not when they are defining the obvious!

Mistake no. 2 Beating around the bush – the circular and irrelevant opening Some students seemingly cannot bring themselves to address the question in the opening paragraph. Instead, they waffle vaguely, going on for many tedious sentences, before finally writing what is really in their introduction by paragraph 2. This is a terrible start. First you frustrate the reader and risk losing their interest(remember our point of having dozens of other essays to mark?). Second and more importantly, your inability to get to the point probably leads to your inability to have an effective and clear thesis statement – a key component of your introduction. Furthermore . . .

Mistake no. 3 Abusing the use of rhetoric questions aka “The bombarding reader with questions” opening – Interestingly, during GP tuition, some students believe that an effective opening consists of a string of questions such as, “Is the environment truly doomed? Do industries and consumers put self interests before the greater good? Can we get our act together or has the failure of key environmental summits support this pessimism?” etc etc. While the occasional rhetorical question in the body of an essay may be appropriate and indeed, effective, a string of questions is not. Worse, more often than not, students end up repeating the essay question…without answering it!! Students should take note that . . .

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the best college essay length: how long should it be.

College Essays

Figuring out your college essay can be one of the most difficult parts of applying to college. Even once you've read the prompt and picked a topic, you might wonder: if you write too much or too little, will you blow your chance of admission? How long should a college essay be?

Whether you're a terse writer or a loquacious one, we can advise you on college essay length. In this guide, we'll cover what the standard college essay length is, how much word limits matter, and what to do if you aren't sure how long a specific essay should be.

How Long Is a College Essay? First, Check the Word Limit

You might be used to turning in your writing assignments on a page-limit basis (for example, a 10-page paper). While some colleges provide page limits for their college essays, most use a word limit instead. This makes sure there's a standard length for all the essays that a college receives, regardless of formatting or font.

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

College essay prompts usually provide the word limit right in the prompt or in the instructions.

For example, the University of Illinois says :

"You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program , and if you've selected a second choice . Each response should be approximately 150 words."

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words. Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all!

Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

How Flexible Is the Word Limit?

But how flexible is the word limit? What if your poignant anecdote is just 10 words too long—or 100 too short?

Can I Go Over the Word Limit?

If you are attaching a document and you need one or two extra words, you can probably get away with exceeding the word limit by such a small amount. Some colleges will actually tell you that exceeding the word limit by 1-2 words is fine. However, I advise against exceeding the word limit unless it's explicitly allowed for a few reasons:

First, you might not be able to. If you have to copy-paste it into a text box, your essay might get cut off and you'll have to trim it down anyway.

If you exceed the word limit in a noticeable way, the admissions counselor may just stop reading your essay past that point. This is not good for you.

Following directions is actually a very important part of the college application process. You need to follow directions to get your letters of recommendation, upload your essays, send supplemental materials, get your test scores sent, and so on and so forth. So it's just a good general rule to follow whatever instructions you've been given by the institution. Better safe than sorry!

Can I Go Under the Word Limit?

If you can truly get your point across well beneath the word limit, it's probably fine. Brevity is not necessarily a bad thing in writing just so long as you are clear, cogent, and communicate what you want to.

However, most college essays have pretty tight word limits anyways. So if you're writing 300 words for an essay with a 500-word limit, ask yourself: is there anything more you could say to elaborate on or support your points? Consult with a parent, friend, or teacher on where you could elaborate with more detail or expand your points.

Also, if the college gives you a word range, you absolutely need to at least hit the bottom end of the range. So if you get a range from the institution, like 400-500 words, you need to write at least 400 words. If you write less, it will come across like you have nothing to say, which is not an impression you want to give.

What If There Is No Word Limit?

Some colleges don't give you a word limit for one or more of your essay prompts. This can be a little stressful, but the prompts generally fall into a few categories:

Writing Sample

Some colleges don't provide a hard-and-fast word limit because they want a writing sample from one of your classes. In this case, a word limit would be very limiting to you in terms of which assignments you could select from.

