(MUET, Task 2) Learn to identify the subject matter!
This post reminds you to identify the subject matter before you start brainstorming your points.
Task 2 requires you to write your opinion on a certain subject matter. In many cases, most students struggle with correctly identifying the subject matter. It is important to realize that the subject matter is not a single word, rather it is either a phrase or an entire sentence. Many students often mistake the instruction for the subject matter. And in many cases, students attempt to answer the WHY and HOW based on the prompt, completely overlooking the subject matter. This often leads to Off-Tangent essays.
So, how do we ensure you remain on track, always identify the subject matter first. In order to expand on this, let's identify the subject matter in 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.
In this question, the subject matter is obvious - fashion defines a person’s character. So, you are going to write HOW and WHY fashion defines a person’s character.
Question 2:
'Face to face learning provides better learning environment than online learning’
In this question, the prompt suggests that face-to-face learning is BETTER than online learning. So, in order to answer this, first you need to make a stand. Do you agree or disagree? If you agree, you will write HOW AND WHY FACE-FACE-TO LEARNING IS BETTER THAN ONLINE LEARNING, if you disagree, you will be writing HOW AND WHY ONLINE LEARNING IS BETTER THAN FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING.
Now, let’s look at the third question.
Question 3:
You watched a documentary on the effect of the global pandemic. The following comments were made at the end of the show. " We become stronger when we are faced with difficult times in life" Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement.
The third question wants you to develop your own argument on how humans become stronger when faced with problems. So, first, make your stand:
AGREE - HOW & WHY WE BECOME STRONGER WHEN FACED WITH DIFFICULT TIMES IN LIFE
DISAGREE - HOW & WHY WE DO NOT BECOME STRONGER WHEN FACED WITH DIFFICULT TIMES IN LIFE
Now, let’s look at the fourth question.
Question 4
You have watched a documentary about the growing concern of reliablility of online information to the society. The following remarks were made in the documentary:- "ONLINE INFORMATION IS DECEIVING AND UNRELIABLE".
In this question, the subject matter is ONLINE INFORMATION IS DECEIVING AND UNRELIABLE. Hence, after making your stand:
AGREE - ‘HOW AND WHY ONLINE INFORMATION IS DECEIVING AND UNRELIABLE’
DISAGREE - ‘HOW AND WHY ONLINE INFORMATION IS NOT DECEIVING AND RELIABLE’
I hope the four examples above give you an insight to identify the subject matter in your question before writing.