Paper 3 has three questions each worth 20 marks. This makes the paper to be marked out of 60 marks.
Question1: Imaginative Composition.
The imaginative composition question requires the learner to write an imaginative
composition. For the composition, the learner is provided with either an opening statement,
an ending statement, a proverb, or even a general topic to write on. The essay written
for this question can be a descriptive, narrative, or expository essay.
Narrative Composition
A narrative composition comprises a story beginning
or ending with a statement, a story relevant to a title or proverb,
or a descriptive composition. It requires the learner to tell a story or to give an orderly account
of events.
Expository Composition
An expository Composition entails expounding on a topic. This type of writing requires the learner to expound on a topic in detail with relevant examples/illustrations to support his/her assertion
and understanding of the topic.
Discursive Composition
A discursive composition involves presenting and supporting or opposing an argument on a motion and making a stance.
Question 2: An essay based on the compulsory set text.
The essay based on the compulsory question has no option. It requires one to write an
essay from a question based on the compulsory set text. The compulsory essay based question is usually
structured with the learner being required to provide an introduction, at least
four well-argued out points, and a suitable conclusion. Each point should have a topic
sentence, an expounding sentence, and a concluding sentence.
Item Marks
Introduction 2
Body (4 points) 12 3 for each point (topic sentence,
exposition and conclusion)
Conclusion 2
Grammar 4
Total 20
Question 3: An essay based on optional set texts.
To answer an essay based on optional set text question, the student
chooses one essay from a text that they
have prepared for well. This question is marked the same way as the compulsory text question.
Things to avoid in essay writing
- Poor handwriting
- Too long stories
- Creating so many conflicts that remain unresolved
- Retelling a well-known story
- Obscenity and vulgarity
- Promotion of vices
- Cliches
- Definition of terms