THE STEPS TO A GOOD COMPOSITION

1.- Preliminary Outline: note down all the idea which occur to you in connection with the subject. Do not worry about order, you can arrange them later simply by putting numbers beside them.

2. Introduction: Begin with a topic sentence. Your topic sentence will introduce the main point of the paragraph and will be supported by reasons or clarified examples in the rest of the paragraphs. Aim for an arresting opening: one which will induce the reader to go on reading. You may start with anecdotes or statements.

3. Middle paragraphs: It is important you should organize your material, that it does not give the impression of one idea disorderly followed by another. Maintain a consistent point of view: avoid unnecessary changes in person, number or tense, and avoid irrelevant material. Use connectors to compare several points of view, to give emphasis, to indicate contrast, etc

4. Conclusion: It should signal to the reader that he is now coming to the end. Present your conclusion in a short paragraph. Be concrete. Let the reader know that your ideas are clear.

CONNECTORS

a) To introduce: In the first place, to begin with, to start with, firstly, first, first of all, it is a well attested fact that..., It is a truth universally acknowledged that...

b) Expressing personal information: in my opinion, in my view, personally, as far as I am concerned.

c) To continue: in the second place, secondly, next, apart from that, moreover, what is more, furthermore, besides, in addition.

d) To contrast: on the one hand, ... on the other; while; although; even though; In spite of (the fact that); Despite (the fact that); however; nevertheless; on the contrary, in contrast with, but, yet (used as a synonym for 'but').

e) To compare: likewise, similarly

f) To emphasize: There is no doubt there can be no doubt, without doubt, it is obvious that, it is certain that.

g) Cause: because, because of + noun, owing to, due to.

h) To express consequence or result: for this reason, therefore, as a result, consequently, in consequence, thus, so.

i) To give examples: In other words, that is to say, for instance, for example.

j) Referring to someone or something: As regards..., with regard to..., As far as...is concerned.

k) To conclude: In conclusion, to sum up, in brief, in short, therefore, the conclusion to be drawn from this is that..., we can conclude by saying that..., finally, lastly, all in all, and last but not least.