Year 11 English

Writing Coursework : Suggestions

Talk to me if you have another idea

Fiction / Story-Writing

Write a story in response to a theme you have found interesting in your reading/revision for the
English Literature exam, eg:

 Loneliness or Dreams (‘Of Mice and Men’)

 Cultural Identity (‘Search for My Tongue’; ‘Half-Caste’)
 Love or Relationships (‘Sonnet 116’; ‘La Belle Dame’; ‘Poem at Thirty-Nine’; ‘Do Not Go
Gentle’; ‘Remember’)

Tips

 Think about how a good story usually involves conflict of some kind (I don’t mean a
description of a fight!) Perhaps an argument or disagreement, but perhaps - better - a
conflict within the mind or emotions of a character

 Remember, this is a SHORT piece of writing. Don’t try to create a complicated plot; focus
on a single, significant incident and describe it in detail, with focus on thoughts and
feelings, not events

Non-Fiction/Personal Writing

Write about an experience that had a significant influence on you - made you realise an important
truth or contributed to your growing up, perhaps.

The non-fiction pieces in the Anthology which are taken from memoirs might be useful for
inspiration, eg:

 ‘H is for Hawk’,
 ‘Chinese Cinderella’,
 ‘The Explorer’s Daughter’,
 ‘Passage to Africa’

Tips

 Descriptive detail, using all the senses, is what makes this kind of writing interesting

 Focus on thoughts and feelings, not events.

TURN OVER FOR MORE DETAILED TIPS ON WHAT MAKES A GOOD PIECE OF WRITING
What Makes A Good Piece of Writing?

1) Good level of accuracy, ie: careful attention to spelling and punctuation. NB: this is part of what
is being assessed so I cannot correct for you at the drafting stage

2) Conscious effort to structure effectively, ie: thought about paragraphing; variety of sentence
lengths (not randomly - use a shorter one for impact); shaping devices such as final sentence
reflecting opening one

3) Variety of vocabulary, ie: every word carefully chosen; no repetition unless deliberate

4) Variety of sentence type, eg: occasionally use a question instead of a statement - to reflect a
character’s uncertainty perhaps

5) FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE - most important - at least twice, convey an idea in a non-literal way,
eg: simile, metaphor, personification (Personification whispers ‘top marks’ in the examiner’s ear)

You should aim to write about 1½ to 2 sides word-processed. No more than 3…

WRITE LESS. CRAFT MORE.

REVIEW AND RE-DRAFT WITH CARE AS YOU GO, AND WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED.