Developing creative writing skills can be one of the most challenging aspects of preparing for the 11+. Below we have included recommendations for how you can support your child’s Creating Writing skills using Atom Learning.
1) Vocabulary
Developing a varied vocabulary is key for students when producing an interesting piece of writing. Including plenty of adjectives and adverbs is one of the best ways to grab a reader's attention. Make sure to practice each of the vocabulary sub-subtopics on Atom. We also recommend that students keep a vocabulary log where they can record any new words alongside their definition, a synonym, an antonym, and an example of the word being used in a sentence.
2) Planning
In an exam, creative writing tasks typically last about 30 minutes. This isn’t long to produce an extended piece of writing, and in many cases, time for planning is included in the overall time limit. In this case, it is tempting to skip planning and start writing immediately but this is a mistake. Planning is crucial when producing a structured piece of writing. We recommend always spending 5 minutes planning at the beginning of any creative writing exam.
In particular, it is important to make sure to always have a clear beginning, middle and end! A surprisingly large number of students struggle to achieve this, but it is something that examiners will always look for.
In the lesson library, you will find the recordings of our Creating Writing Live Lessons on Planning your Writing.
3) Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
Remember that marks are not only rewarded for content and creativity but also for accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Your child can practice each of these topics on Atom Learning by continuing to work through their English Learning Journeys. If there is a specific topic that your child is finding challenging, set a targeted Custom Practice activity to review it in more depth.
4) Creative Writing Live Lessons
One of the best ways to help develop your child’s creative writing skills is to watch Atom's Creative Writing Live Lesson recordings in the Lesson Library. In these lessons, students explore a range of creative and essay-writing techniques.
5) Reading
One of the most effective ways to improve writing is through reading. Reading is a fantastic way to introduce your child to new vocabulary as well as correct grammar and punctuation. Reading a wide variety of content and genres will expose them to new writing styles and ideas that they can then incorporate into their own work.
If they enjoy a particular book, ask them why! Was it the vivid character descriptions, use of adjectives, or the adventurous plot? This will help your child recognise what they should include in their own writing.
In addition to this make use of prediction and storytelling games to develop your child's creativity. Once they reach the end of a chapter get them to write a paragraph on what they think will happen next. If they didn't like the ending of a story write an alternative one.
Click here for a link to Atom's recommended reading list.
6) Common Themes
For 11+ creative writing essays the topics that are set tend to revolve around the same common themes. It is useful for students to have a “stock” story that can be used for each of the settings below that they can use as a starting point on the day.
- Being lost, scared or alone
- Doing something exciting or achieving something (’the best day of my life was . . . ’)
- Taking a holiday
- Having an adventure
- Being in a city or in the countryside
- Facing a challenge
You can download Atom's Writing Prompts below:
