Many PSLE students struggle with Chinese composition, even when they understand the topic. They often know what they want to write, but cannot express it well. As a result, their stories feel simple, repetitive, or poorly organised in exams.

The good news is that composition writing is a skill that can be trained. With a clear structure, good vocabulary, and the right exam techniques, your child can improve steadily. This guide provides a step-by-step breakdown to help students write stronger PSLE Chinese compositions confidently.

Girl writing in a notebook.

Why Many Students Lose Marks in PSLE Chinese Composition

Most students do not lose marks because they lack creativity. They lose marks because their writing lacks structure, detail, and scoring techniques. Many children also panic during exams and rush through their story.

Common reasons PSLE compositions score lower include:

  • A weak opening that does not introduce the situation clearly

  • Simple vocabulary and repeated sentence patterns throughout the story

  • Events that jump too quickly without details or smooth transitions

  • Characters’ feelings and actions are not described clearly

  • A sudden ending without reflection or a lesson learnt


These issues are very common, especially when students practise without feedback. With proper guidance and consistent practice, students can avoid these mistakes and score higher.

What Makes a High-Scoring PSLE Chinese Composition

A high-scoring composition is not necessarily long or complicated. It is clear, organised, and written with strong expression. The story must also match the picture and topic closely.

In general, strong PSLE Chinese compositions have:

  • A clear beginning, middle, and ending with smooth flow

  • Strong vocabulary used naturally, not forced or incorrect

  • Detailed actions and emotions that help the story feel realistic

  • Good linking phrases that connect events clearly

  • A meaningful ending with reflection, values, or character growth


Many students improve faster when these skills are trained systematically. This is why parents often choose Chinese tuition to help their child develop composition techniques and confidence.

Step-by-Step Breakdown to Write a High-Scoring Composition

This step-by-step method helps students organise ideas quickly and write confidently. It works well for most PSLE composition topics and picture-based questions.

Step 1: Understand the pictures and identify the main message

Students should not start writing immediately. They should first study the pictures carefully and identify the key people, place, and situation. Encourage them to think about what the story is really about.

A simple question helps here:
What problem happened, and what lesson can the character learn?

Step 2: Plan the story using a clear structure

A simple structure helps students avoid messy writing. A good planning method includes:

  • Setting: Where and when the story happens

  • Characters: Who is involved and their relationship

  • Problem: What goes wrong, or what challenge appears

  • Action: What the character does to solve it

  • Ending: What happens finally, and what is learnt


Planning takes only five minutes, but it prevents common mistakes. It also makes writing smoother and more organised in exams.

Step 3: Write a strong introduction

A strong introduction sets the scene clearly and builds interest. Students should include:

  • Where the story happens

  • Who is involved

  • What the characters are doing


Students should avoid starting too suddenly without context. A clear introduction helps markers understand the story immediately.

Step 4: Build the middle with details, emotions, and actions

This is where most marks can be gained. The middle should include clear events and descriptions. Students should add:

  • emotions with physical reactions

  • actions with details

  • conversations when relevant

  • logical sequence of events


Instead of writing “我很紧张”, students can write:
“我心跳加速，手心冒汗，担心自己会做错。”

This type of expression shows stronger language ability and helps students score higher.

Step 5: End with reflection and values

Many students lose marks in the end because they rush. A strong PSLE ending should include a takeaway, such as:

  • What the character learnt

  • How will they change next time

  • What value does the story teaches


This makes the composition feel complete and meaningful.

Vocabulary and Phrases That Increase Writing Scores

Students do not need an extremely difficult vocabulary to score well. What they need is accurate vocabulary used naturally. A small scoring phrase bank can help compositions sound mature.

Useful categories include:

  • Emotions: 紧张, 惭愧, 感动, 失望

  • Actions: 冲过去, 赶紧, 轻轻地, 小心翼翼

  • Linking phrases: 因此, 结果, 不料, 与此同时

  • Descriptions: 眉头紧锁, 心跳加速, 手心冒汗


Students should practise using these words in sentences regularly. When vocabulary becomes familiar, they can apply it confidently in exams. This is also a key focus in quality Chinese tuition, where tutors correct wrong usage early.

Common Composition Mistakes and Quick Fixes

Even hardworking students make avoidable composition mistakes. Fixing these errors can improve scores quickly.

Common mistakes include:

  • Writing out of point and not matching the picture storyline


Fix: always refer back to the picture and topic during planning.


  • Too many events with no details

Fix: focus on one key event and describe it clearly.


  • Vocabulary used incorrectly


Fix: learn fewer words, but master correct sentence usage.




  • The ending is too sudden


Fix: include reflection and lesson learnt in the last paragraph.


  • Weak paragraphing


Fix: separate the introduction, problem, action, and ending clearly.


With proper correction and feedback, students can avoid repeating these mistakes. Many parents find Chinese tuition helpful because children receive structured marking and guidance.

Final Thoughts

Writing a high-scoring PSLE Chinese composition becomes easier with the right method. When students plan clearly, write with structure, and use vocabulary correctly, their stories become stronger. Over time, confidence improves, and exam results become more consistent.

For parents seeking guidance, Chinese tuition provides structured practice, targeted feedback, and clear writing techniques. With expert coaching, students learn how to expand ideas, strengthen expression, and avoid common exam mistakes. Boost your child’s composition skills and exam performance in PSLE Chinese. Sign up for a free trial lesson at Unitimes Academy and experience structured, results-driven support.