1

WRITING

800/4: Writing (90 minutes)

To test the ability to write various types of text in English fluently and in a mature, logical and organized fashion

Two writing tasks:

Transferring information from a non-linear source to a linear text

Writing an extended writing

Questions

Question 1 (40 minutes):

Write a report / article about 150 to 200 words describing all the information given.

(40 marks)

Question 2 (50 minutes):

Write an essay at least 350 words long based on a topic given.

(60 marks)

Question 1

Transfer information from a non-linear source to a linear text.

The stimulus given may be either in linear and/or non-linear text.

Single line graph

Double line graph

Bar graph

Pie chart

Table

Diagram

Short texts

Analyze and study the stimulus and graphic aid.

Focus on the task and jot down points.

Organize your points, use logical sequencing and cohesive devices.

Describe what the table/graph shows.

Link the data presented.

Do NOT give opinion

Do NOT write answer using bullet points. Write in paragraphs.

2

WRITING

Highlight trends (movement shown in graph, differences in numbers or percentage)

Include all data/info given only.

Do not add new information.

Do not include opinion or speculation.

Do not guess or infer.

Do not write more than 200 words.

Question 1: Sample

Title

Different Modes of Commuter Transport in Kuala Lumpur

Overview

The graph shows the different modes of commuter transport used in Kuala Lumpur in 1980, 1990 and 2000.

Overall Trend

The trend indicates the growing use of cars for commuting to work between 1980 and 2000, and the corresponding decline in the popularity of buses from being the most popular mode of transport in 1980 to the least popular in 2000.

Analysis

(Provide analysis of the data provided make sure that the details you give are correct and that the data supports the trend you have highlighted)

Conclusion

(Summarize main findings compare and contrast use of different modes of transportation from 1980 to 2000)

Writing: Question 2

Write an essay on a given topic.

Essay may be in Argumentative or Persuasive style.

Must write in paragraphs:

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

State stand: Agree / Disagree / Partial

At least 3 well-developed main points

3

WRITING

Give reasons : Why?

Elaborate: How?

Give specific example: What? Who? When? Where?

Argumentative writing

Include an argument, perspective and values.

Support with facts and statistics.

Verify the validity, reliability and accuracy.

Show the readers that your opinion, theory or hypothesis is more accurate and truthful than others.

Stages of writing

Brainstorming

Narrow down the topic

Support opinion with data or other evidence

Writing

Thesis statement

Topic sentence

Supporting details

Revising

Read through

Proofread for errors in grammar, sentence structures, coherence and mechanics

Preparation

Read newspapers every day current issues, vocabulary, ideas.

Practise note taking while listening to news/lectures/announcements.

Speak English more often class, hostel, home

Practise mind-mapping

Revise grammar

4

WRITING

How to write?

To write a good argument, you must do the following:

1. Evaluate your position

Before writing an argument essay, make sure you have a sound position and know the facts.

First, ask yourself a few questions:

Have I defined the problem clearly?

Have I gathered enough information to form an opinion?

Does my opinion reflect an honest search for truth, or it is

simply self interest?

2. Give your reasons

Your arguments should be logical and convincing. Support your arguments with reasons which are logical and reasonable. A logical reason is one that make sense whereas a reasonable is one that is fair.

3. Cite evidence

Besides reasons, evidence is one of the important support of your argument. Evidence consists of the following:

Examples

Facts

Testimony (expert opinion that backs up your points.)

Personal observation

4. Refute the opposition

A good argument does not ignore its opposition. Instead, it tries to refute it - to show that the oppositions case is weak.

The best way is to state the opposing side and then immediately respond.

(Taken from: Writing Talk Paragraphs and Short Essays With Readings)

5

WRITING

ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

WHAT IS AN ARGUMENT?

Argument is not a quarrel at all. It is simply a rational means of persuasion. In argument only some statements are offered as matters of facts which are given as reasons to make us believe assertions or claims.

Heffernan, J. A. W. and Lincoln, J. E. 1986. Writing. A College Handbook. Second Edition. USA. Library of Congress. (pgs.112-114)

In argument one or more statements are claims in need of defending, and statements of facts are introduced to defend them.

Effective arguments combine general claims with specific evidence.

The general claim or proposition is essential because it tells the reader what you are arguing for.

TYPES OF ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

In favour-agree. Eg. No man is an island entire of itself. Discuss.

For and Against. When writing on the advantages or disadvantages of something. Eg. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being students of the higher institutions.

Expressing opinions. Eg. Which do you think is better-to live in with your parents or to live on your own?

SAMPLE 1: In favour-agree.

Eg. No man is an island entire of itself. Discuss

Outline: Main Ideas and supporting details/Facts/Examples

Introduction: Definition of the quotation-agree with it.

Main Body: Reasons why you think so.

Paragraph 1: Differences between loneliness and complete isolation. Impossible to exist if denied all human contact.

Paragraph 2: Importance of human contact.

-home environment, school, rest of community.

Paragraph 3: Basic unit in society is family.

Paragraph 4: Human contact is basic need

-effects on those who have no contact.

Conclusion: We all need privacy and space but contact and communication is essential to humans.

6

WRITING

Sample 2: For and Against.

When writing on the advantages and disadvantages of something:

Consider both sides of the question.

State your own opinions at the introduction or conclusion.

Put each point in a new paragraph.

Support arguments with examples, statistics, illustrations, etc.

Plan your arguments logically.

Use logical connectors. Eg. on the other hand, however, etc.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being at school. Out line: Columns Introduction: Most people spend at least 11 years in school. Main Body: Arguments for and against.

Conclusion: School may not be perfect but difficult to find another alternative (18/7/08 pl2)

Sample 3: Expressing opinions

When writing on expressing your own opinions:

Choose this only when you have clear opinions on the topics.

Support your opinions with examples, details, statistics, etc.

Stick to the question.

Express only relevant ideas.

Discuss other opinions even if you disagree with them.

The love of money is the root of all evil. Do you agree?

Advantages Disadvantages

1. Obtain education

2. Make good use of time;

enjoyable

3. Safe place

4. Structured and organised

1. Hands-on experience out of school

2. Waste a lot of time; boring

3. Over protected; weak and

dependent

4. Individual needs not catered for

Outline: Mind map Conclusion: Repetition of ones position

7

WRITING

1. To express your opinions effectively, you should be able to tie your ideas or opinions together. You must be able to use sentence connectors.

To add another thought or point to an existing one:

2.To connect two opposite ideas

3. To connect another point to make the existing argument stronger:

Money

QUESTION ALL EVILS?

BAD BENEFITS

ANSWER

Development

Charities Good works

Politics

Materialism Greed

Can be evil Can do good

Besides Moreover Further more

In addition, Apart from this/that, Other than that,

But Still Although On the other hand Nevertheless In contrast In spite of

Even though However Yet On the contrary Despite this Conversely

In fact As a matter of fact

8

WRITING

4. To show result:

5. To introduce an example or illustration:

6. To arrange ideas in sequence (order, time and place)

7. To sum up some or all of your ideas:

Mind map

So As a result Therefore

Consequently Accordingly

For example For instance

In other words A good example

is

Order

-First/Firstly

-Next

-Then

-Later Time

-While

-Since

-When Place

-Where

-Afterwards

-Finally/Lastly

-Subsequently

-Meanwhile

-Until

-Wherever

In short, The gist of it is

In brief, To sum up,

ARGUMENT

Reason 2 Reason 1 Reason 3

Evidence Evidence Evidence

STAND: Agree / Disagree

OPINION

FACTS

9

WRITING

Writing Tips

Write Grammatically Correct Essay

The English grammar level presented in the essay decides whether it is a well-written or low-

graded essay. A grammatically incorrect essay distracts the readers attention from the

content written by the writer. So, you should read the Important English Grammar Notes for

Essay Writing as well. In addition to that, you should always avoid doing minor errors like

first-draft slips and gross errors like tense and subject-verb agreement.

Use Thesaurus to Increase Vocabulary

Thesaurus comes in handy to increase your vocabulary. You should try to replace the

general words with the more specific ones. For instance, replace the word important

with the word vital when you want to say something that is very important and

necessary, and if not done correctly there could be serious problems. Besides that,

you are suggested to reference the thesaurus to expand your vocabulary. Try to

replace some adjectives with others which are similar in meaning like replacing the

word boring with mundane or tedious. However, using bombastic words in your

writing with the only purpose is to impress the examiners in order to score well is not

recommended.

Write Journal or Blog in English

Since MUET Writing Test tests your English writing skills, you should be able to write

your essay in English. So, writing journal or diary or blogging in English can brush up

your English writing skills. Try to write in grammatically correct sentences instead of

using broken or casual English in your journal or blog. You should also train yourself

to plan or outline and organize your essay before writing it. Writing spontaneously

may keep the flow but the essay written may be a mess. So, it is a good habit to

organize your essay before it is written.

Important English Grammar Notes for Essay Writing

1. Modals (Present form / Past form) Can / Could Will / Would Shall / Should May / Might Do / Did To

The words (verbs) after these modals must always be in root form which is the basic part of a verb without adding -ing or -ed.

2. Words (Verbs) after has, have or had must be in past participle form. Example 1: has written (written is the past participle form of the verb write) Example 2: has held (held is the past participle form of the verb hold)

10

WRITING

3. In a sentence where there are two verbs the first* verb must have the word had in front of it. Example: Eric told his father about what had happened to him. *The first activity done / happened.

4. After these words the verb must be added -ing. after, before, while, as, when, for, by Examples: Before eating After trekking By writing

5. Use articles a, and, the before nouns. Examples: The grammar notes A writing guide An essay

6. Use auxiliaries or auxiliary verbs (is, are, am, was, were) before adjective. The essay writing guide is useful. Good Essays website is essential to everyone who wants to write a better essay. 7. During examinations, you should not use contractions such as didnt, cant. Use did not or cannot instead.