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 c ensored
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
3. What roles do you think a good teacher should play in a student’s 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 o f 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
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 livelihood to many people and it is sad that the quality 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, c all 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 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 –don’t 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 3.Conserve Water
Do not waste water
Don’t 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.
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 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 ar e 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
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 migrationworsens problems
Quality of education-qualification of teachers are questionable esp. in the teaching o f English and Mathematics
Lack of funds for equipment and running of proper activities
Proportion of population who are university g raduates 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 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.
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 shouldn ’t 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 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 t he 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 t iming-right conditions.
9. The public should be encouraged to use public transportation 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
Don’t have to feel stressed in traffic jams-can read, nap and relax-not driving
Can get some works done, study, talk on mobile phone
Don’t have to look around for parking space, coins and etc.
(3) More economical than using your own private transport
Don’t have to buy motorcycle or cars
Don’t 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
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 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 wor ks
Public phones and bus stations are vandalized
CONCLUSION
Restate your opinion/thesis statement.
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 educat ion 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.
12. The mass media plays a great role in shaping people’s ideas. Do you agree or disagree with this? Discuss.
