objectives for creative writing

• Onsite training

3,000,000+ delegates

15,000+ clients

1,000+ locations

• KnowledgePass
• Log a ticket

01344203999 Available 24/7

Objectives of Creative Writing

Delve into the "Objectives of Creative Writing" and explore the multifaceted aims of this expressive art form. Uncover the diverse purposes, entertainment, education, and social commentary, that creative writing serves. Gain a deeper understanding of how creative writing transcends mere words, providing insight into the human experience.

Exclusive 40% OFF

Training Outcomes Within Your Budget!

We ensure quality, budget-alignment, and timely delivery by our expert instructors.

Share this Resource

• Creative Writing Course
• Report Writing Course
• Attention Management Training
• Cake Decorating Getting Started Workshop
• Bag Making Course

In this blog, we delve into the Objectives of Creative Writing and its purposes, shedding light on its significance in our lives. From the art of storytelling to the therapeutic release of emotions, Creative Writing is a dynamic and versatile discipline that has enchanted both writers and readers for generations. 

Table of C ontents  

1)  Objectives of Creative Writing 

    a)  Self-expression 

    b)  Entertainment 

    c)  Education 

    d)  Social commentary 

2)  Purpose of Creative Writing 

3)  Conclusion 

Objectives of Creative Writing  

Creative Writing serves as a versatile and dynamic form of expression, encompassing a range of objectives that go beyond mere storytelling. Here, we delve into the fundamental objectives that drive creative writers to craft their narratives and explore the depths of human creativity:  

Self-expression 

Creative Writing is, at its core, a powerful means of self-expression. It provides writers with a unique canvas upon which they can paint the colours of their innermost thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This objective of Creative Writing is deeply personal and cathartic, as it allows individuals to articulate their inner worlds in ways that spoken language often cannot. 

Through the act of writing, authors can explore the complexities of their own psyche, giving shape and substance to feelings that might otherwise remain elusive. Whether it's capturing the euphoria of love, the depths of sorrow, or the intricacies of human relationships, Creative Writing serves as a conduit for unfiltered self-expression. 

Moreover, Creative Writing grants the freedom to experiment with different writing styles, tones, and literary devices, enabling writers to find their unique voices. In the process, it cultivates self-awareness, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of one's own experiences. For many, the act of putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard is a therapeutic release, a way to make sense of the chaos within, and an avenue for personal growth and reflection. In essence, Creative Writing empowers individuals to share their inner narratives with the world, fostering connection and empathy among fellow readers who may find solace, resonance, or inspiration in the tales of others. 

Entertainment 

One of the primary and most recognisable objectives of Creative Writing is to entertain. Creative writers craft stories, poems, and essays that are designed to captivate readers, transporting them to different worlds, evoking emotions, and engaging their imaginations. 

At its heart, Creative Writing is the art of storytelling, and storytelling has been an integral part of human culture since time immemorial. Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking science fiction narrative, Creative Writing offers an escape from the ordinary into realms of fantasy, intrigue, and wonder. It weaves narratives with vivid imagery, compelling characters, and gripping plots, all working together to hold the reader's attention. 

Through Creative Writing, authors create emotional connections between the reader and the characters, fostering a sense of empathy and identification. As readers immerse themselves in a well-crafted story, they experience a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears, joy to sorrow. It is this emotional journey that makes Creative Writing such a potent form of entertainment, offering readers a pleasurable escape from reality, a chance to explore new perspectives and a memorable experience that lingers long after the last page is turned.  

Education 

Creative Writing is not only a source of entertainment but also a powerful educational tool. It engages writers in a process that goes beyond storytelling; it encourages research, critical thinking, and the development of effective communication skills. 

Writers often embark on extensive research journeys to create authentic settings, characters, and plots. This quest for accuracy and depth enriches their knowledge in various fields, ranging from history and science to culture and psychology. As they delve into their chosen topics, writers gain valuable insights and expand their intellectual horizons. 

Furthermore, Creative Writing teaches readers important life lessons and imparts knowledge. It introduces them to diverse perspectives, cultures, and experiences, fostering empathy and understanding. Reading well-crafted works can be an enlightening experience, challenging preconceptions and encouraging critical thinking. It also enhances vocabulary, language skills, and the ability to express thoughts and emotions effectively. 

In educational settings, Creative Writing nurtures creativity, encourages self-expression, and helps students develop essential communication and analytical skills. This educational objective of Creative Writing underscores its value as a holistic tool for personal and intellectual growth, making it an integral part of both formal and informal learning processes. 

Social commentary 

Creative Writing often serves as a potent medium for social commentary, embodying a powerful objective that transcends mere storytelling. Through the art of narrative, poets, novelists, and essayists alike can engage in meaningful discourse about society's values, issues, and challenges. 

Writers use their creative works to shine a light on important societal concerns, question norms, and provoke thought. They employ allegory, satire, symbolism, and other literary techniques to critique, challenge, or explore various aspects of the human condition and the world we inhabit. Whether addressing issues such as inequality, injustice, environmental crises, or political corruption, Creative Writing can be a catalyst for change. 

By portraying the complexities of real-life situations and characters, writers encourage readers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them. This introspection can lead to increased awareness and, ideally, inspire action to address pressing societal issues. 

In essence, the social commentary objective of Creative Writing underscores its role as a mirror reflecting the world's triumphs and flaws. It empowers writers to be advocates for change, storytellers with a purpose, and champions of social justice, ensuring that Creative Writing continues to be a powerful force for positive transformation in society. 

Tap into your creative potential with our Creative Writing Training – Get started today! 

Purpose of Creative Writing 

Creative Writing serves a multitude of purposes, making it a dynamic and invaluable art form. Beyond its objectives, Creative Writing plays a crucial role in our lives and society, contributing to personal growth, cultural preservation, inspiration, and connection.  

Catharsis 

One of the profound and therapeutic purposes of Creative Writing is catharsis. This aspect of Creative Writing is deeply personal, as it offers writers a means to release pent-up emotions, confront inner turmoil, and find a sense of closure. 

Through the act of writing, individuals can explore their innermost thoughts and feelings in a safe and controlled environment. Whether it's grappling with grief, heartbreak, trauma, or any other emotional burden, Creative Writing provides an outlet to give shape and voice to those complex emotions. It allows writers to dissect their experiences, providing a space for self-reflection and healing. 

The process of transforming raw emotions into words can be both liberating and transformative. It can provide a sense of relief, allowing writers to gain insight into their emotional landscapes. Moreover, sharing these emotions through writing can foster connection and empathy among readers who may have experienced similar feelings or situations, creating a sense of community and understanding. 

Ultimately, catharsis through Creative Writing is a journey of self-discovery and emotional release, offering solace, healing, and a path towards personal growth and resilience. It highlights the profound impact of the written word in helping individuals navigate the complexities of their own inner worlds. 

Cultural preservation 

Creative Writing serves a noble purpose beyond personal expression and entertainment—it plays a vital role in cultural preservation. This objective of Creative Writing involves safeguarding the rich tapestry of human heritage, traditions, and stories for future generations. 

Cultures are defined by their narratives, folklore, and historical accounts. Creative writers, whether chroniclers of oral traditions or authors of historical fiction are the custodians of these invaluable cultural treasures. They document the stories passed down through generations, ensuring they are not lost to time. 

Through Creative Writing, cultures are celebrated, languages are preserved, and unique identities are immortalised. Folktales, myths, and legends are retold, keeping them relevant and alive. These narratives provide insights into the beliefs, values, and wisdom of a society, fostering a deeper understanding of its roots. 

Moreover, Creative Writing bridges cultural divides by sharing stories from diverse backgrounds, fostering empathy and appreciation for the richness of human experience. In this way, Creative Writing becomes a bridge across generations, connecting the past with the present and preserving the collective memory of humanity for a brighter future. 

Inspiration 

One of the transformative purposes of Creative Writing is to inspire others. It is a beacon that shines brightly, guiding aspiring writers and kindling the creative flames within them. Through the power of storytelling and the written word, Creative Writing has the remarkable ability to ignite the spark of imagination and motivation. 

Exceptional works of literature often leave an indelible mark on readers. They can evoke a sense of wonder, curiosity, and passion, motivating individuals to embark on their own creative journeys. Many renowned authors found their calling through the inspiration they drew from the words of others, perpetuating a beautiful cycle of creativity. 

Creative Writing serves as a testament to human potential, showcasing the boundless depths of imagination and the infinite possibilities of language. It encourages individuals to explore their unique perspectives, cultivate their voices, and craft stories that resonate with the human experience. 

For writers and readers alike, Creative Writing is a wellspring of inspiration, a reminder that the world of imagination is boundless and that the written word has the power to shape minds, hearts, and the course of history. Through the act of creation and the sharing of stories, Creative Writing continues to inspire generations to dream, create, and connect with the world in profound ways. 

Connection 

Creative Writing holds a remarkable purpose - it fosters connections. It serves as a bridge between authors and readers, offering a means of understanding, empathy, and human connection that transcends time, space, and cultural boundaries. 

When readers immerse themselves in a well-crafted story, they embark on an emotional journey alongside the characters. This shared experience creates a bond between the author and the reader as both parties navigate the complexities of the human condition together. Readers can see the world through the eyes of characters from diverse backgrounds and cultures, fostering empathy and understanding. 

Furthermore, Creative Writing connects individuals across generations. Literary classics, for example, allow us to connect with the thoughts and emotions of people who lived centuries ago. These timeless works offer insights into the universal aspects of the human experience, reminding us of our shared humanity. 

Creative Writing also has the power to connect people in the present. Through reading and discussion, individuals can form communities, share their interpretations, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Book clubs, literary events, and online forums all provide platforms for people to connect over their love for literature. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Creative Writing is a multifaceted art form with diverse objectives and purposes. From self-expression and entertainment to education, social commentary, catharsis, cultural preservation, inspiration, and connection, it enriches our lives in myriad ways. This timeless craft continues to captivate, inspire, and connect us, shaping our world through the power of words. 

Embark on your personal growth journey with our Personal Development Training – Explore now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Upcoming business skills resources batches & dates.

Fri 27th Sep 2024

Fri 25th Oct 2024

Fri 22nd Nov 2024

Fri 27th Dec 2024

Fri 10th Jan 2025

Fri 14th Mar 2025

Fri 9th May 2025

Fri 11th Jul 2025

Fri 12th Sep 2025

Fri 14th Nov 2025

Get A Quote

WHO WILL BE FUNDING THE COURSE?

My employer

By submitting your details you agree to be contacted in order to respond to your enquiry

• Business Analysis
• Lean Six Sigma Certification

Share this course

Our biggest summer sale.

We cannot process your enquiry without contacting you, please tick to confirm your consent to us for contacting you about your enquiry.

By submitting your details you agree to be contacted in order to respond to your enquiry.

We may not have the course you’re looking for. If you enquire or give us a call on 01344203999 and speak to our training experts, we may still be able to help with your training requirements.

Or select from our popular topics

• ITIL® Certification
• Scrum Certification
• ISO 9001 Certification
• Change Management Certification
• Microsoft Azure Certification
• Microsoft Excel Courses
• Explore more courses

Press esc to close

Fill out your  contact details  below and our training experts will be in touch.

Fill out your   contact details   below

Thank you for your enquiry!

One of our training experts will be in touch shortly to go over your training requirements.

Back to Course Information

Fill out your contact details below so we can get in touch with you regarding your training requirements.

* WHO WILL BE FUNDING THE COURSE?

Preferred Contact Method

No preference

Back to course information

Fill out your  training details  below

Fill out your training details below so we have a better idea of what your training requirements are.

HOW MANY DELEGATES NEED TRAINING?

HOW DO YOU WANT THE COURSE DELIVERED?

Online Instructor-led

Online Self-paced

WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THIS COURSE?

Next 2 - 4 months

WHAT IS YOUR REASON FOR ENQUIRING?

Looking for some information

Looking for a discount

I want to book but have questions

One of our training experts will be in touch shortly to go overy your training requirements.

Your privacy & cookies!

Like many websites we use cookies. We care about your data and experience, so to give you the best possible experience using our site, we store a very limited amount of your data. Continuing to use this site or clicking “Accept & close” means that you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more about our privacy policy and cookie policy cookie policy .

We use cookies that are essential for our site to work. Please visit our cookie policy for more information. To accept all cookies click 'Accept & close'.

This website requires JavaScript to run properly, but JavaScript is disabled. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

• Learn Everywhere
• Undergraduate Programs
• Creative Writing

Learning Goals & Outcomes

Minor in Creative Writing

As a student of creative writing , you will create original works of literature, culminating in a significant, extended body of poetry, fiction, and/or creative nonfiction that manifests your artistic potential. 

These literary works will demonstrate the following aspects of your craft :

your own voice and style as a writer, which you have discovered and developed

your use of the central subject matter that comes out of your own individual life experience and from your imagination

your understanding of the creative process as a forum for critical as well as intuitive thinking, as well as problem-solving

your awareness of the literary, cultural, and historical contexts within which you write, including the influence of past and present literary forms, structures, styles, and traditions on your artistic choices

(for poets) : your ability to shape a poem in terms of lineation, stanza structure, rhythm, and sound; and to effectively work within the parameters of various poetic forms

(for fiction writers) : your ability to invent and organize plot; develop character; modulate tone; make use of evocative imagery; and shape and control the formal in both modular and linear narratives

(for creative nonfiction writers) : your ability to establish a distinctive voice and a clear sense of purpose; provide insightful reflection on the chosen subject matter; render vivid scenes complete with dialogue; distinguish between various types of nonfiction including memoir, personal essay, and literary journalism; and determine when and where to use research, as well as appropriate sources and research methods

Updated: February 2018

• Visit Campus
• Request Info
• Give to Goucher

Not Seeing the Program You Are Looking For?

Use the + icon on the right to see more links

• Undergraduate Majors & Minors
• Graduate & Professional Programs
• General Education
• Academic Resources
• Study Abroad
• Student Research
• Dutchmen First Program
• Academic Calendar
• 7-week Term Calendar
• Bishop Library
• Honors Program
• Winter Term
• Admission & Aid
• Undergraduate Admission
• Graduate Admission
• Admitted Students
• International Students
• Military Students
• Financial Aid & Costs
• New Student Advising Days
• Transfer Admission
• Types of Aid
• Tuition & Scholarship Calculators
• Scholarships & Grants
• Financial Aid FAQs
• Student Life
• Health & Wellness
• Fitness & Recreation
• Activities & Clubs
• Commuter Resources
• Spiritual Life
• Student Mentoring
• Pride of the Valley Marching Band
• Traditions & History
• Mission & Strategy
• College Leadership
• Inclusive Excellence
• Sustainability Initiatives
• Working at LVC
• Administrative Offices & Directories
• Breen Center for Career and Professional Development
• Service & Community Engagement
• Summer Camps & Community Programming
• Community Impact
• Our Location
• Reporting Issues & Grievances

• Creative Writing Mission, Goals, & Objectives
• Creative Writing

The academic mission of Lebanon Valley College’s program in creative writing is to develop writing skills in a variety of modes and for a variety of audiences, while also developing abilities in critical thinking and creative problem solving. The program achieves these objectives through courses centered on craft, process, and aesthetic traditions in all of the genres we teach. Students are engaged through multiple experiences pertaining to creative writing: workshops, seminar courses, readings by visiting writers, internships, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduates of the creative writing program are equipped to work in a wide variety of fields and to pursue graduate study.

Creative Writing Department Goals and Objectives

Program Goal 1: Students will demonstrate effective critical thinking.      

• Analysis of Contexts & Assumptions: Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze context and assumptions      

Program Goal 2: Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication abilities.      

• Information Literacy: Students will demonstrate the ability to use authoritative sources      
• Control of Syntax and Mechanics: Students will demonstrate the ability to control syntax and mechanics      
• Domain-Specific Communications: Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate according to domain-specific goals      
• Domain-Specific Technology: Students will demonstrate the ability to use programs, applications, and/or hardware according to domain-specific goals    

* Creative Writing and English define and assess their programs’ communications and technology outcomes separately.

Program Goal 3: Students will demonstrate effective critical reading skills.      

• Comprehension: Students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend complex texts      
• Close Reading: Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze relations between form and content      

For more information on learning goals and outcomes, contact  [email protected] .

Aiming for Success: Creative Writing Objectives Demystified

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Understanding the Importance of Setting Clear Objectives in Creative Writing

Identifying personal goals as a creative writer, unleashing your imagination: exploring the boundaries of creative writing, developing effective strategies to achieve writing objectives, crafting compelling characters: objectives and techniques in character development, harnessing the power of language: objectives for enhancing writing style, mastering the art of storytelling: objectives for creating engaging narrative structures, creating engaging narrative structures: key objectives for mastering the art of storytelling, embracing feedback and continuous learning: objectives for growth as a creative writer, frequently asked questions, wrapping up.

