Problem Introduction

Q1: School Children should not have long holidays. Do you agree?
Stand yes=problem intro ; stand no=factual intro
Boredom experienced during a long holiday can cause a child to misbehave. In an article published in The
Star dated October 18, 2010, the sharp rise(increase) in the number of crimes by teenagers is sounding the
alarm bells. Youths have been making headlines with several caught on video assaulting (beating) a
fellow student, and others involved in drug abuse, theft, illegal racing and even murder. Some children
end up getting into prison or killed in fights and accidents. Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail
Omar described the increase in crimes committed by youths as worrying and the fear is that our
teenagers will start off with simple juvenile mischief and graduate to more serious crimes. Hence , these
phenomena have engendered (create) a sense of urgency for us to make a detailed discussion on the
reasons why school children should not be given to much long holidays , lest the time is spent on vices
and unhealthy activities.*Started with cause of problem , Proverb: An empty mind is the devils workshop
Q2: How can television help students in their studies?
Problems faced by Students in studies: Not motivated to study, spend too much time watching television
than they have spent in the classroom .Focus: Ways to put these hours of television viewing to good use in
helping students to excel academically.

Factual Introduction
Q3: Write about the uniqueness of PETRONAS Twin Towers
Soaring to a height of 451.9 meters, the 88-storey twin structure in Kuala Lumpurs crown jewel.
Majestic by day and dazzling at night, the PETRONAS Twin Towers are inspired by our fourth PM ,Tun
Dr.Mahathir Muhamads vision for Malaysia to be a global player.(to be able to compete with the world)
Serving to link the countrys cultural heritage with its future, this international icon has capture the
nations ambitions and aspirations. Officiated on August 31, 1999, the Twin Towers which have a total
built-up area of 395,000 sq. meters were the tallest buildings in the world form1998 till 2004 until Taipei
101 was completed. Hence, it is interesting for us to delve into some of the unique features of
PETRONAS Twin Towers.
Writing Effective Introduction: Environmental Topics
Topic1: Ways to overcome Pollution
Every year in Malaysia, factories release over 3 million tones of toxic chemicals into the land, air and
water. This hazardous waste leads to respiratory complications as well as other health problems besides
making our rivers and lakes too polluted for us to swim in and drink. Apart from that, open air burning
and the increasing number of cars have lent a hand in the pollution. Focus: Hence, it is interesting for us
to discuss some possible solutions/ways to tackle the issue of pollution.
Topic 2: Causes and effects of Global Warming

Definition of global warming: the increase of the earths average surface temperature because of the
build-up of greenhouse gases in atmosphere. Primary greenhouse gases:CO2 and methane. Scientist:
Global warming has started and is going to increase at an uncontrollable rate in the very near future.
Global warming causes disease-carrying insects that will bring about with them. As the temperature of
oceans rises, there will b more frequent and stringer hurricanes which could causes billions of dollars in
damage. Many areas like Africa will suffer from serious droughts which have affected billions of people.
The ice caps melting will raise sea levels and according to the National Snow and Ice Data Centre, if all
glaciers melted today, the seas would rise to about 230 feet. The melting ice caps will throw the global
ecosystem out of balance, causing drastic climate changes. Focus :Hence t is high time we discussed
some of the causes and effects of global warming so that actions can be taken to resolve the matter.
Topic 3A: Causes of Deforestation
Of great concern is the rate at which deforestation is occurring as currently, about12 million hectares of
forest are cleared annually. At this rate, all tropical forests could be last by the year 2050, except for a few
protected areas within reserves and parks. Some countries such as Nigeria, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are
likely to lose all their tropical forests by 2030 if no conservation steps are taken. Focus: Hence, it is time
we discussed some possible causes of deforestation to raise public awareness of this issue.
Topic 3B: Causes of Deforestation
It may be said without fear of contradiction that trees are very important to man, animals and plants.
However, a fifth of the worlds forests have been destroyed when Man realizes the lucrative value of trees
in the form of timber, medicine, food and fuel. Further rapid development only accelerates the clearing of
forest to meet the needs and demands of the growing population. Focus: Hence, it is important for us to
discuss some of the negative effects of deforestation to raise public awareness.
Topic4: Dangers of Landslides
Landslides usually strike without warning as the force of rocks, soil or other debris moving down a slope
can devastate anything in its path. Thus, landslides cost more lives and money every year than natural
disasters combined. On December 11, 1993, approximately 48 people were killed when the Highland
Towers at Ulu Klang, Selangor collapsed during the landslides. Focus: Hence, it is important to discuss
the dangers of landslides.
Topic5: Measure to Tackle Water Pollution
Water Pollution is a major problem in the world as it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and
diseases that accounts for the death of more than 14,000 people daily. For instance, an estimated 700
million Indians have no access to a proper toilet and 1000 Indian children die of diarrheal sickness every
day. On the other hand, about 90% of cities in China suffer from water pollution and nearly 500 million
people lack access to safe drinking water. Water Pollution affects plants and organisms and, in almost all
cases, the effect is damaging to everyone. Focus: Hence, it is time to discuss some possible measures to
overcome the issue of water pollution.
Topic6: Reasons for the Occurrence of Flash Floods

