Directed writing: transform source ideas for an audience
Use two source texts to create a focused letter, article or speech in the requested register.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Original StudyForA teaching foundations for the final June 2027 assessment cohort. All 11 mapped areas now link to teaching, including one exam-length fiction set, two linked non-fiction sources, a full directed-response model and four full composition models. These are original self-timed practice resources, not Cambridge papers, official mark schemes or predicted grades; written work is not automatically marked. Malay sample texts, spelling, register and model answers still require qualified Malay first-language teacher review. Further practice sets, the full genre range, reliable human marking and a sustained course of approximately 130 guided learning hours remain outstanding. The course has not been compared item by item with restricted School Support Hub resources. Cambridge has announced withdrawal after the final June 2027 assessment; availability is limited to administrative zones 4 and 5. Confirm entry with your centre.
Before you begin
- Read Standard Malay at a first-language level
- Follow the task focus and identify supporting evidence
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Before answering a language question, what should you identify first?
What you will learn
- Select relevant ideas from both sources and represent them accurately.
- Organise a 250–350-word letter, article or speech for its audience and purpose.
Build from the supplied evidence
The task draws on two thematically linked non-fiction texts. Extract their distinct claims, evidence and opinions before planning a response.
Develop the ideas, but do not bring in outside claims when the task asks you to use the sources. Attribute a view when it belongs to one source.
Fit the requested form
A letter, article and speech use different openings, direct address and endings. Keep the purpose visible throughout the response.
The exam response is about 250–350 words. A short practice can rehearse selection and structure, but it does not replace full-length writing practice or marking.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
What should guide the content of a source-based directed response?
Worked example
Soalan meminta ucapan tentang waktu operasi perpustakaan berdasarkan dua teks. Apakah tiga langkah perancangan yang membantu?
Show the worked solution
- Catat satu idea utama daripada setiap teks.
- Pilih pendirian yang menjawab soalan.
- Susun isi untuk pendengar dan tandakan bukti sumber.
Answer Mulakan dengan tujuan ucapan, gabungkan bukti relevan daripada kedua-dua teks, jelaskan pendirian dan akhiri dengan kesimpulan. Jangan tambah fakta luar yang tidak diberikan.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Teks A: “Kelab membaca dibuka pada hari Rabu.” Teks B: “Murid mencadangkan sesi pada hari Jumaat kerana ramai mengikuti latihan sukan pada hari Rabu.” Tulis satu ayat cadangan untuk surat kepada pengetua.
Give me a hint
Gunakan kedua-dua fakta dan nyatakan perubahan yang dicadangkan.
Compare my reasoning
- Sebut jadual semasa daripada Teks A.
- Sebut sebab daripada Teks B.
- Bentuk satu cadangan sopan untuk penerima surat.
Saya mencadangkan agar kelab membaca dipindahkan ke hari Jumaat kerana ramai murid mengikuti latihan sukan pada hari Rabu. Cadangan ini menggunakan jadual dan sebab yang diberikan dalam kedua-dua teks.
Look for these in your work
- Menggunakan maklumat kedua-dua teks
- Menyesuaikan nada kepada pengetua
- Menyatakan cadangan dengan jelas
Dua sumber tidak bersetuju tentang masa terbaik untuk mengadakan acara. Apakah yang perlu anda lakukan sebelum memilih satu masa dalam ucapan?
Give me a hint
Periksa bukti dan kumpulan yang dirujuk oleh setiap sumber.
Compare my reasoning
- Catat cadangan setiap sumber.
- Cari sebab atau bukti di sebalik setiap cadangan.
- Pilih atau gabungkan cadangan dan terangkan sebabnya.
Bandingkan alasan dalam kedua-dua sumber, pilih masa yang paling sesuai dengan bukti atau cadangkan pilihan yang mengimbangi keperluan, kemudian jelaskan pilihan kepada pendengar.
Look for these in your work
- Membandingkan kedua-dua cadangan
- Menilai bukti
- Memberi alasan kepada pendengar
Anda menulis artikel sekolah berasaskan dua teks. Mengapakah ayat “Kajian nasional membuktikan...” berisiko jika kedua-dua teks tidak menyebut kajian itu?
Give me a hint
Bezakan maklumat sumber dengan pengetahuan luar.
Compare my reasoning
- Semak sama ada dakwaan itu terdapat dalam teks.
- Jika tiada, jangan bentangkan sebagai fakta sumber.
- Gantikan dengan bukti yang benar-benar diberikan.
Ayat itu memperkenalkan dakwaan luar dan tidak boleh dianggap bukti daripada teks. Gunakan maklumat yang disediakan atau jelaskan bahawa sumber tidak menyatakan perkara tersebut.
Look for these in your work
- Mengenal pasti dakwaan luar
- Mengekalkan sempadan sumber
- Memilih bukti yang sah
Common mistakes
- Using only one of the two source texts
- Copying source wording without shaping it for the task
- Adding outside facts or an unsupported statistic
What can you explain now?
What should guide the content of a source-based directed response?
Compare with the explanation
The task focus and evidence from both supplied texts
The response may develop ideas but should remain grounded in the source material.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
What should guide the content of a source-based directed response?
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.