English Grammar and Composition chapter 15: Developing Composition

DEVELOPING COMPOSITION

What is a composition?

A composition contains a number of paragraphs which discuss one main idea. The main idea is the 'topic' which you are going to write about. A good composition has the same basic patterns as a paragraph does.

THE STRUCTURE OF A COMPOSITION

A composition has three main sections. These are introduction, body, conclusion.

How to write the 'Introduction' of your composition

The first paragraph of your composition is the introduction. It states the main idea of your composition. The introduction should be attractive or strong enough to catch the attention of the readers. The most important part of the introduction is to tell what you are going to write about. Just as the topic sentence of a paragraph states the main idea of a paragraph, an introductory paragraph expresses the main idea of a composition. It is usually a single sentence.

The Introduction tells the subject of your composition and makes a clear statement about your topic.

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How to write the 'body' of your composition

The body of a composition consists of different paragraphs. But each paragraph of the body focuses one idea. Again, this idea should support what is stated in the introduction. In the body of the composition, the main idea of the introduction is narrated, explained and analysed.

To write the body of your composition:

• Write one supporting idea in one paragraph.
• Each paragraph of your composition must contain a topic sentence, a middle and a conclusion.
• Support your idea with examples and explanations as clearly as possible.

How to 'end' your composition (conclusion)

This section sums up the idea presented in the composition

The difference between introduction and conclusion:

• The introduction states what you are going to write.
• The conclusion sums up what you have already written.

KINDS OF COMPOSITION

Composition can be of many types. However, the major kinds are:

• narrative
• descriptive
• persuasive
• informative/ expository

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Narrative

It tells a story or presents a sequence of events as they occurred in time. The purpose of this is to give the readers an impression of actual event. Here, ‘what happened’ and ‘how happened’ are discussed.

• It is about historical events or accounts of people’s life and events.
• It answers questions like who, what, when, where and how.

Descriptive

It is like describing a person, place or thing including details that appeal to the readers. This kind of paragraph appeals to our five senses— sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste.

It describes

• the details about a place, event, person or thing
• ways they attract our senses

Persuasive

It contains arguments. Writers try to give some reasons to support their arguments.

It contains

• arguments one after another
• reasons supported by clear ideas

Informative/ Expository: It explains facts or ideas. It also explains the process.

Read the following example of developing composition on ‘The Season You Like Most’. Read the first two statements and decide which one is more appropriate for an introduction.

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The body of the composition

In a short composition, the body includes three or four paragraphs. In each paragraph you will write about only one idea. Thus, in a composition of 200 words, you can write three or four major ideas. But remember that all paragraphs of the body should support the main idea you provided in the introduction.

• description of spring
• its beauty
• how is it different from other seasons

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Spring in Bangladesh

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Spring in Bangladesh

The topic sentence: The beauty of spring is different from the rest of the seasons. I like it for many reasons such as its beautiful colours, fragrances and decorations.

Supporting ideas/ body: According to Bangla calendar, the months of Falgun and Chaitra are called the spring. The weather of this season is neither hot nor cold. Spring gives us relief from winter. During spring nature seems calm and quiet. The sky looks clear and there are no natural disasters like storms, cyclones, draughts, etc. during spring. Thus the physical atmosphere of spring is wonderful.

Supporting ideas/ body: With the advent of spring, nature puts on a lively appearance. Every object of nature becomes fresh. Trees are decorated with new leaves. Flowers bloom in every plants, trees and herbs. The flowers are of different colours. Some of them are sweet-smelling, some have no smell, but all are beautiful. So bees and butterflies are everywhere.

Supporting ideas/ body: As soon as spring sets in, a gentle breeze from the south begins to blow. It spreads the sweet smell of flowers all-around. The wandering song of the cuckoo attracts us a lot. It touches the heart of the poet and writers. Many poets have written poems and songs about spring.

Conclusion: Spring is the most colorful and beautiful season in Bangladesh. It has a deep influence on our sight and mind. I love it so much. It is my most favourite season.

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Note: You must have noticed that the first paragraph describes the physical features of spring. The second paragraph tells us about the boundless beauty of spring. Here we have a wider description of spring. The third paragraph describes the influence of spring on human mind and heart. Thus different paragraphs of a body give us different and separate ideas. But these must support the main idea.

Developing Composition-Sample-1

Figure: Developing Composition-Sample-1

Description: A village market beside a waterway. Boats are moored along the water in front, and a crowd of people stands and sits under a tent-roofed shed and along the bank.

Suppose, you are asked to write a composition on A Village Market in 200 words.

Include the following points:

• i) What is a village market?
• ii) When does it start?
• iii) What are the activities?
• iv) How does it help the villagers?
• v) Why is it so important?

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Now look at the sample composition and try to understand how we develop different parts of a composition gradually.

Introduction — It states the main idea –village market. The sentence in bold is the thesis statement.

A Village Market

A village market is a place where the villagers meet to buy and sell things. It is centre for buying and selling for villagers and a hub of economic activities.

Body — Each paragraph in the body develops different ideas mentioned in the thesis statement.

Generally a village market sits every morning and evening. However, big markets sit once or twice in a week. The daily market is called the bazaar and the weekly market is known as the haat. It is a prime business centre in the villages. People come here to buy and sell different goods.

Body — This paragraph contains a topic sentence. It also supports the main idea.

A village market is a busy place with a lot of economic activities. In the open space the sellers sit in rows. Farmers, potters, weavers sell their products such as fish, milk, fruits, betel leaves, vegetables, etc. Some grocers, tailors, doctors have their permanent shops to sell oil, rice, salt, pepper, medicine, fertilizers, etc. It is a crowded place and people stay there until about 9 o’clock in the evening.

Body — This paragraph describes another aspect of a village market.

The village market is very useful to the villagers. Here they get most things of their daily use. It saves the villagers from going to distant places to buy things. Moreover, it is a meeting place for the villagers.

Conclusion

The village market does a great service to the rural people. It is the backbone of the rural economy.

N.B. ‘Thesis statement’= the main idea of a piece of composition.

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Figure: Developing Composition – Sample 2

Labels: Kazi Nazrul Islam Description: A black-and-white portrait of a man with long, wavy hair, looking toward the viewer, shown from the shoulders up.

Suppose, you are asked to write a composition on 'Your Favourite Poet' in 200 words. Do not forget to include the following points:

i) Who your favourite poet is

ii) Where he was born

Iii) His education

iv) His major works

v) Why he is your favourite

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