Summary English Creative Writing Notes and exercises
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Course
English Home Language
Institution
12th Grade
This document explains the differences aspects of creative writing from dailogues, letter writing, essay writing , obituary and more .It has examples and exercises
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1. Narrative essay
A narrative essay tells a story or tells of a past event. It does not have to be a true story, or based
on your life/experience. It can be written from any perspective.
Consider the following when writing a narrative essay:
The story must have a strong story line and be convincing even if it is fiction.
A narrative essay is usually written in the past tense.
The introductory paragraph should capture the reader’s attention.
An unusually interesting ending gives a story the final touch.
The reader’s interest must be maintained until the end. The style, rhetorical devices and
action must ensure sustained interest.
A successful narrative vividly highlights sensory details such as sight, sound, taste, smell
and tactile sensations.
A narrative essay often has a strong descriptive element.
Below follows an example of how a narrative story may be introduced:
Suddenly there was absolute silence….
It was a cold stormy night. The thunder was screaming in a gruesome voice. The
rain was pouring like a waterfall onto the window sill. As usual I was alone –
scared.
2. Descriptive essay
In a descriptive essay, the student describes a person, memory, situation, place, experience or
any object. In contrast to other types of essays, the descriptive essay allows the writer to use many
figures of speech, and, descriptors like adjectives and adverbs, thus enabling him to create a
powerful image of what he is describing. The writer presents the text in a manner that leads the
reader into the writer’s perspective of the subject the writer is describing.
Consider the following when writing a descriptive essay:
The writer should create a picture in words using adjectives and adverbs.
It is usually written in the present or past tense.
Words and expressions are chosen carefully to achieve the desired effect.
Images of sight, sound, hearing, taste and touch can be used to make the description vivid.
Figures of speech are used in original ways.
Learners should ideally have experience of the topic. It is very difficult to describe something
without having first-hand knowledge.
Hereunder follows an example of an introductory paragraph for a descriptive essay.
The Karoo
A vast expanse of scorched sand, small bushes, trees covered by dust. A dome of rich blue,
governed by the fierce ball of fire, then dipping slowly downwards to meet the sand on the
horizon. Lifeless, you would think. Think again? The Karoo has a life of its own.
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3. Reflective essay
In a reflective essay the writer contemplates an idea and gives his or her emotional reactions and
feelings. The writer could, for example, reflect on dreams or aspirations. It presents a set of
thoughts and ideas about a topic, with no particular attempt to argue for or against anything.
See a graphic presentation of a definition and guide on how to write a reflective essay below.
Consider the following when writing a reflective essay:
● A reflective essay is subjective.
● Feelings and emotions play a major role.
● A substantial part of the essay may be descriptive. These descriptions should be vivid and
aim to recreate recollections or feelings of the writer in the reader.
● The ideas, thoughts or feelings expressed should reveal sincerity and personal
involvement.
Below follows an example of an introductory paragraph for a reflective essay.
The moment of truth.
Everyone has that one moment which changes one’s life. A moment that wish had never
happened. A moment that you cannot avoid or escape. The moment of truth.
4. Argumentative essay
In an argumentative essay, the writer has a specific opinion or viewpoint and argues to defend or
motivate his or her position. The opinion of the writer should be clear throughout. This is a
subjective essay in which the writer tries to convince the reader to share his or her point of view.
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