11+ Exam Creative Writing Guide: Help Your Child Write Their Way to Victory
Welcome to U2 Tuition’s 11+ Exam Creative Writing Guide, a valuable resource designed to support your child's journey towards success in the highly competitive 11+ exams. This comprehensive guide has been carefully crafted to provide you with the tools, insights, and guidance necessary to assist your child in developing their creative writing skills and achieving their full potential in the critical assessment. The 11 Plus exams serve as a significant milestone, determining entry into some of the most prestigious schools and setting the stage for their educational journey ahead. Among the various components of the 11+ exams, creative writing holds immense value, as it allows your child to showcase their imagination, language proficiency, and ability to craft compelling narratives.
In the guide, we will explore effective strategies, practical tips, and engaging exercises that will enhance your child's storytelling abilities, expand their vocabulary, and refine their writing skills. One of U2’s founders, Camille, is also the author of a rhyming children’s book, ‘Mister Finch and the Queen’ - creative writing is hugely important to us and we love to help students hone their creative imagination, in preparation for the exams, but also far beyond.
Contents of the 11+ Creative Writing Guide
Through a series of carefully structured sections, we will delve into the fundamentals of creative writing, equipping you with the knowledge and resources needed to nurture your child's creativity and help them excel in their 11+ creative writing tasks. From sparking their imagination and assisting in the planning process to refining their grammar and sentence structure, we will cover every aspect of the writing journey.
This guide provides you with sample prompts and valuable insights into assessment criteria, allowing you to support your child in preparing for the exams with confidence. By familiarising yourself with the expectations of the 11+ creative writing tasks, you can guide your child in crafting narratives that resonate with the examiners and stand out from the competition.
Section 1: The Fundamentals of Great Creative Writing in Exams
Imagination: Unleashing the Power of Creativity
One of the key elements that make a piece of creative writing exceptional is imagination. Encouraging your child to tap into their creativity allows them to create unique stories and characters that captivate readers. Here are some ways you can help nurture their imagination:
a. Read widely: Expose your child to a diverse range of books, genres, and authors. Reading not only enhances their vocabulary but also sparks their imagination by introducing them to different worlds, perspectives, and storytelling styles. Here are some of our suggestions:
Sevenoaks Year 7 Reading List: On Sevenoaks School’s 11+ admissions page, they publish a Reading List designed to challenge students to advance their reading level
U2 Tuition’s Book Recommendation Blogs: In our Free Resource Library, we include a range of book recommendations by age. E.g. The 5 Best Books to Read For Younger Readers, or to challenge your child: 7 Books To Read Before You Turn 14
b. Encourage daydreaming: Provide opportunities for your child to daydream and let their imagination wander. This unstructured time allows them to explore their thoughts, visualise scenes, and develop ideas for their writing. Inspiration can be found in such a variety of places e.g. exploring the great outdoors, visiting the theatre or ballet.
c. Engage in imaginative play: Encourage your child to engage in creative play, where they can invent stories, characters, and settings. This playful exploration strengthens their storytelling abilities and nurtures their imaginative thinking.
Structure: Planning and Organisation
An important aspect of successful creative writing is having a well-structured piece. Planning and organisation help your child create a coherent and engaging narrative. Consider the following tips to support them in this process:
a. Brainstorming: Encourage your child to brainstorm ideas before they start writing. They can jot down key plot points, interesting characters, or striking settings (Tip: Stories don’t have to be set in the modern era! A story set in an interesting historical period can be very effective). The brainstorming process helps them generate multiple options and select the most compelling ones.
b. Story mapping: Guide your child in creating a story map or outline. This visual representation of their narrative allows them to see the overall structure, ensuring that the story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. When practising, students can spend more time planning than they would do in the exam, but as they approach 11+ examinations, they should try to limit themselves to about 5 minutes planning time to ensure they have enough time to write the story.
Exercise - Provide your child with story outline worksheets or templates that guide them through the different elements of storytelling. These worksheets typically include sections for the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. They help your child organise their ideas and ensure a cohesive story structure.
Here are some planning resources we have compiled to help your child become a planning whizz!
Plot diagrams: Introduce your child to plot diagrams such as the story mountain. These visual tools illustrate the key components of a story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Plot diagrams help your child understand the overall structure of a story and ensure that their narrative has a clear progression.
