Composition: narrative, descriptive and argumentative writing
Composition asks for a sustained piece in one of three modes. Narrative needs structure and change; descriptive needs a controlled focus and sensory precision; argumentative needs a clear line of reasoning.
Narrative
- Start close to the disruption; avoid long backstory.
- Use a complication, turning point and resolution.
- Show character through action and dialogue; keep tense consistent.
Descriptive
- Choose one dominant mood or impression.
- Organise by place, time or moving focus; avoid a random list.
- Use precise nouns and verbs before adjectives.
Argumentative
- State a thesis in the introduction.
- One paragraph equals claim, evidence, explanation and link.
- Include a counterargument and rebut it.
Worked example
Argument paragraph: 'School libraries should stay open after lessons. In a survey of 200 students, 68% said they had no quiet place to study at home. If the library closes at 3 p.m., those students lose the only calm space available. Opponents cite cost, but volunteer staffing and existing heating make extended hours cheaper than building a new study centre.' Reasoning: claim first; numerical evidence; consequence explained; counterargument named and answered. The paragraph does not merely assert.
Traps
- Narrative with no complication, only description.
- Descriptive writing that lists objects without a viewpoint.
- Argument that repeats opinions without evidence.
- Overwriting to seem impressive.
- Ignoring the title's key word.
Plan the shape before drafting; check sentence boundaries at the end.