How to Plan PSLE Composition: What Good Writers Always Do First

Why Planning Matters More Than You Think

One of the biggest mistakes students make in PSLE composition is jumping straight into writing. In their eagerness to start, they skip planning entirely. This often results in stories that go off-topic, lack emotional depth, or fall apart in the middle.

Planning isn’t a waste of time, it’s the secret to a strong, well-structured story. A good plan sets the stage for clear storytelling, character development, and a smooth narrative arc. PSLE markers don’t just look for exciting plots. They want stories that flow logically and stay relevant to the given pictures. That starts with good planning.

Section 1: What Good Writers Do in the First 3–5 Minutes

1. Understand the Question Prompt

Before writing a single word, good writers carefully read the composition question. They identify the theme (e.g., fear, kindness, regret) and highlight keywords that reveal the story’s expectations.

Ask yourself:
• What is the main event or feeling I need to show?
• What kind of story would best suit this theme?
These questions help students define a clear story direction early on.

2. Analyse the Pictures Effectively

Next, turn to the pictures. Don’t just glance and move on. Observe:
• What actions or objects are shown?
• What emotions are being expressed?
• Which moment is most important?
Pick one main picture to anchor your plot. This picture should appear in at least two to three parts of the story, not just be mentioned once.

3. Build a Quick Story Plan

Now that you have a direction and anchor image, sketch a quick 7-point story curve:

Think about:
• Who is the main character?
• What problem will they face?
• How will it be resolved?
• What lesson will they learn?
If your idea fits both the question and the chosen picture, you’re ready to write.

Section 2: What Does WRITERS AT WORK Planning Actually Look Like?

At WRITERS AT WORK, we don’t ask students to write long drafts before writing. Instead, we teach them to plan strategically and smartly. Planning is about asking the right questions, selecting powerful phrases, and structuring the story in a way that fits the exam.

A. Unpack the Question

We help students define key words like “fear” or “responsibility” using age-appropriate language. Then, we break the theme into three parts:
• What caused the event?
• What happened during the event?
• What was the consequence or takeaway?
This helps avoid vague stories and creates a clear storyline.

B. Use the PPP Strategy to Analyse the Picture

We train students to use at least 3 picture precise phrases (PPP) across their story. This means describing what’s happening in the picture and explaining its significance.

Rather than just saying, “I saw a wallet on the floor,” we encourage students to write: “A worn-out black wallet lay silently at the feet of the crowd, almost invisible, but not to me.”

C. Plot Using the Story Curve

Every story must have a shape. We teach students to visualise a story curve:
• Start with a problem or conflict
• Build tension toward a turning point
• End with a resolution and thoughtful reflection
This helps prevent rushed endings or unrelated plot points.

D. Plug in Powerful Phrases

Before writing, students highlight a few useful:
• QSPs (Question-Specific Phrases)
• PPPs (Picture Precise Phrases)

By including these in the plan, they become part of the final story naturally. This improves language quality and strengthens the link to the theme and picture.

Section 3: Borrow Ideas from Your Mental ‘STORYBANK’

Great writers don’t start from scratch every time. At WRITERS AT WORK, we help students build a personal bank, it is a memory bank of well-crafted stories they’ve written and reviewed before.

When planning, students learn to:
• Recall a story that matches the new theme
• Adjust the characters or setting to suit the picture
• Reuse strong paragraphs or reflections from past writing

This saves time during exams and gives students a sense of direction when planning under pressure.

Section 4: Final Thoughts – Planning as a Habit, Not a Step

Planning isn’t a checklist item. It’s a mindset. Good writers learn to plan automatically, even before the paper is in front of them.

At WRITERS AT WORK, we help students build that habit through repeated practice, consistent feedback, and structured techniques. The more they plan, the more confidently they write.

Ready to Help Your Child Master the Art of Planning?

At WRITERS AT WORK, we go beyond correcting grammar. Our curriculum helps students develop strong story structures, build a rich bank of ideas through our signature STORYBANKING® method, and write compositions that are clear, engaging, and purposeful.

Whether your child needs weekly practice or an intensive holiday boost, our programmes are designed to build confidence and improve performance—step by step.

👉 Explore our Pure Composition Writing Programme for P4–P6 students
👉 Join the Comprehensive English Programme that covers both Paper 1, Paper 2 and Oral
👉 Sign up for our Holiday Programmes to sharpen writing skills in just a few days

📌 Ready to get started? Book a trial class to find out more.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: My child always skips planning. How can I convince them it's important?

We recommend showing your child how planning leads to better stories with fewer mistakes. You can even let them compare two stories: one planned, one not, to see the difference.

Q2: How long should my child spend on planning during the PSLE exam?

About 3 to 5 minutes is ideal. With a strong bank of stories and planning habits, students can plan quickly and effectively without rushing.

Q3: What if my child can't think of any ideas during planning?

That’s where STORYBANKING® comes in. At WRITERS AT WORK, students build a collection of adaptable stories they can tweak for different questions and pictures.

Q4: Can planning really help with scoring higher in PSLE English?

Yes. PSLE markers look for clear structure, relevant content, and meaningful reflection. Good planning helps students meet all three expectations confidently.