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :

"Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay."

While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B , Amherst clarifies, "There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit. Typically, we anticipate a paper of 4-5 pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Somewhat longer papers can also be submitted, but in most cases should not exceed 8-10 pages."

So even though there's no word limit, they'd like somewhere in the 4-10 pages range. High school students are not usually writing papers that are longer than 10 pages anyways, so that isn't very limiting.

Implicit Length Guideline

Sometimes, while there's no word (or even page) limit, there's still an implicit length guideline. What do I mean by this?

See, for example, this Western Washington University prompt :

“Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?”

While there’s no page or word limit listed here, further down on page the ‘essay tips’ section explains that “ most essay responses are about 500 words, ” though “this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit.” This gives you an idea of what’s reasonable. A little longer or shorter than 500 words would be appropriate here. That’s what I mean by an “implicit” word limit—there is a reasonable length you could go to within the boundaries of the prompt.

But what's the proper coffee-to-paragraph ratio?

Treasure Hunt

There is also the classic "treasure hunt" prompt. No, it's not a prompt about a treasure hunt. It's a prompt where there are no length guidelines given, but if you hunt around on the rest of the website you can find length guidelines.

For example, the University of Chicago provides seven "Extended Essay" prompts . You must write an essay in response to one prompt of your choosing, but nowhere on the page is there any guidance about word count or page limit.

However, many colleges provide additional details about their expectations for application materials, including essays, on FAQ pages, which is true of the University of Chicago. On the school’s admissions Frequently Asked Questions page , they provide the following length guidelines for the supplemental essays: 

“We suggest that you note any word limits for Coalition or Common Application essays; however, there are no strict word limits on the UChicago Supplement essays. For the extended essay (where you choose one of several prompts), we suggest that you aim for around 650 words. While we won't, as a rule, stop reading after 650 words, we're only human and cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention indefinitely. For the “Why UChicago?” essay, we suggest about 250-500 words. The ideas in your writing matter more than the exact number of words you use!”

So there you go! You want to be (loosely) in the realm of 650 for the extended essay, and 250-500 words for the “Why UChicago?” essay.

Help! There Really Is No Guidance on Length

If you really can't find any length guidelines anywhere on the admissions website and you're at a loss, I advise calling the admissions office. They may not be able to give you an exact number (in fact, they probably won't), but they will probably at least be able to tell you how long most of the essays they see are. (And keep you from writing a panicked, 20-page dissertation about your relationship with your dog).

In general, 500 words or so is pretty safe for a college essay. It's a fairly standard word limit length, in fact. (And if you're wondering, that's about a page and a half double-spaced.) 500 words is long enough to develop a basic idea while still getting a point across quickly—important when admissions counselors have thousands of essays to read!

"See? It says 500 words right there in tiny font!"

The Final Word: How Long Should a College Essay Be?

The best college essay length is usually pretty straightforward: you want to be right under or at the provided word limit. If you go substantially past the word limit, you risk having your essay cut off by an online application form or having the admissions officer just not finish it. And if you're too far under the word limit, you may not be elaborating enough.

What if there is no word limit? Then how long should a college essay be? In general, around 500 words is a pretty safe approximate word amount for a college essay—it's one of the most common word limits, after all!

Here's guidance for special cases and hunting down word limits:

If it's a writing sample of your graded academic work, the length either doesn't matter or there should be some loose page guidelines.

There also may be implicit length guidelines. For example, if a prompt says to write three paragraphs, you'll know that writing six sentences is definitely too short, and two single-spaced pages is definitely too long.

You might not be able to find length guidelines in the prompt, but you could still hunt them up elsewhere on the website. Try checking FAQs or googling your chosen school name with "admissions essay word limit."

If there really is no word limit, you can call the school to try to get some guidance.

With this advice, you can be sure you've got the right college essay length on lockdown!

Hey, writing about yourself can even be fun!

What's Next?

Need to ask a teacher or friend for help with your essay? See our do's and dont's to getting college essay advice .

