ENGLISH LANGUAGE 112

FUNCTIONAL AND COMPOSITION WRITING SKILLS FOR

COMPETENCE BASED CURRICULUM

SENIOR THREE AND FOUR

(MIDDLE SCHOOL)

NAME: __________________________________________
CLASS: __________________________________________
STREAM: ________________________________________

MENGO SENIOR SCHOOL

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Copyright 2024 Mengo Senior School
All rights reserved. No production, copy or transmission of
this publication may be made without written permission.

No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied

or transmitted except with written permission or in
accordance with the provision of The Copyright, and
Neighbouring Rights Act 2006 or under the terms of any
license permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright
licensing Agency in Uganda.

Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this

publication may be liable to criminal persecution and civil
claims for damages.

Mengo Senior School

English Language Department
 Preface
The Functional and Composition Writing Workbook is an
attempt to extensively handle the Competence Based
Curriculum syllabus of specifically English language. The
functional writing and creative writing aspects have been
bound together in this edition with definitions, explanations,
sample illustrations and activities to give learners an
opportunity to practice and develop the writing skills rather
than only hearing them from teachers.

Thus, we have embraced the competence based learning

approach which is the modern trend of learning. We are
convinced that this book will emphasize discovery,
explanation, analysis and application of knowledge and
skills in the process of learning. In fact, this book is for
learners to practice, not a teacher’s handbook.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This book is based on research conducted by the members

of the English language department of Mengo Senior School.
We are very grateful to Mr. Ssenyonjo Jonathan, the Head of
Department Mengo Senior School for his contribution,
encouragement and support towards this publication.

We would also like to thank the following people for their

unwavering support that enabled this book be written,
edited, and published. Ms. Bua Glorious, Ms. Ann Wandyaka,
Mr. Mugenyi Deo, Mr. Wafula Iraneaus, Ms. Mary Ntabadde,
Ms. Namakula Jackie, we owe you an extraordinary debt.

We would like to acknowledge with gratitude the following

people for working on the scenarios compiled in this book:
Ms. Nakangu Eveline, Mr. Tajjuba Fred, Mr. Odong Thomas,
Ms. Namisi Grace Dombo, Ms. Nanteza Anita, Mr. Kalemera
Isaiah, Ms. Wangubo Aisha, Ms. Aguti Agnes, Mr. Arinaitwe
Epaphras, Ms. Kyarimpa Monica, Mr. Omurwoko Benard, Ms.
Nanyonjo Milly, Ms. Nankya Prossy and Ms. Adiru Gloria.
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgement
Contents
Part 1: Functional Writing
Letter writing
Curriculum Vitae
Minutes writing
Report writing
A Police Statement
Speech writing
Writing a Prayer
Instructions and Directions
Recipe
Dialogue and Telephone conversation
Writing a Memorandum (Memo)
Writing an Email
Writing a Fax
Notices, announcements and Advertisements
Invitations and Acceptance of Invitations
Writing circulars
Writing a Will
Part II: Creative Writing
Qualities of a good story
Errors condemned
Narrative writing
Description in creative writing
Similes
Idioms
Discursive composition
INTRODUCTION TO 112 ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Part I of this book covers the different forms of functional

writing such as letters, speech, curriculum vitae, report,
magazine article, advertisement, announcement, circular,
shopping lists, memo, biography, autobiography, police
statement, dialogue, and so many others. Here, the
student's ability to use language to perform certain
functions is tested- thus the name functional
writing/situational composition.

Part II covers all the other types of compositions i.e. the

narrative, discursive/argumentative, descriptive and
expository compositions. Here the student's ability to
creatively string words together in an interesting way is
tested. That is why the overall impression is fundamental in
determining judgment.
LETTERS
These are divided into two broad categories.
• The informal letter (friendly letter)
• The formal letter (Official/business letter)
INFORMAL LETTERS
These are written to relatives and friends. The level of
informality depends on the level of intimacy in the relationship
between the writer and the receiver.
- Although informal language is to some extent acceptable,
slang/ colloquial language should be avoided.
- As is required of any good writing, sentences should be
grammatical and properly punctuated.
The different parts of an informal letter
(i) Address
This should be at the top right corner of the page. It should be
indented and properly punctuated with a comma after every
line of the address and a full stop on the last line as you will
see in the sample.
(ii) Date
It should be placed right under the address. Align it with the
first line of the address.
(iii) Salutation or opening greeting
This depends on the closeness of the relationship between
the writer and the receiver; the most common is: Dear ...,
For very close friends and relatives it can be 'My Dear James',
`Dearest Susan' etc. or ‘Dear Mother', Dear Uncle', 'Dear Dad',
for relatives. It is advisable to put the friend's name not just
`Dear
friend'.

- This is followed by a greeting.

(iv) Body
This may have 2-4 paragraphs depending on how much you
want to write. Keep it simple and clear. Remember in ordinary
conversation, people do not use long and complicated
sentences because they do not sound natural to conversation.
Again, do not make them too short as if you do not know what
to say. Balance them and still retain variety in sentence
structure i.e. use simple, compound and complex sentences.

 The content depends on the purpose of the letter,

although there is room for individual initiative.

 Over all language should demonstrate conversational

ease, naturalness in expression and variety.

 It should contain;
 The purpose/reason for writing
 Other details you want to include
(v) Closing remarks: These may be put in one sentence or
two.
(vi) Ending / Friendly complementary clause
This should be written below the letter, aligned in the middle
of the page towards the right. It also varies depending on how
close the writer and the receiver are. For example, 'with lots of
love, “Yours', OR if a relative, 'Yours affectionately'.
(vii) Name of sender
This comes directly under the close, preferably the first name
for example John, Jane, Matthew etc.

SAMPLE OF A FRIENDLY/INFORMAL LETTER

Butoto Village,
P.O. Box 52,
Masaka.
23rd March, 2024.
Dear John,
It has been very long since I last heard from you! I hope all is
well. You cannot believe that ever since I celebrated my birthday I
have been down with malaria! I was even admitted in the hospital!
I almost missed our mid-term tests. Although I sat for them, I was
still very weak and I think the results may be unpleasant.
Boy, that was a wonderful gift!
How did you think about it? You know I have always kept my
photos in an envelope. I had not thought of an album yet. You
really surprised me. You actually made my day. I was over the
moon - as they say.
You know what! When it is your birthday, I don't want to
surprise you, I will shock you.
Love,
Tim.

Scenario:
It is one week into the term, but your friend Cynthia has not
reported to school. Her parents have found her a rich man
who is willing to take her as his new bride and pay the family
many cows and bride price. She has written a letter to you
telling you that all she wants is to continue with her studies.
Task:
Write a reply letter to Cynthia advising her on what to do.
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FORMAL LETTERS
These letters are also called official or business letters. They
include letters of application, letters of complaint, condolence
letters, letters of inquiry, letters to the editor and many others.
In most cases you are writing to people you do not know
personally. Therefore, the effectiveness of a formal letter
determines the kind of response the writer is likely to receive.
This means you have to think about the subject matter
carefully. When writing such letters, you should;

 Be precise and straight forward.

 Use a variety of sentences, that is, short ones and
relatively long ones.

 Select your words carefully to convey the precise

meaning intended.

 Only formal language is acceptable; no slang, no

abbreviations and no irrelevant information.

 Use a polite, formal, business-like tone.

  Maintain the acceptable format.

PARTS AND FORMAT OF A FORMAL LETTER

(i) Address: There are two addresses;
(a) The sender's address which should be written at the top
right-hand corner.
(b) The recipients' address - on the left-hand corner
NB: All addresses should be written in small letters except the
first
letter of every word as shown in the illustrations.
(ii) Date: this should be put just below the sender's address.
(iii) Salutation: for individuals who are not known, use Dear Sir
or Dear Madam;
iii) Subject heading:
This indicates what you are writing about. It should begin with
Re: which means 'in regard to', This is followed by a colon.
iv) The body
This should include all the points you want to express in the
letter.
 A polite tone should be used and all grammatical errors
of punctuation, vocabulary and spelling avoided.
 Your ideas may be expressed in 3-5 paragraphs.
 The introductory paragraph which states the objective of
the letter and prepares the reader for your main points
  The main paragraph(s) which convey the chief points of
the letter. These paragraphs elaborate the actual
purpose of the letter.
 The conclusive paragraph which is a request for action.
v) Closing
The close may be:
`Yours faithfully'- for letters which had a salutation of 'Dear Sir'
or
`Dear Madam'.
`Yours sincerely'- if the letter started with a name such as
'Dear Mr.
Mugisha' or 'Dear Miss Asiimwe'.
This is put at the centre towards the right bottom corner of
the page.
vi) Signature
All formal letters are signed. The signature is put under the
complimentary close.
vii) Writer's Name
After signing, put your name (in capital letters) clearly below
the
signature.
viii) Designation
If you have a designation or title for example Manager,
Teacher,
Principle or Chairperson, write it under your name.

Some examples of formal letters:

THE APPLICATION LETTER
Sample Activity:
Wanted: Three volunteers in Youth Media Council (YMC).
Applicants should have a minimum of an O' Level Certificate
and should have passed English language and Mathematics
with Distinctions; Good interpersonal skills are an added
advantage. Direct your application to the Chairperson at P. 0.
Box 56, Rukungiri district.
This advertisement appeared in The Daily Mirror of 28th
January, 2024. Submit your application.
Answering Tip
You could include the following in your answer:

 1st paragraph- explain the job you want, where and how
you got to know about it.

 2nd paragraph- personal/background information and

your most relevant qualification.

 3rd paragraph- experience or skill and interests if

applicable.

 4th paragraph- how you can be contacted and when you

would be contacted for interview or (and) work.

 Referees with their addresses.

A SAMPLE OF AN APPLICATION LETTER
Kigunga Trading
Centre,
P.O. Box 215,
Wakiso.
12th September, 2013.
The Chairperson,
Youth Media Centre,
Wakiso District,
P.O Box 56,
Wakiso.
Dear Sir,
Re: Application for the Position of Sales Assistant at
your
Centre
I am writing in response to your advertisement in the
Daily Mirror of 28th August, to apply for the position of
sales assistant at your centre.
I am aged nineteen years and reside in Rukungiri
town about four kilometers from your offices in the same
town. Currently, I am working at my aunt’s supermarket. I
did my O'Level examinations last year and passed highly
in Division one with a distinction one (D1) in both English
and Mathematics.
While at School, I was the vice chairperson of
Interact Club and Public Relations Representative in the
Red Cross. In both positions I was charged with the
responsibility of organizing charitable activities and
visiting different groups of people in and around the
school. This helped me to acquire outstanding
interpersonal skills to the extent that I was voted "Best
friend 2012" by majority students- an award given to the
best leader of the year. With these skills I hope to make a
big contribution in ensuring your publications reach more
youth, as well as developing my skills further.
I am available for interview anytime next week and
will be willing to work as soon as I am invited. I look
forward to hearing from you. If you would like to know
more about my profile, you may contact:
Ms. Aisha Wangubo
Excellent Supermarket
P.O Box 22
Kampala
Mr. Gilbert Odong
Clubs' Patron
Kampala High School
P.O. Box 02
Kampala
Yours faithfully,
……………….
 MUGERA JOY

Scenario:
You read an advertisement in the Daily Monitor inviting
suitable candidates to apply for the job of Supermarket
Attendant at Shoprite Supermarket. The basic requirement
for the job is Uganda Certificate of Education which you have.
Task:
Write a job application letter to the Managing Director of
Shoprite Supermarket.
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 A CONDOLENCE LETTER
This may be formal or informal. The format will therefore
depend on the rubric. Usually, we condole people verbally
but if it necessitates writing, then remember:
- Be precise and concise
- In conveying sympathy, sometimes conventional
clichés may be unavoidable. Such as "we have learnt with
great sorrow /great shock the untimely death" " .........
heartfelt sympathy" etc.
- Focus on what makes the departed memorable
especially your; interactions with him/her.
- Personality traits or any achievements in your life
attributed to him.
- Avoid drawing attention to the person's death as this
may hurt the:
- people you intend to console.
- Conclude with positive wishes for the bereaved and
- A suggestion to count on you for support in time of
need.
- Sign off as necessitates a formal or informal letter.
A SAMPLE OF A CONDOLENCE LETTER (semi-formal)

Activity
Your former teacher has lost a daughter who happens to
have been your classmate. Write a condolence letter to him.
In house family
unit
P. 0. Box 72,
Lira.
5th February,
2024.
Dear Mr. Obi,
I have learnt" with great shock the death of your
beloved daughter. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Jane
was not only a classmate but my best friend, confidant and
counselor. Her advice and availability especially in difficult
times, helped me to always move on and focus on my studies.
I am grateful for her kindness especially in form five
when we first met. I had various challenges because I was
new in school but she took it upon herself to show me all
around the school. She initiated me into the culture of the
school, which made me so confident that I even contested for
one of the leadership posts. She went ahead to help me with
the campaigns and I won the election. I will dearly miss her.
She was such a friendly person.
I know she was your only daughter and she is
irreplaceable. When I came to visit her, you treated both of us
as your children, so sir, you can always count on me for
anything as your daughter.
Yours sincerely,
Joan

