Writing a good composition!
- Makes the reader feel like wanting to continue reading on
- Storyline does not have to be complicated, as long as it is simple but exciting and interesting to read
- Focus on emotions, good verbs, adjectives, adverbs and dialogues
- Provide vivid details!


Descriptive Phrases on Emotions.

ANGER
1. Tom turned red with fury.
2. Pete was boiling with rage.
3. He stamped his foot in anger.
4. Sally gritted her teeth in anger.
5. They were too angry for words.
6. Her voice crackled with anger.
7. Jake stormed off towards the exit.
8. His anger turned into violence.
9. He drew in his breath with a long kiss.
10. He was like a bull in a China shop.
11. A wave of futile rage swept over him.
12. An angry frown creased her forehead.
13. I could see her eyes glowing in fury.
14. He was so angry that his blood boiled.
15. She stormed out of the room in anger.
16. His fist came down on the table with a loud bang.
17. In a fit of rage, he stabbed her to death.
18. His eyes flashed with anger and resentment.
19. His face was contorted with rage and fury.
20. He clenched his fist and shook with fury.
21. He was fuming but he contained his anger.
22. Seething with anger, he approached me menacingly.
23. In a blind fury, he smashed the chair against the television.
24. With hands trembling with anger, the man slapped the boy hard.
25. She was hopping mad when she head the slanderous accusations.
26. His hands were shaking uncontrollably and his face turned an ominous red.
27. His face had turned to the colour of molten lava and his eyes flashed angrily.
28. She stared with eyes filled with anger and hatred that were beyond description.
29. He has a pair of bloodshot, baggy eyes that give him the doleful look of a basset hound.
30. Fury boiled through her veins.
31. His red face seemed to be swollen with anger.

HAPPINESS
1. She was as happy as a lark.
2. He laughed heartily.
3. He laughed till his sides hurt.
4. He burst into fits of laughter.
5. The winner jumped for joy.
6. They were filled with happiness.
7. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
8. Her eyes glittered with tears of joy.
9. They were saturated with happiness.
10. He was smiling like a contented old man.
11. He poured out his gratitude profusely.
12. He was all smiles when he saw the results.
13. They roared with laughter on hearing the joke.
14. She kept a straight face but inside she was giggling like mad.
15. Our hearts were full of joy when we heard the good news.
16. My father, coughing hard to suppress a laugh, turned his face away.
17. We were in high spirits and the mood was set for an enjoyable day.
18. Her eyes widened with pleasure when she saw the new gleaming bicycle.
19. He was so happy that he could not help thinking that he was the luckiest man in the world.
20. The sight of him uplifted her spirits and a smile shone out of her face which was buried in darkness till now.
21. The boy’s face lit up with joy.
22. The feeling of joy was in everybody’s heart.
23. He was smiling enigmatically to himself.

EXCITEMENT
1. Back in the room, Tim was simply quivering all over with excitement.
2. The crowd let out a stupendous cheer as the team scored a home goal.
3. Their pulses raced as they neared their final goal.
4. They stared at him in blank amazement.
5. She rummaged frantically in her handbag for the revolver.

TIREDNESS
1. I felt run down after a hard day's work.
2. She felt drowsy and weary after the night shift.
3. He fell asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.
4. She was dog-tired and kept yawning.
5. His eyes were red from the lack of sleep.
6. He was snoring loudly after a few minutes.
7. He was curled up in bed, fast asleep.
8. He was overcome with fatigue and soon fell asleep.
9. The minutes ticked by and soon his eyes started to droop sleepily.
10. He complained sleepily at the endless homework he had to do.
11. His whole body ached in protest as he forced himself to continue.

SADNESS
1. Sue broke into tears.
2. Tears welled up in her eyes.
3. She was on the verge of tears.
4. Tears rolled down her rosy cheeks.
5. No words could express his agony.
6. The poor child sobbed sorrowfully.
7. With a heavy heart, he left the hospital.
8. My heart sank when I heard the sad news.
9. Her eyes were puffy and red after all the crying.
10. She cried her heart out on hearing the tragic news.
11. The frightened child was on the brink of tears.
12. Seeing this felt like a thousand knives falling from the sky stabbing through her fragile heart.
13. The heartache of her heart shattering into a million pieces was unbearable.

FEAR
1. His knees went soft.
2. Terror seized us all.
3. Panic started to engulf him.
4. She was at a loss of words.
5. He froze for a few seconds.
6. I rose shakily to my feet.
7. A rude shock awaited them.
8. She felt a shiver ran down her spine.
9. She stood rooted to the ground.
10. The shock robbed him of speech.
11. I was too afraid to utter a word.
12. A haze of fear surrounded him.
13. The timid girl shrank back in fear.
14. Gary stood motionless with horror.
15. I was powerless and frantic with terror.
16. She screamed at the top of her voice.
17. The sight of the ghost sent shudders down her spine.
18. She screamed her head off when she saw the corpse.
19. She jumped in fright when her mother suddenly shouted at her.
20. His face turned pale and his skin felt cold and clammy.
21. Overcome with fright, she lost her balance and fell down in a swoon.
22. She experienced a feeling of weakness and then she blacked out.
23. She was panic-stricken when she realized she was trapped.
24. Frightening thoughts raced through his mind.
25. They fled in panic when they saw the charging dog.
26. It took him several days to overcome his nervousness.
27. Our hairs stood on ends as a cry rang high into the night.
28. Fighting back tears of fears, he stared motionless at the approaching danger.
29. I woke up sobbing, drenched in sweat and paralysed with fear.
30. I was awakened by a sound which brought my heart into my mouth.
31. With his sense of direction gone, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
32. The frightening child was screaming incoherently.
33. Paralysed with fear, he was speechless.
34. They huddled together and stared apprehensively into the darkness.
35. Terror gripped his whole being and perspiration started dripping from his forehead.
36. A chill ran swiftly up his back, causing the nape of his neck to tingle.
37. I was sick to my stomach at the horrendous sight.
38. My legs felt like jelly.
39. My bloodshot eyes bulged out and my mouth opened wildly.
40. Drops of perspiration dripped across my face to my glasses, blurring my vision as my glasses’ lens become thoroughly wet.
41. Screams and loud cries pierced the air.

PAIN
1. His forehead was beaded with perspiration; his eyebrows were deeply knitted and his mouth slightly ajar in his agony.
2. The young man supported his left leg with his hands, his face convulsed in agony.

SHOCK/SURPRISE
1. They stared at him in blank amazement.
2. The shock robbed him of speech.


Descriptive Phrases on Scenery

Sunrise/Sunset
- The sun rays glint brightly in the clear waters.
- The sunset was glorious, all rosy and salmon-pink.
- The sun-lit sky and sea blend perfectly into each other.
- The awe-inspiring sun danced in from the horizon.
- Dews on the blades of grass sparkled in the sunlight.
- The high sunlit clouds drifted across a clear blue sky.
- A torch of fire started to light up the darkness around us.
- Basking in the golden rays, I hope to have a flattering tan.
- The unending bright sky was glorious luminous blue and pink.
- The sky was overwhelmed by crimson and amber-tinted clouds.
- The sun filtered through the clouds, signaling the end of the rain.
- It was a blindingly hot day and the humidity in the air was stifling.
- The whole landscape was bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun.
- Palm trees swayed to the gentle breeze in the warm tropical sunshine.
- The sun and the moon were visible in the clear blue early morning sky.
- The sun shone brilliantly and the water in the pond glittered invitingly.
- Windows threw wide in the hope of tempting in a non-existent breeze.
- A golden glow spread across the sky as the sun chased the dark clouds away.
- As the sun set, the few thin strips of clouds on the horizon turned shimmering gold.
- It was a lovely walk, with the sun setting behind the mountain in a sea of liquid gold.
- From freezing night, it turned to scorching day as the sun climbed towards its zenith.
- The sun shone more kindly now and the trees which framed the scene were golden and lovely.
- The sun rose in a pool of crimson and gold, spilling light all over the land and the white clouds.
- The pond was bathed in a golden hue by the gentle sunlight and the water was as clear as crystal.
- The morning sunshine wafted gently in, diffusing across the room. A mild heat radiated round, - wrapping us in an invisible shawl of warmth.
- The sky began to glow as the flaming orb rose from the horizon and ignited the sky causing it to burst into a bright, passionate mix of scarlet and yellow.
- The sky was a delightful expanse of azure blue. The clouds have no place in the morning sky as the majestic sun reigned supreme.
- The warm rays of the morning sun were caressing my chubby cheeks.

