Paragraph 1 – include formalities; give reason for writing the letter.

Paragraph 2 onwards – depends on the reason for writing the letter. If

your reason is to tell the recipient about your holiday, then you will
include details of the holiday.

The last paragraph – you can give a reason why you have to stop
writing such as:

I am sorry I have to stop here because it is getting late.

I am sorry I have to stop here because …

I have to stop now because …

Or you can simply end the letter in a number of appropriate ways as

shown in #3 below.

2. 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.

> I hope this letter finds you in the pink (of health).

> Thank you for the lovely birthday card.

3. 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.

Speech/Talk

How to write a Speech.

Here are some guidelines you should follow when giving a speech or a talk. Let’s look at a
sample question : You recently won the ‘Best Student Award’ in your school. You have been
asked to give a talk during assembly to share tips with the other students on what they need to
do so that they too can become successful students. Use the following notes to write your
speech.
Suggestions:

 set goals

 be motivated
 pay attention
 ask questions
 be organised
 complete homework on time
 prepare well for exams
 take part in co-curricular activities
 obey school rules
 respect everyone

Avoid :

 wasting time

 skipping school

When writing your speech, you should remember to :

 address your audience

 state the purpose of the speech

 use all the points given
 end your speech appropriately

E.g

Introductory Paragraph :

1. address your audience

2. introduce yourself
3. state the purpose of your speech

Second Paragraph
1. point 1 (set goals)
2. point 2 (be motivated)
3. point 3 (pay attention)
4. point 4 (ask questions)
Third Paragraph
1. point 5 (be organised)
2. point 6(complete homework on time)
3. point 7 (prepare well for exams)
Fourth Paragraph
1. point 8 (take part in co-curricular activities)
2. point 9 (obey school rules)

Fifth Paragraph
1. point 10 (respect everyone)

Sixth Paragraph
1. point 11 (avoid wasting time)
2. point 12 (avoid skipping school)

Final Paragraph
1. conclude appropriately

Here is a sample answer.

A very good morning to our beloved principal, Pn Laila Mohd Noor, senior assistants, teachers
and friends. On this glorious morning, I, Gary Tan the recipient of this year’s “Best Student
Award” am going to give a talk on “How to Become a Successful Student”. In my speech, I am
going to share with you some tips on how you can be a successful student. If you want to be
successful, you must set goals. Research shows that people who set goals accomplish more
than those who do not. In deciding your goals, ask yourself “What do I want to be?” and “What
do I do to get there?” Besides, you must be motivated. When you are motivated you will have a
strong desire to do well and to achieve your goals. In addition, you must pay attention in class.
Listen actively and focus on what the teacher is teaching. If you have disruptive classmates, sit
in front of the classroom, away from them. Always ask questions if you do not understand. Seek
clarifications from your teachers or your friends if you are shy to approach the former. Another
important tip to being a successful student is to be organised. You can use a planner or
notebook to write down all your assignments when they are given. This way you will not forget
your homework, dates of tests or projects. Remember, if you are organised you will be well-
prepared and you will have less stress. Moreover, you must complete your homework on
time. Homework helps reinforce what you have learnt. It helps you understand and remember
the information. You must prepare well for exams. A successful student is one who prepares for
exams well in advance, and not at the eleventh hour. If you study consistently, you will have
ample time for revision. Friends, to be a successful student you must have diverse interests. You
should take part in co-curricular activities in order to become a well-rounded person. These
activities help develop leadership skills and teamwork besides instilling values like cooperation
and tolerance. Discipline is an important aspect of our lives. No matter where you go or what
you do, you will be subjected to rules and regulations. Hence, it is crucial that you obey the
school rules.
Dear friends, What is success if you lack the common courtesies in life? Remember, you must
respect everyone. You must respect your parents, your teachers, the school staff and also your
friends. You must respect other people’s feelings and opinions. There are also several things
you must avoid if you want to be a successful student. You must avoid wasting time. These days
many teenagers spend hours on social networks such as Facebook or playing computer games.
These are a waste of time and will not benefit you in any way. Remember, ‘Time and tide wait for
no man’. Also, avoid skipping school. Some students feel that school is a waste of time as they
can learn better from their tuition teachers. This is not true. The teachers in our school are
experienced and well qualified. They are also experienced examiners and they know how to
impart knowledge effectively. I have to stop here. I hope you have found my talk helpful. Thank
you for listening attentively.
ARTICLE : Article for School Magazine / Newsletter

