This document provides steps for planning a writing piece. Step 1 involves identifying the topic and generating associated words to clarify conventions. Step 2 recommends including two storylines or deeper meanings to add complexity. The deeper meanings should reflect a viewpoint for the audience. Step 3 stresses including a beginning, middle, and end, while maintaining a logical flow even if characters jump into action. The document provides prompts for brainstorming the 5 Ws and using the 5 senses to improve descriptive writing.

1. Planning for Writing
Step 1
Getting the plotline straight - This is where you need to know exactly what you are
writing about. Has the teacher asked you to write a piece on Bullying? Fantasy? Crime?
Once you know the topic. Get a separate piece of paper and write down all the words that are
associated with the topic. This is very helpful because conventions (rules) are being
identified. Would you create a happy setting in a horror piece? Very unlikely. Instead by
getting the key words straight you are identifying stereotyped patterns in thinking. That way
when it comes to your teacher marking the story, it is clear you have stuck to the topic and all
the settings, characters etc are following a train of thought.
What happens?
Step 2
Making a complex storyline - By making things complex you can make the story a lot
more interesting. There are two ways to make a story complex. The first ONE is to have two
storylines going on, and that way the storylines can meet in your writing. For example, if there
is a victim in your story describe the feelings of anger, loneliness etc. and at the same time a
criminal might be chasing after this victim for a particular reason such as having a revenge
motive. The SECOND way is the hold deeper meaning into your creative writing piece, this is
what you expect the audience to understand. The deeper meaning would lie within the
characters, such as a greedy character reflecting modern day materialism. These meanings
need to be constant in the plotline because an effective creative writing piece, is trying to
prove a certain viewpoint to an audience (the marker).
What do you want the audience to get from the writing, what message?
Step 3
Getting organised - The best storylines are the ones that have a beginning, middle and
an end. By writing in an abstract and uneven style, there is bound to be confusion. Feel free
to allow the characters to jump straight away into the action, but at the same time make sure
everything has made sense so far in the story.
What will be your beginning, middle and end?
Trapped:
Literal times when you have felt trapped: in a lift, in a room, in a cupboard,
in a house…
Times when you have felt psychologically trapped: trapped in a class where
you have are having difficulties, trapped on holiday with someone, trapped
with a relative…
Brainstorm the 5 Ws:

2. What happens?
Where does it happen?
When does it happen?
Who is involved? (Keep the number of characters down)
Why do people behave in the way they do.
The 5 senses help improve your descriptive writing…
SIGHTS: what sights are there in your story? Ie scenes
SMELL: what smells are there? (This can be very effective)
TASTE: what tastes are there of food? Of fear?
SOUNDS: use onomatopoeia to create sounds…
TOUCH: what textures are there in your story? The rough texture of his
clothes, the smooth banister, the prickly skin…