technique used in creative writing

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11 Creative Writing Techniques

Learn how to add pizzazz to any type of writing.

The articles below show you how to use creative writing tools in fiction or non-fiction. Each article features a series of examples so it becomes easier to apply the technique.

List of creative writing techniques

Click the links below to go to a specific section:

Personification

Show don’t tell

Repetition in writing

Contrast in writing

The rule of three in writing

Parallelism

1. Metaphors

Learn how to use metaphors and get inspired by these examples …

Learn how to use metaphors >>

Metaphor examples >>

Get inspired by over 10 simile examples by various authors …

Simile examples >>

3. Analogies

Get inspired by these analogy examples …

Analogy examples >>

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Get inspired by these imagery examples …

Imagery examples >>

5. Personification

Learn how to use personification to make your writing sparkle …

Personification examples >>

6. Show don’t tell

Get inspired by these examples of “show, don’t tell” …

Show don’t tell examples >>

7. Repetition in writing

Get inspired by these examples of word repetition …

Examples of repetition in writing >>

8. Contrast in writing

Discover how to use contrast in your writing …

Examples of contrast in writing >>

9. The rule of 3 in writing

Get inspired by these examples of the rule of 3 …

The rule of 3 in writing >>

10. Parallelism in writing

Get inspired by these examples of the parallelism …

Parallelism examples >>

11. Switch the point of view (POV)

Discover how to switch the point of view …

Point of view examples >>

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Last updated on Apr 22, 2024

60 Literary Devices With Examples: The Ultimate List

Literary devices are perhaps the greatest tools that writers have in literature. Just think — Shakespeare could have written: Everyone has a role in life.

Instead, he used a literary device and penned what is likely the most famous metaphor in literature:

All the world’s a stage

And all the men and women merely players

And the rest is history.

What are literary devices?

A literary device is a writing technique that writers use to express ideas, convey meaning, and highlight important themes in a piece of text. A metaphor, like we mentioned earlier, is a famous example of a literary device.

These devices serve a wide range of purposes in literature. Some might work on an intellectual level, while others have a more emotional effect. They may also work subtly to improve the flow and pacing of your writing. No matter what, if you're looking to inject something special into your prose, literary devices are a great place to start.

How to identify literary devices

A writer using a literary device is quite different from a reader identifying it. Often, an author’s use of a literary device is subtle by design —you only feel its effect, and not its presence. 

Therefore, we’ve structured this post for both purposes:    

• If you’re a reader, we’ve included examples for each literary device to make it easier for you to identify them in the wild. 
• If you’re a writer, we’ve included exercises for the literary devices, so that you can practice using them in your works. 

Let’s get to it.

60 common literary devices, with examples

1. alliteration.

Alliteration describes a series of words in quick succession that all start with the same letter or sound. It lends a pleasing cadence to prose and Hamlet and the dollar as currency in Macbeth .

Example: “ One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,

And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.” — “Death, Be Not Proud” by John Donne

Exercise: Pick a letter and write a sentence where every word starts with that letter or one that sounds similar. 

2. Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a series of clauses or sentences. It’s often seen in poetry and speeches, intended to provoke an emotional response in its audience.

Example: Martin Luther King’s 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.

"… and I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.

"… I have a dream that little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Exercise: Pick a famous phrase and write a paragraph elaborating on an idea, beginning each sentence with that phrase. 

Similar term: repetition

3. Anastrophe

Anastrophe is a figure of speech wherein the traditional sentence structure is reversed. So a typical verb-subject-adjective sentence such as “Are you ready?” becomes a Yoda-esque adjective-verb-subject question: “Ready, are you?” Or a standard adjective-noun pairing like “tall mountain” becomes “mountain tall.”

Example: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing.” — “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

Exercise: Write a standard verb-subject-adjective sentence or adjective-noun pairing then flip the order to create an anastrophe. How does it change the meaning or feeling of the sentence?

4. Chiasmus

Chiasmus is when two or more parallel clauses are inverted. “Why would I do that?” you may be wondering. Well, a chiasmus might sound confusing and unnecessary in theory, but it's much more convincing in practice — and in fact, you've likely already come across it before.

Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy

5. Congeries

Congeries is a fancy literary term for creating a list. The items in your list can be words, ideas, or phrases, and by displaying them this way helps prove or emphasize a point — or even create a sense of irony. Occasionally, it’s also called piling as the words are “piling up.”

Example: "Apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order, what have the Romans done for us?" — Monty Python’s Life of Brian

6. Cumulative sentence

A cumulative sentence (or “loose sentence”) is one that starts with an independent clause, but then has additional or modifying clauses. They’re often used for contextual or clarifying details. This may sound complex, but even, “I ran to the store to buy milk, bread, and toilet paper” is a cumulative sentence, because the first clause, “I ran to the store,” is a complete sentence, while the rest tells us extra information about your run to the store.

Example: “It was a large bottle of gin Albert Cousins had brought to the party, yes, but it was in no way large enough to fill all the cups, and in certain cases to fill them many times over, for the more than one hundred guests, some of whom were dancing not four feet in front of him.” – Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

Example: Write three sentences that are related to each other. Can you combine the information into a cumulative sentence? 

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7. Epistrophe

Epistrophe is the opposite of anaphora, with this time a word or phrase being repeated at the end of a sentence. Though its placement in a sentence is different it serves the same purpose—creating emphasis—as an anaphora does. 

Example: “I’ll be ever’where – wherever you look. Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there . If Casy knowed, why, I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad an’ – I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry an’ they know supper’s ready. An’ when our folks eat the stuff they raise an’ live in the houses they build, why, I’ll be there .” — The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Similar terms: repetition, anaphora

Exercise: Write a paragraph where a phrase or a word is repeated at the end of every sentence, emphasizing the point you’re trying to make. 

8. Erotesis

Erotesis is a close cousin of the rhetorical question. Rather than a question asked without expectation of an answer, this is when the question (and the asker) confidently expects a response that is either negative or affirmative. 

Example: “ Do you then really think that you have committed your follies in order to spare your son them?” — Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

Similar term: rhetorical question

9. Hyperbaton

Hyperbaton is the inversion of words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence that differs from how they would normally be arranged. It comes from the Greek hyperbatos, which means “transposed” or “inverted.” While it is similar to anastrophe, it doesn’t have the same specific structure and allows you to rearrange your sentences in whatever order you want. 

Example: “Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire.” — “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe

Similar terms: anastrophe, epistrophe

10. Isocolon

If you’re a neat freak who likes things just so , isocolon is the literary device for you. This is when two or more phrases or clauses have similar structure, rhythm, and even length — such that, when stacked up on top of each other, they would line up perfectly. Isocolon often crops up in brand slogans and famous sayings; the quick, balanced rhythm makes the phrase catchier and more memorable.

Example: Veni, vidi, vici (“I came, I saw, I conquered”)

11. Litotes

Litotes (pronounced lie-toe-teez ) is the signature literary device of the double negative. Writers use litotes to express certain sentiments through their opposites, by saying that that opposite is not the case. Don’t worry, it makes more sense with the examples. 😉

Examples: “You won’t be sorry” (meaning you’ll be happy); “you’re not wrong” (meaning you’re right); “I didn’t not like it” (meaning I did)

12. Malapropism

If Shakespeare is the king of metaphors, Michael Scott is the king of malapropisms . A malapropism is when similar-sounding words replace their appropriate counterparts, typically to comic effect — one of the most commonly cited is “dance a flamingo,” rather than a “flamenco.” Malapropisms are often employed in dialogue when a character flubs up their speech.

Example: “I am not to be truffled with.”

Exercise: Choose a famous or common phrase and see if you can replace a word with a similar sounding one that changes the meaning. 

13. Onomatopoeia

Amusingly, onomatopoeia (itself a difficult-to-pronounce word) refers to words that sound like the thing they’re referring to. Well-known instances of onomatopoeia include whiz, buzz, snap, grunt, etc.

Example: The excellent children's book Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type . “Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears: Click, clack, moo. Click, clack, moo. Clickety, clack, moo. ”

Exercise: Take some time to listen to the sounds around you and write down what you hear. Now try to use those sounds in a short paragraph or story. 

14. Oxymoron 

An oxymoron comes from two contradictory words that describe one thing. While juxtaposition contrasts two story elements, oxymorons are about the actual words you are using.

Example: "Parting is such sweet sorrow.” — Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. (Find 100 more examples of oxymorons here .)

Similar terms: juxtaposition, paradox

Exercise: Choose two words with opposite meanings and see if you can use them in a sentence to create a coherent oxymoron. 

15. Parallelism

Parallelism is all about your sentence structure. It’s when similar ideas, sounds, phrases, or words are arranged in a way that is harmonious or creates a parallel, hence the name. It can add rhythm and meter to any piece of writing and can often be found in poetry. 

Example: “ That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” — Neil Armstrong

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16. Polysyndeton

Instead of using a single conjunction in lengthy statements, polysyndeton uses several in succession for a dramatic effect. This one is definitely for authors looking to add a bit of artistic flair to their writing, or who are hoping to portray a particular (usually naïve) sort of voice.

Example: “Luster came away from the flower tree and we went along the fence and they stopped and we stopped and I looked through the fence while Luster was hunting in the grass.” — The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Exercise: Write three or four independent sentences. Try combining them using conjunctions. What kind of effect does this have on the overall meaning and tone of the piece?

17. Portmanteau

A portmanteau is when two words are combined to form a new word which refers to a single concept that retains the meanings of both the original words. Modern language is full of portmanteaus. In fact, the portmanteau is itself a portmanteau. It’s a combination of the French porter (to carry) and manteau (cloak). 

Example: Brunch (breakfast and lunch); cosplay (costume and roleplay); listicle (list and article); romcom (romance and comedy)

Exercise: Pick two words that are often used together to describe a single concept. See if there’s a way to combine them and create a single word that encompasses the meaning of both.

18. Repetition

Repetition , repetition, repetition… where would we be without it? Though too much repetition is rarely a good thing, occasional repetition can be used quite effectively to drill home a point, or to create a certain atmosphere. For example, horror writers often use repetition to make the reader feel trapped and scared.

Example: In The Shining , Jack Torrance types over and over again on his pages,  “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” In this case, obsessive repetition demonstrates the character’s unraveling mind.

Similar term: anaphora

Exercise: Repetition can be used to call attention to an idea or phrase. Pick an idea you want to emphasize and write a few sentences about it. Are there any places where you can add repetition to make it more impactful? 

19. Tautology

A tautology is when a sentence or short paragraph repeats a word or phrase, expressing the same idea twice. Often, this is a sign that you should trim your work to remove the redundancy (such as “frozen ice”) but can also be used for poetic emphasis.

