Tips to Study English Literature for SPM (part 2)

NOVEL

Important things that we need to understand are:

• the question on novel must be adaptable to all three novels (The Curse, Catch Us If You Can and Step By Wicked Step).
• the question will always be in positive tone. For example, the question on character will always ask you to discuss the good aspects being portrayed by a particular character (usually the main character). Therefore, you should always see a question that looks like this "Choose a character who you look up to from a novel that you have learned in Form 5, and give reasons to support your answer by giving close reference to the text." but nothing like this "Choose a character that you hate from a novel that you have learned in Form 5, and give reasons to support your answer by giving close reference to the text."
• your answer must be properly written in an essay form. I suggest that you write five paragraphs; 1st paragraph for introduction, 2nd-4th paragraphs for content and last paragraph for conclusion. To make sure that you answer falls into higher band (7-8 or 9-10), it is important that you organize your content well by stating your points clearly and provide convincing elaboration which is supported by as many evidence as possible from the text for every main point.
• not to worry to much about your language. The full mark for language is 5 but it is OK to get 3-4 marks. Just try your level best, and leave it to the examiner to judge. After all, the examiners are Malaysian too so I believe they would be able to understand your English (or at least they would try hard to understand you...teachers are the most kindhearted people in this world).