Introduction
Scoring well in English composition writing isn’t just about creativity—it also requires strong grammar and sentence structure. One key area where students often lose marks is Synthesis and Transformation (S & T). These errors are highly penalized in language and many students do not realize it. Mistakes in this area can lead to sentence errors, awkward phrasing, and meaning distortions. Here, we’ll explore the most common S & T mistakes and provide tips on how to avoid them.
1. What is Synthesis and Transformation (S & T)?
S & T involves rewriting and combining sentences without changing their meaning. This skill is essential for achieving fluency and variety in writing.
- Synthesis: Combining two sentences into one effectively.
- Transformation: Changing sentence structure while retaining the original meaning.
Mastering these skills helps students create smoother, more complex sentence structures and enhance the overall quality of their writing.
2. Common Synthesis and Transformation Mistakes
A) Run on Sentences / Comma Splice
A comma splice occurs when two sentences are joined with just a comma. This might seem like a simple punctuation error, however, this shows the marker that you don’t know where your sentence begins and ends.
❌ Samuel knocked on the door, Irene opened it.
✅ Samuel knocked on the door and Irene opened it.
OR
✅ Samuel knocked on the door. Irene opened it.
Key Strategy: Check if each part of the sentence can stand alone. If so, practice separating them using
- A coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, or, yet, nor, for).
- A semicolon (;) for closely related ideas
- A period / full-stop (.) to split them into two sentences
B) Fused Sentences
Students also tend to use more than 2 conjunctions in a sentence to form a complex or compound one. Do remember that a good English composition writing is a combination of long and short sentences. The longer your sentence is, the more prone it is to S & T errors. Try your best to only use 1 or 2.
❌ Jenny was busy writing in the class as she had forgotten to do her homework yesterday because she was not feeling well while her deskmate was reading a book.
✅ Jenny was busy writing in the class while her deskmate was reading a book. She had forgotten to do her homework yesterday as she was not feeling well.
Key Strategy: Count the number of conjunctions you use and start by limiting yourself to just 1 or 2. Once you notice a decrease in S & T errors, you can gradually try incorporating more. However, it is important to be mindful that too many conjunctions can affect the clarity and readability of sentences.
C) Sentence Fragments
What happens when a group of words is missing a subject or a verb? That’s when a sentence fragment occurs—a group of words that fails to form a complete sentence.
❌ Confused and he furrowed his brows.
✅ He was confused and he furrowed his brows.
Key Strategy: Ensure that every sentence has a subject and a verb by checking if the sentence answers “Who?” and “What happened?”.
3. How good are you at S & T? Try These Exercises
Rewrite the following sentences correctly:
- She was late. She missed the bus. (Use ‘because’)
- Tom is very tall. He can reach the top shelf. (Use ‘so’)
- Despite being tired, she continued studying. (Rewrite using ‘but’)
Answers:
- She missed the bus because she was late.
- Tom is very tall, so he can reach the top shelf.
- She was tired, but she continued studying.
How many did you answer correctly?
S & T in PSLE and Secondary School
Synthesis and Transformation errors can cost valuable marks in your English composition writing. By practicing sentence structure, using the right connectors, and proofreading your work, you can improve your writing clarity and boost your English grades. In the PSLE Examination as well as Secondary English exam papers, Composition writing forms a crucial component of the English Language Paper. Strong Synthesis and Transformation skills allow students to craft well-structured, engaging narratives with varied sentence forms, boosting their language marks. Examiners look for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy—all of which depend on effective sentence construction. By refining this skill, students not only improve their compositions but also gain a strong foundation for future academic writing.
Attaining Stellar Results
English requires great attention to detail as well as a firm understanding of language rules. It is not an easy subject. Mastering the subject is not something that happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. However, attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school but also employment prospects in the future. In this light, having a good tutor who has the resources to guide can definitely benefit students who are about to sit for their PSLE or are in Secondary School.
As an established English tuition center since 2012, WRITERS AT WORK has all the resources needed for your child’s improvement. We are one of the top English tuition centers in Singapore where 90% of our PSLE cohort have since achieved AL1-4, and 90% of our secondary school cohort 3 grades of improvement. It’s completely understandable for parents to find tutoring their children at home challenging. Many techniques are complex and require time and effort to explain effectively. At WRITERS AT WORK, we understand the positive implications good English can bring to a child for life and aspire to empower students with writing skills and confidence to excel in school and beyond. We can give your child the guidance they need to succeed in their exams. For more information on our classes, explore our website or contact us at 8600 5534 / WRITERS AT WORK.
More Aout Us
Commonly asked questions (FAQ)
1. Which tuition centre is good for English?
WRITERS AT WORK is an excellent option to help your child prepare for their English Language classes at school at any level. WRITERS AT WORK teaches students how to write compositions which are the basic building blocks for all communication, whether it be in school or outside in the workplace.
2. Why is it Important to Attend English Enrichment Classes?
Students will be able to develop important skills such as critical thinking which will serve them well in all areas of life. Students will learn how to incorporate critical thinking and analysis skills when they read comprehension passages and plan their ideas and arguments out for essays.
3. Is it Worth Getting an English Tutor?
If your child needs help in school, it could be worth considering getting an English tutor as English is a compulsory subject at school. English is used in all areas of life and learning how to read critically and write essays are highly important skills which should be learned early.
4. Why Do Students Have Poor Writing Skills?
Students often have poor writing skills as they do not have the knowledge of good exam habits to practise. For example, many students often do not plan their essays, which lead to a poor writing habit of rambling, going off on irrelevant tangents, and forgetting to list all good arguments.
