Acknowledgements

The following individuals and their institutions have extended invaluable

support, help and contributions in the production of this module:

Patron

YBhg. Dr. Mistirine Radin : Director of Sabah State Education

Department

Advisors

Abidin bin Marjan : Deputy Director, Sektor Pembelajaran,

State Education Department.
Ajanah binti Mohamed : Senior Head Assist. Director,
State of Education Department

Editors and Coordinators from the English Language Unit

Muarifin Sufianto Bin Mohchoeri

Ikhbal Khan bin Ismail

Bellylyn Willie Abah @Belly

Panel of Writers
Lolin F. Molimbum : SM La Salle, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu.

Mohamed Ismail b. Abd Gaffoor : SMK Pekan, Kota Belud.

Precylla C. Trabucon : SMK Pengiran Omar, Sipitang

Nancy Liging : SM St Martin, Tambunan

Amy R. Henry Majunal : SMK Tansau, Penampang

Lyney Japiri : SMK Padang Berampah, Sipitang

Zubaidah Bt Mohamed Shaffee : SMK Gunsanad, Keningau

Ahmad Taufik b. Muhammad Tahir : SMK Agama Tun Datu Mustafa, Kinarut, Papar.

Mohd. Syaharil B. Madlan : SMK Pekan, Kota Belud.

Patricia Apin : SMK Bundu Tuhan, Ranau

Susan Agatha Graham : SM Maktab Sabah, Kota Kinabalu

1
 DIRECTED WRITING

TYPES OF DIRECTED WRITING

1. Article
2. Speech / Talk
3. Report
4. Formal Letter
5. Informal Letter

ANALYSIS OF SPM PAST YEARS DW QUESTIONS (10 years)

TYPES YEARS
Article 2014, 2019
Speech / Talk 2011, 2015,2016
Report 2017, 2018
Formal Letter 2013
Informal Letter 2010, 2012

SPM PAST YEARS DW QUESTIONS

YEAR TYPE QUESTION
2010 Informal letter A letter to your cousin about the benefits of National Service
Programme and to encourage him/her to go.
2011 Speech/Talk A talk to the Red Crescent members in your school to upgrade their
skills in giving first aid treatment.
2012 Informal letter A letter to advise your younger sister who is studying overseas on
how to spend her money wisely.
2013 Formal letter A formal letter of complaint.
2014 Article An article for your school magazine on how to ensure safety in the
neighbourhood.
2015 Speech/Talk A farewell speech for your favourite English teacher who is retiring.
2016 Talk/Speech A talk to persuade classmates to choose one of two given trips.
2017 Report A report to the principal suggesting ways to solve a problem.
2018 Report A report to the teacher advisor about a week-long visit for international
students.
2019 Article An article about the ‘Go Green’ day for a school magazine.

MARKS ALLOCATION

PARTS MARKS
Format 3
Content 12
Language 20

FORMAT
Use the correct format to get 2 to 3 marks

2
HOW TO SECURE CONTENT MARKS?

1. Use the points / notes given to make sentences.

2. 1 content point = 1 sentence
3. Do not copy all content points (total lifting) without elaborating or using own words to explain.
4. The mark is 0 for each content point if total lifting is done.

LANGUAGE

- Try to secure marks in at least high Band U(i) to low Band D. You can do it if you put content
points in complete sentences.

BAND MARK RANGE DESCRIPTION

A 19 – 20 Language is entirely accurate.
B 16 – 18 Language is accurate
C 13 – 15 Language is largely accurate
D 10 – 12 Language is sufficiently accurate with patches of clear,
accurate language. A few parts are with error-free
sentences (although very simple). Mistakes are
obvious in complex sentences.
Adequate vocabulary (but lacks precision).
E 7–9 Meaning is never in doubt with sufficient single word error. Errors
hamper precision and speed of reading.
Simple vocabulary.
U(i) 4–6 Meaning still comes through fairly even though errors impede
reading. A few accurate sentences.
Inadequate vocabulary.
U(ii) 2–3 Little sense
U(iii) 0–1 No sense

3
1. ARTICLE

OUTLINE

TITLE
by (student’s name)

INTRODUCTION

CONTENT

CONTENT

CONTENT

CONCLUSION

TITLE / WRITER’S NAME / INTRODUCTION

TITLE
by (student’s name)

This article is about (topic)___________________

CONTENT
Logical / sequence connector
Topic sentence (content point)

Tips
Write a sentence using 1 content point (1 content point = 1 sentence)
Start with a connector (logical / sequence)
 First, Firstly, First and foremost, etc.
 Second, Secondly, etc.
 Next, Then, etc.
 Besides, Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Apart from that, Also, etc.
 Finally, Lastly, Last but not least, etc.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these are the reasons / ways

(main idea)______.

