Composition

Candidates will from a choice of six. The choice will normally include Narrative,
be required to select one composition topic
Descriptive, Reflective,Argumentative, Discursive, and Short Story.

The required length of

thecomposition
is 350-400 words.
The criteria
by which the compositions will be marked are as follows:

(a) The quality of the language employed, the range and appropriateness of vocabulary and sentence structure, syntax, the
correctnessof grammatical constructions,punctuation, and spelling.

(b)The degree to which candidates have been successful in organizing the content of the composition as a whole and in individual
paragraphs.

Six different kinds ofcomposition

1. Narrative

2. Descriptive C'omposition

3. Reflective

4. Argumentative
5. Discursive

6. Short Story
General Instructions in the Question Paper

1.Orderly and coherent presentation

Think and choose the topic wisely

Determine exactly what is to be written

Focus on the main idea and do not stray from the point
Jot down the ideas as they come
Connect the points -which leads to which? How will it be connected?

I
Beginning and Ending
Think of a beginning and an ending that will attract attention and interest.

Many ways to begin and end:

Describe a scene

Use a quotation
Tell an anecdote
Use a factual approachlike presenting facts

Define a problem

Make astrong statement

Ask aquestion
A certain amount ofrepetitionat the end reinforces the main idea.
2.Accuracy of Spelling,Grammar, and Punctuation

Common errors:

Errors of agreement and number. Eg: All the students has comein uniform.

Serious tense errors, wrong verb form. Eg: I am knowing him since long
orHe taked
a book from the shelf.

Errors construction. Eg: Running fast, the news reached before him.
ofsentence
Misuse of vocabulary. Eg:
He had usurped
the
king

Misspelling.Eg:Oppourtunity
Punctuation or lack of it.Eg: He told me he would go he did not go however because he was il

Misuse of Pronouns. Eg: When she talked to him he told him to work hard.
Misuse or non-use of articles or prepositions. Eg: He found job soon.
It was 9 PM in the night.

It is 3:00
pm in my watch.
Howtoavoid mistakes?
Write short sentences using a safe and known structure of
the subject-verb agreement.
Avoid monotony and repetitions.

Use Linkers, for example:

Firstly
I
Next
However
Consequently
Later
Afterwards

Finally
3.Use of appropriate style
Vary sentence patterns
Use a question

Sometimes repeat for stress

Use figures of speech for effect

How many ways the following idea can be expressed:

She relaxed after she finished her work.

She finished her work and then she relaxed.

Having finished
her work,she relaxed.

She didn't relax until she finished her work.

It was only after she finished her work that she relaxed.
NARRATIVE ESSAY

Sequence ofevents-a general forward progression

Narration can be interspersed with brief descriptions

and conversations. Use proper
puncthuations.

Use different ways to narrate.

Use Linkers
DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

Impressions formed by our five senses

Sounds
Colours
Shapes
Textures
Tastes
Smells

Donotuse vague adjectives like good, bad, awful, wonderful when describing something.

Bemore specific, for example: 'Hehad marvellou hair'

instead say: He had thick/curly/dark hair. While

describing something say 'like a box as big as a shoebox

Describe the person who impressed you the most when you were in High School.

It is not necessary to talk about every feature: eyes, nose, ears, mouth, face, hair

Choose those aspects which give a total

impression: maybe just the walk or just the nose
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

A definite point of view

Topic has to be a statement

Make the stand clear right at the beginning
Reiterate the stand at the end

Give four reasons

forthe
stand taken

Explore and interpret the meaning ofthetopic

because words often mean different things to different people

example Science made us

has
For lazy'

Science can be inventions, gadgets, research, knowledge, a way of looking at the world

can be intellectuallylazy, physically lazy, socially lazy

Lazy
Use an illustration
orexamples from life to prove a point
REFLECTIVE ESSAY
This should be organised well to avoid rambling.

Begin by explaining
the topic

Decide on a central idea and build around it

Give illustrations to make it real

Use thegiven word appropriately

It can be written as a story- follow the components ofthe Short Story
DISCURSIVE ESSAY
Discusses a problem, a controversy, or recent issue
a
Most often witten in a formal Laanner

Many universities require students to write this type to evaluate and examine their skills in writing,
thought formation, and analysis
-
Presentation Unbiased manner

Recommended to write in a third-person perspective unless asked otherwise

Eg: "Social media impacts academic performance

SHORT STORY
Should be original
Certain
inmportant elements

about the "who', 'what'and 'where'. The plot is about 'how, 'when' and
PLOT-Thestoryis 'why'
Pattern that develop from the interaction between characters
ofevents
Relatesto the central event or incident

CHARACTERS
Humans, animals, aliens, plants who take part in the action

At least two orthree characters

Plausible names

CONVERSATION
Use of proper punctuation marks
Indirect speech
Direct and
EXPOSITION

The start or introduction

The background information that the reader must have in order to understand the story

This is where characters and setting are introduced

CONCLUSION
Loose ends to be tied up

Logical ending can an open ending or a cliffhanger ending

also be

Framequestions onthese:
I
Theme
Tit le

Beginning sentence
Ending sentence

Not to get carried away with the making of the story.The title or the sentence should not be forced to fit the story
instead it should naturally grow from it.

