4.

DISCURSIVE / EXPOSITORY

Choosing Points:
Bad Example Good Example

a) Mature and Immature/vague/superficial points: Mature/sophisticated points:

sophisticated
What are the benefits and What are the benefits and drawbacks of
drawbacks of studying studying overseas as a teenager?
overseas as a teenager? Benefits Drawbacks
Benefits Drawbacks ✓ students can gain ✓ students may
 freedom to  students a global feel a strong
do what will miss perspective sense of
they want their ✓ students will loneliness
 they can parents expand their ✓ there is a lack
have more  no friends network of friends of supervision
fun  they will / social circle and monitoring
 they can rebel ✓ it instills a sense
learn a lot of independence
in students

b) A balance Too general: A balance between general and specific:

between
general and How has technology improved How has technology improved the lives
specific the lives of people today? of people today?
 Technology has made people ✓ Technology has made our daily lives
happier. much more convenient.
 Technology has made our lives
easier. ✓ Technology has increased the forms of
entertainment we can enjoy.

Too specific: ✓ Technology has enhanced the

frequency and ease of communication.
How has technology improved
the lives of people today? ✓ Technology has revolutionised the
 Technology allows us to listen healthcare sector.
to music on the go.
 Technology helps us to find
our way to different places.

c) Varied but
logically Overlapping points: Varied and logically linked:
linked (if
applicable) “Saving the earth is everyone’s “Saving the earth is everyone’s
responsibility.” What are some responsibility.” What are some ways
ways that mankind can that mankind can contribute to saving
contribute to saving the earth? the earth?
 People can practise ✓ Individuals can adopt a more
environmentally-friendly habits sustainable lifestyle.
such as the 3 Rs.
 People can bring their own ✓ Communities can raise awareness
reusable cutlery and bags about environmental issues.
when they go out.
 People can up-cycle. ✓ Governments can put in place
environmentally-friendly laws and
policies.

17
Techniques for Elaboration:
Strategy: Examples:
*Note: these are NOT full paragraphs
a) Past → Gone are the days when people had to travel by foot or animal, often
Present over dangerous terrains. With technology revolutionising the
transportation industry, people are now able to safely and efficiently
travel in a variety of modes.

b) Cause → Having grown up in the digital age, teenagers today have never known
Effect life without mobile devices. Within seconds, they are able to
independently access a wealth of information on the internet. Since they
are accustomed to looking for solutions to their own problems, they are,
in my opinion, much more self-directed than people who grew up
decades ago without such resources available to them.

c) Mind-set → Humans are social creatures who yearn to make connections with other
Action people. As a result, they rely heavily on their mobile phones to stay in
constant contact with others.

Valuing convenience and efficiency over sustainability, people often

adopt wasteful habits.

d) Problem → Not all students may feel comfortable sharing their opinions in class due
Solution to a fear of judgement from others. In these cases, digital platforms which
allow for anonymity can be a useful tool for teachers to garner student
response.

e) Strategy/ Through international sporting competitions, such as The Olympics,

Method → national pride can be cultivated. There is a strong sense of unity when
Usefulness/ citizens rally together in support of their national team. If the team wins,
Benefit the celebratory mood in the country is also infectious. This is ultimately
beneficial to a country because patriotic citizens are more likely to be
motivated to contribute to society.

f) Problem → An ageing population is a challenge that Singapore currently faces and

Impact/ will continue to face in the decades ahead. Elderly, being unable to work,
Severity are less likely to contribute financially to the country’s economy.
Furthermore, they are more susceptible to health-related problems.
Providing for the needs of the elderly, be it for their daily necessities or
healthcare needs, thus poses a financial burden to both the country and
to individual families. Singapore would not only be receiving less revenue
in taxes due to a decrease in the workforce, but also have to use more
resources to construct healthcare facilities to cater to the ageing
population. At the same time, working adults may have to face the stress
of providing financially for their aged parents.

g) Trend → In the past decade, new hotels and attractions have been sprouting up
Interpretation like weeds in Singapore. The government’s willingness to invest in and
support such developments stems from its focus on boosting Singapore’s
tourism industry. Without improving its infrastructure, how else would a
‘little red dot’ on the world map be able to compete with other larger
countries for tourists?

