Writing Component

     
 

WRITING COMPONENT

 
     
  Writing skills include all the knowledge and abilities related to expressing ideas through the written word and by using it's own format. Good writing skills allow you to communicate your message with clarity and ease to a far larger audience​.  
     
     
     
 
1.1    FORMAL LETTER
 
     
  A formal letter is a letter written in formal language with a specific structure and layout. We write formal letters to a teacher, a bank, a company or the local council. We write formal letters to seek permission, to complain or to apply for jobs and many more.  
     
  The format of writing a formal letter is explained in the following table:  
     
 

a. Address

i. The writer’s address is written at the top left-hand corner.

ii. The recipient’s address below the writer's address.

 
     
 

b. Date

i. Written below the address.

► 1 July 2021

 
     
 

c. Greeting

i. The name or salutation of whom you are writting to and it is written on the left-hand side of the letter. Begins with:

► Dear \(\underline{\hspace{3cm}}\),

 
     
 

d. Subject

i. State the subject of your letter and underline it.

Defective of Remote-controlled Robin the Robot.

 
     
 

e. Opening (First paragraph)

i. You may begin your letter with the first point:

► Stating the reason of you writing the letter in general.

 
     
 

f. Content (Several paragraphs)

i. In the second paragraph, mention your main reason for writing the letter. 

 
     
 

g. Closing (Last paragraph)

i. Inform the reader that you are ending the letter. You may use the following phrases:

► I hope you will assist / help / take into consideration regarding my problem.

 
     
 

h. Signing off

i. You can sign off using:

► Yours sincerely,

 
     
 

i. Signature

i. Sign your name at the bottom of the letter in the left-hand corner.

Emily Darlington

Emily Darlington

 
     
     
 

Here is an example of a formal letter:

 
     
 

Emily Darlington,

51 Batu 16 1/2 Jalan Rawang,

Bandar Seberang Jaya,

13700, Perai,

Pulau Pinang.  1 July 2021

(draw a straight thick line - from under the address until the end of the date)

Mr. Simon,

Angelica’s Toys,

Pandai Mall Sdn Bhd,

PO Box 10,

43600 Kuala Lumpur.

 

Dear Mr. Simon,

Defective of Remote-controlled Robin the Robot

I am writing to complain about Remote-controlled Robin the Robot that I bought last week at Angelica’s Toys in Pandai Mall Sdn Bhd.

2.         The remote-controlled was functioning great on the first day that I had it. However, it stopped working the next day. In order to get it to work properly, I have to read the manual to make sure I am following all the instructions accordingly, and yet I cannot get it to work out. I have also tried to replace the batteries, but it did not work properly afterward. I really do not know what is causing the problem.

3.         I would appreciate if you could contact me at 019-5552234 and let me know why my robot malfunction, and how I can get it repaired or replaced.

 

Yours sincerely,

Emily Darlington

Emily Darlington

 
     
     
     
 
1.2    INFORMAL LETTER
 
     
  Informal letters are written to friends and relatives.  
     
 

The language used is simple and friendly.

•    You can use contractions such as I'm, can't, they've and so on.

•    For examination, do not use slang like, “Hey, Wassup.”, “gonna”, “kinda”, “wanna” etc.

 
     
  The format of writing an informal letter is explained in the following table:  
     
 

a. Address

i. The writer’s address is written at the top right-hand corner.

 
     
 

b. Date

i. Written below the address.

► 6 June 2021

 
     
 

c. Greeting

i. Written on the left-hand side of the letter. Begin with:

► Dear \(\underline{\hspace{3cm}} \),

 
     
 

d. Opening (First paragraph)

i. You may begin your letter by:

Asking about the person’s health. 

►  How are you? I hope that you’re in the pink.

►  How’s your family getting on?

 
     
 

e. Content (Several paragraphs)

i. In the second paragraph, mention your main reason for writing the letter. You may use the following phrase:

► In your last letter, you wanted me to describe / advice \(\underline{\hspace{3cm}} \).

► I’m writing this letter to \(\underline{\hspace{3cm}} \).

 
     
 

f. Closing (Last paragraph)

i. Inform the reader that you are ending the letter. You may use the following phrases:

►  I’ll write again soon.

►  Do write to me soon.

 
     
 

g. Signing off

i. You can sign off using:

►  Your loving daughter,

►  Your friend,

►  Yours sincerely,

 
     
 

h. Signature

i. Sign your name at the bottom of the letter in the right-hand corner.

Shizuka Minamoto

 
     
     
  Here is an example of an informal letter:  
     
 

Shizuka Minamoto,

51 Batu 16 1/2 Jalan Rawang,

Bandar Seberang Jaya,

13700, Perai,

Pulau Pinang.

1 May 2021

 
 

Dear Hagemaru,

How are you? I hope you are in the pink of your health when this letter reaches you. Mother and father are doing well these days. How are aunt and uncle there? I hope they are sailing the boat of good health as well.

