Teaching reflective composition is challenging in itself because it requires the writers to be reflective in which they have to state their views either based on facts or hypothetical assumption. I taught this type of the composition after I had taught all of the other types of composition. Why? It is because for reflective composition, students also can use the structure and language features of a narrative, an argumentative or a factual composition. Of course, some students still cannot differentiate between different compositions but sooner or later, they will know the different In sha Allah.
REFLECTIVE COMPOSITION
Tips and techniques
- You are required to give your thoughts and opinions in this type of composition.
- You must use a contemplative tone in your writing.
- Plan the composition using the skeletal outline approach. Write down the main points of the composition.
- Read the question carefully.
- Underline the key words of the questions.
What changes would you like to see in your town or city in the next ten years?
Declared a city in 1994, Johor Bahru is a rapidly growing city. My wish list for Johor Bahru in ten years’ time is simple – a city that is improved and developed based on the existing one. I think Johoreans do not need a megapolis but changes that benefits the ordinary man and woman in the street.
Firstly, priority must be given to better planned roads and drainage. Floods occur every time there is a heavy downpour. It has been flooding in Jalan Air Molek and Jalan Yahya Awal ever since I can remember. Recently, housing estates like Taman Melody and Taman Sentosa were also flooded. In fact, before the city grows more organically, there should be an improvement of the present infrastructure.
Secondly, we need a garden city. We should make the city has more trees with flowers such as trumpet flower trees which are beautiful when they are in bloom. This is a fine example that should be replicated elsewhere. Local species such as the tembusu should be widely planted. In fact, many flowering plants thrive in our climate. For example, the bougainvillea. Otherwise we will really become an urban jungle with more pavements and concretes.
The present parks should also be improved upon. Set up public sports and fitness grounds and facilities for the young and elderly. Outdoor exercise equipment should be put in all these parks for the senior citizens to exercise and enjoy the fresh air.
In addition, there should be better public transport. I think there are enough cars on the roads. In fact, cars should be banned from the city centre itself. Of course, there should be more public buses that provide regular and efficient service. There should also be underground train services that link the people from one part of the city to the other. This will cut the massive traffic jams that plague Johor Bahru. Furthermore, there should be pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes all over the city. This is one way to save the environment.
To ensure that Johor Bahru moves with the other major cities in Malaysia, we should build more facilities for the people. An example is libraries. The latest census figures indicate that Johor Bahru is fast becoming Malaysia’s second largest city, with a population of over one million. How many good libraries are there in Johor Bahru? There should be a library in every large residential area. Let the adults, even the children, even the toddlers, make the library their second home. There is also an urgent need to have public health centres. Public health area supported by state-of-the-art equipment should be one of the first priorities of the city. What is available now is sufficient.
Let’s begin the work of remaking Johor Bahru into a city where gracious living is a reality now. [464 words]