18
Structure:
Question: What are the benefits and drawbacks of studying overseas as a teenager?

• Hook:
o Fact/Statistics: A significant 2.7% of each cohort leaves Singapore to study overseas before the
age of 16, a figure that has steadily risen over the years.
o General observation: Increasingly, parents who are able to afford it are sending their teenage
children overseas to study in search of greener pastures.
o Question: Is studying overseas as glamorous as it seems? Some might beg to differ.
o Idiom: ‘The grass is always greener on the other side.’ This is the attitude that parents who send
their children overseas to study adopt.

• Importance:
Introduction:

o As the number of teenagers who go abroad to study increases, it is worth examining the
benefits and drawbacks of doing so.
o In considering whether to send their children abroad to study, parents should carefully analyse
the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

• Thesis statement (summary of 4 points)

o While studying overseas can encourage students to be open-minded and instill a sense of
independence in them, there are concerns with regard to their safety and the lack of supervision
or monitoring.
o The benefits of studying overseas are that students will learn to see themselves as global
citizens and expand their social circles. However, the drawbacks are that students may be
unable to handle the strong sense of loneliness they feel and lose their sense of belonging to
their home country.

• Do not start every paragraph in the same way (e.g. “The first advantage is…, The second
advantage is… The first disadvantage is…)
• Alternative ways to start paragraphs for ‘advantage’ and ‘disadvantage’:

Advantage Disadvantage
Body Paragraphs

• Studying overseas can be advantageous for • While studying overseas has its
students because… advantages, it should be taken into
• Studying overseas is a meaningful opportunity account that …
for students because… • A limitation of studying overseas is…
• A benefit of studying overseas is that… • A drawback of studying overseas is…
• It appeals to parents and students because… • Studying overseas is not without its
• Studying overseas may promote students’ disadvantages…
growth because… • Studying overseas may be undesirable
• Studying overseas can be an enriching because…
experience for students because… • Studying overseas may hinder students’
growth because…

• In your conclusion, restate your four points (i.e. reword your Thesis Statement)
• It is not necessary to make a stand on whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or not
(because this is not an argumentative essay)
Conclusion

• End on a positive note using this formula

o If (suggest a way to mitigate the problem), the benefits of ________ can be
maximised/harnessed and (state a positive outcome)
o If parents are able to adequately prepare their children for the challenges they will face
overseas, the benefits of studying overseas can be maximised and students would then
be able to have a meaningful educational experience.

19
Sample 1:
What features of Singapore and its citizens make it a major tourist attraction for people
from all over the world? (2014)

In 1965, Singapore was, to put it bluntly, in a rather pathetic state. Our British colonisers had packed
their bags and left us to fend for ourselves, while a unification with our Malaysian neighbours across the
Straits of Malacca had just broken down. With much of the land and our economy undeveloped at the
time, one would scarcely believe that Singapore could and would eventually grow into the modern
metropolis it is today. Each year, millions of tourists flock to Singapore to enjoy the sights and sounds of
our sunny island. What is it that has led to Singapore’s success on the world stage? In my opinion, the
unique blend of traditional culture and modernity packed into the 600 square kilometres of land is what
draws so many visitors each year from all around the world. This is most evidently seen in the country’s
culture, infrastructure and language.

