English (1123)
Formal letter: Address, date, Dear Sir/Madam, Yours faithfully. Formal register. Speech: Direct address ("Good morning, fellow students"), rhetorical questions, rule of three, call to action at the end. Report: Headed sections, objective tone, recommendations. Article: Headline, engaging opening, subheadings optional, journalistic style. Email: Subject line, appropriate greeting, concise.
Topic 3 of 3Cambridge O Levels
Directed Writing
Writing letters, speeches, reports and articles for specific purposes
Directed writing gives you source material and asks you to write in a specific form for a specific purpose and audience. Remember FAP: Form, Audience, Purpose.
Common forms:
Using source material: You MUST use the information given, but **rephrase** it — don't copy. Select relevant points for your task.
Marking: Content (what you say) + Language (how you say it). Both matter equally.
Tips: Plan for 5 minutes. Aim for 250-350 words. Use varied sentence structures. End with a strong conclusion or call to action.
Key Points to Remember
- 1FAP: Form, Audience, Purpose
- 2Rephrase source material — never copy
- 3Match register to form (formal letter vs. speech)
- 4Plan 5 mins, write 250-350 words
Pakistan Example
Writing a Speech as Head Boy/Girl at Your School Assembly
Imagine you're Head Boy at Karachi Grammar or Beaconhouse and need to give a speech about exam stress. You'd use direct address ('We all feel the pressure'), rhetorical questions ('Isn't our mental health worth protecting?'), and a call to action ('Let's start a study group this week').