How to Write a Composition 1
TIPS FOR WRITING A GOOD COMPOSITION
1st STEP - Analysis of the title
The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :
Subject
Focus
Comment
2nd STEP - Brainstorming
Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal
and superficial ideas.
3rd STEP - Organization
The organization changes according to the kind of essay you are going to write.
A. In the case of an essay by listing you can follow the scheme below :
Pre-topic sentence (background information)
Introductory sentence (In fact/For example X has
three main aspects / X should be 1, 2, 3…) about
how the work will be organized
Remember you are not
expressing your opinion
in this phase
Introducers : establish the 1st
topic focus and the point of paragraph
view
2nd
paragraph
Developers :
define
the
ideas
anticipated
in
the
introduction,
present
Point 1 (First, Firstly …)
examples and details to
support them
3rd, 4th, 5th
Point 2 (Then / Secondly …)
paragraphs
Modulators :
Point 3 (The third argument / Thirdly …) *
sentences that consent a
passage from a point of
view, context or aspect to
another
Terminators : paragraphs
Personal opinion and conclusion :
that conclude the ideas in th
Now you can express your opinion and make
6
a
logical
and
reference to your personal experience *
paragraph
psychologically satisfying
way
* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below.
EXAMPLE
Develop the title given following the table below.
Qualities for Success in the 21st Century
1st STEP - Analysis of the title
The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :
Subject
Focus
Qualities for Success
in the 21st Century
Comment
Reasoning by list and
examples, expressing
opinion
2nd STEP - Brainstorming
Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal
and superficial ideas.
Subject
Focus
Personal qualities for
success
success in the 21st Century
Comment
Reasoning by list and
examples, expressing
opinion
Identification of qualities
Reasoning on flexibility
(what it is, why it is
necessary)
Reasoning on honesty (what
it is, why it is necessary)
Reasoning on creativity
(what it is, why it is
necessary)
Reasoning on perseverance
(what it is, why it is
necessary)
Reasons for your choice,
results of reasoning
3rd STEP - Organization
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
what personal qualities
will be needed for
success in the 21st
century?
Possibly the four most
essential attributes are
…
flexibility (what it is,
why it is necessary,
example)
honesty (what it is, why
it
is
necessary,
example)
creativity (what it is,
why it is necessary,
example)
perseverance (what it
is, why it is necessary,
example)
1st
paragraph
Pre-topic sentence (background information)
2nd
paragraph
Introductory sentence (In fact/For example X has
three main aspects / X should be 1, 2, 3…) about
how the work will be organized (listing)
Point 1 (First, Firstly …)
3rd, 4th, 5th , Point 2 (Then / Secondly …)
6th
paragraphs
Point 3 (The third argument / Thirdly …)
Point 4 (Finally…) *
Remember you are not
expressing your opinion
in this phase
▪
Personal opinion and conclusion :
Now you can express your opinion and make
reference to your personal experience *
* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below .
▪
as today,
future
so
in
the 7th
paragraph
B. In the case of an essay by arguments for and against you can follow the scheme
below :
Introducers : establish the 1st
topic focus and the point of paragraph
view
Background information
3rd
paragraph
Developers :
define
the
ideas
anticipated
in
the
introduction,
present
examples and details to
4th
support them
paragraph
Modulators : sentences
that consent a passage
from a point of view,
context
or
aspect
to
another
How the work will be organized
Suitable verbs : going to, will, intend, look at,
deal with
Arguments for
Introductory sentence (There are three
points…)
Point 1 (Firstly …)
Point 2 (Secondly …)
Point 3 (The third argument …) *
Arguments against
Introductory sentence (Three points /
aspects can be …)
Point 1 (First, …)
Point 2 (Then / secondly …)
Point 3 (Thirdly …) *
Remember you are not expressing your opinion in this phase
2nd
paragraph
Terminators : paragraphs 5th
Personal opinion and conclusion :
that conclude the ideas in paragraph
Now you can express your opinion and make
a
logical
and
reference to your personal experience *
psychologically satisfying
way
* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below.
EXAMPLE
Develop the title given following the table below.
Should smoking be allowed in public places?
1st STEP - Analysis of the title
The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :
Subject
Smoking
Focus
Smoking in public places?
Comment
Answering, expressing
opinion
2nd STEP - Brainstorming
Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal and superficial
ideas.
Subject
Smoking
Focus
Smoking in public places?