Cities like Tokyo, Sydney or New York are vibrant and bustling cities while destinations like Ho Chi Minh
City or Venice are known for their interesting traditions and culture. In Singapore, however, one can
enjoy the best of both worlds! Tourists who are undecided between visiting a modern city and a
culturally-rich place often choose to come to Singapore to experience both. While Singaporeans are
technologically-savvy and economically competitive, we also hold on tightly to our traditions, particularly
those of our racial groups. For instance, visitors to Singapore often witness or learn about traditional
festivals such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali, which are celebrated by various racial or
religious groups in Singapore, namely Chinese, Muslims and Hindus respectively. These vibrant and
intriguing festivals are just one part of the rich culture of different groups in Singapore, which foreigners
are keen to learn about and experience.

Even in our infrastructure, Singapore maintains its fine balance between history and progress. Heritage
sites are peppered all over Singapore. For instance, the World War II fortress named Fort Siloso has been
well-maintained and is open to tourists, and a significant part of Singapore’s land is used for old religious
sites like Thian Hock Keng Temple or the Sultan Mosque. Yet, Singapore also boasts tall skyscrapers and
numerous mega-malls like ION Orchard and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Such diverse landmarks
and tourist attractions in Singapore mean that tourists get to enjoy an all-in-one experience, even while
taking just a short trip to Singapore. The whole range of cultural and shopping locations one can visit
within Singapore thus make it appealing to foreigners.

With great foresight, the Singaporean government mandated that English be the medium of instruction
in all schools in the 1970s. Students were also required to learn their mother tongue languages, such as
Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, as a second language. As a result, the majority of Singaporeans are bilingual,
achieving the dual benefits of communicating with foreigners while retaining our cultural roots. This
makes our country appealing to foreigners, a large percentage of whom speak English, because
communication is made much easier, whether in asking for directions or buying food during their trip. At
the same time, the retaining of our mother tongue languages makes Singapore a culturally diverse place
that remains exotic enough for people from other countries to want to visit.

Although Singapore may be an insignificant little red dot on the world map, it certainly punches above
its weight in tourism. The diverse culture, varied infrastructure and citizens’ language are some of the
most significant features that make it a popular and inviting tourist destination. With its unique blend of
tradition and modernity, Singapore will undoubtedly continue to attract those from far and wide to
come and experience its rich culture.

20
Sample 2:
What are some of the mobile phone applications you use in your daily life and how have
they made things more convenient for you?

Technology has become so prevalent that most of us living in a modern city like Singapore cannot
imagine our lives without our mobile phones. Mobile phone applications have indeed revolutionised our
daily lives. What previously took hours to achieve in the era before smartphones can now be carried out in
an instant. It is thus no surprise that people today grip onto their phones like a lifeline. As a teenager, the
mobile phone applications that make my life more convenient are Instagram, Food Panda and Google
Maps.

One of my favourite mobile applications is Instagram, which is a social media application that allows
people to interact with each other through posting photographs with short captions. Individual users can
share personal pictures or videos in an Instagram post, or an “Instagram story” which disappears after
24 hours. Being able to share photos with numerous friends at once allows me to express myself
efficiently, while at the same time being able to keep up with my friends’ lives. In addition, companies
also make use of Instagram as a platform to advertise products, while popular influencers can also
endorse these products to their worldwide audience. When I want to purchase items like clothes or
accessories, I can visit the shop’s Instagram page, see pictures of people using the product, and pay for the
item all on the same platform. Instagram thus makes my life more convenient by allowing me to interact
with many friends at the same time and also making online shopping a smooth and effortless process.

Besides social media applications, food delivery applications have become commonplace in recent years.
With a few taps on my phone using the app Food Panda, I am able to get freshly cooked meals delivered
to my door step. In today’s fast-paced society where convenience is prized above all else, Food Panda
certainly saves me much time. I no longer have to walk out to a nearby coffee shop or restaurant to buy
food, nor spend hours buying ingredients and cooking, but instead, I can enjoy scrumptious food from all
over Singapore for just a small delivery fee. Ever since I introduced this application to my family, we have
become frequent delivery customers, so much so that some of the delivery drivers and riders know my
address by heart. Ultimately, being able to order food deliveries without much effort frees up time for me
to complete my homework or pursue my hobbies instead of spending time fretting over what to eat.