Setting clear objectives in creative writing is crucial for achieving success and taking your writing to the next level. By establishing specific goals, you provide yourself with a clear direction and purpose, helping you stay focused and motivated throughout the writing process. These objectives can range from improving your storytelling skills to creating engaging characters or exploring new writing techniques.

One key benefit of setting clear objectives is that it allows you to measure your progress and track your growth as a writer. By breaking down your larger goals into smaller, achievable objectives, you can see tangible results and gain a sense of accomplishment along the way. Additionally, having well-defined objectives enables you to identify areas that may need improvement and prioritize your efforts accordingly. Whether you aim to enhance your descriptive writing or develop a unique writing voice, having clear objectives helps you stay organized and purposeful in your creative endeavors.

When setting objectives in creative writing, consider the following tips :

• Be specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve in your writing. Instead of vague goals like “write better,” focus on specific aspects such as dialogue, pacing, or character development.
• Set realistic goals: While it’s essential to challenge yourself, be mindful of setting objectives that are attainable. This will help prevent frustration and maintain your motivation.
• Prioritize: Determine which objectives are most important to you at the moment. It’s okay to focus on one or two areas at a time until you feel confident enough to move on to others.

The significance of setting clear objectives in creative writing cannot be underestimated. They provide a roadmap for your writing journey, allowing you to navigate through challenges and maximize your potential as a writer. So take the time to identify your objectives, stay committed to your goals, and watch as your creative writing skills flourish before your eyes.

As a creative writer, it is essential to take the time to reflect on and identify your personal goals. Setting clear intentions will not only help you stay focused and motivated, but it will also provide a sense of direction to your writing journey. Here are a few key points to consider when identifying your personal goals as a creative writer:

• Exploring creative genres: Determine the genres that intrigue you the most. Whether it’s fantasy, science fiction, romance, or mystery, focusing on a particular genre will allow you to develop a unique voice and hone your craft.
• Improving writing skills: Constantly striving to improve your writing skills is vital. Consider areas you’d like to develop, such as character development, dialogue, or descriptive writing. Setting specific goals in these areas will help you grow as a writer.
• Expanding your writing network: Networking with other writers opens up opportunities to learn, share ideas, and gain valuable feedback. Whether it’s through workshops, writing groups, or online communities, connecting with fellow writers can provide support and inspiration for your creative journey.

Remember, goal-setting is a personal process, and it’s important to tailor your objectives to align with your unique aspirations and interests as a creative writer. Embrace the freedom to dream and imagine as you embark on this incredible adventure.

Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey into the uncharted territories of your imagination? Creative writing is not just about crafting captivating stories; it’s a dynamic process that allows you to push the boundaries of your creativity and discover new worlds within your mind. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a poet, or simply someone looking to explore their artistic side, this post will inspire you to unleash your imagination and take your writing to new heights.

One of the key elements in creative writing is the ability to think outside the box. Don’t limit yourself to what you already know or what has been done before. Instead, embrace the unknown, explore unconventional ideas, and challenge traditional storytelling techniques. This is your opportunity to break free from the confines of reality and create your own rules.

• Experiment with genres: Don’t be afraid to mix and match genres to create something entirely unique. Combine elements of sci-fi and romance or blend mystery with fantasy. The possibilities are endless!
• Play with perspectives: Try writing from different points of view to add depth and complexity to your stories. Explore the mind of a villain or tell a tale from the perspective of an inanimate object.
• Break free from linear narratives: Who says a story has to follow a linear path? Experiment with non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives to add intrigue and captivate your readers.

When it comes to achieving writing objectives, it is crucial to develop effective strategies that can help streamline the writing process and enhance the quality of your work. These strategies not only assist in organizing your thoughts but also ensure that your writing is concise, coherent, and impactful. Here are some key tips to consider:

• Define your writing objectives: Before you begin any writing task, it is essential to clearly define your objectives. Whether it’s to persuade, inform, or entertain your audience, having a clear goal in mind will guide your writing process and help you stay focused.
• Create an outline: A well-structured outline acts as a roadmap for your writing. It helps you organize your ideas, establish a logical flow, and maintain coherence throughout your piece. Divide your content into sections and subheadings, ensuring a smooth transition between each point. This not only makes your writing more comprehensive but also saves you time during the revision process.
• Research and gather relevant information: To create compelling content, it is important to conduct thorough research on your topic. This allows you to gather accurate information and support your arguments with credible sources. Remember to critically analyze the information you find and avoid relying solely on a single source.

Additionally, honing your writing skills and seeking feedback can greatly contribute to achieving your objectives. Here are a few more strategies to consider:

• Practice and refine: Like any other skill, writing requires practice to improve. Set aside dedicated time to practice writing regularly. Experiment with different writing styles, tones, and formats to develop versatility as a writer.
• Seek feedback: Feedback is invaluable in sharpening your writing skills. Share your work with trusted individuals, such as mentors, peers, or writing groups, and encourage them to provide constructive criticism. Be open to suggestions and learn from the feedback you receive to continuously enhance your writing.
• Edit and revise: The final step in achieving your writing objectives is thorough editing and revision. Take the time to review your work, focusing on grammar, punctuation, clarity, and overall coherence. Polish your sentences, eliminate unnecessary fluff, and ensure that your message shines through crystal clear.

By implementing these strategies, you can develop a solid foundation for achieving your writing objectives. Remember, consistency and perseverance are key, so practice regularly, seek feedback, and never stop refining your writing skills.

Creating memorable and compelling characters is an essential aspect of storytelling that can make a world of difference in captivating your readers or viewers. Successful character development requires a careful blend of creativity, planning, and understanding of human psychology. In this post, we will explore the objectives and techniques to help you craft characters that will not only engage your audience but also leave a lasting impact.

• Relatability: One of the primary objectives of character development is to create relatable individuals that resonate with your audience. By crafting characters with whom readers can identify or empathize, you can establish an emotional connection that keeps them invested in your story.
• Depth: A multi-dimensional character is far more captivating than a one-dimensional stereotype. Aim to give your characters depth by exploring their backstory, personality traits, motivations, and flaws. This complexity humanizes them and makes their journey more intriguing.
• Growth: Characters that evolve and learn throughout the narrative hold great appeal. By setting up challenges and obstacles that they must overcome, you can showcase their growth, making them more relatable and inspiring to your audience.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of explicitly stating a character’s traits or emotions, employ the technique of showing it through their actions, dialogue, and interactions with others. This allows readers to form their own opinions and connect with the characters on a deeper level.
• Conflict: Introducing internal and external conflicts adds depth and tension to your characters, driving the story forward. These conflicts reveal their true nature, test their limits, and provide opportunities for growth and transformation.
• Unique Voice: Each character should have their distinct voice and speech patterns. The way they communicate reflects their background, personality, and experiences, making them more authentic and memorable.

By keeping these objectives and techniques in mind, you can embark on a journey of character development that brings your fictional creations to life and captivates your audience.

The Power of Language: Objectives for Enhancing Writing Style

Improving your writing style can have a profound impact on how your message is received. By harnessing the power of language, you can captivate your readers, convey your ideas effectively, and leave a lasting impression. In this section, we will explore some key objectives that will help enhance your writing style and elevate your written communication to new heights.

• Vary Sentence Structure: Avoid monotony in your writing by using a blend of short and long sentences. This will create a rhythm and flow, making your content more engaging and dynamic.
• Choose Precise Words: Selecting the right words is crucial for conveying your message accurately and concisely. Use vivid and descriptive language to paint a clear picture in the minds of your readers.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of simply stating facts, try to show your readers what you mean through vivid imagery, storytelling, and sensory details. This will make your writing more vivid and relatable.
• Use Active Voice: Active voice helps make your sentences clear and direct. It adds energy to your writing and avoids ambiguity that passive voice can create.

Harnessing the power of language is both an art and a skill that can be honed with practice. These objectives will serve as a solid foundation for enhancing your writing style and connecting with your readers on a deeper level. Remember, a well-crafted piece of writing has the potential to leave a lasting impact and make a difference in the world.

When it comes to captivating an audience, storytelling is an essential skill that can elevate your content to new heights. To create engaging narrative structures, mastering a few key objectives is crucial. These objectives serve as your weapon of choice, enabling you to connect with your audience on a deeper level and weave an unforgettable tale that leaves a lasting impact.

1. Develop compelling characters: The heart and soul of any story lies in its characters. Take the time to create three-dimensional characters that your readers can relate to, empathize with, and root for. Give them unique personalities, strengths, and flaws that add depth and authenticity to your narrative. By breathing life into your characters, you will hook your audience, keeping them invested in your story from start to finish.

2. Craft a captivating plot: A well-crafted plot will keep your readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages or scrolling further. Engage your audience by establishing a clear conflict or obstacle that your characters must overcome. Incorporate unexpected twists and turns to add suspense and excitement. A carefully planned plot will ensure that your narrative structure holds their attention, leaving them hungry for more.

As a creative writer, embracing feedback and continuous learning is crucial for personal and professional growth. By actively seeking and valuing feedback, you open yourself up to new perspectives and insights that can enhance your writing skills and style. Embracing feedback also demonstrates your willingness to improve and learn from others, honing your craft and evolving as a writer.

Continuous learning is an essential objective for any creative writer. It allows you to stay updated on industry trends, techniques, and new literary forms, expanding your repertoire of writing skills. To embrace continuous learning, consider:

• Engaging in writing workshops or joining a writing critique group to receive constructive feedback and learn from fellow writers.
• Seeking out professional development opportunities, such as attending writing conferences or seminars.
• Exploring different genres and styles of writing to broaden your creative horizons.
• Reading widely and exploring literature from different eras and cultures, which can inspire and inform your own writing.

By actively embracing feedback and making continuous learning a priority, you pave the way for growth and improvement as a creative writer. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself; it is through this process that you will refine your craft and unlock your full potential as a writer.

Q: What are the creative writing objectives that can lead to success? A: Creative writing encompasses various objectives such as developing a unique writing style, crafting engaging narratives, evoking emotions in readers, and effectively communicating ideas.

Q: How can I develop a distinct writing style? A: Developing a unique writing style involves experimenting with different writing techniques, exploring different genres, and understanding your own voice as a writer. Embrace your individuality and let your style naturally evolve as you continue to write.

Q: What is the key to crafting engaging narratives? A: Crafting engaging narratives requires a combination of elements such as a well-structured plot, compelling characters, interesting conflicts, and vivid descriptions. By balancing these elements, you can create stories that captivate readers and keep them invested in your writing.

Q: How can I evoke emotions in my readers? A: To evoke emotions in your readers, it’s essential to create relatable characters and situations. Utilize descriptive and sensory language to engage readers’ senses, making them feel connected to the story emotionally. Additionally, incorporating authentic and meaningful experiences can help elicit strong emotional responses from readers.

Q: How can I effectively communicate my ideas through writing? A: Effective communication in creative writing involves clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Present your ideas in a logical manner, making sure each sentence and paragraph flows smoothly. Utilize powerful and precise language to convey your thoughts and ensure they resonate with readers.

Q: Are there any tips for overcoming writer’s block? A: When faced with writer’s block, try switching up your environment, engaging in activities that inspire creativity, and setting specific writing goals . Freewriting, brainstorming, or discussing ideas with others can also help to overcome the creative block.

Q: How important is feedback in creative writing? A: Feedback plays a crucial role in improving your creative writing skills. Seek feedback from trusted sources, such as writing groups or mentors, who can provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement. Embrace feedback as an opportunity for growth and learning.

Q: Should I focus on creativity or technical aspects of writing? A: Both creativity and technical aspects are vital for successful creative writing. While creativity allows you to bring fresh and imaginative ideas to life, technical skills such as grammar, punctuation, and proper sentence structure are essential for effective communication. Strive to strike a balance between creativity and technical proficiency in your writing.

Q: How can I stay motivated throughout my creative writing journey? A: It’s important to set realistic goals and celebrate small victories . Surround yourself with a supportive community of writers and regularly engage in activities that inspire and fuel your creativity. Remember your passion for writing and the joy it brings you, as this will serve as a constant source of motivation.

In conclusion, understanding the objectives of creative writing is the key to achieving success in this expressive art form. So, let your imagination soar and embark on a creative journey like no other!

Setting the Record Straight: Common Misconceptions About Brainstorming

Unveiling Solutions: What Do You Do If You Have Writer’s Block

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities.

Welcome to Creative Writing Prompts

At Creative Writing Prompts, we believe in the power of words to shape worlds. Our platform is a sanctuary for aspiring writers, seasoned wordsmiths, and everyone. Here, storytelling finds its home, and your creative journey begins its captivating voyage.

© 2024 Creativewriting-prompts.com

Week One Creative Writing Lesson Plans: Expert Guide

Looking for creative writing lesson plans? I am developing creative writing lesson ideas! 

I’ve written and revamped my creative writing lesson plans and learned that the first week is vital in establishing a community of writers, in outlining expectations, and in working with a new class.

What are some good creative writing exercises?

Some good creative writing exercises include writing prompts, free writing, character development exercises, and fun writing games.

The first week, though, we establish trust—and then we begin powerful creative writing exercises to engage young writers and our community.

How can add encouragement in creative writing lesson plans?

I’ve found students are shy about writing creatively, about sharing pieces of themselves. A large part of the first week of class is setting the atmosphere, of showing everyone they are free to create. And! These concepts will apply to most writing lesson plans for secondary students.

Feel free to give me feedback and borrow all that you need! Below, find my detailed my day-by-day progression for creative writing lesson plans  for week one.

Creative Writing Lesson Day One: Sharing my vision

Comfort matters for young writers. I’m not a huge “ice breaker” type of teacher—I build relationships slowly. Still, to get student writing, we must establish that everyone is safe to explore, to write, to error.

Here are some ideas.

Tone and attitude

For day one with any lesson plan for creative writing, I think it is important to set the tone, to immediately establish what I want from my creative writing students. And that is…

them not to write for me, but for them. I don’t want them writing what they think I want them to write.

Does that make sense? Limitations hurt young writers. My overall tone and attitude toward young writers is that we will work together, create and write together, provide feedback, and invest in ourselves. Older kiddos think that they must provide teachers with the “correct” writing. In such a course, restrictions and boundaries largely go out the window.

Plus, I specifically outline what I believe they can produce in a presentation to set people at ease.

The presentation covers expectations for the class. As the teacher, I am a sort of writing coach with ideas that will not work for everyone. Writers should explore different methods and realize what works for them. First, not everyone will appreciate every type of writing—which is fine. But as a writing community, we must accept that we may not be the target audience for every piece of work.

Therefore, respect is a large component of the class. Be sure to outline what interactions you find acceptable within your classroom community.

Next, as their writing coach, I plan to provide ideas and tools for use. Their job is to decide what tools work for their creative endeavors. My overall message is uplifting and encouraging.

Finally, when we finish, I share the presentation with students so they can consult it throughout the semester. The presentation works nicely for meet-the-teacher night, too!

After covering classroom procedures and rules, I show students a TED Talk. We watch The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Adichie. My goal is to show students that I don’t have a predetermined idea concerning what they should write. This discussion takes the rest of the class period.

Establishing comfort and excitement precedents my other creative writing activities. Personalize your “vision” activities for your lessons in creative writing. Honestly, doing this pre-work builds relationships with students and creates a positive classroom atmosphere.

Creative Writing Lesson Day Two: Activating prior knowledge

Students possess prior knowledge concerning creative writing, but they might not consider that. Students should realize that they know what constitutes a great story. They might not realize that yet. An easy lesson plan for creative writing that will pay off later is to activate prior knowledge. Brainstorm creative, memorable, unforgettable stories with students. Share your thoughts too! You will start to build relationships with students who share the same tastes as you (and those that are completely different!).

Activation activity

During this activity, I want to see how students work together, and I want to build a rapport with students. Additionally, activating prior knowledge provides a smooth transition into other creative writing activities.

This creative writing activity is simple:

I ask students to tell me memorable stories—books, play, tv shows, movies—and I write them on the board. I add and veto as appropriate. Normally doing these classroom discussions, we dive deeper into comedies and creative nonfiction. Sometimes as we work, I ask students to research certain stories and definitions. I normally take a picture of our work so that I can build creative writing lessons from students’ interests.

This takes longer than you might think, but I like that aspect. This information can help me shape my future lessons.

With about twenty minutes left in class, I ask students to form small groups. I want them to derive what makes these stories memorable. Since students complete group and partner activities in this class, I also watch and see how they interact.

Students often draw conclusions about what makes a story memorable:

• Realistic or true-to-life characters.
• Meaningful themes.
• Funny or sad events.

All of this information will be used later as students work on their own writing. Many times, my creative writing lessons overlap, especially concerning the feedback from young writers.

