CREATIVE WRITING

ELECTIVE 2
 This module is aimed to teach
students the rudiments of
creative writing along the four
literary genres: poetry, fiction,
drama and creative non- fiction.
It includes review lessons on
literary terms used in each
genre. The module also
OVERVIEW contains written examples of
poems, short stories, plays, and
creative non-fiction articles.
There are writing activities to
be accomplished in each
module. These activities aim to
hone the writing skills the
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budding writers.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the module, the students
should be able to:
1. Differentiate creative writing from
other forms of writing; and
2. Identify the different genres under
creative writing.
CREATIVE
WRITING
MODULE 1
 • The word creative is defined in
various ways. The following are
just some of the definitions: “the
ability or power to create”,
“imaginative”, “productive and
imaginative”, “characterized by
originality and expressiveness;
imaginative”.
WHAT IS
CREATIVE • Creative writing is therefore
WRITING? generally defined as writing that
is imaginative, created,
productive and original. This
generally covers all areas of
fiction, such as novels, short
stories, poetry etc. but can also
include non-fiction, such as
5 feature articles for magazines.
The key element of creative writing
is, obviously, creativity. A writer is
given free scope to create
characters, places and scenarios to
their liking. And not everything has
to be created – you can place
fi ctitious characters in an existing
city or town, or, base characters on
existing people and place them in
unrealistic surroundings or
scenarios. The beauty of creative
writing is that you really are only
limited by your imagination.
 HOW DOES CREATIVE WRITING DIFFER?

Is creative writing different from other The overall intent of creative writing is not to inform.
kinds of writing? As stated before all
writing involves creativity since it is It is to stir the emotions, to elicit an emotional
response.
selective and is written from the writer’s
perspective. Like informative writing, A storyteller’s narrative is designed to express the
expositions (detailed statements or storyteller’s feelings about some aspect of life, and to
explanations) or instructions, creative engage the reader in those feelings. A poet uses
events, images and people to deliver concentrated
writing does convey information, even
emotion. Dramatists and screen writers convey and
when we define it so broadly; indeed, stir emotions through action and dialogue. A magazine
information is the basic component of all feature writer comments on real people and real lives
communication, no matter what kind. to arouse our sympathy, delight, horror or concern.

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INFORMATION AND CREATIVITY

The point is that almost any genre  Informative writing is primarily

or category of writing can be written
about imparting knowledge.
to engage the reader emotionally
as well as intellectually. What  Creative writing is primarily
makes a work more creative than about creating emotional
informative is its emphasis. effect and significance.
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Differences between creative and informative
writing are sometimes quite blurred. Some
well-known and esteemed pieces of writing
that are primarily informative are also very
creative, sensitive and beautiful, while some
primarily creative works are also highly
informative. To understand this better, read a
chapter from A.S. Byatt’s novel, Possession,
Tolstoy’s War and Peace, Dee Brown’s history,
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, and James
Mitchener’s epic novel, Hawaii. You will also
see writing where creativity and information
carry equal weight and importance in some
newspaper feature articles, often found in the
center pages of the weekend editions, and in
many magazine articles.
Good creative writing uses the same kinds of writing that make
for good informative writing, or good argument, or good
exposition. It is the writer ’s skill at using these forms of writing
that can turn any piece of writing into creative piece of writing.

Even when we write fiction, we are dealing with reality as we know it.
Fictional does not mean false. It takes our reality, or parts of it, and shows
it to us in new ways. It makes the familiar unfamiliar, and takes us into
parts of reality, making us take the time (because we read much slower
than we think or see) to see its complexity, beauty and pain. Even fantasy
fiction and science fiction, which give us totally created worlds, are based
on elements of reality, and are therefore recognizable and believable.
Therefore, when we write creatively, it doesn’t matter whether we are
writing fiction or non-fiction. What matters is that we are sharing
experiences and emotions with the reader and, for a while at least,
leading them towards a particular point of view.
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CREATIVE GENRES
Other genres that we may
Genre is a word often used to describe
categories or types of written text. Some not think of as creative
of the more familiar genres of creative writing are:
writing are:
 poetry of all kinds
 magazine articles
 newspaper feature stories
 short stories
 essays
 novels, including westerns, romances,
science fiction, detective stories,  biographies
mysteries, fantasy, etc.  advertisements
 stage play scripts  card greetings
 film and television screenplays
• books or articles on
 lyrics science, history etc.
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ACTIVITIES

DEFINITION OF CREATIVE WRITING: write a personal pledge outlining your creative writing goals.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CREATIVE WRITING: describe a personal medical experience using

sensory details.

IMAGINATIVE WRITING VS. TECHNICAL/ACADEMIC WRITING: weigh (compare and

contrast) the value of imaginative and technical/academic writing.

FAMOUS CREATIVE WRITING WORKS: search creative writing pieces from influential creative
writers, and will generate quotes and images from these creative writing pieces.

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THANK YOU