LITERATURE ESSAY

AnsweringTechniques
Wan Azlina Wan Azman
 Objectives
S
M 01 Demonstrate an understanding of lower order reading and
comprehension skills and sub-skills at production level.

I
A 02 Respond relevantly to a task.

03 Apply lower order and high order comprehension skills at

production level.

04 Give a personal response to the prescribed literary text.

Present the information in standard English – accurate

05 and fluent.
STEPS IN ANSWERING SECTION D

STEP 1 STEP 3
UNDERSTAND WRITE YOUR
THE QUESTION RESPONSE

PLAN THE EDIT YOUR

RESPONSE RESPONSE

STEP 2 STEP 4
 STEP 1 : UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION
▪ Read the question thoroughly ( What aspect is being tested ? Character, Event, Theme or Lessons)
▪ Understand the task : Look at instruction words e.g. describe , give reasons, explain, suggest etc

What is an episode?
What is an event ?
An incident or action standing
An event is an occurrence or out by itself, but more or less
something that happens or a connected with a complete
series of events. series of events.

Plot of the story

What is an incident?
What is a scene / part?
An occurrence of an action or a
A part of a play, story in which situation that is a separate unit of
a particular action or activity experience.
occurs. A division of an act.
 STEP 1 : UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION

What is a What is a What is a

character ? theme ? Lesson/value/
message ?

One of the persons The main subject that is being

Something learned
of the novel discussed or decribed in a
or to be learned
piece of writing

Newton Newman, Love, Bravery, • We have to help others

Cecil, JJ, Reggie , Friendship etc • We have to love our family
Mother etc • The importance of friends

S c i e n c e T e c h n o l o g y E n g i n e e r i n g A r t s M a t h e m a t i c s
 ELEMENTS TESTED
YEAR PLOT/EVENT THEME CHARACTER MORAL VALUES
To write about the part of the
2011 story that you like most

To write about an event that

2012 makes you angry
Examples To write about an important
decision made by one of the
of 2013 characters
questions “One has to struggle to
improve one’s life”.
How far this is true in
2014 the novel you have
read.
To write about one character
whom you think is a good
2015 role model for teenagers.
Describe a scene that make you
2016 either happy or sad.
Write about a value that
is important to a
2017 character
Describe one problem faced by
the main character. Give your
2018 opinion about the way the
problem was solved.
Remember :
1) Some questions want you to give reasons.
2) Some questions want you to give the events.
 Event 1 :
Making
breakfast
 Event 2 :
Halloween
 Cont.
Event 2 :
Halloween
 Event 3 :
Dumpster
Event 4 :
Helping
Mr Clay
 • Captain Nobody was shocked the moment JJ called for Captain Nobody’s
help through the walkie-talkie.
• Captain Nobody then dashed to the Sullivan’s Jewellery Strore sfter their
conversation ended with JJ screaming at the other end of the line.
• He was almost out of breath when he arrived at the curb in front of the
store.
• JJ could not get herself over with the spelling and grammar mistakes found
on the cardboard signs in the jewellery store.
• She has tried talking to the Sullivan but she was ignored.
• JJ insisted that Captain Nobody could make a difference if he goes in and
Event 5 : talk to the owner.
Robbery • Feeling obliged to the duty of a superhero, Captain Nobody stepped into
the store where he could clearly see Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan at the far end with
their only customer.
• Afraid that he might interrupt their business he wanted to leave the store.
However, the couple insisted that they would be hearing anything from him.
• He could not believe his eyes as he stared at the customer’s sweatshirt
because he was holding a gun inside of the pocket.
• The situation became more chaotic when Mr. Sullivan managed to sound
the alarm in the store.
• Before the robber fled the scene, he threatened Captain Nobody not to
report the incident the authority or something bad would happen to him.
• After being warned, he immediately walked out of the store.
 Event 6:
Save the ferret
Cont. Event 6:
Save the ferret
 • The incident starts when the news reports thet Reggie is going to jump from the
Appleton water tower as he is too depressed with people condemning his act
during the Big Tackle. Newton who happens to watch the news shown in the
teacher’s lounge feels dutiful to explain the truth that lies behind the Big Tackle
incident.
Event 7: • Together with his friends, JJ and Cecil, they sneak out from school and head for
Appleton the water tower.
• As JJ tries to lift Captain Nobody to get a good trip on the second rung of the
Tower ladder, a policeman approaches them.
• Cecil feels dutiful as Captain Nobody’s sidekick and he tries to shift the officer’s
attention and it works.
• Although the water tower supportive structures, including the ladder, are not as
strong as it used to be, Captain Nobody bravely manages to slither his way to
reach Reggie.
• On top of the tower, they talk to each other about the Big Game.
• Captain Nobody learns that Reggie climbs the tower to vandalise the water tank.
• The truth is actually Reggie’s left foot is stuck and he needs Captain Nobody to
untie his shoelace. Newton manages to help Reggie.
•Reggie becomes unconvinced since Captain Nobody needs to climb the ladder
down first.
• As captain nobody is counting every step down, he is surprised to see Reggie is
also getting his hands on the ladder.
• Trying to find his balance with his feet dangling on the air, Captain Nobody loses
his grip and falls down. Fortunately, an inflatted rubber mattress catches him.
 STEP 2 : PLANNING THE RESPONSE

