Tips and Techniques SPM DW

SPM ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1 DIRECTED WRITING [DW]
MADAM ZARINA MOHAMED YUSUF SMK KAMPUNG JAMBU TAIPING PERAK
PAST YEARS' QUESTIONS

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
FORMAL LETTER
INFORMAL LETTER
X X
X X X
REPORT SPPECH/ TALK
ARTICLE
YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR PAPER

THE MARKS
FORMAT CONTENT
3 MARKS 12 MARKS
LANGUAGE 20 MARKS
TOTAL
35 MARKS
THE FORMAT 3 MARKS

What happens if you suddenly
forget the format ?

Do not worry.
Look at the notes below the question. The question usually tells you what it requires from you.
Example 1 ( SPM 2008 )

When writing your article , you should remember: To give a suitable title (F1)
To give your name as the writer (F2)

To use all the information given To provide an ending (F3) To add two other reasons why your friend was chosen That your readers are students of your school
For your article, you will receive up to 15 marks for the format and content points, an up to 20 marks for the quality of your writing
Example 2 ( SPM 2009 ) When writing your report, you must:

Address your report to the principal (F1) Provide a title (F2) Include your name (F3)
Use all the notes given

For your report, you will receive up to 15 marks for the format and content points, an up to 20 marks for the quality of your writing
Example 3 ( SPM 2011 ) When writing the talk, you must remember to: Greet your audience (F1)
Mention the purpose of the talk (F2)
Include all the points given

End your talk appropriately (F3) For your talk, you will receive up to 15 marks for the format and content points, an up to 20 marks for the quality of your writing
CONTENT POINTS ( 12 MARKS )

REMEMBER: If 12 content points are given, all the content point marks are there. Use all the points given. You do not have to provide extra points.
If 10 content points are given, it means you need to give 2 more points of your own.
If only 6 content points are given, this means other 6 marks are taken from the elaboration of each point given. Therefore, you have to provide elaboration for each point.
LANGUAGE ( 20 MARKS )
BAND A MARKS ( 19 20 )
The language is entirely accurate apart from occasional first draft slips.
Sentence structure is varied and sophisticated showing that the candidate is able to use sentence length and type to achieve an intended effect
Vocabulary is wide and used with precision
Punctuation is accurate and helpful to the reader

Spelling is accurate across the full range of vocabulary used
Paragraphs have unity and are appropriately linked

The interest of the reader is aroused and sustained throughout the writing
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

THIS IS A STUDENT-FRIENDLY QUESTION. YOU CAN EASILY GET MARKS FOR THIS QUESTION. HOWEVER MANY STUDENTS DO NOT REALISE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAN MAKE THEM LOSE MARKS EASILY TOO. HERE ARE SOME COMMON PITFALLS MADE BY STUDENTS
COMMON PITFALLS IN ESSAY WRITING

DIRECTED WRITING
1.
Poor time management. Do not spend more than the allocated 45 minutes on this question. Otherwise you will not have enough time for the second question. Remember the second question carries more marks.
2. Lengthy essays
.Do not write too much. This question does not make many demands on a candidate. Directed writing is a brief piece of writing. All you have to do is use the given points and provide a sentence or two to elaborate on them. However, do not write too short an essay. A response of 1 - 2 pages is more than sufficient. After all, the more you write the more mistakes you are likely to make. Save the time and energy for Continuous Writing
This paper tests your written English. Do not use spoken language. Avoid using slang words (such as guys, dudes, breaky, toasty) Contractions (cant, mustnt etc) and informal language (wanna, gonna, kid, aint ) Toasty warm and comfortable
3. Avoid informal language
4. Too many idiomatic expressions
Some candidates tend to use as many idiomatic expressions as they can in their piece of writing. Reading a piece of writing littered with such expressions devalues the merits the piece of writing may have.
5. PUNCTUATION
Some candidates do not punctuate their sentences correctly. Make sure you end your sentence with a full stop and not a comma. Also, make sure that the pronoun (I) is written in upper case and not lower case (i) as is the practice among some candidates. NO TEXT LANGUAGE OR SPELLING
6. EDITING
Many candidates do not edit their essays. Editing is important because when editing, you will be able to see your errors and correct them and thus, minimise your errors.
THANK YOU ALL THE BEST from me MADAM ZARINA MOHAMED YUSUF

Tips and Techniques SPM DW

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Tips and Techniques SPM DW

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SPM ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1 DIRECTED WRITING [DW]

MADAM ZARINA MOHAMED YUSUF SMK KAMPUNG JAMBU TAIPING PERAK

PAST YEARS' QUESTIONS

REPORT SPPECH/ TALK

YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR PAPER

THE FORMAT 3 MARKS

forget the format ?

Example 1 ( SPM 2008 )

To give your name as the writer (F2)

Example 2 ( SPM 2009 ) When writing your report, you must:

Use all the notes given

Include all the points given

CONTENT POINTS ( 12 MARKS )

Punctuation is accurate and helpful to the reader

Paragraphs have unity and are appropriately linked

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

COMMON PITFALLS IN ESSAY WRITING

3. Avoid informal language

4. Too many idiomatic expressions

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