Creative Writing Ideas
EXEMPLARS
NCEA Assessment Criteria
2.4_writing_portfolio.pdf | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: |
10 minute writing tasks
Writing Portfolio
TASK
Below are a series of photos which can be used to prompt a piece of writing. You are welcome to write on whatever you like, using the photo as your inspiration. This might include:
- writing from the perspective of the main character in the photo
- writing from the perspective of someone viewing the scene (either someone in the photo, or someone behind the camera)
You should think about the character's backstory, what they might be thinking about, their hopes and dreams, how they used to view themselves with how they view themselves now etc
Choose one photo from below to use as your inspiration. Each photo is different and offers different possibilities, so choose wisely.
- writing from the perspective of the main character in the photo
- writing from the perspective of someone viewing the scene (either someone in the photo, or someone behind the camera)
You should think about the character's backstory, what they might be thinking about, their hopes and dreams, how they used to view themselves with how they view themselves now etc
Choose one photo from below to use as your inspiration. Each photo is different and offers different possibilities, so choose wisely.
Then and Now
The photos above lend themselves beautifully to a 'then and now' piece of writing. If you do not identify with the photos, then your alternative choice is the task below.
Choose something to write a 'then' paragraph and contrast it with a 'now' paragraph.
This could be a person who has aged and is remembering what life was like 'then' vs 'now.'
You could also write about:
- a location (a school classroom in term time vs holidays, a doctor's office waiting for results vs knowing them now etc)
- a specific place in different weather
- a specific place in different seasons
- a place with contrasting situations (war vs peace etc)
Theatre before the show starts and after everyone has left.
Now…
Anticipation hangs heavy in the air, filled with the hopes of the young, the optimistic, the dreamers of today. Vermillion curtains hang with the weight of a cardinal’s robe as they hold the secrets of the show to come close. In the aisles below the chairs are brushed off, the ushers straighten their ties and the lights are dimmed to create an inviting haven. Hardwood boards line the floor of the stage. Crafted from a tree that has seen the dawn of a thousand days they now watch the rise of each night as the magic of the moon slowly insinuates itself into the hearts and minds of those who create new worlds here. In the rafters above men in black shirts scuttle like beetles nesting for winter, hoarding their lights and techniques to maintain the magician’s secrecy. A solitary figure stands at the wings, motionless. Dreams fill the air that quivers with the tension of balancing a raft of dreams upon its wraithlike reality.
Then…
The dreamers have gone now. All that remains is the sound of memories. The same hardwood floor looks wearily out upon the dawn of another day. Yet the excitement is gone. The vermillion curtains have faded to a dusty shade of blood red, their regal weight exists no more. They appear as imposters, cheap coverings that no longer hide new worlds but attempt instead to cover reality. Trails of popcorn and discarded ticket stubs litter the aisles of empty seats, leaving a trail for those who will unearth this site for the dawn of the next moon. The raft of dreams has fallen. Those that came to escape for a brief minute have been thrust out into the cold, harsh reality of their lives. No longer can they shelter in the haven of a land where visions become worlds and hopes rule dreams. The rows of seats stand sentry over this desolate landscape waiting, waiting for the tread of a solitary footstep, waiting for the breath of hope to arrive again.
Choose something to write a 'then' paragraph and contrast it with a 'now' paragraph.
This could be a person who has aged and is remembering what life was like 'then' vs 'now.'
You could also write about:
- a location (a school classroom in term time vs holidays, a doctor's office waiting for results vs knowing them now etc)
- a specific place in different weather
- a specific place in different seasons
- a place with contrasting situations (war vs peace etc)
Theatre before the show starts and after everyone has left.
Now…
Anticipation hangs heavy in the air, filled with the hopes of the young, the optimistic, the dreamers of today. Vermillion curtains hang with the weight of a cardinal’s robe as they hold the secrets of the show to come close. In the aisles below the chairs are brushed off, the ushers straighten their ties and the lights are dimmed to create an inviting haven. Hardwood boards line the floor of the stage. Crafted from a tree that has seen the dawn of a thousand days they now watch the rise of each night as the magic of the moon slowly insinuates itself into the hearts and minds of those who create new worlds here. In the rafters above men in black shirts scuttle like beetles nesting for winter, hoarding their lights and techniques to maintain the magician’s secrecy. A solitary figure stands at the wings, motionless. Dreams fill the air that quivers with the tension of balancing a raft of dreams upon its wraithlike reality.
Then…
The dreamers have gone now. All that remains is the sound of memories. The same hardwood floor looks wearily out upon the dawn of another day. Yet the excitement is gone. The vermillion curtains have faded to a dusty shade of blood red, their regal weight exists no more. They appear as imposters, cheap coverings that no longer hide new worlds but attempt instead to cover reality. Trails of popcorn and discarded ticket stubs litter the aisles of empty seats, leaving a trail for those who will unearth this site for the dawn of the next moon. The raft of dreams has fallen. Those that came to escape for a brief minute have been thrust out into the cold, harsh reality of their lives. No longer can they shelter in the haven of a land where visions become worlds and hopes rule dreams. The rows of seats stand sentry over this desolate landscape waiting, waiting for the tread of a solitary footstep, waiting for the breath of hope to arrive again.
now_and_then.ppt | |
File Size: | 2062 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
WRITING PORTFOLIO VISUAL WRITING PROMPTS
SENTENCE STARTERS
Formal Writing
Think about world issues, but particularly issues facing New Zealand. Find a topic you are passionate about to inspire your writing.
1. Environmental issues
2. Social issues
3. Education - do changes need to be made?
4. Child abuse in New Zealand
5. The justice system
6. Sports
7. Farming
8. The 'ism's - racism, sexism, ageism etc
9. Sustainability
1. Environmental issues
2. Social issues
3. Education - do changes need to be made?
4. Child abuse in New Zealand
5. The justice system
6. Sports
7. Farming
8. The 'ism's - racism, sexism, ageism etc
9. Sustainability