What is an Interview?

The definition of an interview is a structured conversation used to assess a person's

suitability for a job, academic program, or other opportunities by evaluating their
qualifications, skills, and personality traits.

An interview essay is a written piece that conveys information from a subject or

subjects and provides relevant context. Understanding how to write an interview essay
can help you share an informative or opinion piece with your target audience. Knowing
essay writing techniques can also assist you in telling a compelling story, a skill you can
use in a variety of [Link] this article, we explain how to write an interview essay and
provide a list of questions you can ask your subject to gather relevant information for
your essay

An interview is a formal conversation between two or more people, typically with one
person, the interviewer, asking questions to obtain information, assess qualifications, or
evaluate the suitability of a candidate for a job, admission, or other purposes.

Interviews are commonly used in various contexts, including employment, academic

admissions, journalism, and research, to gather insights, make informed decisions, or
establish a connection between individuals.

Types Of Interviews

Since job interviews don't have a set format, job seekers must prepare for several types
of interviews. Here's a closer look at some of them.

Structured Interviews

A structured interview is a standardized and systematic questioning process where each

candidate is assessed using a predetermined set of questions, allowing for fair and
consistent evaluations.

Characteristics

Pre-determined Questions: In structured interviews, the interviewer asks a set of

standardized questions to all candidates. These questions are often prepared in advance
and are the same for every interviewee.
Consistency: The goal is to maintain consistency in the interview process, ensuring that
each candidate is evaluated based on the same criteria.

Quantitative Analysis: Responses are typically evaluated using a predetermined scoring

system. This allows for a more objective and quantifiable comparison of candidates.

Advantages

Fairness: Structured interviews are considered fairer as all candidates are assessed
using the same criteria.

Reliability: Because of the standardized nature, these interviews tend to be more

reliable, and the results are consistent across different interviewers.

Disadvantages:

Rigidity: The structured format may limit the interviewer's ability to explore unique
aspects of a candidate's background or personality.

Less Flexibility: It may not be as effective in assessing certain soft skills or qualities that
emerge in more spontaneous conversations.

How to Prepare?

Research Common Questions: Since structured interviews often follow a standardized

set of questions, research common interview questions related to the position and
industry.

Practice Responses: Practice answering these questions to ensure that your responses
are clear, concise, and can highlight your relevant skills and experiences.

Understand the Job Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the key requirements of the
job and align your responses with how your skills and experiences meet those
requirements

Unstructured Interviews

An unstructured interview is an informal and open-ended conversation between the

interviewer and candidate, lacking a predetermined set of questions, often allowing for
a more flexible exploration of the candidate's background and qualities.

Characteristics
Open-Ended Questions: Unstructured interviews involve more open-ended and free-
flowing conversations. The interviewer may have a general idea of topics to cover but
does not follow a strict script.

Exploration of Personality: The goal is often to delve into the candidate's personality,
motivation, and interpersonal skills, allowing for a more holistic understanding.

Subjective Evaluation: Evaluation is more subjective, as there is no predetermined

scoring system. Interviewer judgment plays a significant role.

Advantages

Depth of Insight: Unstructured interviews can provide a deeper understanding of a

candidate's character, creativity, and communication skills.

Flexibility: The interviewer has the flexibility to adapt questions based on the
candidate's responses, allowing for a more personalized interaction.

Disadvantages

Inconsistency: Because there is no standardized set of questions, there can be

significant variation in the topics covered and the depth of questioning for different
candidates.

Bias: The subjective nature of evaluation can introduce biases based on the
interviewer's personal preferences.

How to Prepare?

Self-Reflection: Since unstructured interviews focus on exploring your personality and

motivations, take some time for self-reflection. Consider your strengths, weaknesses,
and what motivates you in a work environment.

Prepare Personal Stories: Be ready to share specific examples or stories from your past
experiences that demonstrate your skills and qualities. These can help provide a more
comprehensive understanding of who you are.

Stay Informed: Stay informed about industry trends and the organization's values. This
can help you tailor your responses to align with the company culture.

Situational Interviews
A situational interview involves presenting candidates with hypothetical scenarios or
real-life situations to assess how they would approach and handle specific challenges,
providing insights into their problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Characteristics

Hypothetical Scenarios: In situational interviews, candidates are presented with

hypothetical situations or challenges they might face in the job. The goal is to assess
how they would approach and handle these scenarios.

Problem-Solving Skills: These interviews aim to evaluate a candidate's problem-solving

skills, decision-making process, and ability to think on their feet.

Realistic Challenges: Situational interviews often simulate challenges that the candidate
may encounter in the actual job role.

Advantages

Job Relevance: By presenting scenarios related to the job, situational interviews can
provide insights into how well a candidate is likely to perform in the role.

Predictive Value: The way a candidate responds to situational questions can be

indicative of their future performance.

Disadvantages

Limited Predictive Validity: The correlation between how a candidate performs in a

situational interview and their actual job performance may not always be strong.

Stress Factor: Candidates may feel added pressure in situational interviews, potentially
affecting their responses and not accurately reflecting their capabilities.

How to write an interview essay

Understanding the interview article format

The structure of an interview article is crucial for effectively conveying the interviewee's
voice and story. Important components of this format consist of:

Introduction: Introduce the interviewee, giving context about their background and why
they are a subject of interest.
Segment the article: The article should be divided into sections based on the themes or
subjects discussed in the interview. This aids in the logical arrangement of the content.

Formatting the Q&A section: Presenting the questions and answers in a clear manner.
You may either paraphrase this for clarity or use a direct Q&A style.

Quotations: Use direct quotes to make an impression and to show the interviewee's
character and voice.

Conclusion: Recap the most important learnings or conclusions from the conversation.

What are your core values?

How did your upbringing impact your life today?

What would you change about the world and why?

What would you never want to change about the world and why?

What has been the biggest factor in your success?

How do you define happiness?

What is the importance of education today?

Think of a specific historical event. How did it affect your life?

What daily routines matter the most to you?

