planning creative writing gcse

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Story Plan Generator

Write a story about:.

• This story plan generator can currently generate 74.9 * 10 15 unique plans. Now that’s a lot of stories!
• Buy Grade 9 GCSE English model answers now from only £5.99.
• Extra guidance on how to use this generator is available below.

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This book is ideal for helping students improve their creative story writing for the GCSE English Language exams. Each chapter contains an exam task and a planning checklist designed to help students do regular timed writing practice.

There are also twelve complete model stories to help students understand what a good exam story looks like. Each model story demonstrates the powerful vocabulary choices, the insightful characterisation and the technical accuracy the examiners are looking for.

The book is rounded off with in-depth exam board information and suggestions for further reading.

Click Plan Your Story!  and see a story plan appear before your eyes. Click Copy Plan to copy the plan to your clipboard for pasting into other documents. You can change individual parts of the plan by simply clicking on the section you want to change – a new random element will be chosen. Or, you can reset the whole plan by clicking  Reset to clear the plan and start again. Feel free to keep planning stories. You won’t run out!

This tool is designed for students preparing for the GCSE English Language exams. Specifically, it exists to help students with the planning process for stories which are a part of every GCSE English Language course and account for around 25% of marks available (depending on the exam board). The aim of the plan is to provide a model for good story planning whilst also speeding up the planning process, getting students’ imaginations whirring and suggesting new, intriguing and challenging ideas for stories.

Of course. Click View Options to see a blank plan. Fill in as many of the blank options as you want and then select Complete Your Plan! to finish the job.

Most students find it easier to write stories where characters are the same age. For that reason, although the age range is chosen at random, it will be the same for both characters. If you have a great idea for a story with characters of different ages, use the View Options button to enter the ages yourself before selecting Complete Your Plan! to get the randomiser to work its magic for you.

The generator chooses names at random from a list of 698 names. These are names that have appeared at least once in the top 100 baby names registered in England and Wales since 1904. The data is available from the Office for National Statistics . Of course, if you prefer, give your characters names of your choosing by selecting View Options   before selecting ‘Complete Your Plan’ to get the randomiser to work its magic for you.

The personality pairings are adapted from a number of theories of personality ( The Four Temperaments , Myers-Briggs , The Big Five , HEXACO ) and offer a range of possible personalities for your characters. I recommend giving contrasting personalities to your two characters as that will likely lead to drama and complex characterisation.

It’s true that some of the plan combinations will be unusual (but not impossible). This is because of the random nature of this plan generator. For example, you could get ‘Season: Winter’ and ‘Weather: Heatwave’ which would be an unusual situation for winter. Or, you could get ‘Character’s Age: 80s’ and ‘Theme/genre: Science Fiction’.

If this happens to you, there are a couple of possibilities. You can simply re-run the generator to get a different plan. Better still, you could challenge yourself to write the story. In fact, it might encourage you to write a truly new story. After all, why aren’t there more science fiction stories where the protagonists are in their 80s?

My exam guide offers a range of excellent, Grade 9, model exam answers. You could also consider buying a recent anthology of short stories .

Follow @gcseenglishuk on social media and have a look at my model answers .

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English Language GCSE: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Creative Writing

Are you preparing for your English language GCSE creative writing task? Feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety about how to channel your creativity into a structured piece of writing that ticks all the boxes for examiners? You're not alone. Creative writing can seem daunting, but with the right approach and understanding, you can craft a story that not only captivates but also earns you top marks. This guide will walk you through the process of developing your narrative, from the initial brainstorming phase to the final touches before 'pens down'!

Understanding the Assessment Criteria

Before embarking on your creative writing journey, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the assessment criteria is imperative. The evaluators of your English language GCSE creative writing piece will scrutinise several key areas: the coherence of your narrative structure, range of ideas you explore, the variety and complexity of your sentence structures, and the precision of your spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Familiarity with these standards is not just a prerequisite but a strategic tool; it enables you to tailor your creative efforts to meet these benchmarks. As you proceed with each stage of your writing, keep these criteria at the forefront of your mind. They serve as a guiding framework, ensuring that every element of your piece, from the initial plot conception to the final dialogue, contributes towards a cohesive, engaging, and technically proficient narrative. Remember, understanding what is expected is the first step to excelling in your creative writing question.

