DIRECTED WRITING

DIRECTED WRITING FOR SPM

Step 1: READING THE QUESTION
Remember the F.A.C.T.S
FORMAT
AUDIENCE
CONTENT POINTS
TASK(S)/ TENSE
SCENARIO/ SUBJECT MATTER

Step 2: UNDERSTANDING FORMAT (relevant aspects of format)
You must know the aspects of a particular format, so you will get 3 marks for it.

A 1. To: ________________ (addressee) the post is more important
Formal report 2. Title: ________________ (relevant title)
3. From: ______________ (reporter)

B 1. Greeting
Speech / Talk 2. Topic/Purpose
3. Ending/ Thanking audience
C Article
1. Title (relevant to the task)
2. Writer’s name

D 1. Sender’s address
Formal letter 2. Recipient’s post

E Recipient’s address
Informal letter 3. Date (1 April 2013)
4. Salutation (Dear Sir,)
5. Title (Relevant title)
6. Complimentary Close (Yours faithfully/ sincerely

1. Sender’s address
2. Salutation (Dear ……)
3. Complimentary Close (Yours sincerely/Your cousin)

Step 3: UNDERSTANDING AUDIENCE

Your audience will determine the TONE to be used in your writing. There are ONLY two tones: Formal
and informal tone.

People without Cousin/ friend/ uncle/ Informal/ polite/ friendly
authority
auntie

People with Principal/ manager/ Formal / Direct / Respectful/ Polite
authority chief of police

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DIRECTED WRITING FOR SPM
Step 4: UNDERSTANDING CONTENT POINTS

Step 5: UNDERSTANDING TASK(S)/ PURPOSE OF WRITING and TENSE

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How to improve vocabulary for TASK

The thesaurus is a very helpful tool in providing students with an arsenal of wide and precise
vocabulary. But, care must be taken because not all words related to a particular word can
be used to replace it. You have to see whether the word suits or fits in with the context.

TASK/ VERB RELATED WORDS/ SYNONMYMS
Inform  Tell, let someone know, notify, advise

Advise  Counsel, recommend, suggest, advocate, urge
Complain  Inform, notify, give notice
 Protest, grouse, whine, make a fuss, bleat, grumble, carp
Suggest
Encourage (informal) gripe, moan, whinge
Request
Reason  Criticize, protest about, object to, find fault with
Choose
Report  Propose, put forward, recommend, advocate, advise, nominate
 signify, indicate, show, imply, hint
Persuade  Support, motivate, inspire, cheer, spur on, egg on
 Persuade, urge, press, coax
 Stimulate, foster, nurture, cultivate, promote, boost, strengthen
 Ask for, appeal for, call for, seek, apply for, beg for, demand
 Call on, ask, invite, entreat, implore, beg, beseech
 Argue with, persuade, talk round

 Select, decide on, pick out, opt for, plump for, settle on, vote for, elect
 Decide, determine, prefer, resolve
 Communicate, give an account of, describe, announce, publish,

broadcast, disclose
 Complain about, inform on, denounce

(informal) tell on, rat on, shop

 Present yourself, make yourself known, check in
 Convince, coax, encourage, influence, convert
 Plead with, prevail upon, plead my/your case
 Change your mind, win over

Note: For REPORT, the format and the task are the same.

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Step 6: UNDERSTANDING SCENARIO/SUBJECT MATTER
(Information that cannot be changed)
The context of the writing will revolve around your life as SPM students.
Subject matter of an essay will answer the question ‘about what’. For example, you have a
task ‘to suggest’. Then, the subject matter should be ‘ about ..............’.

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Step 7: PLANNING YOUR ESSAY / PARAGRAPHING (3 minutes)
How many paragraphs do you need? How do you put the points in paragraphs? Paragraphs
should be meaningful.
Introduction Purpose of writing and some background information
Paragraph #1 Maybe points C1 and C2
Paragraph #2 C3 and C4
Paragraph #3 C5 and C6
Paragraph #4 C7 and C8
Paragraph #5 C9 and C10
Paragraph #6 C11 and C12
Conclusion Restate your purpose/ tell about your hopes and wishes

Step 8: WRITING YOUR ESSAY (within 30 minutes)
Your essay should about 1 ½ page to 2 pages. Remember you must :

 get 2 or 3 marks for FORMAT
 use all 12 or 13 CONTENT points.
 Plan your essay
 ELABORATE/ DEVELOP your points.
 Edit

HOW TO START YOUR OPENING PARAGRAPH

You can either write using your own way or use the following way.

