Situational Writing

In this chapter, we would be discussing speech, deconstruction of the task, analysing the visual stimulus, the structure, “model body”, closing and the follow-up action. 

Let’s go through the topics to be covered in this chapter:

• Speech
• Deconstructing the task
• Analyzing the visual stimulus
• Structure
• ‘Model’ Body… Paragraphs
• Closing + Follow-Up Actions

Deconstructing the task

Deconstructing the task includes “PACC” which means:

1. P for Purpose: It refers to why we are writing this based on the situation or given scenario. 
2. A for Audience: Who are we writing for or who are we writing to. It refers to the target audience which would help in choosing the appropriate language and diction.
3. C for Culture: It includes society, attitude and behaviour.
4. C for Context: It refers to the situation or the scenario given that would help us to develop our ideas.

Let’s understand the above topics with the help of some examples:

Example: 

Your school is planning for an overseas service-learning project to be held during the December school holidays for the members of the Interact Club. The objectives of the project are for members to learn a new skill and be able to make a difference to the lives of others.

As the Chairman of the Interact Club, you have been assigned to decide which project would be the best choice.

Question: 

Choose one of the projects and write a speech that you will deliver to the members of the Interact Club.

In your speech, you should:

• state your choice
• give the reasons for your choice
• explain why the other two choices are not as suitable
• provide details on how students will carry out two activities in the project

Write your speech correctly in clear, accurate English and in a persuasive tone that will convince the members that this is the most suitable project.

You should use your own words as much as possible.

Answer:

Service-learning programme for a primary school in Cambodia 10-day programme to Yesu Primary School in Siem Reap, Cambodia  Build a school library Paint a school mural Install water dispensers
Attachment to UNICEF's adopted orphanage in Laos 15-day attachment to Deak orphanage that houses homeless orphans aged 3-10  Teach children basic hygiene practices  Clean children's rooms and prepare daily meals  Assist in daily childcare duties and running of the orphanage
Volunteer at a school holiday camp in Thailand 12-day volunteer programme working with Thai teenagers from impoverished families  Teach basic conversational English  Motivate the students to learn through songs and poems  Plan and put up a short skit

Question 1: 

Step 1: Deconstructing the task (role):

From the information given, you are to assume the role of __________ in your situational writing.

1. The Interact Club
2. Chairman of the Interact Club
3. Student
4. Charity Volunteer

Answer: 

(B) Chairman of the Interact Club.

Question 2: 

Step 1: Deconstructing the task (format):

You are to use the __________ format for this situational writing.

1. Email
2. Speech
3. Formal Letter
4. Article

Solution:

(B) Speech

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option No B i.e. Speech because the rest of the three options were not explicitly stated.

Question 3:

Step 1: Deconstructing the task (audience):

Who is your speech’s target audience?

1. Students
2. The teacher-in-charge of the interact club
3. Mr Kula
4. The members of the Interact club

Solution:

(D) The members of the Interact club

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option No D i.e. the members of the Interact club. It is also mentioned in the question above that the speech has been given to the members of the Interact Club.

Question 4:

Step 1: Deconstructing the task (purpose):

What is your purpose for writing this letter?

1. Convince members that this is the most suitable overseas service-learning project and inform them about the details of the two activities.
2. Inform the members that you have chosen to participate in the overseas service-learning project and fill them in on the details. 
3. Inform the members of the benefits of all three projects and find out about their preferences.
4. Convince members that the overseas service-learning projects are unsuitable for them and provide reasons why they should not participate.

Solution:

(A) Convince members that this is the most suitable overseas service-learning project and inform them about the details of the two activities.

Explanation: 

The correct answer is Option No A i.e. to convince members that this is the most suitable overseas service-learning project and inform them about the details of the two activities.

Question 5:

Step 1: Deconstructing the task (tone):

What should be the tone of your speech?

1. Informal and instructive
2. Firm and critical
3. Persuasive and enthusiastic
4. Formal and polite

Solution:

(C) Persuasive and enthusiastic

Explanation: 

The correct answer is Option No. C i.e. persuasive and enthusiastic because you are trying to convince people. 

Step 1: Deconstructing the task

Question 6: 

What are NOT some of the points you should include?

1. Justifications of choosing this project.
2. Justifications of why the other two projects are not suitable.
3. How students will carry out two activities.
4. Consideration of the costs involved in each activity.

Solution:

(D) Consideration of the costs involved in each activity.

Explanation: 

The correct answer is Option No. D i.e. consideration of the costs involved in each activity. Here, the cost involved probably refers to the price or the money.

Step 2: Analyse the Visual Stimulus

1. Read through the given information and look at the pictures
2. Write down the related thematic vocabulary

• Theme: Volunteering
• Related Vocabulary: Service, compassion, empathy, collaboration, teamwork

3. Identify where to bring in personal experience (if relevant, e.g. for informal writing)
4. Identify how to include the visual stimulus

• Reference to the given information, including the pictures.

Step 3: Structure

Question 7:

What information should be written in the red box?

1. Chairman of the Interact Club
2. 13 September 2020
3. Good Afternoon Teachers and Friends,
4. Speech on the choice of an overseas service-learning project for Interact Club members

Solution:

(B) 13 September 2020

Explanation:

As we know, the Introduction mentioned would be Paragraph 1, the body paragraph would be Paragraph 2, 3 and 4 and the 5^th paragraph is the conclusion.
The correct answer is option No. B i.e. Good Afternoon Teachers and Friends.
When somebody is giving a speech, they would say “Good afternoon fellow friends or fellow colleagues or fellow teachers.

Question 8: 

Step 3: Structure 

What information should be written in the red box?

1. Purpose of speech
2. Introduce your role and purposes of speech
3. Introduce your role, address the target audience, and purpose of speech and provide the context of the situation.
4. Speech on the choice of an overseas service-learning project for Interact Club members

Solution:

(C) Introduce your role, address the target audience, and purpose of speech and provide the context of the situation

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option No C i.e. Introduce your role, address the target audience, and purpose of speech and provide the context of the situation.

Writing the Introduction

• Introduction – Role + Purpose
• Hook – Gain the interest of the audience
• State clearly your choice (if a choice needs to be made) 

“To make a difference to the underprivileged”, “Serve alongside equally passionate individuals”, “Learn more about useful skills in service” – These are just some of the responses from fellow Interactors when asked about what they would like to achieve during our December overseas service-learning project. I am heartened by the response because they fit with the club’s objectives of having a service-learning project, which are to make a difference to the lives of others and learn a valuable new skill. Last week, we had an engaging discussion about some of the projects we could embark on and your enthusiasm was evident. There were three compelling suggestions, and after much deliberation with the committee and the teachers, as Chairperson of Interact Club, I am excited to announce that the volunteer project in Chiang Mai, Thailand is the most suitable choice.

Question 9:

Step 3: Structure 

What information should be written in the red box?

1. Your choice of programme for the project and reasons for your choice.
2. Information about why the other programmes are unsuitable.
3. Provide additional details about how members will carry out the programme for the project.
4. All of the above.

Solution:

(D) All of the above

Explanation:

As we know the body paragraph is made up of Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 so the correct answer is Option No D i.e. all of the above options given are correct.

Question 10:

Main content - Body Paragraph 1
Topic sentence: I believe the volunteer programme in Chang mai will be the most suitable choice for our club members.
Which of the points below should you NOT include in body paragraph 1?

1. The 12-day volunteer programme in Thailand firstly caters to the interests of the majority of our club members to work with impoverished teenagers.
2. The success of this Christmas Skit requires the collective effort of each Interact member. It will be a test of our teamwork and coordination skills.
3. Many have expressed the desire to work with youths are similar to our age, so that we will most likely be able to connect with them more easily and share intercultural experiences.
4. As opposed to merely building infrastructures and cleaning, many of you preferred activities such as teaching and group presentations, that would allow more interaction between the club members and the local beneficiaries.

Solution:

(B) The success of this Christmas Skit requires the collective effort of each Interact member. It will be a test of our teamwork and coordination skills.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option No B i.e. the success of this Christmas Skit requires the collective effort of each Interact member.
It will be a test of our teamwork and coordination skills because only option (B) seems out of place as none of the other options actually talk about the Christmas skit. However, all the other options talk about the same thing.

