Paper 1 Question 5 Planning Template

About this resource

Planning is crucial for Question 5 success, but in exam conditions it's easy to waste time or miss key elements. This free template guides you through the essential planning steps in just 5 minutes, ensuring you have a clear direction before you start writing.

What you get

• Printable planning template (1 page)
• Character development prompts
• Setting and atmosphere checklist
• 5-part story structure guide
• Sensory detail reminders

Ideal for

• Students who struggle with planning
• Anyone running out of time in exams
• Writers needing story structure support

5-Minute Planning Framework

Minute 1: Choose Your Approach

• [ ] Description or narrative?
• [ ] What's your central image or emotion?
• [ ] What mood do you want to create?

Minute 2: Character & Setting

• [ ] Character (if narrative):
  • Name, age, role
  • One key trait or emotion
  • What do they want or fear?
• [ ] Setting:
  • Where? (be specific)
  • When? (time of day, season, era)
  • Weather/atmosphere

Minute 3: Structure (5 Paragraphs)

• [ ] Paragraph 1: Opening image/setting
• [ ] Paragraph 2: Develop setting or introduce character
• [ ] Paragraph 3: Build tension/atmosphere
• [ ] Paragraph 4: Climax/peak moment
• [ ] Paragraph 5: Resolution/cyclical ending

Minute 4: Sensory Details

• [ ] Sight: What do you see? (colors, shapes, movement)
• [ ] Sound: What do you hear? (volume, rhythm, silence)
• [ ] Smell: What scents are present?
• [ ] Touch: Textures, temperature, physical sensations
• [ ] Taste: (if relevant)

Minute 5: Key Techniques

• [ ] 2-3 metaphors or similes
• [ ] Personification (if describing place)
• [ ] One powerful verb for each paragraph
• [ ] One ambitious adjective per paragraph

Story Arc Organizer

Beginning:

• Opening image: _________________________

Middle:

• Development: _________________________
• Tension/conflict: _________________________

End:

• Resolution: _________________________
• Final image: _________________________

Character Development Prompts

If writing a narrative, answer these quickly:

• Who is your character? (one sentence)
• What do they want? (one sentence)
• What stands in their way? (one sentence)
• How do they change? (one sentence)

Setting and Atmosphere Checklist

• [ ] Specific location (not just "a place")
• [ ] Time of day
• [ ] Weather/season
• [ ] Mood/atmosphere (one word: e.g., "foreboding", "serene", "chaotic")
• [ ] One dominant color or image

Sensory Detail Reminders

Before you start writing, note one detail for each sense:

• Sight: _________________________
• Sound: _________________________
• Smell: _________________________
• Touch: _________________________

Related Resources

• Creative Writing Checklist (Free)
• Creative Writing Master Guide (Premium)

Need personalized feedback on your planning? Book a consultation to develop your creative writing skills.