Secondary English notes

1) Composition writing skills

2) Model Essays
3) Vocabulary/ Phrases for Composition
4) List of Similes
5) List of Nouns
6) Comprehension
The Writing Process

STAGES IN THE WRITING PROCESS

STEP 1

Read the question carefully

Highlight the keywords in the questions.

STEP 2
Brainstorm for ideas
Use a mind map a list of ideas etc.
Use graphic organisers.

STEP 3
Organise the ideas
Identify the main ideas from elaborations and evidences.

STEP 4
Organising the body of essay
Pick out 3-4 main points that you want to use in your
essay.
Ensure the main points have their elaborations and evidences.
Write out the paragraphs topic sentences and supporting sentences.

STEP 5
Writing of essay
Read through the main points and write out an introductory paragraph.
Write out the body of essay.
Write out a suitable conclusion.

STEP 6
Proofread your essay
Read your essay and check if there is a need to improve on/add information
Check structure
form / grammar / vocabulary.
Structure of an Essay

An essay is made up of a number of paragraphs.

In a five-paragraph essay, the first paragraph is an introduction. The second, third

and fourth paragraphs form the body of an essay. The fifth paragraph is a
conclusion.

It is possible to have more than five paragraphs but try not to exceed the number of
words required.

Five-Paragraph Essay Structure

Introductory Paragraph The hook should catch

the reader's attention.
Interesting opening The building sentences
sentence(s) (hook). could provide
More building sentences. background information,
INTRODUCTION
Indicate main ideas that will
interesting ideas before
be discussed in the essay. main ideas
indicating the
that would be discussed
in the body of essay.

Paragraph 1 (Main Idea)

Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentences Mainpart of the essay.
Concluding Sentence Each paragraph
discusses a main idea.

Paragraph 2 (Main Idea) It is made up of three

parts.
BODY OF Topic Sentence Topic sentence
PARAGRAPHS Supporting Sentences Supporting sentences
Concluding Sentence Concluding sentence

Paragraph • (Main Idea) Remember the PEEL

method

Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentences
Concluding Sentence

Concluding Paragraph
Restate the idea of the

Summary of main ideas. essay.

Summarise main ideas.
CONCLUSION End off with a good statement
question. End on an interesting
note.
Writing Paragraphs

A paragraph has three parts. It is similar to the PEEL method that iS frequently used
in Literature essays.

The topic sentence

This is the main idea of the paragraph. It is usually the first
sentence of the paragraph.

2. The supporting sentences

for the
These are the evidences, elaborations and explanations
main idea (topic sentence). It consists of a few sentences.

The concluding sentence

This is the last sentence of the paragraph. The paragraph can
be ended by repeating the main idea (topic sentence), but
express it by using a difference sentence. Do not repeat the
same first sentence.

An average paragraph has about 6 - 10 sentences. Organise them well so that the
the steps above
reader can easily understand your ideas and arguments. Follow
when organising the paragraph.

When writing your body of paragraphs, try to use different and interesting sentences
to add variety to your writing. Some examples of sentence
starters are provided on

You can also liven up your writing using 'The Golden Bricks' on Page 6.
Page 5.

When introducing new ideas in paragraphs, use transitional expressions. These

show where one idea ends and another begins.

Transitional Expressions

Listing ideas First, second, finally

Adding an idea also, another, in addition, moreover

Showing a similar idea like..., likewise, similarly

however, in contrast, on the other

Showing an opposite or contrasting idea hand, unlike...

as a result, because of therefore.

Showing an effect or result thus

Showing an example for example , for instance

in short, in conclusion, to sum up,

Concluding or summarising to summarise
Writing Paragraphs

Main-Idea Sentence Starters

It is amazing to think about Would you believe that
Let me explain So, what about
You'll be excited to learn that Incredibly,
Do you realize that It is true that

Have you ever thought about So, you want to understand how
Have you ever wondered Why do
Let me tell you about How can

Of course, most people agree that When do

Actually, Where can

It is interesting to note that How do(es)

In a funny sort of way. Most people believe that
Surprisingly, Of course,

Nowadays For sure,

Usually, Often times

It's incredible that For years

Most often Sometimes

Now that Historically,

It's hard to believe, but
By the way
You'd better believe that You will find that

You'll soon see that You'll soon discover why/that

Don't you think that So,

No one will argue that
Wouldn't you agree
Without a doubt
Certainly,
Truly,
Positively,
In the first place
Normally,
Imagine
Finally
First of all
Experts agree that
In many ways
Let me fill you in on
So why is (are)
There are many reasons why.
What's so great about
There are many ways in which
Suppose that you
Interestingly enough,
Do you remember when
Let's take a look at
It all began when Try to visualize
ever seen
Are you aware that
Have yoU
You may be surprised to learn that
It is fascinating to learn about
Strangely enough,
Amazingy
Indeed,
Unquestionably,.
Most people are unfamiliar with
Surely,
Experience shows that
Typically,
Most people agree that
In my experience
Introductions and Conclusions

There are several ways to write good introductions or conclusions. Here are a few different
ways.

Introductions

The introduction is the first impression of your essay. It also contains guiding posts, so that
the reader is aware of what the next few paragraphs will discuss. A good introduction will
anchor your essay for the readers.

These are some ways to introduce or open your essay.

Thesis Statement Opening

This is the traditional style of opening a paper. This is a mini-summary' of your writing.

For example:

Stress IS a word that most teenagers are familiar with as teenagers do face a lot of stress. In fact,
be identified
stress and teenagers seem to mean the same thing. The sources of their stress must
their parents
before stress could actually be overcome. Teenagers often face stress at school, from
then can the
and, most definitely, their peers. It is important to identify the causes of stress, only
teen find ways to manage his level of stress.

Opening with a Story (Anecdote)

A good way of catching your reader's attention is by sharing a story that sets up your essay.
make your reader
Sharing a story gives an essay a more personal feel and helps
comfortable.

rushed to the hospital after she fainted for the third time during the
Rita, healthy fifteen year was
a

week. When she came to,

she admitted to the doctors that she had not eaten nor slept well due to
a number of assignments
that she had to complete. Well, does this sound familiar? Yes, this could
run around trying to deal with everyday stresses.
be acommon scenario for some teens as they
Some like Rita skip their meals, others may binge and, yet, some to
others may just shut the whole
deal with stress but they may
world out and lock themselves up in their rooms. These are ways
not be the best of ways.
 Introductions and Conclusions

Specific Details

helps
Giving specific details about your subject appeals to your reader's curiosity and
establish a visual picture of what your paper is about.

to concentrate on a
Hearts beating fast, lost of appetite, not being able to sleep, too tired even
The
movie. So what do these lead to? If one is not careful enough -- most probably a breakdown.
cause of this breakdown would be none other than stress. Stress in teenagers can be caused by
tight deadlines, peer pressure and lack of confidence and self-esteem. Stress is part and parcel of
life and cannot be wished away but must be and can be managed. Some of the ways are truly
simple if one knows how.

Open with a Quotation

Another method of writing an introduction is to open with a quotation. This method makes
your introduction more interactive and more appealing to your reader.

"You can do anything that you set your heart on". This statement has been heard time and again,
but what does itreally mean? First and foremost, it implies that anyone is capable of doing
anything. However, the main point to note is that the person must want to carry out what he wants
done in the first place.

Question Openings

Possibly the easiest opening is one that presents one or more questions to be answered in
the paper. This is effective because questions are usually what the reader has in mind when
he or she sees your topic.

What is stress? Is stress really that bad? Can there ever be such a thing called good stress? To
answer these questions,
one must first understand exactly what stress is. The answers to the rest of
the questions will follow as soon as the first one is answered.
Introductions and Conclusions

Conclusions

The conclusion to any paper is the final impression that can be made. It is the last
opportunity
learned
to get your point across to the reader and leave the reader feeling as if he has
something. Leaving an essay 'dangling' without a proper conclusion can seriously
devalue what was
said in the body of paragraphs itself.
Here are a few effective ways to conclude or close
your essay.

Summary Closing

Many times conclusions are simple re-statements of the introduction.

Thus, stress can be managed quite effectively and easily. Learning a new skill or sport can ease
some stress. Positive thinking also does lot of good in the long run and, finally, talking about what
a

IS on one's mind does ease the burden of stress on

a person. These are, but, only a few ways on

how stress can be managed easily and effectively.

Rhetorical Question Closings

This method of concluding a paper is one step short of giving a logical conclusion. Rather
than handing the conclusion over, you can leave the reader with a question that causes him
or her to draw his own conclusions.

Thus, stress can be managed quite effectively and easily. Learning a new skill or sport can ease
some stress. Positive thinking also does a lot of good in the long run and, finally, talking about what
IS on one's mind does ease the burden
of stress on a person. These are, but, only a few ways on

how stress can be managed easily and effectively. So then why is everyone so stressed up about
stress?
Introductions and Conclusions

Close with a Speculation or Opinion

This is good style for instances when the writer was unable to come up with an answer or a
a

clear decision about whatever it was he or she was researching.

Thus, stress can be managed quite effectively and easily. Learning a new skill or sport can ease

some stress. Positive thinking also does a lot of good in the long run and, finally, talking about what
is on one's mind does ease the burden of stress on a person. These are, but, only a few ways on
how stress can be managed easily and effectively.
So then why is everyone SO stressed up about
stress? Perhaps the reader is able to provide the answer to the question.

Close with a Recommendation

A good conclusion is when the writer suggests that the reader do something in the way of
support for a cause or a plea for them to take action.

Thus, stress can be managed quite effectively and easily. Learning a new skill or sport can ease
some stress. Positive thinking also does a lot
of good in the long run and, finally, talking about what
is on one's mind does ease the burden of stress on a person. These are, but, only
a few ways on
how stress can be managed easily and effectively. So then, what are you
waiting for? Sign up for a
course of rollerblading or even ballroom dancing, give yourself that
positive self-talk that you SO
deserve and bring your best friend out for a cup of tea and catch up on what
you have missed out.
Checklist for Expository Writing

My essay will
explain successfully if I select specific, relevant content
and organise my writing well.
That means should:

D
follow the directions given in the writing prompt;
narrow my topic;
stay focused on the main ideas:
elaborate by using reasons, well-chosen and
specific details, examples, and/or
anecdotes to support my ideas;
include information
that is interesting, thoughtful, and necessary for my audience to
know:
M
organise my writing with an introduction, supporting paragraphs with main points and
elaboration, and an effective conclusion;
0 organise my writing in effective paragraphs;
use transitions to connect my ideas.

My essay will explain successfully if I demonstrate an effective style.

That means should:

0 show that I care about my topic by writing in a voice appropriate for my audience
and purpose,
use language that is appropriate for my audience and purpose,
0 use specific words and phrases that help the reader understand my ideas,
0 use sentences of varied length and structure.

My essay will explain successfully if I follow conventions in writing.

That means should:

follow the rules of grammar and Standard English usage,

0
spell words correctly,
use correct capitalization,
use correct punctuation,
 Discursive Essay Samples

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet

Ten years ago, the Internet was practically unheard of by most people. Today, the Internet IS one of the most
powerful tools throughout the world The Internet is a collection of various services and resources. The Internet's
main components are E-mail and the World Wide Web. Actually, there's a lot more to the Internet than E-mail.

search engines, celebrity web sites, up-to-the-second sports scores, and chat rooms full of discussions. The Net
also ranks as one of today's best business tools. Almost all households contain the Internet; however, before
people connect to the Internet, they need to be aware of its disadvantages and advantages.

Children using the Internet have become a big concern. Most parents do not realize the dangers involved when
their children connect to the Internet. When children are online, they can easily be lured into something dangerous.
For example,
children may receive pornography online by mistake; therefore, causing concern among parents
everywhere. Whether surfing the Web, reading newsgroups, or using email, children can be exposed to extremely
inappropriate material. To keep children safe, parents and teachers must be aware of the dangers. They must
actively guide and guard their children online. There are a number of tools available today that may help keep the
Internet environment safer for children

Musicians are also concerned with disadvantages to the Net such as, accessibility and freedom. They are upset
because the Internet provides their music online at no charge to consumers. File-sharing services, such as Napster,
provide copyrighted songs to all Internet users. The main concern is the music is free! Musicians feel they are not
getting paid for their work. Because of Napster, it is almost impossible to close down all file-sharing services
because there are too many of them to count

Another major disadvantage of the Internet is privacy. Electronic messages sent over the Internet can be easily
tracked, revealing who is talking to whom and what they are talking about. As people surf the Internet, they are
constantly giving information to web sites. People should become aware that the collection, selling, or sharing of the
information they provide online increases the chances that their information will fall into the wrong hands. When

giving personal information on the Internet, people should make sure the Web site is protected with a recognizable
security symbol. On the other hand, this does not mean they are fully protected because anyone may obtain a
user's information. In other words, the most common Internet crimes are frauds.

Despite all of the terrible disadvantages of the Internet, there are numerous advantages. In fact, the
advantages weigh out the disadvantages The most common thing the Internet is used for is research _Children
and students are among the top people who use the Internet for research. Nowadays, it is almost required that
students use the Internet for research. The Internet has become one of the biggest sources for research. Almost
every day, research on medical issues becomes easier to locate. Web sites have become available for people to
research diseases and talk to doctors online at sites such as, America's Doctor.

Entertainment is another popular reason why many people surf the Internet. Downloading games, going into
chat rooms or just surfing the Web are some of the uses people have discovered. There are numerous games that
may be downloaded from the Internet at no charge. Chat rooms are popular because users can meet new and
interesting people. In fact, the Internet has been used by people to find lifelong partners. When people surf the
Web, there are numerous things that can be found. Music, hobbies, news and more can be found on the Internet.

Shopping online has also become a huge success and is considered a great advantage of the Internet. No
matter what people are shopping for, it can be found on the Internet. People do not even have to leave their homes.
A few companies have collected millions of dollars using the Internet for selling. Clothing is probably one of the

most bought items online. Almost every major clothing store has its own Web site. In fact, people can even go
grocery shopping online. Just one click of the mouse on the items they want to purchase and the items are
delivered to their front door.

conclusion, today's society is in the middle of a technological boom. People can either choose to take advantage
In
or simply let it pass them by. The Internet is a very powerful tool. It has many advantages; however,
of this era,
people need to be extremely aware of the disadvantages as well. In the end, everyone needs to be aware and be
wary of what the Internet has to offer.
 Discursive Essay Samples

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fast Food

8000 KFCs in 80 countries, only goes
More than 13,000 McDonald's restaurants in the United States itself, and over
quickly is termed as 'fast
to reflect the popularity of fast food all over the world Food that is prepared and served
food'. Such type of food suits perfectly into the fast paced life of a working individual. There is nothing more than
could ask for. However, those
ready-made food that a hard-working professional living in the city away from family
who are against fast food highlight the adverse effect that it has on our health. Despite all the debate about the
or bad?
advantages and disadvantages that fast food has, the industry is flourishing. Is fast food good

life, there is nothing better

The most evident advantage of fast food is that it saves time. In today's fast-paced
at the end of a hard-
than getting a ready meal. No matter how much the chefs praise the benefits of fresh food,
Besides the time an
working day, when one and hungry, a pizza or a burger can be godsend.
returns home all tired
to buy the
individual has to spend in the kitchen, cooking a meal also requires one to make a trip to the supermarket
ingredients for the dish. Then there is the added effort and time consumed in washing and peeling the vegetables.
All this makes eating fast food score more preferably over cooking a meal for a busy individual.

Besides time, cost saving gives fast food an edge over the meal prepared in the kitchen. If one lives alone, then
it is cheaper to buy a meal at the supermarket instead of cooking it at home. Certain fast foods like fries and

burgers come pretty cheap.

Fast food does raise health concerns. However, if careful, you can find some options on the menu of a fast
food restaurant that could be healthier. Salads are a smart choice. Go for bread products that are made from
wheat bread and opt for lean meat. If you could choose between the fried and boiled options,
order the boiled

preparation. Avoid ordering soft drinks when you are thirsty. Is there anything better than plain water to quench your
thirst?

Then what is wrong with fast food? Usually, fast food is higher in fat, sugar, oil, fried meat, salt, cheese,
mayonnaise and, obviously, calories. The greatest disadvantage of fast food IS the adverse effect that it has on
one's health It is a fact that fast food is more unhealthy than home-cooked meals, as it contains higher amounts of
unwanted nutrients like salt, fat and various types of additives (artificial chemicals). It may contain harmful bacteria
too. Frying destroys most of the essential nutrients from the food. Very small amounts of vegetables and fruits are
normally present in fast food. Fast food being rich in salt, adversely affects the heart health and the overall health of
an individual.

Given the sedentary lifestyle that we lead today, the excess fats and calories that we take in with fast food
is not used up completely. The result is that these accumulate in our body as fat deposits that cause
complications like cardiovascular diseases and other related diseases of the heart. With obesity come other
problems like high blood pressure and diseases of the joints. It is like a chain reaction set off by fast food and
carried forward by our unhealthy lifestyle.

The greater the number of people at a meal in a fast food restaurant, the larger is the bill. Eating at fast food
outlets is economical only for a single person. Going out to a fast food eating joint with family once in a while won't
matter much. However, frequent visits to such restaurants with one's family can become quite an expensive affair,
besides being unhealthy.

Fast food joints are also being seen as a factor that is making a number of families spend less and less
time together. Family meal time is something that is considered as an opportunity for all the members to come
together and share their experiences. However, the fast food centers are quickly eating into this quality time. This is
especially true about youngsters for whom a fast food center is a good place to hang out with friends and peers.

Fast food is an invention of the modern times. Ready-made food being served fast and right in front of us is like a
blessing after a hard day's work. However, like everything, it has its own pros and cons. Citing a few points about
the advantages of fast food does not mean that its drawbacks are being denied. It is a fact that high amounts of
fats andsalt in fast food are raising concerns about their adverse effect on health. However, by making some smart
choices while placing the order and also resorting to an active lifestyle, we can definitely minimize the drawbacks of
fast food.
 Informative Essay Samples

Time Management Tips for Teens

All you teenagers out there...do find that you seem to running out of time trying to
you
accomplish all the things that you need to do? You find that you cannot complete what you
want to no matter how hard you try. Time does not seem to be on your side. So what can you
do? Well... here are some time-tested tips
to help you squeeze more time into your day.

