Quarter 1 Module 1

EXPRESSING ONE’S THOUGHTS THROUGH

CREATIVE WRITING
Learning Competency: Use imagery, figures of speech and diction to evoke meaningful
responses from readers. HUMSS_CW/MP11/12-Ia-b-4

LESSON 1: EMPLOYING THE LANGUAGE OF QREATIVE WRITING

EXPECTATIONS
You will be able to use imagery to evoke meaningful responses from readers.
Specifically, this self-learning module will help you to:
 define common literary techniques such as imagery, figurative language, and
diction
 use literary techniques to evoke meaningful responses, &
 appreciate the importance of imagery, figures of speech and diction in
creative writing.

PRETEST
Choose the letter that best completes each sentence.

1. _________ refers to the writer’s use of vivid and descriptive language that
appeal to the senses in order to add depth to his/her work.
a. Description b. Imagery c. Senses d. Symbols
2. Temperatures, such as bitter cold, humidity, mildness, and stifling heat are
words that appeal to _______ sense.
a. visual b. tactile c. olfactory d. auditory
3. Fragrances, such as perfumes, enticing food and drink, and blooming
flowers are words that ______ sense.
a. gustatory b. olfactory c. tactile d. visual
4. Patterns, such as: polka-dotted, striped, zig-zagged, jagged, and straight best
appeal to _______ sense.
a. auditory b. visual c. olfactory d. tactile
5. The lack of noise, describing a peaceful calm or eerie silence appeal to
____sense.
a. visual b. tactile c. olfactory d. auditory
6. Boy, I rang that doorbell for several times but nobody’s home. What figurative
 language is used in the statement?
a. Simile b. Metaphor c. Hyperbole d. Onomatopoeia
7. That girl in the mirror is as lovely as the morning.
a. Simile b. Metaphor c. Allusion d. Onomatopoeia
8. “What?!” “You’re making copies of the whole book?”, she asked.
a. Simile b. Metaphor c. Hyperbole d. Personification
9. _______ refers to language and word choice of the writer which shows the level
of formality of a text.
a. Diction b. Figures of Speech c. Imagery d. Symbolism
10. Conversational language is considered as ___________.
a. colloquial b. formal c. informal d. slang

LOOKING BACK
Arrange the jumbled letters to figure out the mystery word. Use the clues provided.

RACITEEVRNTGW
 It is the artistic expression throughIIwritten word.
 It is used to express the writer’s ideas and emotions in an artistic manner.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
When a writer sits down to write a story, he or she does not just write what
happened. Instead, he or she uses what are called literary devices which are
narrative techniques that can add texture, energy, and excitement to the narrative,
grip the reader's imagination, and convey information. While there are literally
hundreds of literary devices at an author's disposal, what follows are a handful of
the most common. They are namely, imagery, figures of speech and diction.

1. IMAGERY

Look at the pictures below. Which one looks more appealing to you? Why?
A B
https: //commons.wiki
media.org/wiki/File:Magnific ent_v iew_of_Attabad_
Lake.jpg

The second
image looks more
appealing because
it shows a clear picture of
a scene compared to the blurred one.

The same is true when we want to express our thoughts creatively. As a

creative writer, one needs to provide statements with concrete description of
persons, things, and other ideas being described.

Look at the statements below. Which one gives a more vivid description?

A. This coffee is good.

B. The sweet aroma and rich flavor of this coffee complete my day.
 The statements, “The sweet aroma and rich flavor of this coffee complete my
day.” gives clearer and more concrete descriptions. It used words or phrases that
appeal to the senses. This technique is called Imagery.

Imagery refers to the writer’s use of vivid and descriptive language to add
depth to his or her work. Sensory details appeal to the senses to deepen the
reader's understanding of the work. The use of imagery is a powerful technique
that engages all the senses namely visual (sight), auditory (hearing), olfactory
(smell), gustatory (taste) and tactile (touch).

Try this!

Activity 1. My Imagery List

Write down at least twenty (20) words/adjectives that appeal to each sense.

Visual Auditory Olfactory Gustatory Tactile

Activity 2. Sensory Details in a Text

Read the paragraph below and pick out the words that appeal to each sense.
Fill out the table below.

Lake Harriet is a great place to swim and relax. In the summer, the water is
warm and clean, and the beaches attract people seeking relief from a midsummer
scorcher. In addition to swimming, visitors to the lake can go canoeing, sailing,
windsurfing, or fishing. The blue water is a refreshing, tempting sight. The sweet
scent of sun block wafts through the air from sunbathers lying on the beach.
Children laugh and splash in the water, and nearby volleyball games stir
passionate shouts in the heat of competition. Meanwhile lifeguards sit atop their
towers and make sure everyone is safe. In the distance, sail boats catch the soft
breezes that ripple Lake Harriet's surface, and canoeists glide quietly past. This is
what summer is all about!

Visual Auditory Olfactory Gustatory Tactile

What is the predominant sensory image in the above paragraph? ___________

2. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Writers use figures of speech and figurative language to create images that
would deepen the reader’s comprehension of a text. It usually goes beyond the
literal meaning of the words/phrase.

Try this!

