How to Use Good Phrases for Composition Writing

Do You Really need Good Phrases for Composition Writing?

No you dont. You should not use good phrases just for the sake of
impressing the reader. You should concentrate on using the RIGHT
PHRASE for the RIGHT SITUATION.
You need to have a broad knowledge of a variety of phrases. That way,
you will be well-equipped with an arsenal of words to express himself
fluently and smoothly.
Dont misunderstand the use of good phrases.
You should not be forced to memorise bombastic vocabulary.
This should not be the case as memorising does not equal application.
Some students even become addicted to the use of such vocabulary and
end up writing overly-complicated sentences or phrases to look smart.
Now what is smarter is to express oneself smarter express yourself in a
short and sweet manner rather than just write a whole bunch of fancy and
pompous words just to narrate a simple thought?
Instead of good phrases, focus on using EFFECTIVE PHRASES.
Its okay to use simple phrases!
Keep your sentences short, concise, and straight to the point. Use
the right words at the right time. Express your ideas fluently.
Remember You are writing to let your readers read with enjoyment.
You are not writing to IMPRESS the reader.
Types of Descriptive Phrases
Good Phrases can be broken down into:
Idioms
Similes
Metaphors
Personification

Idioms

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An idiom is an expression of words whose meaning is not predictable from
the usual meanings of its constituent elements. (Definition taken
fromdictionary.com)
In other words, an idiom is a quirky series of words combined to form a
special meaning.
Idioms should be used sparingly in a composition. Do not overuse them
as it may make your overall composition sound very cheesy or old-
fashioned. Some idioms are also not commonly used in our everyday
speech, hence over-usage of the less well-known idioms might make
reading awkward.
Some Useful Idioms
1. An arm and a leg Very expensive or costly.
E.g: Dining at this high-class restaurant cost me an arm and a leg! I will
never return here again.
2. Blessing in disguise something good that was not recognized at
first.
E.g: Missing that field trip turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the
school bus met with an accident.
3. Piece of cake used to describe something that is very easy to do.
E.g: This assignment was a piece of cake. I completed in less that
fifteen minutes
4. Not to make head or tail of something unable to decipher or
understand the meaning
E.g: The teacher was talking so fast that I could not make head or
tail of what he was saying.
5. See eye to eye to agree with someone
E.g: Jack and Diane kept on quarreling as they could not see eye to
eye with each other.
Similes
It is a figure of speech where one thing is compared with another thing of
a different kind.
It is used to make a description more vivid or to draw out a particular
quality of the subject being mentioned.

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Similes are used with the words like or asas.
Similes are best used when they are original, creative, relevant and
logical. A simile which has been used too many times as fast as a
cheetah or as fast as lightning will not score you extra points.
Some Useful Similes
1.The students were chattering like monkeys.
2. The winner of the race paraded around the track like a peacock.
3. We tried to carry him but he was as heavy as an elephant.
4. The signboards were as bright as daylight.
5. When she heard someone call her name in the dark, she turned as
pale as a sheet.
6. Filled with rage, the bully charged towards me like a bull.
7. The boys were laughing like hyenas when they pulled off the prank.
8. Dont worry about her. She can handle it herself. She is as tough as
nails!
9. When the exams commenced, the classroom became as silent as a
grave.
10. On the last day of school, Jimmy dashed out of the school gates
feeling as free as a bird.
Metaphors
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to
something that is not literally applicable to suggest a resemblance.
(definition taken from dictionary.com).
In other words, it is almost like a simile, except you are not using the
words like or asas.
Simile: He was as angry as a bull.
Metaphor: He was an angry bull.
Metaphors are slightly more difficult to use than similes. But when they
are used right, they can give an extremely vivid portrayal of a character or
a situation in the story.
A metaphor applied correctly can be a very powerful tool in writing.
Some Useful Metaphors

