J I L L PAV I C H , N B C T
J I L L . PAV I C H @ PA L M B E A C H S C H O O L S . O R G
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B O C A R AT O N C O M M U N I T Y H I G H S C H O O L
, GP Team Leader (gr. 9 & 10)
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Boca Raton High School, English Department (10th year!!)
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AICE: General Paper, grades 9 & 10 (4 years)
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Kent State University, English Education/Writing minor
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Florida Atlantic University, Curriculum & Instruction/ELA
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Nationally Board Certified (NBCT) in 2009
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Reading Endorsed
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ESOL Endorsed
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I like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Yoga; and I’m a new mommy as of
August 2012!
What is
? What is
?
 AICE:
 GP:
Which
means that the “Paper,” or essay, is
about “General” topics that span the
curriculum, from science and math all the
way to literature and the arts.
The General Paper…what does it
like?
 Administered in MAY/June and Oct./Nov.
 WRITTEN examination,
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in 2
HOURS (1 day of testing)
The exam paper is divided into three sections, with
four prompt options in each for a total of .
Candidates must choose two questions, each
from a
section.
Each essay is weighted at 50% of the final mark.
Each essay written carries up to 30 marks for
and up to 20 marks for Use of English/
.
SECTION 1:
Historical, Social, Economic, Political and Philosophical
 the role of history and war; terrorism
 the role of the individual in society – the family, marriage, peer pressure,
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social class
cultural changes – youth and drug culture
education and welfare
sport, leisure, international competition
wealth; changes in work practice
the importance and impact of tourism on a country – implications for the
economy, employment
public transport, environmental concerns
aid provision
the State and its institutions; development of State, democracy postimperialism, nationalism
minority groups, pressure groups
freedom of speech, action, thought
Judiciary
matters of conscience, faith, tolerance, equality.
SECTION 2:
Science, Geography, Math
 medical dilemmas and issues of research and ethics; concept of
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progress in science
drug manufacture and provision
diet, health education
old and new industries
spin-offs from space industry; weaponry
information and communications technology; the Internet
environmental concerns; renewable energy resources; climate
change
migration; population dynamics
feeding the global population; farming techniques for the twentyfirst century
public transport and travel
the uses and applications of mathematics in everyday life.
SECTION 3:
Literature , Language, Arts and Crafts
 literature, biography, diary, science fiction
 language – heritage, tradition, dialect
 the global media – tv, radio, satellite; influence and
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controls; effects on lifestyle, culture and habits
cultural dilution and diversification; advertising; role
models
censorship; privacy; the right to know; freedom of the
press, etc. uses and abuses
traditional arts and crafts; creativity; national
heritage/preservation; effects of tourism
architecture; painting; fashion; photography;
sculpture; music; heritage, etc.
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EXPOSITORY
GOAL:
 to provide information; to objectively EXPLAIN, define, clarify
or interpret…
 UNIQUENESSES:
 doesn’t require an argument! Just tell it like it is!
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PERSUASIVE
GOAL:
 to take a specific stance on an issue in order to CONVINCE the
reader to adopt your way of thinking; to anticipate opposing
viewpoints and refute via counter-argument
 UNIQUENESSES:
 biased! Takes ONE side and defends that side ONLY!! Never
supports the opposition, not even for a minute.
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Essay Styles Con’t
 The third style of essay is, perhaps, brand new to
you…
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DISCURSIVE (most advanced…pros and cons, oh
my!)
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GOAL:
 asks you to consider BOTH sides of a single issue, objectively
analyzing each before arriving at any kind of value judgment.
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Basic Layout:
Begin with a neutral introduction, provide evidence for the case,
provide evidence against the case, conclude by either adopting
one side of the argument or maintaining a neutral (middle-of-theroad) standpoint.
SCORING
 The AICE: General Paper exam grades students on two
aspects of the final product essay:
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CONTENT (30 points)
CONVENTIONS (20 points)……………………..2 ESSAYS = 100pts
max
 BAND 1 = BEST
 BAND 5 = WORST
Term? Get Your
Dirty!
Politics/Gov’t
Science/Tech.
Environment
CRIME
Social/Cultural
Media,
Entertainment
Assess society’s record
on human rights.
Discursive prompt
Good or bad…
Assess society’s record
on human rights.
• Civil rights/liberties
• Women’s rights
• Gay rights
• Equality: race/culture
• Labor rights
• Children’s rights
(-)
(+)
Generating Ideas
 So, how do I find ideas??
Think GP RELEVANCE…!!!
State,
national, international
Past history, current events
Consider all academic categories
 Use the Hand Approach to help you…
THUMB:
SCIENCE and
TECHNOLOGY
INDEX:
GOVERNMENT
and POLITICS
MIDDLE:
ENVIRONMENT
RING:
SOCIAL
RELATIONSHIPS
PROMPT
CREDITS:
Teaching the General Paper: Strategies That Work, By Teachers, For Teachers
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University
Edited by Caroline Ho, Peter Teo, Tay May Yin (2006)
PINKY:
MEDIA, SPORTS
and
ENTERTAINMENT
“History repeats itself.” Discuss.
“The truth should be told, whatever
the cost.” Discuss.
Visit my (personal)
for
GP Student/Parent SUPPORT!!!
THE GP INDIE :
WWW.THEGPINDIE.COM
EMAIL ME:
JILL.PAVICH@PALMBEACHSCHOOLS.ORG