Continuous Writing — Types of Composition

Continuous Writing — Types of Composition HOW TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE FROM THE PROMPT Prompt phrasing Type "Write about a time when..." / "Describe an experience where..." Narrative / Personal Recount "Write a story about..." / picture with clear action/characters Narrative "Describe a place/person/scene..." Descriptive "Do you agree that...?" / "Should...?" / "Discuss..." Argumentative / Discursive Picture prompt with no clear story, just a setting/mood Descriptive (or narrative — your choice) TYPE 1 — NARRATIVE [What it is] → A story with a clear plot: beginning, conflict, climax, resolution. [Core features] ● Chronological (usually) — can use flashback for a stronger opening ● 1st person ("I") is common and easier to control emotion/reflection ● Needs CONFLICT — no conflict = no story = weak content marks ● Show, don't tell (sensory + action details, not just stating feelings) [Structure] → Orientation → Build-up → Climax → Resolution → Reflection [Where marks are won] → the climax paragraph (most vivid writing) + a meaningful reflection/insight at the end, not just "and then I went home."

TYPE 2 — PERSONAL RECOUNT [What it is] → Similar to narrative but rooted in a REAL or realistic personal experience — often tied to growth, values, or lesson learnt (e.g. VIA project, a failure, a turning point). [Difference from pure narrative] ● Reflection is MORE central — examiners look for genuine insight, not just event description ● Emotional honesty > dramatic plot twists ● Often ends with "what I learnt" / "how I changed" [Structure] → same shape as narrative, but weight more of your word count toward the internal reaction and final reflection, not just external events. TYPE 3 — DESCRIPTIVE [What it is] → No real "plot" — focus is on painting a vivid picture of a place, person, object, or experience through sensory detail and mood. [Core features] ● ONE dominant mood/atmosphere sustained throughout (pick it before writing: nostalgic, eerie, joyful, tense, peaceful...) ● Organise spatially (near→far, left→right) or by sense or by sequence of noticing things ● Heavy use of imagery: sight, sound, smell, touch, (taste if relevant) ● Figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification) — but purposeful, not decorative [Structure] → Overall impression → zoom into 2-3 specific focal points (one per paragraph) → closing image/mood tie-back [Common trap] → Descriptive essays that turn into narrative halfway (suddenly things "happen"). Decide upfront which type you're committing to.