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HOW TO WRITE A COMPOSITION
Some Advice
A. Different Types of Composition
- Factual
report
- Opinion.
For/ Against
- Narrative ( telling about an event or
a story )
- Description ( of a person, a place or
a thing )
- Letter ( 5 point Bagrut : formal – 4
point Bagrut : informal )
B. Different Parts of a Composition
-
Opening
- Body
- Closing
1. Opening
Presentation of the topic
Ideas you are going to deal with
Two contradictory points you are
going to relate to….
(The opening may be completed
after you have written the body )
2. Body
Before writing the composition,
jot down all the ideas that come to your mind.
Organize your ideas logically.
Cross out any irrelevant idea. Keep to
the point.
Divide your ideas into 2 or 3
parts ( For ex. : For/Against – Cause/
Result / Solution )
You can start with a
generalization, then get into details….
Illustrate your ideas by giving
examples.
Write a topic sentence at the
beginning of each paragraph
2. Closing
It can be a summing up, a
personal opinion on the matter, food for thought or a wish…
C. A Few Points to Keep
in Mind ( Use this as a check list
: Did I… )
Use connectors to link your ideas logically and
correctly . ( Use the given list )
Use the appropriate style. Avoid
contractions in formal style.
Use a varied vocabulary.
Pay attention to the punctuation and to
capital letters .
Pay attention to the grammar.( For ex.
Check if the verbs agree with their
subjects… )
Don’t forget to skip a line between
the different paragraphs if you don’t indent . While writing a draft , underline
words or expressions you are not sure about.
Reread, rewrite (if necessary ) and
this time check with your dictionary.
Write legibly.
COMPOSITION
Main Connectors
RESULT – SUMMARY
So – therefore – as a result –
thus – consequently – accordingly – in this way – in short – in brief
…
CONCESSION
However – nevertheless – despite – in spite of – yet – although –
though – still …
CONTRAST
Instead – in comparison – on the contrary – but – on ( the ) one hand
– on the other hand – by contrast – whereas – otherwise – notwithstanding …
ADDITION
Also – and – furthermore –
moreover – in addition ( to ) – besides – above all…
REASON
Because ( of ) – since –
for – due to – thanks to – on account of …
EMPHASIS
As a matter of fact – in
particular – of course – in fact – indeed – in any event…
ILLUSTRATION
For instance – for example
…
REPETITION
Similarly – likewise – in
the same way…
SEQUENCE
First – next – then –
finally – at last – eventually – in the end…
Useful Phrases
- Many people claim that…
- The prevailing opinion
is that….
- It is true that….
- This is not an
exaggeration … even though…
- I tend to dis/agree with
…
- In conclusion –
to conclude
- I can understand…,
however, …
- When discussing the issue of …we should take
into consideration factors such as…
and…. . Yet we / must not
forget the importance / should keep in
mind..
- As we have seen/will see,
there are ( at least ) two sides to this issue.
- I am
convinced that we can / deal with this situation /improve this situation /
solve this problem…
- This is an issue that / can
be solved / must be faced …
- Another
aspect of the issue is…
- In my opinion, the advantages of… far outweigh
the disadvantages…
- We can argue that… but…
- Personally I am in
favor of…..
INFORMAL LETTER
Follow the advice given in
“ How to Write a Composition “
THE GREETING
Dear X,
THE OPENING PARAGRAPH
Make a clear statement of
your reason for writing
THE BODY AND CLOSING PARAGRAPH
Read the advice given in "How to Write a Composition".
In the closing paragraph
you can write:
Write to me soon…
CLOSING PHRASE
Yours, Love,
Your friend, …
LAYOUT OF A
INFORMAL LETTER
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Date
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Greeting
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Opening paragraph
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Body
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Closing Paragraph
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Closing Phrase
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Signature
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INFORMAL LETTERS
USEFUL
SENTENCES
Opening paragraph
- I was / thrilled /
pleased / to receive your letter
- I'm sorry I didn't write
before but I have been busy….
- I'm sorry I haven't
written to you for such a long time.
- Thank you for answering
my letter so quickly.
- I'm writing this letter
to tell you that….
- I want you to be the
first person to know about…
- You will never guess
what happened to me!
- I have great news to tell
you!
- I'm worried because I
haven't heard from you for a long time.
Closing paragraph
- I'm looking forward to /
hearing from you / meeting you soon.
- Answer me as soon as you
/ get / receive this letter.
- Give my best wishes to
your family
- Best wishes to …..
- I miss you and hope to
see you soon.
- Don't be lazy, write
soon.
FORMAL LETTER
Follow the advice given in
“ How to Write a Composition “
THE GREETING
Dear / Sir / Madam / Mr X
/ Mrs X ,
THE OPENING PARAGRAPH
Make a clear statement of
your reason for writing.
Ex. : In reply to / your advertisement / your letter… I would
like to / apply for the job of / apply for admission to / complain about /
know more about…
THE BODY AND CLOSING PARAGRAPH
Read the advice given in "How to Write a Composition".
In the closing paragraph
you can write:
I look forward to /
hearing from you / meeting you / receiving a prompt reply / …
CLOSING PHRASE
Yours sincerely,
LAYOUT OF A FORMAL
LETTER
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Your address | Date
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Name & address of the Person you are writing to
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Greeting
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Opening paragraph
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Body
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Closing Paragraph
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Closing Phrase
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Signature
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FORMAL LETTERS
USEFUL
SENTENCES
-
LETTER OF APPLICATION
In reply to your
advertisement ( in / (day ) ‘s paper / Ha'aretz )
I would like to apply for
the post ( job ) of… which was advertised in….. on…
I wish to apply for
admission to…
Please / As requested /
find enclosed letters of reference from…
I am …years old
My qualifications are as
follows : ( list of your qualifications )
In … I graduated from… I
majored in ….
I would be glad to come
for an interview at any time that is convenient for you.
-
LETTER OF INQUIRY
I/ am interested /wish /
to learn more about…
I would be most grateful
if you could supply us with the following information.
I would like to get a
description of..
Do you supply…?
Does it include ( dinner /
equipment / activities.. ) ?
What is the price of … per
/ day / week.. ?
I would appreciate if you
could….
Would you kindly…
-
LETTER OF COMPLAINT
I wish to draw your
attention to…
I would suggest that…
I suggest that immediate
steps be taken.
I wish to complain about…
I look forward to a prompt
reply and hope that you will take into
consideration…
I am really dissatisfied
with…
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