o level discursive essay topics

Past Years O-Level Essay Questions (English) with Essay Outlines

In this blog post, we have compiled the past years’ O-Level English Essay Questions.  However, looking at these questions is not enough for your child’s revision.  Hence, we have included essay outlines to accompany the essay questions from year 2022 to 2018. 

These essay outlines, (almost 2100 words long), are written by the English curriculum team at Writing Samurai and Grade Solution Learning Centre.  When you download the pdf of these essay outlines, you get to learn how to…

• Breakdown and analyse a question
• Generate main points and examples
• How to formulate counter-arguments
• Come up with ideas for personal recount and reflective essays

Use it as a study resource for your child!

Here’s a video preview of our Past Year’s O-level essay outlines:

So before you go on reading… You might want to download a pdf copy of our Essay Outlines from Year 2018 – 2022! 

Click the blue download button, enter your email, and the pdf file will be delivered to your inbox! (Remember to check spam!) 

Year 2022 O-Level

• Some people enjoy being in a crowded place, while others prefer somewhere quieter with fewer people. Describe your perfect place when you want to relax.
• “I realised that I was much stronger than I had previously thought.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
• “Young people spend so much time thinking about the future that they forget to enjoy the present.” How far do you agree?
• “People today are far too easily persuaded to spend money on things they don’t need.” Do you agree that advertising has made us wasteful? 

Year 2021 O-Level

• Describe the sights and sounds of a shopping mall. Remember to describe the people too.
• “I felt I was on top of the world.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
• “Young people are making the world a better place.” What is your opinion.
• “A happy person is a healthy person.” How far do you agree?

Year 2020 O-Level

• Describe ways to relax after you have been busy. Explain why it is enjoyable for you.
• Write about a time when you did something to impress someone and regretted it.
• Learning how to respond to mistakes is essential for success. What is your opinion?
• “There is no place like home.” Is it true to you?

Year 2019 O-Level

• Which person has the most positive impact on your life? Describe the individual’s personality and in what ways he or she influenced you. 
• “It was the proudest moment.” Write about a time when you felt like this.
• Most young people today are obsessed with fame and imitating celebrities. What are your views?
• “People can only be happy if they feel they are treated fairly.” Do you agree?

Year 2018 O-Level

• Describe an event that you looked forward to which turned out to be disappointing. Explain why you were excited about it and why it didn’t live up to your expectations.
• “I had never seen my friend laugh so much!” Write about a time when this happened.
• Some people like to stand out from the crowd; others just want to be part of it. Which do you prefer and why?
• Which modern invention is essential for you and your family and which one could you and your family live without? Explain your views.

Year 2017  O-Level

• Describe a place that means a great deal to you. Why is it so important?
• Write about a time when you caused great disappointment to a person. What did you do about the situation?
• It is often said that people are too concerned with getting things and spending money. What is your opinion?
• People should always tell the truth.’ Do you think there are any situations in which this might not be the best thing to do? Explain your views.

Year 2016  O-Level

• Describe a childhood toy, or a game you played, which still means a great deal to you. Why is it so important?
• Do you agree that we can learn from the mistakes of others or do we need to learn from our own experiences?
• What are your ambitions for the future? Explain how you plan to achieve them, including any possible difficulties.
• To what extent do you agree with the idea that some teenagers lead an unhealthy lifestyle? Give reasons for your views.

Year 2015  O-Level

• Describe the possession that matters most to you and explain why you would never be prepared to part with it.
• The world would be a very dull place without music’ What are your views?
• Shoppers have too much choice, from chocolate bars to jeans’ What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages of having many things to choose from?
• Do electronic devices, such as tablets or smart phones, help or hinder students in their studies?

Year 2014  O-Level

• Describe how you celebrated an important family occasion. Why will this event always remain in your memory?
• Which features of Singapore and its citizens make it a major tourist attraction for people from all over the world?
• Which person has the greatest influence on your life at the present time, and why?
• The best things in life are free’ Write about some of the occasions when you have found this to be true.

Year 2013  O-Level

• Parents often believe that it is better to be safe than sorry. Do you consider young people to be too protected?
• Describe some of your experiences in food courts and hawker centers. How important are these places in your life as a teenager in Singapore?
• The way we dress reveals who we are’ What are your views?
• What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Why does it mean so much to you?

Year 2012  O-Level

• Write about an incident you still remember from your early childhood. Why do you think it has remained in your mind so clearly?
• People all over the world are living longer. What are the advantages and disadvantages of their increased life expectancy?
• Describe an annual event which you enjoy and explain why it is so important to you.
• The use of motorcars is the greatest threat to the environment’ Do you agree?

