What is CREATIVE WRITING?

Writing creatively mainly deals with the use of one’s imagination to produce a literary piece
that fully expresses the idea of the writer. A variety of literary forms are used to help shape such
ideas, and their purposes may be to entertain, captivate and even provoke the reader’s own
thoughts towards the written work.
Oftentimes, when you come across a creative literary piece, you find yourself in a world of
wonder; a world hidden in the corners of reality. It can be fantastical realm filled with magical
creatures, where you have the freedom to become who you wish to be. You can be a dazzling
prince ready to save the day, or a beautiful princess who will prove that you are not just a damsel
in distress. You can even be an evil wizard who aims to bring the world down to its knees.
Wherever this world is, whatever character you play, your imagination holds no bounds. It
can take you everywhere, to the forgotten past to the future filled with mystery. This is what
creative writing is all about; it brings you to the heights and places that are beyond what can be
perceived. With this lesson, you ought to identify different dorm of creative writing and differentiate
imaginative from other forms of writing.

One of the classic literary works that exhibit the immersion of dreams to one’s reality is
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. It tells the story of a young girl named Alice who falls down
a rabbit-hole into a fantasy world populated by a peculiar and anthropomorphic creature.
The excerpt that follows is about the change between Carroll’s eponymous character and
enigmatic Caterpillar. Take note of how the author had developed the characters through their
dialogue.

Why study is CREATIVE WRITING?

When one thinks of creative writing, it may be assumed that this course will not lead you to
steady jobs or professions (authors) in the future. However, it actually equips you with a variety of
skills that will help you, not only as you go through senior high school, but also through college and
eventually into real life.
As part of the learning process of creative writing, you are expected to analyze existing
literary works— how these works convey their message, what makes them unique from one
another, and what their important characteristics are. Eventually, this course will expose you to
actual writing and lead you to create your own compositions similar to the examples given which
are based on the concepts you have learned
Most importantly, creative writing will help you to be more self-expressive, as it does not
require you to work within the strict rules of language. As a result, you may feel a certain sense of
freedom from the structured confinement of writing brought about by grammar rules and
experience the joys of writing.
Common Types of Diction
Diction is a literary device that allows a writer to carefully choose words and vocabulary to
communicate to the reader as well as establish a specific voice or writing style. Diction is used in
every form of writing, from poetic and figurative language to formal and concise wording.

Here are eight common types of diction and their stylistic qualities:

Formal: use of elevated, sophisticated, professional language. Formal diction does not feature slang
or colloquialisms, but instead adheres to proper grammar and complex sentence structure.
- writing that establishes a professional tone, such as business writing or formal essays
Informal: conversational, casual, realistic language. Informal diction is often used by writers to
portray real-life communication or dialogue between realistic characters, and it is often utilized in
narrative literary forms such as short fiction and novels.
Colloquial: informal words or expressions that are typically associated with a specific region or time
period. Colloquialisms are useful in portraying realistic and colorful characters.
Slang: words or phrases originated within a particular culture or subgroup that become widespread
in use.
- Slang, on the other hand, generally refers to unique expressions created by social groups or
subcultures that become widely used and are not confined to a specific region. These
expressions can be newly created or derivatives of existing words. Slang words are often used
to convey meaning that is different than their original definition. “Salty,” for example, has
taken on the meaning to describe someone who appears bitter or angry. Slang words are
often overused when they first catch on and tend to dwindle in popularity over time, unlike
colloquialisms which tend to continue in use within geographic areas
Pedantic: detailed, academic writing. Pedantic diction generally reflects deliberate, educated word
choices with denotative intention.
- This is when a writer is highly detailed or academic in their writing. Words are chosen
specifically to convey only one meaning. It is sometimes used in literature when characters
speak in a highly educated manner, as in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
Abstract: expression of the intangible such as ideas or emotions. No mental picture
- This is when a writer uses words to express something intangible, like an idea or an emotion.
Abstract phrases often lack physical detail and specificity because they are things the reader
cannot experience through their five senses.
Concrete: use of words for denotative meanings. Concrete diction is specific, literal, and detailed so
that it’s not open to interpretation.
- Concrete diction is the use of words for their literal meanings and often refer to things that
appeal to the senses. The meaning is not open to interpretation because the writer is specific
and detailed in their phrasing. For example, the sentence: “I ate an apple.”
Poetic: lyrical wording related to and reflective of a poem’s theme. Poetic diction typically includes
descriptive language that is potentially set to rhythm and meter.
- Poetic diction is driven by lyrical words that relate to a specific theme reflected in a poem,
and create a euphonious, or harmonious, sound. Poetic diction usually involves the use of
descriptive language, sometimes set to a beat or rhyme.
Examples of Common Types of Diction
Different styles of diction impact how a writer expresses an idea or message. In turn, writers utilize
diction as a literary device to influence the way a reader understands or interprets the idea or
message that is being expressed in a particular style. Diction is often used in a way that meet’s the
reader’s expectations, such as formal diction for business writing and informal diction for casual
dialogue. If the type of diction presented is not aligned with a reader’s expectations, this can be an
incongruent result that may lead to misunderstanding or misinterpretation of what is being
expressed.

