SAMPLE FOR DIRECTED WRITING: 35 MARKS

(SPM)

DIRECTED: ARTICLE: Factual

You are concerned over the implications and long-term health effects of the haze. Write an article to the local
newspaper expressing your concern based on all the notes below.

the reasons behind the haze

role of government and society
steps that can be taken
give relevant examples of:
health complications
measures
roles of government and individuals

When writing the article you should remember:

to lay out the letter carefully
to use paragraphs
that you letter is to the press
Haze: A Danger to Health
The haze is a constant phenomenon faced by Malaysia and her neighbouring countries. The haze is basically
pollution of atmosphere, which is clogged with pollutants and other substances from forest fires.
The haze is a direct effect of forest fire in Kalimantan and other parts of Indonesia due to slash and burn
method of farming. The Indonesian authorities appear to have no power to control farmers from practising such
methods. The haze is further worsened by open burning practised by most Malaysians. Open-field burning of rice
straw by the rice planters and open burning of dried leaves and garbage done by the public are a few examples that
done by Malaysian. Many are ignorant of the health effects of open burning.
During the haze, hospitals and clinic often report a dramatic increase in respiratory problems, lung infections
and asthma attack. The Air Pollution Index (API) usually indicates the hazardous and dangerous levels of pollution
during this period. The haze has long-term side effects. Prolonged inhalation of polluted air will result in serious lung
infection which particularly affects the elderly.
The government must play its role to reduce the haze treat. It has to cooperate with the Indonesian authorities
to stamp out forest fires. The culprits must be brought to justice, either through healthy fine or prison sentence.
Constant vigilance would ensure the perpetrators do not repeat their offence.
The government should also raise the public awareness of the dangers of forest fire. Continuous campaign
of the cause, solutions and steps-need-to-be-taken to reduce the haze need to be promoted through all types of
social media like television, radio, newspaper and even via internet. The authorities should also provide assistance to
farmers and introduce more sophisticated forest clearing methods.
In Malaysia, strict laws must be imposed to penalise those who practise open burning. On-going campaigns
on the dangers of open burning should be intensified. Individuals too have a role to play. They must participate in
every campaign and stop burning. Students can advise their parents not to practice open burning.
Every individual has to remember that we do not own the world, but instead we lent it from our future
generations. We must protect our world so that our grandchildren woulh have a healthy earth to live.
Ahmad Harun bin Hashim
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
375 words

ARTICLE: Article for School Magazine / Newsletter

In spite of governments 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 worlds 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 televisions 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: ARTICLE / REPORT: Newspaper Article / Report
There has been an attempted robbery in your area. As a newspaper reporter, you have been assigned to write a
report of the incident for publication in a local newspaper. Using the notes below, write out your report.

couple taking a walk

two men approached them

ordered couple to give jewellery

a struggle husband injured

one neighbour taking a dog for a walk

heard shouts went to investigate

robbers saw dog fled

couple made police report

Couple Foils Robbery Attempt
PULAU PINANG, Thu An elderly businessman and his wife foiled a robbery attempt by two men armed with a
screwdriver and a knife. The victims were reported safe from any bad injury.
Tan Ah Wok, 60 and his wife were taking a morning walk near their home in Helen Heights yesterday when
two men on a motorcycle stopped them under the pretext of asking for directions. As Mr. Tan was giving directions,
one of the robbers pointed a knife at him and ordered them to keep quiet. He then relieved Mrs. Tan of her jewellery
and instructed Mr. Tan to hand over his ring and watch. When he refused, a struggle ensued. Meanwhile, his
accomplice grabbed a helmet and hit Mr. Tan on the head with it. On seeing this, his wife started screaming.
One of their neighbours, R. Subramaniam, who was taking his dog for a walk, heard the screams and when to
investigate. On seeing Subramaniam and his dog, the robbers fled. I was taking my dog for a walk when I heard
someone shouting for help. Knowing that something was wrong, I ran there as fast as I could. Before I reached the
scene, the robbers fled on a motorbike. They were probably afraid of my Rottweiler.
Mr. Tan, who suffered a small cut on his head, was given outpatient treatment at a private clinic. He said that
it was a horrified experience as he never expected the two men would attack his wife and him. He thought that they
were lost and needed help. He also mentioned that the guard who in charge nowadays easily allowed the strangers
to enter their residents. State CID Chief Supt Harun Din advised him and the people to be more careful in giving help
to strangers. The guard also must be stricter in letting people from entering any residents without proper permission.
He added that the suspects, aged between 25 and 30, were believed to be illegal immigrants. He said there
had been similar incident last week when two men approached a factory worker who was on her way home after
work. The duo then relieved her gold chain and cash. He advised the residents to be alert and reports to police any
suspicious-looking characters lurking in their area.
380 words