Year 2011  O-Level

• “It is better never to borrow or lend money” What are your views on this advice?
• Write about an amusing incident on a day out with your family, which still makes you laugh whenever you remember it.
• Should boys and girls be given exactly the same type of education?
• Describe how a religious or national event is celebrated in your country.

Year 2010  O-Level

• What important lessons in life are learned away from school?
• Write about an occasion when it was necessary to tell the truth whatever the consequences.
• Some people say that the internet does more harm than good. What is your view?
• Describe the location and the main features of your ideal home and explain why you think it would be an ideal place to live.

Year 2009  O-Level

• In the 21st century, how important is it to be able to read, write and speak English in Singapore?
• I’m bored’ is so often the cry of teenagers today. What could be done about this?
• Write about an occasion when an attempt to help led to unexpected consequences for the helper.
• Write about some of your worries and hopes for the future.

Year 2008 O-Level

• The delights and frustrations of being a teenager
• Write about an occasion when you just could not stop laughing at an inappropriate moment.
• Television, newspapers and the Internet – which of these do young people prefer as a source of information, and why?
• In your opinion, what kind of voluntary work is worth doing, and why?

Year 2007  O-Level

• If you were drawing up a set of school rules for a new school, what would they be? Explain which of these you think are the most important
• Nowadays, people live longer than ever before. What problems does this present and how can these problems be dealt with?
• Write about someone who failed to live up to his or her reputation.
• Write about some of the things in your country you value the most and would miss greatly, if you had to live in another country

Year 2006  O-Level

• Write about a time when your late arrival for a particular meeting or event led to serious trouble.
• What do you think secondary schools can do to ensure the health, well-being and safety of their students?
• Given the limited land available in Singapore, is it wise to set aside some areas as nature reserves?
• Do you feel that you need the long school vacation? How do you occupy your time during the December break, when schools are closed?

See more related articles and information on Writing Samurai:

• How to Write Argumentative Essays For Secondary School
• Top Tips on How to Write Discursive Essays
• Benefits of Secondary English Tuition
• Past O-Level Essays and Questions For Secondary English
• Exam Smart Tips For Language Editing
• Top Exam Tips for Secondary English

Before you leave this page… You might want to download a pdf copy of our Essay Outlines from Year 2018 – 2022! 

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The Different Genres of O-Level Essays

By WR!TERS@WORK

First things first – what is a genre? When you watch a film or read storybooks, what kind of films do you like to watch? Some people like watching action movies which feature exciting, fast-paced fight scenes and car chases. Others like watching dramas, with plenty of romance and heartbreak. For people who are not faint of heart, they may like watching horror films. Different films will feature different things, as they are of different genres.

There are 7 different genres of O Level Essays – and if you use the earlier film analogy, it means that these essays are of different styles and will require different writing techniques.

The different genres of essays we will discuss in this article today are: (1) narrative essays, (2) descriptive essays, (3) expository essays, (4) discursive essays, (5) argumentative essays, (6) personal reflective essays, and (7) hybrid essays.

1. Narrative Essays

Sample Question: “She cried her heart out.” Write a story that includes the given sentence.

Narrative essays require the student to tell a story from a 3 rd person point of view. You must engage your readers by taking them on a journey, whether it is a real-life or fictional story. Many students have read story books where they follow some characters through a series of events. There are high points and low points in the story, which usually revolves around a central conflict which gets resolved in the end, leading to a happy, sad, or cliff-hanger ending.

2. Descriptive Essays

Sample Question: Describe a scene at your favourite shopping mall.

Descriptive essays require students to use sensory details, adjectives, and figurative language to create a sensory experience. Students must be hyper-aware of all the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings associated with a particular thing or place and know the correct vocabulary to write this well. A good tip is for students to visualise the place, object, or emotion in their minds, noting down every single thing they would feel (sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch) to connect with the subject matter on a deeper level. Students aiming to get good at writing descriptive essays should read more examples to broaden their vocabulary.

3. Expository Essays

Sample Question: Write about some of the challenges youths face.

When we watch a movie, exposition is like the voice-over at the beginning of the movie which fills the viewer as to what is actually going on, and provides context for the predicament the characters find themselves in. Similarly, an expository essay provides context using research, evidence, and a logical structure to help readers understand a specific topic like movie-goers need to understand what is happening in a movie to follow the plot. Students should read more expository essays in textbooks, newspapers, and informative blogs to get the evidence needed to write these well, as the substantiation for the points in this essay cannot be made up.

4. Discursive Essays

Sample Question: “The way we dress reveals who we are.” What are your views?