Creative Writing Lesson Day Three: Brainstorming and a graphic organizer

From building creative writing activities and implementing them, I now realize that students think they will sit and write. Ta-da!  After all, this isn’t academic writing. Coaching creative writing students is part of the process.

Young writers must accept that a first draft is simply that, a first draft. Building a project requires thought and mistakes. (Any writing endeavor does, really.) Students hear ‘creative writing’ and they think… easy. Therefore, a first week lesson plan for creative writing should touch on what creativity is.

Really, creativity is everywhere. We complete a graphic organizer titled, “Where is Creativity?” Students brainstorm familiar areas that they may not realize have such pieces.

The ideas they compile stir all sorts of conversations:

• Restaurants
• Movie theaters
• Amusement parks

By completing this graphic organizer, we discuss how creativity surrounds us, how we can incorporate different pieces in our writing, and how different areas influence our processes.

Creative Writing Lesson, Days Four and Five: Creative Nonfiction

Students need practice writing, and they need to understand that they will not use every word they write. Cutting out lines is painful for them! Often, a lesson plan for creative writing involves providing time for meaningful writing.

For two days, we study and discuss creative nonfiction. Students start by reading an overview of creative nonfiction . (If you need mentor texts, that website has some as well.) When I have books available, I show the class examples of creative nonfiction.

We then continue through elements of a narrative . Classes are sometimes surprised that a narrative can be nonfiction.

The narrative writing is our first large project. As we continue, students are responsible for smaller projects as well. This keeps them writing most days.

Overall, my students and I work together during the first week of any creative writing class. I encourage them to write, and I cheer on their progress. My message to classes is that their writing has value, and an audience exists for their creations.

And that is my week one! The quick recap:

Week One Creative Writing Lesson Plans

Monday: Rules, procedures, TED Talk, discussion.

Tuesday: Prior knowledge—brainstorm the modeling of memorable stories. Draw conclusions about storytelling with anchor charts. Build community through common knowledge.

Wednesday: Graphic organizer.

Thursday and Friday: Creative nonfiction. Start narrative writing.

Students do well with this small assignment for the second week, and then we move to longer creative writing assignments . When classesexperience success with their first assignment, you can start constructive editing and revising with them as the class continues.

These creative writing activities should be easy implement and personalize for your students.

Would you like access to our free library of downloads?

Marketing Permissions

We will send you emails, but we will never sell your address.

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected] . We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices.

Are you interested in more creative writing lesson ideas? My Facebook page has interactive educators who love to discuss creative writing for middle school and high school creative writing lesson plans. Join us!

creative writing creative writing activities

TRY OUR FREE APP

Write your book in Reedsy Studio. Try the beloved writing app for free today.

Craft your masterpiece in Reedsy Studio

Plan, write, edit, and format your book in our free app made for authors.

Blog • Perfecting your Craft

Posted on Apr 04, 2023

How to Set Effective Writing Goals (That Will Help You Grow)

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Dario Villirilli

Editor-in-Chief of the Reedsy blog, Dario is a graduate of Mälardalen University. As a freelance writer, he has written for many esteemed outlets aimed at writers. A traveler at heart, he can be found roaming the world and working from his laptop.

Achievable writing goals require a certain ability to look inwards. You must evaluate where you are in your writing life, where you want to go, and how you work best. If your plan is to start writing a novel ( and actually finish it ), you need time in your daily grind to intentionally work toward it. But how can you set goals that are realistic and useful and lead you “confidently in the direction of your dreams”? Let’s break it down.  

1. Observe your own habits and patterns

Are you a pantser or a planner?

Someone who writes with a detailed outline will approach their goals differently from "discovery writers" who start with a vague idea and then follow their intuition. So which are you: a planner or someone who flies by the seat of their pants?

Think back to the last time you wrote in a flow state, where you were completely dialed in, and words poured out of your pen (or keyboard). Were you following a plan or free-writing? If you’re unsure, imagine someone handing you a piece of paper and pen right now and asking you to try a bit of creative writing. Would you feel excited or stressed? If it’s the latter, you’re likely a planner. 

FREE TOOLKIT

Get our Top 3 Book Outline Templates

Outline your novel with the Hero’s Journey, Three-Act, or Save the Cat structure.

We’ll use this insight to inform your goal-setting later on. For now, let’s think a little deeper about what types of goals excite you or freak you out.

Do goals motivate or stress you out?

There are two common emotional responses to being given a goal:

• Enthusiasm. The rush of possibility as you glimpse a future when you accomplish your dream through determination and hard work.
• Dread . A heavy sinking feeling, a doubt that this is possible.

If someone told you that “writing 500 words a day means you’ll have 15,000 words of your novel written in a month’s time,” which of those two feelings do you lean towards?

Some writers would thrill at that goal. But if you are overwhelmed, try fitting your goal-setting to your personality. Just as sprinters don't wear hiking boots, writers must set goals that accommodate their temperament and circumstances.

Find a writing resolution you deem achievable: 100 words daily? 500 per week? Ideally, it should challenge you but is still within your reach. We’ll look at how to set such goals for yourself later on in the post. 

Now, let’s take a look at your calendar.

How much time can you dedicate to your writing?

Try this spy game: for a week, track how you spend your time from Monday to Sunday. Keep a log of what activity takes up each hour. 

At the end of the week, review this table. Aside from work, sleep, house chores, or childcare, what activities take up your leisure time? Do you have any weekday evenings free, or are your weekends the only time you have to yourself? Which activities could you minimize or occasionally sacrifice to make time for writing?

You might initially be discouraged, especially if your week is crowded with commitments and obligations. Ignore that feeling, though. Knowing your availability doesn't make writing harder; it just helps you set realistic goals that are more realistic, saving you disillusionment and disappointment down the road. 

Now that you’ve compiled this information about yourself, there's one more tough question to face...

What’s stopping you right now? 

Because you're reading this guide, we can assume you want to write but are struggling to do so. So, what’s brought you here? In some way, are you suffering from writer’s block ?

If you're not sure what's stopping you, our 1-minute quiz will help you diagnose the root of your writer’s block.

Let us diagnose the cause of your writer's block with our 1-minute quiz.

Armed with self-awareness and realistic expectations, let’s work towards some goals.

2. Establish your long-term writerly ambitions

Do you see yourself stepping onto a podium, accepting a multi-million dollar contract to the sound of applause? Are you clutching a printed copy of your published novel for the first time? Or maybe you see a way through the fog of poor mental health — into a routine where writing is your joyful outlet?

Publishing success takes many forms — there's no right or wrong way to achieve it . Take a moment and privately note what writing accomplishment would make you truly happy.

Here are a few examples of writing goals to give you some inspiration.

Project-oriented goals

• “I want to complete a novel.”
• “I want to share my journey by telling my personal story ”
• “I want to write an account of my family history for my children to keep.”
• “I want to write a short story collection united by a cohesive theme.”

Publication-oriented goals

• “I want to traditionally publish my novel.”
• “I want to find a literary agent to represent me .”
• “I want to publish a book before I’m 50.”
• “I want to publish a short story in a literary magazine.”

Habit goals

• “I want to build a daily writing habit.”
• “I want to journal every week.”
• “I want to get used to starting new projects and not fear the blank page.”

Growth goals

• “I want to become a better writer.”
• “I want to join a writing workshop and exchange feedback with others.”
• “I want to take a creative writing class  to improve my writing skills .”

Emotional goals

• “I want more creativity in my life.”
• “I want to feel like I am using my talents.”
• “I want to prove to myself that I can write a book, even if it’s hard.”
• “I want to help at least one reader with my hard-earned knowledge on X subject.”
• “I want to write something that brings comfort to a reader.”

If your goal spans more than one category, that’s fine. These categories are simply a reminder that all sorts of goal types are acceptable. No one goal is better or nobler than another. 

FREE COURSE

How to Build a Solid Writing Routine

In 10 days, learn to change your habits to support your writing.

Focus on goals that are within your control

Some goals, like winning the Nobel Prize for Literature or becoming a #1 bestseller on Amazon, are not really up to us. They’re perfectly valid dreams, but they depend on external factors we can’t control. So try to avoid external validations in your goal statements.

Instead, focus on things within your control: honing your skills, writing the best book you can, pitching your ideas to agents confidently, or crafting a well-researched book proposal and promoting it without feeling shy. Whether or not the book goes on to win awards is out of your hands. 

🏆 If bestseller status is important to you, check out author Brad Aronson’s success story and find out how he worked with a Reedsy marketer to get on a national bestsellers list.

So now that you've established your bigger dream let's break it down into tangible steps you can face without being overwhelmed.

3. Break your big goals down into smaller milestones

Most projects have several phases. A project manager (in this case, you) must start by looking into what their project will involve. Your aim at this stage is to plot out all the milestones you'll pass on your way to the finishing line. At all points in your writing process, you want to know what's happening once you pass your next milestone.

Example goal: writing a book

If your dream is to write a book, these might be the milestone objectives you’d aim for in the writing process:

• Write a book outline. In great detail if you’re a planner , or sketched out if you’re a pantser
• Completed drafts of every sub-section of each chapter
• Drafts of every individual chapter 
• Draft 2. Resolve any pending issues or story gaps
• Draft 3. Get feedback from friends or fellow writers
• Draft 4. Get feedback from a developmental editor
• Draft 5. Consider suggestions made by a copy editor
• Draft 6. Consider any further edits made by a proofreader

Turning a project from an idea to a polished manuscript is a project in itself. Publishing it will be, to some extent, a second project. You’ll face a different process depending on whether you’re hoping to publish your book traditionally or independently, so check out these related resources on our blog for a breakdown of those:

• How to Get a Book Published ( read here )
• How to Self-Publish a Book ( read here )

Is self-publishing or traditional publishing right for you?

Takes one minute!

When you’ve completed your research and understand what it will take to meet your goal, let's draw out a step-by-step game plan.

4. Turn each milestone into a realistic, achievable task

Use the SMART system, if it helps you

One popular way to do this is to use the SMART framework. This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. The idea is that objectives that meet all five criteria are guaranteed to be realistic and plausible. They outline when and how regularly you will work toward these objectives in a way that doesn’t allow for uncertainty.

Here are some examples of SMART writing goals:

Specific goals

To take the first step toward your bigger goal, you’ll have to move from vague hopes and dreams to specific, practical, and actionable tasks.

Vague goal: “I will contact more literary agents .”

Specific goal: “I will create a submission spreadsheet and send out 1 to 2 query letters every Friday, starting from the agents I believe to be the best fit for my work and progressing down my list.”

Measurable goals

Specific goals are great, but numerical goals can help give each activity a sense of scope. 

Vague goal: “This year, I will write more.”

Measurable goal: “In January, I will write 8,000 words of my novel, keeping track of which days of the week are most productive for me and why. Once I have established that, I will aim to write only on my two most convenient days each week, adding 1,000 words each day.”

If you work on your draft in our free writing app, Reedsy Studio , it’ll keep track of your daily writing progress for you. Set an overall manuscript goal with a deadline and it’ll automatically calculate how many words you still need to get there — with the option of signing up for gentle email reminders if you fall behind.

If word counts stress you out, make your goals measurable in other ways: commit to writing X number of days a month, or dedicate X number of hours to your writing every weekend. Measure your progress in a way that still requires you to invest time and effort but takes a little pressure off of the outcome.

FREE WRITING APP

Reedsy Studio

Set goals, track progress, and establish your writing routine in our free app.

Achievable goals

Whether a goal is “achievable” is highly dependent on your personal circumstances. So this is where the reflection we did in step one comes in handy. Be ambitious but realistic, or you’ll soon find yourself drifting.

Not achievable : “I will join NaNoWriMo despite being depressed and will produce a full draft of a novel even though I do not have an outline yet.”

Achievable : “I will take NaNoWriMo as an opportunity to write on ten different days in November, but I won’t stress about word count since I’m not in my best mental shape.” 

Relevant goals

Having established your long-term ambitions, double-check that any goals you set will actually lead you there. Avoid tasks that are actually procrastination in disguise (e.g. testing every writing software in the market before you get started.)

Irrelevant : “I will invest considerable time in learning to use Scrivener to copy my planning notes there before beginning my draft.”

Relevant : “I will tidy notes relating to my first chapter this weekend, then on Monday I will begin drafting without delay to maintain momentum.”

Time-Bound goals

Every college student knows how deadlines can inspire a frenzy of productivity. Setting goals with deadlines will help you stay on track — otherwise, the endless stretch of days ahead fails to create any sense of urgency.

Not time-bound: “I will send my manuscript to an editor when it’s ready.”

Time-bound: “On September 1st, I will send my manuscript to an editor, so any major changes will need to be done by then.”

Editors are often busy a few months in advance, so if you feel like you need a real external deadline to motivate you, get in touch with Reedsy’s developmental editors and agree on a submission date ahead of time. Be careful to agree on a date that feels genuinely doable!

MEET EDITORS

Polish your book with expert help

Sign up, meet 1500+ experienced editors, and find your perfect match.

Goals that follow the SMART framework can be incredibly helpful because they force us to engage with the plausibility of each goal. Life, however, can come with some surprises.

5. Be flexible and prepared for obstacles

Adapt your goals

Say your goal is to submit your poems to 30 literary magazines, but then life got in the way. Adjust the goal to fit your new circumstances: submit to 15 magazines instead at the same pace. Or commit to sending any that don’t get done as soon as your situation improves.

Alternatively, re-orient the focus of your goal — instead of tracking the number of poem submissions, commit to dedicating the next three weekends to this task, regardless of the outcome.

Have compassion for yourself

Writers are notorious perfectionists, so this is worth saying this out loud: “failing” to meet a particular goal is not the same as failing to be a writer, or a good writer, or a successful writer. Do not hold yourself to impossible standards.

Any struggle to meet your writing goals shouldn't result in existential doubts about whether you’re really a writer or not. We’ll just leave you with this quote from acclaimed writer George Saunders: "Even if you're not actively writing because you are too busy, you are still a writer, because of the way you regard the world — with curiosity and interest and some sort of love. No need, then, to declare that one is or is not a writer. You just are, because of how you think."

Whether you reach your goals entirely or in part, you still have cause for celebration.

6. Celebrate your achievements

The very act of deciding to evaluate where you are in life and setting writing goals to move in the direction of your dreams is already admirable, considering how exhausted everyone tends to be in their everyday hustle. After all, who wants to write, when you can just lean back and watch Netflix?

You have made that decision, and now you’ll work on accomplishing your writing goals. Who cares if it takes a little longer than you planned, or if you submitted to fewer lit mags than you hoped, or if you only wrote for five days a week instead of seven? You’ll still be miles ahead of where you were when you first started, and that’s a reason to celebrate your efforts.

Your journey toward your dreams will involve adversity and struggle — that’s inevitable. But do you know what matters the most? You’re on your way.

Continue reading

Recommended posts from the Reedsy Blog

100+ Character Ideas (and How to Come Up With Your Own)

Character creation can be challenging. To help spark your creativity, here’s a list of 100+ character ideas, along with tips on how to come up with your own.

How to Introduce a Character: 8 Tips To Hook Readers In

Introducing characters is an art, and these eight tips and examples will help you master it.

450+ Powerful Adjectives to Describe a Person (With Examples)

Want a handy list to help you bring your characters to life? Discover words that describe physical attributes, dispositions, and emotions.

How to Plot a Novel Like a NYT Bestselling Author

Need to plot your novel? Follow these 7 steps from New York Times bestselling author Caroline Leavitt.

How to Write an Autobiography: The Story of Your Life

Want to write your autobiography but aren’t sure where to start? This step-by-step guide will take you from opening lines to publishing it for everyone to read.

What is the Climax of a Story? Examples & Tips

The climax is perhaps a story's most crucial moment, but many writers struggle to stick the landing. Let's see what makes for a great story climax.

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

We made a writing app for you

Yes, you! Write. Format. Export for ebook and print. 100% free, always.

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

What is Creative Writing? A Key Piece of the Writer’s Toolbox

Not all writing is the same and there’s a type of writing that has the ability to transport, teach, and inspire others like no other.

Creative writing stands out due to its unique approach and focus on imagination. Here’s how to get started and grow as you explore the broad and beautiful world of creative writing!

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a form of writing that extends beyond the bounds of regular professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature. It is characterized by its emphasis on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes or poetic techniques to express ideas in an original and imaginative way.

Creative writing can take on various forms such as:

• short stories
• screenplays

It’s a way for writers to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a creative, often symbolic, way . It’s about using the power of words to transport readers into a world created by the writer.

5 Key Characteristics of Creative Writing

Creative writing is marked by several defining characteristics, each working to create a distinct form of expression:

1. Imagination and Creativity: Creative writing is all about harnessing your creativity and imagination to create an engaging and compelling piece of work. It allows writers to explore different scenarios, characters, and worlds that may not exist in reality.