On December 19, 2006, several parts of Johor state like Muar, Johor Bahru, Skudai and Segamat hit by
flash floods. As a result, almost RM40 billion of damage was recorded in Kota Tinggi, Johor. In addition,
thousands of people were made homeless when their houses were completely destroyed during the
dreadful flood. Focus: Hence, it is interesting for us to discuss some reasons for the occurrence of flash
floods.
Topic9: The Need to Conserve Rivers (Importance)
Rivers are the life veins of any country as they are the sources of our drinking water, food, irrigation
water and hydroelectric power. However, over the years, our rivers have increasingly been used as
rubbish dumps for domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural waste. In an article published in
Focus: Hence, it is important for us to discuss some of the reasons why river conservation is essential.
Topic10: Factors causing the endangerment of wildlife species
The rapid disappearance or extinction of wildlife species was ranked as one of the planets gravest
environmental worries. Over3400 plant species and 5200 animal species are threatened with extinction
around the world. Focus: Hence, it is time for us to discuss some factors that lead to endangerment of
wildlife species.
Writing Effective Introduction: Health Topics
Topic1: Ways to Ensure a Healthy Living
Communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, measles and influenza can spread rapidly if actions are not
taken to control or instigate them. These diseases do not respect national frontiers and pose a serious risk
to human health. New diseases such as HIV, AIDS and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) have
emerged and so, a person who does not practice a healthy lifestyle has he tendency to be infected with all
sorts of ailments including cancers. Focus: Hence, we shall discuss some possible ways/solutions to
ensure a healthy living.
Topic2: Ways to Reduce Stress among Teenagers
Stress is believed to be the silent killer of the 21st century as it affects every level of our lives
negatively/adversely on a mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. Stress causes the release of hormones
into our bodies that breaks down the immune system and creates havoc level in our lives. It also results in
over-anxiety, making us unable to deal with even small problems; frustration and fatigue. Hence, we shall
discuss some practical/viable/useful steps/ways to relieve stress especially among our teenagers.
Topic3: Ways to Kick the Habit of Smoking
There are many dangers of smoking to the body, to the immediate family, to the society, to the
environment and to the economy as more than 700 chemical additives are found in cigarettes; some of
them are classified (regarded, labeled) as toxic. Once lit, a cigarette reaches a temperature of nearly 2000
degrees Fahrenheit which helps to release thousand of chemical compounds including poisons like carbon
monoxide and hydrogen cyanide and at least 43 carcinogens. Smoking is one of the main causes of death
every year in which causes a number of smoke-related diseases such as lung cancer, respiratory problems
and heart ailments. Hence, we shall discuss some practical steps to kick the habit of smoking.

Topic11: Precautions when Jogging

Here are so many benefits to jogging that it would be simply impossible to list them all. At the top of this
long list is without the shadow of a doubt jogging is great for losing weight. Studied have shown that
jogging for 30minutes per day burns about 318 calories. Hence, we shall discuss some precautionary steps
to be observed while jogging so as to avoid any unnecessary injuries and to reap (gain) its full benefits.
Writing Effective Introduction: Technology Topics
Topic1: Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer
Computers are ubiquitous/omnipresent/everywhere as they have become less costly and have been
purchased by more and more families for their homes. Owing to this fact, many children begin to use
computers even at an early age, particularly for entertainment purposes and games and this is by no
means that only use that children have for computers. As a result, they suffer from deteriorating grades
and poor performances at school which obviously exposes us to the ugly side of computers. Hence, we
shall discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of the computer so that we can eliminate the negative
effects and optimize the positive impacts.
Topic2: The Importance of the Internet
The Internet is a useful tool or a network consisting of millions of private, public, academic and
government networks, of local to global scope that connects us around the world. Today there are almost
2 billion Internet users where its population is predominantly (mostly) form Asian and European
countries. The existence of the Internet makes information to a wide variety of fields today at our
fingertips. Hence, we shall discuss the reasons that explain the usefulness of the Internet during this era of
Science and Technology.
Topic3: Should mobile phones be banned from schools? Make your stand.
Factual intro:
Between the 1980s and the 2000s, the mobile phone has gone from being an expensive item used by the
business elite to a pervasive/all-encompassing and personal communication tool for the general
population. They are even developed to specific styles of phone seen as a regular fashion symbol.
Inevitably, a mobile phone culture has evolved in which the phone becomes a necessity instead of a
luxury item. Hence, it is time to discuss the reasons why mobile phones should not be banned from
schools.
Problem intro:
Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity chairman Wan Hashim Wan Teh agrees that the crime rate
today is worsening, particularly kidnaps and rape-murder cases. The recent case of 8-year-old Nurin
Jazlins remains which were found stuffed in a sports bag has sparked a public outrage. With the growing
concern of the escalating crime rates over recent months and years, this has caused real fear amongst the
public at large and this goes to show the importance of mobile phones to be brought along by children in
case of any emergency. Hence, it is time to discuss the reasons why mobile phones should not be banned
from schools.

