Composition / essay writing
What the composition section tests
The composition paper tests your ability to plan, organise, and sustain a piece of Khasi writing on a familiar or reflective topic. Examiners look for a clear central idea, logical paragraphs, relevant examples, appropriate vocabulary, and control of sentence structure. Length and neatness matter, but structure matters more.
Core rules
- Choose the topic you can support: a simple topic with two strong examples beats a grand topic with vague claims.
- Plan before writing: jot a three-part outline: opening stance, two or three body points, conclusion.
- Paragraph shape: each body paragraph needs a topic sentence, an explanation, and a specific example or consequence.
- Cohesion: use Khasi connectors accurately, such as shuwa (before), hadien (after), namar (because), kumta (therefore), and pynban (but/however).
- Register: keep formal writing free of chatty filler; address the reader only if the task allows it.
- Conclusion: return to the question, not to a new idea.
Worked example
For a topic such as ‘The duty of a student’, a weak opening begins ‘Students have many duties.’ A stronger opening names the tension: ‘Ka jinghikai ka dei ka jingkitkhlieh, ym tang ka jingïoh jingmyntoi’ (Learning is a responsibility, not only a benefit). The reasoning: the second sentence gives a stance the body can defend, while the first only announces the subject.
Traps that cost marks
Do not write an introduction that never reaches a point. Do not use a connector without checking the logical link. Do not list examples without explaining them. Do not end with a slogan that ignores the question. Do not let one paragraph contain two unrelated arguments.
Exam habit
After drafting, check three things: does each paragraph have one main job, does each body point support the opening stance, and does the last sentence answer the exact topic?