7 tips for 11+ creative writing

Many 11+ tests, Stage II exams and independent school exams include a piece of writing. In Kent, the writing task is read by a headteacher panel when scores are close. Good writing can make the difference.

1. Plan for 5 to 10 minutes

Children who plan write better stories. A plan can be five boxes: opening, build-up, problem, resolution, ending. The Kent writing task gives 10 minutes to plan, so use them.

2. Start in the middle of the action

Skip "One day I woke up". Open with a line of speech, a sound, or a moment of tension that makes the reader want to know more.

3. Something must be at risk

A day out where nothing goes wrong is not a story. Give the main character a problem, a choice or a danger, and let them solve it.

4. Show, don't tell

Instead of "I was scared", write "My hands shook and I could hear my heart". Let the reader feel it.

5. Use the senses, not a list of techniques

Examiners do not count similes. One fresh image that fits the moment is worth more than five tired ones.

6. Vary your sentences

Mix short sentences for tension with longer ones for description. Start sentences in different ways.

7. Save 3 minutes to check

Capital letters, full stops, speech marks and spelling. Easy marks are lost here.

A safety tip: children should never use their real name, address or school in a practice story.