Many students in Singapore can speak English fluently. Despite reading ardently, some students are still unable to write outstanding compositions. Writing outstanding compositions not only requires vivid imagination, it also requires a fair bit of planning.
How are compositions graded? (Not how writing is taught!)
At NIE, teachers were taught to use the Process Writing Approach to teach writing. The full process involves a few steps and can be really tedious on both teachers and pupils.
Most teachers (including myself) leave comments at the margins of a pupil's writing assignment to help him build up the content of his composition, in addition to the usual correction of grammar / spelling mistakes. The pupil rewrites his composition, after taking into consideration his teacher's comments and after correcting his mistakes. This piece of work is then graded and feedback is given at the end of the composition.
Regardless of the level a child is in, a piece of writing is graded based on 2 main components: Content and Language. Content includes how well the story is developed, if the ideas linked are in a coherent manner and most importantly, is the story relevant to the given question / picture / title. Language includes grammar and vocabulary use, paragraphing, overall organization of the composition.
So, can I write good compositions, too?
Definitely.
However, a child will need to identify which area he or she is weak at and work on that area first. Since you are now aware of the basic criteria of a good composition (how teachers grade), you can focus on improving content or language ability or both (if possible!)
My blog will attempt to address all these areas. I am not overly ambitious because only when all areas are strengthened can a child's writing improve.
I hope you will give me time to build up this site and check back as often as possible!
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