What is the biggest mistake children make?

Starting without planning. Children who organise their ideas before writing usually produce clearer, more engaging stories.

Should children use difficult vocabulary?

Only if they understand how to use it naturally. Simple, accurate language is always better than impressive words used incorrectly.

How long should children spend planning?

Around five minutes is usually enough. Good planning often saves much more time while writing.

Is practising every day necessary?

Not necessarily. One well-planned composition each week, followed by meaningful feedback, is often more effective than writing many compositions without reviewing them.

15 Common PSLE Composition Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

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In this article

The 15 Mistakes
A Simple Checklist Before Handing In
How Parents Can Help
How Inkling Helps

Your child finishes their composition.

They're proud of it.

A week later, it comes back.

26 out of 40.

You read it.

Nothing seems obviously wrong.

So why weren't the marks higher?

The answer is often a collection of small mistakes rather than one big one.

The good news?

Once children become aware of these common pitfalls, they're much easier to avoid.

Let's look at the mistakes we see most often.

The 15 Mistakes

1. Starting Without a Plan

Many children read the question... and immediately begin writing. Without a plan, stories often lose direction.

Instead, spend a few minutes deciding: Who? Where? What happened? How does it end? A little planning saves a lot of rewriting.

2. Ignoring the Picture Prompts

The pictures aren't decorations. They're there to help. Strong compositions use the pictures as inspiration while making sure the story clearly answers the given theme.

3. Writing a Boring Introduction

Many children begin with "One sunny morning..." or "It was a beautiful day..." These openings don't create curiosity.

Instead, begin with action, dialogue, an unexpected event, or an interesting thought. Hook the reader immediately.

4. Rushing the Most Exciting Part

Children often spend half the composition introducing the story... then finish the climax in three sentences.

The climax deserves the most attention. It's usually the part readers remember.

5. Weak Endings

Some endings feel rushed. Others simply stop. Strong endings leave the reader feeling satisfied.

Ask: "What changed?" "What did the character learn?" "How was the problem resolved?"

6. Using Difficult Words Incorrectly

Children sometimes believe "bigger words = bigger marks." Not true.

Clear, natural writing almost always scores better than awkward vocabulary used incorrectly.

7. Repeating the Same Words

Look for repetition. Very. Very. Very. Nice. Nice. Nice.

Encourage children to vary their vocabulary naturally.

8. Forgetting the Character's Feelings

Readers connect with emotions. Don't simply describe events. Show how the character reacts.

Ask: What were they thinking? What were they feeling? What did they do next?

9. Too Much Dialogue

Dialogue makes stories interesting. Too much dialogue slows the story.

Use dialogue to reveal important moments - not entire conversations.

10. No Paragraphs

One giant block of text is difficult to read. Each new idea deserves its own paragraph. This makes the story much easier to follow.

11. Jumping Between Events

Sometimes stories move too quickly. For example: "They went to school. Suddenly... they're in hospital."

Readers need smooth transitions. Help children explain how one event leads naturally to the next.

12. Forgetting the Theme

Children sometimes become so excited about their story that they forget the original question.

Always ask: "Does every major event support the theme?" If not, remove it.

13. Too Many Unnecessary Characters

A story doesn't need five friends, two teachers, three neighbours, a dog, and a cat. Too many characters confuse readers. Keep it simple.

14. Writing Without Reviewing

Many children finish... and immediately stop.

Encourage them to spend five minutes checking spelling, grammar, missing words, punctuation, and awkward sentences. Small corrections can make a big difference.

15. Practising Without Feedback

This is probably the biggest mistake. Children often write... receive a mark... then move on.

Real improvement comes from understanding: What worked? What didn't? What should I focus on next? Feedback turns practice into learning.

A Simple Checklist Before Handing In

✅ Did I answer the question?
✅ Does my story have a clear beginning, middle and ending?
✅ Is the climax exciting?
✅ Did I describe feelings?
✅ Did I use paragraphs?
✅ Have I checked my spelling and grammar?
✅ Does my ending feel complete?

How Parents Can Help

You don't need to mark every sentence. Instead, ask questions.

Which part was the most exciting?
Could the ending be stronger?
How did the character feel?
Would the reader understand this?

These questions help children think like writers.

How Inkling Helps

Most children don't repeat mistakes on purpose. They simply don't realise they're making them.

Inkling helps children identify exactly where they can improve after every composition. Instead of wondering why they lost marks, they receive personalised feedback that helps them write stronger stories the next time. Over time, small improvements become lasting writing skills.

Ready to help your child write with confidence?

Join Inkling's invite-only pilot and see the STORY+FEDASI^™ method in action.

Get Early Access →

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