2. Emotional Engagement: Creative writing often evokes strong emotions in the reader. It aims to make the reader feel something — whether it’s happiness, sorrow, excitement, or fear.

3. Originality: Creative writing values originality. It’s about presenting familiar things in new ways or exploring ideas that are less conventional.

4. Use of Literary Devices: Creative writing frequently employs literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, and others to enrich the text and convey meanings in a more subtle, layered manner.

5. Focus on Aesthetics: The beauty of language and the way words flow together is important in creative writing. The aim is to create a piece that’s not just interesting to read, but also beautiful to hear when read aloud.

Remember, creative writing is not just about producing a work of art. It’s also a means of self-expression and a way to share your perspective with the world. Whether you’re considering it as a hobby or contemplating a career in it, understanding the nature and characteristics of creative writing can help you hone your skills and create more engaging pieces .

For more insights into creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and is a degree in creative writing worth it .

Styles of Creative Writing

To fully understand creative writing , you must be aware of the various styles involved. Creative writing explores a multitude of genres, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques.

Poetry is a form of creative writing that uses expressive language to evoke emotions and ideas. Poets often employ rhythm, rhyme, and other poetic devices to create pieces that are deeply personal and impactful. Poems can vary greatly in length, style, and subject matter, making this a versatile and dynamic form of creative writing.

Short Stories

Short stories are another common style of creative writing. These are brief narratives that typically revolve around a single event or idea. Despite their length, short stories can provide a powerful punch, using precise language and tight narrative structures to convey a complete story in a limited space.

Novels represent a longer form of narrative creative writing. They usually involve complex plots, multiple characters, and various themes. Writing a novel requires a significant investment of time and effort; however, the result can be a rich and immersive reading experience.

Screenplays

Screenplays are written works intended for the screen, be it television, film, or online platforms. They require a specific format, incorporating dialogue and visual descriptions to guide the production process. Screenwriters must also consider the practical aspects of filmmaking, making this an intricate and specialized form of creative writing.

If you’re interested in this style, understanding creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree can provide useful insights.

Writing for the theater is another specialized form of creative writing. Plays, like screenplays, combine dialogue and action, but they also require an understanding of the unique dynamics of the theatrical stage. Playwrights must think about the live audience and the physical space of the theater when crafting their works.

Each of these styles offers unique opportunities for creativity and expression. Whether you’re drawn to the concise power of poetry, the detailed storytelling of novels, or the visual language of screenplays and plays, there’s a form of creative writing that will suit your artistic voice. The key is to explore, experiment, and find the style that resonates with you.

For those looking to spark their creativity, our article on creative writing prompts offers a wealth of ideas to get you started.

Importance of Creative Writing

Understanding what is creative writing involves recognizing its value and significance. Engaging in creative writing can provide numerous benefits – let’s take a closer look.

Developing Creativity and Imagination

Creative writing serves as a fertile ground for nurturing creativity and imagination. It encourages you to think outside the box, explore different perspectives, and create unique and original content. This leads to improved problem-solving skills and a broader worldview , both of which can be beneficial in various aspects of life.

Through creative writing, one can build entire worlds, create characters, and weave complex narratives, all of which are products of a creative mind and vivid imagination. This can be especially beneficial for those seeking creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Enhancing Communication Skills

Creative writing can also play a crucial role in honing communication skills. It demands clarity, precision, and a strong command of language. This helps to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, making it easier to express thoughts and ideas effectively .

Moreover, creative writing encourages empathy as you often need to portray a variety of characters from different backgrounds and perspectives. This leads to a better understanding of people and improved interpersonal communication skills.

Exploring Emotions and Ideas

One of the most profound aspects of creative writing is its ability to provide a safe space for exploring emotions and ideas. It serves as an outlet for thoughts and feelings , allowing you to express yourself in ways that might not be possible in everyday conversation.

Writing can be therapeutic, helping you process complex emotions, navigate difficult life events, and gain insight into your own experiences and perceptions. It can also be a means of self-discovery , helping you to understand yourself and the world around you better.

So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, the benefits of creative writing are vast and varied. For those interested in developing their creative writing skills, check out our articles on creative writing prompts and how to teach creative writing . If you’re considering a career in this field, you might find our article on is a degree in creative writing worth it helpful.

4 Steps to Start Creative Writing

Creative writing can seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, anyone can start their journey into this creative field. Here are some steps to help you start creative writing .

1. Finding Inspiration

The first step in creative writing is finding inspiration . Inspiration can come from anywhere and anything. Observe the world around you, listen to conversations, explore different cultures, and delve into various topics of interest.

Reading widely can also be a significant source of inspiration. Read different types of books, articles, and blogs. Discover what resonates with you and sparks your imagination.

For structured creative prompts, visit our list of creative writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Editor’s Note : When something excites or interests you, stop and take note – it could be the inspiration for your next creative writing piece.

2. Planning Your Piece

Once you have an idea, the next step is to plan your piece . Start by outlining:

• the main points

Remember, this can serve as a roadmap to guide your writing process. A plan doesn’t have to be rigid. It’s a flexible guideline that can be adjusted as you delve deeper into your writing. The primary purpose is to provide direction and prevent writer’s block.

3. Writing Your First Draft

After planning your piece, you can start writing your first draft . This is where you give life to your ideas and breathe life into your characters.

Don’t worry about making it perfect in the first go. The first draft is about getting your ideas down on paper . You can always refine and polish your work later. And if you don’t have a great place to write that first draft, consider a journal for writing .

4. Editing and Revising Your Work

The final step in the creative writing process is editing and revising your work . This is where you fine-tune your piece, correct grammatical errors, and improve sentence structure and flow.

Editing is also an opportunity to enhance your storytelling . You can add more descriptive details, develop your characters further, and make sure your plot is engaging and coherent.

Remember, writing is a craft that improves with practice . Don’t be discouraged if your first few pieces don’t meet your expectations. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on how to teach creative writing or creative writing activities for kids.

Tips to Improve Creative Writing Skills

Understanding what is creative writing is the first step. But how can one improve their creative writing skills? Here are some tips that can help.

Read Widely

Reading is a vital part of becoming a better writer. By immersing oneself in a variety of genres, styles, and authors, one can gain a richer understanding of language and storytelling techniques . Different authors have unique voices and methods of telling stories, which can serve as inspiration for your own work. So, read widely and frequently!

Practice Regularly

Like any skill, creative writing improves with practice. Consistently writing — whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly — helps develop your writing style and voice . Using creative writing prompts can be a fun way to stimulate your imagination and get the words flowing.

Attend Writing Workshops and Courses

Formal education such as workshops and courses can offer structured learning and expert guidance. These can provide invaluable insights into the world of creative writing, from understanding plot development to character creation. If you’re wondering is a degree in creative writing worth it, these classes can also give you a taste of what studying creative writing at a higher level might look like .

Joining Writing Groups and Communities

Being part of a writing community can provide motivation, constructive feedback, and a sense of camaraderie. These groups often hold regular meetings where members share their work and give each other feedback. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with others who share your passion for writing.

Seeking Feedback on Your Work

Feedback is a crucial part of improving as a writer. It offers a fresh perspective on your work, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Whether it’s from a writing group, a mentor, or even friends and family, constructive criticism can help refine your writing .

Start Creative Writing Today!

Remember, becoming a proficient writer takes time and patience. So, don’t be discouraged by initial challenges. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. Who knows, your passion for creative writing might even lead to creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Happy writing!

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

Gratitude Journal Prompts Mindfulness Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Anxiety Reflective Journal Prompts Healing Journal Prompts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Journal Prompts Mental Health Journal Prompts ASMR Journal Prompts Manifestation Journal Prompts Self-Care Journal Prompts Morning Journal Prompts Evening Journal Prompts Self-Improvement Journal Prompts Creative Writing Journal Prompts Dream Journal Prompts Relationship Journal Prompts "What If" Journal Prompts New Year Journal Prompts Shadow Work Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear Journal Prompts for Dealing with Loss Journal Prompts for Discerning and Decision Making Travel Journal Prompts Fun Journal Prompts

Inspiring Ink: Expert Tips on How to Teach Creative Writing

You may also like, how to start and keep a diet journal: a guide to food diaries.

Diary vs Journal: Whats the Difference and When to Use Each?

What is the creative process a framework for creative thinking, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Productivity
• Favorite Journals

Home › Study Tips › Creative Writing Resources For Secondary School Students

What Is Creative Writing? Is It Worth Studying?

• Published October 31, 2022

As loose as the definition of Creative Writing is, it’s not always easy to understand. Sure, writing a story is Creative Writing. What about poems or personal essays?

Also, how does Creative Writing even help one succeed in university and career life? We empower our Creative Writing summer school students to grasp the power of creative writing and how to use it.

How? By giving them access to personalised tutorials with expert Creative Writing tutors from prestigious universities such as the University of Oxford and Cambridge.

Creative Writing doesn’t have to be confusing or intimidating. In this article, we’ll take you through a simple explanation of what Creative Writing is and why it’s helpful and relevant.

What is Creative Writing? 

The simplest description of Creative Writing is what it’s not: it doesn’t revolve around facts like technical writing.

Technical Writing vs Creative Writing

You encounter technical writing in your daily life. You’ll find it in newspapers, journal articles, and textbooks. Do you notice how the presentation of accurate information is necessary in each of these mediums? 

Because the goal of technical writing is to explain or relay information as it is .  

But in creative writing, such is not the case. The primary goal of Creative Writing is not to present complex information for the sake of educating the audience. 

Instead, the goal is to express yourself. Should you want to share information via Creative Writing, the objective becomes persuading your readers to think about it as you do.

Hence, if you contrast Technical Writing and Creative Writing within this context,

• Technical Writing: share information without biases
• Creative Writing: self-expression of how one feels or thinks about said information.

If reducing personal opinion in Technical Writing is virtuous, in creative writing, it is criminal .

Self-Expression in Creative Writing

One must express oneself in Creative Writing to entertain, captivate, or persuade readers. Since Creative Writing involves one’s imagination and self-expression, it’s common for Creative Writers to say that they “poured a part of themselves” into their work. 

What are the different ways you can express yourself in Creative Writing?

Types of Creative Writing: 2 Major Types

The two major umbrellas of Creative Writing are Creative Nonfiction and Creative Fiction.

1. Creative Nonfiction

“Nonfiction” means writing based on actual events, persons, and experiences. Some forms of creative nonfiction include:

• Personal Essay – here, the writer shares their personal thoughts, beliefs, or experiences.
• Memoir – captures the writer’s memories and experiences of a life-changing past event.
• Narrative Nonfiction – a factual event written in a story format.

2. Creative Fiction

The bulk of Creative Writing literature is found under the Creative Fiction category, such as:

• Short Story – shorter than a novel, containing only a few scenes and characters.
• Novel – a full-blown plot line with multiple scenes, characters, and subplots.
• Poem – uses specific rhythm and style to express ideas or feelings
• Play – contains dialogue and stage directions for theatre performances.
• Screenplay – script to be used for film production (e.g. movies, video games.)

In short, Creative Fiction involves stories . Do you want more specific examples of Creative Writing? Then, you may want to read this article called “Creative Writing Examples.”

Why Is It Important to Learn Creative Writing? 

It’s essential to learn Creative Writing because of the following reasons:

1. Creative Writing is a valuable skill in school and work

As a student, you know well why Creative Writing is important. You submit written work in various situations, such as writing essays for assignments and exams. Or when you have to write a Personal Statement to apply for University. 

In these situations, your chances of getting higher grades depend on your ability to write creatively. (Even your chances of getting accepted into a top ranked creative writing university of your dreams!)

What about when you graduate? Do you use Creative Writing in your career? Convincing a recruiter to hire you via cover letters is an example of creative writing.

Once you’re hired, you’ll find that you need to write something up. It depends on your line of work and how often and complex your writing should be.

But mundane tasks such as writing an email response, coming up with a newsletter, or making a PowerPoint presentation involve creative writing.

So when you’ve practised your Creative Writing skills, you’ll find these tasks manageable. Even enjoyable! If you want to study creative writing at university, we put together what a-levels you need for creative writing .

2. Creative Writing enhances several essential skills.

Do you know that writing is thinking? At least that’s what the American Historian and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, David McCullough said.

Many people find Creative Writing challenging because it requires a combination of the following skills:

• Observation
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Reasoning skills
• Communication

Many of these skills make you a valuable employee in many industries. In fact, Forbes reports that:

• Critical Thinking
• and Emotional Intelligence

are three of the Top 10 most in-demand skills for the next decade. That’s why Creative Writing is a valuable endeavour and if you take it at university there are some great creative writing degree career prospects .

3. Creative Writing Is Therapeutic 

Do you know that Creative Writing has a significant beneficial effect on your mental and emotional health? 

A 2021 study in the Counselling & Psychotherapy Research reports that Creative Writing brought significant health benefits to nine people who worked in creative industries. Writing helped them in their cognitive processing of emotional difficulty. 

Result? Improved mood and mental well-being. 

A plethora of studies over the decades found the same results. Expressing yourself via creative writing, especially by writing in your daily journal, is beneficial for your mental and emotional health. 

4. You may want to work in a Creative Writing-related Career

Creative employment in the UK grows 2x faster than the rest of the economy. In fact, did you know that jobs in the creative industry grew by 30.6% from 2011 to 2018? 

Compare that to the average UK growth of 10.1% during the same period, and you can see the potential. 

How about in the US? The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 4% increase in employment for authors and writers from 2021 to 2031. Resulting in about 15,200 job openings yearly over the next 10 years.

The median yearly salary? It was at $69,510 as of May 2021. 

So if you’re considering a Creative Writing career, now would be a great time to do so!

How To Be A Creative Writer? 

You want to be a Creative Writer but don’t know where to start. Don’t worry! The best way to start is to learn from Creative Writing experts .

That’s why we ensure our Creative Writing summer school students have access to 1:1 personalised tutorials with expert Creative Writing tutors. 

Our Creative Writing tutors come from world-renowned universities such as the University of Cambridge and Oxford. So you’re in excellent hands!

Here you’ll learn creative writing tips and techniques , such as character creation and plot mapping. But the best part is, you’ll come out of the course having experienced what a Creative Writer is like!

Because by then, you’ll have a Written Portfolio to show for your efforts. Which you presented to your tutor and peers for receiving constructive feedback.

Another surefire way to start becoming a Creative Writer is by practising. Check out this article called “ Creative Writing Exercises .” You’ll begin building a writing routine if you practice these exercises daily. 

And trust us, every great writer has a solid writing routine!

Creative Writing is a form of self-expression that allows you to use your imagination and creativity. It can be in the form of personal essays, short stories, or poems. It is often used as an outlet for emotions and experiences. Start with creative writing by reading through creative writing examples to help get you in the mood. Then, just let the words flow daily, and you’re on the road to becoming an excellent Creative Writer!

• I'm a Parent
• I'm a Student
• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Which subjects interest you? (Optional) Architecture Artificial Intelligence Banking and Finance Biology Biotechnology Business Management Chemistry Coding Computer Science Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Creative Writing Creative Writing and Film Criminology Data Science and Analytics Earth Science Economics Encryption and Cybersecurity Engineering English Literature Entrepreneurship Fashion and Design Female Future Leaders Film Studies Fine Arts Global Society and Sustainability Health and Biotechnology History International Relations Law Marketing and Entertainment Mathematics Medicine Medicine and Health Sciences Nanotechnology Natural Sciences Philosophy Philosophy Politics and Economics Physics Psychology Software Development and AI Software Development and Gaming Veterinary Studies Online Research Programme

Secure priority enrolment for our new summer school location with a small refundable deposit.

" * " indicates required fields

Receive priority enrolment for new summer school locations by registering your interest below.

Our programme consultant will contact you to talk about your options.

• Family Name *
• Phone Number
• Yes. See Privacy Policy.

Subject is unavailable at location

You have selected a subject that is not available at the location that you have previously chosen.

The location filter has been reset, and you are now able to search for all the courses where we offer the subject.