Lastly, Google Maps is another mobile application that I depend on greatly. I remember my parents
telling me about the days when they would have to search a hardcopy map for its routes and memorise
which bus numbers to take to get to their desired destinations. However, with maps conveniently stored
in my phone under the Google Maps application, I no longer have to rely on faulty memory or outdated
hardcopy maps. Whenever I am travelling within Singapore, I simply need to key in the address and a
whole range of routes involving buses, trains or even private hire cars will appear. By following the
instructions, I can travel to my destinations effortlessly as well as get information about real-time traffic
conditions to help me adapt my chosen route accordingly.

In conclusion, mobile phone applications have had a significant impact on the lives of people in the world,
including myself. With mobile phone applications like Instagram, Food Panda and Google Maps, my daily
life is made more convenient and the time that is freed up can be used for other meaningful pursuits. As
inventors continue to innovate and create new mobile phone applications, we can only imagine how the
future of the human race will look like.

21
 5. ARGUMENTATIVE
Approach
Paragraph Structure Example
‘Learning how to respond to making mistakes is an essential part
of becoming successful.’ What is your opinion? (2020)
1. Introduction: Thesis Statement:
agree OR disagree I agree that learning how to respond to making mistakes is an
essential part of becoming successful.
2. Supporting argument #1
Argument #1:
3. Supporting argument #2 Learning how to respond to making mistakes with perseverance
Method #1

will help one to press on towards success.

4. Supporting argument #3
Argument #2:
5. Conclusion Learning how to respond to making mistakes with humility will
help one to have the right attitude for success.

Argument #3:
Learning how to respond to making mistakes with creativity will
help one find alternative ways towards success.

1. Introduction: Thesis Statement:

agree OR disagree I agree that learning how to respond to making mistakes is an
essential part of becoming successful.
2. Supporting argument #1
Argument #1:
3. Supporting argument #2 If one is able to respond well to making mistakes, they will be able
to learn from them and improve, eventually achieving success.
Method #2

4. Counter-argument
Argument #2:
5. Conclusion If one does not respond well to making mistakes, they may either
give up or repeat their mistakes.

Counter-argument:
Some may argue that some people can achieve success without
facing mistakes… While this may be true, the majority of people
will make mistakes and therefore need to learn to deal with them…

1. Introduction: Thesis Statement:

nuanced stand One not only needs the right attitude in responding to mistakes,
but also the aptitude and resources to recover from them in order
2. Point #1 to succeed.

3. Point #2 Argument #1:

Having the right attitude towards making mistakes will help one to
Method #3

4. Point #3 persevere towards success using innovative methods.

5. Conclusion Argument #2:

The right attitude without aptitude in a particular field will not
guarantee success.

Argument #3:
Possessing the attitude and aptitude to achieve success may not
always be possible without sufficient resources.

22
Examples of Thesis Statements
Your thesis statement informs your entire essay. Come up with it BEFORE you write. It does not necessarily
have to fit nicely in one sentence.

Ideally, it should be more complex/nuanced than just “I agree…” or “I disagree”. To achieve this, analyse the
issue and think about these questions:

• Do I instinctively agree or disagree with the statement?

• What are the reasons people argue for this?
• What are the benefits/drawbacks of this?
• Are there any exceptions/limitations to this?

