Some things to watch out for

Noun precision
Be more alert to how you choose your nouns
E.g. DCs enjoy a higher standard of living wrong, should be more precise.
DCs citizens enjoy a higher SOL
E.g. the Niagara falls caused 10 deaths factually incorrect. There were 10
deaths caused by the Niagara Falls* / 10 deaths occurred at the Niagara Falls.
(* Passive voice is used when you are not sure who the actor is, only the acted)
Common spelling mistakes
Everyday =/= every day

e.g. car crashes are an everyday occurrence

e.g. every day, I take the school bus.
Use more summary-esque words for more
concise writing (aka jargon)
Instead of the belief that events or phenomena are logically and
monolithically have a specific set of causes, just say DETERMINISM
the belief that chance governs all things CASUALISM
a relationship where one factor has caused another event/situation
CAUSALITY
belief that all humans ought to be equal egalitarianism
Situation where both genders have equality/equanimity gender equality
Concept that there are only two opposing genders gender binary
Belief that we should understand historical contexts for past events and not
be so quick to pass unsubstantiated judgement historical empathy

List of Philosophical, metaphysical, or conceptual 'isms.

http://phrontistery.info/isms.html
Different types of GP
paragraphs
We care for the developed world at the
expense of the developing world. Discuss.
Developed countries (DCs) often have an edge over developing
countries (LDCs) in terms of financial power, competent governments,
stronger institutions, and a louder voice on international issues. People
living in DCs can enjoy a much higher standard of living and quality of
life than those in developing countries. While the United States has a
rather extreme and self-centered foreign policy called America First,
most DCs are more moderate and provide aid to the developing world
too. However, self-interest is still the number one priority of any nation.
Thus, such contributions may be awed or ineffective. Subsequently,
the developing world is still struggling with exploitation and poor
management while the DCs benefit from these struggles. I thus believe
that the statement in the question is true.
We care for the developed world at the expense of
the developing world. Discuss.
(body paragraph)
Many benefits of research and development (R&D) do not impact
developing countries at all. This is because only developed countries
can afford to fund R&D, such as treatments and cures for lifestyle
diseases such as diabetes. Much of the innovation in the world today,
such as that from Silicon Valley, does not reach developing nations.
Millions in LDCs still die from preventable diseases and neglected
tropical diseases such as malaria and polio, which have been eliminated
from most developed countries by widely available cures and vaccines.
and proper sanitation and hygiene. Clearly, funding from R&D goes into
improving the lives in developed countries more so than developing
ones.
Is it ever justifiable to execute criminals?
While many countries used to employ capital punishment, several countries
today, especially those in Europe and the Caribbean, have abolished the
death penalty in favour of what they perceive as more humane
punishments. Yet other countries today, such as Singapore, Malaysia and
China, continue to frequently mete out capital punishment to convicted
criminals. The recent case of Indonesia executing eight convicted drug
traffickers, which prompted outrage from Australian Prime Minister Tony
Abbott, reflects just a fragment of the debate that rages on today over
whether the death penalty can ever be justified. On the one hand, it can be
argued that the death penalty is necessary to uphold the retributive function
of the justice system, and provide closure to society, especially in cases of
heinous and horrific crimes. Yet, given that the right to life is one of the
fundamental human rights, and that our justice system should aim to reflect
societys values, the use of the death penalty in most other areas of crime is
arguably unjustified.
Is it ever justifiable to execute criminals?
(body paragraph)
Furthermore, the justice system of a society can arguably be viewed as a
reflection of societys values. By that logic, the punishments meted out by
the justice system should reflect the morals and values of society as well.
Acts such as homicide and manslaughter are outlawed because society
respects the individuals right to life. Should such rights be the principles that
society desires to uphold, it would be hypocritical if society infringed on the
very principles it is trying to uphold when it metes out punishment. The
values that society aspires to do have significant influence on the more
humane punishments that are being meted out today. While the majority of
punishment in the past used to be brutal, torturous and even gruesome
(such as the boiling of criminals in hot oil or the use of the electric chair), the
decision of society to abolish such punishments reflects an understanding
that in meting out punishments, the justice system must embody the very
values it tries to protect. By this logic, the death penalty is an offence to
modern society which values human life, and is hence unjustified.
Lastly
Do films offer anything more than an escape from reality?

The question of whether films offer anything more than an escape from
reality has always been a debatable one. Some people feel that films
merely offer us a respite from everyday lives while others feel the
opposite. In this essay I will examine the issue from various different
perspectives, such as economic, social and cultural ones, and then
deliver my judgement in the concluding paragraph.
Extracted format for introduction
(Hook, if you have one) The question of whether (adapt statement in
question) has always been a debatable one. (Describe summarized
opinions of the supporters and detractors on this issue) In this essay I
will examine the issue from various different perspectives, and then
deliver my judgement in the concluding paragraph. I believe that
(insert thesis; simply adapt statement in question) because of (first
point) and (second point), despite (counterargument).
Sound More Tentative (nuance your statements)
Will can
This statement is true this statement is largely true
This statement is not true this statement is applicable to a small
extent
LDCs enjoy a lower SOL LDCs often enjoy a lower SOL
Water shortages trigger conflict between nations Water shortages
may trigger conflict between nations.
The fire was probably caused by a fault in the engine temperature
gauge The fire could have been caused by a fault in the engine
temperature gauge.
Sound More Tentative (nuance your statements)
Modal auxiliary verbs:
can, could, may, might, should, would
Other modal verbs:
appear, look, seem, tend
Probability adjectives:
likely, possible, probable, unlikely
Probability adverbs:
perhaps, possibly, probably, presumably
Frequency adverbs:
generally, usually, often, occasionally, seldom

Extracted format for body paragraphs

(Expanded) PEE
Point can be up to 3 sentences long if you need to explain the Topic
Sentence a little further
Examples try to provide 1 or 2, or even 3 if possible, if youre
commenting on a societal / worldwide trend
Elaboration make sure it mirrors the points you make when laying
out your examples
Link not so necessary in GP, weve moved beyond that from O Level
English
Different types of
Conclusions
Is it ever justifiable to execute criminals?
Ultimately, whether the use of capital punishment can be justified depends
on the values of individual societies and the unique circumstances of each
crime committed. The use of the death penalty can perhaps be permitted in
extreme cases, such as in the Boston Marathon bombings, where lives were
taken and numerous persons were injured, in order to uphold the retributive
function of the justice system and bring closure to society. But a much more
grey area exists when it comes to the discussion of crimes such as murder,
kidnapping and drug trafficking. A fundamental respect for the right to life,
the need for a humane justice system, and evidence of the death penalty as
a poor deterrent are all arguments that question the justiability of using the
death penalty in punishing such crimes. In such cases, the use of capital
punishment is arguably much less justified.
With the rise of new media, censorship is
now needed more than ever. Do you agree?
Extracted format for conclusion
Undoubtedly, (controversy / context for statement being debated).
However, (reason why situation is not so black-and-white OR reason
why we must consider a grey area). Nonetheless / Consequently, I
conclude that (state thesis again), for the reasons that (earlier points)
but with the added caveat that (qualification/nuance of your statement
if needed).

* As you can see, it is difficult to generalise a format for all conclusions

as there are many types of questions and your conclusion must lead
naturally from your earlier argument. It depends on how your
argument in the preceding paragraphs has progressed.
More tentative format for conclusion
Perhaps, (controversy / context for statement being debated).
However, (reason why situation is not so black-and-white OR reason
why we must consider a grey area). Thus, X has universal/many sources
of value such as (cite types of value, e.g. social, political, economic), but
with the added caveat that it is beneficial/valuable in the situation that
(qualification/nuance of your statement if needed).

* As you can see, it is difficult to generalise a format for all conclusions

as there are many types of questions and your conclusion must lead
naturally from your earlier argument. It depends on how your
argument in the preceding paragraphs has progressed.
 Extracted format for conclusion
This format can be used for:
The developed world should bear the burden of climate change. How far do you agree?
The Earth is doomed. There is nothing man can do about it. Comment
Environmental degradation is inevitable. To what extent is this true?
The computer has done more harm than good to society. Is this true?
Discuss the value of X. (but with more tentativeness)
And many more
Extracted format for conclusion
* You may wish to add in the following to your conclusion as and when
you see fit:
(1) Hook (broader context of issue; another anecdote that brings your
point home)
(2) More qualifications [although, make sure you dont contradict what
youre saying]
Going back to the introduction
Areas for Consideration & Macro Themes in Essays
1) Consider the effects of politics/ political interest governments policies, political
agenda of a government, politicians actions
2) Consider the effects of commercial/ corporate interest the lure of profit in the media
industry, commercial interests of giant corporations in science & technology , profit-driven
nature of commercial advertisers, modern-day consumerism in urban cities
3) Consider the changing socio-political values in the modern world (increasing
emphasis on individual rights/space/choice, civil liberty, equality, freedom of expression,
democracy, eg: Civil Rights Movement, feminism, gay rights movement, Arab Spring
Revolutions etc)
4) Consider the characteristics of a globalised world (interconnectedness of the
world due the globalisation of technology and social media, increasing reduction of
geographical boundaries, exchanges of global cultures and ideas )
5) Consider social inequalities in modern society ( rich-poor divide, gender inequality,
racial inequality, majority vs minority groups in society)

* But do keep in mind never to make sweeping statements about such trends