We shall start with the short stories this week. Due to time and space constraints, I could only discuss two stories. Read the short stories again before attempting to answer these questions. I have provided the suggested answers at the end of this article.
THE NECKLACE by Guy de Maupassant
Synopsis
Mathilde is married to M. Loisel, a clerk. She is discontented with her life and yearns for a fancy life among the rich and famous. One day, her husband brings home an invitation to a ball. She is unhappy because she has nothing proper to wear. Her husband gives her money for a gown but she is still unhappy as she has no jewellery. She borrows a diamond necklace from her friend, Madame Forestier. At the ball, she is a great success. However, when she gets home, she realises she has lost the necklace. Loisel searches everywhere but cannot find it. They replace the necklace and spend the next ten years to settle their debts. Mathilde turns into a coarse, common woman. One day, she meets up with Madame Forestier and tells her the truth. To her dismay, she discovers that the necklace that she had borrowed was only an imitation.
1. Read the extracts from the short story The Necklace and answer the questions that follow.
She was one of those pretty and charming young girls who sometimes are born, as if by a slip of fate, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no expectations, no way of being known, understood, loved and wedded by any rich and distinguished man; so she let herself be married to a little clerk of the Ministry of Public Instruction.
a. What was Mathilde like when she was young? (1m)
b. What does the phrase ‘..so, she let herself be married to a little clerk..’ suggest about Mathilde’s marriage? (2m)
c. Do you think Mathilde made the right decision about marrying someone from the same social class? Give a reason for your answer. (2m)
2.
Mathilde suffered ceaselessly, feeling herself born to enjoy all delicacies and all luxuries. She was distressed at the poverty of her dwelling, at the bareness of the walls, at the shabby chairs, the ugliness of the curtains. All those things, of which another woman of her rank would not even have been conscious, tortured her and made her angry. The sight of the little peasant who did her humble housework aroused in her despairing regrets and bewildering dreams. She thought of silent antechambers hung with Oriental tapestry, illumined by tall bronze candelabra, and of two great footmen in knee breeches who sleep in big armchairs, made drowsy by the oppressive heat of the stove. She thought of long reception halls hung with ancient silk, of the dainty cabinets containing priceless curiosities of little coquettish perfumed reception rooms made for chatting at five o’clock with intimate friends, with men famous and sought after, whom all women envy and whose attention they all desire.
a. Why did Mathilde suffer ceaselessly? (1m)
b. Give two pieces of evidence from this extract that suggests that Mathilde was discontented and unhappy with her life? (2m)
c. Do you think Mathilde was right to feel discontented with her life? Give a reason for your answer.
3.“Yes, I have had a very hard life, since I last saw you and great poverty – and that because of you!”
“Of me! How so?”
“Do you remember that diamond necklace you lent me to wear at the ministerial ball?”
“Yes. Well?”
“Well, I lost it.”
“What do you mean? You brought it back.”
“I brought you back another exactly like it. And it has taken us ten years to pay for it. You can understand that it was not easy for us, for us who had nothing. At last, it is ended and I am very glad.”
Madame Forestier had stopped.
“You say that you bought a necklace of diamonds to replace mine?”
“Yes. You never noticed it, then! They were very similar.”
a. What happened to Mathilde to cause her great poverty?
b. What happened at the end of the story?
c. What do you think is the message of this story?
Answer:
1.a. She was pretty and charming.
b. She forced herself to marry someone from her social class.
c. Yes, because she has no dowry or any title to attract a better offer.
2.a. She felt that she was born to enjoy all the fine things in life.
b. She was distressed at the poverty of her dwellings and she longed for long reception halls hung with ancient silk, and other priceless items.
c. I think she should feel contented with her life as she has a loving husband and even a servant to do her chores.
3a. She lost a necklace which she had borrowed and she had replaced it.
b. She found out that the necklace which she had borrowed was made of paste.
c. One should be contented with one’s life./ If we focus too much on appearances, we may not see the truth of a matter.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Friday, October 14, 2005
Argumentative writing
This week, let’s look at another type of essay called argumentative writing. Here, you may be required to either state your stand on a certain issue (agree or disagree) or to present your point of view.
Some typical exam questions:
1. Co-curricular activities are a waste of time. Do you agree?
2. Large families make happy families.
3. More land should be used for agriculture than for industry. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons to support you opinion.
4. Parents do not spend enough quality time with children. Do you agree or disagree?
5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of homework.
ANALYSING THE QUESTIONS
Question 1, 3 and 4 require you to make a stand and proceed to support your stand with a few paragraphs.
For question 2, you may present both sides of the argument and finally, state your stand.
For question 5, present both sides of the argument as you are required to discuss the issue.
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT
Let’s say you have chosen question 1 –
Co-curricular activities are a waste of time. Do you agree?
STEP 1: Analyse the question carefully to make sure you understand exactly what you have to do.
TOPIC: Co-curricular activities (The general subject)
THE FOCUS: Co-curricular activities are a waste of time. (The part you are asked to concentrate on)
THE COMMENT: Do you agree? (You have to make a stand whether you agree or disagree).
STEP TWO:
Then, apply the acronym B.A.G. which stands for B – Brainstorm, A – Add supporting details and G – Get organised. (as discussed last week in Lesson 5)
Brainstorm for ideas. Note down all the points you have about co-curricular activities. You should have at least four points. Let’s say you have made your list below. Add supporting details.
Get organised. Throw out any ideas that are not relevant.
Decide the order of the points.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE A WASTE OF TIME
STAND: agree
Why?
Benefits:
Provide a chance for students to learn about themselves, …
Develop other skills not learnt in the classroom
Provide leadership training
Provide an outlet for students to rest and relax
STEP THREE: WRITING THE ESSAY
THE WRITING PLAN:
1. INTRODUCTION: Give some background information about the topic and state your stand.
Example: Co-curricular activities are activities that are planned for students after school through activities in clubs and societies. Students in schools are required to join at least one uniformed society and a club. In my opinion, co-curricular activities play an important role in a student’s life and it is certainly not a waste of time.