Instructor: Dr. Roxanne Kent-Drury Office: LA 527 Email: ( ) Syllabus , or through Blackboard Schedule: , or through Blackboard Phone: 859-572-6636 Office Hours: By appointment Class Time: Tues/Thurs 13:40-14:55 pm Class Location: LA 530 ENG 231. Intro to Creative Writing Spring 2014. Creative writing, emphasis on composing creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. In other words, we will study the main genres of creative writing to prepare you for upper level creative writing courses in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. After we go over the genre characteristics and you have read several examples, you will have the opportunity to write an example of that genre. So--you will write a piece of creative nonfiction, a piece of fiction, and two or three poems. The syllabus is a "contract" between teacher and student.  As such, it outlines what you can expect from me, as well as what I expect from you.  Please make certain that you have completely read and understand the syllabus, and have asked me if you need clarification on any point. By the end of the course, you should understand the following: These objectives will be accomplished and evaluated through the following work:             Your final grade will be a combination of these factors:  attendance; class participation; in-class writing & quizzes; workshop critiques; attending an outside event or writing a book critique; a Final Portfolio.  All of these are more fully explained below. Though judging creative writing is at least to some degree a subjective process, we will endeavor to make the grading as objective as possible.  Your grade will be based on a total of 1,000 possible points.  The individual components are as follows: (100 points): You are required to attend one outside event during the semester.  You will need to turn in a one-page report on the event.  You may turn in your report at any time up until the last regular class period.  Examples of outside writing events include attending a reading sponsored by each final Friday of the month at the Bowtie Cafe, a reading by a visiting writer, or the creative writing panel at the annual meeting English Department Colloquium, which occurs in April of each year. As I learn about opportunities, I will make announcements in class. (100 points): Participation is graded separately from attendance, and that is the 100 points referenced here (though, of course, if you were absent, you can’t have participated, and so attendance will also have an effect on this grade).  The separate attendance policy is clearly outlined above.  It is possible to fail the class simply from excessive absences. (100 points): Failure to turn in in-class exercises will lower your score.  Attendance is also a factor here, as you obviously can’t do an in-class exercise if you’re absent.  Class exercises for classes you miss will not be possible to make up.  The value of each in-class writing exercise will vary, depending on how many we do during the semester.  I would anticipate each one being worth at 10 - 15 points of the total. (200 points):  Workshops borrow elements from the artist studio, where students work with an artist, practicing their craft, sharing their works in progress with the teacher and fellow students and receiving feedback with an eye toward revision. For the workshop critiques, the grade will be based on the quality of the critiques you are handing in, as well as your spoken input during the workshop.  I look here for insightful and valuable criticism that goes beyond a simple reaction to the work.  Note, too, that if you’re not in class, you can’t participate in a workshop beyond posting your critique, and you will not receive full credit for that workshop.  Attendance can affect this grade as well. (500 points): This is the heart of the class. At the final regular class of the semester, you will turn in a chapbook containing poetry, a creative non-fiction essay, and a short story, all of these revised from early drafts discussed in the workshops.  The expectation here is that your 'final' revisions will be more substantial than simple proofing or correcting of spelling/grammatical mistakes. Failure to turn in your portfolio at all will obviously result in 0 points and failure of the course. Grading of the portfolio will be based primarily on the strength of the final revisions against the previous version, but I will also be looking at adherence to proper manuscript form. I want to note that I will be comparing your work to the work of anyone else in the class. I'm looking for the improvement you personally have made from the draft you turned in to the workshop to the final product, as well as seeing you integrate skills and knowledge gleaned from the material presented to you. : There is no required text for this class -- all class material will be via handouts and/or from material, which you will be able to access and/or copy from Blackboard.  Your expense for this class won’t be a textbook, but the copying costs for your workshops and your written critiques of the work of your classmates. Reading, though, is an important part of our course. Our course motto will be "The more you read, the more you will write. The better the stuff you read, the better the stuff you will write" (Annie Dillard). Our reading will differ from reading in other English courses: you will be asked to read as a writer, learning from successful writers the craft of creative writing. It is okay to make mistakes. I'd rather you took risks with your writing than played it safe. My contact information is above.  I’m available to you as a resource for this class, and will try to respond to your e-mails (usually the best way to get hold of me) or phone calls as soon as possible, and, if needed, to make time to meet with you at your request.  Should you e-mail me, I typically will respond within one working day of receiving the message (and often sooner).  The excuse “but I sent you an e-mail about that…” will not be accepted. I would suggest you obtain the phone number or e-mail address of a few other students in the class so that you can check with them on what was missed during any class that you're unable to attend. In addition, I also post lessons plans on the web, though they won't give you the full lecture, the handouts, nor any discussion that might have taken place (or any side-trail we might have followed from questions asked…) I will be posting the syllabus and other necessary information on Blackboard --- bookmark it in your browser! I will be taking attendance during each class session, and your attendance (or lack thereof) does significantly affect your grade.  Here’s how the Attendance/Participation part of your grade works.  You have three "free" absences during the semesters; once you’re past the three, your final grade will decline by approximately 1/3 of a letter grade (approx. 33 points out of the thousand total for the class) for each additional absence.   This means that after 15 absences you will have automatically failed the class. (Actually, after about 9 absences, it’s going to be very, very difficult to pass anyway, since you’ll have missed workshops, class assignments, etc.) In addition, I expect your full participation in the class when you are there, or that will also affect your grade.  What is participation?  I expect that each student will engage in our workshop discussions, as well as any additional lecture material.  The more you have input into the class, the more we’ll all learn.  I much prefer not to call on people and force them to respond -- that is class participation.  Of course, if you’re absent, you can’t participate at all.  I don’t expect everyone to be “on” each and every class day -- we all have our off days -- but I do expect regular participation from each student. If you participate in class, you’ll receive full credit for your attendance; if you don’t, you won’t. Also, if there was a quiz, test, or in-class writing assignment on a day you’re absent, then you’ll receive no credit for that work.  In-class assignments and quizzes are not able to be made up. For the attendance policy, I make no distinction between excused and unexcused absences.  If you are aware that there are issues that will prevent you from regularly attending this class, then I strongly suggest that you reconsider taking this class, since poor attendance will severely affect your grade. Lateness and leaving class early will be considered partial absences.  Please arrive on time and stay for the entire period. If you must leave early, please let me know before class begins. Surfing the internet on your laptop or doing work unrelated to this course during class will also be considered an absence. : I actively encourage students to ask questions during the lecture portion of class and to start discussion of any point that is raised. The more you ask questions, the better you’ll shape the class, and the more you’ll learn.  Please don't simply sit there and take notes -- be an active part of your education! And again, we will be workshopping our work during class, and thus it's essential that your input be given on others students' work. It's important to your own work that you get diverse viewpoints and opinions, and your learning depends on your engagement. Expect to speak every time we gather, but also remember that participation also involves active listening and encouraging others to add their voices to the conversation. Try to use the "pat/slap" method of critiquing -- your commentary on the work should give both positive as well as negative feedback, and present any negative comments in as positive a manner as possible. I also expect criticism to be concrete and specific: anyone responding "Well, I liked it" or "I didn't like this paragraph" will immediately be asked the question: "Why?" When you're critiqued, in turn, please remember to take any negative feedback as being intended to help you -- remember that your fellow students are critiquing your work, not you personally. : Late assignments, or failure to bring required material to class will make it difficult for all students. Therefore, stories or assignments turned in late will be graded one letter grade (or more) lower. : I would like the chance to meet with each of you individually and discuss your work, and encourage you to take advantage of that. However, conferences should be scheduled in advance, though if I’m in my office and have the time, I’m happy to discuss things with you on an impromptu basis. :  Respect is the key.  When you’re talking, you should expect that the other students will listen to what you say without talking among themselves, or making non-constructive remarks -- you should do the same when others are talking. Your attitude is an important component of participation. Your attitude should not be confrontational, nor should you put down other students' work or opinions, whether through too-aggressive argument or through use of humor at other students' expense. Like any critical conversation where participants bring different experiences to their understanding of the issues, ours will undoubtedly generate strong emotions, reactions, questions, affirmations, and disagreements. Healthy dialogue requires careful listening, respect for other people's perspectives, and a willingness to examine our own assumptions. We must feel free to disagree--but disagreement needn't imply dismissal of other perspectives. I encourage you to keep an open and inquisitive mind, and realize that intellectual discomfort is not always a negative thing. Our goal is not agreement, but . Understanding is a process that may first require some unlearning of old habits and ways of seeing the world. should be turned off or on vibrate mode:  unless a call is an emergency, I expect you to answer it after class or during break.  Do not text during class. You will be considered absent for the class if I see you checking your messages or texting on your phone during a lecture or during the workshops.   I don’t mind laptops being used to take notes or to reference a workshop critique that you wrote.  However, if you’re using the laptop to access Facebook, Twitter, or other social media sites, or if you’re checking your e-mail or surfing the web randomly, I will consider you absent for that class.  -- you should have your written critique to look at, and there should be no reason to be on your computer. Please do not bring in work that you have published or written in the past. Our focus is on and making it the best it can be. The structure of each class will no doubt vary, but most classes will consist of: We will very quickly be scheduling pieces for the workshops. For the workshops, you will be submitting the current draft of a short story or essay, with a copy required for each of the students in the class. "Correct" manuscript style dictates double-spaced, single-sided pages, but for the purposes of the workshop (and to hold down copying costs for everyone) please single-space your workshop copies, and use both sides if you prefer. The essays will be one to four pages; the short fiction will be a minimum of five and a maximum of fifteen pages of single-spaced work. You will need to bring in enough copies of your work on the assigned day so that everyone has their own copy. You will hand these out to the class; your work will then be discussed at the workshop the following week after everyone has had the opportunity to read and critique it. Your critique of a student's work should consist of marginalia on the actual manuscript and one (printed, not handwritten) double-spaced page of summary notes and critique (approx. 200 - 300 words). This summary critique should be two-three paragraphs with your general, overall comments on what made the piece work (and why), where it didn't work as well for you (and why), along with any suggestions you might have on revising the work. Because of the structure of the workshop, where everyone will not necessarily be required to speak, you will need to give me, on the night of the workshop, a hard copy of your critique for each manuscript that night, so that I can see your thought processes and read your critique.  If I don’t receive a copy of your critique, , and will give you no credit for that workshop. If you must miss a class, to receive credit for that week’s workshop participation you must do two things: you must give a copy of your critique and the marked-up manuscript to the student when you’re next in class, and you must also give me a hard copy of your one-page critique -- you will then receive half-credit for that workshop.  If you don’t give me a copy of your critique of the work, I will assume you didn’t read the work or do the critique. Your one-page summary critique to the student  Handwritten critiques tell me that you didn’t do the critique until the very last minute and probably gave it very little thought (and besides, then you have to write it twice -- once for the student and once for me.  Allow time for you to organize and type up your thoughts! My expectation is that every student will have at least two workshop sessions during the course of the semester. Some may get more. We'll hand out the initial sign-up sheet the second day of class; you'll receive a copy of the schedule the third week, and it will also be posted on the class Web site. You are responsible for making certain that you have your manuscripts to be passed out on the correct evening, and that you're present in class the night of your critique -- You will also have short exercise pieces which will be assigned. These may be individual or group projects, and most (if not all) will be done in-class. You will include these in your final portfolio (see below). :   A = 4.000 (corresponds to a class grade of 930 - 1000 points) A- = 3.667 (class grade of 900 - 929 points) B+ = 3.333 (class grade of 870 - 899 points) B = 3.000 (class grade of 830 - 869 points) B- = 2.667 (class grade of 800 -829 points) C+ = 2.333 (class grade of 770 - 799 points) C = 2.000 (class grade of 730 - 769 points) C- = 1.667 (class grade of 700 -729 points) D+ = 1.333 (class grade of 67- -699 points) D = 1.000 (class grade of 600 - 669 points) F = 0 (class grade below 600 points)  Be here, participate, have a great attitude, do the required work to the best of your ability, and you won't need to worry. A grade of “I” (Incomplete) will be given only in serious and well-documented circumstances, such as medical emergencies, and only if the student has completed the majority of the course work.  The student must be able to give me a reasonable expectation that the work will be completed within the following semester. For your final revised fiction and creative non-fiction in the portfolio, you will use the proper format for submission of a manuscript to publishers. Don't worry, we'll go over that in great detail...  Since the spacing and line usage of poetry is important, you may submit your poems in any format. However, please use a 12 point plain typeface (such as Times) for your poetry -- good poetry is not dependent on fancy fonts for effect. However, to save copying costs for everyone, fiction submitted for the workshops may be single-spaced and double-sided. In-class exercises will be submitted handwritten... however, to save my poor, tired and aging eyes, please write legibly! Given that my own stories have contained pretty much everything, I'm open to nearly anything in the way of content or subject matter or genre. But… given that the focus for this class is on writing good, publishable fiction, here are some exceptions and guidelines: sell erotica -- there's a thriving market for it, in fact. But I don't want to see it in this class. Sexual content must be integral to the story and not be intended to titillate or shock the audience.   Who gets to decide if you’re overstepping the bounds here?  I do…   Who gets to decide if the violence is gratuitous?  I do…    Who gets to decide if there’s too much foul language?  Yes, you’re right…  I do. Plots I prefer not to see at all because they are clichés: If you think you have something like this that nobody has ever seen before, ask me first. writing about them, so unless you can do it better... know the genre inside and out. The work you will do for this course is subject to the Student Honor Code. The Honor Code is a commitment to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct, a commitment that, individually and collectively, the students at Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or to avoid academic requirements. It should go without saying that plagiarism will absolutely not be tolerated. Plagiarism will result in an “F” for the work in question, or even an “F” for the course depending on the severity of the offense. . If you are experiencing any roadblocks to your success in college—financial, academic, or personal concerns—NKU has dedicated people in the Early Alert Center to help you find solutions: http://earlyalert.nku.edu. If you require accommodations for a disability, then at the beginning of the semester, before you do any work for the course, you must contact Disability Services. They will provide documentation authorizing accommodations. You must give that documentation to your professor as soon as possible, before you do any assignments that require accommodations. . Northern Kentucky University takes course evaluations seriously. The information they provide helps us improve our teaching and the courses we design. Please participate in the course evaluation process. During the two weeks before the end of the semester, you will be asked to complete the online evaluations. Be assured that student evaluations of courses and instructors are kept strictly confidential. They are not available to the instructor until after final grades are submitted, and precautions are taken to prevent your comments from being identified as coming from you. If you complete an evaluation for a particular course (or opt out of doing so in the evaluation) you will have access to your final course grade as soon as it is submitted by the professor. Otherwise, the MyNKU system will not post your final course grade for two weeks after the university's official date for grade availability. To complete online evaluations go to http://eval.nku.edu, click on "student login," and use your usual username and password.   By deciding to stay in this class, you are agreeing to all parts of this syllabus.  In fairness to everyone, the syllabus must apply equally to all students without exception.  However, this syllabus may change in response to class needs during the course of the semester; should that occur, you will be notified of the change in writing, and the change, if at all possible, will be in your favor.  