Meeting 2

(Task 2: Essay)

A. Introduction to MUET – Writing Task 2

Task Description In task 2, test takers are expected to write an essay (discursive,
argumentative or problem-solution) about an idea or a statement
presented in the task. The expected respond for task 2 is generally
formal language.
Time 50 minutes
Word Length More than 250 words
Expected Language The respond should elicit some of the following functions:
Functions - Discussing ideas
- Evaluating arguments
- Giving solution to problems
- Providing reasons, opinion and justification
- Giving examples and supporting information

Below are sample question from MUET Writing task 2

B. Type and Structure of an Essay

There are three type of essay you are expected to write:
- Discursive essay.
Discursive essay is written to discuss or investigate a topic or an idea; and to present a
position on your topic based on the evidence you put in your writing.

- Argumentative essay.

MUET 1
 Argumentative essay is written to clearly outline your opinion about an issue and idea. In
argumentative essay, you are typically asked to take a position on an issue and support your
stand with logically convincing reasoning, evidence and example.

- Problem – Solution essay.

Problem – solution essay is written to explain the solution(s) for a problem. You can give
multiple solutions to a problem but make sure all of your solutions are effective and feasible
to the reader, in this case the examiner.

Before writing an essay, you need to know that an essay follow the same basic structure starting
from introduction, body paragraph and conclusion. Take a look at the example of essay
organisation below:
Introduction – Paragraph 1
- Introduce the topic
- Provide background information
- State thesis statement
- State the author’s stance (agree/disagree/partially agree)
Body – Paragraph 2
- State the first main idea/point that support/argue/partially agree with the statement.
- Give supporting detail
- Provide example
Body – Paragraph 3
- State the second main idea/point that support/argue/partially agree with the statement.
- Give supporting detail
- Provide example
Conclusion – Paragraph 4
- Summarise the main idea in different words
- Provide recommendation or advice
- If possible, as a thought provoking question.

Now take a look at the following essay. This essay follow the organisation presented above.
It is a no secret that after entering university, many young Introduction
adults began to have less time spend on leisure activity such as
hanging out with friends to just kill a time. This is because they
have understood the fact very well that getting good grades could
land them their dream jobs and a better life in the future. This is
MUET 2
 true to the fact that employers do look for academic excellence
when hiring as certain jobs demand the person to be excellent in
their studies as they are perceived to be better at what they do.
Here I would like to state my total agreement to the statement that
employers do look for academic excellence when hiring.
First and foremost, the very reason why employers put Body
academic excellence as the first criterion for choosing future (Paragraph 2 and
employees is because academic excellence especially in tertiary paragraph 3)
education signals a certain level of expertise. Employers do this
because there is a particular need in certain professions such as in
engineering or technological field. Otherwise, the effect of
employing someone ineligible for the job would be detrimental for
the future of the company.

Secondly, employers seek academic excellence in future

employees because the ability to achieve academic excellence
indirectly shows that the person is very hard working. Diligence in
the part of the employee is certainly vital for the future of the
company and the fact that these people were able to achieve
greater heights in their studies show that they have worked really
hard for it and would expectantly practice the same diligence at
the workplace. Hence this is one of the reasons why achieving
excellence in a person’s studies would be the quality that
employers are looking for when hiring.

In conclusion, employers do look for that one Conclusion

important quality in a future employee and that is having academic
excellence. On a final note, this would be a wakeup call for
students to take their studies seriously and put in more effort in
trying to make good grade and hopefully succeed in getting a
career of their dreams.

C. Understanding the Task

In writing task 2 of MUET, many test takers got lower mark in their test because they failed to
understand the task and the issue they need to discuss/present in their essay. Before anything,
what you need before you start writing your essay is make sure you understand the statement /
topic. Take a lot at the three sample questions for task 2 below:

You attended a talk by a famous fashion designer, which was recently organised during your
school’s Career Week. The following comment was made by the guest speaker:

Fashion defines a person’s character.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

MUET 3
 You attended a talk by a famous professor of science during a World Trees Day in your school.
The following statement was made by the professor.

The mass waste of commercial mask for the past 2 years since the pandemic is endangering the
environment.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

Your school held a seminar on technology to celebrate the school anniversary. The following
comment was made by the speaker.

Data protection and privacy are the only technological issues faced by users in the current era.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

When looking the question for task 2, think about the following point:
- What the statement or comment is about?
- What kind of essay should you write?
- What is my stance on the statement / comment?
Stance is what you think about the statement or comment, you can:
 Totally agree with the statement.
 Partially agree to the statement.
 Disagree with the statement.

You usually need choose your stance in discursive and argumentative essay but not in problem-
solution essay.

D. Making Outline
After you understand your stance, the next step is to write an outline of your essay. It’s always
important to write an outline before you actually write your essay.
Here are the examples of outline based on your stance to a statement or a comment.

