CREATIVE WRITING

CREATIVE WRITING

Differences Between Technical Writing & Creative Writing

Writing can be grouped into five basic types: technical, creative, expressive, expository, and persuasive.
To help understand technical writing, it may help to compare it to the other types.

Expressive writing •is a subjective response to a personal experience— journals and diaries—whereas
technical writing might be objective observations of a work-related experience or research.

Expository writing • “exposes” a topic analytically and objectively, such as news reports. Like technical
writing, the goal of expository writing is to explain or reveal knowledge, but expository writing does not
necessarily expect a response or action from the reader.

Persuasive writing •depends on emotional appeal. Its goal is to change attitudes or motivate to action.

Technical writing •conveys specific information about a technical subject to a specific audience for a
specific purpose.

Creative writing •is fiction—poetry, short stories, plays, and novels— and is most different from technical
writing.

Key Differences: • In creative writing the most of the part is self-created, although the idea might be
inspired but in technical writing the facts are to be obliged and the note is delivered from leading on
what previously other greats have concluded.

• Most commonly, the creative writing is for general audience or for masses but technical writing is for
specific audience. • The creative writing entertains people as it has poetry or some illustrations or
another idea, whereas the technical writing causes boredom as it follows the strong pattern based on
facts and is just to transfer the information to the audience

• In technical writing the specialized vocabulary, such like scientific terms and other are used while in
creative writing, one can go with slang or evocative phrases or even something which can be perceived
well by the audience. • Humor, satire might be the useful essences in creative writing but such thoughts
or ideas have no link with the technical writing.

Imaginative Writing vs. Academic Writing • Creative writing is different to academic writing. Writing for
websites is different to writing for newspaper columns • Journal entries are different to writing press
releases on behalf of a brand. Writing purposes do vary. It’s important that when undertaking any
writing you have a firm grasp on this concept.

Let’s look at the fundamental differences between academic and creative writing.  The Principal
Difference  Style is the chief difference between academic and creative writing. Creative writing need
not adhere to any specific style parameters. Academic writing is different.

Academic writing needs to be structured and executed adhering to a series of guidelines. Indeed, so
stringent are these guidelines that academic institutions include these guidelines as part of their
curriculum.
 One kind of writing – academic writing – is rigid, procedural, purposed purely to convey knowledge,
data and information. It’s orderly, organized and follows a formula. It is necessary. It can be dull. Anyone
can master it. Everyone should master it.

The other kind of writing – creative writing – is inspired, artistic and entertains with word pictures,
concepts and deep meaning. It is enjoyable to read. It touches us while teaching us. It’s an art form. It’s
not necessary to learn, but a joy to those who do.

Academic writing will earn you A’s, creative writing may get you published. Academic writing must be
taught, but rarely is; creative writing is optional, but is almost always the focus of writing curricula.

Overall, creative writing allows for more personal expression whereas academic/scholarly writing aims
to explore an idea, argument, or concept. Academic writing requires more factual evidence for support,
and presents challenges such as the pressure of time. They each have their own purpose

What is Creative Writing? • Also known as 'the art of making things up,' creative writing is a vital part of
modern society. • Traditionally referred to as literature, creative writing is an art of sorts - the art of
making things up. It's writing done in a way that is not academic or technical but still attracts an
audience.

• Though the definition is rather loose, creative writing can for the most part be considered any writing
that is original and self-expressive.

The purpose… • The purpose of creative writing is to both entertain and share human experience, like
love or loss. • Writers attempt to get at a truth about humanity through poetics and storytelling.

• If you'd like to try your hand at creative writing, just keep in mind that whether you are trying to
express a feeling or a thought, the first step is to use your imagination.

Types of creative writing include: • Poetry • Plays • Movie and television scripts • Fiction (novels,
novellas, and short stories) • Songs • Speeches • Memoirs • Personal essays

• As you can see, some nonfiction types of writing can also be considered creative writing. • Memoirs
and personal essays, for example, can be written creatively to inform your readers about your life in an
expressive way. • Because these types are written in first person, it's easier for them to be creative.

