TMS Social Studies Format Notes 2021
Two Basic Formats
1. AIDE
Assertion (Answer the given question directly – e.g. I’m surprised, The source is reliable)
Inference (Begin with ‘I can infer’, can be used interchangeably with Explain)
Details (Begin with ‘The source states’, Recommended to use direct quotes from the source. Can use
ellipsis ‘…’ if you wish to connect different parts of the sources together.)
Explanation (Begin with ‘This suggests that’, can be used interchangeably with Inference)
Notes:
a. Never end your paragraph with Details. Choice of details need to be explained, so Inference or Explanation can be done
after Details. (AIDE or ADI/E)
b. The verbs ‘state’, ‘show’ should be reserved only for details. Using these verbs in Inference or Explanation will be confusing
to reader – difficult to differentiate between Inference/Explanation and Details.
c. Assertions are not always needed – read the question.
d. AIDE can be further supported by AP especially when attempting more complex analysis
2. PVAMO+AP+DE (Only used for Purpose Qns, or Highest Level analysis for complex question types)
Problem/Context (Something about the audience’s thoughts/ emotions that worries the author)
Verb (Usually either ‘persuade’, ‘convince or ‘encourage’. Rarely/Never merely ‘inform’)
Audience (Should be specific, get clues of potential audience from the provenance or from the
pronouns the author uses)
Message (General inference/gist of the whole source; the message is what the author uses to
persuade/ convince the audience to work towards the author’s desired outcome.)
Outcome (What the author wants the audience to DO after hearing the Message)
Analysis of Provenance (Explaining who is the author and why does he then want that particular
outcome)
Details + Explanation (Details will be linked to the Message identified)
Writing frame for ‘Why/ Purpose’ Qn:
This is because the author is worried about [Problem/Context], therefore he wishes to [Verb] the [Audience] that [Message]
so that [Outcome].
[AP] As a [who the author is], the author [why author wants the particular outcome]
Notes:
a. Problem/Context is not always compulsory. If it can’t be determined, simply do [VAMO].
b. If Outcome & Analysis of Provenance, seem very similar, [AP] may not be needed OR you may need to
think harder for [AP].
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TMS Social Studies Format Notes 2021
Examples of Question Types (Non-Exhaustive)
Question Type Examples
General Inference What is the attitude of the cartoonist…?
What can you tell from this source about…?
What can you learn from this source about immigrants trying to find work in the US? (2018 N Level)
Message What is the cartoonist’s message…?
What is the message of this cartoon?
*Helpful phrase to note: ‘criticise/praise/blame [someone][for something]
Purpose Why do you think the PM made this speech at this time?
Why do you think this cartoon was published?
Why was this cartoon published in 1983? (2015 N Level)
*Author in such question is usually someone of INFLUENCE – political leader/ community leader/ popular writer/
blogger
Comparison How similar are these 2 sources?
Does Source E prove that the concerns raised in Source D are unjustified? (2018 O level)
Do you think the cartoonist of Source B would agree with the author in Source C? (2018 O Level)
How far do the sources agree about effectiveness of measures… (2017 O Level)
Reliability How far does this source prove that army did not shoot first? (2014 O Level)
How far can you believe the claims made in this source? (2009 N Level)
Utility How useful is source as evidence about Gulf War? (2016 O Level)
Surprise Does E make F surprising? (2017 O Level)
Are you surprised by what this source says? (2010 N Level)
Study All Sources See ‘Note on Study all Sources Questions’
Note on Comparison Questions
1) Comparison can be made using comparison of
a. Content (What the sources say)
b. Viewpoint (How the author says it – biased or balanced, optimistic or pessimistic, positive or negative)
c. Purpose (Do the authors want the same outcome?)
2) Writing frame for comparison:
Assertion (A) The two are similar The two are different
Inference (I) I can infer from both sources … I can infer from Source A that … BUT /
(Identify Common HOWEVER I can infer from Source B
Criteria here) that…
Details (D) It is supported by Source …
Explanation (E) This suggests that …
Details (D) It is supported by Source …
Explanation (E) This suggests that …
There must be separate explanations for each source.
3) Special case: biased viewpoint
You will have two parts to your inference:
1. What does the source ONLY say
2. What does the source NOT say.
E.g. … I can infer from Source A that the author only … but does not…
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TMS Social Studies Format Notes 2021
Note on Study All Sources Questions
1) You will need 4 paragraphs of A-I-D-E, 1 for each source. The source must be explicitly stated in your paragraph.
2) Answer must be balanced, there should be 2 paragraphs of the same side
Always do 2 paragraphs of the opposing side first!
Do not do 2 paragraphs of the same side first.
Format (O Level) Format (N Level)
Sample Qn (2018 O Level): Sample Qn (2018 NA Level):
‘Globalisation of culture has positive effects.’ How far do the sources in the case study show that
Using the sources in this case study, explain how far language is the main challenge facing immigrants?
you would agree with this statement. [10] Explain your answer. [10]
Para 1: AIDE of source (Agree) Para 1: AIDE of source (Agree)
Para 2: AIDE of source (Disagree) Para 2: AIDE of source (Disagree)
Para 3: AIDE of source (Agree) Para 3: AIDE of source (Agree)
Para 4: AIDE of source (Disagree) Para 4: AIDE of source (Disagree)
Para 5: AIDE of source (Agree/Disagree) – if have time Para 5: AIDE of source (Agree/Disagree) – if have time
Conclusion:
For +2 Bonus marks No conclusion needed.
either
1) Analysing at least 1 source in relation to its
reliability, utility OR,
2) Giving a balanced conclusion OR,
3) Shaing example(s) from own contextual
knowledge.
