The creative writing part of the 11+ exam is often the one that throws the most capable children off balance. Unlike subjects like maths or verbal reasoning, where there are clear-cut answers and patterns to follow, 11 Plus creative writing expects something a little more complex. Children need to combine imagination, technical ability and a good grasp of exam technique to produce a well-structured, engaging piece of writing. And they have to do it all within a tight time limit.
When supporting your child with their 11+ preparation, you’ll want to know what examiners expect and how to develop those skills can make all the difference. This guide is packed with expert advice, practical techniques, and strategies that we’ve refined over years of working with hundreds of successful students.
One of our parents put it perfectly when she said:
“We spent so much time focusing on comprehension and reasoning papers that we assumed my daughter would just manage the creative writing section. It wasn’t until we did a professional assessment with [Geek School Tutoring] that we saw the gap between what state schools ask for in English lessons and what examiners expect in the 11+.”
This guide is designed to help you bridge that gap.
Understanding What Examiners Are Looking For
Before diving into the how-to tips, it helps to get clear on what the examiner is actually looking for when marking creative writing:
1. Technical Accuracy
Examiners want to see strong foundations:
- Spelling must be accurate, especially when using ambitious vocabulary
- Punctuation should include a range, from full stops to semicolons and brackets
- Paragraphing needs to be appropriate and consistent
- Tense needs to stay consistent from start to finish
- Grammar rules should be followed, including subject-verb agreement and correct pronoun use
As one of our parents said, “The stories that stand out still follow the rules. All the creativity in the world won’t help if your child is making basic punctuation or grammar errors.”
2. Sophisticated Vocabulary
Examiners want to see a broad and well-used vocabulary:
- Words need to be precise and suitable for the tone
- Ambitious vocabulary should feel natural
- Repetition should be avoided unless used for effect
- Descriptions should be vivid and appropriate
- Children should avoid “fancy” words that don’t make sense in context
One parent shared, “It wasn’t just about knowing longer words – my son had to understand when and how to use them.”
3. Varied Sentence Structures
Writing should show a range of sentence lengths and structures:
- Short sentences can add tension
- Longer, flowing sentences are good for description
- Minor sentences can add emphasis
- Openings should vary – not always starting with ‘he’ or ‘she’
- Connectives should link paragraphs and sentences smoothly
We often say to our parents: “If every sentence starts the same way or is the same length, the writing becomes dull.”
4. Descriptive Detail
Good writing makes the reader feel they are inside the story:
- Include all five senses, not just sight
- Use specific, not vague, descriptions
- Create mood and atmosphere
- Describe only what adds to the story
- Show emotions rather than stating them directly
A parent once told us, “I didn’t realise how much of a difference describing sounds and smells could make. My daughter’s writing became more alive.”
5. Clear Structure and Storytelling
Narrative structure really matters:
- Openings should hook the reader
- Events should follow logically
- Pacing should feel balanced
- Characters should be developed through actions and thoughts
- Endings should feel complete and meaningful
Planning even for a few minutes before writing can make a world of difference.
6. Originality
Examiners love to see individuality:
- Children should avoid obvious plots
- Personal voice should come through
- Characters should feel real
- Themes can go a little deeper
- Creative risks can pay off if done well
One tutor explained it best: “We help children find their unique voice, then give them the skills to shape it into something examiners will remember.”
Before and After: Real Student Progress
Here’s a real example of how much progress can be made with focused support.
Initial Writing Sample (Year 5 Student)
“The boy was scared. He went into the dark forest. He saw something move. He ran away quickly because he was frightened. The trees were big and scary. He wanted to go home. He heard a noise behind him. He ran faster. He fell over a branch. He hurt his knee. He got up and kept running.”
What needed improvement
- Repetitive sentence structure
- Very limited vocabulary
- Emotions were told, not shown
- No figurative language or description
- Basic narrative with no real depth
Writing Sample After Preparation
“Frozen with fear, Jamal hovered at the edge of the looming forest. Twisted branches clawed at the moonlight and the air felt thick with tension. A rustle in the leaves made his breath catch in his throat. He remembered his grandfather’s words: ‘Real courage is moving forward even when you’re afraid.’
A snap behind him broke his thoughts. Jamal took off, heart pounding, trees blurring past as shadows danced across the path. A root caught his foot and sent him crashing into the undergrowth. Pain throbbed through his knee but he pushed up, too scared to stop.”