DIRECTED: REPORT Police Report

You witnessed an accident. The police officer has asked you to make a report. Use the points given below:
-

when the event happened

where the event took place
how it happened
description of the vehicles
step taken
To:
Sergeant Razali Kamrin
From: Julia Selamat
Date: 7th September 2011
Report of the accident on Jalan 2/14
On 7th September 2011 at 10.30 a.m., I was walking alone Jalan 2/14 which is next to the childrens
playground. As I was about to cross the road to enter the park, I saw a car driving swiftly down Jalan 4/14. It was a
Honda Civic with the number plate BEH 9110. Another car, a Toyota Vios 1.5 with plate number WHM 4657 came out
of Jalan 4/14 as well. The Honda Civic was driving too fast that make it did not have time to avoid collision.
The accident caused a loud crash. The Honda Civic hit the Toyota Vios on the drivers door. The door could
not be opened and the driver had to get out from the passengers door. The driver of the Toyota Vios was lucky as he
survived with no physical injuries. Both air bags popped up when they collided to each other. They both were
fortunate as their car was not badly damaged and dented.
The Toyota Vioss windscreen was shattered to pieces. The Honda Civics headlight and signal light were
smashed. There was plenty of glass on the road. The two drivers startled to argue. The driver of the Honda City was
a woman. They blamed each other and the argument stopped when her mobile phone rang. Most of the passerby
slowed down their vehicle to watch the accident. Some pedestrian came by and offered help.
As it happened, I ran into my house which is close by. I called the nearest police station and in ten minutes,
a police car drove up. I told the police officer I had witnessed the accident and offered to come out to the station to
give a statement. The cars were towed to the side of the road first, and then were brought to the police station before
to workshop. Pictures were taken for insurance claim.
In my opinion, the driver of the Honda City is to blame for the accident. She was driving too fast and did not
pay any attention to vehicles coming out from the side road. The driver of the Toyota Vios should have stopped at the
junction.
Julia Selamat
355 words

DIRECTED: REPORT Book Report

As a class project, you have been asked to write a book report. You decide to write a report of a book you have just
read.
-

Use the following notes in your report:

author
title
setting
synopsis
main characters
themes
response
The Story of My Life is an autobiography written by Helen Keller. It tells us how Helen Keller, who was
deaf, blind and mute, defied the odds to become one of the most celebrated personalities in the world. The story was
set in Alabama in 1997.
In the first half of the book, Helen Keller writes about how she was afflicted with scarlet fever while she was
still a baby and how illness left her deaf, blind and mute. The story outlines the frustration Helen Keller experienced
as a child alone in a dark and silent world unable to communicate with anybody. The author then goes on to say
how her life changed with the arrival of her new-employed teacher and nanny, Anne Mansfield Sullivan.
The second part of the book relates how Helen Keller studied the deaf and dumb language and learnt how to
write using Braille and then went to college and graduated. The story goes on to say how she spent the rest of her
life helping the deaf and dumb all over the world.
I enjoyed reading every page of the book. I found some sections of the book, especially those that deal with
the early part of her life, poignant and touching. It made me realize how difficult life must be for the handicapped. It
also made me realize how fortunate I was. It has made me more sympathetic towards the plight of those who are
less fortunate than I am, especially the handicapped who has given up hope in the face of misfortune, and the
severely handicapped who have lost the will to live.
The story is very touching and informative. It arouses the feelings of the readers. I admire Helen Keller for her
determination and diligence. I appreciate the painstaking efforts taken by the teacher. The book has a good moral
lesson for all. It shows the triumph of the human spirit in the face of indomitable obstacles. It makes us wonder
whether Helen Keller was just another victim of fate or whether her birth has a special significance. Was Helen Keller
fortunate or unfortunate? Helen Keller was unfortunate to have suffered the cruel twist of fate but the world is
fortunate to have had a person like her. Her life shining example to prove the adage, where there is a will, there is a
way.
393 words

DIRECTED: 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

DIRECTED: FORMAL LETTER: Letter of Complaint

Raju a/l Lingam,
123 A, Lorong Bahagia,
Taman Sentosa,
07231 Bandar Baru Sentol,
Kelantan
______________________________________________________________________
The President,
Bandar Baru Sentol Council,
Kompleks Utama,
07200 Bandar Baru Sentol

