How to Write a Composition for WAEC and NECO Exams (Full Guide)

How to Write a Composition for WAEC and NECO Exams (Full Guide)

Let’s be honest, most students start sweating immediately they see Section A of the English Language Paper 1. You stare at the paper, and your mind goes blank. But here is the truth: writing an essay is not magic; it is a formula. Whether you are in JSS1 or preparing for your final SS3 exams, knowing how to write a composition is the only way to pass English Language with a C4 or better.

If you can tell a story to your friend at the bus stop, you can write a composition. You just need to arrange it properly.

Table of Contents

Definition of a Composition

A composition is a piece of continuous writing where you express ideas, feelings, or stories in a structured way. In simple terms, it is “arranging your thoughts” on paper so that someone else can understand exactly what you mean.

Think of a composition like cooking Jollof Rice. You cannot just throw rice, water, and pepper into the pot at the same time and expect it to be sweet. You must follow a process. If you miss a step, the food burns. If you write without a plan, your essay fails.

Types of Composition

There are four main types of continuous writing you will meet in your Nigerian secondary school exams. The examiner will usually give you options, and you must pick the one you can write best.

These types are:

Narrative
Descriptive
Argumentative
Expository

The Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is a type of writing that tells a story or recounts an event. This is usually the most popular choice for students because everybody loves to “gist.”

You are expected to write about events in the order they happened (chronological order). Examples include “My Last Birthday Party” or ” The Day I Will Never Forget.”

Teacher’s Tip: Don’t just say “I went to school.” Make it alive. Say, “I rushed out of the house with my uniform unbuttoned because I was late.” A good narrative must have characters, a setting (where it happened), and a plot (what happened).

The Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay paints a picture with words so that the reader can see, hear, and feel what you are describing. The goal here is to make the examiner visualize the person, place, or object you are writing about.

If you are asked to describe “My Favorite Teacher,” don’t just say “He is tall.” Tell us about his booming voice that shakes the classroom windows or the way he walks like a soldier. You need to use adjectives.

For more on using descriptive words, you can check this guide on descriptive writing from the British Council.

The Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is a piece of writing where you try to persuade the reader to agree with your opinion on a controversial topic. This is basically a debate on paper.

Think of two stubborn friends arguing at a newspaper stand about whether Ronaldo is better than Messi. One side presents points, and the other side tries to knock them down. In your exam, you must pick a side (Pro or Con) and stick to it. Topics often look like: “Day students perform better than Boarding students.”

Crucial Warning: Never sit on the fence. You cannot support both sides. Choose one side and fight for it with strong points.

The Expository Essay

An expository essay explains a process, an idea, or a fact clearly and logically. Unlike the argumentative essay, you are not trying to convince anyone; you are just teaching them.

Topics here usually start with “How to…” or “The Causes of…”. For example, “How to Prepare a Local Dish” or “The Causes of Road Accidents in Nigeria.” You need facts here, not emotions.

Structure of a Good Composition

Every single composition must have three specific parts: the Introduction, the Body, and the Conclusion.

I always tell my students to think of an essay like a “Face-me-I-face-you” house:

The Introduction (The Gate): This is where you welcome the visitor. You must grab their attention immediately. State your topic clearly.
The Body (The Rooms): This is where the main action happens. Each paragraph is a different room. You cannot put the toilet inside the kitchen. In the same way, do not mix different points in one paragraph. One point, one paragraph.
The Conclusion (The Backyard): This is where you round up everything. You summarize your main points and say goodbye.

Steps in Writing a Composition

Writing a good essay requires planning before you even pick up your pen.

1. Choose the Topic Carefully Don’t pick a topic just because it sounds fancy. Pick the one you have points for. If you choose “The Effects of Inflation” but you don’t know what inflation means, you are setting a trap for yourself.

2. Brainstorming and Outlining This is the “Market Strategy” phase. Before you buy anything in the market, you price it first. Before you write, list out your points. Scribble them at the back of your answer booklet.

Point 1
Point 2
Point 3 Arrange them in order. Which one is the strongest? Put that first.

3. Drafting Now, write your essay following your outline. Ensure you use linking words like “Firstly,” “However,” “Furthermore,” and “Consequently.” These words act like the cement holding your blocks together.

4. Editing Read through your work. Check for spelling errors. Did you write “there” instead of “their”? WAEC examiners punish bad spelling severely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (Extra Marks)

If you want to score an A1, avoid these “wahala” habits that annoy examiners:

Writing too little: If the question says 450 words, writing 200 words is a fail.
Slang: Never use “gonna,” “wanna,” or Nigerian slang like “how far.” This is a formal examination, not a WhatsApp chat.
No Paragraphs: Writing a whole page without breaking it into paragraphs gives the examiner a headache. They might just mark you down out of frustration.

Conclusion

Passing English Language is not about big grammar or speaking through your nose. It is about following instructions and arranging your points clearly. If you follow the structure we discussed—Introduction, Body, and Conclusion—you will definitely smile when your results come out. Pick up your pen and start practicing today.