4
QUESTION 1 (SPM 2019)

You took part in a ‘Go Green’ day in your local area. The aim was to help people learn
about the environment. You have decided to write an article about the ‘Go Green’ day for
your school magazine.

Use the notes below to write your article.

Information about the ‘Go Green” day:

 where it was
 when it was
 who organised it
 who was involved

Topics:
 protecting animals
 learning about plants
 dealing with rubbish

‘Go Green’ day activities:

( give details for each activity )
 talk by expert
 making a garden
 recycling
 [ give one more activity ]

Conclusions:
 your best memory of the ‘Go Green’ day
 why you think students should go to the ‘Go Green’ day next year

When writing the article, you must:

 use the appropriate format (provide a title and give your name as the writer)
 develop all the points given
 give your own ideas when needed

5
NOW Let’s complete Tasks 1 - 6.

TASK 1

CHECK LIST
1 Format
2 No. of paragraphs 1. Introduction
2. Content
3. Conclusion
Total
3 No. of Content Points 1. Given
2. To add
Total

TASK 2

CP CONTENT POINT (CP) MARK PARAGRAPH

NO. (P)
Information about the ‘Go Green’ day
1 where it was 1
2 when it was
3 who organised it
4 who was involved
Topics
5 protecting animals
6 learning about plants
7 dealing with rubbish
‘Go Green’ day activities
8 talk by expert + detail
9 making a garden + detail
10 recycling + detail
11 own activity + detail
Conclusion
12 your best memory of the ‘Go Green’ day
13 why you think students should go to the ‘Go Green’
day next year

TOTAL MARKS FOR CONTENT 13

TOTAL NUMBER OF PARAGRAPHS FOR CONTENT

6
TASK 3

CP CONTENT POINT VERB

Information about the ‘Go Green’ day
1 where it was X
2 when it was X
3 who organised it organise
4 who was involved X
Topics
5 protecting animals protect
6 learning about plants learn
7 dealing with rubbish deal
‘Go Green’ activities
8 talk by an expert + detail X
9 making a garden +detail make
10 recycling + detail recycle
11 own activity + detail X
Conclusion
12 your best memory of the ‘Go Green’ day X
13 why you think students should go to the X
‘Go Green’ day

TASK 4

CP P PUT THE CONTENT POINT IN SENTENCE

1 The ‘Go Green’ day was held in / at _____________________.

2 It was held on_____________________________.

3 The event was organised by ___________ / ________ organised the event.

4 The people who were involved in the event were ____________________.

5 First of all, we learnt _____________________________.

6 Next, we also learnt _____________________________.

7 Then, we __________________________________.

8 There were many activities done at the ’Go Green’ day. One of them was _______.

9 We also _______________________________.

7
 10 After making a garden, we _________________________________.

11 The fourth activity was ___________________________________.

12 My best memory of the ‘Go Green’ day was __________________________.

13 I think students should go to the ’Go Green’ day next year because ___________.

TASK 5

INTRODUCTION
The ‘Go Green’ Day
By: Jasmine Nabilla

Last week I took part in an activity called the ‘Go Green’ day in my local area. The aim of
the event was to help people learn about the environment.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the event was successful. It had helped people learn about the environment.
My best memory of the ‘Go Green’ day was ______________________________________.
I think students should go to the ‘Go Green’ day because ____________________________.

TASK 6

Now, write the article using the correct format based on the notes that you have made in Tasks 1 - 5.