Exercise - Planning Practice:
Engage your child in story planning exercises that involve outlining their story's beginning, middle, and end. Encourage them to identify the main conflict, the major turning points, and the resolution of their story. This exercise helps them develop a clear direction and roadmap for their narrative.
c. Developing characters: Encourage your child to flesh out their characters by creating detailed descriptions, including their personality traits, motivations, and backstories. Well-developed characters add depth and authenticity to the story.
Engaging Openings: Capture the Reader's Attention with these Exercises
In the context of exams, it is crucial for your child's writing to capture the examiner's attention from the very beginning. The opening lines should intrigue, engage, and entice the reader to continue. Help your child craft engaging openings by:
a. Starting with action or dialogue: They could begin the story with an exciting event, a dramatic moment, or a thought-provoking line of dialogue. This immediately draws the reader into the narrative and creates a sense of curiosity.
Exercise - Opening Hooks:
Explore different types of opening hooks with your child, such as:
A captivating first sentence that grabs the reader's attention.
An intriguing question that piques curiosity.
A vivid description that immerses the reader in the setting.
A compelling dialogue that sets the tone or reveals a conflict.
Encourage your child to experiment with these techniques to create engaging story openings.
Exercise - Analysing Story Openings From Favourite Books:
Encourage your child to read and analyse opening paragraphs from well-crafted books or short stories. Discuss with your child what makes those openings captivating, such as strong imagery, unique perspectives, or a sense of mystery. This should help inspire your child to incorporate similar techniques into their own writing.
Exercise - Writing Prompts:
Provide your child with specific writing prompts that focus on crafting effective story openings. For example:
Start a story with the line: "The door creaked open, revealing..."
Begin a story with a character waking up in a strange place.
Write a story that starts with a sudden unexpected event.
Such prompts challenge your child to think creatively about how to hook readers from the very first sentence.
Exercise - Sensory Details Exercise:
Encourage your child to practise writing sensory details specifically for story openings. Have them choose a setting, and then ask them to describe what it looks like, sounds like, smells like, and feels like. This exercise helps create a vivid opening that draws readers into the story world.
Exercise - Story Opening Writing Exercises:
Engage your child in writing exercises specifically focused on crafting strong story openings. For example, ask them to write multiple versions of the opening paragraph for the same story idea, experimenting with different hooks, perspectives, or tones. This practice helps them explore different possibilities and select the most compelling opening.
b. Creating vivid descriptions: Encourage your child to use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the scene or setting. Engaging the reader's senses through rich imagery helps establish an immersive experience right from the start. Including sensory description is so important - encourage your child to try to use as many of their 5 senses as possible in their writing e.g. sound (via alliteration, onomatopoeia, sibilance etc.), touch (textures - is an object hard, feathery…how does the rain feel on the character’s skin?), sight (using colour, strong descriptive language e.g. double adjectives) etc.
c. Posing a question or mystery: Raise a compelling question or present a mystery in the opening lines. This creates intrigue and prompts the reader to keep reading to find the answers.
Engaging Storytelling:
At the heart of great creative writing lies the art of storytelling. Students should aim to craft a narrative that captivates their reader from the very beginning. As mentioned above, they should start with a strong opening that grabs attention and sets the tone for the story. They must then develop their characters by giving them depth, personalities, and motives. Creating a plot that is well-paced, with rising action, a compelling climax, and a satisfying resolution, is essential for students to stand out amongst other strong candidates. The following section is dedicated to this!
Section 2: The Art of Effective Storytelling
In this section of the guide, we will delve into the art of effective storytelling, exploring various literary techniques that will elevate your child's creative writing to new heights. We will discuss the power of vivid imagery, engaging dialogue, and well-paced plot development. Additionally, we will emphasise the importance of grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure in crafting polished and sophisticated narratives. To help your child practise these skills, we have included practical exercises and stimulating prompts throughout this section.
Vivid Imagery: Painting Pictures with Words
Vivid imagery is a powerful tool that brings stories to life, allowing readers to visualise the scenes and immerse themselves in the narrative. Encourage your child to incorporate the following techniques:
a. Sensory details: Prompt your child to include sensory details such as sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. By describing the sensory experiences within the story, they create a rich and immersive reading experience.
Exercise - Sensory Writing Prompts:
Provide your child with prompts that encourage them to incorporate sensory details into their writing:
Ask your child to write a paragraph describing a bustling marketplace, focusing on sensory details to bring it to life.
"Describe a walk through a bustling city street, focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells."
"Imagine you're on a beach at sunset. Write a paragraph that captures the feeling of warm sand between your toes, the scent of the ocean, and the sound of crashing waves."
