SPM WRITING 1119/2

PART 3 : Extended Writing

TIPS TO SCORE

1 Choose the question you want to answer

You should choose a question that you can answer well. You must
✓ read all the questions first
✓ then choose which question you want to answer
✓ if you are not sure, you can do a quick brainstorm to see which
question you have more ideas for, as this is the longest essay you have
to write

2 Understand the task

You must understand exactly what you are required to do to fulfil the
writing task. You must
✓ read the stimulus and instructions carefully and underline the key
words
✓ take note of the questions or content points in the stimulus that you
must answer

3 Plan and organise your points

To organise your points in a logical manner, you should
✓ spend a few minutes to jot down the key points and supporting details
you should include in your essay
✓ number the points in a logical sequence and decide which paragraph to
put them in.

3 Mind the word limit

To get good marks for content, write your answer in about 200 – 250 words.
An answer that is too short (below 200 words) may not have all the required
information. If your answer is too long it may contain unnecessary
information or have more mistakes.

4 Check the accuracy and consistency of your language

To reduce careless mistakes that might affect meaning, always check your
writing for grammatical errors or vocabulary errors. Some common errors to
look out for
✓ vocabulary used inappropriately
✓ wrong tense used
✓ wrong word form (part of speech)
✓ missing articles
✓ subject-verb-agreement mistakes
✓ different spelling of the same word
(using British and American spelling)
Candidates will NOT be awarded marks for:
• missed questions or content points (content points that have not been
discussed in the answer)
• answers that are not relevant (when instructions / content points are
misinterpreted by the candidates
• inappropriate writing style (essay is written in a style that does not suit
the genre – an article that is written is the report style
• random, excessive elaboration on a content point that has nothing to do
with the points or the main topic
• lack of organisation in the essay, making it difficult to understand
• many grammatical and vocabulary errors that negatively affect the
reader’s understanding

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING

1 Get plenty of writing practice at home and at school.
2 Read sample essays for all four genres. Familiarise yourself with the
format for each specific genre – articles, reviews, stories and reports.
3 Practise writing essays in the four different genres.
4 Practice using appropriate cohesive devices and linking words in your
essay.
5 Read sample essays for all four genres.
6 Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Practice writing to improve the
area where you are weak.
7 Organise your ideas appropriately in paragraphs. Ideally four to five
paragraphs for an essay with length of 200 to 250 words.
8 Share your essays with friends and teachers and ask for their feedback.
9 Rewrite essays based on the feedback and correct any mistakes.

PREPARING FOR THE EXTENDED WRITING SECTION

Before your start writing your essay, you should

✓ read the instructions and the stimulus for all three questions a few times.
This is the first and most important thing you must do.
✓ Make sure you understand the scenario described in each stimulus.

Once you are clear on what you are supposed to write, you should spend a few
minutes to do some brainstorming.
GENERATING YOUR IDEAS
You cannot start writing until you have an idea of what to write. Brainstorming is the
process by which you come up with the points of your writing. Doing some quick
brainstorming will help you to choose which question you should answer.

Writing the The first paragraph of your essay is the introduction. Since your essay
introduction should be around 250 words, keep your introduction short but precise -
about two or three sentences. The introduction has two main functions:

i. tell reader clearly what your article, review or report is about

– state the topic of your piece of writing (thesis statement)
ii. catch the reader’s attention and interest – make the reader wants
to read on

How to start an introduction paragraph?

i. give the general background of the topic – appropriate for
articles, reviews and reports
ii. ask a question – it makes the reader try to think of the answer
to that question and a good question will provoke the reader
iii. start with a proverb or a popular saying – use a proverb or saying
that fits what you are writing about
iv. start with a quote – only if you know one that is closely related
to the topic and what you want to say about the topic
v. use surprising statistic – for informational writing, you could
start with a statistic that is surprising or shocking to hook the
reader’s attention – include the sources of the statistic you use
vi. start with an anecdote – a short story or scene based on personal
experience

Writing the i. The paragraphs between the introduction and the conclusion are
supporting the supporting or body paragraphs – you can write two or three
paragraphs body paragraphs.
ii. The function of the body paragraph is to present your main ideas
about the topic.
iii. Talk about one main idea in one paragraph.
iv. Do not put two ideas that are not related in the same paragraph.
However, two points may be placed in the same paragraph if they
are closely related.
v. You should elaborate on each main point by supporting it with
details and examples.

