Use of Vocabulary in Compositions

[csc]

[Editor's note: Topic selected and edited for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/some-tips-writing-compositions.]


There are more to a good piece of writing than using good phrases. A piece of writing full of 'good phrases' with no interesting content will not 'score' well. Some students have a tendency to 'overuse' such phrases or use them inappropriately.

An excellent piece of work needs to have clear and appealing ideas and is supported with vivid details. The introduction must be effective and has the ability to arouse the interest of the reader. Some examples are : use of sounds, dialogues or flashbacks.

An example of a flashback: \" Sitting in my cold, dark cell, I reflected and mourned on my dark, shadowy past..........\"

Characters must be interesting and well-described. The use of relevant dialogues and description of appearance can bring life to the characters.

Example : \"The pharmacist recoiled in terror and let out a blood-curding scream.\"

Of course, interesting phrases must be used. Try to make the phrases specific and vary their usage. So instead of car, use phrases such as a red BMW. Use vivid verbs - such as scurried off instead of ran.

Pay attention to the sentence structure. Vary the length. Strike a balance between long and short sentences. Sometimes a short sentence can have a great effect on the reader.

Example : There was no sign of the policeman; it was as quiet as a graveyard. I panted and gasped for air. There was a sense of triumphant feeling in me. I had escaped.

Try a different way of starting a sentence instead of using nouns or pronouns.

Example : Grabbing a knife from a kitchen, I made my way out.

Shocked at the appearance of the stranger, the children fell silent.

Use good linking words and connectors well. eg Just then, without hesitation

Start and end well. A good ending will leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Eg : \"Murder. I had killed someone; taken away someone's life. I crumpled my face with tears. Then I ran. I ran.\"

Last, but not least,there must be minor mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar.

[schellen]

A word of caution: Don't go overboard and end up overusing \"fancy words\" (sorry, I don't know what else to call them ). If you do so, the marker will get the impression that you're trying too hard and he/she will be overwhelmed by all the fancy language.

[Emelyn]

wow...csc....after reading what you have written, i suddenly realised why DS1's compo is so-so only.....


Cos the mother's compo also so-so....I can never write like you !!

自我安慰 ！

[csc]

no la, emelyn, i where got write well... have difficulty expressing my thoughts sometimes, not like buds, Chief, sashimi, insider - :salute:


juz sharing experiences... and i believe practice (with the right techniques) makes perfect (not always...but most of the time)

So keep trying and praising your ds1 for his effort...don't keep pressing him to use the phrases but suggest him to use them... don't compare his work with his peers..

And keeping a diary or journal helps (where writing is made meaningful).Check out buds' blog.

Have fun and enjoy the process. :lol:

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

[quote] Posted: 31 Jul 2009 11:43 Post subject:


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no la, emelyn, i where got write well... have difficulty expressing my thoughts sometimes, not like buds, Chief, sashimi, insider - [/quote]csc, don't be so coy lah. I agree with Emelyn's sentiment on your writing style. Err...can give tuition to my two kids?


Hi Emelyn

I know your son reads widely. So does mine. But during PTC last year, the teacher was advising me to introduce to fictional books as DS early last year was only reading non-fiction. This is to build up vocab and the style of writing. Of course as mention by all the experts that have replied earlier, writing diaries, dont go overboard of using too much flowery phrases and idioms (just like food with too much spices, spoils the taste) and use of new words in everday interactions.

My dd full of ideas but very lor soh (long winded) and her grammar is something that really need to work on. But then...same goes to the mum.

[fxchow]

EN:

My dd full of ideas but very lor soh (long winded) and her grammar is something that really need to work on. But then...same goes to the mum.

Hi,

Yup, my DD also very lor soh and her ending always got problem.

Really hope that she can do well on her writting for her prelim and psle which's coming soon.

[Andaiz]

fxchow:

Yup, my DD also very lor soh and her ending always got problem.

Really hope that she can do well on her writting for her prelim and psle which's coming soon.

How about planning the end first? Then work backwards. I remember that I was taught to plan the Intro; Body and Conclusion.

I like CSC's guidelines/suggestion :idea: and will use this for my girls. Thanks!

I'm very verbal a person, so I tend to speak with \"flowery\" language. Once your boy's comfortable using such phrases in his conversation, it's go to his composition as it's now 2nd nature

[Emelyn]

fxchow:

Yup, my DD also very lor soh and her ending always got problem.

My son's ending also got problem. It is like either he has reached the number of words required already :x , or time is up. My hubby once commented that after reading the ending, he felt so anti-climax.

[schellen]

Yes, I hate bad conclusions or worse, no conclusions at all. Imagine if the child was writing a essay with discussions about pros and cons of some issue. Without a conclusion, the reader/marker is left hanging there wondering whether the writer is for or against the issue. Sure to lose some marks this way.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

[quote]I remember that I was taught to plan the Intro; Body and Conclusion. [/quote]
I remember the same thing too. I tried teaching her the same method but apparently it a different method used by teachers. By the look of it, does look like mind mapping.