Read a piece about photography and it advises one to do this.
“Learn all the rules, then break them.
As much as I hate rules, they’re there for a reason. The first time I heard about the “Rule of Thirds” my mind was blown. I quickly began rearranging all my images to fit, and I was pleasantly surprised. And then I was bored. The “Rule of Thirds” is now one of my favorite rules to break – but it’s broken with intent, not by accident. There’s a difference.”
I think this is applicable to a lot of things we do, including composition writing.
For my students, I often provide a framework before they start on a composition. For the P1/2, I may give them an outline with questions to guide them. For the upper primary, I am more liberal- we brainstorm on the story ideas. I caution them on how to be logical and stay within the topic. Sometimes, I require them to start in a certain way just so as to practise the different ways of writing introductions. For instance, starting with a flashback, a sound or a dialogue.
Some of my primary school children are very creative and don’t like to follow the framework that I provide. That’s fine.
However, the same rule applies.
You have to know the rules first, they are there for a reason. Then you start breaking them with intent, not by accident. There’s a difference.
And how do you reach that stage?
Keep writing and writing and writing.