What are the biggest challenges our society can solve today?

What advice would you give someone just starting in your field?

How has technology affected your life personally and at work?

How much should the average person give to charitable organizations (money or time)
and why?

What fears have you overcome and how did you overcome them?

What is the definition of art? What is the most beautiful piece of art you have ever seen?

Why is music important?

What do you imagine doing on a hypothetical perfect day?

Who has had the biggest impact on you as a person?

What tool would you never want to live without and why?

An Interviewer and an Interviewee

Interviewer: Welcome to ABC Controls, David. I am Tom.

Interviewee: Hello, it's nice to meet you.
Interviewer: Nice to meet you too, how are you doing today?
Interviewee: I am doing well, and yourself?
Interviewer: Great, thanks. I hope we didn't keep you waiting for long?
Interviewee: No, I had the chance to talk to one of your engineers while waiting.
Interviewer: That's good. David, shall we start?
Interviewee: Yeah, sure.
Interviewer: First of all, let me introduce myself. I am the manager of our engineering
department here and we have an open position, so we have been interviewing
applicants to fill the position as quickly as possible.
Interviewee: Yes sir, I read about the position on your website, and I think I am a good
fit.
Interviewer: We currently have several ongoing projects and the team is working hard.
We are hoping to keep busy for a long time.
Interviewee: What are the essential qualifications required for the position?
Interviewer: This is an entry-level engineering position, we do provide a lot of training
here. But we do require that you have at least a bachelors degree in computer
engineering. Previous experience in the field is a plus.
Interviewee: What kind of experience would you count as a work in the field?
Interviewer: Even though we provide training, it would be great if you had some hands-
on programming experience, knowledge of database systems or skills on developing
applications.
Interviewee: My final school project was actually developing a mobile application, so I
am fairly competent in developing mobile and web applications.
Interviewer: That's good to hear, which school did you graduate from?
Interviewee: I was a student at DEF University, and I graduated with a bachelor degree
in computer science. I worked as a computer lab tutor in school for about 2 years.
Guiding students through their projects helped me get experience in several
programming languages.
Interviewer: What are you looking for in a job?
Interviewee: The job should definitely help me grow in my career. I will be happy to
learn and grow as I work in a passionate company like yours.
Interviewer: You are right. There is plenty of room for advancement in our company.
What are your strengths? Why should I hire you?
Interviewee: I am a diligent person and a fast learner. I am very eager to learn. My
friends also find me very easy to work with.
Interviewer: Very well. Now, do you mind working overtime?
Interviewee: No, I do not.
Interviewer: Because, sometimes we get overwhelmed with heavy workload.
Interviewee: I understand that's the nature of the job. When I was going to school, I took
quite a few courses each semester while working at least twenty hours every week. And,
I handled that situation very well.
Interviewer: Do you have any questions for me?
Interviewee: No, I think I have a pretty good understanding of the requirements. I
believe that I can handle it with ease, and the fact that you provide all the training
sounds excellent. I hope to have the opportunity to work for you.
Interviewer: David, It is nice to meet you. I can tell that you are a good candidate. Expect
to hear from us within a week or so about the job.
Interviewee: Nice meeting you too. Thank you for your time.
Interviewer: Thank you for coming.

What is a blog post?

A blog post is a single piece of content published on a blog, a shortened form of the now-
archaic term weblog, which is an online platform for publishing written content. A blog
can be a section of a website or a standalone website of its own. The blog you’re
currently reading is an example of the former, while The Pioneer Woman is an example
of the latter. Both are composed of blog posts, pieces of content that each cover a single
topic and may (but don’t have to!) include images and videos alongside the written
content.

Written content is a key component of a blog post. A YouTube channel isn’t a blog
because it’s purely video—it can be considered a vlog, short for video log. Similarly, a
feed of purely still images, like an Instagram account, isn’t a blog.

In the earlier days of social media, when platforms like MySpace and Live Journal
dominated the scene, blogging and social media were much more entwined than they
are today. Now, they’re largely separate, though many bloggers promote and cross-post
their work on their social media accounts to drive traffic to their blogs and promote
their personal brand.

Types of blog posts

Blog posts can be standalone pieces or parts of a longer series. They also come in a
variety of formats:

How-to

In a how-to blog post, the blogger explains the steps the reader needs to take to
complete a task. Recipe blog posts are a popular example of a how-to blog post.

List-based

Also known as a “listicle,” a portmanteau of list and article, a list-based blog post is one
that’s organized as a list of related entries. This could be a list of products, historical
events, quotes, images, or unusual and intriguing facts, the kind of
listicle [Link] made famous. You’ll find list-based posts on lots of blogs,
like BuzzFeed, Bored Panda, and right here on the Grammarly blog.

News article

A news article blog post links to a trending news article and provides the blogger’s
thoughts on that news article. It isn’t just a repost of the news article; it includes insights
that build upon, speculate about, agree, or disagree with the information covered in the
news article.
Interview

In this kind of post, the blogger introduces a person they’ve interviewed and provides
some background information about the interviewee and their work. Following this is a
transcript of the interview, sometimes interspersed with additional information written
by the blogger. You can find interviews on many different blogs, such as Rotten
Tomatoes’ blog.

Review

In a review post, the blogger reviews a movie, video game, TV show, book, product . . .
anything, really. What’s Good at Trader Joes? is a well-known example of a blog that
focuses on product review posts. A review post can focus on one product or piece of
media or it can be structured like a list-based post. You can find examples of the latter
on 99designs, where they often review design software and website platforms.

Personal

A personal blog post, like a personal essay, is where the author discusses their personal
experiences, thoughts, and/or opinions. Usually, you’ll find these kinds of posts on
personal blogs rather than corporate or professional blogs. However, a blogger who
usually publishes other kinds of blog posts might publish personal blog posts from time
to time to build a more personal connection with readers.

Explainer

An explainer blog post is similar to a how-to blog post in that it provides a thorough,
objective explanation of its topic. The difference is that this kind of blog post isn’t
necessarily presented in a linear, step-by-step format and doesn’t necessarily explain
how to complete a task.