Firstly, you may want to make a schedule of your day. What time you go to school, what
time you arrive home, how long it takes you to complete your homework, household chores
and work hours. From there you can determine how much free time you have and schedule
your day so that everything can be completed. Then make a list of things you want to do.
When you find yourself sitting in front of the TV or computer for hours or just doing nothing and
being bored, use your list to change your time into productive time.

Secondly, you may also want to set goals for what you want to accomplish and make your
goals specific. For example, "1 want to finish my History revision" iS not a goal, "1 want to finish
revising History by 10pm" IS a goal. It is much easier to reach a goal when you have something
specific in mind.

Thirdly, divide your daily activities into categories and decide on the priority of each
category. Completing homework is a priority, getting exercise is a priority. Hanging out at the
mall is not. Set your activities based on their priority. You must set time limits for yourself. If
you need to complete household chores, set a time limit and then work to complete them
within the time limits. Using a planner or a PDA helps you keep track of your responsibilities
and plan your days based on what needs to be accomplished. Doing this will allow plenty of
time to do what you want to do.

Fourthly, try to also keep as much routine as possible in your day. Knowing what you need
to do and when you need to do it will help you to accomplish more. Always keep supplies for
your chores or one place. Having to reorganize yourself each day can
homework in waste

much time. Keeping supplies in place will help you to accomplish the task quickly.

Finally and very importantly - do not procrastinate.Procrastination causes lots of wasted

time. In order not to waste your time, take the time to complete a task correctly the first time.

Having to redo your work over again can waste time.

So, if you have heard of these before, then obviously they are note-worthy. Just try following
these tips for a month and see if you had managed to sneak a few more hours into your day.
If these tipswork, then share them with your friends who may be tearing their hair out because
they just cannot find time to do what they need to.
 Informative Essay Samples

Discuss the reasons why teenagers need to practice good health habits.
Introduction
Many teenagers fail to take their health seriously and do not realise that being
healthy will benefit them in the long run. When students ignore good health
practices and choose to observe bad habits, it will eventually affect their studies.
What then are some good habits? Getting enough exercise, eating well and
taking care of your mental health are three basic ways of taking care of your
health.

Firstly, physical activities are necessary if you wish to keep fit. You should Physical
exercise at least 3 times a week and one simple form of physical activity is taking activities
a stroll. You can talk a short walk in the park or walking short distances instead of Main point
taking public transport. Many youth neglect their health as they would rather &
spend their time on the computer, surfing social networking sites like Facebook or elaboration
Twitter. They also prefer to watch television programmes for long hours instead of
going out to exercise! Being inactive does not benefit the body at all, but makes
one lazy.

Then secondly, have you heard of the phrase 'You are what you eat'? Eating
Teenagers tend to thrive on fast food and soft drinks. What they do not realise is habits .
that fast food isunhealthy, and eating too much fast food can lead to obesity and Main point
cause health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure and other health &

complications. Hence, the second good health practice would be to eat meals elaboration
that contains all the essential nutrients especially two servings of fruit and
vegetables. Fruits and vegetables supply plenty of vitamins and minerals to the
body. It is also ensures that your diet has plenty of fibre as well.

Lastly, you must take care of your mental health as well. Students must be Mental
able manage and prioritize their time instead of wasting unnecessary time on health
leisure and entertainment. Much work can definitely be accomplished and Main point
students will not need to stay up late to complete their assignments. With good &
time management, you can also get enough rest. When you have adequate elaboration
sleep, you will be able to focus on the tasks ahead and will have a good attitude
towards work. However, because of poor time management, many youths sleep
late and this lead to weak academic performance in school. A positive outlook
also helps you to look at the brighter side of life and will boost self-esteem. On
the other hand, a negative mindset will cause one to have low self-esteem,
Healthy hobbies also do play a part in boosting a person's esteem.

As your health is precious, learning how to manage your health is of utmost Conclusion
importance. You have already read about how to keep healthy and now it is up to
you. So what are you waiting for? Learn to play a game, pick up a good book to
read, change your diet! The choice is yours - choose health.
 Argumentative / Persuasive Writing

Argumentative / persuasive writing (debates, political speech, advertisements, letter

to the editor)

utilises logic and reason to show that one idea IS more legitimate superior
than another idea.

attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a

particular action.

must always use sound reasoning and/or solid evidence by stating facts,
giving logical reasons, using examples, and quoting experts. (The very reason
why you are told to read, read and read sO that you will be kept updated
and be in the know' of things.)

Some examples of 'not very sound' arguments:

Women are worse drivers than men. (generalisation)

The death of the pedestrian at that junction proves that we need a crossing
there. (one off case - not justified)

The medicine is 100% safe and can be taken by anyone of any age. (proven??
Or a lie?)

Millions of people agree with what I am saying today. (exaggeration)

Dr Tan agrees that the medication cure baldness. (expert opinion? Or that of a
quack?)

When planning for and writing an argumentative / persuasive essay, you must:

Choose your position / stand

Which side of the issue or problem are you going to write about? (You must have
enough information to support your point of view?)
What solution/reasons will you offer?
Know the purpose of your essay. (Talk / poster / letter for your teacher/principal /
essay etc)

Test your thesis/argument

Your thesis or argument must have two sides. (Then it is an argument - you can

persuade someone to 'buy' your story)

Hence, it must be debatable.
Argumentative/ Persuasive Writing

Disprove the opposing argument (only at higher levels and for stronger writers)
Understand/anticipate the opposite viewpoint of your position and then counter
refute it by providing contrasting evidence or by finding mistakes and
inconsistencies in the logic of the opposing argument.
Support your position with evidence
Remember that your evidence ust appeal to reason.
The following are different ways to support your argument:

Facts

A powerful means of convincing someone. Facts can come

from your readings,
observations or
personal experience. Do not confuse facts with truths. A 'truth' is an
idea believed by many people, but it cannot be proven.
Statistics

These can provide excellent support. Must be from responsible sources.

Always cite your sources. Cannot be made up!

Quotes

Direct quotes from

leading experts that support your position are invaluable.
Examples

Examples enhance your meaning and make your ideas concrete.

Language features of argumentative / persuasive writing

Use of 1st person pronoun - my, our, we
Use of adjectives and adverbs
Use of persuasive phrases
believe we should...
am convinced that...
can prove / show / demonstrate that...
Use of simple present tense - timeless statements, current facts
Use of
past tense - reference to past/historical/biographical details
Use of transitions / linking words but, however etc
Ask rhetorical questions for emphasis
Can a teenager be expected to know that?
Pets need love too, don't they?
Repetition of phrases - for emphasis
Use of modals must, will, shall
Figurative language - for effect
Argumentative / Persuasive Writing

Argumentative / persuasive writing scaffold

Introductory paragraph

Opening statement(s) ATTENTION GRABBER!

Next 2 -3 sentences - interesting statements
State your point of view / stand 'I believe that uniforms should not be
abolished for several reasons.'
Next 1-3 lines give the main ideas from your 3
paragraphs of arguments.

Paragraphs 2/3/4

Start each paragraph with a topic sentence - main

beginning. reason stated right at the

Give 3 details/examples to support your first reason

Argue well - logical, do not get
across,
rude or personal. Your aim is to get your idea
not upset the audience/reader.

Conclusion

Concluding remarks
Summarise your arguments
State your point of view.
Argumentative/Persuasive Samples

People should not watch too much TV. Do you agree?

Watching television is an experience shared by most adults and General

children. It iS cheap, appealing and within the reach of the general statements
public. In this way, TV has become an important mass media
around the world. Sadly, this resource is not used in a way that
people could get the best possible benefits from it. People should
not watch too much television because the content of many TV
programs is not educational, it makes people waste time that Main ideas 1,
could be used in more beneficial activities and it negatively 2 and 3 being
affects people's mental development. introduced.

The first reason why people should not watch too much television Main idea 1 &
IS because the content of
many TV programs is not educational. supporting
Nowadays, we can see movies, series and shows that present points
scenes of violence, sex and drugs. This has established
wrong
concepts among the audience that influence them into having a
negative behaviour. Moreover, the impact this tendency has on
children is worse because they grow up with the idea of a world
where women must be slender and blonde to stand out, where
problems can only be solved with money and violence and where
wars are inevitable.

The second reason why people should not watch too much Main idea 2 &
television is because it makes people waste time that could
be used supporting
in more beneficial activities. Thetime we spend watching TV could points
be applied to useful activities like exercise, reading, interacting with
friends and family. These are activities that are crucial for a healthy
lifestyle. They are also important for bonding purposes.

The third reason why people should not watch too much television Main idea 3 &
s because it negatively affects people's mental development. supporting
According to several scientific studies, watching TV for prolonged points
periods of time has a negative effect over the intellectual
development of children. This leads to deterioration of the mental
capacity in older people by causing both attention and memory
problems in the long term.

In conclusion, people should not watch too much television Main ideas 1,
because the content of many TV programs is not educational, it 2 & are
makes people waste time that could be used in more beneficial reiterated in
activities; and it affects people's mental development. Hence, the
the amount of time spent in front of the goggle box should be conclusion.
drastically reduced if life is to be made more meaningful for our
younger generations.
 Argumentative/Persuasive Samples

Do you agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day?

A lot of people, especially the young ones, go through the Opening sentences.
day without having breakfast. Many people believe that it is
not necessary, or they say that they do not have time for
breakfast and begin their day with no meal. believe that Introduction of the 3
everyone should eat breakfast before going to their points that will be
activities. It is important because you need to replenish discussed in the
nutrients for the day, helps students concentrate in class following
and prevent diseases in the long run. paragraphs.

One reason why you should eat breakfast is to replenish Main idea 1 &
the nutrients for the day. It is the first meal of the day and supporting points
when you skip it, you have starved the body of the important
nutrients that you need for the day. This then lead me to the
next point as to why you need to have breakfast.

The other reason for eating breakfast is because you need Main idea 2 &
the nutrients to do well in your classes. Your body and your supporting points
brain are not going to function when you have no energy
and no strength. When you try to learn something and have

nothing in your stomach, you are going to have a lot of

trouble succeeding.

The last reason to have breakfast every day IS because Main idea 3 &
you can avoid diseases in the long run. If you constantly supporting points
skip breakfast, you will end up developing disease like
gastric pain, which you could have avoided in the first place.
Is it not better to have a simple breakfast daily, than develop
ulcers in your stomach and end up with expensive medical
bills and pains with it?

You have to realise that breakfast is the most important Conclusion

meal of the day, and you cannot skip it without affecting
your health and school grades. It is better to wake up earlier
and have a good breakfast that run to school without eating
anything. It is time for you to do something for your health,
and eating breakfast is the better way to start your day.
 Essay Prompts

Informative and discursive writing communicates information to the reader

to share knowledge or to convey messages, instructions and ideas. It involves
communicating information at various levels of understanding, such as
describing information, explaining or interpreting information, clarifying a
process or evaluating information. Examples include situational writing of
reports, information leaflets etc.

Informative essay prompts

1. An Ideal Canteen
2. Choosing Healthy Foods in the Supermarket
Pets

Racial Harmony Day

Importance of reading
Mother Teresa
Choosing the Ideal Job
Importance of Friends
Music
10. Three Important Inventions.

Discursive essay prompts

1. To what extent do you agree that the school canteen must only sell healthy
foods?
Supermarkets should only sell organic foods. Discuss
Pets are the best stress busters. Discuss
4. Racial Harmony Day is one of the most important celebrations in Singapore. To
what extent do you agree?
5. The benefits of reading
The advantages and disadvantages of eating out.
Facebook The good and the bad.
8. The pros and cons of listening to music
9. Schools should start at 9am daily. Discuss.

More advanced prompts (Mixed text type)

10. Rules are important. What are the most important rules at your school and why
are they important?
11. Friends are important, but everyone has a different opinion of what makes a good
friend. Explain what, in your opinion makes a good friend.
12. Each child has a special position in their family. Explain the advantages and
disadvantages of the position you hold in your family - youngest child, only child,
middle child etc.
13. Choose one of your favorite authors. Write an information leaflet for a primary
school telling why you like his/her work.
 Essay Prompts

14. You are the class president and have been asked to write an introduction for a

person you admire greatly. Write an essay describing the most admirable
qualities of the person.
15 Write a letter to the editors of Invention magazine. Name three inventions you
could not live without and explain why they are so important to you.

Persuasive writing seeks to influence the reader to take some action or bring
about change to an idea or opinion. It may contain factual information, such as
reasons, examples, or comparisons; however, its main purpose is not to inform,
but to
persuade the reader to think or act in a certain way. Examples include
editorials or persuasive speeches and advertisements, writing a letter to your
Principal.

Argumentative / Persuasive essay prompts

1. Do you agree
that the canteen must only sell healthy foods?
Supermarkets must sell only organic foods. Do you agree?
Pets are the best stress busters. Do
you agree?
Racial Harmony Day must be observed by every
Singaporean.
Reading is beneficial. Do you agree?
Do you agree that home-cooked meals are the
best?
Facebook has brought about more harm
than good.

Pupils should not be listening to music while studying. Do you agree?

Do you agree that schools should start at 9am daily?
It is much worse being a teenager than an adult. Do you agree?
Do you agree that much of a teenager's life is dull?
The Internet is a foe. Do you agree?
Stress is good. Do you agree?

Today's youth are very pampered. Do you agree?

Too much of money brings out the worst in
16. people. Do you agree?
Singaporeans lack grace. Do you agree?
 Argumentative writing revision
( extra practice included for this
section)
Argumentative Essay Format

How are such questions usually phrased?

) "Should / Is / Do
you agree ....

After reading the question, you will be required to provide a Yes/No reply to the question.
agree?"
For example, "Some people believe that life is interesting only if they take risks. Do you

Students MUST take an absolute stand.

Structure:

Intro Intro

Point #1 Counter Argument + Rebuttal

Point #2 Or Point #1

• Counter Argument + Rebuttal Point #2

Conclusion Conclusion

Argumentative Essay Writing Guide:

Identifying an Argumentative essay 7 The question will lead you to a yes/no reply.

More often than not, the question will contain either "Should..." or "Do you agree..." or "Is...

Making a stand:

In an argumentative essay, the writer has to have a strong opinion about the topic in order to

persuade the reader about his/her opinion.

The aim is to ultimately convince the reader to agree with his/her point of view.
Therefore, it is important for the writer to take a clear stand throughout the essay.

Before attempting an argumentative essay, you should ask yourself the following questions:

Do I have opinion about the topic given?

Do have a clear goal for my essay?

Do I have sufficient points during my brainstorming to sustain my argument?

Have I had previous successes in writing such essays?

Preparation:
to write this genre, you have to consider the following questions:
Once you have decided
What are the keywords in the question?

What is my stand?

What is my goal in the essay?

Have I analysed the question?

Content paragraphs: A Revision

A good content
paragraph should contain the following elements:
A clear and concise Topic Sentence, as known as the main point/argument/ contention of the
paragraph

Elaboration/ supporting statements

Examples/ evidence (to support/ justify your eleaboration preferably with the use of pertinent
current issues as
examples)

Explanation of your example/evidence to emphasise on your point and ensure that your

example has been clearly explained to supprt your point.

Sentences that serve as conclusions/ reiterations (to conclude/ reaffirm) the points raised in

the particular paragraph/ to relate the arguments to your stand. This is known as your Link
Back.

Use logical connectors or linking words to help connect sentences/ paragrpahs

systematically to make it a coherent, flowing argument. Some examples include: also,
furthermore, similary, nevertheless, nonetheless, consequently, in short, for example, to
conclide.

To help you remember these important components, you can use the useful acronym P-E-E-E-L,
which stands for:

D Point (that IS, Topic Sentence),

D Elaboration/ Explanation (this is, author's opinion and supporting statements),
D Evidence/ Example (fact) and
Explanation of your example
D Link back (that is, reiteration. Optional at times)

P.E.E.E.L. - Point, Elaboration, Evidence, Explnation, Link back

PEEEL IS a general writing strategy that helps you to structure your ideas systematically in each
content paragraph.

This is the fundamental structure that you must memorise. Critical in the construction of paragraphs,
you have to understand PEEL fully before experimenting with other styles of writing.

Point A simple sentence will suffice, and it MUST act as a reason for your stand/thesis.
Elaboration/Explanation - Give further reasons as to why and how your point can support your
stand and thesis.
Evidence/ Examples - Provide situations and details that show how your point supports your
stand / thesis.
Explanation - This ensures that the reader can clearly understand how the supporting evidence
strengthens the argument that you have made.
Link Ensure that your paragraph IS on point and connected to your stand / thesis. It also
summarizes the point discussed in the current paragraph. Don't just repeat your topic sentence.
Provide a more sophisticated reiteration and evaluation of your point of contention.
Planning the essay structure

Having decided on the text type that works best with your approach to the essay question, you have to
employ the correct overall structure of the text type of choice. Do note that while the structure IS rather
similar, the slightly varying composition of the content paragraphs will have a bearing on the message
that you want to put across.

The table below outlines the differences in structure between the 3 main text types:

PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATIVE REFLECTIVE

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

+ + +

to 4 CONTENT 2 to 3 CONTENT 3 to 4 CONTENT

paragraphs (1 paragraphs (1 point paragraphs (1

point per per paragraph using point per
paragraph using paragraph.
PEEEL) + COUNTERARGUMENT Each paragraph
and 1 point of tells a different
REBUTTAL (using story/experience
+ relevant to the
topic +
CONCLUSION CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

Planning Content
After analysing the essay question, the final step before you start writing the essay is to come up with
enough content to write about. Generating enough ideas can be a long process, but you must
eventually get used to coming up with content WITHIN 5 MINUTES - yes, that is the only amount of
time you can afford during the examinations, which is short.

The assumption here is that you have to read widely and be prepared to use the general knowledge
you have gathered prior to the examinations to answer the question. As such, it is advisable to
answer the question which you are most familiar and comfortable with even though you may think it
is the most popular one!
 what
A
brief mind map of the points you wish to write about can help you organise and keep track of
you write. Your mind map should be:
Relevant: Are you addressing the question? or what the
Are your points relevant to the topic
question is asking for?
Concise: Are your points written briefly and accurately?
Sufficient: Did you think of enough points to write? (i.e. 3 Content points - each using PEEEL)

Below IS an example of what a mind map can look like:

Singaporean youths are afraid to speak.up.in.public. Do you agree?

