The Group Project is to give you opportunities to work with other participants and also serve to prepare you for the Focus Dialogues with Nobel Laureates and eminent scientists.

Group Project Written Report

Each group will submit a written report on Thursday, 22nd January 2009. The length should be somewhere between 800 to 1500 words.

Topics for Group Project

Your group may choose any topic related to the theme of the ISYF 2009 (Science and the Ever Changing Environment). You may also choose one of the assigned topics for your Focus Dialogue.

Grouping

You will be divided into project groups consisting five people from different countries. (Refer to the Grouping List for the details of project groups)

What to do next

First, find out which Project Group you belong to and who are the team members of your group.

Second, send email to each other, giving a short introduction of yourself. This self-introduction is also the first step to establish email contact.

We also encourage you to create a Hwa Chong Connect account and use the facilities there for threaded discussions. Your email address is your login_id. The link to Hwa Chong Connect ishttp://www.hwachong.edu.sg/network

We will also upload pictures taken during ISYF on Hwa Chong Connect, so please create a Hwa Chong Connect account as soon as possible.

It is strongly advised that you initiate group discussions via email or Hwa Chong Connect once you know the grouping and topic allocation. You can preselect a topic to work on and produce an essay draft prior to the actual ISYF event.

There will be time allocated during ISYF for you to discuss your group project with team members. You can enhance your written report using the information obtained from the Focus Dialogue with Nobel Laureates and eminent scientists.

(Refer to the instruction sheet for Focus Dialogue with Nobel Laureates for topic allocation)

click here to see the project groupings.

Some friendly advice for your reference

Introductory paragraph

Aim:

◆ Capture the reader’s imagination and interest

◆ Set the direction of the essay – thesis statement (your stance on the issue)

Technique options:

◆ Offer factual statement to introduce the background of the issue + thesis statement

List existing arguments/controversies surrounding the issue + thesis statement

◆ Divide the topic (especially when it is long) into different parts and briefly analyze each part+ thesis statement

◆ Invoke anecdotes which illustrate an attitude important to the topic + thesis statement

◆ Use quotations + thesis statement

Body

Aim:

Present your arguments to support the thesis statement

Technique:

◆ There needs to be a topic sentence (reflect the main idea of the paragraph)

◆ Support the topic sentence with sufficient elaboration and evidence.

Very often, opinions presented in an argumentative essay like the one you are required to write need to be balanced (This does not imply that you must give equal weight to both sides-simply that you recognize that there may be objections or counterarguments)

Below is just one of the few possible structures you can use:

◆ Paragraph 2: arguments supporting the thesis

◆ Paragraph 3: arguments supporting the thesis

◆ Paragraph 4: arguments supporting the thesis

◆ Paragraph 5: arguments opposing the thesis

◆ Paragraph 6: arguments opposing the thesis

Alternatively, you can also present the opposing arguments at the beginning followed by the supporting arguments if you feel that this way can be more convincing. The actual number of paragraphs is ultimately up to you. But keep in mind that the word limit is 800-1500. We don’t need an ultra detailed report nor a poorly elaborated one.

Conclusion

Aim:

An intelligent conclusion brings your essay to a logical close by tying it all together.

Suggested technique:

◆ Point the reader back to the question.

◆ Concisely restate the thesis statement.

◆ Remind the reader of the central argument and sum up its significance

Beware! Do not merely summarize everything mentioned in your essay. Avoid introducing a new argument. Do not write weak remarks such as “This is merely my own opinion and I am probably not the best person to discuss this issue.”

 

Hope our advice can help you not only for the Group Project in the ISYF but also future essay writing. Good luck!