Showing posts with label Sample Answer 800/4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sample Answer 800/4. Show all posts

Saturday, May 15, 2010

QUESTION 2: Mid Year 2010

By Audrey Wiles
The world today is turning more to electronic communications such as the e-mail, Facebook and Short message System (SMS). What is your opinion of this growing trend? Discuss. You should write at least 350 words.

Generally, in answering academic essays, you need to really focus on a higher level of thinking which befits a Band 6, university style response. If you were to just answer that this electronic communication trend is good and that you can chat with your friends and keep in touch, then you really haven't explored the question in a mature and critical way.

How do you train your mind to be more critical and mature in approaching the question? Well, you need to focus not just on the effects of the concept to yourself and the people around you, but focus on how it will affect society not just in your country but globally.

Anyway, have a read of the sample answer below. Take note that I'm sticking to my writing template, but better students can use a more creative style to show their flair in writing effective compositions.


Everywhere we turn today, the world is crowded with people busy typing SMSes on their Nokias or iPhones or someone is staring unblinkingly at a Facebook or Yahoo page on the computer screen. Whether you like it or not, the age of Information Technology is upon us, and we can either learn new skills and adapt to this new technology, or be forever lost and stuck in the older generation. In my opinion, I am fully convinced that this growing trend is the way of the future, and it brings countless benefits to mankind. In this essay, I will discuss three positive effects of electronic communication, namely its efficiency, enhances communication and creates a borderless world community.

First and foremost, more and more people are relying on e-mail, Facebook, Short Message System (SMS) and other types of electronic communication tools because of its high efficiency. This is because in today's age of globalisation, we need information at the tip of our fingers. Moreover, with the use of these tools, we can increase the speed of getting the necessary and relevant information within seconds and this will increase our productivity. For example, gone are the days of using 'snail mail' or regular letters using stamps and envelopes and many more examples of 'old' technology because it is simply too slow and inefficient. Therefore, these e-communication tools increases the access to important information which is why the new generation is fully accepting this growing trend.

Secondly, this form of technology enhances communication among people today. This means that when we use SMS, e-mails and websites like Facebook, we are able to communicate clearly and directly to our target audience. Furthermore, people today find that the message is more important than the form it comes in as an e-mail in short but clear sentences is just as good or even better than a long and formal letter. For instance, an SMS can give clear instructions in just a few words and this communicates what needs to be done quickly and directly. Thus, when the intended message can be spread clearly using short and clear information like in SMSes and emails, communication can be enhanced and there will be less problems of miscommunication.

Last but not least, e-communication creates a borderless community in the world we live in today. This is due to the fact that the boundaries that separate each country becomes less relevant when information is transferred without limitations. In addition, the world would be a better place because there is a sense of 1-World commitment, respect and tolerance for the global community through efficient and clear e-communication. Take for example, we are able to connect with people on an international basis using Facebook, Friendster, Tagged, Hotmail, Yahoo and others. Hence, these tools will enhance global unity and create a more peaceful world.

In a nutshell, this growing trend has many positive effects not just to individuals but the global society in terms of efficiency, enhancing communicative skills and shaping a borderless community. In my opinion, I still firmly believe that this latest trend is the best way forward and if we do not catch up, we will be left behind by the tide of development. Our government can encourage the proper usage of electronic communications by increasing communication amenities and broadband accessibility especially in rural areas so that they can enjoy the same facilities as city-folks therefore balancing the development of our country towards achieving Vision 2020.

Question 1 - Mid Year 2010

By Audrey Wiles

So what does it take to write a good report for Question 1 of the writing paper? Well there is a secret formula which I've developed based on the marking scheme course I attended organised by MPM two years ago when the new examination format was unveiled.

The problem with this formula is that I can teach it to you, and chances of you understanding the theory is very high, but the actual application of the theory and the formula boils down to your own language proficiency and MOST IMPORTANTLY your critical thinking skills.

Therefore, while I advocate that you must use this formula to answer well in the exam, I realise that actually applying the theory and synthesising information from the stimuli is extremely difficult for students who are used to being spoonfed.

So what is the solution to this? Sorry, there's no shortcut but to read more, think more, write more and quadruple your motivation and effort.

