ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT

Creating an effective structure (fiction)

Assessment Criteria and What A Good One Looks Like

Below you will find the Skill Check assessment criteria for this skill, and underneath you will find an example of what a good one looks like, with a brief explanation of how it fits the criteria.

Assessment Criteria for Creating an effective structure (fiction)

minus
any of these things

No plan provided

Does not go from start to the end, or is incredibly short

Does not address the question

No sense of structure

No directions to the writer (e.g. create tension, slow time, etc)

equals (just) to plus (secure)
all of these things

An actual plan that goes from the start to the end

Some kind of character or plot development outlined

Reaches a resolution of some kind

Includes at least one direction to the writer (e.g. create tension, slow time, etc)

star
all of these things

All the = criteria

A good structure

Includes some crafting in terms of structural features like timeshift

Includes several directions to the writer

Reaches a satisfying resolution, ideally with some kind of circular structure (though not essential)

What a good one looks like

Example task

Imagine you had to answer the following GCSE question:

Write a story about an important day in a young person’s life.

Plan a response to this question, creating an effective structure that you could follow in an exam. Remember to plan not just what you would write but how you would write it.

Example response

DS – “Not gonna make it”

Desc car – bridesmaids, wedding dress – Show don’t tell

Desc traffic – horns – noise and anger – ominous

Switch to Scarlett’s thoughts – not how it’s meant to be on wedding day - lights stuck on red - if only it would go green – everything would be ok then

TS – engagement – unsure even then – was this true love? – was there someone better?

Bridesmaid’s phone goes – DS – “they’re worried”

S notices silence – looks outside – break in clouds – horns stopped - light is green!

Describe initial excitement - S starts to feel more hopeful

Build up pace – they’re gonna make it – describe looks of bridesmaids – texts – “we’re moving” - it’s gonna be okay

CRASH - there's an accident ahead

All the lights are green – now it’s gridlock – no chance

S's thoughts – so much for green light – disappointment – marriage really is doomed

IND Thought. Then the realisation – nothing is what you think it will be – you just have to make the best of it

DS - “Come on” “Where?” “What?” – confusion

Out of the car - walking towards church - END

Notes on this response

  • It’s got quite a lot of bullet points in it — this is normal for a story plan.

  • Each bullet in the plan is pretty short and and generally made up of words and phrases, never full sentences (this is a plan).

  • There are lots of codes or abbreviations used as directions to the writer (DS for direct speech, TS for timeshift, Desc for describe).

  • It is plan of how to write the story, not just what the plot is, and even includes full on instructions (e.g. “Build up pace”)

  • It also uses abbreviations for names (e.g. S for Scarlett) to save time.

  • It begins in medias res - this is quite a good structural device to use

  • The story plans has a build up and a climax (the car crash).

  • Then it has a falling action focussed on the character’s thoughts.

  • It has a clear resolution at the end.