We must begin teaching creative writing early in secondary school. Admittedly, many students are never taught how to write compositions at all. The lucky ones write only one at the beginning of their four-year course.
Students have insufficient exposure to creative writing. Teachers must make an intentional effort to train students on how to write captivating compositions.
The most common question is a narrative. A student is expected to tell an uncomplicated, relevant story. Use grammatically sound sentences to share your original ideas.
Allow the reader to perceive your opinion in relation to your story. Share your deep feelings and emotions. Focus on stories with societal norms that are peculiar to the youth and are distinct from those of adults.
Note that we do not focus on the number of points or the strength of the argument in an expository or argumentative essay but rather the coherence or intelligibility. Keep it simple and straightforward. Descriptions in a descriptive essay must be clear and detailed.
A good composition communicates not only effectively but also pleasantly and attractively. Native English speakers use idioms, proverbs and phrasal verbs in their day-to-day conversations. Strive to seamlessly and subtly sprinkle these gems in your composition. Demonstrate your ability to use English as a normal way of communication. Also, judiciously use jargon that is synonymous with the topic.
Shrewdly using styles such as irony, imagery, flashback, dialogue and inversion can enhance the efficiency of communication and earn you merit ticks.
Students must avoid errors that affect communication. The most common error is the sentence construction error. It exposes a student’s inability to communicate fluently. A good composition exhibits free-flowing ideas. Moreover, shun informal language and contracted forms.
Students who lack originality are predisposed to using clichés or beginning their composition in a tired textbook fashion. Such a prosaic approach makes the story monotonous.
We can use elementary enthralling class readers to help students master the art of sentence construction. It is a skill that is honed in context through tireless practice by reading, writing, listening and speaking. Encourage learners to use a variety of sentences.
A student who writes at least two compositions every week gets sufficient practice.
A teacher can tell a student’s linguistic ability by reading a few sentences or just a paragraph of their composition. Students should write one or two paragraphs as part of their weekly practice. This helps the teacher to easily mark and revise the work.
It piques the student’s interest and sharpens their writing wit as they are expected to tell a brief fascinating story using a limited number of words. It also aids in their mastery of the use of economy of language. Fewer words lead to greater clarity. As Shakespeare posits in Hamlet, “Brevity is the soul of wit.”
This technique helps the learner to pen a riveting read with an intriguing introduction, a captivating suspenseful plot marked by transfixing twists and turns, and a compelling conclusion that leaves the reader yearning for more. Such a deft composition has an unforgettable impact.
A composition that effortlessly teaches the reader a lesson or espouses a noble cause without coming off as too sanctimonious tends to score more marks.
Let us teach composition writing. This is my rallying cry to English teachers. Weekly writing practices coupled with resolute reading through exposure to relevant newspaper articles, novels, magazines and masterfully crafted sample compositions can help learners to refine and perfect their writing skills.
Teaches English Literature at St Theresa’s Girls Kimilili, Bungoma county