When we engage in discourse, we talk about things. Often, when we discuss something, each person gets to provide their point of view and explain why they feel a certain way. Similarly, in a discursive essay, the aim of the piece of writing is to get readers to see both sides of the argument. When writing discursive essays, students should present the main points and provide supporting evidence for both sides of a statement. To get the hang of writing discursive essays, students should read opinion columns in a newspaper, speeches, and editorials. The student cannot be biased towards one side when writing a discursive essay and should strive for a balanced presentation of their arguments.

5. Argumentative Essays

Sample Question: Exams should be abolished. Do you agree?

When we get into arguments with people (such as perhaps peers or our parents), what we are really trying to do is convince them to see our perspective. We need to provide evidence to convince the other person of the validity of our statement. Similarly, in an argumentative essay, students need to show logical conclusions and good reasoning skills to convince the reader of their points. Usually, there are stronger points and weaker arguments to be made, and smart students will present the strongest arguments first, substantiated by evidence, followed by weaker arguments. Students can also address counter-arguments in a pre-emptive manner after making their arguments in the same paragraph to strengthen their case and make it watertight.

6. Personal Reflective Essays

Sample Question: Which person has the greatest influence on your life presently, and why?

When we do reflections on our own life, we think back and look at our experiences in hindsight. We rationalise that some bad things actually were good things because of the lessons we learned from it, and we appreciate people who have played a positive role because of the effort they put into educating us. We also reminisce on the good parts of our lives and express gratitude for them. In a personal reflective essay, you are telling a story from your own perspective, citing personal experiences, anecdotes, and vivid descriptions. Students should be as authentic as possible and show that they have put some thought into their reflections.

7. Hybrid Essays

Sample Question: Which person has the most positive impact on your life? Describe the individual’s personality and in what ways he or she has influenced you.

The hybrid essay, much like hybrid modes of learning where you learn in a physical classroom and online, involves a mix of two different essay questions. If you look closely at the question, it appears that two different genres of essays are tested, and as such, students must use the writing styles and techniques from these two genres of essays to answer the essay question precisely.

To conclude, the key to writing a great essay is understanding the techniques required for each essay genre so that the student knows how to tackle any question they are asked. Regardless of the type of essay, students will also need to have good grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and sentence structure so as to not lose marks unnecessarily. Students should read various model essays to get the gist of how to write different genres of essays.

Improve Your Essay Writing Skills with WR!TERS@WORK!

At WR!TERS@WORK , we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams at both primary and secondary school levels. With our carefully curated methods of teaching English for PSLE, O Levels, and A Levels, your child will be able to identify the answers to the questions and present them in a concise manner in no time.

English is a compulsory subject that has direct impact on your chances of getting the best education opportunities. Overall, English tuition and writing courses can help primary school students enjoy a smoother transition between education levels by reinforcing their language skills and providing a strong foundation for academic success.

Engaging in English tuition and writing courses can greatly assist students in smoothly transitioning between education levels. These programs reinforce their language skills and establish a solid foundation for academic achievement. For more exam tips, parents and students can explore our website and watch our YouTube videos .

If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WR!TERS@WORK has expanded to 8 convenient locations . To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WR!TERS@WORK .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. How Do You Write a Good Secondary School Essay?

Firstly, you need a strong introduction which engages the audience. Secondly, you need appropriate content which is balanced on both sides if you are making an argument for and against something. Lastly, your conclusion must be synthesised and weigh the benefits or disadvantages of the essay subject, or provide another viewpoint about the topic.

2. How Do You Structure an English Essay?

Firstly, you need a good hook as an introductory paragraph. Next, the body of content follows, which will answer the essay question provided. Lastly, a strong conclusion which “comes down on one side” is needed.

3. What is a good paragraph starter?

It depends on the essay. For narrative writing, the student can start in media res . For argumentative essays or discursive essays, a thesis statement is needed which outlines the central tenet of your argument.

4. What Should You Not Do In an Essay?

You should not ramble with run-on sentences in an essay. Furthermore, students should always answer the essay question and not address points which are unrelated. Good grammar and vocabulary, along with robust sentence structure, is a must.

5. What Makes a Bad Essay?

A bad essay will not deal with the subject matter it is being asked for. Moreover, a bad essay will fail to drive home the central point, be it a good plot, or arguments posed on either side based on the essay topic. Moreover, a bad essay will contain many grammatical errors, spelling errors, and will have a limited range of vocabulary.

6. What is the Hardest Part of an Essay?

Planning the essay is the hardest part of the essay. Students need to figure out what content to put in the essay and how it is structured, as well as the examples to bolster their argument.

7. What are the Common Essay Writing Mistakes?

Firstly, not reading and answering the question is a cardinal mistake made by many students. Students should write the essay which is being asked of them instead of writing the essay they want to write, whether it is based on another model essay they have encountered in the past or a question the student thinks is easier to answer than the real essay question.

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