SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR TERM PAPER

GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT IN MALAYSIA

Title of written
assignment

I Introduction
Thesis statement
As there are so many unemployed graduates at present, we need to find out
why this problem exists and what can be done to overcome it.
II Body
A. The incompatibility in the focus of higher education institutions and the needs
of the labour market ( First level heading)
1. Lacking in compatibility as compared to the situation 20 years ago
(Tan, 2007) (Second level heading)
a. (Third level heading?)
b.
2. Increased competitiveness and volatility in the labour market (Second
level heading)
3. Incompatibility in the knowledge acquired in higher education
institutions
B. Lack of experience and skills
1. Preference for graduates with experience (Nor Hartini, 2007)
2. Preference for graduates with essential skills (Nor Hartini, 2007)
a. To have proficiency in English
b. To possess Interpersonal skills
C. Introduction of several training programmes for fresh graduates
1.The Ministry of Human Resources Unemployed Graduates Training
Scheme
(Chapman, Chew & Tan, 2007)
a. To equip graduates with certain skills
b. To equip graduates with certain experience
2. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs recruitment
programme (Chin,2007).
a. To provide employment opportunities to graduates
b. To expose graduates to opportunities in the private sector
D. Review of tertiary education system
1. Development of soft skills through extra curricular activities (Nor Hartini,
2007)
a. To build character
b. To enhance interpersonal skills
c. To develop critical and creative thinking
2. Stimulation of students minds through discussions and evaluating case
studies.
III Conclusion
A. Restatement of thesis statement or summary of main ideas?
B. Opinions or comments?

Topic Sentence I

Topic sentence II

Topic sentence III

Topic sentence
IV

Topic sentence
V

C. Suggestions?
Marks : 2/5% Lecturers comments: Some development of the outline; first and second level but no third level
heading is present. Some attempts to organise information. Somewhat fluent, clear and coherent but no conclusion stated

SAMPLE OF TERM PAPER

Problem-solution essay
Graduate Unemployment in Malaysia
Unemployed graduates have become a cause of concern in Malaysia. The
findings of a Graduate Tracer Study in 2006 involving 132 900 graduates from
institutions of higher learning all over Malaysia indicated that 30.7% of graduates
remained unemployed six months after graduation, while 5.7% were still awaiting
job placement (Tan, 2007). The Minister of Human Resources revealed that more
female graduates in this country were unemployed because they lacked the
relevant skills required in the labor market despite having excellent academic
results. The number was much higher in comparison to male graduates (Nor Hartini,
2007). As there are so many unemployed graduates at present, it is crucial to find
out why this problem exists and what can be done to overcome it. (Thesis
Statement)
(Topic sentence 1-Problems) One reason for this problem is that the focus of
higher education institutions and the needs of the labor market for graduates are
not as compatible as they were twenty years ago. The labor market is now more
competitive and volatile (Explanation 1). As a result, graduates face difficulties in
getting jobs because they are not ready for the industry (Tan, 2007) (Supporting
Evidence 1). For instance, the knowledge of Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) acquired by students does not quite meet the expectations of the
industry (Example). Lack of experience and skills are also the causes of graduate
unemployment. Generally, most organizations prefer to employ graduates with
experience (Explanation 2). Furthermore, in Malaysia, the private sector today is
not interested in recruiting local graduates because they lack essential skills, such
as proficiency in English and interpersonal skills (Nor Hartini, 2007)(Supporting
Evidence 2). (Concluding sentence) There appears to be a disparity between what
employers require and what skills graduates have.

(Topic sentence 2- Solution 1) In view of this, the government has

implemented several measures to reduce the problem of graduate unemployment
and one such measure is the introduction of several training programmes for fresh
graduates. For instance, the Ministry Of Human Resources, through their training
agencies, has introduced the Unemployed Graduates Training Scheme' in order to
equip graduates with certain skills and experience(Chapman, Chew & Tan, 2007)
(Supporting Evidence+Example 1). The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Ministry, likewise, has initiated a programme where established retailers have
started recruiting graduates and diploma holders as management trainees
(Example 2). This scheme aims to not only provide employment opportunities for
fresh graduates but also to expose them to fields in the private sector other than
the ones they specialized in (Chin, 2007) (Supporting evidence 2).
Another measure involves a review of the tertiary education system (Topic
sentence 3 Solution 2). Soft skill development should be incorporated into the
education curriculum where students can participate in extra curricular activities to
enhance soft skills such as personal qualities, interpersonal skills and, critical and
creative thinking (Nor Hartini, 2007) (Supporting Evidence 1). These soft skills
should be acquired through participation in extra curricular activities while they are
studying for their degrees (Explanation 1). A lecturer, for instance, can develop
students skills and knowledge by stimulating their minds with discussions and case
studies (Example 1). According to Nor Hartini (2007), these skills will enable them to
communicate effectively, manage relationships, lead a team, solve problems and
succeed in the job market (Supporting Evidence 2).
Thus, it is evident that lack of skills and experience are the main causes for
graduate unemployment. To overcome this problem, the Ministry of Higher
Education must ensure that the tertiary education system is relevant and up-todate. It should continually evaluate the tertiary programs to help produce quality
graduates who meet the needs of industries. Also industries need to play their part
by providing more opportunities for training fresh graduates while the graduates
themselves need to be more open and take up these offers. (ConclusionSummarising the main ideas)
References

Chapman, K., Chew, S. & Tan, E. (2007, September 2). Transforming higher
education.
The Sunday Star. Retrieved May 13, 2008 from http://thestar.com.my
Chin, V.K. (2007, August 28). Graduates should not be too choosy about jobs. The
Star.
Retrieved May 13, 2008, from http://thestar.com.my
Nor Hartini Bt. Saari (2007) Unemployed Graduates: How Can We Address this
Situation? Retrieved May
12, 2008 from http://www.ikim.gov.my/v5/print.php?grp=2&key=1482
Tan, S. C. (2007, November 25). Be more prepared. The Sunday Star. Retrieved May
13, 2008 from
http://thestar.com.my

Lecturers Comments:
Content: 3/ 5 marks
Introduction:
A clear thesis statement but not strong enough.
Development of the essay:
Arguments support the thesis statement
Must include at least three main ideas with supporting details (3 main ideas
included but no personal views/comments given for body paragraph 2)
include a restatement of the problem or issue explored, a summary of few
of the
main points, and some comments. (Fulfill task satisfactorily where writer conveys a fairly
acceptable amount of the necessary information)
Distinguishes between main ideas and supporting details reasonably well with minor
inaccuracies
Synthesizes information satisfactorily

Conclusion:
Indirect restatement of thesis by summarizing the main ideas.
Organisation: 3.5 marks/4
have paragraphing and coherence
have cohesion of ideas through the use of a few discourse
markers or transitions
Documentation: 4 marks/5

 in-text citations and references, written in the APA style, are

Provided but only limited to 4 resources.
Language: 4.5/ 6 marks
Good

5 marks

Satisfactory

4 marks

Average

3 marks

Poor

1 - 2 marks

Total: 15/20