The Proven Strategy Every Student Needs to Ace Composition

Every parent of a Primary student knows the stakes of the PSLE exams. Among the challenges, Composition Writing often emerges as the most daunting. How can you help your child write confidently within a tight time limit, and ensure their writing consistently scores well? 

In an exclusive interview with Daniel Ong, author of WRITING GENIUS PRIMARY 5/6 and Head Tutor at DO Applied Learning by Epoch Talent Academy, he reveals that success in composition writing is not just about talent—it’s about mastering proven techniques and smart strategies.

With a stellar track record of helping students achieve breakthroughs in writing, Mr. Ong has become a go-to expert for parents looking for practical solutions. The proven techniques honed in his classroom have empowered thousands of students to excel in composition writing. Here, he shares with us the inspiration behind his writing guide, the innovative techniques it introduces, and how every child can unlock their full writing potential to achieve success in the PSLE.

Daniel Ong, author of Writing Genius

• Throughout your teaching career, what common writing struggles did you observe in students that led you to see the need for a specialized writing guide?

Throughout my teaching career, I noticed that many students struggled with starting their essays, organising their thoughts, and crafting narratives with enough of a twist to be interesting. These challenges often stemmed from a lack of understanding of what they needed to do.

As the saying goes, “Competency breeds confidence” and our writing guide was designed to provide students with a solid foundation to build from. By breaking writing into manageable steps, the guide helps them approach their work with less hesitation, allowing them to focus more on ensuring their writing makes sense and answers the question effectively.

• Many parents believe that reading more is key to excel in writing. Do you agree?

I believe that while reading is crucial for excelling in writing, it needs to be targeted and at the appropriate level. If the material is too easy, it doesn’t challenge the student or help them grow. On the other hand, if it’s too difficult, it can become overwhelming and discouraging. It’s important to find that “Goldilocks zone” — reading that stretches their abilities just enough.

Ideally, the text should introduce 4-5 useful phrases per chapter for them to learn and use in their own writing, such as descriptive or transition phrases. It should also show how ideas are connected in a clear and logical manner, helping students learn to structure their thoughts in an organized way that is easy to follow and engaging for the reader.

By reading with a purpose and learning from it, it helps students develop their vocabulary, structure their thoughts, and understand effective writing techniques.

• Could you share one technique from your book that most students don’t typically learn in school?

One technique I teach in my book that most students don’t learn in school is the “1 Main Idea, 1000 Compositions” approach. The focus is on adaptation: students develop a few core ideas or themes and learn how to adapt and modify them to suit different composition prompts.

Instead of reinventing the wheel every time they face a new question, they refine their ability to tweak and apply their existing ideas creatively. This not only saves time but also builds confidence and consistency in their writing.

• The book introduces the “5Cs Technique.” Could you share what each “C” stands for and how students can apply this technique?

The “5Cs Technique” introduced in the book stands for Context, Conflict, Complication, Climax, and Conclusion. Each “C” represents a critical element that guides students to structure their writing effectively: By focusing on each of these elements in the corresponding segment of their writing, students stay on track and can avoid straying into irrelevant details, creating cohesive and engaging compositions.

• How do you encourage ‘unlimited creativity’ while keeping compositions relevant to exam requirements?

To encourage creativity while keeping compositions relevant to exam requirements, we first emphasise understanding the purpose of creativity in writing: its primary role is to engage the reader, not to overwhelm them with unnecessary complexity. We use the phrase, “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good enough,” as a guiding principle. Students are encouraged to focus on achieving a balance—creativity that enhances their writing while staying aligned with the requirements of the exam.

Since students juggle many responsibilities, we teach them techniques that are practical and manageable to ensure their compositions are engaging, relevant, and achievable within the constraints of exam conditions.

• With PSLE exams becoming more competitive, what is one overlooked skill in writing that could give students an edge?

One often-overlooked skill in writing that could give students an edge in competitive PSLE exams is accurate sentence structure. While parents and students tend to focus heavily on memorising impressive vocabulary and good phrases, they may neglect the foundation of strong writing: proper grammar and sentence construction.

Good phrases can elevate a composition only if the underlying grammar is solid. Excessive grammatical errors not only distract from the quality of the writing but also cap the overall score for the language component. By prioritising accuracy in sentence structure students can ensure that they do not get penalised unnecessarily.

• Your book emphasizes the importance of having a “main idea” in writing. What’s the biggest challenge students face when defining a main idea, and how can they overcome it?

The biggest challenge students face when defining a main idea is creating a strong, clear setting to start from, especially under the pressure of exams. Many students feel the need to come up with something entirely new each time, which can lead to frustration and a lack of direction in their writing.

To overcome this, the book emphasises the importance of practicing one solid “punch” repeatedly rather than trying to generate countless new ideas. By focusing on practicing one core main idea and learning to adapt it to different prompts, students build confidence and flexibility.

This approach helps them start essays with ease and gives them a reliable foundation to branch out from, even under exam pressure. With enough practice, they can adapt their main idea effortlessly, knowing how to develop it into different directions based on the task at hand.

• What tips do you have for students to ensure that their main idea is clear and strong before they start writing their composition?

To ensure that their main idea is clear and strong before starting their composition, students should be clear about the different directions their chosen scene can take. This means understanding the potential paths they can explore and the various elements they want to incorporate into their writing.

A helpful tip is to write a short plan using the 5C format (Context, Conflict, Complication, Climax, Conclusion) before beginning the composition. This serves as a roadmap, ensuring that each paragraph flows logically and builds upon the previous one.

By organising their thoughts in this way, students can maintain a clear and focused narrative, ensuring that the main idea remains strong and relevant throughout their writing while answering the question.

• What role does practice play in mastering writing? and how does your book structure practice sessions to be effective?

Practise plays a crucial role in mastering writing because it helps students develop confidence, refine their skills, and internalise the techniques needed for successful compositions. Writing, like any other skill, improves with consistent practice and repetition.

Our book supports this by providing students with a structured framework they can use in their practice sessions. The exercises are designed around realistic exam scenarios to ensure that students are preparing in a way that closely mirrors the conditions they will face in their exams.

• How important is it for students to have a structured framework when writing, and how does your book help with this?

Having a structured framework is crucial for students as it helps them organize their ideas, ensuring their writing is coherent and focused. Our book provides this structure through the 5C technique. This approach breaks down the writing process into clear, manageable steps, guiding students on what to include in each section. It ensures a logical flow and adaptability to different prompts, helping students stay on track and build more focused compositions as a result.

Ready to help your child excel in writing?

WRITING GENIUS PRIMARY 5/6 is more than a book—it’s a comprehensive guide to transforming your child’s writing journey. From structured frameworks like the 5Cs to practical techniques like “1 Main Idea, 1000 Compositions,” it equips students with everything they need to succeed. This highly sought-after guide has already sold out twice!

Visit DOAppliedLearning.com.sg to learn more and grab your copy from SAP’s website Writing Genius Primary 5-6.

Bonus:  Get a FREE guide – Must know tips to ace PSLE English based on the latest syllabus, shared by DO Applied Learning by Epoch Talent Academy!