Night
- A smothering blanket of darkness covered us.
- A single shaft of moonlight penetrated the overhanging clouds.
- The moon was abnormally large and it bathed the earth with its luminous glow.
- Fireworks blossomed in the night sky, turning to giant flowers of pink, orange and green.
- We could hear the chorus of frogs from the creek and the myriad softer sounds that stir in the night.
- The evening was very still and the darkness carried the faint perfume of flowers and the scent of the dew-rinsed earth.
- There was a haze in the sky, so the moon was surrounded by bluish rings. It looked like a beautiful silver ball sitting on a velvet cushion. My brother merely remarked, "It's going to rain tomorrow."

Lightning & Thunder
- Lightning and thunder raged with fury.
- Flashes of lightning lit up clusters of seething clouds.
- Thunder came marching from far away with increasing tread.
- A thunderous boom reverberated among the distant mountains.
- A bolt of lightning tore across the sky and a peal of thunder followed.
- The sky seemed as if on fire - ablaze with streaks of luminous purple.
- A flash of forked lightning and a great clap of thunder came close upon each other.
- A deep, booming burst of thunder rumbled fiercely, followed quickly by bright, blue bolts flashing across the sky. For a brief moment the sky was illuminated and the clouds looked strange - both bronze and black at the same time, both magnificent and fearsome.

Rain
- Rain pelted down from the skies.
- A curtain of rain beat down the heavens.
- The howling of the wind frightened us all.
- It was a cold grey afternoon with a dull sky threatening rain.
- The wind was howling and soon there was a heavy downpour.
- The sky above was full of tumultuous, dark and ragged clouds.
- Rumbling clouds closed in over us, forming a thick, grey canopy.
- The rain beat across the field in solid sheets, driven by a strong wind.
- The wind was sighing and thrashing in the tree tops and the boughs moaned.
- Thick black clouds and thunder rolled in from the west and rain began to fall.
- The morning was cold and wet with a brisk wind sweeping the rain across the land.
- A cloud, ominous and black, drifted over the mountain and released a sudden shower.
- Little white clouds drifted lazily across the sky, hardly casting the slightest shadow on the sun.
- Masses of heavy black clouds opened their gates together and drenched us with a wall of cooling rain.
- The sun was blotted out by huge black clouds which were racing across the sky blown along by a strong wind.
- The sky seemed to be one huge grey cloud, with occasional chinks showing a brief glimpse of the bright blue above it.
- Only a light patch in the middle showed where the sun had fought - and lost - to break through the impenetrable cover.
- The gloomy sky was shrouded with dark and heavy clouds. I walked alone in the streets surrounded with a deafening silence that could make your imagination run wild. I sometimes felt as if my every move was being watched and a ferocious beast was lurking in the intimidating darkness of the forest ready to pounce on me and shred me into pieces.
- I was consumed in darkness. The slightest sound could even bring the bravest man down o his feet. My eyes darted around anticipating any sudden movements among the trees and bushes. The cold breeze that felt as soft as cotton made my hair stand on ends. The rustling of the leaves did not comfort me at all but instead I wished I were deaf than to hear such heart-stopping sounds that could make any person run helter-skelter.

Beautiful Scenery
- The air seemed scented with the sweet aroma of flowers.
- I paused to look at the gay flowers that rioted in the garden.
- Low hills ringed the valley, rolling away into a blue haze of high mountain peaks.
- In the distance towered a snow-capped, beautifully symmetrical volcanic mountain.
- Thick, heavy branches and lush dense foliage provided a cool shelter for my languid afternoons.
- Washed and dusted, the trees glittered and the hordes of parrots came back to flash their rainbow bodies amid the timber more loquacious than before.

Seaview
- Beautiful beaches encircled the island.
- The ocean seemed to be gleaming a luminous blue.
- The Atlantic spread out before them like a piece of pale blue china.
- A gentle breeze came up to sin white drifts of sea water over the beach.
- The soothing, repetitive sounds of the lapping waves came together in a gentle, hypnotic melody, casting a spell of serene tranquility over the mesmerizing scene.

Dull Scenery
- The grey brown land was devoid of life except for an occasional snake.
- The recent rains had dampened the wild flowers in the fields and they now look battered and bedraggled.
- The countryside was awash with sheeting rain, howling with boisterous winds and robbed of all color by the ashen skies.
- In the distance, giant overarching trees reached towards the sky their dense foliage casting a mosaic of shadows on the ground.

