11+ Creative writing · Topic explained
Varying sentence lengths and starters
Why does some writing sound like a robot?
The big idea
Mix short and long sentences and vary how they start to control the pace.
Picture it
Like music: a song with only one note gets boring fast.
Key words
- Pace
- How fast or slow the writing feels to read.
- Sentence starter
- The first word or phrase of a sentence.
- Fronted adverbial
- A phrase at the start saying how, when or where.
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
"I opened the door. I looked outside." → "Carefully, I opened the door and peered outside."
- A new starter and a joined-up sentence.
- 211+ standard
"We crept along the corridor, past the empty classrooms and the silent hall, towards the office at the very end. Then the lights went out."
- A long sentence builds up…
- …a short one hits hard.
- 311+ standard
Starters to try: -ing: "Gripping the rope, Sam began to climb." Where: "Beneath the bridge, something moved." How: "Silently, the gate swung open."
- Different openers keep the reader awake.
- 411+ standard
"The boat drifted lazily down the river while dragonflies skimmed the water and willow branches trailed their fingers in the current."
- A long, flowing sentence creates a calm, slow mood.
The common mistake
The mistake
Long sentences are always more grown-up and better.
Instead
The variety matters. A well-placed short sentence is powerful.
Why: Lots of long sentences in a row tire the reader and blur the action.
Where it comes up in the 11+
Mark schemes reward varied sentence structure and confident punctuation.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains varying sentence lengths and starters step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Varying sentence lengths and starters 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 sentence would create the most sudden shock?
- It moved.
- The thing in the corner of the room, which had been still all night, began to move.
- I was looking at it and then I saw that it moved.
- It was moving slowly around.
Show the answerHide the answer
It moved.
A very short sentence lands like a punch.
2. "Without a sound, the fox vanished." The starter is…
- A fronted adverbial
- A question
- Speech
- A list
Show the answerHide the answer
A fronted adverbial
Without a sound tells us how, at the front of the sentence.
3. Long, flowing sentences usually make the pace…
- Slower and calmer
- Faster and tense
- Funny
- Confusing
Show the answerHide the answer
Slower and calmer
They roll along gently, slowing the reader down.