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

SPM ESSAY - HOW TO WRITE A NARRATIVE ESSAY

To write a cool attention grabbing narrative essay needs the right spices, just like cooking a curry masala. The first thing about writing narrative essay is creative imagination. You need to be creative and different. Think out of the box and let loose your imagination. See it through like a movie plot before you write down on your paper.

Read The Question Carefully

In SPM public examination, the question for narrative type of essay either starts with " Write a story beginning with: " or " Write a story ending with: ". In the year 2010 it was "Beginning", so there is a big chance this year 2011 it would be "Ending".

For example, if the question says "Write a story beginning with: It had been raining all day", then you start your essay with the given phrase.The same goes for question which has "Ending with", you write the phrase at the ending of your essay. I prefer the "Beginning" type because it gives you more freedom to create your plot.

Draft Your Plot

For narrative essay use the [PLOT] technique instead of using the [Intro-Body-Conclusion] technique. Draft your plot carefully. Put in some twists and turns in your story. Have an element of surprise. Keep your readers glued to their seat. Build your story scene by scene like in a movie. Give a big impact in your climax scene and let the audience make the conclusion....that would surely cause them to have some sleepless nights itching to know the end......(surprise--surprise)

Literary Devices

Use Adjectives, Adverbs, Verbs, Idioms, Contrast, Flashback, Imagery etc to tell your story. This technique will help readers to have a vivid picture in their mind. Every character or scene you tell can come alive to the readers and help them flow along with the story.

Grammar And Punctuation

Take care of your grammar, make sure to use the correct English Grammar when writing your essay. A strong grammar will help you to relate your story to your readers. Readers need to know what you are telling them. This is only impossible if you are able to use proper grammar and punctuation. Use your tenses properly when dealing with story telling. A story can start in the PRESENT TENSE flashback into the PAST TENSE and zoom into the FUTURE TENSE. There are also the PRESENT PERFECT AND PAST PERFECT tenses which you might need to use.

Creativity And Imagination

Be creative and arrange your story line carefully. Imagine that you are a director directing a movie. As a director you have a responsibilty to make sure your movie is a Box Office Hit. The same goes with your story, make sure it is one of a kind story, totally different from the rest of your friends essays. Sorry to say this but most of the essays are stale and does not have the extra edge which screams for attention.

HOW TO WRITE IT....?

You can use the 7P Essay Structure Tehnique to write a story.

1. First Paragraph - Exposition (Beginning of your story) - 40-50 words
2. Second,Third and Forth Paragraph - Events - 40-50 words
3. Fifth Paragraph - Climax - 40-50 words
4. Sixth Paragraph - Anti-Climax - 40-50 words
5. Seventh Paragraph - Ending - 40-50 words

Tips

* Focus on one event / incident for every paragraph
* Don't write two or three events / incidences in one paragraph
* Try not to use the phrase "In conclusion" when you end your story.
* Make sure your Essay is more than 350 words, roughly 350-400 words
* Marks will be deducted if your essay is less than 350 words.

*Narrative - Beginning
*Narrative - Ending
*Narrative - Tips (1)

SPM DIRECTED WRITING - SPEECH / TALK

SPM Question 2007

Talk : You have been asked by your teacher to give a talk on a reference book that is useful for secondary students. You have decided to give a talk about a science book.

 

[ Introduction / Salutation ]

Good morning to the principal, teachers, and fellow students. I am honoured to stand here to give a speech / talk. My speech / talk  is entitled the usefulness of a reference book for secondary students. [ 30-40 words ]


[ Body 1 ]

Main Idea – What type of reference book you have choosen. [ Use Suitable Transitions]

Supporting Details(1)-What/Which [ Title Of The] Science Book

Supporting Details(2)-Why you choose this [ particular ] book

Closing Paragraph – Summarize your point. [ 40-50 words]



[ Body 2 ]

Main Idea – How it can be useful for secondary students.  [ Use Suitable Transitions]

Supporting Details(1)-Benefit 1- What/Why/How

Supporting Details(2)-Benefit 2 – What/Why/How

Closing Paragraph – Summarize your point. [ 40-50 words]



[ Body 3 ]

Main Idea – How it can be used for reference.  [ Use Suitable Transitions]

Supporting Details(1)-Benefit 1- What/Why/How

Supporting Details(2)-Benefit 2 – What/Why/How

Closing Paragraph – Summarize your point. [ 40-50 words]



[ Closing / Conclusion ] – sample conclusions.

1. let me conclude my speech / talk with - [ a/an proverb/idiom/quote]

2.In conclusion - [ give an advice / hope ]

3. I will end my speech / talk by reinstating that - [ summary of your points ]

 

End it with - Thank you. [ 30-40 words ]