Exercise - Sensory Observation Exercises:
Encourage your child to engage in sensory observation activities in their everyday life. This could include going on nature walks, visiting different environments, or exploring new places. Prompt them to pay attention to the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures around them. Afterwards, ask them to write a short paragraph or poem that vividly describes their sensory experiences.
Exercise - Sensory Word Banks:
Create a sensory word bank with your child. Brainstorm adjectives and descriptive phrases that relate to each of the five senses. Encourage them to use this word bank as a reference when writing, helping them choose precise and evocative language to convey sensory experiences.
Exercise - Sensory Object Descriptions:
Select an object, such as a piece of fruit or a common household item, and ask your child to write a detailed description that engages multiple senses. Encourage them to explore the object's appearance, texture, smell, taste, and even the sounds associated with it. This exercise helps develop their ability to incorporate sensory details into their writing in a focused and deliberate manner.
Engaging Dialogue: Breathing Life into Characters
Dialogue plays a crucial role in storytelling, giving voice to the characters and revealing their personalities, motivations, and relationships. Help your child create engaging dialogue by:
a. Showing character through speech: Encourage your child to use dialogue to reveal character traits, emotions, and conflicts. Each character should have a distinct voice and manner of speaking.
Exercise - Provide your child with prompts that require them to develop dialogue-rich scenes. This will give them practice in using dialogue effectively to reveal character traits, emotions, and relationships. For example:
Provide your child with a prompt and ask them to write a dialogue between two characters who have opposing viewpoints.
"Write a conversation between two characters who have just discovered a hidden treasure."
"Imagine two friends who are having a disagreement. Write a dialogue that shows their conflicting viewpoints."
Exercise - Character Interview:
Ask your child to imagine they are interviewing one of the characters from their story. Have them prepare a list of questions and encourage them to respond in the character's voice. This exercise helps them dive deeper into the character's personality and unique way of speaking.
Exercise - Dialogue Tags and Actions:
Discuss the importance of using dialogue tags and actions to enhance the portrayal of characters. Encourage your child to include descriptive tags and actions that complement the dialogue and provide additional insights into the characters' emotions or mannerisms. For instance:
She exclaimed with a wide grin, 'I can't believe it!'
He muttered under his breath, 'This is going to be a disaster.'
Well-Paced Plot Development: Building Tension and Momentum
A well-paced plot keeps readers engaged and eager to know what happens next. Teach your child how to develop a well-structured story with the following techniques:
a. Introduce conflict: Encourage your child to introduce conflict early in the story to create tension and drive the plot forward. This can be an internal conflict within the main character or an external conflict with other characters or the setting.
b. Build suspense: Guide your child in building suspense through strategic use of foreshadowing, cliff-hangers, or unexpected plot twists. This keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what happens next.
Exercise - Suspenseful Story Prompts: Provide your child with a prompt and ask them to write a short story with a suspenseful plot twist towards the end. For example:
"Write a story about a group of friends who stumble upon a mysterious abandoned house."
"Imagine you're trapped in a haunted forest at night. Describe your attempts to find a way out."
Exercise - Analysing Suspenseful Scenes:
Read suspenseful scenes from well-known books or films with your child. Discuss how the author or filmmaker built tension and kept the reader or viewer engaged. Examples could include:
The introduction of the antagonist in a mystery novel.
A thrilling chase sequence in an action film.
Exercise - Foreshadowing Exercises:
Encourage your child to practice foreshadowing, a literary technique that hints at future events and builds anticipation. Ask them to include subtle clues or hints in their writing that suggest something significant is about to happen. For instance:
"Write a story where a character finds a mysterious object at the beginning, and later reveal its importance or danger."
"Include a brief mention of a storm brewing in the distance, and later incorporate it as a key element of the climax."
Exercise - Studying Suspenseful Authors:
Read works by authors known for their ability to build suspense. Discuss specific techniques they employ and how your child can incorporate similar elements into their writing. Examples of authors known for suspenseful storytelling include:
Edgar Allan Poe
Agatha Christie
Roald Dahl
Remember, building suspense is about creating anticipation and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Encourage your child to experiment with these techniques, combine them with their own unique storytelling style, and practice regularly to refine their ability to craft suspenseful narratives.
