CREATIVE WRITING

Pastor Ferdinand O. Macato

09184076698

I.

FEEDBACK
Writing)

FROM

PREVIOUS

WORK

(Extemporaneous

Questions

in

II.
FORMS OF WRITING
Writing is traditionally divided into four forms: Narrative, Descriptive, Expository and
Argumentative (or Persuasive). Other forms of writing include responses to literature,
research writing, workplace and technical writing, and writing for media.
Narrative Writing
Definition
writing that tells a story that could be fictional or nonfictional (fact)
Characteristics
organization of events
well-developed plot
(series of interconnected events)
clear focus on main points
Forms of Fiction narratives
It tells a story about imagined people, events and ideas.
Realistic Fiction
-portrays invented characters and events in everyday situations
-often present problems that many people face and devise solution to solve
them
-example of this is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Fantasy
-highly imaginative
-involves invented characters, situations, worlds and creatures
-example of this is The Harry Potter stories by J.K. Rowling
Historical
-imaginary people in real places and times of history
-main characters are usually fictional people who know and interact with
famous people and participate in important historical events
-example of this is The Prince and the Pauper
Mystery
-stories present unexplained or strange events that characters try to resolve
-stories are often full of suspense and surprises
-example of this is Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conant Doyle
Myths
-tales that explain the action of gods or heroes or the origins of the elements
of nature
-handed down by word of mouth for generations
-example of this is The Twelve Labors of Hercules by Walker Brents
Legends
-widely-told stories about the past, one that may or may not have
foundation in fact
-usually contain fantastic details such as incredible feats of strength or
supernatural beings
-example of this is King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Science Fiction
-tells about imaginary events that involve science and technology
-example of this is The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov
Tall Tales
-tells larger-than-life characters in real-life settings.
-the characters can perform amazing acts of strength and bravery
-examples of this are stories about Pecos Bill and Bernardo Carpio
Forms of Nonfiction narratives

It tells a story about real people, events and ideas.

Biographical Narratives
-these are accounts of a persons life
Personal Narratives
-it tells true stories about events in a persons life
-they are also called autobiographical narratives
Diary and Journal Entries
-these are highly personal experiences, thoughts and feelings
-the audience, however, is private, unless the writer chooses to share the
diary and journal entries
Blogs
-these are online journals that may include autobiographical narratives,
reflections, opinions, and other type of comments
Eyewitness accounts
-writing that focus on historical or other important events
-the writer is the narrator and shares his or her thoughts about the event
Memoirs
-a special kind of autobiography (an autobiography focuses on the
chronology of the writers entire life while a memoir covers one specific
aspect of the writers life)
Reflective essays
-the DePaul University Center for Writing-based Learning defines reflective
essays as those that seek to critically examine and analyze personal
experiences. By contrast, according to the Purdue Online Writing Lab,
narrative essays typically contain personal storytelling with the purpose of
sharing an experience or point of view.
Descriptive
Definition
writing that uses the five senses to paint a picture for the reader
Characteristics
it incorporates imagery and specific details
presents details in a logical order
Forms of Descriptive Writing
Descriptive Essays
-uses words that involve the senses to create a clear picture of the subject
Travel Essays
-uses sensory words to describe a place
Definition Essays
-describes something abstract, for example, courage or friendship, drawn
from the writers emotional experience
Expository
Definition
writing in which the writers purpose is to inform or explain the subject to the
reader by relying on facts about the topic
Characteristics
uses an effective introduction and conclusion
has a well-organized structure
contains detailed information and explanation about a specific topic
Forms of Expository Writing
Analytical Essay

-explores a topic by supplying relevant information in the form of facts,

examples, reasons and valid inferences
Compare and Contrast Essay
-explores similarities and differences between two or more things for a
specific purpose
Cause and Effect Essay
-traces the results of an event or describes the reasons an event happened
-gives precise examples that support the relationship between the cause and
the effect
Classification Essay
-the writer organizes a subject into categories and explains the category into
which an item falls
Problem Solution Essay
-presents a problem and then offers a solutions to that problem
Pro-con Essay
-examines arguments for and against an idea or topic
Newspaper and Magazine Articles
-offers information about news and events
-they are typically factual and do not include the writers opinion
Internet Articles
-often like newspaper and magazine articles but includes more visuals

Argumentative (or Persuasive)

Definition
writing that states the opinion of the writer and attempts to influence the
opinion or action of the reader
Characteristics
has a clear thesis on an issue
uses sound reasoning
uses powerful language
presents detailed and relevant evidences and references
presents alternatives and counter arguments
Forms of Argumentative Writing
Persuasive Essay
-aims to influence the attitudes or actions of a specific audience on specific
issues
-it is also called argumentative essay
Editorials
-states the opinion of the editors and publishers of news organizations
Reviews
-evaluate items and activities, such as books, movies, plays and music from
the writers point of view
Advertisements
-paid announcements that try to convince people to buy something or do
Other Forms of Writing
Workplace and Technical Writing (includes memos, email, resume and
applications)
Research Writing (includes scientific, historical, health and experiment)
Writing for Media (includes documentary, scripts and web pages)
What is Creative Writing?
-There is no solid definition if you will browse in books or even in the internet.
-From the word itself, creative is an adjective word which means having or showing an
ability to make new things or think of new ideas (Merriam-Webster). That is why others
argue that all writings are creative.

Creativity isnt about revolutionizing the world, its about thinking different. - Steve
Jobs (When can you call yourself creative? by Tanner Christensen, written April 16,
2014)

III.

SIMPLE TEST OF BEING A CREATIVE WRITER

IV.

ASSIGNMENT:
Explain each reason why we should write:
1. Convey a message
2. Tell a Story
3. Express my Individuality
4. Gain Personal Satisfaction
5. Express Emotion
6. Gain Knowledge
7. Fulfill a Dream
8. Share Information
9. Become Famous
10.
Earn a Living
Explain each excuse why people avoid writing:
1. I dont have anything to write.
2. Ill make a fool of myself by failing.
3. I have a writers block.
4. I dont have time to sit down and write.
5. Im embarrassed about my poor grammar and spelling.
6. I dont have the right tools, such as word processor or computer.
7. Its been so long since Ive written anything.
8. Im not creative at all.
9. No one will buy my writing anyway, whats the point?
10.
Everything good has been written already.