If you're lacking in essay inspiration, see our guide to brainstorming college essay ideas . And here's our guide to starting out your essay perfectly!

Looking for college essay examples? See 11 places to find college essay examples and 145 essay examples with analysis !

Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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College Essay Format: Top Writing and Editing Tips for 2024

A good college essay format, with the right topic, goes beyond describing your academic accomplishments and extracurriculars. Learn how to make your college essay stand out with these tips.

You want to stand out in a crowd, particularly when you’re applying to the college of your choice. As part of the application process, many schools ask for an essay to accompany the standard academic and personal information they require.

At its core, your college application essay tells a story that offers admissions officers a glimpse into who you are, beyond your grades, extracurricular activities, and test scores. Your college essay, often called a "personal statement," is your opportunity to reveal your personality and give an idea about the kind of student you'll be in college.

So how should a college essay be formatted? This article covers formatting best practices, how to choose a compelling topic for your essay, and tips to help you craft an essay that captures your reader's attention, clearly communicates its message, and is free from errors.

College essay format best practices

Your personal statement should tell a compelling story that effectively demonstrates your unique values and personality. While the format of your college essay is largely up to you, consequently, it can be helpful to have a sense of how you might format your essay before composing it.

Consider the following college essay format to organize your writing and craft the most compelling story possible.

1. Think about using a title.

A title for your college essay isn't necessary. But, including one could make your essay intriguing to readers. That said, if you're low on word count, skip a title altogether and just jump into your narrative. You can also wait until after you write your essay to decide. It's often easier to come up with a fitting, compelling title after you've told your story.

2. Open with a hook.

Your opening sentence is one of the most important parts of your essay. It's what you'll use to capture the attention of the reader and compel them to continue reading. The start of your essay is your opportunity to make an impactful first impression, so make your opening a good one.

Here are two examples of how you might craft an interesting hook for your essay:

Start in the middle of your story: Call out the most interesting point of your story, and then backtrack from there. For example, "And there I found myself, surrounded by baby sea turtles on the hazy shores of Virginia Beach."

Make a specific generalization: This is a sentence that makes a general statement on what your essay will be about but gives a specific description. An example: "Each year on our family vacation out of the city, I contemplate the meaning of life as we cross the Golden Gate Bridge."

3. Use your introduction to set up your story.

While your hook will spark the reader's curiosity, the rest of your introduction should give them an idea of where you're going with your essay. Set your story up in four to five sentences, making sure to only include information that is absolutely necessary to understand your story.

4. Tell your story in the body of your essay.

The Common Application has a 650 word limit for personal statements. That means, if both your introduction and conclusion are roughly 100 words each, your body will most likely end up being about 450 words. Think of that as three to five paragraphs, with each paragraph having its own main idea or point. 

Write in a narrative style—closer to how you might write a short story than an instruction manual. Tell your story in a way that’s logical, clear, and makes sense for what you're trying to convey about yourself.

While you should pay strict attention to using proper grammar and sentence structure, you have the freedom to make your essay a reflection of your personality. If you're a humorous person, use humor. If you're an eternal optimist or love getting into the minute details of life, let that shine through. But, keep in mind that your essay is fundamentally about highlighting the qualities that you'd bring to a college community, so keep your anecdotes focused and on point.

5. Use the conclusion to clarify your essay's core idea. 

Finish your story with a conclusion paragraph, where you clarify the value or idea you're trying to convey. What is the main thing you want the college to know about you through this story? Is it what you've learned, a value that's important to you, or what you want to contribute to society? Finally, use the last line of your personal statement to reinforce this central idea, so that your reader leaves with a clear impression about who you are. After the "hook" of your personal statement, the concluding line is the most important of your essay.

How to develop your college essay story

Now that you know how to format your college essay, we'll explore how to develop the story you'll tell in it. Here are some steps to get started:

1. Explore past college essay prompts

Over 900 colleges use Common App essay prompts, which means you may be able to write one essay for several college applications. Some past Common App college essay prompts—which are announced publicly each year—include the following topics:

Share a story about your background, interest, identity, or talent that makes you complete as a person.

