GRADE 8 English NATURAL RESOURCES:WILDLIFE – WRITING:COMPOSITION WRITING Notes
English — Writing: Composition Writing (Natural Resources: Wildlife)
Target: Kenyan learners, age 13. Focus: grammar skills used when writing compositions about wildlife. Examples use simple, clear sentences about wildlife so you practise grammar while staying on topic.
- Write clear paragraphs with correct sentence grammar.
- Use correct verb tenses for facts and events.
- Apply subject–verb agreement and correct punctuation.
- Use linking words and descriptive words correctly.
1. Paragraph structure — grammar focus
A good composition has paragraphs. Each paragraph usually has:
- Topic sentence — states the main idea (one sentence).
- Supporting sentences — give details, examples, reasons. Use correct tense and clear subjects.
- Concluding sentence — rounds off the paragraph or links to the next idea.
2. Tenses — when to use them
Use tenses correctly to show time:
- Present simple — facts and general truths: "Wildlife provides food and income." (use for general statements)
- Past simple — single finished events: "The government introduced a new park in 2010."
- Present continuous — actions happening now: "Rangers are protecting the animals."
- Present perfect — actions that affect the present: "Communities have planted trees to help wildlife."
3. Subject–verb agreement
The verb must agree with the subject in number and person.
- Singular: "The elephant eats grass."
- Plural: "The elephants eat grass."
- Collective nouns (e.g., herd, flock) often take singular verbs: "A herd moves slowly."
4. Describing words — adjectives and adverbs
Use adjectives to describe nouns and adverbs to describe verbs:
- Adjective: "A brave ranger" — brave describes the ranger.
- Adverb: "The ranger walks carefully" — carefully describes how the ranger walks.
- Order: quantity → opinion → size → age → shape → colour → origin → material → purpose. Example: "Many large wild animals."
5. Connectives (linking words)
Use connectives to organise ideas and make the composition flow.
- To add: and, moreover, furthermore
- To give example: for example, for instance
- To show cause: because, since
- To show result: therefore, so
- To contrast: however, but, although
6. Active and passive voice
Use active for clear actions and passive for general facts where the doer is not important.
- Active: "Rangers protect the park."
- Passive: "The park is protected by rangers." (use when the focus is the park)
7. Punctuation & capitalization
- Start sentences with a capital letter and end with . ? or !
- Use commas to separate short clauses and lists: "Lions, zebras, and elephants live in the park."
- Use quotation marks for direct speech: He said, "We must protect wildlife."
- Capitalise proper nouns (names of parks, places): "Masai Mara, Mount Kenya."
8. Model paragraph (with grammar notes)
🦁 Topic sentence: The Masai Mara is an important home for many wild animals. (Present simple for a fact; proper noun capitalised)
🌿 Supporting: Lions and zebras live in open grasslands, and local families earn money from visitors. (Subject–verb agreement; compound sentence with "and")
🚨 Rangers are working hard to stop poachers, so animals can remain safe. (Present continuous for ongoing action; modal "can" for ability)
✅ Conclusion: Protecting wildlife helps people and nature, therefore we must all take part. (Linker "therefore"; present simple for general truth)
9. Short grammar exercises (try these)
- Underline the verbs and write their tense:
"Rangers patrol the park. A herd of elephants crossed the river yesterday."
- Correct subject–verb agreement:
"The herd of buffalo (is/are) grazing."
- Choose the right connective:
"The students planted trees, ______ the birds found homes." (so / although / but)
- Change to passive voice:
"Rangers patrol the reserve every night."
- Add a suitable adjective and adverb:
"The ______ (adjective) cheetah ran ______ (adverb)."
10. Answers
- Verbs: "patrol" — present simple; "crossed" — past simple.
- "The herd of buffalo is grazing." (herd = singular)
- "so" — "The students planted trees, so the birds found homes."
- Passive: "The reserve is patrolled by rangers every night."
- Example: "The swift cheetah ran quickly." (many correct answers)
11. Quick grammar tips for your composition
- Start each paragraph with one clear topic sentence.
- Keep verbs consistent in each paragraph (don't jump tenses).
- Use linkers to join ideas and show cause or order.
- Check subject–verb agreement, especially with collective nouns.
- Use punctuation to make your meaning clear.