Creative Writing Lesson

Creative writing can be summarised as using your imagination to write.

Any topic can be used to produce a good essay. Sometimes you can tell
a personal story or draw inspiration from different stories, movies and
books. Creative writing involves using colourful language and grammar
structures. Variety and expression are key. Using idioms, using
adjectives, vivid language, similes, metaphors, idioms and expressions.
A range of vocabulary is necessary too, to make the work enjoyable to
read.

Vocabulary

Using a range of vocabulary. Take a look at simple words and look at the
synonyms.

1. Happy
- Joyful
- Cheerful
- Content

2. Sad
- Unhappy
- Sorrowful
- Downcast

3. Big
- Large
- Huge
 - Massive

4. Small
- Tiny
- Little
- Miniature

5. Fast
- Quick
- Speedy
- Rapid

6. Slow
- Sluggish
- Unhurried
- Leisurely

7. Hot
- Warm
- Scorching
- Sizzling

8. Cold
- Chilly
- Freezing
- Icy

9. Easy
- Simple
 - Effortless
- Straightforward

10. Hard
- Difficult
- Challenging
- Tough

11. Old
- Aged
- Ancient
- Elderly

12. Young
- Youthful
- Juvenile
- Adolescent

13. Bright
- Luminous
- Radiant
- Shining

14. Dark
- Dim
- Gloomy
- Shadowy

15. Good
 - Excellent
- Great
- Fine

16. Bad
- Poor
- Awful
- Terrible

17. Strong
- Powerful
- Sturdy
- Robust

18. Weak
- Frail
- Feeble
- Delicate

19. Rich
- Wealthy
- Affluent
- Prosperous

20. Poor
- Needy
- Impoverished
- Destitute
Look at the example below:

1. As I walked through the streets downtown, I saw a poor man

needing help.

If we substitute the word poor with any of the synonyms, we can

describe the situation using three different adjectives, and we can show
the degree of intensity by using a simple, mild or weak adjective.

E.g. As I walked through the streets downtown, I saw a destitute

man desperate for help.

Can you see how the picture is more vivid, by changing the words and
using more intense language.

Substitute the verbs in the following sentences.

1. The joyful child ran through the park with a bright smile.

2. She felt sorrowful after hearing the bad news.

3. The huge elephant moved slowly through the savannah.

4. The tiny kitten fit perfectly in the palm of her hand.

5. He ran a speedy race and won first place.

6. The unhurried pace of the vacation allowed them to relax completely.

7. The scorching sun made it difficult to stay outside for long.

8. The freezing wind made everyone shiver.

9. The simple instructions made the task effortless.

10. The challenging puzzle took hours to solve.

11. The ancient ruins told stories of civilizations long gone.

12. The youthful athletes competed with great energy.

13. The luminous stars lit up the night sky.

14. The gloomy weather made her feel like staying indoors.

15. The excellent performance received a standing ovation.

16. The awful smell made everyone leave the room.

17. The powerful engine roared as the car sped down the highway.

18. The frail old man needed assistance to walk.

19. The wealthy businessman donated generously to charity.

20. The needy family received support from the community.

Similes

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using

the words "like" or "as" to show a particular quality or attribute they
share. Similes are used to create vivid imagery and make descriptions
more expressive, as is needed in creative writing.

Look at the 5 examples of similes below:

1. As brave as a lion - This compares someone's bravery to that of a

lion, emphasising their courage.

2. Her smile was like sunshine - This suggests that her smile is warm
and bright, much like the sun.

3. He sprints as fast as a cheetah - This compares his running speed to

that of a cheetah, highlighting how quick he is.

4. The water was as smooth as glass - This describes the water's

surface as being very smooth and still, like glass.

5. She sings like an angel - This compares her singing voice to that of an
angel, suggesting it is beautiful and heavenly.

Exercise:
Search for five of your own similes and write them down. These will later
be used in writing some paragraphs in your creative essay.

Metaphors

A metaphor is another figure of speech that directly refers to one thing

by mentioning another. It implies that the two are the same in some
significant way. They are different from similes in that metaphors do not
use "like" or "as" for comparison. They are used to create strong imagery
too and convey deeper meanings by making equal two seemingly
unrelated things.

Here are 5 examples of metaphors:

1. Time is a thief - This suggests that time steals moments from our
lives, implying its passage takes away opportunities or experiences.

2. Her heart is a cold iron - This implies that she is unemotional or

unfeeling, comparing her heart to a cold, unyielding metal.

3. The world is a stage - This suggests that life is like a performance and
we are all actors playing our parts.

4. He has a heart of stone - This means that he is very unfeeling or

insensitive, equating his heart to stone.

5. The classroom was a zoo - This implies that the classroom was very
noisy and chaotic, comparing it to the wild environment of a zoo.
Exercise

Try to find 5 more metaphors of your own and write them down. These
will also be used in the creative writing process later.

Anecdotes

An anecdote is a short and often amusing or interesting story about a

real incident or person. Anecdotes are used to illustrate a point, to
entertain, or reveal a truth about human nature or a particular situation.
They are effective in speeches, keynote addresses and storytelling.

