Strategies to Work a Good Composition
SHOW ME the MAIN CHARACTER’S THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND ACTIONS FROM
BEGINNING TO END
Introductory Paragraph
1. Captivating Beginning
1.1 Main character’s thoughts: “Another mosquito bite! And another one! I should have stayed at home!”
1.2 Main character’s feelings: I grumbled incessantly
1.3 Main character’s actions: as I scratched the itchy red bumps which dotted my body
2. Vivid setting
2.1 Realistic Time Frame: As the sun rose slowly the horizon,
2.2 5 senses to describe surroundings: the leaves on the trees rustled as the morning breeze blew.
2.3 Character’s actions (linked to first actions): As I trudged wearily up Bukit Timah Hill, I became increasingly
annoyed with the endless climb.
Build Suspense leading to problem
1. Sensory discovery: The scent of blood caught my attention as I felt heavy drops of it on my shoulders.
2. Main character’s first thoughts and feelings: “Is that what I think it is?” I muttered as cold fear gripped me. I
could not move my feet an inch.
3. Main character’s first action: I hesitantly looked up, along the trunk and into the canopy of the oak trees, fearing
that my imagination would turn not to be true.
4. Main character’s discovery: There it was! A decomposing corpse hanging a feeble branch!
Main Events
1. Main Character’s specific Actions
2. Description of Scene and Surroundings
3. Main Character’s Self Thoughts
4. Emotions or phrases of fear, anger, happiness and sadness
Conclusion
1. Main character’s most significant memory: Whenever I recall the corpse hanging above me and covered in
blood,
2. Main character’s feelings linked to the memory: I would always shudder in fear
3. Main character’s hope for the future: I hope that nothing of such sort would happen to me ever again.