Setting description in exam story writing
14.09.23
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing my observations from children’s 11 plus exam writing. 👩🎓
So, here’s another writing tip. ✍️
An excellent way to help children understand the importance of regularly adding setting descriptions to a story is to use the analogy of a train journey. 🚈
Imagine sitting on a train.
You can see all around you, and as the train leaves the station, you look out of the window up to the hazy sky and then at the never-ending expanse of summer fields drifting into the horizon.
Then …
Someone puts a blindfold on you.
Now, you have no idea where you are for hours, and hours, and hours.
When your train gets to its destination, you are not allowed to take this blindfold off.
That is what it feels like for a reader if they read a story with only a tiny bit of setting description at the start.
When writing a story under exam conditions, there’s not much time to get the balance right.
So, have a simple formula.
The formula could be, ‘I will add a sentence of setting description in the first, middle and final paragraph.
Example
If the story is about being stranded on a desert island, the balance of the setting could be like this …
Beginning (Paragraph 1)
Describe the sky as your character looks up while lying on the sand.
Describe the sights and sounds of the dense forest behind them.
Middle (Paragraph 2)
As a character moves around the island, describe a new element of the island.
or
During speech, in the reporting clause, you can describe where the character is as they speak.
Example:
“You! You there! Who are you?” blasted Senil as he heaved himself through the dense parakeet-green foliage, sharp thorns and dry tendrils tearing at his limbs.
End (Paragraph 3)
Could you describe the sunset and sounds from the island as the character looks wistfully out to the vast ocean, searching desperately for any sign of rescue?
Quick 5-minute task 🧠
Take a piece of recent story writing. 👀
Look at each paragraph. Underline the sentences or parts of sentences that explain the current setting.
Is there something in each paragraph?
If not, how could you add more?
Good luck with your writing!
Anna