Writing: Composition Set 5
Writing: Composition Set 5 is a further practice set for the ISEB Common Entrance descriptive and narrative writing paper, focusing on structuring a complete short narrative, controlling pace through sentence length, and writing convincing dialogue.
Method
- Structure a short narrative in clear stages: an opening that establishes setting and mood, a build-up that introduces a problem or tension, a climax where something changes, and a resolution or final image.
- Control pace deliberately: use longer, flowing sentences to slow the reader down for description, and short, sharp sentences to speed up the action at a dramatic moment.
- Write dialogue that reveals character, not just conversation: what a character says, and how they say it, should tell the reader something about their personality or feelings.
- Punctuate dialogue accurately every time: new speaker, new line; punctuation before the closing inverted commas; and a lower-case letter continuing a reporting clause unless it starts a new sentence.
- Avoid overusing adverbs to describe how a character speaks, such as 'said angrily'; instead, show the emotion through the words chosen or an accompanying action.
- Read your finished piece back and check it has a clear shape: an ending that connects back to the opening, whether through an image, an object, or a changed feeling, tends to feel most satisfying.
Worked example
Write a short exchange of dialogue (two or three lines) between two characters, one calm and one panicking, without using the words 'calm' or 'panic' anywhere.
- Decide how each character's speech style will show their state without naming it directly: short, breathless sentences and questions for the panicking character; slower, measured sentences for the calm one.
- Draft the panicking character's line first: 'Where is it? I had it a second ago, I know I did!'
- Draft the calm character's response, contrasting in rhythm and word choice: 'Check your other pocket. It hasn't gone anywhere.'
- Add a short piece of action or a reporting clause to reinforce each character's state without naming the emotion. Final answer: 'Where is it? I had it a second ago, I know I did!' Priya's hands scrabbled through her bag. 'Check your other pocket,' said Tom, not looking up. 'It hasn't gone anywhere.'
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Q1Which of these would best speed up the pace of an action scene: a long sentence with several clauses, or a short, three-word sentence?Show answer
Answer: A short, three-word sentence - shorter sentences read faster and create urgency.
Q2Rewrite this line of dialogue to remove the overused adverb, showing the emotion instead: 'I'm not scared,' she said bravely.Show answer
Answer: For example: 'I'm not scared,' she said, though her voice shook. (Showing the fear through detail rather than naming bravery.)
Q3Identify the four stages of a well-structured short narrative.Show answer
Answer: Opening, build-up, climax (or turning point) and resolution.
Q4Punctuate this exchange, adding inverted commas, capital letters and any other punctuation needed: are you sure about this asked Leo his sister nodded without looking upShow answer
Answer: 'Are you sure about this?' asked Leo. His sister nodded without looking up.
Q5Write one short sentence (no more than five words) suitable for a moment of sudden shock in a story.Show answer
Answer: For example: 'Then the lights went out.' or 'She was gone.' (any suitably short, impactful sentence).
Q6Explain one way an ending can 'connect back' to the opening of a story.Show answer
Answer: For example, by returning to an image, object or phrase from the opening (such as a closed door that is finally opened), or by showing how a character's feeling has changed since the start.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 13+ Common Entrance exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Punctuate this paragraph, adding the missing capital letters, apostrophes and other punctuation: the boys hands were shaking as he reached for the handle should we really be here he whispered
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You are going to write the opening of a short story called 'The Last Key'. In about 60 to 90 words, write an opening paragraph that establishes a clear setting and hints at a problem the character will need to solve.
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State three ways a writer can make dialogue reveal a character's personality, without simply stating what that personality is.
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Nothing ticked yet - 3 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the writing: composition set 5 worksheet pack - 14 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 29 of 13+ English Workbook, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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