Tips on
DIRECTED WRITING
ENGLIS
H
DIRECTED WRITING
PAST YEARS FORMATS
1997 - ARTICLE
1998 - FORMAL LETTER
1999 - REPORT
2000 - INFORMAL LETTER
2001 - ARTICLE
2002 - SPEECH
2003 - FORMAL LETTER
2004 - REPORT
2005 - INFORMAL LETTER
2006 - INFORMAL LETTER
2007 - TALK
2008 - ARTICLE
2009 - REPORT
2010 - INFORMAL LETTER
2011 - SPEECH
2012 - FORMAL
LETTER/ARTICLE/REPORT/INFORMAL LETTER?
a) Analyze the question, paying attention to the number of points given;
whether 6, 12 or 10.
If 6 points given - every point must be elaborated (6 elaboration
marks)
If 12 points given - no elaboration points
If 10 points given - add two points of your own
b)Elaboration - ask yourself the wh- questions
(what, who, how, when, why..)
1.5 LANGUAGE - 20 MARKS
BAND MARK DESCRIPTOR
A 18 20 Entirely accurate language
B 15 17 Accurate language
C 13 14 Largely accurate
D 10 12 Sufficiently accurate
E 79 Frequent errors
U 06 Many serious errors
MARK SCHEME
FORMAT : 3 marks
CONTENTS & ELABORATIONS : 12
marks
LANGUAGE : 20 marks
35 marks
FOCUS
1 ) informal
letter
2) formal letter
3) report
1.2.1 SAMPLE 1 FORMAL LETTER
As a head prefect in your school, you a re concerned
about some negative activities done by the school
students. Write a formal letter to the principal expressing
Activities
your fear. Effects
Smoking C1 -Bad influence on others C2
Littering C4 - Unhealthy C3
Damaging sports facilities C7 - Smelly C5
Illegal racing in front of school - Attracts flies and stray cats C6
C10 - Can cause injuries C8
- Students cannot exercise C9
- Dangerous for everyone C11
- Noisy C12
When writing the letter, remember to;
Use all notes given
Use the correct format F1, F2 & F3
There are a few matters in your school which could be improved. You
and your classmates have had a meeting and decided to write a
formal letter of complaint to the principal. As the class monitor,
you have been asked to write the letter. In your letter, include the
following:
Classroom:
Unsafe wooden chairs -- c1
Fans not working c2
Toilets:
Broken doors c3
Unhygienic c4
Canteen :
Limited choices of foods c5
High price of foods c6
When writing the letter, you should remember to:
Set out the letter correctly
Use all the notes given
Elaborate each note appropriately
Classroom:
Unsafe wooden chairs -- c1
Fans not working c2
First of all, it is about the unsafe wooden
chairs in our classroom. We have no
problems sitting on wooden chairs but the
chairs must be safe. The chairs are easily
broken. Six of my classmates accidentally fell
down from the unstable chairs last month.
Besides, all the fans are not working. The
fans were repaired a few times but they only
functioned well for a few days. We really feel
uncomfortable especially during hot days.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO HAVE IN INFORMAL LETTER
include the writers address and date in the upper right
hand corner. The date can be written in different forms. (7th
September 2009, 7 SEPTEMBER 2009 or 7.9.2009)
use the most common salutation. (Dear John)
indent paragraphs.
include a suitable complimentary close. (Your loving
daughter)
Do not use Regards as it is considered slightly more formal
and distant.
Also, do not use Best Wishes as this is considered
inappropriate.
use proper punctuation.For example, a comma should be
used after the salutation and complimentary close.
use capitalisation where necessary. For example, the month
of the date (10 January 2009), the salutation (Dear Maria)
STAY FOCUS OKAY ! Lets look at the example
Some useful expressions on how to begin
an
informal letter
I was pleasantly surprised to hear from
you
Thank you for your letter. I was pleased
to hear that you are in good health.
It was really nice hearing from you. I
am glad that you like your new school.
Thank you for the lovely birthday card.
Some useful expressions on how
to end an informal letter
>I promise to write to you soon.
>I hope you will reply soon.
>Give my best wishes to your
parents.
>I am looking forward to seeing you.
>I look forward to hearing from you.
>Do write and tell me how you are
progressing.
Your younger sister, who is studying in a boarding
school,
has written to complain that she finds the
compulsory co-curricular activities very tiring.
Write a letter to her to explain the benefits of co-
curricular activities.
Use the notes given below to write your letter.
>help you become a better person
> instilldiscipline
> learn good values - cooperation
> respect for others
> develop leadership skills
> keep you healthy
When writing your letter, remember to include the
following:
> your address
There are a few matters in your school which could be improved. You
and other prefects have had a meeting and decided to write a
formal letter of complaint to the principal. As the head prefect,
you have been asked to write the letter. In your letter, include the
following:
Classroom:
Unsafe wooden chairs -- c1
Fans not working c2
Toilets:
Broken doors c3
Unhygienic c4
Canteen :
Limited choices of foods c5
High price of foods c6
When writing the letter, you should remember to:
Set out the letter correctly
Use all the notes given
Elaborate each note appropriately
FORMAL LETTER (COMPLAINT)
Aina Badtrisha Binti Azrin,
Head Prefect,
MRSM Kepala Batas,
13200, Kepala Batas
Pulau Pinang.
______________________________________________________________
_
Principal,
MRSM Kepala Batas,
13200, Kepala Batas
PULAU PINANG. 25
MAY 2012
Dear Sir,
COMPLAINTS ABOUT SCHOOL MATTERS
On behalf of the students of MRSM Kepala Batas , I would like to
complain about _________________
2. Firstly, _________
3. --------
4. ----------
5. We really hope you will look into our complaints and take actions
immediately. Thank you for your attention and support.
Yours faithfully,
Ainabadtrisha
(AINA BADTRISHA BINTI AZRIN)
Head Prefect,
MRSM Kepala Batas.
There are a few matters in your school which could be improved.
You and your classmates have had a meeting and decided to write
a report to the principal. As the class monitor, you have been
asked to write the letter. In your letter, include the following:
Classroom:
Unsafe wooden chairs -- c1
Fans not working c2
Toilets:
Broken doors c3
Unhygienic c4
Canteen :
Limited choices of foods c5
High price of foods c6
When writing the letter, you should remember to:
Set out the report correctly
Use all the notes given
Elaborate each note appropriately
EXAMINATION TIPS
Address it to the person concerned.
Use the points given in a systematic manner
use transition markers to enable your
audience to follow the flow of your
thoughts.
Elaborate on your points with examples or
illustrations.
Conclude your report in an appropriate
manner.
Maintain a formal yet pleasant/polite tone.
2 types of reports
Report on condition/ complaint
(present tense)
Report on activities (past tense)
To : The principal, SMK Pinang Sebatang
From : The Head Librarian
Dissatisfaction on a few school matters
On behalf of the students of MRSM Kepala Batas , I would like to complain
about ________________________________________________________
2. Firstly, _________
3. --------
4. ----------
5. We really hope you will look into our complaints and take actions immediately.
Thank you for your attention and support.
Reported by,
Ainabadtrisha
(AINA BADTRISHA BINTI AZRIN)
Head Prefect,
MRSM Kepala Batas.
