Tips for Selecting Topics and Artefacts for the CXC English SBA

 


There are a few key activities that you will have to perform at the beginning of the English SBA. These are the selection of the group themes, the individual sub-topics and the three artefacts or pieces of material.

The teacher and students will brainstorm possible themes and then students will form groups based on the themes that are of interest to them. Some teachers might give students the option of brainstorming topics and forming groups on their own. The context/culture of a classroom will inform the nature of the brainstorming session, group formation and topic selection.

Once each group has chosen the broad theme that it will focus on, each member of the group will have to select a sub-topic or a specific aspect of the theme that he or she will focus on. This does not have to be an arduous task. 

TIPS FOR SELECTING INDIVIDUAL SUB-TOPICS

1. Choose a sub-topic that interests you. Also, try to pick one that is based on a current or controversial issue.

2. Ask members of the group or your teacher to help you with the wording of your sub-topic.

2. Select a sub-topic that will enable you to find information that is readily available. It can be frustrating when you are struggling to find pieces that contain information on your sub-topic. Work smarter, not harder!

Below, I have given you an example of a general theme along with possible sub-topics.    

Topic: Street Children

Possible Sub-Topics:      The Impact of Street Children on the Society

                                         The measures implemented by the Jamaican government to 

                                          curb the number of street children

                                          Activities street children engage in to survive

                                          Possible ways to reduce the number of street children

SELECTING ARTEFACTS/PIECES

A total of three (3) artefacts or pieces of material should be gathered so they can be used for the reflections and considered for the written report.

NOTE: Please be reminded that you are not required to design and issue questionnaires or conduct interviews. Your pieces should be taken primarily from secondary sources.

This means that your three pieces can come from the following:

1. Poem

2. Short story

3. Play (an extract)

4. Song

5. YouTube video

6. Meme

7. Comic Strip

8. Facebook/Instagram Post

9. Picture

10. Speech

12. Advertisement

13. Newspaper article

14. Blog Post

15. Tables/Graphs

ADDITIONAL TIPS

1. It is recommended that you select artefacts/pieces that are easy to understand and which are of a reasonable length. For example, avoid choosing a newspaper article that is too long because you will have to do a close reading of it in order to write reflections 1 and 2.  

2. CXC also states that one of the pieces MUST be print.

3. Additionally, ensure that the pieces you choose provide information on your sub-topic. This is an important reminder because some students make the mistake of choosing pieces that fail to provide any information on the specific aspect of the group's theme they will be focusing on.

As you work on finalizing your sub-topics and pieces, please work closely with your teacher and group members so you can gain valuable feedback.


STUDY HUB FOR CXC ENGLISH A & B

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