ATAR Notes: Forum

National Education => Admissions tests => Selective Schools Admissions Tests => Topic started by: Asteriskkk on May 21, 2014, 11:59:48 pm

Title: Creative Writing techniques?
Post by: Asteriskkk on May 21, 2014, 11:59:48 pm
I was told not to tell a story... but I don't think its possible without telling one is it not?
Title: Re: Creative Writing techniques?
Post by: Hannibal on May 22, 2014, 08:17:51 am
Quote from: Asteriskkk on May 21, 2014, 11:59:48 pm
I was told not to tell a story... but I don't think its possible without telling one is it not?
I think they were trying to get you to show not tell.

Here's an example of telling:
Mary wasn't a natural mother and she found the children very trying

Whereas showing would be:
Mary couldn't believe it could be this much work. Couldn't they leave her alone for five minutes to read the paper? She'd put the cartoons on for them and given them crayons and paper, but apparently that wasn't enough -- they still wanted her.

There's an article here if you want: http://www.writing-world.com/dawn/dawn02.shtml
Title: Re: Creative Writing techniques?
Post by: meganrobyn on May 22, 2014, 10:31:03 pm
Quote from: Hannibal on May 22, 2014, 08:17:51 am
I think they were trying to get you to show not tell.

Here's an example of showing:
Mary wasn't a natural mother and she found the children very trying

Whereas telling would be:
Mary couldn't believe it could be this much work. Couldn't they leave her alone for five minutes to read the paper? She'd put the cartoons on for them and given them crayons and paper, but apparently that wasn't enough -- they still wanted her.

There's an article here if you want: http://www.writing-world.com/dawn/dawn02.shtml

Great examples - just flip the 'showing' and the 'telling' to avoid confusion!
Title: Re: Creative Writing techniques?
Post by: Hannibal on May 23, 2014, 07:32:22 am
Quote from: meganrobyn on May 22, 2014, 10:31:03 pm
Great examples - just flip the 'showing' and the 'telling' to avoid confusion!
Woops, silly me :)