Scenario:
Your classmate has lost an elder brother who was so dear to
you that you fell in love with his character. One of the scenes
that will linger in your mind is his humility.
Task:
Write an informal condolence letter to your friend. Include;

 how you came to know him

 other character traits of the late
 contribution of the late to society.
 Any comforting message or inspirational quote to your
friend.
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A LETTER OF INQUIRY
This is a letter that asks for information as shown in the
sample question and answer below:
Question:
You are the secretary of wild life club in your school. As a club
you plan to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for three days.
Write a letter to any lodge or hotel, you know around the area
inquiring about food, accommodation and any other relevant
information
Buloba High School,
P.O. Box 25,
Kampala.
14th February,
2024.
The Manager,
Eden Safari Lodge,
P.O. Box 98,
Kasese.
Dear Sir,
Re: Request for Information on Accommodation
I am a student of the above-mentioned school and the
secretary of the Wild Life Club. As a club we intend to visit
Queen Elizabeth National Park for three days with an interest
to look at and do a study about the game therein in addition to
enjoying the scenery. Bliss Safari lodge, being located almost
at the centre of the park, we thought it would serve our
purpose perfectly.
I write therefore to inquire about your prices for a full
lodging
package. When you reply, supply us with adequate
information on how much you charge per room and per meal
with a drink.
Inform us also about whether there any bonuses you
offer in relation to number of people and days. We are sixty
students; and for three days, discount. I believe that would be
good business we would highly appreciate.
Please be also informed that our trip is from 20th- 22nd
March
2024. Therefore we request you to reply before 21st February
for proper planning on our part. Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
...............................
NAMATA MARGRET
Secretary Wild Life
Club

Activity:
You are the President of the Go Green Club at your school.
You have come up with a new club activity of tree planting in
the school and the neighboring community. Your club needs
to acquire seedlings, hoes, gumboots, spades and watering
cans among others. Write a letter of request to the Deputy
head teacher in charge of clubs, requesting for funds to that
cause.
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A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
This is usually written with formal language and follows the
format of a formal letter, i.e. two addresses and concluded
with a signature, name and designation as in sample 1.
In a newspaper however, because of limited space
sometimes one or part of the address is used or even all
addresses dropped as in sample 2. Remember to be precise,
clear and stick to the subject in question. These letters
usually express personal opinions, views in response to a
current issue.
- Although there's a personal angle to the language of this
letter, it should not be abusive and impolite.
Sample 1

Wandegeya Centre,
P.O. Box 4567.
Kampala.
8th March, 2024.
The Editor
Daily News,
P.O Box 10456,
Kampala.
Dear Sir,
Re: Rowdy University students
I am greatly disappointed by the behaviour of Makerere students.
Involving in a strike wouldn't be bad if there is a justifiable cause. We
all know it is very fine and acceptable to express grievances through
staging a demonstration; we also know these are intellectuals! We
expect them to handle strikes within the confinements of law and
show that they are more enlightened!
However these students are doing the complete opposite. They
vandalize innocent people's property, just because the people are
neighbouring the university. Isn't this being cruel and primitive?
We regard university students with respect, they should stop
embarrassing us! If their representatives are indeed leaders, they
should meet with their administrators, solve their differences and stop
washing dirty linen in public.
Yours faithfully,
……………..
ATIM JOY

Sample 2
Editor,
I would like to express my dissatisfaction about the new
government policy of increasing science teacher’ This policy is
segregative and unfair. Did the government first consult the stake
holders? I am not against the policy per se but what about
students who are made to believe that arts/humanities are not
that important at a very early age?
Those involved in policy making should promote sciences
with reservations — remembering that people are gifted
differently and that the Arts field to which most of them belong, is
equally important.
Agume Benton
Wakiso
Scenario:
It is Christmas season. You wish to travel to join your family in the
celebrations. When you arrive at the bus park, you realize that that
fare has sadly been tripled from 40,000 to 100,000 shs. You do not
have the top up and the bus conductor shuts you outside. Meanwhile
your relatives are calling you and they are eagerly waiting for your
arrival. Distressed, you return home.
Task:
Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing your
disappointment and dissatisfaction and call upon the government to
prevail over the situation.
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Activity:
Your UCE results have been released and you excelled
beyond
your expectation. Write a letter to thank the teacher who
helped you to keep on track in terms of discipline.

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CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)
This is a written record of one's career and qualifications. It
is usually attached to a letter of application as an
accompaniment.
It is important to present yourself as a suitable candidate for
the job
being applied for. Plan it carefully to bring out your strong
points especially those that suit the job in question. It is
similar to a resume' (which is American) but with a few slight
differences.

Your CV is expected to bear:

 Bio-data for example name, address, date of birth,

nationality, marital status, sex and religion.
  Education background that is Schools attended, at what
levels and qualifications attained; any other institutions
of learning attended and qualifications attained.

 Work experience; (if applicable) with the names of the

organizations. Nature of work, positions held and
duration, duties and responsibilities.

 Interests/hobbies, that is, anything you enjoy doing that

may help you secure or suit the job in question.

 Referees; these come at the end. Include their names,

positions and addresses. They should be known to you
and able to recommend you accordingly for example
your former employers, teachers or religious
community leaders. 2-3 referees are enough.

NOTE:
You may end with a declaration and your signature
The Education background and work experience may be put
in a
table for easy review if one so wishes.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM VITAE

Curriculum Vitae

Bio Data

Name: Aine Prossy

Address: Standard Academy

P.O.Box 62

Mbarara

Current residence: Mbarara Municipality

Northern division

Plot 3 kakoba Road

Telephone : 0770 062345

Email: [email protected]

Date of Birth: 21st January 1980

Nationality: Ugandan

Sex: female

Marital status: Married

Education

Duration Institution & Responsibilities

Qualification

2001-2004 Makerere University Bachelors’degree

in

EducationBA(ED)

1999-2000 St. Mary’s Secondary School UACE

1995-1998 Nsambya Girls’ S.S UCE

1988-1994 St. Michael Primary School PLE

Work Experience

Duration Institution & Responsibilities

2010- TO DATE Teacher at Standard Academy Mbarara

2006-2009 Presenter of ‘The Purpose FOR Lifeshow at

VoY Radio
 2003-2005 Volunteer with Youth Come Alive, charged

With coordinating outreach programmes to

the youth around the country.

1999-2000 Head girl -St. Mary's Secondary School

1997-1998 Chairperson Drama Club- Immaculate Heart

Girls School

Hobbies and Interests

- Acting has been one of my major interests since primary School. I

was an active member of the Drama Club through secondary school. I am,
currently, the patron of the Drama Club at Standard Academy.

- Singing

- Working with the youth especially in motivational and inspirational

activities.

Languages

Lunyakitara - Very fluent

English - Very fluent

Kiswahili - Fluent

French - Fluent

Referees

1. Mr Didas Nsereko

Headteacher

Standard Academy

P.O Box 62, Mbarara

070465731

2. Mrs Ida Mbiti

Parmanent Secretary

Ministry of Gender
 P.O Box 5, Kampala

078929820

Declaration

I declare that the information recorded above is true about me.

………………

AINE PROSSY

Activity:
Kenjoy Supermarket is urgently in need of a sales manager.
Interested parties must have financial knowledge, a minimum of
senior four certificate and at least two years’ working experience
in a reputable institution. Write the curriculum vitae to accompany
your application letter.
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MINUTES OF A MEETING
Minutes are an official record of the proceedings in a
meeting. They are written by a secretary who is expected
to record accurately all decisions reached. They serve as
a reference in future meetings. Minutes are expected to
have:
1. Title
This comprises of the Name of the group meeting. Place
were the meeting is held, Time, Day and Date of the
meeting.
2. Register of attendance which includes:
- Members present. These should be recorded beginning
with the most senior.
- Members absent with apologies.
- Members absent without apologies and
- Any other people who may have attended the meeting
but are non-members OR Ex-Officials (these are recoded
under "in attendance"). N.B Members absent should be
 fewer than those present for the meeting to take place.
That is why it is always said that for a meeting to take it
should have a quorum.

2. Agenda
This is a plan/order the meeting will follow. What is
included on the Agenda will be determined by the
purpose of the meeting and issues that are to be
discussed. However, there are some items that do not
usually miss on any agenda; for example
preliminaries; this includes the formalities that introduce
the meeting such as:
- the chair calling the meeting to order
- opening prayer
- noting any apologies and sometimes
- the chairperson's opening remarks

Note: Sometimes these are recorded under different

minutes.
ii) Chairperson's communication: this will depend on
the nature of the meeting. If the chairperson has many
issues to communicate, they may be put under different
sub-headings.

(iii) Reading of minutes: especially if there had been

another meeting previously. Usually it is after they are
read and approved by the members who were present in
that previous meeting that they will be signed.

(iv) Matters arising; these are issues that need further

discussion either from the chairperson's word or from
the previous minutes or both. Under this, members also
find out whether resolutions made previously were
carried out.

(v) New issues to be discussed in the meeting.

(vi) Any other business (AOB); these are other issues
members may wish to discuss but which are not
indicated on the main Agenda.

(vi) Closing remarks: This usually has the chairperson's

last comments and date of the next meeting.
4. Avoid First person point of view and mentioning
people's names since discussions and resolutions are
reached by the whole group. This can be done by using
the passive voice, for example;
Do not say; I suggested that Or Ms. Atwine disagreed
saying…
Instead say; It was agreed upon or members resolved
that.... Use names for instance if people are being given
responsibilities
5. Language; It should be formal and accurate. That is;
use correct grammar, spelling, sentence construction
and punctuation.
6. Signature of the chairperson and secretary which
usually come at the end.
7. Itemization every item on the agenda is numbered
using either the number of meetings held, or the month.
One may include the name of the meeting or leave it out.

Let's take an example of a staff meeting Min.3/04/17:

Treasurer's report (minute three of the fourth meeting in
2017 or minute three of a meeting held in April 2017) Or
Min.3/04/SM/17: where SM refers to staff meeting.

Sample Minutes
Imagine you are the Secretary of the Drama Club in your
school. The club members presented a play that was so
fascinating that the head teacher promised to take you
out.

Activity:
Imagine you are the Secretary of the Drama Club in your
school; the club members presented a play that was so
fascinating that the head teacher promised to take you
out to present this play.
Write the minutes for a meeting to prepare for this event.

THE MINUTES OF KAMPALA HIGH SCHOOL

DRAMA CLUB HELD ON MONDAY 12 TH APIRL, 2024
AT 5:OOP.M IN THE SCHOOL MAIN HALL.
Members Present
1. Luzze Zaharah - Chairperson
2. Angello Prince - President
3. Namatovu Shine - Treasurer
4. Naluggwa Sarah - Member
5. Tuhaise Chloe - Member
6. Nakaweesi Faith Member
7. Namale Noreen - Secretary
Members Absent with Apology
1. Ndibalekera Edith Madrine
2. Nambuusi Majorine
Absent without Apology
Byakatonda Emmanuel
In Attendance
Nanono Dorris
Agenda
1. Opening
2. Chairman's word
3. Previous minutes
4. Matters arising
5. Plans for the Community Show
6. Any Other Business (AOB)
7. Adjournment.
Min. 01/04/24: Opening Prayer
The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson
at 5:15pm and this was followed by a prayer led by Ms.
Nakku Irene.
Min. 02/04/24: Chairperson's communication
The Chairperson welcomed members and
expressed gratitude especially to the patron and the
District youth representative for accepting to be part of
the meeting.
He also appreciated members for the dedication
shown during rehearsals and their stupendous acting
which earned them a picnic and a show to the outside
community. He was pleased with the good turn up and
asked them to plan appropriately.
Min. 03/04/24: Minutes of the previous meeting
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and a
few corrections made. They were then approved and
signed as a true recording of what had taken place in the
 previous meeting.
Min. 04/04/24: Matters arising
Members expressed appreciation to the chairperson
for inviting the patron and District youth Representative
as agreed upon in the previous meeting. Members
agreed that their advice be given when discussing the
plans for the show.
The members who had been given the responsibility
to visit the venue for the picnic informed the rest that
they had carried out the survey effectively. The place was
appealing and the fares fair enough. However, they asked
to be allowed to explain the details in another meeting
since this meeting was meant to plan for the
presentation of the play and not the picnic. Members
accepted their suggestion.
Min. 05/04/24: Planning for the Show to the local
community
Members agreed that since their audience would be
comprised of many of the youth, there was need to include
some dances as interludes in between the different scenes of
the play. In order to maintain the quality of the presentation,
every member was to maintain her/his part. However the
master of ceremonies would change to Matthew Mugenyi
since Angella Nakangu was sick and had even lost her voice.
The District Youth Representative advised them to come
with their own public address system, since the one for the
district was faulty. The Patron also advised them to wear their
uniforms, except while acting, for the sake of maintaining the
school’s name.
Min. 06/04/24: Any Other Business
The chairperson requested them to pray for the members
who were sick. The Patron was also planning for his wedding
in two months' time. Members wished him a happy and
fruitful marriage.
Min.07/04/24: Closure
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting
adjourned at 6.45pm with a prayer. The next meeting was to
be held on 5th June, 2013 in the same venue.
Signed;
……………… …………………….
LUZZE ZAHARAH NAMALE NORAH
SECRETARY CHAIRPERSON

Activity:
Imagine you are the staff secretary in your school, write the
minutes of the end of term staff meeting where the academic
performance and discipline of the students is being evaluated.
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REPORT WRITING
A report is a formal document expressing factual description
of situations or events. It can also be described as an opinion
formally expressed after doing investigations or consideration
on a particular event/situation. That is why most reports
include recommendations for further action. There are
different types of reports. These include:
Simple reports:
Most of these do not need investigations but they are actually
factual
descriptions of events. They may be about School club
activities, field- report activities, an event or progress reports
made internally in a given organization.
They are written with;

 A title
 An introduction,
 Main body; usually under different subtitles,
 Conclusion and
 Recommendations.
Incident reports fall under simple reports but usually, may not
have the content put under sub-titles since an incident is
described narratively from one step to another as it happened.
For example if you were asked to report on how one of the
student was trying to pass through the window and broke his
leg.

Newspaper report:
This is expected to be factual and objective. It is usually
written in
continuous prose, it may sometimes have sub-titles especially
if it is long.
Survey/study/general reports: These deal with a specific
subject. In this we have an event being surveyed, investigated
or studied or a problem analyzed in terms of causes and
possible solutions provided. It may be short about 250-700
words or very long about 3000-9000 words.
It includes procedure of finding information, findings,
conclusion and recommendations. Examples include a fire
out-break in School, crime increase in the community,
indiscipline in a school, etc.
Confidential reports
These take the format of formal letters (with addresses and
the like). They may be written by a referee when someone
applies for a job or from an employee to employer in the same
organization.
When writing a report you are expected to have;
 A title
 An introduction with;
 A background to the study, survey, group or activity.
 Details of the person who mandated the study
 Purpose of the report
The procedure or method of data collection especially if it is
a survey/ study report. This could be under its own title
"procedure" or could just come in a paragraph under the sub-
title of introduction.
 Main body; this is divided into sub-titles each
explaining an aspect of the report.
- Conclusion; The conclusion expresses the opinion of
the compilers. It is the summary of the findings from which
recommendations will be drawn.
- Recommendations; these are suggestions for further
action as observed. For instance, if some problems were
noted recommendations will come in form of solutions.
- Signature; The compiler must sign before putting his
name.
- Name (s) of compiler (s); written at the end. Remember
sometimes a report is compiled by more than one person.
Important to note:
A report can be written with two addresses as already
mentioned just like a formal letter or without any address
especially if it is from the same organisation like in sample 1.
It may be compiled by one or more persons as in the samples
below

Sample 1:
Imagine you are a teacher in charge of discipline in your
School. Indiscipline has recently, gone on the rise. Your Head
teacher has commissioned your department to carry out a
survey on the causes and find possible preventive measures.
Write out your report.
A REPORT TO THE HEAD TEACHER ON THE RISE OF
INDISCIPLINE IN MY SCHOOL
Introduction
There has been an alarming increase of indiscipline in
Katika High school. The head teacher commissioned a team
to dig deep and find out the cause of indiscipline and possible
measures of curbing down this cancer that is eating up our
students. The team comprised the following members:
Okoth Benjamin- Team leader (Teacher- Discipline Patron)
Okum Richard- member (student Discipline Minister)
Nambi Bridget- Secretary (Deputy minister of Discipline-
student)
Nagawa Helen- member (Head monitor- student)
Data collection
In carrying out this survey I observed students' habits in
and outside class and interviewed some students and student
leaders. We also gave out some short questionnaires for
students to fill without necessarily adding their names.
Findings
i)Idleness
 Most times students are idle with absolutely nothing to
do in class. Some teachers do not attend to their lessons, yet
they leave no assignment to students. Even those who dare
come to teach are usually late and leave class earlier than is
expected. This gives students time to think about all nefarious
acts such as sneaking to bars, smoking and indulging in
immoral acts.
ii) Lack of continuous assessment
Since one examination is given at the end of the term,
there's too much laxity on the side of students. They are not
motivated to read especially during private studies. Night
studies specifically have been used to surreptitiously leave
School and return for roll call at sleeping time.
iii) Absence of a fence around School
The freedom of entry and exit into the School has
worsened the situation. This has given room even to
outsiders, to enter School disguising as School workers.
These sometimes smuggle in alcohol and cigarettes to
sell to students. Since the student's dormitories are also
never locked, instead of attending to teachers, students
are busy enjoying this illicit business brought close to
them in their dormitories. They have even termed it
"Services brought nearer to the people".
iv) Conclusion
Much as the situation seems to be out of hand, if the
administration comes in strongly and brings all teachers and
student leaders aboard in instilling discipline, the situation will
be arrested.
v) Recommendations
- Co-curricular activities such as games, sports and clubs
which occupy students should be emphasized
especially in the evening hours.
- All teachers should attend to their lessons in time and sign
whenever they go to class for easy follow up of those who do
not attend to their lessons.
- The school should be fenced as soon as possible if sanity is
to return to the school.
- Student leaders should be empowered to deal with any
outrageous behaviors exhibited by fellow students.
- Bi-weekly tests or at least monthly tests should be
introduced to keep the students on their toes academically.
Compiled by:
…………………………………..
NAMBI BRIDGET
SECRETARY
rd
23 April, 2024.

SAMPLE 2
A REPORT ABOUT THE NATIONAL GUIDES AND SCOUTS
WORKSHOP
Introduction:
As you are already aware I took one hundred twenty-one
students from various schools in the district, to Kampala for
Guides and Scouts empowerment workshop. This is a report
on how we left, what transpired and our return.

Gathering and departure:

Although we were supposed to have all gathered by eight
o'clock prompt, some students delayed to turn up and
reached us as late as 9 o'clock. And we set off thirty minutes
later aboard two Kuringa Coaches. Despite being one hour
and thirty minutes behind schedule we made it for the
opening ceremony.
Trainings and talks:
The talks were not only inspirational, but challenged
young people to go back and take action regarding the pursuit
of their dreams. They were trained and given practical life
skills under the theme `Be Prepared’ !
Meals and General wellbeing:
We were provided with decent accommodation and very
good meals. However, being a workshop for Scouts and
Guides who should be all-round and ready to deal with every
situation, we were left to prepare our own meals at certain
times. Most of my students were not ready for it and in
addition we had not carried any raw food items, which paused
a big challenge.
Challenges:
As already said, the biggest challenge we had was to
prepare our own meals. It was very expensive and hectic
because we had not been given prior information about the
same.
My other challenge was having to monitor both the girls
and boys I had taken yet they were residing in two far off
places.
Some students from certain schools were trying to
tactfully dodge paying the transport fare since we were using
two busses and in addition, they were aware that as a teacher
from a different school I did not know them.

Conclusion:
It was an experience worth the money and time invested;
it was very educative, rejuvenating and life transforming
although it was not without challenges. It should not just be
once in three years event like it has been but a termly event.
However, it was not without challenges.
Recommendations:
The event should be organized annually because it is
helpful to the students as well as teachers who escort them.
Students should be asked to contribute not only towards
their transport but add a little towards the general
organization of the event.
The money to be contributed by students should be
collected by schools rather than leaving individual students to
deal with an unfamiliar teacher from a different school.
In case of any similar event, two teachers should be sent;
one to follow up the boys closely while the other keeps with
the girls. A second teacher would help in monitoring another
bus as well. Students should take some raw food items in
case they have to do their own cooking.
Compiled by:

NTABADDE MARY
Teacher and Guides' Coordinator
Mengo Senior School

Activity:
As a sports minister, while you took students to participate in
the district competition, one of the players got a bad injury.
Write a report to your head teacher about the whole incident.

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Activity 2
You were the teacher on duty when a fire broke out in one of
the dormitories. The head teacher has commissioned you
with a group of students to find out what could have been the
cause and recommend possible control measures. Write your
report.
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GIVING A POLICE STATEMENT

Another form of report is a witness statement.
When you witness a crime, you are expected to record a
statement at a police station. Although you orally give a
speech, the police officer writes it down.
It should be noted that the police officer is looking for
concrete facts that will help in the investigations. Since the
police wants to keep track of you as a witness, you are to give
your full details i.e. name, age, occupation, address, and even
telephone number if available.
As any official document it must be signed.

A Sample statement
WITNESS STATEMENT

My name is Adiru Gloria. I live in Kampala, Katanga A-

west Avenue House number 3. I am a business woman selling
house hold equipment in a small retail shop. My address is
04
30500, Kampala. My house telephone is 135354, my mobile
number is 071353418.
Last night, at around 1:30 am, I was awoken by a rattling
sound of what seemed like falling items. When I looked
through the window, I saw two men with hooded black
sweaters carrying heavy loads in front of my neighbour's door.
I also realized the security light in front of that house, which
happens to be a cafe was out. A little distance away from the
house was packed a grey Ipsum saloon car.
I immediately realized something was wrong. I awoke my
night watchman and called the owner of the shop but his
number could not go through. I called another neighbour and
we agreed on phone to wake up and make an alarm. At that
time, they had carried some items to the car. When we did
make the alarm, one of them got out of the house empty
-
handed, jumped into the car and they sped off. As they
headed north of Katanga street I realized the number plate
was UBP 456T. Our other neighbour who had been woken by
the noise also joined us.
When we went around his café, we found they had
disconnected the power system, had carried away three
laptops, a CPU and a stabilizer. These items had all been
purchased a week before, the owner of the café showed us
the purchase receipt of four million seven hundred thousand
shillings (UGX 4,700,000/).

…………………………
ADIRU GLORIA
WITNESS
SAMPLE 2
Scenario:
You were an only witness when a parent stormed the Head
teacher's office and assaulted him. Had it not been for the
intervention of the school security team, the Head teacher
would have bled to death.
Task:
Write a police statement about the assault.
A POLICE STATEMENT RECORDED BY THE EYE WITNESS AT
OLD KAMPALA POLICE POST BEFORE THE OFFICER IN
CHARGE
My name is Atik Viola, a sixteen year old girl studying at
Gaba Senior School. I am a Langi from Lira and my parents
are peasants. I am in Senior Three Red 3 attached to Grace
Hostel and Sempa House.
It was on Monday at around Nine o'clock in the morning
when I saw a parent in a heated argument with the School
Security Team at the gate. He was tall, chubby and dark
skinned.
Like burning lava, he majestically walked to the Head
teacher's office and kicked it ajar. His veins were throbbing
and his eyes turned red. He gave the Head teacher a sinister
smile, held him by the collar and demanded explanation as to
why his son had been expelled from school.
The Head teacher in fear struggled to explain to the
infuriated parent, but all in vein. He was given a resounding
smack across his cheeks. He stumbled to the ground giving
out a cry of terror. Overcome by fear, I dashed out of the
office to inform teachers about the incident. Had it not been
for the intervention of teachers, the Head teacher would have
bled to death.
I confirm to the best of my knowledge that the above is a
true account of what transpired.
.............. ..............
ONEN IVAN IGA JUDE
WITNESS OFFICER IN CHARGE

WRITING A SPEECH
A speech is a formal communication delivered to an audience.
Speech has basically three types:

 The impromptu speech which someone is asked to give

and has not prepared beforehand.

 The memorized speech which someone prepares but

gives without referring to any written material

 The written speech which someone prepares, writes

down and keeps referring to as he speaks. A written
speech is considered better than the other types by most
people. This is because it gives the speaker confidence
since the ideas are all arranged logically in the way/ order
the speaker wishes to deliver them.
However, someone is considered an excellent orator if they
can prepare their speech and deliver it without referring to any
notes. Remember a speech is heard not read therefore keep
in mind the following:
 The kind of audience; this determines the language, tone
style to use. For instance, the way we address nursery
children would not be the same way we address a head
teachers association workshop, or secondary school
students.
 The language should be enriched with appropriate
expressions such as proverbs, sayings and quotations
from famous people.
 Be careful to avoid cliches that have been over used and
have become old fashioned and boring.
 Choice of vocabulary is very important. Use words that
suit the occasion or function you are attending. Avoid
words that may offend your audience. Imagine for
example in a career guidance meeting of weak students
where a speaker keeps addressing his audience as 'dull'.
 Keep your speech interesting and creative; this will be
determined by the way you arrange your material. You
may classify, use cause and effect, problem-solution
order or arrange content according to time and space.
 Supporting material is also essential especially
illustrations, statistics, contrasts and comparisons,
repetition or opinions of experts in what you are talking
about.
 Use transitional words and connectors; such as 'on the
other hand', 'for example', 'furthermore', 'in addition'
 contrary, however etc.
 Vary your sentences; Too long sentences are unnatural
to speaking while too short, crisp sentences make you
sound as if you are not sure of what to say. Endeavour to
\strike a balance.
 Be precise and very clear; otherwise, your audience will
get bored and distracted.
 Identify with your audience; if you want to sustain their
interest show them that you are one of them. Use the
pronoun ‘we’ more than ‘you’ and words like ‘together’.

