Grade 9:

Introduction to Composition Writing:

The writing section tests the student’s linguistic ability, his/her power of
expression and the ability to present arguments coherently.
The aspects that are taken into consideration are – the quality of the language
employed, the range and appropriateness of vocabulary and sentence structure,
syntax and the degree to which candidates have been successful in organising
the content of the composition as a whole.
The student can make a choice from five different compositions. Students are
advised to choose the topic which they are the most capable of writing well.
Steps of writing a composition:
1. Concrete planning: jot down the points you want to include in your
composition.
2. Organisation: read through all the points and choose the most relevant
ones only.
3. Think of a beginning which will attract the attention of the reader and
start your composition.
4. Style and language: the style should be lucid and simple so that the ideas
are conveyed to the reader easily.
5. Length: should be about 400 words and not less than 200 words.
6. Handwriting and legibility: good handwriting creates a good impression.
Error free work is also appreciated.

1. Descriptive Composition:
a. These topics expect the student to create a pen-picture. The main
objective of the descriptive essay is to draw a clear picture of a person, place or
event for the reader.
b. These compositions require attention to detail. A vibrant and lively
description is preferable. While describing people or a place, all the features
must be written down.
c. Be specific in the usage of words. Adjectives need to be used carefully.
Example:
My Favourite Place:
Richmond Beach was my spiritual hangout in my childhood. It is a rocky beach
in the city of Richmond Beach, which can be accessed by a long downhill drive
(by car or bicycle) from the city of Edmonds. Or, as I did often, took the 30-
minute walk from my house to the calm waters through a tranquil stroll through
the woods of Woodway. It used to be a place inhabited by Native Americans,
but now it is occupied by mostly Caucasian people. However, a totem pole
stands in tribute to the tribes that used to call the beach home. It has a vast
property, with a beach, a playground, two upper lawns for the view and
recreation, myriad “secret” trails along the clay hillsides, picnic areas, and a
square where people can walk around, take an outdoor rinse-shower after a
swim, and benches for the spectacular view.
With the sagebrush, chattering birds, train tracks, the croak of frogs, wind,
herons, various shells, a cave along the beach, and a fantastic view of the
Olympic Mountains, Richmond Beach is at once ordinary and extraordinary.
Being there brings you into another state, in which you want to introspect, be
calm, and be positive.
In high school, I was not a very social person. I did not have so many friends,
and I did not feel like I belonged in a group most of the time. But when I went
to Richmond Beach, these worries were left behind. It seemed like a mystical
place to me, and in a way, it still does.
I would walk to various places on the beach: a secret cave in the clay hills on
the left, the train tracks that lead all the way from Seattle to Chicago, the mass
of sagebrush where the melody of birds made for a serene scene, and of course
the beach itself, which was scattered with shells, tide pools, crabs, seals,
driftwood, remnants of parties, and more.
The passing trains always attracted me there as well. My first word was “choo
choo,” since the first three years of my life was near a train station in the
Greenlake area of Seattle. So, I had a calling towards trains since my birth.
Walking the tracks, I would meet interesting people, learn to know when trains
were coming through the vibration and singing of the rails, and would be
immersed in a world with a forest on one side and the Puget Sound and the
other. This combination of forest and ocean was enchanting, and captured my
imagination.
I wrote many poems about this place, and have been continually inspired by the
atmosphere there. In fact, my poetry has developed largely at Richmond Beach.
No where else have I written so many poems—except perhaps on public
transport. I started writing lyrical and narrative poetry around 11 years of age,
and have continued since. For the past few years, I have been writing almost
exclusively haiku. A lot of my haiku is inspired by the nature of Richmond
Beach, how I relate to it spiritually, and by the people who used to occupy that
land—as I feel a special connection with Native Americans.
It seems that Richmond Beach is one of those places that no matter how bad
you feel, you will leave feeling soothed and renewed. It is like therapy just to
walk around, feel the ionic breeze of the Puget Sound, smell the seaweed and
moisture, hear the variety of birds singing, listen to the crashing of moderate
waves, witness the sailboats and other boats on the water, take in the Olympic
mountains in all their glory, see people enjoying themselves on the beach, the
whistle and trucking of a distant train, and feel the sand on the soles of your
feet, melding into each other with each step. It is a whole therapeutic package.
It will be hard to ever forget Richmond Beach. It is now intertwined in my
poetry, childhood, spiritual life, family life, romantic memories, and even the
passing of my father, whose ashes was spread there. So, whenever I visit
Richmond Beach, all of these elements rest in my mind and soul. There are
other places that stir my imagination and supply me with sentimental rushes, but
Richmond Beach is at the top of my list.

