Worksheet 1 10 min
Story mountain planner
Plan a whole story in five stages, from the opening to the ending, before writing a word of it.
Practises: planning a story before writing; giving a story a clear beginning, middle and end
Free · 10 printable worksheets · Ages 9 to 11
11+ creative writing worksheets
Free printable sheets for every part of an 11+ story: planning it, building characters and settings, opening and ending it, writing dialogue, choosing stronger words and checking it at the end. Print from the page or download the PDF.
What's on each sheet
Clear instructions, a short worked example where it helps, and boxes, lines and tables to write in. Every sheet works with any story title, so print a fresh copy for each new piece of writing.
Planning
Story mountain planner · Character profile · Five senses setting planner
Openings and endings
Four kinds of story opening · Four kinds of ending
Writing techniques
Show, don't tell · Dialogue · Similes, metaphors and personification · Word upgrades
Checking
Editing and proofreading checklist for the last five minutes
The worksheets
Open a worksheet to see it, print it, and read how to use it, or download it as a PDF.
Worksheet 2 15 min
Character profile
Build a believable character from the outside in: looks, voice, habits, feelings and what they want.
Practises: creating characters readers believe in; describing appearance with precise detail
Worksheet 3 15 min
Five senses setting planner
Describe a place through sight, sound, smell, touch and taste, then turn the notes into a vivid paragraph.
Practises: descriptive writing about a place; using all five senses, not just sight
Worksheet 4 20 min
Show, don't tell
Rewrite flat 'telling' sentences so the reader sees the feeling through actions, body language and speech.
Practises: showing emotions instead of naming them; using body language and actions
Worksheet 5 15 min
Story openings: try four kinds
Write the same story's first lines four ways: dialogue, action, description and a question, then choose the best.
Practises: hooking the reader in the first sentence; four ways to open a story
Worksheet 6 15 min
Story endings
Practise four satisfying ways to end a story, so it never stops with 'and then I woke up'.
Practises: finishing a story in a satisfying way; circular, reflective, twist and cliffhanger endings
Worksheet 7 20 min
Dialogue: punctuate and improve
Punctuate speech correctly, then make it work harder with better speech verbs and action between the lines.
Practises: punctuating direct speech with inverted commas; starting a new line for each new speaker
Worksheet 8 5 min
Editing and proofreading checklist
A five-minute checklist for the end of a timed piece: spelling, punctuation, paragraphs, sentence variety and vocabulary.
Practises: checking work in the last five minutes; spotting spelling and punctuation mistakes
Worksheet 9 20 min
Similes, metaphors and personification
Spot figurative language, then write your own similes, metaphors and personification for everyday things.
Practises: telling similes, metaphors and personification apart; writing fresh comparisons instead of clichés
Worksheet 10 20 min
Word upgrades
Swap tired words like said, went, nice and big for stronger, more precise choices, then use them in sentences.
Practises: building vocabulary for creative writing; choosing precise verbs and adjectives
Getting the most from the worksheets
Plan, then write
Start with the story mountain planner: ten minutes of notes keeps a 40-minute story on track.
One skill at a time
Print the sheet for the skill your child is working on this week, such as openings, dialogue or showing feelings.
Use them again
Each sheet works with any story prompt. Print a fresh copy whenever your child starts a new piece.
Finish with a check
Keep the editing checklist beside every timed story and save the last five minutes for it.
Get feedback on a story
When a plan becomes a story, get it marked: your child writes to exam-style prompts, typed or handwritten, and you get feedback on what went well and what to improve. There's a free 7-day trial.
Get feedback on a storyEnter the writing competition
A free writing competition every month for Years 4, 5 and 6, with one prompt, feedback on every entry and winners featured on the site.
See the writing competitionMore free 11+ creative writing help
- Writing techniques How to use each technique, with examples.
- Word banks Words to borrow for settings, feelings and actions.
- Example stories Model 11+ stories with what makes them work.
Or start at the 11+ creative writing hub.
Questions parents ask
Are these 11+ creative writing worksheets free?
Yes. All 10 worksheets can be read and printed straight from their pages, and each one can be downloaded as a PDF with a free account (no card needed).
What age are the worksheets for?
They're written for children aged 9 to 11 preparing for the 11+ in Year 5 and Year 6, and they're useful for Key Stage 2 writing in general.
Which creative writing worksheet should my child start with?
The story mountain planner. Planning is the skill that makes the biggest difference in a timed 11+ story. Then pick the sheet for whatever their stories most need: openings, endings, dialogue, description or vocabulary.
What does the 11+ creative writing test involve?
It varies by school and area. Many independent schools and some grammar schools set a story or description to write in about 30 to 45 minutes, from a title, an opening line or a picture. Marks usually go to planning and structure, description, vocabulary, and accurate spelling and punctuation.
Can I use the worksheets in a classroom or tutoring group?
Yes. They're free to print for home and classroom use. Each sheet works with any story prompt, so you can use the same sheet with different titles.
How can my child get feedback on the stories they write?
Our 11+ creative writing feedback lets your child write to exam-style prompts and get feedback on what went well and what to improve, and the free monthly writing competition gives feedback on every entry.