Tips for writing compositions?

Answer 1

Here are a couple:

Before submitting a final draft of anything, double-check spelling, grammar, syntax, and all that. The spell-check feature in a word processor is useful, but even it can make mistakes (it may misread the context of something and consequently make inappropriate changes), so I highly recommend getting someone to proof-read for you. Even if you're good about spelling and grammar, it never hurts to get a second set of eyes, as there's a good chance they'll catch something that you wouldn't.

Let's see, what else? Vary your diction. Using the same words or phrases over and over again can bore a reader. A thesaurus can be helpful (and if you don't have one, thesaurus.com is just as good). But don't rely on it too heavily. Some folks do this, and it really shows. Their sentences end up sounding really forced, and not natural at all. Also, the nuances of a word are important, and so it's important to choose a synonym with just the right flavor. Cultivate your own creativity.

Those are two areas where folks my age, at least, seem to run into problems. There's lots more to be said on the subject, but if you're just seeking general tips, those two should take you a long way. If you're writing a scholarly paper, I would suggest you get ahold of an MLA Handbook, if you don't have one already.

http://www.mla.org/style

Best of luck to you!