11+ creative writing prompts
Story · prompt 1 of 2010 min plan · 30 min write
Write a story about a door that was never there before.
Before you write: a story checklist
- One main character who wants something
- A problem that gets worse before it gets better
- An opening that starts in the action, not with waking up
- Show feelings through actions and speech
- An ending that links back to the start
Writing feedback and practice
Questions people ask
Is there creative writing in the 11+?
In some areas and schools. Kent has a 40-minute writing task and many independent schools set one, while many GL tests are multiple choice only. Check your own test's format.
How long should 11+ creative writing be?
Quality matters more than length. In 30 minutes of writing, most children manage about one side of A4.
How do I help my child plan a story?
Spend the first few minutes on a quick plan: character, problem, turning point, ending. Then write the ending first in the plan so the story finishes on time.
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How we work this out
What it does
Pick a type of writing for a fresh prompt, a planning checklist and a timer.
65 original prompts in five types: story, description, persuasive, letter or diary, and story openings to continue.
Method
- Prompts are written by us in the styles 11+ writing tasks use.
- The timer splits the time a quarter for planning and the rest for writing, as in the Kent Test's 40 minutes with 10 to plan.