directed writing module

Step One – What Is a Directed Writing question?1. Introduction

Directed Writing is the first question asks in Paper One. You are required to write a short essay about 200 – 300 words with the help of a stimulus. Many students think that this section is difficult to score. However, the assumption is wrong. For intermediate and weak students, this is among the sections that they should concentrate on.

In this section, students are required to write based on various topics such as reports, letter, talk, dialogue and etc.

However, based on the analysis made for the last eight years only five topics were used for directed writing.

ANALYSIS OF PAST YEARS’ QUESTIONS

YEAR TOPICS

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

A talk on road safety

A formal letter to a class teacher (choice of trip)

A report to principal about the school canteen

An informal letter (to a friend about experience at the camp )

An informal letter to a friend why she/he would make a good head prefect

A Speech about a Science Reference Book

Write an article about The Best Group Leader in the leadership camp

A report

Informal letter to cousin

sirmokhzani/smvshas - 2011

Topic YearSpeech/Talk 2002,2007Formal letter 2003Report 2004, 2009Informal letter 2005,2006,2010Article 2008

2. MarksFor students to answer this type of question. Attention need to be given to the marks allocated for various parts of the essay. The ability to determine the structure of marks will allow students to gain good marks. Based on standard marking scheme, the allocation of marks for Directed Writing are as follows:

Item MarkFormat 3Contents 12Language 20

Students should realize that these marks are given based on these criteria.

1. Format – Students should use appropriate format based on the needs of the questions. 2. Contents – students must use all contents points given and it must be in sentence form.3. Language –less grammar mistakes ensure higher marks. In general, the marks allocation

are as below:

BAND MARK RANGE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A 19-20 Language is entirely accurate

B 16-18 Language is accurate

C 13-15 Language is largely accurate

D 10-12 Language is sufficiently accurate with patches of clarity

E 7-9 Meaning is never in doubt- but errors hamper reading

Ui 4-6 Meaning is fairly clear-errors hamper reading

Uii 2-3 Little or no sense

Uiii 0-1 No sense at all


Step Two – Analyzing the questionIn answering the question, it is very important for the students to have clear understanding on the question. A good understanding on the paper would reflect the answer written later on. Basically, before answering any DW question, students needs to make analysis on these items.

1 Text type@Format2 Tenses3 Number of contents - However, students need to decide whether the question

gives clue or contents?4 Number of elaborations

Sample 1 As the President of the Environmental Club, you have been asked by your teacher to give a

speech to all students in your school on how they can help to reduce environmental problems. In your speech, include the following notes:

When writing your speech text, you should remember to:

use the appropriate greeting and closing state the purpose of the speech use all the notes given write in paragraphs

SBP Trial SPM 2009


HOW TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Do not waste electricity

Use product that have timer

Use energy saving appliances

Avoid open burningUse unleaded petrolPractice car pooling

Use environmental friendly product

Use recycled material

Use washable items

Reduce energy usage Reduce air pollution Reduce waste

Items Marks Analysis on question

Text type@Format

3 A speech to students

1m- Greeting1 m -Purpose of speech1m- Closing

Notes:To identify these items look for clue from the question. Normally it is at the end of the question (if any). For this question, there were clearly stated.

Tenses Present tense

Students need to decide on the sentence structure to be used ( single vs compound, active vs passive etc.)

Number of contents

12 12 1m

1m

1m

1m

1m

1m

1m

1m

1m

1m

1m

1m

Reduce energy usage




Reduce air pollution

Avoid open burning

Use unleaded petrol

Practice car pooling

Reduce waste



Use washable items

Total = 12 marks

Students need to clearly verify, either the information stated in the question is either CLUE or CONTENTS.

Number of elaboration

This does not indicate that no elaborations/details should be written. Although no marks could be gained for CONTENTS, the elaborations/details will have direct influence on the marks for LANGUAGE.


Exercise 1

Directed Writing (35m)

You are the Secretary of the Environment Club in your housing area. You have been asked by other residents to write a letter to the municipal council in your area complaining about a housing project near your resident. In the letter, you are asked to mention on the effects of deforestation and its possible solutions.

Below are some notes on the effects of deforestation and possible solutions.