2. BODY: PRESENT YOUR ARGUMENTS TO SUPPORT YOUR STAND.
There should at least be three or four paragraphs with good topic sentences and body sentences.
Example: First and foremost, co-curricular activities provide students with a chance to develop their talents in music, sports and other living skills. Some students are unable to shine in the classroom but they are superb athletes and musicians. Co-curricular activities provide an avenue for them to become fulfilled individuals.
3. CONCLUSION: STATING YOUR STAND AGAIN
Example: Many students and parents are of the opinion that co-curricular activities are a waste of time and they should be substituted with more beneficial activities. I certainly disagree with that. As we have seen, co-curricular activities play an important role in a student’s life. They complement the activities of the classroom. A well-planned co-curricular programme helps students become wholesome individuals. Thus, co-curricular activities are definitely not a waste of time.
4. Remember to edit your work.
Read your first draft once through and check the following things:
a. Have you arranged the points well? Is the first point the most important or the least important?
b. Have you included all the points and left out all the irrelevant points?
c. Are there any phrases that are not very clear or sentences that are too long?
d. Are there are spelling mistakes?
e. Have you used punctuation correctly?
f. Are there any grammatical errors?
Some typical exam questions:
1. Co-curricular activities are a waste of time. Do you agree?
2. Large families make happy families.
3. More land should be used for agriculture than for industry. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons to support you opinion.
4. Parents do not spend enough quality time with children. Do you agree or disagree?
5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of homework.
ANALYSING THE QUESTIONS
Question 1, 3 and 4 require you to make a stand and proceed to support your stand with a few paragraphs.
For question 2, you may present both sides of the argument and finally, state your stand.
For question 5, present both sides of the argument as you are required to discuss the issue.
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT
Let’s say you have chosen question 1 –
Co-curricular activities are a waste of time. Do you agree?
STEP 1: Analyse the question carefully to make sure you understand exactly what you have to do.
TOPIC: Co-curricular activities (The general subject)
THE FOCUS: Co-curricular activities are a waste of time. (The part you are asked to concentrate on)
THE COMMENT: Do you agree? (You have to make a stand whether you agree or disagree).
STEP TWO:
Then, apply the acronym B.A.G. which stands for B – Brainstorm, A – Add supporting details and G – Get organised. (as discussed last week in Lesson 5)
Brainstorm for ideas. Note down all the points you have about co-curricular activities. You should have at least four points. Let’s say you have made your list below. Add supporting details.
Get organised. Throw out any ideas that are not relevant.
Decide the order of the points.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE A WASTE OF TIME
STAND: agree
Why?
Benefits:
Provide a chance for students to learn about themselves, …
Develop other skills not learnt in the classroom
Provide leadership training
Provide an outlet for students to rest and relax
STEP THREE: WRITING THE ESSAY
THE WRITING PLAN:
1. INTRODUCTION: Give some background information about the topic and state your stand.
Example: Co-curricular activities are activities that are planned for students after school through activities in clubs and societies. Students in schools are required to join at least one uniformed society and a club. In my opinion, co-curricular activities play an important role in a student’s life and it is certainly not a waste of time.
2. BODY: PRESENT YOUR ARGUMENTS TO SUPPORT YOUR STAND.
There should at least be three or four paragraphs with good topic sentences and body sentences.
Example: First and foremost, co-curricular activities provide students with a chance to develop their talents in music, sports and other living skills. Some students are unable to shine in the classroom but they are superb athletes and musicians. Co-curricular activities provide an avenue for them to become fulfilled individuals.
3. CONCLUSION: STATING YOUR STAND AGAIN
Example: Many students and parents are of the opinion that co-curricular activities are a waste of time and they should be substituted with more beneficial activities. I certainly disagree with that. As we have seen, co-curricular activities play an important role in a student’s life. They complement the activities of the classroom. A well-planned co-curricular programme helps students become wholesome individuals. Thus, co-curricular activities are definitely not a waste of time.
4. Remember to edit your work.
Read your first draft once through and check the following things:
a. Have you arranged the points well? Is the first point the most important or the least important?
b. Have you included all the points and left out all the irrelevant points?
c. Are there any phrases that are not very clear or sentences that are too long?
d. Are there are spelling mistakes?
e. Have you used punctuation correctly?
f. Are there any grammatical errors?
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Open essays and errors to avoid
‘OPEN’ ESSAYS
In the examination, there is a short essay subject consisting of only one or two words which is quite popular with students.
Typical exam questions:
1. Dreams
2. Friends
3. Memories
4. Teenagers
5. Water
6. Computers
7. Time management
8. Examinations
9. Holidays
10. Social Ills
NOTE THIS
These essays are open in the sense that no help or focus is given and students have to plan and concentrate only on certain aspects.
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT
There are many ways to tackle ‘open’ essays. Let’s look at some examples.
1. For the topic ‘Memories’, you could write a short story in which someone remembers certain things that happened to him. You could even write a story on a girl named ‘Memories’ and it would still be accepted.
2. The essay on ‘Teenagers’ could be planned as follows:
Introduction: Say something general about people’s impression of teenagers
Body: Discuss the problems faced (Causes and effects) and solutions
Conclusion: Close with an opinion or hopes.
The same treatment could be done for other topics such as ‘Social Ills’ and ‘Water’.
3. For the essay on ‘Examinations’ and ‘Computers’, you could discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the topics. This is by far the best way to answer a question if you ever run out of ideas.
4. One way of tackling the question on ‘Time Management’ is to discuss ways to manage your time, pitfalls to avoid and some advice.
PITFALLS TO AVOID
Be careful when you have to write about a plural subject such as ‘Dreams’, ‘Examinations’ or ‘Memories’. If you write about only a dream, you are not answering the question.
