Communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, selecting and adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences
Organise information and ideas, using structural and grammatical features to support coherence and cohesion of texts
Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose and effect, with accurate spelling and punctuation
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It is important to remember that writers plan their texts deliberately to make the reader respond in certain ways, and think and feel certain things. This task in Question 5 asks you to think about how you can effectively engage your reader and produce a cohesive piece of creative writing.
When you reach Question 5, you will already have read an example of creative writing. You can use the ideas and structure to inform your answer. You should spend some time thinking about the question: not only the content, but also the order of your ideas. An effective piece of creative writing considers plot, setting and characterisation .
In your answer you must:
Question 5 tests your ability to create a text which is constructed in an appropriate manner.
The creative writing question assesses your skill in crafting a convincing piece of creative writing or short story. The question will be worded according to a specific task, for example:
It is worth remembering that you will be given a choice of two tasks in the exam: one will be a creative writing task, and the other will be a descriptive writing task. One will also give you a picture as a prompt for your piece of writing, but this could be to write a story or a description, so it is important that you read both options carefully.
Below are some points on how you might approach the task “Write a story with the title ‘Abandoned’”. It is divided into plot, setting and characterisation.
This task asks you to write a short story. This means you are required to plan your response carefully as you have limited time to create a cohesive plot. It is best to plan how your story will end before you begin writing so that you are in control of your story. Writing a response which has not been planned is likely to have an abrupt ending, or no ending at all, which does not satisfy readers or get you high marks. Your character development will lead the plot; you should decide if your story ends with a clear resolution or with a cliffhanger. Your resolution could be happy, or you can create a tragic ending.
There are lots of different narrative structures or arcs you could use to plan your story. Bearing in mind you only have 45 minutes, including planning time, your story needs to be controlled and concise. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is to consider Freytag’s Pyramid:
| Stick to one main setting and start at the location: |
Hook your reader: | |
Decide which narrative perspective and tense you are going to write your story in: | |
Employ the five senses to create an atmosphere: | |
This paragraph could end with an “inciting incident”, which prompts the rising action and moves the story forward | |
| This paragraph should build tension, drama or interest: |
This paragraph should also develop your character(s): | |
This is the turning point of your story: | |
Your protagonist could face an external problem, or an internal choice or dilemma: | |
You should vary your sentence structure, length and language here for dramatic effect | |
What happens in this paragraph should be as a direct result of the climax paragraph: | |
It also should focus on your characters’ thoughts and feelings as a result of the climax of the story: | |
You can choose to resolve your story, or end on a cliff-hanger: | |
Your setting and atmosphere could reflect a change from the setting or atmosphere you established in your opening paragraph: |
As this task assesses the ability to communicate clearly, effectively and imaginatively, it is important to consider how to use language constructively in a short story to convey an atmosphere or mood. Building an effective setting is key as it contributes to atmosphere and mood.
Remember, Question 5 requires an extended written response. Therefore, the most effective stories will demonstrate a well-planned response which has considered what information is relevant to the reader and the most effective way to order and structure the narrative.
This question asks you to create a short story and therefore you will need to build some elements of detailed characterisation. This means you need to consider what your character(s) represent. They may represent an idea, such as being the victim of abandonment, or as a villain to represent injustice or evil. It is best to limit yourself to two characters in the time you have.
Well-rounded characters are taken on a journey in which a character undergoes some form of development or change. The mark scheme rewards answers which clearly and effectively convey ideas, meaning that you need to consider the most effective ways of building a character in a short piece of writing. Ideally, you should focus more on indirect characterisation than direct characterisation:
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Here, we will consider how to effectively plan your character(s) to engage your reader. This is what the examiner is looking for in your answer:
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| Your character’s appearance may not always be relevant: , remember that it is rare we describe our own appearance perspective can describe appearance more effectively |
| One of the most effective ways to describe a character is through their movements: and can be used to effectively build characterisation |
| If you use the perspective, a monologue helps readers engage with the character: will help your reader understand your character better |
| Dialogue can convey the relationships between your characters and provide insights into what other characters think about each other: |
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Sam is a graduate in English Language and Literature, specialising in journalism and the history and varieties of English. Before teaching, Sam had a career in tourism in South Africa and Europe. After training to become a teacher, Sam taught English Language and Literature and Communication and Culture in three outstanding secondary schools across England. Her teaching experience began in nursery schools, where she achieved a qualification in Early Years Foundation education. Sam went on to train in the SEN department of a secondary school, working closely with visually impaired students. From there, she went on to manage KS3 and GCSE English language and literature, as well as leading the Sixth Form curriculum. During this time, Sam trained as an examiner in AQA and iGCSE and has marked GCSE English examinations across a range of specifications. She went on to tutor Business English, English as a Second Language and international GCSE English to students around the world, as well as tutoring A level, GCSE and KS3 students for educational provisions in England. Sam freelances as a ghostwriter on novels, business articles and reports, academic resources and non-fiction books.
On paper creative writing should be one of the easiest parts of the English language GCSE but you're not alone if you're finding it tricky.
Creative Writing in GCSE exams can take various forms: You may have to tell an entire short story or you could be asked to write a description of a picture.
Here's some top tips when it comes to dealing with your creative writing headaches...
First and foremost, it's essential to familiarise yourself with the GCSE English Language exam format. Creative writing usually forms a significant part of the assessment, often as part of a coursework component or in a specific section of the exam. Knowing what is expected in terms of length, format, and content can significantly boost your confidence and performance.
One of the best ways to enhance your creative writing skills is to read a diverse range of literature. This exposure helps you understand different writing styles, narrative techniques, and genres. By reading extensively, you can develop a sense of what makes a story engaging and learn how to incorporate these elements into your own writing.
Consistent practice is key in improving your writing skills. Try to write something every day, whether it's a short story, a descriptive piece, or even just a diary entry. This not only helps improve your writing style and vocabulary but also keeps your creative juices flowing.
Read it VERY carefully because your answer will only be marked in the context of what was actually asked in the first place, regardless of how well written your piece may have been. Pay special attention to the type of creative writing you're asked to come up with and it's audience (see more below).
In creative writing, characters and settings are the heart of your story. Spend time developing characters who are believable and relatable. Similarly, create settings that are vivid and contribute to the mood of the story. Using descriptive language and sensory details can bring your characters and settings to life.
READ MORE: > 10+ GCSE creative writing ideas, prompts and plot lines
A good story has a clear structure - a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning should hook the reader, the middle should build the story, and the end should provide a satisfying conclusion. Think about the plot and how you can weave tension, conflict, and resolution into your narrative.
'Show, don’t tell' is a golden rule in creative writing. Instead of simply telling the reader what is happening, show them through actions, thoughts, senses, and feelings. For example, rather than simply telling the reader a character is tall, show them that in your writing: "He towered above me like a skyscraper." This approach makes your writing more engaging and immersive.
Write more convincingly by taking inspiration from your real life experiences and feelings, embellishing where necessary.
If you're given a prompt to write the opening of a story involving a storm, it doesn't need to be a storm on earth. Going out of this world allows you to be really descriptive in your language and paint a picture of a completely unique world or species.
Using a range of sentence structures and a rich vocabulary can make your writing more interesting and dynamic. Avoid repetition of words and phrases, and try to use descriptive language that paints a picture for the reader. Consider the senses such as what you might hear, smell, feel or taste.
Some pieces will lend themselves to a nice, easy ending - and in some questions, the ending may even be provided for you - but other times it's not so simple to stop. When it comes to fictional stories, it may well be easier to plan your ending first and work backwards, you don't want to end on a whimper, in a rush or with leftover loose ends from the plot.
A vital part of writing is reviewing and refining your work. Always leave time to edit and proofread your writing. Look out for common errors like spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and punctuation issues. Also, consider whether your writing flows logically and whether there's anything you can improve in terms of language and style.
Don’t be afraid to ask teachers, friends, or family members for feedback on your writing. Constructive criticism can provide new perspectives and ideas that can help you improve your writing significantly.
