Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Secondary School Topic: Evaluating Creative Writing

10-second review: What characteristics can you evaluate in creative writing?

Title: “Evaluating Creative Writing: A Different Ball Game.” Ken Kantor. English Journal (April 1975), 72-74. A publication of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Summary: Divergent thinking and convergent thinking. Convergent thinking has a pre-determined answer. Divergent thinking searches for a range of possible solutions. JP Guilford. Following are some characteristics that teachers can identify in their students' creative writing.

Playfulness and fantasy. Willing to create own reality.

Risk-taking and skepticism. Resist pressure to conform and take the risk of adopting an independent or unique stance.

Openness to experience. Original, concrete details.

Effective surprise.

Symbolic expression: metaphor and symbol.

Comment: Useful way of thinking about how to deal with creative writing. Identify one or several characteristics of creativity. RayS.

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