Techniques used in creative writing include: • Character development • Plot development • Vivid setting
• Underlying theme • Point of view • Dialogue • Anecdotes • Metaphors and similes • Figures of speech
• Imaginative language • Emotional appeal • Heavy description

Sensory Details in Writing: Definition & Examples • The writer's ability to create a gripping and
memorable story has much to do with engaging our five senses.

Sensory Details Definition • Sensory details include sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Writers employ
the five senses to engage a reader's interest. If you want your writing to jump off the page, then bring
your reader into the world you are creating. When describing a past event, try and remember what you
saw, heard, touched, smelled, and tasted, then incorporate that into your writing.
Sensory details are used in any great story, literary or not. Think about your favorite movie or video
game. • What types of sounds and images are used? • What do your favorite characters taste, smell, and
touch? • Without sensory details, stories would fail to come to life.

• When sensory details are used, your readers can personally experience whatever you're trying to
describe, reminding them of their own experiences, giving your writing a universal feel. A universal
quality is conveyed when the writer is able to personally connect with the readers.

• Another note about sensory details: - there is no one sense that's more important than another. It all
depends on the scene you're trying to create. However, imagery, the sight sense, is a common feature in
vivid writing.

Let's look at sensory details in action. Compare the following two passages describing a trip to the
grocery store. • Here's a passage without sensory details:  'I went to the store and bought some
flowers. Then I headed to the meat department. Later I realized I forgot to buy bread.‘  Now, does this
pull you in? Of course it doesn't. There's nothing to bring you into the writer's world.

Read this revised version with the addition of sensory details: • 'Upon entering the grocery store, I
headed directly for the flower department, where I spotted yellow tulips. As I tenderly rested the tulips
in my rusty shopping cart, I caught a whiff of minty dried eucalyptus, so I added the fragrant forest green
bouquet of eucalyptus to my cart. While heading for the meat department, I smelled the stench of
seafood, which made my appetite disappear.’ • See how the extra details made that scene come to life?

• Writing with the senses is an important part of writing well. Adjectives bring writing to life and pull the
reader into the text and help activate his or her imagination. • Sensory details help the reader feel like
he or she was there and create a more intimate connection to the narrator or writer and a greater
understanding of the text. Adjectives help set mood and tone in the text and help establish a strong
voice.

Language used in Creative Writing

Imagery • It can be defined as a writer or speaker’s use of words or figures of speech to create a vivid
mental picture or physical sensation. • Imagery is language used by poets, novelists and other writers to
create images in the mind of the reader.

Examples of Imagery • Imagery using visuals: The night was black as ever, but bright stars lit up the sky
in beautiful and varied constellations which were sprinkled across the astronomical landscape. • In this
example, the experience of the night sky is described in depth with color (black as ever, bright), shape
(varied constellations), and pattern (sprinkled).

• Imagery using sounds: Silence was broken by the peal of piano keys as Shannon began practicing her
concerto. • Here, auditory imagery breaks silence with the beautiful sound of piano keys.

• Imagery using scent: She smelled the scent of sweet hibiscus wafting through the air, its tropical smell
a reminder that she was on vacation in a beautiful place. • The scent of hibiscus helps describe a scene
which is relaxing, warm, and welcoming.
• Imagery using taste: The candy melted in her mouth and swirls of bittersweet chocolate and slightly
sweet but salty caramel blended together on her tongue. • Thanks to an in-depth description of the
candy’s various flavors, the reader can almost experience the deliciousness directly.

• Imagery using touch: After the long run, he collapsed in the grass with tired and burning muscles. The
grass tickled his skin and sweat cooled on his brow. • In this example, imagery is used to describe the
feeling of strained muscles, grass’s tickle, and sweat cooling on skin.

Imagery is language used by poets, novelists and other writers to create images in the mind of the
reader. Imagery includes figurative and metaphorical language to improve the reader’s experience
through their senses.

Example 1 Imagery using visuals: • The night was black as ever, but bright stars lit up the sky in beautiful
and varied constellations which were sprinkled across the astronomical landscape.

• In this example, the experience of the night sky is described in depth with color (black as ever, bright),
shape (varied constellations), and pattern (sprinkled).

Example 2 Imagery using sounds: • Silence was broken by the peal of piano keys as Shannon began
practicing her concerto.  Here, auditory imagery breaks silence with the beautiful sound of piano keys.

