PT3 ESSAY - ARTICLE FOR SCHOOL MAGAZINE

The picture shows an accident you witnessed on your way to school.

Based on the pictures given, write about the incident in your school magazine.

When writing about the incident, you should:

• describe what happened
• express what you felt
• suggest ways on road safety
• write between 120 and 150 words.

Tips to answer this type of question

• Use the 6W 1H method
• Read the question carefully
• Use the information given in the question to write your essay.
• Write at least 200-250 words as time permits.

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[A Simple Sample Essay]

An accident I witnessed

   Last Monday morning, I decided to walk to school rather than to cycle there. The distance to school from my house is just a stone's throw away. As I lazily dragged myself to school.Suddenly,as fast as lightning, a group of boys whizzed pass me on their bicycles. They were racing with each other.

  Unfortunately, one of the boys hit a big rock by the road side and fell down hard onto the road.He was the last one in the group. Unaware,his friends just kept racing on.I was shocked at what I saw and quickly ran to help him.

   To my surprise, it was Kamal, my friend. His right arm and right leg were bleeding and he could not move his right arm.Furthermore, It gave him an excruciating pain when he tried to move it.His friends rode back to see what had happened. 

    Luckily, a good samaritan stopped his car and took him to the hospital. Later in the evening, his friends and I paid him a visit at the hospital.He was still in pain but he managed to joke about his experience with us.He deeply regretted his actions and vowed never to race again.Road safety is very important.

      Therefore, we must take it seriously. We must never race while cycling on the road.We must always cycle on the opposite side of the road and always wear protective gear when cycling. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

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(The sample essay above is roughly 240 words and I have used 4 idioms in the essay)

1. Prevention is better than cure - it is better to stop something bad from happening than it is to deal with it after it has happened.
2. As fast as lightning -incredibly quickly or speedily.
3. Good Samaritan -  a person who helps other people and especially strangers when they have trouble.
4. A stone's throw away - a very short distance.

*Check out my other Essays

• Sample Essay - How write an 'Article'
• Sample Essay - Descriptive
• Sample Essay - How to write an 'Informal Letter'
• 
  

Free On-Line PT3 Grammar Exercises here at :https://kopitiamenglish.blogspot.com/p/downloads_25.html

PT3 ESSAY - INFORMAL LETTER

Sample Question : Your brother spends too much time on the Internet and has done badly in his PT3 Trial Examination.Your mother has asked you to write a letter advising him how to divide his time wisely.

DON'Ts

• Stay Up Late - Chat -Internet
• Too Much - Time - Online games

DOs

• Have A Timetable - Study - Surf Internet
• Use Internet - Gain Knowledge

When writing your letter,

• You may use the words and phrases given above.
• Elaborate on your writing to make it more interesting.
• You may add other relevant information.
• Make sure it is not less than 120 words.

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How to answer this question

• Use the 6W 1H method
• Read the question carefully
• Use the information given in the question to write your opening.
• Use all the points given.
• Don't forget to add your own point(s).
• Write at least 200-250 words as time permits.

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[Simple Style Essay Sample]

322C,Taman Danau Maluri

53300 Kuala Lumpur.

20 August 2013. 

Dear Vince,

   How are you? I hope you are fine. Please send my regards to father and mother. I miss you all dearly. I heard that you did not do well in your recent PT3 Trial Examination. Mother phoned me a few days ago and told me about it. Father and mother are really worried about you spending too much time on the Internet. So, I am writing this letter to give you some tips on how to divide your time wisely.

   First of all, young man, don't stay up late.Don't burn your midnight oil chatting on the Internet. Go to bed early. Our body needs at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep everyday.Enough sleep will enable your mind to stay sharp and productive the next day.Therefore, instead of sleeping around 1 to 2 a.m. in the morning, call it a night around 10 p.m.

   Next, don't spend too much time playing online games. There is nothing wrong in playing online games but when it affects your studies then you should put a brake to it.My advice is leave all your online gaming activities until you have finished your PT3 Examination. Focus on your studies first, you can continue playing once you have finished your examination.

   Draft out a study timetable to help you manage your time wisely. On the timetable allocate one to two hours to surf the Internet. Now, remember, the Internet contains a lot of  useful information for everyone. It can be used to gain knowledge and to sift through  for information useful for your PT3 Examination. 

   Finally, join some outdoor physical activities rather than just being holed up in the house in front of your computer the whole day. Go cycling or walking around the park. Play football or badminton with your friends in the evenings. Physical activities help keep your body and mind healthy. You need a healthy body and mind to do well in your PT3 Examination.

   I wish I could write more but I have to stop here for now. I  have to prepare for my next week's final term semester examination. I hope you will take my advice and mend your ways. I wish you all the best in your PT3 Examination. Hugs and kisses.

Your loving sister,

 Bernice Gabriel.

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(The sample essay above is roughly more than 350 words and I have used 5 idioms in the essay)

1. Burn Your Midnight Oil - doing something(working) for very long hours.
2. Call it a night - to end (stop) what one is doing at night.
3. Put a brake to it - to stop an activity.
4. Sift through - to remove something from something.
5. Holed up - hide and wait / just staying put in a place.

*Check out my Descriptive Essay - 

• Sample Essay - An Accident (Article)
• Sample Essay - Snatch Theft (Article)
• Sample Essay - Descriptive

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 ]

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.

Descriptive Essay - How to write a descriptive essay

Write about a person who has worked hard to succeed in life.
 

This is an actual SPM examination question for the year 2008. Descriptive type essays are easy to write. You must use adjectives,adverbs,phrasal verbs and strong verbs to write an interesting description.

In the above question, we need to find the focus point, which is 'a person' and 'worked hard in life to succeed'. Once you know the focus point - you can start drafting your essay. It is always advisable to write about a person whom you know very well and one who is close to you, for example your father / mother / grandfather / uncle etc. Try not to write about someone you are not familiar with.

There are many ways to start an essay. In order to get a good grade for your essay, try to think and write something which is out of the box ( be different ) - try not to follow the norm.

Always remember, introduction paragraph is very important because it gives the first impression about your essay. A good introduction will get the reader's attention and cause him/her to keep reading your essay with interest.

Introduction Paragraph - Sample

              As I gazed at the photo frame hanging on the wall of my parents home, tears of sorrow filled my eyes; quickly, I took my handkerchief to wipe away my tears; I did not want anyone to notice them, it would only cause them sorrow. I could still hear him telling me - "Success does not come in a silver plate, you must work hard for it, my child".It is a mantra which I hold dear to my heart and which has brought me success which I never imagined I could ever achieve.They were the words of a man who not only preached them but practiced them as well and proved to those who mocked him that only through hard work can a person succeed in life.

          He was born in Kelantan, in a small fishing village near the famous Sabak Beach.He was the eldest son in his family of five. He was a good natured and a hard working man.He became a fisherman very early in his life; to be precise at the age of 15 he was already an expert fisherman. His fishing fraternity called him 'Bob Ikan', because he was an expert in pin-pointing the exact location where fish could be found in abundance.All the praises just made him humbler. He was born into poverty, but never once was he grumpy nor glum.In contrast, he was always cheerful and affable towards others. Everyone in his village loved him and respected him.... 


* If you notice, in this intro I did not mention the person who I am referring to. This is just to build up the suspense for the reader. The reader will be making guesses as to who am I refering to. I will only mention the person in the closing paragraph.

In this style of writing - you must not give out any detail about the person in all your 'BODY' part of your essay. In the 'BODY' part, slowly build up his/her character and how his/her hard work had made him/her to succeed in life.You must know how to write them in a way which will keep the reader guessing -  'ALL THE BEST'

SPM ESSAY - NARRATIVE ESSAY (Beginning)

2007 : Write a story beginning with: Kim was nervous when the door opened

( This is an actual SPM question for the year 2007 - If you are asked to begin with certain phrase / sentence then do begin your Introduction with the given phrase / sentence.)

Sample 1

Kim was nervous when the door opened. She was hoping that it would be the police. Kim prayed hard in her heart that it would be so.As she slowly lifted up her head to see, she could only see a dark figure standing at the entrance of her room door.It was the intruder who had broken into her parents house.She could see him still holding the knife in his hand. He was searching for her. The intruder stepped into the room.He moved slowly. He banged into few things in the room.The room was pitch dark. The electricity got cut off due to the heavy storm.


