Ways to start a composition Not your typical

Ways to start a composition - Not your typical way of writing

How do you spice up your writing such that the reader continues to read on? 2

Adapted from SA 1 Paper 1 2014 Question 3 You were walking to the bus interchange when you noticed a group of teenagers. 3

Is this how you would start? “One day, I walked to the bus interchange… - Questions: 1) Did you walk to the bus interchange only on one day? 2) Were you walking on one day and running, skipping or hopping on other days? 3) Were you walking to other places on other days? 4

Routine It was supposed to be another drab day, getting a shower, eating and revising for my examinations, the same old routine. As the events unfolded before my eyes, I knew that things have taken a turn for the worse… 5

Regret I should not have made that mistake. It was an immature and foolish decision, and the price to pay was definitely not worth it. If only I had controlled my anger… 6

Insight Why is it that some people can think before they act and others cannot? Was it something that they ate or drank? I really could not figure out the reason why they fought… 7

Experience Have you ever witnessed a fight so gruesome that you wished you were never present at the scene? Well, I had and I could still recall that fateful day… 8

Drama The moment John’s knife slashed his rival’s arm, time stood still. His life flashed before his eyes. The consequences of his actions hit him like a ton of bricks. When it was over, he knew that his carefree life, as he knew it, was over too. Just half an hour earlier, all was fine and well. How did it get to this? It all started like this… 9

The Mystery What would you get if you take six boys, add three schoolbags, throw in a torn shirt, two police officers and a little pool of blood? Nothing less than utter chaos. Why was there a pool of blood? Allow me to explain… 10

The Argument David gave Jake a smug look. He had called him a coward and further agitated him by imitating the clucking sounds of an enraged chicken. If he did not retaliate, he would be the laughing stock of his schoolmates as news of the challenge would spread like wild-fire… 11

Something funny I have already gotten a book flung in my face, whipped by a cane and gotten a slap from my mother the last time I got home late after my tuition. History was going to repeat itself but I was not going to miss anything thrilling happening before my eyes. I wanted to take my chance. 12

A good introduction is essential to any piece of writing. It acts as a trigger to the development of the essay and keeps the reader hooked onto the essay and he/she would want to continue to read on. It is like the appearance of a person; a confident person, looking great and fresh rather than dull and expected. 13

Caution! X - Sentencing of the culprit to three years in jail right after being arrested. (Unless the judge is a simple-minded person who passes sentences freely) X – Person receiving a reward after doing a good deed. (Unless all rewards are prepared beforehand) X – Accompanying the injured to the hospital, into the ward and until the person is discharged from the hospital and has recovered. (Unless you never moved away from the injured) 14

X – Hero’s name get published in news the next day and letting everyone in your family praise you from top to toe. (Unless you are the reporter, editor and publisher, all rolled into one) X – Continue shopping or eating normally as if nothing happened after being involved as a witness or victim. (Unless you are heartless or painless as you don’t mind having bumps and bruises on your face and body after a mishap) 15

X – Stating a REALLY sunny day and you woke up, brushed your teeth, had breakfast, dressed yourself, carried your bag, walked to lift, pressed the button, flagged for bus, got a seat, pressed the bell, sang the national anthem, got back to class. . . … Cut out the boring, mundane, sleep-inducing details that don’t add weight to your essay. We understand you do these things everyday without telling us. 16

X – Stating the obvious – ‘Ding dong!’ The door bell rang. (Unless the newest start-up tune of your television in the living room) e. g. The football flew in the direction of the vase. X- CRASH! The vase broke into pieces. The boys scattered in different directions and fled for their lives. √ - CRASH! The boys scattered in different directions and fled for their lives. 17

Questions? 18