MORE ERRORS TO AVOID
1 Do not use ‘etc’ or etcetra (meaning ‘and so on’) to list something in your essays.
Example: She likes to play games such as badminton, table tennis, etc. (X)
She likes to play games such as badminton, table tennis and tennis. (/)
2 The verbs ‘happened’, ‘died’, ‘occurred’, ‘arrived’ cannot be used in the passive.
Example: Something was happened last night. (X)
Something happened last night. (/)
My grandmother was died in her sleep last night. (X)
My grandmother died in her sleep last night. (/)
3 Do not use ‘about’ with the words ‘discuss, consider, describe, study explain’.
Example: We will consider about your application tomorrow. (x)
We will consider your application tomorrow. (/)
In the examination, there is a short essay subject consisting of only one or two words which is quite popular with students.
Typical exam questions:
1. Dreams
2. Friends
3. Memories
4. Teenagers
5. Water
6. Computers
7. Time management
8. Examinations
9. Holidays
10. Social Ills
NOTE THIS
These essays are open in the sense that no help or focus is given and students have to plan and concentrate only on certain aspects.
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT
There are many ways to tackle ‘open’ essays. Let’s look at some examples.
1. For the topic ‘Memories’, you could write a short story in which someone remembers certain things that happened to him. You could even write a story on a girl named ‘Memories’ and it would still be accepted.
2. The essay on ‘Teenagers’ could be planned as follows:
Introduction: Say something general about people’s impression of teenagers
Body: Discuss the problems faced (Causes and effects) and solutions
Conclusion: Close with an opinion or hopes.
The same treatment could be done for other topics such as ‘Social Ills’ and ‘Water’.
3. For the essay on ‘Examinations’ and ‘Computers’, you could discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the topics. This is by far the best way to answer a question if you ever run out of ideas.
4. One way of tackling the question on ‘Time Management’ is to discuss ways to manage your time, pitfalls to avoid and some advice.
PITFALLS TO AVOID
Be careful when you have to write about a plural subject such as ‘Dreams’, ‘Examinations’ or ‘Memories’. If you write about only a dream, you are not answering the question.
MORE ERRORS TO AVOID
1 Do not use ‘etc’ or etcetra (meaning ‘and so on’) to list something in your essays.
Example: She likes to play games such as badminton, table tennis, etc. (X)
She likes to play games such as badminton, table tennis and tennis. (/)
2 The verbs ‘happened’, ‘died’, ‘occurred’, ‘arrived’ cannot be used in the passive.
Example: Something was happened last night. (X)
Something happened last night. (/)
My grandmother was died in her sleep last night. (X)
My grandmother died in her sleep last night. (/)
3 Do not use ‘about’ with the words ‘discuss, consider, describe, study explain’.
Example: We will consider about your application tomorrow. (x)
We will consider your application tomorrow. (/)
Monday, October 10, 2005
Descriptive essay - model answer
Here'a model answer for you to read.
Describe a teacher who has influenced your life
I can still remember the first time Mrs Pauline Kuah walked into my class. Clad in a modern kebaya with a matching handbag, she sashayed into the room and into our hearts. We have heard about our new English teacher but nothing prepared us for this little dynamite.
Mrs Pauline Kuah revolutionized the way I learn English. Instead of the dull chalk and talk, she took us for walks and taught us to play language games. My English classes were transformed into a big game. Everything had points and everyone had to contribute. Even the hard core among us was not spared. She just swept us off our feet with her enthusiasm.
What struck me most about this petite and slender woman is her honesty. She calls herself ‘WYSIWYG’ – what you see is what you get. She did not lie to us if she did not know something. I could still remember the time when she had to teach us Mathematics. She told us that although she was only a step or two ahead of us, she would try her very best to teach us until another teacher came along.
She is also a very outspoken woman. She is not afraid to speak her mind to her superiors or to fight for our rights. Once, we were all under a lot of stress and the school was organising a jog-a-thon just before our trial exam. We spoke to her and she immediately solved the problem by getting the jog-a-thon postponed. However, she did not spare us if we were wrong and most of us would rather die than face her ‘lectures’.
She also taught me that action speaks louder than words. While some teachers shy away from the heat during Physical Education, she jogged and played with us. During recycling campaigns, she did not hesitate to help us carry the newspapers. We were all inspired to work even harder for the project.
However, what struck me most about Mrs Pauline Kuah is her unending belief in us. She saw the potential in us to be good and by showing us a little attention and love, we were obligated to at least try to better ourselves. I was very lazy and rebellious when I met her. No one bothered to find out what was wrong. My parents were heading for a divorce. Father had been unfaithful. Mrs Pauline went after me relentlessly and I finally broke down and told her everything. I saw that she truly cared for me and all the others who were like me.
Come this December, I shall leave Mrs Pauline Kuah and the school. I want to express my deepest gratitude to her and to let her know that I shall never forget what she has taught me. I thank God that such a dedicated soul once walked in my life and left footprints in my heart.
Describe a teacher who has influenced your life
I can still remember the first time Mrs Pauline Kuah walked into my class. Clad in a modern kebaya with a matching handbag, she sashayed into the room and into our hearts. We have heard about our new English teacher but nothing prepared us for this little dynamite.
Mrs Pauline Kuah revolutionized the way I learn English. Instead of the dull chalk and talk, she took us for walks and taught us to play language games. My English classes were transformed into a big game. Everything had points and everyone had to contribute. Even the hard core among us was not spared. She just swept us off our feet with her enthusiasm.
What struck me most about this petite and slender woman is her honesty. She calls herself ‘WYSIWYG’ – what you see is what you get. She did not lie to us if she did not know something. I could still remember the time when she had to teach us Mathematics. She told us that although she was only a step or two ahead of us, she would try her very best to teach us until another teacher came along.
She is also a very outspoken woman. She is not afraid to speak her mind to her superiors or to fight for our rights. Once, we were all under a lot of stress and the school was organising a jog-a-thon just before our trial exam. We spoke to her and she immediately solved the problem by getting the jog-a-thon postponed. However, she did not spare us if we were wrong and most of us would rather die than face her ‘lectures’.
She also taught me that action speaks louder than words. While some teachers shy away from the heat during Physical Education, she jogged and played with us. During recycling campaigns, she did not hesitate to help us carry the newspapers. We were all inspired to work even harder for the project.
