How to Write a Good Composition

How to Use Creative Words and Phrases for Composition Writing & Essays

This blog will give you examples and ideas of Idioms, Similes, Metaphors or Personification that you can use in your compositions.

Using creative words and phrases is not enough, it is using the right phrases which count. A child needs to have a broad knowledge of a variety of phrases.  That way, he will be well-equipped with an many  words to express himself fluently and smoothly.

Many parents misunderstand the use of “good phrases”.  They force their child to memorise bombastic vocabulary.  This should not be the case as memorization does not equal application.  

Students tend to memorise the phrases and then use them in the wrong context when writing.  This causes the students’ writing to become stilted and mechanical.  Some may even become addicted to the use of bombastic vocabulary and end up writing overly-complicated sentences or phrases to look smart.

Instead of “good phrases”, focus on using – EFFECTIVE PHRASES.

It’s okay to use simple phrases!  Keep your sentences short, concise, and straight to the point.  Use the right words at the right time.  Express your ideas fluently.

Remember – You are writing to let the reader for the sake of enjoyment.  You are not writing to IMPRESS the reader.

Types of phrases

Classification of phrases

Good Phrases” can be broken down into:

• Idioms
• Similes
• Metaphors
• Personification

Idioms

An idiom is an expression of words whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements.

In other words, an idiom is a quirky series of words combined to form a special meaning.

Idioms should be used sparingly in a composition.  Do not overuse them as it may make your overall composition sound very cheesy or old-fashioned.  Some idioms are also not commonly used in our everyday speech, hence over-usage of the less well-known idioms might make reading awkward.

Some Useful Idioms

1. An arm and a leg –  Very expensive or costly.

E.g: Dining at this high-class restaurant cost me an arm and a leg!  I will never return here again.

2. Blessing in disguise – something good that was not recognized at first.

E.g:  Missing that field trip turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the school bus met with an accident.

3. Piece of cake – used to describe something that is very easy to do.

E.g:  This assignment was a piece of cake.  I completed in less that fifteen minutes

4. Not to make head or tail of something – unable to decipher or understand the meaning

E.g:  The teacher was talking so fast that I could not make head or tail of what he was saying.

5. See eye to eye – to agree with someone

E.g:  Jack and Diane kept on quarreling as they could not see eye to eye with each other.

Similes

What is a Similes?

It is a figure of speech where one thing is compared with another thing of a different kind.

It is used to make a description more vivid or to draw out a particular quality of the subject being mentioned.

Similes are used with the words “like” or “as…as”.

Similes are best used when they are original, creative, relevant and logical.  A simile which has been used too many times  – “as fast as a cheetah” or “as fast as lightning” –  will not score you extra points.

50 Examples of  Idioms A Student Can Use for Composition Writing

Some Useful Similes

1.The students were chattering like monkeys.

2. The winner of the race paraded around the track like a peacock.

3. We tried to carry him but he was as heavy as an elephant.

4.  The signboards were as bright as daylight.

5. When she heard someone call her name in the dark, she turned as pale as a sheet.

6. Filled with rage, the bully charged towards me like a bull.

7. The boys were laughing like hyenas when they pulled off the prank.

8. Don’t worry about her.  She can handle it herself.  She is as tough as nails!

9. When the exams commenced, the classroom became as silent as a grave.

10. On the last day of school, Jimmy dashed out of the school gates feeling as free as a bird.

Metaphors

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something that is not literally applicable to suggest a resemblance.

In other words, it is almost like a simile, except you are not using the words ‘like’ or ‘as…as’.

Metaphors are slightly more difficult to use than similes.  But when they are used right, they can give an extremely vivid portrayal of a character or a situation in the story.

A metaphor applied correctly can be a very powerful tool in writing.

Some Useful Metaphors

1. She felt a whirlwind of emotions passed through her.  ( overwhelmed by emotions)

2. Don’t believe that fortune-teller.  He is selling you snake oil.  (metaphorical idiom, fake promises, products or services that fail to live up to expectations, something fraudulent)

3. Mr Tan is a teacher with a heart of gold.  ( very kind or generous)

4.  Stay away from him.  He is a loaded gun. (dangerous)

5.  When the basketball team got off the bus, we could smell the stench of defeat on them.  ( they acted in such a way that it was easy to deduce that they have lost)

6. After failing her exams, Shirley wallowed in a sea of self-pity.  ( metaphorical idiom, overwhelmed by self pity)

7. He was so sad that he was crying rivers. (a lot of tears)

8.  Sean’s stomach was a bottomless pit. ( extremely hungry, describe someone who cannot stop eating.)

9. Completing this assignment was a breeze. ( very easy to complete)

10.  Hearing her laughter was music to my ears.  (a pleasant sound)

Personification

Personification is done by attributing human characteristics to something non-human.

This done to give a clearer picture of whatever that’s being described.  It enables the reader visualise and see the imagery in their minds.

Personification can be done by simple usage of verbs or action words.

Just like metaphors, Personification can count as good phrases for composition writing.

Some Useful Ideas for Personification

1. The thunderstorm raged on outside my window.

2. The soft, cool sand caressed my feet.

3. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

4. I could hear the faint wail of the ambulance in a distance.

5. The moment I stepped out into the streets, I was greeted by the strong diesel fumes.

6. The trees shadowed the soldiers as they trekked through the forest.

7. The sports car roared with ferocity as it zoomed past the spectators.

8. The road was treacherous and unforgiving.

9. The expensive handbag seemed to call out to her.  “Buy me!”

10. By the time the firemen arrived, the flames were already dancing on the roof.

How to come up with your own phrases?

The best descriptions are often ones that you come up with on the spot, that can fit the scenario or context that you are describing perfectly.

Coming up with good phrases for composition writing is not that hard.  All you need is an inquisitive mind that is able to draw comparisons between 2 unrelated objects.

You need to be creative –  a trait that is inherent in most children.

You need to be able to come up with fresh ideas and fresh perspectives.

Some questions to ask yourself when coming up with good phrases for composition writing:

• How can I better depict this character/scene/object by comparing it with something else?
• What’s a better verb I can use to personify this object?
• How can I make this phrase or sentence more interesting for the reader?
• How can I better convey my point across to the reader?
• How can I help the reader to visualise better?

How to Effectively use Phrases in Composition Writing