Unit - 4 CEP (2) PDF

Course Code: 2010153181 Course Name: Comprehensive English Proficiency SEMESTER 1 UNIT 1...

Course Code: 2010153181 Course Name: Comprehensive English Proficiency SEMESTER 1 UNIT 1 Creative Writing What is Creative Writing? Creative writing is writing that shows imagination and invention. So, in other words, it is whatever you would like it to be. Now, in academic terms, creative writing has an emphasis on a narrative craft whilst focusing on elements like character development, narrative and plot, whilst at the same time using imagination and story. But we think that creative writing is much looser than this and it is unique to each and every person. To us, creative writing is a way of expressing ourselves and our feelings, whether that is through characters in our stories or through personal experiences. It’s about getting the words from your head and onto the page. Why does Creative Writing matter? Creative writing is of course fun to do, but there are many more reasons why creative writing matters. Creative writing, amongst other things:  Allows us to talk about our emotions in a safe, non-judgmental environment. We can talk through our emotions on controversial topics, or even just work through our grief and hard feelings.  Improves our communication skills. Whether it is two characters speaking or sharing our work with another writer, all creative writers need good communication skills.  Gives us a way to use our voice and present our views. Sometimes it can feel hard to be heard, creative writing helps with that, it gives us an outlet to speak and be listened to by our readers.  Improves our research ability. As with many things, creative writing requires research, whether that’s names, or scientific facts, or even locations researching is a valuable skill to have and one that creative writing provides. Page | 1  Course Code: 2010153181 Course Name: Comprehensive English Proficiency SEMESTER 1 Types of Creative Writing Fiction These stories are not real. They can take place in a completely different universe, or just down the road from us. As long as there is an original idea somewhere in our story, it counts as fiction. Fictional stories are fun and interesting to write as there is no shortage of inspiration for new ideas, and honestly, the possibilities for stories are endless. Fiction provides an escape when we read it, and writing it is exactly the same. Whilst it can be challenging to write fiction, with practice, and with an effective ‘writer’s toolkit’ it can be very fulfilling. Non-fiction Non-fiction stories are ones that are real. They can be about ourselves, other people, places, or events. If they focus on things that exist now or have happened, then they are non-fiction. Non-fiction writing is a good way to give access to a variety of topics that interest us. Whilst it does require a lot of research to write non-fiction, if it is about topics we are interested in, then it can be rewarding to write about what we know. Non-fiction also includes more personal writing that other people might never see, things such as diary entries or journals. Try these 15 Writing Prompts to Help You Begin Your Journaling Journey. Poetry Poetry is a type of writing where intense feelings and ideas are written using a distinctive style and rhythm by using techniques such as stanzas (the paragraph style) and using (or not using) rhyming techniques. Poetry is a good form of creative writing as it lets us get our emotions down on a page and discuss topics that might be difficult to talk about normally, such as grief. With all these types or forms of creative writing, it is important to remember that you can change your mind at any time. You could start out writing the next new fictional romance, dabbling in poetry and then penning a memoir. The world of creative writing is yours. Tips and Tools to Get Started with Creative Writing Now that we know a bit more about what creative writing is, and different types of creative writing, how can we actually get started writing?  Wider reading It’s really important when we get started writing to learn from people around us. To do this, the best thing to do is read. Whether that’s things we enjoy or even things we might not, we Page | 2  Course Code: 2010153181 Course Name: Comprehensive English Proficiency SEMESTER 1 can learn something from every book we read. Whether that’s the language used or the world the author has created, each book can teach us something.  Attend some workshops or writers’ lunches If you’re really struggling to set aside time to write, having a network of writers to talk to and write with can really help to keep you motivated. Workshops can also be a good way to get guidance from people with experience in a learning environment.  Be creative This one should go without saying, but don’t be afraid to be a creative as you want, experiment, have fun and enjoy the process. Trust in your own creativity.  Be yourself You are a creative writer in your own right. You don’t have to censor yourself in your own work, and that’s how you’ll be able to create your most authentic work. 7 Beginner Creative Writing Prompts So often we can put off getting started, or feel like it’s not the right time, but today is the right time! Don’t go another day without writing. Prompts can spark your imagination and help you create incredible stories. Put a timer on for five minutes, starting right now, and choose one or several of these prompts to respond to. You could even do one a day for a week if you want to. 1. My happiest memory is… 2. When you open your eyes, it is 1560 3. Write a letter to yourself five years in the future. 4. It is 2:30 in the morning and your phone rings. 5. Write a review for your favourite book. 6. One day you wake up and can read minds. 7. Describe yourself using only ten words. Essay Writing – Introduction, Structure, Types Introduction: An essay is a piece of writing that is written to convince someone of something or to simply inform the reader about a particular topic. In order for the reader to be convinced or adequately informed, the essay must include several important components to make it flow in a logical way. The main parts (or sections) to an essay are the intro, body, and conclusion. In a standard short essay, five paragraphs can provide the reader with enough information in a short amount of space. For a research paper or dissertation, however, it is essential that more Page | 3  Course Code: 2010153181 Course Name: Comprehensive English Proficiency SEMESTER 1 than five paragraphs are present in order not to overwhelm the reader with too much information in one paragraph. Structure: Intro:  Must contain an attention grabber for the reader or at least make the essay sound interesting, may begin with a quote about the particular topic Ensure that the intro moves from the general to the specific in regards to the topic.  Provides the reader with a “road map” of the essay in a logical order At the end there should be what is called a thesis statement, arguably the most important.  Component of the intro The thesis statement states the aim of the paper and may give insight into the author’s examples and evidence. Body:  Includes the evidence and support of the paper in addition to the author’s ideas.  Paragraphs must include a topic sentence which relates the discussion back to the thesis.  Statement Logical ordering of ideas: 3 types of order 1. Chronological order---order of time, good for narratives. 