What examiners look for in 11+ creative writing.
Most 11+ writing tasks reward control, not dramatic vocabulary fireworks. Examiners usually look for a clear response to the prompt, a logical shape to the story, specific language choices, and technical accuracy that does not distract from meaning. A short, coherent piece often scores better than a long piece that wanders.
Parents often over-focus on "fancy words" because that is easy to spot. In practice, markers care more about whether the child can sustain a believable scene, show character movement, and control sentence endings and punctuation. A simple phrase used precisely beats a dramatic phrase used inaccurately.
When you read your child's work, think like an examiner using broad questions:
- Did the writing answer the task clearly from beginning to end?
- Can I follow the sequence without confusion?
- Does the language create clear images rather than vague statements?
- Are sentences varied but controlled?
- Are spelling and punctuation mostly secure for the child's current stage?
This approach immediately reduces stress. You are no longer searching for perfection. You are checking whether the fundamentals are in place and deciding one high-value improvement for next week.
The 5-part parent marking framework (idea, structure, vocabulary, sentence control, accuracy).
Use the same five lenses each time. This gives your child consistency and protects you from over-marking. Score each lens as "secure", "developing", or "priority". You do not need numbers to make progress.
1. Idea
Does the piece contain a clear situation, goal, or change? Even descriptive tasks should move. If the story starts and ends in the same emotional place with little development, idea quality is usually the first lever.
2. Structure
Check paragraph shape. A strong 11+ piece often has an opening that establishes scene, a middle with movement or tension, and an ending that resolves tone. If events jump around, mark structure as priority before vocabulary.
3. Vocabulary
Look for precision, not complexity. "Cold rain" is less vivid than "needle-sharp rain", but "precipitation assaulted my epidermis" is not better writing. Encourage concrete nouns, specific verbs, and occasional sensory detail.
4. Sentence control
Variety matters only when control is secure. Children should be able to use short sentences for impact and longer ones for flow. If commas are random or run-ons appear repeatedly, prioritise sentence boundaries first.
5. Accuracy
Accuracy includes spelling, punctuation, and basic grammar consistency. You are looking for patterns, not isolated slips. Three repeated apostrophe mistakes signal a teaching target; one typo does not.
Parent checklist you can use in under 10 minutes
- Underline one sentence that clearly answers the prompt.
- Draw a vertical line where each paragraph changes focus.
- Circle two verb choices and ask if they are specific enough.
- Mark one sentence for punctuation correction together.
- Choose one lens only as this week's priority.
How to give feedback children will actually use.
Children improve faster when feedback is specific, limited, and connected to a next attempt. The most common home mistake is giving ten comments at once. That feels thorough, but most children cannot apply ten points in the next task. They either ignore the notes or lose confidence before they start.
Use a three-part script that stays calm and practical:
- Strength first: "Your opening created a clear mood and made me want to read on."
- One priority: "This week, we will focus on paragraph transitions so the middle is easier to follow."
- One action: "Before writing next time, plan three paragraph labels: setting, problem, resolution."
Make feedback visible during the next task. A short sticky note with one target is often better than a long debrief conversation. If your child struggles to remember verbal feedback, read the one target aloud before they begin and after they finish. Consistency matters more than eloquence.
Quick feedback example
Less effective:"You need better punctuation, stronger vocabulary, and less repetition. Also your ending was rushed."
More effective:"Your setting description is strong. Next piece, our only target is ending control: write two final sentences that show what changed for the character. We will ignore other edits this week."
Parents who use this method often report fewer arguments. Children know what success looks like before they start writing, and parents know what to look for when reviewing the draft.
Weekly improvement loop (one strength, one priority, one next action).
A predictable loop is the fastest route to measurable progress in 11 plus writing. You do not need daily essays. You need a weekly cycle that keeps effort high and emotional friction low.
A practical home loop looks like this:
- Day 1: Child writes one response under realistic time pressure.
- Day 2: Parent reviews with the five-lens framework and selects one priority.
- Day 3: Child rewrites one paragraph or writes a short new piece using that same priority.
Keep a simple tracker with three lines per week: "best sentence", "priority target", and "next action". Over one month, this creates a clear development story. It also gives tutors better context, because you can show exactly what has been practised between sessions.
The key is resisting scope creep. If the weekly target is paragraph structure, ignore minor spelling slips unless they block meaning. Narrow focus produces visible gains. Visible gains create motivation.
What to record after each session
- One sentence your child is proud of.
- One improvement target for next task.
- One mini practice activity to support the target.
- Whether your child applied last week's target successfully.
Common parent mistakes and how to avoid them.
Most parent difficulties are process issues, not ability issues. If practice at home feels tense, the fix is often in the routine and feedback style rather than in the child.
- Mistake: correcting every line. Fix: choose one priority lens per week and hold that boundary.
- Mistake: praising effort only. Fix: praise one specific craft move, such as a strong verb or clearer ending.
- Mistake: comparing siblings or classmates. Fix: compare the child only to their own previous work.
- Mistake: changing criteria weekly. Fix: keep the same five-lens framework so feedback language stays stable.
- Mistake: no bridge to next task. Fix: always finish with one concrete action for the next writing session.
- Mistake: treating tutor feedback and home feedback as separate worlds. Fix: share your weekly notes so everyone reinforces the same target.
When parents avoid these traps, writing sessions become calmer. Children can predict the process, and predictability reduces resistance.
FAQ for 11+ writing prep at home.
How often should my child practise creative writing for 11+?
One full writing task each week is a strong baseline when paired with focused review and one targeted follow-up exercise. Consistency is more effective than sporadic intensive bursts.
Should I correct every spelling mistake?
No. Correct recurring patterns and errors that block clarity. If accuracy is not the current weekly target, note patterns briefly and keep the main focus on the chosen improvement area.
What if my child writes very short responses?
Start by strengthening structure and idea control in shorter pieces. Length usually increases naturally when children feel secure about planning and paragraph flow.
How can I support a child who gets upset by corrections?
Keep feedback to one priority, anchor it with a genuine strength, and agree the next action together. Collaborative language lowers defensiveness and supports motivation.
Can this approach work alongside tutoring?
Yes. A simple weekly record of strengths, priorities, and actions makes tutor sessions more productive because your tutor can build on what has already been practised at home.
From uncertainty to clear next steps in one workflow
If you want a simple way to apply this method each week, 11 Plus Writing Coach can help you review one submission, identify one high-value improvement, and share a clean report with your tutor or family.