Example: "But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door" – “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

20. Tmesis 

Tmesis is when a word or phrase is broken up by an interjecting word, such as abso-freaking-lutely. It’s used to draw out and emphasize the idea, often with a humorous or sarcastic slant.

Example: "This is not Romeo, he's some-other-where." – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

21. Allegory

An allegory is a type of narrative that uses characters and plot to depict abstract ideas and themes . In an allegorical story, things represent more than they appear to on the surface. Many children's fables, such as The Tortoise and the Hare , are simple allegories about morality — but allegories can also be dark, complex, and controversial. 

Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell. This dystopian novella is one of modern literature’s best-known allegories. A commentary on the events leading up to Stalin's rise and the formation of the Soviet Union, the pigs at the heart of the novel represent figures such as Stalin, Trotsky, and Molotov.

Exercise: Pick a major trend or problem in the world and consider what defines it. Try and create a story where that trend plays out on a smaller scale. 

22. Anecdote

An anecdote is like a short story within a story. Sometimes, they are incredibly short—only a line or two—and their purpose is to add a character’s perspective, knowledge, or experience to a situation. They can be inspirational, humorous, or be used to inspire actions in others. Since anecdotes are so short, don’t expect them to be part of a main story. They’re usually told by a character and part of the dialogue. 

Example: Marcel Proust’s Swann’s Way , part of his series of novels, In Search of Lost Time, deals with the themes of remembrance and memory. In one section of this book, to illustrate these ideas, the main character recalls an important memory of eating a madeleine cookie. “Many years had elapsed during which nothing of Combray, save what was comprised in the theatre and the drama of my going to bed there, had any existence for me, when one day in winter, as I came home, my mother, seeing that I was cold, offered me some tea, a thing I did not ordinarily take. I declined at first, and then, for no particular reason, changed my mind. She sent out for one of those short, plump little cakes called ‘petites madeleines,’ which look as though they had been moulded in the fluted scallop of a pilgrim’s shell.”

23. Deus Ex Machina

Literally meaning “god in the machine” in Greek, deus ex machina is a plot device where an impossible situation is solved by the appearance of an unexpected or unheard of character, action, object, or event. This brings about a quick and usually happy resolution for a story and can be used to surprise an audience, provide comic relief, or provide a fix for a complicated plot. However, deus ex machinas aren’t always looked upon favorably and can sometimes be seen as lazy writing, so they should be used sparingly and with great thought. 

Example: William Golding’s famous novel of a group of British boys marooned on a desert island is resolved with a deus ex machina. At the climax of The Lord of the Flies, just as Ralph is about to be killed by Jack, a naval officer arrives to rescue the boys and bring them back to civilization. It’s an altogether unexpected and bloodless ending for a story about the boys’ descent into savagery. 

Exercise: Consider the ending of your favorite book or movie and then write an alternate ending that uses a deus ex machina to resolve the main conflict. How does this affect the overall story in terms of theme and tone?

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24. Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony is when the readers know more about the situation going on than at least one of the characters involved. This creates a difference between the ways the audience and the characters perceive unfolding events. For instance, if we know that one character is having an affair, when that character speaks to their spouse, we will pick up on the lies and double-meanings of their words, while the spouse may take them at face value.

Example: In Titanic , the audience knows from the beginning of the movie that the boat will sink. This creates wry humor when characters remark on the safety of the ship.

25. Exposition

Exposition is when the narrative provides background information in order to help the reader understand what’s going on. When used in conjunction with description and dialogue, this literary device provides a richer understanding of the characters, setting, and events. Be careful, though — too much exposition will quickly become boring, thus undercutting the emotional impact of your work.

Example: “The Dursley’s had everything they wanted, but they also had a secret, and their greatest fear was that somebody would discover it.” – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Exercise: Pick your favorite story and write a short paragraph introducing it to someone who knows nothing about it. 

26. Flashback

Flashbacks to previous events split up present-day scenes in a story, usually to build suspense toward a big reveal. Flashbacks are also an interesting way to present exposition for your story, gradually revealing to the reader what happened in the past.

Example: Every other chapter in the first part of Gone Girl is a flashback, with Amy’s old diary entries describing her relationship with her husband before she disappeared.

Similar term: foreshadowing

27. Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is when the author hints at events yet to come in a story. Similar to flashbacks (and often used in conjunction with them), this technique is also used to create tension or suspense — giving readers just enough breadcrumbs to keep them hungry for more.

Example: One popular method of foreshadowing is through partial reveals — the narrator leaves out key facts to prompt readers’ curiosity. Jeffrey Eugenides does this in The Virgin Suicides : “On the morning the last Lisbon daughter took her turn at suicide — it was Mary this time, and sleeping pills, like Therese, the two paramedics arrived at the house knowing exactly where the knife drawer was, and the gas oven, and the beam in the basement from which it was possible to tie a rope.”

Similar term: flashback

Exercise: Go back to your favorite book or movie. Can you identify any instances of foreshadowing in the early portions of the story for events that happen in the future? 

28. Frame story

A frame story is any part of the story that "frames" another part of it, such as one character telling another about their past, or someone uncovering a diary or a series of news articles that then tell the readers what happened. Since the frame story supports the rest of the plot, it is mainly used at the beginning and the end of the narrative, or in small interludes between chapters or short stories.

Example: In The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, Kvothe is telling Chronicler the story of his life over the span of three days. Most of the novel is the story he is telling, while the frame is any part that takes place in the inn.

29. In Medias Res

In medias res is a Latin term that means "in the midst of things" and is a way of starting a narrative without exposition or contextual information. It launches straight into a scene or action that is already unfolding. 

Example: “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.” — The opening line of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

Exercise: Pick a story you enjoy and rewrite the opening scene so that it starts in the middle of the story. 

30. Point of view

Point of view is, of course, the mode of narration in a story. There are many POVs an author can choose, and each one will have a different impact on the reading experience.

Example: Second person POV is uncommon because it directly addresses the reader — not an easy narrative style to pull off. One popular novel that manages to employ this perspective successfully is Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney: “You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time of the morning. But here you are, and you cannot say that the terrain is entirely unfamiliar, although the details are fuzzy.”

Exercise: Write a short passage in either first, second, or third person. Then rewrite that passage in the other two points of view, only changing the pronouns. How does the change in POV affect the tone and feel of the story? 

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31. Soliloquy 

Soliloquy involves a character speaking their thoughts aloud, usually at length (and often in a Shakespeare play). The character in question may be alone or in the company of others, but they’re not speaking for the benefit of other people; the purpose of a soliloquy is for a character to reflect independently.

Example: Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” speech, in which he ruminates on the nature of life and death, is a classic dramatic soliloquy.

Exercise: Pick a character from your favorite book or movie and write a soliloquy from their point of view where they consider their thoughts and feelings on an important part of their story or character arc. 

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Tone refers to the overall mood and message of your book. It’s established through a variety of means, including voice, characterization, symbolism, and themes. Tone sets the feelings you want your readers to take away from the story.

Example: No matter how serious things get in The Good Place , there is always a chance for a character to redeem themselves by improving their behavior. The tone remains hopeful for the future of humanity in the face of overwhelming odds.

Exercise: Write a short paragraph in an upbeat tone. Now using the same situation you came up with, rewrite that passage in a darker or sadder tone. 

33. Tragicomedy

Tragicomedy is just what it sounds like: a blend of tragedy and comedy. Tragicomedy helps an audience process darker themes by allowing them to laugh at the situation even when circumstances are bleak.

Example: Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events uses wordplay, absurd situations, and over-the-top characters to provide humor in an otherwise tragic story.

34. Allusion

An allusion is a reference to a person, place, thing, concept, or other literary work that a reader is likely to recognize. A lot of meaning can be packed into an allusion and it’s often used to add depth to a story. Many works of classic Western literature will use allusions to the Bible to expand on or criticize the morals of their time. 

Example: “The two knitting women increase his anxiety by gazing at him and all the other sailors with knowing unconcern. Their eerie looks suggest that they know what will happen (the men dying), yet don’t care.” The two women knitting in this passage from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness are a reference to the Fates from Greek mythology, who decide the fate of humanity by spinning and cutting the threads of life.

Exercise: In a relatively simple piece of writing, see how many times you can use allusions. Go completely crazy. Once you’re finished, try to cut it down to a more reasonable amount and watch for how it creates deeper meaning in your piece. 

35. Analogy

An analogy connects two seemingly unrelated concepts to show their similarities and expand on a thought or idea. They are similar to metaphors and similes, but usually take the comparison much further than either of these literary devices as they are used to support a claim rather than provide imagery. 

Example: “ It has been well said that an author who expects results from a first novel is in a position similar to that of a man who drops a rose petal down the Grand Canyon of Arizona and listens for the echo.” — P.G. Wodehouse

Exercise: Pick two seemingly unrelated nouns and try to connect them with a verb to create an analogy. 

36. Anthropomorphism

To anthropomorphize is to apply human traits or qualities to a non-human thing such as objects, animals, or the weather. But unlike personification, in which this is done through figurative description, anthropomorphism is literal: a sun with a smiling face, for example, or talking dogs in a cartoon.

Examples: In Disney’s Beauty and the Beast , Mrs. Potts the teapot, Cogsworth the clock, and Lumière the candlestick are all household objects that act and behave like humans (which, of course, they were when they weren’t under a spell).

Similar term: personification

Exercise: Pick a non-human object and describe it as if it was human, literally ascribing human thoughts, feelings, and senses to it. 

37. Aphorism

An aphorism is a universally accepted truth stated in a concise, to-the-point way. Aphorisms are typically witty and memorable, often becoming adages or proverbs as people repeat them over and over.

Example: “To err is human, to forgive divine.” — Alexander Pope

38. Archetype

An archetype is a “universal symbol” that brings familiarity and context to a story. It can be a character, a setting, a theme, or an action. Archetypes represent feelings and situations that are shared across cultures and time periods, and are therefore instantly recognizable to any audience — for instance, the innocent child character, or the theme of the inevitability of death.

Example: Superman is a heroic archetype: noble, self-sacrificing, and drawn to righting injustice whenever he sees it.

Exercise: Pick an archetype — either a character or a theme — and use it to write a short piece centered around that idea. 

A cliché is a saying or idea that is used so often it becomes seen as unoriginal. These phrases might become so universal that, despite their once intriguing nature, they're now looked down upon as uninteresting and overused. 