16 JUNE 2011

Dear Sir,
Uncollected Rubbish and Clogged Drains
I am writing this letter is to attract your attention to the above title. As the representative of the community, I am
calling to tell you that the 300 odd residents living in Taman Sentosa are extremely unhappy about the lackadaisical
attitude of the local town council towards the uncollected rubbish and clogged drains in our area.
2.
The rubbish in our area has not been collected for more than a week. The rubbish is supposed to be collected
on alternate days but this has not been the case. The town council workers collect the rubbish according to their own
whims and fancies. The uncollected garbage has attracted not only flies and mosquitoes but also wild dogs which
had attacked the residents on several occasions. These stray animals also scatter the rubbish and make the roads
dirty and smelly. As a result, residents have to bear the discomfort of stench from the garbage and risk their health.
3.
We are also disappointed with the town council workers for not clearing the clogged drains which are filled
with rubbish. The drains would usually overflow when there is heavy rain and the rubbish would then flow into the
compounds of our houses. Besides, putting up with the unbearable stench emitted from them, the residents have to
spend hours cleaning their compounds of rotten vegetables, food leftovers and other rubbish.
4.
Due to dengue outbreak recently, we are really concerned about the residents health especially the children.
Fogging service also was not done accordingly to the schedule. The fogging authority only did their job whenever a
case of dengue aroused. They even fogging the neighbourhood late at night that caused us to leave the residents.
They need to consider the residents who have babies and also to those who need to wake up early in the morning for
work. The fogging also caused the people to have breathing problem when we were not told the exact time of
fogging.
5.
We have made numerous appeals to the Municipal Council to look into our complaints but to no avail. We
have been putting up with this predicament for more than a week. We hope the health authorities would do
something to check these health hazards.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Raju
(RAJU a/l MANIAM)

380 words
DIRECTED: FORMAL LETTER: Letter of Application
You came across the following advertisement for the post Accounts Assistant Clerk.
Write a letter of application together with curriculum vitae to the manager.
In your letter, include the following:
- your curriculum vitae
- the reasons for your interest in the job
- your ability to work independently
- pursuing a degree in Accountancy
Do remember to:
- use the formal letter
- use all the points given
- elaborate each points given

Chong Mei Lin,

40, Jalan Templer,
Taman Hati Bersih,
76 000 Seremban,
Negeri Sembilan
_________________________________________________________________________
The Manager,
Lim and Sons Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.,
Lot 123, Interstate Industrial Area,
76 001 Nilai,
Negeri Sembilan

18 JULY 2010

Dear Sir / Madam,

Application for the Post of Accounts Assistant
I wish to apply for the post of Accounts Assistant as advertised in The New Strait Times dated 15 th July
2011.
2.
I have the necessary qualifications as stated in my curriculum vitae which is attached to this letter.
I have experience working in both food manufacturing and also auto manufacturing fields. I am currently
working in Lazat Ice Cream Sdn. Bhd. in capacity of an Accounts Assistant and have been here since
January 2008. Before this, I was working in TFR Auto Enterprise as an Accounts clerk. Since my present
position offers little prospect for career advancement, I would like to be attached to a fairly large
organisation such as yours.

3.
I would like to work in Nilai as I intend to further my studies and get professional qualification. I
have registered with a college in Nilai to do ACCA on part-time basis. With this high additional education
level and knowledge, I can perform better in applying the accounts knowledge in the future job.
4.
I can assure you that I am capable person who can work independently. I am able to handle full
sets of accounts, up to three sets at a time. I am interested in working with a company like yours as I feel I
can grow well with the company. I am a team player, adapt easily to any working environments and can
work with people from all works of life.
5.
I was active in extra-curricular activities and was considered as responsible and dedicated worker.
I led and organised many activities for the school clubs so I am confident that I can be an asset to your
company in this capacity. Furthermore, i have a good command of English.
6.
In view of my qualification and experience, I would expect a salary more than RM 2 000. And
since I have my own car, I would have no problems travelling outstation should the job require.
7.
I look forward to hearing from you and I am fully prepared to attend an interview at any time
convenient to you.

