Writing Short Notes

               It is very common to everybody to leave short messages or notes to somebody. Short notes are used to state something important in clear and short sentences, so the readers comprehend the content of the notes. How to write short notes? Here are the tips:

1. Read and understand the situation given.
2. Lift some of the instructions in the situation given to be written in the notes.
3. Use friendly and informal language to family and friends.
4. Use formal and proper language to teachers and anonymous.
5. Ensure that the notes are short but comprehensive.

 

Activity

Let's take a look at the situations below and the notes that follows.

 

 

1.       Your friend is celebrating her birthday. You hope that her

wishes will come true.

Dear Anusha,                   Happy birthday, my dear friend. I hope that all your wishes will come true.   Your friend, Jane

 

2.       You came home late from football practice. Seek apology

from your mother.

Dear mother,                   I’m so sorry for coming home late from the football practice. I know that you were worried sick and I promised that I won’t do it again.   Your son, Joe

 

3.       Your sister is getting married. Congratulate her on her

wedding.

Dear Suhaili,                   Congratulations for your wedding. I’m so happy for you. I hope that your marriage will last forever and both of you will live happily ever after.   Your sister, Ana

 

4.       Your cousin is sitting for examination. Wish him luck.

Dear Farid,                   Good luck for your exam. Hope you’ll pass your exam with flying colours.   Your cousin, Kamil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Friday AGAIN

               As usual, Friday is a call for me to 'indulge' myself with the remain housechores of the week which were done only halfway due to miscellaneous in every angle. Tiring and exhausted body, mind and soul really obstructed me to carry out the chores successfully. As a result, a giant bucket of laundry and humble floor are waiting for for me this evening; to be folded and to be mopped.

 

               Since my husband was away this weekend, I gladly grab this opprtunity to pamper myself along with my precious jewel, Alya, watching films and playing board and word games. I am really looking forward for the course to end sooner. Today is the last day of my uninvited task. And I hope it worth to everyone.

How to DECLINE invitations politely

There are many ways to decline an invitation politely. Here are some suggested patterns:

Sue   :   Would you like to join me for a movie this afternoon?
Ann  :   I'd love to but I've promised my mother to look after my sisters.

Nick   :  There's a football match at the stadium this evening. Are you coming?
Mark  :  Sorry, Nick. I have to accompany my brothers to the bookstore.

Halim  :  Come over my house this weekend. We are going to throw a barbeque party.
Hasni  :  Thank you for inviting me but I don't think I can make it.

Rajesh  :  There will be a tea party next Friday at my house. Hope you can make it.
Bindu   :  I'd really like to join but I have another plan with my family.

Mimi   :  There's a mega sale at Jusco. Let's go shopping, Suzy.
Suzy    :  Next time, perhaps. I'm not free today, Mimi.

When it is FRIDAY...........

              When Friday is approaching, there will be some plans in the head although some heads might be as blank as the Double A white sheets. There will be plans to visit parents, for outing with good friends and fair-weather friends perhaps and not forgotten spending times with the loved ones especially among family members. 

             When it is really FRIDAY, hearts are throbing for we will be having a whale of time on the next two days that follow. BUT however, some people like me are killing the whale for we don't have much time to be spent for our family, friends and even ourselves. There will be ORDERS from those who ignorantly signed the LETTERS in order to invite us to spend time in schools on SATURDAY!?!

             Frankly speaking, I don't hate FRIDAY. I just hate those who are ignorant and insensitive regarding 'quality time with family' issues. And as usual, I, along with the rest of my colleagues are condemning people in ties and blazers for inheriting the third-class mindset from nowhere.

            Today, I will enjoy my time with my family for it is FRIDAY.........

The 8 Wives and 1 Husband.......

             The 'WH' words are frequently used in our daily conversation especially when asking questions. However, they need to be used appropriately and correctly. There are 8 W's and 1 H altogether and they are:

• who
• whom
• whose
• where
• when
• what
• which
• why
• how

How and When to Use 'wh' words correctly?

‘wh’ word	When to Use?	Examples
who	To ask which person or people (subject)	Who will join the match next week?
		May I know who would like to join me?
whom	To ask about a person (object)	To whom should I give this letter?
		Is that the person whom he adores?
whose	To ask about possession	Whose bag is this?
		Whose book is on the desk?
where	To ask about places and locations	I wonder where do you live, Amir?
		Where can I find a coffee shop around this area?
when	To ask about at what time or date	When is your birthday?
		Do you know when is the event?
what	To seek information about people or things	What should I call you?
		What can this gadget do?
which	To ask what one or ones	Which handbag is suitable for the party?
		Which one of you live at Kampung Bor?
why	To ask for reason(s)	Why did you absent for three days, Sue?
		Why do you look funny today?
how	To ask about 'in what way' of something	How can we keep in touch?
		Any idea how to fix this?
	To ask about one’s being	How are  you?
	To ask about the cost	How much is the electrical fan?

Writing a PROCESS - Informal Letter

Enrichment 2

Write a process of cooking seafood fried rice by elaborating the notes given. Use suitable sequence connectors and imperatives. Write it in a form of informal letter to a friend who asks you a recipe to be cooked in a cooking contest.

