Composition and directed writing
Composition and directed writing asks you to produce extended Khoekhoegowab for a named audience and purpose: a narrative, descriptive or argumentative essay, a formal letter, a report, a speech or a notice. Marks come from content, organisation, register and language accuracy.
Core rules
- Decode the task: topic, audience, purpose, format and word limit. A letter needs addresses, salutation, body and closing; a speech needs a greeting, signposting and direct address to listeners.
- Plan before writing: three to five paragraph headings and two supporting ideas for each.
- Keep one main idea per paragraph and use linkers for contrast, cause and sequence.
- Choose register deliberately. Formal writing avoids slang and contractions; a speech may use direct address but still needs clear structure.
- Check PGN agreement, verb final position where required, click spelling, vowel length and tone marks.
Worked example
Task: write a 200–250 word letter to the village council asking for a borehole repair. Plan: salutation; state the request; give two effects (livestock have no water; learners arrive late); propose one action; close politely. The opening should name the purpose early: 'I write to ask the council to repair the borehole at...' Do not begin with a long story. In the body, each effect needs a cause and a consequence. The closing should repeat the request and thank the council. Reasoning: the examiner can find content, format and register quickly, and every paragraph does one job.
Traps
Writing an essay when a letter is required; using an informal greeting in a formal letter; making claims without support; inconsistent click letters; no paragraph breaks; ignoring the word limit; ending without a clear request or conclusion.