SEA 2023 Creative Writing - Simon’s Brave Morning

The following is a prompt from SEA 2023 exam for Creative Writing:

Sample Essay

Simon was late again. He grabbed his bag quickly and opened the front door. What he saw made him freeze in his tracks.

Thick, black smoke rose into the air just across the road. Flames licked at the wooden edges of the small yellow house where old Miss Agnes lived alone. Simon’s breath caught in his throat. The fire crackled louder than the morning birds, and the smell of burning wood and plastic stung his nose. For a moment, fear rooted him to the spot. His hands trembled, and his heart pounded like a drum. But then, through the smoke, he remembered something:  Miss Agnes couldn’t walk quickly. She used a cane and lived alone. Without thinking, Simon dropped his bag and bolted across the street.

The heat hit him like an oven, but he pushed forward, calling her name. “Miss Agnes! Miss Agnes!” he shouted, coughing as the smoke thickened. He reached the front door, which was slightly ajar. Inside, the hallway glowed red from the fire spreading in the kitchen.  Simon found her in the living room, clutching her cane, frozen with fear. He took her arm gently. “Come, we have to go now!” he said. She hesitated, but he guided her, one slow step at a time, away from the flames. They stumbled out just as a neighbour came running to help them across the street.

Within minutes, the fire engine arrived. Sirens blared, and firefighters rushed to control the blaze. Simon sat on the curb, coughing, his eyes watering;  not from the smoke this time, but from the overwhelming relief. Miss Agnes was safe. She clutched his hand and whispered, “You saved me, child. You’re a little hero.”

By the time his mother arrived, Simon’s shirt was covered in soot, and his school shoes were soaked from the water hoses. But he didn’t care. That morning, being late had led him to the bravest moment of his life.

Essay Breakdown

🔸 Content: 5 – Exemplary

• The story fully addresses all aspects of the prompt: a clear and dramatic event (house fire), Simon’s emotional reaction, and a strong sequence of actions that follow.

• The inclusion of Miss Agnes adds depth and realism to the scenario.

• Simon’s bravery, despite fear, is compelling and gives the story a meaningful theme of courage and quick thinking.

• The ending brings satisfying closure and emotional impact.

🔸 Language Use: 5 – Exemplary

• Descriptive, sensory language enriches the scene: “flames licked at the wooden edges,” “heat hit him like an oven,” “his heart pounded like a drum.”

• The tone shifts appropriately from panic to relief and pride.

• Dialogue is natural and effective in showing urgency.

🔸 Organisation: 5 – Exemplary

• Well-structured paragraphs follow a clear narrative arc: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

• Pacing builds tension and resolves it smoothly.

• Each part of the story is well-developed and contributes to the whole.

🔸 Grammar & Mechanics: 5 – Exemplary

• Spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction are accurate.

• Varied sentence types keep the writing engaging.

• No noticeable grammatical errors.

🌟 Total Score: 20/20

Final Comment:
This is a powerful and well-structured narrative that balances action, emotion, and purpose. Simon’s fear and bravery are portrayed realistically, and the story ends with a rewarding sense of heroism.