Creative Writing Tips for Victorian Selective & Scholarship Exams

If you're aiming for top-tier selective and scholarship schools like Melbourne High, Mac.Rob, or Suzanne Cory, the creative writing section of the exam can be a major challenge. Many students struggle with generating creative ideas, writing consistently, or keeping their writing engaging. But with the right strategies and a clear structure, you can master this section and increase your chances of scoring high. In this article, we'll break down the key strategies that will help you consistently produce high-quality writing, even in a time crunch. It is important to note that the time duration can differ. For selective entry exams, the time duration is 20 minutes, while for scholarships, it is different for each school.

What is Creative Writing in the Victorian Selective & Scholarship School Exam?

In the selective entry exam, creative writing (also called narrative writing) asks you to craft a story based on a given prompt and image. For example, the prompt might be:

While exploring an old, forgotten attic in your grandmother's house, you stumble upon a dusty, intricately designed lantern. As you wipe off the layers of dust, the lantern suddenly flickers to life, casting shimmering light all around. To your astonishment, you see glimpses of a magical world within the light, filled with fantastical creatures and lush landscapes...

Write a story about what happens when you decide to place your hand into the light of the lantern. What adventures and challenges await you in this vibrant new world?

The core of any great story is simple: a character and a problem. A good story always involves a character who faces a problem. Without a problem, you don't have a story — just a sequence of events. The problem is what makes the story engaging.

Why is the Problem So Important?

A story without a problem is just a sequence of events, not an engaging narrative. Let's look at an example:

• Without a problem: "I woke up in a wild forest. I walked around and found a big rock. Then I went home." This is a boring series of events, right?


• With a problem: "As you touch the lantern, you are pulled into a magical world, where a looming darkness begins to spread. It is a malevolent force that slowly consumes the vibrant landscape, turning lush forests into barren wastelands. Its source remained a mystery, leaving you to uncover the truth." Now, that's the beginning of an interesting story! The problem — the malevolent dark force and its source — keeps us hooked.

So, the key to any great story is to ensure your character is facing a problem. This is the foundation for all creative writing you'll do for the selective exam.

How to Structure Your Creative Writing: A Proven Method

A clear structure helps you produce a focused and engaging story in a limited amount of time. Here's a simple yet effective 5-paragraph structure to follow:

• Paragraph 1: Introduce the Problem – Begin with your character facing a problem. This paragraph should grab the reader's attention and set the tone for your story.
  Example: You go to your regular fish and chip shop, but today it's mysteriously closed. Inside, the shop seems disturbed — a fish on the floor, chips scattered around. Something isn't right.


• Paragraph 2: Develop the Character and Setting – In the second paragraph, you'll introduce more background information about the character and the setting. This gives context to the situation and adds depth to your story.
  Example: Jenny has been visiting this fish and chip shop every week for years. She knows the owner, Mr. Collins, who always ensures the shop is spotless. But today, everything seems off, and Jenny begins to worry.


• Paragraph 3: Make the Problem Worse – The third paragraph is where the problem deepens. Whatever was troubling the character in the first paragraph should escalate here.
  Example: Jenny notices even more signs that something has gone wrong — glasses on the countertop, broken glass on the floor. Things are getting worse by the minute.


• Paragraph 4: The "Almost Solution" – Now, you want to trick the reader into thinking the problem is about to be solved. However, you'll pull back at the last moment, making the situation even more intense.
  Example: Jenny sees a light on in the storage room and thinks she's found Mr. Collins. She breathes a sigh of relief. But when she opens the door, no one is there. The problem is even more unsolvable than before.


• Paragraph 5: The Climax – Finally, you leave the story at the climax — the most intense point of the narrative. This doesn't mean the problem is resolved, but it's a point that leaves the reader wondering what happens next.
  Example: Jenny heads upstairs to Mr. Collins' room, but when she opens the door, her jaw drops. What will she find? The story ends here, leaving the reader on edge.

This structure works because it keeps the reader engaged, leading them from one tense moment to the next, all the way until the climax.

How to Make Your Story More Engaging

A simple, well-structured story will get you far, but to really stand out, you should focus on a few key techniques to elevate your writing:

• Sensory Imagery: Instead of simply saying "the town was busy," show it with vivid imagery. For example, "the town buzzed with laughter and adventure." This makes your writing more engaging and paints a clear picture for the reader.


• Character Development: Help the reader connect with your character. You want them to care about what happens to your protagonist. This creates emotional investment in the story.


• Advanced Vocabulary and Expression: Advanced writing is not just about using big words but also about refining your sentence structure to make your writing flow smoothly. This will help elevate your piece to a higher level.

Time Management: How to Write in 20 Minutes

With only 20 minutes to write your story, time management is crucial. Here's how to break it down:

• Planning (3 minutes): Spend the first 3 minutes outlining your story. Think about what the problem is, who your character is, and how the story will unfold. Write down brief notes for each paragraph — this will make writing much quicker.


• Writing (15 minutes): Once you have your outline, start writing based on your plan. Don't worry about making it perfect at this stage. Just focus on getting your ideas down clearly and quickly.


• Editing (2 minutes): Use the last few minutes to edit. Reading your writing aloud in your head is a great way to spot awkward sentences or errors in punctuation. This step is important, especially as you're learning to write more effectively.

Final Tips for Success

• Practice: Spend the first 3 minutes outlining your story. Think about what the problem is, who your character is, and how the story will unfold. Write down brief notes for each paragraph — this will make writing much quicker.


• Get Feedback: Once you have your outline, start writing based on your plan. Don't worry about making it perfect at this stage. Just focus on getting your ideas down clearly and quickly.


• Start Simple: Use the last few minutes to edit. Reading your writing aloud in your head is a great way to spot awkward sentences or errors in punctuation. This step is important, especially as you're learning to write more effectively.

Conclusion

The creative writing section of the selective school exam can be daunting, but with the right structure and practice, you can tackle it confidently. Focus on creating a character who faces a compelling problem, structure your story with a clear beginning, middle, and climax, and practice your writing regularly. By following these steps, you'll increase your chances of scoring high and securing a place at your dream selective school.

Good luck with your writing, and happy practicing!