11+ Sutton Stage Two: Writing Triplets Guide

So what is the best approach?

The best way for your child to use these triplets depends on the format of the question and on your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

It is possible that the question itself will explicitly state which triplet candidates should base their answer on – for example, they may be asked to ‘argue, persuade, and advise’. In this case, children should carefully consider all three aspects and include them in their response. They might find it helpful to structure their response into three paragraphs.

However, if the question does not specify a particular triplet, the best approach depends on the individual student’s skills. For those who struggle with structuring their writing, particularly when it comes to non-fiction genres, learning and using the triplets could provide helpful guidance. On the other hand, students who are more confident in organising and coming up with their ideas may find it unnecessary and possibly counterproductive to focus on identifying triplets and addressing specific aspects of the triplets, as they may naturally incorporate these in their writing anyway.

It is important to remember that there is no one right way to write an answer using the triplets. Examiners will not be looking for a specific structure for each triplet, but for a well-rounded piece of writing that naturally incorporates the parts of the triplet throughout.

Crucially, each part of the triplet does not need to be addressed separately. For example, if they are writing a story based on an image, your child should be exploring their ideas about the backstory to the image, demonstrating their imagination, and entertaining their reader throughout, rather than dedicating one paragraph to explore, one to imagine, and one to entertain.

Below are some examples of questions based on each of the four triplets, along with an explanation of how the three parts of the triplet could be included in an excellent response.