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Argumentative Essay Topics and Points Outline
1. All secondary and tertiary level students should be offered
courses on good money
management as part of their formal education. What are your
thoughts on this suggestion?
You should write at least 350 words.
Good Money Management
important life skill
learn value of money
learn importance of budgeting
learn importance of investing
learn importance of reducing/avoiding debts
how to save money, why and how
how to earn extra money
be less dependent
2. There should be stricter censorship guidelines to monitor the
mass media in Malaysia. What is
your point of view? You should write at least 350 words.
Agree
Too much violence, sex and horror
Negatively influences young minds-dressing, lifestyle and
etc.
Increases crime rate
Encourages moral decadence/decline
More social problems
Examples of movies/series/printed media that should be
censored
Examples of scenes/texts that should be censored
Disagree
Audience mature enough to decide
More parental supervision of children
More moral and religious guidance
Just rate the movies etc. do not censor
Freedom of choice
Government can censor but VCDs available on the black market
anyway
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3. What roles do you think a good teacher should play in a
students life? Give your opinion. You
should write at least 350 words.
A good teacher should be an educator
teach what you are supposed to
be expert in area of specialization
prepare materials well
give, evaluate and discuss assignment
prepare them for examination
be interested and interesting
A good teacher should be a disciplinarian
set good example in profession and life
demonstrate good moral values
watch actions, mannerism and language
be persons some students can look up to/emulate
A good teacher should be a disciplinarian
Must be able to set strict guidelines and stick to them.
Be firm about attendance
Make sure the work is done and do not accept lame excuses
Punish if necessary
Set boundaries on acceptable behavior, language and etc.
A good teacher should be a counselor
Be a friend in need a shoulder to cry on
Provide good advice and counseling
Try to relate to them and their problems
Share your thoughts and allow them to express their opinions
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4. Water is an important source of livelihood to many people.
However, the quality of most
rivers in the country is worsening. What is your view on this?
What do you think causes the
worsening quality of rivers and how can the effects be
mitigated? You should write at least
350 words.
Agree
1. water is an important source of livelihood to many people and
it is sad that the quality
of most rivers in the country is worsening.
2. Caused by factors such as growing population, timber logging
and dumping or toxic
waste, domestic waste and rubbish directly into the rivers.
3. As a result, the quality of water deteriorates and certain
measures need to be taken to
mitigate the effects on the rivers.
Ways to solve the problem:
1.Do not throw rubbish into the rivers and other water
sources
Dispose of rubbish responsibly
Tie rubbish up in garbage bags and place them in dustbins
For bigger items, call disposal companies etc.
Minimize waste material that you throw into the sink or down the
drain.
Do not throw milk, oil or food waste down the sink-clog
pipes
Use organic, bio-degradable scraps and leftovers to make compost
heap-use as fertilizers.
Was car on lawn, pour water used to wash rice on plants dont
hose down the drains.
2. Campaign against irresponsible construction or logging.
Be outspoken about construction and logging that cause mud and
silt to clog rivers.
Write to newspapers, join citizens group.
3. Conserve Water
Do not waste water
Dont wash cars often, use watering can not hose for watering
plans, etc.
Use shower when bathing, turn off tap, when brushing teeth and
soaping dishes etc.
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5. In the last few years, several wars have broken out around
the world. Write an article giving
reasons why war is both destructive and harmful. You should
write at least 350 words.
(1) Thousands or even millions of people are killed or maimed in
wars.
-greatest tragedy thousands and millions ide-children, women,
old people too
-many are badly injured, lose limbs, sight, hearing and etc.
-landmines is another problem
-few able-bodied people lefts to rebuild the country
-many die due to disease, starvation, exposure and etc.
(2) Wars destroy buildings, bridges, homes and infrastructure
like roads, railway lines and
airports.
-wars usually involves massive bombing which cause mass
destruction
-everything destroyed-cannot live or conduct business
-hospitals cannot treat the injured
-no schools or universities and education will be affected
-people cannot travel
(3) War destroys families as members killed or separated from
each other
-men-fathers and brothers go off to fight wars
-families lose breadwinners, protectors, father figure
-families suffer lose and pains
-many lose contact with each other in confusion of war
(4) War destroys the economy as all economic activities are
badly affected, halted or completely
destroyed.
-factories and companies destroyed
-agricultural lands destroyed
-money is devalued, cannot trade
-roads, ports, airports are destroyed-cannot conduct
business
-no foreign investors will do business
-country cannot recover easily after wars
(5) Psychological trauma caused by war destroys social fabric
and undermines moral and religious
values
-Civil wars causes suspicion and hatred among neighbours
-Destroys sense of unity and fellowship
-People are fighting for survival-will do anything to protect
their families and themselves.