You should use all the points given:

When writing your report, you should remember to:

Used all the notes given Add any relevant details Use suitable format


Effects:Soil erosionLand slideLoss of flora and faunaPolluted riversFlash floodsLack of oxygenGreenhouse effect

Solutions:Forest conservationReplantingAwareness campaignConstant monitoringImposed higher penalty

Fill in relevant information based on the question.


Contents:_______ Marks1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.

DW Question

Text type: ……………………………………………………

Format: (3 Marks)

1m:…………………………….

1m:…………………………….

1m:……………………………

Tenses:……………………………………..

Notes:

Exercise 2


Section A: Directed Writing(35 Marks)

You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.

There are a few matters in your school which could be improved. The school’s Perfects’ Board

has has a meeting. The perfects have decided to write a formal letter to the Principal. As the

secretary to the board, you have been asked to write the report.

In your report, include the following.

The unsatisfactory service and high food prices in the school canteen

The urgent need to improve the cleanliness of the school

To request for a pedestrian or zebra crossing in front of the school

Do remember to:

give your letter a title

use all the points given

provide two relevant details/examples for each of the four points

write in paragraphs



Contents:_______ Marks1.2.3.4.

Eloborations:______ Marks1 A

B2 A

B3 A

A4 A

B

DW Question

Text type: ……………………………………………………

Format: (3 Marks)1m:…………………………….1m:…………………………….1m:……………………………

Tenses:……………………………………..

Notes:

Exercise 3



You are the Organising Secretary of the Police Cadet in your school. The cadets have taken part in a jungle training camp. You have been asked to write a report to your Principle telling him/her about the trip.

Below are some information about the camp that you can include in the report.

Numbers of cadets participating Numbers of teachers who accompanied the cadets Date of the training camp Location Transportation to the camp Accommodation Duration of the training camp Payment List out four activities during the camp

When writing your report, you should remember:- to address the report to your Principal- to use the correct format for a report- give suitable title for the report- use and elaborate all the points given




Clues: ______ Marks1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.

Contents:_______ Marks1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.

DW Question

Text type: ……………………………………………………

Format: (3 Marks)1m:…………………………….1m:…………………………….1m:……………………………

Tenses:……………………………………..

Notes:

Step 3- Writing Your Answer

In writing the answer, students need to realize that, the usage of correct grammar and various sentence structure will influence the mark awarded for LANGUAGE. However, for any content to be awarded with mark, the main criteria used is that the sentence carries an understandable meaning, thus it abiding the rule whether accurate grammar structure is used or not.

For weak students, it is very important for them to secure the contents first before continuing thinking about writing relevant information or details to the contents given.

Sample 1

As the President of the Environmental Club, you have been asked by your teacher to give a speech to all students in your school on how they can help to reduce environmental problems. In your speech, include the following notes:


use the appropriate greeting and closing state the purpose of the speech use all the notes given write in paragraphs

SBP Trial SPM 2009









Use washable items


Using Simple Sentence

One of the strategies that could be used is to write a simple sentence for each of the content points.

A simple sentence, is also called an independent clause, and it expresses a complete thought. In the following simple sentences, subjects are in yellow, and verbs are in green.

A. Many undergraduates like to study until late night.

B. Seng and Ramu play tennis every afternoon.

C. Rahmah goes to the library and studies every day.

The three examples above are all simple sentences. Note that sentence B contains a compound subject, and sentence C contains a compound verb. Simple sentences, therefore, contain a subject and verb and express a complete thought, but they can also contain a compound subjects or verbs

No Content Sentence1. Reduce energy usage We need to reduce our energy usage.2. Do not waste electricity We should not waste electricity.3. Use product that have timer We can use product that have timer.4. Use energy saving appliances We also could use energy saving appliances.

5. Reduce air pollution To reduce air pollution people should avoid open burning or use unleaded petrol.To reduce pollution, we also can practice car pooling.

6. Avoid open burning7. Use unleaded petrol8. Practice car pooling9. Reduce waste Others steps to reduce environmental problem is by

reducing our waste.People should use environmental friendly product, recycle material and washable item.

10. Use environmental friendly product11. Use recycled material12. Use washable items

Note:For this type of answer, the candidate would score 12 marks for CONTENTS but only 2 for LANGUAGE.Noted that, a subject and modal are used to complete the sentence.


Even though some contents look like a complete sentence but no marks will be awarded if students copy it straight from the text.

