This document provides guidance on essay writing skills. It discusses that [1] tenses, subject-verb agreement, and spelling are important grammar areas, [2] brainstorming ideas, organizing paragraphs, and proofreading are steps to improve essays, and [3] the format, language style, and elements of letters differ between formal and informal letters.

1. ASTRO TUTOR TV SPM
ONLINE LIVE TUTORIAL
ENGLISH
28 Oct 2012

2. ENGLISH
QUESTION #1
Which grammar areas are important in essay
writing?

3. ENGLISH
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

4. ENGLISH
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

5. ENGLISH
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.

6. ENGLISH
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

7. ENGLISH
QUESTION #2
How do I improve my essay writing?

8. ENGLISH
STEP 1:
Choose a topic that gives you more
freedom
-More creative
-less rigid
-power to determine where it is going

9. ENGLISH
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

10. ENGLISH
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

11. ENGLISH
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

12. ENGLISH
QUESTION #3
How do I write a letter?

13. ENGLISH
-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)

14. ENGLISH
QUICK LOOK AT FORMAT
ITEMS FORMAL INFORMAL
Address Left-hand side Right-hand
side
Start with Dear Dear Nora
Sir/madam
Title Yes No
End with Yours faithfully Yours truly /
love, etc

15. ENGLISH
WRITING IT
Language Formal Informal
Language Deliberate, Friendly,
style direct relaxed
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)

16. ENGLISH
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

17. ENGLISH
QUESTION #4
How do I get high marks in novel? (No
matter what novel you are studying)

18. ENGLISH
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

19. ENGLISH
Discuss at least three points
Each point must be supported by evidence
Be careful of Factual Error
Conclude your answer

20. ENGLISH
Introduction template:
The novel I have studied is ……………
…………. It is written by …………………
The novel is about ……………………………
In my opinion……………………………….

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