How to mark your child’s timed writing
Review your child’s timed writing with a practical checklist for ideas, structure, vocabulary, grammar and purpose, plus examples of useful feedback.
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Make practice more useful.
Practical explanations to help you support your child with reading, writing, maths and reasoning, and understand their school pathways.
7 guides · Writing
Writing practice
Generating story ideas for timed writing
Turn a story prompt into a manageable plan with a character, problem, decision and ending. Includes an original worked example for Year 5 and Year 6 writing.
Read the guideShow, don’t tell: choosing the moments that matter
Use action, sensory detail and concise narration to strengthen a short story. Includes before-and-after examples and a focused revision exercise.
Read the guideUsing dialogue in a short story: make each exchange count
Learn when dialogue develops a story, when to summarise a conversation and how to check speech punctuation, with original examples for young writers.
Read the guideChoosing a position in persuasive writing
Choose a clear position you can support with relevant reasons, examples and explanation. Includes a worked school-library argument and counterargument.
Read the guideUnderstanding the essay question before you write
Check purpose, audience, form and conditions before planning a writing response. Includes examples showing how similar prompts require different answers.
Read the guideHelping your child write a short story: a home practice routine
Support a child’s own story through planning, drafting and focused revision, with a practical example and feedback that preserves their voice.
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