Grammar, Vocabulary, and Sentence Structure: Polishing the Writing
Strong language skills are essential for effective creative writing. Help your child refine their grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure by:
a. Expanding vocabulary: Encourage your child to explore new words and phrases, providing opportunities for them to learn and incorporate them into their writing. A rich vocabulary enhances their ability to express ideas precisely.
b. Sentence variety: Teach your child to vary sentence structure by using different sentence lengths, types, and structures. This adds rhythm and flow to their writing, making it more engaging to read.
Exercise - Provide your child with a list of vocabulary words and ask them to write a short story incorporating as many of the words as possible while maintaining a natural flow.
Here are some example resources and exercises that can help 11+ applicants refine their grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure in their stories:
Grammar Practice Exercises: Utilise online grammar resources or workbooks specifically designed for 11+ exam preparation. These resources provide targeted grammar exercises and explanations to help your child strengthen their understanding of grammatical rules and conventions.
Vocabulary Expansion Activities: Encourage your child to actively expand their vocabulary by engaging in activities such as:
Reading widely: Encourage them to read books, magazines, and newspapers that expose them to a variety of words and contexts.
Word-of-the-day: Introduce a new word to your child each day and challenge them to use it in their writing or conversation.
Thesaurus exploration: Encourage your child to use a thesaurus to find synonyms and antonyms for common words, allowing them to enrich their writing with more precise and varied vocabulary.
Sentence Structure Exercises: Provide your child with exercises that focus on sentence structure and variety. For example:
Rewrite a paragraph by transforming simple sentences into complex or compound sentences.
Ask your child to create a set of sentences using different sentence types, such as declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory.
Grammar and Vocabulary Games: Make learning grammar and vocabulary fun by engaging in interactive games and activities. There are various online resources and mobile apps that offer educational games to reinforce grammar rules, word meanings, and sentence construction.
Section 3: 11+ Creative Writing Admissions Criteria
Admissions criteria for 11+ creative writing can vary depending on the specific school or exam consortium. However, here are some common factors that are often considered in evaluating creative writing submissions:
1. Creativity and Originality: Admissions teams look for imaginative and original ideas in the writing. They assess whether the story, characters, and plot display unique and creative thinking.
2. Writing Style and Technique: The quality of the writing style and technique is essential. Examiners assess the use of literary devices, descriptive language, sentence structure, and overall fluency. They look for evidence of a strong command of language and the ability to engage the reader effectively.
3. Narrative Structure and Development: The structure of the narrative and its development are crucial. Admissions officers evaluate how well the story is organised, if it has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and whether there is a logical progression of events. They also consider how well the story builds tension, maintains reader interest, and resolves conflicts.
4. Characterisation: Examiners examine the depth and complexity of the characters in the story. They assess whether the characters are well-developed, believable, and have distinct voices. Strong character development helps to engage the reader and bring the story to life.
5. Adherence to the Prompt or Theme: Applicants are typically given a prompt or theme for their creative writing submission. Admissions officers evaluate how well the applicant addresses the prompt or incorporates the theme into their story. They assess the level of understanding and engagement with the given topic.
6. Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation: While creativity and storytelling are important, examiners also consider the technical aspects of writing. They look for a high level of accuracy in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as these are indicators of a writer's attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively.
It's important to note that each school or exam consortium may have its own specific criteria and weightings for assessing creative writing submissions. Some schools may also consider the applicant's potential for improvement and growth. It's advisable to review the specific guidelines provided by the school or exam board to understand the precise criteria they use for evaluating creative writing submissions at the 11+ level.
Section 4: 11+ Creative Writing Prompts and Tips
Creative writing prompts can serve as excellent starting points to inspire your child's imagination and help them practise their storytelling skills. Encourage your child to embrace these prompts and unleash their creativity. Here are some example prompts along with tips on how to approach them:
1. Prompt: "Write a story about a magical adventure."
Tip: Encourage your child to let their imagination run wild. They can create a world filled with enchanted creatures, mysterious places, and unexpected twists. Remind them to think about the protagonist, their goals, and the challenges they must overcome.
2. Prompt: "Describe a memorable encounter with an animal."
Tip: Urge your child to tap into their senses and vividly describe the experience. Encourage them to think about the emotions evoked by the encounter, the physical appearance of the animal, and any unique characteristics or behaviors that make it stand out.
3. Prompt: "Imagine you can time travel. Write about a journey to a different era."
Tip: Encourage your child to research the chosen era to add authenticity to their story. They can focus on the sights, sounds, and customs of that time period, and imagine how their protagonist would navigate and interact with the world they've traveled to.