Examples: Some common cliches you might have encountered are phrases like “easy as pie” and “light as a feather.” Some lines from famous books and movies have become so popular that they are now in and of themselves cliches such as Darth Vader’s stunning revelation from The Empire Strikes Back, “Luke, I am your father.” Also, many classic lines of Shakespeare are now considered cliches like, “All that glitters is not gold” from The Merchant of Venice. 

Exercise: Write a short passage using as many cliches as possible. Now try to cut them out and replace them with more original phrasing. See how the two passages compare. 

40. Colloquialism

Colloquialism is the use of casual and informal language in writing, which can also include slang. Writers use colloquialisms to provide context to settings and characters, and to make their writing sound more authentic. Imagine reading a YA novel that takes place in modern America, and the characters speak to each other like this:

“Good morning, Sue. I hope that you slept well and are prepared for this morning’s science exam.”

It’s not realistic. Colloquialisms help create believable dialogue :

“Hey Sue, what’d you get up to last night? This science test is gonna suck.”

Example: Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh takes place in Scotland, a fact made undeniably obvious by the dialect: “Thing is, as ye git aulder, this character-deficiency gig becomes mair sapping. Thir wis a time ah used tae say tae aw the teachers, bosses, dole punters, poll-tax guys, magistrates, when they telt me ah was deficient: ’Hi, cool it, gadge, ah’m jist me, jist intae a different sort ay gig fae youse but, ken?’”

Exercise: Write a dialogue between two characters as formally as possible. Now take that conversation and make it more colloquial. Imagine that you’re having this conversation with a friend. Mimic your own speech patterns as you write. 

41. Euphemism

A euphemism is an indirect, “polite” way of describing something too inappropriate or awkward to address directly. However, most people will still understand the truth about what's happening.

Example: When an elderly person is forced to retire, some might say they’re being “put out to pasture.”

Exercise: Write a paragraph where you say things very directly. Now rewrite that paragraph using only euphemisms. 

42. Hyperbole

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement that emphasizes the significance of the statement’s actual meaning. When a friend says, "Oh my god, I haven't seen you in a million years," that's hyperbole.

Example: “At that time Bogotá was a remote, lugubrious city where an insomniac rain had been falling since the beginning of the 16th century.” — Living to Tell the Tale by Gabriel García Márquez

Exercise: Tall tales often make use of hyperbole to tell an exaggerated story. Use hyperbole to relate a completely mundane event or experience to turn it into a tall tale. 

43. Hypophora

Hypophora is much like a rhetorical question, wherein someone asks a question that doesn't require an answer. However, in hypophora, the person raises a question and answers it immediately themselves (hence the prefix hypo, meaning 'under' or 'before'). It’s often used when characters are reasoning something aloud.

Example: “Do you always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it? I always watch for the longest day in the year and then miss it.” — Daisy in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

An idiom is a saying that uses figurative language whose meaning differs from what it literally says. These phrases originate from common cultural experiences, even if that experience has long ago been forgotten. Without cultural context, idioms don’t often make sense and can be the toughest part for non-native speakers to understand. 

Example: In everyday use, idioms are fairly common. We say things like, “It’s raining cats and dogs” to say that it’s downpouring. 

Exercise: Idioms are often used in dialogue. Write a conversation between two people where idioms are used to express their main points. 

45. Imagery

Imagery appeals to readers’ senses through highly descriptive language. It’s crucial for any writer hoping to follow the rule of "show, don’t tell," as strong imagery truly paints a picture of the scene at hand.

Example: “In the hard-packed dirt of the midway, after the glaring lights are out and the people have gone to bed, you will find a veritable treasure of popcorn fragments, frozen custard dribblings, candied apples abandoned by tired children, sugar fluff crystals, salted almonds, popsicles, partially gnawed ice cream cones and wooden sticks of lollipops.” — Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Exercise: Choose an object, image, or idea and use the five senses to describe it. 

Show, Don't Tell

Master the golden rule of writing in 10 five-minute lessons.

Irony creates a contrast between how things seem and how they really are. There are three types of literary irony : dramatic (when readers know what will happen before characters do), situational (when readers expect a certain outcome, only to be surprised by a turn of events), and verbal (when the intended meaning of a statement is the opposite of what was said).

Example: This opening scene from Orson Welles’ A Touch of Evil is a great example of how dramatic irony can create tension.

47. Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition places two or more dissimilar characters, themes, concepts, etc. side by side, and the profound contrast highlights their differences. Why is juxtaposition such an effective literary device? Well, because sometimes the best way for us to understand something is by understanding what it’s not .

Example: In the opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities , Charles Dickens uses juxtaposition to emphasize the societal disparity that led to the French Revolution: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness…”

Similar terms: oxymoron, paradox

Exercise: Pick two ideas, objects, places, or people that seem like complete opposites. Introduce them side by side in the beginning of your piece and highlight their similarities and differences throughout. 

48. Metaphor

A metaphor compares two similar things by saying that one of them is the other. As you'd likely expect, when it comes to literary devices, this one is a heavy hitter. And if a standard metaphor doesn't do the trick, a writer can always try an extended metaphor : a metaphor that expands on the initial comparison through more elaborate parallels.

Example: Metaphors are literature’s bread and butter (metaphor intended) — good luck finding a novel that is free of them. Here’s one from Frances Hardinge’s A Face Like Glass : “Wishes are thorns, he told himself sharply. They do us no good, just stick into our skin and hurt us.”

Similar term: simile

Exercise: Write two lists: one with tangible objects and the other concepts. Mixing and matching, try to create metaphors where you describe the concepts using physical objects.

One metaphor example not enough? Check out this post , which has 97 of ‘em!

49. Metonymy

Metonymy is like symbolism, but even more so. A metonym doesn’t just symbolize something else, it comes to serve as a synonym for that thing or things — typically, a single object embodies an entire institution.

Examples: “The crown” representing the monarchy, “Washington” representing the U.S. government.

Similar term: synecdoche

Exercise: Create a list of ten common metonymies you might encounter in everyday life and speech.

Whatever form a motif takes, it recurs throughout the novel and helps develop the theme of the narrative. This might be a symbol, concept, or image.

Example: In Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, trains are an omnipresent motif that symbolize transition, derailment, and ultimately violent death and destruction.

Similar term: symbol

Exercise: Pick a famous book or movie and see if you can identify any common motifs within it. 

51. Non sequitur

Non sequiturs are statements that don't logically follow what precedes them. They’ll often be quite absurd and can lend humor to a story. But they’re just not good for making jokes. They can highlight missing information or a miscommunication between characters and even be used for dramatic effect. 

Example: “It was a spring day, the sort that gives people hope: all soft winds and delicate smells of warm earth. Suicide weather.” — Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen 

Exercise: Write a conversation that gets entirely derailed by seemingly unrelated non sequiturs. 

52. Paradox

Paradox derives from the Greek word paradoxon , which means “beyond belief.” It’s a statement that asks people to think outside the box by providing seemingly illogical — and yet actually true — premises.

Example: In George Orwell’s 1984 , the slogan of the totalitarian government is built on paradoxes: “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.” While we might read these statements as obviously contradictory, in the context of Orwell’s novel, these blatantly corrupt sentiments have become an accepted truth.

Similar terms: oxymoron, juxtaposition

Exercise: Try writing your own paradox. First, think of two opposing ideas that can be juxtaposed against each other. Then, create a situation where these contradictions coexist with each other. What can you gather from this unique perspective?

53. Personification

Personification uses human traits to describe non-human things. Again, while the aforementioned anthropomorphism actually applies these traits to non-human things, personification means the behavior of the thing does not actually change. It's personhood in figurative language only.

Example: “Just before it was dark, as they passed a great island of Sargasso weed that heaved and swung in the light sea as though the ocean were making love with something under a yellow blanket, his small line was taken by a dolphin.” — The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Similar term: anthropomorphism

Exercise: Pick a non-human object and describe it using human traits, this time using similes and metaphors rather than directly ascribing human traits to it. 

54. Rhetorical question

A rhetorical question is asked to create an effect rather than to solicit an answer from the listener or reader. Often it has an obvious answer and the point of asking is to create emphasis. It’s a great way to get an audience to consider the topic at hand and make a statement. 

Example: “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” — The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Writers use satire to make fun of some aspect of human nature or society — usually through exaggeration, ridicule, or irony. There are countless ways to satirize something; most of the time, you know it when you read it.

Example: The famous adventure novel Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift is a classic example of satire, poking fun at “travelers' tales,” the government, and indeed human nature itself.

A simile draws resemblance between two things by saying “Thing A is like Thing B,” or “Thing A is as [adjective] as Thing B.” Unlike a metaphor, a similar does not posit that these things are the same, only that they are alike. As a result, it is probably the most common literary device in writing — you can almost always recognize a simile through the use of “like” or “as.”

Example: There are two similes in this description from Circe by Madeline Miller: “The ships were golden and huge as leviathans, their rails carved from ivory and horn. They were towed by grinning dolphins or else crewed by fifty black-haired nereids, faces silver as moonlight.”

Similar term: metaphor

57. Symbolism

Authors turn to tangible symbols to represent abstract concepts and ideas in their stories  Symbols typically derive from objects or non-humans — for instance, a dove might represent peace, or a raven might represent death.

Example: In The Great Gatsby , Fitzgerald uses the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg (actually a faded optometrist's billboard) to represent God and his judgment of the Jazz Age.

Similar term: motif

Exercise: Choose an object that you want to represent something — like an idea or concept. Now, write a poem or short story centered around that symbol. 

58. Synecdoche

Synecdoche is the usage of a part to represent the whole. That is, rather than an object or title that’s merely associated with the larger concept (as in metonymy), synecdoche must actually be attached in some way: either to the name, or to the larger whole itself.

Examples: “Stanford won the game” ( Stanford referring to the full title of the Stanford football team) or “Nice wheels you got there” ( wheels referring to the entire car)

Similar term: metonymy

Zeugma is when one word is used to ascribe two separate meanings to two other words. This literary device is great for adding humor and figurative flair as it tends to surprise the reader. And it’s just a fun type of wordplay. 

Example: “ Yet time and her aunt moved slowly — and her patience and her ideas were nearly worn out before the tete-a-tete was over.” — Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

60. Zoomorphism 

Zoomorphism is when you take animal traits and assign them to anything that’s not an animal. It’s the opposite of anthropomorphism and personification, and can be either a physical manifestation, such as a god appearing as an animal, or a comparison, like calling someone a busy bee .

Example: When vampires turn into bats, their bat form is an instance of zoomorphism.

Exercise: Describe a human or object by using traits that are usually associated with animals. 