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1. She felt a whirlwind of emotions passed through her. ( overwhelmed
by emotions)
2. Dont believe that fortune-teller. He is selling you snake oil.
(metaphorical idiom, fake promises, products or services that fail to live
up to expectations, something fraudulent)
3. Mr Tan is a teacher with a heart of gold. ( very kind or generous)
4. Stay away from him. He is a loaded gun. (dangerous)
5. When the basketball team got off the bus, we could smell the stench
of defeat on them. ( they acted in such a way that it was easy to deduce
that they have lost)
6. After failing her exams, Shirley wallowed in a sea of self-pity.
( metaphorical idiom, overwhelmed by self pity)
7. He was so sad that he was crying rivers. (a lot of tears)
8. Seans stomach was a bottomless pit. ( extremely hungry, describe
someone who cannot stop eating.)
9. Completing this assignment was a breeze. ( very easy to complete)
10. Hearing her laughter was music to my ears. (a pleasant sound)
Personification
Personification is done by attributing human characteristics to something
non-human.
This done to give a clearer picture of whatever thats being described. It
enables the reader visualise and see the imagery in their minds.
Personification can be done by simple usage of verbs or action words.
Just like metaphors, Personification can count as good phrases for
composition writing.
Some Useful Ideas for Personification
1. The thunderstorm raged on outside my window.
2. The soft, cool sand caressed my feet.
3. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds.
4. I could hear the faint wail of the ambulance in a distance.
5. The moment I stepped out into the streets, I was greeted by the strong
diesel fumes.
6. The trees shadowed the soldiers as they trekked through the forest.

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 7. The sports car roared with ferocity as it zoomed past the spectators.
8. The road was treacherous and unforgiving.
9. The expensive handbag seemed to call out to her. Buy me!
10. By the time the firemen arrived, the flames were already dancing on
the roof.
How to come up with your own phrases?
The best descriptions are often ones that you come up with on the spot,
that can fit the scenario or context that you are describing perfectly.
Coming up with good phrases for composition writing is not that hard. All
you need is an inquisitive mind that is able to draw comparisons between
2 unrelated objects.
You need to be creative a trait that is inherent in most children.
You need to be able to come up with fresh ideas and fresh perspectives.
Some questions to ask yourself when coming up with good
phrases for composition writing:
How can I better depict this character/scene/object by comparing it
with something else?
Whats a better verb I can use to personify this object?
How can I make this phrase or sentence more interesting for the
reader?
How can I better convey my point across to the reader?
How can I help the reader to visualise better?
A simile is a type of idiom and likens one thing to another thing. As cold as ice and as strong as an ox are both examples of similes.
You can see a list of similes here.
Instructions: Choose the best answer to fill the gap in each of the following.

1 Is there anything to eat? I'm as hungry as a .

2 It hasn't rained for months - the ground's as dry as a .

3 You'll have to speak up when you're with Tom; he's as deaf as a .

4 Mike was so embarrassed when we found out he was lying: his face was as red as a .

5 I can't see a thing without my glasses. I'm as blind as a .

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 6 Your brother's as thin as a . Is he eating enough?

7 I promise I won't wake you up when I get home. I'll be as quiet as a .

8 This bag's not heavy - it's as light as a .

Metaphor and Similes

1. My mother does not like me to go out with him because he is as wily
as a ______.
(A) wolf
(B) wizard
(C) fox
(D) lily
2. The child was as hungry as a ______. He ate up a full bowl of rice in
minutes.
(A) dog
(B) wolf
(C) fox
(D) pig
3. This bus is as slow as a ______. We may not be able to reach there on
time.
(A) bear
(B) clock
(C) tortoise
(D) snake
4. She likes spoiling people's fun. She is really a ______.
(A) couch potato
(B) wet blanket
(C) hard nut
(D) hard bargain
5. She exercises regularly and keeps herself as fit as a ______.
(A) flower
(B) fiddle
(C) fish
(D) falcon
6. I find him extremely annoying; he is getting under my ______.
(A) brain
(B) arms
(C) back
(D) skin
7. Her heart ______ when she learnt that she had not been given the
job.
(A) jerked
(B) sank
(C) jumped
(D) shattered
8. The boxer was fighting like a ______ and overpowered his opponent.

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 (A) tiger
(B) gorilla
(C) snake
(D) wolf
9. His punches were as ______ as lightning and caught his opponent by
surprise.
(A) sharp
(B) dazzling
(C) brilliant
(D) quick
10. This is a ______ scheme. No way am I going to be part of it.
(A) lily-livered
(B) blood red
(C) hare-brained
(D) greenhorn

Answers 1C 2B 3C 4B 5B 6D 7B 8A 9D 10C
wolf bone post beetroot bat rake mouse feather