Sample 2

Kim was nervous when the door opened. Sweat drops trickled from her forehaed onto the carpeted floor. She bit her lips in agitation. In her heart, she prayed hard that it would be the police. Slowly but reluctantly she lifted up her head to see, she could only see a dark visage standing at the entrance of her room door.She could not see clearly who it was as the room was pitch dark.Then, to her horror, she saw his face, the face of one she prayed that she would not see again. A glimmer of light from the lightning outside gave his face away.It was the  intruder who had broken into her parents house.He was still clutching the Rambo knife in his hand.He moved slowly, breaking and shoving everything that blocked his path.He had only one thing in his mind, that is to find the girl who knows his true identity, and to finish her off.


Sample 3

Kim was nervous when the door opened. The door burst open with a deafening sound, breaking the silence that Kim was enjoying for almost fifteen minutes now. The sound startled her, she almost jumped out from her hiding place screaming her head off but fear not senses kept her glued to her spot. She held her breath,her heart beat faster than ever.Sweat drops trickled onto the carpeted floor like a running tap water. She edged cautiously further into a corner fearing for the worst. She clasped her hands hard and prayed like she had never prayed before, hoping in her heart that it was the police who had come to her rescue.A dark tall visage stood at the entrance of the room door. At the same time, a glimmer of light from the lightning outside burst through the room window giving away the identity of the figure.To her horror, it was the visage of the one who had made her life a living hell for the past one hour."I will get you, pretty one!",his cold and merciless words echoed in her ears sending shivers into her spine.



The introduction must be good and interesting enough to get your reader glued to your essay - use adjectives and adverbs to add some spice to your writing. 

SPM ENGLISH ESSAY CONTINUOUS WRITING - 5 DIFFERENT TYPES

Below are two sets of actual SPM past year exam papers. I have categorized the questions according to its type. In the previous post, I have stated all the five types.

You need to learn how to write at least three types. It will give you a wider choice to choose the suitable title to write. For those who are weak in English, I would recommend you choose (e). The "One Word" title gives you a more flexible style to choose from. You can write it as a descrptive, narrative or factual essay.

2007

a.Describe an embarrassing experience in your life.[Descriptive]b.‘Teenagers today are only interested in entertainment.’ Do you agree? [Arguementative]

c. My early years. [Reflective]

d. Write a story beginning with: [Narrative]
"Kim was nervous when the door opened"

e. Tomorrow. [One Word]

2008

a. Write about a person who has worked hard to succeed in life. [Descriptive]
b Examinations – good or bad? [Arguementative]
c. My perfect future husband or wife. [Reflective]
d Write a story ending with: [Narrative]
“Now I realise the value of a true friend.”
e. Stars [One Word]

SPM ESSAY - DIRECTED WRITING

SPM Essay Writing Paper is divided into two, which are Section A and Section B.


Section A is called Directed Writing and it is mainly format type essays.


Section B is called Continuous Writing and you are given 5 choices to choose from.


Students are required to answer only one question from this section.Okay, today I will give some simple pointers on how to write the Directed type essay.


Section A


Time    : 45 minutes (advised time)

Marks : 35 marks

Format : Mainly Format Type Essays - (report,letter,article,speech,talk etc)


* Details will be provided as a guide for students to write their essay. Students are required to use all the points or details given in the paper.

How To Write

1. Use the 5P technique (5 Paragraph)
2. 1 Paragraph for Introduction
3. 3 Paragraphs for Body
4. 1 Paragraph for Closing

How To Break The Paragraphs

• Introduction Paragraph

1. Construct the paragraph using the points or details given in the exam paper.
2. Construct at least 5 sentences.
3. At least 40-50 words.
4. Use proper grammar,punctuation and spelling.

• Body Paragraph

1. Construct the paragraph using the points or details given in the exam paper.
2. Break the points into 3 main ideas and supporting ideas
3. Construct at least 5 sentences for each paragraph.
4. At least 40-50 words.
5. Use proper grammar,punctuation and spelling.

• Closing Paragraph

1. Closing must follow the type of format used.
2. Construct the paragraph using the points or details given in the exam paper.
3. Construct at least 5 sentences.
4. At least 40-50 words.
5. Use proper grammar,punctuation and spelling.

* Use the 5P technique to write your Directed Writing Essay. It is easy to remember and saves a lot of time. Make sure it is at least 200-250 words.In the next post, I will give some pointers on how to write the Continuous type essay.