Such as:

No Content Sentence1. Reduce energy usage There are various ways to reduce our energy usage

such as not to waste electricity, use product that have timer and also to use energy saving appliances.

2. Do not waste electricity 3. Use product that have timer4. Use energy saving appliances5. Reduce air pollution We must reduce air pollution by avoiding open

burning, use unleaded petrol and practice car pooling.

6. Avoid open burning7. Use unleaded petrol8. Practice car pooling9. Reduce waste To reduce waste people should use environmental

friendly product, use recycle material and washable item.

10. Use environmental friendly product11. Use recycled material12. Use washable items

Note:

a. Noted that comas(,) and conjunction: and, are used to complete the sentence.

b. For this type of answer, the candidate would score 12 marks for CONTENTS but only 2 for LANGUAGE.

c. To gain better mark for LANGUAGE it is wiser for the students to use variety of sentences. One good example is the usage of compound sentence

Using compound sentence


Reduce energy usage. There are many ways for us to reduce energy usage.

√ 1m

Do not waste electricity Do not waste electricity. X 0Use product that have timer

Secondly, use product that have timer. √ 1m


Use an energy saving appliances. √ 1m

What is a compound sentence?

A compound sentence joins two or more simple sentences with conjunctions like ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘so’ and ‘or’.

Exercise 1

Below are some notes on the effects of deforestation and possible solutions.

Write a simple sentence for each of the contents:

Effects:

Example:

Soil erosionThe first effect is deforestation is soil erosion.

Land slide

______________________________________________________________________________ Loss of flora and fauna

______________________________________________________________________________

Polluted rivers


Effects:Soil erosionLand slideLoss of flora and faunaPolluted riversFlash floodsLack of oxygenGreenhouse effect

Solutions:Forest conservationReplantingAwareness campaignConstant monitoringImposed higher penalty

______________________________________________________________________________ Flash floods

______________________________________________________________________________ Lack of oxygen

______________________________________________________________________________ Greenhouse effect

______________________________________________________________________________

Solutions:

Forest conservation

One of the ways that we could practice to resolve deforestation is through forest conservation..

Replanting

______________________________________________________________________________ Awareness campaign

______________________________________________________________________________ Constant monitoring

______________________________________________________________________________ Imposed higher penalty

______________________________________________________________________________

Using sequence connectors

a. A text with a sequence structure of writing organizes information in a step-by-step way.

b. A biography (a text on the life of a person) is usually written in a sequence structure. It first gives information about the person's childhood, then about the person's adulthood, and then about his or her later years.


c. A historical text (e.g. a text on the events of World War II) also uses a sequence structure to a give a chronological order of events in history.

d. A text that explains a process (how something is done, such as making a pizza, or how the brain processes information) also organizes information with a sequence structure. Such a text will explain each step in the process from the first to the last.

e. Some example of connectors of sequence

first

second, (third, fourth, fifth, sixth, etc.)

last

finally

when

following

later

next

then

during

after

before

Using Discourse Markers (Linking Your Ideas in English)

Some words and phrases help to develop ideas and relate them to one another. These kinds of words and phrases are often called discourse markers. Note that most of these discourse markers are formal and used when speaking in a formal context or when presenting complicated information in writing.


1. with regard to; regarding; as regards; as far as ……… is concerned, as for

These expressions focus attention on what follows in the sentence. This is done by announcing the subject in advance. As regards and as far as………is concerned usually indicate a change of subject

Examples:

His grades in science subjects are excellent. As regards humanities …

With regard to the latest market figures we can see that ...

Regarding our efforts to improve the local economy, we have made ...

As far as I am concerned, we should continue to develop our resources.

As for John's thoughts, let's take a look at this report he sent me.

2. on the other hand; while; whereas

These expressions give expression to two ideas which contrast but do not contradict each other.

Examples:

Football is popular in England, while in Australia they prefer cricket.

We've been steadily improving our customer service center. On the other hand our shipping department needs to be redesigned.

Jack thinks we're ready to begin whereas Tom things we still need to wait.

3. however, nonetheless, nevertheless

All these words are used to present two contrasting ideas.

Examples:


Smoking is proved to be dangerous to the health. Nonetheless, 40% of the population smokes.

Our teacher promised to take us on a field trip. However, he changed his mind last week.

Peter was warned not to invest all of his savings in the stock market. Nevertheless, he invested and lost everything.

