A compact essay, paragraph, narrative or a story is required of a student to construct composition based on the given information in the form of clues or guidelines. A composition is written by weaving together the information provided without the parameters of the guidelines or clues. It is meant for measuring the skill of the student in writing, his command over English, general knowledge, grasp on the themes, common sense and the academic depth. Writing a guided composition is a skill of putting together the given facts and information into a cohesive composite structure.
It is like making a good cocktail. Clues given are like liquors. You contribute beer, soft drink or lime cordial. With sense of proportion and relationship mix the ingredients and skillfully shake up a cocktail and that is your composition.
The guidelines or the information given are quite helpful in some detail. It helps the student to easily construct the composition with some common sense and intelligence, backed up by a reasonable amount of general knowledge expected of him. It is like filling up a skeleton with flesh to compose a whole animal. The use of proper sentences, correct and related expressions can breathe life into it. For that read the clues carefully and understand the subject with clear mind.
Keep your language straight forward. Don’t beat around the bush or spin meaningless yarns. Keep the sentence brief, to the point, grammatically correct and words simple. Do not use out-of-context bombastic words just to show your vocabulary. Avoid twisting and exaggerating facts. Do not bury the central theme under poetic expressions, slogans, loud wording and jargons or unnecessary idioms.
Useful Tips
● Keep an eye on the order of the clues. Develop your composition in the same sequence. Don’t miss any point or clue.
● From the set of clues try to understand the central theme of the composition. Have a clear idea of the subject in your mind.
● Focus on the definite subject that has emerged in your mind. See the order of the clues or hints provided. Visualise a rough picture of the composition in line with that order.
● Think of the observations, dialogues, gestures or details of actions you can add to the points using your imagination. It will make your composition colourful.
● As already pointed out start the composition with a statement on the topic, fact or preposition. Word the sentence with care. Remember that the first impression is the last. The last sentence should sum up the subject of the composition.
● For the title can be based on the main characters, incident or object of the central theme, proverb or quotation if it suitably fits on the theme.
● Use grammatically correct and simple language.
● Don’t waste words on over statements and stray too far away from the subject. Be brief, to the point but cover all the points relevant to the theme.
● The guided composition writing is meant to train you in writing paragraphs, essays, stories, messages, diary, reports and letters. Hence this exercise will play an important role in improving your English writing skills and composition talent. So, do not take this chapter lightly because what you learn here will serve you all through your life. You will ever be required to write something or the other.
Guided Composition-1
Write a composition in about 200 words based on the following guidelines.
1. People are conceited as a patriotic duty.
2. Everyone thinks his country is the best in the world.
3. Infact, no country is all good or all bad.
4. A balanced thinking is required for positive approach.
5. Think of a title.
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