<![CDATA[All About English Composition]]>is copying out model compo, doing a second draft, or memorising a compo, an effective to improve compo?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/18458/all-about-english-compositionRSS for NodeSun, 19 Apr 2026 00:42:21 GMTTue, 18 Jan 2011 16:44:30 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Wed, 31 Jan 2024 03:14:58 GMT]]>

greenpasture1980\" post_id=\"2058045\" time=\"1644403902\" user_id=\"163074:

Any reviews on Wr!ters at Work? Appreciate any feedback / experience with them.
Tried recently but not very impressed to be honest. Just nice right next door was The Write Connection so we did a trial lesson since they're having promo. Son loved the lesson, so surprised because usually he dreads tuition!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128240https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128240Wed, 31 Jan 2024 03:14:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Sun, 03 Dec 2023 05:49:22 GMT]]>Actually I am still and old school teacher. I instill basic writing techniques and sentence analysis when coaching my students in English Writing. The tone and style of writing determines the grade for the language portion of the marks. Well, I am still looking for potential students who wish to learn from me. Pm me if you are interested to know more about my English Tuition Classes. I am currently based in Tampines for classes.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2124213https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2124213Sun, 03 Dec 2023 05:49:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:51:42 GMT]]>Any reviews on Wr!ters at Work? Appreciate any feedback / experience with them.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2058045https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2058045Wed, 09 Feb 2022 10:51:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Mon, 24 Jan 2022 06:20:04 GMT]]>

manorway\" post_id=\"2056732\" time=\"1643001655\" user_id=\"9303:

Just checked it out. The only parent who left review said otherwise.
I just saw the 1-star facebook review. 😲 The google reviews given for the brain dojo are all 5-star though.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056738https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056738Mon, 24 Jan 2022 06:20:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Mon, 24 Jan 2022 06:14:11 GMT]]>

san20sg\" post_id=\"2056731\" time=\"1643001615\" user_id=\"76391:

It seems to have a bad review on Facebook, with the tutor involved in a spat with another parent. It seems that the teacher is a social studies teacher in GEP in Rosyth and a mainstream teacher in English and not a GEP English teacher.

Second, I don't profess to have a very good grasp of the English language but the center's blog posts are really quite hard to read. I find the language pretty hard to understand 😉
https://thebraindojo.sg/english-assessment-good-writers-make-skeletons-come-alive/
Grateful for your feedback.
The english used in the blog post is quite unclear and hard to follow. Seems a bit odd.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056736https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056736Mon, 24 Jan 2022 06:14:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:20:55 GMT]]>

tinker_bell\" post_id=\"2056715\" time=\"1642991556\" user_id=\"194652:

I was recommended a GEP English tuition centre https://thebraindojo.sg/ located at bishan. The teacher is a GEP teacher from rosyth and specializes in English tuition for both GEP and high-ability students.

Anyone here can share their experiences with this centre?
Just checked it out. The only parent who left review said otherwise.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056732https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056732Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:20:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:20:15 GMT]]>It seems to have a bad review on Facebook, with the tutor involved in a spat with another parent. It seems that the teacher is a social studies teacher in GEP in Rosyth and a mainstream teacher in English and not a GEP English teacher.


Second, I don't profess to have a very good grasp of the English language but the center's blog posts are really quite hard to read. I find the language pretty hard to understand 😉
https://thebraindojo.sg/english-assessment-good-writers-make-skeletons-come-alive/

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056731https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056731Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:20:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Mon, 24 Jan 2022 02:32:36 GMT]]>I was recommended a GEP English tuition centre https://thebraindojo.sg/ located at bishan. The teacher is a GEP teacher from rosyth and specializes in English tuition for both GEP and high-ability students.


Anyone here can share their experiences with this centre?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056715https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056715Mon, 24 Jan 2022 02:32:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:13:48 GMT]]>I think this is good guide:

Power Up: Continuous Writing PSLE
Lim Geok Choo, Dr Fang B.C
https://www.hoddereducation.sg/subjects/general/products/primary/power-up-continuous-writing-psle

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056710https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056710Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:13:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Sun, 23 Jan 2022 16:19:13 GMT]]>Just chanced upon this thread while browsing. Not sure if anyone is reading but sharing what I have learnt through the years as I tried to help my kids. Also learnt a lot from a teacher in recent years. I shared in another thread (but cannot find it tonight) about how in my extended family we sent a few kids to various centres and hence was enlightened of why some methods worked and some don’t.


No need to memorise compo. In fact now that I know better, I think it is really bad for kids who are scared of coming up with own stories. They limit the kids’ imagination even more and will make them write the ordinary stories that appear in model compo books. Copying model is like memorising, no?

