How to approach a question

to ensure your answer is relevant and

cogent
Identify the type of question
Is it a: Should, Polarity, or Listing question?
Should questions: you must focus on critiquing an ideal and tying
every paragraph back to that ideal
Polarity: you must focus on the merits that one argument/side has
over the other
Listing: your essay must be broader or more comprehensive than
what the other 2 types would demand

* Hybrid questions (2 or more types in 1 qn): trickier, but doable.

Simply combined the main approaches for the other types
Identify ambiguous terms
Ambiguous terms not technical terms, common words, or practically
worded phrases
Examples of NON-ambiguous terms: music, demographics, population,
energy needs, developed world, Mankind, irrelevant etc. these words refer
to clear, definite concepts that most people would be aware of. They are
terms with prescriptive definitions that no sensible people would try to
disagree with!
Examples of ambiguous terms bear the burden, we have cared for X
over Y, nothing more than a case of luck, recorded prejudice
These are terms for which there are many possible different interpretations

* Note these terms not because you must define them but because they
change the whole way you should answer the question
When to define ambiguous terms?
Define it if it can be done so easily, within your means, or when it takes on a
definable meaning bc of the questions specific context, e.g. bear the burden is
relatively simple and just means having a responsibility/obligation,
DONT define if its a loaded phrase. Or its so ambiguous that it inherently defies
definition or is NOT meant to be generalised as its a concept that varies with
context.
e.g. recorded prejudice can we really define prejudice when its context-
dependent? Different societies have different interpretations of prejudice?
Whats prejudice in SG may not be prejudice in USA, etc.?
E.g. luck luck is so context-dependent and difficult to describe, it can be
described as coincidence but thats too simplistic, there are many variables? You
shouldnt try to pigeonhole or delimit luck as a concept in this case
Instead, simply show that you understand the crux of these concepts. E.g. the crux of
prejudice is its element of discrimination against some other party unfairly
luck can mean coincidence or something for which there is no rational man-made cause
depending on context. As long as you link to these ideas its okay, no need to define
Identify the key words
i.e. parts you should address or tie your body paragraphs to
Conditions that change the criteria you have to use to select your
points
Modifiers, qualifiers like can, should, never, ever, will
Ambiguous terms
Key variables/factors music, environment, mankind
Simplify these parts into one common thread
to answer
Next, brainstorm points
GP is challenging because you need to come up with 5 points, but if you have
a brainstorming acronym like SHEEPFCS with you its doable
The other key thing to note that cant really be taught is that your points must
have an angle relevant to the question