Take a stand
Scope of discussion: Voice their arguments,
Afraid agree or disagree:
"Singaporean"; disagreements:
scared, Give reasons for your stand
"youths" : young people terrified, very to strangers, to a crowd, (AGREE)
(15-35 years old) reluctant in the open

P: due to their cultural trait

E: Singaporean youths tend to be non-confrontational - not because they are unable to express
themselves, but due to cultural influences
Managing consultant Simon Ranahan, from recruitment firm Chandler Macleod and has been in the
business for 18 years says that saving face is a big thing here, and maybe Singaporeans avoid
saying something because they feel it might lead to a confrontational discussion
This suggests that young Singaporeans do not vocalise their arguments because they are non-

confrontational due to cultural influences.

Hence, Singaporean youths do avoid speaking out their thoughts and opinions in public as their
cultural background has discouraged any form of confrontational arguments with others.
P: exam-oriented education
Singapore's education places high emphasis on textbook learning and science/math facts
system means that academic performance is of utmost importance in
gauging an individual student's ability. Examinations are subject-based and creative expression
especially in terms of oral expression is given less emphasis or even neglected at times
This immense emphasis on doing well academic added to the lack of opportunity for creative
expression, leads to the youths focussing only on academic performance because they fear being
left behind by the peers which would then affect their future prospects. Naturally, they will have
little or no regard to developing any form of self-expression, which is deemed to be or least
important.
Consequently, the Singapore education system instils the belief in youths that it is more important
for him to focus on his academics rather than any creative expression for fear of being left behind

Counterargument:
Some people may disagree because youths do to speak up when there is an injustice that needs to

be addressed. For example, during the NUS' controversy on sexual harassment, it was the courage
and advocacy of youth that resulted in real policy reforms. The victim, Monica Baey who felt that the
instilution had been dismissive of her case, had courageously called out NUS for the injustice.
Following that, many students also pushed for a town hall and 400 students turned up to confront
their university administrators, demanding that more needs to be done to protect victims like Monica
Baey. Consequently, the university gave in to the pressure and a more positive change was
achieved.
Rebuttal:
However, the case of Monica Baey is few and far between.
P: Youths do not speak up in public for fear of existing laws relating to defamation and sedition.
E: For example, there is only one Speaker's Corner- which is an area within Hong Lim Park, for
youths to use as a platform to voice their concerns and unhappiness. However, the use of the
Speaker's Corner requires a license and is highly regulated. In fact, before any public meetings
and assemblies can be held, Singaporeans are required by law to obtain permits. Otherwise, they
would be in default with the law.
E: Thus, youths who want to speak up in public would need to make real efforts before one is
allowed to do so. Even then, one might face a backlash or constrained in his scope of
discussion/debate due to the strict laws guiding freedom of speech in Singapore's context.
L: Consequently, youths in Singapore are discouraged to speak up in public because there IS little
incentive to speak up. Also, they are too afraid of the repercussions to speak up - for fear of the
existing relating to defamation and sedition which could lead them to criminal investigations.
 HOW TO FAIL AT ARGUING NUMBER
NUMBER
Avoiding fallacies

Definition of Fallacy: A fallacy is an often plausible argument using false or illogical reasoning.

The Most Commonly Used Fallacies

1. Appeal to Ignorance (Ad Ignorantum) asserting a proposition is true because it has not been proven false
E.g.: Taking vitamin X is good for you since nobody taking it has become sick.

2 Arguing by Association _ an argument used to promote guilt by association

E.g.: Both Senator Muha and Latin American Marxists are critics of the Chilean government; therefore, Senator
Muha must be a Marxist.

3 Argument Backed by a Stick (Force; Argumentum Ad Baculum) - resorting to threat in order to have a point
accepted.
E.g.: Our paper certainly deserves the support of every German. We shall continue to forward copies of it to
you, and hope you will not want to expose yourself to the unfortunate consequences in case of cancellation.

4 Contradictory Premises the points of the argument contradict each other; therefore, there IS no argument
E.g.: The human brain ignores boring presentations. Therefore, a boring presentation was created by a human
without a brain.

5. Bandwagon Appeal (Ad Populum) an argument that suggests one is correct if they go along with the "crowd".
E.g.. Every fashionable senior this year is wearing a piece of Navajo jewellery.

6. Half-Truths an argument that contains evidence that is only partly true

E.g.. Making English the official language is a good idea because it will make it easier for people to understand
one another.

7. Hypothesis Contrary to Fact an argument that starts with an

untrue hypothesis and then tries to draw
supportable conclusions from it.
E.g.. If I had never met Dan twenty years ago in college, would never have fallen in love.

8. Oversimplification - an argument that makes simple of a

very complex issue by using catchy phrases such
as: "It all boils down to..."or "It's a simple question of...", etc.

E.g.. Censorship is a simple question of protecting our children from obscenities.

9. Red Herring think of a stinky smoked fish dragged across the trail to throw a
tracking dog off scent; an
argument that tends to sidetrack everyone involved.
E.g.: While discussing the need for tobacco subsidies in the federal
budget, somebody asserts that all
restaurants should have non-smoking sections.

10 Shifting the Meaning of a Key Term

(There are two ways of doing this: First through Equivocation [shifting the meaning
of one term] and
through Amphiboly [shifting the meaning through sentence structure]) - an argument
of words or sentences in two
that uses the meaning
different senses.
E.g.: Criminals do everything to obstruct arrest, prosecution, and conviction. Likewise, liberal lawyers try In
every way to obstruct the work of police. Obviously, then, most liberal lawyers are no better than criminals
themselves. (Amphiboly)

11 . Slippery Slope the assumption that if

one thing is allowed, it will only be the first in a downward spiral of
events.

E.g. If you continue

to watch professional wrestling, your grades will drop, you will become violent, and
eventually you will end up in jail.

12
Sweeping Generalization (Dicto Simpliciter) an argument based on an unqualified generalization.
E.g.: All women are better at cooking than men.
1. Cameras Do you agree?
placed in public places infringe on people's privacy.

2.
Should adults be responsible for the well-being of their elderly parents?

3. Should a country's healthcare systems be free for its citizens?

4. Do you agree that sports is a unifying tool for world peace?

Vocabulary / Phrases
Composition Writing
Phrases and vocabulary for English composition

Intro

The golden orb painted the clouds gold.

2. The glorious rays of the rising sun painted the place with a delicious coat of
warmth.

It was a balmy Tuesday afternoon

Scenery

Picturesque
Panoramic

Instagram-worthy
Picture-perfect
The beauty of the place took my breath away
Idyllic
Describing a person
1. thin-cheeked and bespectacled
2. porcelain-smooth skin
3. thin and lanky
almond-shaped eyes with a mischievious glint
His masculine chiselled face sent the ladies swooning
She has a demure and unassuming character
John had a glib tongue/ gift of the gab
He was a cantankerous old man
Mr Tan was an avuncular teacher
10. Mrs Wong was a motherly figure to her students
Facial expression
1. She wore a demure smile
2. He had a menacing scowl
3. He had a sparkle in his eyes
11 Jill gave out an impish/ mischievious grin
Clothing
1. He looked dapper in his long-sleeve shirt and tie
2. She was resplendent in her dress
3. The septuagenarian's worn-out shirt had seen better times
4. the ruffian's pectorals and biceps bulged menacingly under his black T-shirt
She wore a demure navy blouse with a white collar

Behaviour/ attitude
1. Puerile antics
2. inveterate/ recalcitrant ( liar, troublemaker )
3. obdurate/ obstinate/ stubborn
4. fastidious/ meticulous/ fussy
insolent/ disrespectful
nonchalant/ indifferent/
callous/ heartless
8. boisterous tom-foolery
9. animated chattering
10. titter tatter
Actions
Ensconced on my favourite chair
2. He plonked himself onto the seat

3. He fidgeted constantly
He was visibly distracted
 Hearing, His scream left a tintinnabulation in my beleaguered ears
Her footsteps reverberated throughout the empty hallway
The thumping of the high-octane rock number filled the concert hall

The mellifluous songs of our fine avian friends filled the air in the park.
The chirping of the cicadas
The distant howling of a feral canine

Titillated my taste-buds
My tongue tingled with undescribeable pleasure
He savoured the meal like a food connoisseur/ aficionado
The taste of the filthy brackish water made me gag

Smell
The aroma of wafted into my nostrils, sending me into a state of olfactory
delight
The nauseating stench of
made me gag
The tempting/ alluring scent of fresh chocolate beckoned me
The air reeked with perspiration
The fragrance of perfume permeated the air
The room was filled with the musty smell of old furniture

felt a searing pain in my

An acute pain ripped through my being
He dealt a stinging blow on my right cheek
He slammed me like a rag doll against the brick wall and a firebomb of pain
exploded within me
Injury
Crimson blood oozed out from my wound
The gangster wore the scar on his face like a badge of honour
was drifting in and out of consciousness
There was a horrific gash on his right arm
His legs had bruises everywhere
Anger
My insolence incurred his wrath
2. Baring his teeth in an angry snarl, she hissed, " Wait till get my hands on you!"
3. Screaming hysterically, she dashed out of the door
He gave me a hostile glare
She wore defiant expression on his visage
His eyes were livid with rage/ wild with anger
He was seething with rage
He was like a simmering volcano, ready to erupt
She was incensed

10. She was apoplectic

He gave me a condescending look
12. He reproached/ castigated/ chastised/ rebuked/ reprimanded/scolded her.
13. A string of profanities/ expletives spouted out from his mouth
14. He hollered/ bellowed/ commanded/ screamed
Sadness
Deep misery filled my being
was in deepest despair
3. 497 messed up again!" I moaned inwardly
 bond stood rooted
to the ground, too stunned to do anything
was taken aback by her outburst
felt a
chill race down my spine
My eyes widened in shock
Great fear clouded my mind
The sight before me filled me with horror
I was
gripped with panic
Cold sweat meandered down my countenance
My heart palpitated like a drummer on steroids
10. I imagined the worst
11.
I gripped the railing so tight that my knuckles turned white
(122 The suspense was palpable
13.
A thick shroud of apprehension hung over the room
14. I was at the edge of my seat
Joy
1. was over the moon
2. John was ecstatic
3. overjoyed/ elated/delighted/
4. She was in cloud nine
5. They were in seventh heaven
Walk
1. He sauntered into the room
2. trudged along the pavement, eager to get home after a gruelling day at school.
3. She pulled her leaden feet along.
4. They took a leisurely stroll in the park
Food
Delectable
2. The table was filled with a sumptuous assortment of culinary delights
3. My mum whipped up a scrumptious meal fit for a king
4. gastronomic treat
5.
6. Famished, I wolved down the food ravenously
Spice up your Composition
Beginning! Introduction (Good Weather)

The radiant rays of the morning sun filtered through the canopy of the leaves.
The yellow sun hung high in the sky like a lantern.
The sky was an expanse of blue, dotted with magnolia white clouds. /
The fluffy clouds parted to reveal the majestic glowing sun.
The pam trees gwayed gracefully as the morning breeze caressed the sweaty, hot cheeks of the
muscular jogger.

The splendid sunset had me spellbound as I watched the sun disappear in the horizon amidst the
splashes of warm, amber hues.
The sea was calm and there was a cool wind blowing. The crimson sun was sinking into the horizon.
Puffy clouds blanketed the cerulean sky like a sea of cotton cushion pads. Brilliant rays of sunlight
peppered the earth, enveloping it with a warm, cosy glow.
The gentle breeze ruffled my short brown hair and caressed my cheeks as I waited patiently for my
mother.

The break of dawn displayed a palette of beautiful colours. The ruetting of leaves, the chirping of
birds and the whistling of the kettle seemed to form a symphony.
The sky was a delightful expanse of azure blue. The clouds had no place in the morning sky where
the majestic sun reigned supreme. The wonderful weather was just perfect for my family and to
have a long-awaited picnic.
Brilliant rays and puffy clouds marked my first visit to the Universal Studiog.
The gentle breeze fluttered the leaves on the tree. It also stirred the water,
making tiny waves on the
shore.

Whoosh!' The wind whisked by us and blew at the white sand. It lifted my hair and cooled
my neck.
What a wonderful day to spend at the beach!
Fluffy white clouds waltzed across the vast blue sky as a gentle breeze blew.
The azure sky was filled with fluffy clouds and rays of sunlight shone down mercilessly on the
perspiring pedestrians.

The beautiful sight of a rainbow arching in the sky overhead after a brisk shower drewl a conterited
smile from Shannon.

Somewhere in the
distance, the chirping of the birds drilled through the fluid stiness.
Beginning! Introduction ( Bad Weather)
•
Ominous dark clouds blanketed the sky. The air was thick with moisture and the previously gentle
breeze had now turned into a ferocious gale.
Dark clouds drifted across the sky, carried by gusty wind. Soon, they blocked out the sun. Janet
looked up, worried that an impending storm might turn the hard-packed trail into a river of mud.
The heavy downpour earlier had lightened to a miserable drizzle that did not look like it was going to
stop anytime.
Dark, grey clouds loomed overhead like a heavy curtain. Rain poured down from the sky and
deafening sounds of thunder could be heard in the distance. Lightring flashed through the sky.
Pale sunlight filtered through the dark storm clouds. The overcast sky was threatening to rain.
(+ was raining cats and dogs. The fat rain clouds fired massive water pellets at the pedestrians.
A storm had just broken and heavy drops of rain were pelting the earth.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared. The rain seemed to be coming down in buckets.
Flashes of lightning threatened to tear the night sky.
The clear blue sky gave way to menacing-looking dark clouds.
The rain was hitting my back like thousands of hard berries blown from air guns.
Rain was pounding down mercilessly, obscuring my view.
A shattering crash of thunder startled me, streaks of light etched the evening sky.
Swelling cumulonimbus clouds hung heavily in the overcast sky.
Workers rushed for shelter, trying to beat the huge dark clouds which raced across the sky.

The sky was an expanse of gloom with streaks of lightnings slicing the sky into many pieces.
With dark clouds smothering the skyline, a heavy downpour was expected in no time.
Beginning! Introduction (Night)
The cold wind rustled the wind outside. Night had fallen and the sky was pitch dark,
without a single
star in sight.

The crescent was smiling and shining brightly like the " Calico cat" in the still quiet night.
Beneath the bright, silvery moon, a lonely figure walked hurriedly past the cemetery, through the
rows of trees with branches hanging down like ghostly limbs.
The silence of the night was broken by the
faint barking of the dogs next door.
The leaves of the tree were very still and the silence of the night was almost deafening. You could
even hear a pin drop.
The pale yellow moon inched its way slowly up the night sky, past the tree branches and finally
nestled comfortably among the stars.
The stars gazed at the earth as the clouds enveloped the moon.
In the battle between darkness and
ight, darkness won and drove the light away from the Earth.
Darkness, like a thief in the night, sneaked in and stole away the light.

Overhead, only the crescent moon hung against a thick curtain of darkness.

The sky was a dark canopy speckled with dots of twinkling stare,
Words/ Phrases to describe SURPRISE/SHOCK:

jumped out of her skin

numbed and dazed

awestruck

astounded

bewildered

stared blankly

speechless

open-mouthed

aghast
•
appalled

flabbergasted/aghast/astounded/stupefied
stood shell-shocked as the news began to sink in

mouth was agape

the news rendered him totally speechless and left him trembling
I was appalled when one of the boys nearly knocked into my grandmother
They were not prepared for the scene that greeted them. The family gasped and stood in shocked
silence at the sight of their ransacked hall.

watch in helpless horror

The burglars' hearts skipped a beat and they froze in apprehension, not knowing what to expect.
Terror-stricken, we were too stunned to scream or retaliate.

Their hearts dropped in alarming dismay when the curtain caught fire.
He staggered backwards from the harrowing shock and everyone else froze as they gaped at the
grisly sight.

The defenceless victim could only mouth a silent scream of stangulated horror.
Lydia gawked at the armed robber standing before him as hig eyes widened in dismay.
May's eyes widened in surprise as she gasped in incredulity, 'Really?"
Words/Phrases to describe SADNESS:
bowed with sorrow

grief-stricken
with tears in her eyes

wept silently under her pillow

despondent
sobbed uncontrollably
She broke out into uncontrollable sobs which escalated into wails.

The lost child stammered timidly with stifled tears brimming in her eyes.
disconsolate

melancholy
with a heavy heart
wept/whimpered/wailed/shed copious tearg
my whole world fell apart
moped in corner

buried one's face in one's hands

I wept in agony
wallowing in misery
tears eome to my eyes every time think of it

I moaned sadly for the loss

sad memories of the past lingered in my mind

fought valiantly to hold back one's tearg

devastated by the awful news
body convulsed in uncontrollable sobg
dealt a crushing blow
shoulders drooped
Wretched tears streamed down her face like tiny water falls, each drop despairing testament of her
anguish.
Hot tears streamed down my face, and plopped silently onto my school pants.
Her face was tear-streaked, and she was dazed. Her hair was in a mess and heavy eye bags hugged
her face.

Her eyes blurred with tears as she clasped the faded photograph close to her heart.
The bereaved parents grieved over his untimely death.
Her face was tear-stained.

Tears brimmed in her reddened eyes.

Hig face creased with sorrow as he started to bawl.
 Words/Phrases to describe ANGER:
my face was burning with angerv

his eyes were flashing angrily v

tempers flared and voices blared

fuming mad/
vent his frustrations on the cat

hopping mad

glowing with fury

angry frown creased his forehead

indignation
Incensed, Sheila stormed off, her furious footsteps echoing intimidatingly, like

staccato of thunder claps, down the deserted corridor.

seething with anger

full of rage

stormed out

slamming the door violently

anger simmered in the pit of her stomach like acid eroding and eating away at her.

his bloodshot angry eyes glared at

resentment

hot under the collar

unleashing his fury on us

wrath

petulance

He stormed off like a rampaging bull.

umbrage

gritted my teeth furiously

stood with arms akimbo

let out a volley of expletives/profanities

mouth was pursed/formed into a thin line
•
Nostrils flaring, his breaths came quick and shallow.

There was a belligerent look on his face.

She glared at him with bulging eyes.

He ranted and raved, oblivious to the curious stares of passers-by.

Their arguments grew more heated by the minute.