Writing the i. Every piece of writing, whether it is an article, review, story or

conclusion report must have a conclusion.
ii. Article – restates the main idea, summarises the key supporting
points and sometimes, emphasises the writer’s opinion on the topic.
iii. Review – emphasises the key ideas and also states the writer’s
recommendation.
iv. Story – it is the ending of the story.
v. Report – ends with a summary of the main points and states what
conclusion can be made from the facts presented in the report.
CONNECTING IDEAS USING LINKING WORDS AND PHRASES

Linking words and phrases connect ideas in a piece of writing. However, too many linking
words and phrases used in succession are not advisable. They should not be used in every
sentence either.

Here are some examples of linking words and their functions:

To indicate order or sequence

• after that • finally • second
• and then • first • the last step/reason
• as soon as • next • the next step / factor
• at the same time • now • then
• before • once • when
• while

To introduce additional support for an idea

• additionally • likewise • in the same way
• besides • moreoever • on top of that
• furthermore • similarly • not only … but also …

To introduce an opposing idea or contrast

• At the same time, • In contrast, • On the other hand,
• Conversely, • In spite of, • On the contrary,
• Even so, • Unlike, • Nevertheless,
• However, • Then again, • Although this may be true,

To show purpose
• for the purpose of • so as to • with this in mind
• in order to • so that • with this intention
• in the hope that • to aim for

To show cause
• because of • owing to
• due to • since

To show effect
• as a result • for this reason • therefore
• consequently • hence • thus

To conclude
• all in all • in a word • generally speaking
• as can be seen • in conclusion • all things considered
• as shown above • in closing • in the long run
• finally • given these points • on the whole
• in summary • to sum up • to summarise
LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS
We use language for different purposes. There are specific grammatical
structures and vocabulary for each language function.

to talk about • When the plan is certain

future plans and I plan to … / I intend to …
arrangements • When the plan might change
I hope to … / I would like to …

to express support • I have a practical/logical reason for choosing …

for a choice • My suggestion is based on the following reasons …
• The main reason(s) for my choice is/are …
• This is the best option because/as

To express support • A clear benefit of my plan is …

for a plan or • A positive outcome of my decision is …
decision • Another advantage is …
• There is much to gain from this …

to express reasons • The downside of this is …

for not choosing • The main disadvantage of …
something • The negative points include …
• The drawback is …
• The problem with this is …

to express approval • I am delighted with …

• I have never seen/heard of/experienced such …
• That is amazing/wonderful/great!
• This is the best

to express • It could not be any worse.

disapproval • It was a let-down.
• It failed to deliver.
• What a disappointment.
• It failed to deliver.

to give a • I can thoroughly recommend …

recommendation • I highly/strongly recommend …
(positive & • I really think you would like …
negative) • I wouldn’t recommend …
• This is not something I would recommend to …
to give suggestions • How about …?
• I suggest that …
• Let’s …
• Shall we …?
• We could …
• Why don’t we …?

to agree to a • It’s definitely a go.

suggestion • It’s worth a try.
• That’s a great idea!.
• That would work.
• Yes, it sounds good.

to disagree with a • I don’t think it will work.

suggestion • I am not sure about that.

to give advice • Have you thought of …?

• I advise you to …
• If I were you, I would …
• One thing you could do is …

to give an opinion • From my point of view, …

• I think …
• I strongly believe …
• I truly feel …
• In my opinion, …
• My point of view is …

to give examples • For example, …

• For instance, …
• To give you an ideas …
• To illustrate …
• To show you what I mean …
COMMON IDIOMS FOR ESSAY WRITING
You’re encouraged to use idioms for your essays to:
• convey thoughts and messages in a concise but figurative manner
• make your essay interesting and help enhance the quality of your essay
• further develop your writing skills by using stylistic devices

HOWEVER!! avoid overpopulating your essay with idioms unnecessarily as they

should only be used intentionally and purposefully. Make sure that the idiom used
fits the context and that the right pronouns and tenses are used.

1. A blessing in disguise (hikmah disebalik sesuatu perkara)

Something unfortunate that eventually proves to be fortunate.

2. Give someone the cold shoulder (bersikap dingin terhadap seseorang)

To intentionally ignore someone or treat someone in an unfriendly way.

3. Get off on the wrong foot (permulaan yang salah / tersalah langkah)
Make a bad start at something.

4. Pulling your leg (bergurau)

Kidding or joking with someone in a friendly way.

5. Caught red-handed (ditangkap ketika melakukan kesalahan)

Caught in the act of committing something wrong.

6. In the limelight (dalam tumpuan)

She is the centre of public attention and interest.

7. Spill the beans (bocorkan rahsia)

To tell a secret.

8. Beating around the bush (cakap berbelit-belit / tak cakap benda betul)
Avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about the issue.