This type of blog post might explain the social and economic trends that led to a specific
historical event or the basics of a given topic. Coinbase’s blog contains lots of explainer
posts, such as a piece on how to keep your cryptocurrency secure.

Sometimes, blogs publish lengthy explainer posts that aim to provide comprehensive
overviews of their topics. These blog posts are often labeled “ultimate guide” or
something similar.
Image-based

As the name implies, an image-based blog post is a post that focuses on images. The post
could be an infographic or it could be a post consisting of multiple images. No matter
which it is, it contains at least some copy to give the reader some context for the images
—that’s what makes it a blog post and not an image gallery.

How to write a blog post

Follow these steps to write a great post and effectively reach your target audience.

Choose your topic

Once you’ve got your blog up and running, it’s time to choose the topic for your first
post.

What can you easily and passionately write about? If your blog is affiliated with your
business, brainstorm ideas for blog posts that provide value to your target audience
while promoting your brand. For example, let’s say you run a dog-walking business.
Think about the kinds of things your clients would want to read about—the titles they’d
click on, read, and ideally share with others. You might come up with a few different
topics:

Choosing a pet-safe ice melt for your sidewalk this winter

How many calories does my dog burn on an average walk?

Are pack walks safe? How many dogs are too many for one handler?

How to get your dog acclimated to a new harness in no time

Ask your clients about the kinds of topics they’d like to read about on your blog. You
might be surprised by what they suggest! Another great way to come up with topics to
cover on your blog is to take a look at the kind of content others in your industry are
publishing. That doesn’t mean you should steal ideas or plagiarize their work; find ways
to take inspiration from competitors’ blog posts and cover similar topics from a different
angle and in your own unique voice.

Write an outline
With any writing project, following the writing process enables you to craft a thoughtful,
well-developed piece. Blog posts are no exception. After you’ve determined a topic for
your first blog post, create an outline. List your working title and the key points you
want to hit in your post. These key points will likely become separate sections, each with
its own header and subheaders.

An easy way to write an outline for your blog post is to follow a similar structure to an
essay. Your blog post starts with an introduction, which is then followed by body
sections and then finally, the conclusion. But unlike an essay, a blog post’s conclusion
includes a call to action. (We’ll talk more about that in a bit.)

Once your outline is complete, it’s time to start writing! There are lots of great, free apps
you can use to write a blog post, like Google Docs and WriteRoom.

Hook your reader and keep them scrolling to the end

In any kind of writing, the hook is one of the most important parts. This sentence or
paragraph is the part that grabs the reader’s attention and promises that their curiosity
will be satisfied if they keep reading.

There are lots of ways to hook your readers’ attention, and the ideal way for each blog
post depends on the audience and the subject the post is covering. One popular type of
hook is to present a startling fact. To go back to our example titles for the dog walker, an
effective hook for the post on pet-safe ice melts might be about how toxic many
standard ice melts are to pets’ paws. Another effective way to hook readers is to directly
address one or more of their pain points. For the example title about acclimating a dog
to a new harness, this kind of hook might acknowledge a few things: how frustrating it is
to get a dog to let you put a new harness on them; how this wastes precious walking
time; and how you could waste money on harnesses your dog refuses to wear.

Give your readers a solid call to action

A call to action is a short phrase that asks the reader to do something. In a blog post, this
might be to leave a comment, make a purchase, subscribe to your newsletter, or simply
to read a related post next. Calls to action generally make use of direct-response
copywriting principles, like making very specific requests and creating a sense of
urgency. Here are a few examples of calls to action:
Like what you see? Head over to my shop and order your custom print now.

Want to learn more about reading tarot cards like a pro? Check out my post on the major
arcana’s astrological associations.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and tell me whether you agree or
disagree and why.

Don’t forget to edit and proofread!

Read through the draft carefully and take note of any spots where your writing feels
awkward, choppy, or even excessively wordy. Editing resources like Grammarly, various
writing books, and even your own network of fellow writers can help you become a
stronger editor by making you more attuned to issues in your work.

Enhance your blog post with engaging, relevant images

Why do kids like picture books? Because the illustrations bring the story to life.

The same thing happens when you include images in your blog posts. Images break up
the text and give your readers short breaks as they work through your content. In
explainer and how-to blog posts, they can also help readers visualize the points you’re
making in your text—and even help them avoid making mistakes by demonstrating
what their project should look like as they complete it step by step.

Use SEO strategies to reach a wider audience

SEO, also known as search engine optimization, is a category of strategies bloggers and
other website operators use to increase their websites’ visibility. The better your SEO
strategy, the higher your website ranks, or shows up, in search engine results. The goal
is to have your blog be the first listing that comes up when people search for specific
keywords.

Keywords are just one component of SEO. Here are other ways to improve your blog’s
SEO:

Organizing your content neatly. This means no walls of text (we’ll get to those in a
moment) and clear headers to separate sections within the blog post.
Relevant embedded images with the appropriate keywords in their metadata. Metadata
is the data that gives more context to images, like their alt descriptions and file names.

Keeping your blog post to an SEO-friendly length. As of 2021, the ideal blog length for
SEO purposes is 1,760-2,400 words. Don’t take this as a requirement, though—
generally, posts that clock in at 1,000 words or longer rank well, and even blog posts as
short as 300 words can rank well if they utilize other SEO strategies. Your blog post
should be as long as it needs to be; don’t artificially lengthen it just for the sake of SEO.
That’s because another key component of SEO is . . .

Value. Above all, make sure your blog post actually provides relevant, valuable
information for your readers.

Your website platform might include analytics tools you can use to see how well your
blog and individual posts are performing. By “performing,” we mean how many people
visit your website and how long they spend on the website, both indicators of your
content being effective.

Tips for writing a great blog post

Keep it conversational

A blog post is a relatively informal, often fun piece of writing. Although there are plenty
of technical blogs on the web, you’ll notice that even these tend to maintain a fairly
conversational tone when explaining niche and complex topics.

