Y8 Writing Topics E21

SCHOLARSHIP / SELECTIVE SCHOOL TRIAL TEST
Y8 Written Expression Test Week 41 (Unit 21)

Time Allowed: 15 min
Use this illustration as the basis for a piece of writing.
Copyright: Edu-Kingdom College

Let us look at how to write a creative piece. The beginning of a story
or personal account of an event can make or break that story. Most
good short stories start in a way that quickly captures the reader’s
attention.
Suspense is a way of keeping us reading: We have to know who the
murderer is, what happened on that dark night or who was at the
door.
Some writing simply throws the reader straight into the middle of
things. It may then go backwards to explain what happened before
the event, or go forwards to describe what happened after it.
Some stories begin slowly but manage to mesmerise us with
evocative language and images.
Beginning a piece of writing with dialogue puts us straight into the
situation. We know nothing of the characters’ pasts, but we pick up
clues about them instantly from what they say.
Beginning with a one-sentence paragraph is simple but effective. It
captures our attention then leaves a kind of breathing space while we
think about what has been said.
By introducing character: some characters are so intriguing, so
powerful or so awful that they keep us reading in order to find out
more about them.
By introducing a problem: other people’s problems can be quite
enjoyable for a reader, especially in fiction. When a writer begins
with a problem, the reader knows he or she can probably look
forward to a satisfying solution or resolution at the end.
By stating a purpose: when a writer or narrator starts by stating a
purpose in writing, it signal what lies ahead, which may draw the
reader in.
Look closely at the piece you now have in front of you. It contains a
simple photograph. It does not offer you any specific information
about how you should write the piece. You can decide to write a
persuasive, expository or creative piece. The only thing that is made
manifestly clear is that you must use the illustration as the basis for
a piece of writing.
Let us look more closely at this illustration. What does a clenched
fist represent? It may represent anger; it may represent a victory of
some kind; it may represent frustration. If you look very closely at
the illustration you will see that the clenched fist is actually banging
on a door. This can give you a clue as to what to write. Is the person’s
fist pounding on the door in anger? Or is the person merely
knocking politely? Is the person attempting to warn the inhabitants
of the house about some kind of danger? Has the person been locked
out of his own home? The possibilities are endless. And because the
possibilities appear to be endless it can often seem even more
difficult to decide on what to write.
Let us look at some simple scenarios that we can employ to write this
piece.
• Feuding neighbours – Every night one neighbour has a loud
party that keeps the other neighbour up all-night. This seems
too simple a story and therefore I would reject it.
• A man smells smoke coming from his neighbour’s home and
rushes to warn his neighbour of the danger. Again I would
reject this. The idea is too hackneyed and generic, and used too
often in stories.
• An angry, frustrated door-to-door salesman, who hasn’t made
a sale in months, makes a nuisance of himself at a family
home. There are possibilities for this story, but I only have
fifteen minutes and I am not sure I could do it justice in that
time frame.
• An accident has occurred and a man rushes from house to
house knocking on doors in order to get help but nobody
answers their doors. That is a simply story. And therefore the
one I would choose to write.
My first paragraph would describe the car accident and the driver
awaking to find he has been injured. He tries to open the car door
but can’t. He then falls unconscious.
My second paragraph has the man banging desperately on
someone’s door. The man can’t understand how he got where he is
but he knows that he must get help. He bangs and bangs on the door
but nobody answers. He goes to several more doors and bangs with
the same result: nobody answers the door. He then collapses at one
of the doors.
My third paragraph opens with the man back in the wrecked car. He
slowly awakes to see a man banging desperately on the car door and
window in order to get the attention of the injured man. All this time
the injured man has been unconscious and dreamt it was he who
was banging on doors, but in fact he has never left the car. The
knocking was coming from a stranger trying to rescue him from the
car.
What we have here is a very simple story about how the mind can
play tricks on us in times of anxiety and pain. The point that I wish
to make is that it is vital that you find an interesting narrative to
write rather than simply going for something that will be clichéd and
very similar to many of the other stories that will be submitted for
correction. You need your story to stand out. The examiner wishes to
see if you have a good imagination. And you can only achieve this by
writing an interesting story. Choosing your vocabulary carefully and
varying your sentences. You also need descriptive passages on
occasions to further create interest. Remember, quantity is far less
important than quality. In general, however, a single paragraph may
not give you the chance to develop your ideas sufficiently. So make
sure that you plan carefully before putting pen to paper.

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SCHOLARSHIP / SELECTIVE SCHOOL TRIAL TEST

Y8 Written Expression Test Week 41 (Unit 21)

Use this illustration as the basis for a piece of writing.

Copyright: Edu-Kingdom College

Copyright: Edu-Kingdom College

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