However, what struck me most about Mrs Pauline Kuah is her unending belief in us. She saw the potential in us to be good and by showing us a little attention and love, we were obligated to at least try to better ourselves. I was very lazy and rebellious when I met her. No one bothered to find out what was wrong. My parents were heading for a divorce. Father had been unfaithful. Mrs Pauline went after me relentlessly and I finally broke down and told her everything. I saw that she truly cared for me and all the others who were like me.
Come this December, I shall leave Mrs Pauline Kuah and the school. I want to express my deepest gratitude to her and to let her know that I shall never forget what she has taught me. I thank God that such a dedicated soul once walked in my life and left footprints in my heart.
writing a descriptive essay
This week we shall discuss the descriptive essays. You may be required to describe a person, a thing, a place, or an event in the examination.
TYPICAL QUESTIONS
1 Describe a teacher who has influenced your life.
2 Describe a scene at a crowded bus station
3 My Mother
4 My favourite person
5 My dream car
HERE’S HOW WE DO IT
Let’s say you have decided to answer question 1.
TOPIC: Describe a teacher who has influenced your life
1. Brainstorm for points about the teacher.
Appearance :
Personality;
What he/she has done for you (How has the teacher changed your life? How has he/she influenced you?)
Remember that the focus here is on the teacher who has influenced your life.
2. Add details which you feel should be included; write down the vocabulary and phrases.
3. Organise your points. Decide which characteristics of the teacher you will emphasize. This is a subjective description as you will be giving your impressions of the teacher.
Introduction: Describe her physical characteristics and your first impressions.
Body: His/Her characteristics and how he/she influenced you.
Conclusion: Describe what he/she means to you.
TYPICAL QUESTIONS
1 Describe a teacher who has influenced your life.
2 Describe a scene at a crowded bus station
3 My Mother
4 My favourite person
5 My dream car
HERE’S HOW WE DO IT
Let’s say you have decided to answer question 1.
TOPIC: Describe a teacher who has influenced your life
1. Brainstorm for points about the teacher.
Appearance :
Personality;
What he/she has done for you (How has the teacher changed your life? How has he/she influenced you?)
Remember that the focus here is on the teacher who has influenced your life.
2. Add details which you feel should be included; write down the vocabulary and phrases.
3. Organise your points. Decide which characteristics of the teacher you will emphasize. This is a subjective description as you will be giving your impressions of the teacher.
Introduction: Describe her physical characteristics and your first impressions.
Body: His/Her characteristics and how he/she influenced you.
Conclusion: Describe what he/she means to you.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Model answer for students
Here is a model answer for students.
"....I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life."
It was a cool September morning. Early rain had cleared the skies to a golden hue. I drifted into a dream to the tune of the occasional pit pat of the falling rain on the gutters of my rooftop. Soon, I would have to get up as I had to attend a club meeting.
My kind brother, Alex had promised to give me a lift before he went to his office. As usual, we dropped by Permai Restaurant for breakfast. The town was just beginning to stir from its sleep as Alex swerved into one of the many empty parking lots. While he slotted some coins into the parking machine, I grabbed my handbag and sauntered to the restaurant, the aroma of teh tarik beckoning me.
Suddenly, I felt a tug from behind and before I realized it, my handbag was gone. I looked up and saw two men on a motorcycle. Then it hit me! Snatch thieves! I screamed at Alex but the sound was a mere whimper. I ran towards him, arms flailing. He jumped into his car and gave chase.
By this time, some workers from the restaurant who had realised what had happened took me into the restaurant and gave me a hot teh tarik. Curious eyes followed my footsteps. I could not swallow. Why me? The thought of losing my handphone made me nauseous. I was vaguely aware that my arm was throbbing and I saw that it was swollen.
Twenty minutes later and what seemed like an eternity to me, Alex came back empty-handed. I was relieved that he was alright. He advised me to eat something. The thosai tasted like paper and I pushed the plate away after a few minutes. We headed for the police station nearby and this time, I kept close to Alex.
When we entered the police station, a kind elderly policeman took me into a room. I tried to narrate the incident but I could not describe the thieves. We saw several women complaining loudly to an officer. Alex told me they were also victims of snatch thefts. Somehow the thought that I was not the only victim comforted me.
Alex sent me to school with some money when I insisted on going. I sat bravely through the meeting without uttering a word. I waited nervously for Alex to pick me up but he was late. Mei, my friend, offered to walk me home. Each time we crossed a road, I clutched her hand. Each motorist that came by looked suspicious to me.
That night, after a prayer with my mother, I finally broke down and cried. I could not sleep as images of those two men lurked in my mind but I was thankful that I was not hurt. I resolved to be more alert the next time. I struggled for a few hours before exhaustion knocked me out. I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.
(494 words)
NOTE THIS!
Presentation of situation
What day was it?
Where was the writer?
What was she doing?
Events/complication
What happened first?
How did it happen?
What happened then?
The writer uses short sentences here to emphasise the event that took place quickly.
Notice the sensory details used here (in bold) to make the story come alive.
Each paragraph introduces a gap in time and the next event.
Resolution
What happened as a result of that event?
What effect did this have on the writer?
What is the result of the action taking place?
"....I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life."
It was a cool September morning. Early rain had cleared the skies to a golden hue. I drifted into a dream to the tune of the occasional pit pat of the falling rain on the gutters of my rooftop. Soon, I would have to get up as I had to attend a club meeting.
My kind brother, Alex had promised to give me a lift before he went to his office. As usual, we dropped by Permai Restaurant for breakfast. The town was just beginning to stir from its sleep as Alex swerved into one of the many empty parking lots. While he slotted some coins into the parking machine, I grabbed my handbag and sauntered to the restaurant, the aroma of teh tarik beckoning me.
Suddenly, I felt a tug from behind and before I realized it, my handbag was gone. I looked up and saw two men on a motorcycle. Then it hit me! Snatch thieves! I screamed at Alex but the sound was a mere whimper. I ran towards him, arms flailing. He jumped into his car and gave chase.
