IMAGINATIVE WRITING

Channelling the Imagination

When you are using your imagination in writing, e.g.,

writing in character as a response to a class novel,
you need to look at things in a new way and try to
make your readers see and feel what you are
describing. Do not tell them what to feel, make them
feel it!
The main objectives of Imaginative Writing is:

• to learn how to channel your imagination

• to develop your ability to write vivid descriptions

Getting Started
If you have to write something
longer, a little planning will help you a lot. Asking yourself
the following questions will provide a good framework for your writing.

Where?

You need to think about where your piece of writing will take place, and build up
descriptions that are in keeping with this setting or place.

When?
You will need to decide if your writing is going to take place in the past, the present, or the future. Decide
whether you are going to write about, for example:

• one particular moment - a snapshot in time

• a sequence of events through the course of a day
• a particular season, or a contrast between seasons
Who?

You need to think about who you are writing for:

• younger readers
• older readers
• people of your own age

You also need to decide who you are going to write about:

• what do they look like?

• what kind of people are they?
• why are they there?
• what are they doing?

Why?

You will need to give some thought to why you are writing. For example:

• to influence and make a point about something serious

• to give information
• as a bit of fun - for pleasure
• to provide excitement or mystery

What?

You also need to think about what the overall piece of writing is going to be about - what is going to
happen? Is it one of the following:

• an adventure?
• a news item?
• science fiction?

How?

Decide how you are going to organize your writing. You could write:

• in the first person - as if it is happening to you

• in the third person - as if you are repeating information
• as a narrator - as if you know what is going on in everyone's mind
• Think too about the shape of your writing will have - how it will begin, develop and end.
Using the Five Senses

Another way of helping your reader share what you are trying to describe is to use as many of the five
senses as are appropriate.

Sight Describe in detail what you can see.

Sound What sounds are there?

Touch Are there any textures you can describe more precisely?

Smell This could be either pleasant or unpleasant.

Taste Often, but not always, linked with smell.

ACTIVITY: Experiment with expanding this sentence into a much more powerful piece of writing.
You should end up with a short paragraph.

http://knol.google.com/k/chittari-raveena/imaginative-writing/29qg6pel96go0/5#
 Imaginative
Writing
Definition: Imaginative writing invents a situation or story based on the writer's
imagination. The writer may create a scene, situation, or character; may predict
what might happen under hypothetical circumstances; or use his/her creativity to
solve a hypothetical problem. The writer may use his/her knowledge of the world
to bring a unique flair or flavor to the writing but is not bound by the constraints of
reality. Imaginative writing may contain elements of fantasy.

Options: Point one credit in Imaginative Writing requires that you complete a
short paper on why you are taking this class and at least three of the writing
assignments plus the culminating imaginative writing assignment. You must also
complete the final test on imaginative writing and the student survey.

Point five credits in Imaginative Writing requires that you complete a short paper
on why you are taking this class and at least 10 writing assignments of the types
listed below. You may create 3 imaginative scenes, 2 imaginative situations, 1
imaginative character, and 4 solutions to hypothetical problems, or any other
combination you choose. Please e-mail fawnbragg@mail.coolschool.k12.or.us
if you would like more imaginative writing ideas. After you write your first four
imaginative pieces, you may choose 2-3 of those four to include in a short story,
or you may write something completely new. Once you turn in that short story,
you will write three more papers based on the assignments below. Then you may
choose elements from those three assignments to include in another short story.
You will repeat this cycle one more time. Next you will write a culminating short
story of at least 1000 words. This story must be totally new, without using
imaginative situations from previous assignments. Finally, you will complete the
final test and the student survey.

Reading: It is widely known that a good writer is also a good reader. You need to
read some exemplary imaginative writing while you work in this mode. Search
the Internet or visit your school or city library for some short stories that
showcase imaginative writing. Share examples of good imaginative writing that
you come across with your Writing With Style classmates
through the Writing With Style Discussion. You will need to send e-mail
messages to the teacher each week to keep her informed of your reading
progress.

Assignments: Each of these assignments should be at least two paragraphs

long. Make sure that each piece has a beginning, middle, and end, though a
formal introduction and conclusion are not required. Be sure to add details to
enhance the understanding of the reader. You are required to prewrite, write,
seek responses to, revise, edit and self-evaluate each assignment. Send your
prewriting ideas to your teacher, and she will help you from there as needed.

Note: You must submit your papers through the lessons page where it says
"submit paper." Let me know if you have any questions!

Option #1:

Create an imaginative scene.

Option #2:

Create an imaginative situation.

Option #3*:

Create an imaginative character.

Option #4:

Predict what might happen under a hypothetical circumstance.

Option #5:
Creatively solve a hypothetical problem.

Option #6:

Write an imaginative poem.

Culminating Imaginative Writing Assignment:

Write a short story that is a take-off from one of the above imaginative writing
assignments. This short story must be at least 1000 words long. You are required
to prewrite, write, seek responses to, revise, edit and self-evaluate this
assignment.

Final Assignment:

This assignment includes both a final test (e-mail

fawnbragg@mail.coolschool.k12.or.us for test) and a student survey.

Questions? Please e-mail fawnbragg@mail.coolschool.k12.or.us for

answers!

© 2002 Fawn Erickson-Bragg | COOLSchool | Writing With Style | Lessons

Graphics: Steven M. Bragg Architecture, P. C. 1997 ©

http://www.coolschool.k12.or.us/courses/101100/lessons/imaginative.html