IGCSE-1

Unit 3:
Composition
Mualla, Sarah, Angel, Diogo, Rogerio
Definition
Just like a musician and an artist, a writer sets the
tone of a composition to their purpose, making
decisions about what that tone should be to form a
structure. A writer might express anything from the
point of view of cool logic to impassioned anger. A
composition might use clean and simple prose,
flowery, descriptive passages, or analytical
nomenclature.
 Types of composition
Description Narration

Exposition Argumentation
01
Descrpitive
Definition
A description, or descriptive writing, is a statement or account that describes
something or someone, listing characteristic features and significant details to
provide a reader with a portrayal in words. Descriptions are set in the concrete, in
the reality, or solidity of an object as a representation of a person, place, or thing
in time. They provide the look and feel of objects, a simultaneous whole, with as
many details as you'd like.

Descriptions are often written in the present tense to give a sense of immediacy.
The vocabulary level should be unusual (polysyllabic) and repeating words or
using non-sentences (without main verbs) should be avoided. Sentences should
not be started in the same way but vary the subject and verb, and the word order.
Try to use as many of the senses as possible. Use multiple adjectives, varied
sentence lengths and types and sound effects.
A description of a rose might include the color of the petals, the
aroma of its perfume, where it exists in your garden, whether it is
in a plain terracotta pot or a hothouse in the city.
A description of "Sacred Emily" might talk about the length of the
poem and the facts of when it was written and published. It might
list the images that Stein uses or mention her use of repetition
and alliteration.
 Here are some techniques and examples of how descriptive language can
be used:
Technique Examples
Simile - a descriptive technique that compares one thing with
The trees stood as tall as towers.
another, usually using 'as' or 'like'.
Metaphor - a descriptive technique that names a person,
The circus was a magnet for the children.
thing or action as something else.
Hyperbole - a use of obvious exaggeration for rhetorical
The sun scorched through the day.
effect.
Personification - a metaphor attributing human feelings to an
The sun smiled at the hills, ready to begin a new day.
object.

Pathetic fallacy - a type of personification where emotions The clouds crowded together suspiciously overhead as
are given to a setting, an object or the weather. the sky darkened.

The autumn leaves and twigs cracked and

Onomatopoeia - words that sound a little like they mean.
crunched underfoot.
Oxymoron - a phrase combining two or more contradictory
There was a deafening silence
terms.

Emotive language - language intended to create an A heart-breaking aroma of death filled the air as he surveyed
emotional response. the devastation and destruction that had befallen them all.
Example
In the example below, look at how the writer uses descriptive techniques to create a vivid setting
for the reader and how the weather reflects the mood of the text.
The ground crumbled like sand under my feet as I heaved another step towards the summit.
Looking below, the trees were dots to my squinting eyes in the midday heat. Beating down upon
my back, the sun was relentless as I wiped the drips of salty sweat from my neckline. The silence of
the chasm below was deafening; suddenly, eagles broke the silence and screeched above me in
hunger.

Analysis
The writing opens with a simile to show the texture of the ground. The sun is personified as it is
described as ‘relentless’, giving it a ruthless personality. The silence is described as ‘deafening’,
an oxymoron that helps to emphasise how unbearable the situation is for the character. Pathetic
fallacy has been used here - the uncomfortable heat mirrors the character’s struggle as she
continues on her journey. These descriptive techniques allow the reader to feel as if they are there
and pull them into the story.
When or why to use descriptive writing

Descriptive writing is used to help the reader feel almost as

if they are a part of the scene or event being described

Description is useful because it helps readers engage with

the world of the story, often creating an emotional response.
It can help what a character or a place is like
Examples

1 2

● The sunset filled ● The waves rolled

the sky with deep along the shore in
a red flame, a graceful, gentle
setting the clouds rythm, as if
ablaze dancing with the
land
 02
Narration
You can enter a subtitle here if you need it
Definition
A narration, or narrative writing, is a personal account, a story that the writer tells
his or her reader. It can be an account of a series of facts or events, given in order
and establishing connections between the steps. It can even be dramatic, in which
case you can present each individual scene with actions and dialog. The
chronology could be in strict order, or you could include flashbacks.

A narration about a rose might describe how you first came across it, how it came
to be in your garden, or why you went to the greenhouse that day.
A narration about "Sacred Emily" might be about how you came across the poem,
whether it was in a class or in a book lent by a friend, or if you were simply curious
about where the phrase "a rose is a rose" came from and found it on the internet.
Narrative Techniques
Narrative Techniques in Style
Style refers to the way a writer tells a story. Some writing techniques
associated with style are metaphors, similes, hyperboles, imagery,
alliteration, and personification.

Narrative Techniques in Plot

Plot refers to the storyline or the sequence of events in a narrative. Narrative
techniques in a plot include backstory, flashback, flash-forward, and
foreshadowing.
When or why to use narrative writing?

The purpose of narrative writing is to tell stories, real or imaginary. Any

time you tell a story to a friend, family or anyone about an event or
incident, you engage in a form of narration

Narrative writing must tell a story. Fiction which is imagined and not
based on real events and non fiction, both could be narrative writing.

Characteristics of narrative writing include characters, plot, conflict,

setting, and point of view
Examples
1 2
● When I was only ● I woke up
eight years old, my surrounded by an
home burnt to the oppressive fog. It
ground after being obscured my vision
hit by lightning and hindered my
breathing...
 03
Importance of composition in
everyday life
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Why do we need compostion?
Composition and writing is an essential tool in
literacy, education, but most importantly
communication! Composition and
writing allows people to convey ideas, feeling,
emotions, opinions, political views,
arguments, and many other forms of
communication.
The end
Thank you for your attention 