-will resort to betrayal, thefts, lies and even murder
-lose all sense of religious and moral values
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6. As we head towards the year 2020, many Malaysians feel that
much remains to be done in
order to improve the quality of our life. Do you agree? Give
your opinion. You should write at
least 350 words.
In order to achieve a developed-nation status, the quality of
life has to be improved.
basic amenities: parts of Malaysia still do not have clean pipe
water and electricity,
namely interior of Sabah and Sarawak
housing :not all citizens have modern housing with proper
sanitation
low cost government flats-are mostly in state of disrepair
squatter areas still common-overcrowding-poor garbage
disposal
lack of recreational areas and facilities-resulting in unhealthy
children
Education: still not compulsory
some children are deprived of education-lack of schools in rural
areas
some schools are closed because of small number as a result of
rural-urban migration-
worsens problems
Quality of education-qualification of teachers are questionable
esp. in the teaching of
English and Mathematics
Lack of funds for equipment and running of proper activities
Proportion of population who are university graduates still
low
Health: There are still many problems in the health system.
Lack of hospitals and clinics and qualified doctors
Long wait in the government hospitals and for treatment of
serious diseases.
Basic health care beyond the reach of many in rural areas
Safety of medicines and drugs used for treatment-the safety of
second generation drugs
and medications.
Preventive medication: hepatitis not free
Transport: There are many remote areas with no proper transport
system
In some places people still use primitive and dangerous
boats
In Sarawak, some areas are only accessible by very small planes
or helicopters-crashes
are common because of terrain
Modern means of transportation-LRT, Monorail, commuter
-only available in cities-very few
In estates and plantations, transports of people and goods are
still difficult.
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7. As a possible way to prevent music and movie piracy, it has
been proposed that the
government imposed a levy on CD-Rs. However, there are some
sectors of the public that
disagree with this proposal saying it is unfair on consumers.
Give your opinion. You should
write at least 350 words.
Unfair to consumer
Legitimate users shouldnt have to bear the extra cost just
because certain people are
using CDrs to infring on copyright.
CDrs are used for more than making copies of musics Cds; they
are also used for computer
back-ups and other forms of data storage.
Software developers use for Cd-rs extensively to backup and
store their work
The entire ICT industry uses CDRs this way.
Upcoming bands that need to record their demo tracks onto
Cdrs
Members of academia use CD burners for legitimate purposes
8. Academic qualifications determine a successful career. Give
your opinion. You should write
at least 350 words.
Disagree
Current situation-many graduates are unemployed. Give possible
reasons.
Experience sometimes count more than qualification. (Give
reasons)
Education is important but many have gone without education to
become successful.
Many success stories particularly from the past e.g Loh Boon
Siew, Lim Goh Tong and
even Zainal Abidin
Could also depend on talent and personality-if have the right
aptitude for a particular
job, will succeed regardless of qualifications
Many success stories indicate a desire and determination to
succeed. On the contrary,
many educated people end up unemployed because too proud to
start low.
Opportunities also play important role. Right timing-right
conditions.
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9. The public should be encouraged to use public transportation
more. Give your opinion. You
should write at least 350 words.
Agree
(1) It is a safer way to commute than using motorcycles and
cars
Statistics indicate more accidents involving private
vehicles
Many injuries and fatalities especially during festive
seasons-all police efforts not very
successful
Less cars on road, less chance of accidents
Travel by bus, commuter trains, LRT, monorail and etc.
(2) Using public transportation is less stressful and more
convenient
Know public transportation schedule
Dont have to feel stressed in traffic jams-can read, nap and
relax-not driving
Can get some works done, study, talk on mobile phone
Dont have to look around for parking space, coins and etc.
(3) More economical than using your own private transport
Dont have to buy motorcycle or cars
Dont have to pay loans, road tax, petrol, parking bills and
tolls.
Bus, commuter, train, LRT tickets are reasonably priced-also
insurance repairs
and all.
(4) Help save the environment
Mass transportation system, not one or two people to a
vehicle
Save energy/petrol
Trains or cable cars do not cause the same energy waste as
smaller private
vehicles
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10. Many people describe Malaysia as having first world
facilities but a third world attitude. Give
your opinion on this statement. You should write at least 350
words.
Agree
INTRODUCTION
This is common perception among the people now.
Word class facilities refer to facilities, infrastructures and
services provided by
the government or the private sectors.