Present situation
Reasons for the present law
Comment
Answering, expressing
opinion
Reasons of the smokers
Reasons of the non-smokers
Effects on health
Psychological aspects
Social, economic and
political aspects
etc.
3rd STEP - Organization
3rd
smoking not illegal
passive smoking causes paragraph
cancer? No proof
4th
a dirty habit
paragraph
cause of fires
non-smokers
need
a
smoke-free environment
Background information
How the work will be organized
Suitable verbs : going to, will, intend, look at,
deal with
Arguments for
Introductory sentence (There are three
points…)
Point 1 (Firstly …)
Point 2 (Secondly …)
Point 3 (The third argument …)
Arguments against
Introductory sentence (As regards the
arguments against, three points/aspects
can be …)
Point 1 (First, …)
Point 2 (Then / secondly …)
Point 3 (Thirdly …)*
Remember you are not expressing your opinion in this phase
people are more aware of 1st
the dangers of smoking paragraph
today
smokers are separated
from
non-smokers
in
most countries
2nd
I’m going to examine …
paragraph
5th
Personal opinion and conclusion :
separate smokers
paragraph
Now you can express your opinion and make
special tax on cigarettes
reference to your personal experience
…
* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below :
Table of linkers :
To give order
To indicate
consequence
Firstly - at first - initially - and - then - immediately
afterwards - later on - some time - later - in conclusion
As a result - as a consequence
- consequently - thus therefore
because of that
To indicate
continuation
To indicate
simultaneity
To contrast or
contradict
To rephrase
To exemplify
To express opinion
To conclude
And - moreover - besides - furthermore
to
Meanwhile - while - in the meantime
-
in addition
Instead - yet - but - on the contrary - even if - even
though - however - on one hand / on the other hand nevertheless - in spite of …
In other words - that is to say - this means that - i.e.(Latin :
id est) - to put it another way
That is - namely - e.g. (Latin : exempli gratia = for example)
for example - for instance - an example of this is In my opinion - I am of the opinion that - as regards me - as far
as I am concerned - as concerns me - to my way of thinking to my mind - I personally believe that
Last - finally - to conclude - summing up - to wind/wrap/sum
up
1st STEP - Analysis of the title
The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :
Subject
Focus
Comment
2nd STEP - Brainstorming
Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal
and superficial ideas.
3rd STEP - Organization
The organization changes according to the kind of essay you are going to write.
A. In the case of an essay by listing you can follow the scheme below :
Pre-topic sentence (background information)
Introductory sentence (In fact/For example X has
three main aspects / X should be 1, 2, 3…) about
how the work will be organized
Remember you are not
expressing your opinion
in this phase
Introducers : establish the 1st
topic focus and the point of paragraph
view
2nd
paragraph
Developers :
define
the
ideas
anticipated
in
the
introduction,
present
Point 1 (First, Firstly …)
examples and details to
support them
3rd, 4th, 5th
Point 2 (Then / Secondly …)
paragraphs
Modulators :
Point 3 (The third argument / Thirdly …) *
sentences that consent a
passage from a point of
view, context or aspect to
another
Terminators : paragraphs
Personal opinion and conclusion :
that conclude the ideas in th
Now you can express your opinion and make
6
a
logical
and
reference to your personal experience *
paragraph
psychologically satisfying
way
* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below.
EXAMPLE
Develop the title given following the table below.
Qualities for Success in the 21st Century
1st STEP - Analysis of the title
The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :
Subject
Focus
Qualities for Success
in the 21st Century
Comment
Reasoning by list and
examples, expressing
opinion
2nd STEP - Brainstorming
Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal
and superficial ideas.
Subject
Focus
Personal qualities for
success
success in the 21st Century
Comment
Reasoning by list and
examples, expressing
opinion
Identification of qualities
Reasoning on flexibility
(what it is, why it is
necessary)
Reasoning on honesty (what
it is, why it is necessary)
Reasoning on creativity
(what it is, why it is
necessary)
Reasoning on perseverance
(what it is, why it is
necessary)
Reasons for your choice,
results of reasoning
3rd STEP - Organization
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
what personal qualities
will be needed for
success in the 21st
century?
