MUET WRITING

(TASK 2)
CEFR-aligned MUET and New
Exam Format

Easy step by step

MUET Writing Tutorial
(Discursive Essay)
 Discursive

3 types of
essay

Argumentative Problem-Solution
Discursive Essay
Discusses opinions from
different perspectives on
a given topic.
Example of stimulus and task:
 You attended a talk by the founder of the
Book Appreciation Club, which was
recently organised during your schools’
English Week. The following comment was
made by the guest speaker:
“Reading has a strong influence on
academic success”
 Write an essay expressing your opinion on
the statement.
Essay Structure & Organisation
of points
 INTRODUCTION
 WRITE an INTERESTING FACT/ an
observation(grabber).
 GIVE further INFORMATION on the topic.
 PROVIDE a FAMOUS QUOTATION from a
well known leader/ scientist/ celebrity.
 STATE a clear convincing OPINION.
 WRITE 3 strong THESIS STATEMENTS.
 SAMPLE INTRODUCTION
Most students nowadays find reading boring and a
waste of their time. They would rather watch K-dramas or
play online games which they find more pleasurable.
Malcolm X once said that “Education is the passport to the
future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it
today”. In my opinion, I agree that reading has a strong
influence on academic success. This is because reading
allows students to gain new information; broaden their
perspective, and improve their writing as well as
comprehension skills.
Essay Structure & Organisation
of points
 BODY PARAGRAPH 1

 Topic Sentence 1 (Start with cohesive

device and introduce your opinion)
 Elaboration
 Example
 Explanation
 Linking Sentence (to link back to Topic
Sentence 1 & your stand)
 SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 1
First and foremost, reading allows students to

obtain new information. With the vast array of

reading material available in bookstores and also

on the internet, students can choose any subject

of interest for their reading pleasure as well as to

increase their knowledge.

 SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 1
Reading the newspapers, for example, enables

students to keep abreast of current issues. Knowing

the current issues can help them to score higher

marks in their essays during examinations. This

means that reading beyond the classroom helps a

person gain more knowledge which is important

for academic success.

Essay Structure & Organisation
of points
 BODY PARAGRAPH 2

 Topic Sentence 2 (Start with cohesive

device and introduce your opinion)
 Elaboration
 Example
 Explanation
 Linking Sentence (to link back to Topic
Sentence 2 & your stand)
 SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 2
Secondly, students can broaden their

perspective by reading. When students read

articles that express opinions and viewpoints of

others, they would be able to understand an issue

from different perspectives. They become more

broadminded and would be more inclined to think

outside the box when faced with challenges.

 SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 2
One example is when engineering graduates are

required to do a project. They would get higher

scores if they approach the topic not only from the

technical aspect but also from the cultural and

environmental aspects. Thus, reading broadens

their thinking by providing students with different

perspectives on a topic which shows itself in

maturity of thought and balanced perspectives.

Essay Structure & Organisation
of points
 BODY PARAGRAPH 3

 Topic Sentence 3 (Start with cohesive

device and introduce your opinion)
 Elaboration
 Example
 Explanation
 Linking Sentence (to link back to Topic
Sentence 3 & your stand)
 SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 3
Last but not least, reading helps students improve

their writing and comprehension skills. Reading helps

the brain to actively process information in order to

comprehend what was written, as well as improving

recall of both content and new vocabulary. This is

extremely beneficial in examination. For instance,

students who read widely can score better than

students who do not enjoy reading.

 SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 3
This is because those who read more would be

able to understand and appreciate the reading

text better, while absorbing and reusing effective

phrases or vocabulary from what they have read

before. Therefore, reading can improve students’

understanding and writing skills, resulting in higher

marks in their examinations.

Essay Structure & Organisation
of points
 CONCLUSION
 Rephrase the thesis statement
 Reiterate your opinion
 Call to action (a question for the reader
to ponder on)/(rhetorical question)
 SAMPLE CONCLUSION
In conclusion, reading enables students to
acquire new knowledge; broaden their perspective;
and improve their understanding and writing skills,
resulting in greater success in their examinations.
Students should make an effort to read as reading
has a strong influence on academic success.
Reading is definitely not a waste of time and
students should incorporate the reading habit into
their daily lives.
FINAL DRAFT FOR THE TASK
 Most students nowadays find reading boring and a waste
of their time. They would rather watch K-dramas or play online
games which they find more pleasurable. Malcolm X once said
that “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow
belongs to those who prepare for it today”. In my opinion, I
agree that reading has a strong influence on academic success.
This is because reading allows students to gain new information;
broaden their perspective, and improve their writing as well as
comprehension skills.
First and foremost, reading allows students to obtain new
information. With the vast array of reading material available in
bookstores and also on the internet, students can choose any
subject of interest for their reading pleasure as well as to
increase their knowledge. Reading the newspapers, for
example, enables students to keep abreast of current issues.
Knowing the current issues can help them to score higher marks
in their essays during examinations. This means that reading
beyond the classroom helps a person gain more knowledge
which is important for academic success.
 Secondly, students can broaden their perspective by
reading. When students read articles that express opinions
and viewpoints of others, they would be able to understand
an issue from different perspectives. They become more
broadminded and would be more inclined to think outside
the box when faced with challenges. One example is when
engineering graduates are required to do a project. They
would get higher scores if they approach the topic not only
from the technical aspect but also from the cultural and
environmental aspects. Thus, reading broadens their thinking
by providing students with different perspectives on a topic
which shows itself in maturity of thought and balanced
perspectives.
Last but not least, reading helps students improve their
writing and comprehension skills. Reading helps the brain to
actively process information in order to comprehend what
was written, as well as improving recall of both content and
new vocabulary. This is extremely beneficial in examination.
For instance, students who read widely can score better than
students who do not enjoy reading. This is because those who
read more would be able to understand and appreciate the
reading text better, while absorbing and reusing effective
phrases or vocabulary from what they have read before.
Therefore, reading can improve students’ understanding and
writing skills, resulting in higher marks in their examinations.
In conclusion, reading enables students to acquire new
knowledge; broaden their perspective; and improve their
understanding and writing skills, resulting in greater success in
their examinations. Students should make an effort to read as
reading has a strong influence on academic success.
Reading is definitely not a waste of time and students should
incorporate the reading habit into their daily lives.
Now it is your turn to try~
PRACTICE 1

 You recently attended a leadership camp

organized by the Prefects’ Board of your
school. During the camp, the following
statement was made by a community leader:
“Failure is the first step to success”
 Write an essay expressing your opinion on the
statement. Write at least 250 words.
I gave you the steps, now you
can try to apply it
End of Tutorial
Slides prepared by:
Mr. Honey Mark Kennedy bin David Embee
MUET Lecturer
SMK Penangah