Introduction to Creative Writing
The Human Brain
•Divided into 2
parts
•Each half has its
own function
Left Brain:
Logic
Reality
Right Brain:
Creativity
Emotions
When you
are looking
at big puffy
clouds . . .
Your right brain tells
you, “Hey! That one
looks like a bunny.”
While your left brain tells you . . .
It’s a cloud,
Stupid!
 People who rely more heavily on the right half of
their brain tend to be more imaginative and intuitive.
They see things as a whole and are interested in
patterns, shapes and sizes. The right brain is
associated with artistic ability like singing, painting,
writing poetry, etc.
 Left-brain dominated people may find their thought
processes vague and difficult
quite opposite in the way
dominated people tend to
analytical in their thinking
mathematics and word skills.
to follow, for they are
they think. Left-brain
be more logical and
and usually excel at
Left Brain Inventory
Right Brain Inventory
Verbal, focusing on words, symbols, numbers
Visual, focusing on images, patterns
Analytical, led by logic
Intuitive, led by feelings
Process ideas sequentially, step by step
Process ideas simultaneously
Words used to remember things, remember
names rather than faces
Mind photos' used to remember things, writing things
down or illustrating them helps you remember
Make logical deductions from information
Make lateral connections from information
Work up to the whole step by step, focusing on
details, information organised
See the whole first, then the details
Left Brain Inventory
Right Brain Inventory
Highly organised
Organisation tends to be lacking
Like making lists and planning
Free association
Like to know why you're doing something or why rules
Likely to follow rules without questioning them
exist (reasons)
Good at keeping track of time
No sense of time
Spelling and mathematical formula easily
memorised
May have trouble with spelling and finding words to
express yourself
Enjoy touching and feeling actual objects (sensory
input)
Enjoy observing
Left Brain Inventory
Right Brain Inventory
Plan ahead
Trouble prioritising. So, often late, impulsive
Likely to read instruction manual before trying Unlikely to read instruction manual before trying
Listen to what is being said
Listen to how something is being said
Rarely use gestures when talking
Talk with your hands
Likely to believe you're not creative, need to
Likely to think you're naturally creative, but need to
be willing to try and take risks to develop your
apply yourself to develop your potential
potential
Our brain has two halves – the right and the left. People
using left part of the brain are usually logical and analytical.
While those who use the right half of the brain are creative,
innovative and imaginative.
Do you want to know whether you are right or left brained?
Which half of your brain do you
use in creative writing?
 What, for you, is “art”? What is “creative writing”? What is the
process one goes through on the way to creating fabulous
poetry and fiction?
The improvement
of reality (art as a
hammer
An escape from reality; a
sedative or distraction
Process…
A pile of crap; a
hoax; excuse for not
having a REAL job
A learnable skill
…Product…
Literal vs. Figurative
Language
How do I differentiate between literal and
figurative language?
Know
Hyperbole
Personification
Simile
Metaphor
(Pun)
Understand
Do
Authors use figurative
language to make the
reader see familiar
things in a new way.
We all use figures of
speech every day.
Figures of speech are
not literally true, but
are used to elaborate
on a subject.
Differentiate among the
types of figurative
language.
Write in a variety of
modes using figurative
language.
Analyze the use of
figurative language in
poetry and prose.
Create an extended
metaphor.
Figures of speech
Literal
Figurative
Simile
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Personification
Personify
Anthropomorphism
Activator
What does this really mean?
It’s raining cats and dogs.
Activator
What does this really mean?
Break a leg!
Literal vs. Figurative
 Literal means straightforward or
factual; the dictionary meaning of a
word. (Think denotation!)
 When someone says “I mean that
literally.” They mean “exactly” -just the facts!
Literal vs. Figurative
 A figurative meaning is far more interesting.
It is imaginative, and conveys not just the
facts, but an idea. (Think connotation!)
 Figurative meanings encourage us to use
our imagination.
Literal vs. Figurative
 Example of Figurative Language:
Marvin runs like a duck.