Finding Your Inspiration

We often talk about 'cultural capital' and how evident it is in the most engaging creative pieces we read when examining. Cultural capital is all around you: let curiosity be your guide, leading you through books that span genres and eras, conversations that challenge and provoke, and the rich tapestry of everyday life. Engage with various forms of art - cinema, paintings, music - to stimulate your senses and uncover fresh perspectives. Record fleeting thoughts, overheard conversations, or the peculiarities of a typical day in a dedicated notebook. This reservoir of ideas will become an invaluable resource to tap into in the exam. Always remember, the seeds of great stories lie in the willingness to explore and the readiness to be inspired by the world around you.

Planning Your Story

After identifying a spark of inspiration, it's crucial to channel that energy into a structured plan for your piece. Crafting an outline is essential, so don't skip the plan! Examiners can always spot an unplanned piece as it will fall apart somewhere around the middle. You only have 50 minutes:: you have time to write a moment, not a movie. Imagine a fascinating five minutes in the picture you've been given as stimulus. Plan a conflict, a contrast or a change that could happen within the five minutes. Remember, a well-thought-out plan not only acts as a roadmap for your writing but also ensures that your narrative remains coherent and compelling from start to finish.

Crafting Descriptive Settings

The environment where your narrative unfolds plays a pivotal role in immersing your audience in the world you’ve created. To craft settings that captivate, employ descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Envision your scene's sights, sounds, smells, and textures, and articulate these in your writing to conjure vivid imagery. Consider the emotional tone your setting imparts; a bustling city street can exude energy and possibility, whereas a secluded forest path might evoke tranquillity or mystery. Reflect on how the environment influences your characters’ actions and decisions, adding depth to your story. A well-drawn setting acts not merely as a backdrop but as a character in its own right, with the power to affect mood, reveal aspects of your characters, and even steer the narrative’s direction. Through thoughtful description, your settings can become memorable landscapes that linger in the reader’s mind long after they've turned the final page.

Don't skip the final five minute check

It feels very tempting to write to the last second but I implore you not to. Even if your spelling, punctuation and grammar is already perfect, the last second tweaks and edits you make could take you from one grade into the next.

Found this helpful? You can sign up for my creative writing guided revision session here .

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Creative and descriptive writing

Resources for KS3, KS4 and upper secondary

Let your students’ creativity run wild with our selection of worksheets, lessons, exam questions and revision activities, designed to embed language techniques and improve crafted writing.

Lessons and activities

Creative and descriptive writing is a great opportunity for students to explore different themes, audiences and purposes as well as demonstrate their understanding of how structure and punctuation can be used to impact a reader. From creative writing prompts to technique booklets and descriptive writing planning mats, we have drawn together a small collection of resources you can use to help with your planning of this unit.

Descriptive / Creative Writing

Manipulating structure and punctuation for creative writing

Descriptive Writing Task

AQA Paper 1 Question 5 Descriptive Writing

Crafting creative writing - AQA English Language Paper 1, Question 5

Creative/ Descriptive Writing Placemat: Image Prompt: Structure Strips

Structuring and Organising Creative Writing

Descriptive Writing

Gothic Horror Creative Writing Lesson

24 creative writing prompts

Places - Creative & Descriptive Writing - English Language GCSE

FREE LESSON creative writing AQA Language Paper 1 Question 5

Descriptive writing booklet

Key learning and revision.

To help your students practise crafting their creative pieces, we have pulled together a selection of resources from structure strips to exam questions to support your students when tackling such a large part of the English language exam.

AQA English Language Paper 1: Question 5 Examples

English Language Paper One Question Five Revision & Exam Practice Questions

Descriptive writing structure strips

AQA Language Paper 1, Question 5: Creative Writing Booklet

Language Paper 1: Question 5 Creative Writing

Planning a Descriptive Response to AQA English Paper 1, Question 5

Drop, Shift, Zoom, Leave Examples for Paper 1 Question 5

Gcse revision resources.

Support your students in the run-up to May with this bumper collection of GCSE revision English language and English literature revision resources.

Teacher essentials

Explore this collection of essential resources including starter and plenary activities, templates, marking and feedback tools and more.

