Tanjong Rhu

(Form 4 Short
Story)

Prepared by Ms
Tang

Theodora
2016
Theodora
2016
 SAMPLE QUESTION
The following is the short story you have
studied in the literature component in English
language.
Tanjong Rhu – by Minfong Ho

Write about the main theme that you find

from the short story with close reference to
the text.

Theodora
2016
Marking Scheme

Content - 10
marks Language -
5
marks
Total - 15
marks

Theodora
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 How marks are awarded?
Answering the question = 1 mark
Point + Elaboration + Example + Opinion =
3 (3 points x 3 = 9 marks)
Language  Overall grading (5 marks)
Vocabulary
Sentence patterns
Organisation of ideas

Theodora
2016
 Answering
Techniques
Introduction

Point 1

Point 2

Point 3

Conclusio

n Theodora
2016
 How to write your
INTRO?
Introduction
• The short story I have studied is Tanjong
Rhu by Minfong Ho.
+ THESIS
STATEMENT
• Questions ANSWER . This is shown
CHARACTER
is , CHARACTERthrough CHARACTER, and
1 2 3 .
• In TOPIC
the following
with paragraphs,
close reference I will
from the discuss on
the text.
Theodora
2016
 SAMPLE of
the…
Introduction
The short story I have studied is Tanjong
Rhu by Minfong Ho. The main theme of this
short story is the conflict between traditional
and modern values and beliefs. This is shown
through the characters of Mr Li, Ah Ma, and
Ying. In the following paragraphs, I will
discuss the theme with close reference to
the text.
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2016
 How to write your
POINT(1)?
Point 1

POINT . ELABORATE . EXAMPLE(S) .

OPINION(O).

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 SAMPLE of POINT(1)
…
POINT . ELABORATE . EXAMPLE(S) .
OPINION(O).

Mr Li, the main character, is a successful

Chinese businessman. Although he is a man
with modern mindset, Mr Li is filial to his
mother who is known as Ah Ma in the short
story. For example, Mr Li respects his
mother’s traditional practice of ancestral
worship and belief. He patiently waited for
Theodora
Ah Ma to finish 2016
 POINT 1
continues…
POINT . ELABORATE . EXAMPLE(S) .
OPINION(O).

to finish her prayer before going to his

office. Not only that, he tries to teach his
daughter,
Ying, to show respect to the elders. This is
an important value in Chinese culture.

Theodora
2016
 Now YOU try writing POINT
(2)
Point 2

POINT . ELABORATE . EXAMPLE(S) .

OPINION(O).

Use connectors:
Secondly/ Besides/ In addition/ Moreover/
Furthermore/

POINT
the theme is portrayed through the characters of Ah
Ma and Ying in the shortTheodora
story.
2016
 Point
2
ELABORATE
Ah Ma and Ying have different attitudes
towards ancestor worship.

EXAMPLE(S)
Ah Ma insisted on doing the whole process properly
while Ying felt that it did not matter how many times a
person has to bow as long as the act is carried out and
it does not waste too much time.
Theodora
2016
 Point
2
OPINION(O)
We can see that Ah Ma is very meticulous about
the traditional practices whereas Ying lives a
modern lifestyle.

Nevertheless, Ying loves her grandmother and calls

her ‘Popo’.

Theodora
2016
 Let’s continue with POINT
3! 3
Point

Use
connectors:
Besides/ In
addition/
Moreover/
Furthermore/

POINT
Ah Ma maintains a simple lifestyle while Helen,
her daughter-in-law, lives a luxurious life.
Theodora
2016
 Let’s continue with POINT
3! 3
Point

EXAMPLE(S)
For instance, Ah Ma rears chickens and takes care of
the family altar. Helen, on the other hand, enjoys
going out with friends and eat cakes which are made
of foreign fruits.

Theodora
2016
 Point
3
EXAMPLE(S)
Another incident is that Ah Ma refuses to go for
cataract operation. She could not bear the idea of
cutting her eye open even with the latest technology.

Theodora
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 Point
3
OPINION(O)
This shows that Ah Ma is skeptical of the modern
technology and she rather uses binoculars to see
better.

Theodora
2016
 How to write the
CONCLUSION?
Conclusion

• Repeat your THESIS

STATEMENT.

Theodora
2016
 SAMPLE of
the…
Conclusion

In conclusion, the theme of

conflicts between traditional beliefs
and modern practices is vividly shown
through the characters of Mr Li, Ah
Ma, and Ying.

Theodora
2016
 HANDS ON
PRACTICE!!!
Question

• Based on the short story, Tanjong Rhu by

Minfong Ho, write on the theme of
generation gap.

Theodora
2016