Words/Phrases to describe HAPPINESS:

as happy as lark

in high spirits
roared with laughter/
burst into fits of laughter
tears of joy rolled down her cheeks when the principal called out her name
jumped up and down with joy/

whistling and humming away

laughed till his sides hurt
was all smiles

eyes widened with pleasure

gleefully
chirpy and gay
full of mirth

face erupted into a luminous smile

ecstatic

eyes shining with delight

I could hardly wait till the next morning
blissful

eyes gleamed with surprise

jubilant
on cloud nine

in exultant spirits
a wide grin was plastered on her face
skipped gaily with a bounce in one's step
she glowed with delight as she basked in the praises of the other women.
Eestatic with the unexpected win, the players leapt up with cries of joy and exchanged
congratulatory huge.
gave me an out of this world' feeling
was like a dog with two tails.
Cheryl broke into a radiant smile when her name was announced as the winner.
 Words/phrases associated with opinions or attitude on a topic:

a) I am of
the opinion that am of the view that

b) think / My opinion is that

I feel that /1 agree with

d)
I tend to agree / concur with .. . I tend to think that
e) Probably Quite possibly,
they could have, perhaps
It is likely that

g) It is possible / It is
quite plausible / probable that

h) Most
certainly, most assuredly,
It may be the case that

The
(person) looks as if he

It seems/appears that the (person) Is it seems that

It seems obvious to
me that

m) Obviously / Apparently . ..

Words/phrases associated with negative feelings/attitude:

a) It does not appeal to me

b) don't go with the idea that

c) That's not an acceptable action....

d) It is disgusting to...

It bothers me to see to think that

Well frown on / do not condone such behavior

think it is distasteful / impolite / discourteous to

h) I think that's an utterly inconsiderate / irresponsible act to do

It is rather inconsiderate/irresponsible of him / her / them to

That's an undesirable behavior / socially unacceptable behavior

k) It is unthinkable / inconceivable that

 Words/phrases to elaborate evnil
avolate, explain & illustrate:
a) For
instance / for example / take for example.
b)
Let me illustrate / Let me show you what I mear
c) Regarding the
With regard to
d)
The reason / The rationale is that
What I mean to say is that
I recall one occasion when

Words/phrases to change to a new topic

a) This reminds me of another incident

b) This brings to mind an incident which is quite similar to this

can think of something / another incident quite similar to this one

d) recall another time / occasion when

e) Take for example another occasion / a similar incident

Another way of looking at this is

Words/phrases to express feelings:

see the
a) It pains / saddens me to

b) am absolutely enraged by

am rather annoyed with

d) sympathize with the old woman

e) I am absolutely appalled by such disgusting behavior

'looks guilty /
Seems to be / Feels ashamed embarrassed / uncomfortable
sheepish, looks shocked / alarmed panicky / taken aback / nervous / anxious
worried

g) Joyous / delighted / pleasantly surprised / cheerful

 Making connections

b) In comparison to the girl, this boy seems

But While / Whereas
c) Yet, ...Nonetheless / Nevertheless / Even then However

d) also seems to Furthermore Moreover / What's more

e) While this the (person) seems

(person) seems

Different ways of expressing tentative comments

a)
probably, possibly, perhaps,

b) A plausible explanation is

A credible explanation would be

d) I am inclined to think that

From the expressions on their faces, I can deduce that

Judging from the frown on the man's face, can conclude that

tend to think that

h) I'm of the opinion that

They might be feeling

 Vocabulary bank+
Synonyms for topics

Useful for : Summary, paraphrasing skills,

composition
Real- world examples

- I have curated these examples and compiled a list of them as I’ve found using extra
examples relevant to respective essay topics extremely helpful in garnering extra
marks to outperform peers! I hope these will be beneficial for all of you as well! These
are some of the more common topics I’ve seen, many of which I’ve come to enjoy
reading and writing about! I’ve added some commonly used phrases which will
definitely help in garnering brownie points! Teachers love when students incorporate
bombastic words into essays:”)

1) Science and technology

Sentence starter- in a world that is rapidly undergoing reformation due to vast technological
advancements..

- Technology has evolved at a rapid rate/ warp speed/ breakneck speed

- Technological advancements have startlingly replaced and transformed many facets
of human lives
- There is an endless inception of computer games, and other equally sophisticated
online, web and gaming applications
- In the VUCA world we reside in today, maths and science subjects are given greater
emphasis / are of paramount importance as they are viewed as more pragmatic and
saleable in nature
- Technology has taken the world by storm
- Humankind has embraced technological advancements with a hungry passion due to
it’s multi-functional appeal
- Advantages of technology are simply multitudinous and constructive
- Social media has taken paramount emphasis in recent years
- Internet is a pervasive information tool which spans the vastness of human
knowledge
- The internet is a pivotal tool, facilitating communication and commerce especially in
light of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Available at the effortless click of a button
- Prowess and influence of the internet continues to expand at unimaginable speed
- Internet is irrefutably indispensable due to its multitude of services and endless
stream of data
- With the high proliferation of technology in modern age, technology continues to grow
in leaps and bounds; at an exponential rate

Examples (positive)
- Technological advancements have resulted in increased productivity and profitability
of firms. MNC ‘Nestle’ have upgraded the technical skills of 450,000 of their workers,
equipping them with essential skills on how to operate technologically advanced
machinery instead of farming with conventional rake and plough which is less
efficient.
 - Tesla’s autonomous cars released in 2018 are part of the up and rising self-driving
cars which increase productivity and convenience for humankind. Additionally, all
passengers safety is considered with Tesla’s collision avoidance system
implemented.

- Proliferation of social media has been beneficial in campaigning for social causes
such as racial injustice. #Blacklivesmatter has been a trending hashtag all over social
media, inspiring people worldwide to say no to racism, advocating for a more
inclusive society where everyone has a voice and is included in society, regardless of
skin colour.

- ‘Maglev trains’ in china are designed to carry passengers at warp speeds of 370mph
per hour. This is more than 150 mph faster than the world’s fastest passenger train in
operation now. The maglev train employs electromagnets and advanced technology
to function, increasing mobility and enhancing transportation for mankind.

Examples (negative)
- Artificial intelligence and technological advancement has also seen the decline in
employment rates

- According to a 2019 research by Oxford economics, 20 million manufacturing and

labour intensive jobs will be lost globally to robots by 2030. This would result in
severe structural unemployment, rendering many skills and jobs obsolete/irrelevant.

- Report from Goldman Sachs estimated that autonomous cars would cost US drivers
up to 25,000 jobs a month
( labour intensive jobs replaced = high productive inefficiency)

- Proliferation of technology has also seen and increased number of security breaches,
with mankind’s personal information jeopardised

- 2012 Databox breach

- 2018 SingHealth data breach

- Alarming to governments and evoking widespread anxiety among citizens as
classified information/ sensitive information is revealed and could fall in the wrong
hands

2) Arts and Traditions

Examples (positive =)
 - Within the first few months of COVID-19, a video emerged on the internet of an
Italian man on his balcony singing a rendition of John Lennon’s ‘imagine’ while the
city was in lockdown
> in the midst of bleak realities and pandemic, music has the ability to unite mankind,
evoking a sense of belonging to the world regardless of the hardships one was facing
>everyone facing similar plights
>music as a rallying cry in times of crisis and uncertainty
> similar sentiments resonating with people internationally
>universal, shared experiences

- during Cold War period of 1960s-1970s, Berlin Wall was erected to prevent
co-mingling of east vs West Berlin citizens due to conflicting ideology of Cold War
enemies Russia and USA
- To showcase their defiance and detest of the wall erected to keep them apart, people
took to the wall, creating beautiful art pieces as a peaceful protest against the
oppressive Russian government
> arts acts as a comforting embrace, reprieving all from the unending pessimism in the world
we reside in today
> arts as a form of respite, Avenue to unwind and find peace and comfort

- arts has economically tangible gains

- Jeff Koons a world renowned artist has a net worth of millions of dollars, testament of
the arts being able to translate the tangible economic gains

- >empowering the disenfranchised in society

- > Raise awareness of the pressing social issues

- Pandemonium’s ‘this is what happens to pretty girls’ highlights to society the realities
of sexual harassment in the seemingly safe singaporean context

- Lil dicky’s song “earth” involved dozens of artists worldwide, imploring the world to
band together to fight climate change and save the environment

- Michael Jackson’s ‘black or white’ creates unity between different races

- ‘Born this way’ by lady gaga has become the anthem for the LGBTQ community,
sung every pride month to inspire individuals to take pride in their identity

- Yayoi Kusama’s ‘infinity mirrors’ exhibition opened doors for otherwise sensitive
discussions on mental health and mental disorders such as obsessive compulsive
disorder and depression

- ‘The antidote’ is a global initiative, connecting 4 million users worldwide to share their
vulnerable and raw art pieces

- Indonesian artist Dede Eri Suppra uses his visual artworks to reflect social injustices
and cycle of poverty in Indonesia
 - American sculptor, Duane Hanson employs surrealism in his realistic, life-size
sculptures of the common people overlooked in American society hence reflecting
the flawed illusion of the American dream
> bluntly presents the need for reforms, urgent call to those in power to take action
> use of arts to tug at the heartstrings of audiences

3) Youth in the world making a positive change

Examples

- Greta thunberg was brought into international spotlight as an advocate for a change
in behaviour of mankind to counter climate change
>prominent climate change activist fighting for a better world

- Malala Yousafzai campaigned incessantly for women’s rights and for women’s
education. Despite getting shot, she remained committed and relentless, continuing
her pursuit toward attaining educational equity for all in her country

- 22 year old Manchester United player Marcus rashford campaigned for children of
lower-income households to have access to free meals beyond their school term,
specifically due to hardships their families faced during the covid-19 pandemic

- article by straits times accounted that former ACSI student John Theng founded ‘ the
youth collective’ in 2018, a social enterprise aimed at nurturing children in need and
empowering youths to become proactive in social work

- Beatrice Wong, a 16 year old from green dale secondary sewed and donated over
300 masks to the needy in 2020 as she was cognisant that low-income households
may not have the financial means to afford good quality face masks as they are living
hand to mouth

> proof that youths are not apathetic/ disinterested individuals

>myopic to brand youths as selfish/ lazy

3) extra important details :”)

Minimising food wastage :

- NEA launched a food waste reduction drive (FWR) in 2015, introducing citizens to
smart food purchases, storage and preparation habits
- Educational materials and community-led initiatives related to minimise food wastage
Arts

abstract adjective
figurative adjective monochrome adjective
shades of a
abstract art expresses the figurative art represents people, usingdifferent
artist's ideas or feelings rather objects, and scenes, rather than single colour
than literal depictions of subjects representing feelings or ideas as

abstract art does

naturalistic adjective
accessible adjective folk adjective
painting,
art developed by a naturalistic
accessible art is easy to folk art refers to people
novel etc shows
understand and enjoy people in a particular region and and thingsas they
are in
have become traditional there
real life

pictorial adjective
aesthetic adjective freehand adjective

consisting of pictures
ruler or
relating to beauty or to the study drawn without using a

other equipment
of the principles of beauty,
especially in art
Romantic adjective
Gothic adjective
artisan adjective
relating to the style of
and art
Gothic styles of building music
made by hand and with skill literature, art, and
common in Europe between
known as Romanticism
were
using traditional methods
the 12th and 15th centuries

satirical adjective
artistic adjective
grandiose adjective
satirical writing or art uses
designed to look very impressive,
painted, arranged, or done in
a
silly humour to criticize people
but really looking artificial or
way that shows skill and or things and make them
imagination and looks beautiful seem silly

three-dimensional
lifelike adjective
avant-garde adjective adjective
a lifelike picture, model etc looks
avant-garde music, art etc IS used for describing images
like a real person or thing
very modern and may shock
that look as if they are
people because it IS so different
three-dimensional
from what has gone before

evocative adjective literary adjective

an evocative work of art relating to books that are

expresses something very considered to have value as art

clearly and makes you have a

strong reaction to it
 Charity

aid verb tied aid noun

outreach noun

to give
money, food. money given to a country or
or other the practice of providing help
help to a
country or area where people need it, but
and advice to people in a
organization that needs it
community before they have to they have to agree to spend it

ask for it only on goods and services

provided by the country
or

the
organization that has given
money

cause noun
philanthropic adjective lend a helping hand

an organization, plan, or helping people, especially by to extend help

activity that you are willing to giving money to those who
Support because it
provides need it
help or benefit to people who
need it

charitable adjective philanthropy noun charity begins at home

intended to
help people who the belief that you should help used for saying that you should
are poor or ill, or who need people, especially by giving look after yourself, your own
advice and support money to those who need it family, friends, or country
before you start helping other
people

handout noun relief noun in aid of

an amount of money or goods food, clothes, and money given if an event is in aid of an

given to people who need them to people who are in urgent organization or group, it is held
need of help, for example to make money to help that
because of a war or other bad organization or group
situation

humanitarian adjective sponsor verb

relating to efforts to help to agree to give money to

people who are living in very someone who is going to take

bad conditions and are part in a charity event

suffering because of a war,

flood, earthquake etc

competitions

comfortable
adjective
devastatingadjective
easily won indecisive adjective
extremely
effective and very
not producing a
difficult to argue with or winner
clear result or

compete against
competitive
adjective
friendly adjective
non-competitive adjective
a
competitive activity is
one in used for
which
companies or teams are saying that people not involving competition
competing against each other compete with each other but between businesses,
are friends
organizations, or teams

convincing adjective handsome adjective

dog eat dog
a
convincing win is one in
which one team or
a handsome victory is achieved a situation in which people
player easily and by a large amount compete very hard and will do
beats another easily
anything to be successful

decisive adjective hypercompetitive adjective too close to call

a decisive victory or defeat is involving extremely strong if the result of a competition or

one in which the winner does competition election is too close to call, it is
much better than the loser not clear who the winner is

until the competition has ended

or until all the votes have been

counted
 Disability

accessible adjective paralysis noun

impairment noun
an the loss of the ability to move
accessible place or building the fact that a part of your body of it,
is suitable for use by disabled
is unable to do something fully your body or a part
an injury or
people usually because of
illness

challenged adjective impediment noun physically challenged

unable to do adjective
particular things a physical or psychological
without
difficulty because of problem that affects how well disabled in a way that prevents
being disabled in some
way someone can do something you from using part of your
body properly

disability noun
learning difficulty noun quadriplegic adjective
a condition in which someone
IS
a condition that prevents someone who is quadriplegic
not able to use a
part of their
someone from learning basic has an illness or injury that
body or brain properly, for
skills or information at the makes them permanently
example because of an injury same rate as other people unable to move their body
below their neck

the handicapped adjective the Paralympics special education noun

people who are disabled. This

an international sports event educational services for people
IS now considered offensive forpeople with physical with disabilities and people
and it is more polite to
say disabilities that takes place
who have difficulty learning at
people with disabilities. every four years the usual rate

impaired adjective paralysed adjective special needs noun

if your body's ability to do unable to move your body or the particular needs of people
something is impaired, you are part of it, usually because of an who have physical or mental
not fully able to do it injury or illness disabilities
biodegradable adjective
endangered species noun rainforest noun
biodegradable substances Can
type of animal or
be separated into very Small
plant that a forest in a tropical region of
parts by may soon become extinct
bacteria so that they (=disappear from
the world where it rains a lot.
are not
harmful to the the world) Rainforests are considered to
environment be important

biohazard noun
global warming noun reforestation noun

something that may cause

harm
the slow increase in the the act of putting new trees into
to people or to the
temperature of the Earth a place where the original trees
environment, especially a caused partly by the have been cut down
poisonous chemical or an
greenhouse effect increasing
infectious disease the amount of carbon dioxide

in the atmosphere

carbon footprint noun the greenhouse effect release noun

noun
the amount of carbon dioxide a a situation in which something
chemical is spread
person, organization, building, the process in which heat is such as a

etc produces, used as a unable to escape from the into the area or atmosphere
measure of their effect on the atmosphere and causes the around it

environment temperature of the Earth to

rise. The rise in temperature is

called global warming.

renewable adjective
climate change noun greening noun

the process of taking a greater renewable energy and natural

the changes that are thought to
interest in environmental materials replace themselves
be affecting the world's
issues and acting to protect the by natural processes, so that
weather so that it is becoming
environment they are never completely used
warmer
up

nature reserve noun rewilding noun

conservation noun

area of land that is a form of conservation which

the management of land and an

aims to return areas of land to

water in ways that prevent it protected so that people
cannot harm the animals and their natural wild state,
from being damaged or
plants that live there especially by bringing back
destroyed or the careful use of
animal species that used to live
energy, water, and other
there
resources, SO that they are not
wasted or lost

contaminate verb non-renewable adjective sanctuary noun

to make something dirty, non-renewable types of energy a special area where animals
exist in limited amounts, and live in a natural environment
polluted, or poisonous by
when these are all used there protected from people
adding a chemical, waste, or
infection will be none left
deforestation noun sustainable adjective
ozone-friendly adjective

the process of using methods that do not

removing the chemicals that are ozone-
trees from an area of land harm the environment
friendly do not cause pollution
that damages the ozone layer

ecological adjective preservation noun toxic adjective

working to protect the the process of working to poisonous and harmful to

environment
protect something valuable so people, animals, or the
that it is not damaged or environment

destroyed

ecotourism noun protected adjective zero carbon adjective

the business of creating and used about animals, plants, not causing carbon emissions
selling holidays that give and other things that the law (=carbon dioxide and carbon

people the chance to learn prevents people from harming monoxide in the atmosphere)
about a natural environment,

and cause as little damage to

the environment as possible

education

academic adjective
intensive
adjective
relating to education remedial adjective

especially education in involving a lot of teaching or intended to help people who

colleges and universities training in a short time have difficulty learning the
basic skills of reading, writing
etc
banding noun
interdisciplinary adiective self-educated adjective
a system of putting students
involving different subjects of taught by yourself instead of by
into groups according to their
study teachers or other people
ability so that students of

different abilities are taught

together

curricular adjective intermediate adjective specialist noun

relating to the subjects that at an academic level below relating to learning or

students study at a particular advanced knowledge in a particular part
school or college of a subject or profession

hands-on adjective vocational adjective

liberal adjective

liberal education involves a vocational course teaches

hands-on experience or a

learning about a wide variety of the skills necessary for a

training involves you doing
something rather than just things particular job

reading about it or watching

other people do it

mixed ability adjective well-rounded adjective

heuristic adjective

including or designed for including a good balance of

relating to a method of
which students with different levels of various subjects
teaching or learning in
educational ability
you learn from your own

discoveries and experiences

multi-disciplinary adjective under someone's tutelage

in-service adjective

involving several different in a situation in which

in-service training iS designed
subjects of study or areas of someone is teaching or
to develop the skills of people
who are already working in a professional activity training you

particular profession

instructional adjective multimedia adjective

intended or used for teaching using different materials and

people about something methods in art, education etc to

communicate a message
 Food

calorificadjective non-fat adjective

greasy adjective
containing a lot of caloriesand non-fat food and drinks contain
thereforelikely to prepared with a lot of oil or fat
very little fat
makeyou fat no fat or

dietnoun
indigestible adjective nourishing adjective
containing less sugar
than other or fat indigestible food is difficult for providing the food needed to
similar foods
your body to digest live, grow, and be healthy
digestible adjective
low-calorie adjective organic adjective
food that is
digestible Is
changed into substanceseasily low-calorie foods or drinks help organic food or drink is
your body that people to lose weight because
needs produced using no or only a

they do not contain many small number of artificial

calories
chemicals and methods
fat-free
adjective
low-fat:
adjective
perishable adjective
containing no fat
low-fat food contains only a perishable food decays after a
small amount of fat
short time, especially if it is not
kept cold

