How to Write a Composition

Do you have to write a composition for school or university purposes and don’t know how to do it? Have you already written compositions but you weren’t necessarily pleased with the result? Do you want to learn how to write a good composition or do you want to improve your writing skills in order to write a better composition? Here is a short and simple guide that will help you to succeed in writing a good composition.

Introduction:

First, you have to write a good and informative introduction. The introduction is the first paragraph of your composition. It provides the reader with information about the topic you intend to write and often begins with a general question or statement to draw the reader’s attention. This is called the “thesis question” or the “thesis statement”. The introduction of your composition should basically describe the main theme that will be developed and discussed in the body. A good introduction makes a good composition, so your introduction should end with a linking sentence that will “set up the reader for the body”.

Body:

The body is the middle part of your composition. It’s the part where you expand the thesis introduced in your introduction and where you elaborate on your topic. You should always support your arguments with evidence and explanation in order to write a good composition. A body should always contain both sides of a case, namely pros and cons. You might want to consider saving your best argument for last. That way, the reader can keep your strongest argument in mind, because it is the last one you stated. It is strongly recommended that you use linking words and phrases when moving from one argument to another, as these “enable the reader to easily follow the flow of your thinking” and make your composition understandable.

For conclusions, you can use words such as thus, so, therefore, consequently, etc. When you want to illustrate something, you can use expressions such as for instance, for example, etc. For comparisons you might want to use the following phrases: similarly, by contrast, etc. When you want to add a new argument, use words such as moreover, furthermore, etc. For qualifications, utilize the following expressions: yet, still, etc.. When you use exceptions, you can utilize the following linking words and phrases: but, alas, however, etc.

Conclusion:

The conclusion is the last paragraph of your composition and it is your “final appeal to the reader”. It is a final, strong statement which briefly sums up your whole topic and which shows the reader the conclusion you have drawn. The conclusion can thus contain your own opinion on the topic and an idea or thought referring to the “essence of the body” that will capture the reader’s attention and “provoke further reflection and consideration” while allowing him / her to form his / her own opinion on the topic.

If you keep all these things in mind, you will be able to write a successful and good composition!

http://www.trinitysem.edu/Student/LessonInstruction/Composition.html