By this time, some workers from the restaurant who had realised what had happened took me into the restaurant and gave me a hot teh tarik. Curious eyes followed my footsteps. I could not swallow. Why me? The thought of losing my handphone made me nauseous. I was vaguely aware that my arm was throbbing and I saw that it was swollen.
Twenty minutes later and what seemed like an eternity to me, Alex came back empty-handed. I was relieved that he was alright. He advised me to eat something. The thosai tasted like paper and I pushed the plate away after a few minutes. We headed for the police station nearby and this time, I kept close to Alex.
When we entered the police station, a kind elderly policeman took me into a room. I tried to narrate the incident but I could not describe the thieves. We saw several women complaining loudly to an officer. Alex told me they were also victims of snatch thefts. Somehow the thought that I was not the only victim comforted me.
Alex sent me to school with some money when I insisted on going. I sat bravely through the meeting without uttering a word. I waited nervously for Alex to pick me up but he was late. Mei, my friend, offered to walk me home. Each time we crossed a road, I clutched her hand. Each motorist that came by looked suspicious to me.
That night, after a prayer with my mother, I finally broke down and cried. I could not sleep as images of those two men lurked in my mind but I was thankful that I was not hurt. I resolved to be more alert the next time. I struggled for a few hours before exhaustion knocked me out. I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.
(494 words)
NOTE THIS!
Presentation of situation
What day was it?
Where was the writer?
What was she doing?
Events/complication
What happened first?
How did it happen?
What happened then?
The writer uses short sentences here to emphasise the event that took place quickly.
Notice the sensory details used here (in bold) to make the story come alive.
Each paragraph introduces a gap in time and the next event.
Resolution
What happened as a result of that event?
What effect did this have on the writer?
What is the result of the action taking place?
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Writing a narrative essay
THE NARRATIVE COMPOSITION
A narrative is a story with a sequence of connected events. It could be about a personal experience or an imagined event or events.
Let’s look at some typical exam questions:
1. Write a story of a man who returns to his home after many years.
2. The day I lost my temper.
3. Write a story ending with, “I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.”
4. Write about an occasion when you got into trouble.
5. Write a story beginning with, “I could not believe my eyes….”
How do I write a narrative essay for the exam?
ACTION PLAN: (1 hour)
A. Planning = 15 minutes
B. Writing = 35 minutes
C. Checking = 10 minutes
This plan is for those who are quite weak in English. For those who are proficient, you may only need 10 minutes for planning.
This is how we do it.
A. PLANNING
Let’s say you have chosen question 3, - Write a story ending with, “I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.”
1. Read the question carefully and underline important phrases. Pay particular attention to the ending.
2. Brainstorm for ideas and jot down notes. For exam purposes, the simplest way is to divide it into three parts:
i. ii. iii.
B. WRITING THE ESSAY
Now that you have got the skeleton of your story, it is time to begin writing. Use linkers and phrases which link the events to move your story in a chronological order. (Refer to last week’s article for more transitional phrases). Some phrases that are suitable are:
It was very dark….
I will never forget …..
A few minutes later….
Suddenly,…
When the disaster happened, …..
Use sensory details to reveal the events and to get the reader involved. Do not merely tell but show the events through words and phrases.
Example:
a. I went into the restaurant.
b. I walked into the restaurant.
c. I sauntered into the restaurant.
Sentence a. merely states that I went into the restaurant and sentence b. gives a little more information as to how I went into the restaurant. Sentence c. uses a more specific word to show clearly the idea of how I went into the restaurant. Sentence c. allows the reader to see what I am doing. The word ‘sauntered’ means ‘to stroll’. It gives the image of a person walking slowly into the restaurant. Thus, sentence c. is more effective in narrative and descriptive writing.
C. Checking
Read your essay once through and check for the following things:
• Is the spelling accurate?
• Is the punctuation appropriate? Did you use too many commas in a sentence?
• Did you vary the sentence structure? Are your sentences too long?
• Does one thought follow the next in a logical order?
• Did you stick to the topic? Did you use words so that your reader could experience the incident?
• Did you use the appropriate tense of the verb throughout?
Make any corrections neatly.
A narrative is a story with a sequence of connected events. It could be about a personal experience or an imagined event or events.
Let’s look at some typical exam questions:
1. Write a story of a man who returns to his home after many years.
2. The day I lost my temper.
3. Write a story ending with, “I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.”
4. Write about an occasion when you got into trouble.
5. Write a story beginning with, “I could not believe my eyes….”
How do I write a narrative essay for the exam?
ACTION PLAN: (1 hour)
A. Planning = 15 minutes
B. Writing = 35 minutes
C. Checking = 10 minutes
This plan is for those who are quite weak in English. For those who are proficient, you may only need 10 minutes for planning.
This is how we do it.
A. PLANNING
Let’s say you have chosen question 3, - Write a story ending with, “I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.”
1. Read the question carefully and underline important phrases. Pay particular attention to the ending.
2. Brainstorm for ideas and jot down notes. For exam purposes, the simplest way is to divide it into three parts:
i. ii. iii.
B. WRITING THE ESSAY
Now that you have got the skeleton of your story, it is time to begin writing. Use linkers and phrases which link the events to move your story in a chronological order. (Refer to last week’s article for more transitional phrases). Some phrases that are suitable are:
It was very dark….
I will never forget …..
A few minutes later….
Suddenly,…
When the disaster happened, …..
Use sensory details to reveal the events and to get the reader involved. Do not merely tell but show the events through words and phrases.
Example:
a. I went into the restaurant.
b. I walked into the restaurant.
c. I sauntered into the restaurant.
Sentence a. merely states that I went into the restaurant and sentence b. gives a little more information as to how I went into the restaurant. Sentence c. uses a more specific word to show clearly the idea of how I went into the restaurant. Sentence c. allows the reader to see what I am doing. The word ‘sauntered’ means ‘to stroll’. It gives the image of a person walking slowly into the restaurant. Thus, sentence c. is more effective in narrative and descriptive writing.
C. Checking
Read your essay once through and check for the following things:
• Is the spelling accurate?