Traffic conditions

bottleneck noun
gridlock noun
jump a light/ beat the red
a place where a road is narrow light
a situation in which there are
or
blocked, causing traffic to
so many cars on the roads that
move very slowly to ignore a red
traffic light and
traffic cannot move
keep driving
bumper-to-bumper road pricing noun
adjective
a
system designed to reduce
in a long line of vehicles that traffic, in which drivers must
are close together and moving pay to use a road
very slowly

congestion noun speed limit noun

a situation in which a place is the fastest speed allowed for

crowded with people or vehicles in a particular area
vehicles, so that it is difficult to
move around
 Positive
Negative
heartfelt adjective
acutely adverb

a heartfelt emotion, remark, or action is very

sincere
used for emphasizing that a feeling, often an
unpleasant one, is very strong

emotional adjective bitter adjective

relating to feelings and the way that they affect your involving very angry feelings
life

sentimental adjective profound adjective

relating to emotions rather than reason used about very strong feelings, especially negative
ones

strong adjective uneasy adjective

firmly believed, or firmly felt

used about someone's feelings or behaviour

unshaken adjective vehement adjective

unshaken feelings or beliefs remain strong despite involving extremely strong feelings or beliefs
disappointments

comforted verb overwhelming adjective

ease the grief or distress of an overwhelming emotion is very strong, often SO

strong that you cannot think or behave normally

relieved adjective troubled adjective

no longer feeling distressed or anxious; reassured beset by problems or difficulties

tenacious adjective distressed adjective

tenacious ideas, beliefs, or habits continue for a suffering from extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
long time and are difficult to change

heartened verb vexed adjective

make more cheerful or confident annoyed, frustrated, or worried

composed adjective uneasy adjective

having one's feelings and expression under control; causing or feeling anxiety; troubled or uncomfortable
calm
at ease
adjective apprehensive adjective
free from worry fearful that something bad or unpleasant
or awkwardness; relaxed anxious or

will happen

grateful adjective annoyed adjective

feeling or showing an
done or received
appreciation for something slightly angry; irritated

satisfied adjective
exasperated verb
contented; pleased
irritate intensely; infuriated
motivated verb
infuriated verb

provide (someone) with a reason for doing make (someone) extremely angry and impatient
something

encouraged verb
disheartened verb

give support, confidence.

or hope to (someone) cause (someone) to lose determination or confidence
amazed verb
horrified verb

surprise (someone) greatly; fill with astonishment

fill with horror; shock greatly
bold adjective
indifferent adjective
(of a person, action, or idea) showing a willingness having no particular interest or sympathy;
to take risks; confident and courageous. unconcerned

awestruck adjective alarmed verb

filled with or revealing awe make (someone) feel frightened, disturbed, or in

danger

entrenched adjective startled verb

entrenched attitudes or feelings have existed for a cause to feel sudden shock or alarm
long time and are difficult to change
judgements

Positive
Negative
considerate
adjective
shallow adjective
careful thought before
making a decision or
judgment about something not interested in serious ideas, strong feelings, or

other important things

assessment noun
foolish adjective
the process of
making a judgment or forming an lacking good sense and judgment
opinion, after considering something or someone
carefully

reflection noun
mindless adjective
careful thought
about something mindless people do not think about what they are
doing

reasoning noun impulsive adjective

the process of thinking about something in an someone who is impulsive tends to do things without
intelligent sensible way in order to make a decision thinking about what will happen as a result
or form an opinion

introspection noun ill-considered adjective

the process of carefully examining your own made or done without careful thought
feelings, thoughts, and ideas

prudent adjective indiscriminate adjective

acting with or showing care and thought for the done at random or without careful judgement
future

wise adjective hasty adjective

having or showing experience, knowledge, and doing things in a hurry, without careful planning or
good judgement thought

judicious adjective ignorant adjective

having, showing, or done with good judgement or lacking knowledge or awareness in general;
sense uneducated or unsophisticated

knowledgeable adjective incredulous adjective

intelligent and well informed (of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to

believe something
thoughtful adjective detestable adjective
absorbed in or involving
thought deserving intense dislike
reasonable adjeclive
shameful adjective
having sound
judgement; fair and sensible worthy of or causing shame or disgrace
cautious adjective
despicable adjective
(of a person)
careful to avoid
dangers potential problems or deserving hatred and contempt

logical adjective
repulsive adjective
characterized byor capable
of sound
reasoning arousing intense distaste or disgust
admirable adjective
hapless adjective
arousing or deserving
respectand approval
(especially of a person) unfortunate
commendable adjective
disgusting adjective
deserving praise
arousing revulsion or strong indignation
respectable adjective
irresponsible adjective
regarded by society to be
good, proper, or correct
(of a person, attitude, or action) not showing a proper
sense of responsibility
laudable adjective
pompous adjective
(of an action, idea, or
aim) deserving praise
affectedly grand, solemn, or seli-important
praiseworthy adjective
undeserving adjective
deserving approval and admiration
not deserving
or worthy of something positive,
especially help or praise
selfless adjective
uninspiring adjective
concerned more
with the needs and wishes of not producing excitement or interest
others than with one's own; unselfish

sacrificial adjective
mundane adjective
the
surrender or destruction of something prized or lacking interest or excitement; dull
desirable for the sake of
something considered as
having a higher or more pressing claim

promising adjective selfish adjective

showing signs of future success (of a person, action, or motive) lacking consideration
for other people; concerned chiefly with one's own

personal profit or pleasure

English model Essays
For eg.
the
Tommy's heart leapt with joy when he saw the mark scribbled on
paper. He had passed at last! "Yes!" He punched his fist triumphantly
Tommy was happy when
in the air and whooped ecstatically. Bounding on the balls of his feet,
he finally He was practically
passed his he returned to his seat, beaming from ear to ear.
happy as a lark. To have all his hard work
exam.
on cloud nine and was as

pay off was a sweet reward indeed.

inside
Jian Hao was excited as Jian Hao was tingling with anticipation. Excitement bubbled up
the car pulled up into of the rollercoasters. eyes shone
His
of him as he imagined the rush
Disneyland. with childlike wonder and grew as wide as saucers as they passed the
tugged
overarching gate into the magic kingdom. An irrepressible grin
What was his facial the corners of his mouth and his heart
swelled. He could hardly wait.
expression? This was going to be the best day of his life!
stomach as she trudged off
Sheila felt sad when she A sinking feeling settled in the pits of her
felt leaden and she
lost the volleyball the court, her heart as heavy as stone. Her legs
of her throat. The
competition. could barely suppress the sob rising from the back
taste of defeat left bitter aftertaste in her mouth as hot tears

How did her heart feel? streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.

Steam was
Mother was angry when Mother's face had turned red, flushed with anger.
of her ears as she glared daggers at the boys.
practically pouring out
her two sons ignored her
instructions. She gesticulated violently, her grating voice rose with every harsh
syllable. Scowling, with nostrils flared and arms akimbo, Mother was
What was her facial a formidable sight, poised for war.

expression?
Shi Min felt anxious as Her breaths became shallow as she skimmed the questions of the
the teachers passed out examination paper, The words seemed to swim in front of her,
the examination paper. jumbling in no particular order. Her mouth had become as dry as
sand and her sweaty hands smudged the date she had just scribbled
How did her hands/her feverishly on the paper. All she could hear was the distinct pounding
heart feel? of her heart going at double time.
Kumar was shocked when Kumar gasped and he froze, dumbstruck. His hand flew to his mouth,
he saw the living which hung agape as he slowly took in everything before his sight. He
conditions of the gestured feebly at the "furniture", asking short questions in a
children. quivering voice. When he heard their answers, he turned pale and his
ears tingled. Rigidly, he took little notes, his eyes widening in disbelief
What was his facial at some new revelation of the ramshackle house.
expression?
Write
about the most interesting place you ave ever been to.

The most interesting place I visited in Barcelona, Spain Introduction

had been utterly lifeless. Despite the smell of the Answering the question

freshly-cut grass and the bobbing heads of colourful

flowers, the grey tombstones that had dotted the
fields remained cold and bleak. The place that I visited
was a
graveyard.

V Concise, simple Barcelona is an amazing city, with its breath-taking

v Varied sentence
sentence
coastal views and rich cultural heritage,)My family and
openings
structure had planned to visit the market situated in the heart

of the next village by the lush picturesque

the market
(countryside. According to our guidebooks,
boasted of the ripest fruits and freshest seafood, and
was only a few bus stops away. Excitement bubbled
into the
up inside of me as I imagined sinking my teeth
tangy, juicy fruits and guzzling the soft, sweet flesh of
crabs and lobsters. Like giddy schoolchildren, we got
on the bus and went on our merry way.

Conflict
V Appropriate use However, when we alighted at our stop, a very
Expectation of the
of conjunction
different scene greeted us. Instead of hawkers selling
market did not match
their wares over the cacophony of red-faced
met with
the reality
customers' bargaining boisterously, we were

All we
the stony silence of a graveyard. saw were a

smattering of tombstones in a sea of tall green grass.

v Use of
Although the sun was shining brightly overhead, I felt
environment to chills go down my spine. Most of the tombstones I
emphasise the passed by, which must have been beautiful marble
unnatural chill in once, were now old and had corroded due to the

the air harsh weather conditions. The words engraved on the

graves were worn and faded, indistinct under green
/ Shortened algae. The air was stale and it was difficult to breathe

descriptions, as the smell of algae made the whole place smell like

relevant, concise a dirty swamp. Dead flowers that had lost all their life
details and colour still remained on the graves of the
deceased.

One of the graves, small and plain, piqued my Rising action

What were the unfolding
curiosity and I bent down to touch it, letting my
of events which builds
fingers run over the engravings on the tombstone. As I
intensity?
 traced the grooves of the letter, I uncovered the faint
epithet which read, "Unidentified Girl found in Lake

V
Showing how
"I" felt, rather A rush of fear coursed through my veins as a cold
than telling wind brushed against the back of my neck, making the
ends of my hair stand. I felt so terrified that I tried to
scream but it was as
if a pair of icy hands had gripped
my throat and nothing came out, save for a little
squeak. I whipped around, my eyes darting frantically
for
my parents, who had travelled several paces
ahead. Stumbling away from the grave, I tried to
shake off the
unearthly feeling that had settled over
me and unsteadily picked my way forward.

Suddenly,
around but
loud footsteps sounded behind me. I turned
did not see
were
anyone. Thinking that my ears
playing tricks on me, I turned around again and
walked faster. The footsteps
quickened and seemed
to close in.
I started running as fast as I could. My
heavy gasps and
clumsy footsteps finally drew my
V
Precise verb+ parents" attention. threw myself into theirembrace
and blubbered about
the wind, and the feeling
someone was following that
V Simile me. Knowing that the
graveyard was not small, we
ran as fast as ourlegs
could carry us out of the
graveyard into the village.

That experience left me in complete shock and could

still remember how the
ice-cold wind felt on the back
of my neck.
Until this day, the sound of the footsteps
which echoed behind me remained a mysterv.

When we returned to Singapore, I developed the few

photographs we snapped on holiday. One of the

photographs captured the rustic beauty of the elusive
village market perfectly, with the three of us posed at

the table, salivating over the skewers of meat in hand.

It was, however, ruined by smudge in the upper left

corner. I tilted the photograph towards the light for a
better look, only to realise that it wasn't smudge,

but a tiny white figure hovering over my shoulder,

translucent in the Barcelona sun, with had no legs at

all...
Write about an
incident you still
remember from your early childhood.

"Bang!" [heard a
loud knocking sound that startled Introduction

me. 1 looked down from the second level to the first

floor
of Tampines Mall. The bustling crowd that was

scurrying up and down with arms laden with bulging

shopping bags was also taken aback by the deafening
sound and was scanning every nook and cranny to

locate where the sound came from. I witnessed

three-year-old boy's body lying motionlessly on the
ground, fresh blood oozing out of his head. A
"Caution! Wet Floor Sign" lay nearby where the
toddler had tripped and fallen. His alarmed parents
were hysterical and were cradling him. The terrifying
five
sight transported me back to the day when I was
years old...

V Flashback
our heads. It was Conflict
It was noon; the sun was right over
those who were out in the open. My
blazing fire on

wonton noodles
mother and I were waiting for our

to be ready. We bought bottles of fresh orange juice

and drank it but our thirst was not quenched. The ice
X Repetition
demand. However,
cold orange juice was in great
Fans
V Good
they could not slake our thirst in this fiery heat.
and coolers were of little help as they weakly
descriptions
dissipated hot air. The heat was stifling. When we
reached home, my mother hurried me to the
bathroom to have a quick shower. After my bath, she
X Many "tell"
told me to stand still at the shower as she needed to Rising Action
sentences
get a towel to dry me up. Being as stubborn as a
mule and as playful as a puppy, I played with my
V Use of similes
water gun instead and filled it
with water. Defying

my mother's warning, I pretended that I was a

character in the movie "Underdog" shooting lasers.
It did not dawn on me that the floor was filled with

soapy water. My feet skidded as I acted out the

scene when Underdog flew into the sky to rescue is
owner. The next moment, all I knew was that my
V Use of
head felt groggy and I heard a buzzing in my ears.
personification* Fear gripped me and I wailed when saw blood

oozing out of my head. Hearing a loud thud, my Climax

"Technology IS more of a
bane than a boon* to
society." Do you agree?
v Counter-
Admittedly, it must be conceded Counterargument
argument is that technology
also has
it shortcomings. One of the greatest
prefaced with a
discourse marker. concerns surrounding technological advancement is
the displacement of human labour on a global scale.
The invention of robots and machines allows for
V Valid examples
greater performance and efficiency in many
drawn
from general industries around the world, from combine
knowledge, which
harvesters in large swathes of farmland, to the
are
backed by production of technological gadgets by the millions.
citations. V Explanation of
As such, automation has the potential to place more

than 800 million jobs at risk, especially blue-collar example

jobs, as seen from a study by the McKinsey Global

Institute.

However, it can also be said that the benefits of Rebuttal

V Discourse marker automation outweigh its costs. Increased

used to signal productivity from automation would translate to

rebuttal larger profit margins for companies, allowing them
to direct these resources to equipping their staff
with new skills to ensure that they can retain gainful
employment. Consumers on a whole also benefit

from products that are reliably manufactured, as

automation ensures consistency while eliminating
human error. Therefore, it can be argued that the

advantages of technology far outstrip its

disadvantages.
"We need to protect our environment at all
costs.' Do you agree:

Usage of discourse Counterargument

On the other side of the spectrum, others may
marker to indicate
contend that protecting the environment should not
the start of the
be at the expense of a country's wealth. They deem Elaborating with
opposing relevant examples
that several measures employed to protect the
argument. environment such as harnessing solar energy,
reducing the number of high-rise buildings
Opposing argument constructed to preserve forested regions not only
is well-
deplete the country's fiscal resources but also
substantiated with hampers the growth of the economy, resulting in
examples. minimal profits. They cited that solar panels are
However, it runs exorbitant and contingent to weather, thus being
the risk unreliable. Additionally, stalling and reducing
destabilizing main developmental projects would reduce potential
arguments investments.

proffered.
Rebuttal
However, I wish to clarify that while protecting the
The candidate environment can be costly endeavour, it is

anticipates this and extremely essential. If not for the natural resources
follows it up with a provided by the environment to kickstart
rebuttal. manufacturing industries how would we establish
businesses and generate the country's "first pot of

Candidate rounds gold"? How would we manage to become wealthy in

off with a series of the first place? Therefore, it is incontrovertible that

protect the environment as it has aided us
questions for we

readers to reflect immensely in the foundation of our economy.

on issue.
 that you consider to
What is your idea of beauty? Describe some people, places or objects
be beautiful.

Teacher's note: for students to attempt elaborating on one person

Beautiful people are ones who are not only Topic sentence that
answers the question
physically attractive but also exhibit great
personality and leadership. While physical
Explanation
beauty definitely appeals to the eye, personality
and leadership skills are more important
attributes that last in the long run. To me, an

example of a beautiful person is undeniably Amal

Notwithstanding her attractive
features, she is also an Oxford Law graduate and
human rights barrister. There are no gowns that
do Description
not complement her beauty and confidence, who she is
but more
than her physical beauty, she also
exhibits great leadership in fighting for women's
rights. She is
strong supporter of the #metoo
Interpretation movement; she has successfully started
what does it campaigns in defence of Yazidi refugee women
mean to say is who have been assaulted and
abused by ISIS and
she beautiful; even saved
an imprisoned woman from ISIS
what illustrates
militants. Personally, Amal Clooney is a leader
her beautiful who is not afraid to push the needle forward on Evaluation
personality and
things that matter to her and is truly someone to me, what's
leadership?) who is beautiful inside
out. She plays a significant the
role in fighting for the rights of the marginalised
Plan significance
how does she
in society and she is an excellent role model for of all that she

impact more future generations of young women. Reading did

people in the interviews about her or listening to her speeches

long run always leaves me feeling inspired and that is the

reason why I believe she is beautiful. Therefore,

Linking back to the
to me, what makes people beautiful goes beyond
question
their physical appearance and is inseparable from
their desire to lead and create positive changes in
the society.
memories
treasures of the heart. What are some of the memories you
treasure:

It was a memory of a cool afternoon in spring.

V appealing to the
5 senses
shivered slightly on the track where I had
trained for months as
silently chanted "left,
right, left" in my head. With the accompaniment
of the cold wind, my jersey played a passionate
V use of

personification piece of music. I ran lap after lap, watching the

same scenery whizzing past me numerous times.
Description
Sweat rolled down my face continuously, leaving
of the
sparking traces on the track. I was tired. My
memory
footsteps slowed. I did not want to go on any

further. I was just about to stop running when I

V description is heard my mother's familiar voice shouting my
focused on how l name and telling me to "push on!" I glanced at

experienced the her petite shadow at the side of the track,

scene
waving enthusiastically in my direction, yelling
words of encouragement; I decided to persevere

on. That day, I broke my own record.

