What Is Creative Writing in the 11+ Exam?
Understanding the expectations and requirements of creative writing tasks in 11+ entrance exams.
What Is Creative Writing?
Creative writing in the 11+ exam is a task where you write an imaginative piece—typically a story, narrative, or descriptive scene. Unlike non-fiction writing, creative writing allows you to invent characters, settings, and plots. It's your opportunity to showcase your imagination, storytelling ability, and command of language.
Most creative writing tasks in 11+ exams give you a prompt or starting point. You might be asked to:
- Continue a story from a given opening sentence
- Write about a specific theme (e.g., "An Unexpected Discovery")
- Create a story based on an image or scenario
- Write from a particular perspective or point of view
What Examiners Look For
1. Imagination and Originality
Examiners want to see creative, original ideas. Avoid clichéd plots like waking up from a dream or finding a magic portal. Instead, think of fresh angles or unexpected twists.
Tip: If given a common prompt, try to approach it from an unusual perspective or add an unexpected element.
2. Story Structure
Your story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Even in a short piece, there should be some sense of progression—an introduction to the situation, a development or complication, and a resolution or conclusion.
Tip: Think of your story as a mini-journey. Where does it start? What happens? How does it conclude?
3. Character Development
Even in a brief story, your characters should feel real. Show their personality through actions, dialogue, and thoughts rather than just describing them.
Example: Instead of "Sarah was brave," write "Sarah stepped forward, her hands trembling but her voice steady."
4. Descriptive Language
Use vivid vocabulary and varied sentence structures. Include sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) to bring your story to life. Show, don't just tell.
Example: Instead of "The house was old," try "The house groaned in the wind, its weathered boards creaking like ancient bones."
5. Technical Accuracy
While creativity is paramount, you still need accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Pay special attention to paragraph breaks, speech punctuation, and consistent verb tenses.
Tip: Save 2-3 minutes at the end to proofread your work and fix any errors.
Typical Time Allocation
Most 11+ creative writing tasks allow 20-30 minutes. Here's how to use your time effectively:
- 5 minsReading the prompt, planning your story (characters, plot, ending)
- 20 minsWriting your story (aim for 1.5-2 sides of A4)
- 3-5 minsReading through, checking for errors, making small improvements
How Long Should Your Story Be?
Quality matters more than quantity, but as a general guide:
- Aim for approximately 1.5 to 2 sides of A4 paper
- About 250-400 words depending on your handwriting size
- Focus on writing a complete story with clear structure rather than rushing to fill space
- It's better to have a well-crafted shorter story than a rushed, incomplete longer one
Key Takeaways
- ✓Creative writing showcases your imagination, storytelling, and language skills
- ✓Stories need clear structure: beginning, middle, and end
- ✓Show character and emotion through actions and dialogue, not just description
- ✓Use descriptive language and varied sentence structures
- ✓Always plan before writing and leave time to check your work