1. Outline Idea for Describing Your School Drum (Version 4)
A. Introduction: A general introduction to your school drum.
The school drum has been a fixture at our school for many years; the school guard has worked here for at least twelve years, yet the drum still looks as good as new.
B. Main Body
- Describe the drum in general: Is it large or small? What material is it made from, and what is its shape?
- The drum is almost as tall as a fourth-grade student.
- The drum is oval-shaped with tapered ends, and its body is wide—three students have to hold hands to encircle it.
- Detailed description of the drum: A detailed description of the parts of the drum.
- The drum's surfaces are made of thick, smooth cowhide or buffalo skin, yellowish in color with a slightly worn look.
- The drumheads resemble the smooth surface of the rice cake steamer that my grandmother uses at home.
- Around the drumheads, there is a thin wooden rim painted with red and yellow, fastened with bamboo nails to the drum body.
- The body of the drum is made of sturdy wooden planks, painted in deep red, bulging out in the center. This part is called the drum's belly.
- Encircling the belly is a woven rattan band, about the thickness of a thumb. From a distance, it looks as though the drum is wearing a simple, rustic belt.
- Describe its function:
- Every day, before class begins, the school guard grabs a wooden drumstick, as long as my arm, and taps it on the drum. At first, the taps are slow and quiet, but as time goes on, the rhythm picks up speed and intensity.
- Tung! Tung! Tung! The drum only sounds during moments that are memorable: the start of a school year, the beginning of each lesson, breaks, recess, the end of the school day, and the closing ceremony.
- When I'm running late for school and hear the drum beating loudly, I quicken my pace.
- Sometimes, when I'm stuck on a tough question, hearing the drum signal the end of class fills me with relief and joy.
- At other times, when I'm enjoying a game, the drum signals the end of recess, and we all feel a little disappointed. But when summer comes, and we hear the drum marking the end of the school year, our hearts are full of mixed emotions—both sadness and excitement.
C. Conclusion: Personal reflections on the drum.
Though one day I may leave this school for a bigger one with more modern bells and clocks, I will always remember the shape and joyful sound of our school drum and the childhood memories it brings.

2. Outline for the Essay Describing the School Drum (Version 5)
1) Introduction: Introducing the school drum:
When did the drum appear? Is it new or old? Is it a large or medium-sized drum? Where is it placed (hung)?
Example: For every student, the sound of the school drum is something familiar. It marks the arrival of recess. The schoolyard, quiet and empty with no students around, is only visited by small birds hopping about. Suddenly, the sound of the drum – “boom, boom, boom” – echoes through the yard, causing the birds to scatter in surprise. Within moments, students rush outside, filling the quiet schoolyard with laughter and chatter. Meanwhile, the drum remains silent, watching the joy of the students. But in every student’s heart, no one fails to appreciate the school drum, a cherished companion that has been with them throughout their school life.
2) Main Body:
* General description of the drum:
- What materials is the drum made from?
- What is its shape like?
- What is the drum used for in school?
* Detailed description of each part of the drum:
- How is the body of the drum constructed?
- What are its dimensions and shape?
- How are the wooden parts joined together?
- How is the drum bound with strong rattan bands?
- What color is the drum’s surface? Has it faded or is it still fresh?
- Drumhead: What material is it made of? How is it attached to the drum? Are there any designs in the center?
* Personal feelings about the drum.
- Marks the start of lessons
- Signals the end of recess
- The sound of the drum at the beginning of the school year
- The sound of the drum marking the end of the school year
3) Conclusion: Share thoughts on the value of the drum in the school community.
I have a deep affection for our school drum. It’s an irreplaceable part of the school, a constant companion to all students as they grow and learn.

3. Outline for the Essay Describing the School Drum (Version 6)
A. Introduction: A general introduction to the school drum.
One of the iconic images of any school is its drum. The school drum, standing solemnly in the main hall, is a beautiful part of the school – a second home to thousands of students.
B. Main Body
General description of the drum: Is it large or small? What material is it made from? What does it look like?
- The drum’s two surfaces are made of thick, smooth cow or buffalo hide, slightly yellowed with age.
- The drumhead resembles the surface of the large flat pan that your grandmother uses to make rice cakes.
- The drum is surrounded by thin wooden bands, painted in a mix of red and yellow, secured with bamboo nails attached to the body of the drum.
Detailed description of the drum:
- The two drumheads are identical in design.
- The body of the drum is made from thin wooden pieces tightly joined together, with two raised bands encircling the drum’s middle to secure them.
- These bands help keep the wooden pieces firmly in place.
- The body is typically painted in a deep red or brown color. The drum’s companion is its drumstick.
Purpose of the drum: What role does the school drum play in daily activities at your school?
- The drum has a very important role in the school.
- It serves as the school’s alarm clock.
- With hundreds or even thousands of students, the sound of the drum is used as a signal to keep everyone on schedule, ensuring that classes and breaks run smoothly.
- The drum marks the beginning of the school year, the start of recess, and the end of the school day.
- Thanks to the drum, the school’s activities are conducted in an organized and timely manner.
C. Conclusion
And that is the school drum. After all these years, it remains faithfully stationed, awaiting the end of summer to start its work once again with the new school year.

