OUMH1203 English for Written Communication Essay Assignment Question Sem 2025

OUMH1203 ASSIGNMENT QUESTION

This assignment consists of TWO parts: Part I (comprised of THREE (3) tasks) and Part II.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this assignment is to expose students to proper essay writing skills and introduce them to the step-by-step guide to writing an essay.

PART I: ESSAY WRITING (40%)

ESSAY TOPIC

The nationwide debate arises when the government suggests replacing standardized exams with project-based assessments in Malaysian secondary schools. Supporters of standardized exams argue that they ensure fairness and comparability, while supporters of project-based assessments believe they develop essential life skills.
Discuss both views in an essay.

The planning and writing of your essay are divided into THREE (3) tasks:

TASK 1 - ESSAY OUTLINE (5%)

The first initial stage of writing an essay is the Pre-Writing stage, where you brainstorm, list your ideas and prepare drafts for the essay.

Prepare an outline for the essay.

Task Requirements:

1. Prepare an outline with a thesis statement. You can opt for the Sample Outline Format below or prepare your outline.
2. The thesis statement must include the main focus of the paper and the (list of) main points in the main body.
3. The outline should be written according to the format of an essay: introduction, body and conclusion.
4. The outline must list the points that discuss the topic given. These points must be arranged in a logical and coherent order to show a good flow of ideas.

SAMPLE OUTLINE FORMAT

Introduction

- Introduction to the topic
-  Thesis Statement

Body

I. Point 1
A. Supporting Detail 
i. Example
a) Sub-example (if any)II.

Point 2 A. Supporting Detail 
i. Example
a) Sub-example (if any)* (same structure for Point 3 and so on)

Conclusion

-The conclusion of the essay

*one or two sentences that summarise the main point, main idea, or main message of youressay.

TASK 2 – DESCRIBING VISUAL DATA of a TABLE (10%)

Interview at least SIX (6) people (who are known to you) to gather information about the essay topic and prepare a table to describe the findings. Refer to the following template with an example.

The following are the interview questions that you should ask *not limited to:

1) Choose which of the following assessments you agree more with: Standardised examination or project-based.
2) Why do you say so? Please explain briefly

Task Requirement:

i. Refer to Topic 4.4 in the OUMH1203 module and the example in the first row as a guide to fill in the table.
ii. You may discuss the answers in the e-tutorial forum but individual tables should not be an exact copy of any group members in the same e-tutorial group.
iii. The brief explanation (last column) should offer rationales for choosing the specific assessment. In cases where the interviewee only gives very short answers, the interviewer must be able to prompt and rephrase to assist interviewee.Submit the completed table and use the findings of this table to support your essay in Task 3.

TASK 3 - ESSAY (25%)

Write a discussion essay between 2,000 words and 2,500 words on the given topic.

Task Requirements:

1. The  content  of   your  essay must   resemble  the essay  outline in Task   1  and  must   besupported with at least, some evidence in Task 2.
2. The   same   thesis   statement   in  the   outline   should   be   presented   in   the   introductoryparagraph of the essay.
3. You must support your essay with at least TWO (2) pieces of evidence from current andrelated   literature   (2020   –   2024).   Use   the   APA   format   for   in-text   citations   and   thereference list. The TWO (2) references must be from different sources: journals, crediblewebsites, books, magazines and newspapers.
4. Avoid plagiarism. Marks will be highly affected in cases of plagiarism and exact copies ofAI-generated answers.
5. Refer to the assignment rubrics as a guide to achieving cohesion and coherence.
6. Remember to refer to Topics: 3, 4 and 5 of the OUMH 1203 Module.

PART II: ONLINE CLASS PARTICIPATION (10%)

Discuss the following topic(s) in the forum and submit proof of your participation in theonline discussions:

1. Think   about   an   advertisement,   speech,   or   essay   that   persuaded   you   to   act.   Whatstrategies were employed, and why do you think they were effective?
2. Read the comic strip below and discuss what adjustments or additions you would suggest to improve the existing essay grading rubrics.

OUMH1203 Assessment Rubrics