NAME: ………………………………………………… CLASS:……………….

SPM English
ESSAY: DIRECTED WRITING

Workshop
 Report
 Formal letter
 Speech / talk
 Informal letter
 Article
HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY ENGLISH?
 READ A LOT TO INCREASE MY VOCABULARY
 HAVE MY OWN VOCABULARY BOOK
 FIND & WRITE NEW WORDS EVERYDAY
 DO LOTS OF WRITING PRACTICES
 MAKE USE OF VARIOUS RESOURCES AROUND ME TO LEARN ENGLISH –
TV, SONGS, NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, INTERNET, ETC.
 DEVELOP MY INTEREST & CONFIDENCE IN THE LANGUAGE

Compiled by :
Mr. Sheikh Fauzi Bin Ali
English Language Trainer
SMK Nitar, Mersing
 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

Analysis of the SPM 1119/1 English Directed Writing Topics

Analysis of 2003 – 2015 SPM Exam Questions
(DIRECTED WRITING)
Year/ Informal Formal letters Speeches/ talks Articles Reports
Topic Letters
2003 Informing the
teacher about
choice of trip
2004 To the Principal about
matters to be improved
in the school
2005 To a friend
about
experiences at
the camp
2006 To a friend to
advise on
running for
Head Prefect
2007 Talk on a
recommended
reference book
2008 Article on best
group leader
2009 A Report on ways to
get students interested
in sports
2010 To a cousin to
tell on benefits
of National
Service
Programme
2011 Talk on “how to
manage a sprained
ankle”
2012 To sister – to
advice on how
to spend
money wisely
2013 Letter of complaint
to the Town
Council about the
poor condition of
the Indah
Recreational Park
2014 Crime Prevention
– how to ensure
safety in the
neighbourhood

2015 Farewell speech for

retiring English
teacher

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 2

 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

TIPS IN WRITING YOUR ESSAY:

1. WRITE IN PARAGRAPHS
*How many paragraphs? It depends on the points or ideas you want to make.

intro
Point 1

Point 2

Point 3

Point 4
closure

2. Use Sequence Connectors / Linkers 3. Use ‘WH’ to elaborate points

WHAT?
First, Firstly, First of all,

First and foremost, To begin with,

WHERE?
Secondly, Thirdly, Then, Next, Besides

that, Other than that, Apart from

WHO?
that, On top of that, Furthermore,

Moreover, In addition
WHEN?
or

The second point/tip is…

WHICH?
The next point/tip is…

WHY?

Finally, Lastly, Last but not least

HOW?
The last point/tip is….

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 3

 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

4. Use the information or statement from the question to write the introduction of
your essay. Example:

Question:
Recently, we hear a lot of news about cases of kidnapping, murder and also rape. You are very
concerned about this problem. Write an article to your school bulletin to share your views.
Include the points below to write your article:
Essay intro:
Recently, we hear a lot of news about cases involving kidnapping, murder and also
rape. I am very concerned about this problem. In this article, I would like to
share some tips.

5. Write a closure / conclusion

-As a conclusion.. / In conclusion… / To conclude… / In a nutshell..
-I hope… (you have gained some positive input/ will practice these useful tips/
will give due consideration to this matter/ take proper action regarding this matter)
-Thank you.

SAMPLE QUESTION:
Section A : Directed Writing
[ 35 marks]
[Time suggested : 45 minutes]

Recently, we hear a lot of news about cases of kidnapping, murder and also rape. You are very
concerned about this problem. Write an article to your school bulletin to share your views.
Include the points below to write your article:

 Do not talk to strangers

 Do not take lift from strangers
 Avoid walking in dark places
 Walk in groups
 Inform parents of your whereabouts

When writing the article, you must:

- give a suitable title
- give your name as the writer
- make sure that your article is in paragraphs
- use all the points given

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 4

 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

SAMPLE ESSAY: Title & name of writer

Safety Tips On The Street
by Zaki Mahbub, 5 Aman
intro
Recently, we hear a lot of news about cases involving kidnapping, murder and
also rape. I am very concerned about this problem. In this article, I would like to
share some tips.
Point 1
Firstly, do not talk to strangers. This is because, we don’ t know the
person. So, we should not easily trust someone whom we do not know. If a stranger
comes to you, try to walk faster or go to a place where there are many people. In
this way, you will be safe.
Point 2

Besides, do not take a lift from strangers. It is better if you take a public
transport like the bus or taxi. You can also get help from friends to take you
somewhere.
Point 3
Next, avoid walking in dark places. Dark places can be dangerous for you.
Maybe there are gangsters or drug addicts there. They can do many negative
things to you. So, please don’t walk in dark places but walk at open places.

