Answering Source-Based Questions

Basic Requirements 1.Analyse the questions and determine

the target skills2.Determine the core skills required (CR,

CK) Note: Support for an inference/identified issue/CR must come immediately after statement

Inference QuestionsTypical Question Format• What does the source tell you about

(topic/issue)? Infer message • What is the cartoonist’s/writer’s opinion

in drawing/writing (source)? Infer opinion - support/ dn support

• Why did (who e.g. cartoonist/writer) produce (source)? Infer purpose

Inference QuestionsInfer (about topic/issue)

2 inferencesa. Support from sourceb. Explain if necessary

Inference QuestionsInfer (about purpose PAMI)P rovenance (who)- Identify the motive of

individualA udience (message intended for)M essage (what is the message about) support

from source; keep in mind the message may be opinionated

I ntended outcome Intended (re-) action from target audience

Inference QuestionFormat for dealing with purpose

“The purpose of this source is to show (an issue/ message) so that people will do (an action)”

Check to ensure you’ve linked back to answer the topic stated in question

Comparison Skills2-sidedHow similar/different

is (a source) from (another source)?

How similar/ different are the 2 sources…?

How far does (a source) support (another source)?

1-sidedHow are the 2

sources similar/ different in telling you about…?

In what ways are the 2 sources similar/different about (an issue)?

Comparison SkillsInitial Response:Study sources to mark out what each

source is sayingIdentify matches (both similarities and

differences) in ‘drafts’, in terms of Provenance, Content, Tone, PurposeReasons/causes

Process/methods

Results/consequences

Opinions/POV

Comparison SkillsAssertion…

However,

Conclude…

Yes, the sources are similar about (an issue)Sc A says (support) & (explain), and Sc B says (support) & (explain).Thus the sources are similar or support/ confirm/ concurs with one another

The sources are different in what they say about (another issue).Sc A says (support) & (explain), but Sc B contradicts Sc A by saying (support) & (explain).Thus the sources differ/ do not support each other

Compare purpose, if applicable… (remember PAMI)

ReliabilityTypical Question FormatDoes the source prove

(success/failure etc) about (a topic)? Do you believe what the source says

about (an issue)?• How reliable/credible/right/wrong is

the source in telling me about (an issue)?

ReliabilityInitial Response:Again, briefly list what you know about

topic before analysing the sourceCheck knowledge against the source.

Reliable (checks)/ not reliable (conflicts)Write answer- remember to answer the

question directlyNote: Test the reliability of the source

based on what it says, not what it doesn’t say

ReliabilityAssertion…

However,

Conclude…

Yes, I believe the sc/ the sc is reliable about (issue)Sc A says (evidence) & by CR to Sc B / CK which states (specific evidence) & (explain to link to issue), Sc B confirms that Sc A is reliable about (issue)

Sc A is not reliable / is not true about (issue), because Sc A says (evidence) & (explain) but Sc B says (contradicting info) OR I know that (CK). Thus, ….

Test for Purpose (PAMI)Note: Missing info may be mentioned here to mislead audience/ exaggerate making source more/ less reliable about (issue)

General Pointers1. React logically to the question- identify the

anomaly (if there is one)2. Make a stand (with support of course)3. Plan your answer (within 1/2 a min)4. Start each sub-question (1a, 1b etc) on a fresh

page5. Leave a line after each paragraph written6. Make sure you have understood the source

well before you begin writing- do not quote out of context or misinterpret the source!

All the best for your All the best for your class test!class test!