WRITING !

FOR PT3!

- A Short Introduction -
Mdm. Wan Intan Adlina Wan Abdullah
B.Ed.TESL (Univ. of Auckland) | MA. Applied Ling. (UUM)
teacheradlina@gmail.com

SMK Baroh Pial

Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO FIRST?

*Spend 30 minutes on this task. Make sure you
have completed the previous sections!
*Identify the type of essay: Is it a recount? A
formal/informal letter? A speech?
*IF there is an accompanying picture or any kind
of visual (e.g charts), look for clues
*Identify the main issue/ question
*Refrain from using correction pens or tapes!

PLANNING (5 - 8 mins)
* Separate your points into three parts: INTRO, BODY
& CONCLUSION
If there are NO CONTENT POINTS given and only a
picture:
* List down the things you see in the picture
* Are there activities? Find suitable VERBS describing
actions/ activities you see
* Think of something related but not shown on paper
to add your own points later

INTRODUCTION
(1 paragraph)
* Use the CORRECT FORMAT if the essay requires one
* Use the correct TONE depending on the format
* Start with two or three sentences of GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
about the issue. Manipulate facts if you must.
* State the MAIN PURPOSE of your writing
This article will describe the dos and donts in preparing for
the examination.
* Justify why is your writing important
It will be best if students understand why some things are
good for them as well as why some others are bad.
* Do not exceed more than ONE paragraph for introduction

BODY & ELABORATION OF POINTS

(3-5 paragraphs)

* IF you are used to writing, you will know that you can elaborate
your points using the WH Questions (what, where, when, who,
why, how) and by providing examples
* To be safe, write simple sentences (to minimise errors)
* If your sentence has too many commas or is too long, REWRITE!
* Alternate simple sentences with compound sentences
* Write complex sentences sparingly OR when you are very
condent (This needs practice!)
* More sentence variety = better overall mark (high band)
* Simple sentences with little errors = higher mid band
* Simple and compound sentences with little errors = lower high band

If there is a list of 8 to 10 given points, consider the

TRISMEP (The Three Sentences Minimum Principle)

For each given point, write at least THREE sentences, 2 given

content points per paragraph (1 paragraph = 6 sentences)
* The rst sentence: State the point given (What is it?)
My rst suggestion is that you should not burn the midnight
oil especially when the exam is just around the corner.
* The second sentence: Explain the point (So, what?)
You will undoubtedly not have enough sleep and when that
happens, your health will be badly aected.
* The third sentence: Give facts/ examples/ example scenarios/
what- ifs/ eect/ impact (What do you mean?)
You will be prone to illness and when you fall ill, everything
you have studied for will be in vain.
* The bonus 4th sentence: Conclude your point

CONCLUSION
(1 paragraph)
* Story/ Recount/ Narrative:
Write about the moral of the story. What can one
learn from the story?
* Letter: Write about what you hope the recipient will
do/ feel after reading your letter/ following your
suggestions
* Report: Write about your personal view regarding
the event/ incident reported and add suggestions
* Article / Speech: List down the points you have
described briey and write about what you hope
the audience will do/ feel in response

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AT THE END?

When you are done writing:
* Use a light-coloured highlighter (e.g yellow) and
highlight your main points (this is done in SPM too!)
* Reread the essay. Count the number of words (must
be more than 120 words!)
* Check for spelling errors or spelling inconsistency
** Be consistent. Dont interchange BE and AME
spellings (e.g Dont spell minimise in the rst
paragraph but minimize in another paragraph. Be
consistent!)
* Check for visible grammatical errors