Composition Topics

Optional Writing: Note that I have classified the types of writing below for convenience. Some types of composition would fit easily into more than one category. Students do not need to try all of the different types of writing during the year. I encourage you to write more than one composition of a similar genre to develop your skills.

Personal Exploration and Creative Writing

Autobiography / Memoir	Narrative
Biography/Family History Project	News Article
Character Sketch	Poetry
Dialogue	Short Story
Explaining Japanese Culture (Requires Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader)	Technology Good or Bad? Comparison/Contrast
Feature Article	Travel Writing
Interviews
Movie Review

Academic Writing

Academic Essays	Definition
Abstract
Book Report	Description (objective and subjective)
Book Review	Grammar and Style in Academic Writing
Cause and Effect	Key to Academic Writing Exercises
Chronological Order	Paraphrasing
Coherence/Cohesion	Precis/Summary
Cohesiveness	Reviewing an Academic Presentation
Comparison/Contrast	Survey Design
Concrete Support of Ideas	Theme
Cross-cultural Considerations in Writing	Thesis Proposal

Business Writing

Advertising	Letter of Refusal
Business Letters -- Format	Letter -- Request
Letter of Complaint	Letter of Acknowledgement
Letter of Application	Letter of Acceptance
Letter of Inquiry	Sales Letter
Cover Letter for a Resume	E-mail
Letter Placing an Order	Memos
Persuasive Letter	Resume

Other Types of Writing:

E-mail	News Article
Feature Article	Persuasion
Giving Advice	Pop Music Discourse Analysis
How to Make/Do Something
Humour
Letter to the Editor