Activity 3: Crossword Puzzle

Solve the crossword puzzle below to unlock some common figures of speech.
 Activity 4: Figures of Speech in Statements
Identify the figurative language used in each statement.
1. Earth is our Mother and our tent, the sky.
2. The humble bee’s bass and drums boomed beneath.
3. The tumult has reached the stars.
4. I long have had a quarrel with time for robbing me always.
5. You can save money by spending it.
6. My love for you is as wide as the universe, as deep as the ocean.
7. There is no “Open Sesame” to the treasure of knowledge.
8. Truly, your voice is amazing! That will be your last song, okay?
9. The buzz saw snarled and rattled in the yard.
10. A lot of teachers are having a working vacation this summer.

Tip!
Check out this link to learn more figures of speech!
https://thevisualcommunicationguy.com/rhetoric-overview/figures-of-speech-official-list/
3. DICTION
Diction refers to language and word choice of the writer. It shows the level of
formality of a text which helps in shaping the perception and view of the readers.

LEVELS Characteristics Examples

Formal Academic/Scholarly Language You are not going to optate a
definitive apparatus today.
Informal Conversational Language You’re not going to select a
particular device today.
Colloquia Everyday expressions (includes regional dialect) You’re not going to pick out
l the right gadget today.
Slang Words that are newly coined, or even impolite You ain’t gonna be choosing
some doohickey today.

Try this!

Diction in Everyday Use

Think of three words or phrases and write them in formal, informal and colloquial
and slang diction. Some samples are provided.

Formal Informal Colloquial/Slang

money bills bucks
occupation job bread and butter

REMEMBER

Imagery gives strength to writing by allowing the writer to express his/her

thoughts creatively. Also, it gives the readers a vivid sensory experience. It
concretely describes ideas by using words or phrases that appeal to the five senses
such as visual (sight), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste) and
tactile (touch). Sensory details are important in creative writing because it can
capture and sustain the interest of the readers through a vivid view or picture of
the idea or the scene being described. Figures of speech are words or phrases
 using figurative language—language that has other meaning than its normal
definition. In other words, figures of speech rely on implied or suggested meaning,
rather than a dictionary definition. We express and develop them through
hundreds of different rhetorical techniques, from specific types like metaphors and
similes. Diction refers to the selection of words in a literary work. A work's diction
forms one of its centrally important literary elements, as writers use words to
convey action, reveal character, imply attitudes, identify themes, and suggest
values. All these techniques can add power to your writing because they can evoke
more meaningful responses from the readers.

Creative Writing Tip:

Let your imagination work for you. Enter the scene you are
describing and look around-sniff, taste, touch and listen!

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Task 1: Show Don’t Tell!

A. Rewrite each statement with vivid imagery. Be as creative as you can. Use the
example to get you started.

The leaf fell from the tree. The green leaf swayed from the tip of the long branch at the top of
the tallest tree in the yard. Suddenly, it released itself onto the
breeze and toward the ground, gently flipping and fluttering.
The sun sets beautifully after the rain.

Last night’s concert was superb!

This perfume smells fragrant.

I love looking at the night sky.

B. Write a paragraph (minimum of 10 sentences) describing your favorite room at

home.

Task 2: Read the excerpt of the poem carefully and pick-out words/phrases that
use imagery and figurative language. Write them on your answer sheet.
Hope Is the Thing with Feathers
Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all
 And sweetest in the Gale is heard
And sore must be the storm —
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm —

I’ve heard it in the chilliest land —

And on the strangest Sea —
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb — of Me.

The predominant sensory imagery in the above poem is _________.

The predominant Figure of Speech in the above poem is _________.

Task 3. Write a paragraph (10 sentences) employing the imagery and figurative
language discussed. Use informal diction in your paragraph. Choose from the
following topics:
a. Riding a Jeepney
b. Going to church
c. Distance learning
d. Listening to your favorite song
e. Watching your favorite movie/tv show
f. Dealing with the pandemic

POST TEST
Directions: Read each statement and identify to what sense each statement
appeals. Write the correct answer on the blank.

For items 1-4, identify the Sensory Image used in each statement.
1. The cracking of wood splitting thrilled the campers.
2. The cinnamon-scented candle reminded of the gum I chewed.
3. The sand was hot and grainy like my morning grits.
4. The television buzzed as it shut off before the house fell silent.
For items 5-7, identify the Figure of Speech utilized in each statement.
5. Thank you for your arms that held the world in their embrace.
6. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much.
7. “Blessed are those who hunger.”- Matthew 5:6
For items 8-10, identify the diction employed in each statement.
8. “What’s up, y’all? Aren’t you gonna join me tonight?”
9. Sorry! I won’t do it again.
10. I apologize for being so late this morning

__________________________________________________________________________________
References:

Buhisan, A & Sayseng A. (2016) Creative Writing. JFS Publishing Services

Chungdahm Learning. (2015, April 30). What is Imagery? (Video). YouTube.https://youtube.com/watch?
v=eoNIUe5ZtQ
Descriptive Paragraphs.Retrieved from https://learnamericanenglishonline.com/Writing_descriptive_paragraphs.html
https://www.coursehero.com/file/18258130/Levels-of-Diction/