Totally Agree or Disagree

- Introductory paragraph
- Body paragraph 1 – Point 1 + Evidence/reason/example
- Body paragraph 2 – Point 2 + Evidence/reason/example
- Body paragraph 3 – point 3 + Evidence/reason/example
- Conclusion

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Partially Agree.
Sample 1
- Introductory paragraph
- Body paragraph 1 – Point 1 (Agree) + Evidence/reason/example
- Body paragraph 2 – Point 2 (disagree) + Evidence/reason/example
- Body paragraph 3 – point 3 (disagree) + Evidence/reason/example
- Conclusion

Sample 2
- Introductory paragraph
- Body paragraph 1 – Point 1 (Agree) + Evidence/reason/example
- Body paragraph 2 – Point 2 (Agree) + Evidence/reason/example
- Body paragraph 3 – point 3 (Disagree) + Evidence/reason/example
- Conclusion

Here is an example of outline of on the statement:

‘Employers only look for academic excellence when hiring.’

Outline of total agreement:

- Introduction
o Give background information on keywords: academic excellence, company
hiring.
- Body – point 1
o Good academic score equal to good level or expertise.
o Example: in profession related to engineering or technological field.
- Body – Point 2
o Academic excellence shows a person as hardworking and persistence.
o Reason: to get good academic score, you need to study hard and do all the
assignment.
- Conclusion

MUET 5
Try to make your own outline on the questions below.

You attended a talk by a famous fashion designer, which was recently organised during your
school’s Career Week. The following comment was made by the guest speaker:

Fashion defines a person’s character.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

Outline 1:

You attended a talk by a famous professor of science during a World Trees Day in your school.
The following statement was made by the professor.

The mass waste of commercial mask for the past 2 years since the pandemic is endangering the
environment.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

Outline 2:

MUET 6
 Your school held a seminar on technology to celebrate the school anniversary. The following
comment was made by the speaker.

Data protection and privacy are the only technological issues faced by users in the current era.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

Outline 3:

E. Writing Introductory paragraph.

Your introduction is one of the most important paragraph in your essay. It is because, your
introduction sets the pace of your writing and signals the examiner of what they can expect to
read in the rest of your essay. Therefore, you would need to write a strong introduction. Several
critical elements that you need to have when writing your introduction are:

State General fact.

The purpose of writing giving the general fact on the topic is to grab the attention of your reader.
Thus, you can start by stating an interesting factual statement about your topic.

Introduce the topic and give background information on the topic.

After fulling in the reader, you need to tell the reader about the topic you are writing. So, you
need to introduce the topic of your essay and give explanation in order to provide more insight
about the topic.

State where you stand on the topic.

Make sure you tell the reader where you stand on the topic. You can either
agree/disagree/partially agree with the statement.

State your thesis statement.

A thesis statement is a sentence that is going to show the reader how you are going to interpret
the topic. It helps the examiner to know what the focus of the writer.

MUET 7
Look at the two samples of introductory paragraph below.

Statement: Employers only look for academic excellence when hiring.

It is a no secret that after entering university, many young adults General Fact
began to have less time spend on leisure activity such as hanging
out with friends to just kill a time. It can be assume that this is
because they have understood the fact very well that getting good
grades could land them their dream jobs and a better life in the
future.
This is true to the fact that employers do look for academic Introduction to topic
excellence when hiring as certain jobs demand the person to be
excellent in their studies as they are perceived to be better at what
they do.
Here I would like to state my total agreement to the statement that Thesis statement +
employers do look for academic excellence when hiring. stance

Statement: Only people who graduate university can be successful in life.

Many of the world leaders or important public figure that we know General Fact
now graduate from prestigious university like Harvard and Oxford.
This is also one of the reason why tertiary education is believed to Introduction to topic
be a prerequisite and ticket to better future. Students and working
adults alike have always dream about graduating from university
and enjoying privilege of better return.
Nevertheless, I partially agree that tertiary education determines a Stance
person’s success in life.
This is because although tertiary education contributes to success, Thesis Statement
our determination, personal interest and goal in life also have
irrefutable impact on our achievement.

MUET 8
Now, write a complete introductory paragraph on sample question of task 2 below:

You attended a talk by a famous fashion designer, which was recently organised during your
school’s Career Week. The following comment was made by the guest speaker:

Fashion defines a person’s character.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

MUET 9
You attended a talk by a famous professor of science during a World Trees Day in your school.
The following statement was made by the professor.

The mass waste of commercial mask for the past 2 years since the pandemic is endangering the
environment.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

MUET 10
Your school held a seminar on technology to celebrate the school anniversary. The following
comment was made by the speaker.

Data protection and privacy are the only technological issues faced by users in the current era.

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

MUET 11