Thesis Statement: Points (Body Paragraphs):

'Young people Each generation 1. Previous generations faced hardships such as wars
today live much faces its own set of which undoubtedly brought about great suffering
easier lives than challenges. While 2. However, young people today face different kinds
those from previous identifying these of pressures (e.g. stressful education systems,
generations.' What challenges is peer pressure on social media)
is your opinion? important, it is not 3. Older people adopting an “I had it worse” mind-set
productive to is unhelpful. Instead, they should seek to
compare who had it empathise with younger people and help them
worse. manage these challenges.
Do you think Choosing a career 1. Only with the necessary resources will one be able
passion or based on passion is to pursue their passions (e.g. resources to pay for
practicality is more only possible if one art/music lessons)
important when possesses sufficient 2. Only with the necessary talent will one be able to
choosing a career? resources and pursue their passions (if not they should do it as a
talent. Otherwise, hobby)
practicality is more 3. Some might argue that this is cynical, but
important. practicality is necessary for survival
Do you think that Family support and 1. Families provide practical support (e.g. money,
peer support or peer support are shelter) for teenagers
family support is play equally 2. Peers provide socio-emotional support (e.g.
more important in a important but comfort, advice)
teenager's life? different roles in a 3. When a teenager has both, both their physical and
teenager’s life. mental well-being will be taken care of.

Counter-arguments
Example Phrases
1. State the Pragmatists may argue that music brings no • Advocates of _______ may assert
opposing practical value to society and thus, a that…
point society’s resources should be spent on • Some may argue that…
industries like healthcare and education. • They say this because…
2. Explain They say this because these sectors bring • Perhaps they feel this because…
their about tangible benefits for people. However, • They put forth this idea because…
rationale I would argue that they underestimate the
power of making or enjoying music. While
music cannot cure diseases nor construct • However, ______ should not come at
3. Explain buildings, it has a therapeutic effect on the expense of _____
why their humans. After all, which of us has not • While there is some merit to their
argument is experienced the joy of listening to a good claim, I would argue that…
flawed song after a long day or school or work? • While this may be true, the benefits
Acting as a stress reliever, music makes far outweigh the drawbacks and
one’s life more vibrant and energises them hence, …
4. Link back to continue living. Surely, this is something • Ultimately, I believe that…
to your worth funding. • Since _______, …
stand

23
Useful Phrases
Connectors • Additionally / In addition • Apart from ____, … / Besides ___, ____
• Furthermore / Moreover • That being said, …
• Thus / Therefore / Hence • Conversely / In contrast / On the
• While ____, ____ contrary / Yet
• Not only ____, but also ____ • Alternatively / Instead
• Rather than _____, we should • Although / Even though
_____
• To illustrate this point, …

Expressions • In my opinion… • I personally feel that…

that show • I am of the opinion that… • I would argue that…
personal • I strongly believe…
opinion •
Hedging • Perhaps • One possible explanation is that…
• Probably • It could be the case that…
• Could / may / might • _______ appears to be…
•
Persuasive • It is not uncommon… • It is safe to assume that…
language • It is evident/undeniable that… • _______ points to the fact that…
• It is hardly surprising that… • _______ is called into question.
• It is appalling that… • _____ should not come at the expense
of _____

Additional Pointers
• Write your thesis statement first and ensure that your ENTIRE essay supports your stand.
DO NOT contradict yourself in the essay (e.g. by first saying you agree, and later saying that
you disagree) – ensure that all your body paragraphs support your stand.

• Maintain formality:
 Avoid using personal pronouns like “you”
 Avoid using connectors or phrases that are only for speeches, e.g. “Adding on, …”
 Avoid using imperatives to command the reader
 Avoid beginning sentences with “And”, “But” or “So”

• As far as possible, DO NOT be formulaic in the first sentence of each paragraph:

 Firstly, I agree that teenagers should keep a healthy lifestyle because …
 Secondly, I agree that teenagers should keep a healthy lifestyle because …
 Lastly, I agree that teenagers should keep a healthy lifestyle because …
 In conclusion, I agree that teenagers should keep a healthy lifestyle because …

• In fact, avoid using the word “agree” and “disagree” more than once in your essay so as not
to sound like you’re answering a comprehension question

• Think of synonyms and other alternative ways to express the words/ideas in the question so
that you aren’t repetitive in your phrasing

• Be careful not to over-generalise, e.g. saying “This proves that…” after citing one example.
Instead, use hedging (“perhaps”, “probably”, “highly likely that” etc.).