Similar terms: anthropomorphism, personification

Readers and writers alike can get a lot out of understanding literary devices and how they're used. Readers can use them to gain insight into the author’s intended meaning behind their work, while writers can use literary devices to better connect with readers. But whatever your motivation for learning them, you certainly won't be sorry you did! (Not least because you'll recognize the device I just used in that sentence 😉)

6 responses

Ron B. Saunders says:

16/01/2019 – 19:26

Paraprosdokians are also delightful literary devices for creating surprise or intrigue. They cause a reader to rethink a concept or traditional expectation. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraprosdokian)

ManhattanMinx says:

17/01/2019 – 02:07

That's pore, not pour. Shame.....

↪️ Coline Harmon replied:

14/06/2019 – 19:06

It was a Malapropism

↪️ JC JC replied:

23/10/2019 – 00:02

Yeah ManhattanMinx. It's a Malepropism!

↪️ jesus replied:

07/11/2019 – 13:24

Susan McGrath says:

10/03/2020 – 10:56

"But whatever your motivation for learning them, you certainly won't be sorry you did! (Not least because you'll recognize the device I just used in that sentence. 😏)" Litote

Comments are currently closed.

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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

• Short stories
• Screenplays
• Flash fiction
• Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

• Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
• Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
• Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
• Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
• Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
• Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
• Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
• Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
• Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
• Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
• Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
• Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
• Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
• These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

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8 Creative Writing Tips and Techniques

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

What is creative writing, forms of creative writing, top 8 creative writing tips, how to get better at creative writing.

Creative writing transcends the realms of technical, business, and academic writing and focuses on elements such as plot, creative development, and narrative structure.

There’s no set formula for creative writing , but there are ways you can improve your writing technique.

If you want to learn more about creative writing , keep reading as we discuss what creative writing is, its various forms, and tips on how to get started.

Creative writing is a style of writing that is focused on expressing the writer’s imagination and creativity.

Creative writing often involves the creation of fictional or nonfictional works that go beyond the formal, professional, and traditional styles of writing. This type of writing allows writers to express themselves in a more personal and original way.

What Do You Do in Creative Writing? 

Creative writing gives writers the opportunity to be original and express themselves. It involves the use of literary techniques and devices to tell a story or to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

There are many different forms of creative writing, such as novels, poems, screenplays, and even songs.

The main goal of creative writing is to entertain, inspire, or convey an idea or message to the reader. It is a form of self-expression that allows the writer to explore their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

It can also be a way for writers to explore new ideas, to entertain and inspire readers, and to share their perspectives and experiences with others. 

Ultimately, the purpose of creative writing is to connect with the reader on a deep level and to leave a lasting impression.

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Creative writing is an expressive form of writing that takes many forms and styles. Let’s look at a few examples of creative writing forms.

Fiction Writing

Fiction involves the creation of imaginary characters, settings, and plots. You can write fiction in many different genres, such as mystery, romance, fantasy, and more.

You can also write fiction in any length you want. For example, flash fiction is shorter than 1,000 words, while the average novel is around 90,000 words.

Poetry is a type of creative writing that uses expressive language. Poets use techniques such as rhyme, meter, and figurative language to create meaning and convey emotions and ideas.

Poems come in many different forms. You can try writing a haiku, a sonnet, a free-verse poem, or any other poetic structure that appeals to you.

Screenplays

A screenplay tells a story through the medium of film or television. It includes descriptions of characters, settings, and actions, as well as dialogue and stage directions.

A play is meant to be performed on stage. It includes dialogue, stage directions, and descriptions of characters and settings. Plays can be a powerful way to engage the audience’s emotions and imagination to convey complex themes.

Songs are a musical expression of creative writing . Songs can be written in a variety of genres, such as pop, rock, folk, hip-hop, and more. They can be written to express a wide range of emotions and ideas, from love and heartbreak to social and political issues.

Graphic novels

A graphic novel is a type of creative writing that combines text and illustrations to tell a story. It can be a work of fiction or nonfiction and can be written in a variety of genres.

Nonfiction Writing

Creative writing is typically associated with fiction, but there are nonfiction works that fall under the creative categories, too. These nonfiction works deal with real events, people, and ideas. Creative nonfiction can take the form of personal essays, memoirs, biographies, or even news articles.

There’s no scientific formula for creative writing . It all comes down to your own self-expression and the limitlessness of your imagination. However, there are a few creative writing techniques you can use in your next writing.

Here are eight ways you can improve your creative writing skills.

1. Find Inspiration

The first step for any creative writing project is to find your inspiration. This can come from a variety of sources, such as your own life experiences, your interests and passions, or even something as simple as a newspaper article or a conversation with a friend.

Take some time to think about what inspires you, and use that as the foundation for your writing.

2. Read Widely

To be a good creative writer, you need to be a good reader. Reading widely exposes you to different styles, genres, and techniques, and it can help you develop your own voice as a writer.

You’ll get to learn from a variety of authors, and you may discover new ways of structuring a story, creating compelling characters, or using language in a way that resonates with readers.

So read widely, and don’t be afraid to try out new genres or authors.

3. Try Freewriting

Freewriting is a writing exercise in which the writer allows their thoughts and inspiration to flow onto the page without any prescribed structure or editorial oversight.

It involves letting the mind wander and following the impulses of your subconscious, allowing you to tap into your creativity and explore new ideas.

While the first time you try freewriting you may end up with mostly unusable material, with practice, it can help you refine your writing style and unleash your creativity.

4. Write Often

The more you write, the better you’ll be. By writing every day, you’ll develop a habit that will make it easier to sit down and write even when you don’t want to.

Even if you only have a few minutes to spare, use that time to jot down some ideas or work on a scene. 

5. Use Literary Devices

Literary devices are techniques writers use to add depth, interest, and emotion to their writing. By using these devices, you can create vivid imagery, convey complex ideas, and engage the reader’s emotions in a way that goes beyond simple storytelling.

For example, you can use descriptive language to paint a picture of a character’s appearance, which allows readers to feel like they are truly immersed in the story. Other literary devices include symbols, allegory, emotional language, metaphors, and similes.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, incorporating these techniques into your writing can help you craft more compelling and engaging stories.

6. Get Feedback

Getting feedback from other people helps you improve your creative writing skills.

Sometimes it feels intimidating to share your work, especially when you’re new to creative writing, but it’s a crucial step to help you progress.

Ask a trusted friend or family member to read your work and tell you what they think. Alternatively, you can attend a workshop for writers, where you can get more targeted feedback.

You can also join writing communities to meet like-minded creative writers. Spaces such as ProWritingAid’s Community allow writers to come together and support each other in their writing journey. You’ll get access to feedback and constructive criticism on different aspects of your writing, such as plot, character development, setting, and language use.

7. Edit Your Work

The editing process is an essential part of creative writing . Once you’ve finished your first draft, it’s important to continue making changes to your work, whether it’s cutting unnecessary words, reworking a scene, or adding details.

Many successful creative writers suggest editing after you’ve finished writing so it doesn’t interrupt your creative flow.

Editing can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it to produce the best work possible. You can use an editing software like ProWritingAid to show you where you can improve your writing.

ProWritingAid goes beyond just correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation issues by also showing you style improvement suggestions. Plus, if you’re looking to improve your creative writing skills, you can use ProWritingAid to compare your work to your favorite authors.

8. Have Fun

Creative writing is all about originality and self-expression, so above all, have fun with your writing. It’s easy to get bogged down in the details and to take things too seriously, but it’s important to remember that writing is supposed to be enjoyable. 

So relax, let your creativity flow, and have fun with it.

Creative writing is a form of self-expression that allows you to use your imagination and creativity to share your ideas and thoughts in a unique way.

Venturing into creative writing can be intimidating at first, but remember that you’ll get better with practice.

Take time to read widely, try writing exercises, and gather feedback on your work. Don’t be afraid to join creative writing communities so you can access support in your writing journey. 

And above all, remember: there’s no limit to your creativity. 

Hannah is a speculative fiction writer who loves all things strange and surreal. She holds a BA from Yale University and lives in Colorado. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her painting watercolors, playing her ukulele, or hiking in the Rockies. Follow her work on hannahyang.com or on Twitter at @hannahxyang.

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• How to Write Dazzlingly Brilliant Essays

Creative writing, by definition, involves being ‘creative’: making things up, letting your imagination run wild. Essays are about being factual and objective, communicating ideas and arguments in the clearest way possible and attempting to enhance the reader’s knowledge, rather than their imagination. But while the literary devices and colourful tales we associate with creative writing are indeed out of place in an essay, these two very different kinds of writing actually have a few similarities. Above all, they’re both meant to be read by other people, and that means that they need to sustain the reader’s interest. So, are there any writing techniques you can borrow from creative writing to help make your essays more interesting and original? Yes there are, and in this article, we’re going to show you how. Before we start, if you’re interested in attending a summer school to help develop these skills , click the link.

1. Think about your reader

With creative writing, as with any kind of writing, your reader is your most important consideration. You need to know and understand whom you’re writing for if you’re to do a good job of keeping them interested. Let’s think for a moment about the kind of person you’re writing for when you’re writing an essay and what you need to do to write specifically for them:

• Teachers or university lecturers – they’re going to be marking your essay, so it needs to answer the question effectively.
• They’ve set the question and they probably have a pretty good idea of how you’re going to answer it – so be original and unpredictable; catch them by surprise with an unusual approach or structure.
• They’re going to be reading many other responses to the same question – so they may well be bored by the time they get to yours. Keep them interested!
• They’re probably going to be pressed for time – so they won’t have time to reread badly written passages to try to understand what you’re getting at. Keep your writing easy to read, succinct and to the point.

What all these points boil down to is the importance of keeping your reader interested in what you have to say. Since creative writing is all about holding the reader’s interest, there must be some lessons to be learned from it and techniques that can be applied within the more limited style constraints of the academic essay. We’ll now turn to what these are.

2. Three-act structure

The three-act structure is a writing device used extensively in modern writing, including for film and television dramas. These ‘acts’ aren’t as distinct as acts in a play, as one follows seamlessly on from another and the audience wouldn’t consciously realise that one act had ended and another began. The structure refers to a plotline that looks something like this:

• Set-up – establishes the characters, how they relate to each other, and the world they inhabit. Within this first ‘act’, a dramatic occurrence called an ‘inciting incident’ takes place (typically around 19 minutes into a film) involving the principal character. They try to deal with it, but this results in another dramatic occurrence called a ‘turning point’. This sets the scene for the rest of the story.
• Confrontation – the turning point in the previous ‘act’ becomes the central problem, which the main character attempts to resolve – usually with plenty of adversity thrown their way that hampers their efforts. In a murder mystery, for example, this act would involve the detective trying to solve the murder. The central character – with the help of supporting characters – undergoes a journey and develops their knowledge, skills or character to a sufficient degree to be able to overcome the problem.
• Resolution – the climax of the story, in which the drama reaches a peak, the problem is overcome, and loose ends are tied up.

