Here are some tips and tricks:
Previously when I tackled revision for the PSLE English curriculum as a whole, I mentioned the importance of reading in improving your language skills.
READ MORE: How to revise for PSLE English during the March Holidays
While an important habit to have, there are certainly difficulties in instilling the habit of reading in children particularly if they already find the language challenging. Finding your favourite genre is the best way to cultivate a lifelong love of reading, whether it’s science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, all reading is good reading! Reading exposes students to diverse vocabulary, sentence structures, and writing styles.
Thinking about the basics
Read Widely
Take advantage of reading books, magazines, newspaper articles, and even high-scoring PSLE compositions to expose them to different writing styles and vocabulary.
Past PSLE composition papers can:
- Create an awareness of the differences between good and bad writing among peers
- Realise that a well-crafted piece of writing is within your reach
Remember to engage with the text – highlight new vocabulary words, interesting phrases and analyse the text’s structure. Reading is not enough though, after reading you should attempt to write the essay on your own.
Build a Word Bank
Start a notebook of interesting words and phrases they’ve encountered while reading. You can also guide them through researching new and interesting phrases that can be handy in their writing. As they discover new words, their writing will become more varied and more interesting as they expand their vocabulary.
To organise the wordbank for easy reference, consider categorising words and phrases based on themes or topics. You can create sections for adjectives, verbs, nouns, or even specific subjects such as phrases on feelings, describing words on scenery. This way, when they need to find a word that fits a certain context, it can be quickly located in the wordbank.
Effective Vocabulary
Yes, using a wide range of words and phrases will elevate your essay but there is no point cramming diverse vocabulary into your essay if you are not using the words accurately. Utilise your word bank effectively, memorise the right words and never ever use a word you don’t know in your essay.
The most important part of an essay…Grammar…
Maintain proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. This is the basis of any good essay. Some common grammar mistakes students make include using incorrect verb tenses, subject-verb disagreement, and improper comma usage. Additionally, it’s important to watch out for spelling errors and to use proper punctuation to enhance the clarity and coherence of your essay.
Understanding what is required
Staying on topic is an important part of acing the composition. Students who accidentally stray from the main point or write an essay solely as a ‘word spew’ based on their train of thought will be penalised in their marks. Remember to read the topic carefully before you begin writing. Take some time to jot down ideas and specific plot points to address.
For example, if the topic is about “a frustrating event”, the emphasis should be on the feeling of frustration and what happened that caused the frustrating event, not too much time should be spent with insignificant details.
Yes, you should build their stories in a convincing way but they have to strike a balance between what’s important to the topic and what is less important to address. Thus, it is important to organise their thoughts. Create an outline with sections for introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. It is important to ensure smooth transitions between each paragraph to maintain a cohesive flow of ideas throughout your essay.
This ensures a logical flow of ideas.
Scoring the high marks
A strong introduction
The introduction sets the tone for the entire essay, a good effective introduction will leave the marker wanting more. You should try to grab the reader’s attention with a creative hook. A creative hook can be achieved with certain methods:
- Begin with suspense and intrigue: A mysterious event, an unusual situation, or a compelling question can serve as a good hook. “The floorboards creaked ominously as Jane stepped into her old abandoned house, the place is eerily quiet yet familiar. She almost forgets why she left.”
- Begin with a character description: Who is this person? Why should we care about them? How do they walk and talk?
- Introduce the reader to a significant moment with dialogue: What are the characters talking about? Why is this important?
Show, Don’t Tell
“Show, don’t tell.” But what does this mean? Telling is simply stating information, whereas showing is describing things through actions, dialogue, thoughts, senses, and details.
The easiest thing to take note of when trying to show instead of tell is to use the 5 senses. You can show by using the five senses. What does it smell like, feel like? What does your protagonist hear?
Emotion:
Tell: Sarah was scared.
Show: Sarah’s hands trembled and her breath slowed as she gasped for air, glancing over her shoulder, her eyes widened in fear. “Bang, Bang, Bang…” The mysterious sound continued, engulfing the room.
Environment/Setting:
Tell: When I walked home that day, it was raining.
Show: My steps quickened as I swerved around the corner to avoid the rain. The rain hammered against the bus stop shelter, and the wind howled like a beast in the night. Trees bent and swayed, their branches clawing at the stormy sky.
Building good paragraphs
A well-structured essay is the foundation of effective writing, and the PEEL technique is an excellent method to ensure clarity and coherence in your work. PEEL stands for Point, Evidence, Explain, and Link.
Point: Begin by stating your main argument clearly and concisely. This opening sentence should grab your reader’s attention and introduce the topic of your essay.
Evidence: Strengthen your argument by supporting it with credible evidence. This can include quotes from authoritative sources, statistics, or real-life examples that validate your point.
Explain: Next, elaborate on how this evidence reinforces your argument. It’s important to clarify the connection between your evidence and the point you’re making, guiding your reader to understand your perspective.
Link: Finally, conclude by linking this paragraph to the next, either by introducing the next key point or by revisiting your main point. This ensures a seamless flow of ideas throughout your essay and keeps your reader engaged.
Below is an example of PEEL writing:
Point: Recycling is an important habit that helps protect our environment.
Evidence: For instance, when we recycle materials like paper, plastic, and glass, we reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. According to the National Environment Agency, recycling just one ton of paper can save 17 trees.
Explain: This means that by recycling, we are not only reducing waste but also conserving natural resources like trees, which provide us with oxygen and help combat climate change. When fewer trees are cut down, we also preserve habitats for wildlife, making our planet a healthier place to live.
Link: By making recycling a part of our daily routine, we can all contribute to a cleaner and greener world. Next, let’s look at how simple actions like reusing and reducing can further help the environment.
Check, check, check
Proofread and Edit
Allocate time during the exam to proofread and fix careless mistakes, every mark counts! Focus on punctuation and check every word to ensure that the spelling is accurate.
In conclusion
Mastering PSLE composition writing requires a blend of good habits and effective strategies, each playing a crucial role in crafting a compelling and well-structured essay.
Start by reading widely—immerse yourself in a variety of books, magazines, newspaper articles, and high-scoring PSLE compositions to expose yourself to different writing styles and expand your vocabulary.
As you read, build a word bank by jotting down interesting words and phrases in a notebook. This will serve as a valuable resource when you need to add flair to your writing.
Next, focus on structuring your composition with the PEEL technique. This method ensures that each paragraph is clear, cohesive, and directly supports your main argument. A strong introduction is essential to hook your reader from the start. Consider beginning with suspense and intrigue, a vivid character description, or a significant moment introduced through dialogue to set the stage for your story.
Remember to apply the “show, don’t tell” technique, which brings your writing to life by allowing your readers to experience the story through the five senses, actions, and emotions.
Finally, never underestimate the power of proofreading and editing. Careless mistakes can detract from an otherwise strong composition, so allocate time to review your work, fix grammatical errors, and ensure your writing is polished.
In the end, the key to success lies in consistent practice, a deep understanding of the topic, and meticulous attention to detail. With dedication and the right approach, achieving high marks in PSLE composition is well within reach. So, keep refining your skills, and remember that every essay is an opportunity to improve. Don’t forget to review and edit your work—this final step is crucial to ensuring your composition is as impressive as it can be.
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