So, What is an Outstanding Composition?

Every year in mid-October, pupils will have a few days break (used to be 3 days, then, now, it is 4 days) while teachers are deployed to participate in the PSLE marking exercise. I used to look forward to the marking exercise as I could learn from other teachers through direct discussion and also by examining how pupils answer questions in their examination paper.

I have always been very impressed by pupils who, despite the stressful examination condition, are able to fully capture my attention and entertain me with their writing.

I believe a good piece of writing encompasses the following characteristics:

1) The composition meets the requirement of the question. (Planning)

2) It is well-planned and the ideas in the story link with one another.

3) The presentation of the composition is organized in a creative manner (as opposed to a conventional manner)

4) The storyline is creative and does not have a conventional plot i.e. the story develops unconventionally or ends in an unexpected (but not overly exaggerated) manner (unrealistic / over-exaggerated storyline rarely gets a good impression!)

5) The story is very descriptive e.g. sensory details of sight, sounds, smells, feelings, emotions are added appropriately throughout the piece of writing

6) The story 'feels personal' and does not seem like a regurgitation of a composition 'downloaded' from memory

7) (Optional) A humorous story easily wins the heart of any teacher, especially one who had mark thousands of mediocre, typical stories, while sitting on hard, uncomfortable plastic chairs, exhausted, back aching(!)...However, there are pupils who can write incredibly touching and thought-provoking stories even during their examinations. That's fine too! Kudos, as a matter of fact!

I am in the process of preparing some resources which can help strengthen your child's ability to meet the above-listed characteristics.

I will post them here whenever they are ready, one by one and gradually build up the repository.

Hope this post is helpful to you and your child!