This structure sounds all very well for made-up stories, but what has it got to do with essay-writing? The key similarities here are:

• The central argument of your essay is the equivalent of the main character.
• The essay equivalent of the set-up and resolution are the introduction and conclusion.
• The inciting incident in an essay encourages you to get to the point early on in the essay.
• The equivalent of character development in the second act is developing your argument.
• The equivalent of the supporting characters is the evidence you refer to in your essay.

So, applying the three-act structure to an essay gives you something like this:

• Set-up – the introduction. This establishes what you’re talking about, setting the scene. The ‘inciting incident’ could be the introduction of evidence that contradicts a common theory, or the highlighting of a central disagreement in how something is interpreted.
• Confrontation – you discuss the different problems surrounding the topic you’re writing about. You develop the argument using various bits of evidence, moving towards an overall conclusion.
• Resolution – the conclusion. You summarise and resolve the argument with your own opinion, by coming down on one side or the other, having weighed up the evidence you’ve discussed. You could perhaps tie up loose ends by offering an alternative explanation for evidence that doesn’t sit with your conclusion.

Using this structure keeps you focused on the central point, and stops you from waffling, because everything you write is working towards resolving your argument. The use of the inciting incident in the first ‘act’ encourages you to get to the point early on in your essay, thereby keeping the reader interested. The principles of good plot-writing are centred around the connection between different events that show cause and effect, and this central tenet of the three-act structure has obvious parallels with the way in which essays work through presenting evidence in support of arguments.

3. An attention-grabbing opening

An oft-spouted piece of advice in creative writing is to use an attention-grabbing opening. One way of doing this is to start with a ‘flashback’, which could disrupt the chronology of events by transporting the reader directly back to the midst of the action, so that the story begins with maximum excitement. In a murder mystery, for instance, the writer might skip a slow build-up and instead use the murder itself to form the opening of the novel, with the rest of the story charting the efforts of the detective to uncover the perpetrator and perhaps telling the events prior to the murder in a series of flashbacks. The same principle can be applied to essays, though it’s easier to use in some subjects than others. To take an example, let’s say you were writing about how the First World War started. Rather than building up slowly with the various factors, an attention-grabbing opening could (briefly) describe the drama of the Battle of the Somme, perhaps citing some statistics about the number of men involved and killed, and quoting some war poetry about the horrors faced by the soldiers on the Front Line. Then, to introduce the purpose of the essay and launch into your argument about what started the war, a phrase such as, “It seems hard to imagine that all this began with…”. Alternatively, a rhetorical question: “But how did these tens of thousands of soldiers end up in the mud and horror of trench warfare? The story begins several years earlier, with…” It may not be the standard way of writing an essay, but you’ll certainly score points for originality and perhaps ruffle a few feathers.

4. Extended metaphors

Creative writing often makes use of extended metaphors. For example, when Shakespeare wrote the passage in Romeo and Juliet referring to “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!” he was using an extended metaphor. With this in mind, it’s time to revisit a point we made in a previous article about writing more original essays , in which we argued that, rather than battling on with trying to explain a complex concept in a straightforward way, it might be easier to use an analogy to convey the meaning by drawing comparisons, which people find easier to understand. A metaphor is a kind of analogy, so the similarities with creative writing are strong here. In our previous article we used the example of radioactive decay. An analogy for this is the pressure with which water escapes from a hole in a bucket. It does so exponentially, just as radioactive substances decay exponentially. In both instances, the rate of a consumptive process depends on how much there is left of whatever is being depleted, which results in an exponential rate of decay. This concept is so much easier to explain using the analogy of water flowing from a hole in a bucket, as you give your reader something familiar to visualise in order to explain a concept with which they are unfamiliar.

5. Interesting details about setting and location

Another way of keeping your reader interested is to bring your essay to life with details about setting and location, just as creative writers do. Essays can become quite dry if you focus solely on the academic problems, but you can make them more interesting by peppering them with details. This may not work quite so well for a scientific essay, but it’s certainly relevant for some humanities subjects, in particular English literature, history and archaeology. For example, an essay about the Roman emperor Augustus could mention that he lived a famously modest lifestyle, quoting details from Roman writers and archaeological evidence that support this: Suetonius mentions his “low bed” (interesting because of what it says about accepted standards of Roman beds!) and coarse bread and cheese diet, and the relatively small and non-lavish remains of his house on the Palatine Hill in Rome back up the idea of his having lived a modest life. Incidental details like these can actually prove to be more significant than you initially realise, and you can use them to build your argument; in the case of Augustus, for example, his modest lifestyle is particularly important when seen in the context of Rome’s troubled history with kings. As he gradually acquired more power and became Rome’s first emperor, he had to avoid coming across as being too ‘regal’, and the little details we know about his way of life are significant in light of this. So, not only have you brought your essay to life, but you’ve raised an interesting point, too.

Few writers get it right first time . Once you’ve written a first draft, read through it and think about whether the order of your points is optimal and whether what you’ve written actually makes sense. It’s easy in the age of computers to chop and change – you can simply copy and paste part of your essay into another part where it might fit better, and then make minor changes to your wording so that it flows. After you’ve finished editing, have a final read through and check that you’re happy with the wording. Don’t forget to proofread to ensure that your spelling and grammar is impeccable!

7. And finally… record your ideas

Creative writers swear by having a notebook with them at all times, ready to jot down any ideas that suddenly spring to mind. You can adopt the same principle for your essay-writing, because you never know when the inspiration might strike. Have a think about your essay topic when you’re out and about; you’d be surprised what occurs to you when you’re away from your normal place of study. As you can see, there are more similarities between two apparently unrelated kinds of writing than you might have realised. It is, of course, possible to go too far with the creative writing idea when you’re essay-writing: literary devices aren’t always appropriate, and your essay still needs to retain objectivity and conform to the more formal conventions of academic writing. But there are certainly techniques to be borrowed from creative writing that will help your essays stand out from the crowd and give your teacher or lecturer a welcome break from the monotony of essay-marking.

See also our fabulous guide explaining more about ” What is Creative Writing ”.

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12 Creative Writing Techniques for Writers of All Levels

Last Updated on April 30, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD

Are you itching to unleash your inner storyteller, but can’t seem to find the right words or ideas? Fear not, my fellow writers! Whether you’re a seasoned novelist or just starting on your very first journal entry, we’ve got something for everyone in our bag of tricks.

Say goodbye to that pesky writer’s block and hello to an endless supply of creative inspiration! In this article, we’ll delve into 12 amazing techniques designed specifically with you in mind—yes, YOU—to help ignite that spark of innovation lurking deep within.

From character development and dialogue tips to exploring new literary devices and narrative styles, these tried-and-true methods will have those fantastic stories flowing effortlessly from your fingertips. So grab your favorite pen (or keyboard) and let’s embark on this magical journey together!

Improving Imagery

Let’s start by talking about how we can use sensory language to improve imagery in our writing . This includes adding words that evoke the five senses, like taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell. Next, let’s discuss different perspectives and how they help create deeper, more vivid descriptions. Finally, let’s explore ways to use vivid descriptions to create a more engaging story.

Using Sensory Language

Do you want to create vivid imagery in your writing that will make readers feel like they are part of the story? Then, using sensory language is key!

Sensory language refers to words and phrases that evoke sensory experiences such as sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. By incorporating these elements into your writing, you can bring your characters and settings to life.

For example, instead of saying ‘the flowers were pretty,’ try describing them using sensory language: ‘The vibrant colors of the wildflowers danced in the breeze while their sweet fragrance filled the air.’

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different creative writing techniques when using sensory language – it’s all about finding what works best for you and your style.

Different Perspectives

Let’s take your sensory language skills to the next level by incorporating different perspectives into your writing. This creative writing technique allows you to present a bird’s eye view of the setting or use multiple characters’ points of view, adding depth and nuances to your descriptions. By doing so, you can improve imagery in ways that engage readers who have a subconscious desire for innovation.

For example, instead of merely describing how an apple tastes as ‘sweet,’ imagine experiencing it from two different perspectives: one from someone who has never tasted anything sweet before and another from someone with synesthesia, where they experience taste as color.

The first person might describe the apple as ‘an explosion of flavors on my tongue,’ while the second person may say “the redness enveloped my mouth like velvet.”

Experimenting with different perspectives is just one way to enhance sensory language techniques further. As writers, we should always be exploring new creative writing techniques to keep our work fresh and exciting!

Vivid Descriptions

Now that we’ve delved into the importance of playing with different perspectives in improving imagery, it’s time to focus on another key aspect – vivid descriptions.

As creative writers, we should strive to paint a picture for our readers using descriptive language that appeals to their senses.

This means tapping into not only sight and smell but also taste, touch, and sound.

By doing so, we can transport our readers to new worlds and make them feel as though they are part of the story themselves.

In this next subtopic, we’ll explore how you can use vivid descriptions to enhance your writing even further.

So let’s dive in!

Structure As Per Three Acts

Let’s dive into the three acts structure: Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution. We’ll look at how each action works, and how they can be used to craft a compelling story. Here’s a quick tip: use pronouns and contractions to make your writing flow naturally. You don’t want your story to feel choppy and disjointed, so keep those language tools in mind! Now let’s get started!

Are you ready to take your creative writing techniques to the next level? Then let’s dive into the first act of the three-act structure: Setup.

This is where you establish your characters, setting, and plot. It’s important to hook your readers right from the beginning with a strong opening that sets the tone for the story. Think about using vivid descriptions, sensory details, and dialogue to bring your world to life.

As you continue through this phase, create tension by introducing conflicts or obstacles that will drive the story forward. By the end of the setup, make sure your readers are invested in your characters and curious about what comes next.

So grab your pen and let’s start building a solid foundation for an unforgettable story!

Confrontation

Now that you have successfully set up your story’s foundation through the first act, it’s time to move on to the second act: Confrontation.

This is where the real action begins – conflicts and obstacles are at their peak as your characters face challenges and confrontations head-on.

As an instructor of creative writing , I must emphasize that this is a crucial part of any story because it drives character development and plot progression.

The key elements of creative writing come into play during this phase; make use of dialogue, sensory details, and vivid descriptions to immerse your readers in the scene.

Keep them engaged by creating tension and suspense around every corner.

Remember, confrontation isn’t always physical but can also be emotional or mental.

So get ready to take your audience on an unforgettable journey full of twists and turns!

