Today, we will talk about the steps to write an ARTICLE.

For an ARTICLE, here are what you/your students need to know:

1. There is a FORMAT.

2. Use PRESENT TENSE. (in some cases, past tense form will be required, however, if you are dealing with weak students, you want to avoid it. Thus, the present tense approach)

3. UNDERSTAND step 4.

All right. Let’s start!

Step 1: Read the QUESTION

Many students don’t realise the importance of reading the question as clear as possible. This will help you in your answer and help you to write better.

Sample question:

Underlining the keywords(kata kunci) will help you. Make sure you understand everything the question asks for.  Now you can go ahead to write your article.

 

Step 2: Know Your Format.

Every article comes in the same format. You need to know this:

Always take your title from the question. Don’t go wasting your time to think of a new title.

Step 3:  Write your INTRODUCTION

Once you got the format right. Now you need to figure out what you need for your essay. The first thing you need is an introduction.

How to start your introduction? There are 3 ways:

1. Define your topic (what is internet?) memberi definisi tajuk.
2. Give your own opinions about the topic (why internet? what can people do with internet? etc. USE ALL YOUR WH- questions) memberi pandangan sendiri mengenai tajuk yang diberi.
3. Talk about news related to your topics (E.g.: according to the New Straight Times, 5 millions people have access to the internet.) bincang tentang fakta yang diambil dari surat khabar/orang yang terkenal. (buat-buat pun boleh)

And then : Tell your reader what are the main points that you are going to discuss. Take what you can from the questions.

 

You can pick only one of the above to write your introduction:

(define)

1. The Internet is a global network that connects millions of computer around the world. There are many advantages that we can get from the Internet. Among all, the three most important advantages are to provide information, connect with other people, and act as a form of entertainment.

          (Opinion)

2. The Internet has changed the world rapidly in the past ten to twenty years. We use Internet very often in life because it is very convenient. We can get all the information we want in just a few clicks. There are many advantages that we can get from the Internet. Among all, the three most important advantages are to provide information, connect with other people, and act as a form of entertainment.

          (news)

3. According to the New Straight Times, more than 190 countries in the world have access to the Internet now while about 80% of the Malaysians have access to the Internet. There are many advantages that we can get from the Internet. Among all, the three most important advantages are to provide information, connect with other people, and act as a form of entertainment.

or

Mix them up :

The Internet is a global network that connects millions of computer around the world. It has changed the world rapidly in the past ten to twenty years. We use the Internet very often in life because it is very convenient. We can get all the information we want in a blink of an eye. According to the New Straight Times, more than 190 countries in the world have access to the Internet now while about 80% of the Malaysians have access to the Internet. There are many advantages that we can get from the Internet. Among all, the three most important advantages are to provide information, connect with other people, and as a form of entertainment.

Step 4:  Connecting word + Main Point

After you have listed the advantages, now is the time to write your content. It is important to use CONNECTING WORDS to help you arrange your thoughts and ideas.

Use connecting words(Penandawacana):

• First of all/Firstly/First and foremost -pertama sekali
• Secondly – yang kedua
• Next – seterusnya
• Besides/other than that/not only that- selain itu
• Also – dan juga
• After that- selepas itu
• Lastly/Last but not least/Finally- Akhirnya/Yang terakhir
• In conclusion- kesimpulannya

*You must also remember this: 1 paragraph –> 1 main point

Here is how you can arrange your ideas:

Step 5:  Repeat step 4 for Main Point 2

Step 6:  Repeat step 4 for Main Point 3

Step 7:  If asked to add in one more main point (on your own) – Repeat step 4 for Main Point 4

(if irrelevant, skip this step)

Step 8:  Conclusion

CONCLUSION is a summary of what you have written.

For weak students, conclusion is simply repeating what they write in the INTRODUCTION with a little bit of changes.

The Internet is useful for all of us. We can get many benefits if we use it. As discussed above, the Internet can provide us more information. It also helps us to connect with many people like friends and family. Not only that, we can use it as a form of entertainment. We should appreciate and make full use of the Internet.

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Step 9: Check your work

You SHOULD always check your work after you finish writing. Check your format, check you tenses, check your spelling, anything. A simple read through will also help!

Here are two versions for your reference:

 

*Know that you should go ahead to write longer if you are able to. However, if you think you are weak , start with shorter sentences for every step. You will still be able to come up with something great!

I  hope this helps you.

Happy Teaching , Happy Learning.