English Composition Writing Workshop

Chongfu School English Department Miss Joyce Tang

Objectives
! Have

a better knowledge of the writing

assessment rubrics
! Gain

a better understanding how to

improve the childs composition writing

Content
! What

are the components of PSLE English and

Writing (Paper 1) Examination?

! What ! How

are the assessment criteria for Writing?

can we better prepare the pupils?

PSLE English
! Paper 1 Situational Writing & Continuous Writing
! Paper ! Paper ! Paper

2 Language Use & Comprehension 3 Listening Comprehension 4 Oral Communication

Paper 1 Writing

Components of Writing
Situational Writing Continuous Writing

Components of Writing
Weighting: 27.5% for merged stream
Language Marks 9m 20m Total Marks 15m 40m Content Marks Situational Writing Continuous Writing 6m 20m

Continuous Writing
Content 20 marks Language 20 marks

Continuous Writing
1. Picture Composition

2. Situational Composition

A minimum of 150 words is required.

Continuous Writing

Example of a Picture Composition

Continuous Writing

Example of a Situational Composition

Requirements of Continuous Writing

Type of Writing Narrative Writing - Formal Writing (no contraction is allowed.) Purpose of Narrative Writing - Tells a STORY

Narrative Writing
Plot Structure
introduction rising action/conflict/problem climax falling action resolution/conclusion

Narrative Writing
Plot Structure
Introduction rising action/conflict/ problem climax falling action 1/5

3/5

resolution/conclusion

1/5

Continuous Writing
Assessment Criteria for Content (20m)
! Adequate ideas ! Relevant/Logical ideas ! Developed story line

No missing links in the story

Continuous Writing
Adequate Ideas !Must cover all the points given in the question and elaborate from there

Continuous Writing
Relevant Ideas !know what to elaborate !grasp what the main happening is !the introduction and conclusion must be linked to the main happening for a tight story plot

How to write better?

5Ws 1H
! What happened? !When did it take place? (Setting) !Where did it take place? (Setting) !Who was/were involved? (Characters) !Why did it happen? !How did it happen? (Manner) !How do you feel about what had happened?

How to write better?

Introduction
! It is not meant to fill the pages and meet the length requirement. !It must be based on the given situation and most importantly, it must serve a purpose introduce the main character and give readers some background to the composition/story. !Appropriately used, it creates the setting and mood of the story.

How to write better?

Examples of Introduction
1.!Weather 2.!Dialogue/Monologue 3.!Action 4.!Flashback 5.!End at Beginning

How to write better?

Conclusion ! It is required, necessary.
!It gives the story a closure. !It closes the loop. (link it to the introduction)

How to write better?

Examples of Conclusion
! Emotional State how you felt after the incident !Returns to the introduction !Ends with a rhetorical question !Ends with more questions !Moral/Proverb/Idiom (Avoid this! Usually it doesnt turn out well unlike your Chinese composition)

How to write better?

Introduction & Conclusion ! Both are required, necessary.
! Both must be connected to the body of the story. ! They should not be written in isolation.

Introduction & Conclusion must be thought through and not hastily written.

Continuous Writing
Introduction

Conclusion Body

Continuous Writing
Assessment Criteria for Language (20m)
! Grammar minor error ! Spelling minor error ! Punctuation minor error

Continuous Writing
Assessment Criteria for Language (20m)
! Sentence Structure major error ! Expression major error

Continuous Writing
Assessment Criteria for Language (20m)
! Wide range of vocabulary ! Adequate use of vocabulary ! Appropriate use of vocabulary

Continuous Writing
Assessment Criteria for Language (20m)
! Sequencing, paragraphing & linking of ideas and facts

Continuous Writing
How to use wide range of vocabulary? Have a word web for common verbs/ adjectives
Eat Look Walk Say Angry Sad Shocked Happy Good Bad

Continuous Writing
Have a word web for common verbs/adjectives
Say
Angry bellowed, growled, barked, hollered, commanded chirped, cheered whined, sobbed,

Happy Sad

Continuous Writing
Have a word web for common verbs/adjectives
Happy
Ecstatic, jubilant, exuberant In high spirits, on cloud nine As happy as a lark, grinning like a Cheshire cat

How to write better?

Requirements ! Mindmap Plan the story ! Checklist

Continuous Writing
Things to avoid
1.!Overly long introduction 2.!Irrelevant introduction 3.!Abrupt/cliche conclusion

Continuous Writing
Things to avoid
4. Supernatural themes eg. ghost, monster, fantasy, aliens or dreams 5. Informal language eg Dad, Mum( can only be used in direct speech) 6. SMS language eg C u later

Continuous Writing
Things to avoid
7. Contractions eg. couldnt 8. Abbreviations eg. PA System, tv

Budding Writer
! Writing is the most demanding language skill. ! Start small eg describing a picture/ scenario ! Write frequently

Budding Writer
A Good Reader A Better Writer The Best Learner

Q&A

Thank You