Notice how most blog posts use the second person and speak directly to the reader. You
would never do that in a piece of academic or professional writing. Also notice how
plenty of blog posts, on topics ranging from how to finish highly technical projects to
completely subjective movie character hairstyle rankings, give you a sense of the
author’s personality by including short asides, personal opinions, and sometimes even
broken grammar rules to mimic speech patterns.

Keep in mind that breaking grammar rules to achieve specific effects and working your
personal voice into your blog post is not the same thing as writing and publishing an
unedited post that simply ignores grammar rules. If you’re going to break the rules, you
need to do it carefully and with a clear stylistic reason for doing so. For example, you
might opt for sentence fragments, rather than whole paragraphs, in certain sections of
your blog post because this magnifies your words’ impact. Take a look at this to see what
we mean:

I’d applied to 10 colleges in total. Five of them, I knew I was a shoo-in. Four of them, I
thought I had somewhere between an OK and a pretty good shot at getting in. And the last
one, my holy grail of higher ed, I was all-but-certain they’d never accept me.

Then the envelopes started coming in. Thick ones, thin ones, glossy colorful ones, and
nondescript white ones that could easily be mistaken for junk mail.

And then it arrived.

The letter I’d been waiting for since seventh grade.

My acceptance letter from my dream university.

GIVING INSTRUCTIONS

Detailed information about how something should be done or operated. A manual

usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it.

How to write instructions

Start with Title/ Heading

All instructions should have a title stating the purpose of the instructions for example:
HOME MADE FERMENTED MILK Or HOW TO WEAVE A SCURF

Write the requirements

Give a full list of the items needed to undertake or perform an activity

List down the steps

Give a breakdown of the steps to be taken right from the start to the end. The steps
should be listed in the exact order.

Repeat your instructions - It might be necessary to repeat the instructions and if it adds
to the process.

Use a clear and precise language

Use clear verbs and prepositions that can be easily understood and worked on so that
the user is not confused.

Use a separate numbered entry for each step

Limit your instructions to at least 7 steps by combining other short steps.

Simple White Cake

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar

½ cup unsalted butter

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder

½ cup milk

Steps

Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and
flour a 9-inch square cake pan.

Cream sugar and butter together in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating
briefly after each addition. Mix in vanilla.

Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add to the wet ingredients and
mix well. Add milk and stir until smooth.

Pour batter into the prepared cake pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until the top springs back when lightly touched, 30 to 40
minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool completely. Frost and enjoy!
 SYNOPSIS

A synopsis is a brief summary that gives audiences an idea of what a composition is

about. It provides an overview of the storyline or main points and other defining factors
of the work, which may include style, genre, persons or characters of note, setting, and
so on. We write synopses for all kinds of things—any type of fiction or nonfiction book,
academic papers, journal and newspaper articles, films, TV shows, and video games, just
to name a few!

The amount of detail and information revealed in a synopsis depends on its purpose. For
instance, authors often need to provide a lengthy synopsis when proposing a book,
article, or work to potential publishers or editors —in that case, a synopsis will include
a full plot overview (which includes revealing the ending), signs
of character progression, detailed explanation of theme and tone, and so on. This article
will mainly focus on the short synopses you see every day on websites and other media
outlets.

II. Example of a Synopsis

Here’s an example of a short synopsis of the story of Jack and Jill:

Jack and Jill is the story of a boy and a girl who went up a hill together. They went to fetch
a pail of water, but unfortunately, their plan is disrupted when Jack falls and hits his head,
and rolls back down the hill. Then, Jill falls too, and comes tumbling down after Jack.

As you can see, the synopsis outlines what happens in the story. It introduces the main
characters and the main plot points without being overly detailed or wordy.

III. Importance of Synopses

Synopses are extremely valuable and necessary pieces of writing for authors, film
makers, TV producers, academic writers, and many others.

On one level, it’s what actually helps a book get published or a film or TV series get
made—a successful, well-written synopsis can convince the person in charge of
publication or production to bring a work to life
On the other hand, synopses grab the attention of potential audiences and can convince
them to read, watch, or listen

Also, they help researchers find what they are looking for and decide if a piece is
relevant to their field

Without them, audiences and readers would never know what something was about
before reading or viewing it! Thus, the importance of synopses is twofold: it both helps
works get made and then helps them reach the right audiences.

For example, if you want to write a synopsis about a fantasy romance, you might include
details like:

The main character of the story.

How they meet.

Some elements of the world and setting.

The major conflict in the story.

The events of the plot.

How the story concludes.

Write in the third person and present tense.

WRITER’S ATTITUDE

Definition of The Author’s Attitude

The author’s attitude is the emotion or tone of the author towards the topic. How the
writer expresses their writing through the words they choose. However, it will be
different from purpose because it only defines the author’s attitude towards a particular
subject of writing. It’s not even the author’s true attitude, because they can express other
attitudes besides their own.

The author’s attitude reflects their feelings, opinions, and points of view which influence
the way readers interpret the content of the text. A new text, an article, a poem, a novel,
an essay, a paper, or a research text will produce different emotions because they are
described differently. Writers will use different techniques to create the reading they
want to convey, but word choice is key. Diction and word choice determine how the text
is formed.

Well, how about now? You know what the author’s attitude is. Next, we’ll get into the two
characteristics of the author’s attitude towards the text.

Characteristic of the Author’s Attitude

There are two categories of questions relating to the author’s attitude:

Author’s Opinion

This first category is the author’s opinion. Generally, the most well-known opinions are
objective and subjective.

It is objective, neutral (impartial), mostly factual, and often formal. By not showing
feelings for or against a topic.

Subjective in nature uses words that describe feelings, judgments, or opinions, mostly
encompassing experiences, senses, feelings, and thoughts. Generally the result of
personal thoughts, biases, emotions, and often informal.

Then the question model will take the following form:

The writer assumes that …

Which of the following best reflects the author’s opinion about …?

