This book is a superb all-in-one guide to success GCSE English Language and English Literature - GCSE English 2003

Revision Summary
Section Eight — Original Writing

Lots of people get really worried over this original writing bit — they think creative writing is something you can either just 'do' or you can't. That's nonsense, and that is what this section is all about. You just need to learn the tricks of the trade that make stories seem really interesting and clever. And this is something that you can do without too much hassle for GCSE.

So make sure you go through every single one of these questions and examples, and you'll see just how easy it can be to do "original writing".

1) Why should you write about things you're interested in and already know about?

2) Explain what each of the following parts of a story should do:

a) Beginning

b) Buildup

c) Climax

d) Ending

3) Write out five things your story needs to have, to make the reader super-impressed.

4) Which of the following pieces of information could be used to put together a story?

Say why you selected those particular bits and left the others out.

a) Jess lives in Bristol.

b) Jess loves wearing spangly bracelets and dancing.

c) Jess's birthday is in November.

d) Jess once got abducted by alien lizard creatures in her lounge.

e) Jess likes cheese.

5) Explain why it's important to tell your story in an unusual or interesting order.

6) How can you make the really important bits of your story stand out to the reader?

7) a) Write a good and a bad description of someone's face (a few sentences is fine).

b) Explain why one is better than the other.

8) Give an example of how each of the five senses might be used in a short story.

9) What is an 'interior monologue' and why should you use one?

10) Explain what is meant by the term 'perspective' and why you need to think about it when writing.

11) Let's say you've been abducted by aliens.

a) Write a really dull paragraph about your abduction.

b) Write a more interesting paragraph about your abduction (tips on p.81).

c) Explain how you tried to make your second paragraph more interesting than the first one.

12) Why is a conclusion important in an original writing essay?

13) What should you check for, once you've finished?