SASS EL P1 Hybrid Essay Notes

SASSReflective writingSec 3/4 Adapted by TYH Preparing to write a Reflective Exposition (or Hybrid Essay) An exposition is a piece of writing that explains and conveys information while being reflective requires you to ponder over a matter. Thus, in a reflective exposition, you describe and evaluate your experiences and then explain how you draw lessons from them. Some examples of reflective exposition questions: 1. Write about an incident you still remember from your early childhood (descriptive). Why do you think it has remained in your mind so clearly? (reflective) 2. Describe an annual event which you enjoy and explain why it is so important to you. 3. What are the lessons in life that are learned away from school and explain why they are important to you. 4. Describe how you celebrated an important family occasion and explain why this event will always remain in your memory. 5. Which person has the greatest influence on your life and explain why this is so. Complete Exercise A This exercise helps you get in touch with yourself and prepares you to write reflective expositions. Write down your answers to these questions. Core Belief, Mindsets, Personality, Behaviours, Values ● Describe yourself in one sentence ● List the top three adjectives that describe your personality ● What is your mission statement in life? ● Wat do you want to accomplish within the next 5 years? ● What really motivates you? Why? ● What really puts you off? Why? ● What habits and behaviours do you have that affirm you? ● What are your biggest fears? Why? ● What are your values? Values are our deepest beliefs and feelings. Some examples of values: integrity, compassion, courage etc. The Past, Life Lessons and Experiences ● What have been the most important moments of your life thus far? ● What is it in the past that you need to let go of? Why? ● What achievements are you most proud of? Why?

SASSReflective writingSec 3/4 Adapted by TYH ● What is your favourite childhood memory? Why? ● What are you most disappointed in? Why? Current Life ● What do you love about yourself and your life? ● What areas of your life are the biggest challenges for you? ● What are your strengths and achievements? Purpose and Passion, Gifts and Talents, Dreams and Desires ● What do your friends think you are good at? What do they think your talents are? ● What comes easily and effortlessly? ● What are your dreams? ● What would you fight for and why? Current situation in Key Areas: ● Home and Family o What is your home like? What values, attitudes and beliefs play a strong role in your household? o What ae the relationships like with your parents, siblings and other family members? ● Relationship o What kind of company are you keeping? Who are your friends? o Do you have mentors, teachers and friends you can call when you need to? o Do you engage in healthy and productive relationships with others? ● Adventure and Play o How do you spend your free time? o What would you like to take up as a hobby or activity in your free time? o Are you having fun and enjoying life? REFLECTIVE EXPOSITION WRITING EXERCISES Reflective exercises about places and objects Select ONE option out of the three options given to write. Describe ONE aspect of the place and associate ONE strong memory experience, lesson learnt, personal values or reasons for something to it.

SASSReflective writingSec 3/4 Adapted by TYH ● Possessions you value and rely on greatly. (computer, your mobile phone, your childhood toy) ● The school you are studying in, your classroom, a spot you hang out with friends, the lessons you undergo. ● A daily scene; in your neighbhourhood; in the shopping centre; at a tourist attraction etc.. Reflective exercises about people and relationships Select ONE option out of the three options given to write. Describe ONE characteristic/ aspect of the person or the relationship, and associate ONE strong memory experience, lesson learnt, personal values or reasons for something to it. ● When you have to show compassion, or when someone did a kind act for you. ● Your grandparent or someone whom you know who is much older. ● A time when someone offered you advice and what happened after. Reflective exercises about events Select ONE option out of the three options given to write. Describe ONE characteristic/ aspect of the person or the relationship, and associate ONE strong memory experience, lesson learnt, personal values or reasons for something to it. ● A family reunion, or a time when your family got together. ● A school event you participated in or witnessed. ● A fund raising event or charity drive you volunteered in. As this is supposed to be an exercise, please do not write a complete essay. Keep each paragraph to less than 250 words and be focused. REFLECTIVE WRITING – SENTENCE STARTERS As a record of what happened ● The most important event that happened for me was…….. ● Thinking back over the day what I valued most was….. ● I am not sure why we….. ● Something funny that happened was….

SASSReflective writingSec 3/4 Adapted by TYH Insights into what you think and feel about the ideas or issues ● One of the things that surprised me was… ● I am still shocked by….. ● I keep thinking about….. Thinking about your own learning ● Something I have found out about myself is…. ● I know I need to change the way I…. ● I learn best when…. ● What I have learnt today reminds me about…. ● I really admire the way…. ● My point of view is…. ● When I read over my journal reflections, I am surprised at how my thinking has changed because… ● In the future, I would like to…

SASSReflective writingSec 3/4 Adapted by TYH REFLECTIVE ESSAY EXEMPLARS EXEMPLAR 1: Reflective essay about place(s)/experience(s) Describe your experiences eating in food courts in Singapore. How important are food courts and hawker centres in your life as a teenager in Singapore. (GCE O level 2013) Have you heard of a saying that goes "Your taste buds have memories of their own"? It is true that we can remember the distinct flavours of food well. Undoubtedly, food forms an integral part of our lives and without food, we will not have the energy to do work. For me, experiences at food courts and hawker centres are very memorable and as a teenager, these places play an important role in my life too! I will be describing experiences in some hawker centres that I like very much -- Tiong Bahru Food Centre, Jurong West Hawker Centre and the Zion Riverside Food Centre. Firstly, Tiong Bahru Food Centre is no doubt the first place that appears in my mind whenever I think of delectable Singaporean cuisine. From chicken rice, prawn noodles, to "chee kueh", there is a wide array of dishes to choose from,so I cannot help but become spoilt for choice. One of my favourite dishes is "chee kueh". The "kueh" is soft but firm and garnished with a generous layer of savoury and crunchy pickled vegetables. Once I bite in, all the surrounding noise seems to be blocked off and I can feel the contrasting textures between the supple "kueh" and the roughness of the pickled vegetables. Hence Tiong Bahru Food Centre is crucial to me because I can derive plenty of joy from indulging in the local dishes. Not only do the dishes fill my stomach with satisfaction, but they also supplement in my growth as I am still a growing teenager. As food is what I miss the most about Singapore whenever I am overseas, satisfying my cravings at the Tiong Bahru Food Centre constantly reminds me of my Singaporean identity. Next, the Jurong West food market is just like any ordinary market. It has a noisy and vibrant atmosphere, which displays the passion and warm-heartedness of Singaporeans, just like the tropical climate in Singapore.There is a wet market within the food market itself, so the floor may be wet and slippery, with the air even filled with a pungent and fishy smell. However it still holds a significance to me as I spent most of my childhood he