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Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)
12

Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Mar 26, 2015

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Page 1: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Writing a Composition

A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab

(Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Page 2: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

What is a Composition about?

In a composition you are mostly supposed to give your opinion about an issue and support it with the help of logical arguments and examples.

Page 3: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

The Structure of a Composition

Title Introduction Main Part Conclusion

Page 4: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

The Function of the Title

Arouse the reader’s interest

Introduce or hint at the topic

Page 5: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Creating a Title

You may try to attract attention e.g. with the help of: an allusion a pun an alliteration a quotation a question

Page 6: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Evaluating Titles

Imagine you want to write a composition about the problem of road rage. Which

do you consider the best title?

Road Rage

Mobile Madness High Noon on the Highway

Page 7: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

The Function of the Introduction

Introduce the topic and purpose of the composition

Arouse the reader’s interest in the topic

Lead to the main part It often gives the

writer’s opinion about a controversial issue.

Page 8: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Introduction

personal anecdote real or hypothetical

example question quotation surprising/shocking

statistics striking image

Page 9: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Main Part

Normally your main part should consist of three paragraphs.

Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

Indent the first line of each new paragraph.

In a “Discuss” composition there are four paragraphs.

Page 10: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Arranging Paragraphs

Paragraphs should be arranged in climactic order i.e. from the weakest to the most convincing argument.

Page 11: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

“Discuss” Topics

When the topic demands “Discuss”, you should give two pros and two cons.

Begin with the weaker arguments and finish with the more convincing ones.

Page 12: Writing a Composition A presentation by the Purdue University Writing Lab (Adapted by Jochen Lüders)

Conclusion

Don’t just repeat yourself. Don’t present new

arguments. It is often elegant to refer

back to the introduction or the title.