Include roads, highways, recreational parks, national parks,
schools,
telecommunication system, hospitals, clinics, kindergartens,
places of worships,
library, museum, community centres, public toilets and etc.
Third world attitude refers to negative attitudes such as
carelessness,
ungratefulness, recklessness, abuse, vandalism and etc. that are
often associated
with the habits of people in poor developing countries.
CONTENT
Adults and children do not generally obey rules.
Littering at cinemas, shopping malls, on LRT, monorails
Improper use of or dirtying of toilets
Embarrassing behaviors such as talking loudly on mobile
phone
Not queuing up for buses and taxis
Rushing for food during open houses
Taking and wasting too much food during buffet
Motorists do not obey traffic rules
Jumping red lights
Jumping queue
Parking illegally
Changing lanes without indicating
Road rage/illegal racing
Adults and children tend to misuse certain facilities
Public parks are vandalized and left in dirty condition
Rubbish are thrown inconsiderately in river at recreational
areas
Government vehicles are used for works non-official works
Public phones and bus stations are vandalized
CONCLUSION
Restate your opinion/thesis statement.
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11. It has been said that universities should not be degree
mills but centers of knowledge
dissemination and creativity. Give your opinion on how
universities can improve the quality of
their education. You should write at least 350 words.
Agree
Of late a lot of negative reporting about the quality of local
graduates
Whether or not the comments are true, it is necessary to
constantly improve quality of
undergraduates.
Content (Ways)
(1) Lecturers
High qualification
Internationally recognized and competitive
More dedicated
(2) Curriculum
International recognition
Academic as well as non-academic emphasis
Include soft skills, such as communications and interpersonal
skills
Relevant extracurricular programmes, including sports.
(3) Management and Administration
Better administration of academic and non-academic affairs
Better management of staff and student welfare
(4) Facilities
State of the art computers
Advanced laboratories
Virtual and book libraries
Lecture halls, classrooms
Hostels
(5) Students
Well-disciplined
Excellent time management
Good critical thinking skills
Good English language skills
Third language skills
Conclusion
When there is a marked improvement in the quality of education
provided by local universities, the
quality of their graduates will improve.
They will then be able to compete with graduates from foreign
universities for jobs either in Malaysia or
globally.
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12. The mass media plays a great role in shaping peoples ideas.
Do you agree or disagree with this?
Discuss.
INTRODUCTION > Choose one from the following stands<
1. Mass media do have great influence in shaping peoples
ideas.
2. Mass media do not have much influence in shaping peoples
ideas
3. Mass media do influence us to a certain extent.
If you choose YES MASS MEDIA DO INFLUENCE US OR INFLUENCE US TO
A CERTAIN EXTENDUSE
THE FOLLOWING POINTS
Mass media shape our idea/perception of
Beauty
Lifestyles
Values
Politics
World issues
Social issues
Fashion
Business
If you choose NOT, MASS MEDIA DO NOT HAVE MUCH INFLUENCE IN
SHAPING OUR IDEAS,
use the following points:
People have independent minds
People have strong will and curiosity
People have their own opinions
People are very questioning and skeptical
People can choose what to believe in
Mass media cant influence people 100%
CONCLUSION
-It depends on the people, their way of thinking, level of
maturity and intellect.
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13. Advertisement: Information or manipulation?
DEFINITION
Advertisement : ways/means by which products, services , persons
or entities are promoted to the
public in order to gain support, increase volumes of sales or
increase consumption.
Examples: Milo, Nescafe, Maxis, Digi, Proton, Toyota
advertisement and etc.
Information: refers to things that can help us to know about
something or someone at the most
neutral level.
Manipulation: to use something or someone using any means to
achieve desired effects on them.
STAND :Information and manipulation are like hands and gloves,
they go together. Information can
be used to manipulate and manipulation can also be used to
inform.
CONTENT: How Advertisement Inform and Manipulate
Inform
Through advertisement we may know about the existence or
invention of new products in
the market.
We also get to discover the availability of certain
services.
Help us to compare and choose the best products or services.
Manipulate
Advertisements are targeted at the target audience for a
specific range of products or services.
Interesting and colorful visuals, audio and video are used to
bombard the target audience with
lasting perception of these products.
This leave a lasting impression on the peoples minds causing
them to want to have the products
or use the services even though they didnt really need it
initially.
Increases spending and consumption-make people buy more.
Causes creadit-cards debts .
Conclusion
Advertisments generally increase consumption of products and
services causing people to part with
their money easily.