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Section A: DIRECTED WRITING

1.1 WHAT IS DIRECTED WRITING?
The candidate is guided as to:

what to write

how to set out the answer

1.2 WHY IS IT TESTED?
To test students ability:
1. reading skills
To read and understand the question
2.

1.3

Writing skills
To use the information given to display an understanding of the task
To generate ideas
To use clear and accurate Standard English
To use an appropriate style and tone
WHAT ARE STUDENTS EXPECTED TO DO?

Write sentences using the correct syntax and grammar

Produce a variety of sentence structures in terms of length and

type.

Use appropriate vocabulary. It must be wide and used with

precision

Use accurate spelling and punctuation

Write in paragraphs. They must have unity and cohesion.

Use the correct style (format) and tone

1.4 HOW TO READ THE QUESTION?

Before you even start writing your essay, you should read the question
thoroughly first. Attempting to answer this question without a clear
understanding of the rubric will mean disaster. You should spend some
time reading and highlighting the important information.
The question is actually divided into 3 parts. They are:
The background information
Contents
Reminders
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This can be illustrated by the following example.

SPM 2012
Question:
Your younger sister is studying overseas. You have decided to write a letter to
advise her on how to spend her money wisely.

Background
infomation

Use the notes below to write your letter.

Shopping list
necessary items
compare prices

cheaper brands
budget

what you can afford

buy during sales

discounts
own cooking

cheaper
leisure time activities

think about cost

Content
points

When writing your letter, you must remember to:

lay out your letter correctly (address, greeting, closing)
use all the notes given
remember that your letter is to your younger sister

Reminders/
Format

Note:
For your letter, you will receive up to 15 marks for the format and content points, and up to
20 marks for the quality of your writing.
When you read the question, you should be able to identify:
1. FORMAT the instruction given is Write
2. AUDIENCE the person(s) who will read your essay
3. CONTENTS the points that must be used to get marks for
content
4. TASKS the purpose of the writing
TENSE the correct tense must be used for language accuracy
5. SCENARIO/SUBJECT MATTER information that cannot be
changed

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So, REMEMBER THE F.A.C.T.S.

1.5 UNDERSTANDING FORMAT
You must know the aspects of a particular format, so you will get 3 marks
for it.
a
Formal report
1. To: ________________ (addressee) *the name of post
2. From: ______________ (reporter)
3. Title: ________________ (relevant title)
b
Formal letter
1. Senders address
2. Recipients post
Recipients address
3. Date (1 April 2013)
4. Salutation (Dear Sir,)
5. Title (Relevant title)
6. Complimentary Close (Yours faithfully/ sincerely)
c
Informal letter
1. Senders address
2. Salutation (Dear )
3. Complimentary Close (Yours sincerely/Your cousin)
d
Speech / Talk
1. Greeting
2. Topic/Purpose
3. Ending/ Thanking audience
e
Article
1. Title (relevant to the task)
2. Writers name
3. Appropriate ending/ write in paragraphs (depending on
the reminder given in the question paper)
Read the following question, then complete the following template and
see if you understand the question.
SPM 2012
Your younger sister is studying overseas. You have decided to write a letter to advise her
on how to spend her money wisely.
Use the notes below to write your letter.
Shopping list
necessary items
compare prices

cheaper brands
budget

what you can

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buy during sales

discounts
own cooking

cheaper
leisure time activities

think about cost

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When writing your letter, you must remember to:

lay out your letter correctly (address, greeting, closing)
use all the notes given
remember that your letter is to your younger sister
Note:
For your letter, you will receive up to 15 marks for the format and content points, and up to
20 marks for the quality of your writing.
ASPECT
INFORMATION/ DETAILS
FORMAT
AUDIENCE
CONTENTS
TENSE/TASK
SCENARIO/SUBJECT
MATTER
1.6 UNDERSTANDING AUDIENCE
Your audience will determine the TONE to be used in your writing. There
are ONLY two tones: Formal and informal tone.
Year

Audience

Tone (What need to be done)

2012

sister

Informal/ polite/ friendly

2011

Society members Informal/ friendly/ polite

2010

cousin

Informal/ polite/ friendly

2009

Principal

Formal / Direct / Respectful/ Polite

2008

Schoolmates

Informal / Friendly/Polite

2007

Schoolmates

Informal / Friendly/Polite

2006

A friend

Informal/ Friendly/Polite

2005

A friend

Informal / Friendly/ Polite

Note: You see that we use formal tone when the person reading our essay is a person of
authority. For example, Principal/ Manager/ District Officer/ Chief of Police etc.
1.7.1 UNDERSTANDING CONTENT POINTS
Starting from 2009, all the content points are given in the question paper.
There are 12 points in total. There is no mark for elaboration under the
content points.
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Some guidelines on how to understand CONTENT

1. Read and understand all the KEY WORDS (What are all the points
about? They might be reasons/ suggestions/ problems/ pieces of
advice etc.)
2. Start by deciding the SUBJECT of your sentence (This might be The
reason/ suggestion or You or We as in the audience of the essay)
3. IF the verb is not provided in the content points given (stimulus),
then, provide one
4. See if you need to insert an article, pronoun, preposition,
adjectives to make the sentence clear.
5. Try to use the words given, unless you are sure of your vocabulary.
1.7.2 UNDERSTANDING HOW TO ELABORATE
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

A PHRASE

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: Dont over elaborate. Remember, there is a time limit of 45
minutes for this question.)

