Geography Scholarship

Information for Candidates

Jean McCann

Long Bay College

Preparation for Preparation for Geography ScholarshipGeography Scholarship

What is expected of you.What is expected of you.

A Geography Scholarship A Geography Scholarship CandidateCandidate

Requires:

• Certain attributes

• Geographic knowledge

A Geography Scholarship A Geography Scholarship Candidate’s Candidate’s Attributes:Attributes:

A geography scholarship candidate has• a high level of literacy

– Must be a skilled and confident reader, – Write fluently using sophisticated language.

• And also has – analytical skills,– critical thinking skills– reflective skills– evaluation skills– problem solving skills especially in unfamiliar situations

• good time management skills -in Geo Schol you must finish the paper.

A Geography Scholarship A Geography Scholarship Candidate’s must be a Skilled Candidate’s must be a Skilled

GeographerGeographer• Must be a confident and competent Geographer

who has the “feel” for Geography.• Understands geographic ideas, perspectives

and terminology and is able to use them.• Has the ability to make deductions – can apply

knowledge from one setting to another.• Has a sophisticated use of Geographic ideas,

concepts and perspectives.

Why would you want to write Why would you want to write Geography ScholarshipGeography Scholarship

• It’s a CHALLENGE,• Puts you in top 3% of Geographers in NZ,• Gains you a Single SubjectSingle Subject Award Award –– One off award of One off award of

$500, • If you are the Top Subject Scholar you get an Award of

$2000 per year for 3 years as long as you maintain a “B” $2000 per year for 3 years as long as you maintain a “B” grade average in tertiary study, grade average in tertiary study,

• If you achieve 2 other subject scholarships you will gain monetary award of $2000 per year for 3 years as long as $2000 per year for 3 years as long as you maintain a “B” grade average in tertiary study.you maintain a “B” grade average in tertiary study.

The Format of the Exam PaperThe Format of the Exam Paper

• Has a question paper and resource material – 20 pages,• Has a context or organising theme e.g. Desertification, • Has settings e.g. case studies,• Gives clear instructions as to what is required: command

words are in BOLD,• Asks for illustrated essays - two to three questions which

are open ended,- discuss , critically analyse.• May ask a diagram question,• Has space to PLAN.• Gives a limited space to write answers,

You are up to the challenge?You are up to the challenge?GoodGood

• You will spend most of the year practising the skills required.

• 2 hours tutorial after school.• Extra reading, writing essays, drawing

diagrams in your own time, reading the newspaper and watching the news to keep up with current geographic issues.

• Writing at least one 3 hour Scholarship exam.

How to approach ScholarshipHow to approach Scholarship

• Understand the meaning of the Performance Standard Descriptors.

• Understand the explanatory notes • Understand the Assessment Specifications.• Understand the command words.• Plan questions and consider how to best use the

three hours of exam time. • Practise questions under exam conditions,

answering under a time limitation

AnswersAnswers

A focused brief answer tends to score highly so– Plan– Show prior careful analysis.

• The question, the meaning and nuances must be clearly understood.

• Must be a critical analysis- do NOT write an outline .

• The question must be answered and must be a confident answer which– Integrates facts and ideas.– Show links which must be logical.

Inclusion of a visualInclusion of a visual

The questions ask for illustrated essays so you must include diagrams / visuals in your answers which must be:

• original,• support the discussion,• simple to understand,• add new information or provide a summary,• be part of the answer – You must refer to it.

Must not be an “add-on”.

Evidence from the Resource Evidence from the Resource MaterialsMaterials

• You must read, understand and process a lot of resource material before you begin to answer the questions.

• First analyse the context (issue) to gain an overview and understanding of the issue.

• Select relevant information using a wide range of facts from the resource booklet.

• Summarise, analyse, establish links- do NOT just copy vast lumps.

.

WritingWriting

• Sophisticated and elegant language is required.• Tight control and focus on the question – “lucid”.• Easy to read,• Detailed,• Give statements then supporting evidence,• Uses quotes,• Weave ideas and discussion= blend.

DiscussionDiscussion

• Deep.• Critical.• Detailed using resource material.• Debate or use arguments.• Use different approaches.• Be perceptive.• View from short and long term scenarios.• Give Pro’s and Con’s.

Critically evaluateCritically evaluate

Weigh up evidence, assess validity and then make a judgement.

• Evidence must be weighed up – Use a critical eye– Must be insightful– Use other perspectives and angles.

• Validity to be assessed – Discuss and argue both sides before coming to a final

conclusion and judgement.

• Judgements must be made – don’t sit on the fence. • Must make a case to support or reject the statement. • Must be a balanced argument.

Key Question Command Words Key Question Command Words and Termsand Terms

• Identify• Critically evaluate• Analyse • Discuss • Discuss and explain• Justify• Assess• Debate• Process• Integrate

• Consequences• Causes• Interrelationships• Extent• Process • Perspectives• Interaction• Context• Factors• Insight

Construction of AnswersConstruction of Answers

Candidate answers should have structure

• Be well planned,

• Have an Introduction,

• Have a Conclusion,

• Have Paragraphs which clearly show the main idea,

• Keep to the length indicated.

The IntroductionThe Introduction

• Must be brief ,

• Must relate to the question,

• Be an overview ,

• Be well focused,

• Have good insight and generalisation.

• Set the scene for the rest of the essay.

The ConclusionThe Conclusion

• Should be based on evidence presented in the essay.

• Weighs up the evidence.

• Is well-balanced .

• Shows critical analysis and careful evaluation.

The Diagram Question The Diagram Question

• You need to select and process ideas/ facts. • Must answer the question asked.• Can use IGI’s and Perspectives BUT these must be

relevant.• Show links and interactions by the use of arrows, • Show complexity; show sequence.• Support statements with evidence from the resources.• You should have a wide range of options to chose from –

graphs, flow diagrams, visuals, Venn diagrams.• The diagram should be easy to read even if it shows

complex ideas.

Applying info from other settingsApplying info from other settings

• Must choose relevant info – don’ t include just to impress.

• Do not use in “drop down menu” fashion (05)

PerspectivesPerspectives

Examples• Indigenous• Local• Environmentalists - Conservation priority views

– Dark greens to light greens• Capitalists- Economic priority views

– Government – all levels– Developers– Industrialists

• Age• Gender

PerspectivesPerspectives

• Understand how perspectives shape and influence the views and opinions people and groups have about events, issues and questions.

• But you must be able to get behind these views and opinions and discuss why people / groups hold these views and opinions and the attitude and philosophy that shaped them.

• Perspectives mentioned must link to the topic “ incorporate in a discriminatory way”.

• Introduce outside concepts e.g. Maori BUT ONLY WHERE RELEVANT OR IT IS A DISTRACTOR.

• Use not only the traditional and obvious ones.

Giving your own Opinion Giving your own Opinion

• Decide on point of view and argue your case.

• Use case study examples to back up your statements.

FinallyFinally

Scholarship students need

• Perseverance

• Resilience

• Deep thinking and profound analysis

• Wide reading on contemporary issues

• Practice, Practice, Practice and more Practice.