English Composition (Free Writing)
The composition task gives a topic and a set of conditions - for example, write two sentences on what you want to do this year, give a reason with because, add an example, and keep within a stated word count. Marks come from meeting every condition in clear, correct English, not from ambitious vocabulary.
Rules that hold
- Plan in three beats: what you think, why, and one detail or example. Two sentences are enough if each carries one idea.
- Put the reason in a because-clause or a so-clause, and the example after for example or such as.
- Keep sentences short enough to control. One idea per sentence prevents agreement and tense slips.
- Check subject-verb agreement, plural -s, articles, and the tense you opened with.
- Count the words at the end and tick each condition off the question paper one by one.
- Use words you can spell. A simple correct sentence scores higher than an impressive broken one.
Worked example
Prompt: write about what you want to do this summer and give a reason. Draft: 'I want to visit my grandmother in Osaka this summer. I will help her in her garden because she cannot work outside alone.' Reasoning: sentence one states the wish with want to; sentence two gives the reason with because and keeps the same future time frame through will. Every word is one the writer controls, and both conditions are met.
Traps that cost marks
Writing fewer words than the minimum; giving an opinion with no reason when a reason was demanded; starting every sentence with I want to; translating a Japanese sentence structure directly and leaving a verb at the end; and misspelling a word you looked up but never practised.