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10+ GCSE creative writing ideas, prompts and plot lines

Getting a good GCSE creative writing plot going can be difficult, here are some ideas to help you out.

Ahead of your exams, here are a selection of GCSE creative writing ideas and prompts to hopefully provide some inspiration.

The Lost Timepiece

Prompt: In an old, dusty attic, a teenager discovers a mysterious pocket watch that doesn’t seem to tell the correct time.

Potential Story Directions:

• The watch could transport the teenager to different moments in history whenever it's wound.
• The watch might belong to a long-lost relative, leading to a family mystery.
• The watch could be counting down to a significant event, and the protagonist must figure out what is about to happen.

The Secret Garden Door

Prompt: Behind the overgrown ivy in the school's garden, a student finds a door that wasn't there before.

• The door could lead to a magical world, offering an escape from everyday life but with challenges of its own.
• It might be a portal to the past, showing the school's history and secrets.
• The door could be a metaphorical passage to self-discovery, revealing hidden aspects of the character’s personality.

The Last Message

Prompt: A character receives a mysterious message in a bottle on the beach, written in a cryptic language.

• Deciphering the message could lead to an adventure, perhaps a treasure hunt or a rescue mission.
• The message might be from a distant land or time, offering insights into an ancient or futuristic world.
• It could be a personal message from someone significant in the character’s past, triggering a journey of emotional growth.

Midnight at the Museum

Prompt: A night guard at a museum notices that the exhibits come to life after midnight.

• The guard could interact with historical figures, learning about history firsthand.
• There might be a plot to steal an exhibit, and the living exhibits help to thwart it.
• The phenomenon could be linked to a supernatural event or an ancient curse that needs resolving.

The Forgotten Melody

Prompt: A pianist discovers an old, unplayed piano in a neglected music room that plays a melody no one seems to recognize.

• The melody could be a key to unlocking forgotten memories or a hidden past.
• It might be a magical melody, having various effects on listeners.

Each of these prompts offers a starting point for creative exploration, allowing students to develop their storytelling skills in imaginative and engaging ways.

Galactic Storm

Prompt: Astronauts on a mission to a distant planet encounter a bizarre, otherworldly storm.

• The storm could have strange, mind-altering effects on the crew.
• It might be a living entity, communicating in an unprecedented way.
• The crew must navigate through the storm to discover a hidden aspect of the universe.

Unearthed Powers

Prompt: A teenager suddenly discovers they have a supernatural ability.

• The power could be a family secret, leading to a journey of self-discovery.
• It might cause conflict with friends and society, forcing the protagonist to make difficult choices.
• The ability could attract unwanted attention, leading to a thrilling adventure.

Reflections of Reality

Prompt: A story that mirrors a significant real-life experience involving friendship or a pet.

• The story could explore the depth of human-animal bonds or the complexities of friendship.
• It might involve a heartwarming journey or a challenging ordeal.
• The protagonist learns valuable life lessons through these relationships.

Chronicle of Times

Prompt: A character discovers a way to travel through time.

• Traveling to the future, they encounter a radically different world.
• In the past, they might inadvertently alter history.
• The story could explore the moral and emotional implications of time travel.

Apocalyptic Event

Prompt: A natural disaster of unprecedented scale threatens humanity.

• The story could focus on survival, resilience, and human spirit.
• It might involve a journey to avert the disaster.
• The narrative could explore the societal changes that occur in the face of such a disaster.

The Unsolved Case

Prompt: A detective starts investigating a complex and mysterious murder.

• The investigation uncovers deep secrets and conspiracies.
• The detective's personal life might intertwine with the case.
• The story could have a surprising twist, challenging the reader's expectations.

Retold Fable

Prompt: Modernize a classic fable or story, such as the Boy Who Cried Wolf, in a contemporary setting.

• The story could be set in a modern city, exploring current social issues.
• It might be told from a different perspective, offering a fresh take on the moral of the story.
• The narrative could blend the original fable with current events, creating a powerful commentary.

Forbidden Love

Prompt: Two characters from vastly different worlds fall in love, against all odds.

• Their love could challenge societal norms and expectations.
• The story might explore the sacrifices they make for each other.
• It could be a journey of self-discovery and acceptance in the face of adversity.

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GCSE Creative Writing: How to Sculpt My Narrative Vision?

