What the Research Says

Students who plan their extended writing consistently produce better-structured, more coherent responses. Planning takes 3-5 minutes but saves time overall because you write more efficiently and avoid the "running out of things to say" problem halfway through. Research on writing processes shows that skilled writers spend proportionally more time planning than novice writers.

Evidence Base

How to Apply It to English Language

1. 1
   Use a 5-box plan for creative writing — Box 1: Opening (setting/character/mood). Boxes 2-4: Three paragraphs (what happens, what changes, how does it develop?). Box 5: Ending (image, reflection, or twist).
2. 2
   Use a point-list for transactional writing — Write the purpose at the top. List 3-4 key arguments or points. Note one piece of evidence or technique for each. Add your opening hook and closing statement.
3. 3
   Practise planning without writing — Give yourself 3 minutes per question to produce a plan only. This builds the speed you need in the exam.
4. 4
   Keep it short — A plan should be bullet points and key words, not full sentences. If your plan takes more than 5 minutes, it is too detailed.

Common Mistakes