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MUET 8 MARCH 2017
8 MARCH 2017 MUET
Unlock your writing potential By V.M. NARENDRAN NEED help with MUET 800/4 Writing Task 2? Don’t fret! Here are some tips to get you through it. Section A: Understanding the essay question In this section, we will discuss how the MUET essay questions are constructed. We will look at: l The parts of the question; and l How to analyse the question. A MUET essay question has at least one of the following: (i) Background facts This is factual information about a situation or current event. In other words, it is something that is generally accepted as being true. (ii) Opinion This is someone’s view about a situation or issue. As it is an opinion, it is possible to agree or disagree with it. (iii) Task These are words telling you what you should do. There may be more than one task in an essay question, in which case both would need to be answered. It is important that you know the difference between a fact and an opinion, and what the task is. Knowing the difference will help you to analyse essay questions. Now look at the following question:
Selfies have become increasingly popular. However, they are also a cause for concern. What is your opinion? Your essay should not be less than 350 words. l Selfies have become increasingly popular
Is there an opinion (or a social problem or cause for worry)?
l Selfies are a cause for concern
Is there a task? How many?
l Opinion: only one task
Section B: Knowing the task Once you have identified the topic and other details, make sure you understand clearly what the task is. As we saw in Section A, a question will always have a task because this is the part that tells you exactly what you need to do. The following are common tasks seen in past year MUET questions: l What are the advantages and disadvantages of...? l How far is this true? l To what extent do you agree or disagree? l Give your opinion... l What are the causes of... and what measures can be taken... (to respond to this problem)? l What are some of these problems? What can be done to reduce...? It is common for candidates to completely miss a point they are asked to discuss. So, you need to look at the task very carefully. They may be any of the following: b) Problems
c) Causes
d) Opinion 1
c) Solutions
d) Opinions 2, 3 and 4
and/or b) Solutions
Section C: Brainstorming One of the biggest fears students have is opening up the writing paper, looking at the essay question and having no ideas to write. An easy way to overcome this is by trying out the Five Questions Method. This method uses who/what/why/where/how question words in order to generate ideas. Let us look at the essay topic again: Selfies have become increasingly popular. However, they are also a cause for concern. What is your opinion? Your essay should not be less than 350 words. Using the Five Questions Method: l Who? Selfies are generally popular among young people, but almost everyone takes selfies. l What? A selfie is “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.” (Oxford English Dictionary) l Why? Selfies have become popular because: (i) Access to a portable camera is easy with a smartphone; (ii) Selfies enable one to adjust one’s own image; and (iii) When posted on social media, it is a way of keeping in touch with friends and relatives, etc. Selfies are a cause for concern because of fatal consequences. (Do your own research by referring to newspaper reports.) l Where? More and more people are taking selfies in dangerous places and situations, or while doing dangerous stunts. l How? (i) How have selfies become popular? Taking selfies is easy as one only needs to use a smartphone to do it; (ii) How have selfies become a cause for concern? Selfie-takers go to extremes to take daring and dangerous shots. The answers to the above questions have already paved the way for the development of ideas. All you need now is to provide supporting details and examples. Section D: Answering the task: “What is your opinion?” You have two options from which to choose.
Body
Develop your points (or opinions), giving reasons and supporting them with appropriate examples. Write at least three.
Conclusion
Sum up what you have written and give your final thoughts on the matter. They should not differ from those in the introduction.
Headline published in The Star
Keyword
a) Experts say it is not worth risking one’s life for the thrill – nor is it cool
not worth; risking one’s life
b) Man flirts with death for “killer shot”
flirts with death; “killer shot”
c) Sheer bravery or false bravado
sheer bravery; false bravado
d) Mumbai sets no-selfie zones – city acts after trend results in deaths
no-selfie zones; (selfie) trend
2. Key points Experts say it is not worth risking one’s life for the thrill – nor is it cool l According to a study in the United States, this new extreme form of selfies, tagged “killfies”, had been increasing in popularity since 2013 with grave effects. l Daredevil selfies seem to be gaining popularity as a form of self-expression. l “Ultimately, that perfect selfie is not worth risking one’s life, or that of others.” l While it was natural for youngsters to seek attention and approval from peers, those who resort to “extreme selfies” may be looking to boost their self-esteem. l “In some cases of daredevil selfies, this can be a reflection of narcissistic personality traits of an individual demanding recognition through such unconventional and law-defying antics.”
