Vol. 4 Issue 30 – Article: ‘How can creative writing develop language skills?’ by Tarala Joshi

This paper has been submitted for publication by Tarala Joshi.

Many English teachers from my region would agree that English as a second language is mostly only a writing affair. Our students read and write English; rather they reproduce in their writing what they have read. How would they express their ‘own’ ideas and thoughts in English?

I tried out an experiment. In the B.Sc course, there was a collection of one act plays. After discussing a few of them in the class, I had to give them a topic for assignment. Generally, these assignments are based on what is already ‘taught’ in the class. It seemed to me more boring than it would to my students. So, I asked them to ‘create’ one act plays. I gave some broad hints as on what lines they can write. They seemed initially confused. But, later, they came up with wonderful stories for their plays. I was happy to notice that they were so happily involved in trying out their creativity thus. They wrote on varying themes; social issues, education, love stories and suspense. And what I was happier for that they did not ‘reproduce’ anything. They were creating. One of my students came up with an exciting murder mystery. Ah! It was pleasure reading these one act plays. The next time I tried the same with short stories.

Why creative writing?

• Creative thinking helps to feed one’s imagination
• It gives a pleasure and in turn develops love for language.
• It helps one know how language can be used differently
• Creative writing makes the students hunt for new words that would aptly express their idea.
• Give the students a chance to write a suspense story; the test of their language and creativity lies in the success of suspense.
• Language is not a fixed system; we can create new sentences that were never used before. It can be best understood through creative writing.
• Students would also come out of the boundaries of the register they probably follow for their core subjects and use language distinctly.
• One act plays would help them realize the need of an effective communication; that is while they create dialogues.
• If you are giving them short stories to write, they will be engaged similarly in not letting the reader lose track and interest in the story.
• You can ask them to enact the one act play in an event. They may feel a need to rephrase some dialogues. In the process, they will get to know the difference between the written and the spoken communication.
• Creative writing is a refreshing task; the students will be doing a task, at the same time they will be enjoying the process.
• When their story is ready, they will certainly be happy to see the thing as their creation.

So, let’s try out with creative writing as a part of language learning.

Finally, I would like to give an instance of a story my student penned.

Story: ‘Island Of Invention‘  by Miss. Nikhita Kulkarni

Here comes summer,

Here comes summer,

Chirping Robins, budding roses,

Here comes summer.

 

One summer evening children were playing on the playground.

Some were playing with Fly Kites, throw disc and jump rope with great joy. According to Nakul that was the bet summer they ever had .while Nakul and Akul were discussing on the holidays, suddenly they saw Principal David towards them.

“Well are you both enjoying the summer?” said Principal David. “Yes, Sir” replied Akul and Nakul.

“Guess what the date today is?” Asked Principal David.

Nakul and Akul being not sure of the date said April or early May. Principal David replied that it’s 29^th May and school reopens in two days. Hearing that Nakul and Akul were very sad. Oh No! Said Nakul. “Time flies my children when you are having fun”, said the principal David.

Nakul and Akul’s friend Oorja, a smart young girl entered with cup cakes and greeted both of them. Both replied in depressed mood. Oorja tries to cheer them up by asking them whether they would like to have cup cakes ?. Now Oorja asks whether they want to play with her new invention which is a Time Machine. Nakul said, “Sorry, Oorja, we are not in the mood to do anything”, to which she replied what’s wrong with you both. Then Nakul said they are depressed because their whole summer is over. Adding to the statement of Nakul, Akul wished if there could be some way which could take them back to the beginning of their holidays. Nakul realized suddenly and asked Oorja whether she built a Time Machine, to which Oorja “yes”; she spent last month turning her mother’s ipad to a flux capacitor and asked them whether they want to see how it works. Both Nakul and Akul said yes and asked Oorja whether they can use it to restart summer holidays. Oorja in excitement said yes surely.

Now Oorja asks them to put on the safety helmets as safety comes first,

”Alright, the coordinates are set for 1st April, the lights are blinking, buttons are working… here we go back for enjoyment!!”

They entered an imaginary world. An old man enters and wishes hey children, Nakul, Akul and Oorja greeted the old man with a smile. Then the old man questioned where is they from and what are they doing? Oorja explained the old man because of her invention they are all here. The old man asked “are you all interested in learning and inventing things?” They replied “yes” we are. Then the old man took them to the warehouse which was filled with all types of books to study and understand the concepts better and deeper. The old man said they can pick any number of books they wanted. They thanked the old man. The old man told them about an island where all the great wise men of the world met to learn and invent things together. But access to the island was totally restricted. To join the great people one had to invent some great invention for humanity; then they would receive the unique and special invitation which comes with the instruction on how to get to the island. The old man sends them back to their home town.

One evening Nakul, Akul and Oorja discussed about the island told by the old man. Oorja says “come on friends let’s start learning and inventing so that we will also receive the invitation one day”. They involved some more friends and started working. Time passed, their invention became popular throughout the world and managed to improve every aspect of life. But even after all that no invitation came. They did not lose heart and continued learning and inventing. Fresh talent was added to their group and more inventors dreamt of getting to the island.

After ten years, Oorja said to Nakul and Akul,”look around us don’t you people realize our dream has come true?” Both Nakul and Akul did not understand what’s she was talking about. Then she said “I realize that no island would exist which would be better than where we are now. Realizing the truth Nakul said, no place of invention would be better, than what we and our friends have created. ‘Yes’, my friends added Akul.They felt happy to know that they are on the “Island Of Invention”.

———————End——————–

I am sure you enjoyed the story. Do write your views on it.

All the best with your English!