Tips on directed writing

SPM ENGLISH By JUGDEEP KAUR GILL

PAPER 1 of the SPM English 1119 is of great concern to most students and their teachers. This concern is understandable as it not only carries a significant portion of the marks for the whole paper but also tests the more difficult skill of writing. This paper comprises two questions: directed writing and continuous writing. Lets start with directed writing. A total of 35 marks are allocated for this question 15 for content and 20 for language. The marks for content include marks for format. The total for the latter varies, depending on the text type. Only one question is given and students do not have the luxury of choice, which they are given in the continuous writing section. Most students find this question manageable. Even weak students can cope with it, for several reasons. Firstly, students do not have to worry about content as points are provided. In fact, students can actually score full marks for content, and even format, if they have been taught the format for different text types. Secondly, this question does not make excessive linguistic demands, unlike the continuous writing question. Thirdly, the question usually revolves round the experiences of students. Teachers and students are usually able to predict the type of question that might appear by analysing questions asked in previous years, some of which are shown below:

General guidelines for directed writing Always read the question carefully and highlight what you are required to do. Use the 45 minutes allocated for this question wisely. Plan your essay and organise your thoughts (including what to write and how to elaborate points). Always read through what you have written and make amendments where necessary. Rectify grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors. Use all the points given. It is advisable to cross out the points you have used to be sure none is left out. Include points of your own only if you are asked to. Otherwise, do not waste precious time doing so because you will not get extra marks. Elaborate on the points given. Remember, a crucial aspect of this paper is language and your ability to write can only be tested if you provide sufficient language for the examiner to gauge your linguistic ability. Use a variety of sentence structures so that your essay is not dull and monotonous. Include an introduction and conclusion and make sure your paragraphs are well organised. Common pitfalls Poor time management. Some students spend more than the allocated 45 minutes on this question. As a result, they have little time left for the second question, which carries a substantial 50 marks.

 Lengthy essays. Some students write too much. Remember, writing more does not mean your essay is better. The points have been provided. All you have to do is to use them and provide a sentence or two (maybe three) to elaborate on them. I always advise students not to write more than one-and-a-half to two pages. After all, the more you write, the more mistakes you might make. Some students write one paragraph for each point. If you do this, your essay is going to be very lengthy. Save your time and energy for continuous writing Usage of informal language. This paper tests your written English. Do not use slang, contractions, and informal idiomatic expressions or informal phrasal verbs. Let us now look at report writing. Read the sample question below: Before you start writing, ask yourself these questions: Many of the students in your school have voiced their dissatisfaction with the facilities in the school library. As the head librarian, write a report to your school principal. In your report, include the following complaints and suggestions: Complaints

torn books outdated books books with missing pages limited reference books not enough tables and chairs limited computers poor Internet access. Suggestions buy new books buy more reference books subscribe to magazines buy new furniture buy new computers. When writing your report, you should remember to: address it to the principal of your school include all the points given set it in the correct format. Before you start writing, ask yourself these questions: What am I required to do? What is my role? Who is my audience?

 How many points have been provided? Do I need to include other points? This task requires you to write a report in your capacity as the head librarian. The report is to be addressed to the principal, which means he/she is your audience. As such, make sure your tone is formal, yet polite. A total of 12 points have been provided, which leaves three marks for content. The marks for format can vary but in this instance, they are allocated as follows: one mark for addressing the report to the principal, one mark for the subject matter/title of your report and one mark for the name and designation of the writer. The format of a report can take several styles. Two are given below. Style 1

Style 2

A sample of a good answer for linguistically competent students is given in Sample Answer 1 on E15. If you are a weak student, remember there is no harm in using simple English. I would suggest you adhere to the KISS principle keep it simple and short (refer to Sample Answer 2 on E15). General guidelines to remember when writing a report

Address it to the person concerned. Use the points given in a systematic manner use transition markers to enable your audience to follow the flow of your thoughts. Elaborate on your points with examples or illustrations.

Conclude your report in an appropriate manner. Maintain a formal yet pleasant/polite tone.