8
 QUESTION 2

Students especially those facing public examination often face stress. As the editor of your
school magazine, you conducted a survey to study the reasons of stress among students.
Based on your findings, write an article for your school magazine and suggest ways to
overcome it.

In your article, include the following:

Details of survey:
 aim of the survey
 why stress management is important
 when the survey was carried out
 the number of students involved in the survey

Reasons of exam stress: Symptoms of stress:

 inadequate preparation  being overwhelmed
 parents’ expectation  butterflies in the stomach
 peer competition  [ suggest one more idea ]
 mental exhaustion

Overcoming stress:
- make a timetable - stick to a routine
- [ suggest one more idea ]

When writing your article, you must remember to:

 give your article a title
 include the name of the writer
 use all the points given
 suggest two other ways to prevent crimes

TASK 1

CHECK LIST
1 Format
2 No. of paragraphs 1. Introduction
2. Content
3. Conclusion
Total
3 No. of Content Points 1. Given
2. To add
Total

9
TASK 2

Put all the content points in complete sentences.

Write only simple sentences first. You may elaborate your points in your article later.

Content Point Sentences with content points

10

11

12

13

10
TASK 3

Create an introduction and an ending.

INTRODUCTION

CONCLUSION

TASK 4

Write a complete article using your notes in Tasks 1 to 3.

11
2. SPEECH / TALK

OUTLINE

Title

INTRODUCTION

CONTENT

CONTENT

CONTENT

CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

Title

Good morning to the principal, teachers and friends. As the (name/position) ,I

am happy to deliver a talk on (title) _____________

CONTENT

Connector
Topic sentence (content point)

Tips
Write a sentence using 1 content point (1 content point = 1 sentence)
Start with a connector (logical/sequencing)
 First, Firstly, First and foremost, etc.
 Second, Secondly, etc.
 Next, Then, etc.
 Besides, Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Apart from that, Also, etc.
 Finally, Lastly, Last but not least, etc.

CONCLUSION

As time is not permitting, I will have to end here. I hope everyone has benefited from this
talk. Thank you for listening.

12
QUESTION 1 (SPM 2015)

Your school is organising a ceremony for your favourite English teacher who is retiring. You have been
asked to give a farewell speech.

Use the notes below to write your speech.

 Number of years teaching at your school

 Previous schools
 Achievements
- 100% passes English Language
- Innovative Teacher Award
 Contributions to the school
- Head of English Panel
- Teacher advisor- debating team
- Organiser -charity events
 Teacher’s plans after retirement
- Plan 1 [ give your own idea ]
- Plan 2 [ give your own idea ]
 Your opinion of the teacher
 One good memory you have of your teacher
 Wish your teacher well for the future

When writing the speech, you should remember to:

 greet your audience
 state the purpose of your speech
 use all the notes given
 give your own ideas when needed
 end your speech appropriately

13
TASK 1

CHECK LIST
1 Format
2 No. of paragraphs 1. Introduction
2. Content
3. Conclusion
Total
3 No. of Content Points 1. Given
2. To add
Total

TASK 2

CP CONTENT POINT (CP) MARK PARAGRAPH

NO. (P)

Introduction
1 Number of years teaching
2 Previous schools
3 Achievement - 100% passes English Language
4 Achievement - Innovative Teacher Award
5 Contribution - Head of English Panel
6 Contribution - Teacher advisor - debating team
7 Contribution - Organiser - charity events
8 Teacher’s plan after retirement - own idea
9 Teacher’s plan after retirement - own idea
10 Your opinion of your teacher
11 One good memory you have of your teacher
12 Wish your teacher well for the future

Conclusion

TOTAL MARKS FOR CONTENT 12

TOTAL NUMBER OF PARAGRAPHS FOR CONTENT

14
TASK 3
CP CONTENT POINT VERB
1 Number of years teaching at your school X
2 Previous schools X
3 Achievement - 100% passes English Language achieve
4 Achievement - Innovative Teacher Award
5 Contribution to the school - Head of English Panel
6 Contribution to the school - Teacher advisor - debating team
7 Contribution to the school - Organiser - charity events
8 Teacher’s plan after retirement - Plan 1 (own idea)
9 Teacher’s plan after retirement - Plan 2 (own idea)
10 Your opinion of the teacher
11 One good memory you have of your teacher
12 Wish your teacher well for the future

TASK 4
CP P PUT THE CONTENT POINT IN SENTENCE
1 He/She has been teaching in this school for _________ years.

