Directed Writing – Article

Article is by far, the least complicated essay in terms of format as it has only 2
components:

1. title

2. writer’s name

Additional tips:

1. Imagine what an article in a newspaper or magazine would look like in terms

of layout and you will roughly have an idea of how to position the title as well as
the by-line.

Typically, the title is written at the top of the page in the centre with capital
letters and underlined.

For example,

The Title of This Article

The by-line can be written either right after the title of the article or at the
end of the article on the right.

For example,

The Title of This Article

Written by Adrian Ng

(essay)

or

The Title of This Article

(essay)

Written by

Adrian Ng
 2. Much like a speech, an article often revolves around a particular aspect of a
topic, be it the causes, effects, advantages etc. As such, an article should start
off with a general overview of the topic before going into the main aspect being
discussed. Again, newspaper and magazine articles are great examples of
how we should go about structuring the content of an article.

3. Another “trick” that we can learn from newspaper and magazine articles is
the use of interesting titles. In real life publication, this is used to capture
readers’ attention. In an exam, this can help to bring up one’s overall language
marks. Better students should be given some practice in this area. (For weaker
students, a suitable title can often be found in the question itself.)

For example,

You recently attended a leadership camp organised by your school. At the

camp, one of your friends was chosen as best camper. You have been asked
to write an article about your friend for your school magazine. (SPM 2008)

This is an example of directed writing in a form of article. Can you list out the

format of an article? Make sure that you know because marks from format could

help you in your exams. Another tip is that you could include dialogues and

punctuation marks to attract the examiners’ attention though they are not

crucial but good suggestion. So in this essay, Ainul Afifi included dialogues, lots

of punctuation marks, transitional words and uncommon words just to give the

examiners a ‘wow’ factor.

♦Format for an article is the title and by-line. And the others which are stated

the in the requirements of the question.

A Diamond in The Rough

By: Phoebe Daphne

“A man who moved the mountains started off by carrying small stones”,

goes the infamous Chinese proverb. This simple but splendid saying has
become inherently coherent with the souls of preseverant; an everyday

reflection of how hardship comes with ease. To some, this expression could

have been ambiguous … but not until our very own notoriuos Khairy bin Azman

proved otherwise.

Khairy – initially misconceived as an introvert by many, revolutionised that

viscious stereotype into his very own hidden strength; as if he had some special

“power” yet to be descovered. He spiralled from the “timid boy” (or so we

thought) into one of the top-leading and most influential students in school,

hence putting himself in the limelight as Head Prefect of Berkeley High. This

has been totally out of the norm to see how an average student could make his

way to the top of the world! Of course, inquisitive minds would be full of the

same qualm: “How did he manage to achieve the once-in-a-lifetime Excellent

Student Award?”

When interviewed by the editorial team, his response was simple ~ “I had full

assurance in the heart; ‘faith’, in short”. That was when we found out his strong

confidence and will power brought him forth, superceding familiar names, who

used to be engraved in our minds. Now, “Khairy bin Azman” is the most

frequently uttered name in school. He knew that one is only as strong as what

one thinks he is.

Being academically excellent as a top scorer, who aced his SPM trials with

flying colours, he is also ardently active in tennis as well as keeping a fetish for

reading and painting. Well, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, isn’t it?
He has proven himself a goody two shoes when he won the recent Bookworm

Award, given out by our beloved Mrs. Stancliff, founder of the renown

International Berkeley Library which was afficiated two years ago. He believed

in what Dr. Seuss said, “The more books you read, the more places you’ll go”.

By virtue of being a school debater, he has an edge in communicating skills,

apart from his tenacity in a myriad of interests and cocurricular involvements. In

fact, he has even represented Malaysia in the World Public Speaking

Competition held in Australia with the legendary Best Speaker Award to be

proud of. Khairy has also spread his wings in the performing arts arena when

he won the Best Actor Award in drama competition held in Chicago, beating

many famous child actors and actresses at his age. In conjuction with that, he

has also made our school proud by advancing to the finals of the National Dato’

Wira Tournament for three consecutive years!

It is undoubtedly true and avid that Khairy bin Azman portrays a friendly and

caring complexion most of the time, contrary to popular belief that he is “just

another diamond in the rough”. With the good looks he acquires, he might even

make the girls fall head over heels with him before you know it! This

understanding, helpful and dedicated boy of a golden heart would surely be the

perfect epitome of “Excellence”. Succinctly, he believes that nothing is

impossible and aspires to be a legend and a role model for future generations

to follow. So, do not be surprised if our next diplomat would be Khairy bin

Azman …wasn’t he familiar to you in school back then?