24
Sample 1:
‘Celebrities have a negative influence on people.’ What is your opinion?

While the word “idol” had exclusively been used in religious contexts for centuries, it has taken on a new
meaning in recent decades. It now refers to celebrities of all sorts, from musicians and actors to social
media ‘influencers’. Like gods, celebrities have a tremendous impact on their followers’ attitudes and
behaviour, though there remains a vibrant debate regarding the nature of this impact on society.
Personally, I believe that celebrities have perpetuated materialism and promoted unrealistic standards of
beauty, which negatively influence the mindsets, and subsequently the behaviour, of people who idolise
these celebrities.

Celebrities portray lives of glitz and glamour, which are on full display for the world to see, especially
with social media. When people are constantly bombarded with pictures and videos of mansions, luxury
cars and wealthy lifestyles, they inevitably aspire towards having similar material comforts. It is not
uncommon to see celebrities flaunting their possessions on social media, a prime example being the reality
show Keeping Up With The Kardarshians. This show, which documents the daily lives of an elite
Hollywood family, showcases to the world how the richest one percent of humanity lives. Fans naturally
make comparisons between the affluent lives of celebrities and their own seemingly lacklustre ones which
not only creates feelings of discontentment and envy, but also influences them to think that acquiring
more wealth and possessions is the ultimate goal in life. Over time, people may buy into this ideal and
pursue riches at the expense of other important aspects of life, like relationships and moral values.

Besides materialism, celebrities also unwittingly promote unrealistic beauty standards. When celebrities
appear in the media, they undoubtedly look their best, thanks to their teams of make-up artistes and
stylists, or in some cases, digital artists. These images and videos of well-put-together celebrities, which
are constantly and continuously fed to fans all over the world, influence people’s perceptions of beauty.
Adopting such unrealistic and naturally unattainable standards has an impact on how people view
themselves and others. First, physical appearance becomes one of, if not the most important criteria
when evaluating another person. Furthermore, people may also resort to drastic and unhealthy measures
to achieve that hourglass figure or flawless skin. It is, for instance, no coincidence that the plastic surgery
industry in Korea has become more and more lucrative since the Korean Wave, a term describing the rise
of Korean pop. This culture created by celebrities, where appearance is king, negatively influences the
mindset and behaviour of people across the world.

Some assert that many celebrities, in contrast, do advocate for contentment and body positivity during
interviews or on social media, which has a positive influence on fans. They may cite examples like Korean
boyband BTS or American singer Meghan Trainor who constantly tell their fans that they should be self-
confident and comfortable in their own skin. While these types of positive messages are indeed parroted
by a number of celebrities, I would argue that actions speak louder than words. What credibility does
someone who sits in an ivory tower of privilege have? These celebrities certainly do not give up looking
beautiful or handsome in front of the camera, nor do they refrain from showing off their glamorous lives
for all to see. The impact of some celebrities’ feel-good words ultimately pales in comparison to the
collective power of the entertainment industry to perpetuate materialism and unrealistic body standards.

With the evidence presented, it is undeniable that the influence of celebrities has been largely negative. As
technology continues increase the interconnectedness of people from all over the world, the reach that
these idols have will only become more and more widespread. Since there is little that can be done to
curb their influence, the responsibility rests on the celebrities themselves to use their platforms for good.
Fans must also learn to be discerning in order to reduce the negative influence that the stars of the
entertainment industry have on them.

25
Sample 2:
Some students say that non-academic activities in school are a waste of time. What are
your views?

Time in school is generally split between academic activities and non-academic activities. Academic
activities generally refer to classroom lessons or activities related to the examinable curriculum, while
non-academic activities include Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) and Character and Citizenship Education
(CCE). Many students in Singapore are focused on performing well in high-stakes examinations, so they
subconsciously believe that non-academic activities are a waste of time. In my opinion, non-academic
activities are useful for students, though academic activities should ultimately take priority.