PARTS OF A SPEECH

 Heading: should be very brief, indicating who gives it,

when and where (occasion)

 Introduction: This includes

 Protocol in paragraph form.
 Greetings and acknowledgement of audience
 Introduce yourself
Introduce what you want to talk about either in form of a
question, puzzle, proverb or summary of your points, in order
to arouse the interest of your audience.

 Body:
Here you develop your key points in the order you choose. Use
effectively whatever materials you decide on, to maintain
interest and fulfill the purpose of the speech whether to
inform, educate, inspire or persuade.

 Conclusion
Make a lasting impression. Give them something they will
remember long after your speech is done such as an
exhortation, an example, a proverb, a quotation or a
summary of your points.

N.B: Address your audience directly; i.e. keep calling them to

attention by using phrases like; Our Guest of honour, ladies
and gentlemen, fellow citizens, leaders, dear students, dear
parents, mothers of this nation, my brothers and sisters etc.
(depending on your audience's composition).
SAMPLE SPEECHES
SAMPLE 1
A SPEECH DELIVERED BY A LEADER OF THE AIDS CONCERN
CLUB AT NAMBOOLE STADIUM ON WORLD AIDS DAY
CELEBRATIONS TO THE YOUTH FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS

Our Guest of Honour – the State Minister of Health, the

District Chairman, Local government leaders present, Head
teachers, parents and fellow students, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning.
I am Muwonge Joseph, a student of Kampala High
School. I feel greatly honoured to stand amidst such a
distinguished gathering. International days such as this call
for celebration! Today however, hear a message not of
celebration but of great challenge.
We are faced with a silent enemy, invisible yet perilous,
rarely talked about in the open by those attacked yet
disheartening and hazardous. HIV and AIDS has come to all
and for all irrespective of colour, race, age, level of education
and ethnicity. Whether you are infected or affected, we must
all rise up and put an end to this common foe. Brothers and
sisters, let us not look at those who are already infected as
people under a curse. Let us encourage them, love them and
show them that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
If you are still safe my brother, my sister, endeavour to
keep your boat afloat in this strange sea. Keep in mind the
time-tested ABC. Get it like a prayer you cannot forget. Fellow
youth, and all unmarried people Abstain and let your brother
abstain. The married and those planning to, Be faithful to your
partner and even to yourself. If feelings come like torrents and
overwhelm you remember the condom.
In all these things let's look before we leap because
whether we fall today or rise up tomorrow depends on the
choice, we make this minute. The future is bright, let's look
forward to it, let's teach about it, let's sing about it, let's write
about it, let's show our adversary HIV/AIDS that we are ready
to take precautions and that we shall defeat him despite his
hideous attacks.
Even where we have been defeated let us remember that
defeat is not to discourage but to act as fresh stimulus for
even bigger success. If we build a fortress of unselfish love
and concern for one another, no enemy however strong will
breech our walls.
Sample 2
Activity:
Your school has been visited by old students, who after
having toured around the school decide to furnish it with
enough computers for all the 1CT students. Give a vote or
thanks on behalf of all the students.

A VOTE OF THANKS DELIVERED BY THE HEAD GIRL ON

28TH FEBRUARY, 2024 DURING THE CLOSING CEREMONY
OF THE OLD STUDENTS' TWO-DAY VISIT TO THE SCHOOL
Our Chief Guest, Honourable Minister of Gender- Madam
Kevin Namisi, the District Woman Member of Parliament, the
District Education Officer, the head teacher, staff members,
and my fellow students. Good evening.
I am greatly honoured yet humbled to address such a
distinguished gathering. My name is Catherine Namakula, the
head girl of this school.
On behalf of the students of Mengo Senior School, allow
me to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the chief guest and all
the other old students here. We are not only grateful for the
advice and inspiration you gave us in the last two days but we
also highly appreciate your generous gesture of refurbishing
our computer laboratory. The machines we were using were
not only old-fashioned bot too few as well. Thanks once again
for helping us solve this grave challenge. Fellow students let
us give them a very big round of applause.
 Our dear old girls, we are very proud to have you as our
alumni. We look up to you as our role models and we can only
promise to work very hard and be able to achieve what you
have achieved and even more. You know scripture tells us
that we keep moving from glory to glory! Isn't it, students?
Thank you for coming, thank you for the assistance both
moral and material. Keep coming let's keep united as a family
for together we achieve great! Thank you, thank you very
much. Aim Higher. For God and My Country.

Activity:
Write a speech you would deliver at a rally if you were
campaigning to be area MP of your constituency.
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...............................................2. You have been asked to
represent your school on Women’s Day, write a speech.
3.After your class excelled in the UCE Examinations, the
school decided to throw a congratulatory party in your honour.
Your classmates have asked you to give a speech on their
behalf. Write it down.
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WRITING A PRAYER
Prayers are oral or written communication to God. All prayers
address a higher being. This higher being could be God, Jesus,
Guardian angel, Allah, Buddha etc., depending on one's
inclination of faith.
When saying or writing a prayer it is important to:
 Begin with expressing honour and gratitude for what
you already have.
 Present your needs as well as those of others in
similar situations like yours, or any other unpleasant
 situations.
Conclude with expressing your Faith that what you have
asked for
will be granted. This is usually done in form of appreciation
for the answer that is yet to come.
Note: Not Every prayer will follow this order but these are
some of the important aspects of prayer.

A Sample Prayer
Activity:
Imagine you are the chairperson of the Uganda Ecumenical
Council (UEC), you have been asked to lead an opening prayer
on independence day celebrations. Write the prayer you will
say.
Answering tip:
In answering such a question, you need to note that although
you are
representing other people on a formal function so you need to
own up to your word.

A PRAYER BY THE CHAIRPERSON UGANDA ECUMENICAL

COUNCIL DURING THE INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATIONS HELD AT KOLOLO AIRSTRIP
O Lord God, we thank you for our beautiful country,
Uganda. We thank you that you have endowed it with a natural
beautiful scenery through, the forests, the national parks, the
mountains, rivers as well as lakes. We are grateful for the
wonderful weather and the minerals both in and on our fertile
land. It is for this reason that our country has been referred to
as ‘The Pearl of Africa’.
God Almighty, we thank you for the peace we enjoy in our
country at the moment. We thank you for the day we gained
independence, without forgetting the brave Ugandans who
spearheaded the move toward such a great attainment. Grant
them eternal rest wherever they are.
We implore you father that you keep guiding our leaders
so that they may continue pursuing peace as well as putting
in place policies that cater for even the lowest person
because we are all your children.
May our President, our other leaders and all Ugandans
strive for honesty in all their dealings with each other and with
our neighbouring countries for this is the sure way we can
eliminate corruption and ensure good neighbourliness.
Lord bless this day, that it will be deeply enriching for all
people present here as well as those watching it on television
or listening on radios, the Presidents of other nations,
governments, and republics who have graced this function.
Bless the countries and the people they lead and bless all your
people in the world to experience your love, providence, and
peace that human words cannot express.
We thank you, that you heard this prayer because you
always hear and answer us. Amen.

INSTRUCTIONS AND DIRECTIONS

A) INSTRUCTIONS.
Instructions should be clear and accurate enough to
enable a person who has never carried out a task to do so
adequately. When writing/giving instructions ensure that the
instructions;
- Are brief and precise
- All items/equipment/apparatus required for the process are
included.
- Steps to be followed are arranged logically and
systematically from the first to the last in terms of space and
time.
- An imperative tone is used.
- Good choice of words and appropriate language
- It's helpful to avoid alternatives as they tend to distract.

Sample Instructions
Activity:
You are not at home and your brother who has been
bothering you to teach him how to use a computer is coming
for holiday, leave him instructions on how he can start a
computer and type his name.
Answering tip;
When starting a computer there are two methods, the warm
booting method and the cold booting method. In order not to
confuse the person you are instructing, do not give the
alternative methods. Just choose one and give clear
instructions

INSTRUCTIONS TO MY BROTHER ON HOW TO START A

COMPUTER AND TYPE
When starting up a computer first check whether the
computer power cable is firmly inserted into a power source.
The power source I am referring to is extension cable that is
fixed into the wall socket. Switch on from the wall to power
the extension cable.
Next switch on the UPS (uninterruptible power supply).
This look like a rectangular block. (It is placed on the table
beside the computer.)
Switch on the system Unit by pressing the power button.
From there you will need to switch on the monitor. The
monitor is that screen that looks like a screen of a television.
Its power button looks like that of the system unit and it is at
the center bottom of the monitor. The computer will
systematically open and display the desk top which contains
the icons/representation of different programs /files. Click
the start button which is located on the desktop bottom left. It
will show you a table with different icons still.
From the list of alternatives choose “All programs”
In “All programs” there is another list of different programs
and their representations. choose “Microsoft Office” by
clicking on it. From the list, click on “Microsoft Word”. A page
is displayed with a blinking cursor and that is where you start
writing.
You will start typing by pressing the letter you want as it
appears on the key board. Note that in case you type a letter
you do not intend to, you can erase it by pressing the button
that has the words ‘backspace’. If you want to change from
capital letters to small letters you press a button with the
words ‘Caps Lock’.
These instructions should help you type not just your
name but
anything else you want until I come back and teach you more
things.

Activity:
1. Give instructions to a friend who has just bought a new
mobile phone on how to use it.
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2. You are leaving home and you have invited your younger
sister to stay at your house. Instruct her on how she will
clean the refrigerator over the weekend.

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B) DIRECTIONS
Directions are a set of instructions that help one person to get
from one place to another. They should, therefore be clear
enough to enable a person get from one place to another
easily and quickly without getting lost or wasting time. •
- The language should be clear and appropriate to the person
being directed.
- Land marks such as mountains, rivers, hills and buildings
should be mentioned to aid the directions.
The following words may be used in directions
- Turn/ bear right at / Keep straight/go straight on...
- Go a little further/drive...
- Follow the signs to /for
- Look/watch out for ….
- Take the left hand....
- At/On the corner......
- At the end of the street…..
- Fork east, take the right fork/fork left, right east/west etc.
- You can pack next/opposite/ close to.
Ensure you know features/road signs such as; traffic
lights, roundabout, bypass, zebra crossing/pedestrian
crossing, crossroads, junction, lane, track, sharp bend and
path.
Note: While referring to landmarks, features or road signs; use
permanent ones which may not easily be erased. Do not for
example use people, trees and makeshift hedges.
-Avoid names localised to an area unless you are referring to
a name on a signpost
- Use approximate distances a person is likely to travel for
instance walk for one hundred meters, drive for three
kilometers etc.
- You may include a map of the area with the direction if you
have the time and space.

Sample directions.
Activity: Direct your friend from the park to your home which
is in the middle of the town.

DIRECTIONS FROM THE PARK TO MY HOME WHICH IS IN

THE MIDDLE OF TOWN
Right from the park walk out through the Northern gate
and turn left. After a row of five shops there is a fork. Fork left
and walk straight on until you see a three-storey building
painted sky-blue. It bears a rectangular signpost with the
words “You Can Bank” in calligraphy.
Immediately after the bank there is a roundabout and, in
the center, stands a big sculpture of a cow facing west. Take
that direction. Walk a little further until you reach a crossroad.
At the crossroad, bear right.
After about two hundred meters you will see a mansion
with an army green versatile roof. It is enclosed with a two-
metre-high concrete fence. In the direction from which you
come, there is a gate. The gate is green and it is half way
metallic grills.
Gently, but firmly, press on the switch that is engraved on
the right side of the gate. Any person that comes to meet you
will be in position to help you get to me because that is my
home.

Activity:
1. You have migrated from town to a remote village about
50 kilometers from the taxi park. Write complete
directions to a friend who wishes to visit you.
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2. Write a letter to a friend directing him from the

airport to a hotel in the middle of the city where you will
pick him up to take him to your home.
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RECIPE
A recipe is a set of instructions that explain how a meal is
prepared and the ingredients to use. A good recipe usually
shows:
 All ingredients in terms of quantities/measurements
 The timing or the time allowed for cooking
 Method of preparation and steps followed from
beginning to the end.
  The colours to look out for, if applicable
 The aroma to expect and finally
 How it is best served
Use appropriate diction related to cooking such as; garnish,
boil, simmer, warm, deep fry, freeze, roll, sieve/sift sprinkle,
season, sort etc. Note: If there are different methods of
preparing that dish, specify which method you will use.

