The 12 Writing Crafts The 12 Writing Crafts and their Descriptionsand their Descriptions

Creative writing is at the top of the Creative writing is at the top of the educational pyramid. educational pyramid.

All of our readings, observations, All of our readings, observations, visits to interesting places, visits to interesting places, discussions and experiments have to discussions and experiments have to take shape of some sort of creative take shape of some sort of creative writing. writing.

ItIt’’s what defines you. s what defines you. ItIt’’s your signature, your identity and s your signature, your identity and

you are remembered for what you you are remembered for what you write.write.

There are 12 basic crafts of There are 12 basic crafts of creative writing that we all need creative writing that we all need to know how to write. to know how to write.

These 12 crafts make up the These 12 crafts make up the language competency that every language competency that every student must acquire by the time student must acquire by the time he or she completes the primary he or she completes the primary education.education.

It must be prudent to say that It must be prudent to say that primary education is all about primary education is all about language competency, which, in language competency, which, in turn, is the ability to write all 12 turn, is the ability to write all 12 crafts while following the five crafts while following the five steps of creative writing steps of creative writing (Brainstorming, drafting, (Brainstorming, drafting, sequencing, proofreading, and sequencing, proofreading, and publishing).publishing).

Following is a brief description Following is a brief description of the twelve crafts. We hope of the twelve crafts. We hope that these descriptions will help that these descriptions will help teachers in the classroom while teachers in the classroom while they teach children how to do they teach children how to do creative writing.creative writing.

1. Essay1. Essay

Essay is your point of view mixed Essay is your point of view mixed with some simple information around with some simple information around a topic.a topic.

The topic of an essay can be an The topic of an essay can be an object, place, issue or a concept. object, place, issue or a concept.

Unlike research report which is more Unlike research report which is more technical in nature, an Essay is a technical in nature, an Essay is a light reading.light reading.

An essay should have one or more An essay should have one or more sentences for its opening.sentences for its opening.

The opening statement should The opening statement should motivate the readers towards motivate the readers towards reading the essay to the end.reading the essay to the end.

The body of the essay should contain The body of the essay should contain interesting information around the interesting information around the topic.topic.

Rather than giving your information Rather than giving your information directly, use examples and everyday directly, use examples and everyday experiences to do the same.experiences to do the same.

The closing few lines should make The closing few lines should make your essay memorable for a reader. your essay memorable for a reader.

That means well thought out That means well thought out statements that should add some statements that should add some extra flavor to your essay. extra flavor to your essay.

2. Story2. Story

A story consists of:A story consists of:– PlotPlot– CharactersCharacters– SettingSetting

The story starts with something The story starts with something interesting that can grab a readerinteresting that can grab a reader’’s s attention. attention.

The plot should have one or more The plot should have one or more than one climax, depending on the than one climax, depending on the length of a story. length of a story.

The story should end with an anti-The story should end with an anti-climax, a point where a conflict is climax, a point where a conflict is finally resolved.finally resolved.

The characters of the story should be The characters of the story should be interesting. interesting.

The characters should be suitable to The characters should be suitable to the plot of your story; the plot of your story;

therefore you should think of your therefore you should think of your characters, their aptitudes and their characters, their aptitudes and their behaviors before you start writing behaviors before you start writing the draft.the draft.

The setting of the story should be The setting of the story should be conveyed to the readers directly or conveyed to the readers directly or indirectly so they can imagine the time indirectly so they can imagine the time and place where the story is taking place. and place where the story is taking place.

A good story is a right balance between A good story is a right balance between narrative (told by the story teller) and narrative (told by the story teller) and dialogues between the characters of the dialogues between the characters of the story. story.

Lengthy dialogue confuses the reader, Lengthy dialogue confuses the reader, whereas long narrative is simply boring. whereas long narrative is simply boring.

DiaryDiary

A diary is written to list down all the A diary is written to list down all the interesting things that may have interesting things that may have happened during the day. happened during the day.

A diary has only the important A diary has only the important events of that day. events of that day.

These events may be happy, sad or These events may be happy, sad or just strange. just strange.

You write as if you are talking to your You write as if you are talking to your diary as well-wisher or a friend, diary as well-wisher or a friend, feeling assured that your secrets will feeling assured that your secrets will be well kept within those pages. be well kept within those pages.

Your daily diary may end with a Your daily diary may end with a resolution, a commitment or a plan resolution, a commitment or a plan for the future. for the future.