Possibly the four most
essential attributes are
…
flexibility (what it is,
why it is necessary,
example)
honesty (what it is, why
it
is
necessary,
example)
creativity (what it is,
why it is necessary,
example)
perseverance (what it
is, why it is necessary,
example)
1st
paragraph
Pre-topic sentence (background information)
2nd
paragraph
Introductory sentence (In fact/For example X has
three main aspects / X should be 1, 2, 3…) about
how the work will be organized (listing)
Point 1 (First, Firstly …)
3rd, 4th, 5th , Point 2 (Then / Secondly …)
6th
paragraphs
Point 3 (The third argument / Thirdly …)
Point 4 (Finally…) *
Remember you are not
expressing your opinion
in this phase
▪
Personal opinion and conclusion :
Now you can express your opinion and make
reference to your personal experience *
* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below .
▪
as today,
future
so
in
the 7th
paragraph
B. In the case of an essay by arguments for and against you can follow the scheme
below :
Introducers : establish the 1st
topic focus and the point of paragraph
view
Background information
3rd
paragraph
Developers :
define
the
ideas
anticipated
in
the
introduction,
present
examples and details to
4th
support them
paragraph
Modulators : sentences
that consent a passage
from a point of view,
context
or
aspect
to
another
How the work will be organized
Suitable verbs : going to, will, intend, look at,
deal with
Arguments for
Introductory sentence (There are three
points…)
Point 1 (Firstly …)
Point 2 (Secondly …)
Point 3 (The third argument …) *
Arguments against
Introductory sentence (Three points /
aspects can be …)
Point 1 (First, …)
Point 2 (Then / secondly …)
Point 3 (Thirdly …) *
Remember you are not expressing your opinion in this phase
2nd
paragraph
Terminators : paragraphs 5th
Personal opinion and conclusion :
that conclude the ideas in paragraph
Now you can express your opinion and make
a
logical
and
reference to your personal experience *
psychologically satisfying
way
* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below.
EXAMPLE
Develop the title given following the table below.
Should smoking be allowed in public places?
1st STEP - Analysis of the title
The title must be analyzed identifying the three main points :
Subject
Smoking
Focus
Smoking in public places?
Comment
Answering, expressing
opinion
2nd STEP - Brainstorming
Reflect on the focus identified by the title and take notes. Remember to cross out the banal and superficial
ideas.
Subject
Smoking
Focus
Smoking in public places?
Present situation
Reasons for the present law
Comment
Answering, expressing
opinion
Reasons of the smokers
Reasons of the non-smokers
Effects on health
Psychological aspects
Social, economic and
political aspects
etc.
3rd STEP - Organization
3rd
smoking not illegal
passive smoking causes paragraph
cancer? No proof
4th
a dirty habit
paragraph
cause of fires
non-smokers
need
a
smoke-free environment
Background information
How the work will be organized
Suitable verbs : going to, will, intend, look at,
deal with
Arguments for
Introductory sentence (There are three
points…)
Point 1 (Firstly …)
Point 2 (Secondly …)
Point 3 (The third argument …)
Arguments against
Introductory sentence (As regards the
arguments against, three points/aspects
can be …)
Point 1 (First, …)
Point 2 (Then / secondly …)
Point 3 (Thirdly …)*
Remember you are not expressing your opinion in this phase
people are more aware of 1st
the dangers of smoking paragraph
today
smokers are separated
from
non-smokers
in
most countries
2nd
I’m going to examine …
paragraph
5th
Personal opinion and conclusion :
separate smokers
paragraph
Now you can express your opinion and make
special tax on cigarettes
reference to your personal experience
…
* For the use of linkers, refer to the table below :
Table of linkers :
To give order
To indicate
consequence
Firstly - at first - initially - and - then - immediately
afterwards - later on - some time - later - in conclusion
As a result - as a consequence
- consequently - thus therefore
because of that
To indicate
continuation
To indicate
simultaneity
To contrast or
contradict
To rephrase
To exemplify
To express opinion
To conclude
And - moreover - besides - furthermore
to
Meanwhile - while - in the meantime
-
in addition
Instead - yet - but - on the contrary - even if - even
though - however - on one hand / on the other hand nevertheless - in spite of …
In other words - that is to say - this means that - i.e.(Latin :
id est) - to put it another way
That is - namely - e.g. (Latin : exempli gratia = for example)
for example - for instance - an example of this is In my opinion - I am of the opinion that - as regards me - as far
as I am concerned - as concerns me - to my way of thinking to my mind - I personally believe that
Last - finally - to conclude - summing up - to wind/wrap/sum
up