How to get high marks for compo?
- Sabreena Nazimudeen
- Aug 21
- 6 min read
How to get high marks for compo?
Whether your child is in Primary 3 or preparing for the PSLE, composition writing is a crucial part of the English exam. But what separates a good composition from a top-scoring one?
Here’s a breakdown of how to get high marks for compo so that their compositions truly shine — and impress the exam markers!
✨ 1. Start Strong with a Catchy Introduction
Many students begin their stories with lines like:
“One fine day…” or “It was a sunny morning…”
These are too common — and quickly forgotten.
💡 Why does the introduction matter so much?A teacher often marks over 40 scripts in one sitting. If every composition starts the same way, the stories begin to blur together. But if your child’s story starts with a bang, it stands out immediately. That strong first impression can influence how positively the rest of the story is received.
At The Write Tribe, we teach students to explore a range of powerful opening techniques, including:
🔥 Action Start
Drop the reader straight into the action.
“The loud crash made my heart jump. I spun around and froze.”
💬 Dialogue Start
Begin with a line of speech that hints at conflict.
“You promised you wouldn't tell anyone!” I whispered urgently.
🌪️ Aftermath Start
Begin after the event, letting the reader wonder what happened.
“As Tom twiddled his thumbs in the cold, silent principal's office, regret washed over his face. How he wished he could go back in time and undo what he had done.”
🧠 Flashback Start
Start in the present, then shift to the past.
“Even now, years later, I can still hear the scream.”
🌧️ Setting with Suspense
Use the environment to set a mysterious or uneasy mood.
“Dark clouds curled over the horizon. The wind howled through the empty park.”
🎭 Internal Thought
Begin with what the character is thinking or feeling.
“I knew this was a bad idea. But I did it anyway.”
🔑 Tip: Think of your first line as a movie trailer — short, punchy, and compelling.
✍️ 2. Use the Right Structure (INTRO – BODY – CONCLUSION)
Markers love clear, logical structure — and so do readers!
A strong composition should follow a clear story path that’s easy to understand. Avoid packing in too many characters; it’s best to stick to one or two well-developed characters that readers can connect with.
Each paragraph should serve a purpose:
The introduction sets the stage and hints at the problem.
The body builds up the conflict and leads to a climax.
The conclusion wraps things up with a resolution and reflection.
✅ Every paragraph has a job to do.
Many people assume that creative writing is all about using bombastic words — but that’s a myth. At The Write Tribe, we teach both our primary and secondary students that organising ideas clearly is what truly makes a story effective.
At the end of the day, writing is about communication. The clearer the story path — expressed in well-structured, purposeful paragraphs — the easier it is for the reader (and examiner!) to follow and appreciate the story.
We guide students to:
Plan their stories before writing
Stay on a focused narrative arc
Stick closely to the given theme
🧠 With strong planning and purposeful structure, even a simple idea can turn into a high-scoring composition.
🎭 3. Show, Don’t Tell
Instead of saying:
“I was scared.”
Show it:
“My hands trembled and my knees knocked together as I took a step back.”
🔑 Tip: Use actions, thoughts, and dialogue to bring emotions to life.
At The Write Tribe, we help students master this technique to make their characters feel real. Vivid, immersive writing is what catches the eye of a marker.
💥 4. Create a Real Climax (and Expand the Tension!)
Many students rush through the climax — but it’s the most important moment of the story. This is where the main problem reaches its peak.
To write a compelling climax, students need to slow down and expand the tension. A rushed climax feels flat. A well-developed one grips the reader.
At The Write Tribe, we equip students with tools to build dramatic tension using:
Dialogue: “Why did you do that?!” I shouted.
Facial expressions: Her eyes widened in shock.
Body language: He backed away slowly, fists clenched.
Show-not-tell: “My throat felt dry. My heart pounded like a drum.”
Other characters’ reactions: Even the teacher gasped.
🔑 Tip: Think of the climax like a movie scene. Zoom in. Play it in slow motion. Let the reader feel everything.
💡 5. Reflect in Your Conclusion
Avoid ending with something rushed like:
“I was happy. The end.”
Instead, go for reflection:
“That day, I learned how dangerous curiosity can be. But I also learned the power of staying calm in a crisis.”
🔑 Tip: Ask: What did the character learn or realise?
At The Write Tribe, we teach students to end their stories with meaning — tying the conclusion back to the theme and giving the story emotional weight.
🧠 6. Use Good Vocabulary (But Don’t Force It)
Fancy words aren’t always better. In fact, many students fall into the trap of using bombastic vocabulary that sounds impressive but doesn’t actually help the story.
❌ Telling with bombastic words:
“I was flabbergasted beyond apprehension at the grotesque anomaly.”
✅ Showing with simple description:
“I was shocked by what I saw. My eyes widened, and I took a step back.”
The first sentence, though filled with big words, tells the reader what happened — but it doesn’t help them picture it. The second sentence, while using simpler language, shows what the character felt through body language and reaction.
💡 So how do we know if we’re showing or telling? At The Write Tribe, we always share this tip with our students:
If you can close your eyes and picture a movie scene playing in your head from what you’ve written — you’ve achieved the art of showing.
Using descriptions like “my eyes widened” or “my face paled” helps the reader visualise what the character is experiencing. This is much more powerful than simply using a long or “impressive” word.
📝 That said, bombastic vocabulary is not bad — it just needs to be used in the right way and in the right context. For example:
In formal writing (e.g. argumentative essays), advanced vocabulary is highly valued and expected.
In narrative writing, descriptive language is more effective — but bombastic vocabulary can be used when paired with action or reaction.
✨ The best approach? Blend both styles:
“I was flabbergasted beyond apprehension. My eyes widened and my face paled at the grotesque anomaly.”This version combines vocabulary and visual storytelling — and it works beautifully.
At The Write Tribe, we train students to use language purposefully. Whether it’s a creative story or a formal essay, the goal is always the same: write with clarity, confidence, and impact.
🔍 7. Check Your Grammar, Tenses, and Spelling
Even a brilliant story can lose marks if it's full of language errors. Always check:
Past vs present tense
Punctuation (especially for dialogue)
Capital letters
Spelling
🔑 Tip: Read your story aloud. Mistakes become easier to spot when you hear them.
We train our students to develop the habit of proofreading — a skill that improves every piece of writing.
✨ Want Expert Help with Your Child’s Writing?
If you're looking for professional, personalised guidance to help your child improve their writing, The Write Tribe is here to help.
We specialise in composition writing for Primary 3 to Primary 6 students — blending creativity with exam-smart techniques. Our proven methods have helped hundreds of students to:
Build confidence in their writing
Master PSLE-level composition skills
Score consistently higher marks in school
🖊️ Small class sizes
🎯 Detailed, personal feedback
🏆 Results that speak for themselves
📩 Reach out to us today to schedule a trial or learn more about our upcoming writing workshops.
Let your child discover the joy of writing with clarity, confidence, and creativity!
Trial lesson
We cover a lot more in our classes. Try first trial lesson for only 36SGD
Composition Marking Service for Primary School Students in Singapore (Primary 1 to Primary 6)
Boost your child’s writing skills with our expert Composition Marking Service, tailored for Primary 1 to Primary 6 students in Singapore! Aligned with the latest MOE syllabus, our service offers:
✅ Detailed feedback based on official marking rubrics
✅ Clear guidance to improve structure, language, and creativity
✅ Support for all writing levels — from beginners to PSLE prep
Let your child write with confidence. Submit compositions anytime and receive professional feedback to help them shine! 🌟
Download our Comprehension Cloze with Model Compositions
Comments