Here are some examples of statements and phrases that represent common types of diction:

Formal: As heretofore stated by the representative of the firm, any indication of micro aggression
among colleagues will not be tolerated.
Informal: Text me when you’re ready to head home so I can pick you up.
Colloquial: Have y’all heard that new Country Music song?
Slang: I look tired because I was binge-watching a show on Netflix last night.
Pedantic: It’s beneficial in an academic milieu to understand the etymology of literary terms.
Abstract: My head was swirling as I tried to recall my husband’s words of love.
Concrete: That book belongs in the empty space on the second shelf.
Poetic: Let us go then, you and I, / When the evening is spread out against the sky (from “The Love
Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot)

Creative Writing
Answer Key

LESSON 1

Fill in the box.

COLUMN A
COLUMN B
Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
The Legend of Mount Kamaliton
Letter to Juliet
The Chamber by John Grisham
Beowulf
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Biotechnology Gender Framework

Effects of Technology to the Study Habits of SVHSI students
Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Strikes the Province of Abra
Statistical Data Analysis 1

Matching Type
D
H
C
G
F
A
I
C
B
H 
  III. Essay. Answers vary
 
LESSON 2
Multiple Choice
d
a
b
c
d
b
d
b
c
b

    II. Identification

Rhythm
Pattern of stressed and unstressed
 syllables
Iamb
unstressed + stressed
Trochee
stressed + unstressed
Spondee
stressed + stressed
Dactyl
stressed + unstressed + unstressed
Anapest
unstressed + stressed + stressed

Monometer
1 Feet
Dimeter
2 Feet
Trimeter
3 Feet
Tetrameter
4 Feet
Pentameter
5 Feet
Hexameter
6 Feet

III. Venn Diagram

 Haiku Similarities Tanaga
Japanese Verse juxtaposition images Filipino Verse
3 lines man’s environment 4 lines
5-7-5 syllable pattern 7 syllabic pattern in each line

Lesson III

Modified True or False

hospital staff—-hostel Staff
confidante—----dynamic
limited—-------- omniscient
Trulalu
Foreshadowing— Summarization

II. Freytag’s Pyramid

Exposition: The main character just arrived in a hostel in Varanasi and received a message from his
boss to send him a high-res copy of the logo he designed for their VIP client.

Rising Action: Defying the call of his bladder, he went out with his laptop and scavenged the maze-
like lanes of the old city for a cafe that advertised free and reliable Wi-Fi. But, he had completely
forgotten his agenda as he was mesmerized by a green eyed beauty who borrowed his laptop.
Climax: The woman who calls herself Faith invited the main character to the sunset cruise on the
Ganges and watch Ganga Aarti. Totally infatuated by the beauty, the main character agreed. They
had hopped in a cruise and the Hindu fire ritual that is done every day during sunset, in honor of
the Goddess Ganga was just about to start. He was fascinated by the mystical affair and would have
appreciated it if not for the sudden reminder of his far forgotten bladder that it was just about ready
to break loose and sabotage his impending romance.

Falling Action: The main character could not hold it any longer yet still wanting to impress Faith
who seemed lost in a trance, he still prayed to all the saints he knew, prayed to the Goddess Ganga
and even offered a prayer to Cupid. Wishing that Faith will notice his spirituality.

Resolution: A deafening thunder broke open the doors of the heavens and sent its sentinels weeping
out a torrent of monsoon rain that easily drenched all the pilgrims and the travelers and all the
priests and the beggars and all the kids and the lovers. The main character’s bladder broke. A
torrent of piss cascaded down his pants, all the way to his shoes. Afraid that Faith will smell the pee
in his pants, the main character jumped off the boat and into the holy river. Waded in the greasy
waters of the Ganges pretending to purify his soul, Faith stared at him with her mouth wide open
with her big green eyes full of love. That is what he chose to believe.