SBQ Skills

Social Studies Source – Based Skills
Before doing anything…

1. Highlight the issue (What is the entire SBQ about?)
2. Look at the questions and identify the 5 types of questions (as listed below).
3. Look at the sources and determine whether they are for or against the issue.
a. A source can never be neutral, it might be an opinion from someone not involved in the issue but may still be slanted to a
certain side (May support one side)
4. Start the questions.
Type 1: Inference
1. For pure inference question, basically find 2 inferences and remember to state the evidence from the Source.
a. The source might not have a purpose or tone, especially if there is no provenance (rare).
b. Answer the question in the opening statement
Type 2: Comparison
2. L1: Start by comparing the provenance. [L1/1]
a. Similarity: Source A and B are similar as both of them are written sources.
b. Difference: Source A and B are different as Source A is an interview whereas Source B is a report/article.
c. Some e.g. of Source types: Text, picture, interview, newspaper article, cartoon, photograph.
3. L2: Next, do false matching. [L2/2] [Differences only]

a. Sources A and B are different as Source A says _______________ but Source B doesn’t.
4. L3: Next do content. [L3/4-5]

a. Similarity: Find common criterion.
i. Common Criterion is basically the message of the Source (what is the Source all about?)
ii. Common Criterion has something to do with the issue.
iii. Common Criterion must match the 2 sources.
b. Difference: Use the common criterion from the similarity.
i. Use Common Criterion and branch out to find the different aspects of the Common Criterion.
ii. E.g. Both Sources A and B talk about discrimination against Tamils, but they are different as both sourcesm deal with
different forms of discrimination.
iii. Differences between sources may not necessary have common criterion. If there isn’t, briefly describe what the 2
sources say and quote evidence, but there must be a clear difference.
Positive Negative
5. L4: Lastly, do purpose/tone. [L4/6-7]
a. Purpose: Impact of the source on the readers/audience, which might prompt Optimistic pessimistic
the readers to do something. Base it on provenance! Supportive Against
b. Tone: Reflects the emotions/feelings of the author and how he/she views a Formal Informal
particular issue. Neutral One-Sided
c. Words to describe tone: Offensive Defensive
Sensionalizing Downplaying
Type 3: Reliability
N.B. Reliability MUST use provenance!. N.B.2: Special Qns: The 2 sources are diff. Does it mean one of them is wrong?
6. L1: Yes/No, based on Provenance/typicality

a. Yes: Answer question in opening statement. Source is reliable as it is a historical account / is a recount from a war
veteran who has participated in the war, thus he should know what he is saying.
b. Yes: Source A is very reliable as it is from a Tamil Tiger who is supporting the Sinhalese. [LORMS may be higher]
c. No: SourceA is not reliable as the comment is made by one source. It does not represent other views on the issue.
7. L3: Yes and No, supported by content.

a. Yes, the source proves that…
b. No, it does not prove that as…
c. (Prejudice – make conclusion based on limited information, Discrimination – prejudice in action, Bias – one-sided,
Propaganda – influence people to support the cause)
8. L5: Yes and No, cross reference with other sources:

a. Yes, Source A is reliable/not reliable as it is supported/contradicted by Source B.
b. Source A says “evidence” and Source B says “evidence”.
c. Since both sources talk about __________, thus Source A is reliable.
Type 4: Utility
9. L1: Yes/No, based on Provenance/typicality [L1/1]
a. Yes: Answer question in opening statement. Source is useful as it is a historical account / opinion of a renowned…
b. No: Source A is not useful as it is the view of one person, thus it is not representative and may not be reliable.
10. L2: Yes/No, supported by content. [L2/3-4]

a. Yes, the source is useful as “briefly describe what the Source says”…
b. No, the source is useful as “what the sources does not tell you”…
c. (Prejudice – make conclusion based on limited information, Discrimination – prejudice in action, Bias – one-sided,
Propaganda – influence people to support the cause)
11. L3: Yes and No, cross reference with other sources: [L3/5-6]
a. Yes, Source A is useful/not useful as it is supported/contradicted by Source B.
b. Source A says “evidence” and Source B says “evidence”.
c. Since both sources talk about __________, thus Source A is not useful.
12. L4: Yes, because it provided a balance view. [L4/7]

a. E.g. Despite talking about the advantages of having this system, it also shows the weakness of it.
Type 5: Judgment
E.g. Study all Sources. How far you agree that Iraq is to be blamed for the Iraq-Kuwait conflict? EYA. [7m]
N.B. The Judgment question use all the answers from the questions before, thus must do.
13. L1: State the sources. [L2/3]

a. Sources A, B and E agree that Iraq is to blamed for the Iraq Kuwait Conflict.
b. Sources C, B and D disagree that Iraq is to be blamed for the Iraq Kuwait Conflict.
c. A source can both agree and disagree, but the explanation have to be different. [Ref. L2]
14. L2: Explains the sources (why they are blamed) (1 agree/1 disagree). [L2/4-7]
a. Source A agree that Iraq is to blamed for the Iraq Kuwait Conflict as Source A says “evidence”. Therefore,
_____________ (explains why the source agree)
b. Source B disagree that Iraq is to blamed for the Iraq Kuwait Conflict as Source B says “evidence”. Therefore,
_____________ (explains why the source disagree)
c. As long as 1 source from each side is correct, you get the full marks!!!
Social Studies Structured Essay Question Skills

Basic Revision
1. Identify whether the question is a factor or judgment.
a. You can refer to 2(a), 3(a) or 4(a) to identify.
2. Plan your answer. [5min]

a. Factor: Given Factor + 2 other factors, 4 paragraphs
b. Judgment: 2 factors for each side (or 1+2, 2+1), 3 paragraphs
c. Judgment in Factor form: Just explain all 3 factors to get L5/11, 4 paragraphs.
3. Write your answer.

a. Don’t be too detailed, just 1/3 page per factor will do.
b. Attempt to at least state examples to support your description.
c. Start your explanation with therefore, _________________ and link it to the issue.
d. Don’t spend too much time. 20min for 1 question recommended; 25min at most.

SBQ Skills

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SBQ Skills

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

SBQ Skills

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Social Studies Source – Based Skills

Before doing anything…

3. L2: Next, do false matching. [L2/2] [Differences only]

4. L3: Next do content. [L3/4-5]

6. L1: Yes/No, based on Provenance/typicality

7. L3: Yes and No, supported by content.

8. L5: Yes and No, cross reference with other sources:

10. L2: Yes/No, supported by content. [L2/3-4]

12. L4: Yes, because it provided a balance view. [L4/7]

13. L1: State the sources. [L2/3]

Social Studies Structured Essay Question Skills

2. Plan your answer. [5min]

3. Write your answer.

You might also like