Composition and Letter/Essay Writing
Formats the paper expects
Composition tests controlled writing: a short essay (مقالة) on a familiar topic, an informal letter to a friend or relative, and sometimes an application to the principal. Marks are given for format, relevance, paragraphing, grammar and handwriting. Choose the task you can control, not the most ambitious topic.
Core rules
- Essay: one-sentence introduction, two or three body paragraphs each with one idea, and a conclusion that returns to the topic. Use connectors: أولًا، ثانيًا، لذلك، وفي الختام.
- Letter: place and date, salutation (صديقي العزيز / والدي العزيز), opening inquiry, body, closing (والسلام / مخلصك), signature.
- Application: addressee, subject line, reason, request, closing. Keep register formal.
- Use simple sentences you can inflect correctly; a short correct essay scores above a long faulty one.
- Leave a margin and write legibly; the calligraphy mark is affected by presentation.
Worked example
Topic: أهمية العلم. Plan: (1) العلم أساس تقدم الأمم; (2) العلم يحرر الإنسان من الجهل والفقر; (3) واجب الطالب أن يجتهد. Model opening: العلم نور يهدي الإنسان إلى طريق الخير، وهو أساس تقدم الأمم. Reasoning: the opening defines the topic with a familiar metaphor and a general statement; the body would give one example each for progress and for the individual; the conclusion would urge effort. Avoid a story about one student unless the prompt asks for it.
Traps
Do not omit the subject line in an application. Do not mix صديقي العزيز with formal address to a principal. Do not write one long paragraph. Do not use English punctuation inside Arabic sentences inconsistently. Do not exceed the word limit with irrelevant material.