11 Plus Creative Writing: A Parent’s Guide to Success

If you have a child preparing for the 11 Plus, you’re likely navigating a world of vocabulary lists, comprehension exercises, and complex maths problems. But for many parents, the creative writing section remains the most mysterious—and often the most daunting—part of the entire process.

How can you help your child improve in something as subjective as creativity? Is it about innate talent, or can it be taught?

The good news is that 11 Plus creative writing is not about discovering the next J.K. Rowling. It’s a test of specific, learnable skills. Examiners are looking for evidence of a child’s ability to structure a story, use a rich vocabulary, and control their language with precision—all under timed conditions. It’s less about boundless imagination and more about demonstrable technique.

Having guided hundreds of children through this process, I’ve seen that success hinges on moving beyond the classic (and often unhelpful) advice of “show, don’t tell” and focusing on a set of core, coachable strategies.

Demystifying the Mark Scheme: What Are Examiners Actually Looking For?

Before a word is written, it’s crucial to understand what the examiner is trained to spot. They have a checklist, and your child’s story is being assessed against it in a matter of minutes. The key areas are:

1. Content and Plot (Engagement): Is the story interesting and complete? It doesn’t need a complex, twist-filled narrative. In fact, simplicity is key. The plot must have a clear beginning, middle, and end, all within the allotted time (usually 20-30 minutes).

2. Structure and Organisation: Is the story paragraphed logically? Does it use effective connectives? A well-structured story is easy to follow and signals a organised mind.

3. Vocabulary: Is the child using a range of precise and ambitious words? This is where all that vocabulary learning pays off. It’s not about using the longest words, but the right words.

4. Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (SPaG): This is non-negotiable. Basic errors in spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure can undermine an otherwise brilliant story. Accuracy is paramount.

5. Sentence Structure: Can the child craft sentences for effect? Using a variety of sentence lengths—short sentences for drama and impact, longer ones for description—shows sophisticated control.

The Four Pillars of 11 Plus Writing Success

With the mark scheme in mind, we can break down the preparation into four actionable pillars.

Pillar 1: The Power of Planning (The 5-Minute Lifesaver)

The single biggest mistake children make is rushing to write. They see the clock and panic. Teach your child that a 5-minute plan is an investment, not a waste of time.

• The Story Mountain: Introduce a simple structure:

  • Introduction (The Who, Where, When): Set the scene quickly. Introduce the character and the setting.

  • Build-Up: Establish a normal situation, then introduce a small problem or goal.

  • Climax (The Problem): This is the main event—the moment of tension, surprise, or conflict.

  • Resolution: How is the problem solved or the situation changed?

  • Conclusion (The Ending): End on a feeling, a thought, or a look to the future. Avoid “I woke up and it was all a dream!”

A plan acts as a roadmap, preventing a child from getting lost mid-story and ensuring a coherent narrative from the first sentence to the last.

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Pillar 2: Vocabulary in Action, Not Just on a List

Many children have vast vocabulary lists but struggle to use the words correctly in their writing. The key is to move words from their passive vocabulary (words they recognise) to their active vocabulary (words they use).

• Create “Wow” Word Banks: Instead of generic lists, create themed banks. For example, have a list for “Ways to Move” (scurried, trudged, stumbled, darted), “Ways to Speak” (muttered, exclaimed, whispered, pleaded), and “Words for Settings” (tranquil, bustling, derelict, pristine).

• The ‘Instead of…’ Game: Make it a game to replace boring words. “Instead of ‘went’…?” “Instead of ‘said’…?” “Instead of ‘nice’…?” This builds the habit of seeking more precise language.

Pillar 3: Show, Don’t Tell… The Right Way

“Show, don’t tell” is excellent advice, but children often don’t know how to apply it. Give them the tools.

• Tell: He was scared.

• Show: A cold sweat prickled on the back of his neck. His heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird.

Teach them to show emotion and description through:

• Actions: What does a scared person do? (They might freeze, their hands might tremble.)

• Body Sensations: What does fear feel like in the body? (A knot in the stomach, dry mouth.)

• Thoughts: What goes through a scared person’s mind?

This doesn’t mean “tell” is forbidden. It’s essential for moving the plot along quickly. The skill is knowing when to speed up (“They travelled for hours”) and when to slow down and “show” a key moment.

Pillar 4: The Secret Weapon – Sentence Variety

An examiner reading 100 scripts in a day will notice a child who can control the rhythm of their writing. This is achieved through sentence variety.

• Short Sentences: Use for drama, action, and emphasis.

  • The door swung open. It was him.

• Long Sentences: Use for description and building atmosphere.

  • The ancient forest, with its gnarled branches reaching for the sky like skeletal fingers, seemed to swallow the path whole.

• Start with an -ing word: Gasping for breath, she reached the summit.

• Start with an -ly word: Silently, the figure crept across the room.

Encourage your child to read their work aloud. This is the best way to hear the “music” of their sentences and spot where it becomes monotonous.

Practical Exercises to Try at Home

1. The 10-Minute Prompt Challenge: Give your child a simple prompt (e.g., “The key under the mat,” “A noise in the attic,” “The lost phone”). Set a timer for 10 minutes—5 for planning, 5 for writing the opening paragraph only. This practices planning and crafting a powerful hook without the pressure of a full story.

2. Upgrade the Sentence: Take a boring sentence like “The house was old” and challenge your child to rewrite it using three different techniques: using a powerful adjective, using a simile, and using a metaphor.

3. Picture Prompt Analysis: Find an interesting image online. Ask your child to describe it using three senses beyond sight. What might they hear? Smell? Feel? This builds sensory description skills.

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