Question 11: 

Main content - Body Paragraph 1
Topic sentence: At this point, I am sure many of you are eager to find out why we chose the volunteer project in Chang Mai over the other two projects.
Which of the points below should you NOT include in body paragraph 1?

1. Conversing in English may come as second nature to us, but teaching it to youths who have had little or no exposure to the language is indeed challenging. 
2. As for the 15-day attachment to UNICEF’s adopted orphanages in Laos, the committee noted the concern about the challenges of managing orphans from 3 to 10 years old, which may require more specialized training.
3. The service-learning programme for a primary school in Cambodia focuses primarily on construction and building of infrastructure, leaving little time for bonding and interaction.
4. The 12-day volunteer programme in Thailand firstly caters to the interests of the majority of our club members to work with impoverished teenagers. Many have expressed the desire to work with youths similar to our age, so that we will most likely be able to connect with them more easily and share intercultural experiences.

Solution:

(A) Conversing in English may come as second nature to us, but teaching it to youths who have had little or no exposure to the language is indeed challenging. 

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option No A i.e. conversing in English may come as second nature to us, but teaching it to youths who have had little or no exposure to the language is indeed challenging.
Options B, C and D relate to the paragraph given above and talk about the programme, in fact Option No A does not even talk about the programme but instead, it talks about the activity.

Question 12: 

Main content - Body Paragraph 2
Topic sentence: So, what exactly will we be doing in Chang Mai? The main activity of our holiday camp will be to teach the students basic conversational English and we will simulate in real-life situations to make the lessons relevant and authentic.
Which of the points below should you NOT include in body paragraph 2?

1. Due to financial constraints and family background, many of the teenagers in Chiang Mai do not have opportunities to attend school. For the small minority who do have access to education, many of them lack the resources to improve their spoken English.
2. This may limit their job opportunities in the retail and tourism sector, trapping them in a vicious circle of poverty. Hence, one of the main activities will be teaching the youths basic conversational English.
3. Conversing in English may come as second nature to us, but teaching it to youths who have had little or no exposure to the language will be meaningful to them.
4. Hence, the service-learning project to Chang Mai is most aligned with the interest of our members and the club’s objectives of helping vulnerable communities overseas, and fostering personal development and growth.

Solution:

(D) Hence, the service-learning project to Chang Mai is most aligned with the interest of our members and the club’s objectives of helping vulnerable communities overseas, and fostering personal development and growth.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option No D i.e. hence, the service-learning project to Chang Mai is most aligned with the interest of our members and the club’s objectives of helping vulnerable communities overseas and fostering personal development and growth.

Question 13: 

Main content - Body Paragraph 3
Topic sentence: Besides teaching English to the impoverished, we will also be putting up our very own Christmas skit and we will need the members to organize themselves into groups to take charge of one aspect of the skit.
Which of the points below should you NOT include in body paragraph 3?

1. Ever had a hidden singing talent or wanted to be in the limelight? Well, now is your chance to shine!
2. To familiarize ourselves with such skills and gain confidence, we can try out mock English lessons and constantly refine them to ensure that they are both fun and educational.
3. Alternatively, if you prefer to be behind-the-scenes, we definitely need people to design the set and make the props.
4. Therefore, while we may not be Choir or Drama club, I am confident that together, we will be able to put up a good show!

Solution:

(B) To familiarize ourselves with such skills and gain confidence, we can try out mock English lessons and constantly refine them to ensure that they are both fun and educational.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option No B i.e. to familiarize ourselves with such skills and gain confidence, we can try out mock English lessons and constantly refine them to ensure that they are both fun and educational.
Options A, C and D are related to the above paragraph but Option no B is not at all related to it.

Closing + Follow Up Action 

Well, this is just a brief overview of our service-learning project and more details will be finalized shortly. I hope that this short speech has piqued your interest and reinforced our goals to help vulnerable communities and develop a new skill. If you have any questions, feel free to approach me or any of the EXCO members and we will be happy to answer them. As we split into different sub-committees for the skit and preparations for the lessons roll full steam ahead, continue to keep in mind the purpose behind why we are serving. To end off, I would like to urge everyone to have an open mind, be excited, and let us venture beyond!