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Raju
(RAJU a/l MANIAM)
358 words

DIRECTED: INFORMAL LETTER

Your friend in Singapore has written to you to inform you that his cousin in Penang was down with
dengue fever. He would like to know the situation in Malaysia as he plans to bring his family over for the
holidays in June. Write a letter to brief him about the current situation.
In your letter, include the following:

express concern over the health of your friends cousin

news about the situation

steps taken authorities

present situation
Do remember to:

use the informal letter format

use all the points given

expand each of the points given

write in paragraph
No. 34, Street of Fame,
Taman Bukit Bintang,
Bukit Bintang,
67500 Ipoh,
Perak
14 January 2011
Dear John,
How are you? Im sorry to hear that your cousin had dengue fever. This problem seems to have
become very serious all of sudden. We always feel that the problem is not our concern until someone
close to us is affected.
My neighbours daughter who was in Standard 6 last year could not sit for UPSR examination
because she was down with dengue fever on the eve of the exam. Fortunately, the authorities gave her
an exemption so she is now in Form One. There were also a few students taking the examination in the
hospital.
According to the news, students made up nearly 30 per cent of the 1 500 suspected cases over
the first three weeks of the year. About 53 per cent of 621 confirmed cases last year comprised children
and youth under the age of 24. These statistics are quite worrying. This has prompted the health ministry
to increase checks on aedes breeding grounds in school and public areas. The construction sites are
largely to blamed. The problem is made worse by the rainy season. The stagnating water attract the
mosquitoes to lay egg and breeding on the areas.
The authorities have taken various steps to control the situation. Fogging has been carried out in
many public areas and most of the housing estates. Contractors at the construction sites have been
instructed to take appropriate actions and warned to clean up. They could be fined up to RM 3 000 for

breeding aedes mosquitoes. Lot of campaigns through the television, radio and newspapers were taken
to make people aware of the issue and take precaution rather than cure them.
Before the long holidays for the Chinese New Year, schools all over Malaysia carried out a cleanup campaign of the school compound. The residents association in my housing are also organised a
family day clean-up of the housing estate. There were huge piles of rubbish especially old tyres and
containers littered by the hawkers near the might market site.
The situation in Malaysia has improved since the end of January. There have been no reports of
new cases of dengue. So, dont worry. You can bring your family for a holiday here in June. Im looking
forward to seeing them again.
Send my regard to your mom and dad. Do take care.
Yours sincerely,
Harun Din
387 words

DIRECTED: SPEECH
Your school is having a month-long A Healthy Body Campaign. As President of the Health Club of your
school, you decide to give a speech on the Tak nak Campaign recently launched by the government.
Tak Nak Campaign
A very good morning to our dear Principal, Mr. Hasnan bin Jaafar, teachers and students.
Recently, our former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched an anti-smoking
campaign called Tak Nak. You can now see this short and rhyming catch phrase Tak Nak everywhere
on billboards, posters, TV ads, and sometimes I even hear it on the radio. Though some people have
criticised our government for setting aside a staggering sum of RM100 million over 6 years for the
campaign, it is nothing compared to the huge amounts that tobacco companies spend to promote
smoking.
But in this war against smoking, money definitely talks; it is necessary for the Tak Nak Campaign
to constanly remind us of the hazard of smoking because about 50 Malaysian teenagers light up for the
first time every day. In fact, some of these youth progress steadily from this to regular use, with addiction
raking hold within a few years. And this is despite the warning on every pack of cigarettes that states
unequivocally Smoking is dangerous to your health.
What can the Tak Nak Campaign do to combat this? Their aggressive advertising creates media
awareness among the public, especially among the fashionable young crowd, that smokers have
yellowed teeth and suffer from shortness of breath and tells them that it is not cool to smoke. It is also not
responsible of them to affect non-smokers with second-hand smoke.
Also, there is a succession of infomercials on TV and in the papers showing the debilitating effects
of tobacco addiction on the body and gruesome statistics of smoke-related deaths. We are now familiar
with the graphic pictures of damaged lungs on billboards which should scare people into not smoking.
This works, as I know some of my friends are quitting now, or trying to reduce the number of cigarettes
they smoke per week.
However, I feel any anti-smoking campaign is more effective if other people and organisations are
actively involved too. Yes, the first step has been taken by the top, but sad to say, many of our politicians
smoke themselves. Nearer to home, so do some of our parents and teachers.
These adults have to be good role models by not smoking themselves. If they do smoke, they
should tell their children and students that they regret that they ever started, and then take steps to quit
smoking as soon as possible. They must practise what they preach.
On a more positive note, I commend the Malaysia Amateur Athletic Union for its zero-tolerance of
smoking because they know that smoking and health just do not mix. How can our sportsmen excel if
they cannot stop smoking.
Dear teachers and students, thank you for your attention. Let me end my speech by reiterating
that smoking is a bad habit, so make Tak Nak your mantra. If you have started smoking, say Tak Nak and
quit! And if you havent started smoking, say know that smoking not only damages your health but you are
also literally burning your money.
502 words