Creative writing assignments can be both fun and boring. It is fun because we can put our ideas into words. On the other hand, it can be tedious when we have writer’s block.
This requires a creative process for both teachers and students. We must stimulate creativity to generate impressive ideas because we cannot force creativity to appear suddenly. We often encounter people who need certain writing conditions, such as writing in a calm state, listening to music, or writing outdoors.
In addition, students often feel less confident in their own work. Some get desperate because they do not know what to write. This commonly occurs during the writing process. Students need support and fun teaching methods throughout the whole writing process. Therefore, teaching creative writing is a very challenging job for teachers.
Teaching creative writing to junior high school students can be a little tricky at times. High school students are often mature enough to strive for artistic and polished writing, while primary students have a sincere imagination that is easy to direct towards learning. As for junior high school students, teachers need careful planning and reasonable classroom control.
Why Is It Important to Teach Creative Writing?
There are myriad benefits for students from learning creative writing. First, creative writing can develop emotional skills. By creating a story, students can channel their emotions and develop how to manage a situation. For example, they can show empathy for the characters they create or express various emotions that are felt by these characters. Training students to write can allow them to express their feelings and understand the feelings of others. Students’ self-expression and identity can also be seen from the chosen words.
Creative writing will also help to improve intellectual skills. Sentence structure, vocabulary, and use of punctuation will be notably more advanced than others of the same age who do not practice creative writing.
Students will become competent creative thinkers, use their imagination, broaden their thought process and problem-solving abilities. In addition, students are also able to express their opinions and voice. It also allows for improvement of their logical skills. These skills, once developed, can help students in other subjects such as maths, science, and languages.
Creative Writing: Making a Short Story
Students can learn many forms of writing, but it will be easier to start with a short story. Here are some helpful tips for making a short story in the classroom.
- Set Learning Objectives
Before teaching creative writing in the classroom, the first thing to do is determine the purpose of learning. Once the goal has been set, it will be easier for making the material. You need to include the syllabus in creative writing, but don’t let it rule you. Try to make it fun.
- Create Interactive Materials
Learning to write creatively can be fun or boring. Therefore, it depends on how a teacher can present the writing material, which is also adapted to the characteristics of the class.
Playing games in creative writing class will help us work with them. It can also make learning more fun, and students will be more motivated. For example, encourage students to mention the key vocabulary from the unit you are teaching in their writing. Give a prize to the winner. This method will allow you to identify their capabilities to write.
- Time to Compose the Story
When students already understand how to write stories, build characters, and enrich their vocabulary, it is time to start composing their own short stories. Combine “loosen up” and “tighten up” lessons into each assignment. In “loosen up” lessons, students can express their voices through free themes. “Tighten up” lessons are geared towards helping your students polish and improve their writing by a specific theme.
- Allow Students to Give Peer Feedback
Students are not required to read their writing in front of the class. Because not all students are comfortable presenting their writing. If most of your students are shy, you can get around this situation by forming small groups. These small groups can help students share their writing to get feedback from their friends. This method can also allow students to discover the advantages and disadvantages of short story writing.
Basically, every student has the ability to write. It is just a matter of how much they want to develop these abilities. Your role as a teacher is to support and introduce them to creative writing so that students can find their own writing style.
References:
Mynewdesk.com (2020, January 31). The Importance of Creative Writing in the Youth. Retrieved January 30, 2022 from https://www.mynewsdesk.com/story-wars-punkt-net/blog_posts/the-importance-of-creative-writing-in-the-youth-89803
Secondarysara.com (2016, August 19). 18 Tips for Teaching Creative Writing. Retrieved January 30, 2022 from https://www.secondarysara.com/2016/08/18-tips-for-teaching-creative-writing.html.
Creativewriting-bg.com. How to Teach Creative Writing. Retrieved January 30, 2022 from http://www.creativewriting-bg.com/assets/HOW-TO-TEACH-CREATIVE-WRITING.pdf