You may write the diary of an You may write the diary of an unusual object (a traffic light, an unusual object (a traffic light, an oven or a board marker) or you can oven or a board marker) or you can write the diary of a living thing (a write the diary of a living thing (a tree, a guard dog or a honey bee). tree, a guard dog or a honey bee).

In each case you need to think of a In each case you need to think of a number of interesting events that number of interesting events that may take place in a day of an object may take place in a day of an object or a living thing. or a living thing.

4. Letter4. Letter

A letter has three major parts. A letter has three major parts. On the top left side you write the name, On the top left side you write the name,

title (if any) and the address of the person title (if any) and the address of the person you are writing it to. you are writing it to.

Then comes the body of the letter and Then comes the body of the letter and finally you give your name. finally you give your name.

The first and the last parts of a letter are The first and the last parts of a letter are simple; itsimple; it’’s the middle part s the middle part –– the body the body –– that you need to be creative with. that you need to be creative with.

The body of the letter is usually made of The body of the letter is usually made of three parts or paragraphs. three parts or paragraphs.

The opening paragraph defines the The opening paragraph defines the purpose for which the letter is written. purpose for which the letter is written.

In friendly letters, the opening paragraph In friendly letters, the opening paragraph shows warmth, whereas in a business shows warmth, whereas in a business letter this paragraph states the purpose letter this paragraph states the purpose for which the letter is written.for which the letter is written.

The second paragraph provides the The second paragraph provides the details of the point raised in the details of the point raised in the opening paragraph. opening paragraph.

It may include some numbers, dates It may include some numbers, dates or other evidences to support your or other evidences to support your point of view. point of view.

It is important not to drift too far It is important not to drift too far away from the topic of a business away from the topic of a business letter (more so than friendly ones).letter (more so than friendly ones).

5. Poem5. Poem

A poem is a unique way of expressing your A poem is a unique way of expressing your feeling of joy or sorrow. feeling of joy or sorrow.

The structure of language used should be The structure of language used should be different from our everyday expression, as different from our everyday expression, as it has lots of images, similes, metaphor it has lots of images, similes, metaphor and yes some poems rhyme as well. and yes some poems rhyme as well.

You may think of a pair of rhyming words You may think of a pair of rhyming words and then try thinking of a pair of and then try thinking of a pair of sentences that may end with these words sentences that may end with these words and you will have a poem that will rhyme! and you will have a poem that will rhyme!

6. Autobiography6. Autobiography

Autobiography is the life of a person Autobiography is the life of a person or an object from beginning till the or an object from beginning till the end or the most recent times. end or the most recent times.

You start by conducting research You start by conducting research about your subject. about your subject.

Find out everything about him or her Find out everything about him or her first. first.

Then brainstorm and start writing in Then brainstorm and start writing in chronological order.chronological order.

Mention only the important events of Mention only the important events of the characterthe character’’s life and skip the s life and skip the minor details. minor details.

You may write about the exciting You may write about the exciting moments of the personmoments of the person’’s life as well s life as well as his or her accomplishments. as his or her accomplishments.

An autobiography is made more An autobiography is made more interesting by adding feelings to it. interesting by adding feelings to it.

Sorrows, grieves, happiness, and Sorrows, grieves, happiness, and laughers make an autobiography a laughers make an autobiography a pleasure reading. pleasure reading.

You can try writing autobiographies You can try writing autobiographies of objects, animals, plants and other of objects, animals, plants and other object found in the nature. object found in the nature.

The key is to see and feel things from The key is to see and feel things from you characters vantage point. you characters vantage point.

7. Narration7. Narration

It provides details of a particular scene or It provides details of a particular scene or events to a reader just the way it was. events to a reader just the way it was.

A good narration has all the details, big or A good narration has all the details, big or small, but it doesnsmall, but it doesn’’t include any opinion or t include any opinion or feeling of the one who is writing it. feeling of the one who is writing it.

The purpose is to provide as much detail The purpose is to provide as much detail to the readers as possible so they can to the readers as possible so they can imagine the scene or the event imagine the scene or the event themselves, without being influenced by themselves, without being influenced by the writerthe writer’’s opinion. s opinion.

It is also important to use It is also important to use measurements instead of words measurements instead of words when narrating quantities. when narrating quantities.

For example instead of For example instead of ‘‘very tallvery tall’’ say say 35 meters tall, and instead of 35 meters tall, and instead of ‘‘extremely heavyextremely heavy’’ say 300 tons. say 300 tons.

We may start with a brief description We may start with a brief description of the event or the place or the of the event or the place or the objects we are about to narrate. objects we are about to narrate.

