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MUET 12 JULY 2017
MUET 12 JULY 2017
Writing with ease
Using information from The Star Let us now look at some ideas from The Star that may be relevant to the essay question: Some teenagers have become victims of cyberbullying. Why do you think this has happened and how can parents prevent their children from becoming victims?
By V.M. NARENDRAN IN this issue, let us go through what we have learned about Task 2 of the MUET writing paper.
TIPS
DON’T
DO ● Use the British English as far as possible and avoid colloquialism (informal words or phrases used in speech).
5. Each body paragraph has to include: the topic sentence, supporting sentences (two to three sentences), and development sentences (evidence in the form of examples and data). There are many ways a body paragraph can be developed, which results in a situation where the topic sentence may not be the first sentence. However, it is recommended that the topic sentence be placed at the beginning of each body paragraph. 6. To earn a higher band in the MUET writing paper, you should answer the question fully (i.e. cover all the points raised in the task statement). Add examples from your own experience if asked. Your essay also has to show: ● Conciseness (eight to 15 words per sentence); ● Cohesion (link ideas, paragraphs and sentences together); ● Coherence (convey ideas in a way that is easily understood by the reader); and ● Composition (use the correct essay structure). You also need to use: ● More complex sentence structures; ● More complex vocabulary; and ● More complex grammatical use and variation. This means that you need to: ● Use a variety of words and noun groups; ● Use punctuation correctly; ● Use the right tone (essays should always be formal); ● Only use possessive or personal pronouns when giving your opinion; ● Lead from one paragraph to another well – connecting words are vital!; ● Vary your use of grammar; ● Write neatly as it values the reader-writer relationship; ● Write maturely to reflect a mature way of thinking; ● Plan in three to five minutes: it makes your essay more organised; and ● Make your opinion very clear: give a formal and reasoned point of view, with relevant details.
PLANNING THE ESSAY
ESSAY STRUCTURE
1. Before writing, be clear about the essay’s structure. 2. Write your task within the given time limit. In saying this, practice makes perfect, so write essays within the prescribed time (one hour) and have your teacher or lecturer check it. 3. Writing requires wide academic vocabulary. Do have a dictionary nearby to enrich your vocabulary. 4. Avoid all informal ways of writing. There are some rules you should follow. For example: ● Don’t use abbreviations. ● Don’t use the first and second pronouns or possessives (I, you, me, my and your), except in the conclusion where you may have to state your opinion.
First, analyse the question by finding the: ● Keywords (general topic); ● Micro-keywords (specific topic); and ● Instruction words (how to answer the question). For example, look at the following question:
Essay question: Some teenagers have become victims of cyberbullying. Why do you think this has happened and how can parents prevent their children from becoming victims? The keywords here are “cyberbullying among teenagers”. The stress is on cyberbullying (only), so do not waste time talking about other types of bullying. The micro-keywords are “teenagers as victims” and “how parents can prevent their children from becoming victims”. The instruction words are as follows: ● “Why do you think this has happened?”; and ● “How can parents prevent their children from becoming victims?” There are two parts to the above question. It is important to answer both parts to have a complete Task Response. Once this is clear, plan the structure of the essay. Introduction
● Paraphrase question ● Thesis statement ● Outline the “why” and the “how”
Paragraphs 1 and 2
● Topic sentences on “why you think” cyberbullying has happened among teenagers ● Explanation ● Example
Paragraphs 3 and 4
● Topic sentences on “how parents can prevent” cyberbullying ● Explanation ● Example
Conclusion
● Summarise the main points in other words
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Introduction
FINDING RELEVANT IDEAS FOR THE ESSAY
1. Be familiar with common topics. This means knowing at least 10 relevant topics and their related vocabulary. The topics include health, environment, education, technology, public transport, youth, social ills, globalisation, development or economies, and government policies. Read up on these topics and develop a vocabulary list. Then, practise writing. 2. Brainstorm: put down as many points as you can on paper. 3. Mind map: visually organise your ideas using the keywords as your main point and the micro-keywords as your “branches”. 4. Question method: write down the “who”, “what”, “when”, “why”, “where” and “how” question words in order to generate ideas.
