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Composition Writing: Plan and Argue | ICSE Class 8

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English LanguageICSE Class 8 · Composition and Creative Writing

Composition Writing for ICSE Class 8: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

A Class 8 composition is about 250 to 300 words in four or more paragraphs. First identify the type (narrative, descriptive, argumentative, story, anecdote, feature or dialogue), plan for five minutes, give each paragraph one job with a topic sentence, show feelings through detail, and in an argument take a clear stand, give reasons, answer one counter-view and conclude.

Give every paragraph one job: hook and stand, reasons with examples, answer a counter-view, then end with a reflection and no new point.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument

Know the type. Narrative tells events in order, usually in the past tense. Descriptive paints a person, place or scene through the senses with little action. Argumentative takes a stand and defends it. Discursive weighs both sides. A story has characters, a conflict, rising tension, a climax and a resolution. An anecdote is a short true incident with a point. A feature is a lively magazine piece with a title. A dialogue is a conversation set out with names and colons. Mixing types drifts from the question.

Plan for five minutes. Underline every part of the topic (in "A crowded railway station at night" the night matters). Brainstorm key words. Choose the best three or four ideas and order them. Assign paragraphs: introduction, two or three body paragraphs, conclusion.

Paragraphs with a purpose. Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence. The introduction catches attention and makes the topic clear. Each body paragraph develops one idea with details or an example. The conclusion rounds off with a reflection or final image and never introduces a new argument. Use transitions such as "Later that evening", "On the other hand", "Most importantly".

Show, do not tell. "I was scared" tells; "My palms were wet and my heart thudded" shows. Use the five senses and precise verbs (trudged, darted). One fresh simile is better than five tired ones.

Arguing logically. Introduction: your stand in one sentence. Two or three body paragraphs: one reason each, with an example, fact or consequence. Counter-argument: admit the opposite view briefly and answer it ("Some argue that... However..."). Conclusion: restate the stand in fresh words. Do not sit on the fence.

Revise. In the last five minutes check content (every part of the topic), organisation, language (tense, agreement, spelling, punctuation) and length (about 250 to 300 words). Cross out with one neat line.

Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument: key facts

Composition plan
  • Underline the topic
  • Brainstorm
  • Choose three or four ideas
  • Assign paragraphs
Spend about five minutes.
Argument shape
  • Stand
  • Reason 1 with example
  • Reason 2 with example
  • Counter-view answered
  • Conclusion
No new argument in the conclusion.
Final check
  • Content
  • Organisation
  • Language
  • Length
About 250 to 300 words.

How to answer Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument questions

Use this for any composition topic.

  1. 1Read the topic and name its type; underline its key words.
  2. 2Write a five-minute plan with a topic sentence for each paragraph.
  3. 3Write the introduction with a hook and a clear link to the topic.
  4. 4Develop each body paragraph with a detail or example and use transitions.
  5. 5Write a conclusion that does not add a new idea; then check content, tenses and length.

Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Choosing a school-trip destination

Suppose two friends disagree about whether a school trip should be to a museum or to a park.

Which composition type fits an essay on this, and how can the plan look?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It asks you to take a side, so it is argumentative.
  2. Stand: the museum is better.
  3. Reasons: learning, weather-proof.
  4. Counter-view: the park is more fun, answered with the fact that learning can also be fun.

Answer: Write an argumentative composition with a stand, two reasons, a counter-view and a conclusion.

Memory hook: Take a side, give reasons, face the other side.

Tricks to remember Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • PBCA

    Plan, Brainstorm, Choose, Assign paragraphs.

    Use it when: Planning.

  • SRCC

    Stand, Reasons, Counter-view, Conclusion.

    Use it when: Argument.

Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Which type? · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The topic "Describe your grandmother's kitchen" asks for which type of composition?
(a) Argumentative (b) Descriptive (c) Dialogue (d) Report

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It asks to paint a place, so it is descriptive.

Answer: (b) Descriptive.

Example 2: Tell to show · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Rewrite "He was very nervous" in two sentences that show the feeling instead of telling it. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Use physical details (1).
  2. Use precise verbs (1).

Answer: His fingers drummed on the desk and his voice cracked when he said his name. He kept glancing at the door as though he wished to bolt.

Example 3: Topic sentences · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

You are writing on "Mobile phones should be banned in schools". Write a stand and two topic sentences for the body paragraphs. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Stand: phones should be banned (1).
  2. Topic sentence on distraction (1).
  3. Topic sentence on fairness or safety (1).
  4. Each states one idea (1).

