How to write a STORY that will blow your examiners away.. (GCSE Language Paper 1, Question 5)

If the thought of writing a story sends shivers down your spine, you're not alone. Every year, students lose major marks in Question 5, Paper 1.. but this won’t be you! I’ll show you how to EASILY write a story that will impress examiners - in FIVE STEPS! 😊

BUT FIRST - be clear on what your EXAMINERS want:

In Paper 1, Question 5 you have an image or story - ALWAYS go for the story. It’s easier and you can pre-learn it. This is what examiners are looking for:

• Do you have an engaging character? (A05)

• Is there a vivid setting? (A05)

• Has your story got a clear structure? (A05)

• Are there “language” and “structure” techniques? (A06)

• Is you spelling, punctuation and grammar accurate? (A06)

Now you know what your examiners want, this is how to make your story stand out in FIVE STEPS:

1. Mention WEATHER in your FIRST sentence:

You get immediate marks for pathetic fallacy (language technique) and originality. Most students start by describing the character. “Telling” us who this and that person is. Don’t do it. It’s boring and you’re “telling”, not “showing”.

2. NEVER have more than TWO Characters:

I’ve been teaching English for a while and when I mark students’ stories - I can IMMEDIATELY tell if they will get a Grade 3 or a Grade 9 by counting how many characters there are. If there are more than THREE characters, I already know I’m reading amateur work. Why? It’s hard in 45 minutes to develop a story with lots of characters, settings, events. Keep it simple. Have one or two characters but lots of description.

3. Keep your story plot BASIC:

The mark of an amateur story is a story with lots of characters, people being killed, many different settings. The more basic a story line is, the easier it is for your examiner to follow your plot. The easier it is for you to fill the story with lots of vivid colour and language. BASIC stories where NO ONE DIES will always win.

4. ALWAYS add a word sentence - using SOUND:

Boom. Whoosh… Bang!

What do these three words have in common? They are one word sentences which all use onomatopoeia. Kill two birds with one stone, maximise those A06 marks by adding a one-word sentence which also includes sound. It’s a clever way to mix language and structure in your writing. Pro tip: use this one-word sentence to start your “problem” paragraph.

5. Follow the STORY MOUNTAIN structure:

Remember that story mountain you learned in Primary School? Yeah - you need that. Make your story structure solid - split your paragraphs into five:

1. Beginning (setting)

2. Build up (character adventure)

3. Problem (obstacle)

4. Resolution (character overcomes it)

5. Ending (nobody dies but something changes)

And that’s it! 😃

BONUS: GCSE MODEL ANSWER:

If you’ve read this far, well done! Have a look at my beginning paragraph for a story I wrote and of course, if you want to see the FULL response, I have written several model answers for my GCSE English Masterclass students - you can access them for just £10 HERE.

Without further ado - here’s a beginning paragraph to a story I wrote just for you: 😃

"The wind howled, a mournful cry that echoed through the skeletal branches of the ancient oak. Rain lashed against the attic window, blurring the already dim light of the solitary candle. Inside, a young girl huddled beneath a tattered blanket, her eyes wide with fear as the floorboards creaked beneath unseen feet."

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