What I will always remember from that day is
my mother's thin figure standing along the
track. She seemed so much older than what I
Interpretation
remembered her to be. I was surprised to see
some white hair at her temples as I ran past her,

like ink that was fading with the passing years.

How I hoped that I could run faster and faster,
Evaluation
to catch the years which were flying by, to stop

this ageing process wearing my dear mother

down. Since that day, I made a firm decision to
put in my best efforts in whatever I do to make Plan
my mother proud, no matter what difficulties I

may encounter.
 it?
job. How would you work towards achieving
Describe your dream

Descriptive hook
Imagine never having to pack to travel the world
simply because you are always on the road,
sojourning from one place to another,
documenting all your travels in words and
photographs. You are not on a long vacation;
V Clearly states this is
your life. That is my dream job - to be a
Thesis
dream job travel writer.

first realised this was my dream job when I was Description

on
one of my vacations in the Kalahari Desert of (how this came to be)
southern Africa. Interestingly, it was when I was
staring right
into the eyes of a meerkat that it
use of occurred to me how free and happy I felt to be Interpretation
in a
appropriate place completely alien to me, exposed to so
much
adjectives for uncertainty and excitement! It was in the
emphasis absolute vastness of that desert where I realised Evaluation
wanted to live a permanent
vacation.

Although being a travel writer may not be the Fulfilling the first
most well-paying job, the happiness and sense part of the question
of accomplishment I can get from working from requirement
anywhere in
the world while getting to meet Description of the life
someone of a travel writer
new and fascinating every day is
invaluable. I could be sipping a cup of Moroccan
V appealing to the
mint tea atop a pigeon mountain somewhere in
Turkey or having the luxury of listening to the
5 senses
melodious crashing of the waves
of the Indian
Ocean, and counting the number of stars in the
sky without the persistent ringing of phones all
around me. These are the priceless rewards of Interpretation
pursuing the road less taken. Nevertheless, I do Evaluation

not deny that beyond all the glamour of life as a (practical

v specific travel writer is the dire need for hard work. significance)
[for this specific
There is a lot more to the job than lounging in
essay, the candidate
exotic locales! To be a great travel writer
spent a little more
actually requires immense organisation and
time detailing the
diligent research to get the best sense of a challenges in order to
destination. In addition, it is naive to believe in link it to the
"free" trip. Life as travel writer will not consist reflections later]
of one free trip after another - unless you are
 Calder,
senior travel editor of The
Independent. But
even Calder chooses not to
accept free transport or accommodation from
travel agencies, since he believes that
paying for
his own way allows him to meet even more
interesting people. I suppose not owing travel
agencies anything also allows him time for
exploratory jaunts not dictated by another's
agenda.

With full knowledge that the route to achieving Fulfilling the second
my dream will not be easy, have set out a plan part of the question
to be one of the greatest requirement, using
travel writers the
loose PEEL structure
world has ever seen! Firstly, plan to read work
How would you
widely, getting my hands on as many travel towards achieving it?
magazines, blogs, and guidebooks as can.

When a story touches me, you will find me

By
dissecting it to reap the writer's secrets.
understanding what has been done by the
to
people who have gone before me, I am sure
move in the right direction in finding my own

style and voice.

start local. You would

Secondly, I am going to
begin by
think that aspiring travel writers should
pitching stories about faraway places, but
start with what is familiar
believe it Is best to
and bring your
hometown to life for others. I am
certain many editors and visitors will appreciate
the person al insights that only a local can offer
and starting local can
put me in a really good
to other locations.
position to move

of Einstein, the only source

Lastly, in the words
of knowledge is experience! One may ask what
do to hone her
an inspiring travel writer can
writing skills further if she is stuck in Singapore.
No matter! With the Internet, many doors are
in the field. I am
open to tap on professionals
thrilled to have found out that one of my biggest
inspirations, Kristine Hansen, offers customised
coaching and a weeklong e-course that can help
me generate creative ideas, target the right
editors and land assignments. With her daily
feedback, diligence and a bit of luck, I just might
be able to come up with a strong idea that is

ready for pitching!

Plan
Hopefully sooner rather than later, I will be
breaking bread with Bedouins in Oman, learning (hope for the future)

to surf with pros at the Australian Gold Coast,

and picking tea leaves with farmers on the
plantations in Sri Lanka. I just have to keep the
faith and work hard to succeed at my dreams!

(Adapted from Present Perfect 2015 Volume 2)

Environmental conservaton, not economic growth, should be a country's first priority.
Discuss.

Intro: In his inaugural speech, President Donald Trump refered to the *American carnage
of rusted-out factories 'like tombstones
not just of inner-city poverty, but of rural despair first'
across the landscape' That was the backdrop of his famous ( or infamous)*America
Accord, bring
policy which has since impelled him reneging on the 2015 Paris Climate
to
a hoax invented by China to keep US
coal production back and ridicule climate change as
manufacturing uncompetitive. Once regarded as the rantings of a lunatic, Trump's *economic
it actually
growth first' rhetoric not only propelled him to the highest office of the land,
resonates among many the world over who are mired in poverty and a who wish to sec
greater development in their countries. However it does not take a climate scientist to

understand that a headlong rush towards economic growth would inevitably destroy the very
environment necessary for economic growth, along with the basic necessities required for a
save our earth while
have the technology and capabilities
to
decent life on earth. We also
Thus environmental
continuing to improve the material well-being of our people.
conservation, not economic growth, should be a country's first priority.

to have a compelling
Those advocating that economic growth be given first priority appears
economic growth can help bring prosperity by optimising the
case. Firstly, (Point )pursuing
nation's potential while helping a government avoid other macroeconomic problems.
like China are
the recent top performers
(Elaboration Developed nations the world over and
testimonies to the fact that economic growth invariably leads to decent levels of employment,
This is
higher life expectancy and improved material standard of living for the
masses.

are able to consume more goods

because as real income per head rises and thus the people
and services. People constantly demand higher standards of living from their leaders. The
its workforce to improve
nation to educate and train
pursuit of economic growth can spur an
The people are thus more able to attain their full potential. The nation is also
productivity.
more inclined to adopt best practices, develop niche areas of expertise and leverage
on

so crucial in an
technology. This helps the nation keep up with foreign competition which is
increasingly globalised marketplace.generous
Prosperity that is fuelled by economic growth can also
inflow of tax revenues and other forms of
experience a healthy surplus due a Qatar will then have
indome. Such countries, which include China, Germany, Singapore and
recessions and invest in future growth (Eg). They
sufficient reserves to
ride out economic
of deficit financing where governments expenditure is funded by
can also avoid the perils
snowballing interest payment that gets more exorbitant with time
borrowing which entails time. An out-of-control budget deficit can lead to a
due to the compounding effect over
the ignominy of bankruptcy and surrender of fiscal
the way to
payment default which paves Eg). An economy that
autonomy as seen in the post-2008 Great Recession Greek tragedy
can also avoid overpaying for imports from
its people
produces sufficient products for of payment
balance predicament where imports far exceed exports.
overseas, thus avoiding a
country goes into debt to pay for consumption instead of investing
In the latter scenario, the
imbalance persists for too long, the country may have to sell off its
for future growth. If the land and commodities, to pay its creditors. Economic
assets,
which include natural resources,
the purchasing power of the local currency by enabling concomitant
growth can also protect the negative aspects of inflation from rearing their ugly heads.
wage increases that prevents
 Write about the most frightening person you had ever encountered. How did this
person change your life?

Intro: used to have a gregarious personality ever since 1 was young and I treated
everyone in a social group with a good measure of warmth and affability.
However my sociable nature seemed to have sent a wrong message to the most
frightening person I had ever encountered and that person caused me to be more
reserved person up till today. That person is called Amy.

Amy was a new entrant to my Secondary 3 class./Long-haired and petite, she had
porcelein-smooth skin and demure personality. She was otherwise an average-
looking lass, the-type of student a ho would sit quietly at a corner without the
teacher even noticing her presence. It did not help that she had only been recently
transferred over from another school. As a result she did not have any friends and
at that time
initially kept to herself much of the time. Being the class chair-person
by
and spurred on by a chivalrous spirit, I took it upon myself to help break the ice
initiating small talk with her to make her feel more at home.

Amy responded positively to my overtures and was soon approaching me

whenever she had queries about homework other class-related matters, I
noticed by classmates whispering among themselves while casting furtive glances
at me whenever I went over to her place to help her but I brushed aside their

mischievious glances as infantile adolescent behaviour that was not worth my

attention.

Then one day, while I was assisting Amy with a challenging mathematics problem
sum, she unexpectedly and coyly uttered out,

"You remind me of my third boyfriend."

was stunned by the suddenness and personal nature of the statement that it left
me bereft of words. could only gawk at her in utter incredulity. When I returned

to my senses, I stammered nervously,

"How...How many boyfriends have you had?"

"Two." she calmly replied, her eyes fixated upon me with such intensity that
actually felt violated. The arithmetics of that reply initially did not add up at first

but when it dawned upon me that she was targeting me to be her 'number three' I
almost fell off my seat. Her unflinching facial expression was an unambiguous
indication of the seriousness of her intent. I knew there and there that she was not
joking. Without warning I felt blood being drained from my countenance as my
cheeks turned cold and clammy. My heart started palpitating like an out-of-control
drummer on steroids and my juvenile consciousness was thrown into confusion.
beat a hasty retreat to the safety of my seat and did not dare to cast my love-struck
admirer another glance for the rest of the day.

was hoping that she would get the message after that but I was a fool to think
that lived in a perfect world. Ever so often she would be sidling up to me and
sharing with me her personal problems. Try as I might, I simply could not bring it
upon myself to tell her to stop bothering me. I had been brought up not to hurt the
feelings of the weaker sex. My predicament worsened when I found distressing
little notes under my desk detailing how she admired my positive qualities. There
 fans of increasing sizes, with an
which she drew three electric
was even one in the tacky declaration: am
Underneath that was
arrow pointing to the largest. berserk when I saw that. I confided with my
your biggest fan!" almost went of mirth, suggested that I merely
buddy Alex who, in between uncontrollable its
fitscourse. had deep reservations
infatuation to run
did nothing and allow the feeling
anon theys ncerity of that advice because deep down I had this nagging
bizarre reality show.
of this
that he relished a continuation

Things came to head when

saw her loitering around the void deck underneath
for me and had a goofy smile
my flat. She was holding what looked like a present
of a star-struck fan plastered on her face, one
that could easily turn into a maniacal
killer any moment. That was the straw that broke the camel's back as my home
was my sanctuary and she was on the verge of intruding into it. I stealthily snuck
up to my abode when she was looking the other way and decided to pour out my
sorrows to my mother. Upon hearing that, my mum was aghast that I had allowed
make
the situation to reach this stage and ordered me in no uncertain ferms to
things clear to Amy before matters got out of hand. Being the dutiful son,
obediently complied with her matriarchal edict.

The following day I summoned up as much courage as I could muster and

requested Amy to meet me at a quiet corner in school. Amy was only too willing
to oblige and the saccharine expression on her face told me that she would settle
for nothing less than a marriage proposal. I heaved in several deep breaths to the
point where I almost hyper-ventilated, grit my teeth and set about to break the
newS to her gently. was in unfamiliar territory so I had to fall back on some

cheesy lines I picked up while watching some soppy TCS Channel 8 soap opera.
started off by making the cliched statement that I treasured her as a friend and that
she was like a sister to me. That was a monumental mistake because word 'sister'
triggered off an instantaneous transformation of her erstwhile cheerful expression
into one that exuded homicidal rage. Her almond-shaped eyes started to glower
with hatred while her face contorted into a form so hideous and hate-filled that 1
could hardly recognise her as the mild-mannered lass I was with a moment ago.
She obviously understood that I was, in local teenage parlance, 'friend-zoning'
her. That meant that I was telling her that wanted to keep our relationship
one bit.
platonic and it was obvious that she did not like that

What followed was my first encounter with hell's fury that was a woman's wrath.
Without warning, she let out a blood-curdling scream that reverberated throughout
the corridors of the school. I instinctively covered my ears in an attempt to protect
my ear-drums from imploding. So much for trying not to attract any attention, 1
told myself. She then heaved up her text-book laden bag and flung the bulky
projectile straight at me, causing me to lose balance and crash like an over-sized

rag-doll onto the hard concrete flooring. A searing pain exploded through my
body as landed awkwardly and I was consumed with agony for the
next few

moments. As I struggled to get up, saw a sobbing Amy sprint off like a female

version of Usain Bolt into the distance. Suddenly I regretted following my

mother's advice.

1 quickly got up and ran after her but she had disappeared into thin air. What

followed were the longest two hours of my brief sojourn on this earth as I

frantically search for the missing girl. I had enlisted the help of my friends and
notified the general office but no one knew where she was. My imagination
started working overtime and I started to expect the worst. The thought that she
might do something foolish sent me into a state
Amy resulted of panic and my inability to locate
in a sense of desperation that gnawed me from within. I started
having cold sweat and mumbling incoherent utterances. My buddy Alex fold me
that I was starting to look ghostly pale and decided to
accompany to the sick bay.
Not being able
to join in the search only exacerbated my sense of impotence.
was never the spiritual sort but at that moment I thought it would be appropriate to
It was then
that I decided to offer supplication to the Big Guy up there. I found
myself quietly imploring God to deliver me from this tribulation.

Some may call it coincidence when a few moments later, I received a phone call
from a jubilant Alex informing me that Amy had been found at the third level of
well
the yet-to-be-canpleted adjunct building in the west wing! It was just as
because she was about to cut her wrist with a razor blade. I recall a surreal
sensation of numbness when first received the news. Then when the enormity of
of
God!" and tears
the news finally sank in, I let out a thunderous " Thank you
relief started meandering down my weary face. Then someone switched of all the
lights and darkness engulfed me.

school for the slightest

fell into a depression as a result and started skipping
be
reason. I also relinquished my post as the class-chairperson as I did not want to
became
involved in anything that reminded me of the traumatic experience. with
more taciturn and introverted and developed a phobia for any close frienship
It has been a year
the opposite sex. simply did not want history to repeat itself.
remained. The good
thing
since the above incident but the psychological scars still
bond with my band of
that came out from it is that I have developed a stronger
at my studies. The
down side is
brothers in the rugby team and I could focus better
girl anytime
that I do not
forsee myself getting into any relationship with any
That may
to the ladies around me but that is
soon. be an unfortunate loss
not wish to break anyone
something that they would have live with. I simply do
else's heart.

Descriptive phrases ( 14/9/14)

She can fritter away hours

of her precious time ensconced on the sofa
1.
the smartphone to read fan fiction or play inane online games like
using
pets into more awesome-
those that require her to groom Pokemon-looking
looking specimens. Meanwhile her
grades were plumbing new lows.
a dumb' one that
2. Her father swopped her internet-enabled phone for
did not have any internet features. That resulted in a one-girl civil
commotion at home.

Places

1. cobble-stone streets, horse-drawn carriages and rows of intricate

colonial architecture
It looked like an antiquated European town straight out of a
2.
storybook
It was no gimmicky theme-park; it was authentic architecture that

stretched hailed from a distant past.

4. It was a quaint, Instagram-worthy site
perfect for romantic evening strolls and weekend getaways.
 Although the city buildings were undergoing restoration, their
authentic facade are still preserved and not modified in
pretentious hipster fashion.
The pace of the laid-back village was slow and the vibe was

relaxed.
These beautiful homes were decked with red-tiled roofs, grand
wooden doors and ornately decorated windows.
Tourists dined al fresco on the cobblestone streets under the
warm glow of the overhanging street lamps.
There was a dancing fountain show during which rows of
fountains shoot up water to the rhythm and beat of pulsating pop
arsongs like Katy Perry's 'Fireworks' against a fascinating
backdrop of a kaleidoscope of everchanging coloured lights.
The pale moon rose amid the cloud-covered heavens.
It had a rich and diverse community of marine life

The dive sites cater to the needs and desires of every scuba diver:
reef corners, channels, walls, holes, caverns and World War II
wrecks.

The long boat ride was more than compensated for by the scenic
views of the majestic islands
We had lunch in a restaurant on the pristine, white-sand beach.
We watched in awe as an endless stream of fish cruised by.
Essay 1: Describe an annual event which you enjoy and explain why it is so important to you.

Christmas iS a time when big cone-shaped trees are displayed and decked with ornaments of gold along busy
streets. It is a season where people hurriedly buy presents in crowded malls. It is also the month in sunny
Singapore when the weather somehow feels cooler and the festive cheer brings me closer to the people I care
about.

My family tends to stay home and spend time together during other events such as National Day or Chinese
New Year. I enjoy the company of my family as we go through a familiar routine. We chat, we watch television
and we eat. Christmas is different however, because choose whom to be with and what to do. I vividly
remember Christmas when I was 15, when there was a Singaporean "snowstorm" What began as light
pattering rain on that Wednesday evening deepened into a booming thunderstorm. Just like in a Christmas
horror movie, right between booming thunder and terrible lightning flashes, my mobile phone rang like a shrill
banshee It was a friend inviting me out. I remember the howling wind and rain attacking my window, and
remember saying yes. That night, we celebrated Christmas under a sheet of rain, as we laughed and joked
about our years together and the road ahead. It was a wonderful evening with friends, and I resolved to do it
every Christmas since.

Christmas is also important to me because this is the time to catch up with friends who are overseas. Over the
years, I have seen friends go overseas for long periods of time and it is during Christmas that most of them
returned home, giving us an opportunity to be together. Once Christmas, I noticed a shifty looking fellow
stranger following me. He was dressed in sunglasses, a black polo tee and blue jeans. He was ridiculously
obvious in his espionage, covering his face with cap, peeking suspiciously at me and acting like he was
doing something else when I stared. Worse, slippers slapped against the ground loudly as he followed me. I
recall hearing that slapping on the ground turn into run, and myself turning around with my fists up, when the
person pulled off his cap and yelled "Guess who?" in my face. It was my best friend Joshua and enjoyed the
company of other friends who were not always in Singapore. We had a good time laughing and catching up
after that.