Then we can start describing each Then we can start describing each segment of the scene or the event one by segment of the scene or the event one by one.one.

Narration of an event will move in a Narration of an event will move in a chronological order, with the details of chronological order, with the details of every new person or object as it appears.every new person or object as it appears.

Whereas, the narration of a place will be Whereas, the narration of a place will be done with description of objects more done with description of objects more common to uncommon.common to uncommon.

8. Interview8. Interview

Anyone can conduct an interview but Anyone can conduct an interview but not everyone knows how to ask the not everyone knows how to ask the right questions! right questions!

In order to conduct an interesting as In order to conduct an interesting as well as informative interview, you well as informative interview, you first need to find out everything first need to find out everything there is to be found about the person there is to be found about the person you are about to interview.you are about to interview.

Then start thinking of questions that Then start thinking of questions that may be revealing and intriguing. may be revealing and intriguing.

ItIt’’s important to find out the favorite s important to find out the favorite color and the place of birth of the color and the place of birth of the interviewee but thatinterviewee but that’’s only the s only the beginning. beginning.

WhatWhat’’s more important are the facts s more important are the facts and feelings hidden from others. and feelings hidden from others.

Here are some types of questions Here are some types of questions you may ask:you may ask:– Personal information including family Personal information including family

educationeducation– AchievementsAchievements– AmbitionsAmbitions– Memorable moments in life Memorable moments in life

You may also try to answer questions You may also try to answer questions by putting yourself in the place of the by putting yourself in the place of the interviewee. interviewee.

That would need careful study of the That would need careful study of the personality of the interviewee. personality of the interviewee.

Try to look at things from this Try to look at things from this particular personparticular person’’s point of view s point of view when answering these questions.when answering these questions.

9. Dialogue/Drama9. Dialogue/Drama

Dialogue is an everyday conversation Dialogue is an everyday conversation taking place between two or more than taking place between two or more than two people. two people.

ThatThat’’s why the dialogue is written in an s why the dialogue is written in an informal or spoken language style. informal or spoken language style.

It is important to converse a dialogue It is important to converse a dialogue before writing it. before writing it.

Without talking it out first, a written Without talking it out first, a written dialogue doesndialogue doesn’’t sounds like a t sounds like a conversation, rather it starts sounding conversation, rather it starts sounding more like an essay.more like an essay.

A dialogue doesnA dialogue doesn’’t necessarily have to be t necessarily have to be between two human beings only. between two human beings only.

It may be done around animals, plants, It may be done around animals, plants, things found in a home or heavenly things found in a home or heavenly bodies. bodies.

The topic of the dialogue may vary The topic of the dialogue may vary according to the characters involved in it. according to the characters involved in it.

A dialogue may start with greetings and A dialogue may start with greetings and introduction (if the characters are not introduction (if the characters are not known to each other previously). known to each other previously).

After these opening sentences the After these opening sentences the dialogue should turn towards a topic dialogue should turn towards a topic of common interest. of common interest.

The characters may agree on a The characters may agree on a particular theme or debate around it particular theme or debate around it if they donif they don’’t agree. t agree.

The dialogue ends with good byes The dialogue ends with good byes and a promise to meet again. and a promise to meet again.

10. News Story10. News Story

A good news story is based on 6 W:A good news story is based on 6 W:– WhatWhat– WhereWhere– WhenWhen– WhoWho– HowHow

The writer explains the event in a concise The writer explains the event in a concise manner keeping in mind the 6 w. manner keeping in mind the 6 w.

The news story also includes some The news story also includes some quotations of the people involved in the quotations of the people involved in the event. event.

The writerThe writer’’s job is to make the news seem s job is to make the news seem important and explain the more intriguing important and explain the more intriguing or interesting parts of the event to the or interesting parts of the event to the readers. readers.

It is important to report the unusual part of It is important to report the unusual part of the incident rather than saying the usual the incident rather than saying the usual things about it. things about it.

As the saying goes: It is not a news when a As the saying goes: It is not a news when a dog bites a man, but it surely is a news dog bites a man, but it surely is a news when a man bites a good!when a man bites a good!

Write the heading for your news story at Write the heading for your news story at the end. the end.

Highlight the most important events of the Highlight the most important events of the news in your heading. news in your heading.

Research ReportResearch Report

Research report is written to discuss Research report is written to discuss a particular theory, idea invention or a particular theory, idea invention or the problem. the problem.

A research report consists of three A research report consists of three parts:parts:– Opening statementOpening statement– Body of the reportBody of the report– ConclusionConclusion

State the problem or the idea precisely, in State the problem or the idea precisely, in the first part. the first part.