– The Star, Jan 4, 2017
Man flirts with death for ‘killer shot’ l Despite global reports that more people died from taking selfies than from shark attacks, it appears that Malaysians are still going the extra length to capture a “killer shot”. l (Example) The latest case happened on Saturday evening when a motorcyclist stood on the guardrail at Penang Bridge to take a wefie with his friends.
– The Star, Jan 2, 2017
Sheer bravery or false bravado l As for the selfies while attempting these dangerous acts, now that’s really getting out of hand. We even have a word for it now – killfies. l It’s a word used to describe photos taken by people who put their lives on the line – standing in front of an oncoming train, at the edge of a cliff, beside a beast of prey – to get “just that shot”. l There are also two words to describe the people who take such killfies – suicidally stupid.
– The Star, Jan 6, 2017
High jinks on Ipoh lands kids in trouble l It isn’t as famous as the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles but enough to lure a group of youngsters to scale a hill here and pose for photographs with the “Ipoh” signboard. l The images went viral on Friday and the Ipoh City Council (MBI), which got wind of it, was not amused. l It issued a statement yesterday cautioning that the sign was off limits for the people’s safety. l “MBI has never allowed anyone to climb the signboard because it could be risky for them to do so,” it said, adding that this was meant to also protect road users of the busy Kuala Kangsar road. – Sunday Star, Jan 1, 2017
Mumbai sets no-selfie zones l Look around in any major Indian city, and you will find someone with an arm outstretched, mobile phone in hand, smiling widely and clicking away. l But the pursuit of the most epic selfie can have lethal consequences. l In Mumbai, police have declared selfies off-limits in areas perceived as risky – particularly along the coastline in spots with no railings or barriers. Anyone venturing into off-limits areas, even if they take no photos, risks being slapped with a fine of about US$18 (RM76).
– The Star, Feb 26, 2016
Selfies are popular and are also a cause for concern (Agree)
Selfies are popular but are not a cause for concern (Disagree)
1. Reason 1 + Supporting Details + Examples
1. Reason 1 + Supporting Details + Examples
2. Reason 2 + Supporting Details + Examples
2. Reason 2 + Supporting Details + Examples
3. Reason 3 + Supporting Details + Examples
3. Reason 3 + Supporting Details + Examples
Bear in mind that you have to: l Give a clear opinion; and l Stay true to your opinion throughout the essay.
Paraphrase the topic and briefly give your opinion.
1. Headlines: Choice of keywords that will help you with your essay.
Are there background facts?
a) Disadvantages
Introduction
Section F: Collecting ideas Let us look at newspaper reports supporting the statement that selfies are a cause for concern.
The next step is to ask yourself the following:
a) Advantages
Section E: Planning the essay
On the other hand, if you are of the opinion that selfies are not a cause for concern, you have to come up with points that support your opinion. Here are a few points you may use: l Selfies offer self-expression and are artistic, depending on who and what you take the selfies with. It expresses your inner feelings and characteristics. For example, you may be very sociable if you take selfies with friends, a foodie if you take pictures with different cuisines, etc. l Selfies help to boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Researchers believe that it allows people to express themselves in a way like never before. People take selfies in different outfits and hairstyles, and make unique poses. They then post them on social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter where they get “likes”, and receive positive comments. l It has been said that selfies serve as a documentation of one’s identity following a timeline. These images may be used in the future to recall memories and reflect on the past. Now that you have read both sides of the argument, decide on the side that you wish to take. Remember to make your opinion clear and remain true to the task till the end.
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