Tackling One Word Title in Creative Writing
Many parents who have purchased the writing guide have voiced out their concern on requiring more help on one word title composition. As such, this post will be explaining on the gist of one word title.
Based on last year latest PSLE syllabus, students will be given three pictures to write on. However, the students are not given the option to write freely based on the pictures provided but rather, they have to connect the pictures (either 1, 2 or all 3) to the title provided.
Let's look at the examples provided :
Now that you have a better understanding, let's move on to elaborating on one word title.
What is one word title ?
You see, there is a variety of titles being covered from primary 1 to primary 6. Students are being exposed to different themes at different stages in school.
For students in Primary 5/6, there is a possibility of being exposed to one word title. Like;
1) Perseverance
2) Fear
3) A challenge
4) Loneliness
Please note that certain titles may not consist of only one word but rather two words. However as this type of 'two words' title are based more on general idea and concept. We shall just classify it together with one word title.
Some common two words titles are:
1) Helping others
2) Healthy eating
3) Road safety
4) Respect and Care
To many students, it is very difficult for them to write a narrative story out of these titles. The best way to write these titles is to write them in an EXPOSITORY STYLE.
What is EXPOSITORY WRITING ?
Expository writing comes from the word 'EXPLAIN'. It is a type of writing required and taught in Secondary School. However, with the new syllabus, MOE has decided and announced that they will accept different variety of writing styles like, personal recount, narrative writing and expository writing. One word title has been set in corresponding to this.
Expository writing requires students to explain the title rather than to write a story based on the title.
Let's take the following as an example.
Based on the examples provided above, let's look at how to write an expository writing.
Firstly, decide on how many pictures you would like to write about. Remember, as it is not a narrative writing, you have to explain each picture linking to the title provided.
If you choose the microphone, what fear is it ? The first thing that should come into your mind is stage fright. Now, ask yourself. Are you able to describe stage fright ?
What is stage fright ?
How do people with stage fright react ?
If you are not able to, then, you have to consider adding in another type of fear to help meet your word count.
Once you have decided on how many picture to choose, let's move on to the introductory paragraph.
The best way to start your expository is by defining the title. Remember, flashback, dialogue and descriptive starter are not suitable for expository writing.
What is fear ? There are many different types of fear in the world and to each and every one of us, fear could mean a complete different thing. Some people are fearful of height while some people are fearful of spider or even a tiny ant. Fear exists in so many forms and it is really hard for us to elaborate on the different types of fear. Thus, today, I will be elaborating on two different types of fear.
After writing the introductory paragraph. You can start to elaborate your first people, 'stage fright' in the second paragraph follows by the 'fear of spider' in paragraph three.
For the conclusion, you can conclude using:
1) In a main, ...
2) In a nutshell, ...
Express your emotion and how you feel about fear. You could even state your fear to sum it up.
******* IMPORTANT ******
It is not advisable for Primary 6 students who have never written an expository writing to attempt on one now as it is only 7-8 weeks from PSLE. The purpose of this post is to educate and should there really be no choice, perhaps your child can try this out. Expository writing is a type of writing which requires students to have vast knowledge. If they are unable to express their thought or ideas, then, it is certainly better to stick to narrative or personal recount.
