SPM ESSAY - DESCRIBING A PLACE/SITUATION

Sample 1

Last weekend, I went to Penarik Beach which is located in Terengganu for a holiday. I booked for a promo  three days and two nights deluxe package.The reason for my sudden decision was simple,my hectic city life was taking its toll on me, my body and my mind was in the verge of a nervous breakdown. They were begging me for mercy. As much as I tried to ignore it but in the end I just had to concede . I pored through some of my brochures which had been collecting dust for almost three years. After a meticulous search, Terengganu seemed to be a good bargain. 

 

Terengganu with its impressive 244km long stretches of white sandy coastlines and traditional Malay coastal villages was a welcoming sight.

 

Penarik Beach in particular had a 'postcard-perfect setting',complete with fishing villages and typical Malay traditional houses dotted by the beachfront underneath swaying coconut and pine trees. 

 

The days were clear and the sun was merciful, which gave me a picturesque sea view of the scenic islands of Bidong, Redang, Lang Tengah and Pulau Perhentian.My early morning walks were invigorating, the cool breeze of the sea was really an heavenly experience.....[ you are free to continue ]

Are You Still Playing Your Flute...

The poem "Are You Still Playing Your Flute" is told from a first person point of view. In this poem the persona, recalls her feeling of guilt, missing the beautiful melody of the bamboo flute played by her beloved long ago.

She later questions and doubts if the flute is still being played now, as the village is now under populated and the paddy field is in a lamentable state. She mentions that, nowadays, relaxing and enjoying the beauty of nature is a rare luxury.

 

In the final stanza, she questions for the third time, whether her beloved is still playing the flute. This time around, she admits that she couldn’t help but on the contrary, she feels guilty to be thinking of their love at their difficult times.

 

The hardships portrayed here are unemployed young men, people alienated by politics and a ‘dying’ world.

 

Setting

 

The poem is set in a rural Malay village, which is undergoing a change. It is quiet and uninhabited village. The paddy fields looked forsaken. Nevertheless, the 'luxuries', such as watching the rain, gazing at the evening rays, collecting dew drops and enjoying the fragrance of the flower, still exist in the rural.

 

Themes

 

Conform To Changes - We cannot run away from changes or be ignorant about them. We need to adapt ourselves to all kinds of economic, social and political changes.In this poem, the flutist is only concerned about playing his flute,uninterested to the changes happening around him. 

 

Things are greener on the other side - Young people have the tendency to think that the pasture is always greener in other places or countries than their hometown or village.They migrate to towns or cities in search for a better life but in reality it can be the total opposite.The poem shows how youths in the village are willing to forget their roots. Materialism drives them to migrate to cities in hope of getting a well paying job but left unemployed. Friendship becomes foreign when life becomes desperate.People are disunited due to political differences.

 

Appreciating Arts - We must appreciate and love our culture and way of life, especially things pertaining to arts. In this poem it is potrayed through the persona and the flutists. The flutists loves to play his flute, which is made from the local bamboo tree. He produces beautiful melody through this simple instrument.His melodious tune still captivates the persona eventhough she now resides in the city.One part of her deeply yearns to hear his music again but on the other hand she feels guilty having such desire.

SPM NARRATIVE ESSAY - TIPS FOR NARRATIVE WRITING (2)

The Ingredients You Need To Write A Good Narrative / Story Type Essay.....

1. Perspective / Narrator / Character

• First Person -  [ example :- I ]
• Third Person - [ example :- He,She,It ]

2. Plot

• What is happening
• Where is the setting
• Who is the character(s)
• What is the peak experience
• How did it end

3.Method

• Chronological
• Flashback
• Dialogue
• Monologue

4.Character

• Talk about the characters weaknesses
• Use Adjectives, Adverbs and strong verbs

5.Detail

• Use specific and concrete vocabulary
• Details need to be in unison and attention grabbing
• Do not generalize

6.Coherence

• Paragraph unity - [ Each paragraph is linked coherently ]
• Sentence Cohesion -[ Synonyms, Antonyms, Pronouns, Transitions]

SPM NARRATIVE ESSAY - TIPS FOR NARRATIVE WRITING (1)

In order to write a good narrative type essay, you'll need a good plot. What is a plot...? A plot is defined as the events that make up a story.A plot has 5 main parts / components.

 

 

 

1. Introduction / Beginning

 

It contains information about who, what, when, and where of the story.

 

2. Events

 

It contains incidents leading to the climax of the story.

 

3. Climax

 

It contains the most thrilling / exciting incident in the story which has a huge / life changing effect to the main character or the story.

 

4. Anti-Climax

 

It contains incident(s) leading to the conclusion of the story.

 

5. Ending

 

It tells us how the story ends / what happened in the end.

PMR EXAM TIPS - 2012

English Literature

• Moral Value
• Character
• Incident / Event
• Three Characters that you admire / who work together to solve problems...
• The character you would like to emulate ( follow / take as example / copy ) / admire the most
• Poems - Fighter's Line

Essay

• Report
• Infromal letter
• Speech
• Article

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*Which Essay Format For PMR Year 2012....?
 
*I have a hunch that this year students will be asked to write a report. If so, then you'll need to remember some of these pointers below :-


Point No 1 : Not all reports have the same format nor the same requirements.

Point No 2 : Use appropriate language [ Tenses ] - past tense, present tense, passive voice.

Point No 3 : Clearly state the [purpose / intention] of writing the report.

Point No 4 : A report must have at least 5 paragraphs  :-

• Introduction - 1 Paragraph
• Body - 3 Paragraph [ One for each point ]
• Conclusion - 1 Paragraph

Point No 5 : Make sure to give a  "TITLE" for the report. 

Point No 6 : Make sure your write your name and designation at the left hand [bottom part ]side of your report. 

• Eg : Written by, / Reported by, / by,

              Farida Binti Hashim
              (Secretary Of The Environment Club)