Firstly, participating in non-academic activities can help students strengthen friendships and learn
interpersonal skills. If students attend school for the sole purpose of studying, they will not have the
opportunity to interact with others as much. During CCAs like basketball, dance, Scouts or Library Club,
students communicate with other students in the school besides their classmates. These CCA friends can
be a strong support system for students as they develop a sense of camaraderie during weekly sessions.
Furthermore, since arguments are inevitable, students can also learn how to manage conflicts maturely
and tactfully. ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,’ and perhaps even a socially inept one. It is
essential for students to enjoy activities with other students outside the classroom to develop socio-
emotional competencies and lead a more balanced life.

Apart from interpersonal skills, non-academic activities can also instil moral values in students, such as
discipline, empathy and grit. For instance, through Values-in-Action (VIA) service learning programmes,
students have the opportunity to help the less fortunate in their communities. It is crucial for young
people to develop these values from a young age, so that they will grow up to become upright citizens
who contribute to society. If students lack such chances to help others, they may become self-centred and
apathetic individuals, who care only for their personal success. Would a society full of academically-driven
but heartless citizens be desirable? Certainly not.

Even though non-academic activities are important, academic activities should still take priority. When a
student applies for a particular school, it is their academic grades that are taken into account. For
students who are concerned about getting into a course of their choice, it is understandable that they
would place more importance on their academics rather than non-academic activities. Schools also place
a similar emphasis by spending more time on academic lessons rather than non-academic activities like
CCA and VIA. Hence, while non-academic activities bring about benefits for students, the majority of the
time should still be spent on academic activities.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that time spent on non-academic activities is valuable and students can
truly benefit from them. Strengthening friendships and learning interpersonal skills, while acquiring good
moral values will make a student’s school experience more enriching and help them in their futures. That
being said, academics have a greater impact on a student’s future and hence more priority should be
given to it. If students can appropriately balance their time between academic and non-academic
activities, they can cope with the demands of each and have a fruitful and holistic school experience.

26
Sample 3:
‘Singapore should remove standardised testing in schools.’ Do you agree?

In 2016, an 11-year-old boy committed suicide after receiving his end-of-year examination results in
Singapore. He was not the first and he certainly will not be the last, unless Singapore chooses to remove
the ferocious beast that is standardised testing. In my opinion, Singapore should indeed remove
standardised testing because it causes stress for students and it may not be a holistic assessment of their
abilities.

Gone are the days when learning was enjoyable and meaningful. Instead, students’ learning is now
impeded by standardised testing as it causes high levels of stress. In Singapore, examination results appear
to determine a student’s entire future. At twelve years old, Singaporean students embark on their first
round of standardised testing, the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). At sixteen or seventeen
years old, they take yet another standardised test, the O or N Levels. These results are used to determine
entry into schools, and eventually access to jobs. As a result of these high stakes examinations, it is not
uncommon to see students having emotional breakdowns in the months leading up to these tests. By
removing standardised testing in Singapore, our students will be able to enjoy learning and their mental
well-being will be improved.

Using standardised testing to determine a student’s ability is like using a ruler to measure the
circumference of an apple. A standardised test alone cannot holistically assess a student’s proficiency in a
subject. There are many other factors that contribute to a student’s performance on a test such as test
anxiety, cultural references and their condition on the day itself. Furthermore, a standardised test cannot
assess a student’s attitudes toward a subject or their behaviour in a classroom – these insights might
perhaps be best provided by their teachers. As such, one examination is not an accurate measure of a
whole person and to use standardised testing to grant students’ entry into institutions of higher
education or to certain jobs is flawed. Thus, such standardised tests should be removed and other
methods of assessment that are more holistic should be considered instead.

