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.