Composition Writing | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

As a student, you've likely engaged in composition writing, even if the tasks weren't explicitly labeled as such. Defining composition writing can be challenging, but in essence, it refers to the way a writer skillfully constructs words, sentences, and paragraphs to form a cohesive piece. Broadly speaking, composition writing encompasses the various types of writing encountered as a student and the effective strategies employed for each.

What is composition writing?

It can be interpreted in two ways—either as a written piece or as the art and process of writing itself. Unlike specific types of writing like essays or blog posts, composition is a versatile term that encompasses various (usually nonfiction) works and the manner in which they are written. Under the first definition, you might be tasked with producing a composition for a class assignment. Using the second definition, someone might analyze "the essay's composition" to discuss the author's choices in format and language.
It's important to note that a composition is not synonymous with an essay. This is a point of potential confusion in defining composition writing—while an essay is a type of composition, the terms are not interchangeable. Every essay is a composition, but not every composition is an essay. A composition could also take the form of a book report, a presentation, a brief response to a reading assignment, or a research paper.

The four modes of Composition

There are four types of composition:

• Description
• Exposition
• Narration
• Argumentation

Do these sound familiar?
There are four distinct writing types, and essentially, "composition writing" refers to the tone and structure employed by a writer to convey their viewpoint. In the realm of fiction, authors typically select the composition mode that most effectively communicates the theme of their work. Consider each of these as a format for composition writing, and it's common to utilize multiple modes within a single piece of writing.
A description constitutes a form of writing that provides a clear statement about its subject. An illustration of a description is as follows:

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H₂O, represented by the chemical symbol water, is a transparent and colorless fluid with a freezing temperature of 0 degrees Celsius and a boiling temperature of 100 degrees Celsius. It is the predominant molecule in our atmosphere, and all living organisms on Earth depend on it.

A description confines itself to presenting facts without engaging in speculation, opinions, or interpretations. On the other hand, exposition involves an interpretation of these facts, delving deeper into the subject by introducing supplementary information that elucidates its connection to a broader discourse. This may involve exploring interconnected facts, discerning their implications, and smoothly transitioning to related topics through well-considered sentences and extrapolation. Despite this expansion, exposition remains rooted in factual information and refrains from incorporating the author's personal opinions on the matter. An illustrative example is provided for clarification.

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While water is the prevalent element in our atmosphere, certain areas face annual devastation from droughts, causing widespread hunger due to crop failures. Adopting more sustainable agricultural methods has the potential to mitigate the effects of droughts, necessitating effective collaboration between governments and corporations for successful implementation.

Narration is a form of writing that conveys the author's perspective. While the focus remains on the subject rather than the author, it delves into and examines the subject through the author's portrayal of their own experiences. An illustration of narrative writing is provided below:

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I've consistently harbored a deep appreciation for water, stemming from a childhood incident. On a pleasant summer day, my family embarked on a boat trip. However, the joyous atmosphere took a drastic turn when the sky quickly darkened, transforming our delightful summer day into a frightening thunderstorm. As powerful winds forcefully moved the boat, my brother and I frantically attempted to remove the accumulating rainwater with buckets.

Observe how this illustration revolves around the author's emotions and perspectives on water, in contrast to descriptions and expositions that adhere strictly to factual information. Personal essays stand out as one of the most prevalent forms of narrative composition.
As for the final category, argumentation, it isn't inherently combative. Instead, it resembles a persuasive essay. In an argumentation composition, the writer puts forth two or more stances on a topic and, by logically examining each, illustrates why one particular position is the most favorable. Consider this example:

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Scientists have pinpointed various approaches to avoid droughts, such as rainwater collection, desalination, transitioning to renewable energy, and addressing deforestation. These methods exhibit varying degrees of effectiveness.

In this example, the writer would go on to compare these different drought prevention strategies and their recorded success rates.

When do you write a composition?

When do you engage in composition writing? Composition writing may be required as part of a dedicated course focused on honing this skill. Such courses are often taken early in one's college journey to equip students with the necessary writing skills for other academic endeavors. Additionally, your instructor might assign a composition when the task doesn't neatly align with the conventions of an essay or another established academic writing format. This divergence could be due to the emphasis on expressing personal opinions or perspectives rather than substantiating a specific position with evidence. Sometimes, writing a composition serves as a means to practice various compositional modes discussed in the course.

How to write a composition in 5 steps

As previously mentioned, composition writing covers a broad spectrum, lacking a specific format or limitation to certain topics. If your composition takes the form of an essay, which is often the case, adhere to the standard essay format unless instructed otherwise by your instructor. The process of composition writing mirrors that of other forms of writing. The following steps can guide you:

• Brainstorm
  Before commencing the writing process, take time to identify your subject, the compositional mode, and any required sources for supporting your stance. During brainstorming, jot down every idea, relevant fact, and connection. Consider employing freewriting to explore your subject and sources more freely. This stage is crucial, as it provides an opportunity to stumble upon the perfect topic sentence and uncover connections among sources that may have been overlooked.Remember, there is no rigid composition writing format, and flexibility is key to effectively expressing your ideas.
• Outline
  The subsequent step in the writing process involves the creation of an outline, serving as a fundamental framework for your composition. This visual guide assists in organizing the flow of your composition. Depending on your assignment and instructor, there might be a requirement to submit and gain approval for your outline before progressing with the composition. Even if not mandatory, crafting an outline is beneficial, providing a reference point during the writing and editing phases.
• First draft
  Now, it's time to engage in composition writing. Utilize your brainstorming notes and outline to compose your piece. The order need not be sequential; starting with the section that comes most naturally, such as the conclusion or a supporting paragraph, can be advantageous. Grammatical errors are not a primary concern at this stage; they can be addressed during the editing process. If a sentence or paragraph seems awkward or out of place, focus on getting your thoughts onto paper, as these issues can be resolved during editing. If a title wasn't generated during brainstorming or outlining, it can be developed once the draft is complete.
• Edit
  After completing the first draft, take a break to return with fresh eyes. Ideally, allow twenty-four hours or more for this break. Upon resumption, review your draft, noting grammatical mistakes and sections that feel off. Tools like Grammarly can assist in catching mistakes. Beyond minor edits, assess the overall coherence and logical flow of your composition. Editing is a comprehensive process, addressing all aspects of your work. This stage results in a second draft, bringing you closer to the submission phase.
• Proofread
  Following the editing process, proofread your work as a final review before submission to your instructor. Focus on identifying and correcting easily fixable grammar, syntax, or spelling mistakes. Check for errors in new sentences added during editing or any oversights in lines retained from the first draft. Utilize Grammarly for additional suggestions to enhance the strength and cohesion of your work. After proofreading and making necessary corrections, you now have a polished, ready-to-submit second draft. The final step is submitting it to your instructor and awaiting their feedback.

Composition writing FAQs

Q1: What is composition writing?

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Composing a written work involves the structuring and procedure of generating a written piece. This encompasses various types of writing that students are commonly tasked with, such as essays and reports.

Q2: What are the different kinds of composition?

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The four kinds of composition are: 

Description

Exposition

Narration

Argumentation

Q3: How is composition writing structured? 

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There isn't a rigid format for composing a written piece. Nevertheless, compositions generally adhere to a structure similar to essays. Typically, they commence with an introductory section presenting the thesis of the work. Subsequently, the body comprises supporting paragraphs featuring evidence derived from the sources the author consulted during their research. Following these supportive sections, compositions commonly conclude with a summary reiterating key points and presenting a fresh, conclusive perspective on the subject.