Ingredients

·   oil – four spoonful

·   rice – cold leftover cooked

·   garlic

·   two medium-sized shallots

·   a cup – shrimps – unskin

·   4 squids – slice as desired

·   12 crab filament

·   salt and pepper

·   two carrots – shred

·   processed peas – strain

·   Chinese celery – garnishing

Sample Answer

No. 14, Jalan Megah 2,

Taman Megah,

33400, Lenggong,

Perak.

1 October 2012

Dear Maria,

            How are you? Don’t worry about me over here for I’m as fit as a fiddle day in, day out. You told me the other day that you are participating in a cooking contest and asked a recipe that would fit the competition. So, I wrote this letter to share a recipe called ‘Seafood Fried Rice’ which I inherited from my mother. This recipe is suitable for 4 persons.

            The ingredients you need for this mouth-watering cookery are a medium-sized bowl of cold leftover cooked rice, four spoonful of cooking oil, garlic, two medium-sized shallots, a cup of shrimps, four squids and twelve sticks of crab filament. You also need two carrots and a large tin of processed peas besides salt and pepper for flavouring and Chinese celery for garnishing.

            Once you have the listed ingredients, clean all the seafood items such as shrimps, squids and crab filament sticks. Firstly, skin the shrimps’ shells and wash them thoroughly. Then, wash the squids and cut them as desired. Don’t forget to cut the filament sticks into two inches long. Put aside all the processed seafood.

            Next, shed the shallots and garlic, wash them and slice them finely. Don’t forget to peel the carrots and shred them in a bowl. Then, sift the processed peas and wash them slightly followed by the shredded carrots and the spring onion.

After that, turn on the heat and place a wok on the stove. Then, pour the oil in the wok and let it heat for about thirty seconds. Later, put the sliced garlic and shallots in the wok, stir for a while and leave them until they turn golden brown. Then, put in the processed seafood, stir lightly and leave them for about three minutes or until the shrimps turn pink.

            In the meantime, sprinkle generous amount of salt and pepper onto the rice for seasoning. Then, mix them well. Pour the seasoned rice into the wok and keep on stirring the mixture for about three minutes. Leave the mixture for a while before stirring again afterwards. While leaving the mixture, chop the Chinese celery finely. Then, stir the mixture again for another two minutes.

            Turn off the heat, and serve the dish on a large-sized serving plate. Finally, sprinkle the chopped celery on top for garnishing. Now, the fried rice is ready to be enjoyed and it is best to be served hot. It is really simple to be prepared, isn't it? All the best for the competition though. Well Maria, I have to sum up my writing right here. Hope to hear from you very soon. Bye!

Yours sincerely,

Sue

Tips for the PMR Candidates

               It's just another 12 days more to go for the PMR candidates to equip themselves with whatsoever preparation before sitting for the examination which is just around the corner. But please keep in mind that notes, formulas and theories alone are not the sole priorities that you must always emphasize on when it comes to preparing yourself for examination. The following tips might be helpful to you in order to stay fresh and healthy throughout the challenging weeks.

Diet

Always watch what you are eating or it will eat you back! Watch your portion and if possible, eat nutritious food instead of unhealthy snack-bites. Avoid taking carbonated drinks for it might affect your bladder and makes you suffer from dirty urine which is not only painful when you are passing urine, but it will make lower abdomen feel the pain at all time. Hence, please take note the followings:

• drink a lot of water and if possible, avoid iced water intake;
• consume more fruits for they are able to keep the fluid in your body from dehydration;
• eat vegetables in every meal;
• say 'no' to late supper;
• say 'farewell' to junk food and fizzy drinks;
• declare fast food especially the instant noodles as your worst enemy;
• consider to eat the food as consumed by Muhammad (peace be upon him) such as dates, fig (tin), olive, milk and honey;
• cut down carbohydrate is possible;
• eat in small portion; and
• do not skip any meal (unless you are fasting).

Supplement

Recent weather condition is unpredictable and such changes constantly are exposing you to unpredictable illnesses especially flu, fever and cough. Hence, you are advised to take supplements especially Vitamin C in order to hinder you from such sufferings. Nobody wants to sit for exam with runny nose nor unstable condition. So, please consider these as well:

• regular fruits intake especially oranges and watermelon;
• take Vitamin C in forms of liquid and capsule every day;
• raisins are good supplement too;
• chew healthy snacks like salads, pistachios and cashew nuts between meals; and
• have some energy drinks.

Rest and Sleep

Ensure that you are having a quality sleep every night. Here are some suggested ideas so you'll have a good rest and sleep:

• set regular bedtime;
• do not sleep past midnight;
• do not oversleep;
• avoid long afternoon nap;
• stop doing chores or revision when you are too sleepy;
• just go to sleep when you feel like to;
• never fight with your drowsiness for you might get headache;
• clean yourself before bed;
• do not study or do revision for a very long hour for your body and brain need rest; and
• give your body some stretches after a long day by doing light exercises.

Final Touch

• always jot down notes so you will not forget easily;
• set schedule for revision so you will not leaving any of the registered subjects;
• study group is still not to late;
• double-check your notes and answers when doing exercises;
• keep telling yourself what you have memorize for verbal act is the most powerful ones;
• double-check your mistakes and errors in previous examinations;
• never underestimate yourself nor too proud of your achievements;
• PLEASE.....seek advice and assistance from your teachers PERSONALLY; and
• keep on performing SOLAT on time and pray.

I wish the very best of luck for your PMR!