Creative Writing

[olliesfield]

Do you guys have any tips on how to incorporate the stimulus for creative writing?

Thank You!

[elysepopplewell]

Hey!

I wrote a guide on creative writing here with a section on stimulus incorporation:

Since 2010, Paper 1 has delivered quotes to be used as the first sentence, general quotes to be featured anywhere in the text and visual images to be incorporated. Every year, there has been a twist on the area of study concept (belonging or discovery) in the question. In the belonging stage, BOSTES did not say “Write a creative piece about belonging. Include the stimulus ******.” Instead, they have said to write an imaginative piece about “belonging and not belonging” or to “Compose a piece of imaginative writing which explores the unexpected impact of discovery.” These little twists always come from the rubric, so there isn’t really any excuse to not be prepared for that!

If the stimulus is a quote such as “She was always so beautiful” there is lenience for tense. Using the quote directly, if required to do that, is the best option. However, if this screws up the tense you are writing in, it is okay to say “she is always so beautiful.” (Side note: This would be a really weird stimulus if it ever occurred.) Futhermore, gender can be substituted, although also undesirable. If the quote is specified to be the very first sentence of your work: there is no lenience. It must be the very first sentence.

As for a visual image, the level of incorporation changes. Depending on the image, you could reference the colours, the facial expressions, the swirly pattern or the salient image. Unfortunately, several stimuli from past papers are “awaiting copyright” online and aren’t available. However, there are a few, and when you have an imaginative piece you should try relate them to these stimuli as preparation.

On top of this, I'd add a few things. The stimulus will specify if it should be the central focus, the beginning of the story, simply an element, a key location, etc. Listen to this very carefully. If it has to be a key location, then you need to ask yourself if the location you've chosen to adopt from the stimulus is significant enough to be considered "key." If it needs to be a central element of the creative, then it can't just be added in at one point, it needs to be threaded through or at least have the seeds sewn for it for a while coming.

Essentially, the best incorporation of stimulus comes from planning it right from the start and actively embedding it or establishing it throughout. Thinking, "I'll just pop that quote in my closing line" won't reap the same results as carefully establishing it throughout the story will. 

[Rasika]

I need help actually coming up with a creative writing which I can use to incorporate the stimulus! Someone help pls

[jamonwindeyer]

I need help actually coming up with a creative writing which I can use to incorporate the stimulus! Someone help pls

If you take a peek at our Ultimate Creative Writing Guide, there is a section with tips on doing exactly this! And lots of other useful stuff too

[marcusgrahamm]

Really focus on the elements that are original within the stimulus.

You don't want to choose some boring explicit area.

Smartly institute parts of the stimulus that other students won't think about. That will seperate you from the rest of the field!

Good luck!!