Thursday, February 5, 2009

Writing SBQ

In SBQ, structuring the writing is as important as writing the answer itself. I've seen answers whose points have been accurate and spot on but because of the phrasing, word choice or sequence of exmplaining, results in an answer that does not make as much of an impact.

For example in a Usefulness type question:
Negative

This source says that Iraq was using a smokescreen to cover their ambitious intentions. They wanted 200 miles of Persian Gulf. It is useful to a great extent in telling me about Saddam Hussein's reasons for war.

When you write something like this, it appears very disjointed and it seems not to be answering the question even though the points are there. Instead, when answering always always use the SEE or PEE style to explain

Positive

This source tells me about Saddam Hussein's reasons for invasion to a great extent. This is because it does state that the Rumaila claims are just "smokescreen" to cover their "ambitious Intentions". This evidence suggests and informs me that Iraq is attacking to gain more selfish and expansionist aims. Furthermore, the source states that Saddam wanted "200 miles of Persian Gulf coat line" suggesting that he is going to invade for land by the coast. These pieces of information do help me understand why he invaded Kuwait.

See the difference? By structuring the answer with Point, Evidence and then explaining the evidence, it answeras the SBQ more completely and helps make the answer clearer.
Please follow this type of PEE structure when tackling other SBQ questions

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