The author would most likely agree with …

2. Author’s Tone

The tone in a passage is the sentiment or attitude of the writer towards the subject
discussed in the passage. It is dominated by the emotions displayed by the writer. For
example; the writer wants to highlight facts about a problem (using a factual tone),
explore the pros and cons of an event (using a critical tone), or reveal the causal
relationship of an event (using an analytical tone). Some of these reasons are the
differences in the tone of the writer in each reading. Then the question model will take
the following form:
The tone of the author is best described as …

The attitude of the author towards “…” is best described as …

Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?

Sahabat Pintar, have you understood about the author’s attitude?

Tricks to Figure Out The Author’s Attitude

Next, let’s get straight into the tricks of finding out the author’s attitude. Check it out…

1. Identify the Writing Style

You can review how writers use writing styles to express their texts, whether using
emotional language, logical arguments, rhetoric, or creative writing styles.

2. Identify the main idea

The main idea in the text should also be known to determine the nature and sentiment
that will relate to the author’s attitude.

3. Identify the nature and sentiment of writing

You can understand whether the text highlights facts or reflects the author’s opinion.
Then you also need to understand the sentiment shown in the text: positive (appreciating
something), negative (criticizing something), or neutral (neither).

4. Note the change in attitude throughout the text

Understanding and identifying where the author changes their stance and starts moving
in a different direction. It is important to understand these tone changes, and from this
understanding, try to deduce the most dominant sentiment in the passage. This can help
you understand how the author feels about the topic. Don’t focus on one sentiment,
Sahabat Pintar!

5. Elimination of answers

When you have identified the main idea, keywords, and the author’s character sentiment
in the reading text. Next, you can determine your answer based on the answer options
provided. However, don’t choose one answer, you can eliminate the answers that don’t
relate to your identification results.
6. Read the Text More than Once

Reading a text more than once helps you dig deeper and identify elements of the author’s
tone that may be missed on the first reading.

7. Practice Questions

This is the key to improving your skills in this material. Try to answer practice questions
that require you to identify the author’s attitude. This way will help you develop your
intuition in recognizing nuances and authorial intent.

8. Make a list of attitudes expressed

In addition to practice, you also need to make a list of expressed attitudes to facilitate
your skills in studying and answering these questions.

Well, those are tricks for solving questions about the author’s attitude. Isn’t it easy,
Sahabat Pintar? So, now to ensure your understanding, let’s answer the following
example problem below:

Read the following sentence to answer the question

Shakespeare’s works have influenced English Literature for generations to come. He is

unparalleled as a writer whose influence stretched far beyond just England, where he
was based. He revolutionized how theatre worked in England and consequent theatre
traditions in other European countries. Before Shakespeare, playwrights used soliloquies
to reveal crucial bits of information related to a character to help move the plot along.
Shakespeare changed it to reflect a character’s inner monologue to help understand their
minds. Such was his impact that Shakespeare to this day remains the world’s best-selling
playwright, with sales of his works exceeding 4 billion copies in the years since his death.
He is also among the top 3 most translated authors in History.

Additionally, Shakespeare is regularly considered among the greatest Britons ever.

According to Historian and Television presenter Dan Snow, Shakespeare was among the
ten most notable Britons in history, especially because of his evergreen plays and his
contributions to the development of the English language. In a survey conducted by
Heritage Magazine in 1999, Shakespeare was ranked the greatest Briton of all time by
viewers, experts, and historians. Similarly, in BBC’s list of the 100 Greatest Britons
through a poll conducted in 2002, Shakespeare ranked 5th.
In Shakespeare’s time, English grammar and spelling were not as standardized as they
are today. And hence his use of various terms and phrases not only led to the creation of
new words and phrases, but he also changed the way a lot of words we use today.
Expressions such as waiting “with bated breath” from Merchant of Venice and “a
foregone conclusion” from Othello have become commonplace today but were not even
considered expressions before Shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s influence extended far beyond his native England, he was a poet truly for
the world, and his plays remain relevant even in the 21st century, particularly because of
the content. His plays are timeless and are just as relevant today as they were in the late
16th and early 17th centuries.

(Source of text: [Link]

of-william-shakespeare/)

The author’s tone in presenting his ideas can be said as …

A. Sympathetic

B. Critical

C. Factual

D. Empathetic

E. Persuasive

Let’s apply the above tricks to answer this question:

You need to identify the writing style of the text carefully. The writing style you get is
facts combined with logical arguments.

2. If done, you can determine the main idea of the text above. We find that the main idea
is “The Life of William Shakespeare”.

3. Next, identify its nature and sentiment. This text is objective because it contains facts
and does not tend to criticize the text. Then because it is objective, the whole text
contains facts.

4. Throughout the text, there were no changes that affected the nature and sentiment

5. Let’s eliminate the answer choices.

Answer (A) does not reflect sympathy as it discusses Shakespeare’s life and
achievements.

Answer (B) is incorrect because the text does not criticize anything about Shakespeare.

Answer (D) does not emphasize empathy with Shakespeare.

We get two answers, (C ) Factual and (E) Persuasive.

We need to read the text again to make sure we get the right answer between the two. It
is found that answer (E) is not correct because the text does not give an invitation to the
reader, instead the text describes more about Shakespeare’s life. So the right answer is ©
Factual. Based on the text, the author describes Shakespeare and how he can influence
the world until the 21st century. Everything described through facts is by Shakespeare’s
life information.

So how is the question, Sahabat Pintar? Is it easy to answer questions that are related to
the author’s attitude?

Identifying the author’s attitude in a test is an important skill that allows you to answer
questions more precisely and effectively. This is because every text will contain a
different tone and attitude. By practicing and applying these tricks, you can improve your
ability to tackle test questions relating to author attitude with more confidence.

If an author's attitude is informal and subjective, it can encompass a whole range of

emotions. Tone can be angry, cheerful, joyous, critical, comic, nostalgic, gentle,
depressed, bitter, respectful, optimistic, pessimistic, passionate, suspicious, mocking,
relaxed, and intense.