4. Outline for the Essay Describing the School Drum (Version 7)
I. Introduction: Introducing the school drum
There’s no student who hasn’t heard of the school drum. The school drum has long been a familiar object for every student.
II. Main Body
General description:
- The school drum may be an inanimate object, but to me, it always feels strangely familiar.
- Every day, I see it standing at the corner of the principal’s office.
- I often smile at it and nod my head in greeting.
- It’s been five years now. Time has passed quickly yet slowly.
- The drum looks quite large, its belly bulging like a bodybuilder.
- It always looks as though it’s full, but in reality, it’s hollow inside.
Detailed description:
- The two drumheads are smooth and shiny.
- The outer shell is coated with a golden yellow paint to protect it and preserve its durability over time.
- The outer shell is made from small wooden slats arranged in an oval shape around the drum.
- One indispensable companion of the drum is the drumstick.
- One end of the drumstick serves as the handle, while the other end is rounded like a lemon, providing the necessary force to strike the drum and make it sound loud.
- The drumstick rests on the drum, ensuring it’s not lost.
- They are like two good friends, always together, supporting each other in fulfilling their task.
Purpose:
- Every day, the drum urges us to go to class and focus on our lessons.
- It also signals when it’s time for a break after long, intense lessons.
- And then, it announces that the school day is over.
- But the saddest moment is when the drum’s sound marks the end of the school year. We must say goodbye to our teachers, friends, and classrooms, as we move on to a new school full of unknowns.
- But even so, the drum stays there, witnessing countless generations of students come and go in solitude.
III. Conclusion:
I will always remember the school drum. Even when I study at a new school with a new drum, I will never forget the image of the drum from my final year at elementary school.

5. Outline for an Essay Describing the School Drum
1) Introduction
- Introduce the drum you plan to describe: Is it the drum of your school, or one you observed elsewhere? (In this case, the school drum).
- Example: "Boom... boom... boom"—the loud sound of the drum echoes from somewhere, reminding me of the school drum. It's placed on a solid wooden stand, next to the school office hallway.
2) Body of the Essay
a. Description of the Drum's Appearance:
- The drum is round, similar to a barrel.
- Its body is made from evenly matched wooden planks.
- The drum is wider in the middle and tapers toward both ends.
- It has three large hoops around its body, resembling the coils of a large snake.
- Both ends are covered with taut buffalo skin.
b. Sound of the Drum:
- The drum emits a deep, resonant sound when signaling the start of classes.
- It sounds "Cac, boom! Cac, boom!" when calling students to exercise.
- The drum sounds a long tone to signal the end of the school day and the students' departure.
c. Uses of the Drum:
- Marks the beginning of the school year.
- Ensures that students arrive on time.
- Signals when students should exercise.
- Indicates when it is time for a break.
3) Conclusion
- Your feelings toward the drum.
- The drum is a familiar and cherished item for all students, including myself.
- Even as I progress to higher grades, I will never forget its unique appearance and the sound it makes.

6. Outline for a Composition on the Drum of Our School - Version 2
a. Introduction
Introduce the school drum that you are about to describe. Begin by recalling its most memorable sound and how it has become a symbol for you and your classmates.
b. Main Body
Describe the appearance of the drum
The school drum resembles a large barrel, laid horizontally and hung by a cord next to the school security guard's office. The drum is made of wood, painted in a vibrant red color, and hollow inside for a loud, resonant sound. Both ends of the drum are made of stretched, smooth leather.
Describe the sound of the drum: The drum produces a variety of sounds.
- The sound of the drum when it signals the start of a class is energetic and urgent, like a call to action.
- When the drum sounds after a class to mark the end, the beats stretch longer, as if to signal a break.
- During our mid-day exercises, the rhythm of the drum follows a steady “Tung, cak, tung, cak” pattern.
- However, the most unforgettable sound for every student is the drumbeat played by the principal during the school’s opening ceremony.
Impact and memories associated with the school drum:
The school drum acts like a timekeeper, marking the start and end of classes, signaling break time, and even motivating us during exercise. It plays a significant role in the new school year’s beginning, energizing everyone.
c. Conclusion
My affection for the school drum: I deeply cherish the school drum. It feels like a close companion, familiar and comforting to both me and my fellow students. Even as we grow older and go our separate ways, the sounds of the drum will forever echo in our memories.

7. Outline for a Composition on the Drum of Our School - Version 3
a. Introduction
Introduce the school drum that I am about to describe: I suddenly feel emotions that are hard to express, emotions tied to every scene, the classroom, the desks, and especially the school drum that belongs to me.
b. Main Body
General Description:
- What is the drum made of, what is its shape and size?:
- The school drum is made of jackfruit wood, and it is so large that two students have to circle it with their arms just to cover it.
Describe the drum’s body, surface, and the drumstick:
- The drum surface is always smooth and glossy.
- The surface is decorated with colorful paper pieces cut into patterns inspired by the ancient Đông Sơn bronze drum.
- We have never been allowed to touch the body of the drum, which always bulges out like the neighbor's beer belly.
- The drum's body is constructed from thin pieces of wood that are bent and assembled together.
- In the middle of the drum body is a protruding ring that holds the wooden pieces in place.
- The drum body is made from thin, small pieces of wood tightly joined, with the inside completely hollow.
- The body is painted in a dark brick red color, standing out distinctly. We've never touched it, just observed from afar.
- Describe the sound of the drum and the significance of its beating:
- When the drumstick strikes the surface, the sound resonates, echoing in the air.
- The drum, familiar yet distant, is something deeply ingrained in our memories as students.
c. Conclusion
Share your feelings about the school drum:
It would be so sad when summer comes, and the school is empty, with the drum resting silently in its place.

