For this task in your GCSE English Language course, you will produce a piece of creative writing based on a different form of story. It is recommended that you write 600-800 words and spend no more than two hours on this Controlled Assessment. Remember, the total word count for Unit 3b must be around 1200 words. An example task is being given a line from Romeo and Juliet and using it as a title for your own piece of creative writing. In this case, you would create the setting, characters and plot rather than using ideas from an original plot.

Re-creations is about reading (or watching) a story in one form then rewriting it. However, it may also be possible to continue the story. In both cases, you must change the form. For example, you could watch a film and extend a scene, or rewrite the ending; or you could read a short story and rewrite it as a newspaper article. What this is meant to show is that you have analysed the story in great detail and have a deep understanding of it. By being able to edit an original text, you will show this.

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Planning

The best thing to do when reading a text is to highlight or underline the important aspects, including the setting, characters and plot. If you are watching a film, you should take notes.

Setting

Think about where and when the story takes place. Imagine the setting itself and think about other features you could add to your story to make it more alive.

Planning: Pick out details which reveal the setting and make a note of them

Characters

It is important to consider how the characters talk and act so that they remain realistic when you write about them. Think about their personality and how they would react to situations which do not occur in the original text (if you are continuing a story or changing the plot). Remember that your story needs to have interesting and believable characters.

Planning: Find out characters’ names, their appearance and their personality. Look at how they react in a situation and note down if they have any idiosyncrasies which distinguish them from other characters.

Plot

What happens in the original text? When considering the plot, it is important to look at the events of a story and how the actions of a character bring about further events. Your story’s plot should include some conflict. In addition, remember the structure of a story and, at the very least, include a beginning, middle and end.

Planning: Note down all the key events and actions of the story. It would help to make a flow chart and have an event, a character’s reaction to this event, and subsequently the event which results from the character’s actions.

Controlled Assessment Wisdom

• To grab a reader’s interest, open with a short, snappy sentence. Use a hook to make them want to keep reading.
• Use writing techniques to make your story as exciting and engaging as possible. You want to draw your audience in and hold their attention until the very end of your story.
• Plan your story to ensure that it has a coherent plot.
• Every word counts. Do not use an entire paragraph to describe a house or a character unless. Keep the pace fast and lively by having actions and events. Do not waffle!
• Vary your sentence types and lengths to include simple, compound and complex sentences.