HOW TO GIVE DIRECTIONS

Direction is the particular way to get from one place to another.

Specific instructions

Here are some useful words and phrases for giving directions on the street. Maybe
you’re helping a driver, or someone who stops you to ask for directions.

“Turn left / right.”

“Go straight on at the lights / when you come to the crossroads.” (Lights = traffic lights;
crossroads = where two roads cross)

“Go across the roundabout.” (Roundabout = where all the cars go round a circle in the
middle of the road)

“Take the first turning / road / street on your left / right.” (Turning = road that goes left
or right)

“You’ll see / you’ll come to a (bank). Then …”

“Don’t take the first road.”

“Go on for about (2 minutes / 100 metres).”

Landmarks

We often make reference to landmarks when we give directions to help the other
person. These can be places in a town, such as cinema, bank, bus stop, etc. They can also
be parts of the road system. Here are some common terms:

taxi rank = a place where taxis queue for passengers

level crossing = where the road and railway meet. There are barriers that go up and
down to signal when a train is coming

underpass = a walkway that goes under a busy road so pedestrians can get to the other
side safely

overpass / flyover = a road that goes over another road (or railway)

zebra crossing = black and white markings in the road for pedestrians to cross the road
(the markings look like a zebra’s stripes)

pedestrian crossing = a place in the road where pedestrians can cross. Often there are
traffic lights.

tunnel = a road under (or through) mountains

crossroads = where two roads cross each other

junction = where one road meets another, and you can either go left or right

fork in the road = where the road divides, and you decide to go left or right
turning = a road off to your left or right

main road = a big road where there is lots of traffic

lane = a small road, or a part of a road (the left-hand lane / the right-hand lane; the bus
lane)

Use prepositions of direction

Go past = continue past something so that is is now behind you

Go across = cross something, like a road or crossroads

Go along = continue down a road

Go straight on = don’t turn left or right

Go up = walk / drive up a hill

Go down = walk or drive down a hill or a road

Go through = pass through something, such as a tunnel or a town

Go out of = exit (i.e. a railway station)

It’s in front of you = you can see it facing you

It’s opposite the bank = it faces the bank

It’s on the corner = it’s where two roads meet at a 90° angle

Typical English conversation

“Excuse me. I’m looking for the post office.”

“OK. Go straight on, then turn left at the crossroads. It’s about 100 metres on your left.
You can’t miss it!”

“Thanks!”

“You’re welcome.”

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Structure
The structure of an article for a newspaper, magazine or website, is usually in three
parts:

introduction – engaging the reader, or outlining the main point of the article to follow

middle – making clear and interesting points about the topic

end – a concluding paragraph that draws the points together

If the aim of an article is to persuade the reader, then the opening and closing paragraph
will outline the writer’s viewpoint and make it most memorable. Subheadings are
sometimes used to signpost the content of each.

Language

The language of an article depends upon the purpose and audience; usually, the
vocabulary of the article will fit the topic content, and who it is targeted at. For example,
you would expect an article about a recent film release to include the vocabulary of
actors, scripts and performance.

A catchy, memorable headline is essential to grab your readers’ attention and entice
them to read the whole article.

Articles are usually written in Standard English, but colloquial sayings or phrases might
be used to emphasise a point. Persuasive devices, such as rule of
three, rhetorical questions and alliteration can be used to encourage the reader to agree
with your point of view.

Example

Here’s an extract from an article that tries to persuade the reader to eat a more
balanced, healthy diet:

Eat Right: Live Longer

It has been scientifically proven that the less junk food a person consumes, the longer
they are likely to live. So why isn’t everyone dumping the junk? Jordan McIntyre
investigates.

Fast food equals fat

A staple part of twenty-first century British home-life is the weekly takeaway treat:
finger-licking burgers, sticky ribs and crispy chicken wings are, for many, the normal
Friday night feast. The average national calorie count in the UK is a whopping 4500 a
day, a key factor in the obesity cases that are soaring. Fast food is packed with fat and
obesity contributes to a range of health issues - most significantly heart disease and
depression. So why aren’t we changing our lifestyles?

Short on time

Families these days are spending less and less time at home during the working week.
School commitments, work meetings and extra curricular activities mean that time is
short and fewer people are prepared to put in the effort to prepare fresh, healthy meals.

And when time is tight, it seems we are even more willing to compromise our waistlines
for a little bit of what we fancy – fast fatty food.

Eat yourself healthy

However, Georgia Thomas of the University of Food says, ‘I am convinced that it is

possible to live a busy lifestyle AND prepare healthy, satisfying meals. It seems that
people have simply got out of the habit of cooking. We are busy people; how do we
reward ourselves? You guessed it - food.’ Britain clearly needs to shift the stodge, and
fast.

The article uses a short, bold headline using alliteration to get the reader’s interest and
present the topic of the article. The rhetorical question in the opening paragraph
encourages the reader to challenge the topic. The subheadings direct the reader
through the text, and act as mini headlines, drawing the reader’s attention. The writer
uses hyperbole, and colloquial sayings to produce a lively, interesting article. This style
of language is used throughout with phrases such as ‘little bit of what we fancy’ and
‘shift the stodge’ adding a conversational tone to the whole piece.

The final paragraph uses quotations from an expert to add credibility to the argument.
You would expect the article to go on to explore how we can eat healthily and to
conclude with an explanation of how easy it is to do this.

HOW TO WRITE A DIALOGUE

Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. It's a fundamental tool in
storytelling, used to reveal characters' personalities, advance the plot, and create a sense
of realism.

In written works like novels, plays, and screenplays, dialogue is often presented in
quotation marks. For example:

John: "How are you doing today?" Mary: "I'm fine, thanks. How about you?"

Dialogue can be used to convey information, express emotions, and create conflict or
tension. Effective dialogue can make a story more engaging and memorable.

