PSLE English Success: Analysing an AL1 Student’s Model Composition on “Making a Difficult Choice”

This post is part our our PSLE English Paper 1 section. Every year, Primary 6 students sit for the PSLE English Paper 1, where they must craft a compelling narrative composition. While, students who sat for the PSLE, will never really know their exact PSLE composition score, the Preliminary composition can be a good indicator.

At TF, we help our students improve on their writing by ensuring that they plan out each Compo that we write using the Story Mountain. We emphasise theme development and characterisation and give our students lists of idioms, creative similes, and proverbs to use in their compositions. In this way, we hope that our students will be armed with the correct techniques to score, just like A below.

Below is the preliminary composition of one of our AL1 PSLE English scorers. He scored 33 and above out of 36. His school tested the students on making a difficult choice. The three pictures given were : Some post-exam activities/ a paper that states ‘competition sign-up’/ a wallet

Let us take a look at how A scored such a good grade.

4 steps to score AL1 for your English composition

Step 1: Excellent Planning & Organisation

• Paragraphing is purposeful
• Strong hook and vivid opening scene
• Clear rising action leading to a moral dilemma
• Logical sequence of events with a realistic climax (mother’s reaction)
• Ending ties back naturally to the internal conflict and the learning point

Introduction :

The story begins with a vivid scene: the shrill ringing of the school bell, students dashing out “like prisoners set free”, and the main character (MC) hurrying silently to the hospital. Immediately, readers sense that something is wrong. A skillfully uses sensory details, metaphors, and pacing to hook the reader from the first paragraph.

Rising Action :

The MC finds a brown leather wallet stuffed with cash—more than a thousand dollars. The description of the character’s excitement, shock, and temptation is extremely relatable to young readers. There is also inner conflict: although the money could pay for food, books, and even medical fees, the character remembers his parents’ teachings and school values. A clear dilemma and rising action driven by the theme.

Climax :

The climax is emotional and impactful. The MC does not make the right choice immediately. In fact, he makes the wrong choice, which is a nice twist in the plot. When the protagonist excitedly shows his mother the money, expecting gratitude, she reacts with hurt and anger. This moment is realistically written.

Falling Action :

The protagonist returns the wallet at the police station but continues to feel ashamed. His reflection at the end ties the story neatly back to the theme, emphasising integrity, regret, and lifelong learning.

Step 2: Strong Theme Development

The theme “making a difficult choice” is developed deeply and consistently.

• The MC experiences a genuine internal struggle related to the theme
• The story shows that difficult choices may involve mistakes and consequences, which strengthens realism.
• The reflective ending reinforces the theme of integrity and moral learning.

Theme development is crucial in composition writing because it gives the story a clear purpose. A strong composition does not simply describe events; it shows how those events connect to a deeper message, which is the theme. When the theme is well-developed, readers can understand the character’s motivations, conflicts, and growth. It also helps the plot feel more meaningful, as every action and consequence supports the central idea the writer wants to convey. In PSLE, examiners look for stories where the theme is woven throughout—from the introduction of the problem, to the character’s struggles, to the final reflection. Effective theme development transforms a simple story into a powerful and memorable one that leaves a lasting impression.

Step 3: Varied Language Use (WOW words and phrases)

• Varied vocabulary (“surreptitiously”, “monotonous droning”, “euphoria”)
• Effective descriptive techniques: sensory imagery, metaphors, emotional contrasts
• Dialogue is used purposefully to highlight conflict and guilt
• Sentence structures are varied and fluent, creating a smooth narrative flow
• Emotions are conveyed with clarity and depth

Strong language use is essential in PSLE English because it demonstrates a student’s ability to communicate ideas vividly, accurately, and effectively. Varied vocabulary allows the student to express emotions and situations with precision. Descriptive techniques such as creative similes, metaphors, and emotional contrasts enrich the narrative. Purposeful dialogue not only breaks up long paragraphs but also reveals character, highlights conflict and dilemmas, and drives the plot forward.

Step 4: Well-Developed Characterisation

The protagonist is portrayed with depth, making the story emotionally compelling.

• His worries, responsibilities, and family background create a believable and sympathetic character.
• Internal thoughts (“a war going on in my head”) reveal his conscience versus desperation – the dilemma of a difficult choice.
• His moment of weakness — choosing to steal — shows realistic human imperfection, not one-dimensional “good boy” stereotype.
• His mother’s disappointment becomes a powerful turning point that shapes his growth.
• The reflective ending (“a lifetime of regret”) shows maturity and emotional evolution.