(Cyberbullying knows no age limit, published in Star2, May 19, 2017 ) Cyberbullying is the use of digital technological tools and platforms to intentionally hurt, shame or harass another person repeatedly. It usually takes the form of individual harassment (when a person is attacked through private messages) or public humiliation (when the attacks are public), or both. Cyberbullying happens because people view it as a form of entertainment. (On the alert for cyberbullying, published in The Star, Apr 11, 2017 ) Advances in technology and better Internet access have enabled more Malaysians, including children, to explore the virtual world. Unfortunately, the technology has also exposed our children to another problem – cyber harassment, which includes cyberbullying. Cyber harassment also covers stalking, racial and religious insults and sexual exploitation in the virtual world. Based on statistics compiled by CyberSecurityMalaysia, there were 300 cyber harassment cases in 2012, 512 in 2013, 550 in 2014, 442 in 2015 and 529 in 2016. Cyberbullying among students is more serious, with 250 cases reported in 2012, 389 in 2013, 291 in 2014, 256 in 2015 and 338 in 2016. In total, there were 1,524 cyberbullying cases recorded in the past five years. Although the number is low compared with more than five million students nationwide, the statistics are based on reported cases. A survey by Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd and Telenor Group last year revealed that one in four students admitted they had experienced cyberbullying.
What can parents do?
Conclusion
CONTENT POINT
Definition of cyberbullying
Data to show the increasing number of teenagers being harassed online
Activity: Look in The Star for information you can use to answer this section.
Why do teenagers become victims of cyberbullying?
PARAPHRASING It is especially important to rewrite the question so that the examiner knows you have understood and analysed the question, and are ready to write all about it. Paraphrasing can be done in several ways: a) Using synonyms of the keywords. Teenagers can be rewritten as “young people”; victims may be paraphrased as “someone being preyed upon”; bullies can be stated as being domineering, and cyber as being “computerised” or “digital”. b) Changing the word order. For example, “Cyberbullying has victimised many young people.” c) Changing the form of the word. For example, “Cyberbullies have victimised teenagers.” d) Change from the active to passive form. For example, “Cyberbullying has victimised many young people.”; “Cyberbullies have victimised teenagers.”
ARTICLE FROM THE STAR
(Bullying beyond playgrounds, Star2, Jan 30, 2017) “Cyberbullying is a growing issue and parents are struggling to respond to this threat. A concern for many parents is that cyberbullying doesn’t stop when their children leave school – as long as your children are connected to a device, a bully can connect to them,” said Symantec Asia Consumer Business director Chee Choon Hong in a press statement. On a positive note, the report shows that parents are starting to recognise the impact of cyberbullying on children and are taking preventive measures. About 53% of parents choose to check their children’s browser history; 42% review and approve all apps before they are downloaded, 49% enable Internet access only in common areas at home, and 38% limit information their children can post on social profiles. However, the survey also reveals that 6% of parents still fail to take any action to protect their children online. “Many parents are still in the dark about how to recognise the signs of cyberbullying and what to do if their children are affected. The first step for all parents is to educate themselves about the signs of cyberbullying and learn how to establish an open line of communication with their children,” added Chee. The report mentions that parents who worry that their children are being cyberbullied should look out for telltale signs in their kids like appearing nervous when receiving a text or online message; avoiding the use of their devices or using them excessively; skipping school; and/or becoming defensive or secretive about their online activities.
● Check their children’s browser history; review the apps before allowing their children to download them; allow Internet access in common areas at home; limit the information their children post on social media ● Learn about the dangers of cyberbullying and have an open line of communication with their children ● Look out for telltale signs in their children
(Are you a cyberbully?, published in Star2, May 19, 2017) “Cyberbullying is terrible because it enters your home and destroys the safe space which your home represents. It takes away the fun and comfort from activities that people enjoy.”
Try looking for more information (evidence in the form of examples and data) from The Star that you can use to fill up the table above. Based on the information gathered, write your essay. Good luck!