Example 3 Imagery using scent: • She smelled the scent of sweet hibiscus wafting through the air, its
tropical smell a reminder that she was on vacation in a beautiful place. The scent of hibiscus helps
describe a scene which is relaxing, warm, and welcoming

Example 4 Imagery using taste: • The candy melted in her mouth and swirls of bittersweet chocolate and
slightly sweet but salty caramel blended together on her tongue.  Thanks to an in-depth description of
the candy’s various flavors, the reader can almost experience the deliciousness directly.

Example 5 Imagery using touch: • After the long run, he collapsed in the grass with tired and burning
muscles. The grass tickled his skin and sweat cooled on his brow.  In this example, imagery is used to
describe the feeling of strained muscles, grass’s tickle, and sweat cooling on skin.

a. Auditory Imagery • Auditory imagery describes what we hear, from music to noise to pure silence.
Auditory imagery may include: Enjoyable sounds, such as: beautiful music, birdsong, and the voices of a
chorus. Noises, such as: the bang of a gun, the sound of a broom moving across the floor, and the
sound of broken glass shattering on the hard floor. The lack of noise, describing a peaceful calm or eerie
silence.

b. Visual Imagery • Visual imagery describes what we see: comic book images, paintings, or images
directly experienced through the narrator’s eyes. Visual imagery may include: Color, such as: burnt red,
bright orange, dull yellow, verdant green, and Robin’s egg blue. Shapes, such as: square, circular,
tubular, rectangular, and conical. Size, such as: miniscule, tiny, small, medium-sized, large, and gigantic.
Pattern, such as: polka-dotted, striped, zig-zagged, jagged, and straight.

c. Tactile Imagery • Tactile imagery describes what we feel or touch. Tactile imagery includes:
Temperature, such as bitter cold, humidity, mildness, and stifling heat. Texture, such as rough, ragged,
seamless, and smooth. Touch, such as hand-holding, one’s in the grass, or the feeling of starched fabric
on one’s skin. Movement, such as burning muscles from exertion, swimming in cold water, or kicking a
soccer ball.

d. Olfactory Imagery • Olfactory imagery describes what we smell. Olfactory imagery may include:
Fragrances, such as perfumes, enticing food and drink, and blooming flowers. Odors, such as rotting
trash, body odors, or a stinky wet dog.

e. Gustatory Imagery • Gustatory imagery describes what we taste. Gustatory imagery can include:
Sweetness, such as candies, cookies, and desserts. Sourness, bitterness, and tartness, such as lemons
and limes. Saltiness, such as French fries, and pepperonis. Spiciness, such as salsas and curries.
Savoriness, such as a steak dinner or thick soup.

• Imagery is found throughout literature in poems, plays, stories, novels, and other creative
compositions. • Although the word “imagery” most often brings to mind mental images, imagery is not
always visual; it can appeal to any of the five senses.

The Importance of Using Imagery • Because we experience life through our senses, a strong composition
should appeal to them through the use of imagery. • Descriptive imagery launches the reader into the
experience of a warm spring day, scorching hot summer, crisp fall, or harsh winter.

• It allows readers to directly sympathize with characters and narrators as they imagine having the same
sense experiences. • Imagery commonly helps build compelling poetry, convincing narratives, vivid plays,
well-designed film sets, and descriptive songs.

Imagery in Literature Imagery is found throughout literature in poems, plays, stories, novels, and other
creative compositions.

Symbolism  Carl Jung defined a symbol as “a term, a name, or even a picture that may be familiar in
daily life, yet that possesses specific connotations in addition to its conventional an obvious meaning.” •
Symbols can be based on culture, such as a country’s flag (stars and stripes=USA) , or religion (the
cross=Christianity), or other things.

DICTION • Diction = word choice – A study of diction is the analysis of how a writer uses language for a
distinct purpose and effect, including word choice and figures of speech.

Examine the following when considering word choice: • Informal Diction (personal writing) e.g. bug,
folks, job, kid, boss, get across • Formal Diction (academic or literary writing) e.g. germ, relatives,
position, child, superior, communicate

Types of Diction • Colloquial words – conversational language – Is there dialect? • Slang – highly informal
• Jargon – the special language of a profession or group (lawyer talk, technical talk)