Now that we’ve explored the second act, it’s time to wrap things up with the final act: Resolution.

This is where loose ends are tied together, questions are answered, and conflicts are resolved.

As a creative writing instructor, I must stress the importance of utilizing all your creative writing techniques during this phase.

Your readers have invested their time and emotions into your story; don’t let them down by rushing through the conclusion or leaving unanswered questions.

Remember to give each character an appropriate resolution that fits their storyline while ensuring everything ties together smoothly.

So get ready to deliver a satisfying resolution that will leave your audience feeling fulfilled and satisfied!

Writing Dialogue

Let’s start by focusing on writing engaging dialogue – this is the lifeblood of any story, so it’s important to get it right! As part of this, we’ll look at how to express character emotions through dialogue – a key element of making dialogue come alive!

Writing Engaging Dialogue

As a writer, you want your readers to be fully invested in your characters and their stories. One way to do this is by writing engaging dialogue that not only moves the plot forward but also reveals the personalities of your characters.

To achieve this, creative writing techniques such as using body language, tone, and word choice can make all the difference. By incorporating these elements into your dialogue, you give your characters depth and nuance, making them more relatable and interesting to read about.

Remember, good dialogue isn’t just about what’s being said; it’s also about how it’s being said. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and voices until you find what works best for each character.

With practice and patience, writing engaging dialogue will become second nature!

Expressing Character Emotions Through Dialogue

Now that we’ve covered the basics of writing engaging dialogue, let’s dive deeper into how to use creative writing techniques to express character emotions through dialogue.

As a writer, it is crucial to make sure your characters’ emotions are conveyed effectively in their conversations with one another. This can be achieved by paying attention to details such as word choice and tone of voice. By using descriptive language and highlighting certain phrases or words, you can create an emotional impact on your readers.

Additionally, incorporating pauses or interruptions in conversation can also convey a sense of hesitation or uncertainty from your characters. Remember that every line of dialogue should serve a purpose and contribute to revealing more about your characters as individuals.

So keep experimenting with different approaches until you find the perfect balance between plot progression and emotional depth!

Crafting Characters

Let’s get started by discussing the importance of developing backstories for the characters in your story. It’s essential to create a history and context for them so they can come alive in your writing. Next, let’s talk about establishing their personality traits. This will help give your character depth and make them more believable. Lastly, we’ll discuss crafting character arcs, which will help you show how your character grows and changes throughout the story.

Developing Backstories

Imagine a world where characters come to life on the page, with unique personalities that jump off the screen and into your imagination. As an aspiring writer, you have the power to create such a world through character development.

One of the key components of crafting believable characters is developing backstories. When creating a backstory for your character, think about their past experiences, relationships, and motivations. Use these details to give depth and complexity to your character.

It’s important to remember that every person has a story, so take time when developing backstories to ensure that each character feels like a fully fleshed-out individual rather than just another name in your cast list. By taking this approach, you’ll be able to craft characters that are both realistic and captivating.

Establishing Personality Traits

Now that we have covered the importance of developing backstories for characters, let’s move on to another key aspect of crafting believable characters – establishing personality traits.

As a writer, it is your responsibility to make each character unique and memorable in their way. One of the creative writing techniques you can use to achieve this is by giving your characters distinct personalities.

This means determining how they think, act, and feel in different situations, as well as how these traits change over time. By doing so, your audience will be able to connect with your characters on a deeper level and become fully immersed in the story.

So let’s dive into the art of establishing personality traits!

Crafting Character Arc

Now that we have covered the importance of developing backstories and establishing personality traits for characters, it’s time to delve into crafting character arcs.

A character arc is a journey a character goes through throughout a story, which can be positive or negative.

As a creative writing instructor, I encourage you to use various techniques to craft compelling character arcs that keep your audience engaged and invested in your story.

By having well-developed character arcs, you allow your readers to witness the growth and development of your characters as they face challenges and overcome obstacles.

So let’s explore how crafting character arcs can elevate your storytelling and captivate your audience!

Keeping The Plot Interesting

Let’s start by talking about unexpected plot twists. Think about how you can surprise your readers by throwing in something unexpected. Next, we’ll discuss foreshadowing. This is a great way to give your readers hints about what’s to come without being too obvious. Finally, let’s focus on character development. Make sure each of your characters is distinct and three-dimensional, as this will help to keep the plot interesting.

Unexpected Plot Twists

Are you struggling to keep your plot interesting and engaging? Don’t worry; we’ve all been there.

One of the best creative writing techniques to use is introducing unexpected plot twists. These can be anything from a sudden change in a character’s personality or an unforeseen obstacle that they must overcome.

By doing this, you’ll keep your readers on their toes and make sure they stay invested in the story until the very end.

So don’t be afraid to throw a curveball now and then – it might just be what your story needs to take it to the next level!

Foreshadowing

Now that we’ve talked about the importance of unexpected plot twists, let’s discuss another essential tool in keeping your story engaging: foreshadowing.

Foreshadowing is a literary device where hints or clues are dropped throughout the story that gives readers an idea of what’s to come.

This technique not only keeps readers engaged but also adds depth and complexity to your writing.

By utilizing foreshadowing effectively, you can create a sense of anticipation and intrigue that will keep your audience hooked until the very end.

So go ahead and sprinkle those little breadcrumbs throughout your story; it might just be the key to taking your writing to the next level!

Character Development

Alright, folks, now that we’ve covered the importance of using creative writing techniques like unexpected plot twists and foreshadowing, let’s dive into another key element in keeping your readers engaged: character development.

Developing your characters is essential for a few reasons. First off, it helps create well-rounded and relatable individuals that your audience can connect with on an emotional level. Secondly, it adds depth to your story by exploring their motivations and inner conflicts. And finally, it allows you to showcase the growth and change over time.

There are many ways you can develop your characters throughout your story. From giving them unique quirks and mannerisms to delving deeper into their past experiences or relationships, there are endless possibilities for creating interesting and dynamic personalities.

So don’t neglect this important aspect of storytelling! By focusing on character development alongside unexpected plot twists and foreshadowing, you’ll be sure to keep your readers hooked from beginning to end.

Using Point Of View

Alright writers, today we’re gonna be talking about point of view – specifically, how to use first person vs third person, the difference between limited & omniscient perspectives, and how to shift your point of view. Let’s get into it!

First Person Vs Third Person

Are you struggling to decide whether to use the first person or third person in your writing? Don’t worry, this is a common challenge for many writers.

First-person can be great for allowing readers to feel more connected and invested in the protagonist’s perspective, while a third person can provide a broader view of the story and characters.

To determine which point of view would work best for your story, try out some creative writing exercises. Write a scene from both perspectives and see which one feels most natural and engaging.

Remember that there’s no right or wrong answer here – it ultimately comes down to what works best for your story and its themes. Keep experimenting with different points of view until you find the perfect match!

Limited Vs Omniscient Perspectives

So, now that we’ve discussed the pros and cons of using first person versus a third person in your creative writing techniques, let’s talk about another important aspect: limited vs omniscient perspectives.

Limited perspective means telling the story from one character’s point of view, while omniscient perspective allows the narrator to know everything happening within the story.

When it comes to choosing between these two options, it ultimately depends on what kind of story you want to tell.

Omniscient perspectives can be useful for providing readers with a more complete understanding of events and characters, while limited perspectives allow readers to experience a deeper emotional connection with one specific character.

It’s also worth noting that some stories may benefit from switching back and forth between limited and omniscient perspectives at different points throughout the narrative.

This can create an interesting dynamic where readers can see both individual experiences and larger plot developments.

So as you continue exploring different approaches to using point of view in your writing, don’t forget about this important decision between limited vs omniscient perspectives!

Keep experimenting until you find the perfect balance for your unique story.

Shifting Points Of View

Alright, now that we’ve talked about limited vs omniscient perspectives in our creative writing techniques, let’s move on to another important aspect of using point of view: shifting points of view.

This technique involves switching between different characters’ perspectives throughout the narrative. Shifting points of view can be a powerful tool for providing readers with a more nuanced understanding of events and characters. It allows us to explore multiple viewpoints and experiences, providing a richer tapestry for our stories.

However, it is important to use this technique judiciously – too much perspective-shifting can leave readers feeling disoriented or confused. So as you continue experimenting with different approaches to point-of-view in your writing, don’t forget about the potential benefits (and challenges) of shifting points of view!

Writing With Emotion

Let’s start by talking about crafting emotional characters. Think about how you can use their backstory, motivations, and physical traits to evoke an emotional response from the reader. Next, consider how to show emotion through dialogue and action. Dialogue can be a great tool for conveying a character’s innermost feelings, while action can help to further underscore those emotions. Finally, let’s explore how to develop emotional arcs. Consider how you can use different techniques to build tension, create suspense, and ultimately help your reader connect with your characters on a deeper level.

Crafting Emotional Characters

As writers, we all want to create characters that are relatable and evoke emotions in our readers. Crafting emotional characters is an essential part of writing with emotion. To do this, you need to employ creative writing techniques that go beyond just listing the emotions your character feels.

You have to show how they express their feelings through actions and dialogue. For instance, instead of having a character say ‘I’m angry,’ show them slamming doors or clenching their fists. Use sensory details like scowling faces, rapid breathing, or tears streaming down cheeks to help your reader understand what’s going on inside your character’s head.

Remember: crafting emotional characters takes practice, but it can make all the difference in creating a story that resonates with your audience.

Showing Emotion Through Dialogue And Action

Now that we’ve covered the importance of creating emotional characters, let’s talk about how to show those emotions through dialogue and action.

As writers, it’s not enough to simply tell readers what our characters are feeling; we need to demonstrate those emotions in a way that feels authentic and engaging.

This is where creative writing techniques come into play. By using descriptive language and sensory details, you can paint a vivid picture of your character’s emotional state without resorting to cliches or generic phrases.

Whether it’s through body language, facial expressions, or verbal cues, showing emotion through dialogue and action is an essential part of crafting a compelling narrative.

So let’s dive in and explore some strategies for bringing your characters’ emotions to life on the page!

Developing Emotional Arcs

Now that we’ve talked about showing emotions through dialogue and action, let’s explore the importance of developing emotional arcs for our characters.

As writers, it’s not enough to simply give a character emotion in one scene; we need to show how those emotions evolve. This requires empathy towards our characters and understanding their motivations for feeling a certain way.

By creating emotional arcs, we can take readers on a journey with our characters, building up to a climax where the emotions reach their peak.

It’s important to remember that emotional arcs don’t just happen once per story – they should be present throughout the narrative, as each event or interaction can affect a character’s feelings.