1. During a team meeting, my colleague John shared how he once

accidentally sent a company-wide email with a funny cat video
instead of the quarterly report. Everyone laughed, and it lightened
the mood, reminding us to double-check our emails before hitting
the send button.

2. My grandmother often tells the story of how, as a child, she and

her siblings once tried to make a pie from scratch without any help.
They mixed up the salt and sugar measurements, and the resulting
pie was so salty that even the family dog refused to eat it.
 3. While travelling in Italy, I got lost in a small village where no one
spoke English. After a few failed attempts at communication, a
kind old man invited me to his home for dinner. We used gestures
and laughter to understand each other, and I had the best
homemade pasta of my life.

4. In high school, my friend and I decided to play a prank on our

maths teacher by filling his classroom with balloons. He walked in,
saw the balloons, and started popping them one by one while
continuing his lecture, never missing a beat. We all learned a
lesson in focus and humour that day.

5. A friend of mine once tried a new workout routine that included a

lot of jumping jacks. The next day, he was so sore that he could
barely move, but he had to go to an important meeting. He ended
up waddling like a penguin, and when he explained why, everyone
at the meeting burst into laughter and shared their own exercise
mishaps.

Exercise

Try to write down two examples of your own anecdotes.

Idiomatic expressions

Idioms are good way of making simple sentences more expressive and
sometimes dramatic. Here are some examples below
1. Break the ice - This means to start a conversation, especially in a
social setting, with the aim to alleviate tension or awkwardness.
Example: At the networking event, I tried to break the ice by asking
about everyone's weekend plans."

2. Hit the nail on the head - This means to describe or identify something
accurately or precisely (to the point).

Example:"Her analysis of the market trends hit the nail on the head; it
was exactly what we needed to hear."

3. Cost an arm and a leg - This means something is very expensive.

Example: "The repairs to my car after the accident cost me an arm and a
leg, but I had no other choice but to fix it and pay."

4. Bite the bullet - This means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation

with courage and determination.

Example: "I didn't want to work late, but I had to bite the bullet and finish
the project before the deadline."

5. Caught between a rock and a hard place - This means to be faced

with a difficult decision where both options are equally undesirable.
Example: "She's caught between a rock and a hard place: if she takes
the job, she'll have to relocate, away from her family; if she doesn't, she
might miss out on such a great opportunity."

Grammar

When it comes to grammar, it is very important to make use of narrative

tenses as these help to differentiate timelines in the story. When
something came first, what happened next and how it happened. It is
advisable not to just use the basic tenses.

Take a look at these examples, how we can go from a simple sentence

to more advanced grammar.

1. Simple Present:

- Basic: "She walks to school every day."

- Advanced: "Every morning, she sets off on foot to reach school, her
backpack heavy with books."

2. Simple Past:

- Basic: "He played basketball yesterday."

- Advanced: "Yesterday, he engaged in a fierce game of basketball,
leading his team to victory with a last-minute three-pointer."

3. Simple Future:
 - Basic: "They will travel to Europe next summer."
- Advanced: "Their plans for next summer include an extensive
European tour, exploring historic cities and immersing themselves in
diverse cultures."

Advanced Grammar with Narrative Tenses and Other Structures:

1. Narrative Past (these include Past Continuous/Past Perfect):

- Basic: "She walked to school. She was thinking about her upcoming
exam."
- Advanced: "As she walked to school, her mind raced with thoughts of
the upcoming final exam that she had been studying for diligently since
the previous night."

2. Present Perfect (used for recent events or ongoing relevance):

- Basic: "He has finished his presentation."

- Advanced: "He has just wrapped up his meticulously prepared
presentation, incorporating the latest data and insights gathered over
months and months of research."

3. Conditional Sentences (Type 2 - used for hypothetical Situations in

the Present/Future):

- Basic: "If I had more time, I would study harder."

- Advanced: "Given more time, I would dedicate myself to studying
even more rigorously, aiming for academic excellence."

4. Passive Voice:
 - Basic: "They built the new bridge last year."
- Advanced: "The new bridge was meticulously designed and
constructed last year, becoming an essential link in the city's
transportation network."

5. Relative Clauses:

- Basic: "She likes the book that you gave her."

- Advanced: "The book that you generously gifted her has quickly
become her favourite, thanks to its compelling storyline and
well-developed characters."

Now that we have looked at different aspects of creative writing,

remember that for essays and speeches it's important to have an
introduction, body and conclusion that sums up the story or essay. In
speeches, one usually has to summarise the whole speech or the main
points of it in a powerful and memorable conclusion.

Finally here is an example of a descriptive speech which I wrote and

delivered at a Toastmasters meeting. The aim was to use vivid imagery
to deliver the speech and bring the story telling alive to the audience.
“1995….meeting our cousin for the first time. Of my grandmother's
nineteen grandchildren, one lived in England. She had come for
Christmas. It was decided…. there was going to be a party. Hooray! The
invisible forces had also decided….the most embarrassing thing ever ….
would happen! (Hooray…..not as enthusiastic as before)

Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters and guests.

