Study

How to write the best story in english language gcse exam?

Reply 1

Chat Forum Helper, Life & Style Forum Helper

Show, don't tell.

Use a range of literary devices but there is such a thing as overkill. 'He walked across the room, like a tiger stalking its prey. He sat down in a chair the way a detective sits when poised on the edge of a breakthrough in a murder case, and reached for a pen in his briefcase in a similar manner to a slow stealthy sloth reaching for a great gorgeous green grape.' No, just no, this is beyond silly.

Make sure it makes sense. My first book's first draft had people doing things like 'He raised his eyebrows impossibly high.' Talk about ridiculous.

Although you might want to switch up the way people speak, there's nothing wrong with the word "said" when appropriate. People do not always have to be crying, shouting, screaming, or whispering their speech. Definitely do not write something like "Hello," she breathed. No, no she didn't, you cannot breathe out a word it is physically impossible.

Write a plan first so that if you run out of time in the exam before finishing the story, the examiner can at least see what you were aiming for.

Have a plot.

Make your characters have personalities - don't make them all clones of each other.