2. Narrative Composition:
a. This is a first person narrative. The student is expected to narrate his own
experience or point of view. It is based on a sequence of events. The
composition must have a sequence.
b. While writing this kind of composition it is necessary to give a detailed
account of the event as it happened.
c. Details about the people present, the atmosphere and the feelings of the
narrator must be expressed.
Example:
Playground memories:
In elementary school, I had many experiences that garnered memories. I was
often bullied on the playground during recess because of my skinniness and
height. The larger boys saw me as a target for their ego to inflate. They might
have had problems at home, or were bullied themselves, and were projecting
their frustrations on me.
Anyways, after being locked in a locker, put headfirst into a toilet, punched and
pushed around, called names, played jokes on, and other abuse, I finally had
enough. I cracked. I could not psychologically take anymore hurt and punctures
to my self-esteem.
A day or two after my birthday, I was on the school basketball court, shooting
hoops. My mother had given me a basketball as a gift, and I was reveling in the
fun of this new sport. But as expected (though I did not think about it at the
time), another child started to bother me. He came up to me, and without a
word, took the basketball out of my hands as I was dribbling. I was so shocked
and emotionally tied to that gift that without a moment’s notice, I punched the
kid in the face. I knocked him down and he immediately ran away crying. I
never asked if he was playfully taking the ball from me, but I had had enough
bullying in my day to react strongly to such an action.
Apparently, the boy went to the principal and reported my violence. I was called
to the principal’s office during my next class, and walked in with my own form
of ethics. The boy had been a bully, and he deserved a repercussion. However,
the principal and I did not see eye to eye, naturally. He called my mother about
the incident, and she was surprised that I would do such a thing. I had always
been the quiet kid, playing with toys by himself, or tagging along with other
children as more of a witness than a major participant. No one’s mother expects
their child to punch someone, but it happens for certain reasons. In my case, I
had been dominated by my classmates for years, and that pent-up anger and
shame resulted in a violent action.
From then on, I figured out that I did not need to be bullied. I could take action.
I found that my anger and resentment gave me a wild strength, which was
unmatched by the usual fighting powers of a calm kid. In a way, I went to the
dark side (in reference to Star Wars). I found a way to combat my enemies, but
not in the healthiest of avenues.
In middle school, I dug my nails into a boy’s arm and restrained him after he
made several verbal attacks towards me. He was much bigger and taller than
me, but my anger guided me towards illogic and throwing estimating my
chances to the wind.
In high school, a junior beat up my twin brother. My brother and I were both
freshmen at the time. When I saw him next, I choked him and even dragged him
up to a light post, where I banged his head on a metal pole. His girlfriend was
watching and was terrified. I do not knowexactly what I had come over me, but
from that time in elementary school where I first used my fists to resolve an
issue, I did not look back. I had found a solution that made me feel strong,
confident, and able to take on the world. However, there was one problem: it put
holes in my bedroom door, it led to unnecessary attacks on my family, and I
found that the sensation of not being able to control my anger troubling.
Thank heavens I started to meditate. By the time I was 19 years old, bullies
were not a problem anymore, and I had no use for my boiling anger. When I
started to meditate every day, I found that the person beyond the anger was
much more agreeable to be around. I wanted to be more like that person every
day. So, I continued to meditate daily, and eventually I became the person that I
wanted to be. I learned that anger was a temporary solution, but I did not need
to drag it on throughout the years. Now, I am much more satisfied to be peaceful
inside.
3. Argumentative Composition:
a. This is generally a debatable topic. The student is expected to arrive at a
conclusion through reasoning. It is necessary for the student to express his or
her opinions on various topics.
b. The essay asks you to state whether you are for or against the topic. Make
your stand clear at the beginning of the essay. Give arguments and examples to
substantiate your opinion.
c. Always take into consideration both sides of the argument and then take a
stand. You must not change your stand midway in the essay.
d. Your arguments must be well reasoned and must respect the sentiments of
all people.
Example:
"A dog is man's best friend." That common saying may contain some truth, but
dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy. For
many people, a cat is their best friend. Despite what dog lovers may believe,
cats make excellent housepets as they are good companions, they are civilized
members of the household, and they are easy to care for.
In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of [Link] cats are
affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under the
chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If they're not feeling affectionate, cats are
generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and feathers, or just about
anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when their
owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be
trained. Using rewards and punishments, just like with a dog, a cat can be
trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks. Cats will even fetch!
In the second place, cats are civilized members of the [Link] dogs,
cats do not bark or make other loud noises. Most cats don't even meow very
often. They generally lead a quiet existence. Cats also don't often have
"accidents." Mother cats train their kittens to use the litter box, and most cats
will use it without fail from that time on. Even stray cats usually understand the
concept when shown the box and will use it regularly. Cats do have claws, and
owners must make provision for this. A tall scratching post in a favorite cat area
of the house will often keep the cat content to leave the furniture alone. As a last
resort, of course, cats can be declawed.
Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as housepets is their ease of
[Link] do not have to be walked. They get plenty of exercise in the house as
they play, and they do their business in the litter box. Cleaning a litter box is a
quick, painless procedure. Cats also take care of their own grooming. Bathing a
cat is almost never necessary because under ordinary circumstances cats clean
themselves. Cats are more particular about personal cleanliness than people are.
In addition, cats can be left home alone for a few hours without fear. Unlike
some pets, most cats will not destroy the furnishings when left alone. They are
content to go about their usual activities until their owners return.
Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions. People who have small living
quarters or less time for pet care should appreciate these characteristics of cats.
However, many people who have plenty of space and time still opt to have a cat
because they love the cat personality. In many ways, cats are the ideal housepet.
4. Story Writing:
a. The story must be your own creation and should not be based on what
you have previously read.
b. Sometimes a title is provided; otherwise the story must have a title.
c. A good story will always have a plot, settings and characters.
d. The other elements of a story are as follows: setting and atmosphere,
dialogue.
e. If the opening and closing sentences are given in the question, use them
word for word. End the story with a logical conclusion. Add the title after you
complete the story.
f. The five key elements of a story are: characters, setting, plot, conflict and
theme.
Example:
Write a short story in 200 – 250 words, with the help of the cues given below.
Give a suitable title to the story.
Going to Mumbai by train to attend the marriage of a friend ..... got stuck in a
traffic jam ..... reached the railway station late ..... boarded a wrong train .....
realised after two hours ..... now you ... ... ...
A series of Unfortunate Events
I sat down with relief as I ticked off the last task in the checklist. I wanted
everything to be perfect as it was my best friend’s marriage in Mumbai. The
alarm rang next morning, I woke up in excitement and booked a cab to the
railway station. Everything was going perfectly until I got stuck in a traffic jam.
I reached the railway station late but on the sight of the train still waiting on the
platform, I hurried and somehow managed to get into the train. I breathed a sigh
of relief and got comfortable. It was only when the Ticket Collector came, I
realised that I had been in the wrong train for two hours. I panicked and
deboarded the train at the next station. I tried booking a ticket for the next train
to Mumbai but there was no availability. On coming back from the ticket
counter, I realised that my luggage was missing. Even after hours of finding and
reporting it, there was no trace of it. I got tired and lost hope, tried booking a
cab with the minimal amount I was left with in my pocket. The cab couldn’t
reach on time as it was raining heavily. Disheartened, I finally walked my way
to the nearest hotel, contacted my parents and recited them the series of
unfortunate events that happened during the day. Alas, I couldn’t even make it
to my best friend’s wedding.
5. Picture Composition:
a. This composition is based on a given picture. The image would depict
something dramatic, an event or a place.
b. Study the picture carefully and then use it to write a description, narration
or a short story.
c. There must be an introduction with one reference to the picture, followed
by your thoughts and feelings by looking at the picture. The conclusion must be
a balanced outcome of the thoughts and feelings.
[Link] attention to all the details given in the picture. Relate the details to the
overall effect of the picture.

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