CREATIVE WRITING

Second Handouts
WRITING POETRY

Poetry
 Came from the Greek word poiesis which means “to make or to create”
 The shortest poetry “ME WE”, was uttered by Muhammad Ali during a speech at graduation
ceremony of the Harvard University (1975).
 Poetry does not usually follow strict grammar not like Prose.

Important Elements of Poetry

1. Rhythm
2. Sound
3. Experience
4. Emotions
5. Imagination

Characteristics of a Poem
1. Emphasizes Languages Musical Quality (Rhyme, Rhythm, and Meter)
2. Uses Condensed Language
3. Features Intense Feelings

Poetry According to Various Poets

1. William Wordsworth
“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion
recollected in tranquility.”
2. T.S. Elliot
“Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression
of personality, but an escape from personality.”
3. The Encyclopedia Americana
“Emotional and imaginative discourse in metrical form – is, the representation of experiences or
ideas with special reference to their emotional significance, in language characterized by
imagery and rhythmic sound.”

Abstraction vs. Concreteness

ABSTRACT
-thought of apart from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances:
an abstract idea.expressing a quality or characteristic apart from any specific object or instance, as
justice, poverty, and speed.

CONCRETE
-existing in a material or physical form; not abstract.
Poem with Concreteness

The Golf Links

Sarah N. Cleghorn (1876-1959)

The golf links lie so near the mill

That almost every day
The laboring children can look out
And see the men at play.

Two-Headed Calf
Laura Gilpin

Tomorrow when the farm boys find this

freak of nature, they will wrap his body
in newspaper and carry him to the museum.
But tonight he is alive and in the north
field with his mother. It is a perfect
summer evening: the moon rising over
the orchard, the wind in the grass. And
as he stares into the sky, there are
twice as many stars as usual.

Poem with Abstraction

Her Love
Labyrinthino (2018)

Heavy is the love

Its scope is quite broad
Loud may be the sob
But light are these loads

Time
Labyrinthino (2017)

We don't own it
We can't touch it
It's a pathway of no turning back
It's limited, it's short
It seems to be in a hurry, always
We can't fight it, nor stop it
We always chase for it
We can't seem to find it
Time heals
But it also hurts
But time is always now
Don't trade it
Don't waste it
Use it wisely
Follow its pattern
For we are its slave
Time is our master
And we can't escape from it
It's Time.
Diction: The Effective Use of Words

Diction is a writer or speaker's word choice that helps define the written or spoken word and express your
style. In English, there are many synonyms to choose from, but each word has a slightly different meaning
and evokes different senses and emotions. Choosing the right words for your purposes is an important
part of becoming a strong writer.

Though diction is highly personal, it's also important to remember your audience when choosing an
appropriate style. Consider the examples below to help you understand the way diction changes the
writer's message.

How to improve diction:

1. Use Strong and Exact Verbs
LINKING VERB
Anna’s Halloween costume was terrifying to
the children
The members of the committee were sure
that Gino was the winner of the contest.
ACTION VERB
Anna’s Halloween costume terrified the
children.
The members of the committee confirmed
that Gino won the contest.

NOUN-VERB-NOUN REVISED
Typhoon Ondoy caused the flood in many Typhoon Ondoy flooded areas in
areas in Manila. Manila.

Raven spoke about his father at the Raven campaigned for his father in
campaign in Maayon. Maayon.

2. Use Specific Words

3. Select Words with Best Connotations

 POSITIVE, FAVORABLE
George can be uncomfortable to criticisms, and expresses his thoughts about things
 STILL POSITIVE, SHOWING STRONG ATTITUDE
George can be unapologetic to criticisms, and expresses his thoughts about things
 NEGATIVE, SUGGESTING A CLOSED WAY OF THINKING
George can be hard-headed to criticisms, and expresses his thoughts about things
 VERY NEGATIVE, UNREASONABLE
George can be vicious to criticisms, and expresses his thoughts about things

4. Use Specific Color

5. Avoid Cliches
CLICHES REVISED
When Ariel finally said “yes” to his proposal, When Ariel finally said “yes” to his proposal,
Carl was on cloud nine. Carl was overjoyed.
I don’t care if the plan doesn’t work out for I I don’t care if the plan doesn’t work out for I
have other fish to try. have other things to do.