Advocates of standardised testing may argue that standardised testing is beneficial because it allows for
targeted teaching. They assert that looking at test results helps teachers to teach their students according
to their needs. While this may be true, standardised tests are not the only way to assess students’ needs.
For instance, teachers can look at students’ daily work or assign several projects across the year to know
how to best help them in their weak areas. Thus, removing standardised testing may not necessarily
mean that teachers are unable to teach in a targeted manner.

In conclusion, standardised testing has many disadvantages such as causing stress to students and not
being a holistic assessment of them. This points to the fact that it has no place in Singapore society and
should be removed. If the authorities can consider the negative impact and ineffectiveness of standardised
testing, they would hopefully take steps to abolish it in our education system, resulting in our students
having a meaningful and stress-free experience in school.

27
Sample 4:
Social media is harmful to teenagers. What are your views?

With the advent of social media, words like ‘feed’, ‘stories’ and ‘handle’ have taken on new meanings.
Gone are the days when people actually held their heads up when taking public transport, or admired the
scenery without feeling the need to capture a photograph to share it with others. Instead, we live in an
age where ‘scrolling’ has become popular pastime among adolescents. As social media platforms like
Facebook and Instagram change the fabric of human interaction, we as a society must consider its
impact. In my opinion, social media has done more harm than good for teenagers on both a personal and
interpersonal level.

I believe that social media has a negative effect on a teenager’s well-being. ‘Profile pages’ on social media
platforms have allowed teenagers to curate how their lives look like to their peers, which breeds
narcissism, that is, an unhealthy obsession with one’s self-image. It is not uncommon to see teenagers
religiously checking their profiles numerous times a day, especially after they have posted an update.
Trying to live up to the imagined standards portrayed on Instagram while seeking validation from
internet users can be harmful to a young person’s self-esteem. In a study conducted by The Royal Society
for Public Health, young people who use social networking sites for more than two hours a day are more
likely to report poor mental health, including psychological distress. Besides mental well-being, teenagers
who use social media incessantly may do so at the expense of their physical health. Whether it is the sheer
amount of time spent being sedentary while using social media instead of doing physical activity, or the
lack of sleep resulting from late nights of social media surfing, it is undeniable that social media has taken
a toll on teenagers’ physical well-being. Thus, it is evident that social media has been detrimental to the
mental and physical health of teenagers today.

Furthermore, the prevalence of social media has been detrimental to the interpersonal relationships
among teenagers. Social media platforms add a whole new dimension to the interactions between young
people, who can Whatsapp or Direct Message each other at any hour of the day. While convenience is
certainly a benefit of this, a new host of problems such as cyberbullying, hacking and perceived social
isolation have surfaced. Hiding behind their screens, teenagers now have a new method of bullying. With
the click of a button, embarrassing or private photos and videos can shared with a large number of
people. In Singapore, an alarming three out of four youngsters say that they have been bullied online.
Such a statistic points to the fact that social media has drastically changed the nature of interactions
between peers in a negative way.

Advocates of social media may argue that social media has brought about good by giving teenagers a voice
and allowing them to express themselves in new ways. They put forward this idea because those in the
past could only showcase their talents or opinions on a physical level, while teenagers today can do so for
the world to see on their social media pages. While this may indeed a benefit of social media, I would
argue that a platform for expression should not come at the expense of teenagers’ health and happiness.
There may be such benefits to social media, but they are not comparable to the price that teenagers pay
in terms of their mental and physical well-being or the quality of their friendships as previously argued.

Whether we like it or not, social media is here to stay. It is unfortunate that this phenomenon has
negatively impacted the young people in society, but rather than lament about the ills of social media, we
should work on harnessing its benefits while managing the negative impact. If parents, teachers and other
adults can encourage young people to use social media in a responsible way and in moderation, perhaps
its negative effects on teenagers can be minimised and managed.

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