Answer: Stand: Phones should be banned in school because they harm learning. Body 1: First, a phone in the pocket constantly distracts a pupil from the lesson. Body 2: Secondly, phones create unfair pressure among classmates who do not own the latest model.

Example 4: Counter-argument paragraph · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Write a short paragraph (about 40 words) that admits and answers the view "Homework should be abolished". (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Admit the view (1).
  2. Use "However" or similar (1).
  3. Give an answer with a reason (1).
  4. Keep within the limit (1).

Answer: Some argue that homework steals precious time from play and rest. However, a little regular practice at home helps pupils remember what they learnt in class, and a balanced timetable can still leave the evening free for games and family.

Example 5: Weak conclusion · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

A student ends a composition on road safety with: "Also, children should not play in the street, which is another matter I did not mention." Explain the fault and write a better conclusion. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A conclusion should not introduce a new point (1).
  2. Sum up the stand (1).
  3. Use fresh words (1).
  4. End with a final thought or appeal (1).

Answer: The conclusion brings in a new matter instead of rounding off. A better version: "Road safety is not the work of the police alone. When each of us follows the rules, the road becomes a safe place for all."

Where students lose marks in Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Mixing types

    The essay drifts from the question.

    Wrong working

    A descriptive essay on a fair that becomes a story.

    Right working

    A descriptive essay that stays on sights and sounds.

    Do this: Name the type before writing.

    Usually costs: 2 to 3 marks

  • Mistake: A conclusion with a new argument

    A conclusion rounds off.

    Wrong working

    Another reason added at the end.

    Right working

    A final summary and thought.

    Do this: Keep new ideas for the body.

    Usually costs: 1 mark

  • Mistake: Skipping the plan

    You run out of ideas.

    Wrong working

    Starting to write at once.

    Right working

    Five minutes of planning.

    Do this: Plan first.

    Usually costs: 2 marks

Exam tips

  • Stay between 250 and 300 words.
  • Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence.
  • Take a clear stand in argumentative topics.
  • Reserve five minutes to check tense and spelling.

Practice questions on Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    A paragraph should begin with:
    (a) a new argument (b) a topic sentence (c) the conclusion (d) a quotation only

    Hint

    It tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

    Answer

    (b) a topic sentence.

  2. Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

    Name four types of composition and give the main feature of each. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Narrative, descriptive, argumentative, story.

    Answer

    Narrative tells events in order. Descriptive paints a scene with the senses. Argumentative takes and defends a stand. A story has characters, a conflict, a climax and a resolution.

  3. Q3 · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Write a plan with introduction, three body points and conclusion for "A day without electricity". (4 marks)

    Hint

    Five paragraphs.

    Answer

    Introduction: sudden power cut at breakfast. Body 1: morning without fans and water pumps. Body 2: afternoon at school or home without devices. Body 3: evening candlelight and family talk. Conclusion: lesson about how much we depend on electricity.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Replace each telling sentence with a showing one: (i) The room was messy. (ii) She was angry. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Use details.

    Answer

    (i) Clothes lay across the chair, books were scattered on the floor and a plate sat on the bed. (ii) She slammed the door and her cheeks burned.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    A student writes an argumentative essay that gives both sides equally and ends "I cannot decide". Explain why this loses marks and how to fix it. (4 marks)

    Hint

    The curriculum asks for a stand.

    Answer

    The curriculum asks for a stand that is defended logically, so staying on the fence fails the task. The student should choose one side in the introduction, give two reasons, answer the other view briefly, and conclude by restating the stand.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.How long is a Class 8 composition?Show answer

    About 250 to 300 words.

  2. 2.What does a topic sentence do?Show answer

    Tells what the paragraph is about.

  3. 3.What should a conclusion avoid?Show answer

    A new argument.

  4. 4.What does "show, do not tell" mean?Show answer

    Use details to make the reader feel the scene.

  5. 5.What is an anecdote?Show answer

    A short true incident with a point.

  6. 6.What are the process steps?Show answer

    Plan, write, revise, edit, rewrite.

Composition: Types, Planning, Paragraphs and Argument: frequently asked questions

Is there a CISCE paper for Class 8 composition?

No; your school sets and marks it.

How many paragraphs?

Four or more.

May I write a poem?

The curriculum lists poems among original writing, but follow the topic set by your school.