Strong characterisation is vital in PSLE English because it allows examiners to see that the writer can create believable, emotionally complex characters rather than flat or generic ones. When a MC is portrayed with clear motivations, fears, responsibilities, and inner conflict, the story immediately becomes more engaging and meaningful. Internal thoughts and realistic moments of weakness show depth, which elevates the narrative beyond a simple sequence of events. A well-developed character who changes or learns a lesson—such as experiencing regret, guilt, or personal growth—demonstrates maturity in storytelling, something examiners reward in high-band scripts. Effective characterisation also strengthens the theme, as readers understand why the difficult choice matters and how it shapes the protagonist. Overall, strong characterisation makes the narrative more authentic, impactful, and memorable, which is exactly what the PSLE markers look for in an upper-tier composition.

Below is A’s prelim composition on Making a Difficult Choice. For all students reading this post, the next time you write, try using all the writing techniques above to help you create your composition. You may also check this English composition for more practice.

Prelim English Composition Model – Making a difficult choice (Alex)

               “Ring…” The shrill sound of the school bell pierced through the monotonous droning of my English teacher, Mr. Chiam. Without second thought, I shoved all my items into my tattered school bag. Like a horde of prisoners set free, my classmates and I dashed out of the classrooms, giving him a cursory “thank you”. The corridor was flooded with people – teachers and students chattering away. I, however, was deadly silent. Thoughts of my mother in the hospital flashed through my mind. Quickening my steps, I walked briefly to take a bus at the bus stop to the hospital.

               My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer at Stage 2. Ever since that diagnosis, my family’s life took a turn. Coming from a poor family, my mother was the sole breadwinner as my father took care of my siblings and me. We struggled to even make ends meet or put food on the table. Being the eldest, I have the most responsibility – take care of my siblings, study hard, help my parents, and so many more! The family’s only source of income has been cut off, and now life is even tougher. I had to use hand-me-downs from others to study. “Sigh…” If only I could –

               “Thud!” A sudden thud broke my train of thought. Glancing around, my eyes fell on something brown. Gingerly, I approached it to see a brown leather wallet! My eyes lit up as I grinned broadly. “Wow!” I mumbled under my breath. Today was my lucky day to even see a wallet on the ground! Opening it carefully, I saw wads of multicolored notes – red, blue, green and purple – and a huge number of coins! My jaw dropped and eyes widened. “Am…am I dreaming? No way was that possible!” I thought. This wallet contained more than a thousand dollars! This amount could not only support my family for three months, I also could buy some necessities and books! Furthermore, I would be able to afford my mother’s medical fees. If I had not controlled myself, I might have even screamed in joy!

However, I felt my conscience suddenly prick at my heart. Was this a future that I wanted – to steal money to support my family? My parents had taught me that stealing is against one’s moral values and my teachers had labelled it a cardinal sin! Could I really disappoint them? Suddenly, I could not make up my mind anymore. Frowning, I thought hard – if I took the wallet, I could be caught but I need the money; If I did not take the wallet, my family could suffer, malnourished!

               Just then, I recalled what the class monitor had said, “We are having some post-exam activities. Everyone is to contribute ten dollars to fund our activities.” Cooking in my own wallet. I saw a meagre amount of one dollar. The money seemed to mock at me as my face flushed red with embarrassment when my classmates see that I do not have ten dollars. In my head, I could feel a war going on as my conscience fought against my thoughts to steal.

               After some thought, I realised that the money was of great importance to me. Without it, I could not support my family or pay my mother’s medical fees. Surreptitiously, I scanned my surroundings before quickly shoving the wallet into my bag. As stealthily as a ninja, I quickly walked away, thinking I had done something good. Walking towards the bus stop, I grinned from ear to ear, congratulating myself on a good deed done. Just then, the arrival of the bus signalled that I could show my mother the large amount of money! I could not imagine the euphoria on her face!

               However, I was utterly wrong. When I showed my weak mother the large amount of money in her ward, her initial delighted expression at seeing me turned into anger. “How could you steal money, Tom?” My mother hurt and angry expression made me feel bad. It did not help that she was so ashamed of me, making me feel even worse. Tears welling up in my eyes, my face flushed red with embarrassment. Mumbling an excuse to leave the ward, I realised that I had just made a huge mistake of stealing the wallet. Making up my mind, I decided to return the wallet.

               At the police station, I passed the officer the wallet, saying that I had found it. Giving them a weak smile, I was showered with praises, but I still felt utterly embarrassed to even steal the wallet. I vowed never to steal ever again in face of a difficult choice to make.

This is indeed an incident I would never forget. Through this wrong choice, I had disappointed my sick mother who had taught me integrity for years. Through this, I vowed never to make the wrong choice in face of a difficult decision to make. Now, I can only feel a lifetime of regret for my actions despite not being caught. This incident will forever be etched in my mind as a reminder never to be dishonest ever again.