Describe a time when you faced a setback, failure, or challenge and what you learned from it.

Tell about a topic, concept, or idea that is so captivating to you that you lose all track of time.

Write about something that someone has done for you that you are grateful for, and how gratitude has motivated or affected you.

These are broad topics that give you the freedom to tell all kinds of different things about yourself. Explore these questions to start brainstorming ideas of stories you may be able to tell about yourself.

There are a lot of potential prompts out there. Some of the other college essay prompts you might encounter include:

Describe a person you admire and how that person has influenced your behavior and thinking.

Why do you want to attend this school?

Describe your creative side.

Name an extracurricular activity that is meaningful to you and how it has impacted your life.

Tell about what you have done to make your community or school a better place.

2. Pick a topic.

Choose a topic that allows you to best highlight what you want the college to know about you. A good start is to list three positive adjectives that describe you. Then, see if you can write two or three real-life examples of each trait that demonstrates that you possess that characteristic.

If you're having trouble coming up with ideas, think about the stories other people tell about you or the positive words they use to describe you. Consider asking people who know you well the following questions:

What do you think sets me apart from others? 

What are my strengths? 

How would you describe my personality? 

What are my quirks?

These ideas can become the inspiration to develop material for a good college essay. You don't have to write about a major life-changing event. It can be a mundane or ordinary situation—like a dinner table conversation, a day at school, or a conversation with a friend. Often, slightly unusual topics are better than typical ones because they hold a reader's attention.

Regardless of the topic you choose, remember that the true topic of your college essay is you, and the purpose of it is to show how you are unique. It highlights an important piece of who you are and where you want to head in life.

3. Consider length.

Consult your college application instructions to see how long your essay should be. Typically, personal statements are between 500 and 650 words long, while supplemental essays are often around 250 to 300 words. Use the required essay length to help you determine what you will share. You won't be able to tell your life story within these few paragraphs, so choose the most impactful examples as your content. 

4. Outline your essay.

An outline helps you plan your essay's key points, including its beginning, middle, and end. Use your outline to stay on topic and get the most out of your word count.

The most effective outlines are usually the simplest. For instance, a good story has a beginning, middle, and end. Likewise, your essay will have an introduction, body, and conclusion. Unless the college requests a specific admission essay format, use the format you've been using to write essays in high school that you're likely to be the most comfortable with.

If you're stuck on how to open your essay, write the middle of your story first. Then, go back and write a compelling introduction and a concise conclusion.

Tips for writing your college essay

Your college essay format and writing should be both compelling in clear. So, as you're writing your college essay, keep these tips in mind:  

1. Be authentic.

One of the most essential parts of how to format a college application essay is to be authentic. The college wants to know who you are, and they will be reading dozens of essays a day. The best way to make yours stand out is to just be yourself instead of focusing on what you think they want to hear. 

Imagine you’re speaking to an actual person as you write. Be honest and accurate, using words you normally use. Your essay is a personal statement, so it should sound natural to the reader—and to you too.

2. Show you can write .

While the most important part of your personal statement is showcasing who you are, you'll also be judged on your writing ability. That's because knowing the fundamental principles of writing is important to college success. Show that you understand the structure of an essay and proper use of the English language.

3. Stay on topic.

If you're using a specific question as your writing prompt, answer the question directly in the opening paragraph. Then, use the rest of the essay to elaborate on your answer. Make good use of your word count limit by being concise and coherent. Stay on topic and refrain from adding any information that doesn't add to the main idea of your essay. 

4. Use concrete details to make your story come to life.

Your essay should describe a real-life event that you've experienced. And, to make that experience as vivid as possible for your reader, you'll want to lean into concrete details that effectively convey it through the written word. This adds color and validity to your personal statement. Personal examples will show you embody the characteristics or values you claim to, rather than merely saying you do.