Testimonials How to Write a Story: A Guide for Creative Writers by Andrea Feccomandi August 27, 2024 There’s nothing quite like the joy of bringing a story to life, watching your characters grow and your world take shape. Storytelling isn’t just about writing; it’s about connecting with others through your words . But to do that, you need to know the basic elements—like characters, plot, and setting. Think of these as the building blocks of your story. Without them, your story can’t stand strong. This guide on how to write a story will take you through each step, making the process manageable and even enjoyable, whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve. Story Meaning in Creative Writing Let’s start with the definition of a story in creative writing. STORY DEFINITION IN CREATIVE WRITING What is a Story? A story is a structured narrative that goes beyond a mere sequence of events. In creative writing, a story is an intentionally crafted experience designed to guide the reader through a progression of events and situations. It involves the creation of a fictional world, the introduction of characters, and the development of scenarios that lead to meaningful change or development in those characters. How to Write a Story: Key Components of a Story To understand how to write a story, you first need to grasp its key components: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and theme. Characters are the heart of your story. They are the people, creatures, or beings that the reader follows. Think of them as the players in a game. Without characters, there’s no one to move through the story, no one to experience the events you’ve created. Each character should have a purpose , desires , and challenges . For example, in a mystery story , your main character might be a detective determined to solve a crime. Their actions and choices drive the plot forward . The setting is the world where your story takes place. It’s the backdrop against which your characters act. This could be a bustling city, a quiet village, or even a distant planet. The setting influences the mood of your story and can even affect the actions of your characters . For instance, a story set in a haunted house might feel eerie and suspenseful, while a story set on a sunny beach might feel light and carefree. The plot is the sequence of events that make up your story. It’s what happens to your characters as they move through the setting. A strong plot has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It might start with a problem or goal, build up as the characters face challenges, and end with a resolution. Imagine a plot as a roadmap. It shows the direction your story will take , guiding the characters from the start to the finish line. Conflict is what gives your story tension and drama . It’s the struggle between opposing forces that keeps the reader engaged. Conflict can be external, like a character fighting against another character or a natural disaster, or internal, like a character struggling with their own fears or doubts. In a romance story , the conflict might be the obstacles that keep two characters apart. In a thriller, it could be the protagonist’s battle against a dangerous enemy. Finally, the theme is the underlying message or lesson of your story . It’s what you want the reader to take away after they’ve finished reading. The theme is often subtle, woven into the characters’ actions and the plot. For example, in a story about friendship, the theme might be the importance of loyalty and trust. To survive, you must tell stories. Umberto Eco , The Island of the Day Before Types of Stories Stories come in many shapes and sizes. Understanding the type of story you want to write can help shape your approach. Different genres and formats offer different challenges and opportunities. Genres like romance, science fiction, fantasy , and horror each have their own conventions and expectations . For example, a romance story usually focuses on relationships and emotions, while a science fiction story might explore futuristic technology or alien worlds. Knowing your genre helps you meet readers’ expectations while allowing you to play with the boundaries of that genre. The format of your story also matters. A short story is brief, often focusing on a single event or moment in a character’s life. It requires concise writing and a tight plot. A novel , on the other hand, gives you more space to develop characters, explore subplots, and build a complex world. A novella falls somewhere in between, offering more depth than a short story but requiring more focus than a novel. Choosing the right genre and format is like choosing the right tool for a job. It helps you focus your ideas and guides your storytelling . Whether you’re writing a quick, impactful short story or a sprawling epic novel, understanding these basics will set you on the right path. How to Write a Story: Developing an Idea The first step in learning how to write a story is developing a solid idea . This process involves finding inspiration and then refining that inspiration into something you can work with. Finding Inspiration Inspiration for a story can come from anywhere. It might spark from a conversation you overhear, a place you visit, or even a memory. To find inspiration, start by observing the world around you . Pay attention to the small details—the way the light hits a building, the expressions people wear on their faces, or the rhythm of a crowded street. These observations can serve as the seeds for your story. Reading widely also fuels inspiration. Explore different genres, styles, and authors. Notice how they craft their stories, how they build characters, and how they create tension. As you read, ask yourself what you would do differently. This can help you generate new ideas and find your unique voice. Brainstorming is another effective way to develop story ideas. Sit down with a notebook and write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how vague or disconnected. You might start with a single word, a character, or a situation. Don’t worry about making sense at this stage. The goal is to let your imagination run free and gather raw material. Refining Your Idea Once you have a list of potential ideas, it’s time to refine them. Broad ideas often need narrowing down to become workable. Start by asking yourself some key questions : What is the main conflict in this idea? Who are the characters involved? Where and when does the story take place? These questions help you focus your idea and give it structure. Originality is crucial in refining your idea. While it’s fine to take inspiration from existing stories, your version should bring something new to the table. Avoid clichés and overused tropes. Instead, think about how you can twist the familiar into something fresh . For example, if your idea involves a classic hero’s journey , consider how you might change the setting or alter the character’s motivation to make the story uniquely yours. Adding personal touches also strengthens your story idea. Draw from your experiences, emotions, and perspectives. These elements give your story authenticity and depth. For instance, if you’re writing a story about overcoming fear, reflect on a time when you faced something scary. This personal connection will resonate with readers. For example, let’s say you start with a basic concept: a person who wants to escape their small town . To refine this into a workable story, you might decide that the protagonist is a young woman who dreams of becoming an artist. The conflict arises because her family expects her to take over the family business. The setting could be a rural town that feels isolated and stifling. This simple idea now has direction, characters, and a central conflict, making it a strong foundation for your story. How to Write a Story: Creating Compelling Characters In learning how to write a story, creating compelling characters is one of the most crucial steps. Characters are the driving force behind your story . Readers connect with them , root for them, and follow them on their journey. To make your characters stand out, they need to be relatable, complex, and dynamic. Character Development Character development begins with understanding who your character is at their core . Think of your character as a real person. They should have goals, motivations, and flaws. Goals drive your character forward , giving them something to strive for. For example, a character might want to win a race, solve a mystery, or find love. These goals give your story direction. Motivations explain why your character wants to achieve their goals . They add depth and make your character’s actions believable. If your character wants to win a race, their motivation might be to prove their worth, escape a difficult past, or fulfill a promise. Understanding these motivations helps you write actions and decisions that feel true to the character . Flaws make your character human . No one is perfect, and your characters shouldn’t be either. Flaws could be anything from stubbornness to insecurity to a quick temper. These flaws create tension and conflict in your story, making it more engaging. For instance, a character who is too stubborn might refuse help when they need it, leading to further challenges. Character Arcs A character arc describes how a character changes throughout your story . A well-written arc adds depth and makes your story more satisfying. There are different types of character arcs, and the one you choose depends on your story. A positive arc shows a character growing or improving . They start with a flaw or a false belief, but through the events of the story, they learn, change, and become better. For example, a character who begins as selfish might learn the value of helping others. A negative arc shows a character’s downfall . Instead of growing, the character makes poor choices or refuses to change, leading to their decline. This arc can be powerful in tragedies or dark stories. A flat arc involves a character who doesn’t change much but influences the world around them . This type of character often has strong beliefs or principles and helps others grow. Think of a mentor figure who stays consistent while guiding the protagonist. Dialogue and Voice Dialogue is a key tool for revealing character . It’s not just about what your characters say, but how they say it . To write authentic dialogue , consider each character’s background, personality, and current emotional state. A well-educated character might speak formally, while a teenager might use slang or short sentences. Differentiating your characters through their speech patterns is crucial. It helps readers instantly recognize who is speaking, even without dialogue tags. For example, one character might be sarcastic, always making jokes, while another might be straightforward and serious. These differences make your characters more distinct and memorable. Voice is another important aspect of a character. It refers to the unique way a character views and describes the world. A character’s voice should match their personality and background. For instance, a cynical character might describe things with a negative twist, while an optimistic character sees the bright side. This consistency in voice strengthens your character and makes them feel real. How to Write a Story: Crafting the Plot Learning how to write a story involves mastering the art of plot crafting. The plot is the backbone of your story. It guides your characters from beginning to end and keeps your readers engaged. To create a strong plot, you need to understand plot structure, pacing, tension, and the use of subplots. Plot Structure Plot structure is the framework that shapes your story . It provides a roadmap for your characters’ journey. Two common plot structures are the three-act structure and the Hero’s Journey. In the three-act structure , the story is divided into three parts: setup, conflict, and resolution. The setup introduces the characters, the world, and the main problem. The conflict is the core of the story where challenges build, leading to the climax. The climax is the peak of the story, where everything comes to a head. After the climax, the resolution ties up loose ends and concludes the story. The Hero’s Journey is another popular structure. It follows a character (the Hero ) who starts in their ordinary world but is soon called to an adventure. Along the way, they face trials, make allies, and confront their greatest challenge. After overcoming this challenge, the hero returns home, transformed by their experiences . Both structures provide clear steps to follow, making it easier to organize your story. Whether you use the three-act structure or the Hero’s Journey, the goal is to create a plot that feels complete and satisfying. Pacing and Tension Pacing is how you control the speed of your story . It’s important to maintain a balance between fast-paced action and slower, more reflective moments. If your story moves too quickly, readers might miss important details. If it moves too slowly, they might lose interest. To maintain good pacing, vary the length of your scenes . Short, quick scenes can build excitement and move the story forward. Longer scenes can slow things down and give readers a chance to catch their breath. Also, consider where you place important events. Spacing out major plot points keeps readers engaged and eager to see what happens next. Tension is what keeps readers on the edge of their seats . It’s the sense that something important is at stake and that the outcome is uncertain. To build tension, gradually increase the obstacles your characters face. Start with smaller challenges, then escalate to bigger, more threatening situations. For example, in a mystery story, the tension might rise as the detective uncovers clues, leading to a final confrontation with the villain. Subplots are secondary stories that run alongside your main plot. They add depth and complexity to your narrative, making it richer and more engaging. Subplots can explore side characters, develop themes, or provide a different perspective on the main story. When creating subplots, ensure they complement the main plot . They should not distract from the primary narrative but instead enhance it. For example, if your main plot is about a hero saving the world, a subplot might explore the hero’s relationship with a close friend, adding emotional depth. Weaving subplots into your story requires balance . Introduce them naturally, and make sure they connect to the main plot at key points. This connection helps to maintain the story’s focus and ensures that all elements of the plot work together. How to Write a Story: Setting the Scene When learning how to write a story, setting plays a crucial role. A well-crafted setting does more than provide a backdrop; it immerses the reader in your world and shapes the entire narrative. Let’s explore how to build a compelling setting and use it to enhance your story. World-Building World-building is the process of creating a believable and immersive setting for your story. Whether your story takes place in a real location or a fictional one, the setting must feel real to the reader . Start by developing the physical landscape . Think about the environment—are there mountains, forests, cities, or oceans? What’s the climate like? How does the weather affect the characters’ daily lives? Next, consider the cultural landscape . What are the customs, traditions, and values of the people who live in this world? How do these influence the characters and their actions? For example, in a society where honor is highly valued, a character might go to great lengths to protect their reputation. Finally, think about the emotional landscape . How does the setting make the characters feel? A bustling city might create a sense of excitement or stress, while a quiet village could evoke feelings of peace or isolation. These emotional cues help the reader connect with the setting on a deeper level. Using Setting to Enhance the Story The setting is not just a backdrop; it influences the mood, theme, and character actions . Use the setting to create a specific atmosphere. For example, a story set in a dark, rainy city might feel tense and mysterious, while a story set in a bright, sunny field might feel warm and hopeful. Setting can also reinforce the theme of your story. In The Great Gatsby , for example, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the opulent settings of West Egg and East Egg to highlight the theme of wealth and its corrupting influence. By carefully crafting your setting and using it to enhance the story, you can create a world that feels alive and integral to the narrative . As you continue to learn how to write a story, remember that a strong setting can be as important as the characters and plot. How to Write a Story: Writing the First Draft When learning how to write a story, the first draft is a crucial step. It’s where your ideas take shape on the page. This stage can feel daunting, but with the right approach, you can overcome the fear of the blank page and start writing with confidence. Getting Started Starting your first draft can be intimidating. The blank page often feels like a huge obstacle. To overcome this fear, remind yourself that the first draft doesn’t need to be perfect . It’s about getting your ideas down, not about crafting flawless prose. Think of it as building the foundation of a house—you’re just putting up the framework. The details can come later. To start strong, consider beginning with a scene or moment that excites you . Don’t worry about writing in order. If there’s a particular scene that’s clear in your mind, write that first. This helps you build momentum. Once you’re in the flow, it becomes easier to tackle other parts of the story. Writing Techniques Several writing techniques can help you move through your first draft. Freewriting is a useful method. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping. Don’t edit or second-guess yourself; just let the words flow. This technique helps you bypass your inner critic and get your ideas on paper. Word sprints are another effective strategy. Set a timer for a short period, like 20 minutes, and challenge yourself to write as much as possible. The pressure of the timer can push you to write faster and worry less about making it perfect. Setting daily goals can also keep you on track. Decide on a specific word count to hit each day, whether it’s 300 words or 1,000. Consistent progress, even in small amounts, adds up over time. Remember, the goal of the first draft is to get the story down. Don’t get caught up in editing or fixing every sentence. There will be time to refine your work later. For now, focus on moving the story forward. Dealing with Writer’s Block Writer’s block is a common challenge during the first draft. When you feel stuck, it’s important to take a step back. Breaks are crucial . Step away from your writing, take a walk, or do something else you enjoy. This gives your mind a chance to reset. Changing your scenery can also help. If you’ve been writing at your desk, try moving to a different room, a coffee shop, or even outside. A new environment can spark fresh ideas and break through mental barriers. Revisiting your inspiration can reignite your creativity. Look back at what inspired you to write this story in the first place. Read a favorite book, watch a movie that relates to your theme, or browse through your notes. These activities can remind you of your passion for the story and help you push past the block. How to Write a Story: Revising and Editing Once you’ve completed your first draft, the real work begins. Learning how to write a story doesn’t stop at getting your ideas down; it involves shaping and refining those ideas into a polished narrative. Revising and editing are essential steps in this process. Importance of Revisions The first draft is just the start. Think of it as the rough clay that you’ll now mold into its final form. Revisions allow you to step back and see the bigger picture . This is your chance to rework the plot, deepen character development, and improve pacing. For example, you might find that a subplot needs more attention or that a character’s motivations aren’t clear. Revising helps you address these issues and strengthen your story. During revision, focus on the structure of your story . Does the plot flow logically? Are the character arcs satisfying? Is the pacing consistent? These questions guide your revisions and help you see where changes are needed. For instance, if the middle of your story drags, you might need to cut unnecessary scenes or add more conflict. Self-Editing Techniques After revising, it’s time to edit your work. Self-editing is a crucial skill in learning how to write a story. Start by checking for consistency . Ensure that characters act in ways that align with their personalities and that the plot doesn’t have gaps or contradictions. For example, if a character is afraid of heights, they shouldn’t suddenly climb a mountain without explanation. Next, tighten your prose . Look for areas where you can be more concise. Remove unnecessary words, redundant phrases, and anything that doesn’t serve the story. This makes your writing clearer and more engaging. Also, watch out for clichés . These overused expressions can weaken your story. Replace them with original descriptions that better capture your unique voice. Seeking Feedback External feedback is vital in the revision process. After you’ve done your self-edits, consider sharing your story with beta readers or a writing group. These readers can spot issues you might have missed, such as unclear plot points or characters that need more development. When receiving feedback, it’s important to stay open and objective . Criticism can be tough, but it’s meant to help you improve. Focus on the suggestions that resonate with you and use them to strengthen your story. For example, if multiple readers mention that a certain scene feels out of place, it’s worth re-examining that part of your story. Final Steps: Polishing Your Story You’ve revised and edited your story, and now it’s time to polish it. This final stage is crucial in learning how to write a story that’s ready to share with the world. Polishing involves careful proofreading, proper formatting, and preparing your story for submission or publication. Proofreading Proofreading is the last line of defense before your story goes out into the world . It’s about catching those small errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation that can distract readers and undermine your professionalism. Take the time to read through your manuscript slowly, line by line. Look for common mistakes like misplaced commas, incorrect verb tenses, or misspelled words. A clean, error-free manuscript shows that you care about your work and respect your readers . It also makes a better impression on agents, publishers, or anyone else who might read your story. Consider reading your story out loud . Hearing the words can help you catch mistakes that your eyes might skip over. Formatting and Presentation Once your manuscript is error-free, focus on formatting. Proper formatting makes your manuscript look professional and easy to read. If you’re submitting to a publisher or agent, follow their specific guidelines. Common formatting standards include using a readable font like Times New Roman, double-spacing the text, and including page numbers. Different formats may require different presentation styles . For instance, a manuscript intended for print might need different margins or paper size than one intended for digital platforms. If you’re self-publishing, make sure your manuscript is formatted correctly for the platform you’re using, whether it’s an eBook or a print-on-demand service. Presentation matters because it’s the first thing a reader or publisher sees. A well-formatted manuscript shows that you’ve taken the time to present your story in the best possible way. Submitting or Publishing Your Story After polishing your story, it’s time to decide how you want to share it with the world. There are several avenues for publishing, each with its own process. Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to agents or publishers . If you choose this route, you’ll need to write a query letter. This letter is your pitch, a brief introduction to your story, and why it would be a good fit for the publisher. Keep it concise and professional. Highlight the main points of your story, such as the genre, the central conflict, and what makes it unique. Self-publishing is another option. It allows you to maintain control over your work and how it’s presented. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark make it easy to publish your book as an eBook or in print. However, self-publishing requires more responsibility , as you’ll handle everything from editing to marketing. Online platforms , like blogs or writing communities, offer a way to share your story with a wide audience. These platforms often have less formal submission processes, making them a good option if you’re looking to get feedback or build an audience quickly. How Bibisco Novel Writing Software Can Help You Write Your Story bibisco novel writing software is a powerful tool that simplifies the writing process. It offers features designed for creative writing , helping you organize your ideas and stay focused. With bibisco, you can create and develop your characters, structure your plot, and manage your scenes. bibisco provides a clear overview of your story , making it easier to see how all the pieces fit together. You can track your progress, set writing goals, and keep everything in one place. Whether you’re just starting or refining your draft, bibisco supports every step of your writing journey . Conclusion: How to Write a Story In this guide, we’ve explored the key steps a writer should follow to learn how to write a story. Each step brings you closer to creating a story that resonates. Writing is a journey, and every story you create is a step forward. Embrace the creative process, even when it feels challenging. Remember, storytelling has the power to connect people and share experiences across time and place. Your story, no matter how small it seems, has the potential to touch someone’s life. Start writing and let your voice be heard. Social Share bibisco tips and tricks character archetypes character development literary genres narrative perspectives narrative techniques novel writing software story structures storytelling Download bibisco! Elevate your storytelling with bibisco! Grab the best novel writing software for authors and dive into a world of creative writing. Start your story today! 4 Responses Adorei as orientações! Um resumo muito útil inclusive para professores de linguagens. I enjoyed reading this article as it gives a complete guide to creative writing in a quick read rather than a 400-page book. Thank you. Thank you for reading, Hamish. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Related Post A guide to picking the best paper writing service. August 12, 2024 Uncategorized How to Write a Science Fiction Novel: A Comprehensive Guide July 31, 2024 Inspiring Creativity: How to Generate Ideas for Your Next Essay July 24, 2024 Teach Early Years Teach Primary Teach Secondary Advertise With Us New for Schools Browse by subject Maths & Science English & MFL Outdoor Learning Product Focus Resource Guide Lesson Plan: KS3 English, creative writing Subject: English and MFL Date Posted: 12 March 2013 View page as PDF: Download Now Share this: ​Providing the right atmosphere can encourage students to take their creative writing to a whole new level, says Claire Sheffield… ​Providing the right atmosphere can encourage students to take their creative writing to a whole new level, says Claire Sheffield… Today you will…. Develop the ability to use your imagination to create a story in the gothic genre Learn to use ambitious vocabulary to achieve specific effects Starting a piece of creative writing can be a source of frustration for many young people; so much so that it can lead to loss of confidence. If ideas aren’t flowing, learners can quickly switch off and give up. Creative writing lessons, therefore, need to stimulate all of the senses and inspire students. Creative writing in the gothic genre – spooky stories – offers a wonderful opportunity for just this. This is a topic that always manages to enthuse pupils and one of the most exciting aspects is that the outcome is completely different with every group. Giving students time for thinking and the creation of ideas is essential. Therefore, this plan should be seen as just a starting point; it provides the stimulus from which a number of sessions can be developed. Subsequent periods can also focus on the development of different writing skills as required by the individual needs of a group. As a way into creative writing, this opener allows learners to be independent; an environment that enables them to thrive. Most importantly, it’s a lesson that students always leave talking about! Starter activity Creating a spooky word wall. Preparation is key to this lesson. For maximum impact, everything needs to be ready so that students enter the room and immediately feel a mysterious atmosphere. This can be created by closing blinds, turning off the lights, playing spooky music and displaying an image on the whiteboard of an old, decrepit, haunted-looking house (easily sourced from the internet). It is great to see students entering the room and looking around confused, wondering what is happening and therefore immediately engaged! Ideally learners need to be seated in small table groups; this should be a buzzy lesson with lots of group discussion and sharing of ideas. As they take their seats they see on their table a map/floor plan of a house with a cross in one of the rooms; it’s one of the rooms from the house displayed on the board. This can be easily created in a word document using text boxes to create the floor plan and labelling each room. The idea is that each table will focus on a different room. On each table an instruction card for the starter activity is also displayed. This should say something along the lines of: ‘As a group create a word wall of spooky words to describe the room you are in. Be as ambitious as possible! You have 5 minutes’. This could be completed on A3 paper or on post-it notes to stick up on the wall next to them; students will then have created their own bank of vocabulary that will help them in later parts of the lesson. Main activities 1 developing the plot. This lesson works well if very little is said by the teacher to the whole class. This adds to the mysterious atmosphere because students have to read and find out what to do at different stages. The teacher very much facilitates the learning in this lesson, by circulating the room, supporting and stretching groups as appropriate. As the 5 minutes for the starter activity draws to a close, the spooky background music should be turned off and a short, shocking sound should be played. This could be a scream or a crash, for example. As this point another slide should be displayed on the board to move students onto the next stage of the lesson. This could read: ‘What has happened? Write the opening for a spooky story about a mysterious incident that has happened in the room you are in. Discuss for 5 minutes.’ Students are now using their imaginations to create a plot for their gothic story; it is important that students are encouraged to discuss and develop ideas before beginning the writing stage. 2 Going further After around five minutes discussion, another slide can be displayed which reads: ‘Look for a clue about what has happened. You will find this somewhere near you!’ Underneath each table, students will find an envelope with a picture of a clue. This could be anything (e.g. a book or a camera). Equally, props could be placed around the room for students to find. The more unusual the better! It just gets pupils thinking more creatively. They will naturally want to talk about what they have found and start to revise their previous thinking 3 Stage three After a few moments, the final slide of instruction can be displayed. This time, students are told: ‘Time to start writing. You have 25 minutes to use the clues so far to write the opening to a spooky story. Remember your objectives – be imaginative and use ambitious vocabulary to achieve a spooky effect.’ Spooky background music can be played throughout the writing stage. It is also important that learners have access to a thesaurus in order to locate more ambitious vocabulary. Home learning The lesson can be used as a starting point and developed in a number of ways… + Subsequent lessons/home learning activities could focus on developing other writing skills such as structuring a plot from beginning to end, using literary devices or using a variety of sentence structures and punctuation for effect. + The written work could lead into a speaking and listening lesson where students devise, rehearse and perform dramatic readings of their stories. + Students can explore a variety of gothic literature, researching different writers in the genre, reading different works and learning about the conventions of the genre. They can then develop their work to incorporate more of these conventions themselves. After the main writing stage of this lesson, students are usually desperate to read their work out. To be able to do this in a meaningful way though, more time is usually needed, so it is appropriate to dedicate the following lesson to this. However, an opportunity to share work with others can be achieved through groups swapping their work and providing some feedback to consider for the following lesson. Questions such as those below can help students to structure their feedback in a constructive manner: How imaginative is the piece? How exciting did you find the story? Is there anything that does not make sense? How ambitious is the vocabulary? Does it achieve the desired spooky effect? How would you like the group to improve the piece? What questions can you ask the group to help them develop the piece further? The following lesson can then begin with students considering this feedback in order to improve the work they have begun in this lesson. Differentiation suggestions to support less able students: Provide a word bank or sentence starter bank. Provide additional resources to inspire ideas; further images or props, for example. Provide a wagoll (what a good one looks like) as a model of a piece of spooky writing. Suggestions to stretch more able students: Provide definitions/examples of literary devices and a challenge card asking students to ‘aim to include as many literary devices as possible.’ Ask students to work towards a third learning objective: ‘use a variety of sentence structures for effect’ or ‘use a variety of punctuation for effect.’ Allocate an expert to mixed ability groups who is asked to fulfil additional responsibilities as group leader. Provide a ‘challenging criteria’ card as a checklist of skills that more able students should aim to demonstrate. You may also be interested in... Strictly 1000 Words winners chosen after enthralling live finals 1000 Word Challenge surpasses 10,000 learners CHOOSE KIND Subscribe to Our Newsletter I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy. Recommended for you... Is competitive PE and sport in schools a good thing? 10 great classroom ideas with technnology Top Tips to Engage Parents in their Children’s Learning Dara O Briain and Brian Cox on STEM Maths and Science Browse by Secondary Subject Search Utah State University: Assessment plan: creative writing. To determine the effectiveness of the department's academic program, the Creative Writing Emphasis in the English BA/BS degrees developed an assessment plan built around measuring student work vis-à-vis three key learning objectives. Creative Writing collects annual data from the academic year (spring semester, fall semester) by gathering senior papers from its courses and designating faculty readers from its curriculum committee to assess the student work in relation to the key learning objectives. Each emphasis evaluates the papers and posts its Outcomes Data on the department's assessment website. Each emphasis then makes decisions on the basis of this data and delineates its Data-Based Decisions on the assessment website. Along with this direct measure of student learning, Creative Writing also employs an indirect measure, student interviews, as well. For the Creative Writing Emphasis in the department’s BA/BS degrees, the three key Learning Objectives are: Identify and artfully explain significant questions (writing for an audience) Gather and analyze relevant information in writing Communicate ideas effectively through competence in form PART 1 of 2: DIRECT MEASURES (Rubric of Student Work) Evidence that the student has mastered this objective is not provided, is unconvincing, or very incomplete Evidence that the student has mastered this objective is provided, but it is weak or incomplete Evidence shows that the student has generally attained the objective Evidence demonstrates that the student has mastered this objective at a high level Student work does not demonstrate a basic understanding of writing for an audience in the following specific areas: of writing invites reader into the work on the part of the reader or makes a good case why the reader should care about the writing Work shows evidence that the student understands the concept of writing for an audience, but execution of the concept is weak or incomplete in the following specific areas: of writing invites reader into the work on the part of the reader or makes a good case why the reader should care about the writing Work shows evidence that the student understands the concept of writing for an audience and does so with competence in the following specific areas: of writing invites reader into the work on the part of the reader or makes a good case why the reader should care about the topic Work shows evidence that the student not only understands the concept of writing for an audience but also does so at a highly proficient level, as defined by these specific areas: of writing invites reader into the work on the part of the reader or makes a good case why the reader should care about the writing 2. Gather and analyze relevant information in writing Evidence that the student has mastered this objective is not provided, is unconvincing, or very incomplete Evidence that the student has mastered this objective is provided, but it is weak or incomplete Evidence shows that the student has generally attained the objective Evidence demonstrates that the student has mastered this objective at a high level Student work does not demonstrate a basic understanding of writing for an audience in the following specific areas: of others’ ideas associated with the genre and subject of the writing artistic vision, thesis, or research contribution Work shows evidence that the student understands the concept of writing for an audience, but execution of the concept is weak or incomplete in the following specific areas: of others’ ideas associated with the genre and subject of the writing artistic vision, thesis, or research contribution Work shows evidence that the student understands the concept of writing for an audience and does so with competence in the following specific areas: of others’ ideas associated with the  genre and subject of the writing artistic vision, thesis, or research contribution Work shows evidence that the student not only understands the concept of writing for an audience but also does so at a highly proficient level, as defined by these specific areas: of others’ ideas associated with the genre and subject of the writing and into the work artistic vision, thesis, or research contribution and does so in a way that is particularly 3. Gather and analyze relevant information in writing Evidence that the student has mastered this objective is not provided, is unconvincing, or very incomplete Evidence that the student has mastered this objective is provided, but it is weak or incomplete Evidence shows that the student has generally attained the objective Evidence demonstrates that the student has mastered this objective at a high level Student work does not demonstrate a basic understanding of writing for an audience in the following specific areas: at the sentence level (syntax, usage, grammar) language well from paragraph to paragraph Work shows evidence that the student understands the concept of writing for an audience, but execution of the concept is weak or incomplete in the following specific areas: at the sentence level (syntax, usage, grammar) language well from paragraph to paragraph Work shows evidence that the student understands the concept of writing for an audience and does so with competence in the following specific areas: at the sentence level (syntax, usage, grammar) language well from paragraph to paragraph Work shows evidence that the student not only understands the concept of writing for an audience but also does so at a highly proficient level, as defined by these specific areas: at the sentence level (syntax, usage, grammar) language (sophisticated word choice) well from idea to idea via PART 2 of 2: INDIRECT MEASURES (Student Interviews) Faculty members meet with students annually and ask them the following questions: Courses What was your experience getting the classes you wanted? What was the longest you had to wait to get into a workshop? Was there a course you wanted to take but weren't able to? Could you tell a difference between the intro courses in a genre and the advanced ones? Did the intro classes prepare you for the advanced classes? Were you challenged? Is there a course we should be offering but aren’t? Do you perceive any gaps in your learning? Did the literature courses help you as a writer? Workshops Was there a workshop model that you thought was especially effective? Was there an organization to the course schedule you found especially helpful? Was there an approach to grading and feedback that you found especially effective? Profession Do you feel you learned enough about the writing profession? Are you prepared to submit creative work? Are you familiar with the journals of the field? Do you know how to apply to MFA and PhD programs? Are these things that matter to you? Extracurricular We have tried to offer additional outlets to our majors. We have guest speakers, Scribendi , Helicon West, and the creative writing club. Did you take advantage of these extracurricular activities? Why or why not? How could we make these additions more appealing or central to our students? Faculty Did the faculty who taught your creative writing courses seem knowledgeable? Did they share experiences with you as writers, model for you aspects of the profession? This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site. School of Humanities and Social Sciences Academic Programs Creative Writing Objectives and Outcomes Creative writing program learning objectives, outcomes, and assessment measures. To produce graduates familiar with representative literary texts from a significant number of historical, geographical, and cultural contexts, with particular focus on the Modern and contemporary periods. To produce graduates able to apply their knowledge and understanding of critical, theoretical, and technical traditions to the production of original literary works. To produce graduates familiar with the contemporary literary publishing milieu. To produce graduates able to effectively communicate what it is they, as writers, do, and to effectively present literary works, their own as well as the works of others. Graduates will have the ability to apply critical and theoretical approaches to the reading and analysis of literary texts in multiple genres. Graduates will be able to identify, analyze, interpret and describe the critical ideas, values, and themes that appear in literary texts and to understand the ways these ideas, values, and themes inform and impact cultures and societies, both in the past and the present. Graduates will produce stories or poems or literary nonfiction pieces that are original yet engage in an effective and rewarding conversation with the traditions of literature. Graduates will be able to articulate an awareness of the relationship between their individual works and the tradition. Graduates will be able to judge whether a journal or press is an appropriate venue for their literary works. Graduates will be able to analyze and critique the quality of literary journals and presses, as well as the work of particular writers. Graduates will be able to produce cogent written and/or oral arguments to defend and explain the value of literature to a general population, to be, in other words, public ambassadors for the literary arts. Graduates will be able to present their own literary works—and the works of others—orally in a public forum with the ability to bring the written word to life for an audience. Assessment Measures The required senior thesis, which is a book-length collection of the student’s creative work accompanied by a critical preface, is the best mechanism for assessing the success of our courses in achieving our objectives and outcomes. The project requires the ability to write creatively, of course, but it also assesses the students’ abilities to write and speak critically about their own creative work and the work of other writers. The project consists of five elements: the critical preface, the creative body of work, the scholarly bibliography, the oral defense, and a public reading. The success of our program can be assessed by how many graduates attend M.F.A. programs, where they publish their writing, and what role their writing skills play in the jobs they take. University Bulletin Creative Writing Minor Creative Writing Scholarships Lake Effect: An International Literary Journal Smith Creative Writers Reading Series Objectives Of Creative Writing For Students Taking classes to write fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction is a great way to excite your writing spirit and discover your hidden talent. Besides, discovering a ‘new you’, creative writing units also have numerous other objectives and potential outcomes. If the courses work right for you, it enables you to enhance your knowledge of reading and writing. Before enrolling in a creative writing class, you may, however, want to know what benefits you will get by completing such classes. So, here we list the objectives of creative writing for students. But one thing is guaranteed that the learning will stay with you for rest of your life. 1. General Objective Here are the general objectives and expected outcomes of creative writing classes. (i) Objective 1: You will have the ability to apply critical and theoretical approaches to the reading and analysis of literary texts in multiple genres. (ii) Objective 2: You will understand how to identify, analyze, interpret and describe critical ideas, themes, values that consist of literary texts and perceive the ways to evaluate how ideas, themes and values create an impact on societies, both in the past and present. (iii) Objective 3: You will become capable of producing poems or literary non-fictional pieces that are original and engaging. (iv) Objective 4: You will be able to articulate an awareness of the relationship between the individual works and conventional literary work. (v) Objective 5: You will become capable of passing judgment whether a journal or a press is better venue for publishing literary work. (vi) Objective 6: By critical reading and analysis, you become someway an expert to analyze and critique the quality of literary journals as well as the work of particular writers. Now that you know the general outcomes, let us go into more specialized objectives based on various parameters of creative writing. 