9. Right-hand man (orang kanan / banyak membantu / boleh diharap)

The most helpful and important assistant or employee.

10. Hit the road (mulakan perjalanan)

To leave, to set out on a journey.

11. Call it a day (tamatkan satu-satu urusan)

To stop what you are doing because you do not want to do any more

12. Fit as a fiddle (dalam keadaan sihat)

In good health.
13. Under the weather (tidak sihat)
Not feeling well.

14. Through thick and thin (susah dan senang bersama)

Support or stay with someone even if there are problems or difficulties.

15. Bite off more than you can chew (mengaku boleh buat tapi tak mampu)
To attempt more than one can manage or take on a project that you cannot finish.

16. See eye to eye (bersetuju dengan seseorang)

Agreeing with someone.

17. Once in a blue moon (sesekali / jarang terjadi)

Something that rarely happens.

18. Butterflies in my stomach (cuak / gelabah)

To be nervous.

19. Costs an arm and a leg (sangat mahal)

Very expensive.

20. A piece of cake (sangat mudah / senang)

Something easy.

21. Break a leg (ucapan – semoga berjaya)

Used for wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance / competition

22. Cry over spilt milk (tak guna menyesal dengan sesuatu yang dah terjadi)
There is no reason to complain about something that cannot be fixed.

23. Every cloud has a silver lining (setiap ujian pasti ada hikmahnya)
Every difficult or sad situation has a comforting or more hopeful aspect.

24. Raining cats and dogs (hujan yang sangat lebat)

Used to describe particularly heavy rain.

25. You can’t judge a book by its cover (jangan menilai hanya dari luaran)
You should not decide upon something based just on outward appearances.

26. To kill two birds with one stone (capai dua perkara dalam satu masa)
To succeed in achieving two things in a single action.

27. Hang in there (jangan putus asa)

Remain persistent and determined in difficult circumstances / Don’t give up
 COHESIVE DEVICES
Cohesive devices, also known as linking words or connecting words, are an
important part of academic writing. Using them properly helps organize your
ideas and create logical connections between sentences and paragraphs. This
improves the flow and coherence of your writing, which is necessary to get
a high score.

HOWEVER !!
• Don’t overuse them. Using too many can make writing seem unnatural.
• Be consistent. Don’t jump between different devices randomly.
• Use a variety. Relying only on basic conjunctions like ‘and’, ‘but’, and
‘so’ is repetitive.
• Choose devices appropriately. Use contrasting words for opposing
ideas, and linking words for related ideas.
• Pay attention to order and placement. Put them at the right spot in a
sentence or paragraph.
• Vary length. Alternate between single-word devices and longer
phrases.
• Check for grammar. Make sure the device fits correctly in the
sentence structure.

To show the logical order Firstly, secondly, thirdly, first, second, third,
of ideas or time sequence first of all, finally, lastly, last but not least,
to begin with, next, then, subsequently, before,
after, during, while, after that, meanwhile,
followed by, simultaneously, previously,
afterward …

To state an opposing idea Though, but, however, on the contrary, although,

even though, though, despite, in spite of, unlike,
otherwise, alternatively, nevertheless …

To add ideas and to link Besides, other than that, apart from that, on top
the new ideas to the of that, in other words, as well as, too, along
previous ideas with, additionally, together with, in addition,
and, also, it can also, another (benefit / reason)
…

To put ideas together Not only ,,, but also …

For stating an opinion As far as I am concerned, in my opinion, I
believe that, I agree that, I disagree, in my view,
it seems to me that, I feel that, I think that,
from my point of view …

To summarise ideas either In short, in brief, in summary, on the whole, in

at the end of sections or sum, in conclusion, to conclude, all in all, as a
to state that the essay is conclusion, in the end, at last, overall …
concluding

To provide an example in For example, for instance, such as, like, to

order to illustrate an illustrate, including, according to, based on …
idea

To signal differences On the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast,

between two ideas alternatively, instead, instead of …

To link ideas together Also, similarly, furthermore, likewise, moreover

…

To provide a reason to This is because, because, since, as, due to, because
illustrate ideas provided of, in order to, so that, this is due to the fact
earlier that …

To demonstrate that the Consequently, thus, consequently, hence, as a

following idea is a result result, so, therefore, for this reason, because of
of the previous idea this, that is why so, then …

Emphasizing Information Above all, most importantly, especially,

particularly, specifically, mainly, definitely,
clearly, generally, indeed, in fact, usually,
actually …

Cause and effect Because, so, therefore, thus, consequently, hence,

as a result, due to this …

Rephrasing Put more simply, that is to say, in simple terms,

in other words …