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How to write a composition

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

 

 

                                                              Date                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                          

     Greeting

 

     Opening paragraph

 

 

     Body

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Closing Paragraph

   

 

    Closing Phrase

 

    Signature

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

                                                                         Your address

                                                                         Date                                                                                                                                                                                

 Name & address of the      

Person you are writing to                                                                                                           

                                                                                                           

     Greeting

 

     Opening paragraph

 

 

     Body

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Closing Paragraph

   

 

    Closing Phrase

 

    Signature

 

 

 

 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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