PSLE English Composition Tips — How To Write A Top-Scoring Essay
Why Composition Matters
When it comes to the PSLE English Paper 1, the composition section is often what parents worry about most. Unlike multiple-choice or grammar questions, there’s no fixed answer, no easy way to “revise” — and that can make it feel daunting. But in our experience, composition is actually one of the most reliable areas for improvement, especially when students are taught how to structure their stories, plan efficiently, and use language purposefully.
At The Exam Coach, we work with hundreds of students each year preparing for the PSLE, and one of the most common parent questions we hear is: “How can my child write a good PSLE composition?” The answer isn't complicated — but it does require strategy, consistency, and the right support.
Understanding the PSLE Composition Format
Let’s first understand what the exam is asking for. In the PSLE 2025 format, Paper 1 consists solely of one continuous writing task, where students are given a set of three visuals and must craft a story that uses at least one of them. They’re expected to write between 150 and 200 words in about 50 minutes. The composition is worth 40 marks, with the scoring split evenly between Content and Language.
A strong composition isn’t necessarily the longest, most dramatic, or even the most “creative.” What the examiners are really looking for is clarity, coherence, and control — can the student write a story that is well-developed, engaging, and grammatically sound?
If you're unfamiliar with the exact format or marking scheme, you can explore our detailed breakdown in the PSLE English Complete Guide, which includes an overview of Paper 1 and Paper 2.
The Most Common Mistakes
There are a few recurring mistakes we see in the compositions of even the most diligent students. The first is a weak or underdeveloped plot — often, students get caught up trying to sound impressive or pack in advanced vocabulary, and lose sight of a clear storyline. Another common error is failing to properly tie the story to the selected visual; students might mention the object or scene briefly but fail to weave it meaningfully into the plot. Language issues like verb tense confusion, run-on sentences, or misused phrases also crop up frequently.
And finally, many students lean too heavily on dialogue. A good story might have some speech between characters, but when the entire composition is built around dialogue with no action or internal reflection, it loses impact.
These are issues that can be corrected — and quickly — with targeted practice and expert feedback.
Structure and Planning
One of the most valuable tools a student can have before walking into their PSLE English exam is a dependable structure. We teach all our students a version of the five-part story structure — introduction, build-up, climax, resolution, and conclusion. This helps them stay on track during writing, and gives the story a natural flow that markers appreciate.
Planning matters just as much as writing. We encourage students to spend the first five to seven minutes sketching out their story in bullet points or a story mountain. Who are the main characters? What problem will they face? How will it be resolved? These decisions shouldn’t be made on the fly. A well-planned story is often a better-marked one, even if it’s simpler in plot.
Language, Style, and Phrasing
Good writing isn’t just about big words — it’s about making the reader feel something. Students should be trained to focus on specific, vivid details rather than general descriptions. Instead of saying “The boy was nervous,” a more effective sentence might be: “Sweat trickled down Marcus’s back as he crept closer to the old gate.” This kind of writing comes from reading strong models and getting regular feedback.
Varying sentence structure, using sensory language, and balancing action with emotion are all skills that take time to develop — but they make a huge difference in scoring well for Language.
We’ve put together a Free PSLE Past Papers Pack with writing prompts and sample compositions that showcase the difference between a “pass” and a “distinction” script.
Practice Makes Perfect — But Not Just Any Practice
Many parents print out past year papers and ask their child to write a composition a week. This can be helpful — but only if the student knows what to focus on. We recommend setting a specific improvement goal for each composition. One week might focus on writing stronger conclusions, another on tightening paragraph structure.
After writing, students should review their work with a tutor or parent, mark it using the official PSLE rubrics, and rewrite one paragraph using the feedback. This builds confidence and reinforces progress.
Need resources? Our PSLE English Tuition Programme provides weekly composition marking, breakdowns, and personalised improvement plans.
How Compositions Are Marked
Understanding how marks are awarded helps students target their efforts. The composition is marked out of 40, with 20 marks for Content (development of ideas, relevance to the visuals, creativity, coherence) and 20 marks for Language (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and vocabulary).
To achieve an AL1, your child would typically need to score at least 17 out of 20 in both categories — a high standard, but not unreachable with consistent practice.
Final Advice From Our PSLE English Coaches
Improving composition writing is a process — and it’s never too late to start. Focus on helping your child plan their stories properly, avoid common structural pitfalls, and write with precision and clarity. Encourage them to read well-written model compositions, and most importantly, make sure they get feedback that’s both encouraging and constructive.
You don’t need a private tutor to see improvement, but you do need a system. That’s what we’ve built at The Exam Coach — and it’s worked for thousands of students preparing for school entrance examinations.
