The 11 Plus exam is a highly competitive exam taken by many students in the UK in their final year of primary school. One of the key components of this exam is the creative writing section. Many parents, especially mums, are concerned about how to prepare their child for this section of the exam. In this blog post, we will explore the do’s and don’ts of 11 Plus creative writing, and provide useful tips and information to help parents and students prepare for this section of the exam.
The Importance of Creative Writing in the 11 Plus Exam
The creative writing section of the 11 Plus exam is designed to assess a student’s ability to write imaginatively and creatively. It is an important component of the exam because it tests a student’s ability to think critically, develop ideas, and express them in a clear and concise manner. Creative writing skills are not only essential for success in the 11 Plus exam but are also important for success in higher education and in many careers.
The Do’s of 11 Plus Creative Writing
Read and write regularly
Reading and writing are the best ways to improve your child’s creative writing skills. Encourage your child to read books, newspapers, and magazines regularly, and to write stories, essays, and poems on a variety of topics. This will help them to develop their vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure, as well as their ability to express ideas creatively.
Plan and structure their writing
Planning and structuring their writing is an important part of the creative writing process. Encourage your child to brainstorm ideas, create a rough outline, and structure their writing with an introduction, body, and conclusion. This will help them to develop their ideas coherently and logically, and to ensure that their writing is well-organised and easy to read.
Use descriptive language
Descriptive language is an important part of creative writing. Encourage your child to use vivid and descriptive language to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. This will help to engage the reader and make their writing more interesting and engaging.
Use dialogue
Dialogue is an important part of creative writing, as it helps to bring characters to life and make their interactions more interesting and engaging. Encourage your child to use dialogue in their writing, and to make sure that it is realistic and appropriate to the characters and situation.
Practice, practice, practice
Practice is the key to success in the 11 Plus exam. Encourage your child to practise their creative writing skills regularly, and to seek feedback from their teachers or a professional tutor. This will help them to identify their strengths and weaknesses and to improve their skills over time.
The Don’ts of 11 Plus Creative Writing
Don’t rely too heavily on cliches
Cliches are overused phrases or expressions that have lost their original impact or meaning. Encourage your child to avoid using cliches in their writing, as they can make their writing seem unoriginal and uninspired.
Don’t overuse adjectives and adverbs
Adjectives and adverbs are descriptive words that can add depth and detail to your child’s writing. However, overusing them can make their writing seem cluttered and confusing. Encourage your child to use them sparingly, and only when necessary.
Don’t use inappropriate language
Inappropriate language can be offensive and inappropriate for the intended audience. Encourage your child to use appropriate language that is suitable for the situation and the intended audience. This will help them to communicate their ideas effectively and appropriately.
Don’t ignore grammar and punctuation
Grammar and punctuation are important parts of writing, as they help to ensure that the writing is clear, concise, and easy to read. Encourage your child to pay attention to grammar and punctuation and to seek help if they are unsure about any rules or conventions. Poor grammar and punctuation can make their writing difficult to understand, and can detract from the overall quality of their work.
Don’t rush
Creative writing takes time and effort. Encourage your child to take their time when writing, and to ensure that they have planned and structured their writing properly. Rushing can lead to mistakes, poor quality writing, and a lack of coherence and structure in their work.
Useful Tips and Resources for 11 Plus Creative Writing
There are many resources available to help parents and students prepare for the creative writing section of the 11 Plus exam. Two of the best resources are Geek School Tutoring and 11 Plus Essay.
Geek School Tutoring offers a range of services to help students prepare for the 11 Plus exam, including creative writing tuition. Their YouTube channel is full of useful videos that provide tips and advice on how to improve your child’s creative writing skills. They also offer one-to-one tuition and group workshops to help students develop their writing skills.
11 Plus Essay is a website that provides students with sample essays and tips on how to write effective essays for the 11 Plus exam. The website includes a range of resources, including sample essays, writing prompts, and advice on how to structure and plan your writing.
Preparing for the creative writing section of the 11 Plus exam can be challenging, but with the right approach and resources, it is possible to develop the skills needed for success. Encourage your child to read and write regularly, plan and structure their writing effectively, use descriptive language and dialogue, and seek feedback and guidance from tutors and teachers. By following these do’s and don’ts, and using resources such as Geek School Tutoring and 11 Plus Essay, your child can develop the creative writing skills they need to succeed in the 11 Plus exam and beyond.