FORMAT OF A RECIPE
1.Title: Should be written in capital letters and should
show the food to be cooked and the number of people to
be served
2.Introduction: Use a paragraph is used . It should
explain the food value or the importance of the meal.
3.Ingredients: These are the items and their quantities
required to prepare the food.
4. Procedure–These are the distinct steps to be followed
when cooking the food.
5. Serving instructions.
A SAMPLE RECIPE
A RECIPE FOR PANCAKES
Ingredients
500 grams of cassava floor
6 fingers of yellow bananas
Oil for deep frying

Procedure
Peel all the bananas you intend to use and mash them till
they are fine and watery. Add half the flour and knead to a
fairly stiff dough. Add in more flour until the flour does not
stick to clean hands.
Roll to about two millimeters thick on a floured-board
using a cutter or glass. Then cut into rounds. Heat the oil to
almost smoking Put the cut rounds and fry the cakes till
brown and cooked. Drain the excess oil. They can be served
with tea.
SAMPLE 2
A RECIPE OF BOILED RICE
Ingredients
1 cup of rice
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon of cooking fat
1/4 teaspoon of salt

Procedure
Measure one cup of rice and pour on a tray or any
relatively flat container. Sort the rice by removing any foreign
particles. Wash it Fill two cups with water and pour it into a
clean saucepan. Then cover the water and heat until it boils.
 Add the one tablespoon of cooking fat and the salt to the
boiling water. The fat is not only meant for flavouring but also
to keep the rice from burning before it is ready.
Add the rice to the boiling water and cook at low heat for
about 15 minutes. The rice should be left on the fire until all
the water has evaporated. It is then ready and can be served
with stew or groundnut broth.

Activity:
It is your birthday. Many guests, including your best friends
from the West have been invited. They enjoy eating chicken.
Prepare a recipe your younger sister will use to prepare
chicken.
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DIALOGUE AND TELEPHONE CONVERSATION

A telephone conversation and dialogue have a lot in
common because in both people are talking to each other
directly. In dialogue however, the communication may be
more effective since even other paraphernalia such as; facial
expressions, and gestures are interpreted for effective
delivery of feedback.
DIALOGUE:
Dialogue is a conversation between people. It is written in
two different ways.
In the middle of prose; where it is written with quotation
marks, explanatory words/speech tags such as "She said," "he
commanded" are used. In this case every time a new
character speaks, his words are put in a paragraph. This will
be referred to in detail on page.... under narrative composition.
The other kind of dialogue is the one used in drama. In
drama even the expressions and gestures are usually
included and put in brackets. They are referred to as stage
directions.
 The second kind of dialogue is the one we want to focus
our attention on. When writing dialogue or telephone
conversation, the following are expected:
1. The names of the speakers are given on the left-
hand side followed by a colon (:)
2. Identify the speakers; for example, if one is known
and the other is a stranger or both are not known to
each other according to the question. If both are known
to each other this may not be necessary.
3. The language and choice of words should suit the
speakers; for example, a conversation with your six-year
-old brother cannot be the same as that between a
parent and a teacher or taxi driver or gateman and head
teacher or medical doctor.
4. Although the language may be informal depending
on who is speaking to who, the rules of grammar, such
as spelling, tenses and punctuation should be adhered
to.
5. Use short sentences with brief, simple every day
conversational English because long sentences sound
unnatural to speech.
Any numbers and names given should be distinctly
communicated and spelt out correctly. These should be
confirmed by the speaker. (Check example in the sample)
7. The speakers should be brief and precise because
call services are expensive.
8. Be polite and respectful that is do not interrupt the
 other speaker as both of you will not hear each other. A
polite and respectful attitude and language achieves
better results.
9. In case of a long conversation, keep it lively with
interjections such as eh, ohm, hmm, okay…. Etc. This
helps a great deal in telephone conversation where the
speakers are not looking at each other.

10. If the person you wish to speak to is not available, leave a

clear message of the name of the caller, the purpose of the
call, (may be briefly stated), the time when the caller may be
called back, or if you wish to call later ask for the time when
the person you want may be available.

A Sample Dialogue
Activity:
Suppose you have gone for holiday in another country. While
you are at a function, you meet your head teacher. Write a
dialogue between you and him.
Answer;
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN MY TEACHER AND ME IN A
FOREIGN COUNTRY
Joan: Good morning, Sir.
Teacher: Good morning, dear.
Joan: Excuse me sir,
Teacher: Is it you Joan? How surprising!
Joan: Sir, I am also very surprised to see you here.
That is why I called almost inaudibly, I wanted
you to first turn and face this side so that I can
confirm whether it's you.
Teacher: If I had seen you from behind, I would not have
thought that it could be you. So how do you happen
to be here?
Joan: The girl who is being given away today is my
cousin. Her mother is a sister to my mother.
Teacher: Oh really? I can see you are at home! For me I know
the father more. Although he is born here, he studied
in Uganda. Actually, he was my best friend at the
university we even used to share a room.
Joan: Wow, that's great! Then you are at home too. Do you
intend to leave very fast.
Teacher: Umm not really, I am still around for about three
more days.
Joan: As you can see my aunt is still busy but when the
party is done, I would like my Aunt to know you are
our Head teacher. I have always told her how good a
leader you are. Even my parents are around it would
be a pleasant surprise for them to see you here.
Teacher: It would be my pleasure too, Joan.
Joan: I will ensure it is done, Sir. Bye for now, I have to
arrange a few things inside the house. Enjoy the
party, Sir.
Teacher: Enjoy the party too my daughter, see you later.

Activity:
Supposing you have been accused of assaulting an old
woman and you have been arrested by the police. Write down
a dialogue that took place at the station between you and the
police.
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A Sample Telephone Conversation

Activity:
You have called your former School to ask for a vacancy for
your younger sister and a new secretary who does not know
you receives the call. Complete this conversation writing at
least eight responses
A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION ABOUT ASKING FOR A
VACANCY BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF MY FORMER
SCHOOL AND JANE

Jane: Hello. Is this the Mengo senior School?

Secretary: Yes, speaking, how may I help you?
Jane: Good morning. This is Jane Nakato, a former
student.
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Activity:
You are going to visit your friend during the holiday and you
lose your way. Write a dialogue between you and a stranger
asking for directions.
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MEMORANDUM (MEMO)
This is written as 'memo' or 'memos' in short. The plural for
`memorandum' is 'memoranda'. A memo is a written
document/communication used within an institution or
organization such as a School or company. It is therefore
intended for internal use only.
It is meant to give directions on certain procedures or remind
someone/ some people to attend to certain organizational
activities. When writing it ensure that you;
 Start with the name of the institution/organization.
You may also put its address.
 Be precise and clear and avoid any ambiguity but
 remember to keep the creativity, and use grammatical
and complete sentences.
 Write the name(s) of the recipient
 In case there is a reference number you may also
include it.
 Write the subject title
 Write the date when it was sent
 You may leave the name and signature since the
origin is clear.

Sample Memo
Question: Imagine you are the head teacher and you realize
there is a lot of wastage of time especially during prep time.
Write a memo to the prep supervisors calling them for a
meeting in which they will discuss new strategies for time
management.
 ST. ADRIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Internal Memo
To : Prep Supervisors
From : The Head teacher
Subject : A meeting to improve prep
Date: 20th October, 2013
Kindly make arrangements to attend the meeting for prep
supervisors scheduled for 1st November, 2013. As you may
have already realized, the students have become reluctant
especially during their night study. They delay to enter class
and some keep loitering outside throughout the study time. I
am afraid this may affect their performance in the forth-
coming national examination.
You are therefore required to come up with strategies
and proposals of what should be done to arrest this situation
before it is out of hand. Preferably you could first meet with
student leaders from your block and get their suggestions.
Please observe punctuality.
Activity:
Imagine you are the library prefect of Kyalutanga Secondary
school. Write a memo to the rest of the school on the
effective use of the library.
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E-MAIL
The word e-mail is short for electronic mail. It is a very fast,
convenient and cheap way of sending messages from one
person to another in an organization or anywhere else in the
world. It may be formal, semi-formal or informal depending on
the relationship between the sender and the recipient.
 For examination purposes all grammatical rules
should be obeyed and the message should be
organized in paragraphs and proper sentences.
 An email is expected to have, addresses for sender
and recipient but which are different from those of a
letter as in the example below.
 Every letter of the address is written in lower case
and there should be no space in between words in the
address for example bukeatwine@ yahoo.com
  The computer automatically adds day, date and time
of sending.
However, if the computer has been set with incorrect dates
and time there is room for adjusting them etc.
 Write the subject; this should be short and specific.
 In case there is more information you want to
accompany your email; it is sent aside as an attachment.
 The closing is determined by the relationship
between the sender and recipient.

Sample 1
To : [email protected]
From : [email protected]
Date : Tuesday 20 January 2024 10.45 am
Subject : Health products.

Dear Mr. Bahati,

The health products you ordered two weeks ago are now
in stock. You may come and collect them. However, if you
give us your full address we shall be glad to deliver them. The
pricelist you have still stands no prices have so far changed,
unless you want to add more items beside those you had
previously ordered for.
As usual these products can be delivered to your door
step but terms and conditions apply. Enjoy them once you
receive them. Good day.
Yours,
Kamani.
Manager

Sample 2
Activity:
Write an email to your sister who lectures at a prominent
university inquiring whether you qualify for a course of your
choice. Attach a copy of your results.

To : [email protected]
From : remmy182YAHOO.CO.UG
Cc. : [email protected]
Date : Thursday 12 February 2024 10.45 am
Subject : Business course
Attachments : 1
Dear big sister,
I hope you are doing well. I know this must be a very busy
period for you but I just wanted to tell you that our results
from the national examinations are out. My dear Annette, I am
very excited; I excelled beyond my expectation.
I have attached the details of my results. Help me find
out whether I qualify for the business course I had applied for
in that university.
Thank you very much.
Love,
Remmy.
Activity:
Write an email to the Admission Officer of Mengo Senior
School, asking him/her about information on the admission
process, fees, hostel facility, and other school requirements.
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FAXES
A fax is short form for a Facsimile. It is like a letter sent
through a facsimile machine. The message appears as an
exact replica of what has been sent through another fax
machine. This method of sending is continuously becoming
unpopular with advancement in technology. Emails and other
social media platforms are preferred because they are faster
and much more convenient. Faxes are commonly used with
documents, business letters, price lists and the like.
 The content should be very brief.
 It has two addresses, one for the sender and the
other for recipient.
Usually both are at the left-hand side.
 Date of sending should be written.
 Subject which summarizes the main point/purpose
of the message to
make the content clear.
  It closes with a signature, name and designation if
applicable.
 Name of the organization of the sender.

SAMPLE FAX
Clesh Industries,
P.O. Box 20.
Kampala
Tel: +256412-727371,
Fax: No. 727374.

To : The Head Teacher,

Mityana Secondary School,
Mityana.
Fax number : 5
Number of page : 2
From : Abel Junior,
Managing Director,
 Clesh industries Ltd.

th
Date : 15 March, 2024

Subject: Scholastic materials

In response to your fax of 12th March, 2024, we accept
the terms and are going to send you the materials asked for.
However, instead of delivering them on Thursday 18th as
required we shall bring them on Tuesday 16th.
This is because our delivery truck will be coming to your
area on that day. We request for somebody to be ready to
receive them. We are sorry for any inconveniences caused.
…………………
ABEL JUNIOR
MANAGING DIRECTOR

NOTICES, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADVERTISEMENTS

NOTICES
Notices provide the quickest way of disseminating
information to members of a given organization especially if
the information is not confidential. Most public notices take
the form of announcements informing people of certain
events. Notices and announcements are similar in almost all
ways. They should have the following;
- The event that is to take place clearly stated
- The date it is written
- The date and or time of the event
- The place where the event took or will take place

A Sample Notice
Prosper Initiative Uganda,
P.O. Box 308,
Kampala.
3rd May, 2024.
NOTICE

Economic Empowerment Workshop

All youth between the ages 16-30 years are invited for the
above workshop due to take place on Wednesday 11th June,
2024 from 9.00am at the Kigezi Conference Centre.
The workshop is meant to equip youth with skills in job
creation. It is organized by Prosperity Initiative Uganda. The
guest speaker is Professor Dumba Sternly the President of
Uganda Manufacturers Association.
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements have all the qualities of a public notice.

Sample Announcement
Question: The Drama club in your school wishes to stage a
play to the rest of the students Write an announcement to
inform them.

Bishop Mark College,

P.O. Box 12,
Wakiso.
12th March, 2024.
A Drama Club presentation
I would like to announce, with pleasure, a play that is
going to be acted by the drama club of this school.
As drama club, we are proud to inform you that this
wonderful play is written by our very own, Arinda Christine, a
student of senior 3B. It is directed by the head of the
Literature Department. The actors are superb!
This spectacular phenomenon, the first of its kind will
takeplace in the school's main hall on Saturday 24th March,
2017 from 2 o'clock prompt. The chief guest is the Head
teacher of our school!
It is not only entertaining but educative as well. You can
only afford to miss if you hate fun!
NAJJUMA SANDRA
Club Patron

ADVERTISEMENTS
Advertisements are similar to notices and announcements in
all ways except that they:

 Use persuasive statements

 Are meant to change someone's attitude towards a
product, event or service i.e. to show that it is better than
all those available grammatical sentences. However
these statements are very clear and easy to understand,
For example: ‘Movit all day confidence’ Pepsi live for now',
‘taste the feeling with Coca-Cola', 'MTN everywhere you go',
`Airtel the smartphone network' and many others.

 Selling points or venues are usually identified

 The full address/contact of the seller, manufacturer or
 service provider is given.