Creative writing traditionally stands in opposition to technical writing, so named because it is used to differentiate imaginative and particularly original types of writing from more rigid types. However, creative writing is just as technical, and difficult, as these other types. The assumption is often made that creative writing is a talent – “can I really learn how to write creatively?” – but the true keys to creative writing, whether writing for your own enjoyment, preparing for a school or GCSE exam, are imagination, content, and organisation . This guide will teach you how to improve creative writing and how to excel in your GCSE creative writing answers.

The Key Elements of GCSE Creative Writing

Imagination – the GCSE creative writing prompts are usually very open-ended and broad, remind yourself that broad questions are not restrictive, and allow your mind to explore all caveats of the question, and take the reader on a truly original journey

Content – to showcase your ideas when answering your GCSE creative writing task you need to be able to show your skill with tone, style, and vocabulary; we will touch on just how to do this later!

Organisation – planning the structure of your answer is key. Even though creative writing can be seen as ‘looser’, remember that a good structure is a good way to ensure you are staying in control of your GCSE creative writing task. We will touch on how to plan effectively later too!

Three Key Ways to Improve Your GCSE Creative Writing

1) focussing on the ‘how’ and developing it.

It can be very daunting when you are presented with a vague prompt to think about how you might achieve all of these things, now we know what they mean let’s look at how we might break them down with an example.

Take the example GCSE creative writing task: ‘ Think about a time you were afraid ’.

1) Imagination – where are you going with this? The prompt allows a lot of scope for you as a writer to take this piece wherever you want. You want to plan a piece you are excited by, that you are confident writing, and that is a little bit ‘outside the box’.

We can anticipate many students’ answers describing a spooky forest or a secluded house at night-time; if you are pushing for the higher boundaries in your GCSE creative writing, you want to write something that will make the examiner notice you.

Think about the last time you were afraid – how likely is it that you found yourself in a horror-film-esque eerie setting? Perhaps you want to describe the time you auditioned for the school talent show, or your first trip into the dentist alone. You don’t have to be totally avant-garde but remember a skilled writer can create a sense of unease using literary technique alone – don’t rely on a traditional ‘spooky setting’.

2) Content – how are you going to take us there? You want to ensure your communication is convincing and compelling. This means your need to maintain style and tone throughout.

Make a decision about the characteristics of who is narrating your story early on and stick with it (it will often be directed at you, but the examiner doesn’t know you as a person – be creative! If it suits your story to make yourself smarter, more anxious, quieter etc, then do it). Let’s look back to our prompt above. Perhaps you make the decision that you’re writing the piece as you, and you’re incredibly forgetful. This might mean you ask short questions throughout the piece, raising the tension. Maybe you feign confidence and so while the speech of the piece seems assured and at ease, the internal monologue is vastly different, throwing a sense of unease to the narrative early on.

Be ambitious with your vocabulary! Vocabulary is a great way to help set the tone of a piece. Likewise, explore a wide use of linguistic devices (metaphor, simile, imagery, personification, repetition, symbolism – we will come back to these later!)

3) Organisation – how can you plan effectively? When writing a creative piece, first and foremost, you want to ensure you have a varied use of structural features within your paragraphs.

As a rule of thumb, each new paragraph should aim to develop the story and either bring a new idea into the story or develop a previous one. Within each paragraph, aim to show the examiner that you are capable of developing your idea (i.e. continuing the narrative and plot), but also that you are able to detail this from a different perspective.

An effective way to do this is with a structural feature: pick an interesting way to start a new paragraph, focus on contrast, play around with repetition (if you can, play around with the pace of the writing too – see below!), withhold information, use dialogue, experiment with different sentence structures and paragraph lengths, etc.

U2 Tuition Quick Tip : Have a look at your exam board website to look for sample answers. As you read these creative writing examples GCSE, think about what decisions the writer has made. How is it structured? What kind of language have they used? How have they responded creatively to the question?