• Is the punctuation appropriate? Did you use too many commas in a sentence?
• Did you vary the sentence structure? Are your sentences too long?
• Does one thought follow the next in a logical order?
• Did you stick to the topic? Did you use words so that your reader could experience the incident?
• Did you use the appropriate tense of the verb throughout?
Make any corrections neatly.
Writing a narrative essay
THE NARRATIVE COMPOSITION
A narrative is a story with a sequence of connected events. It could be about a personal experience or an imagined event or events.
Let’s look at some typical exam questions:
1. Write a story of a man who returns to his home after many years.
2. The day I lost my temper.
3. Write a story ending with, “I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.”
4. Write about an occasion when you got into trouble.
5. Write a story beginning with, “I could not believe my eyes….”
How do I write a narrative essay for the exam?
ACTION PLAN: (1 hour)
A. Planning = 15 minutes
B. Writing = 35 minutes
C. Checking = 10 minutes
This plan is for those who are quite weak in English. For those who are proficient, you may only need 10 minutes for planning.
This is how we do it.
A. PLANNING
Let’s say you have chosen question 3, - Write a story ending with, “I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.”
1. Read the question carefully and underline important phrases. Pay particular attention to the ending.
2. Brainstorm for ideas and jot down notes. For exam purposes, the simplest way is to divide it into three parts:
i. ii. iii.
B. WRITING THE ESSAY
Now that you have got the skeleton of your story, it is time to begin writing. Use linkers and phrases which link the events to move your story in a chronological order. (Refer to last week’s article for more transitional phrases). Some phrases that are suitable are:
It was very dark….
I will never forget …..
A few minutes later….
Suddenly,…
When the disaster happened, …..
Use sensory details to reveal the events and to get the reader involved. Do not merely tell but show the events through words and phrases.
Example:
a. I went into the restaurant.
b. I walked into the restaurant.
c. I sauntered into the restaurant.
Sentence a. merely states that I went into the restaurant and sentence b. gives a little more information as to how I went into the restaurant. Sentence c. uses a more specific word to show clearly the idea of how I went into the restaurant. Sentence c. allows the reader to see what I am doing. The word ‘sauntered’ means ‘to stroll’. It gives the image of a person walking slowly into the restaurant. Thus, sentence c. is more effective in narrative and descriptive writing.
C. Checking
Read your essay once through and check for the following things:
• Is the spelling accurate?
• Is the punctuation appropriate? Did you use too many commas in a sentence?
• Did you vary the sentence structure? Are your sentences too long?
• Does one thought follow the next in a logical order?
• Did you stick to the topic? Did you use words so that your reader could experience the incident?
• Did you use the appropriate tense of the verb throughout?
Make any corrections neatly.
A narrative is a story with a sequence of connected events. It could be about a personal experience or an imagined event or events.
Let’s look at some typical exam questions:
1. Write a story of a man who returns to his home after many years.
2. The day I lost my temper.
3. Write a story ending with, “I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.”
4. Write about an occasion when you got into trouble.
5. Write a story beginning with, “I could not believe my eyes….”
How do I write a narrative essay for the exam?
ACTION PLAN: (1 hour)
A. Planning = 15 minutes
B. Writing = 35 minutes
C. Checking = 10 minutes
This plan is for those who are quite weak in English. For those who are proficient, you may only need 10 minutes for planning.
This is how we do it.
A. PLANNING
Let’s say you have chosen question 3, - Write a story ending with, “I shall never forget this day for the rest of my life.”
1. Read the question carefully and underline important phrases. Pay particular attention to the ending.
2. Brainstorm for ideas and jot down notes. For exam purposes, the simplest way is to divide it into three parts:
i. ii. iii.
B. WRITING THE ESSAY
Now that you have got the skeleton of your story, it is time to begin writing. Use linkers and phrases which link the events to move your story in a chronological order. (Refer to last week’s article for more transitional phrases). Some phrases that are suitable are:
It was very dark….
I will never forget …..
A few minutes later….
Suddenly,…
When the disaster happened, …..
Use sensory details to reveal the events and to get the reader involved. Do not merely tell but show the events through words and phrases.
Example:
a. I went into the restaurant.
b. I walked into the restaurant.
c. I sauntered into the restaurant.
Sentence a. merely states that I went into the restaurant and sentence b. gives a little more information as to how I went into the restaurant. Sentence c. uses a more specific word to show clearly the idea of how I went into the restaurant. Sentence c. allows the reader to see what I am doing. The word ‘sauntered’ means ‘to stroll’. It gives the image of a person walking slowly into the restaurant. Thus, sentence c. is more effective in narrative and descriptive writing.
C. Checking
Read your essay once through and check for the following things:
• Is the spelling accurate?
• Is the punctuation appropriate? Did you use too many commas in a sentence?
• Did you vary the sentence structure? Are your sentences too long?
• Does one thought follow the next in a logical order?
• Did you stick to the topic? Did you use words so that your reader could experience the incident?
• Did you use the appropriate tense of the verb throughout?
Make any corrections neatly.
The Nuts and Bolts of Essay Writing 2
WRITING BETTER PARAGRAPHS
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph can be divided into three different sections. The first section is the topic sentence which is usually at the beginning of the paragraph, the body and the closing.
The Topic Sentence
This topic sentence tells you what the paragraph is going to be about, and how it relates to the subject of the essay and the previous paragraph.
Body Sentences
Body sentences support the topic of the paragraph. There are supporting details and elaboration in these sentences.
Closing Sentence
This sentence completes the idea expressed in the paragraph. It should also set up a connection to the next paragraph.
1. A good paragraph has only one main idea and one or two supporting details.
Example:
First and foremost, I would buy a house for my parents, preferably a bungalow, in a quiet town. I would equip the house with the latest technology so that it would be a smart home. My mother would have a state-of-the-art kitchen as she loves cooking. There would also be a robot to clean and vacuum the house. I will certainly make sure that my family is comfortably settled in this house.
The main idea of the sentence is ‘buying a house for my parents’ and I go on to describe in detail what the house would be like.
