The Seven Polarities of GP Essays

There are seven broad polarities explored in GP essays. The poles refer to the two ends of a spectrum that defines the range of possible responses, and the polarity refers to that axis:

Establishing the polarity correctly when planning and engaging it consistently while writing lets us answer the crux of each question head-on. Firstly, we need not approach each new question with fresh eyes; just as questions on the same Topic will have similarities, so too will questions with the same polarity, or Issue, so if we know how to answer one, we know how to answer all:

Secondly, this helps prevent us from writing off-tangent, because questions on the same Topic but different Issue have different arguments, different ways of asserting yes or no:

Here is an example of questions of the same topic but very different in terms of the polarity and the issue that is being discussed within the topic.

Given Question	Polarity
‘Tech is overrated.’ DYA?	Value of tech
Is religion still relevant in our technological age?	Impact of tech on X
How far can technology correct its own shortcomings?	Possibility of tech doing X
Is it necessarily true that tech ensures economic growth?	Effectiveness of tech in X
Should resources be allocated to tech development?	Responsibility of X toward tech
TWE should the tech industry be left unregulated?	Control of tech
Should tech breakthroughs be available to all countries?	Justification of tech

Additional examples to guide your approach to the essay question:

No.

Question

Dissection

How reliable are statistics as a guide for planning the future?

Polarity: “Reliability” is part of effectiveness. The proposed solution is “statistics”. The problem is “planning the future”.

Topic: Statistics
Issue: Statistics are reliable for planning the future vs. statistics are unreliable for planning the future.

Discuss the defining features of statistics – empirical, generalisable, objective, quantitative, requiring human numeracy, etc. – and how they do or do not lend themselves to reliable planning.

Do not bring in better alternatives for planning the future; focus not on what something else can do, but what statistics cannot do.

Effectiveness

No.

Question

Dissection

‘Individuals achieve sporting success, not nations.’ Discuss.

Polarity: “Achieve” can be interpreted as “cause”. It is asking about the Value / Impact of actions, decisions, efforts, investments etc. at individual or national levels on the eventual sporting success.

Topic: Sport
Issue: Successes in sport are caused by individuals, not nations, vs. successes in sport are caused by nations, and / not individuals.

Do not write separate paragraphs discussing individual successes or national successes in isolation. Each paragraph should argue why it is one party and not the other, or why it is both parties, that achieve sporting success through the things they respectively do.

Do not only write about Joseph Schooling.

Value / Impact

Comparison

No.

Question

Dissection

‘We shape our buildings, but then our buildings shape us.’ To what extent is this true of your society?

Polarity: “Shape”, if the subject is “buildings” and the object is “us”, humans and societies, can be interpreted as “influence”. It is asking about the Impact of buildings on how we live.

Topic: Buildings
Issue: Buildings influence humans and societies vs. buildings do not influence the humans and societies.

Discuss the defining features of buildings – functional, monumental, permanent, physical, shared, etc. – and how they do or do not lend themselves to influencing us.

The first part of the quote is not the crux of the question, and can be read as an explicit condition – given that we shape our buildings, do our buildings in turn shape us? This does not mean it can be ignored completely; rather, it reminds us that, often, people shape buildings in order that they might shape other people.

Discuss the defining features of Singapore – developed, globalised, multicultural, etc. – relevant to our relationship with our buildings.

Impact

Explicit condition

Given context

No.

Question

Dissection

To what extent can any society claim to be great?

Polarity: “Can” is about whether an ideal, in this case “greatness”, is reachable. It is asking whether there could ever be a great society.

Topic: Societies
Issue: It is possible for a society to reach greatness vs. it is impossible for a society to reach greatness.

Define what greatness entails at a societal level. This would be the “to-do list”, in each paragraph should discuss whether or not each “task” on the to-do list can be ticked off or not given the capacities, means, and resources of human societies.

There is a sense of scepticism that any society could ever be great. To agree is straightforward, but to disagree, discuss why there could be no such thing, whatever the case or context, as a great society.