4. moreover, furthermore, in addition

We use these expressions to add information to what has been said. The usage of these words is much more elegant than just making a list or using the conjunction 'and'.

Examples:

His problems with his parents are extremely frustrating. Moreover, there seems to be no easy solution to them.

I assured him that I would come to his presentation. Furthermore, I also invited a number of important representatives from the local chamber of commerce.

Our energy bills have been increasing steadily. In addition to these costs, our telephone costs have doubled over the past six months.

5. therefore, as a result, consequently

These expressions show that the second statement follows logically from the first statement.

Examples:

He reduced the amount of time studying for his final exams. As a result, his marks were rather low.


We've lost over 3,000 customers over the past six months. Consequently, we have been forced to cut back our advertising budget.

The government has drastically reduced its spending. Therefore, a number of programs have been canceled.

Exercise 2

As the President of the Environmental Club, you have been asked by your teacher to give a speech to all students in your school on how they can help to reduce environmental problems.


In your speech, include the following notes:


use the appropriate greeting and closing state the purpose of the speech use all the notes given write in paragraph

SBP Trial SPM 2009

Fill in the blanks with appropriate sequence connectors or discourse markers

There are a lot of ways to reduce environmental problems. As human, we should try to follow the following suggestions. ______________ we should reduce energy usage. In practicing this, we should not waste electricity _____use product that have timer. ________we could use energy saving appliances.__________, we could reduce air pollution. ________________we could use unleaded petrol _______practice car pooling. ____________we could reduce waste. In doing so, we could use environmentally friendly product_____________ use recycled material._____________ we should use washable items.









Use washable items


Step 4 – Elaborations

Part 1

Support and elaboration consists of the specific details and information writers use to develop

their topic. The key to developing support and elaboration is getting specific. Good writers use

concrete, specific details, and relevant information to construct mental images for their readers.

Without this attention to detail, readers struggle to picture what the writer is talking about, and

will often give up altogether.

Two important concepts in support and elaboration are sufficiency and relatedness.

1. Sufficiency refers the amount of detail — is there enough detail to support the

topicSufficiency, however, is not enough. The power of your information is

determined less by the quantity of details than by their quality.

2. Relatedness refers to the quality of the details and their relevance to the topic.

Part 2

6 SCENARIO – hypothetical situation or event

1. Anecdote Short personal story

o Once, when I was in elementary school …o I remember the time when

2. Quotations

Words someone else says that support your idea or argument


3. Definition

Explaining an unfamiliar word or phraseo What I mean by __________ is …o (__________ means ……)

4. Example

Provide more specific information about your ideao For example, …o For instance, …

5. Descriptions

Vivid images using “juicy” words that turn the reader’s “brain camera” ono Appeal to the 5 senseso Looks like …o Sounds as if …o Smells similar to …o Feels the same as …o Tastes just like

6. Statistics/Facts

Numbers and/or data that supports your idea or argumento 98% of …o 45,000 …o 3 out of 4 people …


Sample Answer



There are a few matters in your school which could be improved. The school’s Perfects’

Board has has a meeting. The perfects have decided to write a formal letter to the

Principal. As the secretary to the board, you have been asked to write the report.

In your report, include the following.

The unsatisfactory service and high food prices in the school canteen

The urgent need to improve the cleanliness of the school

To request for a pedestrian or zebra crossing in front of the school

Do remember to:

give your letter a title

use all the points given

provide two relevant details/examples for each of the four points

write in paragraphs

Contents

The unsatisfactory serviceThe Prefect’s Board find the unsatisfactory service in the school canteen an

important issue. There is hardly any variety in food choice as students basically eat

the same type of food everyday. To make matter worse, the food that is served

usually turns out to be cold or half-cooked. Vendors in the school canteen can be

quite rude at times ands some even take out their anger on the students. Mr. Ali


from the nasi lemak stall is known for his hot-tempered tantrums and is seen

frequently shouting at his customers. We find this type of behaviour intolerable and

hope that action is taken immediately.

high food prices in the school canteenThe food prices in the school canteen are ridiculous. The prices are sky

high and are still rocketing up for some reason. The students are paying good

money, or should I say, expensive money for “peanuts’ in return. School

authorities and vendors should realize that not all students have enough money to

buy such expensive food . Some students barely have enough money for their bus

fare home. Either way we do not believe in paying for something which is hardly

worth its price. Vendors should be warned to lower their prices and not place too

much importance on profit which was not rightfully gained in the first place. This

is an important issue which should be taken into consideration before the students

have to resort to starving.