How to Write a Dialogue

Dialogue is a crucial element in storytelling, bringing characters to life and driving the
narrative forward. Here are some tips to help you write effective dialogue:

1. Character Voice:

Distinct Voices: Each character should have a unique voice that reflects their
personality, background, and experiences. Use their speech patterns, vocabulary, and
mannerisms to differentiate them.

Consistency: Maintain consistency in a character's speech throughout the story.

2. Purposeful Dialogue:

Advance the Plot: Dialogue should serve a purpose in the story, whether it's revealing
information, creating conflict, or developing relationships.

Character Development: Use dialogue to showcase characters' thoughts, feelings, and

motivations.

3. Natural Flow:

Avoid Over-Formal Language: Write dialogue that sounds natural and conversational.

Vary Sentence Length and Structure: Use a mix of short, simple sentences and longer,
more complex ones to create a natural rhythm.

Pauses and Hesitations: Use dashes, ellipses, or sentence fragments to indicate pauses,
hesitations, or unfinished thoughts.
4. Subtext:

Unstated Meanings: Allow subtext to add depth to your dialogue. What characters say
may not always be what they mean.

Hidden Emotions: Use subtext to convey characters' emotions and motivations without
explicitly stating them.

5. Show, Don't Tell:

Action and Dialogue: Use dialogue to show characters' actions and reactions, rather
than simply telling the reader what is happening.

Revealing Character: Let characters' words and actions reveal their personalities and
motivations.

6. Editing and Revision:

Read Aloud: Read your dialogue aloud to ensure it sounds natural and flows smoothly.

Cut Unnecessary Words: Eliminate any unnecessary words or phrases that don't
contribute to the story.

Seek Feedback: Get feedback from others to identify areas for improvement.

Example:

Before: "I'm not happy about this."

After: "I'm not thrilled about this, if that's what you mean."

By following these guidelines, you can create engaging and memorable dialogue that
brings your characters to life and enhances your storytelling.

Prompt: Two friends, Alex and Ben, are discussing their plans for the weekend.

Alex: Hey Ben, what are you up to this weekend?

Ben: I'm not sure yet. Maybe we could go hiking or something?

Alex: That sounds great! I was thinking the same thing. Where should we go?

Ben: I know a really cool trail near the lake. We could have a picnic there.

Alex: Perfect! Let's do it. I'll bring the food and drinks.
AN APPEAL LETTER

An appeal letter is a formal document written to request a reconsideration or reversal

of a decision. It is often used in situations such as:

Academic appeals: Students may appeal a grade or disciplinary action.

Job appeals: Applicants may appeal a job rejection.

Legal appeals: Individuals or organizations may appeal a court ruling.

Insurance appeals: Policyholders may appeal a denial of coverage.

Key components of an appeal letter typically include:

Clear identification: The letter should clearly state the name of the person or
organization making the appeal and the specific decision being appealed.

Reason for appeal: The letter should provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for
the appeal, citing any relevant facts or evidence.

Request for reconsideration: The letter should politely request that the decision be
reconsidered or reversed.

Contact information: The letter should include the contact information of the person
making the appeal.

Here's a basic outline for an appeal letter:

Heading: Your name, address, date, and the name and address of the person or
organization you are appealing to.

Salutation: A formal greeting, such as "Dear [Name]."

Body:

Clearly state the decision you are appealing.

Provide a detailed explanation of your reasons for the appeal, citing any relevant facts
or evidence.

Politely request that the decision be reconsidered or reversed.

Closing: A formal closing, such as "Sincerely," followed by your signature.

Remember to be clear, concise, and respectful in your appeal letter.

Example

Dawn International School

P.O Box 23115

Mbale – Uganda.

14th October, 2024.

To the Teacher of English Literature.

Dear Sir,

Re: Appeal of Grade for English Literature

I am writing to appeal the grade for English Literature that I received in Midterm Exam. I
believe that the grade assigned does not accurately reflect my understanding of the
course material and my overall performance.

Throughout the term I attended to my classes adequately and on top of that I did and
passed all my assignments, research work and home-works. I passed the final exam very
well, but with the final tally that is reflected in my report card, I feel it is totally wrong
and it should be revisited.

I have attached copies of relevant documents, such as assignments, quizzes, and exam
scripts to support my appeal. I would be happy to discuss these documents or any other
aspect of my performance in more detail.

Thank you for considering my appeal. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Sign

Ayyan
Year 11

what is a magazine article?

Show drafts

MAGAZINE ARTICLE

A magazine article is a piece of writing that is published in a magazine. Magazines are

typically periodical publications that cover a wide range of topics, such as news, current
events, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle.

Magazine articles can vary in length and style, but they generally share the following
characteristics:

Informative: They provide information or knowledge on a particular topic.

Engaging: They are written in a way that is interesting and engaging to the reader.

Structured: They have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Visually appealing: They often include images, graphics, or other visual elements to
enhance the content.

Examples of magazine articles:

A news article about a recent event

A feature article on a famous person

A how-to article providing instructions on a particular task

An opinion piece expressing the author's views on a current issue

Would you like to see an example of a magazine article?

Magazine Article Format

A typical magazine article follows a structure that includes the following elements:

1. Headline:

A catchy and informative title that summarizes the article's content.

2. Sub headline:
A shorter, more specific title that provides additional context or detail.

3. Opening Paragraph (Lead):

Grabs the reader's attention and introduces the main topic of the article.

Often includes a strong hook, such as a surprising fact, a provocative question, or a vivid
anecdote.

4. Body Paragraphs:

Develops the main points of the article in a logical and organized manner.

Provides supporting evidence, examples, and details to illustrate the topic.

Uses clear transitions to connect ideas and maintain a smooth flow.

5. Conclusion:

Summarizes the main points of the article and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

May offer a final thought, call to action, or provocative question.

Additional Elements:

Images: Images can enhance the visual appeal of the article and help to illustrate the
content.

Captions: Captions provide context for images and explain their relevance to the article.

Sidebar: A smaller, self-contained piece of content that is related to the main article.