2. Spatial order-good for descriptions of locations; top to bottom, e.g. 3. Emphatic order-least important to most important; most common for college writing  Ensure that transition sentences are present to create a good flow to the essay.  Include substantial examples and evidence to support your argument and remember to cite, cite, cite!  Make sure each example is relevant to your particular topic. Conclusion:  This section should wrap all of your arguments and points  Should restate the main arguments in a simplified manner.  Ensure that the reader is left with something to think about, particularly if it is an argumentative essay. Always remember to allow time to rewrite the first draft of your essay and, then, to proofread it before turning it in. For help, visit the Writing Center! Page | 4  Course Code: 2010153181 Course Name: Comprehensive English Proficiency SEMESTER 1 Types: 1. Narrative essays Narrative essays tell a story and often are the most personal type of essay you may write. They allow you to exercise creativity and imagination, and you can base them on a particular prompt, such as the first time you drove a car by yourself, or a more open-ended prompt, like a time you overcame a fear. You may submit a narrative essay, usually called a personal statement, for college or graduate school applications. You can use literary techniques in narrative essays to create an essay that reads like fiction. To do this, consider including metaphors, analogies, alliteration, imagery and dialogue. A narrative essay generally has an opening that gets the reader's attention and provides enough background information for the story to make sense. A conclusion helps summarize the main point of your essay or reiterate your goals. For example, if you’re writing a narrative essay for a job application, you could conclude by summarizing how your experience solidified your desire to become a lawyer. 2. Descriptive essays Descriptive essays provide a detailed description of your subject. This may be a person, place, thing or event. Descriptive essays, like narrative essays, allow for a more creative approach to writing. Unlike narrative essays, which provide a complete story, descriptive essays often focus only on the subject. When writing a descriptive essay, consider including vivid imagery and incorporate actions, thoughts, sensory details and emotions to immerse the reader instead of simply explaining the situation or events. You can do this by using strong action verbs and unique, descriptive adjectives. This can make your writing more engaging and help the reader feel more involved and connected to your essay and its characters. 3. Expository essays Expository essays explain a topic neutrally. Writers use expository essays to demonstrate their knowledge or expertise in a certain area. Teachers often assign expository essays to test their students' understanding of a topic. These essays often avoid emotion or opinion an d instead focus on factual information. For instance, if you're writing about environmental conservation, try to avoid claiming someone should do something or taking a stance on a controversial issue. Expository essays can take different formats, but they typically include:  An introduction with a thesis statement explaining exactly what the essay will discuss  The body that details the facts of the subject, often citing sources  A conclusion that summarizes the main points Page | 5  Course Code: 2010153181 Course Name: Comprehensive English Proficiency SEMESTER 1 4. Definition essays Definition essays are a type of exposition essay that defines a term or idea. These essays typically examine complex or abstract topics and provide in-depth analysis and explanations. For instance, a definition essay might discuss what existentialism is or the meaning of quantum physics. Definition essays are common in academic and research settings. 5. Process essays Process essays are another type of exposition essay that describes how to do something or how something works. You can write a process essay in chronological order to maintain organization and clarity. Process essays usually contain the following elements:  Introduction: Introduce the process you will describe.  Body: These paragraphs describe each step in chronological order. Consider using transition words that signal where you are in the process.  Conclusion: Finish your essay with a conclusion that summarizes the process to help the reader remember the most important idea of the document. 6. Compare and contrast essays Compare and contrast essays discuss two subjects and detail the similarities and differences between them. These essays include an introduction, at least one paragraph to explain the subjects' similarities, at least one paragraph to discuss differences and a conclusion. Compare and contrast essays are common in academic settings. An example of a compare and contrast essay is one describing the similarities and differences between bees and wasps. 7. Argumentative essays Argumentative essays try to convince the reader to take a certain side based on the information the writer presents. Argumentative essays rely on facts rather than emotion to sway the readers. For instance, an argumentative essay may discuss why companies should offer wellness packages as part of their benefits plan. The essay can incorporate research about how regular exercise increases productivity and how people who eat well and work out take fewer sick days. Argumentative essays avoid first- or second-person statements. Rather, they support one side of an argument and may argue against other sides using objective information. You can use phrases like "Research suggests" or "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" to present the facts that support your argument. 8. Persuasive essays Persuasive essays aim to persuade readers to have an opinion or take a side using facts and emotional appeals. To support an argument or cause, persuasive essays can include moral and emotional reasoning to connect to the reader. For example, a persuasive essay about the previous topic of companies including wellness packages in employee benefits may include appeals to employers' satisfaction with providing an extra perk for their employees. It also Page | 6  Course Code: 2010153181 Course Name: Comprehensive English Proficiency SEMESTER 1 could discuss employers' responsibility to ensure their employees have access to features that keep them healthy or how excited and grateful employees are for the new benefits. 9. Cause and effect essays Cause and effect essays detail why certain events or situations led to other events. Writers create a clear connection between the two sets of events or circumstances and explain what features of the initiating event created the subsequent incidents. Cause and effect essays are types of expository essays, so they state facts and avoid subjective opinions. A cause and effect essay may examine how Charles Darwin's scientific discoveries led to the origin of new theories of social science, for instance. 10. Critical essays Critical essays provide an in-depth analysis of a topic. They can critique paintings, books, movies, plays or restaurants. Many college courses, especially literature and humanities courses require critical essays as a way to test students' ability to think critically and identify evidence from a specific work that validates their observations. Critical essays use facts from the subject to justify an opinion. For instance, in a movie review, a writer could note a movie uses boring dialogue. They then could support that observation by citing specific lines from the film. Page | 7