Three Tvpes of Direct Writine in the SPM Examination: The N"eed for Balancing Classroom and Standardised

Writing Tests
Normah binti Othman

Abstract: Three types of direct writing are tested in the English

Language Papers for the SPM Examination in Malaysia. The three types of direct writing are guided writing, summary writing and continuous writing. Each of these three types of direct writing assesses different writing skills. Assessment of these writing skills is done by ESL teachers to gain some insight into their students' writing progress. It is important for ESL teachers to give specihc feedback so students can improve writing skills and prepare for the high stakes SPM Examination that will determine their future

academic career. Most important is using a balance between classroom and standardised writing assessment of students' writing.

Keywords: Classroom assessment, direct writing

assessment.

assessment,

performance-based assessment, standardised testing, ESL teachers'