What is a composition?
A composition contains a number of paragraphs which discuss one main idea. The main idea is the 'topic' which you are going to write about. A good composition has the same basic patterns as a paragraph does.
THE STRUCTURE OF A COMPOSITION
A composition has three main sections. These are introduction, body, conclusion.
How to write the 'Introduction' of your composition
The first paragraph of your composition is the introduction. It states the main idea of your composition. The introduction should be attractive or strong enough to catch the attention of the readers.
The most important part of the introduction is to tell what you are going to write about. Just as the topic sentence of a paragraph states the main idea of a paragraph, an introductory paragraph expresses the main idea of a composition. It is usually a single sentence.
The Introduction tells the subject of your composition and makes a clear statement about your topic.
How to write the 'body' of your composition
The body of a composition consists of different paragraphs. But each paragraph of the body focuses one idea. Again, this idea should support what is stated in the introduction. In the body of the composition, the main idea of the introduction is narrated, explained and analysed.
To write the body of your composition:
• Write one supporting idea in one paragraph.
• Each paragraph of your composition must contain a topic sentence, a middle and a conclusion.
• Support your idea with examples and explanations as clearly as possible.
How to 'end' your composition (conclusion)
This section sums up the idea presented in the composition
The difference between introduction and conclusion:
• The introduction states what you are going to write.
• The conclusion sums up what you have already written.
KINDS OF COMPOSITION
Composition can be of many types. However, the major kinds are:
• narrative
• descriptive
• persuasive
• informative/ expository
Narrative
It tells a story or presents a sequence of events as they occurred in time. The purpose of this is to give the readers an impression of actual event. Here, 'what happened' and 'how happened' are discussed.
• It is about historical events or accounts of people's life and events.
• It answers questions like who, what, when, where and how.
Descriptive
It is like describing a person, place or thing including details that appeal to the readers. This kind of paragraph appeals to our five senses— sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste.
It describes
• the details about a place, event, person or thing
• ways they attract our senses
Persuasive
It contains arguments. Writers try to give some reasons to support their arguments.
It contains
• arguments one after another
• reasons supported by clear ideas
Informative/ Expository: It explains facts or ideas. It also explains the process.
Read the following example of developing composition on 'The Season You ,-, Like Most'. Read the first two statements and decide which one is more appropriate for an introduction.
The body of the composition
In a short composition, the body includes three or four paragraphs. In each paragraph you will write about only one idea. Thus, in a composition of 200 words, you can write three or four major ideas. But remember that all paragraphs of the body should support the main idea you provided in the introduction.
• description of spring
• its beauty
• how is it different from other seasons
Spring in Bangladesh
Note: You must have noticed that the first paragraph describes the physical features of spring. The second paragraph tells us about the boundless beauty of spring. Here we have a wider description of spring. The third paragraph describes the influence of spring on human mind and heart. Thus different paragraphs of a body give us different and separate ideas. But these must support the main idea.
Developing Composition-Sample-1
Suppose, you are asked to write a composition on A Village Market in 200 words.
Include the following points
i) What is a village market?
ii) When does it start?
iii) What are the activities?
iv) How does it help the villagers?
v) Why is it so important?
Now look at the sample composition and try to understand how we develop different parts of a composition gradually.
