Directed Writing (Informal Letter)

Directed Writing (Informal Letter)

Your friend has written to you seeking advice on how to do well in the SPM examination. He sat for the examination in the previous year but fared badly in almost all the subjects. He is dejected, depressed and upset. Write a letter to your friend offering suggestions on how he can improve in his studies and do well in the examination.

Use the notes given below to write your letter.

•     never underestimate your abilities - regularly revise all your subjects

•     seek assistance and guidance by enrolling in a good tuition centre

•     be more confident and set time for revision

•     get help from other friends who are good at different subjects

•     read widely and extensively to improve your language skills

12 Jalan Merah 1

Bukit Merah

32300 Semanggul

Perak

30 May 2013

Dear Hashim,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. My mum and dad are doing well, though my dad is still on medication for his high blood pressure and diabetes.

I must admit you sounded very dejected and unhappy over your performance in your SPM examinations. I sympathise with your situation and I am sorry that you failed in the SPM examination last year. However, you should not let your past failure hinder your determination to do well this year.

I would like to emphasise a few things since you have sought my advice on this issue. First of all, do not underestimate your abilities. All of us have the willpower to achieve our goals and ambitions. You should not let your bad grades stop you from striving harder. Please revise your studies regularly and spend some money on revision books. I would also encourage you to seek advice and help from friends who are good at certain subjects. Personal tutoring will help you tremendously and you can form discussion groups with some of your friends.

In addition, if you feel you need some guidance in your studies, do not hesitate to enrol in a good tuition centre. Scout around for a good one as there are many tuition centres around. You do not need tutorial guidance for all the subjects, only for the subjects you are weak at.

Be more confident and have faith in yourself. Set aside time to revise your studies. Engage in other activities so that you are physically active which helps keep your mind alert and fresh. This will help you concentrate better when you study. You can focus better and remember what you have studied too.

I would also suggest that you read widely and extensively in Bahasa Malaysia and English. In this way, you will not only build a wide vocabulary but also your knowledge on many issues. Reading also improves your writing skills and hence, your grades would improve as a result.

I am sure you would see marked improvement in your grades if you follow all the suggestions I have outlined. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance or are in doubt over certain matters. I wish you good luck and best wishes in these coming examination.

Your friend

Priya

Directed Writing (Speech) : Obesity

Directed Writing (Speech) :

Obesity has been on the rise with more and more young people becoming obese. Your school has decided to launch a 'Health Week' to raise awareness among students about the need to be more health conscious. As Chairperson of the school's organising committee, you have been asked to give a speech on health consciousness.

Below are some notes you have made on the reasons why young people are obese and suggestions to reduce weight. Write out the speech that you would give.

Reasons

·      Improper eating habits

·      Eating too much junk food

·      Too many calories

·      Lack of exercise

·      Lazy lifestyle

Suggestions

·      Exercise – 3 times a week

·      Reduce food intake

·      Reduce sugar and fat intake

·      Change eating habits

·      Have fixed time for eating

·      Eat small meals

A very good morning to Puan Veronica Nathan, Headmistress of S.M.K. Taman Permata, teachers and fellow students. As you are aware, our school is organising a 'Health Week' to raise awareness among students about the need to be more health conscious. Obesity has been on the rise among young people. As the Chairperson of the organising committee, I would like to give a talk on health consciousness.

There are many reasons why young people are obese. Firstly, continuous improper eating habits causes one to be obese. Eating too much fast food or junk food such as potato chips, fries and crackers in between meals is a reason why many youngsters are putting on weight nowdays. All these food items contain extra calories that are not needed by the body and thus are stored as fat.

In addition, most young people dread exercising. They prefer to hang out in shopping malls and Internet cafes rather than exercise. Without proper exercise, they do not work off the extra fat stored and thus become overweight.

Another reason is their lifestyles. In most homes, there are maids to do the housework. Young people tend to be lazy. They tend to be less active and lose extra weight slower or not at all.

However, there are many ways for a person to lose weight. Here are some, suggestions on how you can lose those extra unwanted pounds. Exercise is the key to losing weight. You should exercise at least three times a week in order to burn extra fat that is stored in your body. The easiest exercise you can do is brisk walking. Walking is simple, easy and cheap. All you have to do is take a brisk walk around the neighbourhood to lose some weight.

You will also have to reduce the intake of food. If you eat two bowls of rice for lunch and dinner, reduce the amount of rice to one bowl. In addition, lowering the intake of food that is high in sugar such as sweets, cakes, chocolate and carbonated drinks will help you lose weight.

Lastly, changing eating habits will help you control your weight. You have to adopt proper eating habits in order to lose weight. Eating a lot of vegetables and fruit instead of junk food helps to reduce your weight. Eating three meals a day at a fixed time will also help you to lose weight. Alternatively, instead of having three meals a day, you can have five small meals a day so as not to feel hungry.

Before I conclude, I hope my talk has been helpful. I hope you have gained some insight into the problem of obesity among young people and learnt ways to control your weight. Thank you.

.