2. How to elaborate or add supporting details?
To support a topic sentence, consider some of these possible ways:
• Add examples
• Supply further details or explanation
• Tell a story that illustrates the point you're making
• Discuss a process
• Compare and contrast
Example:
Most word processing software gives you several options for printing. You can print a copy or several copies of the same document with different fonts. Besides that, you can also print a range of pages. What is more, you can even preview a document before printing it out. You can finally say goodbye to the good old typewriter.
Topic sentence: word processing software – several options for printing.
Body sentences (Supporting details): print a copy, several copies, different fonts, a range of pages, preview.
Note that I have given examples and explanation to support my main idea.
Closing sentence: I end the paragraph by implying that now that you have the software, you can say goodbye to the typewriter.
3. Choice of words
i. Do not use tired words like ‘beautiful’ or ‘nice’. Use: magnificent, breathtaking, inspiring, fantastic, and so on.
i. Do not pepper your essay with words that are superfluous. If a sentence means the same thing with a word taken out, take it out. Using extra words and phrases which do not add anything to what you are saying will imply to the examiner that you are running out of things to say.
Example:
Do not write:
Ever since Mr Tan came into my class, he transformed it, changing it so that it was altogether different from what it has been like before.
Write:
Mr Tan transformed my class. (Here, give examples of how he did it.)
ii. Do not use words or phrases that are either unheard of or too bombastic.
Chin Yit, a student from Pahang wrote to ask whether using ‘beatiful words’ will gain her more marks. She had taken these words from a thesaurus. Her teacher is right. She will not gain more marks as she is testing the examiner and boring her readers.
Example: propitious (favourable), ebullient(cheerful),affray(scuffle,fight), edacious.
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph can be divided into three different sections. The first section is the topic sentence which is usually at the beginning of the paragraph, the body and the closing.
The Topic Sentence
This topic sentence tells you what the paragraph is going to be about, and how it relates to the subject of the essay and the previous paragraph.
Body Sentences
Body sentences support the topic of the paragraph. There are supporting details and elaboration in these sentences.
Closing Sentence
This sentence completes the idea expressed in the paragraph. It should also set up a connection to the next paragraph.
1. A good paragraph has only one main idea and one or two supporting details.
Example:
First and foremost, I would buy a house for my parents, preferably a bungalow, in a quiet town. I would equip the house with the latest technology so that it would be a smart home. My mother would have a state-of-the-art kitchen as she loves cooking. There would also be a robot to clean and vacuum the house. I will certainly make sure that my family is comfortably settled in this house.
The main idea of the sentence is ‘buying a house for my parents’ and I go on to describe in detail what the house would be like.
2. How to elaborate or add supporting details?
To support a topic sentence, consider some of these possible ways:
• Add examples
• Supply further details or explanation
• Tell a story that illustrates the point you're making
• Discuss a process
• Compare and contrast
Example:
Most word processing software gives you several options for printing. You can print a copy or several copies of the same document with different fonts. Besides that, you can also print a range of pages. What is more, you can even preview a document before printing it out. You can finally say goodbye to the good old typewriter.
Topic sentence: word processing software – several options for printing.
Body sentences (Supporting details): print a copy, several copies, different fonts, a range of pages, preview.
Note that I have given examples and explanation to support my main idea.
Closing sentence: I end the paragraph by implying that now that you have the software, you can say goodbye to the typewriter.
3. Choice of words
i. Do not use tired words like ‘beautiful’ or ‘nice’. Use: magnificent, breathtaking, inspiring, fantastic, and so on.
i. Do not pepper your essay with words that are superfluous. If a sentence means the same thing with a word taken out, take it out. Using extra words and phrases which do not add anything to what you are saying will imply to the examiner that you are running out of things to say.
Example:
Do not write:
Ever since Mr Tan came into my class, he transformed it, changing it so that it was altogether different from what it has been like before.
Write:
Mr Tan transformed my class. (Here, give examples of how he did it.)
ii. Do not use words or phrases that are either unheard of or too bombastic.
Chin Yit, a student from Pahang wrote to ask whether using ‘beatiful words’ will gain her more marks. She had taken these words from a thesaurus. Her teacher is right. She will not gain more marks as she is testing the examiner and boring her readers.
Example: propitious (favourable), ebullient(cheerful),affray(scuffle,fight), edacious.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
The Nuts and Bolts of Essay Writing 1
Let’s say we are going to write a reflective composition titled “What would you do if you had a lot of money?” Use the acronym B.A.G. to help you plan your essay.
B – Brainstorm for main ideas
A – Add supporting details
G – Get Organised.
STEP 1 BRAINSTORM for main ideas
Write any idea that you may have concerning the topic above in the box below.
STEP TWO: Add supporting details
From the main ideas, add more facts or ideas that support each main idea.
STEP 3 GET ORGANISED
Look at all the points and determine which paragraph is stronger and should have top priority. Rearrange the points and make them into a list. Think of an interesting introduction and a suitable conclusion. Your basic structure should roughly look like this.
TOPIC:
INTRODUCTION:
BODY
Main Idea 1.
Supporting details
Main Idea 2
Supporting details
Main Idea 3
Supporting details ……..
CONCLUSION
There are many ways to organise your essay depending on the types of essays.
i. Chronological order – according to the order of how the events occurred
ii. Cause and effect – discuss the causes (reasons) first, then give the effect.
iii. Problem to solution – discuss the problems, then give the solutions
iv. Spatial order – describe from one spot to the next . This is suitable for descriptive writing.
v. Climactic order – starts with the least important to the most important.
Reverse climactic order – starts with the most important to the least important
WRITING THE ESSAY
1. IDEAS FOR INTRODUCTIONS
The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give her an idea of the essay's focus.
Introduce your essay with an attention grabber.
Here are some ideas:
• Use some startling information or facts
A recent survey on teenagers who smoked revealed that 20% picked up smoking before they were 13.
• Use an anecdote.
An anecdote is a short story that illustrates a point.
Be sure your anecdote is short and relevant to your topic.
