Commonwealth Essay Competition

lurska SG

Anyone taking a shot at this? The topics for this year for JC students include:

I know most of my friends are taking no. 2, but personally I think it is tough to write something good on that w/o going out of point. Myself I'm taking no. 1.

Any ideas you may want to contribute?

FireIce SG

no. 3 is my choice, if i were to write......

but i kinda like no.4
mueahhahahahahahha

lurska SG

You like to write argumentative essays? Not really my cup of tea.

Most of my friends prefer to write stories. Don't have much opportunity for stories in JC, what with GP essays and all.

I've got quite a good story plan for no.1. Maybe I'll post it up here when I'm finished.

FireIce SG

im more analytical than emotional i guess..
and for the past few yrs i've been writing mostly argumentative essays and research papers.....i've lost touch on how to sensationalize.....hahaha.....

sgboy2004 SG

Can write stories that got "screaming" ones?

lurska SG

Sure... I think with a little manipulation can easily fit into topic no.2 ie "What makes you laugh?" My guess is you are referring to the sexual fantasies of certain people in Bar forum right?

lurska SG

Hey, you don't have to sensationalize to make a good story!

My personal view is that to write a good story, you have to have a real genuine passion for the subject you are writing about. A person who is special to you, or maybe something that you enjoy and are good at.

From my experience in writing argumentative essays, its like lawyering in a court case. You may not necessarily agree with the stand that you are taking, but it is easier to write than the alternative. I remember in O lvls, all my History and Social Studies essays began with

"I agree to the statement to a large extent..."

Because in the end it doesn't matter what you believe in. So long as there is a

"However..."

somewhere in the middle of your essay, you'll get your A1. Because in argumentative essays all that is important is "balance". Try writing something "persuasive" and you'll be downgraded.

sgboy2004 SG

bingo

Mr. Green

lurska SG

It will be kind of hard for Kotex and his pals to win anything, but a Singaporean NYGH girl did win first prize a few years back. Here is the link to her essay:

http://www.rcsint.org/essay_2002_results/B1stJointSim.doc

BTW, do any of you know of any other literary competitions that I can take part in?

FireIce SG

precisely the reason why im veered to argumentative bcos im a person tt see things from all angles........good, bad and from different levels....personal, societal, national, international.....

there is no definite yes-no, right-wrong.....u have to present both sides of the issue.....

but of cos, if u state ur own stand and provides convincing evidence, u get good grades too....
some markers dun like eberyone to sit on the fence........

and i was told, if u can pepper ur essay with some humour u oso can get high marks......afterall, markers are tired going through so many essays, and a quip or two can brighten them up~!