ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1119/2CONTINUOUS WRITING

Types of Compositions

1. Imaginative / Narrative

2. Descriptive

3. Argumentative

4. Expository / factual

5. One-word essays

1. Imaginative / NarrativeTense : Past

Introduction:

Background information leading to event / incident.

(Short /interesting/ attract reader’s attention)

Body:

Event / Incident 1 – Development

Event / Incident 2 – Climax

Event / Incident 3 – Anti-climax

Conclusion:

Unexpected ending / surprise (happy / sad)

2. Descriptive

2.1 Place

Tense : Present

Introduction:

Location / History/ Significance

Body:

Paragraph development by sub-topics

Conclusion:

Views / Opinions/ Suggestions

2. Descriptive2.2 PersonTense : Present (living person)

Past (dead person)

Introduction:

Identity of person/ importance/ prominence

Body:

1. Physical / seen qualities

2. Inner qualities / habits/ character

3. Contributions to family/ society

Conclusion:

Views / Opinions

3. ArgumentativeTense : Present

Introduction:

State your stand/ support

General strong statement

Body:

Reasoned argument under various demarcation of specific points/ headings (about 3 – 4 paragraphs).

Conclusion:

Reaffirm your stand

4. Expository / FactualTense : Present

Introduction:

Definition

Benefits/ Causes/ Factors

Body:

Justify your facts/ quote sources/ right testimony

Conclusion:

Opinions/ suggestions

5. One-word Essays

The one-word essay allows you to decide which essay type you are going to write about.

Take the topic ‘Holidays’

a)You can write about the benefits of holidays

b)You can narrate a story related to holidays

c)You can focus on describing you holiday

d)You can write about ‘How to ‘ type of essay

(Eg. ‘How to Plan Your Holiday’)

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ESSAY?

• Choose a topic

• Do a mind map

• Introduction

• Body/Content

• Conclusion

CHOOSE A TOPIC

Based on:• What you like (subject interest)?• What you know (familiar topic)?• Have done some reading on the topic• Ability to express ideas and use

correct language• Ability to write the chosen types of

writing: narrative, descriptive, imaginative, expository

INTRODUCTION• Introduce subject to the reader• Should be interesting to the readers• Straight to the point• Show the writer at his/her best

Eg: ‘If you had a problem, to whom would you turn to for advice, and why?’

BODY / CONTENT

• Mind map – think of the events and arrange them to form as essay/story

• Arrange points in different paragraphs• Each paragraph should deal with ONE

main point• Each paragraph should start with a

topic sentence• Topic sentence + elaboration +

examples + other details

CONCLUSION

• Must be planned• Should bring to a satisfactory ending• Should be relevant to the topic• Give your essay an air of finality

eg:- bring the story to climax - repeat the theme

- predict outcome based on the facts given

- write summary of what you have already discussed in the body

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ESSAY

Good Essay

Well-organised & well-developed

Variety of sentence structure

Numerous interesting expressions

Free from major errors

Shows maturity

Accurate punctuation, language & spelling

Good handwriting

EJW

PAST YEAR SPM QUESTIONS(2008)

Write a composition of about 350 words

on one of the following topics.

1. Write about a person who has worked hard to succeed in life.

2. Examinations – good or bad?

3. My perfect future husband or wife.

4. Write a story ending with:

“…Now I realise the value of a true friend.”

5. Stars