1st paragraph
Choose novel and show understanding of 2nd paragraph
the task Respond to the first task
• Describe the SCENE that makes you
happy or sad. (SPM 2016)
3rd paragraph • Describe one CHARACTER who is the
best role model for teenagers (SPM 2015)
Respond to the second task task
• Give first reason plus evidence and Point
of view/ opinion
• State event one plus evidence and point
of view/opinion 4th paragraph
• Give second reason plus evidence and
Point of view/ opinion
• State event two plus evidence and point
5th paragraph of view/opinion
Conclude the task by listing the reason or
goving your personal opinion
 How to write the points?
REPOV
R - Reason
E - Evidences / Examples
POV – Point of view
( Based on reason & your own opinion)

18
 R
E

POV

Theodora 2016 19
R- Reason E - Evidences
POV - Point of view

Theodora 2016 20
R- Reason E - Evidences
POV - Point of view

Theodora 2016 21
 Check this out !
“Friends are people who support us”. With close reference to the novel you have studied,
how far is this true?

Do you have to come out with reasons or events.

1st : Name the characters who are close friends.

2nd : Show the events that show the strong bonding between them.

3rd: Provide detailed evidence : Begin writing your evidence with this sentence…
This is shown when/ This can be seen when…

4th : State your POV/ Opinion. Begin your POV/Opinion with this sentence…
This shows that….
In my opinion ….
 Intro
Based on the novel, Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford, I could see the strong friendship
between Newt and his two friends, Cecil and JJ. There are a few events that show the value of their
friendship. Newt and his friends always support each other to overcome every problem that they face.

Content 1
First and foremost, the value of friendship is shown when Newt tries to help Cecil in getting the big
bass drum. The event starts when he receives a call from Cecil. At first Newt refuses and thinks Cecil is
only joking. However, Newt changes his mind and decides to meet Cecil at the corner of Warren and Kande
streets. Although he is afraid of height…..

POV / Opinion
This shows that Newt cares about Cecil very much as his best friend because he overcomes his
fear to help Cecil. In my opinion, Newt is a good friend because of his sacrifices to satisfy his friend’s
wish. We should apply Newt’s attitude in our lives in order to achieve our goals and to support our
friends when they really need out help.
STEP 3 : WRITE YOUR RESPONSE

01
Show full knowledge of the task(s)
02
With close reference to the text
 STEP 4: EDIT YOUR RESPONSE

Make sure your response fulfills the following descriptors :

CONTENT :
Always relevant response to the task
Almost always provides textual evidence (detailed and well-
developed)
Maintains a consistent and convincing POV
LANGUAGE :
Accurate

Very well organised

 SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. “We must have courage to achieve our goals in life”. With close reference to the text, how far is this true in the novel
that you have read.

2. Suggest one character in the novel you have studied that you think is admirable. Describe the character and
give reasons for your choice with close reference to the text.

3. Using the details in the novel you have studied, write about an event that shows a character’s bravery. Provide
evidence from the text to support your answer.

4. With close reference to the text, write about the value of determination.

5. “Friends are people who support us”. With close reference to the novel you have studied, how far is this true?

6. Write about a moral value that you have learned from the novel and how this moral value helps you in your life.
Support your answer with evidence from the text.

7. Based on the novel you have read, write about an incident that changes a character in the story. Give evidence
from the novel.

8. Write about an incident that is memorable and explain why it is an important lesson to you.