Possibility

Absolute

No.

Question

Dissection

Examine the view that the scientist is concerned only with knowledge, not morality.

Polarity: To be “concerned” with something is to feel responsible for it. It is asking whether the responsibility of scientists includes what is right and wrong in a moral sense, on top of what is right and wrong in a factual sense.

Topic: Science, morality
Issue: Science’s responsibility includes only knowledge, not morality vs. science’s responsibility includes morality on top of knowledge.

This is a difficult question that links two topics, science and morality. Furthermore, unlike typical morality questions, it is asking not about what should be the case, but what is the case.

Do not write separate paragraphs discussing knowledge or morality in isolation. Each paragraph should argue either that scientists are responsible for knowledge, not morality, or that they are responsible for both knowledge and morality. (It is not advised to argue that they are responsible only for morality, not knowledge.)

Responsibility

Dual topic

Comparison

No.

Question

Dissection

Given the greater levels of international cooperation, how necessary is it for countries to engage in arms trade?

Polarity: “Necessity” is the extreme end of value. It is asking whether the functions fulfilled by trading arms are too valuable to do without, and whether that is the only way to fulfil those functions.

Topic: Arms trade
Issue: Trading arms is still necessary in spite of greater international cooperation vs. trading arms is now unnecessary because of greater international cooperation.

Discuss the different functions of trading arms – economic, political, strategic; to attack, to defend, to show (deterrence); etc. – relative to the different contexts – big vs. small nations, arms buyers vs arms sellers, etc. – relevant here.

That we have greater levels of international cooperation today must be taken as a given. Discuss how this change in the global climate has in turn changed the necessity of trading arms – it may no longer be necessary because of the change, it may still be necessary in spite of the change, or it may be all the more necessary precisely because of the change.

Value

Explicit condition

No.

Question

Dissection

Is modern technology a benefit or a threat to democracy?

Polarity: “Benefit” and “threat” are two ways in which a factor can impact another. The disruptor is modern technology, which changes how democratic the world is before and after its disruption.

Topic: Technology, democracy
Issue: Modern technology has constructive effects on democracy vs. modern technology has destructive effects on democracy.

This is a difficult question that links two topics, (modern) technology and democracy. Discuss the defining features of modern technology – the “modern-ness” of modern technology – and how they make it a force for or force against democracy.

Modern technology is not just the internet or social media. Focus on its defining traits as a category, not just examples of it.

Impact

Dual topic

No.

Question

Dissection

‘In a free society, there should be no restrictions on freedom of speech.’ Discuss.

Polarity: “Should” requires us to determine precisely where the line between freedom and control should be drawn. There is an inherent tension between free speech and its suppression for us to mediate.

Topic: Freedom of speech
Issue: There should be complete freedom of speech in a free society vs. there should only be partial freedom of speech in a free society.

The mention of a free society sounds tautological, but the question is asking us whether restrictions on freedom of speech are compatible with or even conducive for the idea of a free society. In other words, do not just write about the pros and cons of free speech; the pros and cons must be framed relative to the ideal of a free society.

Control

Given context

Still lacking a solid foundation in Paper 1 techniques? Looking for a structured, systematic approach to doing well regardless of question choice or topic? Through Indigo’s structured and systematic approach to essay writing, our experienced tutors guide students step by step in mastering the art of crafting effective essays. Our tutors break down the essay-writing process into manageable steps, helping you build confidence and avoid the dreaded “writer’s block.” Say goodbye to weak, underdeveloped essays and hello to a structured, results-driven writing approach.

Indigo GP Programme is the only tuition centre in Singapore offering two distinct General Paper programmes, GP Gem and GP Jewel, tailored to match students unique learning style. Consider dropping by Indigo for a trial of our JC General Paper Programme! Conducted professionally by seasoned General Paper tutors who have undergone rigorous training, we are confident in providing you with that extra push you will need to conquer JC General Paper, guiding you every step of the way towards the A-Level exams!

there’s an Indigo Centre near you.

WhatsApp Us now