How do I write a grade 9 story or description?

40 marks of the English Language Paper 1 exam is either writing a story or description. With the new changes to the exam, imagination and creativity are rewarded favourably.

Here are some of the best pieces of advice when writing a grade 9 story:

• Ambitious vocabulary spelt correctly is a must
• Use pathetic fallacy to create an immediate tone for the examiner
• Include a change in tone which is subtle rather than dramatic
• Varying sentence lengths and types is integral
• Do not try and cover a range of ideas in a lack of depth
• Use a pre-planned structure to build confidence before the exam - for example Drop, Zoom, Flash, End

Here is an example opening, incorporating the above tips:

Stealthily, the fog crept towards the room and enveloped any remaining hope. Alarmed. That was the best way to describe the couple and their current emotion. Hopeless. Hapless. They were other synonyms, however, all contributed to the same feeling of futility.

There did not seem to be an escape, except from the small glimmer of light which offered salvation.

Salvation. It was an interesting concept as before it did not seem like it was plausible. Now there it was. Almost like a beacon of light from a lighthouse acting as a guide for them.