If you are about to address a problem then If you are about to address a problem then it should be put forth clearly. it should be put forth clearly.

In few sentences explain the whole issue, In few sentences explain the whole issue, invention or development.invention or development.

Then, in the second part, use data, Then, in the second part, use data, surveys, and other information from your surveys, and other information from your research to support the point you have research to support the point you have highlighted in the opening paragraph. highlighted in the opening paragraph.

The information you provide in this part should be The information you provide in this part should be verifiable, and specific. verifiable, and specific.

You may use charts, graphs and other tools to You may use charts, graphs and other tools to present the data you have gathered for this present the data you have gathered for this purpose. purpose.

If the information you are placing in this section is If the information you are placing in this section is not part of your original research then those not part of your original research then those sources should be properly cited.sources should be properly cited.

Finally, in the conclusion part, you sum up the Finally, in the conclusion part, you sum up the discussion by making recommendations or discussion by making recommendations or suggesting the utility and it should be practical suggesting the utility and it should be practical and relevant. and relevant.

12. Advertisement12. Advertisement

An advertisement has four parts:An advertisement has four parts: HeadingHeading

– BodyBody– ClosingClosing– Art or pictureArt or picture– Contact informationContact information

Heading is written to get attention of the reader. Heading is written to get attention of the reader. It shouldnIt shouldn’’t be too long or too difficult to read. t be too long or too difficult to read.

Also, itAlso, it’’s not necessary to cover all the features of s not necessary to cover all the features of a product or a service in the heading. a product or a service in the heading.

It is also important to write the heading It is also important to write the heading with the targeted audience in mind. with the targeted audience in mind.

For example a heading written for school For example a heading written for school children will be different from the one children will be different from the one written for old people.written for old people.

The body is written to give more details of The body is written to give more details of the product or the service you are offering. the product or the service you are offering.

Once again, it has to simple and to the Once again, it has to simple and to the point. Sometimes it is not possible to point. Sometimes it is not possible to explain everything, so you should write explain everything, so you should write with most important first!with most important first!

The language of the advertisement has to be The language of the advertisement has to be interesting and active. interesting and active.

It has to be motivating and convincing. It has to be motivating and convincing. You should highlight the features of the product You should highlight the features of the product

by making good use of adjectives. by making good use of adjectives. Keep your sentences simple and to the point. Keep your sentences simple and to the point. By the end of the body of the advertisement, you By the end of the body of the advertisement, you

should be self-assured that you have convinced should be self-assured that you have convinced the readers about the product you have to offer the readers about the product you have to offer and now you just need to request them to avail and now you just need to request them to avail the service or buy the product. the service or buy the product.

Therefore, at the end, you ask them to Therefore, at the end, you ask them to appropriate action. appropriate action.

The closing consists of one or two sentences and The closing consists of one or two sentences and it contains words like: buy, order, visit us, call etc.it contains words like: buy, order, visit us, call etc.

A picture is worth a thousand words. A picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore we should be very careful when Therefore we should be very careful when

choosing it. choosing it. A visual (thatA visual (that’’s what the picture appearing in an s what the picture appearing in an

ad is known as in the world of advertising) should ad is known as in the world of advertising) should be selected as carefully. be selected as carefully.

As a matter of fact, at least 30% of the space in As a matter of fact, at least 30% of the space in your ad should be taken by the visual. your ad should be taken by the visual.

Finally there should be some contact Finally there should be some contact information in your advertisement. information in your advertisement.

If you would like people to come to If you would like people to come to your place of business then give the your place of business then give the location, but if itlocation, but if it’’s something that s something that one can order on phone then a one can order on phone then a phone number with be sufficient. phone number with be sufficient.

And what an ad without a website And what an ad without a website address, so donaddress, so don’’t forget to add it! t forget to add it!

Students in primary classes should go through Students in primary classes should go through the five steps of creative writing under a the five steps of creative writing under a teacherteacher’’s supervision (collectively or in small s supervision (collectively or in small groups) when practicing the writing of each craft. groups) when practicing the writing of each craft.

Meanwhile, the students of middle and secondary Meanwhile, the students of middle and secondary classes should practice writing a craft while doing classes should practice writing a craft while doing all the five steps of creative writing independently all the five steps of creative writing independently without much help from others.without much help from others.

You may contact the EAST, if you are interested You may contact the EAST, if you are interested in getting any further information regarding the in getting any further information regarding the writing of these crafts.writing of these crafts.

Thank YouThank You