2) Using ‘linguistic devices’ to set the scene in your GCSE Creative Writing

Metaphor and simile – metaphors and similes are both ways to introduce comparisons into your work, which is a good way to bring some variety when describing something instead of just listing off more adjectives. Similes are used specifically with the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ (“life is like a box of chocolates”); metaphors are a direct statement of comparison (“life is a rollercoaster”).

o   How can you use these originally? When using these in your GCSE creative writing task, you want to showcase not just your ability to use them, but also your imagination and vocabulary. With both of these, think of appropriate comparisons which develop the tone of your piece. For example, if you are writing a piece about happiness – ‘his smile was like that of a child at Christmas time’ (simile), or, if you are writing a piece about loneliness – ‘loneliness was a poison’ (metaphor). See how both comparisons match the tone – when writing a happy piece, we use specific things about happiness (e.g. Christmas), when writing a sadder piece, we use sadder objects for comparison (e.g. poison). This will help develop tone and showcase originality.

Imagery – this is used to develop key motifs within the mind of the reader; again, this is a tool for comparison whereby we are comparing something real with something imagined or ultimately non-literal.

o  A good way to think of imagery is to appeal to the reader’s senses: how can you create a sensory world for them? Take the brief above once more. We could say “I was afraid when I left the house”, or, we could appeal to sensory imagery: “I pulled my auburn hair into my mouth to chew it as I closed the door to the house. Thud. The air was cold on my cheeks, and my pink nose stood out against the grey sky and grey pavement.” Here, we paint a far richer picture, even though we don’t necessarily develop the story.

Personification - when a personal nature is given to a non-human object. This can be useful when you are faced with long descriptive paragraphs as it serves as another way to break up boring adjective listing, keeping your GCSE creative writing varied and interesting.

o   Be imaginative and try and include this once in every piece if you can. Remember to tie it in with developing the tone of the piece! I.e. if you are writing a happy piece: “the sun smiled down on me, and I beamed back with gratitude” – this sentence creates an immediately positive atmosphere. However, the sentence: “the wind whispered quietly through the long grass” creates a sense of uncertainty. NB: notice how the weather is an easy and subtle way to help develop a ‘feeling’ throughout your writing.

Repetition – a word or phrase is repeated in order to achieve a certain desired effect. We can use different types of repetition to remain original and keep our writing sophisticated:

o   Try repeating only the last few words of a line – “If you don’t doubt yourself, and you can keep a clear head, then you can do it. You can do it.”

o   Try repeating the same phrase at the end of following sentences – “On the fields there was blood, in the sea there was blood, on the sand banks there was blood, on the ships there was blood…”

o   Try repeating the same words in a new sense to reveal information in a new light – “I don’t dance because I am happy, I am happy because I dance”

U2 Tuition Quick Tip : Reading lots is the best way to improve your GCSE creative writing skills. Keep reading at an advanced level, learning new vocabulary and thinking about the way the author has decided to write their text. If you feel sad reading it, how has the author made you feel that way? If you are immersed in the setting, what language has the author used to make you feel like you’re there? Sevenoaks school have a great reading list for Year 10 and 11 that will give you lots of inspiration for your GCSE creative writing task.

3) Using ‘structural features’ to hook the reader of your GCSE Creative Writing Task

Openings – you want to make sure the start of your text entices the reader, so you may want to start with a very developed complex sentence, with heaps of sensory imagery that immediately immerses the reader in the world of the piece; alternatively, or you may wish to grab their attention in a more direct way – “Bang! Oh god, how was I going to get out of this?”

Contrast – highlighting the difference between two things is a compelling way to describe and develop ideas; we have talked in depth about ways to do this above (simile, metaphor, imagery, sometimes repetition for effect)

Pace – experimenting with the pace of the piece is a very sophisticated way to create a mood in your GCSE creative writing. For example, if it is a summer’s day and time does not seem to pass, find a way to highlight this using some of the techniques outlined above – “the sun sat high in the sky, unwavering, for what seemed like forever”, “the sounds of the crickets chirping and the birds merriment overpowered the sound of my watch – we felt truly timeless”. Equally, if you want to build tension, find a way to increase the pace; generally, this can be done by piecing together short, simple sentences: “I knew I had to move fast. Round the door. Up the stairs. Wait. Breathe. Move. Up the next flight. Clear. Move.” Etc, this helps immerse the reader in the mental world of the narrator and as a result they engage far more with the piece.

Dialogue – inserting dialogue into a piece can be a convincing way to introduce new information to a text, think of ways to be inventive with this: does our narrator talk to themselves? What information are we told about additional characters that are introduced? What new approaches have we learned to aid with describing these new characters – and remember – always choose these in line with developing a tone for the piece.

