11+ Creative Writing Checklist for Entrance Exam Success in 2025
If your child is sitting the 2025 11+ or an entrance exam for schools like Altrincham Grammar, Sale Grammar, Manchester Grammar School, or a local independent, there’s a good chance they’ll face a creative writing task.
This section often makes the difference between an average and an exceptional result, but it’s not just about having a good imagination. To score top marks, children need to structure their writing carefully, use specific techniques, and follow exam instructions precisely.
This checklist breaks down everything they need to remember - before, during and after writing - to approach creative tasks with confidence.
Before You Write
✅ Read the question carefully.
✅ Highlight or underline key instructions (e.g. describe, write a story opening, persuade).
✅ Spend 2–3 minutes making a quick plan:
Who/what is your writing about?
Where is it happening?
What happens?
How will it end?
As You Write
✅ Start with an engaging opening sentence to hook the reader.
✅ Use varied sentence openers (adverbs, time phrases, description, actions).
✅ Include at least:
1 simile
1 metaphor or personification
1 powerful verb or ambitious adjective
✅ Check every new idea or scene starts on a new paragraph.
✅ Keep the story or description focused — avoid overcomplicating.
Before You Finish
✅ End with a clear, controlled final sentence (a reflection, a twist or a link to the opening).
✅ Leave 3–5 minutes for a careful check:
Capital letters and full stops
Commas in lists
Paragraph breaks
Spell tricky words correctly
✅ Check you’ve followed the instructions on the question paper.
Top Tips
⭐ Plan quickly - it saves time later.
⭐ Quality over quantity - neat, organised writing beats rushed, messy work.
⭐ Stay calm - you’ve practised this before!
⭐ Use ideas or vocabulary from your summer reading for extra impact.
Would your child benefit from expert 11+ creative writing practice and exam skills coaching?
Preparing early can make such a difference to your young person’s results. I have a limited number of one-to-one tutoring slots available both online and in-person across Stockport, Cheshire, Trafford and surrounding areas.
Visit my Contact page to schedule a chat.