Lastly, it's important to stay calm and confident during your exam. Stress and anxiety can hinder your creativity and writing ability. Practice relaxation techniques and believe in your preparation to help you stay focused and composed during the exam.
Remember, creative writing is an opportunity to express yourself and let your imagination run wild. With these tips and consistent practice, you can excel in your GCSE English Language creative writing exam look forward to results day and enjoy the process of crafting your own unique stories.
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Yes, as a part of the 11+ Exam, aspirants might be required to complete a creative writing exam. CSSE exam board conducts 11+ Creative writing exam. You can practice 11+ Creative Writing papers to get high marks in the creative writing exam.
You can prepare for the 11-plus Creative Writing exam using 11+ Creative Writing papers . With regular practice of these practice papers, you will have a clear idea of what is being asked for the creative writing exams. You can also improve your creative writing skills by reading books by well acclaimed authors and writing short stories or essays.
No. Due to its digital nature, the English Creative Writing Pack is non-refundable.
Topics included in the 11+ Creative Writing exam:·
With regular practice of 11+ Creative Writing papers , you will pass the exam with a high score.
Examiners mostly look for descriptive language - similes, metaphors, adjectives, sibilance & alliteration. Being proficient in written English will help secure a good score. Students are expected to use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. You can practice 11+ Creative Writing papers to score high marks.
We keep on adding more Creative Writing Tasks throughout the year. The existing English Creative members get access to these new tasks.
Hurry! 11+ Exams are approaching in 6 months. High competition. Most parents fail to do structured planning for the 11+ Exam preparation.
Get a plan and strategy from 11+ Expert Tutors. Avoid the common mistakes that other parents make.
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Subject: English
Age range: 14-16
Resource type: Assessment and revision
Last updated
31 August 2024
This resource CANNOT be used to submit as your own work.
This response achieved top band for both AOs of the coursework rubrik - contributing to a grade 9 overall in a response to an open topic short story theme at GCSE.
It is by no means perfect, therefore it is recommended to be used in class as a sample answer for discussion on what it does well and improvements.
Although directed for the Edexcel IGCSE syllabus, other boards with the coursework option (CIE, AQA, WJEC etc) may find it useful.
This can also be used by those required to write a story for exams as a model response to potentially emulate during timed conditions.
Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?
A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.
**All of these resource CANNOT be used to submit as your own work.** These response all achieved top band for both AOs of the coursework rubriks - contributing to a grade 9 in Literature and Language overall at GCSE. These are by no means perfect, therefore it is recommended to be used in class as a sample answer for discussion on what it does well and improvements. Although directed for the Edexcel IGCSE syllabus, other boards with the coursework option (CIE, AQA, WJEC etc) may find it useful. These can also be used by those required to write similar essays for exams as a model response to potentially emulate during timed conditions. Included: A response on theme of identity in Wilfred Owen’s ‘Disabled’, Moniza Alvi’s ‘An Unknown Girl’ and De Maupassant’s ‘The Necklace’ A response on the presentation of Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet A response to an open topic short story theme A response on the ways in which Sheila Birling has changed by the end of An Inspector Calls
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IMAGES
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First, draft a plan with main character(s), setting and the basic elements of the plot. Then think about the points in the Checklist below. • Reveal past and present information fluently by your use of tenses. • Hint or indicate mood or tone through your use of conjunctions or sentence order.
ive WritingName: Form: 9A_ Teacher:WorkbookThis booklet is to support your creative writing practic. in preparation for your GCSE Language ex. m.There are two papers: Paper 1 and Paper. . In Paper 1, the last ques-tion is 40 marks. It will ask you to write either a description.
2 Grade 9 Creative Writing Examples. I recently asked my year 11s to pen a piece of description and/or narrative writing for their mini assessment. I gave them the following prompts: Your school wants you to contribute to a collection of creative writing. EITHER: Write a short story as suggested by this picture:
The style of the writing (sentence structure and overall structure) is dynamic and engaging; Below you will find a detailed creative writing model in response to an example of Paper 1 Question 5, under the following sub-headings (click to go straight to that sub-heading): Writing a GCSE English Language story; Structuring your story
Unit 2 Reading and Writing: Description, Narration and Exposition gives two prompts to choose between, for an account and an essay perhaps, and Unit 3: Reading and Writing: Argumentation, Persuasion and Instructional sets up a letter, or similar. Jump ahead to WJEC Eduqas non-fiction writing prompts from past GCSE papers.
