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Composition Storylines To Avoid Writing
- Posted By Superadmin Lilbutmighty
- 09/30/2025
Hello everyone! I am Ms Nandy, an English teacher at Lil’ but Mighty (Hougang branch). When writing compositions, you want to make sure that your stories hit the right notes – that means avoiding certain storylines that could be seen as inappropriate or off-topic. Let’s explore a few types of stories to steer clear of, along with suggestions for safer, smarter alternatives that still let your creativity shine!
1. Excessive violence, crime or terrorism
Firstly, stories involving gang fights, stabbings, kidnappings, bomb threats or plane hijackings do not belong in school compositions. These topics are too extreme and may give the impression of promoting violence or fear, even if that is not your intention. Moreover, it is best to refrain from including graphic descriptions of violence or crime in your stories.
Consider the topic: ‘A False Alarm’ with the following three pictures.
To avoid: Writing about a bomb found in a bag left under a seat at the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) – even if it does not go off.
Try this instead: A student notices an unattended bag at the MRT. Her imagination runs wild—she has just watched a thriller and starts suspecting the worst. She alerts the staff, the bomb squad arrives, and everyone is tense… until it turns out the bag only contains a set of smelly gym clothes. Phew!
This storyline creates suspense, showcases mature thinking, and reflects the character’s sense of responsibility—perfect for PSLE.
2. Unrealistic or Over-the-Top Plots
While creativity is encouraged, do not go overboard with plots about becoming an overnight millionaire, getting abducted by aliens, or saving the world with superpowers. These far-fetched ideas often lack depth and make your story feel less believable. Ghosts and supernatural elements? Also a no-go. Although they can be interesting, these stories often drift away from realism and often fail to showcase character development or depict moral values that examiners are looking for.
Consider the topics: ‘A Dare’ or ‘A Frightening Incident’ with the following three pictures.
To avoid: Writing about a ghost appearing out of nowhere as the “frightening” part of the story.
Try this instead: The main character is dared to enter an abandoned house. While inside, he sees a creepy ghost-like figure—but it turns out to be his friend playing a prank, dressed up as a ghost.
This version keeps things realistic yet exciting, and shows how the main character deals with fear and peer pressure.
3. Romantic Relationships
At the primary level, students should stay away from writing about crushes, dating or romantic love. These topics are not age-appropriate and do not align with the goals of the primary-level English curriculum. As they often involve mature emotions and situations, younger students may find it difficult to write about them in a meaningful or realistic way.
Consider these topics: ‘A Special Gift’ or ‘A Special Person’ with the following three pictures.
To avoid: A storyline about your girlfriend or boyfriend moving to another country.
Try this instead: Write about receiving a meaningful gift from your grandparent, parent, sibling or best friend. You could even include the loss of this special person – death or migrating to another country – which adds emotional depth and a strong lesson to your story.
This shows emotional maturity and reflects the kind of meaningful relationships students at this level are encouraged to explore.
What Are Examiners Really Looking For?
When it comes to primary school compositions, teachers and examiners are not just looking at your spelling and vocabulary. They are also evaluating your:
– Language proficiency (ability to vary sentence length and structure)
– Creativity (within realistic limits)
– Structure and organisation (story flows well and is thoroughly developed) – Display of moral values (like honesty, responsibility, resilience etc)
– Ability to relate closely to the topic and use the picture meaningfully
Stories that focus on personal growth, character development or everyday challenges tend to score better than those with exaggerated or controversial content. As much as it is tempting to write a dramatic or shocking story, remember: realistic, values-driven stories are the way to go. They not only reflect your maturity as a writer but also align with what examiners are truly looking for. So the next time you are planning your composition, ask yourself:
If the answers to the above questions are yes—Great! You’re on the right track! Till next time, happy writing!
Ms Nandy
Empowering young minds is a powerful job. I find satisfaction in teaching my students the power of words. No two students are the same and instead of measuring their achievements against the societal yardstick, I strive to help my students become better versions of themselves – not only academically but also on a holistic level. Nothing makes me happier than watching my students achieve good grades and grow more confident!
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