Avoid These Cliché Introductions for PSLE English Composition!

First impressions matter — even in writing.

When it comes to the PSLE English Composition, the introduction is your chance to hook the examiner and make them want to read more. Unfortunately, many students fall into the trap of using tired, cliché introductions that examiners have seen a hundred times before. These introductions not only sound unoriginal but can also make your writing feel flat.

In this post, we’ll break down some of the most common cliché openers students use in their PSLE English Compositions, explain why you should avoid them, and show you how to replace them with stronger, fresher alternatives.

Common Cliché Introductions You Should Avoid in PSLE English

Here are some overused opening lines that teachers and examiners see all the time:

"It was a bright and sunny day."
"I will never forget the day when..."
"It all started when I woke up in the morning..."
"Ring, ring, the alarm clock rang."
"Suddenly, out of nowhere..."

These openers are predictable and tell the reader nothing interesting. They waste the opportunity to immediately draw the reader into your story.

Why Should You Avoid Cliché Introductions?

They lack originality.
Examiners read hundreds of compositions. When your introduction sounds like everyone else's, it won’t stand out.
They don’t create interest. These openers don’t offer any tension, curiosity, or excitement. They’re fillers rather than hooks.
They’re often irrelevant. Many cliché openings start too far away from the action. The examiner is forced to read through unnecessary sentences before getting to the heart of the story.

What to Use Instead — Stronger Introduction Techniques for PSLE English Compositions

🔥 Start with Action

Jump straight into an exciting or tense moment.

Example: My heart pounded as I stood frozen at the edge of the swimming pool, staring at the deep end.

❓ Start with Dialogue

Pull readers in with a line of speech that raises questions.

Example: "Are you sure this is a good idea?" I whispered, glancing nervously at my best friend.

🎯 Start with a Thought or Emotion

Reveal what the character is feeling to set the mood.

Example: I knew I had made a terrible mistake the moment I stepped into the empty classroom.

🌪️ Start in the Middle of the Action

Throw the reader straight into a dramatic moment.

Example: The deafening crash of breaking glass made me drop everything I was holding.

Summary: Examples of Cliché vs Good Openers

Cliché Opener	Stronger Alternative
"It was a bright and sunny day."	"Sweat trickled down my back as I sprinted across the scorching field."
"I will never forget the day when..."	"The memory of that afternoon still makes my stomach twist."
"Ring, ring, the alarm clock rang"	"The alarm blared loudly, pulling me out of my sleep and into chaos."
"Suddenly, out of nowhere..."	"A loud bang jolted me out of my thoughts."
"It all started when I woke up in the morning."	"My phone buzzed with a message that would change everything."

Final Tip

Your introduction sets the tone for your entire composition. Train yourself to avoid tired phrases. Instead, aim to hook your reader right from the first line with action, dialogue, emotion, or tension. It is important to ensure that your introduction leads your reader into the main story, while promoting and maintaining mystery. Practise rewriting your introductions and experiment with different techniques — your composition scores will thank you for it.

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