Model composition secondary school - Personal Recount essay - "Write about a time you learnt about a precious life lesson on empathy" Below you will find an essay (DRAFT 2) written by one of our students. Our students go through multiple drafts. What you will find in this blogpost is the improved final draft of the composition. Model composition: Personal Recount Essay O'level.
Enrol in our Online / On-site English Composition Creative Writing classes. Click on the button below to get 1 TRIAL LESSON at a discounted price!
Personal Recount Essay O'level.
"Write about a time you learnt about a precious life lesson on empathy"
Student: Gabriel Koh
I used to be a very haughty kid, and always full of myself. Caring for others’ feelings never really mattered to me then, until it all changed on a fateful day when I began to reflect on my behaviour. If it was not for this person, I wouldn’t be where I am right not, and wouldn’t have learnt the important lesson of empathy.
Before that day came, I never really felt the need to empathize with anyone. I only empathized with my friends and family, but never my classmates or others. As long as they were someone I am not close to, no matter what they went through, I would simply choose to ignore them or even make fun of them. This was especially true for one student called Andrew, or who we all nicknamed, “The Book Nerd”. No matter the situation, he would always be seen with his orange book labeled “Everything for math”. While we were all glued to our mobile devices, he would be glued to that single book for hours on end, therefore receiving the nickname, “The Book Nerd”. Every recess, as soon as he walked by, my friends and I would imitate his hunched back and pretend to read an imaginary book aloud. Although clearly hurt, Andrew chose to simply ignore us every time.
This all changed when one day, while in a rush, I was met with a flight of stairs, oblivious to that fact, I dashed straight up and ended up with a broken leg and using crutches on both arms. Going to school the next day was a living nightmare. I faced stares from others, and some even talked behind my back. Goosebumps formed all over me as thoughts started to race within my head. “It must be the crutches or my leg…” I thought as I began to quicken my pace to avoid being seen by more students. Little did I know, my designated class was on the 4th storey. My arms and legs started to feel weak as I stared at the menacing stairs. The thought of me tumbling down and feeling a sharp pain in my leg replayed in my head and a chill went down my spine. Mustering the strength left in me, I tried lifting my foot onto the first step, then the second step. Just as I was about to push up another step, my body began to ache and I was soon flat on the ground again. “DING” the school bell chimed, signaling that I was officially late for class. Panic filled every cell in my body and sweat dotted my forehead. I felt weak and hopeless, eyes darting around, trying to find a way to climb the stairs. At that moment, I saw a familiar figure running up to me. He had a hunched back and a rectangular orange book gripped in his hands. “Wait, let me help!” he called out. Soon, I realized that it was none other than Andrew. “You are going to be late for class!” I replied with a strained voice, attempting to push myself up the stairs again.
Then, my arms were pulled over to his back. Putting his book down, Andrew slowly lifted me up and supported my weight while he slowly climbed up the flight of stairs. One by one, I could feel a slight tremble in his arms and he struggled with each step. Seeing him this way, a small sense of guilt formed in me. Each step we went up only added to the guilt and soon a lump formed in my throat. “Pant, pant!” Andrew panted as sweat began pouring down his head. Finally, we made it to my classroom and I felt deeply touched inside. Even though I mocked him and even hurt him, he still helped me. Maybe I had been too harsh…
Soon, as days went by and I began to realize how hurtful I had been to others. I began to put myself in others’ shoes and soon began to empathize with them just like how Andrew empathized with me. After I told my friends what Andrew did, I was even more surprised to find that they started to treat Andrew better. We no longer acknowledged him by his nickname, “The Book Nerd” and soon he became the closest friend I had. Without him, I would not be here right now, wouldn’t have as many friends, and wouldn’t have learned a lesson on empathy.
Comments