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This is the ZIMSEC O-Level English Language study guide. It is a free study guide for revision. The paper code is 4005/1.
A GUIDE to COMPOSITION WRITING: Set ONE
INTRODUCTION
Composition writing is an important component in the English Language examination. Composition writing skills are tested in Paper
1. In fact, competences in composition writing constitutes $50 \%$ of what a candidate gets in the English Language examination at Ordinary Level. It goes without saying that highlighting the various skills, principles and challenges in writing a composition would be very useful to GCSE ' O ' Level candidates.
What is a Composition?
The answer to this question varies from person to person depending on theme and areas of specialization. In our case, based on GCSE 'O' Level English Language examination, a composition is a combination of thoughts and ideas put down together in a logical manner from one's wide general knowledge, creativity and powers of imagination. A composition can either be fictitious or factual depending on the given title or instructions (rubric).
Types of Composition
There are a number of composition types covered in the GCSE 'O' Level English Language examination school curriculum, specifically in the 4005/1 syllabus. The main ones include:
Free Composition: Section A:
i. Narrative (story/chronology of events)
ii. Descriptive (character, scene, event, process)
iii. Informative (presentation of information)
iv. Expository (expression of facts/opinions, exposing ideas)
v. Argumentative (presentation of argument(s))
vi. Discursive (discussion of facts/ideas/opinions)
- In Section A, the candidate is expected or is free to choose a topic based on the composition type he or she prefers.
Guide Composition: Section B:
- In Section B, the candidate has no choice, the composition is compulsory.
- The candidate is expected to flex his or her general knowledge acquired from extensive reading.
- Normally, (but this is not always the case) the guided composition, which is a situational or controlled type of writing is based on the following, and many others of course, not only these.
- Remember the mnemonic. LARS (for this and other composition writing skills, see other documents designed by the author):
i. $\mathrm{L}=$ letter
ii. $\mathrm{A}=$ article
iii. $\mathrm{R}=$ report
iv. $\mathrm{S}=$ speech
Practice makes perfect
- Although one can never really be perfect in writing essays/compositions, it is advisable to practice by writing as many, and as different types of composition as possible.
- This is not only good for examination preparation, but writing …