ENGLISH 28 Oct 2012

ASTRO TUTOR TV SPM

ONLINE LIVE TUTORIAL

Which grammar areas are important in essay writing?

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QUESTION #1

When writing an essay, grammar use is very important. The areas are:

TENSES

-Past tense is usually used in a narrative essay

(recount of events)

-Present tense is usually used in an

argumentative essay and descriptive essay

(present issue)

-Future tense is very seldom used in an essay

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SVA (SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT)

E.g: John likes to watch movies.

John and Jane like to watch movies.

Harris has a cat named Graymulkin.

Harris and Izman have pet cats.

* Singular subject takes singular verbs,

plural subjects take plural verbs

Other examples of SVA

Was (singular verb) / were (plural verb)

is (singular verb) / are (plural verb)

SVA with collective nouns

E.g: Police Audience Couple Government Team

(plural verbs)

The police are looking for the criminal.

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Spelling Familiarize yourself with spelling of the verbs according to the tenses

Past tense -

/d/ /ed/ /t/ or no change at all

Present simple -

/s/

Perfect / participle -

/n/ /en/ /t/ /ed/ /d/ or no change at all

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How do I improve my essay writing?

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QUESTION #2

STEP 1:

Choose a topic that gives you more

freedom

-More creative

-less rigid

-power to determine where it is going

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STEP 2:

-Brainstorm ideas using keywords from the

chosen option

-Organize ideas into introduction, body

paragraph and conclusion

-If you are writing a narrative essay, think

about the climax or surprise ending

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STEP 3:

-Write away

- When writing, include adjectives so your

descriptions come alive

-Insert a few idioms / proverbs when necessary

-Write in paragraphs

-Observe grammar use

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STEP 4:

-Re-read your essay

-Look for and correct errors (spelling,

choice of words and grammar)

- Check for any missing points

-Once you are satisfied, hand in your essay

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How do I write a letter?

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QUESTION #3

-Two types of letter writing; informal and

formal

To who and which one?

-Formal (people of authority, organizations,

request or complain to a company)

-Informal (parents, relatives, friends)

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QUICK LOOK AT FORMAT

ITEMS FORMAL INFORMAL

Address Left-hand side Right-hand

side

Start with Dear

Sir/madam

Dear Nora

Title Yes No

End with Yours faithfully Yours truly /

love, etc

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WRITING IT

For example, opening of a letter:

It has come to our attention that your

company…….(formal)

Hi! How do you do? It’s been a while since

we last met….(informal)

Language Formal Informal

Language

style

Deliberate,

direct

Friendly,

relaxed

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WRITING IT

-Use all the points given

-Elaborate all the points

(it doesn’t have to be a long elaboration)

E.g SPM 2011

Rest ankle – don’t walk

(simple elaboration: rest your ankle when it is hurt.

Sit down and don’t walk)

– no changes in notes

- Recheck work

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How do I get high marks in novel? (No matter what novel you are studying)

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QUESTION #4

Make sure you have understood

1.Characters and characterizations

2.Themes / issues

3.Plot

Question is based on any of the above or a

combination

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Discuss at least three points

Each point must be supported by evidence

Be careful of Factual Error

Conclude your answer

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Introduction template:

The novel I have studied is ……………

…………. It is written by …………………

The novel is about ……………………………

In my opinion……………………………….

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- The End -