Directed writing
SPM ENGLISH: LESSON 1 By JUGDEEP KAUR GILL

PAPER 1 of SPM English is largely a test of students writing skills. It consists of two sections Directed Writing, which carries 35 marks, and Continuous Writing, which carries 50 marks. Both these sections add up to a total of 85 marks. In this weeks article, we will start with Directed Writing. Remember that there is only one question on Directed Writing and that this is a compulsory question. Directed Writing, as its name suggests, is directed or guided as points are provided. Typical questions include writing a speech/talk, a report, an article or a letter (formal or informal). Below is an analysis of the types of questions that have been asked in this section for the past 10 years.

Many of you are familiar with the allotment of marks for this question content (15 marks) and language (20 marks). The marks for content include the marks for format as well. Hence, do pay attention to the formats of the different text types. The question on Directed Writing is much easier to tackle than the one on Continuous Writing because you can easily get the marks for content if you include all the content points provided.

General guidelines for Directed Writing

Always read the question carefully and highlight what you are required to do. Use the 45 minutes wisely: 10 minutes to plan your essay and organise your thoughts (this includes what to write, how to elaborate points, etc). 30 minutes to write. Five minutes to edit. Remember to use all the content points. It is advisable to cross out the points you have used so that no point is left out. Good students have been known to make this mistake. Include your own points only if you are asked to do so. Otherwise, do not waste time doing this because you will not get extra marks. Do provide relevant details or elaborate the points given even if you are not asked to do so. Remember: a crucial aspect of this paper is language and your ability to write can only be tested if you provide sufficient language for the examiner to gauge your linguistic ability. Therefore, do write one or two sentences for each point. Vary your sentence structures so that your essay is not dull and monotonous. More about this later in the section on Continuous Writing. Do include an introduction and a conclusion, and make sure your paragraphs are well organised. Do read through your written piece and rectify grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors.

Pitfalls to avoid

 Do not spend more than 45 minutes on this question. Remember the content points have been provided. All you have to do is use these points and elaborate on them. Some linguistically competent students make the mistake of spending too much time on this question and end up having less time for Continuous Writing, which carries more marks. Do not write more than two pages. Save time and energy for Continuous Writing. Do not use slang words, contractions and informal language. Do not write one paragraph for each point. If you do, your essay is going to be lengthy. We will now discuss one of the above text types, i.e., writing a speech/talk.

Talks/Speeches Let us look at a sample question. You are the president of your schools Nature Club. You have been asked to give a speech to the students in your school to inform them about the Nature Club and to persuade them to join it. Write out your speech using the following points: Membership
Open to all students from Forms One to Five. An approved co-curricular activity. Aims To promote interest and knowledge about wildlife, forests and the environment among students. To encourage students to protect the fauna and flora. To provide opportunities for students to acquire values and skills needed to protect and improve the natural environment.

Activities
Trekking Rock climbing Photography Tree-planting

Facilities provided
Tents, sleeping bags and other equipment required for trekking purposes. Digital cameras.

Write out the speech you would give. Remember to:

Address the audience. Introduce the topic of your speech. Use all the notes given. End the talk appropriately.

Before you start writing, ask yourself these questions:

What am I required to do? What is my role? Who is my audience? How many points have been provided? Do I need to include other points?

Well, you have been asked to write a speech as the president of the schools Nature Club and the other students in school are your audience. A total of 11 points have been provided (in bullet form in the sample question given) and the 12th point is embedded in the stimulus, i.e., you have to persuade the other students to join the Nature Club.

The marks for format are given for addressing your audience, introducing the topic of your talk and ending appropriately. You are reminded to do all three in the stimulus.

General guidelines to remember when writing a speech Remember to:

Greet your audience.

 State the purpose of your speech/talk. Use the points given in a systematic manner use transition markers to enable your audience to follow the flow of your thoughts. Elaborate your points with examples or illustrations. Conclude your speech by thanking your audience. Maintain a formal, yet pleasant, tone.