writing composition by eguriase s. m. okaka

Writing Compositions

By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Types of Composition Introduction Essay writing is very important aspect of English language. The primary purpose of essay writing is to pass on a message that is clear to the reader about a particular subject. To do this effectively, you need to keep the interest and the background of the reader in mind. There are different types of composition and each has its own features and a different approach. The purpose of all compositions; however, is to assess students’ ability to use English language as an effective means of communication. • Narrative This is the act of telling story. The story may be real or imaginary or a combination of reality and imagination. In this type of composition, you are expected to tell a story and also describe characters, events, and actions vividly so that the reader understands, very well, the story that is being narrated. This means that narration has some elements of description. Narrative compositions follow a chronological order. This means the order in which the events happened – they tell what happened and how they happened. A good narrative composition should have beginning, a middle (which is built up to a climax) and a good conclusion (ending). Examples of narrative topics are: • A visit to the zoo • A memorable day in my life • A statement to the police of an account of a fight Descriptive Composition The purpose of this type of composition is to give clear details of the object, place, person, events, etc., that is being described. To do this very well, you make use of sensory details that help the reader understand what is being described. Examples include: • My best friend • The person I admire most • My church/mosque/school LETTER WRITING A letter is a written message that is addressed to an individual. It is usually put in an envelope and sent by mail. There are two types – Informal or official letters. • Informal Letter This is the type of letter you write to your friends, parents, brothers, and sisters, aunties and uncles, cousins and nephews. It is generally a letter you write to your relations or friends. In writing an informal letter, you are expected to use every day conversational English, that is, informal language. • Formal letter/Official letter This type of letter is an official or business letter. It is the type of letter you write to Heads of institutions such as the principal, political office holders such as the President of a country or organization and government officers. It also includes letters to press, letters of application for employment and letters to adults you do not know personally. In writing a formal letter you use a formal language. Argumentative The purpose of an argumentative composition is to persuade your listeners (or readers) to accept your own point of view. To do this effectively, you need to present facts which are adequate and verifiable. Argumentative essays have two sides. You either argue for or argue against the topic. An example of the ordinary argument essay is: write an argumentative essay on ‘Mobile phones have done more harm than good to youths. A debate is a form of argumentative discourse that is meant to for oral delivery before an audience. Here you also argue for or against the proposition. You will learn more about this later. Example: as the chief speaker in a debate, write for or against the motion, ‘mobile phone have done more harm than good to youths’. Article writing An article is a piece of writing about a particular subject that is meant to be published in a newspaper or magazine. An article is not a letter and does not require address and the language used is formal. Example: Write an article for publication in your magazine on: ‘The dangers of drug abuse.’ Expository writing This is the type of writing that gives a clear and detailed explanation of a particular subject. The purpose of an expository essay is to inform, explain, and describe the subject in detail. This type of essay requires you to know everything on the subject you want to write about. Examples are: • The Basic Education Certificate Education (BECE) • My Pet • HIV / AIDS Speech writing This is an address or talk to an audience. It may be in form of a welcome address, a farewell address or any other form of speech. In the opening or introduction, you acknowledge the presence of dignitaries as you do in a debate. Example: As the senior prefect, write a speech to welcome new students to your school. Tips on how to present ideas in a logical sequence Logical sequence refers to the presentation of facts and ideas in a clear manner with the points related and well connected to the main idea. To be able to present your ideas in a logical sequence, you should adopt the following methods: • Write the idea or topic you want to write about in the middle of a sheet of paper and circle it. With or without a partner, think of related ideas or words. The more you think the more ideas flow. Write down the main ideas that come to mind. Think of ideas that you will use to support the main idea and use arrows to link them to each main idea. • As a group, you can brainstorm a given topic. Each person in the group should make his own contribution. The group secretary writes down the points. After, sort out the main ideas and write them out as topic sentence. Put the details, under each of the topic sentences. • Use ideas to write an outline. All ideas obtained from above methods should be written down clearly as topic sentences. Remove sentences and details that are not needed. • Write the first draft. In writing the first draft, ensure that you have the three important elements of a composition that is – the introduction, the body and a conclusion. Also ensure that each paragraph in the draft has a main idea which is presented in a topic sentence and that all sentences in are related to the topic sentence. Ensure also that each sentence in a paragraph clearly contributes to the main idea in a paragraph and in the whole essay. Edit/proofread to correct mistakes before revisiting. • Use of transitional words / phrase – These help to link the sentences and paragraphs to achieve unity and coherence. • Repeat keyword and phrases – You can make use of pronouns, nouns, and synonyms to avoid actual repetition that may be boring. Careful repetition reinforces the sequence of ideas and keeps sentences together. More on elements of Composition Introduction This is the section at the beginning of your writing that sets the scene or summarizes what you are writing about. Different types of compositions have different ways of being introduced. This means that the type of introduction you choose depends on the type of composition you want to write. For example, the opening or introductory section for a debate is different from that of a formal letter. Whichever kind of composition you are writing, you need to make your introduction as interesting as possible so as to arouse the interest of the reader. Body The body contains the main points and ideas you want to write about. Here, you also support your main ideas (points) with enough details. You subdivide your main points into sub-themes that you also support with enough details. You try to sustain the interest of the reader in this part of the composition. Try to write about 200-250 words. Conclusion Your conclusion should be brief and interesting. It should be a summary of your main points. Remember to plan your conclusion first before writing. Every student should know that writing a good composition is a vital part of your English language. Hence, the purpose of all compositions however is to assess students’ ability to use English language as an effective means of communication. By Eguriase S. M. Okaka