 Since their major intention is to tell people about a job, a

service or product, they should be precise and clear
enough to show all the good qualities of the product or
service in question.
NB: Job advertisements are more detailed with more
grammatical
sentences.

A Samples of advertisements
Sample 1

An advert for a product

Plus Water Tanks!
With PWT, Water and sanitation are guaranteed! Plus
Water Tanks is the best innovative solution for water and
sanitation. Plus water tanks- PWT- is a certified company that
makes plastic tanks in all sizes and shapes. They range from
10 litres up to 50,000 litres.
 Your demand is our command.
Our tanks are durable, safe, light weight and very
affordable.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, they come
in attractive designs and occupy minimal space.
Plus; a BONUS to transport your tank to where you want
it. With PWT, you have a plus to an amazing life!
Find us at plot 658 Entebbe Road, Namasuba, Kampala.
Tel: +25641488777, +25670289059.
[email protected]
www.pluswatertanks.co.ug

Sample 2
A Job Advertisement
Wanted
YCI Uganda wishes to hire;
3 sales assistants
1 driver
1 secretary
YCI Uganda is a fast-growing inspirational firm operating
around East Africa. It organizes youth programs, talk shows
as well as dealing in inspirational materials like hard copy
books, audio books and videos.
Applicants should have obtained at least a diploma or
certificate in the specific field they are applying for. They
should have passed mathematics and English language at O'
Level with distinctions. Those with a working experience are
at an added advantage.
Applications together with copies of their curriculum
vitae and academic certificates should be sent not later than
11th May, 2024 5:00pm; to the address below,
The Human Resource Manager,
YCI Uganda,
P. 0. Box 185,
Kampala.
Only qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.

INVITATIONS AND ACCEPTANCE OF

INVITATIONS
Invitations come in form of either public notices or
letters. In either form, they remain public because they share
non confidential information. They are sent either to groups of
people or individuals calling up on them to attend parties,
meetings workshops, conferences etc.
Invitations usually have:
The name of the person or group of people inviting.
Opening remarks that show joy and love 'with Pleasure% ‘I am
glad', 'we are happy to...' etc.
The language is formal and polite

Responses to invitation should;

Show gratitude for the invitation,
Inform them of your attending or not attending the function. In
case you are not attending convey your sincere regrets and
show that you would have really loved to be there.
If it is not an inconvenience, briefly refer to the reason why
you cannot make it.

Sample l
Brilliant High School,
P.O. Box 2062,
Kampala.
6th September, 2024.
The Chair Person,
Apac Head teachers' Association,
P.O Box 112,
Apac.
Dear Sir,
Invitation to the S.4 farewell party
With great pleasure senior four candidates 2024 of
Anointed High School invite you to their farewell party. This
function is due to take place on Saturday 23rd September,
2024 in the school main hall starting from midday.
Your coming will highly grace the occasion.
RSVP
Mr. Caleb Oder Ms. Nanyonjo Milly
Class teacher S.4 2017 Head teacher
Brilliant High School Brilliant High School,
0772342851 070389461

Sample 2
Invitation to a Birthday Party
The family of Mr. and Mrs Boniface Seggawa with great
pleasure invite the company of Mr/ Mrs /Rev. Johnson
Ssempa to the birthday party of their first daughter Naggawa
Treasure, who will be making eight on Sunday 23rd January,
2024. This function will start with a thanksgiving service led
by Bishop Ssentamu Jolkam at midday at their home in
Mutundwe.
Your coming will highly grace the occasion.
RSVP
Mrs. Scola Otim Mr. James Pascal
Grace Supermarket Ministry of Gender,
078345175 070512346

CIRCULARS
A circular is a notice or letter sent to a large number of
people to share same information with them. Usually, they
announce new information such as those which students take
at the end of the term. They may also clarify policies like
those sent to teachers by the Ministry of Education. It should
always be dated.
Address; the address of the organization is put at the top
right corner. Since it is written to a group of people with
various addresses, in most cases the addressee's address is
not necessary unless there is a uniting address.
Sample Question:
You are the Head teacher of Mukono High School. Write a
circular to parents at the completion of term one.
Mukono High School,
P.O. Box 12,
Kabale.
10th April, 2024.
Dear Parents,
Circular for the end of first term 2024
 I am delighted to inform you that today the 12th April,
2024 marks the end of our first term. Note however that
nearly half our students have stayed with us at School. This
includes S.4 and S.6 who are doing their pre-mock exams and
S. 5 which repo4ed later than the rest. They will come home
on 28th April, 2014.
Academics
As you may already know from newspapers, our
candidates excelled last year. We sent 90% of the S.6
candidates to the university and all S.4s passed in Division
one.
Career guidance day
We are grateful to the parents who made it to this event
st
on 1 March, 2024. Your input was fundamental and we know
it will help the current candidates a great deal.

Discipline
Our discipline has continued to be good. Thanks to the
student leaders and staff members who have done a very
wonderful job in promoting discipline.
Co-curricular activities
Our students won the District competitions in volley ball
and the team is supposed to participate in national
competitions next term, pray for them. The Music Dance and
Drama inter house competitions are due 6th June, 2024;
shortly after the term has started. You are invited to come and
appreciate your daughter/son’s talent.
Conclusion
I thank all of you parents for your efforts to always pay
School dues in time, keep it up. This has enabled us to run
School projects effectively. It is always our prayer that God
blesses and keeps you safe so that together we shall raise
responsible citizens.
Yours faithfully,
…………………….
TAJJUBA FRED
Head teacher

Sample 2
Board of National Examinations,
P.O. Box 7063,
Kampala.
22th February, 2024
To All: Head teachers
 District Education Officers
District Inspectors of schools
Change in the UCE UACE Examination time tables
Please be informed that the Minister of Education has
directed
that this year's national examination time table be revised as
follows:
UCE — All examinations to have started by 15th
September 2024 and end by 28th October, 2024.
UACE- All examinations begin by 20th September 2024
and end by 31st October 2024.
This is to ensure that;
All students and teachers of age are ready to participate
in the national ID validation exercise to be carried out in
November.
All the marking and/or evaluation exercise is done and
completed within the month of November.
All students joining A' level and other post O' Level
institutions can report to school with the rest of the
secondary school students for term one next year.
Yours faithfully,
……….……………
KALEMERA ISAIAH
Executive secretary
C.C. Hon. Minister of Education
The Commissioner of Education
The Chairman, Board of National Examinations

HOW TO WRITE A WILL

Definition;
A Last Will and Testament, is a document that you use to
describe how you would like your property and possessions
divided after your death, and to name guardians for any of
your children who are under 18.
The Trustee Act 2000 defines a will as 'a document by
which a person (called "the testator") appoints executors to
administer his estate after his death and directs the manner in
which it is to be distributed to the beneficiaries he specifies.'
A Will should name the Executor, Beneficiaries and
guardian for minor children (below the age of 18). When fully
completed it should be securely kept either at your home, with
your solicitor, your bank or a trusted company that offers
probate services.

Importance of a Last Will and Testament

In most parts of Africa, it is not commonplace to find people
writing wills. This is because some think those who have too
much property are the ones supposed to write a will while
others superstitiously believe that when one writes a will, they
invite death to themselves or their family members.
However, a will is very fundamental, irrespective of how
much property you own at the point of your demise. If you
don't have a proper will in place prior to your death, the law
determines who will receive your assets. Therefore, a will is
important to have in order to:

 Control where your money and property will go after you

pass away

 Appoint guardians for your minor children (under 18years)

to ensure that they receive the best care in your absence
because otherwise, the court will decide who will look
after your children.

 Decide who is going to sort out your estate and carry out
your wishes after your death (your executor).

 who you want to benefit from your will

 what happens if the people you want to benefit die
before you

 Reduce stress on your family when you die.

Situations that need legal advice before making a will

You can get advice from a professional if your will isn't
straight
forward, for instance if:

 you share a property with someone who isn't your

husband, wife or civil partner.
  you want to leave money or property to a dependent who
can't care for themselves.

 you have several family members who may make a claim

on your will, e.g. a second spouse or children from
another marriage.

 you have a business with other partners.

 you have property/a home overseas or in another country

Some terms used in making wills

a last will and testament- will
a testator (comes from the word testament)- the person who
writes/
Makes the will (testatrix for female)
executor/executrix — a person supposed to carry out the
wishes in the will (executrix is for females)
Codicils - additions, supplements or appendices
Revoke- withdraw, annul or cancel
Bequeath- hand down, donate, leave, bestow or give Bequests
- gifts, legacies, donations or inheritances
Solicitor- a legal representative such as lawyer, attorney or
advocate Execute- perform, implement, effect or complete

Beneficiary – Your beneficiaries are the individuals,

organisations, or charities that will benefit from your Will by
inheriting property or sentimental gifts
Making a valid will
For a Will to be considered valid;

 It needs to be executed in front of two witnesses who

must sign it.

 You must be of sound mind

 Have your Will in writing (typed is fine)
 Execute it voluntarily not compelled in any way and
 Be over the age of 18.
 One may also wish to make a Joint will/Mutual will with a
spouse. Here the spouses agree to have one will. In this
case, when one spouse passes away, the surviving
spouse retains the assets. The only problem with it is
that the- surviving spouse cannot make changes to the
Mutual Will after their partner has passed away.
To avoid inconveniences therefore, spouses write Mirror Wills,
in which each spouse has their own separate Will, but they are
nearly identical to each other. This type of Will leaves
everything to the other spouse and can be updated by the
remaining spouse when there is need.
Making changes to your will
You can't amend your will after it's been signed and witnessed.
The only way you can change a will is by making an official
alteration called a codicil.
There's no limit on how many codicils you can add to a will.
For major changes you should make a new will.
Your new will should explain that it revokes (officially cancels)
all it or tearing it up previous wills and codicils. You should
destroy your old will by burning.

When to change or update your Will;

 Change of mind about the Will's contents, and a wish to

add or remove a beneficiary.

 A change in your financial situation, such as incurring

debts, or gaining assets; or changes in tax laws.

 Marriage, separation, or divorce; note that marriage or

divorce may invalidate any previous Wills.

 Birth or adoption of a child or birth of a grand child

 The death of a beneficiary, guardian, or executor;
Documents Related to a Last Will:
- Power of Attorney: This document allows you to give
someone the power to manage your business, financial, real
estate, or personal matters on your behalf.
- Advance Decision: A form for you to specify your health
care and medical treatment preferences, so, in the event you
are no longer able to make decisions due to incapacitation,
health care professionals can look to this document for
reference
Sample Will
Sample 1
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF BANDA JAMES
I, Serugo James presently of Kyengera B western Ward
Kyengera Town Council, hereby revoke all prior Wills and
Codicils made by me and declare this to be my last Will.
Marital Status
I am married to one wife Mary Nansubuga daughter of
John and Hilda Kasozi of Nyendo Masaka.
Children
I have four living children- all of whom are boys. Lwegaba
John aged 13, Lukyamuzi Adrian aged 10, Kakooza Alton
aged 7, and Kiganda Arthur aged 4.
Executor:
I appoint my wife Mary Nansubuga as my Executor and
trustee of this my Will. She will take care of payment of my
debts, funeral expenses and administration expenses. In case
she is not alive, I give all my estate both real and personal to
my son Lwegaba John and appoint him sole executor of this
my will.

I direct my Executor to divide the residue of my estate thus:

The banana plantation (4.3 Acres) in Lukaya after the
trading centre should remain under the care and utilization of
my wife. Should she pass away then my son Lukyamuzi or his
children should take it up. He may share the dividends
accrued with his siblings.

The hardware store in the middle of Nabbingo town

opposite the Roundabout is hereby bequeathed to my son
Lukyamuzi Adrian the second born. She has the authority to
expand, change or even dissolve that business as she deems
helpful to him and his children if he later gets any.
The Save the Orphan foundation is to be directed and
stirred by my 3rd and last-born sons: Kakooza Alton and
Kiganda Arthur. They are to govern all the businesses that I
had set up to aid the running of this foundation.
I wish to be buried after a Roman Catholic Mass in my
local church and request that the hymn ‘None but Jesus’ by
HillSong be sung as the wreaths are being laid. I authorize my
executors to pay for a headstone for my grave.
Witnesses
In the presence of the undersigned witnesses, I Serugo
James of and in Kyengera B, Kyengera Town Council the
within named Testator on this 21st day of April, 2024, I
declare that this instrument is my last Will, that I am of the
legal age in this jurisdiction to make a Will, that I am under no
constraint or undue influence, and that I sign this will freely
and voluntarily.
Signed by ………… the testator in the presence of witnesses.
Witness 1: Witness 2:
………………………….. ……………………
KATO ALEX KAVUMA STEVEN
0773346472 0752568790
CREATIVE WRITING
The student is supposed to write a composition on a given
topic. The examiner therefore looks for:

 The relevance of the composition to the question asked.

 The originality of the composition.
 Accuracy.
 The organization and development.
 Variety of sentence structures.
 Appropriateness and range of vocabulary, idioms and
other useful expressions used.

 Appropriateness of language, tone and style.

