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Planning Your Story
Planning Your Story
Welcome to the first lesson in your CSSE 11+ Creative Writing course! Creative writing is one of the most heavily weighted parts of the CSSE exam. Unlike GL or CEM tests, where you might answer lots of short multiple-choice questions, the CSSE English paper asks you to produce an extended piece of writing — and the examiners are looking for quality, imagination, and structure. A strong plan is the foundation of every great piece of writing.
Why Is Planning So Important?
In the CSSE exam, you will have a limited amount of time to write your story or composition. Many students panic and start writing straight away — but this is a mistake. A plan only takes 3 to 5 minutes and it will:
- Stop you from running out of ideas halfway through
- Keep your story focused and organised
- Help you build towards a satisfying ending
- Prevent you from rambling or going off-topic
| Without a plan | With a plan |
|---|---|
| Ideas run out after the first paragraph | Ideas flow because you know what comes next |
| The story wanders and loses direction | Every paragraph has a clear purpose |
| The ending feels rushed or forgotten | The ending is planned and satisfying |
| Time is wasted thinking mid-sentence | Writing time is spent actually writing |
The CSSE Writing Task
In the CSSE exam, the English paper typically includes an extended writing task. You may be given:
- A story title (e.g. "The Discovery")
- A story opening to continue
- A picture prompt to write about
- A choice of topics
Whatever the prompt, the examiners want to see that you can write a well-structured, imaginative, and accurate piece of work. This is worth a significant number of marks — so it pays to plan.
How to Plan in 5 Minutes
Step 1: Read the prompt carefully
Underline the key words. If the title is "The Unexpected Visitor", think: who is the visitor? Why are they unexpected? What happens when they arrive?
Step 2: Choose your story shape
There are several classic story shapes. Pick one that fits your prompt:
| Story shape | How it works |
|---|---|
| Mountain | Build tension to a climax, then resolve |
| Journey | The character goes somewhere and is changed by the experience |
| Problem and solution | A problem arises and the character must overcome it |
| Circular | The story ends where it began, but something has changed |
| Flashback | Start in the present, go back in time, return to the present |
Step 3: Plan five sections
A simple five-paragraph plan works brilliantly:
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Opening | Set the scene, introduce the character, hook the reader |
| Build-up | Something begins to change; tension starts to grow |
| Climax | The most exciting or dramatic moment |
| Resolution | The problem is solved or the situation is explained |
| Ending | A satisfying conclusion — reflective, surprising, or circular |
Step 4: Jot quick notes
You do not need full sentences in your plan. Just a few words for each section. For example:
Prompt: "The Door"
- Opening: Old house, dusty corridor, main character finds a hidden door behind a bookcase
- Build-up: She pushes the door open, cold air, stone staircase leading down
- Climax: Discovers an underground room full of old letters and photographs — a secret from her grandmother's past
- Resolution: She reads the letters, realises her grandmother was a wartime spy
- Ending: She closes the door carefully, smiling, knowing she carries the secret now too
Notice how each section is just one line, but the whole story is mapped out.
A Model Plan in Action
Here is a model opening paragraph based on the plan above:
The corridor smelled of dust and forgotten things. Ellie ran her fingers along the spines of the old books, not really looking — until one of them moved. She froze. Behind the bookcase, half-hidden by shadow, was a door she had never noticed before. Its handle was cold to the touch. She turned it.
This opening was easy to write because the plan told the writer exactly what needed to happen: introduce the character, set the scene, and end with a hook.
Common Planning Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it is a problem | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Skipping the plan entirely | Your story will lack direction and a strong ending | Always plan — even if it is just five bullet points |
| Planning too much detail | You waste time writing a plan instead of the actual story | Keep it brief — single words and short phrases |
| Only planning the beginning | The middle and end will be weak or rushed | Plan all five sections before you start writing |
| Choosing an overly complicated plot | You will not have time to finish it | Keep your story focused on one main character and one main event |
Tips for the CSSE Exam
- Spend 3-5 minutes planning — it is never wasted time.
- Keep your plot simple — one character, one problem, one resolution. You do not have time for multiple subplots.
- Think about your ending first — if you know where the story is going, every paragraph can build towards it.
- Underline key words in the prompt — make sure your story actually answers the question or fits the title.
- Write your plan on the exam paper — the examiners will not mark it, but it keeps you on track.
Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Climax | The most exciting or tense moment in a story |
| Resolution | The part of the story where the problem is solved |
| Circular structure | A story that ends where it began, often with a new perspective |
| Prompt | The title, question, or image you are given to write about |
| Flashback | A scene set earlier in time than the main story |
Summary
Every strong piece of creative writing starts with a plan. In the CSSE exam, where the extended writing task carries significant marks, a 3-5 minute plan can make the difference between a rambling, unfinished piece and a focused, satisfying story. Choose a story shape, map out five sections, and always know your ending before you write your first word.