HSC Stuff > Area of Study (Old Syllabus)
Creative Writing - Advice from a Cambridge Uni Student
elysepopplewell:
--- Quote from: kavinila on August 06, 2016, 11:16:39 pm ---hey!
I was just wondering, how explicit does the 'discovery' have to be in our creative? I mean, I've been told numerous times that the marker has to be able to see it; but what if it's more of an internal thing ..?
thanks :)
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Do you mean, an internal discovery? I think discovery definitely needs to be a consistent underlying theme, a catalyst for the plot, the climax, or the resolution. So you can have a story where there are multiple discoveries throughout. Or, you can have a story that starts with a discovery, and the rest of the creative details the ramifications. Else, the discovery can be the climax. Or, the entire story could be leading up to the discovery, which is the resolution. So, discovery essentially needs to be one of these features, even if it is subtle. You don't want to be so obvious that you say something like, "Then Harry discovered what had been lost." You can be subtle because the markers are actually looking specifically for the discovery. They are waiting for it. So yes they have to be able to see it, but unless this is the most subtle discovery ever, they will spot it! Be careful that what you are writing about is a discovery, and not just a reflection or a growth. There needs to be that distinct moment of mental awareness, or physical change, where it is clear that the discovery has occurred :)
feeah:
Hi, I have a creative writing piece coming up in my yearly and I'm worried about having to adjust it to the prompts. Do you have any advice on this?
elysepopplewell:
--- Quote from: feeah on August 07, 2016, 02:39:43 pm ---Hi, I have a creative writing piece coming up in my yearly and I'm worried about having to adjust it to the prompts. Do you have any advice on this?
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For an image stimulus, think about:
-Using the colour scheme. Perhaps create a metaphor about black and white, if the image is in black and white.
-Use the salient image. So, if the salient image is a man - talk about a man in your story. Incorporate that in. If you already have a man in your story, perhaps just describe his clothes to be the same as the man in the stimulus.
-Make it a metaphor! If the image is of a cage, for example, create an ongoing metaphor about a cage/being trapped/being on display.
-Add in a reflection. So if your creative piece just does not at all fit with the stimulus, consider adding a "reflection" excerpt in your piece somewhere in the exam. This way, you have complete freedom to flick between time periods, add whoever or whatever you want to suit the stimulus, and you can still use the bulk of your story without adjustment :)
dylan862:
Hey guys this is just a creative that should be adaptable to many questions. Just not sure if it's engaging or if it needs more. Any feedback would be great. Thanks :)
I hear the rain punching the leaf blanket. I smell the candle burning away. I observe the splinters hanging off the wooden walls. I walk towards the tattered photograph of Dave, Melissa, Jacob, Megan and I when we went for an adventure in the woods. It catalysed the flashback of the horrid disaster.
****
It was dark and miserable. The lightning repeatedly hit the earth. I returned from the hut after grabbing new batteries for the torch only to find a bear sinking its claws into Mel’s skin, staining her skin with a thick layer of blood. Dave tried to pull her away but he only worsened the situation as he was pulled away and thrown into a mud pit whilst spraying everything around it. As he sunk to the bottom, a pool of blood rose to the top along with strands of his hair. I was shell-shocked. Jacob was jaw-dropped. The monster swiftly landed his fist to his jaw and knocked him out cold. He laid there with his bottom front teeth on the brink of falling out. Megan screamed and ran over to sit Jacob up. I tried to call out to her but it was too late. The roaring beast left dinosaur-like claw marks on her face, dimming my life dramatically. I ran back to the hut and sat at the table we ate at every morning. Perspirations seeped out rapidly, being absorbed by the maple dining table that held us all together. I dropped my head onto the table, feeling lost.
****
I look back at the flame in the centre of the table and it dimmed down. I sit back up and wipe the tears. I look at the empty seats around the table and I reminisced with the uplifting times we spent together.
****
We ventured into the woods on our bikes and found a massive cave. We played games, saw stunning patterns embedded on the walls and ceiling. We all engraved our names on an empty patch. It was also hard to ignore Dave’s atrocious handwriting and we all chuckled about it just like anything else he did that was ludicrous. We then took advantage of the dead silence and soft breeze, kicked our shoes off and took a nap. A few hours later we went back out and observed the sunset. Our eyes were steady to the horizon, faces absorbing the orange sun rays before the twilight beckoned the stars. I looked at each of my mates and they all had a special feature that was shone upon. Dave with his long black hair blowing upwards due to the wind, Melissa having such an olive skin tone, Jacob boasting his permanent perfect smile with his teeth pretty much reflecting the rays, and Megan’s face glowing more intense than a glow stick. We then set up a campfire and sat around it, mirroring our sitting around the timber table with the centred candle back at the hut. This time we told stories and listened to Melissa’s singing of a song she wrote and dedicated for us. Her voice was carried by the calm wind blowing towards us. We were soothed and all felt a mesmerising connection with one another.
****
The song plays on in my head. I am eternally grateful to have such great friends. I have come to realise, I must not revisit the horrid tragedy, but rather remember the positive experiences with them and use them as my life motivation for my speculative future. These experiences with my friends have taught me life morale as I must be appreciative of what I have.
elysepopplewell:
--- Quote from: dylan862 on September 28, 2016, 08:09:20 pm ---Hey guys this is just a creative that should be adaptable to many questions. Just not sure if it's engaging or if it needs more. Any feedback would be great. Thanks :)
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Hi Dylan! Welcome to the forums! We require 15 posts on the forums to get a full piece marked. You can read more about it in the link in my signature below :) In the mean time, you're more than welcome to chat in the discussion thread here, ask any questions on any subject, or even answer some questions! :)
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