Should not end in dreams. Unless asked.

DIRECTED WRITING 12 marks

The piece of directed writing will be based on the information and ideas provided. The required length will be
The range of subjects may include :
about 200words.
Article Writing
Book Review
Film Review
Review of Cultural Programmes
Speech Writing
Report Writing
Personal Profile
Statement of
Purpose

on the amplification of certain - ALL the

It is a composition based points points that have been given should
be amplified.

oStudent must write

in THEIR OWN WORDS

Each point could be written in a separate paragraph.

Style should beformal

ARTICLE WRITING
Feature/Article

Heading

Dateline

Byline

Example: The Evils of Alcohol/ Cyber Bullying/ ** ....11th February 2022.

The By-line may be written at the beginning of the article or the end of it.

The Word limit is 200 words (Approximately 1 % pages)

All the points given in the outline MUST be included.
REVIEWS
Book
Film

Theatre
T.V.

Concert
Name of

Genre......
book and author-...

Brief summary

Analysis
***

ofplotr.style
.
Cultural Programmes
Linguistic....

Passive Voice recommended/ not

Explanation..
recommended
Third Person

FILM REVIEW- Similarto Book Review

CULTURAL PROGRAMME
This comprises events like dance, music or folk events. It must include the following:

Name,date and venue

of the event
guest and other
invitees
Chief
Inauguration
Events
Highlights
The reaction of the audience and conclusion

Cultural Programme Review -School AnnualDay

11th February 2022

The date may be written at the beginning of the articleor the end of it.
SPEECHWRITING
The process of outlining a speech is broken down into 3 essential
steps.

Introduction:

Opening greeting and attention getter

Defining thesis statement (a summary ofwhatyour speech is

about)
Establishing credibility
An overview and the benefit to the audience

Body:

Transition or link between introduction and body

Main ideas with supporting ideas
Examples and details

Conclusion:

Summary ofmain points

Closure or call to action
 Rescue Work Continues in Uttarakhand
REPORTVRITING
By a StaffReporter
Newspaper Report New Delhi, Thursday, 1jh February 2022.
Headline should be in present tense

Byline The report MUST have

:
Date
A headline heading
Place
A dateline
Formal tone
Aby-line
Precise language
The Word limit is 200 words (Approximately l
ápages)
All the points given in the outline MUST be included.

Creditis given tor good opening/closingsentences

Should be simple,direct, natural and grammaticallycorrect

NO NEW POINTS SHOULDREADDED

PERSONAL PROFILE

How to Write a Personal Profile

An accurate picture of the writer to be painted without telling

Headline the entire life story

First person Specifics over generalities
Different paragraphs for No exaggeration on details
Honesty.
Achievements Awellrounded view to be created
Academics Confident
Sports
Any other Example question:

By line Name and address-.. Objectives

-Profile (Whatyou are
Bindu Nair
doing now)-Summary ofqualification (Leadership/ Education and
academic achievements/ Sports involvements)
Honours Work
experience/ Volunteer experiences services to others or projects

you have done which supports your objectives

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
A Statement of
him
Purpose
is
a
personal statement about
future.
a
person,
his
likes and interests,
or a of his
people
and
incidentsthat have
It
influenced and his plans for the It may contain anecdotes description experiences. is usually written
is to institution. of so to be
when the person seeking admission an educational The purpose doing needs stated clearly. It need
be is therefore a chance to convince the reader that he is genuinely interested and suitablefor
not just a collectionof tacts. It
the course for which he is applying.

Introduction: Goals
Body of the Paper
Background (Proof of being academically prepared for this study programme)
Where and what have they studied

Past research/diplonmaproject
Description of professional goals
Why that field
ofstudy
is interesting/influence to choose that field

Any related experience/research afteruniversity

Future plans after receiving a degree
The date and name come atthe end

EXAMPLE QUESTION

Name/address /where were you studying atpresent past

studies and
qualifications
-
past internship or research done -why
you are suited for that particular field -
future plans what you can contributeto the programme
MARKING

CONTENT- Amplification - 8 marks

EXPRESSION- 4 marks

Quality of language -formal language,no slang, no colloquial expressions.

Use ofcorrect sentence structure.COMPLETE SENTENCES.

Use ofcorrect SPELLING and PUNCTUATION

Use ofPROPER PARAGRAPHS