Read A Lot but no improvement in composition

Most of my friends told me that despite their children’s vast interest in reading all kinds of books, there are no improvements in essay writings.

I consulted my friend, Serene, whose daughter managed to score 268 in her PSLE without any external tuition from Primary 1 to 6. What is her secret in getting her daughter to write ?

“Don’t follow model compositions,” that is her advice.  Wow! That is something different. As you know, most tuition centres will teach their students by asking the students to copy model composition and memorize them.

So, what should be the right approach?

·        Use the writing mindmap (the 5W and 1H – Who, What,                   Where, Why, When and How)

 ·        Checklist for a good essay: 

·        Tenses 

·        Spelling

·        Punctuation 

·        Paragraphing 

·        Wide range of vocabulary (similes, metaphors etc)
                                                       

·        Overall – Realistic storyline, missing links

What are similes and metaphors?

Replacement of common words

Encourage the children to be more descriptive and precise in their composition. Instead of flower, use rose. Instead of bird, use pigeon. If you can replace said with whispered, uttered, declared or revealed, why not use them?