Introduction to Writing Essays

The Writing Processes

Pre-writing Drafting Revising Editing

Pre-writing
What is it?
• Choose your topic Brainstorming Tips
• Brainstorm for ideas ✓ Write down all ideas
✓ Do not worry about what is
What you need to do? right or wrong
• Think about what you want to write ✓ It’s okay if the ideas are
• Use a diagram or a list to organise your ideas similar
✓ Get as many ideas as
possible
Brainstorming
• A technique for gathering ideas about a particular topic
• How? – Write down every idea that you can think of and do not worry about whether the
ideas are logical or relevant.
• Ask many questions as you can about the topic. (5 W’s and 1 H)
How
Who Why
Clustering Where
What When
• A technique in which you draw you draw diagram to help you expand your ideas.
• Start with the topic as the controlling idea and branch it out with your main points and
supporting details.
Example: Track - Help decide how much to save
your - Identify areas we tend to
spending
overspend

- Allocate money for fixed

Pay
Budgeting before
commitment – example: money
Tips for parents, bills
spend
- put money into savings plan

- Allocate 50% for necessities

Try
50/20/30 - Allocate 20% for savings
- Allocate 30% for lifestyle
choices
 In about 120 words, write an essay about yourself. You may use the notes below to help you.

Reporter Sandy Lim

Reporter
- How? Name
- How?
13 years old
Ambition Age

Outdoor
activities
Dislikes Nationality Malaysian
Personal
Profile

Reading, watching Name

television Likes of SMK Bukit Nilam
school
- Why?
Best
Family
friend
Parents and two siblings

Lana

I am Sandy Lim and I’m 13 years old. I am a Malaysian Chinese from Petaling Jaya, studying
in SMK Bukit Nilam. I live with my parents who are both teachers. I have a younger sister and an
elder brother. My brother is in the same school as me while my sister is kindergarten. My best friend
is my cousin, Lana who lives a few doors away. We go to the same school. She loves reading and
has her own library at home. We share the same interests.

I enjoy reading. Reading allows me to enter new worlds and new lives. It increases my
vocabulary and widens my knowledge. I also love to read because it is both entertaining and
relaxing. I dislike outdoor activities.

I also like to watch television because it helps me relaxed and happy. More importantly, I
can get current information on TV, when I listen to the daily news.

I want to be a world-class reporter so I have joined the school’s Editorial Board to kickstart
my ambition.
Now it’s your turn.

You have been asked to share your knowledge about a hobby that you have picked up recently. In
about 120 words write an essay about hobby. You may use the notes below to help you.

Name the
hobby

When you
How often
picked up
you do
the hobby

Hobby

Where did What you

you do did

What you
have learnt
from the
hobby