2 Before he/she came to this school, he/she was teaching at _________________.

3 One of his/her achievements ________________________________________.

4 Other than that, he/she also ________________________________________.

5 Next, he has also contributed to the school as ___________________________.

6 Besides being the Head Panel, he/she also _____________________________.

7 Another contribution of him/her is _______________.

8 After his/her retirement, he/she plans to______________________________.

9 He/ she also plans to ___________________________________________.

10 My opinion of him/her is __________________________________________.

11 My good memory of the teacher is when ____________________________.

12 I wish him/her well for the future.

15
TASK 5

INTRODUCTION

Title

Good morning to the principal, teachers and all my friends. As the student
representative of this school, I have been asked to give a farewell speech to a teacher who is
retiring today. He/she is ___________________________________________________.

CONCLUSION

I wish my teacher (or the teacher’s name) well for the future. I hope he / she will enjoy
________________ (the teacher’s plan) after his / her retirement. Thank everyone for listening.

TASK 6
Now, write the speech using all your notes in Tasks 1 - 5.

16
QUESTION 2

Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

Your teacher has asked you to give a talk during the weekly assembly on how to ensure safety
in the neighbourhood. Using the information below, write your talk.

CRIME PREVENTION

Your Housing Estate You

 neighbourhood patrol  martial arts classes
 campaigns  whistle
 pepper spray

Your neighbours Your house

 know them  lock all doors and windows
 telephone numbers  lights on at night
 alarm

Police

When writing the talk, you should remember to:

 greet your audience
 state the purpose of your talk
 use all the notes given
 suggest one way school children can stay safe on the way home
 end your talk appropriately

TASK 1

CHECK LIST
1 Format
2 No. of paragraphs 1. Introduction
2. Content
3. Conclusion
Total
3 No. of Content Points 1. Given
2. To add
Total

17
TASK 2

Put all the content points in complete sentences.

Write only simple sentences first. You may elaborate your points in your talk later.

Content Point Sentences with content points

10

11

12

18
TASK 3

Create an introduction and an ending.

INTRODUCTION

CONCLUSION

TASK 4

Write a complete talk using your notes in Tasks 1 to 3.

19
3. REPORT

OUTLINE

To : _______________ (recipient/reader)
From : _______________ (your name)
Date : _______________
Subject : _______________ (the title of the report)

Introduction

Content

Content

Content

Conclusion

Report written by,

Name This is optional

Position

20
 INTRODUCTION.

To : _______________ (recipient/reader)
From : _______________ (your name)
Date : _______________
Subject : _______________ (the title of the report)

This is a report about ___________________________________________________

CONTENT
Connector
Topic sentence (content point)

Tips
In a sentence use only 1 content point (1 content point = 1 sentence)
Start with a connector of either logical/sequencing.
 First, Firstly, First and foremost, etc.
 Second, Secondly, Thirdly, etc.
 Next, Then, etc.
 Besides, Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Apart from that, Also, etc.
 Finally, Lastly, Last but not least, etc.

CONCLUSION

It is hoped that the matter will .

21
QUESTION 1 (SPM 2018)

During the last school holidays, your school hosted a week-long visit for international students.
As one of the students involved in organising the visit, you have been asked to write a report to
the Teacher Advisor.

In your report, include the following:

 International students
- number
- nationality
- age group

 Reasons for the visit

- good for international relations
- [ give one more reason ]

 Accommodation
- where?