The urgent need to improve the cleanliness of the schoolWe find that there is an urgent need to improve the cleanliness of the school . As

our school prides itself on being one of the finest in the state, it is only fitting that we live

up to that little and make sure cleanliness is a priority. For some reason, the cleanliness

level in our school is reducing rapidly. Rubbish is strewn over the floor and there are

mountains of dust in every hook and cranny of the school. Coming back to the canteen

issue, there was a recently reported case of a girl finding a bug in her plate of noodles!


Besides that, the toilets are emitting incredibly foul stenches and are affecting the

studying environment of classes nearby. It is our opinion that the school is in need of a

good coat of paint.

To request for a pedestrian or zebra crossing in front of the schoolLastly we are in dire need of a pedestrian or zebra crossing in front of the school.

Just last week a lower form students was nearly knocked down by an errant driver

who when questioned answered irritably by saying that the students should have

let him pass first. In order to prevent future accidents, we the prefects suggest a

pedestrian crossing to assure the safety of the students.


Exercise 1

As the President of the Environmental Club, you have been asked by your teacher to write an article to help reduce environmental problems. In your article, include the following notes:

When writing your article, you should remember to:

use all the notes given write in paragraph

Task 1

Write suitable elaboration for the contents.

1. Firstly we should not waste electricity.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________









Use washable items


2. Secondly, we should use product that have timer

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

3. Other than that, we could use energy saving appliances.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Avoid open burning

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

5. Use unleaded petrol

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________


6. Practice car pooling

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

7. Use environmental friendly product

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

8. Use recycled material

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

9. Use washable items

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________


Step 5 -Writing Your EssayExercise 1

You recently attended a leadership camp organized by the District Education Officer. At the camp, your best friend was chosen as the best group leader. In school, you have been asked by your Principle to write an article in your school yearly book.

Your article should be based on the information below.

When delivering the speech;

to use an appropriate format tto use all the notes given


Best Group Leader

Awards received

Why he/she was chosen

Friend’s details

Name Class Family background Interest/Hobbies

Responsible Caring Best speaker for camp debate Voted the most cooperative

Helped an injured participants Earliest to wake up every

morning

Certificate of Acheivement RM500

Exercise 2

Many of your schoolmates are not interested in sports. You have carried out a small scale survey among your classmates. After gathering the findings you want to share it by publishing it in a popular magizine.

Use the following notes to write your article.

When writing you letter, you must;

layout your article correctly to use paragraphs that your readers are teenagers


REASONS

Students dislike sports lack of time

Facilities inadequate numbers of

sports equipments fields and courts – no

maintenance

Parents priority on exam

results sent children to

tuition classes home tuition

SUGGESTIONS

campaign on the importance of sports a discussion with parents upgrade facilities hire experienced trainers introduce new exciting sports

Exercise 3

You are the President of the Association for the Elderly in your state. You are concerned that the rights of the golden citizens are not being recognized by the government. Write a letter to the Prime Minister, voicing your concern as well as giving your suggestions on how to improve the quality of lives of the senior citizen.

Use the notes below to write your letter.

discounts on fares of public transport

extended the travel fare rebate on domestic travel

cheaper housing scheme

cash allowance for the poor

free medical treatment

discount for meals purchased at selected eateries

free annual eye and medical check-ups

employ those who are still physically able to work

When writing your letter, you should remember:

to address the letter to the Secretary of the Prime Minister

to provide a salutation/greeting

to provide a close

to prove elaboration/s for four of the points given above


Exercise 4

You are asked to write an article for your school magazine. Your article in on why Malaysian students are not performing up to expectations in school. In your article, you also suggest ways to improve the quality of our future students.

Below are some notes you have made on the reasons and suggestions.

Reasons

Poor time management

Poor attitude towards studies

Poor reading habits

Weak grasp of subjects

Overdependence on teachers

Suggestions

Widen reading scope

Role of teachers

Role of parents

Sensible time management

Effective teaching methods

Write the article. When writing, you should remember to:

Write appropriate title

Use all the notes given


directed writing module

Documents