SEA 2025 Creative Writing - The Night of Dazzling Lights

The following is a prompt from SEA 2025 exam for Creative Writing. 

Sample Essay

Kylon had been trying to fall asleep, but the night was strangely silent—no barking dogs, no distant rumble of cars, just an eerie quiet. Suddenly, his room lit up with brilliant, flashing white lights. Startled, he jumped out of bed and ran to the window.

In the backyard, beams of light from flashlights danced across the grass, and shadows moved swiftly between the trees. Men in dark clothes,  with strange symbols on their jackets, were searching the yard. His breath caught in his throat. Who were they? What were they looking for?

Suddenly, one of them shone a beam of light directly at his window. Kylon ducked instinctively, his heart thudding wildly. He crawled to the corner of the room, listening hard. He could hear faint voices, murmuring words he couldn’t understand.

Moments later, his mother burst into his room, her face pale and her voice shaking. “Stay here. Don’t move,” she whispered urgently. Before he could ask, she ran downstairs. Kylon crept back to the window, curiosity overpowering his fear. That’s when he noticed something glinting at the base of the big almond tree:  a small, shiny metal box. One of the figures knelt and picked it up, slipping it into a black bag.

The front door slammed open downstairs, and Kylon heard footsteps. His mother’s voice rose in protest, but another voice, deep and firm, responded. “Stay inside, ma’am. This is a police operation.” Police? Kylon’s mind reeled. Why would the police be in their yard, sneaking around in the dark? His mother returned moments later, her hands shaking. “They’re looking for something dangerous that someone hid here. We’re safe, but they need to search.”

After what felt like hours, the figures in the yard regrouped. The man with the box nodded, and they all disappeared into the night, leaving behind faint footprints and disturbed grass. Kylon sat on his bed, trembling. His mind buzzed with questions. What was in that box? Who had hidden it?

The next day, the neighbourhood buzzed with rumours. Some said it was evidence from a nearby robbery, others whispered it was something far more mysterious.

Kylon never got the answers, but he knew one thing for sure:  he would never forget the night his backyard became a scene from a real-life mystery.

Essay Breakdown

🔸 Content: 5 – Exemplary

• The story is fully aligned with the prompt, beginning with the lights reflecting on Kylon's wall and building from his stunned reaction.

• Plot structure is complete: exposition (sleepless night), rising action (lights and strange men), climax (discovery of the box and police entry), falling action (explanation and departure), and resolution (Kylon’s lingering questions).

• A strong sense of suspense and mystery is built and sustained throughout.

• The final paragraph neatly wraps up the emotional impact and curiosity left unresolved, which fits the mysterious tone.

🔸 Language Use: 5 – Exemplary

• Excellent descriptive language and sensory detail: e.g., “brilliant, flashing white lights”, “shadows moved swiftly”, “his breath caught in his throat.”

• Figurative language is used effectively without overuse.

• Internal thoughts and emotions (“his heart thudding wildly”, “mind buzzed with questions”) deepen the reader’s connection with Kylon.

🔸 Organisation: 5 – Exemplary

• Smooth paragraphing, each handling a clear moment in the story.

• Logical sequence of events—no confusion or jumbled actions.

• Excellent pacing and flow; the story reads effortlessly from start to finish.

🔸 Grammar & Mechanics: 5 – Exemplary

• Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are nearly flawless.

• Sentence structure is varied and appropriate to the tone.

• Dialogue is properly punctuated and clear.

🌟 Total Score: 20/20

💡 Final Comments:

This story contains:

• Strong suspenseful content that holds readers’ attention.

• Vivid descriptions and sensory details that create a clear picture.

• Flawless grammar and mechanics that make it easy to read.

• Clear structure and progression, building from intrigue to climax and a reflective ending.

It meets all SEA narrative writing criteria with a captivating mystery and leaves readers wanting more.

Like what you've read? Want more? Hit us up in the comments below and say MORE!