11+ creative writing resources

Five ways to improve creative writing for 11+ quickly

Read in short bursts. Even ten minutes a day of reading age-appropriate fiction builds vocabulary and an ear for story rhythm.

Plan before you write. For timed practice, one minute on a simple beginning–middle–end plan often raises marks more than an extra unplanned paragraph.

Swap weak verbs for strong ones (walked → trudged, said → muttered) only where it fits the mood — not every line needs a thesaurus.

Layer one sense you forget. If your child’s pieces are all sight and speech, add one touch or sound in the next task.

Get feedback, then one rewrite. A second draft that applies two or three concrete comments beats starting three new stories and never finishing one.

What examiners like in 11+ creative writing

Examiners respond well to a clear, controlled piece that answers the task. A beginning that orients the reader, a developed middle, and a ending that does not fizzle out (even in a “continue the story” prompt) all help. Vivid detail matters, but so does structure and paragraphing.

If your child uses dialogue, a little goes a long way: only what advances character or moment. The same applies to adjectives: one precise image often beats a string of adjectives.