Writing a Composition
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Transcript of Writing a Composition
Writing a Composition
A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab
(Adapted by Jochen Lüders)
What is a Composition about?
In a composition you are mostly supposed to give your opinion about an issue and support it with the help of logical arguments and examples.
The Structure of a Composition
Title Introduction Main Part Conclusion
The Function of the Title
Arouse the reader’s interest
Introduce or hint at the topic
Creating a Title
You may try to attract attention e.g. with the help of: an allusion a pun an alliteration a quotation a question
Evaluating Titles
Imagine you want to write a composition about the problem of road rage. Which
do you consider the best title?
Road RageMobile Madness High Noon on
the Highway
The Function of the Introduction
Introduce the topic and purpose of the composition
Arouse the reader’s interest in the topic
Lead to the main part It often gives the
writer’s opinion about a controversial issue.
Introduction
personal anecdote real or hypothetical
example question quotation surprising/shocking
statistics striking image
Main Part
Normally your main part should consist of three paragraphs.
Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.
Indent the first line of each new paragraph.
In a “Discuss” composition there are four paragraphs.
Arranging Paragraphs
Paragraphs should be arranged in climactic order i.e. from the weakest to the most convincing argument.
“Discuss” Topics
When the topic demands “Discuss”, you should give two pros and two cons.
Begin with the weaker arguments and finish with the more convincing ones.
Conclusion
Don’t just repeat yourself. Don’t present new
arguments. It is often elegant to refer
back to the introduction or the title.