Writing and Composition: Purpose, Structure and Functional Forms
The Writing and Composition domain tests sustained writing and functional writing. You may be asked for a narrative, descriptive, expository or argumentative essay, or a formal letter, report, speech or article. Markers reward content, organisation, language and mechanics, so a good idea poorly organised loses marks.
Plan for purpose, audience and form
- Identify the command: argue, describe, inform, narrate.
- Decide the register: a formal letter is impersonal and contraction-free; a speech uses direct address and rhythm; an article may be lively but still structured.
- Write a controlling idea or thesis, then a brief paragraph plan.
Paragraphs and cohesion
Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting detail, explanation and a link. Use pronouns, conjunctions and repeated key terms to connect ideas; do not rely on Firstly, Secondly, Lastly in every paragraph.
Worked example
Task: Write a speech to your school assembly urging students to keep the grounds clean. Reasoning: purpose is persuasive; audience is peers and teachers; form is a speech, so use a greeting, direct address, a rhetorical question and a call to action. Draft opening: Mr Chairman, teachers and fellow students: how often have you walked past a sweet wrapper and told yourself that someone else will pick it up? Our grounds are our home, and today I ask each of you to treat them that way. The rhetorical question engages the audience, our home builds shared identity, and the thesis is clear. A body paragraph would give one reason (health, pride or cost) with evidence, then a counterargument and rebuttal.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing a story when the task asks for a report or letter.
- Using contractions and slang in a formal letter.
- Making claims without support.
- Forgetting the counterargument in an argumentative piece.
- Leaving no time to edit spelling, punctuation and paragraphing.