 Activities
- cooking lessons
- traditional games
- [ give one more activity ]

 Opinions from international students

- beautiful beaches
- [ give one more opinion ]

 Future international student visits

- [ give one recommendation ]

When writing the report, you must:

 use the appropriate format (write to the Teacher Advisor, provide a title and give your name
as the writer)
 develop all the points given
 give your own ideas when needed

22
TASK 1

CHECK LIST
1 Format
2 No. of paragraphs 1. Introduction
2. Content
3. Conclusion
Total
3 No. of Content Points 1. Given
2. To add
Total

TASK 2

CP CONTENT POINT (CP) MARK PARAGRAPH

NO. (P)
International students
1 number 1
2 nationality
3 age group
Reasons for the visit
4 good for international relations
5 give one more reason
Accommodation
6 where?
Activities
7 cooking lessons
8 traditional games
9 give one more activity
Opinions from international students
10 beautiful beaches
11 give one more opinion
Future international students visits
12 give one recommendation

12
TOTAL MARKS FOR CONTENT

TOTAL NUMBER OF PARAGRAPHS FOR CONTENT

23
TASK 3

CP CONTENT POINT VERB

International students
1 number X
2 nationality X
3 age group X
Reasons for the visit
4 good for international relations
5 give one more reason
Accommodation
6 where?
Activities
7 cooking lessons
8 traditional games
9 give one more activity
Opinions from international students
10 beautiful beaches
11 give one more opinion
Future international student visits
12 give one recommendation

TASK 4

CP P PUT THE CONTENT POINT IN SENTENCE

1 There were ______________________ international students.

2 Their nationality was ________. / They came from ____( country)____.

3 Their age group was between __________________.

4 The reason for the visit was because it is ____________________________.

5 Another reason was ________________________________.

6 All of them stayed at __________./ They stayed at__________________.

7 One of the activities during the visit was ____________.

8 They also _______________________________.

24
 9 The last activity was ___________________________________.

10 One of the opinions from the international students was ________________.

11 Besides, they also said that _______________________________.

12 For future international student visits, I recommend ____________________.

TASK 5

INTRODUCTION

To : The Teacher Advisor

From : _________________ (your name)
Date : ______
Subject : A Visit for International Students

This is a report about the week-long visit for international students during the last school
holidays. I was one of _____________________________________________________.

CONCLUSION

For future international student visits, I recommend _______________________.

Report written by,

(Your name)
Position

TASK 6

Write the report using the correct format based on your notes in Tasks 1 to 5.

25
QUESTION 2 (SPM 2017)

Getting to school on time is very important but many students in your school often arrive late. The
principal has asked you to carry out a survey to find out why they arrive late.

Based on your findings, write a report to the Principal and suggest ways to solve the problem.

In your report, include the following:

Details of survey:
 purpose of the survey
 why arriving on time is important
 when the survey was carried out
 number of students involved in the survey

Reasons given by students:

 waking up time
 transport
 distance from home
 [ give one more reason ]

What school can do:

 awareness campaign
 [ suggest one more idea ]

What students can do:

 use alarm clocks
 [ suggest one more idea ]

When writing the report, you must:

• use the appropriate format (write to the Principal, provide a title and give your
name as the writer)
• develop all the points
• give your own ideas when needed

26
TASK 1

CHECK LIST
1 Format
2 No. of paragraphs 1. Introduction
2. Content
3. Conclusion
Total
3 No. of Content Points 1. Given
2. To add
Total

TASK 2

Put all the content points in complete sentences.

Write only simple sentences first. You may elaborate your points in your report later.

Content Point Sentences with content points

1 The purpose of the survey was ______________________________________.

10

11

12

27
TASK 3

Create an introduction and an ending.

INTRODUCTION

CONCLUSION

TASK 4

Write a complete talk using your notes in Tasks 1 to 3.

28
FORMAL LETTER

OUTLINE

(sender)
Address

(recipient)
Position
Address __________ (Date)

(salutation)
Dear Sir,

(Subject)

INTRODUCTION

CONTENT

CONTENT

CONTENT

CONCLUSION

(signatory)
Yours faithfully,
Sufie Rashid
SUFIE RASHID
(position)

INTRODUCTION FOR LETTER OF COMPLAINT

(sender)
Address

(recipient)
Position
Address

(salutation)
Dear Sir,

29
(Subject)

I would like to refer to the above matter. I would like to make a complaint about

INTRODUCTION FOR LETTER OF PERMISSION

(sender)
Address

(recipient)
Position
Address

(salutation)
Dear Sir,

(Subject)

With reference to the above matter, I would like to request for a permission to visit

CONTENT
Connector
2. Topic sentence (content point) (number the content point – start with number 2)

Tips
Write a sentence using 1 content point (1 content point = 1 sentence)
Start with a connector (logical / sequencing)
 First, Firstly, First and foremost, etc.
 Second, Secondly, etc.
 Next, Then, etc.
 Besides, Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Apart from that, Also, etc.
 Finally, Lastly, Last but not least, etc.

