Evergreen Situational Writing Samples - One Question, Five Ways

EVERGREEN SECONDARY SCHOOL Managing TONE & REGISTER 5 sample responses to an O Level Situational Writing question (adapted from GCE ‘O’ Level 2005) Report for school leader Formal letter to school leader Article for Newsletter Speech to classmates Personal Letter to friend 1

THE QUESTION Section B: Situational Writing You are advised to write between 250 and 350 words for this section. You should read the information carefully and plan your answer before beginning to write. Your school is planning to organise a one-week course during the December school holidays for senior students. The course will allow students to learn useful knowledge and skills that are not currently covered in the school curriculum. The Principal has invited each senior class to recommend one course. As the class representative, write: a report to the Principal recommending the course you and your classmates have chosen. a letter to the Principal recommending the course you and your classmates have chosen. an article for your school newsletter explaining which of the three courses you prefer and persuading senior students to support your choice a speech in which you explain to your classmates which course you prefer and persuading them to vote for it an email to the class Chairperson, who is your friend, to let him know which suggestion you would prefer for the class. (You have been placed on Leave of Absence due to an injury but would like to contribute your view.) In your writing, you should: state clearly which course your class has chosen explain why the knowledge and skills taught in this course would be useful to senior students You may add any other details you think will be helpful. Write in a clear, accurate English. Your tone should be persuasive, showing your enthusiasm for the course you have chosen. 2

A SIMPLIFIED VISUAL 3

REPORT SAMPLE To: Mr Vincent Toh, Principal, Gardenia Secondary School From: Morton Leong, Secondary 4 Honour Date: 11 October 2026 Decision on December vacation course for senior students The students of secondary 4 Honour have spent considerable time and effort reviewing the benefits of each of the options, namely, the First Aid Course, Personal Finance Management Course, and Personal Fitness Training Course given as possibilities for a vacation course at the end of the school year. After several vigorous debates on the three suggestions, it was agreed that the First Aid Course would be the most suitable course as having knowledge of first aid prior to and in an emergency situation can often mean the difference between life and death. Other equally important reasons were also considered - being trained in first aid drastically reduces the chance of needing first aid simply by being informed. In the course of the class’ debates, information reviewed showed that simply by understanding how they occur, many household accidents could be prevented. This course can create for all an enhanced awareness not only of household risks and other dangers, but also in a school environment. Learning to prevent accidents is extremely important. However, a certain level of risk is inherent in daily life, including school events. A recount of a student who had collapsed while attending the school cross-country run reinforced the need for knowledgeable helpers to be available. Many students were at the scene and recalled the anxiety and helplessness of not knowing how to help. It was also noted that a member of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade eventually confidently and properly attended to the casualty. A first aid course will teach one to recognize signs and symptoms of a worsening condition, and perhaps more importantly, alert a person as to what not to do to worsen the situation. First aid also involves trying to start the recovery process as soon as possible when an emergency situation occurs. Recent news articles about how ordinarily strong and fit young people were overcome by undercurrents during a leisurely swim, and how some others had collapsed while out on a routine jog, were persuasive elements during our discussions. As incidents like choking or suffering from heat stroke have been known to become fatal within minutes, it was our unanimous conclusion that both the casualty and the by-stander would greatly benefit when one or the other is trained in first-aid. In conclusion, the advantages of the First Aid Course outweigh those of the other two courses in terms of arming students with the knowledge, skills and courage to act appropriately when faced with a critical situation. It was unanimously agreed that this course will greatly benefit all students. Reported by Morton Leong Morton Leong 4

LETTER TO PRINCIPAL SAMPLE Mr Vincent Toh Principal Gardenia Secondary School 11 October 2026 Morton Leong Secondary 4 Honour Dear Mr Toh Decision on December vacation course for senior students On behalf of the students of secondary 4 Honour, I would like to express our appreciation for the opportunity to decide on a vacation course for all senior students to be held at the end of the year. We have spent considerable time and effort reviewing the benefits of each of the original options, namely, the First Aid Course, Personal Finance Management Course, and Personal Fitness Training Course. After several vigorous debates on the three suggestions, we feel that the First Aid Course is the most suitable course for us. We feel that having knowledge of first aid prior to and in an emergency situation can often mean the difference between life and death. The main reason for learning first aid is to save lives, but there are also other important reasons to consider. We realise that being trained in first aid drastically reduces the chance of needing first aid simply by being informed. Information reviewed showed that simply by understanding how they occur, many household accidents could be prevented. This course can create for all an enhanced awareness not only of household risks and other dangers, but also in a school environment. While learning to prevent accidents is important, a certain level of risks is inherent in daily life, even during school events. In studying the case of the secondary 2 boy who had collapsed at the end of the