How to Plan a Story Quickly in 11+ Exams

Time-saving planning techniques to structure your story effectively under exam pressure.

Why Planning Matters

In the pressure of an exam, it's tempting to start writing immediately. However, spending just 3-5 minutes planning can make the difference between a confused, incomplete story and a well-structured, engaging narrative.

Planning helps you:

Avoid writer's block mid-story
Ensure your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end
Keep your writing focused and relevant to the prompt
Build in effective moments and avoid rambling
Manage your time better by knowing where you're heading

The 5-Minute Story Plan

Here's a simple, effective planning method that works under exam conditions:

Step 1: Understand the Prompt (1 minute)

Read the prompt carefully. Underline key words. What type of story is suggested? What mood or theme? What restrictions are there?

Example Prompt: "Write a story that begins: 'The door creaked open...'"

Key elements: Must start with this opening, suggests mystery/suspense, needs to follow naturally from the opening

Step 2: Decide Your Story Arc (2 minutes)

Quickly jot down the three main parts of your story:

Beginning:

Who is the main character? Where are they? What's the situation?

Example: "Alex explores abandoned house, looking for lost cat"

Middle:

What happens? What's the main event, complication, or discovery?

Example: "Finds secret room with old letters, hears footsteps"

End:

How does it resolve? What's the outcome?

Example: "Discovers house owner is harmless historian, cat found safe"

Step 3: Character and Setting Notes (1 minute)

Quickly note 2-3 key details about your main character and setting:

Character: Alex, 11, curious but cautious, loves animals

Setting: Crumbling Victorian house, dusty, cobwebs, autumn afternoon

Step 4: Key Vocabulary (1 minute)

List 3-5 impressive words or phrases you want to include:

eerie silence, ancient floorboards groaned, shaft of dusty sunlight, trepidation, revealed

Alternative Quick Planning Methods

The Mountain Method

Draw a simple mountain shape. The beginning is at the bottom left, the climax at the peak, and the ending on the way down.

    / Peak: Discovery/Conflict
   /                     \
  /                       \
Start              Resolution/End

Plot your key events along this line to ensure your story builds to a climax.

The 5 W's Method

Quickly answer these questions:

Who? Main character(s)
What? Main event or conflict
Where? Setting
When? Time period/context
Why? Character motivation or story purpose

Common Planning Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Over-planning

Don't spend 10 minutes on an elaborate plan. Stick to 3-5 minutes maximum. Your plan should be quick notes, not a detailed outline.

❌ Planning an over-complicated plot

Keep it simple. You don't have time for multiple plot twists or numerous characters. One main character and one clear storyline work best.

❌ Not knowing your ending

Always plan your ending first. This prevents rambling stories that run out of time or ideas before reaching a conclusion.

Quick Planning Checklist

□I've read and understood the prompt
□I know my main character's name and one key trait
□I know my setting and can describe it
□I have a clear beginning, middle, and end
□I know what my climax/main event will be
□I've thought of 3-5 good vocabulary words to use

Practice Activity

Try this 5-minute planning exercise:

Prompt: "Write a story about finding something unexpected."

Set a timer for 5 minutes and create a plan using the method above. Then spend 20 minutes writing your story following your plan.

Notice how much easier the writing flows when you have a clear plan to follow!