Originality
A student should write an interesting and individual
composition in order to woo marks from the examiner. He or
she should choose a title or question that interests him or her,
give a personal response and use own imagination. The
student should use varied language and do it appropriately.
Avoid starting stories with phrases like “Once upon a time…”,
“Long long ago.…” Try as much as possible to narrate real
experiences, not fictional stories, for example narrating as a
ghost.
Accuracy
The learner should put much emphasis on:

 Spellings
 Grammar
 Punctuation
 Tense
 Register
If these are neglected, they can easily mar the smooth flow of
the composition, giving an examiner a negative attitude to it.
Organization and development
The learner should make sure the composition is easy to read
and follow. To ensure this, the words, ideas or story should
always be arranged carefully. The composition should have a
beginning, the middle and ending, and should connect up
logically. The student should plan the composition before
writing it. In planning for this composition, he should bear in
mind that a good composition exhibits the characteristics of
unity, coherence and emphasis.
Unity in composition means, when sticking to the story. Each
event in some way contributes to the unfolding of the plot.
Appropriateness and range of vocabulary, idioms and other
useful expressions used
It is important to note that use of vocabulary and idiom is very
important. These should not just be planted in the story. They
should be used such that they flow naturally without straining
the flow of thought.
Variety of sentence structures
This should be varied to communicate the intended idea. To
achieve a variety of sentence structure, you need to know the
sentence types:

 Simple sentences, for example: My lovely mother was

always reserved.

 Compound sentences, for example: I woke up in the

morning and washed my face.

 Complex sentences, for example: The boy is too tall to

enter the in the grass thatched house.
Errors condemned in composition writing

 Conjunctions and idea connectors should not be used for

beginning sentences. These are used for joining clauses
and ideas respectively. Such conjunctions include; and,
but, yet, because, so, etc.

 Do not skip lines when beginning new paragraphs.

 Do not use slangs or jargons in a composition piece.
 Avoid abbreviations as much as possible, for example,
etc, eg, i.e etc.

 Short forms or shortening of words is not accepted, for

example: dorm, phone, photo, exam, etc.

 Do not use contractions, for example: can’t, won’t and

 didn’t etc.

 Do not employ informal language, for example: guy, chick,

dude, bugger, bro, sis, etc.

 Do not employ non-British English words such as; askari,

ugali, boda boda, voca, etc.

 Do not employ acronyms such as; UNEB, UMEME, USE,

etc.

 Devoid from using strokes such as; he/she. Candidates

can only use one.

 Poor punctuation which causes serious loss of balance

or misunderstanding, for example: Go, slow men at work

 Ridiculous idioms, similes, proverbs and sayings, for

example:
Do not say Say

Take a French leave Take French leave

In a twinkle of an eye In the twinkling of an eye

As happy as a king As happy as a lark

As brave as a lion As brave as Achilles

As black as charcoal As black as ebony

Birds of the same feathers Birds of a feather flock

flock together together

Not all that glitters is gold All that glitters is not gold
  Serious misspelling of elementary vocabulary, for
example: dinning instead of dining, suprised instead of
surprised, etc.

 Do not join words, for example: alot, inspite, infront,

infact, etc.

 Avoid separating compound words, for example: my self,

class room, etc.

 Using figures for dates, money, distance, time, height,

weight, quantity, etc.

NARRATIVE WRITING
A narrative is a good story or an account of an event. Most
narratives are based on real life events that the writer has
experienced, seen, or heard. A successful narrative should be
interesting and different from other narratives on the same
topic (original), so as to make the examiner or any reader
want to read on.

A student should therefore write an interesting story with a

good up-predictable story line. It should have an interesting
opening and ending.

Another important aspect is the view point. This could be First

Person Singular or Plural, Second Person Singular or Plural,
Third Person Singular, Plural or Neuter: I, we, you, he/she, they
or it.
The opening of the composition could be dramatic,
descriptive or flashback scene, or it could be direct to the
point, and should be balanced. A student should plan for
where to use description, characterization, conversation and
action.

Description in a Narrative Composition

Description in a narrative piece of writing makes the story
more alive, interesting and easy to relate to. Here, you should,
if possible, use all the senses. Your reader should see what
you see, hear what you hear, smell what you smell, taste what
you taste and touch or feel what you touch. In these
descriptions adjectives, verbs, adverbs and figurative
expressions are used. Description could be started straight
away in paragraph one to sustain the account.

A description has to create pictures for the reader. It is

normally a true account of something. It could be a
description of a place, something, scene, an event, people, etc.
a good description must be detailed and vivid enough for the
reader to be mentally able to conjure up the picture of the
story he is reading.

In describing, one should select the details for description.

Use a variety of imaginative language and create an
atmosphere or mood suitable for the topic.
The view point of such a piece of writing should either be
personal or impersonal. For example:
“I cannot recall the girl James cried for.” (Personal)
“James cried for a medium sized girl.” (Impersonal)
When describing people, the writer should show what they
look like, what they say, what they think, and how they are
viewed by others. Choose the mood and atmosphere you
want to create, for example: quiet, calm, somber, noisy or
bustling.

Choose small significant details, for example: colours,

weather, places, people, happiness, voices, food, ways of
walking, beauty, anger, and many others. Adverbs, adjectives,
verbs, metaphors, idioms and similes should be used to
describe items in order to make the story as descriptive as
possible. The description should preferably be original and
imaginative.

Examples of descriptive words

Describing a person

 Head: block, huge, enormous, colossal, massive, oblong,

oval, triangular, round
 Hair: long, well combed, well groomed, ponytail, unkempt,
plated, short, blonde, bald head, spiky, dreadlocks, curly,
pigtails, bunches.

 Face: oval, fat, long, axe faced, baby face, square, pretty,
bony, dimpled

 Fore head: wide, wrinkled, protruding, fat, high, shriveled,

long, fat

 Eyes: bulbous, love laden, sloe, eloquent, bulging,

cunning, round, sparkling, teary, protruding, squinted,
incandescent, radiant, luminous, glowing, lascivious,
cadaverous, sunken, limpid, ensnaring, bleary eyed, hazel-
nut.

 Nose: large, fat, long and pointed, bulging, rounded,

pretty, sharp pointed.

 Teeth: bright, tobacco stained, broken, uneven, stamps,

decayed, yellowish.

 Chin: double chin, pimpled, calloused, skin, soft,

 chocolate, rough, dark, course, wrinkled, smooth, clean
shaven, goatee, stubble, moustache, side burns.

 Lips: lascivious, glossy, luscious, salacious, lustrous,

saccharine, sinuous, sweet.

 Physical appearance: bent, plump, athletic, weak, fat,

sickly, slender, obese, swanky.

 Breasts: flapping, buxom, tantalizing, mammoth,

scintillating, conical, monstrous, shriveled, horrifying,
bosom, saggy.

 Hips: shimmering, mammoth, tantalizing, voluptuous,

undulated, rump, scintillating, pulsating.

 Clothing: thread bare, buggy, torn, patched, fared, neat,

loose, creased, elegant, transparent.

 Personality: simple, proud, passive, enthusiastic, polite,

inhuman, courteous, cunning, charming, vindictive,
inconsiderate, aggressive, cheerful, wild, assertive.

 Voice: deep, hoarse, sweet, melodious, thunderous,

mellifluous, sonorous.
 Sample paragraphs
MY DREAM GIRL
I ogled Leah with ceaseless concupiscence. She had
thin bouncing lips, round eyes and dimpled cheeks. She was
slender, beautiful and charming. With a long revealing slit, she
flamboyantly darted into the hotel.
Her structure left me confused and perspiring.
Contemplating the movements of this lady, I scratched my
apparent graceless brain and in the twinkling of an eye, I had
reached the answer to the puzzle. I then made for the hotel.
My problem was what to say to her in case we met.
In the hotel, Leah was ensconced in one of the chairs
talking to one of the waitresses absent-mindedly. She seemed
to be as brief as a lady's miniskirt, short enough to arouse a
man's appetite but long enough to cover the subject matter. I,
who had decided to perch in one of the corners of the hotel,
vacillating between hope and fear, summoned up courage; I
gathered up myself and gave an ecclesiastically dignified walk
towards her. I' was impelled to do this before others who, I
believed were also promiscuous, promulgated their intentions
to her.

Description of a Man
 HIS DEMISE
On a bleak afternoon, I perceived a thwack at the portal of
my condominium. I perambulated to the door and opened it
ajar, and there stood a stalwart buff about six feet tall and
looking as feet as a fiddle. He had a bronzed skin, doe-shaped
eyes and lips that looked as good as they tasted. He wore
slim fitted navy blue suit that greatly exhibited his well
sculpted robust muscles. He possessed a chiseled jawline
that looked capable of cutting through glass and well defined
cheekbones. He was the prototypical definition of a Greek god
and of the city’s blue bloods. He nestled me close himself and
muffled in my ears benignantly in my ears.
“Good afternoon, my darling,” he crooned.

This was Daniel, my love. My one and only. My

chivalrous knight in shining armor. He had a husky dulcet
voice and he unremittingly savored strutting about since it
made him feel conspicuous. Daniel prized into a hug and his
lips nibbled with mine. Instinctively, my hands rose to his
shoulders and started playing with his hair all the while. On
the spur of the moment, we kissed. That kiss was the
quintessential definition of a seventh heaven. It was so full of
ardency, and desideratum to be filled by one another. The way
his lips waltzed against mine with such hankering, made me
feel enfeebled and got butterflies in my stomach.

Description of beauty
 Damsel- a beautiful young unmarried woman
 belle- the most beautiful woman in a place
 nubile- a sexually attractive young woman
 charming- attractive
 beauteous- beautiful
 beguiling- attractive and interesting
 ravishing- extremely beautiful
 stunning- extremely attractive or impressive
 alluring- attractive and attractive in a mysterious way.
 fascinating- extremely interesting
 glamorous- attractive
 elegant- attractive and showing a great sense of style
 exquisite- extremely beautiful and carefully made
 glorious- splendid
 statuesque- beautiful, impressive and tall in impressive
way

 sublime- causes great admiration

 pulchritudinous- having great physical beauty
 flamboyant – exciting in a way that attracts attention
 photogenic- looking attractive in a photograph
 imposing- magnificent and impressive
  comely- pleasing and attractive to the eye
 coquet- a woman who behave in a way that is intended to
attract men

 mesmerizing- beauty that attracts attention

 bewitching- beauty that attracts attention
 wench-
 lolita-
 willowy-
 voluptuous-
 luscious-
 lascivious-

Fat girls

 voluptuous
 buxom
 statuesque
 rubenesque- fat and appealing to the senses

Size

 Amorphous
 plump- slightly fat
 colossus
  colossal

Sample paragraph
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
At dawn, I heard a loud knock at the portal of my door. I
wondered because I was not expecting anyone. Slowly, I trod
to open the door. Opening the door widely, I saw a voluptuous
stunning damsel standing in confusion at the door. The belle
was attractively dressed in skimpy blue skirt which exposed
her mahogany thighs. Her tangerine succulent breasts and
luscious scarlet lips baffled me as she waddled into the room.
She was the only water in the desert and the bread for the
hungry. Evas would make heaven stand still and the world
turn around. Her voice was as mellow as liquid myrrh flowing
on Mountain Lebanon. For sure, she was the true definition of
a Greek goddess.
Instantaneously, I ushered her in and engaged her in a tete
-a-tete.

TASK:
Using relevant vocabulary, write a story describing a beautiful
woman that helped you out of a problem, or you met but
would never forget. Use at least 300 words.
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Describing an atmospheric scene
Evening

 twilight
 ebony
 crepuscular
 pitch black
 stygian

Atmosphere

 Sky/welkin/firmament
 azure
 pellucid
 sapphire
 gleaming
 cerulean

Stars

 gleaming
 myriad
 incandescent
 twinkling
  glistening
 luminous
The sun

 refulgent
 effulgence
 resplendent
 gleaming
 glistening
 scorching
 glimmering
 radiant

Bad days

 gruesome
 nightmare
 ghastly dawn
 deplorable
 grisly
 despicable

Wind
  invigorating
 revitalizing
 gale
 replenishing
 ferocious
 gust
 rejuvenating
 zephyr

cold

 tepid- slightly warm

 chilly (informal)

Sample paragraph
A MEMORABLE DAY
It was at the crack of dawn with the gentle breeze
sifting through the azure vault of heaven when I was jerked
out of my slumber by the chirping of the ravens. The
mellifluous twittering of the finches filled the morning serene.
The scintillating rays of the morning sun slowly slithered the
eastern horizon and this produced a saffron lustre. The
blossoming thickets of daffodils and chrysanthemums
produced a fragrant scent that drove through the window into
the haven.
Describing colours
Red
Scarlet Bright and red colour

Raspberry

Carmine

Cherry red

Salmon pink

Crimson

Coral

Ruby

Currant

Vermillion

Garnet

Burgundy

Blue
Violet Bluish purple colour

Sapphire
 Turquoise

Azure

Aqua

Aquamarine

Yellow
Beige Pale yellowish brown

Apricot

Chartreuse

Tangerine

Topaz

Mustard

Persimmon

Canary

Ochre

Butterscotch

Peach

Chrome

Saffron

Citron
Green
Mint Dark green

Celery

Pea

Pistachio

Chartreuse

Emerald

Purple
Lavender Pale purple

Mauve

Fuchsia

Lilac

Plum

Magenta

Pansy

Brown
Hazel Greenish brown colour

Bronze
 Almond

Cinnamon

Walnut

Amber

Nutmeg

Tawny

Nut-brown

Russet

Sepia

Black
Sable Dark black colour.