Christmas is a great time to celebrate on a big scale with people. On a normal day, my friends and I meet, but
our gatherings are more subdued. A meal at a restaurant or catching a movie is typical. However, on
Christmas, there is more reason to do something spontaneous together. As I learnt last Christmas, the more
adventurous the event, the closer we became. Despite the fact that most of us were not seasoned cyclists, we
decided to go night cycling on Christmas Eve. I remember our fleet of brightly coloured bicycles, with their
safety lights blinking and us getting lost somewhere in Punggol. We bickered and poured over our maps,
slapping at mosquitoes and shivering in the cold December night. I definitely remember the taste of the roti

pratae we had as our victory breakfast when we finally found our way back on Christmas dawn. Doing
something unexpected for Christmas can be hard and tiring, but it is definitely unforgettable.

Over the years, Christmas has been many things to me, and my time with my friends on this special day always
involves surprise, fun and cherished memories. But it is most importantly about the people whom celebrate
it with. As cliched as the song "Joy to the world" goes, there is indeed joy when I am with people love during
Christmas,

Introduction Hook (e.g. an interesting fact, rhetorical question, dialogue, quote)

Introduce the annual event in the context of Singapore
Body 1 Describe the 1't aspect / experience of the annual event
Reflective Discussion: 1st reason why it is important to you your thoughts
and feelings
Body 2 Describe the 2nd aspect / experience of the annual event
Reflection: nd reason why it is important to you + your thoughts and feelings
Body 3 Describe the 3rd aspect / experience of the annual event
Reflection: 3rd reason why it is important to you + your thoughts and feelings
Conclusion Summarise the significance of the annual event to you
Reflect on past vs present vs future
Concluding opinions / food for thought

Think-time: What are other ways you can structure your descriptive-discursive essay?
 Essay 2: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Why does it mean so much to
you?

Many people would consider being ranked first in their cohort a great achievement. Others might brag
about being named 'Best Speaker' at a debate competition. For me, the greatest achievement needs to
be something life changing, but that is quite difficult for a mere teenager. However, as my eyes fell upon
alonely, unassuming bronze medal hung on its rust-stained red and white strap at the side of my
wardrobe, my hair stood on end. I walked over and flipped the familiar bronze plate around. It read '38th
Annual Swimming Meet, 4x21m Relay, 3rd'. That medal was the first sporting medal I had ever achieved
in my life. But more than that, it represented the moment surpassed my fears to achieve the unthinkable.

It was the firsttime I swam competitively in a school meet. That memory was still deeply etched in my
mind. Being the smallest boy on the team, I was naturally the weakest. But what hampered me more than
my physical prowess was my lack of self-confidence. Peers seem to have either hit the intelligence jackpot
at birth or struck the genetic lottery, but was gifted with neither. What bragging rights did have?

What made my self-confidence worse was my upbringing. Growing in a traditional Chinese family, my
father was the disciplinarian of my family. When I made mistakes, I could usually get away with a frown
or two. But onbad days, it was the cane. So never allowed myself to make mistakes, and I had the
constant hunger to prove myself all the time.

Unfortunately, the night before the race, was given a sound beating by my father for a mistake I could
no longer remember. Displaying my body in that condition in front of the entire school would be thoroughly
humiliating. But I realised that my self-worth would come from my actions, and not what others would
think of me. Quitting on my team just because I was going to be embarrassed was out of the question.

The next day, I psyched myself as warmed up for the race. There was, in my swimming trunks, with
cane marks all over my back and thighs. The indignity I felt was unprecedented. But I focused on the race
and pushed away my ego. We were up against bigger boys from the other classes, and could only trust
in the strategy that our P.E. teacher taught us: "Let your captain do the work for the anchor lap, and the
three of you keep the gap as close as possible' Tian Le, our team captain, was a national swimmer with
tons of competition exposure under his belt. Our team was trailing in fifth position initially, but steadily
caught up to third in just the anchor lap alone - and the rest was history.

t was not the result of the race that stuck in my head till today but the psychological barrier I overcame
to achieve it. There were many other instances when my self-confidence was tested, but nothing could
beat that one. That race taught me that I was my own man, and nobody could take my pride away from
me if I did not allow it. Although a small achievement in other's eyes, that bronze medal was my greatest
achievement because I know I have become a better man in my own eyes.

.Adapted from Present Perfect 2014

Reflective Phrases
Here is a list of reflective phrases which can be used to begin a reflective discussion. Try using them!

Looking back... learned 16 When I think back 22. Now that I've been
On reflection... I realise.. on this... through this...
With hindsight.. 10. I understand.. 17. Thinking about it 23. I grew through this
In retrospect... 11. should have. now I feel... experience
Nowadays I 12. I could have.. 18. At the time but because...
feel/think/believe. 13. I wish I had.. now 24. This made me think
If I could do this 4. Because of this 19. It was a. . thing to about...
again... am... do because... 25. This experience
If this happened 15. Since this happened 20. 1 could have... shaped me by...
now. 21. 1 wish this had never 26. I'm glad this
happened happened
because. because...
Write an account of a dishonest act that you commited. What did you learn from the
experience?

Intro: My father had doted on me for aslong as could remember. It could be due to
the fact that I am the youngest of his brood of four, or that I was his only female child,
thus being the rose among the thorns. He therefore lavished more attention and gifts
upon me than on my siblings, much to their chagrin,, vexation

However life is not always a bed of roses and where there is light there will be
shadow. The down-side of being his favourite was that he tended to be over-protective
of me. He would warn me ad nauseam of the dangers, real or imagined, lurking
outside the safe confines of our home that threatened to harm little girls like me. It
seemed that he did not, or would not, notice that I was no longer a little girl. The
result was that I was required to return home by nine o'clock everyday. Staying over
at my friend's place was obviously out of the question. As time passed I found this

patternal edict to be more and more anachronistic in this modern age of freedom and
choice. To rub salt on the wound, every other fifteen-year-old girl I knew were

already enjoying the freedom to stay out till the wee hours of the morning and that
made me feel left out of some of life's more exciting moments. I would also be

mocked for being a *daddy's girl' who was too fragile to withstand the cold night air.
That infuriated me to no end. I had occasional outbursts with my folks as a result but
needless to say, my parental overlords always prevailed and I would be left licking
my wounds. However I could feel the resentment festering within me and I could
already foresee the day of rebellion drawing near.

The straw that broke the camel's back came in February this year. My group of close
friends announced that they were going to have a slumber party at the swanky abode
of Sandy, the most well-heeled teenager I had ever had the pleasure of being friends
with. Everyone was delirious with anticipation as Sandy's bedroom was the size of a

normal living room with high ceilings, chandeliers, ornate wall decorations, a mini-
bar that had an unbelievably wide array of delectable tid-bits and a super-sized bed
that could fit all five of our hyperactive adolescent group. She had also recently
installed a 48-inch flat-screen plasma television set so that we could watch back-to-
back 'How met your Mother' episodes in the climate-controlled environment the
whole night long. We also planned to gossip all night long and play inane games like
'Truth or Dare' which promises to provide hours of non-stop entertainment. Everyone
in the group was ecstatic except me. I could not partake in the revelry. 1 had to be

home by nine.
and I had become cho co trends

By that time Sandy had gotten really close to me so she was absolutely insistent that ]
went for the party. I tried to explain to her that hell ( and I) knew no fury like a livid
dad but that only stoked her determination to help me out of this bind. After a short
period of intense thinking, she came up with a brainwave: I was to lie to my loving
father that I had to attend a school leadership camp over the weekend!

I had always known Sandy to be spunky and feisty but this time her derring-do
astounded even me. protested vehemently, arguing that I would be grounded for life
if the plan fell through. She seemed quite unflinched by the danger and revealed her
trump card: I was to provide my dad with her handphone number and say that she was
Mrs Tan', the teacher in charge of the camp! By that time my mind was already in a
whirl. To me this was either a very well-conceived and elaborate plan that covers all
corners or it was simply an act of digging deeper into the grave. was initially
 group weighed
in and cajoled me into agreeing,
hesitant but when the rest of the
eventually relented.

Sandy rehearsed with me what I was to tell my dad and taught me little tricks liketell-
in order not to reveal any
how to look him straight in the eye with forceful intent
tale signs of nervousness. That evening put into action the well-orchestrated plan,
on his favourite
telling my father about the supposed camp when he was ensconced

leather chair watching television. That was the time when he was most relaxed and
in the
distracted and Sandy enlightened me that that was the perfect moment to slip
fib.

I recalled that as 1 approached the stern patriarch of the family my heart was
palpitating like a bongo-player on banned substances. I could feel the blood leaving
my
first
face and my hands turning clammy. I could hardly breathe and I had to abort my
attempt in order to calm myself down. After a few minutes of motivating self-talk
in
front of my dressing-room mirror, I went out for a second attempt. This time was
a picture of calm
as I informed my dad in a matter-of -fact manner about the
important "leadership camp' that I was chosen to attend. Surprisingly, dad was
delighted that his little girl had been
given the honour of being student leader but he
warned me to be careful not to leave the 'camp' grounds. However my heart almost
popped out of my mouth when he queried about the absence of a consent form:

"Why is there no consent form?"

He enquired quizzically, the creases of curiosity
appearing on his
broad forehead. Although he was in a convivial mood that day, his
naturally stern-looking countenance still emanated an aura of austerity that was rather
intimidating. Fortunately my experience of being his daughter for the past fifteen
years taught me that that was all a front and
that when I started talking to him in my
goody-two-shoes saccharine voice his wall of resistance would crumble.
So I
responded in a
tone so endearing that it almost made myself barf:
Don't' worry dad! I left it in
school. Anyway here's Aet-contact number/4f you need
to contact her." (DIALOGUE)
chory
With a determined thrust
number right onto his
of the hand, I placed the slip of paper bearing Sandy's
gigantic right palm. He took a look at its contents while I was
trying my utmost not to let
the trembling of my knees show. I was doing my best to
breathe calmly so that I would not panic. I knew it was a make or break moment. The
success of the first
stage of Operation Slumber Party' depended on this instance. To
my relief he gave a grunt that signified acceptance and then returned to his television
programme. dutifully thanked him and bolted to my bedroom to catch my breath.
could still remember the maelstrom of emotions at that moment.
One the one hand ]
was extremely relieved that managed to pull off the biggest lie had ever told to
date, but there was also that nagging feeling of guilt that should not have committed
that breach of trust. In the end I decided that the die had been cast. I had crossed the
Rubicon. Let the party begin!

My pals were over the moon when they heard about my successful exploit. Sandy was
especially proud of me and told me that she would take special care of me during our
sojourn at her place. However the nightmare was only about to begin for me.
When the evening for the slumber party arrived, everyone in the group was in cloud
nine and
were animatedly chattering away as to what the were going to do when they
reached Sandy's residence. However my mind was other matters. I could not shake
on

off the uneasy feeling that our cover had been blown and that dad was now cognisant
of my deceit. I became paranoid and developed a morbid fear of my dad trailing me
Sandy's home, I kept on checking around
to
on the sly! So when we took a bus to
make sure that dad was not on the bus. While we were sauntering to her bungalow in
Upper Bukit Timah Road, I kept imagining that any unfamiliar male stranger could be
dad following me incognito. was so panicky that tripped over an inconveniently
placed rock that was in my path. Sandy was well aware of my mental disposition so
she tried to calm me down by passing droll remarks like whether I enjoyed my 'trip'
so far. That helped calm my nerves a little by bringing about some measure of light-
heartedness to my tense situation. However,root cause of my concerns still remained
unresolved.
the

When we finally entered Sandy's private chambers it was everything it was made out
demons
to be. was initially bowled over by its opulence and ambience but soon my
all I could think about
returned to haunt me. The party SOON kicked into full gear but
was Sandy's handphone that was top ther side table. My mind
was in constant

trepidation that my dad would call at any moment to enquire the did
about the *camp Itutam
had
not help that Sandy was such a popular personality in class so Every phonering from
the
her friends seemed to be the one that would seal my doom. Sandy and
rest

surreal
constantly attempted to drag me into the festivities but to no avail. I was in a
situation in which I was in the midst of revelry but I felt excluded from it. I was in
from the inside and
perpetual mental torment. The guilt and fear was eating me
could not wait for the ordeal to be over.

So I consumed the snacks, played the games and watched the movies in a zombie-like
state. Everyone else had given up on me and continued to have fun without me. And
that accursed phone had to keep ringing even into the wee hours of the morning!
recalled Allan Edgar Poe's story about how a murderer kept hearing non-existent
sounds that eventually gave his guilt away. So that was how a wrong-doer felt after he
or she committed a heinous crime!

Then just when I was about to forget about my worries, Sandy's phone rang again.
This time her face turned pale and she instantaneously asked everyone to be quiet.
She put her hand over the phone and informed me in no uncertain terms that it was the

sum of all my fears: it was my father!

How would you continue this essay?

 Describe some things in your country that you value and would miss greatly, if you
had to live in another country.

Singapore has been my home since the beginning of my life. It is the country I grew up in and came to

love. Like the saying goes, "Home is where the heart is". Nowhere else will ever feel the same. While

travelling on vacations to other countries, I would always imagine what life would be like if I migrated
there. Weighing out the pros and cons, I would never be able to leave Singapore as there are too many
things I would miss greatly.

Firstly, will miss Singapore's racially diverse society. Unlike many other countries, Singapore has
managed to build a harmonious society where regardless of race, language or religion, all are embraced.
Singapore consists of four main racial groups Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians - and together
we make up the essence of Singapore. Since 1989, the government implemented the Ethnic Integration
policy where every high rise flat has a quota to each race living there. This "forced" Singaporeans of
different racial groups to get along with each other and imbue the feeling that we are all neighbours,
preventing the formation of any enclaves. From the simple act of greeting each other to the generous
sharing of ethnic foods during festivals, we have been wired to enjoy the company of those who might
be a little different from us. I would not be able to imagine life any differently.

Secondly, will miss Singapore's education system. Being taught since the age of three under the
education system, I am familiar and used to it, maybe to the oint that I take it for granted. Singapore's
education is renowned for producing students who perform exceedingly well in academics.
Throughout the different tests across the years, Singapore has achieved outstanding results in many
subjects. For example, we have always been the top few in Mathematics and Science, competing with
much bigger countries such as China and the United States. Although many complain about the
pressure and stress of our education system, we have failed to realise that it prepares us for the
working world. Good things never come easy and life is never a bed of roses. With all the pressure and

stress to perform well, we have cultivated a competitive society that is always striving to be the best.
As part of the future generation who will run the country, I believe this education system has

engineered us to scale greater heights.

Thirdly, I will miss Singapore's food. Singapore is known as a food haven across the world for its wide

variety of different culture's food. Many of us take

it for granted but this is a rare sight in other

countries where they mainly focus on their own culture's likings. However, in Singapore we enjoy a
wide variety of food that satisfies all cravings, ranging from our famous dishes such as Chicken Rice,
All these familiar foods
prata, Hokkien Mee, Nasi Lemak or the famous Singapore Chilli Crab. are a part

of our Singaporean food culture that cannot be forgotten. Furthermore, the

convenience and access

to the variety of food is sure to be missed. In Singapore, we have hawker centers where many shop
owners of different backgrounds come to sell their specialty at an affordable price, and coffeeshops
where we will miss our good old "kopi"s that puts a smile on my face as I recall the sweet aroma.

Singapore has come a long way from a kampong settlement to a first-world country and resolved many
issues that our fellow brothers are still facing inthe short span of 53 years. We have formed our own
else and
national identity which unites all Singaporeans as one. Life would not be the same anywhere
be able to part with
this IS my home. There are too many great things and memories that I would not
and I am sure many Singaporeans would agree too.
 Describe some things in your country that you value and would miss greatly,
if you had to live in another country.

"A corrupted nation". "A theme park with no laws". These are a few descriptions of how the
media portrays my country, Indonesia. To the foreigners who are not born and bred in

Indonesia, they would not know of this vibrant country where cultures and histories are
brimming and blending. However, as an Indonesian, in soul and spirit, my view of my
homeland would remain the same, even for years to come. It is indeed a paradise. From the
hundreds of races living harmoniously to the rich culture boasted on every corner, I would
miss my homeland terribly, if I were to move elsewhere.

Known for its splendid and diverse communities, Indonesia prides itself on the different races
and ethnicity coexisting peacefully. To few, there are the Javanese, Teochews and
name

Hokkiens. Each ethnicity stands out from the rest, bringing in a diverse set of practices,
language and food along with them. My fondest memories with the varied ethnicities are the
different food they share with society. There is a belief in my hometown, that no two dishes

taste alike as different ethnicities co-existing is what makes Indonesia special and
unforgettable to me.

Besides its diverse communities, what truly brings everyone together is the strong sense of
Indonesian pride embedded in every Indonesian. The values of nationalism have been

espoused in from a very young age and no Indonesian is ashamed to be called one. We
us

wear our title of an Indonesian with pride and respect, leaving no space for negative
sentiments. This can be seen during the ASEAN world games, where as a nation, we rooted
and cheered for every Indonesian representing our nation, despite the wins or losses. This
deep sense of brotherhood and sisterhood I have hatched in my heart can never be replaced
by any other country,

Lastly, aside from its myriad of ethnic and deep-rooted pride, can never separate from
Indonesia's natural scenic beauty. With azure oceans and turquoise pastures, Indonesia is a

utopia, where nature and mankind coexist harmoniously. A few hours' drive away from my
city, the famous Lake Toba stands in all its magnificent glory. The sparkling, clear lakes and
rolling hills never fail to make my jaw drop. Another paradise in Indonesia is the popular island
of Bali. If there was heaven on Earth, it would be Bali. The stretching shores and cascading

waves call to me, never wanting me to leave. If leaving Indonesia means never seeing these
magical places again, I would never set a foot out of Indonesia.

Others may argue that I can find these things in another country, but in my heart, Indonesia
is the one for me. The idea of separating myself from the different ethnicities and cultures,
straying myself from my homeland and distancing myself from the Indonesian pride tears a
hole in me. No other land, no matter how beautifully diverse or peaceful will replace the love
have for my homeland. After all, Indonesia is my "Tanah air" *

*a term Indonesians refer to their homeland as.

Write about an unforgettable family event. What did you learn from this event?

