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. TYPE 4 — ARGUMENTATIVE (Persuasive) [What it is] → You take ONE clear stance on an issue and persuade the reader. [Core features] ● Thesis stated clearly in intro — no fence-sitting

● Each body paragraph = ONE point, using PEEL (Point, Explain, Example, Link) ● Can acknowledge counterargument briefly then rebut it (strengthens persuasion) ● Confident, assertive tone throughout [Structure] → Intro (hook + stance) → 2-3 body points (PEEL each) → brief counter + rebuttal (optional but strong) → conclusion (restate stance + broader implication) TYPE 5 — DISCURSIVE [What it is] → Discuss BOTH sides of an issue in a balanced way. Sometimes you give your opinion at the end, sometimes the prompt wants pure balance — read the prompt carefully. [Difference from argumentative] ● Argumentative = pick a side and persuade ● Discursive = explore both sides fairly, only concluding with a stance at the very end (if asked) [Structure] → Intro (state the issue, no stance yet) → 2 paragraphs FOR → 2 paragraphs AGAINST → conclusion (your balanced take/stance) QUICK COMPARISON TABLE Type Plot? Stance? Main skill tested Narrative Yes No Storytelling, pacing, climax Personal Recount Yes (real-based) No Reflection, emotional honesty Descriptive No No Imagery, mood, sensory language Argumentative No Yes (one side) Persuasion, logical structure Discursive No Balanced, then optional stance Balance, fairness, nuance