"Don’t be in love with your own voice all the time," advises Dina

Dr Ong pointing out the need to be innovative and think out of the box when we write

A student asking how he could be politically correct in his writing

Dr Ong and Dina sharing experience on how to write with facts and conviction

Dr Ong stressing a point on writing punchy messages

Kuala Lumpur, 08 August 2010 - An intellectual but passionate exchange took place at MPH Bookstore at the Mid Valley Megamall last Sunday. The topic was “Opinion Writing and Academic Research” and featured UCSI University’s Faculty of Economics and Policy Science Lecturer Dr. Ong Kian Ming and columnist Dina Zaman, author of I am Muslim. Ms. Margaret Soo, UCSI’s vice president of Group Corporate Affairs and Ms. Shannen Choi, manager of the UCSI University Foundation, also attended the event. The gathering was aimed at helping university students write better essays in conjunction with the Perdana Leadership Foundation’s essay writing competition (www.perdana.org.my).

In the hour-long session, Dr. Ong discussed the “3P” approach to good writing. The strategy said to:

• Personalise your writing – bring personal observations and experience to the essay.
• Make your writing punchy – create attention-grabbing titles, sub-titles and openings to get people to read on.
• Make your narrative persuasive – use facts, statistics, case studies and other research to support your arguments.

Dina, an experienced project editor at Malaysia Insider, advised the audience to “read, research, write and rewrite” to prepare essays. She said it is important to write without fear of criticism and to keep an open mind to published opinions different from one’s own. She also warned against being “too in love with one’s own voice” to create objective writing and to use facts and figures that can be justified.

The UCSI University Foundation is encouraging UCSI University students and alumni to take part in the essay-writing competition. The competition entitled “Malaysia in a Globalised World” is opened to Malaysian citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 and may be written on one of three topics offered (see website for more information). The essay deadline is 30 September.

Those looking for more information and ideas should attend a forum organized by the Faculty of Economics and Policy Science entitled “Nurturing the Minds of Future Leaders.” The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday in the Blue Ocean Strategy Hall at the North Wing campus with a Ramadan buffet to follow. The event is opened to all UCSI University students, staff, faculty and the general public.

Those interested in registering for future campus workshops focused on the essay-writing competition may contact Shannen Choi at [email protected]or Joyce Lim, manager for Alumni Relations at[email protected].  More details and entry forms can be obtained fromwww.perdanaessaycompetititon.com.my.