Q1 Formula:

TITLE

1) OV + CI
2-3) KFs
4) P(i) + P(ii)


Now I'm sure you're wondering what all this means.

Firstly, extract the TITLE from the question and underline it.

For the first paragraph, it consists of minimum 2 sentences: the OverView (OV) and Controlling Idea (CI).
OV- What does the stimuli present? Answer: a bar graph, diagram, pie chart, pictograph, newspaper headline or article, some notes etc.
CI- What is the general trend of all the stimuli combined? Answer: Increasing, Decreasing, Consistent or Fluctuating (NOTE: These are the FOUR main trends)

For the second and/or third paragraphs, you need to identify the Key Features (KFs) which are the MOST OUTSTANDING ideas from the stimuli.
(NOTE: report will be marked DOWN if students just LIST ALL FEATURES and information from the stimuli without choosing the MOST IMPORTANT AND OUTSTANDING details, students must be SELECTIVE of which details to include)
*There is no set number of KFs that need to be identified unlike PMR summary (5 points), SPM summary (10 points). Therefore, this report writing is more difficult to perfect as it depends heavily on the students' understanding and proficiency.
**Also ensure that students do not make any external ASSUMPTIONS! Do not give your own ideas and opinions no matter how plausible they may be. This is NOT LIKE PENGAJIAN AM where ANDAIAN is part of the marking scheme.
***You may write in just 1 paragraph but 2 or 3 paragraphs are also accepted, generally it depends on what kind of stimuli are given. Begin each paragraph with phrases like:
i) According to the...
ii) Based on the...
iii) With reference to...

For the closing, it consists of minimum two sentences, Prediction (Pi) and Proposal (Pii).
P(i)- What future trend can you predict? Answer: If x happens, then y will continue to increase, decrease, stabilise or fluctuate.
P(ii)- What recommendation can you propose? Answer: The government/company/United Nations can...
*P(ii) is not compulsory but it will differentiate the higher bands from the lower ones.

NOTE: While the word limit suggested is 150 to 200 words, you can write more without being penalised. However, writing more means there may be more grammatical errors which will cause you to be marked down. Besides, it will leave less time for you to complete the 350 word academic essay needed. So act wisely. ;-)

Now that I have dealt with the theory and the formula, let us now look at the model answer for the mid year MUET writing paper, question 1.

(NOTE: This blog doesn't allow me to underline the title and write using paragraphs. Please amend it mentally on your own, thanks)


Frequency of Visits to the Three Music Websites by Teenagers

The stimuli present a bar graph on visits to the three music websites by teenagers in the month of August and a table on promotional activities of the three sites within the same period. In general, visits to the music websites especially Music Connect increased in direct proportion to the frequency and type of promotional activities provided by the websites.

According to the bar graph, Music Connect was the most popularly visited website by teenagers as it recorded a total of about 133 000 visitors for the month of August. This was followed closely by Music Network which had 125 000 visitors while the least visited of the three websits was Era Music with only 50 000 visitors. The number of visitors fluctuated from week to week and website to website depending on how attractive were the promotional activities carried out by each website each week.

Based on the table, Music Network was the only website that had a promotional activity called 'Name that tune' in the first week therefore it scored the highest hits with 40 000 visitors compared to Music Connect (15 000) and Era Music (10 000). In week 2, Music Connect organised free music CDs for its visitors which gave them 35 000 hits. This promotion was more attractive than 'Name the singer' by Music Network and 'Name the movie' by Era Music therefore the type of promotionial activity carried out is a major factor to draw more visitors to the websites. Week 3 showed the least hits for all three websites as there were no promotional activities carried out at that time. Finally, in week 4, visits to Music Connect skyrocketed to 55 000 hits because they organised free concert tickets for its visitors. Music Network came in second after carrying out a 'Whose line is it' promotion compared to Era Music which attracted only 10 000 as they did not plan any promotional activity for their website.

In conclusion, if websites carry out exciting and attractive promotional activities such as those conducted by Music Connect, then the number of teenage visitors will continue to increase. The websites should increase promotional activities that can capture the attention of more teenagers by providing free gifts or meet the celebrity tickets because it will directly affect their website's popularity especially among the younger generation.