This is a brief summary of world building in creative writing, including explanations and examples of descriptions of Ollivanders Wand Shop in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. This summary can be used to bolster your understanding of world building, and improve your own creative story writ...
References are made to descriptions of ollivanders wand shop
April 1, 2023
April 1, 2023
3
2022/2023
Summary
Subjects
creative writing
world building
story writing
write
writing
short stories
novels
descriptive writing
english language
english literature
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
Edition:
ISBN:
Edition:
Written for
Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing
All documents for this subject (17)
1
review
By: lanamad4horses • 1 year ago
Great document, covering world building in depth and it’s importance in creative writing.
Really good use and breakdown of a relatable, well-known example: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.
Seller
Follow
RossTurnerAcademics
Reviews received
Content preview
Creative Writing Prompt
World Building from the Inside Out
When creating a world for a fictional story – be it a fantasy, science fiction, magical realism,
etc – a powerful way to show the reader that world, and help them learn about it at a manageable
pace, is to show it to them through your characters’ eyes.
The key for most readers is that they can picture the world as they read.
Ask yourself:
• Are you writing good descriptive writing?
• Why does the reader would want to read this?
• Does it show them something new and relevant?
• Am I being concrete and be specific?
• Am I providing details the reader can grasp?
There are lots of excellent example of world building, but let’s think about at a very well-
known one, from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997, p. 63): when
Harry goes into Ollivanders to buy his wand.
This is a magical place that none of us will know or recognise (wand shops don’t exist). So,
how does Rowling convey something so unreal in such a believable way?
She likens the shops and its elements to real world things, evoking images and moods the reader
will know and recognise:
• The tinkling bell ringing somewhere in the depths of the shop.
• The feeling of it being like a strict library.
• Thousands of narrow boxes piled to the ceiling, much like books in many second-hand
bookshops.
She focuses on specific, concrete details to build the image for the reader, also drawing on
details the reader will recognise:
• The peeling gold letters.
• The single wand on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window (multiple references to
dust).
• The spindly waiting chair.
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller RossTurnerAcademics. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $4.00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