Topic4: Are online games beneficial to school-going children? Argue.

Stand Yes: Computer games or online games have become a popular form of entertainment among young
children, teenagers and even adults. Many of them spend hours every day or every week playing online
game. Playing computer games is not harmful as long as young people do not spend too much time on it.
Hence, it is time to discuss the reasons why computer games are beneficial to school-going children.
Stand no: When children are exposed to computer games from young, they will tend to be attracted for
more graphical and motional intensive games which lead to violent computer games eventually. Separate
studies conducted at Stanford University in the USA and Tohoku University in Japan came to the same
conclusion which indicated that playing computer games is halting the process of brain development
which essentially causes brain damage. In addition, computer games playing appeared to increase
childrens aggressive behavior and affecting their ability to control potential anti-social element of their
behavior. Hence, it is time to discuss the reasons why computer games are not beneficial to school-going
children.

Writing Conclusion
Start with: In conclusion/as a conclusion/to conclude (formal); to put in a nutshell/in short (informal)
1st sentence=Reinstatement of TOPIC Eg. Steps to reduce air pollution
In conclusion, air pollution has to be tackled immediately = In conclusion, there are many steps to reduce
a.p.
2nd-4th sentences=Recommendations/warning/recommendation and warning
For argument: Boys should learn how to do household chores. Do u agree?
In conclusion, there are many reasons that justify/explain/substantiate/rationalize the
notion/idea/perception/view that boys should learn to do household chores/ should not learn to do
household chores.
1. The Government
-Impose punishments: compounds (), detention and imprisonment.
-Law enforcement: Officers patrols are on a regular basis
-Nationwide campaign

-Educate the public

-Public advertisements using the mass media (television radio posters brochures pamphlets
Education: Work hand-in-hand with schools, colleges, universities to nurture young minds/train young
children/adults.
2. Schools
-Organize campaigns and activities such as poster, essay and speech competition /elocution (speech)
contest: Give away attractive prizes to attract participation of students (hamper, trophy, and certificate)

-Hold exhibitions: Use visual aids such as diagrams, 3D-animations, posters, photos to convey messages
clearly.
-Enforcement of the rules and regulations: Prefects, discipline teacher, form teachers-mete out:
punishment (detention, demerit system, suspension, expulsion).
-Leading to a healthy lifestyle is vital... Inculcation/instill of moral values/values through
curriculum/academic subjects: Moral Education, language classes, Science, Biology, Aim: To create
awareness and thus more people will realize/know/understand and why
3. Mass Media
-Though public advertisements to be aired during peak hours: 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm: to convey the
message about_____ loud and clear.
-Present creatively, interestingly and effectively: to educate the public/expose the public to proper steps to
be taken
4. Parents
-Monitor childrens behavior/movements
-Set a good example/a role model for children to emulate: action speak louder than words, children do
what their parents do.
-Do spot check in school visit school on a regular basis, discuss with the form teacher regarding their
children performance (academically)
-Attend the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings to share their opinions and propose suggestions
on how to curb the problem.
-Spare the rod and spoil the child Cane the child for his/her misdeed/wrongdoing; explain the reasons
for the punishments.
-Reward children wherever necessary for good behavior/excellent result in exams (this is called positive
reinforcement)
5. Individual/YOU
-Participate actively in the campaigns/activities organized by the government and the school.
-Take the initial/first step self-initiatives are important.
-Open your mind and bear a positive attitude/learning attitude, be open to criticisms, not to be too
defensive.
-Let us all work hand-in-hand (together, collaboratively) with the government or schools to
curb/alleviate/address/resolve the issue at hand/that we have discussed.
Eg: 1)In conclusion, racing illegally along the roads must be stopped immediately because it has
endangered all road users, putting their lives at high risk as well as defeating the efforts of the government
to promote road safety.*Give eg to show how dangerous illegal racing is)
2) It has resulted in the growth of and so, various measures have to be taken by the government and
society to reduce the issue on hand.