All 3 routes must make reference to the Sources
explicitly.
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TMS Social Studies Format Notes 2021
Possible Assertions based on Selected Question Types
Question Type Assertion Sample
Reliability The source is not reliable as it is challenged by source A. (X-ref analysis)
The source is reliable as it is supported by source B. (X-ref analysis)
The source is not reliable as it has purpose/ biased viewpoint. (Highest Level)
The source is reliable as its reliability is enhanced/ has balanced viewpoint (Highest Level)
Utility The source is useful as it is reliable as it is supported by source B. (X-ref analysis)
The source is not useful as it is not reliable as it has purpose/ biased viewpoint. (Highest Level)
Note the sequence: Usefulness determined by reliability determined by x-ref or highest level
analysis
The following assertions are invalid:
The source is not useful as it is supported by source B, therefore making it unreliable.
The source is useful as its reliability is enhanced, therefore making it reliable.
Surprise I am surprised by this source as it is challenged by source A. (X-ref analysis)
I am not surprised by this source as it is supported by source B. (X-ref analysis)
I am surprised as (reason for surprise)
Note: Not compulsory to discuss reliability here. A source’s reliability does not impact whether you
are surprised or not.
Writing Frames
Reliability Utility (why need to discuss reliability when testing for
usefulness?)
1.If using X-ref (support) 1.If using X-ref (support)
[Assertion] because the source is supported by source X. [Assertion] because the source is reliable as it
(D)Source E shows, ‘...’ and Source X shows, ‘...’. is supported by source X.
(I/E) Both suggest that [explain how your details show that (reason for utility must be clearly linked to RELIABILITY, so
the sources support each other] useful reliable supported by)
(D)Source E shows, ‘...’ and Source X shows, ‘...’.
(I/E) Both suggests that [explain how your details show that
2. If using X-ref (challenge) the sources support each other]
[Assertion] because the source is challenged by source X.
(D) Source E shows, ‘...’ but Source X shows, ‘...’.
(I/E) Source E suggests that [explain how your details show 2. If using X-ref (challenge)
that the sources challenge each other] while Source X [Assertion] because the source is unreliable as it
suggests that [explain how your details show that the sources is challenged by source X.
challenge each other] (reason for utility must be clearly linked to RELIABILITY, so
not useful unreliable challenged by)
(D) Source E shows, ‘...’ but Source X shows, ‘...’.
(I/E) Source E suggests that [explain how your details show
that the sources challenge each other] while Source X
suggests that [explain how your details show that the sources
challenge each other]
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TMS Social Studies Format Notes 2021
Reliability Utility (why need to discuss reliability when testing for
usefulness?)
3. If using purpose, 3. If using purpose,
[Assertion] because the author has purpose. [Assertion] because it is unreliable as the author
PVAMO+AP+DE has purpose.
(AP) As a …, he wants [the outcome] because… PVAMO+AP+DE
(AP] As a …, he wants [the outcome] because…
4. If using biased viewpoint,
[Assertion] because the author has a biased viewpoint.
(I) The author only discusses [what is authors’ view of the 4. If using biased viewpoint,
issue based on the details], [Assertion] because the author is unreliable because he
(D) This is seen in, ‘...’. has a biased viewpoint
(I) However, the author does not [what did the author (reason for utility must be clearly linked to RELIABILITY, so
choose not to mention*] not useful unreliable biased viewpoint)
(AP) He may have a biased viewpoint because… (I) The author only discusses [what is authors’ view of the
issue based on the details],
*how do u identify what the author chooses not to say? (D) This is seen in, ‘...’.
(I) However, the author does not [what did the author choose
not to mention*]
5. If using balanced viewpoint, (AP) He may have a biased viewpoint because…
[Assertion] because the author has a balanced viewpoint.
(I) The author discusses [what is authors’ view of the issue *how do u identify what the author chooses not to say?
based on the details] and also discusses [what is
authors’ other view of the issue based on the detail]
(D) This can be seen in ‘...[details for one view]’, and also be 5. If using balanced viewpoint,
seen in ‘... [details for the other view]’. [Assertion] because the author is reliable, because he has a
(AP) He may have a balanced viewpoint because… balanced viewpoint
(reason for utility must be clearly linked to RELIABILITY, so
useful reliable balanced viewpoint)
6. If using reliability enhanced (very reliable) (I) The author discusses [what is authors’ view of the issue
[Assertion] because the author’s view deviates from the based on the details] and also discusses [what is
norm and is therefore reliable. authors’ other view of the issue based on the detail]
(I) As a [who is the author], she is expected to [expected (D) This can be seen in ‘...[details for one view]’, and also be
view of the author based on the provenance], however, she seen in ‘... [details for the other view]’.
actually [actual view of the author about the issue]. (AP) He may have a balanced viewpoint because…
(D) This is seen in ‘...’
(E) This suggests ...
(AP) She may deviate from the norm because… 6. If using reliability enhanced (very reliable)
[Assertion] because the author is reliable as the his view
deviates from the norm
(reason for utility must be clearly linked to RELIABILITY, so
useful reliable deviates from norm)
(I) As a [who is the author], she is expected to [expected view
of the author based on the provenance], however, she
actually [actual view of the author about the issue].
(D) This is seen in ‘...’
(E) This suggests ...
(AP) She may deviate from the norm because…