1. Use the information found in the background information given in the question
paper.

2. Change the pronouns (Normally, we only use the pronouns “I” for the writer and
“You” for the reader/audience)

3. Add details where possible (We usually answer questions using “WHO, WHERE and
WHEN)

4. DON’T FORGET YOUR OPENING REMARKS (only for Letters and talk/speech)

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WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY HAVE IN YOUR OPENING PARAGRAPH?

Example:

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EXAMPLE:

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HOW TO WRITE YOUR CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
In the concluding paragraph, it is normal to:

 Reiterate your thesis statement/ purpose of writing
 Write about your hopes and wishes/dreams
 Give your final thoughts
 Give a rhetorical question
 Provide a relevant quotation/ proverb or idiom
 DON’T FORGET YOUR CLOSING REMARKS

Example:
Generic
I have come to the end of my ........................ I hope you have understood what I have
presented/written/ delivered/ reported/shared. I also hope that I have given you all the
information/tips/steps/ pieces of advice that you need.
Note: for article: ‘If you think this article is useful, please share it’/ I hope you have enjoyed
reading my article.

Specific – YOUR HOPES/WISHES/DREAMS:

I hope you have learned how to spend your money wisely and not to waste it on unnecessary

items. (advice)

I hope you will take the appropriate actions after reading my report.

I hope after this you will definitely improve your first aid skills.

I hope you will be excited to join the NS programme and get all the benefits from it.

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Rhetorical Questions
Why are you still having second thoughts? (Go for it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself there.)
Are you going to ignore my suggestions until a student die before taking actions?
What are we going to be? (A success or a failure. Number 1 or NO one)
Quotation
‘Rome was not built in a day’. (SPM 2014)
‘Ask not what your country/school can do for you? But, ask what you can do for your
country/ school?’ (SPM 2017)
‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’ (SPM 2012)

CLOSING REMARKS

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ELABORATION
Elaboration is a MUST. This is one of the reasons why you are tested. It is for you to show your ability
in using the English language. Elaboration will be awarded marks under the category of LANGUAGE.

What is ELABORATION?

‘THE INCLUSION OF OWN MATERIAL RELEVANT TO THE TASK AND MUST BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO

THE CONTENT POINT”. IT CAN BE EITHER:

• A SINGLE WORD ] add adjectives or adverbs

• A PHRASE ] answer questions like WHO, WHERE, WHEN

• A WHOLE SENTENCE

HOWEVER, IT MUST ADD A NEW DIMENSION OR GIVE MORE INFORMATION.

Elaboration could be an EXPLANATION, a DESCRIPTION, a DETAIL, an EXAMPLE, a SUGGESTION or a
SOLUTION. It can be a mixture of all six.
(Note: Don’t over elaborate. Remember, there is a time limit of 45 minutes for this question.)

This is the opportunity for students to show their creativity and maturity and
depth of thoughts. You can add on your own ideas to the essay.

How to ELABORATE?

1. LOOK AT THE CONTENT POINT
2. THEN, ASK RELEVANT QUESTIONS ABOUT IT
3. NEXT, ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

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Example

EXAMPLE OF ELABORATION

• THE FOOD PRICES IN THE SCHOOL CANTEEN
ARE RIDICULOUS. THE PRICES ARE SKY HIGH
(MAIN) AND ARE STILL ROCKETING UP FOR
SOME REASON. (EXPLANATION) A PLATE OF
NASI LEMAK COSTS RM3. (HOW HIGH IS HIGH)
OUTSIDE, IT ONLY COSTS RM1.50. (WHAT’S
THE NORMAL PRICE) DUE TO THIS, MANY
STUDENTS CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY FOOD
AND GO HUNGRY. (SO WHAT) THEIR STUDIES
ARE AFFECTED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT
CONCENTRATE. (WHAT’S THE EFFECT)

Step 9: EDITING YOUR ESSAY USING THE ‘SPOTCAP’ METHOD (5 minutes)

Please spend some time to edit your essay.

Spelling British spelling. Make sure no errors in copying

from the rubric

Preposition/ Phrasal Verbs Be careful with their usage

Order of words Big boy (not boy big)/ I can also read (not I also
Tense can read)
Choice of words Make sure you are consistent and use it
correctly
Don’t repeat words unnecessarily

Agreement (SV, number, I am/ was
gender) He/She/It is/was
You/We/They are/were

Punctuation Check your sentences

ALL THE BEST. YOUR TARGET IS: CONTENT POINTS – 15
LANGUAGE – 7 or more * target C level

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