The transformation shows:
- Sophisticated vocabulary used naturally
- Variety in sentence length and structure
- Use of imagery and metaphor
- A stronger sense of character and atmosphere
- Emotional depth and pacing
This is what examiners want to see.
12 Practical Tips for 11+ Creative Writing Success
Based on our years of helping children succeed in the 11+, here are twelve tips we give to every parent and student:
1. Use the 3-Minute Planning Rule
Give your child a method to plan their story in three minutes:
- Think about the five-part structure (beginning, build-up, problem, solution, ending)
- Jot down 2-3 key vocabulary items they want to use
- Decide how the story will open and close
2. Learn Powerful Openings
Avoid starting with “One day” or “It was a nice day”. Instead:
- Start mid-action
- Begin with dialogue or sound
- Use an intriguing image or moment
3. The Sensory Star
Teach your child to include at least three senses in any major scene. Help them build banks of vocabulary for sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.
4. Show Emotions, Don’t Tell
Rather than saying “he was scared”, show his actions: “His fingers trembled as he reached for the doorknob.”
5. Use the ISPACED Sentence Openings
This helps vary sentence starts:
- Ing words (e.g. Clutching the torch…)
- Similes (e.g. Like a statue…)
- Prepositions (e.g. Beneath the table…)
- Adverbs (e.g. Carefully…)
- Conjunctions (e.g. Although he was tired…)
- Ed words (e.g. Exhausted…)
- Dialogue (e.g. “Stop!” she shouted.)
6. The Rule of Three
Using three descriptive words or actions creates rhythm and power. Example: “Dark, damp and silent.”
7. Use Literary Devices With Purpose
Rather than cramming in every technique, encourage well-placed use of:
- Simile
- Metaphor
- Personification
- Onomatopoeia
- Alliteration
8. Build Believable Characters
Help your child develop characters through small habits and details. What does the character do? How do they speak? What are they thinking?
9. Paragraphing for Impact
Teach clear paragraph rules:
- New paragraph for new time, place or person
- Use shorter paragraphs for pace or tension
- Ensure there’s a flow from one to the next
10. Time Management Practice
Encourage your child to:
- Spend 3 minutes planning
- Write for around 22 minutes
- Leave 5 minutes to check
11. Sharpen Dialogue
Make sure any dialogue:
- Feels natural
- Moves the story forward
- Shows character traits
12. Build a Clear Editing Routine
Teach your child to check:
- Spelling of ambitious words
- Punctuation, especially dialogue
- Paragraph structure
- Word repetition
- Sentence variety
These habits don’t just help with exams. They build life-long writing confidence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some of the issues we see most often, and how to prevent them:
1. Incomplete stories
- This is usually due to lack of planning or poor pacing.
2. Wandering plots
- Stick to one main idea and follow the plan.
3. Technical errors
- Ongoing practice builds automatic accuracy.
4. Overusing advanced vocabulary
- Only use words your child understands fully.
5. Overloading with literary techniques
- One well-used simile beats five clunky metaphors every time.
What You Can Do in the Lead-Up to the Exam
If exams are a few weeks away, there are focused actions that make a real difference:
1. Weekly Timed Practice
Simulate exam conditions. Time them, use real prompts and provide feedback.
2. Targeted Micro-Practice
Ten-minute exercises on things like sentence variety or dialogue improve writing quickly.
3. Create a Personal Writing Toolkit
Build vocabulary lists, sentence openers, show-don’t-tell banks and plan templates.
4. Review Strong Examples
Looking at excellent responses can help your child see what success looks like.
5. Prompt Analysis Practice
Make sure your child knows how to quickly unpack a variety of prompt types.
Your Next Step
Our 11+ Creative Writing Preparation Programme includes everything we’ve mentioned in this guide, and more:
- Diagnostic writing assessment
- Personalised learning plan
- One-to-one tuition with a specialist
- Timed practice and detailed feedback
- Strategies tailored to your child’s unique strengths and areas to develop
We offer flexible formats, including:
- A 12-week structured programme
- 5-day intensive holiday courses
- 4-week exam prep sprints
- Ongoing tuition to build and maintain skills
To find out which option suits your child best, we offer a free creative writing assessment session. It includes:
- A timed writing task
- Professional analysis of the work
- Clear advice on next steps
- A walkthrough of how we work
To book your free session, call us or use the online form.
The 11+ creative writing exam doesn’t have to be the stumbling block. With the right strategy and support, it can become a real strength.
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