Literal vs. Figurative
 We know that Marvin does not run
exactly like a water bird.
 But, it wouldn’t portray quite the
same visual if we said “Marvin is
awkward and he waddles when he
runs.”
 So, we compare Marvin to a duck to
paint a mental picture.
Puns
 Puns are also examples of figurative language. A pun is a
play on words.
 Examples:
The new smoking laws really burn me up!
The Atlanta Lightnings took the field by storm.
Different figures of speech
Figuring it Out
Simile
Comparison of two things using “like” or “as.”
Examples
The metal twisted like a ribbon.
She is as sweet as candy.
Important!
Using “like” or “as” doesn’t make a simile.
A comparison must be made.
Not a Simile: I like pizza.
Simile: The moon is like a pizza.
Metaphor
Two things are compared without using “like” or “as.”
Examples
All the world is a stage.
Men are dogs.
She has a stone heart.
Personification
Giving human traits to objects or ideas.
Examples
The sunlight danced.
Water on the lake shivers.
The streets are calling me.
Hyperbole
Exaggerating to show strong feeling or effect.
Examples
I will love you forever.
My house is a million miles from here.
She’d kill me.
Understatement
Expression with less strength than expected.
The opposite of hyperbole.
I’ll be there in one second.
This won’t hurt a bit.
Quiz
1.
2.
I will show an example of figurative language.
You will say whether it is an simile, metaphor,
personification, hyperbole, or understatement.
1
He drew a line as straight as an arrow.
2
Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and
queens.
3
Can I see you for a second?
4
The sun was beating down on me.
5
A flag wags like a fishhook there in the sky.
6
I'd rather take baths
with a man-eating shark,
or wrestle a lion
alone in the dark,
eat spinach and liver,
pet ten porcupines,
than tackle the homework,
my teacher assigns.
7
Ravenous and savage
from its long
polar journey,
the North Wind
is searching
for food—
8
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to
time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
9
Can I have one of your chips?
10
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear
in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Answers
Simile
2. Metaphor
3. Understatement
4. Personification
5. Simile
6. Hyperbole
7. Personification
8. Metaphor
9. Understatement
10. Metaphor
1.
Practice
Use figurative language to make these
sentences more colorful.
1. Kevin ate his dinner quickly.
2. Mandy likes to talk a lot.
3. Jennifer is not intelligent.
Let’s Practice
Make these sentences more colorful. Use
figurative language.
1. Kevin ate his dinner quickly.
Kevin ate like a pig.
Let’s Practice
Make these sentences more colorful. Use
figurative language.
2.
Mandy likes to talk a lot.
Mandy talks a mile a minute.
Let’s Practice
Make these sentences more colorful. Use
figurative language.
3.
Jennifer is not intelligent.
Jennifer is not the brightest crayon
in the box.
Questions
1. Read the poem below and use the figurative language images to
help determine the subject matter of the poem.
The Ball Dances
A big flaming ball of fire
Prances across the sky each day
But perishes every night
A rebirth occurs the next morning
And because of it
Life is possible
A. sun
B. star
C. moon
D. earth
Questions
1. Read the poem below and use the figurative language images to
help determine the subject matter of the poem.
The Ball Dances
A big flaming ball of fire
Prances across the sky each day
But perishes every night
A rebirth occurs the next morning
And because of it
Life is possible
A. sun
B. star
C. moon
D. earth
Questions
2.
The saying in our family was, "If Mama drops a biscuit, jump out
of the way or risk losing a toe." This is another way of saying
A.
Mama is very clumsy.
the biscuits she bakes are hard.
the biscuits are soft and chewy.
if Mama drops a biscuit, she will step on your toe.
B.
C.
D.
Questions
2.
The saying in our family was, "If Mama drops a biscuit, jump out
of the way or risk losing a toe." This is another way of saying
A.
Mama is very clumsy.
the biscuits she bakes are hard.
the biscuits are soft and chewy.
if Mama drops a biscuit, she will step on your toe.
B.
C.
D.