MYP Design Criterion A Strand i Guide
Criterion A Strand i
A i. explains and justifies the need for a solution to a problem for a client/ target audience
Part 1: The Problem
Identify the problem
Explain the problem
Identify specifically when and where the problem is situated (context)
In your own words, explain exactly what the problem/issue/challenge/concern is and establish context
Conduct primary research into the problem and interview a key stakeholder and share your findings (with citations)
Conduct secondary research (websites, blogs, books, journals news articles &/or videos) and share your findings (with citations)
Part 2: Key Stakeholders
Identify the target audience
Identify the client(s)
Identify the end-user(s)
Present a company/organisational/user/client profile
Present a persona
Part 3: The Need for a Solution to the Problem (Explain & Justify)
Explain why this specific problem is a serious problem
Explain why a solution for this problem is important
Persuade/Convince the reader of your Criterion A report that this issue/problem is in need of a solution with a persuasive piece of writing that may follow this structure:
State position (1st paragraph)
Reason 1 (2nd paragraph)
Reason 2 (3rd paragraph)
Reason 3 (4th paragraph)
Conclusion (5th paragraph)
Persuade/Convince the reader of your Criterion A report that this issue/problem is in need of a solution. Here are tips on how to persuade/convince (i.e. justify):
research - conduct some research and find and share statistics, quotes, graphs, images and anything that can add weight to your argument
personal approach - discuss how important this issue is to you personally &/or to your client and how finding a solution is so very important and much needed
provide reasons - use the word "because"
prognosticate - share how bad the world will be if this problem is NOT solved - compare a happy world with a solution to a horrible world without a solution
emotive - use words that make your reader have strong feelings
rhetorical questions - to make your reader stop and think
undermine - mention different opinions to yours and say why they are wrong
Try one or more of these appeals:
Ethos - Values ~ getting people to trust you – show the people that you share the same values as them
Pathos - Emotions ~ appealing to the emotions of others – use language to make people feel a certain way, whether it be angry, guilty, encouraged or fearful
Logos - Logic and sense ~ using logic or evidence to appeal to the common sense of others – showing that you are basing your opinions on facts
Criterion A Strand i Assessment
0 ~ student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors
1-2 ~ states the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client/target audience
3-4 ~ outlines the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client/target audience
5-6 ~ explains the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client/target audience
7-8 ~ explains and justifies the need for a solution to a problem for a client/ target audience
Criterion A Strand i Differentiation
The student (states --> outlines --> explains --> explains & justifies) the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client/target audience
Criterion A i Command Terms
State = Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation
Outline = Give a brief account or summary
Explain = Give a detailed account including reasons or causes
Justify = Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion
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