Harsh Scenery
- They were halted by a seemingly insurmountable rocky mountain range.
- Gigantic waves crashed on the rocks around us in a pandemonium of sound.
- The rock was hard as flint and a fall would have meant serious lacerations and broken bones.

Street
- The streetlamps from the surrounding rounds were casting a misty glow strong enough to silhouette a group of people making their way across the road.
- The alley was dark, bitter and cold. Sights of beggars filled the street. The place was like a pig’s sty – trash cans, pieces of torn newspaper floated around as the breeze went by. Scraps of food littered the place. Despite the blistering cold, she waited for him.
- All the lights in the houses were on. A row of lamp posts stood upright on the road-divider. The two lights on top of every post looked like the feelers of a cockroach, pointing horizontally at both sides of the road and staring at the incessant movement of vehicles and pedestrians.


Samples of Good Descriptive Writing: Credits to Mr Denis Chin!
A Traumatic Experience

The clouds lingered in front of the moon, blocking it out. My best friend, Tim and I were waiting impatiently for our noodles at our usual haunt. The food centre was still bustling with people although it was late in the night. The noise from the noisy crowd and over-worked fans force my friend and me to converse louder than usual. The aroma of the grilled satay drifted into my nostrils making my mouth salivate.

Being hot-tempered and impatient, I walked to the stall holder and bellowed at him, "Old tortoise, faster! So old and slow already, you should be lying on the bed in the old folks' home like all the other old retards?"

"You fat and ugly pig, can't you even wait a little longer for your food?" the stall holder retaliated in fiery, throwing his old and filthy rag at my face.

Casting the rag aside, I stomped angrily towards the stall holder. Before I knew it, a bucket of mucky an smelly water was thrown at me. With the dirty water dripping from my clothes, the crowd pinched their nose and avoided me as they walked pass.

I stomped forward, clenching my fist. Raising my fist to his head level, I punched him with all my might. He was blinded momentously. In my anger, I snatched the money from the cash register and threw it all over the floor. The coins an notes scattered out.

The stall holder, hearing the coins landing on the floor, went berserk. He took out his chopper and wield it dangerously around. Finally, he landed the knife on the table, and it cuts through my right hand, severing it.

I was petrified by the sight. The blood gushed out from my hand. I fainted at the sight of the blood.

I regained consciousness, hoping it to be anything but a nightmare. However, I found myself lying in a pool of blood. My friend was trembling in front of me. The gruesome scene sent shivers down his spine as he watched me regained consciousness. I looked around the now empty hawker centre. My severed hand was on the table. Beside the table, was the stall-holder.

He was stunned. His hands were shaking violently, still holding the chopper. He apologised profusely to me, eyes trying to avoid my burning glare.

Sitting at my balcony, I looked at my severed hand and sighed. My rash action has brought about a traumatic experience I will regret for the rest of my life.



A short excerpt from a good compo.

Drool rolled down my chubby chin as I stared greedily at the rich, chunky chocolate cakes displayed prominently on the wooden shelf. The aroma of the freshly-baked chocolate cakes lingered into my nostrils. My sweaty palms pasted itself onto the spotless glass panel of the shelf. I eyed the mouth-watering chocolate cakes, yearning for a piece.

"Take your filthy hands off my shelf, you repulsive little tramp!" a loud shriek bellowed in the background. A lady impeccably dressed in her spotless uniform emerged from the kitchen. Her neatly-manicured fingers scratched my emaciated palms and removed it violently off the now smudged glass.

"Hey you irksome old swine, who do you think you are?" I asswerted in retaliation, trying my best to appear irrate. I rattled through my well-worn trousers, lots of mucky coins rained down my hole-filled pockets. "Give me a piece of cake." I snapped as I hastily grabbed the coins dispersed haphazardly on the cafe floor already muddied by my tattered, old shoe.

The lady gaped at me and retrieved a miniscule piece of cake from the shelf, disgruntled, "10 dollars," she declared flashing me a vicious smile.

"One cents, two cents... Nine dollars and eighty-five cents. I am still short of fifteen cents." I tallied my grimy coins for the third time and looked sheepishly at the floor. The lady intoherently looked at me and laughed maliciously...
So, just remember to leave around 10 minutes to go over your composition again and check for spelling/grammer mistakes. These mistakes can be avoided.
Goodluck and all the best! :)

{Cd.weishi --

Labels: English