What Makes a Good Chinese Composition at the PSLE Level?
In the PSLE Chinese Paper 1, composition writing carries a weightage of 40 marks. It is often the section that determines whether a student achieves an AL1 or AL3. A well-written composition isn’t just grammatically correct—it must be engaging, structured, and relevant to the theme.
But what exactly are MOE markers looking for in a good PSLE Chinese composition? Whether your child is receiving Chinese tuition in Singapore, attending Chinese enrichment classes, or preparing intensively at Xuelin Learning Hub, this guide will show you what makes a strong, high-scoring Chinese composition.
1. A Clear and Logical Structure (结构清晰)
The ideal composition follows a four-part story arc:
✅ 起 – Beginning: Set the scene and introduce characters
✅ 承 – Development: Build up the incident or conflict
✅ 转 – Climax: Present the turning point or problem
✅ 合 – Conclusion: Resolve the story and reflect
We teach this 起承转合 model in all our Chinese composition writing classes at Xuelin to ensure every story flows logically.
2. Sticking to the Theme (紧扣题意)
PSLE composition topics usually revolve around values like honesty, kindness, friendship, or responsibility. Students must:
-
Identify the theme clearly
-
Avoid going off-topic
-
Ensure the entire story links back to the theme (not just the ending)
For example, if the topic is about helping others, the main event should focus on an act of help—not a side incident with a short helping act added at the end.
3. Strong Introduction and Conclusion (开头和结尾精彩)
A good introduction captures interest. Common techniques include:
-
Flashback (倒叙)
-
Dialogue (对话开头)
-
Descriptive scene setting (描写开头)
-
Using a famous quote or proverb (名言警句)
Endings should reflect the lesson learned, echo the theme, and leave an emotional impression. We teach students to use reflective statements like:
“从这件事情中，我学会了……”
“这次经历让我明白了一个道理……”
4. Rich Vocabulary and Sentence Variety (词汇丰富，句式多变)
Markers reward students who:
-
Use idioms (成语), similes, and expressive phrases
-
Vary sentence types (e.g., exclamatory, rhetorical, compound)
-
Show, not tell emotions
❌ “我很生气。”
✅ “我的脸顿时涨得通红，拳头紧握，怒火在胸中燃烧。”
At Xuelin Learning Hub, we train students to build a personal phrase bank of high-impact vocabulary.
5. Detailed Descriptions (描写具体)
Top scorers describe actions, thoughts, facial expressions, and setting with detail.
Examples:
-
“他的眼睛瞪得圆圆的，嘴巴张得大大的，像被雷击了一样站在原地。”
-
“教室里一片寂静，只听见时钟‘滴答滴答’地响着。”
Use the 五官描写法 (5 senses description method) to bring scenes to life.
6. Natural Dialogue (对话自然)
Dialogue should:
-
Reflect character personalities
-
Push the story forward
-
Include emotions or reactions
Good dialogue is concise and realistic, not robotic or repetitive. Encourage your child to read it out loud—if it doesn’t sound natural, revise it.
7. A Reflective Ending (结尾有感而发)
The final paragraph should:
-
Summarise the key takeaway
-
Reinforce the moral value
-
Reflect on personal growth or learning
Markers favour compositions that go beyond just “the story ended” and demonstrate deeper thinking.
8. Language Accuracy (语文准确)
To avoid deduction, students must:
-
Use correct punctuation
-
Avoid mixing up similar characters (e.g., 候 vs. 候, 玩 vs. 完)
-
Be consistent in tense and tone
-
Check for omitted strokes in characters
We encourage students to review and rewrite their drafts in our best Chinese tuition programmes to reinforce this.
9. Time Management and Planning
A strong composition starts with a solid plan. We teach students to spend:
🕐 5–7 mins on planning (character, setting, conflict, value)
🕐 30 mins writing
🕐 3–5 mins checking
Planning templates (such as mind maps or 5W1H) help students stay focused and structured under exam conditions.
10. Practice, Feedback, and Rewriting
Even talented writers improve through:
-
Regular writing practice (at least 1 essay/week)
-
Marked feedback with clear error explanations
-
Rewriting to fix weaknesses
At Xuelin Learning Hub, our students receive personalised feedback on every composition and complete final drafts for every major assignment.
Conclusion
A good PSLE Chinese composition is not just about flair—it’s about structure, relevance, vocabulary, and reflection. With the right training, consistent practice, and guidance, any student can transform their writing and stand out in the exam.
At Xuelin Learning Hub, we specialise in turning reluctant writers into confident storytellers through a proven curriculum that balances creativity and exam readiness.