Withholding information – this can be a useful way to build a sense of uncertainty and unease into a piece. Perhaps the narrator is withholding information from other characters, perhaps the narrator is withholding information from the readers themselves! “I knew it had to be done. I didn’t have time to consider the what-if’s and the maybes of it. It had to be done. And it had to be done now.” How much more unsettling is that sentence when we don’t discover what the ‘it’ is – if we want to create humour for a light-hearted piece, perhaps it is getting a tooth removed; if the piece is darker, perhaps the ‘it’ is something far more sinister…

Sentence length – Play around with a variation of simple and complex sentences. Complex sentences can be difficult to construct at first. Remember a few key rules: they are either used effectively to develop one key motif: ‘the snow was white and fell down like tiny elegant dancers in the wind, until at just a moment’s notice, it would land and join a far larger flurry of white across a thousand snow-drenched fields’. Additionally, complex sentences can be used to introduce a lot of new information in one succinct way: ‘It was autumn when he last came, not that I had been counting, but when he last came my hair came only to my shoulders, and I was not yet tall enough to reach the apples on the tree – gosh, what would he think of me now’. The difference between the two is clear, one develops a singular motif and one introduces new ideas quickly – both are effective, and you should aim to be able to write both types well.

While GCSE creative writing can seem daunting at first, using the three keys to success (imagination, content and organisation) alongside these advanced linguistic devices and structural features is a great way to develop and succeed in your GCSE creative writing exam. Start to enjoy taking the reader on a journey, learn to navigate the realms of description, experiment with tone and you will be well on your way to success! 

“Write it like it matters, and it will.” – Libba Bray

By U2 mentor, Hazel (Philosophy & Theology, University of Oxford and a published poet!)

Looking for a GCSE Creative Writing tutor to improve written skills?

If you are interested in support with GCSE creative writing for your GCSE English Language or Literature papers, or general Creative Writing endeavours, why not check out our offerings on the GCSE page and book a free consultation to discuss how we can boost your chance of success. We have a large team of predominantly Oxbridge-educated English mentors who are well-placed to develop students’ written skills, teaching how to structure writing, and the literary and rhetorical techniques that this requires. Get in touch now so we can match you with an English writing tutor online or face-to-face.

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Creative Writing | GCSE English Revision Tips | General Advice

Updated: Aug 5, 2021

How to revise for Creative Writing in GCSE English Language.

With the GCSE language paper coming up, the creative writing element is one that can easily be overlooked. Perhaps you wonder whether you can really learn how to do well in this part of the section or if it is simply down to talent. However, the key to excellent creative writing exam answers is imagination – using your creativity to come up with things to write.

A struggle that students I teach often find with creative questions is that the prompts are typically broad, and image prompts can be sparse with little detail. Sometimes they might spark inspiration, but sometimes you might be looking at them in despair, wondering what on earth you could write about.

Now, one huge advantage of these open-ended questions is that they allow you to have the prerogative to take the answer where you want it to go; there is no way for them to catch you out for not knowing any information. The broad question or image should not be restrictive: for instance, in a description you do not have to stick exactly to describing what you see; using poetic licence to imagine what might be there is strongly encouraged.

General Hints and Tips for Creative Writing at GCSE

A general piece of advice that I give to my students is to plan the structure of your answer. When you hear “creative writing”, you may not think that a plan would be necessary. However, in the mark schemes of all exam boards, the phrase “well controlled paragraphs”, and “well-structured answer” almost always features in the top band. Of course, you do not need to plan out all your similes and metaphors, but setting yourself out a basic structure of what to say in each paragraph will help it to read more clearly.

A key way to make it clear to the examiner that you know what you are doing is through consistency . Ensure that you have the same tone throughout your creative piece, and that your narrative style and tense remains the same. This way, you can show to the examiner that your narrative choices have been deliberate, and based on the purpose and audience of the brief you have been given.

Each GCSE syllabus has a different way of assessing for the creative writing element. Find your exam board below for some tips on how to tackle the specific exam questions you will be presented with.

How to write a description or a short story - AQA exam board

For the AQA creative writing section in particular, you will be asked to write either a description based on an image, or a short story. For the image description, as well as having a good standard of language, your marks will lie within your ability to use a wide range of language techniques: think metaphors, similes, sensory language, imagery, alliteration etc.

