Improve Chinese with News Article Response Essay
Using Exam Composition Writing for Broader Chinese Language Learning
Feb 10, 2009
The News Article Response Essay, known as the bao zhang bao dao in Mandarin, is a question type set in Singapore national examinations, such as the O Levels (Syllabus 1162 or 1111). Questions briefly introduce a current affairs issue published in the newspaper, and then invite candidates to develop an essay response.
Sample Questions
- News Article: The Ministry of Education intends to stop conducting year end examinations for the lower primary. What are your opinions?
- News Article: The unprecedented approval for construction of two Integrated Resorts with casinos, to bolster the tourism industry is announced. What are your opinions?
Basic Answering Format
Candidates are assessed on content and expression, which are weighted equally. A prescribed answering template, similar to five paragraph essays, is a popular method that instructors in both schools and tuition centres use for teaching:
- Copying out the question in the first paragraph and including a stand, such as to agree or disagree.
- Three points to support the stand. These each are composed of a topic a sentence, some degree of elaboration, then a concluding line which reiterates the point.
- Two points from a different angle, such as suggestions regarding the issue at hand. For example, a response to the first sample question might include recommendations to abolish examinations at all levels or broaden assessment criteria to include achievement in music or artistic areas.
- A conclusion.
Examination Context
In some ways, the instruction, learning and assessment of Chinese could be considered at the second language level, despite its status as a mother tongue. However, despite a growing preference for communicating in English for many students, good performance in the mother tongue examination is still important:
- Successful admission to higher stages of learning
- Importance of mother tongue language as a means to convey culture and values
- Relationships with Mandarin-speaking nations, in economic and other aspects
As such, great attention is paid to Chinese as an academic subject. Notably, educators frequently focus specifically on the bao zhang bao dao when preparing students to excel. Many of the reasons for doing so are also useful for other Chinese learners.
Benefits from Preparing Article Response Essays
Increases Knowledge of Current Affairs
Encouraging a sound knowledge of current affairs and the ability to respond intelligently to them has many benefits to student learning. Doing so in another language develops linguistic proficiency and critical thinking simultaneously.
The practice also promotes reading, an essential avenue of language improvement, compared to canonical literature texts, which might appear inaccessible to learners.
Increases Vocabulary
Writing the bao zhang bao dao develops vocabulary in several areas. These include vocabulary specific to the issue at hand (for the second question, this might include nouns such as "casino" or "tourist", which would probably not be picked up in everyday conversation and thus are unfamiliar to newer learners), and those generally used in expressing and explaining ideas and points of view.
Especially pertinent is the learning and inclusion of figurative language within the composition, such as chengyu, which students often strive to use, exposing them to the poetical aspects of Chinese.
Increases Flair in Expression
Besides increasing vocabulary, the ability to string the points into a coherent argumentative essay will improve with practice and good feedback.
Building on Basics
For students who intend to prepare for the bao zhang bao dao, improving will centre on three main aspects. They must develop the necessary vocabulary, including figurative language and quotes, avoiding the situation where there is insufficient ability to express in Chinese what one could have been done in English. They must continue to hone the ability to argue and express ideas in Chinese cogently and with a sense of confidence. Students should also strive to increase the maturity and sophistication of thought and expression, and work towards being able to write in a more "organic" and original style, rather than an enumerative and prescriptive mode of writing.
For learners who do not need to prepare for similar examinations, such a level of rigor, especially one geared towards assessment scenarios, should be unnecessary. A tailored approach would be more helpful, perhaps concentrating on newspaper articles of a certain nature such as business or political issues, or focusing on oral rather than written responses.
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