Descriptive Writing Write a description of a wood as suggested by this picture: REMINDER You must include: • a range of linguistic devices • a range of punctuation • ambitious vocabulary • varied structural features. Plan before you write. Consider what you need to include (specifically) and where you will include it; create a tick list.
Aims. The aims of this lesson are to enable you to: consider the skills required for imaginative writing. distinguish between alternative forms of written English. communicate effectively, adapting form, tone and register of writing for specific purposes and audiences. write clearly, using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. to use ...
Overview of Paper 1 Question 5. Paper 1 Question 5 is the writing question. It asks you to apply what you know about imaginative and creative fiction writing, such as in the text you read in Section A, and use these same techniques in your own writing. AO5 rewards you for your ideas, as well as the style and the fluency of your writing.
This digital file provides a sample answer to a GCSE English Language 9-1 creative writing task using the title "Alone." The story delves into the emotions of solitude, showcasing a protagonist's journey through feelings of isolation and the solace they find in the quiet of a night-time park.
writing. in . Section B. Advice • You are advised to spend about 15 minutes reading through the source and all five questions you have to answer. • You are advised to plan your answer to . Question 5. before you start to write. • You should make sure you leave sufficient time to check your answers. Please write clearly in block capitals.
Discover the awesomness of creative writing with our GCSE English Language 9-1: Creative Writing, Write A Story Sample Answer guide. This digital file provides an inspiring example of a story crafted around the captivating title, "It Seemed to Me Like I Had Been Magically Transported."
YEAR 11 REVISION BOOKLET. English Language PAPER 2. Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives. GCSE English Language Overview. Language Paper 1 Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (Fiction) Language Paper 2 Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives (Non Fiction) Both exams are 1 hour and 45 minutes long and contain two sections: on B ...
I heard a butterfly say to a bee, have no beautiful colours likeme.#TheRealm#29 CREATIVE WRITING PROMPT. ontinue this opening with a poem, story or any type o. y made-up! Beneath the low-hung night cloud, Isaw a poor ship sinkingWhy not use. o draw a picture to go alongside y. NG PROMPTUse this picture to writ.
Showing, Not Telling. 'Show, don't tell' is a golden rule in creative writing. Instead of simply telling the reader what is happening, show them through actions, thoughts, senses, and feelings. For example, rather than simply telling the reader a character is tall, show them that in your writing: "He towered above me like a skyscraper."
pieces of creative writing, hone their writing techniques, enhance their understanding of key aspects of writing (such as narrative perspective) and equip them with the necessary skills for their GCSE assessment. Because of these things, it can be used for all GCSE specifications including the IGCSE.
Grade 9 English GCSE Creative Writing 40 Mark Example. This is a slightly earlier draft of a piece I wrote both prior to my exam and in the exam (though reworded to fit the new prompt), the final draft that was revised off this graded 40/40 marks. I believe a significant addition I added to the final draft was a humourous plot twist at the end ...
Gcse Creative Writing Coursework Examples - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. The document discusses the challenges students often face when completing creative writing coursework, such as generating original ideas, structuring their work effectively, and meeting specific guidelines. It also notes some common issues like creativity struggles ...
Descriptive creative writing - Examples: continuing a story on a given line,ending a story on a given line, diary entry, picture response, describing an object & describing a person·. Persuasive writing - Examples : charity appeal, book review, restaurant review, letter of complaint & speech. Narrative writing - Examples : science fiction ...
pdf, 396.55 KB. This resource CANNOT be used to submit as your own work. ... AOs of the coursework rubrik - contributing to a grade 9 overall in a response to an open topic short story response at GCSE. It is by no means perfect, therefore it is recommended to be used in class as a sample answer for discussion on what it does well and improvements.