A description of this kind requires you to be very imaginative. If you are stuck on where to begin, look at the image and think about what mood you could extract from it. Does it look spooky? Does it look dangerous? Once you have identified this, try to reflect this mood in the tone of your description.

Some advice that was offered in the November 2017 examiners' report was to ensure that your writing is not too formulaic. For instance, try not to write “I can see… I can smell…” just to ensure you are filling in sensory language: this applies to both the short story and the description. This is perhaps the hardest element of the AQA creative language question: fulfilling all the criteria while making it flow and work as a creative piece.

My advice would be to read over your work after you have finished and try to imagine you are just reading this for fun, outside of the exam context. If it works as a piece of creative writing rather than just as an exam answer, you should be on the right track.

How to answer prompt-based questions - Edexcel exam board

The imaginative writing section of Edexcel requires you to take on a broad prompt, such as the 2017 question “write about a secret” with the aid of an image provided.

For this question, the mark scheme is fairly open as to the approaches you can take. It allows writing in the form of a description, an anecdote, a speech, or a narrative. The image is also only there to provide inspiration – you are not required to reference it directly in your answer if you do not wish to.

A good revision strategy for this question would be to pick a couple of forms that you want to focus on, and practice them before the exam. Then you could pick the form most suited to the question you chose in the exam, and you will be an expert in writing for this form: something that will immediately boost your marks.

A large part of fitting in with the mark scheme is “using appropriate techniques for creative writing”. This may include using a wide vocabulary, imagery, alliteration, similes and metaphors in order to describe and explain.

How to write for purpose – OCR exam board

For the OCR specification, the focus is on writing for purpose and audience . This is a large part of what you are being tested on, so you must always ensure that you identify these two things before you start writing.

In 2017, the options were to write a blog post describing how you successfully overcame a challenging situation, and to write a letter to an employer applying for a job you have always wanted. These two tasks clearly have significantly different purposes and audiences. A blog post would be for the general population, and the tone will need to be readable and informal, whereas the letter to the employer will need to be formal and tailored to the individual reader.

The mark scheme for these questions require you to cover the following areas: tone, style, register, and organisation. The first three in this list will need you to adapt for the purpose and audience. While going over past paper questions, if you’re unsure on how you should write, look up examples of that form online. For instance, looking for a letter to an employer online should give you some good examples, as would looking up examples of newsletter entries or blog posts.

My best piece of advice for OCR’s questions is to practise. Ask a parent or friend to come up with some different forms and audiences for you to write in, and practise adapting your tone, style and register for the different audiences.

OCR have also provided some helpful resources for creative writing (GCSE English Language 9-1 syllabus) .

Blog Post Crafted by Genevieve

Genevieve is currently working towards her bachelors in English Literature at the University of Warwick .

Born in Coventry, she now tutors English SATs and GCSE in her free time, as well as working for the university as an outreach ambassador in local schools.

She also enjoys playing piano and flute, and often performs as a backing singer at local gigs.

Whenever she has a moment to spare, you might find her driving to the beach or catching up on her reading!

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Veliky Novgorod, Russia skyline: the 33 most iconic buildings and best views in Veliky Novgorod

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As you stroll through the enchanting streets of Veliky Novgorod, the skyline tells a story of centuries past, where each building stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and architectural prowess. From the iconic golden dome of the Saint Sophia Cathedral, the oldest church in Russia, to the intricate designs of the St. George's Monastery, the skyline is a captivating blend of medieval charm and cultural significance. This city, often referred to as the birthplace of Russia, offers a unique glimpse into the past, inviting visitors to explore its historic landmarks and hidden gems.

The Wanderlog team is passionate about uncovering the beauty of Veliky Novgorod, where every corner reveals a new perspective on its storied past. Whether you’re gazing at the impressive Monument Millennium of Russia or wandering through the serene Kremlin Park, the views are nothing short of breathtaking. Join us as we delve into the most iconic buildings and the best vantage points to appreciate the stunning skyline of this remarkable city, encouraging you to embark on your own adventure through Veliky Novgorod.

