The document discusses various aspects of developing writing skills, including overcoming misconceptions, techniques for imaginative writing, developing stories, and types of writing such as descriptive writing. It notes that many students mistakenly view writing as a subject to memorize rather than a skill developed through practice. It also provides tips for writers such as being avid readers, using imagery, symbolism, and other techniques to make stories engaging.

1. By Muttahir Ahmed Khan
Developing Writing Skills
Creative Writing

2. What is Writing?
Subject? Knowledge? Skill? Technique?

 Developing Writing Skills, in general, and in a
situation of teaching and learning English as a second
or foreign language, in particular, has always been
immensely significant and equally perplexing for both
students as well as the teachers, in our part of the
world.

3. Free Writing Exercise
 Hold your pen and be ready for writing
 Start writing and go on quickly, without any thought of
Logic, Grammar Mistakes, Focused Thought, Writing
Style, Specific Ideas, etc.
 Nobody, including me, is going to check or see it. Only
you can opt for sharing your matter with anyone.
 Selection of the Best Word, Sentence or Idea

4. Misconceptions about Writing
 In more than 80% of our so-called English medium private
schools, the academic writing is mistaken for a theoretical
subject that stands for learning a prescribed text by heart or by
rot and to reproduce it in the examination without
comprehending the meaning or grammatical structure of even a
single sentence. Their students are not aware of even the basic
principle that writing is a skill that is developed with practice
and guidance and not a textual subject to be learnt by heart or to
memorise. We often hear such illogical statements like “I have
learnt three essays including ‘A Cricket Match’ and ‘My First
Day at School” or “Teacher! I can’t write a paragraph on My
Village, I have not memorised that. You did not dictate us this
and it is out of course”.

5. To Be an Excellent Writer you must
Be a keen Reader
Be a minute observer
Keep a pocket notebook
Possess a dictionary and thesaurus.
Have command over Grammar
Stop procrastinating
Read highly successful authors
Join a writers’ group
Sit in Solitude to think and imagine
Revise your Writing

6. Writing Diary
Recall the happenings of the day, before going to bed.
Select the important or unusual events and things.
Pen down them and their effects on your life.
Express your response to and feelings about them.

7. Write a Note

8. Write a Note/Story

9. Write a Note

10. Imaginative Writing
Imaginative writing techniques are used to create a
sense of wonder, excitement, or suspense in the
reader. They can be used to describe settings,
characters, or events in a way that is both vivid and
memorable. Some common imaginative writing
techniques include:

11. Figurative language:
Figurative language uses words in a non-literal way
to create a more vivid or expressive effect. Some
common types of figurative language include
metaphors, similes, personification, and
hyperbole.

12. Setting:
The setting is the time and place in which a story
takes place. Imaginative writers can use setting to
create a mood or atmosphere, or to foreshadow events
that will happen later in the story.
Characters:
Characters are the people or animals who inhabit a
story. Imaginative writers can use characters to create
conflict, suspense, or humor.

13. Plot:
The plot is the sequence of events that make
up a story. Imaginative writers can use plot to
create suspense, surprise, or a sense of
satisfaction.
Theme:
The theme is the underlying message or lesson
of a story. Imaginative writers can use theme to
explore complex ideas or to make a statement
about the world.

14. Imagery:
Imagery is the use of descriptive language to
create a mental picture in the reader's mind.
Imaginative writers can use imagery to evoke
a variety of emotions, from excitement to
fear to sadness.
Symbolism:
Symbolism is the use of objects, characters,
or events to represent something else.
Imaginative writers can use symbolism to
add depth and meaning to their stories.

15. Foreshadowing:
Foreshadowing is the use of hints or clues to suggest
what will happen later in the story. Imaginative
writers can use foreshadowing to create suspense and
build excitement.
Suspense:
Suspense is a feeling of uncertainty or anxiety about
what will happen next. Imaginative writers can create
suspense by withholding information from the
reader, or by creating situations that are dangerous or
uncertain.

16. Surprise:
Surprise is a sudden, unexpected event that
catches the reader off guard. Imaginative writers
can use surprise to add excitement and interest
to their stories.
Imagination is a key ingredient in all good
writing. By using imaginative writing
techniques, writers can create stories that are
both entertaining and thought-provoking.

17. Developing a Story
As I was totally sunk in the commotion of traffic and the
hustle and bustle of the city, an awkward sight distracted
me and, then, nudged me to notice a boy who was
walking along the road, with a forced smile on his face
and twinkling tears in his eyes. He was about 15-16
years old with a thin physique and tall height. I wished
to talk to him, but at the same time, an inner urge tried
to stop me from advancing towards him. After a few
seconds’ internal conflict, I decided to……….

18. Developing a Story
Once upon a time, there was a newly married couple named
Mr. and Mrs. Jaffer Khanzada. They had so many dreams about
having their children and accomplishing their sweet home
where they would live a happy and blessed life. The Almighty
blessed them with two children, Ayan and Ayesha, in the next
four years. Mr. Khanzada was working in a bank as a cashier
and was carrying home a mediocre amount as salary that did
not allow them to maintain a reasonable saving. So, Mrs. Sufia
Jaffer Khanzada joined a school as a teacher to contribute to
the domestic budget for she wished to send her kids to the
best available schools that were expensive. …………..

19. Creating a Story
Alumni Dinner,
Bonfire
Old students,
Lapse of 15 years,
Lush green lawn of University,
Light rain and charming weather,
Sofia is looking at sky with a smile on her face and pearls
in eyes.
Sheraaz plays guitar and sings “You fill up my senses…”

20. Creating a Story
*A small village with a beautiful landscape and greenery
*A small rivulet surrounded by tall trees and thick bushes
*Two sad old men sitting beside the bank of the rivulet
*A young girl picking oranges in the nearby garden
*A youngman appears from the bushes with heavy piles of
something on his back

21. Sequence in Writing
Listing and Paragraphing
Instructions
Guidelines
Travelogues
Event Reporting
Biographical Essays/Notes

22. Descriptive Writing
Using the most suitable words to describe a person’s or
object’s appearance, physical features, shape, etc to
make the readers visualise the subject.
Use of more Adjectives, Similes and Nouns
“He was a middle-aged tall man with thick mustaches,
projecting ears, broad shoulders and a bit round nose” .
“She was as fresh as a Daisy, and as calm as the sea”.
etc.

23. Thanks