Overview
This lecture introduced the basics of creative writing, focusing on imagery, diction, and the five senses to make writing vivid and engaging.
Introduction to Creative Writing
- Creative writing aims to evoke emotions and meaningful responses from readers.
- Key elements include imagery, diction, figures of speech, and drawing from specific experiences.
- Mastery of sensory details forms the foundation for effective writing.
Imagery and the Five Senses
- Imagery creates mental pictures in the reader’s mind through descriptive language.
- The five senses in imagery are:
- Visual (sight)
- Auditory (hearing)
- Olfactory (smell)
- Tactile (touch)
- Gustatory (taste)
- Using details that appeal to the senses makes writing more immersive.
Identifying Sensory Details
- Examples:
- "The tree bark was rough" (tactile).
- "The siren turned into a whisper" (auditory).
- "Glittering white blanket of snow" (visual).
- "The country air tasted sweet" (gustatory).
- "The scent of mothballs" (olfactory).
- Practice recognizing which sense is engaged by specific sentences.
Understanding Diction
- Diction is the choice and use of words and phrases in writing or speech.
- Diction can be formal (more proper or academic) or informal (casual or friendly).
- The appropriateness of diction depends on the context and the audience.
Formal vs. Informal Diction
- Formal diction: "Her terrible temper once endeared her to many if she refuses to control her outbursts."
- Informal diction: "If she doesn't stop yelling, she'll lose all her friends."
- The tone and word choice vary depending on whether you address strangers, friends, or authority figures.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Imagery — Language that appeals to the five senses to create mental images.
- Diction — The choice of words and phrases in speech or writing; can be formal or informal.
- Visual — Relating to sight.
- Auditory — Relating to hearing.
- Olfactory — Relating to smell.
- Tactile — Relating to touch.
- Gustatory — Relating to taste.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice describing scenes using all five senses.
- Identify the type of diction in different writing samples.
- Prepare for next week’s lesson by observing sensory details in daily life.