So let’s dive into some strategies for crafting emotionally charged storylines!

Incorporating Humor

Let’s start with irony and sarcasm–these are great tools for creating humorous situations. They’re both subtle and effective, so it’s important to use them judiciously. Now, let’s move on to satire, a powerful way to make a statement while having a good chuckle.

Irony And Sarcasm

Hey there, writers! Are you ready to add some spice to your writing?

Well, let’s talk about irony and sarcasm. These two techniques can take a piece of writing from ordinary to extraordinary in no time flat.

The irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens or is said. For example, if a vegetarian chef accidentally serves meat at their restaurant and then exclaims ‘well done’ to the cook who made the mistake , that’s ironic because ‘well done’ usually refers to cooking meat perfectly.

Sarcasm, on the other hand, is using language that means the opposite of what you think for humorous effect. It often involves tone and inflection when spoken aloud. For instance, saying ‘Oh yeah, I just love sitting in traffic for hours!’ with an eye roll would be sarcastic because nobody enjoys being stuck in traffic.

So go ahead and experiment with these creative tools – but remember not to overdo it or else your humor might fall flat!

Alright, writers! Now that you’ve got a handle on irony and sarcasm, let’s talk about another key element in incorporating humor into your writing: satire.

Satire is all about using exaggeration and irony to expose the absurdity of a situation or belief. This means employing figures of speech like hyperbole and understatement to create comedic effects.

For example, if you were satirizing the fashion industry, you might write about a designer who creates clothes made entirely out of garbage bags and insists they’re the latest trend.

As with irony and sarcasm, it’s important not to go overboard with your use of satire – too much can come across as mean-spirited rather than humorous. So have fun playing with these creative tools, but always remember to use them wisely!

Creating Conflict

Let’s start with Internal Conflicts – these are the struggles characters face within themselves, and can be the source of great tension in a story. To create an effective internal conflict, think about what motivates your character and what they stand to lose if they don’t overcome it. Next, let’s talk about External Conflicts – these are the struggles characters face with another character or an outside force. Consider how the conflict can be narrated from both sides, to create a compelling and believable story. Lastly, let’s discuss Story’s Purpose – why does the conflict exist? Ask yourself what the protagonist is trying to achieve, and what obstacles they must overcome to reach their goal.

Internal Conflicts

As a creative writing instructor, it is essential to teach writers how to use internal conflicts effectively in their stories.

Internal struggles are important because they add depth and complexity to characters, making them more relatable and intriguing for readers.

Creative writing techniques such as using inner monologues or exploring character flaws can help create powerful internal conflicts that will keep readers engaged.

By tapping into the emotions of your characters and presenting their psychological battles alongside external obstacles, you can build complex storylines that captivate audiences at all levels of experience with creative writing.

External Conflicts

Now that we’ve explored the importance of internal conflicts in creating compelling stories, let’s shift our focus to external conflicts.

As a creative writing instructor, I can tell you that external struggles are just as crucial in driving the plot and keeping readers engaged.

Creative writing techniques such as using vivid imagery or incorporating elements of surprise can help create powerful external conflicts that will keep your audience on their toes.

By pitting your protagonist against outside forces such as nature, society, or even other characters, you can generate tension and excitement throughout your story.

So remember, when it comes to crafting conflict, don’t forget about the power of external struggles!

Story Purpose

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of both internal and external struggles in creating conflict, let’s move on to another crucial element: story purpose.

As a creative writing instructor, I cannot stress enough how essential it is to have a clear goal or set of goals for your protagonist. Without purpose, your story can easily become directionless and lose its impact.

Creative writing techniques such as foreshadowing, symbolism, and plot twists can help you develop a strong sense of purpose throughout your narrative. By giving your character something to strive for and obstacles to overcome along the way, you can keep readers engaged and invested in the outcome.

So remember to always keep the story purpose at the forefront of your mind when crafting conflict – it will make all the difference in creating an innovative and captivating tale.

Writing Description

As writers, we have the power to transport our readers to different worlds through the use of imaginative language and vivid descriptions. Writing description is a crucial element in creative writing techniques as it allows us to create an immersive experience for our audience.

One way to enhance your descriptive writing skills is by using adjectives that paint a clear picture in the reader’s mind. When describing a scene or character, choose adjectives that evoke strong emotions and sensory experiences. For example, instead of saying ‘the sky was blue,’ try ‘the sky was a brilliant shade of cerulean.’ This not only provides more detail but also adds depth and complexity to your writing.

Another technique for writing powerful descriptions is by using figurative languages such as metaphors and similes. These literary devices help convey complex ideas or feelings in a concise yet impactful way. For instance, you could describe someone’s smile as ‘brighter than a shooting star’ or compare their eyes to ‘deep pools of emerald green.’

Incorporating these creative writing techniques into your work can make all the difference when it comes to engaging your readers and bringing your stories alive on the page. Keep practicing with adjective choices and experimenting with various forms of imagery until you find what works best for you.

Remember: good description should never feel forced or out-of-place within your narrative – it should blend seamlessly with the rest of your story like brushstrokes on canvas . By incorporating these tips into your writing , you’ll be well on your way to crafting unforgettable scenes that will leave lasting impressions on anyone who reads them.

Connecting Ideas

Creative writing techniques are essential for any writer, but connecting ideas is particularly important. Good writing involves weaving together different thoughts and concepts to create a cohesive piece that captures the reader’s attention.

One way to connect ideas is by using transitional phrases or words such as ‘however,’ ‘therefore,’ and ‘consequently.’ This helps to guide the reader from one idea to the next.

Another technique for connecting ideas is through the use of examples in creative writing . Providing concrete examples can make abstract concepts more tangible and relatable for readers. For instance, if you’re trying to explain the concept of love, describing specific moments between two people can be much more effective than simply stating its definition.

It’s also important to consider the structure of your writing when connecting ideas. Organizing your thoughts into clear sections or paragraphs can help ensure that each idea flows logically into the next. This allows readers to easily follow along with your thought process and fully engage with your work.

Incorporating these techniques will not only improve the quality of your writing but also showcase your creativity and innovation as a writer . By effectively connecting ideas, you’ll be able to craft compelling narratives that captivate readers from beginning to end.

So, keep practicing these strategies until they become second nature in all aspects of your writing!

Honing The Craft

Did you know that honing your craft is one of the most important aspects of good writing? According to a survey, writers who spend more time refining their skills tend to produce better quality work compared to those who do not.

So how can you hone your craft and become a better writer?

Firstly, it’s important to understand that many creative writing techniques can help you improve your craft. One such technique is practicing regularly. Writing every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes, can help you develop consistency and discipline in your writing.

Another way to hone your craft is by reading extensively. Reading widely exposes you to different styles, genres, and perspectives which can inspire new ideas and approaches in your writing.

Lastly, seeking feedback from others can also be incredibly helpful for improving your craft. Sharing your work with fellow writers or enrolling in a writing workshop or course allows you to receive constructive criticism on areas where you may need improvement.

Remember, honing your craft takes time and effort but incorporating these techniques into your routine can take you one step closer to becoming an exceptional writer.

Keep experimenting, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to take risks in pursuit of creativity!

Mastering these creative writing techniques will undoubtedly elevate your craft and bring life to your stories.

By focusing on imagery, dialogue, characters, plot, conflict, description, and connecting ideas, you’ll find that the worlds you create become more vivid and engaging for both yourself as a writer and for your audience.

Remember to always be open to honing your skills further; even experienced writers can benefit from revisiting these techniques and experimenting with new approaches.

As any dedicated tutor would advise: don’t be afraid of exploring uncharted territory in your writing journey!

By embracing parallelism in our prose while crafting compelling narratives, we are not only allowing ourselves to grow as writers but also creating an enjoyable experience for those who take the time to read our work.

Keep pushing boundaries and never stop learning – after all, isn’t that what being a true creative is all about?

Reference Articles

• “WS05: CREATIVE WRITING” 1
• “The writing technique as a component of the compositional process (on the examples of creative practice of the second half of the 20th – 21st centuries)” 2
• “CATENA AND GLOSSES. Textualization through Spatial Writing and Materiality” 3
• “Evaluating the Quality of “Top Techniques in the Teaching of Writing” Book as the Reference in Writing Course” 4

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Creative writing techniques that really work

Creative writing techniques are hard to pin down, as writers are all so different. But which are useful to the beginner? Here are 5 practical techniques that my creative writing students have found most helpful.

1. Beginning, middle, end

This is a well-worn writing mantra, but what does it really mean? Every piece of writing begins and ends, after all. So just having a ‘beginning, middle and end’ itself isn’t enough. It’s the quality of each that counts.

The beginning has one job to do, and that’s to pull the reader in. It’s a bit like inviting someone to dance, old-style. You need to attract their attention, take them by the hand, and lead them onto the floor.

Once you’ve got their attention and persuaded them to stay with you, the middle begins. Stories are essentially a character’s journey from A to B, with obstacles in the way. So the middle, too, has an underlying shape that pulls the reader through. As long as you create that sense of narrative traction, the reader will stay with you.

Endings are the feeling the reader goes away with. They have an impact way out of proportion to their length. Imagine a theatre audience going out into the night, and the feelings they carry with them on the way home. The chat and discussion they’ll have with each other. The thoughts that mill in your head. That’s the job of the ending.

Thinking about “beginning, middle and end” in an experiential way like this is a useful technique for helping you to focus on the reader.

You’re building a relationship, not just transmitting information. Try thinking of seduction, sustain and farewell , rather than beginning, middle and end .

Read on for more about each element.

2. Writing a strong start

Creative writing techniques often mention story hooks . It’s true – you do need to attract the reader’s attention. But a hook doesn’t need to be a big, flashy event. It just needs to intrigue the reader into reading on. That’s its main job.

So, does your first paragraph intrigue the reader? Does it create tension, ask a question or arouse curiosity in some way? Does it have a visual element that starts to build the world for the reader?

The commonest problem I see is story openings with far too much information. For example, the writer has introduced three or four characters in the first paragraph. Or, they’ve written a page in one character viewpoint or location, then hopped quickly to another.

It’s as though the writer is so excited and full of ideas that everything spills out at once.

But too much information at once can overwhelm the reader. It takes time for readers to settle into a story, tune into it properly, and to get to know characters.

Writers need tight control of how information unfolds. Think of leading the reader on a journey, rather than bombarding them in a scattergun way.

It’s often helpful for writers to concentrate on just “three things”, to give their opening a tight focus. A character, a place, an object .

And then a direction of travel or transformation – from x to x .

This clarity will give you the foundation for writing a scene. The narrow focus will help the reader to get to know the character more easily. A single compelling character in the opening paragraph is more engaging than three or four glanced over.

