Composition / Continuous Writing
Composition / continuous writing
The exam asks for narrative, descriptive, argumentative or expository writing. Each mode has its own architecture; the examiner rewards a clear plan, controlled paragraphs and precise language more than length.
Choosing and planning
Spend five minutes writing a three-to-five paragraph skeleton with one topic sentence per paragraph. A topic sentence states the paragraph's claim; the rest explains and illustrates it.
Mode rules
- Narrative: one central incident with complication, climax and resolution; a consistent tense; show through action and dialogue; vary sentence openings.
- Descriptive: one dominant impression; use the senses; choose precise nouns and verbs; use figurative language sparingly.
- Argumentative: thesis in the introduction; two or three developed arguments, each with explanation and example; a counterargument with rebuttal; a conclusion that restates the thesis.
- Expository: define, classify, explain causes and effects; use examples and sequence markers.
Worked example
Topic: "Should school uniforms be compulsory?" Thesis: "Uniforms should remain compulsory because they reduce cost pressure and strengthen school identity." Topic sentence: "The strongest argument for uniforms is financial." Reasoning: the thesis previews the reasons, giving the examiner a map and preventing the essay from drifting into a list of unrelated opinions.
Traps that cost marks
- A narrative with no complication.
- Description that lists objects instead of creating an impression.
- An argument with no counterargument.
- A memorised essay that ignores the exact prompt.
- An overlong introduction.
- Uncontrolled tense shifts.