Attractions

1 Vitoslavlitsy Museum

2 Saint Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod

All road trips from Veliky Novgorod

• Veliky Novgorod to St. Petersburg drive
• Veliky Novgorod to London drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Paris drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Moscow drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Berlin drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Prague drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Amsterdam drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Vienna drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Budapest drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Stockholm drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Helsinki drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Florence drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Tallinn drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Venice drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Milan drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Riga drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Krakow drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Copenhagen drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Warsaw drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Munich drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Brussels drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Vilnius drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Oslo drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Vatican City drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Hamburg drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Turin drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Bruges drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Dubrovnik drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Salzburg drive
• Veliky Novgorod to Gdansk drive

Explore nearby places

• Veliky Novgorod
• Staroye Rakomo
• Vyazhishchi
• Myasnoy Bor
• Tesovo-Netylskiy
• Staraya Russa
• Radofinnikovo

All related maps of Veliky Novgorod

• Map of Veliky Novgorod
• Map of Kovalyovo
• Map of Staroye Rakomo
• Map of Khutyn
• Map of Vyazhishchi
• Map of Sergovo
• Map of Lesnaya
• Map of Myasnoy Bor
• Map of Korostyn
• Map of Pustosh
• Map of Retle
• Map of Borisovo
• Map of Uzhin
• Map of Shimsk
• Map of Tesovo-Netylskiy
• Map of Nagovo
• Map of Yuryevo
• Map of Leokhnovo
• Map of Staraya Russa
• Map of Borshhovo
• Map of Chudovo
• Map of Soltsy
• Map of Kaskovo
• Map of Radofinnikovo
• Map of Kresttsy
• Map of Turovo
• Map of Luga
• Map of Tolmachevo
• Map of Fedos’ino
• Map of Lyuban
• Map of Yashchera

Veliky Novgorod throughout the year

• Veliky Novgorod in January
• Veliky Novgorod in February
• Veliky Novgorod in March
• Veliky Novgorod in April
• Veliky Novgorod in May
• Veliky Novgorod in June
• Veliky Novgorod in July
• Veliky Novgorod in August
• Veliky Novgorod in September
• Veliky Novgorod in October
• Veliky Novgorod in November
• Veliky Novgorod in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Veliky Novgorod?

Get inspired for your trip to Veliky Novgorod with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Veliky Novgorod Itinerary
• 2-Day Veliky Novgorod Itinerary
• 3-Day Veliky Novgorod Itinerary
• 4-Day Veliky Novgorod Itinerary
• 5-Day Veliky Novgorod Itinerary

Best buildings in nearby cities

• St. Petersburg skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in St. Petersburg
• Riga skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Riga
• Helsinki skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Helsinki
• Tallinn skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Tallinn
• Vilnius skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Vilnius
• Tartu skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Tartu
• Tver skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Tver
• Pushkin skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Pushkin
• Pskov skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Pskov
• Vyborg skyline: the most iconic buildings and best views in Vyborg

Best attractions in nearby cities

• Top things to do and attractions in St. Petersburg
• Top things to do and attractions in Riga
• Top things to do and attractions in Helsinki
• Top things to do and attractions in Tallinn
• Top things to do and attractions in Vilnius
• Top things to do and attractions in Tartu
• Top things to do and attractions in Tver
• Top things to do and attractions in Pushkin
• Top things to do and attractions in Pskov
• Top things to do and attractions in Vyborg
• Top things to do and attractions in Kronshtadt
• Top things to do and attractions in Kotka
• Top things to do and attractions in Torzhok
• Top things to do and attractions in Narva
• Top things to do and attractions in Vitebsk
• Top things to do and attractions in Porvoo
• Top things to do and attractions in Gatchina
• Top things to do and attractions in Zelenogorsk
• Top things to do and attractions in Lomonosov
• Top things to do and attractions in Imatra
• Top things to do and attractions in Pavlovsk

Best restaurants in nearby cities

• Where to eat: the best restaurants in St. Petersburg
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Riga
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Helsinki
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Tallinn
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Vilnius
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Tver
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Pushkin
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Pskov
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Kronshtadt
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Kotka
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Lappeenranta
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Torzhok
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Narva
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Vitebsk
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Porvoo
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Gatchina
• Where to eat: the best restaurants in Rakvere

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