2022 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (born in 2010)

[Smartiepants55]

Context clues are impt

[Swc]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2082508\" time=\"1663401343\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2082508 time=1663401343 user_id=53606]
For discussion purposes…

I noticed that there are some Prelim English compo topics which are trending towards moral values/school values. Versus the usual incident-based topic like A Celebration, A Promise, A Discovery…

Examples:
- Perseverance
- Responsibility
- Self-Discipline
- Never Give Up
- Trying Your Best
- Being Determined
- Being Curious
- Being Thankful
- Feeling Grateful
- Forgiveness

My question: do u think it is acceptable for the child to write them as a reflective essay for PSLE? Or do examiners expect P6s to still base the compo on a single incident/story?[/quote]

PSLE allows for expository essays. So while it is not necessary to write narrative essays, reflective essays are also not exactly expository essays. So have to be careful here.

[zac's mum]

Swc\" post_id=\"2082510\" time=\"1663403158\" user_id=\"178585:

PSLE allows for expository essays. So while it is not necessary to write narrative essays, reflective essays are also not exactly expository essays. So have to be careful here.

Oh, that’s interesting. I didnt know that!

So for example, to write an expository essay on “Responsibility”, child would have to start with the definition, then expand to types of responsibility, eg. Responsibility to self, to family, to nation…? No personal comment on the good or bad of having responsibility?

Is that what you mean by expository essays?

[phtthp]

Swc\" post_id=\"2082510\" time=\"1663403158\" user_id=\"178585:

PSLE allows for expository essays. So while it is not necessary to write narrative essays, reflective essays are also not exactly expository essays. So have to be careful here.

Be careful !

Expository essays, are more for older, mature students at Sec 4 GCE O level, in their English composition(s).

Moe don't expect younger P6 students, to write any type of expository essay.
Don't be \"ke kiang\" (smart alec), try to write this type of essay at Psle level,

because

it may back fire & can be marked down heavily by the Psle English composition marker,
\"who ask u to write this type of essay, when at P6 level, you are NOT expected to ? \" In trying to make your own Psle compo stand out against the rest of students (competitors), by writing Expository essay, u can end up losing more marks un-necessarily, because got marked down.

If u want to write,
u can write them later on, after u entered a Secondary school. But now at P6, no one is expecting u to.

[Swc]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2082513\" time=\"1663403686\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2082513 time=1663403686 user_id=53606]
Oh, that’s interesting. I didnt know that!

So for example, to write an expository essay on “Responsibility”, child would have to start with the definition, then expand to types of responsibility, eg. Responsibility to self, to family, to nation…? No personal comment on the good or bad of having responsibility?

Is that what you mean by expository essays?[/quote]

If the topic is \"Responsibility\", you still need to write your expository essay based on at least one of the 3 pictures given. For eg, let's say the 3 pictures are \"an untidy room\", \"a broken vase\" and \"a badly done homework\". The student could write an expository essay using at least 1 or more of the pictures given.

At PSLE, it was stated that students are not expected to be able to write topic sentence. So they won't be penalised for not having a topic sentence. But they are expected to use the PEES format (Point, Elaboration, Example, Summarise) to develop minimum 3 paragraphs.

And you would still need an intro and a conclusion.

[Swc]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2082518\" time=\"1663404095\" user_id=\"35251:

Be careful !

Expository essays, are more for older, mature students at Sec 4 GCE O level, in their English composition(s).

Moe don't expect younger P6 students, to write any type of expository essay.
Don't be \"ke kiang\" (smart alec), try to write this type of essay at Psle level,

because

it may back fire & can be marked down heavily by the Psle English composition marker,
\"who ask u to write this type of essay, when at P6 level, you are NOT expected to ? \" In trying to make your own Psle compo stand out against the rest of students (competitors), by writing Expository essay, u can end up losing more marks un-necessarily, because got marked down.

If u want to write,
u can write them later on, after u entered a Secondary school. But now at P6, no one is expecting u to.

I am not asking anyone to do above ans beyond what is expected.

I am merely stating a fact that since 2018 (I think), PSLE allows for both narrative and expository essays.

It is true that most P6 students will find narrative easier to handle. It is also a format they are most familiar with. However, I do know a few who prefer expository but those students are really in the minority.

[Swc]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2082513\" time=\"1663403686\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2082513 time=1663403686 user_id=53606]
Oh, that’s interesting. I didnt know that!

So for example, to write an expository essay on “Responsibility”, child would have to start with the definition, then expand to types of responsibility, eg. Responsibility to self, to family, to nation…? No personal comment on the good or bad of having responsibility?

Is that what you mean by expository essays?[/quote]

The school should have gone through the structure of an expository essay with them and probably have gotten them to write at least one expository essay in school.

If by now he is still not familiar of what an expository essay is, my suggestion is to stick to the familiar narrative essay format.

Too risky to start now.

[zac's mum]

Swc\" post_id=\"2082522\" time=\"1663405407\" user_id=\"178585:

The school should have gone through the structure of an expository essay with them and probably have gotten them to write at least one expository essay in school.

If by now he is still not familiar of what an expository essay is, my suggestion is to stick to the familiar narrative essay format.

Too risky to start now.

Thanks. His school has not. Talking about a P6 non-GEP school here.

Was trying to craft an essay that stands out from the rest, to boost the content score. But for a few marks more (which will be converted from the raw total 200 to 100%), I now think it’s not worth it.

[mystique_j]

Swc\" post_id=\"2082520\" time=\"1663404834\" user_id=\"178585:

At PSLE, it was stated that students are not expected to be able to write topic sentence. So they won't be penalised for not having a topic sentence. But they are expected to use the PEES format (Point, Elaboration, Example, Summarise) to develop minimum 3 paragraphs.

And you would still need an intro and a conclusion.

May I know what do you mean by “write topic sentence”?

[sky minecrafter]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2082508\" time=\"1663401343\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2082508 time=1663401343 user_id=53606]
...[/quote]

Hello! Thank you zacs mum for providing the discussion material; & swc, phtthp & schootopia for the insights...

Our school has always have the mainstream cohort practise writing persuasive texts; this year it was Weighted for P5s. But, that is definitely vastly different from the expectations of an exposition

This semester, we are fortunate to be under the tutelage of a teacher who guides effectively in writing. Our takeaway for Content is that, not only does the Continuous Writing need to satisfy the usual topic & picture requirements, it does well to include a poignant sub theme in order to be awarded full marks. All the best!!