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Writing a Composition: 10 Essential Tips for Primary and Secondary Students
Have you ever stared at a blank page, wondering how to even start writing a composition?
You’re not alone.Whether you’re a primary school student crafting your first story or a secondary school student preparing for exams, writing a composition can feel overwhelming.
But here’s the good news — with the right strategies, anyone can write a good composition.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 practical composition writing tips that can help students in Singapore gain confidence, sharpen their writing skills, and perform better in school assessments.
1. Understand the Composition Question Thoroughly
Before putting pen to paper, take time to analyse the composition question. Many students rush through the steps and end up writing off-topic, which costs them precious marks.
It’s worth noting that understanding the question thoroughly is one of the basic elements of writing an effective composition.
Ask yourself: What is the question really asking? Are you meant to narrate a personal experience, describe a place or person, or present an opinion on a current issue?
Look out for clue words like “describe,” “narrate,” or “explain.” These guide how you should approach your composition.
Tip: Underline key words in the question. This helps you stay on track and ensures your composition revolves around one theme, keeping your work focused and relevant.
2. Plan Before You Write
It’s tempting to start writing right away, especially during timed exams. However, skipping the planning stage often leads to scattered ideas and unclear storytelling.
A short, structured plan helps you map out your thoughts and create a cohesive flow.
Planning effectively is an important step in honing your creative writing skills, and it sets the stage for writing memorable events that captivate the reader.
Structure Your Plan
Good compositions follow a narrative writing arc. Here’s a simple framework to organise your ideas:
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Introduction – Set the scene and introduce your main character or central issue. Give your reader a sense of time, place, and tone.
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Rising Action – Build the tension by introducing challenges, obstacles, or events that lead toward a climax.
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Climax – This is the turning point or the most dramatic part of your story. Something big is changing here.
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Falling Action & Resolution – Wind down the story and show how the characters respond or what lesson is learned.
Even a rough plan with bullet points outline helps you stay focused and write more confidently under exam conditions.
3. Start with a Strong Introduction
The opening paragraph is your chance to hook the reader. If you can start by evoking specific emotions, you immediately create a connection that draws readers in.
A weak introduction can make your story feel dull from the start, while a strong one draws the reader in and sets the tone for the rest of the composition.
Avoid generic openings like “It was a sunny day.” Instead, use vivid imagery, an intriguing question, or a strong emotion to grab attention.
Think of your introduction as the doorway into your story—make the reader’s attention stick from the first paragraph.
Example
Instead of: “It was the first day of school.”
Try: “My heart pounded as I stood at the school gates, staring at a sea of unfamiliar faces and wondering if I would survive the day.”
4. Focus on One Central Idea
Trying to include too many events or ideas often makes a composition feel rushed and confusing.
By focusing on one central idea, you ensure your composition maintains clarity and depth, which is key to writing effective compositions.
The strongest pieces focus on a single theme or experience and develop it well.
Whether you’re writing about a personal challenge, a surprising event, or a valuable lesson, stay centred on that one idea. Every paragraph should support it in some way.
Tip: Before writing, try to summarise your story in one or two sentences. If you struggle to do that, your idea might be too broad—narrow it down for better focus.
5. Use Descriptive Words and Figurative Language
To write a compelling composition, don’t just tell the reader what happened—show them. This allows you to create vivid scenes that evoke specific emotions and bring the story to life.
Descriptive writing is essential for creating memorable events that resonate with your reader.
Use the five senses to bring your scenes to life, and weave in figurative devices like similes, metaphors, or personification.
Example
Rather than: “He was scared,”Try: “His hands trembled, and his voice cracked like dry twigs underfoot.”However, don’t overdo it. Aim for balance—too many descriptive phrases can overwhelm the reader. Use them to enhance key moments, not to fill space.
6. Vary Your Sentence Structure
Using the same sentence length or pattern again and again can make your writing sound flat.
Varying your sentence structure will make your composition more dynamic and engaging, which is important for most written compositions.
Combine short, punchy sentences with longer, more detailed ones.For younger students, this might mean joining two simple ideas with “and,” “but,” or “because.”
Older students should practise using more complex structures, like starting with a dependent clause or using semicolons for contrast.
Example
Short: “I panicked. I ran.”Varied: “Panicking, I bolted down the hallway, unsure of what lay ahead.”
7. Use Dialogue Effectively
Dialogue can bring characters to life and make your story feel real, creating an external conflict that adds depth and tension to your narrative.
But too much of it can distract from the main plot, especially if it doesn’t move the story forward. Use dialogue to reveal your character’s emotions and advance the plot.
Each line should serve a purpose. Remember to punctuate dialogue correctly and start a new paragraph when a new character speaks.
Example
“Why did you do that?” I shouted, my voice shaking.“I didn’t mean to,” she whispered, eyes wide with regret.
8. Edit for Grammar and Clarity
A great story filled with grammar mistakes loses impact—and marks.
Remember, clarity is vital in ensuring that your composition is effective and communicates your ideas clearly.
After finishing your composition, take a few minutes to read through your work. Look out for errors in tenses, punctuation, spelling, and sentence construction.
Use a simple checklist to guide your editing:
📝 Are your tenses consistent throughout the piece?
📝 Have you used capital letters and punctuation correctly?
📝 Do all your sentences make sense?
📝 Are there repeated or unnecessary words?Editing is not just about fixing errors—it’s your chance to polish your work and make it shine.
Tip: Pay close attention to grammatical errors. Even small mistakes can detract from your well-written composition.
9. Provide a Clear Conclusion
A composition without a conclusion feels unfinished.
Your final paragraph should offer closure, whether it’s through a lesson learned, a reflection, or a return to the opening idea.
Avoid ending your story abruptly or introducing new ideas right at the end.
Instead, aim to leave your reader with a lasting impression. A strong conclusion often mirrors or refers back to the introduction, creating a satisfying full-circle effect.
Example
If your story began with fear and uncertainty, end it with growth or realisation:“As I stepped off the stage, heart still racing, I realised I had done it—and I would never be the same again.
“Your conclusion should provide closure to tie up any loose ends and leave the reader satisfied.
10. Practise Regularly and Read Widely
Good writing doesn’t happen overnight. Like all skills, composition writing improves with practice.
The more you write, the more confident you’ll become.Reading also helps!
Exposure to a broader range of vocabulary, sentence structures, and writing styles can inspire your own work.
It can also expose you to reliable sources of information for writing essays or stories.
Tip for Parents: Help your child improve by encouraging regular writing exercises at home and discussing what they read in school.
Help Your Child Master Composition Writing with Learning Journey Education Centre
At Learning Journey Education Centre, we specialise in helping both primary and secondary school students master composition writing in English.
Our Super Writers™ English composition programme is designed to build strong foundational writing skills, boost creative writing abilities, and prepare students for school exams with confidence.
Our proven methods guide students through the writing process — from understanding the question to drafting, refining language, and editing for accuracy.
We offer:
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Small class sizes for personalised guidance
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Curriculum-aligned lessons tailored to MOE standards
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Step-by-step training on how to write a good English composition
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Techniques to help students gain confidence and develop effective written communication
Ready to help your child write better compositions and excel in school?
Contact us today to find out more about our Super Writers™ English composition classes and how we can support your child’s learning journey.