5. Follow directions.

Read and understand the specific instructions set by the college for your essay. Then, review them again before you submit your essay to make sure you've met all of the requirements. Only once you're confident that you've followed them correctly and that your essay is free from any errors should you submit your essay.

How to edit your college essay

Once you've written your essay, you'll want to edit it until you’re satisfied it conveys your message and is free of errors. Let your first draft be as messy or pristine as it comes out. Then, go back later—several times if needed—to clean it up. Ask yourself these questions as you edit your essay:

Is my essay free of grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors?

Is it the proper word length assigned by the college?

Have I answered the question in the prompt?

Does the introduction make me want to read more?

Are there any vague statements I can replace with more specific details?

Do any parts drone on or feel boring?

Does it feel too formal?

Are any parts or words repetitive?

Have I misused any words (such as there, their, and they're)?

Are my sentences varied in length?

Have I shared with the college what I most want them to know about me? 

It can also be helpful to ask someone you trust to read your essay and give you constructive feedback. This might be a trusted teacher, parent, school counselor, or college student. It's best to choose someone who is familiar with the purpose of a college essay.

Ask them to give feedback about your essay using the same questions as above. But they should never try to rewrite your essay. And never let others edit out your voice. Ask them to focus on grammar and mechanics and to give suggestions on items to add in or leave out. 

Above all, ask your guest editor what point they think you were trying to make with your essay. If they get it right, you know you've crafted a college essay that reflects you and your intended message. 

PSA: Save your essay drafts!

Instead of writing your essay directly in the online application, draft and save your essay in a document like Google Docs or Word—or start out on paper and pen if that's what you're most comfortable with. That way you can make edits and use helpful online spelling and grammar checkers. And, you won't risk losing your essay if the application times out or you navigate away from it by mistake.

When you copy and paste your essay into the application, make sure your formatting, such as line spacing and bolding for headings, remains intact.

Enhance your writing skills on Coursera

Bring out your best in your college essay with a course in Writing a Personal Essay from Wesleyan University. Learn how to find your voice, structure your essay, choose relevant details, and write in a way that pulls in your readers.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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Build a Corporate Culture That Works

There’s a widespread understanding that managing corporate culture is key to business success. Yet few companies articulate their culture in such a way that the words become an organizational reality that molds employee behavior as intended.

All too often a culture is described as a set of anodyne norms, principles, or values, which do not offer decision-makers guidance on how to make difficult choices when faced with conflicting but equally defensible courses of action.

The trick to making a desired culture come alive is to debate and articulate it using dilemmas. If you identify the tough dilemmas your employees routinely face and clearly state how they should be resolved—“In this company, when we come across this dilemma, we turn left”—then your desired culture will take root and influence the behavior of the team.

To develop a culture that works, follow six rules: Ground your culture in the dilemmas you are likely to confront, dilemma-test your values, communicate your values in colorful terms, hire people who fit, let culture drive strategy, and know when to pull back from a value statement.

Start by thinking about the dilemmas your people will face.

Idea in Brief

The problem.

There’s a widespread understanding that managing corporate culture is key to business success. Yet few companies articulate their corporate culture in such a way that the words become an organizational reality that molds employee behavior as intended.

What Usually Happens

How to fix it.

Follow six rules: Ground your culture in the dilemmas you are likely to confront, dilemma-test your values, communicate your values in colorful terms, hire people who fit, let culture drive strategy, and know when to pull back from a value.

At the beginning of my career, I worked for the health-care-software specialist HBOC. One day, a woman from human resources came into the cafeteria with a roll of tape and began sticking posters on the walls. They proclaimed in royal blue the company’s values: “Transparency, Respect, Integrity, Honesty.” The next day we received wallet-sized plastic cards with the same words and were asked to memorize them so that we could incorporate them into our actions. The following year, when management was indicted on 17 counts of conspiracy and fraud, we learned what the company’s values really were.