In spite of government’s clear call to students to study English well, many students still show
very little interest in studying the language. As Chairperson of the English Language Society,
you are going to try to persuade the students to study the language by writing an article in the
school newsletter. In the article you have to tell the students the importance of studying the
language. Your article is given in the point form below:
 will help you to further your studies
 will help you to get a job
 will help you in your job
 will help you in your travels
 will help you to enjoy many interesting programmes in television
 will help you to appreciate many of the world’s most beautiful literary works

The Importance of Studying English

It is a big concerned for teenagers nowadays as they are unaware of the importance of
English language as they tend to ignore to learn the language. Students’ attitude towards the
language is also crucial to make sure that these teenagers can face the future world better by
learning English language as it is an international language.
Although the government has repeatedly told us of the importance of English, many
students are still not bothered about studying it seriously. There is also a campaign that still on to
make all the Malaysian becomes a better English learner, which is ‘Enhance Proficiency in
Bahasa Malaysia, Strengthen the English’. English is the most important and the most useful
language in the world today. There are many reasons why you should study the language
properly.
First and foremost, English will definitely help you a lot when you want to further studies.
Almost all books at university are written in English in all subjects. Plus, it is a compulsory for
any candidate to pass English with credit before entering any universities. So, if you are poor in
English, you will blow you chance for better education or worse, you are going to have a big
problem studying at university.
The second reason why you have to study English well is that it will help you to get a job.
When you go for a job interview, the interviewer will surely talk to you in English. The first
impression you should give in order to success and have the job is, to respond in English
fluently. Your chances of getting the job are very slim if you stutter while interviewing.
A good command in of English will also help you greatly in your job. If the company you
work is actively involved in international trade, you have to speak to prospective customers in
English. Miscommunication might occur if your English is bad. And this will put your company at
risk and you will likely be dismissed if this happen.
Good English will also help you a lot when you travel. Every country in the world studies
English. Even the roadside stall-holders in China speak fairly good English! At least some of the
people you meet on your travels in other countries can understand English. The language is
certainly practical when you are lost in your trip. Communication problem will not happen if you
can converse well in English. Inevitably, English is one of the languages used in any airport in
the world in making announcement. Knowing English well, therefore, make travelling overseas
easier.
Besides all these, entertainment is one of the major advantages you will experience if
you good in English. You will enjoy television’s best programmes. We must admit that many of
the best programmes are produced by the Americans and British companies. High self
confidence influenced by the programmes will indirect inculcate in yourself when you are fluent
in the language. Quality time is worthily spent if you understand and enjoy the programmes.
Based from all the above elaboration, I hope that students will see the importance and
realise how importance the language is for their own future. Although it is a second language in
our country, it is now a main language all over the world.
544 words
DIRECTED WRITING : REPORT – Report to Principal

You are very disappointed by the conditions and services provided by your school canteen. You
decide to write a report to inform your school principal about the poor conditions and services of
the canteen. These would include:
 insufficient table and benches
 food and drinks not covered
 too little food counters
 dirty and clogged drains – smelly
 food – expensive and lacks variety
 inadequate food – late comers have nothing to buy, to eat
 cold food – not fresh
 rude canteen workers

To : Mr. Hasnan bin Jalal,

The Principal,
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permata

From : Malik bin Abdul

Date : 24 March 2011

Report about the School Canteen

I am writing this report is to draw your attention regarding the school canteen. Many of
the students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permata are unhappy about the conditions at
the school canteen. There were lots of complaints regarding this issue.
In the first place, there are insufficient tables and benches. Our school has a
student population of over 1 000. There is only one period of recess time for all forms. More than
80 per cent of the students go to the canteen during recess to buy food and drinks.
Unfortunately, there are only about twenty-five tables and fifty benches which can accommodate
less than half the number of students. As a result, many students have to stand while eating.
The food sold at the canteen not only expensive but lacks of variety. The menu is the
same every day. For the past five years, ever since the present canteen management took over,
students go back to the same food.
The hygiene and preparation of food leave a lot to be desired. The food and drinks are
not covered. They way canteen attendants dress speak volume about hygiene. With their
lackadaisical attitude, the food they sell would one way or the other become contaminated.
My fourth complaint about the canteen pertains to the etiquette of the canteen workers.
They are rude and arrogant. They often shout at students. The students are always on the
receiving end of their bad moods.
We hope that conditions at the canteen will improve. The canteen should provide better
amenities. There should also be a different menu everyday so that students will not have to taste
the same food day in and day out. Cleanliness should be given top priority.
We hope that you will look into our complaints and take steps to remedy the situation.
The students are prepared to boycott the canteen if their complaints go unheeded.

Reported by :
Malik
Malik bin. Mohd Jalil
314 words
Principal, Senior Assistant of Academic Curriculum, Senior Assistant of Student Affairs, Senior
Assistant of Co-Curricular Activities,