Mind Maps are often used without any structure or logic. It may be a nice way to play with ideas in a more visual way than a list, but with some method behind it, a mind map can be a very effective tool for planning or pre-planning. This layout works in stages, to help students (and adults!) organise their thoughts into topics, themes and descriptive qualities. This is the perfect introductory method for early creative writing planning. There are two differentiated examples included, with titles, ‘The Pet Shop’ and ‘The Haunted House.’

The right title can make all the difference to inspiring writing in children. Here are three pages worth of playful composition prompts for both narrative and descriptive writing.