• EM Erin Meyer is a professor at INSEAD, where she directs the executive education program Leading Across Borders and Cultures. She is the author of The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business (PublicAffairs, 2014) and coauthor (with Reed Hastings) of No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention (Penguin, 2020). ErinMeyerINSEAD

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Surgeon General Calls for Warning Labels on Social Media Platforms

Dr. Vivek Murthy said he would urge Congress to require a warning that social media use can harm teenagers’ mental health.

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By Ellen Barry and Cecilia Kang

The U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, announced on Monday that he would push for a warning label on social media platforms advising parents that using the platforms might damage adolescents’ mental health.

Warning labels — like those that appear on tobacco and alcohol products — are one of the most powerful tools available to the nation’s top health official, but Dr. Murthy cannot unilaterally require them; the action requires approval by Congress.

The proposal builds on several years of escalating warnings from the surgeon general. In a May 2023 advisory, he recommended that parents immediately set limits on phone use, and urged Congress to swiftly develop health and safety standards for technology platforms.

He also called on tech companies to make changes: to share internal data on the health impact of their products; to allow independent safety audits; and restrict features like push notifications, autoplay and infinite scroll, which he says “prey on developing brains and contribute to excessive use.”

In an interview, Dr. Murthy said he had been deeply frustrated by the platforms’ reluctance to do so.

“I don’t think we can solely rely on the hope that the platforms can fix this problem on their own,” he said. “They’ve had 20 years.”

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Full body scans miss the mark when it comes to improving u.s. disease prevention.

Lisa Doggett

Consumers are paying cash for preventive health testing with full body scans, which typically use MRI technology. Mindful Media/Getty Images/E+ hide caption

The websites are tantalizing: “You can catch conditions before they become crises,” reads one. Another promises to make cancer “easier to beat” and claims it can detect “over 500 other conditions in up to 13 organs.” Full-body scans are attracting celebrity promoters , tech mogul investors and long waiting lists of people hoping to identify life-threatening conditions, usually more treatable in early stages.

Now offered by private companies in over a dozen U.S. cities, the scans commonly rely on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), supported by artificial intelligence, to assess major organs for hidden disease. The scans, which are not covered by health insurance, take about an hour. They are then reviewed by radiologists before results and suggested next steps are shared with the customer.

Although I’m a believer in the power of prevention, I’m not taking the bait.

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I’ve spent much of my 22-year career as a family doctor counseling patients on the benefits of screening for cancer and other chronic diseases, ordering appropriate tests and vaccines, and evangelizing about a healthy lifestyle. But this new race to sign up for full-body scans is troubling, given the scant evidence of benefit and the high price tags (as much as $2,500).

Instead of focusing on the dubious potential of these new scans, our nation should recommit to reaching everyone with established prevention strategies known to save lives.

Missed opportunities

Decades of research prove that regular screenings reduce illness and death. Age, risk and sex-based recommendations include testing for colon, breast, cervical and lung cancer; blood pressure checks for hypertension; and bone density tests for osteoporosis. Children need regular well-visits. Vaccines are available for everyone to prevent infections.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most health plans now cover preventive services without cost-sharing by patients (i.e., copays and meeting deductibles).

Yet, according to Healthy People 2030 — a federal initiative to increase rates of preventive health care — only 5.3% of adults ages 35 and older in the United States received all recommended high-priority clinical preventive services in 2020, the last year for which numbers are available. That’s down from 8.5% in 2015.

Though most of us get some of the recommended services, nearly 95% of us are missing out on crucial opportunities to improve our health.

To check if you and your family are up to date on preventive services, see the MyHealthfinder tool.

Meanwhile, public demand is fueling the growth of Prenuvo and Ezra, the two main companies offering full-body MRIs. In February, Ezra announced that it had raised $21 million, with a plan “to be present” in 20 cities and 50 imaging centers by the end of this year. In October 2022, Prenuvo said that it had raised $70 million to fund expansion and technology enhancements.

Media coverage over the last year by major publications also reflects the public’s fascination with full-body scans.