Ebony

Jet black

Licorice

Musty

Pitch black

Coal black

Raven

Onyx

Obsidian
Other colour descriptions

 festive: having the atmosphere of a celebration or

festival.

 flamboyant: flashy, standing out to the eye.

 prismatic: varied or brilliant in colour.
 mellow: soft and tender
 glistening: glittering/ sparkling/ shining.
 gay: festive/ bright/ colourful.

Sample paragraphs
A RED-LETTER DAY
As languid as a lovesick maid, I indolently strolled out
of my cozy divan. I sauntered to the rusty window to draw the
damask crimson curtains. In Adam’s suit, I wended to the
frog’s kingdom to take a replenishing shower. The water was
as cold as a dog’s nose since there had been a heavy
downpour the previous twilight. It took me donkey’s years to
finish my personal administration. I arrayed my bed in apple
pie order and the divan looked elegant.
Before I could say Jack Robinson, my amiable
mother called my name asking me to go downstairs for
breakfast. It was a mouthwatering meal of chicken taco,
salmagundi and a cocktail. After taking the tranquil meal, I
embarked on the domestic chores with papal devotion. I
became very weary and decided to take the weight off my feet
by having a nap. I laid languidly in my plush divan with viridian
bed sheets, mink blanket and aquamarine fleecy pillow.
Hardly had I snoozed when the tintinnabulations of my mobile
telephone sent chills down my spine.

MOVEMENT
Adverbs of walking
Majestically Walking in a way that is beautiful, powerful,
or causes admiration and respect.

Clandestinel
y

Sluggishly

Incognito
 Slothfully

Languidly

Stealthily

Lethargicall
y

Indolently

Luxuriantly

Ways of walking
Amble To walk or move in a slow relaxed pace.
E.g. They ambled along the river bank.

Trudge

Plod

Lumber

Lurch

Mince

Perambulate

Sashay

Saunter

Glide
 Traipse

Waddle

Scurry

Prowl

Dash

Scuttle

Lunge

Somnambula
te

Flounder

Wade

Wend

Stomp

Swagger

Flounce

Totter

Sample Paragraphs
A MEMORABLE DANCE
We perambulated to a palatial hotel whose compound
was spick and span despite the torrential rain that had swept
through the vicinity. We slothfully waddled to the rendezvous,
under the pine tree where we were attended to by a
voluptuous waitress. She was also as beautiful as the sunset.
We ordered for two glasses of burgundy wine. We sipped on
our glasses slowly while listening to the melodies of the
rhythmical music in the hall. It was a really romantic feeling as
my partner often stole glances at me.
At lunch time, we ordered for a sumptuous square
meal of cucumber and lettuce as pudding. I remembered I had
to go back home earlier before my parents. I asked Robert to
the dance floor. Lethargically, we scampered to dancing hall,
paid the gate fee and entered. Flaunting with our love, we
perched in one of the corners of the hall awaiting the official
opening of the dance. The song “Namagembe” was played
and it did not take us long before we joined the arena.
Speak/ cry
Mutter To say something in a quiet unclear voice.

Murmur

Stutter

Snort

Bellow

Stammer

Drawl

Giggle

Yell

Growl
Whimper

Guffaw

Chatter

Shriek

Whine

Snivel

Whimsical

Yelp

Garrulous

Loquacious

Sample paragraphs
CHANGE OF FORTUNE
“Why didn’t you tell him off?” I asked.
Jane sniggered whimsically and said, “I enjoyed it. I
did not realize how bad the lumbago was until the song
stopped playing and he let go. I nearly crumbled to the dance
floor.” My other friends laughed but I did not. Jane’s account
did not amuse me. Unfortunately I did not get the opportunity
to respond for just then our language teachers face jutted
nonchalantly through the portal.
He had probably been eavesdropping our
conversation. He confirmed our suspicion when he muttered
something about dancing maniacs. We were suddenly as
speechless as stones as he ordered us out. We trudged after
him and this time not to his office but to the office of the
headmaster. Before we reached the place, we tried to sweet
talk him into forgiving us but to no avail. Our attempt to kill
him with kindness that he was the best teacher paid no
dividends.

VOCABULARY AND PHRASES FOR HAPPINESS

 adorable
 affable - friendly, good natured or easy to talk to.
 animated - full of life or excitement
 beaming - smiling broadly or grinning
 buoyant - cheerful and optmistic
 blithe - showing a casual cheerful indifference
 charming
 chirpy
 droll - curious or unsuual in a way that provokes dry
amusement

 ebullient - cheerful and full of energy

 ecstatic
 elated - ecstatically happy
 charming - expressing happiness
 endearing
 euphoric
 exhilarated
 exultant - triumphantly happy
 euphoria
 genial - friendly and cheerful
 gratify - give somebody pleasure ir satisfaction
 heartwarming - emotionally rewarding or touching eg
heartwarming stories

 hilarious
 in seventh heaven
 invigorate - give strength or energy
 jocular - fond of making jokes in a playful way
 jubilation
 mirth
 on cloud nine
 perky
 radiant - sending out light or glowing happily
 rapture - extreme pleasure or satisfaction
 thrill
 walk on air
  grin- an ear to ear smile
 mirth - amusement expressed in laughter
 amiable - having or showing a friendly unpleasant
manner

 vivacious - having a lively attractive personality especially

a woman

 perky - cheerful and lively

 relish - get great pleasure from something e.g. relish a
fight

SAMPLE PARAGRAPH
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Evas alighted from the taxi a garnet dangling around
her neck. She had worn topaz stilettos which matched her
velvety skin. Her breathtaking smouldering smile and radiant
lascivious eyes left the taxi conductor elated as he returned
her change.
As she sauntered toward Freedom City, my eyes took a
glance at a champagne she was holding meticulously in her
tender left arm. A clutch bag was swaying around her
shoulder when at last she caught a glimpse of me transfixed
across the road. My beaming face told its own story as she
majestically walked towards me.
"Good Heavens!" I ecstatically said engaging her in a
tete -a-tete.
 "I cannot believe you are here, my nymphet," I hoarsed.
"My parents were not home, so I had to make hay while
the sun shone," she mumbled. A grin spread across my
chubby cheeks.

Stylistic devices (Writer’s devices)

For your composition to be interesting, you need to use
different devices to add flavor to your story. These devices
help you to communicate tone, meaning and content. Some
of the devices are: similes, metaphors, idioms, personification,
onomatopoeia, suspense, phrasal verbs, repetition, humour,
exaggeration, proverbs and so many others.

Similes
A simile is a direct comparison of one thing with another. We
use as…as or like to express comparison. Similes are used to
relate certain quality or characteristic and to give a clear
message through comparison.

Examples of similes

 As ambitious as Lady Macbeth

 As audacious as the day
 As bashful as a school girl
 As beautiful as the sunset
 As confident as Hercules
 As cool as cucumber
 As deceitful as the devil
 As eager as a bridegroom
 As frightened as Macbeth before the ghost of Banquo
 As garrulous as an old maid
 As impatient as a lover
 As lovely as Venus
 As languid as a love-sick maid.
 As passionate as young love
 As rare as a blue rose
 As black as ebony.
 As happy as a lark
 As generous as a dream
 As fabulous as Aladdin’s ring
 As comfortable as a coin
 As lazy as a toad
 As lonely as a desert ship
  As naked as night
 As stubborn as a mule
 As ugly as a scarecrow.
 As sweet as a rose
 As virtuous as holy truth
 As afraid as a grasshopper.
 As blue as indigo.
 As flat as a pancake.
 As hairless as an egg.
 As proud as a peacock
Activity:
Add your own similes. Write at least 10 more similes. Do not
repeat what is already stated above.
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Idioms
Idioms are short expressions with hidden meaning. They
must be learnt by heart and their use in the composition are
extra-ordinary. They give an excellent impression if used well.
It is advisable that you should use idioms that you are well
versed with in terms of meaning to avoid misplacement and
distortion of the meaning. Do not fill your story with idioms,
use a few and let the story flow naturally.

Examples of idioms
Idiom Meaning Usage

To smell a rat To suspect that He smelt a rat and

something bad is got up to leave.
bound to happen
To be pissed off

To have Dutch
courage

To protest one’s
innocence

To dissolve into
laughter

Muddy the waters

Have feet of clay

A niche in the
temple of fame

In a trice

To find someone’s
tongue

To be in the lap of
luxury

Throw down the

gauntlet

Set the cat among

the pigeons.

Play a second
fiddle

Show the white

feather
Kill the fatted cow

Beat somebody
black and blue

Make up a leeway

Mind your P’s and

Q’s

SAMPLE PARAGRAPH
HIS DEMISE
Levi probed into my condominium unswervingly with
my hand in his and straight to the rumpus room where we
both ensconced on a visa-a-vis with his arms around my
shoulders. Rome was not built in a day and neither was our
undying love. I glimpsed at my hand and saw the engagement
ring and my mind hied back to the juncture Levi dropped the
bombshell. With three months prior to the wedding, Levi and I
were like cats on hot bricks with all the preparations and the
fact that we were finally going to be husband and wife.
We sat slouching besides each other as his thumbs
made circles on my shoulder and with each fondle, I felt
electricity surge through my body, but his presence made me
as calm as summer sea. All this time, we were silent and
Arcadian, but convivial with it. Finally, I broke the ice.
“What do you think about children?” I crooned.
He was gobsmacked by the question and was
speechless for a while. Suddenly, with scintillating eyes, he
looked at me with a Duchene smile exposing his gleamy white
teeth.

DISCURSIVE COMPOSITION
Discursive composition is also called argument composition.
It sets out clearly and logically differing opinions or
arguments about an issue or statement. In this type of writing,
a learner is expected to give own opinions and those of the
other. Such compositions are based on facts. They, therefore,
demand that a learner shows the knowledge of the topic and
gives own opinion. There is need to balance the composition
in an unbiased manner. Argue out clearly and persuasively
backing up your points with examples and developing and
linking arguments logically, to a sound conclusion.
A good essay should have the following parts:

 A catchy title
 A capturing introduction
 Body
 Logical conclusion

The following opening paragraphs may be of help to a

learner writing an argument composition.

 Today, more and more people are aware of…

  Many people today are getting concerned with…
 Recently, the issue of… has become debatable.
 … is a question that concerns all.

The middle paragraphs.

 Many people are of the opinion that …

 There is not that …
 Opposers of this question claim that …
 It can be argued that …
 There is much evidence that …
 However …
 Although ….
 On the other hand …
The ending paragraphs

 If one considers these arguments …

 In conclusion …
 To conclude …
 To sum up …
 To crown it up …
 I believe that …
 I am of the opinion that …
  I feel strongly that …

In your final analysis, always make sure that you take a stand.
You will be penalized if you write without taking it.

SAMPLE COMPOSITION
Question:
Women should be equal to men. Do you agree? Write in
support or rejection of this view.
Recently, the issue of women emancipation has
become a more hotly debated one. The belief that they would
never be equal to man has until of late been considered
indisputable. More and more people the world over have since
then debated the issue of sexual equality in their homes,
schools, newspapers, work places and places of social
gatherings. Men who have hitherto taken the superiority of
men for granted are beginning to see women as a threat to
their dominance at home, the work place and the political
sphere.
In the home, most women play the traditional role
of mother and home makers which has changed little since
the days of our ancestors. Opposers of this motion argue that
a woman’s natural role from Adam’s time is to bear children
and suckle them, while their gentler, caring nature is ideally
suited to bring up children. This is in contrast to man’s
aggressiveness and physique that is suited to his role as a
hunter, provider and protector.
The cut and thrust, nonetheless, fail to stand to
reality. There is no doubt that women today, out of necessity
or choice, not only fulfill the role of the mother and home
maker, but also that of a provider of food, money and
protection for not only their families, but the country at large.
To show that they are as strong as the men, they equally
perform the daily tasks of fetching water and firewood, which
prove beyond doubt that they possess the physical strength
and endurance tantamount to that of most men. This proves
that much of the woman’s role is dictated upon by a male
dominated society trying to maintain their superior position.
Equally important is the view that educational
opportunity and changes in the labour market, women have
proved more capable than men. As a result, we are beginning
to see them enter the so-called ‘man’s’ world. To date, we
have so many Ministers, Members of Parliament and
businesswomen and soldiers participating in the political and
economic growth of as well as defending our nation. So, men
can no longer claim that they are the only intelligent, shrewd,
ruthless people but women equally do.
It cannot be denied that men and women are
different but true equality recognizes these differences. I
believe given equal opportunities woman can be, and many
already are more equal than men.

Activity:
Write a composition on the topic:“Education of girls is a waste
of time”

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