If there is going to be hard work, invest in writing second or even third drafts. Long ago, we made kids write second drafts but with little improvement. Later on, after I saw the From Tiny Acorns teacher’s way of commenting on my kids’ drafts, and how they learnt to improve their own drafts, I realised it was because all we did was correct our kids’ grammar! Hah! We didn’t really teach them how to write in more interesting ways though we thought we did, by adding some memorised opening and conclusion. Felt so silly, like the blind guiding the blind.

Another thing is fancy vocab is nice to have but less important. Those with good vocab need to be taught how to add them into story. May seem so easy to us but I think not so intuitive to kids. How to tell a story, even a simple one requires some coaching since most of us are not natural storytellers.

A compo that is 30/40 usually means the plot is average story, and language contains grammatical errors and/or lack interesting vocab. Between 30-35/40 means more exciting story with use of techniques. Good use of upper Pri vocab. You need to see the compo that scores above 35/40 to understand why they are so different. When our kid started to score above 35/40 we were so thrilled that I studied them religiously.

I think From Tiny Acorns has started or is starting a weekly class. If keen, google and take a look.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056707https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2056707Sun, 23 Jan 2022 16:19:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Sat, 15 Aug 2020 01:58:28 GMT]]>Hi Zac’s mum, are you able to find ex-MOE English private tutor ?

If yes, could you PM me the details ?

my kid is slightly different from yours, she knows and tried to use but somehow doesn’t know how to put it in a good sentence structure, sometimes ok, sometimes no. So the whole compo is like a piece of messed up char kway teow !!! I am hopping to get some help before the end of year of exams in a few months time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1991004https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1991004Sat, 15 Aug 2020 01:58:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Wed, 27 May 2020 10:39:24 GMT]]>Hi Maggie, I really don’t fancy the copying and rephrasing phase. Do you really need to have this phase before moving on to being creative? Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1978011https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1978011Wed, 27 May 2020 10:39:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Sun, 29 Mar 2020 08:40:54 GMT]]>Asking again for recommendations.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1963010\" time=\"1581382907\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1963010 time=1581382907 user_id=53606]Looking for[/U] ex-MOE English private tutor to come to P4 student’s house for [u]consultation sessions on English compo only.

Student is well aware of various common techniques such as plotting story curve with crisis and rising action, show not tell, 5 senses, 5W1H, literary devices such as similes & metaphors, personification, imagery, etc etc. But reluctant to apply these techniques in the actual compos. Seeking a tutor able to encourage such a student to apply the techniques consistently.

Please PM me with your rates. Thanks!

Sample of existing work:

https://postimg.cc/zH5KcLB9

https://postimg.cc/mz77j3bY[/quote]

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1969094https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1969094Sun, 29 Mar 2020 08:40:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Thu, 05 Mar 2020 11:53:03 GMT]]>Copying and rephrasing a compo can be helpful in familiarization. It can serve as a practice but if you really want to be good at it, you have to bring it to the next level. When you’re familiar with the copying and rephrasing phase…you have to move on to being creative. Write your own. Compo is best if it comes from you since you can share more.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1965916https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1965916Thu, 05 Mar 2020 11:53:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Tue, 03 Mar 2020 05:47:52 GMT]]>Your technique of practicing the kids with favourite topis is just amazing!

And in the case of PSLE, I think After practicing the kids will be more inflow in English composition So they can attend PSLE far better.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1965710https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1965710Tue, 03 Mar 2020 05:47:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Tue, 11 Feb 2020 06:50:43 GMT]]>

Swc\" post_id=\"1963065\" time=\"1581399383\" user_id=\"178585:

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1963010\" time=\"1581382907\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1963010 time=1581382907 user_id=53606]Looking for ex-MOE English private tutor to come to P4 student’s house for consultation sessions on English compo only.

Student is well aware of various common techniques such as plotting story curve with crisis and rising action, show not tell, 5 senses, 5W1H, literary devices such as similes & metaphors, personification, imagery, etc etc. But reluctant to apply these techniques in the actual compos. Seeking a tutor able to encourage such a student to apply the techniques consistently.

Please PM me with your rates. Thanks!

Sample of existing work:

https://postimg.cc/zH5KcLB9

https://postimg.cc/mz77j3bY
I am not a tutor but I have helped quite a few kids with compo writing. Just wondering if you ask him to write an essay on his favourite topic, say cars, would he also have problem writing a long essay?

I looked through the work you posted and it seems that he is totally not interested in developing a plot for narrative compo.