If we could re-direct this enthusiasm to evidence-based — albeit less glamorous — methods to detect and prevent disease, we could avoid a lot of sickness and death.

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Mammograms — low-dose X-rays of the breasts — for example, are recommended for average-risk women starting at age 40 to identify breast cancer before it spreads. According to the American Cancer Society , the five-year relative survival rate, which compares women with cancer to those in the overall population, is a remarkable 99% for early-stage breast cancer. But nearly a quarter of women ages 50-74 are not up-to-date with their mammograms. Numbers are similar for cervical cancer screening .

For colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers in the U.S., just under 60% of adults ages 45 to 75 years had received appropriate screening in 2021.

The deficits aren’t limited to cancer. Less than half of people ages 2 and up get regular dental care . A quarter of pregnant people don’t receive early and adequate prenatal care .

A report released last year by the National Association of Community Health Centers estimated that over 100 million Americans don’t have reliable access to primary care, the usual source for most preventive care.

I’ve seen the consequences: a delayed breast cancer diagnosis in a middle-aged single mom, heart failure in an older man after years of unrecognized hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes in many others, raising the risk of damage to the heart, kidneys, nerves and eyes.

Risks of over-testing

With all the benefits of preventive screening, one might argue, why not embrace full-body MRIs?

No preventive test is perfect. False positives are inevitable, creating anxiety and prompting additional investigation. We find — and even treat — early cancers that never would have spread, high blood pressure that never would have caused heart problems or a stroke.

Medical specialty societies, organizations such as the American Cancer Society, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — an independent group of experts — regularly review the latest studies and update recommendations to guide selection of screening tests that balance risks with saving lives.

But with unregulated full-body scans, the guardrails are gone.

The very comprehensiveness of these tests is problematic. According to Dr. Richard Bruno, regent-at-large with the American College of Preventive Medicine, full body screenings in those without symptoms may lead to “incidentalomas” — benign findings in otherwise healthy people. Left undiscovered, many of these findings would never go on to cause problems, but “may warrant further testing and unnecessary procedures such as biopsies that can be costly and harmful,” Bruno said.

In fact, no major medical organization recommends full body scans in healthy individuals.

Low uptake of preventive services

The U.S. needs to shift its lopsided and short-sighted health care spending to focus more on disease prevention. According to Rear Admiral Paul Reed of the U.S. Public Health Service, we spend about 17% of our gross domestic product on health care. Almost all of it goes to “after-the-fact disease management.”

“We have an ever-worsening burden of chronic disease in this country that is coming with an extraordinary cost,” Reed said.

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The U.S. spent $4.5 trillion on health care in 2022 — far more than any other nation. Yet only about 3% was directed toward disease prevention.

COVID was a major blow to preventive care efforts, leading to a decline in screenings and vaccines that has been slow to rebound.

A large study led by researchers from the American Cancer Society, for example, showed that the number of women who reported having cervical cancer screening decreased by 4.4 million in 2021 compared with 2019. Breast cancer screenings were down by 1.1 million.

Cost concerns, fear of “finding something,” and geographic and time constraints also contribute to low rates of preventive services. Being uninsured or not having transportation or a primary care provider limit access. Vaccine hesitancy and refusal are at higher rates than before the pandemic.

Lack of awareness is an additional barrier. In my practice, I regularly see patients who don’t know that they are due for colon cancer screening or hepatitis B vaccination.

Clinicians, too, may be confused about the guidelines, which change periodically. Breast cancer screening has created enormous controversy over the years, with reputable organizations disagreeing about when to initiate and how often to repeat mammograms. Pneumococcal vaccine recommendations are so complicated that I routinely have to consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Better communication and outreach can save lives

The solutions have to start with better communication between doctors and health care systems. Electronic records have the potential to notify busy clinicians when preventive interventions are overdue, but not all systems are equally effective.

Overall, we need a shift in focus from disease treatment to upstream avoidance, including well-funded educational campaigns to highlight the importance of prevention. Targeted outreach to communities known to have low rates of screening or challenges accessing services can improve rates of life-saving tests.

