Seizing the day One composition at a time…

Assessment Objectives for Paper 1 Candidates should be able to Communicate clearly and effectively to suit purpose, audience, context and culture Write in internationally acceptable English Plan, organize and write coherently and cohesively Write relevantly, showing development of ideas Write creatively on a given topic or situation Use appropriate vocabulary with clarity and precision Use correct grammar and punctuation, and spell accurately

Overview Argumentative Expository Descriptive Narrative Personal recount Situational writing

Writing an argumentative essay Step 1: What are your options? AGREE DISAGREE

Step 2 What are your 3 main points? 12 3 Industrial activity Deforestation Energy consumption

Structure (Argumentative Writing) Argument ONE (for) Thesis Statement Argument TWO (for) Argument THREE (for) Restating of Thesis Statement INTRODUCTION BODY CONCLUSION Argument (against/rebuttal)

Expository Compare and contrast Classification Cause and effect

Expository Technique 1- Compare and Contrast To use compare & contrast effectively, note the following: –Compare & contrast things that have something in common –State your aim in the thesis statement –Choose either the first or second pattern of comparison/contrast and STICK to it –Use transitional words for coherency

Expository Technique 2 - Classification Involves sorting information into different categories Expository title 1: Organising Your Time Expository title 2: Freedom We can organise our time in different ways. For me, I spend my time in the following four ways: doing school assignments, spending time with my family members, hanging out with my friends and being alone to enjoy my hobbies Freedom is the liberty to engage in what is deemed worthy pursuits as well as the power to refrain from indulging in what may be pleasurable but harmful. Therefore, in my opinion, there are basically two types of freedom: “freedom to” and “freedom from”. BENEFITS: Classification gives an essay a definite structure & simplifies the writing such that we can deal with categories (and not have to deal with individual items)

Expository Technique 3 – Cause & Effect Topic: “What are some causes and effects of Singapore’s metamorphosis from a first world to a third world nation in one generation?” Causes Able & honest government United & hardworking citizens Provision of subsidised housing Compulsory drafting of young men Strong work ethic of the people Effects Strong rule of law Stable social environment Effective administrative & economic policies that cater to citizens’ needs Patriotism & commitment to country Strong economic growth One of the possible techniques to EXPLAIN a topic

Expository structure Conclusion Restate thesis statement (rephrase) New possibilities Body paragraph 3 Topic sentence Supporting details Paragraph concluder Body paragraph 2 Topic sentence Supporting details Paragraph concluder Body paragraph 1 Topic sentence Supporting details Paragraph concluder Introduction Opening Thesis statement

Descriptive Descriptive vocabulary Transferring your sense experiences to the reader Structure- 5 part style similar to exposition

Writing effective narratives 1.Importance of relevance 2.Understand the structure of a narrative i.Introduction Describe the setting Introduce the main characters ii.Complication iii.Climax iv.Resolution 3.Important aspects of a story Theme Dominant emotion 4.Descriptive details 5.Dialogue

Personal Recount Understand what the question means Break it into constituent parts Who, what, where, when, how, why Introduction  complication  reflection  resolution

Situational writing Information processing Task requirements Formality level Organization Format Every word counts- especially in bold print Take note of tenses- especially modals

Situational Writing Mark Scheme Task fulfillment (10 marks) Purpose Situation and audience Format Information Justification Tone and register Language (20 marks)

ALWAYS IMPORTANT TENSE SENTENCE STRUCTURE PUNCTUATION VOCABULARY (PRECISION) RELEVANCE STRUCTURE

GOLDEN RULES PLANNING ACCURACY OVER COMPLEXITY HANDWRITING REFLEXIVE CHECKING

REVISION STEPS Just Write and Slices of Life Your own writing Writing essay plans Discussions with friends