Last Updated on February 20, 2025 by sanjjeett
‘True ease in writing comes from art not chance.
As those move easiest who have learnt to dance’. Alexander Pope
Writing a good composition is just like creating a piece of good art. Just as any budding artist goes about perfecting his art, following some basic ground rules, similarly a budding writer goes about refining his art, by writing different types of composition. This art is not difficult to perfect and once the methodology is understood, one derives a great sense of satisfaction, which stands us in good stead in life. To write a good composition on any subject you are basically required to plan and structure the paragraphs, to make the composition interesting and appealing, while adhering to some basic rules of Grammar. It is not necessary that the composition be written in superfluous language, with big difficult words. To be meaningful it should be written to a plan, with a line of continuity, expressing the feeling of the writer in plain simple English.
A meaningful composition therefore must be
- written to a plan.
- have a line of continuity throughout the composition.
- not have high-flown language, or slang.
- have an interesting and good Introduction and Conclusion.
In the case of students especially those preparing for ICSE English language Paper 1, writing a composition of 350 to 400 words in an essay and a letter is the most important part of the paper. The objective of this question is to test the ability of the examinee, in writing well-organised, clear and accurate English.
What is an essay?
An essay is a short prose, a composition reflecting your ideas or thoughts on any given subject. It should be creative so as to catch the reader’s attention and logically presented in well laid out paragraphs with proper spelling and punctuation marks. An essay is therefore
- an organised collection of YOUR IDEAS and thoughts.
- nicely written in structured paragraphs.
- logically presented.
An essay basically consists of three parts: - Introduction (Beginning)
- Body
- Conclusion (Ending)
- Introduction (Beginning): Being the first paragraph of your composition, it should introduce the topic to the reader, in a manner that arouses his interest. Besides laying down the foundation, it must outline the key points of your composition.
- Body: This is the main part of the composition where specific ideas, reflections, illustrations, arguments, etc. are presented. The topic is developed by presenting each idea or thought in specific paragraphs.
- Conclusion: This is the last and the most important paragraph of your composition, for it has the potential to leave a good or a bad impression on the mind of the reader. Here you satisfy the interest aroused by you in the beginning of the composition.
Argumentative Essays
- Representing Your School in a National Inter-School Competition — ICSE Essay
- Rivers and Lakes: Their Commercial and Recreational Importance — ICSE Essay
- Detecting a Bomb on a Train — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Engine Trouble During a Flight — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- A Friend’s Wedding Ceremony — ICSE Descriptive Narrative Essay
- Organising Your Sister’s Wedding Reception — ICSE Essay
- Interviewing a Famous Person at Their Residence — ICSE Essay
- Your First Parachute Jump — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Society Is Influenced More by Show Than by Substance — ICSE Essay
- Events That Shaped Your Personality — ICSE Reflective Essay
- Boat Capsizes During a Picnic — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Two Deeds: One That Gave Joy and One That Caused Regret — ICSE Essay
- Leaving Your Ancestral House — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Returning to Your City After Five Years — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- A Riot During a Cricket Match — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- A Remarkable Event of Social Importance — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- A Weekly Market Scene — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- The Waiting Room at a Railway Station — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- Being Certain but Later Proved Wrong — ICSE Narrative Essay
- A School Carnival or Fete — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- Achieving a Personal Goal — ICSE Narrative Essay
- Children’s Day Celebrations at School — ICSE Essay
- A Parent Who Influenced My Life — Descriptive Essay
- Teaching Someone a Skill — Narrative Essay
- School Bus Breaks Down in a Lonely Area — Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Where There Is a Will There Is a Way — Reflective Essay
- God Helps Those Who Help Themselves — Reflective Essay
- Work Is Worship — The Dignity of Labour
- A Stitch in Time Saves Nine — Reflective Essay
- Experience Is the Best Teacher — Reflective Essay
- The Path to Success — Qualities Needed for Success
- A Suitcase, a Photographer and a Soldier — ICSE Short Story
- A Boy from Outer Space — ICSE Imaginative Story
- I Do Not Believe in Ghosts — ICSE Short Story
- Knowledge Is Power — ICSE Short Story
- Manners Maketh a Man — Discursive Essay
- Success Depends on Character and Not on Opportunity — Argumentative Essay
- There Is No Scope for Adventure in This Modern World — Argumentative Essay
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Being Young — Discursive Essay
- Role of Advertising in Our Lives — Discursive Essay
- Animals Should Not Be Used in Public and Street Performances — Argumentative Essay
- Which Subject Will Be Most Useful to You in Future? — Argumentative Essay
- Tradition Is an Obstacle to Progress — Argumentative Essay
- Cigarette Smoking in Public Places Should Be Banned — Argumentative Essay
- Which Is More Important: a Healthy Body or a Healthy Mind? — Argumentative Essay
- The Wills, the Won’ts and the Can’ts — Argumentative Reflective Essay
- Men and Women Should Have Equal Rights — Argumentative Essay
- Animals Should Not Be Used for Drug Development or Medical Research — Argumentative Essay
- Teenagers Today Are More Worldly Wise Than Their Parents — Argumentative Essay
- Commercialisation of Festivals Has Eroded Their Real Significance — Argumentative Essay
