Stories get most of the attention, but 11+ writing tasks sometimes ask for a letter, a diary entry or a newspaper report. Each form has features examiners expect to see. Knowing them turns a surprise task into easy marks.
Letters
Formal letter checklist
- Your address top right, the date beneath it.
- The recipient's name or title and address on the left (if known).
- Greeting: "Dear Mr Hughes" or "Dear Sir or Madam".
- Opening paragraph: why you're writing.
- Middle paragraphs: one point per paragraph, with detail.
- Closing paragraph: what you'd like to happen next.
- Sign-off: "Yours sincerely" (named recipient) or "Yours faithfully" (unnamed), then your full name.
- Tone: polite and formal — no contractions or slang.
Informal letter checklist
- "Dear Gran," or "Hi Josh,".
- A friendly, chatty tone — contractions are fine.
- Questions to the reader, personal news and feelings.
- Sign-off such as "Love from" or "Best wishes".
Diary entries
- Date at the top; start with "Dear Diary" if you like.
- First person (I, me, my) and mostly past tense for the day's events.
- Feelings and reflection — this is what separates a diary from a report. How did it feel? What does the writer think now?
- An informal, personal voice — rhetorical questions, exclamations, asides.
- A reflective ending — hopes, worries or plans for tomorrow.
Tuesday 14th March
Dear Diary, I still can't quite believe it. When Mr Okafor read out the names for the school play, I was so sure mine wouldn't be there that I'd already started packing my bag…
Diary entries are often set from a character's point of view — a historical figure or a character from a story — so practise writing "in role".
Newspaper reports
- Headline — short and catchy, often with alliteration or a pun: Mystery Moggy Makes Miraculous Journey.
- Opening paragraph answering the five Ws: who, what, where, when, why (and how).
- Third person, past tense.
- Formal, factual tone — the reporter's opinion stays out.
- Quotes from witnesses or experts, correctly punctuated: "I couldn't believe my eyes," said local baker Mary Evans.
- Paragraphs in order of importance, with background detail later.
- A closing paragraph about what happens next.
Village Celebrates as Lost Tortoise Returns Home
A tortoise that went missing from a Cornish garden three years ago has been found safe and well just two streets away, delighting its owners and neighbours on Saturday morning.
Who (a tortoise and its owners), what (found safe), where (two streets away, Cornwall), when (Saturday morning) — all in one sentence.
Choosing the right tone
| Form | Person | Tense | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal letter | First | Mixed | Polite, formal |
| Informal letter | First | Mixed | Friendly, chatty |
| Diary | First | Mostly past | Personal, reflective |
| Newspaper report | Third | Past | Factual, neutral |
| Persuasive piece | First / second | Present | Confident, emotive |
See also 11+ persuasive writing.
Elevenplus FC's Writing Coach starts with newspaper reports, diary entries and letters before moving on to description, narrative and persuasive writing — each with its own mastery checklist and feedback. See the Writing Coach.
Frequently asked questions
Do 11+ exams include non-fiction writing?
Some do. Alongside stories and descriptions, writing tasks can ask for a letter, diary entry, newspaper report or persuasive piece. Practising each form means your child won't be thrown by an unexpected task.
When do you use 'Yours sincerely' and 'Yours faithfully'?
Use 'Yours sincerely' when you've addressed the person by name (Dear Mr Jones). Use 'Yours faithfully' when you don't know their name (Dear Sir or Madam).
What tense should a newspaper report be written in?
Mostly the past tense, because it reports events that have happened — with quotes in the tense the speaker used, and sometimes the present or future for what happens next.