'Bong!" My uncle exclaimed thunderously as he flipped open his mahjong tiles to win yet
another round of the
boisterous game. His fellow players, who consisted of my other uncles
and aunties, groaned in defeat. and what followed was the familiar clatter of tiles as they were
swirled around the table by deft hands for another round of competition. It was a balmy
morning early last February and the celestial orb painted the clouds gold. The air was filled
with the mellifluous melodies of traditional New Year
songs while the aroma of sumptuous
spread of scrumptious delights wafted enticingly in the air. The expansive dining area was
festooned with a
riot of eye-catching crimson cut-outs of auspicious greetings, Chinese
lanterns and banners which were
indispensable embellishments for any Lunar New Year
celebration. I was ravenously wolfing down the delectable roast pork and chilli crab while my
eyes were riveted on the Wii game that my cousins were playing on the wide-screen TV. The
room was filled with joyous shouts and animated chatter as my relatives caught up with each
other. It felt good to be with my extended family
again.

My family and were at the sprawling bungalow residence of my favourite uncle Ah Huat for
our annual Chinese New Year gathering. My avuncular uncle would always be the life and
soul of theparty and he was especially generous with the contents of his 'Ang Pow's or red
packets. When handed me my red package I greeted him enthusiastically and upon feeling the
packet my heart palpitated with elation as I could feel that within it was a handsome amount
of treasure that I could convertinto Google Play cards with! However, what found most
endearing about him was how always found time to chat with his nephews and nieces and
make us feel good about ourselves. He would regale us with interesting anecdotes of his life
experiences. I always looked forward to visit; him because seemed to have the knack of
bringing cheer to everyone around him. The
was soaking in the convivial atmosphere and festive spirit when, like a bolt from the blue,
heard a deafening thud. When I turned my head the sight before me filled me with horror:
uncle Ah Huat was lying motionless on the parquet floor with his hands clutching his heart!
Everyone let out collective gasp and dropped what they were doing. My relatives rushed to
I was filled
my uncle's aid while I stood rooted to the ground, too stunned to do anything.
with trepidation and my heart palpitated uncontrollably. It felt surreal how our joyous
festivities could morph into a tragedy without warning. I saw uncle Johnny, who was a
doctor, administer cardio-pulmonary rescusitation on uncle Ah Huat while my dad called for
an ambulance. We spent the next fifteen minutes in anxious anticipation for medical
assistance to arrive. Everyone looked on helplessly as we saw uncle Ah Huat s lay lifelessly
on the ground. His wan countenance was such a contrast to his usual ruddy complexion and
his muscular chest rose and fell with great effort as he struggled to remain in the mortal
world. The room was filled with subdued conversations and silent prayers as his wife and
daughter sobbed inconsolably. We could not fathom how a healthy middle-aged man could
suffer a cardiac arrest like that without warning. The unexpected turn of events cast a pall

over the erstwhile joyous celebrations,

After what seemed like forever, the paramedics finally arrived. They expertly checked uncle
Ah Huat's vital signs, placed him on a gurney and rushed him the awaiting ambulance. We
to

then heard the blaring siren receding as my dear uncle was rushed to the hospital. Our new
other adieu. The
year gathering thus came to an abrupt end and everyone awkwardly bid each
tragedy was complete when we were informed later that evening that uncle Ah Huat had
his elder brother.
departed from us for good. My dad was visibly distraught as my uncle was
My mind was in a whirl as I ruminated over what all this meant.
 "Why did he have to go so soon?" asked my dad, with warm tears meandering down my
countenance.

suppose when it is time to go, it is time to go. My dad replied dejectedly. His eyes were
welling up with tears and his voice was quivering. I have never witnessed my dad so helpless
before in my life.

was filled with melancholy upon witnessing first-hand the fragility of our earthly existence.
Even my normally reassuring dad could not provide me any much-needed comfort. now

understand what the poets meant when they described our lives as merely a sojourn on this
earth, our life-breath being as ephemeral as the morning dew.which evaporates under the
a

onslaught of the morning sun. I realised that I should treasure the time I have with my closest
relatives and try to spend meaningful moments with them as we would know when Death
would come a' knocking. I was particularly determined to cherish my time with my parents
and my little sister who I had often taken for granted. did not want to rue the missed
opportunities to show them that I loved them should they be unceremoniously wrested away
from me like uncle Ah Huat.

It also occurred to me that there would come a time when our elders would pass on and it
would be up to the younger generation like me to carry on the traditions of our families and
race. It dawned upon me that I had not made much effort to really understand my Chinese
culture and traditions, being more drawn to modern gadgetry and western lifestyles. I am now
determined to dwelve deeper into what made me a Chinese and to make greater effort to be
an active contributor to the continuation of our Chinese heritage. Life is no longer an endless
paper-chase and materialistic pursuits. I now seek the deepening of my ethnic identity and the
nourishment of my soul, and I do all these in fond memory of my favourite uncle Ah Huat.
Situational writing
SITUATIONAL WRITING NOTES
Part 1: Format

Type 1.1: Formal Letter

Fiona Tan
Writer's full name
12 Rose Walk
Writer's address
Singapore 680610

9 August 2017 Date (Only formal date is allowed)

Mr. Robert Tan Meng Kim Recipient's full name (Create your own if not given)
Public Affairs Executive Recipient's designation
Tanglin Mall Recipient's organisation
8 Tanglin Road Recipient's address
Singapore 123008

Dear Mr. Tan Opening Salutation (No comma after opening)

Cleanliness of Tanglin Mall Subject line (Must be underlined)

As a frequent shopper at your shopping mall,... First paragraph:

identify yourself
state the purpose of your letter

Content:
to address all the bulleted points
caragraphs 2 - 4 use own words from the visual stimulus
amplify / elaborate on given information (add
in at least 10 pieces of new relevant
information)
organise the content in paragraphs

I hope you would look into this matter and .

Closure:

suggestions/conclusions/actions you will take

if your request is ignored (applicable for
complaint letters only)
contact information (phone / email)
Thank you

Yours sincerely Complimentary close (No comma after closing)

Signature

Fiona Tan Writer's full name (Do not put it in brackets)

if you don't know the name of the reciplent, use Yours faithfully . It is used when the recipient is not addressed
letter with a Dear Sir Madam' salutation.
 Type 1.2: Informal Letter

Sandra Tan Writer's name

12 Rose Walk Writer's address
Singapore 680610

9 August 2017 Date (Only formal date is allowed)

Dear Sandra Opening Salutation (No comma after

opening; Recipient's personal name)_
(Suggestion) Two weeks have passed since last First paragraph:
saw you......... ask about recipient s well-being
through positive pleasantries
state purpose of the letter
DO NOT RUSH IMMEDIATELY to answer

the question at this point of time.

Content:
Body of paragraphs to address all the bulleted points
use own words from the visual stimulus
amplify / elaborate on given
information (add in at least 10 pieces of
new relevant information)

organise the content in paragraphs

Closure:
-restate purpose of letter
ask for a reply

Love always/ Lovingly/ Love, Your friend/ Complimentary close

Affectionately/With love
Signature (Do not sign in full or write name
Sandra
in full)

DO NOT use Yours truly' In informal letters.

Type 1.3:
Script / Speech
Good morning
Miss Tanand
fellow classmates... Greeting:
start with the person with the highest
authority to the least

am Ronald from the

there has
been a spate ofStudent Council. Recently First paragraph:

would like to classroom theft cases and introduce yourself

share with everyone how we can state the purpose of the speech
prevent more of such incidents from happening...

Content:
Body of paragraphs to address all
the bulleted points
use own words from the visual stimulus
amplify / elaborate on given
information (add in at least 10 pieces of
new relevant information)
organise the content in paragraphs

Once again, I would urge all of you to be vigilant... Last paragraph:

-sum up the main points of your speech
-conclude with your personal
opinion/feelings/wishes etc.
-restate the purpose of the speech

Closing:
Thank you.
thank the audience for their attention
 Type 1.4 : Magazine Article/Newsletter

Celebrating Ten Years of Unity Title (Must be underlined)

by Hasif Yong Writer's name (Byline)
Head CCA Councillor Designation, if any

It was early on a Saturday one week into the June Opening paragraph:
school vacation, yet at 7 a.m. the school was
1 to 2 sentences summing up the news event
already a hive of activity.
using 3 Ws (i.e: where, who, when)

Content:
Body of paragraphs
background and detailed information
theme of event
activities andhighlights
responses/quotations of organisers,
participants and attendees
other relevant information e.g. total funds
raised, outstanding fund-raisers,
beneficiaries or purpose of funds, etc.
do organise your answer into paragraphs.

to address all the bulleted points

use own words from the visual stimulus
amplify elaborate on given information
(add in at least 10 pieces of new relevant
information)

In closing, on behalf of the organising committee, Last paragraph:

would like to thank, once again, all our donors,
acknowledgements, if any
supporters and volunteers for your generous
closing words
contributions. You indispensible to the
were

success of our 10th Anniversary Fun Fair, and the

exceeding of our targets. Onward, Unity!
Type 1.5: Incident Report (Internal)
To: Mr. Chan Ying Yin Recipient's full name
Principal
Recipient's designation
Rosewood Secondary School Recipient's organisation

From: Mohammad Abdullah Bin Faris Writer's full name

Class 4B Writer's class

9 August 2017 Date

Incident at the school canteen Subject line (Must be underlined)

As requested½, I am submitting an account of the First paragraph:

fight which I witnessed at the school canteen on briefly state the who / what / when /
the 7 August 2017 at around 3 pm. There were where)
three boys and two girls who were involved in the details will be addressed in the next
the fight and they were from class 4E7. few paragraphs

Alternatively:
At about 3pm on 7 August 2016, witnessed a

group of students fighting in the canteen. There

were six girls involved and recognised them to
be from Class 4E4.

Content:
(2 - 3 paragraphs)
I saw to address all the bulleted points
was walking towards the canteen when
the students lingering...It was then that I saw the use own words from the visual stimulus

fight take place. amplify / elaborate on given

information (add in at least 10 pieces of
new relevant information)
organise the content in paragraphs
non-emotive

If there areany further questions, am most Closure:

willing/obliged to assist you in the investigations offer further assistance to authority

by providing more information. Thank you.

Reported by;
M. Abdullah Writer's signature
Mohammad Abdullah Bin Faris Writer's full name
 rosal (report format)
To: Mr Raymond Ong
Chairman
Recipient's full name
Green Recipient's designation
Community Club
25 Braddell Road Recipient's organisation
Singapore 234256 Recipient's address

From: Sindy Tang Writer's full name

46 Lorong Ah Soo Writer's address
Singapore 756146

August 2017 Date

Proposal to open up more study rooms during Subject line (Must be underlined)
examination season

I have been a member of the club for the last four First paragraph:
who
years and I have noticed that there many students briefly state what, when, where and
details to be addressed in the next few
using the tables to study and there are still many
more walking around trying to look for conducive paragraphs
spots to study.

Content:
to address all the bulleted points
Body of paragraphs
use own words from the visual stimulus
amplify / elaborate on given information
(add in at least 10 pieces of new relevant
information)
organise the content in paragraphs

Closure:
If you have any further questions, am most
offer to provide more details
willing/obliged to provide you with more details.

Proposed by:
Signature
Sindy Tang
Writer's full name
Sindy Tang
Situation 25
Recomme
fund-raising acron

You are advised to write between 250 and 350 words for this section.

You should look at the printout of a webpage on

page 281, study the
information carefully and plan your answer before beginning to write.

Your school needs to raise about $1,000 urgently for the purchase of library
books and materials. Two events are being considered: a flea market or a

school dance and musical night. As the Head Prefect, you are tasked with
making a choice and recommendation speech to the student body during
assembly. You searched the Internet and came across the webpage, which
proves useful for your decision.

Using relevant information from the webpage and adding other details of
your own, write the recommendation speech to persuade the students to
support your choice and convince them that your choice is the better one. In

your speech, you should include the following:

reasons for your choice

how you plan to carry out the activity

brief reasons why the other option is not practical or desirable

Write your speech in clear, accurate English and in a persuasive tone,

bearing in mind that the event is to be held one week after the mid-year
examinations, and that your principal wants to encourage mass participation.

Use your own words as much as possible.

 ( http://www.schoolevents.com/fundraising.html

Our Clients Our Services lates News

Flea Market or Dance

fun! and Musical Night?
Two great ideas to raise funds! Don't know which to choose?

Here are what students and teachers say. Decide for yourself.
Whichever you choose, ensure it meets the fund-raising objectives. Have fun!

flea Market Dance and Musical Night

'I'm for a flea market - we can hold the event in like the idea of a dance and musical night - our
the open field; each student just needs to bring one school concert hall can hold a large audience; we
item, price it reasonably - and it's up for sale. Our can set a reasonable price on the tickets and we
school enrolment is big, so we can easily meet the should meet the target amount.'

target.
'Don't forget that teachers and students need to

'Also, every student in the school can participate.' spend quite some time on rehearsals.'

'Very practical - we don't have to incur extra funds 'We also need to plan the programmes.
and hold time-consuming rehearsals.'
This event may limit student participation.'
agree. There is not much planning required and
no extra work for teachers or students. 'Costs need to be incurred for costumes and props.'
BEFORE READING THE MODEL
Read the two texts below and answer the following questions.

1. Which of the two texts is the better opening paragraph for the speech? Why?
2. Who is the audience?
3. What is the purpose of the speech?
4. What kind of tone should you adopt for a speech like this?

fellow students. As
Good morning,
Good morning, fellow students. As requested by
stand here to speak before you most of you know, the school needs
the principal,
wish to inform to raise about $1,000 urgently to buy
concerning an important event.
you that the school needs to raise about $1,000
library books and materials. The school
to buy library books and materials. What is considering either a flea market or
urgently
a dance and musical night to raise the
is being considered is either a flea market or
funds. The event is planned for the
dance and musical night to raise the funds. The
event IS planned for the Saturday immediately Saturday immediately after the mid-year
examinations and it will be held in the
after the mid-year examinations and it will be held
school. I strongly feel that we should opt
in the school. recommend, without reservation,
for the flea market to raise funds.
that we opt for the flea market to raise funds.

MODEL
Note how the speaker
organises the contents in a
Fund raising through a flea market
speech where he has to
recommend one of two choices.
Good morning. fellow students. As most of you know, the school needs to
Paragraph
raise about $1,000 urgently to buy library books and materials. The school is
(Introduction) Stating the
recommended choice considering either a flea market or a dance and musical night to raise the

funds. The event is planned for the Saturday immediately after the mid-year
examinations. It will be held in the school. I strongly feel that we should opt
for the flea market to raise funds.

Paragraph 2 I'm sure every one of you wants to participate in this meaningful event and
Reason for recommended
the flea market event allows that - every one of you can take part in the
choice and rejection of
other option in terms of event by just sponsoring one small item which will be priced at $2. With
participative element our school enrolment of 600, we should have no problems raising the target
amount of $1,000. 1 have to say that we will also be able to raise this
amount from the dance and musical event by pricing the tickets at $1. Our
hall can hold 1,000 people, and if the tickets are sold out, we would meet

the target amount.

 Paragraph 3
students as Reason for recommended
musical event may limit
participation by of
However, the dance and the choice and rejection
in a class, since only terms of costs
every single student
necessary to involve option in
It iS not
be engaged in the
event. l strongly believe
drama and choir students would a flea
that every one of us should be involved
in a worthy cause like this; SO
market is the better option.
Paragraph 4
we have to incur
extra recommended
Reason for
Moreover, if we stage the dance and musical item, othi
to about choice and rejection of
costs in the purchase of costumes and props. This would amount terms of time fact
option in
have to raise an additional $500 to cover the costs.
$500. That means we and preparation work
This defeats the purpose of raising funds, doesn't it? A flea market, on
by the
the other hand, does not require any unnecessary costs to be borne
school All that is required are a few tables to display the items and perhaps
a chair or two for each booth for the students manning the booths.

Paragraph 5 (Conclusiq
Bear in mind also that the event, which will be held in the open field, is
Reiteration of choice
planned for immediately after the mid-year examinations. There will not be
much time for preparations. I'm sure you will agree with me that a dance
and musical item involves too much work. Our dear teachers and you, fellow
students, will have to spend extra time in school for rehearsals. Don't forget
that we will have only one week left to prepare for the event. The flea

market does not need much planning and no rehearsal is required at all. This
sounds like a more feasible event, doesn't it?

hope that all of you will agree that the flea market IS a better option as it
proves to be less time-consuming and an easier activity to plan and manage.

Thank you for your attention.

A Tone and audience

Note the informal tone the writer useshis speech. The speaker is delivering a speech to an audience
in

who consists of his peers, so he has used an appropriate tone, which is friendly and forthcoming.

Note, however, that the language he has chosen is still standard English, with appropriate word choices
and punctuation.

B Features of a semi-formal speech

The model speech is typical of a semi-formal speech in which the language veers more towards informality
than formality. Always bear in mind your audience. In a situation like this, an informal tone may work more
towards persuading your audience to your views than a serious, overly formal tone that your audience
cannot relate to. The following are ways fo achieve a semi-formal tone in a speech.
 Section B [30 marks]

You are advised to write between 250 and 350 words for this section.
You should look at
carefully and the printout of the web pages given, study the information
plan your answer before beginning to write.

Every
year, the school organizes self-improvement workshops for its Secondary
Three students, with the purpose of equipping students with life skills that will come
in useful in young adult life. Your Principal has decided that, this year, the students
should have a say in the kind
of self-improvement workshops they would prefer to
experience.

Hence, each class has been asked to study the information extracted from three web
pages on some workshops. As the Chairman of your. class, you have gathered
feedback on the two workshops that your classmates believe the Secondary Three
cohort will enjoy and benefit most from.

Write a you will deliver to the committee of teachers in charge of

speech that
organising the self-improvement workshops, proposing which of the two workshops
your class has decided on.

Your speech should include:

• How the students will benefit from each of the two workshops chosen;
Why the students will find the workshops enjoyable;
How the workshops support your school values.

Write your speech in clear, accurate English and in a persuasive tone, to convince
the committee of your choice.

You should use your own words as much as possible.

 Workshop on Image Management
Our appearance, dressing, behaviour, manner of
speaking and even body language are keys to

projecting an image of a successful and

confident person.

Learn how to create a positive first impression

and how to dress appropriately for different

occasions.

Workshop on Dining Etiquette

Our workshop will cover:

Table manners

Use of different cutlery

Acceptable ways of consuming soup, bread
roll, main course

Making dinner conversations

Workshop on Interview Skills

You will undergo step-by-step training to

prepare for an interview:

Writing your résumé;

Developing quick thinking skills;

Speaking clearly and confidently;

Answering questions about your abilities.