Quotes: Quotations from experts or sources can add credibility and interest to the
article.

Example:

Headline: The Rise of Veganism: A Growing Trend

Subheadline: More people are embracing a plant-based diet for health and ethical
reasons.

Opening Paragraph: In recent years, veganism has seen a surge in popularity. From
celebrities to everyday people, more and more individuals are choosing to adopt a
plant-based diet. This growing trend can be attributed to a variety of factors, including
health concerns, environmental considerations, and ethical beliefs.

Body Paragraphs:

Discuss the health benefits of a vegan diet, such as reduced risk of heart disease, stroke,
and certain types of cancer.

Explore the environmental impact of animal agriculture and the benefits of plant-based
alternatives.

Examine the ethical considerations of consuming animal products.

Conclusion:

Veganism is a growing movement that offers numerous benefits for individuals and the
planet. By adopting a plant-based diet, people can improve their health, reduce their
environmental impact, and contribute to a more compassionate world.

magazine article for a school magazine

Prompt: Write a magazine article for a school magazine about the importance of
extracurricular activities.

Title: Beyond the Classroom: The Value of Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities play a vital role in the development of students, offering

opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and social engagement. Beyond
the academic curriculum, these activities provide a platform for students to explore
their interests, discover new passions, and build lasting relationships.

Benefits of Extracurricular Activities

Personal Growth: Extracurricular activities can help students develop important life
skills such as teamwork, leadership, time management, and problem-solving. They also
provide opportunities for self-discovery and self-expression.
Academic Success: Studies have shown that students who participate in extracurricular
activities often have higher academic performance. These activities can help students
develop important study skills, improve their focus, and increase their motivation.

Social Development: Extracurricular activities provide a great way for students to meet
new people, make friends, and build strong relationships. They can also help students
develop their communication and interpersonal skills.

College Admissions: Colleges and universities often look favorably upon applicants who
have been involved in extracurricular activities. These activities can demonstrate a
student's well-roundedness, leadership potential, and commitment to their community.

Choosing the Right Extracurricular Activities

With so many extracurricular activities available, it can be challenging to decide which

ones to participate in. Here are some tips for choosing the right activities:

Follow your interests: Choose activities that you genuinely enjoy.

Consider your strengths and weaknesses: Select activities that can help you develop
your skills and overcome challenges.

Balance your time: Be mindful of your academic commitments and avoid overloading
yourself with extracurricular activities.

Try new things: Don't be afraid to experiment with different activities and discover new
interests.

By participating in extracurricular activities, students can gain valuable experiences

that will benefit them throughout their lives. So, whether you're interested in sports,
clubs, or community service, there's an extracurricular activity out there waiting for
you.

Reported Speech

Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or
someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what
someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are
not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.

Rules

 The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not use any quotation
marks as you are not using the exact words of the speaker.
 You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed,
screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence, you can use
verbs like told, said, etc. followed by ‘that’ and end the sentence with a full stop.
 When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs –
enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark. In case you are
reporting imperative sentences, you can use verbs like requested, commanded,
pleaded, ordered, etc. If you are reporting exclamatory sentences, you can use the
verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark. Remember that the structure
of the sentences also changes accordingly.
 Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure, tense, pronouns, modal
verbs, some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a
sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech.

Table 1 – Change of Pronouns

Direct Speech Reported Speech

I He, she

Me Him, her

We They

Us Them

You He, she, they

You Him, her, them

My His, her

Mine His, hers

Our Their

Ours Theirs

Your His, her, their

Yours His, hers, theirs

Table 2 – Change of Adverbs of Place and Adverbs of Time

Direct Speech Reported Speech

This That

These Those

Adverbs of Place

Here There

Adverbs of Time

Now Then

Today That day

Tomorrow The next day / The following day

Yesterday The previous day

Tonight That night

Last week The week before

Next week The week after

Last month The previous month

Next month The following month

Last year The previous year

Next year The following year

Ago Before

Thus So

Table 3 – Change of Tense

Direct Speech Reported Speech

Simple Present Simple Past

Example: Preethi said, “I cook pasta.” Example: Preethi said that she cooked pasta.

Present Continuous Past Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I am cooking pasta.” Example: Preethi said that she was cooking pasta.

Present Perfect Past Perfect

Example: Preethi said, “I have cooked pasta.” Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Present Perfect Past Perfect Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I have been cooking Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking
pasta.” pasta.

Simple Past Past Perfect

Example: Preethi said, “I cooked pasta.” Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

Example: Preethi said, “I was cooking pasta.” Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking
pasta.

Past Perfect Past Perfect (No change)

Example: Preethi said, “I had cooked pasta.” Example: Preethi said that she had cooked pasta.

Past Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous (No change)

Example: Preethi said, “I had been cooking Example: Preethi said that she had been cooking
pasta.” pasta.

Table 4 – Change of Modal Verbs

Direct Speech Reported Speech

Will Would

May Might

Can Could

Shall Should

Has/Have Had

Tips to Practise Reported Speech

Examples of Reported Speech

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written.
Check them out.

Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.

Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.

Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.

The judges announced that the Warblers were the winners of the annual acapella
competition.

Binsha assured that she would reach Bangalore by 8 p.m.

Kumar said that he had gone to the doctor the previous day.

Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.
Jibin told me that he would help me out after lunch.

The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.

Rahul said that he was drawing a caricature.

Check Your Understanding of Reported Speech

Transform the following sentences into reported speech by making the necessary
changes.

1. Rachel said, “I have an interview tomorrow.”

2. Mahesh said, “What is he doing?”

3. Sherly said, “My daughter is playing the lead role in the skit.”

4. Dinesh said, “It is a wonderful movie!”

5. Suresh said, “My son is getting married next month.”

6. Preetha said, “Can you please help me with the invitations?”

7. Anna said, “I look forward to meeting you.”

8. The teacher said, “Make sure you complete the homework before tomorrow.”

9. Sylvester said, “I am not going to cry anymore.”

10. Jade said, “My sister is moving to Los Angeles.”