MUET ESSAY : Online Communication

'With the development of online communication, people will never be alone and will always be able to make new friends.'
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Since 1990’s, there has been a gradual shift from viewing online learning as a tool for language learning toward seeing mastery of online communication as a valuable end in itself. This shows the increasing prominence of online communication in today’s society, with e-mails and online discussion surpassing phone calls or face-to-face interaction (American Management Association International, 1998).

Online communication is defined as a computer-meditated form of communication like reading, writing and exchanging information.  Along with the modernizing nation, the Internet had grown rapidly over the last two decades, and there are now a myriad of internet services available for the public. This essay will elaborate on the three advantages of online communication.

Firstly, online communication grants users flexible access. This is because online forums or any form of conversation online are available 24/7, and this is not the case for public gathering or face to face interactions. Users are able to communicate whenever and wherever convenient for them. This can also promote online learning, encouraging people to take up online courses. Working students would be able to focus on their job during their day and study at the comfort of their own home, adults who travels a lot because of their job would also find online course more convenient.

Secondly, any individual participating in online communication can enjoy the equity in the ability to share their thoughts and ideas. On the web, it is not based on who talk the loudest, or who has the highest rank in their workplace. Everyone on the internet is leveled and everyone has the opportunity to speak. According to Warschauer (1999), he found that people are more likely to participate in computer-mediated discussion compared to face-to-face interaction, thus suggesting that online communication is a useful tool or stage for the quiet or shy to voice out their opinion and ideas.

Besides that, online communications had made connecting with people easier than ever. Adolescents use the internet for making connections and maintaining relationships (Lenhart, Madden, Macsill, & Smith, 2007). Teenagers today basically grew up in the era of Facebook, Whatsapp and Wechat. These online social networks are what enable them to connect with friends and family whenever and wherever they are. Online communication also allows one user to connect with users from around the globe, users can improve and broaden their perspective and learn or discover about other cultures, language, lifestyles and so on. Other than that online communication enables individuals to connect with people with the mutual interests. For instance, a guy who likes to travel the world would be able to connect and make friends with people with the same interest and exchange their thoughts and experience on travelling.

This essay had discussed the three advantages of online communication. Advancing technologies had definitely made life a more comfortable and easier place to live in, allowing the people the benefit of staying connected, whenever and wherever.  

MUET ESSAY : Online Shopping

Today people often buy what they need and want via online. From your experience, what are the advantages and disadvantages for both individuals and companies to shop online? Discuss.

Shopping is an essential recreational activity in today’s modern daily life. People shop for food, for clothes, for entertainment, even for self pampering. With today’s advancing technology, shopping had been made easier with online shopping. In this essay, I will discuss the two advantages and disadvantages of online shopping for both individuals and companies.

Online shopping is defined as the act of purchasing items or services via the internet, where everything is just a click away. Online shopping has a lot of advantages for both the consumers and companies; however there are also detriments of online shopping.

First of all, online shopping allows a company to expand its market. The internet enables connecting with customers and prospective buyers easier. Furthermore with the spurt of social media such as Facebook or Instagram, business owners are made able to connect and promote their merchandise to a wider field. The internet benefits the customers as well as they can access relevant information of their merchandise through the company’s website. Any inquiries can also be made immediately instead of having to visit the store in person.

Secondly, online shopping reduces a company’s long term costs. This is because business owners do not need to pay for expensive store premises, the running costs, and staffs to handle the store. The advantage is a win-win for both company and consumers as shopping are now made comfortable and convenient for consumers, shopping can be made anytime and anywhere, no lines or any visiting stores in person. Shopping online allows customers the benefit of comparing prices and quality of goods from different stores.

Despite the promising advantages, online shopping also has its disadvantage. One of the most common drawbacks of online shopping is the complications of placing orders. Customers who are not Internet savvy might find online shopping a challenge as they would face difficulties in finding the appropriate website, especially with the many fake websites nowadays made to cheat personal information from users. Other complication is the most common frauds or scams done by irresponsible parties. Users or consumers may think that they are protected and that their bank accounts are secured during purchase, however most online websites are frauds that aims at stealing people’s bank information. Online shopping can still be risky even if performed on an actual shopping site, since hackers are capable of stealing private information. On the other hand, companies with online websites alone to market their goods might have a downfall too; they would face multiple spam from customers or dealing with a whole lot more of consumers that are not really buying.

Secondly, shopping online does not grant the customer the satisfaction of choosing or examining the product. Consumers or customer cannot visually inspect the items they wanted; such as trying on clothing items, the inability to touch and feel an item, plus the complications of choosing the right color or size, hence purchasing online goods is all dependable on pictures on the websites, and we purchase the item that catches the eye. Pictures that takes time to load or pictures that does not display the items clearly can be a detriment of online shopping. Furthermore, the items purchased may be defective upon arrival, or the item purchased could be a low quality, opened or refurbished.

In a nutshell, this essay had discussed the two advantages and disadvantages of online shopping for both individuals and companies. Online shopping grants a few advantages for the people, but precautions should also be taken into consideration before purchasing items online for it has its drawbacks.