Extended writing is sustained writing for a chosen reader: an article, a review, a report or a story. Each genre has its own reader, purpose and structure, and marks are often lost by mixing them up.
This chapter is inside SPM English and builds on guided writing. Your school decides which genres you practise and when, so use these lessons alongside your teacher’s plan.
Which lessons are in this chapter?
- Structuring an article for its audience
- Writing a review with specific evaluation
- Writing a report with clear findings
- Developing a story with controlled pacing
- Comparing writing genres before choosing a task
How does one topic change by genre?
Take an original topic: the school canteen.
An article might persuade students to choose healthier food. A review would judge one stall’s nasi lemak. A report would present what students said about waiting times. A story might follow a student who cannot reach the front of the queue before the bell.
The facts are the same, but the reader, tone and shape are different. That is why you choose the genre first.
Who should start where?
If you are not sure which genre suits a task, begin with the comparison lesson. If your writing is correct but flat, try the review lesson for specific detail. If your writing wanders, start with the article or report lesson for structure.
Finish with the extended writing practice set and check each draft against the English writing task checklist. For a teacher to read your drafts, see online one-to-one English tuition.