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A QUICK GUIDE TOCONTINUOUS WRITING (SPM ENGLISH)
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TYPES OF COMPOSITIONS
NARRATIVE
DESCRIPTIVE
FACTUAL
ARGUMENTATIVE
REFLECTIVE
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1. NARRATIVE COMPOSITIONSA narrative is a story. It has to have
a beginning, a series of incidents leadingto a conflict or climax
and a suitable ending.
Stories
Stories which begin with a given sentence
Stories which end with a given sentence
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Tips on Writing Narrative Compositions
1.Write a suitable introduction. Introduce your characters.
Provide a setting and start the story.
2.Make your characters lively and interesting. Limit your
characters to about three or four.Your reader should be able to
identify the main character and the minor characters.
3.The incidents you relate must lead to a conflict and later to
a climax.
4.Resolve the conflict and end the story.
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5. Make your story realistic. You can do this by one of the
following methods:
a.Give actual names of places, roads, etc
b.Use dialogues
c.Give your story a time frame.
d.Bring in actual events, for example, Merdeka Day, the SEA
Games, etc
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Some Types of Opening
1. Describe the background to your storyThis sets things off in
a straightforward manner; establishing clearly your characters and
situation.
Example:There was once a poet who spent all his days shut up in
his dark and shabby rented room on topof a coffin shop.
2. Describe the settingDescribing the setting will create the
mood for your story.
Example:Towards two o’clock, the huge theatre was thronged –
floor gallery, boxes and stage were allcrowded. So many people were
gathered in front of the box offices that the management hadto
telephone the police, fearing a riot.
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2. DESCRIPTIVE COMPOSITIONS
Describing people
1.When describing people, select only the significant
details.
2.Mention some of the following:- build, facial features,
clothing, height, hairstyle, age, size of the person,
distinguishing marks or scars.
3.Mention character or personality traits, habits, behaviour and
relationship with others.
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Write about a person you admireComposition outline
Introduction- who the person is- how you know the person
Body- physical description- character/personality- habits-
important incidents- relationship with you and others- why you
admire him/her
Conclusion- what the person stands for- what the person means to
you
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Describing places or scenes
When you describe places, pay attention to the following aspects
:Type of
placeLocationDistanceAttractionsFacilities/AmenitiesAccommodation
When you describe scenes, pay attention to sensory
description.
SoundsSmellTasteTouchSight
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A description of a village scene on a hotsunny day
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3. FACTUAL COMPOSITIONS
The main purpose of factual composition is to INFORM. So, to
write factual compositions,you must have ACCURATE INFORMATION about
the topic being discussed.
Information about a topicCauses and effectsAnalysis of problems,
issues and situations and proposals for solutions
Some examples of factual topics:• Pollution – causes and
effects• Tuition – reasons for its popularity• Tourism – how to
promote it• Deforestation – causes and effects• E -learning –
benefits• Dental care – importance• Smoking – health effects•
Mobile phones – health hazards
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4. ARGUMENTATIVE COMPOSITIONS
An argumentative composition requires you to develop or justify
a givenargument or to put forward a particular point of view.
An argumentative composition requires you to do one of the
following :
take one side of an argument and present your stand clearlyput
forward your argument – for and against – and then make a stand
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5. REFLECTIVE COMPOSITIONS
A reflective composition is one in which you express your
personalthoughts, opinions & feelings . To write reflective
compositions,you need to have a good command of the language which
will enableyou to express yourself clearly.
Examples of Reflective essays:My dream houseThings I treasureMy
ideal husband or wifeMemoriesThe qualities I would look for in a
friendMy greatest problem