Reed contends that lessons from the pandemic may provide an opportunity to improve acceptance of preventive care. “I believe we — the public health and medical community — ought to leverage the heightened awareness of personal health, right now, and more deliberately engage the public on the importance of [clinical preventive services],” he said.

Full-body scans offer a tempting but unsubstantiated path to good health. If costs and rates of false positives can be reduced, the scans someday may find a place on a list of preventive care recommendations.

For now, however, tried-and-true strategies, from cancer screenings to vaccines, are the most effective way to safeguard our long-term well-being.

“The old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Reed said, “is probably grossly underestimated.”

This story comes the nonprofit news outlet Public Health Watch.

Lisa Doggett is a family and lifestyle medicine physician at UT Health Austin’s Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center and senior medical director of Sagility. She is the author of a new memoir, Up the Down Escalator: Medicine, Motherhood, and Multiple Sclerosis .

The views expressed in her columns do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Public Health Watch, UT Health, or Sagility. Doggett can be reached through her  website .

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Ukraine’s newest weapon should terrify Russia’s flailing strategists

Cutting off Crimea via missile attack would be so embarrassing and costly for Putin that it has to be worth pursuing

Crimea – totemic, strategically essential, Putin’s “unsinkable aircraft carrier” – is starting to look unseaworthy.

There are four main arteries supplying it. To the east, the Kerch road and rail bridge and two ferries. To the north, partly in response to previous attacks, a rail route. There are normal roads there as well, but they are less useful for moving large stores from A to B. Crimp these arteries and, while you might not sink the carrier, you would render it without propulsion, weapons and food.

The symbolic Kerch Bridge has already been attacked twice, once by a truck full of explosives and once by Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs). Both resulted in damage and repair bills, but neither was decisive. 

With President Biden lifting the restriction on the use of certain US supplied weapons in Russian occupied territory , the US Army’s Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) could now be used to hit the bridge, as well as existing stocks of Storm Shadow and other air-launched weapons. Getting the latter in position arguably requires greater air control than Ukraine has, but the number of tools Kyiv possesses for wrecking the bridge (and other arteries) for good is increasing.

Now we can add one more to that list: the Stalker 5.0 USV. The reports on this new weapon indicate that it is not dissimilar in terms of range (372 miles) and speed (c 40 knots) to the Magura V5, the USV that has driven Russia’s Black Sea Fleet out of Sevastopol. The payload (150 kg) is a little lighter than the Magura’s 200kg. But the most important difference is cost.

The Stalker costs in the region of £50,000; the Magura £210,000. For the same price, your total payload goes from 200kg to 600. 

In a war of sustainability, cost is nearly as important as payload. Ukraine needs to be able to last the duration of the fight in reasonable fiscal and economic shape.

Without detailed plans of the bridge, no one can predict with certainty what payload would bring a span down and take it out for good. But a thousand kilograms of high explosives driven with precision would cause huge damage and, at that price, you might as well just keep going until you succeed. 

Russia knows this is coming, and a protective necklace of barges is back in place. But this crude defence mechanism only needs to be breached once, and between the drones and ATACMs the pressure is already ratcheting up, with ferries struck, and the railway to the north exposed. 

While railways are easier to repair than bridges. if you are accurate (and ATACMs are) and take out key nodes, the time and cost creep up. This isn’t about retaking Crimea per se, it’s about rendering it useless as an operational node. Ukraine’s armed forces have already demonstrated that they can conduct simultaneous attacks from land and sea, as well possess an ability to strike this bridge. The Stalker USV now adds mass to this effort.

Extreme caution is required when extrapolating any sense of optimism in the maritime environment into the land battle. But choking out Crimea would be so embarrassing and costly that it has to be worth pursuing. Vladimir Putin knows this and is putting his forces into position to counter any such effort, diverting them from other efforts – with no guarantee of success.

Tom Sharpe is a former Royal Navy officer and frigate captain

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