4. Prompt: "Write a story about a secret superpower."
Tip: Encourage your child to think beyond traditional superpowers and explore unique abilities. They can consider how their protagonist discovers their power, how they choose to use it, and the impact it has on their life and the world around them.
5. Prompt: "Describe a peculiar object found in an attic."
Tip: Encourage your child to bring the object to life by providing sensory details and incorporating a sense of mystery. They can explore the history and significance of the object, the emotions it evokes, and the impact it has on the characters or the plot.
Tips for Tackling Creative Writing Prompts:
1. Plan and Outline: Encourage your child to spend a few minutes brainstorming and outlining their ideas before starting to write. This helps them organize their thoughts and create a clear structure for their story.
2. Use Vivid Language: Remind your child to incorporate sensory details and descriptive language to bring their story to life. Encourage them to engage the reader's senses through vivid imagery, similes, and metaphors.
3. Develop Characters: Encourage your child to create interesting and relatable characters. Prompt them to think about their characters' backgrounds, motivations, and conflicts to make their stories more engaging.
4. Build Tension: Encourage your child to create suspense and excitement in their stories by introducing obstacles, conflicts, and unexpected plot twists. Remind them to pace their story effectively to maintain the reader's interest.
5. Edit and Revise: After completing the first draft, remind your child of the importance of revising and editing their work. Encourage them to check for grammar and spelling errors, and to refine their sentences and word choices for clarity and impact.
By providing your child with creative writing prompts and tips for tackling them, you can help them develop their storytelling skills, enhance their creativity, and prepare for the 11+ creative writing exams. Remember to foster a supportive and encouraging environment, allowing your child to explore their imagination and enjoy the process of writing.
Our Top 11+ Creative Writing Book Recommendations
Descriptosaurus by Alison Wilcox is an invaluable resource for young writers looking to enhance their descriptive writing skills. The comprehensive guide offers a wide range of descriptive vocabulary and writing techniques, empowering students to create vivid and engaging descriptions across various genres. With a focus on developing sensory imagery, the book provides abundant examples, prompts, and exercises to inspire creativity and strengthen descriptive writing abilities.
How to Write a Great Story by Caroline Lawrence is a valuable guidebook for aspiring young writers who want to master the art of storytelling. Drawing on her experience as a bestselling author, Lawrence provides practical advice, helpful tips, and creative exercises to help readers craft compelling narratives. From developing engaging characters to building suspenseful plots and creating authentic dialogue, this book covers the essential elements of storytelling in an accessible and engaging manner.
To Conclude Our 11+ Creative Writing Guide
Congratulations on completing our 11+ Creative Writing Guide! By exploring the various aspects of creative writing, from storytelling techniques to sensory details, dialogue, grammar, vocabulary, and more, we hope you have equipped yourself with valuable tools to help your child excel in their creative writing endeavours.
Remember that creative writing is an opportunity for a child to unleash their imagination, express their thoughts, and captivate readers with their words. Students should continue to read widely, analyse the works of their favourite authors, and draw inspiration from the world around them.
Creative writing is not only a valuable skill for exams but also a lifelong tool for self-expression, communication, and personal growth. It nurtures students’ creativity, critical thinking, and empathy, allowing them to explore different perspectives and engage with the world in a unique way.
Are You Seeking an Experienced 11 Plus Creative Writing Tutor to Help Your Child Excel in Their 11 + English Exams?
We have a great team of 11+ English tutors, many of whom are experienced in supporting students in application to the majority of top UK Schools. With our expert guidance, your child will receive targeted instruction to develop their storytelling abilities, refine their grammar and vocabulary, and master the art of creative writing. Our tutors are experienced in preparing students for the specific demands of the 11+ exams, ensuring your child is well-equipped to tackle any creative writing prompt that comes their way.
Investing in a skilled 11+ tutor can make a significant difference in your child's performance and overall success. Our tutors provide a nurturing and supportive environment, fostering a love for writing and encouraging your child to reach their full potential.
View our full 11+ tuition page here.
The Details
We offer online and face-to-face tuition (our service area for in-person sessions is Central London)
Frequency of sessions is flexible and tailored to the particular student’s needs
Our 11+ English tutors are experienced in preparing students for the particulars of their target schools’ entrance tests - our 11+ English tutors will have studied the subject to degree level (or a related course)
We typically begin with a diagnostic session to informally assess the student’s current ability and identify points for development. All going well, your 11+ Creative Writing Tutor will tailor a plan for preparation
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