Point 4
Other than that, walk in groups. When you walk in groups, you will be safer.
This is because, if anything happens to you, you have friends to help you. Bad
people will also not come near you if you walk together.
Point 5

Last but not least, inform your parents of your whereabouts. If your
parents don’t know where you are, they will feel worried. If your parents are not
at home, you can call them or just send a message. Tell them where you want to go.
Thus, if anything bad happens to you, they can find you easily. Remember, it is
better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, please tell your parents before you go
out.
closure
That is all I want to share with you in this article. I hope you can get some
positive input from this article and use the tips in your daily lives. Remember, we
must take care of our own safety. Thank you.

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 5

 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

ELABORATING THE POINTS : SOME USEFUL TIPS

Blaout of
ideas?
1. REPHRASE, SAY IT IN ANOTHER WAY, EXPLAIN
Do not talk to strangers

Avoid walking in dark places

nk?
we should not talk to someone that we do not know
do not walk at places where people cannot see you
Walk in groups Always walk with your friends
Inform parents of your -tell them where you want to go.
whereabouts -You can also use your handphone to inform them of your
location.

2. GIVE THE REVERSE / OPPOSITE / ALTERNATIVE IDEA

Do not take lift from strangers -use the public transport to go somewhere
-get help / take a lift from your friend / neighbor
Avoid walking in dark places -use an open road
- walk at places where there are people/people can see you
Walk in groups -do not walk alone

3. GIVE REASON / EFFECT

Do not talk to strangers (This is because) we should not trust someone that we do not know.
Walk in groups -(Therefore/Thus/So), if something bad happens, you have friends to
help you.
-Walking in groups is much safer than walking alone.
-(This is because), walking alone will expose you to danger.
Inform parents of your -(Therefore/Thus/So), they can find you easily.
whereabouts -(By doing this/In this way), they will know where you are.
-By informing parents of your whereabouts, they will know where to
find you.
-(This) will help them to find you if something happens.

4. GIVE EXAMPLE
Do not take lift from strangers
Avoid walking in dark places.
Walk in groups
-It is better to use the public transport like the bus or taxi.
-Get help from people you know. For example, take a lift from
your friend or neighbor
-do not walk at places such as back lanes or shortcut roads.
-For instance, ask your friends to join you when you plan to go
out.

5. REPEAT THE IDEA

Avoid walking in dark places -avoid walking near empty buildings
-do not walk at places that are hidden from the public
Walk in groups -walk with your friends.
Inform parents of your -tell them your location
whereabouts -make sure they know where you are.

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 6

 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 7

 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

PRACTICE QUESTION 1

Section A : Directed Writing (35 marks)

There have been cases of the spread of influenza around the country recently. As the president
of the Health Club of your school, you have been asked to give a TALK at the school assembly
on how students can avoid this disease by practicing a healthy lifestyle.
In your talk, include the following points:
 Keep the surrounding clean
 Eat nutritious food
 Exercise regularly
 Always wash your hands
 Practice good toilet habits
 See the doctor for any health problems

Remember to:
 start your talk with a suitable opening
 use ALL the points given
 ELABORATE each point with relevant contents
 End your speech with a suitable closing

Idea Box

What? When? How?

Protein Before/after eating Use soap
Carbohydrate After outdoor activities Flush the toilet
Minerals Sweep the floor
Vegetables Everyday Clear the rubbish bin
Fish, meat Once/twice a week/month/year
Get rid of stagnant water
Jogging 1 hour
Go to the gym 30 minutes
Play games

Where? Why?
At home Create a healthy environment
Room Make our body strong
Class Help develop antibody
School Strengthen our defence
The gym system
Keep away germs & bacteria
Protect us against diseases
Let’s try to write this essay...

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 8

 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

INTRO
(greetings &
purpose)

First of all, keep the surrounding clean.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

POINT 4

POINT 5

POINT 6

CLOSURE /
CONCLUSION

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 9

 MrShFauziAli@DirectedWritingModule

PRACTICE QUESTION 2
Section A : Directed Writing (35 marks)
You are the Chairman of the English Language Society in your school. You have attended a
workshop on how to improve the English Language proficiency among students. Your teacher
advisor has asked you to write an article in the school bulletin to share some tips on how the
students can improve their English.

Use the notes below to write your article:

 Speak English regularly

 Watch films
 Listen to songs
 Read newspapers, story books and magazines
 Surf the internet
 Attend English courses
 Chat online with native speakers
 Use a dictionary
 Participate in English Language competitions
 Play language games
 Become a member of the English Language Society
 Join an English camp

PRACTICE QUESTION 3
Section A : Directed Writing (35 marks)
Your school has organized a ‘Road Safety campaign.’ As the chairperson of the Road Safety
Club of your school, you have been asked to give a talk to students on road safety. You have
made the following notes:
Pedestrians
 Look left and right before crossing the road
 Walk in a single file
 Use overhead bridge or zebra crossing
 Obey traffic rules

Motorcyclists
 Have valid license
 Wear helmets
 Do not speed
 Check vehicles before riding

When writing out the speech, remember to: :-

 Include all the points given
 Include any other information which you consider relevant
 Set out the speech correctly

DirectedWritingModule | MrShFauziAli SMKNitar 10