All About English Creative Writing
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slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047436\" time=\"1637629518\" user_id=\"28674:
You know what you are getting into, the moment you sit for a \"creative\" writing class.
... So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like.
If creativity can be taught, we would all be great writers by now.
The fact is, classes teach us how to think or what to do in a certain known way. We are at best good copywriters
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ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2047454\" time=\"1637638437\" user_id=\"3:
I think \"Creative Writing\" is a misnomer. More grandiose than \"Essay Writing\" or \"English Enrichment\" and hence more attractive from a marketing standpoint. If our children unleashed the fullness of their creativity in an exam, the resultant grades are likely to horrify.
You know what you are getting into, the moment you sit for a \"creative\" writing class.slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047436\" time=\"1637629518\" user_id=\"28674:
... So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like.
If creativity can be taught, we would all be great writers by now.
The fact is, classes teach us how to think or what to do in a certain known way. We are at best good copywriters
Most CWP merely cater to parents' expectations, that is to say that children write more competently (creatively or not that is not necessarily the case) in a manner that an ordinary grader would appreciate.
That is not without value. Nor are the rules and structure given. To break the rules you must know them. There is also creativity in navigating conventions, as with any art form. Scales in music. Rule of thirds in photography. And so on.
(Note my writing above features double negatives and fragmented sentences and ending with a preposition- breaking of convention)
On one hand we expect creativity of our children, on the other we are ready to jettison a tuition centre if we detect no discernible improvement. Small wonder most centres employ quick-fix strategies rather than a plan for long term growth. -
I totally agree with simkhoo. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.
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ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2047454\" time=\"1637638437\" user_id=\"3:
But Chief, I think creativity can be taught in a way, or maybe taught is not the right word, but one can be influenced to become more creative. First of all, I think too many kids and even parents in Singapore are fearful of making mistakes. And when we fear, we stick to what we already know. So how to be creative? To be original means we must be willing to do whatever that has not been done yet.
You know what you are getting into, the moment you sit for a \"creative\" writing class.slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047436\" time=\"1637629518\" user_id=\"28674:
... So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like.
If creativity can be taught, we would all be great writers by now.
The fact is, classes teach us how to think or what to do in a certain known way. We are at best good copywriters -
manorway\" post_id=\"2047479\" time=\"1637642977\" user_id=\"9303:
It's just like driving. Schools can teach you the mechanics of how to drive. But where you want to drive to, or how you want to drive, depends on yourself.
But Chief, I think creativity can be taught in a way, or maybe taught is not the right word, but one can be influenced to become more creative. First of all, I think too many kids and even parents in Singapore are fearful of making mistakes. And when we fear, we stick to what we already know. So how to be creative? To be original means we must be willing to do whatever that has not been done yet.
We may be able to read Asimov's science fiction or enjoy the Lord of the Rings. We may even be able to learn to write in the same manner as the original authors. But for us to come up with the next chapter... that is just not possible, because we lack the experiences and imagination that only these authors possess.
For example, the son of Frank Herbert came up with some stories about Chapterhouse Dune to try to carry on his father's stories, but I've never read any of it. To me, the story ended with the death of the writer.
My advise is for kids to learn how to write, and then proceed to use those skills to pen down their imaginations so as to make them come alive and vivid. That is truly what creative writing is all about. -
ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2047485\" time=\"1637644629\" user_id=\"3:
Yes. Writing is a skill, so we learn the how-to, have the courage to express our ideas, and then we must practise and hone to master.
It's just like driving. Schools can teach you the mechanics of how to drive. But where you want to drive to, or how you want to drive, depends on yourself.manorway\" post_id=\"2047479\" time=\"1637642977\" user_id=\"9303:
But Chief, I think creativity can be taught in a way, or maybe taught is not the right word, but one can be influenced to become more creative. First of all, I think too many kids and even parents in Singapore are fearful of making mistakes. And when we fear, we stick to what we already know. So how to be creative? To be original means we must be willing to do whatever that has not been done yet.
We may be able to read Asimov's science fiction or enjoy the Lord of the Rings. We may even be able to learn to write in the same manner as the original authors. But for us to come up with the next chapter... that is just not possible, because we lack the experiences and imagination that only these authors possess.
For example, the son of Frank Herbert came up with some stories about Chapterhouse Dune to try to carry on his father's stories, but I've never read any of it. To me, the story ended with the death of the writer.
My advise is for kids to learn how to write, and then proceed to use those skills to pen down their imaginations so as to make them come alive and vivid. That is truly what creative writing is all about. -
manorway\" post_id=\"2047476\" time=\"1637642792\" user_id=\"9303:
Something wrong with the quote markers in the post above? Attributed to the wrong people!
I totally love this. Agree. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047436\" time=\"1637629518\" user_id=\"28674:
I just got them to write - any style, any content, any length, any form - stories, journals, playscripts, jokes, whatever. I didn't \"correct\" them so much as point out some areas of improvement, spelling/grammar issues, etc. Very much a learn-as-you-go way. We \"self-published\" as well - in earlier years, I would type out their writing and share with grandparents, cousins, friends, etc. Later, they did it themselves by setting up their own blogs, or just wrote stuff for fun, etc.
My younger girl returned to Sg for a few months to take PSLE before continuing her education overseas for another 1.5yrs. We both wept and wailed at the PSLE compo requirements, but found a reasonable compromise between what seemed to be the cookie-cutter way of dealing with PSLE compos and our personal inclinations! So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like. -
I totally agree with simkhoo. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.
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slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047493\" time=\"1637647578\" user_id=\"28674:
Something wrong with the quote markers in the post above? Attributed to the wrong people![/quote]Yes. Oops. Sorry. I edited.
I totally love this. Agree. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.manorway\" post_id=\"2047476\" time=\"1637642792\" user_id=\"9303:
[quote=slmkhoo post_id=2047436 time=1637629518 user_id=28674] I just got them to write - any style, any content, any length, any form - stories, journals, playscripts, jokes, whatever. I didn't \"correct\" them so much as point out some areas of improvement, spelling/grammar issues, etc. Very much a learn-as-you-go way. We \"self-published\" as well - in earlier years, I would type out their writing and share with grandparents, cousins, friends, etc. Later, they did it themselves by setting up their own blogs, or just wrote stuff for fun, etc.
My younger girl returned to Sg for a few months to take PSLE before continuing her education overseas for another 1.5yrs. We both wept and wailed at the PSLE compo requirements, but found a reasonable compromise between what seemed to be the cookie-cutter way of dealing with PSLE compos and our personal inclinations! So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like. -
manorway\" post_id=\"2047500\" time=\"1637648213\" user_id=\"9303:
Agree with you both on this.
I totally agree with simkhoo. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.
& Always encourage our children to try and not be fearful of making mistakes. Practice makes perfect.
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