Paper 1

Dear all,

This is what I went through on Monday. I hope you will not commit the same mistakes again on Wednesday. Good Luck! ",)

Paper 1

Common mistakes for situation writing

Lack of salutation
informal signing off - love, your friend
formal signing off – Regards, Yours sincerely, Yours truly,
no contraction
Feeling word – happy , depressed not “I cannot wait for the trip”
Do not miss out any points so that you can score full marks (6m) for content
Stating Date
Given: 27 October 2007
So, …
27 October 2007 (√)
27th of October 2007 (√)

27th October 2007 (X)
27 Oct 2007 (X)
27 Oct 07 (X)

Keep everything to the left
Eg of a diary entry

Date: 22 April 2008

Dear Diary,
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Xxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Love,
Alice

To score higher marks, you have to consider your audience and think what is the most appropriate thing to say to your targeted audience

For example, if your friend was absent from school because he was sick, you could ask how he was feeling, hope he recover soon, hope that he has a speedy recovery.

For example, if your friend was absent from school because he was away for tournament, you could ask about his tournament, wish him good luck etc

Composition

You get to choose to write on either a picture composition or a situational composition.

Picture Composition

It is very important to look at the picture closely and include the scene (the picture) in one part of your story. For example, the one on shoplifting, you cannot mention that there is no one in the shop as the picture shows a few people.

For fire, many of you missed the helicopter which dropped the rope ladder to save the trapped victims.

You can take on the role of anyone in the picture. You can use first person or third person account. If you use third person account, you have to be consistent with it.

Essence of a story:
setting – where, when, who, what, why, how
main characters – many of you did not include a main character in your story. Some only used the phrases that I have provided. This creates a very cold report not even a story as a story has at least one main character. That is why most scored poorly.
No emotions

Situational writing

I was travelling in an MRT train when it came to a sudden stop. The next minute, I found myself in total darkness.

** Must be FIRST-PERSON account
** Third-person account downgraded by 1 band in content

Use past tense
No contractions are allowed except in dialogue
Try starting your composition interestingly. Please try not to start with “One fine day” or “One sunny day” etc

Paper 1 & Listening Comprehension

Dear all,

I've forgotten to update the dates for SA1 English and Chinese paper 1 & LC in my blog. However, the newsletter sent earlier has the updated Paper 1 dates. I hope no one is confused over the examination dates. Apologies..

HCL Paper 1 & LC : 22/4/08
English Paper 1 & LC: 23/4/08
Chinese Paper 1 & LC: 24/4/08

Reported speech

Dear children,

click here to practise more on reported speech.

Post reading activity

Dear children,

Remember to response to the topic created in the discussion board. https://sharepoint.konghwa.moe.edu.sg/school/students/2008P53/Lists/General%20Discussion/AllItems.aspx

Click on the topic and then click on "post reply".

If you cannot access Sharepoint Portal, you have to response to the topic by writing it on a piece of foolscap paper.