As school breaks are approaching, I was hoping that we can go for a picnic or vacation in Malaysia. However due to the pandemic, it is better for us to stay safe and to stay at home. In the last letter, you wrote that this pandemic had impacted in many ways.  I know it’s tough and that every day is filled with uncertainty. I share in your feelings of anxiety. I miss being able to see people without fear. Many people are experiencing all of these strong emotions and I know how overwhelming it can be. In the face of hardship, we have to stay strong.

Strength can mean many things. It doesn’t mean you can’t be sad. It doesn’t mean you can’t cry. Being strong can be something as little as acknowledging your feelings, or pushing through a hard day but still getting up the next morning. Just know that you have made it this far. You are strong and there are always people who will listen to you.

Always wash your hands with soaps for at least 20 seconds. Bring your sanitizer everywhere you go. Wash the clothes you wore every time you go outside. Remember to take the vaccine the moment your number is up. I miss you. Take care and stay safe.

 
 

Love,

Shizuka Minamoto

 
     
     
     
 
1.3    EMAIL
 
     
  Email is short for 'Electronic mail' and was designed as a program used to exchange messages that are stored within a computer.  
     
 

Key component to write an email

 
     
 

a. Header

i. Sender’s email address:

[email protected]

 
     
 

b. Greeting or Salutation

i. Commonly:

► Dear ________,

 
     
 

c. Body

i. Email’s message.

 
     
 

d. Closing

i. A sign-off such as:

► From,

► Sincerely,

 
     
 

e. Signature

i. Write your name and position (if any):

► Raihana Amin

► Executive

 
     
     
  Here is an example of an email:  
     
 

Email address: [email protected]

Subject: Vacation request for September, 10-13

Dear Mr. Cruise,

I would like to request a vacation from Monday, September 9th till Friday, September 13th.

I will make sure to complete all my current projects and pending tasks in advance before the vacation. My colleagues Agnes Holland and Tom Brady will cover my responsibilities during my absence.

Looking forward to your approval.

Sincerely,

Raihana Amin

Executive

 
     
     
     
 
1.4    REPORT
 
     
  A report is a document that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are almost always in the form of written documents.  
     
  The format of writing a report is explained in the following table:  
     
 

a. Heading

i. A descriptive title that is expressive of the contents of the report.

 
     
 

b. Byline

i. Name of the person writing the report. It is generally given in the question. Remember, you are not supposed to mention your personal details in your answer.

 
     
 

c. The Opening Paragraph (Introduction) 

i. It may include the '5 Ws' namely, WHAT, WHY, WHEN, and WHERE along with WHO was invited as the chief guest.

 
     
 

d. The Event in Detail

i. The proper sequence of events that occurred along with their description. It is the main paragraph and can be split into two short paragraphs if required.

 
     
 

e. Conclusion

i. This will include a description of how the event ended. It may include quote excerpts from the Chief Guest's speech or how did the event wind up.

 
     
     
     
 
1.5   NEWSPAPER
 
     
  Newspaper is a regularly printed document consisting of large sheets of paper that are folded together, or a website, containing news reports, articles, photographs, and advertisements.  
     
  The format of writing an article in the newspaper is explained in the following table:  
     
 

a. Headline

i. A descriptive title that is expressive of the contents of the report.

 
     
 

b. Byline

i. Name of the person writing the report along with the designation. It is generally given in the question. Remember, you are not supposed to mention your personal details in your answer.

 
     
 

c. Place and Date of Reporting

i. It is generally not mentioned in a magazine report separately, but here, it is.

 
     
 

d. Opening Paragraph

i. It includes the expansion of the headline.  It needs to be short as it is a general overview of the report.

 
     
 

e. The News in Detail

i. It is generally written in two parts: First, complete account of what happened in its chronological sequence (preferably) and second, the witness remarks.

 
     
 

f. Concluding Paragraph

i. This will include the action that has been taken so far or that will be taken. It is the last paragraph.

 
     
     
     
  Differences between magazine report and newspaper:  
     
 
MAGAZINE REPORT NEWSPAPER
Heading Headline
Byline Byline (along with the designation)
Opening paragraph Date and place
The event in detail Opening paragraph
Conclusion The News in detail and witness remarks
- Conclusion
 
     
     
     
 
1.6   ESSAY
 
     
  The format of writing an essay (story) is explained in the following table:  
     
 

a. Beginning (Exposition)

i. Give a short and sweet introduction in about 10-15 words.

ii. Points:

► Who is the character? 

► What is the main story?

 
     
 

b. Middle (Rising action - Climax - Falling action)

i. Add in appropriate proverb, idiom, simile, adjective and adverb.

ii. Use various type of sentences: simple, compound, and complex sentences in about 55-65 words.

iii. Points:

► What are the situations and the problems?

► How the situations change?

► How the problems occur?

► What is the climax of the story?

► How the character deals with the climax?

► What happens after the situations and do the problems have been solved?

 
     
 

c. Ending (Resolution)

i. State at least one moral value to conclude the story in about 15-20 words.

ii. Points:

► What is the conclusion of the story? 

► What is the moral value of the story?