Raj and his friends do not go home after school. They hang out daily at shopping complexes after school. They are just the tip of the iceberg of the loafing syndrome.
• Use a question
Do you know that Malaysians throw away 1.2 million tonnes worth of newspapers daily? For every ten newspapers bought, only four are recovered for recycling.
• Use a general statement and lead to your topic
Use a few sentences to explain your topic in general terms. Then, lead the reader gently to your main point or thesis of the essay. Each sentence should become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis.
Example:
Of late, there has been increasing concern about the impact of pollution on the environment and our society. How do we reduce pollution?
AVOID THESE INTRODUCTIONS:
1. Nowadays, we hear of many snatch theft cases…..
2. Everyone in this world needs a friend …….
3. The dictionary defines a computer as …………….
These are overused introductions and teachers are tired of reading these introductions.
Conclusion
The conclusion (in three or four sentences) sums up your points or provides a final perspective on your essay.
IDEAS FOR CONCLUSION
• Express your hopes about the topic
Finally, it is hoped that as people become more aware of the need to recycle, more will come forward and get involved in environmental issues.
• Call for action
Shall we just sit back and wait till all our landfills overflow? Let’s get involved and do something to save our environment.
Other ideas:
• include a brief summary of the essay's main points.
• ask a provocative question.
• compare with other situations
B – Brainstorm for main ideas
A – Add supporting details
G – Get Organised.
STEP 1 BRAINSTORM for main ideas
Write any idea that you may have concerning the topic above in the box below.
STEP TWO: Add supporting details
From the main ideas, add more facts or ideas that support each main idea.
STEP 3 GET ORGANISED
Look at all the points and determine which paragraph is stronger and should have top priority. Rearrange the points and make them into a list. Think of an interesting introduction and a suitable conclusion. Your basic structure should roughly look like this.
TOPIC:
INTRODUCTION:
BODY
Main Idea 1.
Supporting details
Main Idea 2
Supporting details
Main Idea 3
Supporting details ……..
CONCLUSION
There are many ways to organise your essay depending on the types of essays.
i. Chronological order – according to the order of how the events occurred
ii. Cause and effect – discuss the causes (reasons) first, then give the effect.
iii. Problem to solution – discuss the problems, then give the solutions
iv. Spatial order – describe from one spot to the next . This is suitable for descriptive writing.
v. Climactic order – starts with the least important to the most important.
Reverse climactic order – starts with the most important to the least important
WRITING THE ESSAY
1. IDEAS FOR INTRODUCTIONS
The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give her an idea of the essay's focus.
Introduce your essay with an attention grabber.
Here are some ideas:
• Use some startling information or facts
A recent survey on teenagers who smoked revealed that 20% picked up smoking before they were 13.
• Use an anecdote.
An anecdote is a short story that illustrates a point.
Be sure your anecdote is short and relevant to your topic.
Raj and his friends do not go home after school. They hang out daily at shopping complexes after school. They are just the tip of the iceberg of the loafing syndrome.
• Use a question
Do you know that Malaysians throw away 1.2 million tonnes worth of newspapers daily? For every ten newspapers bought, only four are recovered for recycling.
• Use a general statement and lead to your topic
Use a few sentences to explain your topic in general terms. Then, lead the reader gently to your main point or thesis of the essay. Each sentence should become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis.
Example:
Of late, there has been increasing concern about the impact of pollution on the environment and our society. How do we reduce pollution?
AVOID THESE INTRODUCTIONS:
1. Nowadays, we hear of many snatch theft cases…..
2. Everyone in this world needs a friend …….
3. The dictionary defines a computer as …………….
These are overused introductions and teachers are tired of reading these introductions.
Conclusion
The conclusion (in three or four sentences) sums up your points or provides a final perspective on your essay.
IDEAS FOR CONCLUSION
• Express your hopes about the topic
Finally, it is hoped that as people become more aware of the need to recycle, more will come forward and get involved in environmental issues.
• Call for action
Shall we just sit back and wait till all our landfills overflow? Let’s get involved and do something to save our environment.
Other ideas:
• include a brief summary of the essay's main points.
• ask a provocative question.
• compare with other situations
Writing effective essays for exams
HOW TO GET MORE MARKS FOR STUDENTS' ESSAYS?
To get more marks for descriptive essays, try out this lesson plan.
1. Give students a short descriptive paragraph. Ask them to replace the words 'nice' and 'beautiful' with other words. Some of them will struggle to find other descriptive phrases.
2. Introduce a list of descriptive phrases or elicit from the more proficient students.
Example:
exciting, breathtaking, marvellous, wonderful, amazing, fantastic....
Make sure students know how to use the words correctly. Provide students with the sentences if possible. Drill them. Repeat in the next lesson. Give them spelling tests.
For UPSR students, they need to know a few adjectives for their essay, especially for the information transfer and essay questions.
Teach them:
cheap, expensive, reasonable, affordable, etc
Teach them how to use linkers in their essays,
Besides that, Furthermore, Apart from that.....Moreover
Examiners look for these words to give merit. I drill my Form 3 students to use these words and by the time they reach Form 5, we only need to correct their grammar, but that is another warfare.
To get more marks for descriptive essays, try out this lesson plan.
1. Give students a short descriptive paragraph. Ask them to replace the words 'nice' and 'beautiful' with other words. Some of them will struggle to find other descriptive phrases.
2. Introduce a list of descriptive phrases or elicit from the more proficient students.
Example:
exciting, breathtaking, marvellous, wonderful, amazing, fantastic....
Make sure students know how to use the words correctly. Provide students with the sentences if possible. Drill them. Repeat in the next lesson. Give them spelling tests.
For UPSR students, they need to know a few adjectives for their essay, especially for the information transfer and essay questions.
Teach them:
cheap, expensive, reasonable, affordable, etc
Teach them how to use linkers in their essays,
Besides that, Furthermore, Apart from that.....Moreover
Examiners look for these words to give merit. I drill my Form 3 students to use these words and by the time they reach Form 5, we only need to correct their grammar, but that is another warfare.
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