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Flashback Introduction for Composition: 2 Simple Ways to Avoid Cliche and Impress Examiners!
- Posted By Superadmin Lilbutmighty
- 10/10/2025
“Hmm! I remember the time… Oh sorry, I didn’t realise that the video had already started filming.”
Welcome back, this is Teacher Wen Hee from Lil’ but Mighty (Novena branch) here! I’m sure many of you have recollection of past experiences, whether they are happy memories, sad ones or of any other moments in general. Some of you might even have heard of the term, ‘Flashback’, so why not tap on these memories or experiences to craft creative stories for your compositions?
As the final part of this video series, I’m here to share with you how to avoid being cliche in your introductions and instead have an eye-catching flashback right from the start!
Are you ready? Let’s begin!
Crafting a flashback is as simple as 1,2,3 once you understand the key elements needed to structure a clear and distinct paragraph that effectively highlights either a positive or negative experience related to the given topic.
Method 1: Using Place/ Sound Descriptions
Do you still remember the ways to craft interesting introduction from the previous series such as Place/Sound descriptions? It’s finally time to put some of them to use—as we craft one Positive and one Negative flashback that you can use across a wide range of composition topics. Here is an example each!
The key is to have a clear start with a weather/sound/place description that evokes a clear emotion of your main character. Next, use another description to set up a proper transition to the past. Take note that you will not need to use all 3 types of description in your flashback. It will be exam-smart to keep your flashback succinct and focus on injecting descriptions in the actual events of the story.
If you find using time and place descriptions too tedious, here is another way that you can create a flashback.
Method #2: Using a Given Object Picture
Here’s a hint for you, every flashback has a trigger. What would help you to kill two birds with one stone if an object is a trigger? That’s right, to utilise one of the three pictures given to you if it is an object/item as a trigger that reminds you of a particular past experience. Below are some examples:
This method is slightly easier but you need to be mindful of the pictures given for the topic. As much as using the picture as your flashback trigger will help to ensure that you fulfil the composition requirement, the picture must be logically used. If you find it a challenge to weave the picture meaningfully into your story, then consider exploring other objects or ways of beginning your story instead.
I hope that the above tips have been helpful and I am sure you will be able to modify and craft out your own creative flashbacks! I would like to end off with a reminder if you are to use a flashback for your compositions in your introduction, you have to remember to “return to reality” nearing the end of your story. The rationale is that you would need to bring your audience back to the present or reality in order for them not to be stuck in the past experience that you were sharing!
Here is a simple sample of a generic “Return to Reality” that you can apply to most stories that began with a flashback like the example above. If you would like more examples, do leave a comment and I may possibly make another post on this particular component!
This brings me to the end of this serious of saying goodbye to cliche introductions! If you enjoyed this video, do check out our other blog posts and videos for other useful English tips. Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe. Stay happy and keep on doing your best each day! See you!
Mr Wen Hee
Teacher Wen Hee is a seasoned teacher who always strives to come out with innovative methods to keep his students engaged whilst having fun in class. He strongly believes that learning is a continuous process and hopes to impart this important life skill to his students.
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