Use of Vocabulary in Compositions
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For one to be active using idioms and phrases, one has to
actively use them. When they are comfortable in using the
phrases in their daily conversation, can they then effectively
use them in their writing. Having lots of resources and reading
widely may not always equate to one using creative vocabulary
all the time.
Like sometimes when i'm hungry, i just say, \" Boy, i'm so hungry
i could eat a horse!\" instead of just saying i'm very hungry. Or i
alternate it to \"I'm starving! Can you hear my tummy rumbling?\"
Or in another example i've shared in another thread before, the
word delicious can be shown in the way we speak as well. Say for
example, if we're to attend a nice dinner outside... ermm... mebbe
a buffet, let's say.... we can use, \"My... the food sure looks scrumptious!\"
instead of the usual \"Very yummy!\" or \"Very delicious!\"... and don't forget
there's also tasty!
My thoughts are if we as parents make the effort to use wide vocabulary
when speaking to one another or to others, our children can be influenced
to use them in their speech (amongst their friends) and also in their writing!
We can be the walking dictionary for them..
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agree with buds.
I have another method too. I own a Longman dictionary of English Idioms. The school teaches English by themes, so if the weekโs theme was "mystery and detective stories", I would look for words in their vocb list; e.g. thief - phrases that come up would be "procrastination is the thief of time", "set a thief to catch a thief"; another example: rob - "daylight robbery", "rob Peter to pay Paul". I would go through the explanation with DS and ask him to come up with examples himself. So far, he has been quite interested.
I find this extremely helpful especially when I sometimes have to crack my head to think of idioms or more โcolourfulโ phrases myself. In addition, he reads a lot but I am unsure whether he knows the exact meaning of what he is reading, so this gives me a chance to make sure that he understands fully as well. -
thanks to all your replies !!
i will START to use all these vocab/good phrases in my conversations with them. -
[Editor's note: Topic selected and edited for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/some-tips-writing-compositions.]
There are more to a good piece of writing than using good phrases. A piece of writing full of 'good phrases' with no interesting content will not 'score' well. Some students have a tendency to 'overuse' such phrases or use them inappropriately.
An excellent piece of work needs to have clear and appealing ideas and is supported with vivid details. The introduction must be effective and has the ability to arouse the interest of the reader. Some examples are : use of sounds, dialogues or flashbacks.
An example of a flashback: \" Sitting in my cold, dark cell, I reflected and mourned on my dark, shadowy past..........\"
Characters must be interesting and well-described. The use of relevant dialogues and description of appearance can bring life to the characters.
Example : \"The pharmacist recoiled in terror and let out a blood-curding scream.\"
Of course, interesting phrases must be used. Try to make the phrases specific and vary their usage. So instead of car, use phrases such as a red BMW. Use vivid verbs - such as scurried off instead of ran.
Pay attention to the sentence structure. Vary the length. Strike a balance between long and short sentences. Sometimes a short sentence can have a great effect on the reader.
Example : There was no sign of the policeman; it was as quiet as a graveyard. I panted and gasped for air. There was a sense of triumphant feeling in me. I had escaped.
Try a different way of starting a sentence instead of using nouns or pronouns.
Example : Grabbing a knife from a kitchen, I made my way out.
Shocked at the appearance of the stranger, the children fell silent.
Use good linking words and connectors well. eg Just then, without hesitation
Start and end well. A good ending will leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Eg : \"Murder. I had killed someone; taken away someone's life. I crumpled my face with tears. Then I ran. I ran.\"
Last, but not least,there must be minor mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar. -
A word of caution: Don't go overboard and end up overusing \"fancy words\" (sorry, I don't know what else to call them
). If you do so, the marker will get the impression that you're trying too hard and he/she will be overwhelmed by all the fancy language. -
wow...csc....after reading what you have written, i suddenly realised why DS1's compo is so-so only.....
Cos the mother's compo also so-so....I can never write like you !!
่ชๆๅฎๆ
ฐ ๏ผ -
no la, emelyn, i where got write well... have difficulty expressing my thoughts sometimes, not like buds, Chief, sashimi, insider - :salute:
juz sharing experiences... and i believe practice (with the right techniques) makes perfect (not always...but most of the time)
So keep trying and praising your ds1 for his effort...don't keep pressing him to use the phrases but suggest him to use them... don't compare his work with his peers..
And keeping a diary or journal helps (where writing is made meaningful).Check out buds' blog.
Have fun and enjoy the process. :lol: -
[quote] Posted: 31 Jul 2009 11:43 Post subject:
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no la, emelyn, i where got write well... have difficulty expressing my thoughts sometimes, not like buds, Chief, sashimi, insider - [/quote]csc, don't be so coy lah. I agree with Emelyn's sentiment on your writing style. Err...can give tuition to my two kids?
Hi Emelyn
I know your son reads widely. So does mine. But during PTC last year, the teacher was advising me to introduce to fictional books as DS early last year was only reading non-fiction. This is to build up vocab and the style of writing. Of course as mention by all the experts that have replied earlier, writing diaries, dont go overboard of using too much flowery phrases and idioms (just like food with too much spices, spoils the taste) and use of new words in everday interactions.
My dd full of ideas but very lor soh (long winded) and her grammar is something that really need to work on. But then...same goes to the mum. -
EN:
My dd full of ideas but very lor soh (long winded) and her grammar is something that really need to work on. But then...same goes to the mum.
Hi,
Yup, my DD also very lor soh and her ending always got problem.
Really hope that she can do well on her writting for her prelim and psle which's coming soon.
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fxchow:
How about planning the end first? Then work backwards. I remember that I was taught to plan the Intro; Body and Conclusion.
Yup, my DD also very lor soh and her ending always got problem.
Really hope that she can do well on her writting for her prelim and psle which's coming soon.
I like CSC's guidelines/suggestion :idea: and will use this for my girls. Thanks!
I'm very verbal a person, so I tend to speak with \"flowery\" language. Once your boy's comfortable using such phrases in his conversation, it's go to his composition as it's now 2nd nature
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