Composition: build an argumentative case
Take a clear position, support it with reasons and address a reasonable counterargument.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Original StudyForA teaching foundations for the final June 2027 assessment cohort. All 11 mapped areas now link to teaching, including one exam-length fiction set, two linked non-fiction sources, a full directed-response model and four full composition models. These are original self-timed practice resources, not Cambridge papers, official mark schemes or predicted grades; written work is not automatically marked. Malay sample texts, spelling, register and model answers still require qualified Malay first-language teacher review. Further practice sets, the full genre range, reliable human marking and a sustained course of approximately 130 guided learning hours remain outstanding. The course has not been compared item by item with restricted School Support Hub resources. Cambridge has announced withdrawal after the final June 2027 assessment; availability is limited to administrative zones 4 and 5. Confirm entry with your centre.
Before you begin
- Read Standard Malay at a first-language level
- Follow the task focus and identify supporting evidence
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Before answering a language question, what should you identify first?
What you will learn
- State a position that directly answers the title.
- Develop connected reasons and address a counterargument before concluding.
Make the argument visible
An argumentative composition takes a clear position and aims to educate or persuade its reader. Keep each paragraph connected to that position.
Use reasons and examples that fit the title. A list of opinions without explanation does not form a developed argument.
Address an opposing view fairly
Acknowledge a plausible concern, then explain why your position still follows or how it can accommodate that concern.
Paper 2 offers argumentative and discursive choices; one 300–400-word composition is required from Section 1. This lesson teaches the form but does not grade a complete exam response.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
What should every main paragraph contribute to an argument?
Worked example
Tajuk: “Semua murid patut menyertai satu kelab sekolah.” Apakah rangka pendirian yang jelas?
Show the worked solution
- Nyatakan setuju, tidak setuju atau pendirian bersyarat.
- Beri dua alasan yang berlainan.
- Pertimbangkan satu batas atau pandangan balas.
Answer Pendirian bersyarat boleh menyokong penyertaan kerana kelab membina kemahiran dan hubungan, sambil mencadangkan pilihan yang fleksibel untuk murid dengan komitmen lain.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Tajuk: “Kerja rumah patut diberikan setiap hari.” Berikan satu pendirian dan dua alasan yang berlainan.
Give me a hint
Pastikan setiap alasan menyokong pendirian, bukan mengulanginya.
Compare my reasoning
- Pilih setuju, tidak setuju atau pendirian bersyarat.
- Pilih satu alasan tentang latihan.
- Pilih alasan kedua tentang masa atau kesejahteraan murid.
Contoh pendirian bersyarat: kerja rumah boleh membantu latihan jika ringkas dan bertujuan jelas. Ia tidak sepatutnya diberikan setiap hari tanpa mengambil kira masa rehat dan aktiviti lain.
Look for these in your work
- Menjawab tajuk
- Memberi alasan yang berlainan
- Mengekalkan pendirian yang konsisten
Satu perenggan menyatakan “Telefon pintar berguna. Telefon pintar juga baik. Semua orang suka telefon pintar.” Bagaimanakah anda boleh membangunkannya menjadi satu alasan?
Give me a hint
Pilih satu tuntutan dan terangkan sebab serta contoh yang relevan.
Compare my reasoning
- Pilih manfaat tertentu.
- Terangkan bagaimana manfaat itu berlaku.
- Tambahkan contoh yang boleh dinilai.
Contoh: Telefon pintar boleh membantu murid menyemak jadual sekolah kerana maklumat boleh dicapai dengan cepat. Namun, penggunaannya perlu dihadkan semasa aktiviti yang memerlukan perhatian.
Look for these in your work
- Menggantikan pengulangan dengan alasan
- Menjelaskan hubungan sebab
- Memberi contoh yang relevan
Anda menyokong lebih banyak kawasan hijau di sekolah. Jawab pandangan balas bahawa kawasan itu memerlukan penyelenggaraan.
Give me a hint
Akui kos atau usaha, kemudian cadangkan cara munasabah menanganinya.
Compare my reasoning
- Nyatakan bahawa penyelenggaraan memang diperlukan.
- Cadangkan jadual atau pembahagian tanggungjawab.
- Hubungkan penyelesaian itu dengan manfaat kawasan hijau.
Penyelenggaraan memang memerlukan masa, tetapi jadual giliran dan pemilihan tanaman yang sesuai boleh membahagikan tugas. Usaha itu menyokong kawasan yang boleh digunakan dan dinikmati murid.
Look for these in your work
- Mengakui pandangan balas
- Memberi jawapan praktikal
- Menghubungkan jawapan dengan pendirian
Common mistakes
- Changing position halfway through
- Repeating the same reason in several paragraphs
- Attacking an opposing view instead of answering it
What can you explain now?
What should every main paragraph contribute to an argument?
Compare with the explanation
A reason or evidence that advances the stated position
Relevance and explanation make the argument coherent.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
What should every main paragraph contribute to an argument?
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.