The venue...it was going to be held at uncle and aunt E’s house. Uncle
was a cabinet Minister then. Aunt E loved to host….she was our very
own Mrs Bouquet from the British TV series “Keeping up Appearances”.
Who remember’s Mrs Bucket? Sorry...Mrs Bouquet!! They were like two
peas in a pod. Aunt E had to impress!!

The guest list...Ministers , diplomats, priests, church elders, fancy friends

and a tiny (finger gesture of size) number of actual relatives. It was like
the Queen of England was coming. It was only cousin Sammy. But Mrs
Bouquet...Aunt E… Had to impress.

The food… was delicious. Our mouths watered just by looking at it. And
we had to wait our turn. In fact since the party was not about us (roll
eyes)... we were little waitresses. I wore a pretty dress, it fit as a
glove...perfect. My other cousin wore a similar dress. We often copied
each other. It was as if one of us had been cloned. After the main meal
and desert, it was our time to shine!! (Stardom gesture here)

Mrs Bouquet….Aunt E. Pulled out her best tea cups. She put them on a
trolley. She even pulled out the silverware. The silver teapot was so
polished I could see my face in it. The spoons were all shiny. Everything
was perfect.

Our turn to shine had come!!! My cousin and I were to wheel the trolley
and serve tea. To all the important guests. That was going to be a
breeze! Eeeaaasssyyy! Oh we had to impress and impress we did!

With our backs straight, we wheeled in the trolley. It was a lovely sight.
With our Colgate smiles….we stopped at the first guest. A cabinet
minister. Next to him was the senior pastor from church! I had learnt a
lesson or two from Aunt E. I was going to impress. I turned to my
cousin….and whispered...this is how it's done....I asked with the
sweetest sanguine voice….”Tea or Coffee?” They both answered tea
please. With all the charm and my sparkling teeth showing through my
picture perfect smile….I asked black or white….with the Queens accent
of course!…. And they answered white please.!!

I lifted the elegant silver teapot and began to pour…… Still

smiling…..eh…
no tea in the cup. Hmmmm. I cleared my throat and poured again….this
time almost tipping the teapot upside down. The two gentlemen were
now quiet. Their eyes fixed on the teapot.

By this time the light bulb had gone on in my head! Had we checked the
teapot at all? OH NO!!! I opened the teapot…...you guessed it. It was
empty! As empty as a vessel. The amazing performance had been
suddenly cut short! The bubble popped!
Leaving the trolley and all. I picked up the tea pot and ran for dear life.
Off to the kitchen! As quick as lightning...my cousin was hot on my heels.
In no time, she was right there in the kitchen. In one mouthful, we told
Aunt E what had happened. She made the tea. Ordered us straight back
to finish our job.

Slowly….we went….our heads hanging low...it was now time for the walk
of shame! Unable to decide if it was the empty teapot or walking back
in...that was more embarrassing!

It had been decided, there had been a party! Hooray (not as enthusiastic
as before)...... The invisible forces had decided….the most embarrassing
thing had indeed happened….. My lesson had been learnt. Prepare,
layout… Check, then check again!

Madam Toastmaster! “

© Vimbai Angela Muzonda 2017 Toastmasters speech

Read through the speech, discuss and comment.

Now try to write a paragraph, using the above language tools we looked
at earlier.

1. Write a paragraph, exchange with a partner and note which tools

were used.

2. Suggest how the paragraph can be improved.

Analogies

An analogy is a comparison between two things that are usually different

in some respects but they share common features or qualities. Analogies
are used to explain complex ideas, make unfamiliar concepts more easy
to understand, or highlight similarities between seemingly unrelated
subjects.

Examples of an analogy is are:

"Life is like a journey."

Meaning: This suggests that life and a journey share similar aspects
such as planning, challenges, choices, and destinations. Just as a
journey involves navigating various landscapes and obstacles to reach a
specific destination, life involves navigating through experiences,
obstacles, and decisions to achieve personal growth or success.

Here some other examples you could learn and use to create your own.

1. Education is like a building block.

Meaning: Just as building blocks are used to construct something larger

and more complex, education builds upon foundational knowledge to
expand understanding and capabilities.
2. Love is like a rose.

Meaning: This analogy compares love to a rose, highlighting its beauty,

fragility, and the potential for both pleasure and pain.

3. Writing is like painting with words.

Meaning: Similar to how a painter uses colours and strokes to create a

visual masterpiece, a writer uses words and sentences to craft vivid
images and evoke emotions in the reader.

4. A good leader is like a shepherd.

Meaning: This analogy draws parallels between a leader guiding and
protecting their team, similar to how a shepherd cares for and leads their
flock of sheep.

5. Time is like a river.

Meaning: Time, like a river, flows continuously and cannot be stopped or

reversed. This analogy reflects the inevitability of change and the
passage of events.
Since analogies help to simplify difficult ideas by drawing similarities to
more familiar concepts, making them a powerful tool in communication
and Meaning. They are powerful in presentation skills, speech writing
and even in teaching or instruction.