Types of guided compositions

Enock Panganayi Mawuye

Informal letter

Formal letter

Report

Speech

Pictorial

Newspaper article

Aspects to be considered in the writing and assessment of guided compositions structure:

Each type of guided composition has its own outlook or structural aspects that make it look different from other types.

Linguistic ability

Guided compositions differ in terms of the degree of formality or informality so you should be familiar with the linguistic requirements of each type. In all causes grammatical accuracy is a requirement.

Paragraphing and punctuation

Paragraphing is not done at random but in accordance with the flow of ideas. Ideas must be clearly separated and you must not put two or more ideas in one paragraph. Observe all the rules of punctuation.

Coherence

Ideas should flow smoothly throughout the composition. This is enhanced by the use of linking devices such as discourse markers.

Addition of one’s own ideas

A good candidate will add one or two idea(s) to the ones that are given. The added ideas should be logically linked to the ones that are given.

Informal letter writing

This kind of a letter is written to a friend, a relative and all other people who are close to you. The language is not restrained and the use of mild slang and colloquial forms (dad, mom, guy, kid and many more) is allowed. Contracted forms such as can’t, don’t, didn’t and etc can also be used. The tone can be serious, gentle or light-hearted depending on the subject matter at hand.

At times the question comes in the form of a letter that you will be asked to reply to. In that case you need to thoroughly read the given letter so that you can give a meaningful response. You also need to adopt the name and address that appear on the given letter.

Structural aspects

One address, aligned to the left margin.

A date is to be written in full e.g. 12 April 2017.

Salutation e.g. Dear mom, Hi James, Beloved Uncle Hope, etc.

The choice depends on level of intimacy between you and the person to whom you are writing e.g.

St Banana High School

P O Box 1009 (Don’t put full stops)

Chimukoko

12 April 2027

Beloved Mercy

Skip a line

First paragraph — Highlight the purpose of the letter e.g.

I have written this letter in response to yours that I received three days ago and also to update you on the developments that have taken place here since you left Chimukoko.

NB: Do not greet anyone in this paragraph

Second paragraph

Introduce and develop the first given idea. Use an appropriate discourse marker e.g. To begin with,

Third paragraph

Introduce and develop the second given idea. Develop the rest of the given ideas in the same way. Each idea must be written in its own paragraph. That is very important.

The end

Greeting has its own paragraph.

Skip a line

Yours truly/ Truly yours/ In tears of love/ In tears of joy/ Your loving friend/ Best wishes/ Your son, etc. Skip a line

Write your first name only.

Expansion of ideas:

The given ideas are always skeletal outline. A good candidate will be able to adequately expand the ideas so that a meaningful and a realist work can be presented. Specific (and not generalised) information must be put forward. Give information such as dates and specify names of people, places, roads, rivers, mountains and so on. Generate enough details to make each given idea a paragraph. The same applies to other types of guided compositions.

Addition of one’s own ideas

You will be expected to add one or two ideas of your own. Make sure there is a logical connection between your ideas and those that are given. Preferably, you should not add more than two ideas in order to minimise the risk of going off topic.

NB: Always begin a letter on a fresh page.

Enock Panganayi Mawuye is a senior English Language teacher at Claire Secondary School.