2. Literary Techniques Literary techniques are defined by three main genre’s foundational styles that equip students to write their own creative work. Here are the objectives of the three most primitive genre of writing — ‘Prose is architecture, not interior decoration’ – Ernest Hemingway Writing must have building blocks, structured against characters, plot and setting. This rule becomes more pronounced when it comes to fiction writing. This type of writing always revolves around imagination, passion and hard work. A new world created by authors that certainly influence the readers. That’s what fiction writing is all about. (i) Objective 1: Identify the structural elements of fiction (ii) Objective 2: You might emphasis on characterization, setting and plot development (iii) Objective 3: You become able to analyze how people act and react, their facial expression and their body language (iv) Objective 4: As fiction helps you to disconnect with your everyday life, it lifts you from the mundane and walks you on the path that you have never experienced before (v) Objective 5: Through fiction, we experience emotions and new adventures that connect us with the rest of the world. Whether historical or contemporary fiction, patterns do emerge: sorrow or joy, hopelessness or hope, life or death etc. ‘Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, it takes its origin from emotions recollected’ – William Wordsworth Writing poetry involves undertaking a new way of life that takes a form of strong words, powerful feelings and vivid imagination. (i) Objective 1: Make you understand the concepts and basic terms of poetry writing (ii) Objective 2: It teaches you the concept of rhythm, rhyme and alliteration (iii) Objective 3: It enables you to perceive the fugitive language like simile, metaphor and personification (iv) Objective 4: Involves different patterns of poetry (v) Objective 5: Understand and appreciate poetry as a literary art form. 3. Creative Non-fiction ‘Writing non-fiction is like cracking a safe. It seems impossible at the beginning, but once you are in, you are in’ – Rich Cohen Writing non-fiction may seem difficult, but it has an array of genres to cover. The writer of non-fiction has a huge responsibility to present the truth or accuracy of the events, people and/or information presented. (i) Objective 1: Creative non-fiction allows reflecting your personal experience and how to conduct good research, collect data and convey a sense authority in your work while creating your own literary nonfiction (ii) Objective 2: You learn to recall and understand the language and organizational features of all main non-fiction text types (iii) Objective 3: You perceive how to go about reading a non-fiction literary piece (iv) Objective 4: You can choose different types of imageries and transform them into structured non-fiction prose (v) Objective 5: You learn to write non-fiction effectively for a particular purpose and audience, combining organizational features as appropriate. 3. Critical Reading Being able to analyze reads is the key understanding of how creative writing works. When you join creative writing classes, it typically includes intensive reading and discussion of poems and other literary works that enables you to see the technique in action. (i) Objective 1: According to Ohio University of English Department, as a critical reader, you understand the styles and traditions of different genres and gain inspiration from different authors. For example, let say, you might read Flannery O’Connor’s famous short story, ‘A Good Man is Hard to Find’ and discuss with your class how O’Connor developed her characters. Later, you can use her work as an inspiration for your writing (ii) Objective 2: Many believed that their vocabulary could be improved (iii) Objective 3: You gain the ability to comprehend and extract appropriate meaning and relevance of what is being read (iv) Objective 4: A critical reader who is constantly looking for new ideas and inspiration welcomes written piece with an open mind, but at the same time questions the content and of the text by testing against its knowledge and experience (v) Objective 5: You become competent to discover the hidden message in the text and to ascertain how the ideas in the text accords with writer's opinion, values and objectives. 4. Revision Many students make mistakes by assuming that good writing is effortless and natural. In reality, all writing requires revision, sometimes multiple drafts and total rewrites of a single piece. (i) Objective 1: You leave the class knowing the technique of brainstorming, composing a draft and determining the piece’s revision (ii) Objective 2: Since creative classes sometimes involve giving peer feedback through a writing workshop, students also learn how to give constructive reviews and feedback to improve a piece (iii) Objective 3: You become able to decide how a writing piece should be revised towards improvement. 5. The Philosophy of Creativity Ultimately, when you finish the creative writing class, you should be able to explain their creative values and strengthen your future plans. (i) Objective 1: When you get in touch with different and numerous writers, you are able to identify authors whose work left an impact on you (ii) Objective 2: You will understand what genre attracts you the most and you enjoy writing in (iii) Objective 3: In the course, you will be comfortable to share how you are going to pursue your writing after class’s conclusion. For example, you might go onto graduate creative writing program, others may want to continue writing on their own (iv) Objective 4: The students should leave the class with an appreciation for creative writing and better understanding of the unique voice of the different authors. The list does not end here. The more you get involved in the course, the more outcomes come in your way. The above-mentioned are common learning objectives of creative writing and its different sections. But it works differently on distinct natured personalities. And to experience that, you need to join a creative writing class. How can EssayGator.com assist you in writing? EssayGator.com is proud to ensure the best quality writing help in all academic sectors. Thousands of customers all over the world approach us for top-quality assignment writing help every day. And we as a writing service provider fulfill the need of our customers in the best possible manner. Fortunately, all our experts, that’s 3000+ experts, have at least master’s credentials in their respective subjects and also years of experience in essay writing industry. Moreover, all our experts are familiar with the most popular referencing style and formatting of written assignments. No matter what educational course you are pursuing or what subject you are working on, assignment writing will follow you. Fortunately, you have EssayGator at your disposal. While other writing services ensure you timely delivery, we are the one and only writing service to worry about the quality of assignment writing solutions. Everything else is secondary to us. That is why we stand out in the crowd of writing service providers. All our writers care about is the quality of each individual work delivered. Each assignment solution created by our experts undergoes strict quality check. During quality check, the assignment solution is check for plagiarism, factual pieces and whether the requirements are fulfilled. After ensuring everything in its places, our operation team delivers completed assignment solution to our customers. You can easily download your copy from your account. Having doubts? Let us tell you, it is totally okay to have an expert write your assignments like ours. When you are not completely confident about your skills, you can always knock on our doors. We assure that our friendly nature customer care executives will answer every time. You just have to be prompt with your actions. (i) Send your requirements (ii) Choose a writer (iii) Get completed assignment solutions in your account Do you want to share? YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE The Preferred Freelancer Tag and How to Recei.. How Higher Trust Scores Benefit Both Freelanc.. Why College Students Should Freelance Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Prefe.. Top 4 Emerging Psychological Problems Faced b.. Top 5 Ways to Save Money for College and Sign.. Leave a reply, place your order. Get help to our Experts Recent Posts   publisher   November 14,2021   publisher   November 11,2021   publisher   October 27,2021   publisher   October 25,2021   publisher   September 30,2021 Math Assignment Help Assignment Help Homework Help Essay Topics Essay Format Referencing And Citation Dissertation Writing Research Paper Top Experts Popular Posts   Admin   March 08,2016   publisher   April 30,2018   Admin   March 31,2016   publisher   September 17,2020 Subscribe Newsletter You can place your order for free now. Simply submit your order and see what our writers can Subscribe to get regular update! Haven’t taken a decision yet? Hurry! Time is running out. Place your order with us now and be the topper of your class. Have any Query? Contact with us Certification International Partners Our Clients GSA Contracts Pike's Peak Award Train-the-Trainer Boot Camp Beyond Basics—the Art of Training Interactive Virtual Trainer Instructional Design Making MS Teams Interactive Microlearning Presentation Skills Performance Consulting Creating Effective Assessments Rapid Design for Virtual Training Virtual Presentation Skills Making Zoom Interactive Introduction to Performance Consulting Producing for Webinars Interactive Virtual Meetings Creative Training Techniques Conference Team Training Virtual Training & E-Learning Trainer Blog Free Webinars Case Studies Free Guides Music & Media Trainer Kits 5 Steps to Writing Clear and Measurable Learning Objectives Learning objectives aren’t just a list of what you’re covering in class. Good learning objectives are what you want your students/trainees to learn or achieve (“by the end of this course, you will be able to...”). If you don’t know the end goal—and you don’t have certain measurable checkpoints—you can get lost along the way. Here are some tips to help you get started: 1.   Identify the Level of Knowledge Necessary to Achieve Your Objective Before you begin writing objectives, stop and think about what type of change you want your training to make. In other words, what do you want your participants to do differently when they return to work? The domains of learning can be categorized as affective (attitude), psychomotor (skills), and cognitive (knowledge). An easy way to remember this is with the acronym ASK :  A ttitude — Changes how a learner chooses to act. Compliance training is a good example of when you will have to teach to this domain. It’s usually the hardest to craft objectives for this, since it’s dealing with feelings, emotions, and attitudes. S kills —This domain focuses on changing or improving the tasks a learner can perform. K nowledge — This domain focuses on increasing what participants know. Learning safety rules, troubleshooting, and quoting prices from memory are all examples of this level of learning. 2. Select an Action Verb Now that you’ve identified what domain you intend to focus on for your objective, it’s time to start crafting your objective. To do that, it’ll help to have an action verb to describe the behavior at the appropriate level of learning. Here’s a list of action verbs, separated by domain. Avoid having more than one action verb for each level of learning, and make sure it’s a verb that can be measured. “Understand” is too vague, but “complete,” “identify,” or “recognize” are specific. KNOWLEDGE  SKILLS  3. create your very own objective. Now it's your turn to give it a whirl.  4. Check Your Objective Make sure your objectives include four pieces: audience, behavior, condition, and degree of mastery. For every one, identify and label the component. Here are the  A, B, C, D's every objective should contain:  Audience:  Behavior: , condition: , degree of mastery: . Try labeling each of the four components in your objectives to make sure you didn't forget anything. In the following examples,  the audience will be italicized,   the behavior will be underlined,  the condition will be in regular type, and  the degree of mastery will be bolded. Given an expense report, the  learner  will  complete the company form   with no errors . After completing the three-day design training, the  learner  will be able to  list the 8 steps in the design process   in order . 5 .  Repeat, Repeat, Repeat Go through this process for each objective. Don’t stop until you feel that you have enough objectives to effectively measure your performance. Remember, objectives work as checkpoints that lead to a completion of a goal. It’s important you have enough of them to keep yourself from getting lost. Start with what you want to achieve and work backwards.   If you'd like to up your game creating objectives or designing a class, check out one of our courses , particularly the workshop on  Instructional Design. Need help with virtual training or learning? Take a look at the Interactive Virtual Trainer workshop.  Published originally by Jordan Meyers, adapted from Becky Pluth’s session on writing objectives at the 2014 Creative Training Techniques conference. Never miss a post! Get blogs and more delivered directly to your inbox. Creative Training Techniques® Conference Crash Courses Professional Certification Monthly E-Newsletter Stay connected to what’s going on in the training industry. Privacy Policy Return Policy Cancellation Policy 10800 Lyndale Avenue South - Suite 151 - Bloomington, MN 55420 443 IMAGES Sample Creative Brief Objectives Infographic The Purpose and Objectives of Creative Writing: Explained Creative Writing Learning Objectives Ks2 Creative Writing Learning Objectives Ks2 Creative Writing Learning Objectives Ks2 VIDEO Creative Writing 1st semester vvi objective questions || Ba 1st Semester Creative Writing Objectives Integrated Education| Meaning, Characteristics & Objectives For all the painters #strategiesforcreatives #entrepreneur #creativecoach #motivation #creative  My fallout 4 settlement New Starlight How To Make Objectives In Fortnite Creative Working Through The Creative Process #educational #mentoring #mentorship #creativity COMMENTS The Purpose and Objectives of Creative Writing: Explained Beyond its objectives, Creative Writing plays a crucial role in our lives and society, contributing to personal growth, cultural preservation, inspiration, and connection. Catharsis . One of the profound and therapeutic purposes of Creative Writing is catharsis. This aspect of Creative Writing is deeply personal, as it offers writers a means to ... Learning Objectives Learning Objectives: Creative Writing. For the Creative Writing Emphasis in the BA/BS degrees, the three key Learning Objectives are: Students can identify and artfully explain significant questions (writing for an audience). Specifically, student work shows evidence that the student understands the concept of writing for an audience and ... Creative Writing Learning Goals & Outcomes Learning Goals & Outcomes. Minor in Creative Writing. As a student of creative writing, you will create original works of literature, culminating in a significant, extended body of poetry, fiction, and/or creative nonfiction that manifests your artistic potential. These literary works will demonstrate the following aspects of your craft: Creative Writing Mission, Goals, & Objectives Creative Writing Department Goals and Objectives. Program Goal 1: Students will demonstrate effective critical thinking. Program Goal 2: Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication abilities. * Creative Writing and English define and assess their programs' communications and technology outcomes separately. Aiming for Success: Creative Writing Objectives Demystified Setting clear objectives in creative writing is crucial for achieving success and taking your writing to the next level. By establishing specific goals, you provide yourself with a clear direction and purpose, helping you stay focused and motivated throughout the writing process. These objectives can range from improving your storytelling ... Week One Creative Writing Lesson Plans: Expert Guide An easy lesson plan for creative writing that will pay off later is to activate prior knowledge. Brainstorm creative, memorable, unforgettable stories with students. Share your thoughts too! You will start to build relationships with students who share the same tastes as you (and those that are completely different!). How to Set Effective Writing Goals (That Will Help You Grow) Emotional goals. "I want more creativity in my life.". "I want to feel like I am using my talents.". "I want to prove to myself that I can write a book, even if it's hard.". "I want to help at least one reader with my hard-earned knowledge on X subject.". "I want to write something that brings comfort to a reader.". What is Creative Writing? A Key Piece of the Writer's Toolbox Creative writing is a form of writing that extends beyond the bounds of regular professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature. It is characterized by its development, and the use of literary tropes or poetic techniques to express ideas in an original and imaginative way. express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a ... PDF Learning Objectives: Creative Writing Learning Objectives: Creative Writing For the Creative Writing Emphasis in the BA/BS degrees, the three key Learning Objectives are: 1. Students can identify and artfully explain significant questions (writing for an audience). Specifically, student work shows evidence that the student understands the concept of writing for an audience and ... What is Creative Writing? The Medium of Self-Expression Creative Writing is a form of self-expression that allows you to use your imagination and creativity. It can be in the form of personal essays, short stories, or poems. It is often used as an outlet for emotions and experiences. Start with creative writing by reading through creative writing examples to help get you in the mood. PDF English- Creative Writing English- Creative Writing Mission Statement . The Creative Writing Program deepens students' understanding of literary composition and actively engages them in the craft and practice of creative writing. Students learn to read literature as writers, paying particular attention to voice, style, form, language, and technique. ENG 231 Intro to Creative Writing Syllabus Welcome to ENG 231 Intro to Creative Writing! Creative writing, emphasis on composing creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. In other words, we will study the main genres of creative writing to prepare you for upper level creative writing courses in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. After we go over the genre characteristics and you ... PDF Steinbeck 2016 1. Creative Writing Exercise: Using an Objective Correlative by Whitney Newton; Menlo School, Atherton, California, 2016 Objective The purpose of the assignment is to allow students in a fiction writing course to intuitively grasp what an objective correlative is and to experience how it does economical emotional work in fiction. Creative Writing Lesson Plan Creative Writing Lesson Plan. Dana teaches social sciences at the college level and English and psychology at the high school level. She has master's degrees in applied, clinical and community ... How to Write a Story: A Guide for Creative Writers In creative writing, a story is an intentionally crafted experience designed to guide the reader through a progression of events and situations. It involves the creation of a fictional world, the introduction of characters, and the development of scenarios that lead to meaningful change or development in those characters. Lesson Plan: KS3 English, creative writing Creative writing in the gothic genre - spooky stories - offers a wonderful opportunity for just this. This is a topic that always manages to enthuse pupils and one of the most exciting aspects is that the outcome is completely different with every group. Giving students time for thinking and the creation of ideas is essential. Assessment Plan For the Creative Writing Emphasis in the department's BA/BS degrees, the three key Learning Objectives are: Identify and artfully explain significant questions (writing for an audience) Gather and analyze relevant information in writing. Communicate ideas effectively through competence in form. PART 1 of 2: DIRECT MEASURES (Rubric of Student ... PDF Creative Writing #170 GENERAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES: 1. To encourage students in diverse forms of verbal self-expression. 2. To emphasize personal experience as a source of creative writing experiences and products. 3. To generate a positive attitude toward the process of creative writing, as well as toward specific writing. 4. CREATIVE WRITING: LESSON AND RESOURCES This resource covers the integral, surface and deep features of creative writing. It contains full-on activities and assessments to cover the skills of literacy in an easy, structured, cover-your-bases system. It includes everything you need to get going with Creative Writing in your classroom. This Resource Includes: 1. A Detailed Lesson Plan. 2. Objectives and Outcomes Creative Writing Program Learning Objectives, Outcomes, and Assessment Measures Objectives. To produce graduates familiar with representative literary texts from a significant number of historical, geographical, and cultural contexts, with particular focus on the Modern and contemporary periods. Creative Activities to Develop Writing Skills for Students Storytelling exercises like role-playing and picture prompts help spark creativity. Ways to integrate fun writing games like story chains and story cubes can improve student writing skills and foster a positive learning environment. How to use writing prompts to show understanding and develop technical writing skills while being creative. Objectives Of Creative Writing For Students 1. General Objective. Here are the general objectives and expected outcomes of creative writing classes. (i) Objective 1: You will have the ability to apply critical and theoretical approaches to the reading and analysis of literary texts in multiple genres. (ii) Objective 2: You will understand how to identify, analyze, interpret and describe ... Using Bloom's Taxonomy to Write Effective Learning Outcomes Bloom's Taxonomy is a classification of the different objectives and skills that educators set for their students (learning outcomes). ... Steps towards writing effective learning outcomes: Make sure there is one measurable verb in each objective. Each outcome needs one verb. Either a student can master the outcome , or they fail to master it. 5 Steps to Writing Clear and Measurable Learning Objectives Identify the Level of Knowledge Necessary to Achieve Your Objective. Before you begin writing objectives, stop and think about what type of change you want your training to make. ... Published originally by Jordan Meyers, adapted from Becky Pluth's session on writing objectives at the 2014 Creative Training Techniques conference. Never miss a ... Adobe Workfront Plan and track enterprise projects, gain visibility into capacity, ensure alignment to business objectives, monitor insights and results, and support data-driven decision-making. ... Saved 1,000 hours each year on creative workflows. Saved 1,000 hours each year on creative workflows. Consolidated 74 request systems into one. Consolidated 74 ... assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis