Introduction To Creative Writing

STORYBOARD

Learning Objectives

Introduction

Learning Analysis

Course Syllabus

Content

Resources

 

Learning Objectives

The Participants will:

Define Creative Writing

Identify the types of Creative Writing

Distinguish the types of Creative Writing

List the tools used for Creative Writing

List the importance of creative Writing

 

Introduction

We welcome you to Evepac Online English Studies. The study here is a guide to English usage in different spheres of life.

The present study is an introduction to Creative Writing as an aspect of Writing. It is an exposure to the use of creative language to achieve purpose in different spheres of life. The study assesses the ability of students to use the English language creatively for different types of writing. It focuses on the definition and types of Creative Writing.

The study also explores the importance of creative writing, gives information on those that need to study this type of writing and the necessary tools needed for the study.

 

Learner Analysis

Writing is one of the language skills and it is considered important in the study of the English language because of the vital role it plays in communication. The teaching of writing could be approached in different ways. One of the approaches that could be used to teach writing effectively is the creative writing approach.

Akhter, N. who carried out a comparative study on “The Effectiveness of Creative Writing in Language learning,” studied forty students and the result of the research proved that Creative Writing influences the student’s language learning. The researcher concludes that “Creative Writing can be used as an effective language learning tool.” This prompts one to say that creative writing is a means to an end as it could be employed for effective learning of language.

Also, Akkaya.N. (2014) after his analysis of “Elementary Teacher’s view on the Creative Writing Process: An Evaluation,” noted that “Most teachers stated that Creative Writing has many advantages and almost no drawback.” This assertion indicates that Creative Writing influences language learners more positively and makes them improve in their use of language.

Considering these affirmations by the two scholars above one can say that there is a need for the study of Creative Writing to improve the use of English in all spheres of life.

 

In addition to these, we need to emphasize the role of consistent practice in writing. Warring.J. (2007) in her study of “The impact of Writing on Student Achievement,” found that the students that were subjected to an increase in writing and writing instruction in their language arts class had higher scores on standardized test than some other students from the previous year who never received the same treatment.

Given the above revelations, one sees the need to teach Creative writing to improve language learning and effective writing. Hence, Evepac Online English Studies decides to devote time to teach Creative Writing consistently to help people across disciplines improve in their Use of English and all spheres of Creative Writing.

So, our team of experts believes that as you learn Creative Writing with Evepac Online English Studies you will enjoy the time you spend with us because you will embrace a lot of advantages and hardly any disadvantages.

 

Course Syllabus

Pre – Assessment

Definition of Creative Writing

What makes writing different?

Types of Creative Writing

Explanation of the types of Creative Writing

Who needs to study Creative Writing?

Mid – Assessment

Importance of Creative Writing

Tools used for Creative Writing

Final – Assessment

Conclusion

 

Content

Pre – Assessment

We would like to know what you already know. Please do the following exercise to enable us to assess you.

Pick out the types of Creative Writing from the following list

 

Poetry                          Drama                        Course outline

Academic Writing      Songs                          Novels

Movie Script               Technical Writing      Speech

Application Letter      Poem                           Journalism

 

Definition of Creative Writing

Creative Writing involves being creative through language use and imagination. It is creating a piece of written material that is original, artistic, convincing, and looks real though it may not be real in the actual sense. It embraces the artistic choice of words to write something original. One can say that it is the outpour of one’s emotion channeled consciously into a piece of writing.

Creativity emphasizes language use in writing. How do you use your words to create images that are convincingly real though they may not be true? Is your language descriptive, hostile, endearing, or funny? Whichever choice you make must be related to the type of creative writing you engage in. How you utilize the choice of words for each genre could make your writing artistic, convincing, or otherwise. This is one of the reasons why two people can write about the same topic but have different outcomes.

In essence, the type of words one uses has a great influence on one’s writing. The words when chosen carefully and combined with one’s imagination produce a piece of writing beyond the ordinary. Hence one can say that Creative Writing encompasses being original, artistic, convincing, and imaginative.

 

What makes writing different?

Two major things that make writing different are language and purpose.

Language – One of the major things that make writing different is how language is used for each type of writing. For instance, the use of language for creative writing differs from the use of language for journalism or copywriting. While creative writing may embrace a comic use of language to create fun, journalism and copywriting may not adopt this type of language use.

 

Purpose – Another factor that makes writing different is the purpose of the text written. For instance, a creative writer aims to entertain his audience while a copywriter persuades his audience, and a journalist informs his audience. The implication is that the creative writer will embrace the use of language for entertainment while the copywriter utilizes the persuasive use of language and the journalist uses the informative use of language. The difference in language use among the three is important in order to achieve the various purposes.

 

Types of Creative Writing

Fiction

Fiction includes literary works that are based on imagination. In essence, they are not true stories but are made to look as if they happened. Also, they have the characteristics of continuous prose. They follow a narrative form and character development.

Types of Fiction

Novels – These are narratives with lengthy stories.

Novellas – These are short novels or long short stories.

Short Stories – These are well-developed stories that are shorter in length than Novels.

 

Creative Non-Fiction

This is a form of prose that adopts reality as its subject. They are true stories. They are not based on imagination but actual happenings.

Types of Creative Non-Fiction

Personal Essays – This is an autobiographical non – fiction that has the characteristics of intimacy. It is conversational.

Memoir – Memoirs are historical accounts or biography based on personal knowledge or essays written on a learned subject.

Speeches – This is a formal address delivered to the audience. It is based on the author’s memories.

Feature Article for Magazines – Feature articles are stories that give information on human interest. They are published in Newspapers or magazines. They deal with important current issues.

 

Poetry

Poetry is a type of writing in which the poet expresses imagination, thoughts, or experience of intense feelings and emotions in words using a distinctive style and rhythm. It is written in lines and verses. It is characterized by the density of language. One can perform it as well as read it.

 

 Songs

They are short poems or words usually lyrical in nature, that are meant to be songs.

 

Plays

Plays are works of drama that are performed on stage. It involves the use of dialogue between characters. It is written in acts and scenes.

 

Movie Scripts

Movie scripts are written by screenwriters. They are used for film production, video games, and Television program. An extreme level of clarity and creativity in visual description is highly needed in movie script writing.

 

TV Show Scripts

These are scripts written for TV shows. It narrates the movements, actions, expressions, and dialogues of the character.

 

Non-Creative Writing

The following are not classified as Creative Writing:

Journalism

Copywriting

Academic Writing

 

Who needs to study Creative Writing?

The study of Creative Writing is especially important to those who have an interest in the following:

Content writing, social media writing, public relation and marketing, Tv screenwriting, writing for film, writing for publishing, motivational writing, poetry, songwriting.

 

Mid Assessment

Pick out the types of Creative Writing in the following list:

 

Personal Essays          songs

Application                  letter

Movie scripts              TV show scripts

State government press release      plays

Result transcript        novellas

TV news           letter of complaints to the state

Agricultural manuscript     feature articles

Speech                        scripts for interview

Memoir                       social media stories

Conference paper     articles from blogs

Poetry                         senate press release

 

Check out the answers to Mid – Assessment

Personal essays, poetry, songs, movie script, TV show script,

plays, novellas, feature articles, speech, memoir,

articles for blogs, social media stories

 

The Importance of Creative Writing

The following are some of the importance of studying creative writing.

  1. Creative Writing improves language learning – It helps to expand one’s vocabulary and writing skills.
  2. It aids self-development as it exposes one to learn how to write stories and other forms of creative writing.
  3. It exposes one to writing groups. This aids one to improve on style and creativity or imaginative writing.
  4. It helps one to improve in both academic and personal writing.
  5. Creative Writing helps one to develop editorial skills.
  6. It gives satisfaction or personal pleasure.
  7. It helps one to accept criticism.
  8. Writings can be used as gifts to our loved ones.
  9. One can earn some money with creative writing.
  10. Studying creative writing helps one to get committed to writing.
  11. It helps to make one aware of the shortcomings in one’s writings and that of others.

 

Tools for Creative Writing

  1. Read a lot – To learn how to write creatively, one should read what other people write. Just lay your hands on what others have written and read as much as you can. You can also read on some online sites so that you will have a lot of materials at your disposal.
  2. Join writing groups – You need to join writing groups and attend writing workshops. This will help you to learn other people’s styles, ideas and also allow you to be exposed to criticism.
  3. Notepad – Notepads should always be in your company. You need them to record the things you see around you to use some of them to develop your writing.
  4. Laptop / Computer – Get equipped with a laptop or computer (or its equivalent) for your writing.
  5. Consistency – You should be consistent in writing, if possible, write something, no matter how small, daily.
  6. Study the type of writing you want to engage in – If for instance, you would like to be a poet, it means you should read a lot of poems and study them to know how they are written.
  7. Mentorship – Pick a mentor that is willing to direct you and give you attention.
  8. Register or join creative writing sites – Register or join creative writing sites for studies, interaction, and updates.
  9. Explore the use of Software – Explore the use of some software that aids modern writing. For instance, you can explore the use of Microsoft Word, Evernote, E-readers, and some others.

 

Final – Assessment

List nine creative writing tools that can aid your writing.

——-       ——–    ——–   ———   ———

——-      ——–     ——–   ———

Check out the Answers to the Final – Assessment

Read a lot, Notepad, join writing groups, have a laptop or computer, pick a mentor, explore the use of some software, register, or join creative writing websites, consistency, study the type of writing you engage in.

 

Conclusion

Hope you benefitted from Evepac online English Studies’ introduction to creative writing. We believe that this knowledge will improve your future career in Creative writing.

We encourage you to be a part of our audience as we continue to discuss creative writing.

Please we request you to download our short stories as they will enhance your creative writing abilities and expose you to different styles of writing.

Also, we implore you to register with our website so that you will study, interact with others who have an interest in creative writing, and receive updates on creative writing.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel @Evepac Online English Studies.

Thanks for being a part of us.

 

Resources:

Akhter, N. (2014) The Effectiveness of Creative Writing in Language learning. Thesis submitted to the Department of English and Humanities. BRAC. ID 11363013. dspace.bracu.ac.bd>handle.11/18/2020

Akkaya, N. (2014) Elementary Teacher’s Views on the Creative Writing Process: An Evaluation. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 14(4), 1499 – 1504. Retrieved from https//libproxy.albany .edu/login.aspx?direct­=true&db=eric&AN-EJ1045114&site=eds-live&scope=site 11/18/2020

Waring, J.W. (2007). THE IMPACT OF WRITING ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. University of North Carolina Wilmington. dl.uncw.edu>Etd.jennifer.11/18/2020

 

Contact:

Website: www.onlineenglishstudies.com (evepac)

Email: evepaconlineenglishstudies@gmail.com

Whatsapp: +2348033151287