His English foundation is good and the opening portion was actually quite promising. Reading the essay, it almost felt as if he got tired of it and so decided to end it quickly. Is that the case?[/quote]
Thx for your reply!

Your analysis is spot on. Unfortunately, they don’t have much choice for PSLE, do they?

Unless you’re suggesting using a favourite topic to hone his skills first. I haven’t tried yet.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1963087https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1963087Tue, 11 Feb 2020 06:50:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:36:23 GMT]]>

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1963010\" time=\"1581382907\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1963010 time=1581382907 user_id=53606]
Looking for ex-MOE English private tutor to come to P4 student’s house for consultation sessions on English compo only.

Student is well aware of various common techniques such as plotting story curve with crisis and rising action, show not tell, 5 senses, 5W1H, literary devices such as similes & metaphors, personification, imagery, etc etc. But reluctant to apply these techniques in the actual compos. Seeking a tutor able to encourage such a student to apply the techniques consistently.

Please PM me with your rates. Thanks!

Sample of existing work:

https://postimg.cc/zH5KcLB9

https://postimg.cc/mz77j3bY[/quote]
I am not a tutor but I have helped quite a few kids with compo writing. Just wondering if you ask him to write an essay on his favourite topic, say cars, would he also have problem writing a long essay?

I looked through the work you posted and it seems that he is totally not interested in developing a plot for narrative compo.

His English foundation is good and the opening portion was actually quite promising. Reading the essay, it almost felt as if he got tired of it and so decided to end it quickly. Is that the case?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1963065https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1963065Tue, 11 Feb 2020 05:36:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Tue, 11 Feb 2020 01:01:47 GMT]]>Looking for ex-MOE English private tutor to come to P4 student’s house for consultation sessions on English compo only.


Student is well aware of various common techniques such as plotting story curve with crisis and rising action, show not tell, 5 senses, 5W1H, literary devices such as similes & metaphors, personification, imagery, etc etc. But reluctant to apply these techniques in the actual compos. Seeking a tutor able to encourage such a student to apply the techniques consistently.

Please PM me with your rates. Thanks!

Sample of existing work:

https://postimg.cc/zH5KcLB9

https://postimg.cc/mz77j3bY

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1963010https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1963010Tue, 11 Feb 2020 01:01:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:55:16 GMT]]>

aaron_lohh\" post_id=\"1962833\" time=\"1581255976\" user_id=\"184119:

Hi Zac's mum, I'm Aaron Loh, a part-time English Tutor. What do you mean by write descriptively? Could you provide me with more details for example what kind of essay he is writing and what level of education he is currently at?
Hello, sorry for the misunderstanding. I believe you only teach secondary school students?

My DS is in P4, he hates writing the creative/descriptive/narrative essays that they are tested on. That’s what I mean.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962835https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962835Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:55:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:46:16 GMT]]>Hi Zac’s mum, I’m Aaron Loh, a part-time English Tutor. What do you mean by write descriptively? Could you provide me with more details for example what kind of essay he is writing and what level of education he is currently at?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962833https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962833Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:46:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:04:23 GMT]]>Would like some advice please. DS language skills are good, ie grammar and synthesis etc all perfect. But when it comes to writing English compos, he just stubbornly refuses to write descriptively. Every story just turns out to be very factual and too succinct.


If I force him to write more than the minimum word count, he will fill it up with lengthy dialogues.

How do I get him to write a model compo that can score high marks? Including persuasion techniques on how to write more narratively/descriptively.

Is this a problem with boys and their scientific/mathematical thinking?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962825https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1962825Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:04:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Thu, 30 Jan 2020 00:02:15 GMT]]>Hi,


I am looking for a tutor or tutor
Centre for my DS (Pr 5). I have engaged a private English tutor but it seems that there is not much improvement in his writing or his oral. He is with her for 1.5yrs. He does read story books but not able to apply some good phases to his writing. We are staying in the North East.

TIA

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1961183https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1961183Thu, 30 Jan 2020 00:02:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Mon, 29 Jul 2019 03:06:09 GMT]]>thanks for the pm, I replied .

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1923683https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1923683Mon, 29 Jul 2019 03:06:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to All About English Composition on Wed, 24 Jul 2019 23:48:03 GMT]]>Hi , my P5 DS gets about 32-35 for compo and I’m wondering if there’s any way we can try to push it up .


I know that range of score is considered quite good but I would like to see if we can push it up further because he’s weaker in the other subjects . He doesn’t have Eng tuition so I think with some help he should be able to score higher in compo and I think this will help boost his confidence too .

Thanks !

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1922439https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1922439Wed, 24 Jul 2019 23:48:03 GMT