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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
(Use the 5W1H technique or simply ask So what?)
3. NEXT, ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS
Lets have a go at this using the SPM 2010 paper
SPM 2010
Your cousin has been chosen to take part in the National Service Programme and is worried
about going. You have decided to write a letter to tell him/her about the benefits of this
programme and to encourage your cousin to go.
Use the notes below to write your letter.
develop good habits
make new friends
learn leadership skills/ responsibility
exciting activities
see different parts of Malaysia
be independent
gain new experiences
teamwork
strengthen love of country
keep fit and healthy
learn survival skills
discipline
When writing your letter, you must:
lay out your letter correctly
use ALL the notes given
remember that your letter is to your cousin
Note:
For your letter, you will receive up to 15 marks for the format and content points, and up to
20 marks for the quality of your writing.
(a) Expand the contents to complete the sentences.
Content 1 - develop good habits
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(b) Elaborate (ask relevant questions)

Elaboration on develop good habits

(c) Continue with all the content points.

Content 2 - make new friends

Elaboration

Content 3 - learn leadership skills/ responsibility

Elaboration

Content 4 - exciting activities

Elaboration

Content 5 - see different parts of Malaysia

Elaboration

Content 6 - be independent
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Elaboration

Content 7 - gain new experiences

..
Elaboration

Content 8 teamwork

Elaboration

Content 9 - strengthen love of country

Elaboration

Content 10 - keep fit and healthy

Elaboration

Content 11 - learn survival skills

Elaboration

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Content 12 - discipline

Elaboration

1.8

UNDERSTANDING TASK

For every question, there will be a task or several tasks (aim(s)) of

writing. Students should know what it is or what they are. Once, you know
the task, you have to provide the appropriate sentences to perform the
task. Students should also learn to come up with different types of
sentence structures to express the same task(s).
Examples of tasks;
Year

Task(s)

Tense(s)

2012

Giving advice

Present

2011

Sharing information/ Informing

Present

2010

Informing/ giving reasons

Present

2009

Giving reasons/ suggestions

Present

2008

Sharing information/ informing

Mixed

2007

Persuading/ informing

Present

2006

Giving reasons

Mixed

2005

Informing / sharing information

Mixed

2004

Complaining/ requesting

Mixed

For example, in 2009, students were required to give suggestions to

overcome the problem of students lacking interest in sports. One of the
points was improve facilities. So, a possible sentence to show
understanding of task is as follows:
I think the school should improve the broken facilities. Or It would be
wonderful if you, Mr. Principal, could improve the sports facilities in this
school.
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Both sentences express the same idea but use different sentence
structures. Imagine, if you use the same structure over and over again. It
will be MONOTONOUS, i.e. boring, i.e. lack of sentence variety. In short, it
means limitation of sentence structures and vocabulary.
How to improve vocabulary for TASK
Becareful 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
Inform, notify, give notice
Complain
Protest, grouse, whine, make a fuss, bleat, grumble,
carp
(informal) gripe, moan, whinge
Criticize, protest about, object to, find fault with
Suggest
Propose, put forward, recommend, advocate,
advise, nominate
signify, indicate, show, imply, hint
Encourage

Request

Reason
Choose

Report

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

SPM 2004
There are a few matters in your school which could be improved. The
schools Prefects Board has had a meeting. The prefects have decided
to make a report for the principal. As the secretary to the board, you
have been asked to write the report.
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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
The request for a pedestrian or zebra crossing in front of the school
Do remember to:
Give your report a title
Use all the points given
Provide two relevant details/examples for each of the four points
Write in paragraphs
SPM 2005
You have just returned from a three-day outdoor activity camp. You
have decided to write a letter to a friend about your experience at the
camp. Write your letter based on all the notes given below:

Who organised the camp

Date of the camp
Transport to the campsite
Location of the camp
Accommodation
Give two relevant examples of :o Activities
o Benefits
o Problems
When writing the letter you should remember:
To lay out the letter correctly
To use paragraphs
That your letter is to a friend
SPM 2006
You have been selected to represent your school in a public speaking contest organised by
The Star. The topic you have chosen in The Benefits of Taking Part in Co-curricular
activities. Write a speech on the topic chosen.
You should include the following points in your speech:
interesting ways of exercising
meaningful use of free time
builds character
develops leadership qualities
encourages sportsmanship
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helps to get scholarship

make more friends
Do remember to:
include all the notes given
elaborate on the points given
use an appropriate format
SPM 2007
You have been asked by your teacher to give a talk on a reference book that is useful for
secondary school students. You have decided to talk about a science book.
Use the following notes write about your talk.
Details of the book
Reasons why the book is useful
Title
: Science Made
attractive presentation
Simple
clear explanations
Author
: Sharifah Shazana
helpful diagrams
Publisher : Bunga Publisher
variety of exercises
sample answers
practice question papers
useful tips
When writing the talk, you should remember:
to use an appropriate greeting and closing
to state the purpose of the talk
to use all the notes given
to give two other reasons of your own
that the talk is for school students
SPM 2008
You recently attended a leadership camp organized by your school. At the camp, one of
your friends was chosen as the best group leader. You have been asked to write an article
about your friend for your school magazine.
Write your article based on the information below:

Friends
details

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Name
Age
Family background
School attended

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Best
Group
Leader

Reasons
why he/
she was
chosen

Responsible
Caring
Best Speaker for Camp Debate
Voted the most co-operative

Awards
received

Certificate of Achievement
RM500

When writing the article, you should remember:

to give a suitable title
to give your name as the writer
to use all the information given
to provide the ending
to add two other reasons why your friend was chosen
that your readers are students
SPM 2009
Many of your schoolmates are not interested in sports. You have carried out a survey on
the reasons for their lack of interest. Based on your findings, write a report to the
Principal regarding the matter. in your report, give reasons for the lack of interest in
sports and provide suggestions to overcome the problems.
Use the following notes to write your report.
REASONS

Students
attitude
lack of time

Parents
emphasis on academic
performance
tuition class

Facilities
insufficient sports
equipments
poor condition
field, courts

SUGGESTIONS

Stress importance
of sports

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Improve facilities

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organise more
competitions

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dialogue with
parents

employ qualified
trainers

offer attractive
prizes

When writing the report, you must:

address your report to the Principal
provide a title
include your name
use all the notes given
SPM 2011
Your attended a workshop organized by the states Red Crescent Society on how to manage
a sprained ankle. Your teacher advisor has asked you to give a talk to the Red Crescent
Society members in your school to upgrade their skills in first-aid treatment.
Use the notes below to write your talk.
rest ankle
dont walk
apply ice

20 minutes

reduce swelling
bandage ankle (not too tightly)

stabilize ankle

ensure continuous blood flow

raise higher than hip

prevent further swelling

no massaging

prevent more injury

When writing your talk, you must:

greet your audience
mention the purpose of the talk
include all the points given
end your talk appropriately
Note:
For your letter, you will receive up to 15 marks for the format and content points, and up to
20 marks for the quality of your writing.
PRACTICE
Suggestions
You live in Kampung Krai. There is a factory nearby your area that
causing
a lot ofof waste
is
stop
the dumping
problems to the residents. Write a letter of complaint to the management
and
suggest
ways to
smoke
control
devices
overcome the problems caused by the factory.
relocate the factory
stop operating 24 hours a
day
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stop heavy vehicles from
using the roads
resurface the roads

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Complaints
drinking water polluted
air pollution - smoke from factory.
noise pollution . operate 24 hours
dumping of toxic waste
4.
Apart
that, the factory has caused ( c3 ) ________________________________________
from
stench
__________________________________________________________________________________
potholes in the roads.
- ( operating 24 hours) The factory _____________________________________________________
- ( creating noise) Everyday it is________________________________________________________
- ( students cannot study ) As a result___________________________________________________
Remember to:- ( caused stress ) The noise from_______________________________________________________
set out your letter correctly
relevant
addresses
5. state
Next the
serious
problem
caused by the plastic ware factory is (c4 ) _________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
your letter is to the factory manager
- ( dumping into river ) The factory_____________________________________________________
- ( river water polluted) The river ______________________________________________________
_ ( kill marine life ) The polluted water can_______________________________________________
6.
Besides that, there is a strong (c5)_________________________________________________
- (smelly) our area is _________________________________________________________________
- (comes from chemical used) the stench_________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
- (unpopular among tourists) Now our area is____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
7.
Therefore we would like to give some suggestions to overcome the problems faced by the
residents in our area. Our first suggestion is the factory should (c7)
__________________________________________________________________________________
Secondly, __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
The factory can recycle or bury the waste. Next, vehicles and factories can use
(c8) _______________________________________________________________________________
It can reduce the amount of smoke from the vehicles and factories.
8.
Another suggestion is, the factory should (c9)________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
So they can avoid air, water and noise pollution. Besides that,(c10) ____________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
The factory should operate from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm only. It should not operate at night.
9.
Lastly, (c11 and c 12) __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
We hope the factory management will ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
If no action taken , we will report to the authority concerned or write in the press.
Thanking ________________________________________________________.__________________
Yours faithfully,
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SPM module 2016
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______________________________
( _____________________________)
Resident of

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