How Long Should an 11+ Writing Piece Be?
Find a sensible word count and paragraph plan for your time—then protect your editing minutes.
Word Count by Time Limit
- 20 minutes: 180–250 words (intro, 2 short body paragraphs, quick ending)
- 25 minutes: 220–300 words (intro, 2 fuller body paragraphs, short ending)
- 30 minutes: 250–350 words (intro, 2–3 body paragraphs, ending + edit time)
Quality beats quantity. It’s better to fully develop two points than list five thin ones.
Paragraph Targets
Persuasive/Discursive
- Intro: 3–4 lines (audience + stance or scope)
- Body: 2 paragraphs (each with example/explanation)
- Conclusion: 2–3 lines (balanced or clear CTA)
Descriptive/Narrative
- Opening: hook, scene, or action
- Middle: 1–2 focused moments (show, don’t tell)
- Ending: image, twist, or reflection
Pacing and Timing
- Plan 3–4 min → Write 15–22 min → Edit 2–4 min
- Use paragraph time limits (e.g., 6–8 min each for two body paragraphs)
- Protect editing time—SPaG accuracy is rewarded
Practice
- Write a 220–270 word persuasive paragraph set (intro + 2 body + ending) in 25 minutes.
- Repeat next week with the same time—aim for clearer topic sentences and cleaner endings.