11+ Creative writing · Topic explained
Planning a story
Why do some stories run out of steam halfway?
The big idea
Plan five stages, opening, build-up, problem, resolution, ending, so your story has a shape.
Picture it
A story mountain: climb up to the problem at the top, then come down to the ending.
Key words
- Build-up
- Events that lead towards the problem.
- Problem
- The most exciting or difficult moment: the top of the mountain.
- Resolution
- How the problem gets solved.
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
"The Lost Kite" Opening: Ella flies her new kite on the beach. Build-up: the wind gets stronger. Problem: the string snaps and the kite heads out to sea. Resolution: a fishing boat catches it in its net. Ending: Ella ties on a stronger string and waves to the fisherman.
- Five stages, one simple problem.
- 211+ standard
Exam title: "The Door" Opening: new house, a locked cellar door. Build-up: tapping from behind it at night. Problem: I find the key and open it. Resolution: a trapped cat, months alone. Ending: the cat sleeps on my bed; the cellar is just a cellar.
- Quick notes, not full sentences.
- Takes about five minutes.
- 311+ standard
In a 30-minute task: Plan: 5 minutes Write: 22 minutes Check: 3 minutes
- Planning saves time: you never get stuck.
- 411+ standard
Keep it small: one problem, two or three characters, one main place.
- A short exam story can't fit an epic adventure.
- Small and well told wins.
The common mistake
The mistake
Planning wastes precious time in an exam.
Instead
A five-minute plan saves time and stops you running out of story.
Why: Without a plan, stories wander, stall, or never reach an ending.
Where it comes up in the 11+
Story tasks are timed (often 25–40 minutes), and markers check for clear structure.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains planning a story step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Planning a story worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
Download the worksheet (PDF)Free account needed: it takes a minute.
Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. Which stage is the top of the story mountain?
- Opening
- Build-up
- Problem
- Ending
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Problem
The problem is the most exciting moment, the peak of the story.
2. Where does the problem get solved?
- Opening
- Build-up
- Resolution
- Title
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Resolution
The resolution is the coming down the mountain.
3. A good exam plan is written in…
- Quick notes
- Full paragraphs
- Neat handwriting only
- Pictures only
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Quick notes
Notes are fast; save your best sentences for the story itself.