Ace Your GP Exams: The Ultimate Guide to Studying for General Paper
Ah, the million-dollar question.
If you’re reading this post, you’re probably in one of two situations – either you’re just about to enter Junior College and have no idea what to expect for the subject, or you’ve just received a bad grade for an exam and are lost for what to do. Well, no matter where you are now, it’s never too late to start building your reading repertoire and learn how to conquer this (seemingly) gruelling subject.
What is General Paper?
General Paper aims to develop in students the ability to think critically, to construct cogent arguments and to communicate their ideas using clear, accurate and effective language. General Paper encourages students to explore a range of key issues of global and local significance and provides students with a good foundation to thrive in a fast-changing world. At the end of the course, students should have a broader understanding of the world, and be ready to meet the challenges of higher education and the workplace of the future. The syllabus and examination are intended for all candidates who follow the General Paper course of study at the H1 level examination. It continues to underscore maturity of thought, independent thinking and the proficient use of language.
Touch your heart. Be honest; have you ever read any of the syllabus guides? No? That’s okay. Let’s look through it together.
As seen in the extract of the syllabus guide above, General Paper is a subject that “encourages students to explore a range of key issues of global and local significance” and we learn General Paper so we can “thrive in a fast-changing world”. Hence, when we take up this subject (willingly, or otherwise), we’re not just trying to clinch an ‘A’ on the final exam. We learn General Paper so we can become people who think more critically, read more widely, and write more eloquently. Most simply put, in order to excel at this subject, you need to be a person who is ready to learn more about the world around you.
This is also what Classicle Club hopes to achieve. Classicle Club supports your growth and learning – we go above and beyond when it comes to making sure that you leave our classes nurtured, enriched, and supported. By keeping our classes small and making sure every student is heard, Classicle Club is far from any run-of-the-mill tuition centre. We aim to make our students world-ready and world-conscious people, who will take the skills of GP with them far beyond JC.
The World is Your Oyster
General Paper is an incredibly accessible subject because you can learn it anywhere and at any time. Instead of having to stare at a mundane quadratic equation for hours on end (no offense to all our math enthusiasts, of course), General paper is in your phones, in the post you just scrolled through, and in the compelling advert for Coca-Cola that you passed by.
However, we often aren’t used to thinking critically and we fail to realise that GP is all around us, in full living colour! Thus, here are some tips that I’ve gained over the last two years, all of which have helped me to think more critically and become more prepared for the subject.
Do what excites
Let’s be realistic, you have limited time before A-levels, and trying to become an expert on every topic seems highly impossible. Therefore, General Paper is akin to an investment and you must learn how to employ your time and effort wisely. Plus, if you write about topics you find exciting and fun, chances are you’re more likely to excel. Hence, pick out two or three topics that you are interested in and spend most of your time building up your understanding of these arenas, be it through news articles, informative videos, or otherwise.
Once you’ve picked out the topics that interest you, try and develop a more holistic understanding of the issues at play. Think wider and further by considering matters from a different angle (social, economic, environmental, etc.)
So, you say you’re a die-hard soccer fan, but have you ever analysed and considered the differences in leadership between Messi and Ronaldo? Have you ever questioned why soccer players have such a high net worth? Or read into the exploitation of workers in the Qatar World Cup? No? Well, now is a good time to start.
Engage in discussions
Back in JC, one of my favourite ways to pass time was to talk, talk and talk more and I’m sure it’s the same for most of you too. And instead of discussing the latest cohort-wide gossip (which is surely not chicken soup for the soul), why not exchange opinions about the latest developments in our world? Probe deeper into your friends’ ideas and engage in mini-debates while you’re at it.
Even if your topics of discussion are mostly about celebrity gossip and whatnot, apply different lenses to your consideration of the issue. Consider the precedent to “cancel culture” and think deeper into the role that movies, celebrities, and the media play. You just might find yourself applying all the learning points from these conversations to your next essay.
Learn everywhere and anywhere
While Singapore may be a small country, there really is so much to do and so much to discover. Simply take a stroll down your nearest park connector, catch the latest local theatre production, or volunteer at your community soup kitchen, and it won’t be hard to realise that Singapore is full of possibilities.
In the process, make observations about your surroundings. What type of people do you see? Who frequents such areas? Talk to the people that are around you. What do they think? How do they feel?
And when you take that much-needed vacation overseas, compare Singapore to these other countries. Consider how similar and how different they may be and think about why this is so.
Put in the Work
Though some would contest that GP is a subject you cannot grind for, I duly disagree. Though it is true that some students possess a stronger inclination for languages, and thus have a greater advantage at GP, GP remains a subject that one can improve on through continuous practice and discipline.
When I was revising for GP, I would read through all the model essays I had available and copy down the words and phrases that I found especially evocative. Thereafter, I’d commit these to memory and incorporate them into my own writing by adding my own unique twist to them. I also compiled a large vocabulary bank of special (or ‘atas’) words that added a lot more flavour to my writing and would make it a habit to constantly revisit them. Above and beyond the aforementioned, I spent long hours writing and re-writing essays, making sure each one sounds as seamless and as eloquent as possible.
There are many more study methods available (Google is your best friend) but the best method would be the one that you’ve developed for yourself and the one which works out best for you.
To close, the fact that you took the initiative to find out how to improve on your GP, and thereafter read through this entire post is already a great feat. You’re off to a great start! Now, all you have to do is … pore through tons of model essays, analyse more news articles and keep writing that paragraph.
Sounds easy enough, right?
I can imagine you vociferously shaking your head.
You’re right – it surely won’t be easy.
In fact, for some, it could be incredibly tough. But, nothing good comes easy, and I just know that you’ll be able to do it.We’re all rooting for you!
All the best,
Bubbles
