Planning Before Writing

• Define and explain Planning Before Writing in your own words
• Use key terms such as discourse marker accurately
• Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
• Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

GCSE writing rewards control: controlled planning, controlled paragraphs and controlled language. Whether you are crafting an essay, a description or an argument, the same foundations apply — think first, structure always, and choose every word on purpose.

This lesson focuses on Planning Before Writing: turn a question into a plan with clear, ordered points.

Key ideas

Plan every answer

Spend five minutes planning before writing a single sentence. For an essay, turn the question into three or four points; for a story, map the beginning, middle and end. A plan prevents rambling and guarantees you answer the actual question.

Show, don't just tell

In descriptive writing, she was sad tells; tears slid down her cheeks as she stared at the empty chair shows. Use the five senses — what can be seen, heard, smelled, touched and tasted — and choose precise nouns and verbs rather than piling on adjectives.

Key term — discourse marker: A connective that organises writing: however, furthermore, consequently, on the other hand. They guide the reader through your argument.

Practice

Quick check