CONCLUSION FOR LETTER OF COMPLAINT

Finally, I really hope that you will look into the matter.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

30
 CONCLUSION FOR LETTER OF PERMISSION

I hope to receive a favourable reply from you soon.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

QUESTION 1 (SPM 2013)

You have just returned from a visit to Indah Recreational Park. You found the park in poor condition.

Write a letter of complaint to the Town Council based on the notes you have made.

 not enough facilities

- no restaurants

 rubbish everywhere
- not enough dustbins

 dirty public toilets

- smelly

 grass not cut

- snakes

 information lacking
- no signposts

 vandalism
- public telephones not working

When writing the letter, you should remember to:

 lay out the letter correctly (addresses, date, salutation, title, closing)
 use all the information given

31
TASK 1

CHECK LIST
1 Format
2 No. of paragraphs 1. Introduction
2. Content
3. Conclusion
Total
3 No. of Content Points 1. Given
2. To add
Total

TASK 2

CP CONTENT POINT (CP) MARK PARAGRAPH

NO. (P)
1 not enough facilities 1
2 no restaurants
3 rubbish everywhere
4 not enough dustbins
5 dirty public toilets
6 smelly
7 grass not cut
8 snakes
9 information lacking
10 no signposts
11 vandalism
12 public telephones not working

TASK 3

CP CONTENT POINT VERB

1 not enough facilities X
2 no restaurants
3 rubbish everywhere
4 not enough dustbins
5 dirty public toilets
6 smelly
7 grass not cut
8 snakes
9 information lacking
10 no signposts
11 vandalism
12 public telephones not working

32
TASK 4

CP P PUT CONTENT POINT IN SENTENCE

1 First, there is not enough_________________________________.

2 There is no _____________________________________.

3 Second, I could see that ____________________________________.

4 It was because there were _____________________________________.

5 The public toilets were also ______________________________________.

6 They were _____________________________________.

7 The grass was __________________________________.

8 The long grass will _____________________________________.

9 Information at the park was also___________________________.

10 I saw no _______________________________________.

11 There was also evidence of vandalism happening at the

park.

12 The _______________________________________________.

33
TASK 5

INTRODUCTION

The Manager,

Dear Sir,

Poor condition of Indah Recreational Park

With reference to the above matter. I would like to make a complaint about
the condition at the Indah Recreational Park. We have just returned
from the park and we found that the condition was very poor.____

CONCLUSION

Lastly, I hope that you will take immediate action to improve ______________.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

____________

TASK 6

Write the letter of complaint using the correct format based on your notes in Tasks 1 to 5.

34
QUESTION 2

The Green Society is planning an environmental awareness camp in Kundasang. As secretary of

the society, write a letter to the Manager of Kinabalu Park to ask permission to visit the park and
to enquire about the rates of accommodation and facilities provided.

In your letter, include the following:

 date and day of the camp

 number of students attending
 number of rooms needed
- two students in a room
 meals to be provided by the hotel
 conference facilities
- suggest at least two facilities needed
 ask about nature walk activity organised by the park
 enquire about overall cost

When writing the letter, you should remember to:

 lay out the letter correctly (addresses, date, salutation, title, closing)
 use all the information given
 give your own ideas when needed

TASK 1

CHECK LIST
1 Format
2 No. of paragraphs 1. Introduction
2. Content
3. Conclusion
Total
3 No. of Content Points 1. Given
2. To add
Total

35
TASK 2

Put all the content points in complete sentences.

Write only simple sentences first. You may elaborate your points in your letter later.

Content Point Sentences with content points

1 The camp will be on _________________________________________.

10

11

12

36
TASK 3

Create an introduction and a conclusion.

INTRODUCTION

CONCLUSION

TASK 4
Write a complete letter using your notes in Tasks 1 to 3.

37