3. Write a mighty middle

Creative writing techniques for the middle of stories are hard to pin down. However, a lack tension is by far the commonest problem. This happens even in stories with loads of action. In fact, high-action stories without character change can be the most boring and lifeless of all.

The middle of a story needs character change, pivot or transformation. If this doesn’t happen, the story is linear – in a straight line. Even if there’s plenty of action, and an escalating plot, it’s still linear.

Structurally, this kind of story is more like a report or anecdote .

In a well-shaped story, the story has a major hinge or turning-point where the character undergoes a significant transformation.

They do this by confronting challenges, and emerging changed from the encounter. If they don’t evolve in this way, it’s hard to connect deeply with them as readers. And it’s hard to care. A story without a character change doesn’t have a point. It’s just a list of events.

A feeling of connection comes from identifying with the character at some level, and experiencing some of their inner conflict and change by proxy .

To create a mighty middle with this kind of change, it can be useful to think of stories as having a ‘beginning, muddle, end’.

If you make the middle messy for your character, giving them inner as well as outer conflict, they can grow and show what they’re made of.

To do this, put them under pressure. Give them a tough decision to make. And make sure the stakes are high .

Choices determine character. Give your character difficult choices, and the middle will have the knotty quality it needs for a strong story shape.

For example, your heroine wants to leave their hometown to pursue their dream. But to do this, they need to leave their loved one behind. What do they decide? This kind of dilemma is at the heart of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life .

4. Write a resonant ending

The ending is the impression your readers are left with. It leaves a disproportionate effect on how they feel about your book. So it needs really careful thought.

Note – the end of a narrative isn’t the same as the climax.

The climax is the high point of the action – say, when the hero says goodbye to his lover, or the evil antagonist dies.

After this high point, the reader needs “comedown” time. Time to process events. If the story ends too abruptly, the reader won’t feel satisfied.

If the high point is the climax, think of the ending as the afterglow.

This doesn’t mean tying all the plot strands off neatly. It just means giving a sense of closure, to ease the reader out of the story world.

Think about how you want your audience to feel when they finish reading. Thoughtful? Happy? Devastated? Bereft?

Read the endings of your favourite stories and analyse them.

How do they make you feel? How has the writer achieved that effect?

Of course, the final moment needs to be “earned” through the story as a whole.

But the very last sentence and paragraph have a disproportionate effect on how readers feel on leaving the story.

So consider the emotional tone you want to leave in the air.

Even the very last word can transform the reader’s experience. I once heard a radio play about a curmudgeonly old judge who seemed to have a difficult relationship with his wife. But his very last word to her was “darling”. In a single word, he redeemed himself. The author left us with a feeling of hope about the characters. It was a tremendously powerful choice.

It’s often effective to write an ending which has a sense of opening out or possibility. That way, the story can stir questions in the reader, and resonate on in their minds.

For example, a departure is the start of a new journey. Closing a shop opens up a new phase of life. See if you can find a way to introduce a note of “onwards” to extend the life of your story in your readers’ minds.

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5. Use objects to dramatise story action

One of the most powerful creative writing techniques I teach is how to use objects in your fiction. Objects big and small are a great way to bring a story to life, and dramatise the action and conflict between characters. Whether big objects such as houses, cars, sofas or trees, or small objects such as rings, books, feathers or eggs, they can have great power.

Why objects are powerful in storytelling? Because they’re external to the characters. When you put the characters on opposite sides of the object, you’ve instantly created a dynamic relationship.

For example: both characters want the ring with equal passion. Or, one character wants to protect the egg, the other to break it and eat it. One character can read the secrets in the book. The other can’t, but wants to.

Right away, you’ve created conflict between the characters.

Try starting a story just with an object and two characters. Choose an object and brainstorm verbs that characters can use to interact with it (eg throw, lose, break, discover…).

Try pairing the verbs with actions of opposite force (throw/catch; break/mend; lose/find; discover/conceal). Maybe these actions can bookend the story?

Using objects with verbs like this is a way of dramatizing internal conflict. Think of the movie The Piano and the way the piano is used in different ways, broken apart, floating, and even played as an instrument!

Objects can also be used in rituals. Rings and birthday cakes are classic examples. So are gifts, crowns, and many kinds of clothing.

Familiar rituals are useful because they can act as a handy shorthand for the status quo .

We all know what a typical birthday or archetypal wedding is meant to be like. That’s why a “disruption at the wedding” scene creates strong tension in movies.

Look at the objects associated with familiar rituals and see whether you can disrupt their use in a new way.

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31 Stylistic Devices for Creative Writers

Today’s guest post is by Rose Scott:

Without figurative language , writing would be plain and shallow. The more stylistic devices you know, the more unique your writing can be. If writing is your passion, you probably already know a dozen or so stylistic devices, but I’m betting there are a few on this list you’ve never heard of.

Take a look at this comprehensive list of stylistic devices and see if any might work in your current WIP (work in progress). Of course, you want to be reasonable and not go overboard with forced prose. But I’m sure you can find great places to utilize these wonderful literary techniques.

1. Adnomination

Repetition of words with the same root. The difference lies in one sound or letter. A nice euphony can be achieved by using this poetic device.

Examples: “Nobody loves no one.” (Chris Isaak). Someone, somewhere, wants something.

2. Allegory

Representation of ideas through a certain form (character, event, etc.). Allegory can convey hidden meanings through symbolic figures, actions, and imagery.

Example: Animal Farm by George Orwell is all about the Russian Revolution. And characters stand for working and upper classes, military forces, and political leaders.

3. Alliteration

The repeated sound of the first consonant in a series of words, or the repetition of the same sounds of the same kind at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables of a phrase.

Examples: A lazy lying lion. Peter picked a peck of pickled peppers. Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

4. Allusion

Reference to a myth, character, literary work, work of art, or an event.

Example: I feel like I’m going down the rabbit hole (an allusion to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll).

5. Anaphora

Word repetition at the beginnings of sentences in order to give emphasis to them.

Example: “Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.” (Martin Luther King)

Opposite: Epiphora. Word repetition at the end of sentences.

Example: “And that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” (Abraham Lincoln)

6. Antithesis

Emphasizing contrast between two things or fictional characters.

Example: “Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing; a confusion of the real with the ideal never goes unpunished.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

7. Apostrophe

Directed speech to someone who is not present or to an object.

Example: “Work on, my medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught.” (William Shakespeare)

8. Assonance

Repetition of vowels in order to create internal rhyming.

Example: “Hear the mellow wedding bells.” (Edgar Allan Poe)

Related: Consonance. Repetition of consonants.

9. Cataphora

Mentioning of the person or object further in the discourse.

Examples: I met him yesterday, your boyfriend who was wearing the cool hat. If you want some, here’s some cheese. After he had received his orders, the soldier left the barracks.

Arranging text in such a manner that tension gradually ascends.

Example. He was a not bad listener, a good speaker and an amazing performer.

Opposite: Anticlimax. Tension descends.

11. Charactonym (or Speaking Name)

Giving fictional characters names that describe them.

Example: Scrooge, Snow White.

12. Ellipsis

Word or phrase omission.

Example: I speak lots of languages, but you only speak two (languages).

13. Euphemism

Replacing offensive or combinations of words with lighter equivalents.

Example: Visually challenged (blind); meet one’s maker (die)

Opposite: Dysphemism . Replacing a neutral word with a harsher word.

14. Epigram

Memorable and brief saying, usually satirical.

Example: “For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” (Virginia Woolf)

15. Hyperbole

Exaggeration of the statement.

Example: If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times.

Opposite: Litotes. Understatement.

Asking a question and answering it right away.

Example: Are you going to leave now? I don’t think so.

There are three types of irony:

• Verbal (Antiphrasis) – using words to express something different from their literal meaning for ironic effect (”I’m so excited to burn the midnight oil and write my academic paper all week long”).
• Situational – result differs from the expectation (Bruce Robertson, a character of Filth, is a policeman. Nonetheless, he does drugs, resorts to violence and abuse, and so on).
• Dramatic – situation is understandable for the audience but not the fictional character/actor (audience sees that the fictional characters/actors will be killed now, though the characters don’t expect it).

Describing people/objects by enumerating their traits.

Example: Lock, stock, and barrel (gun); heart and soul (entirety)

18. Metalepsis

Referencing one thing through the means of another thing, which is related to the first one.

Example: “Stop judging people so strictly—you live in a glass house too.” (A hint at the proverb: people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.)

19. Metaphor

Comparing two different things that have some characteristics in common.

Example: “Love is clockworks and cold steel.” (U2)

20. Metonymy

Giving a thing another name that is associated with it.

Example: The heir to the crown was Richard. (the crown stands for authority)

21. Onomatopoeia

Imitating sounds in writing.

Example: oink, ticktock, tweet tweet

22. Oxymoron

Combining contradictory traits.

Example: Living dead; terribly good; real magic

23. Parallelism

Arranging a sentence in such a manner that it has parallel structure.

Example: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn.” (Benjamin Franklin)

Opposite: Chiasmus . An inverted parallelism.

Examples: “To stop, too fearful, and too faint to go.” (Oliver Goldsmith); “My job is not to represent Washington to you but to represent you to Washington.” (Barack Obama)

24. Parenthesis

Interrupting a sentence by inserting extra information enclosed in brackets, commas, or dashes.

Example: Our family (my mother, sister, and grandfather) had a barbeque this past weekend.

25. Personification

Attributing human characteristics to nonhumans.

Example: Practically all animals in fairy tales act like human beings. They speak and have traits that are typical of people.

A kind of wordplay. Here are a few types of puns:

• Antanaclasis – repetition of the same word or phrase, but with a different meaning (“Cats like Felix like Felix.”—“Felix” catfood slogan).
• Malapropism – usage of the incorrect word instead of the word with a similar sound (“optical delusion” instead of “optical illusion”).
• Paradox – self-contradictory fact; however, it can be partially true (“I can resist anything but temptation.”—Oscar Wilde).
• Paraprosdokian – arranging a sentence in such a manner so the last part is unexpected (You’re never too old to learn something stupid).
• Polyptoton – repetition of the words with the same root (“The things you  own  end up  owning  you.”—Chuck Palahniuk).

27. Rhetorical question

Questioning without expecting the answer.

Example: Why not? Are you kidding me?

Direct comparison.

Example: “Your heart is like an ocean, mysterious and dark.” (Bob Dylan)

29. Synecdoche

Generalization or specification based on a definite part/trait of the object.

Example: He just got new wheels. (car)

30. Tautology

Saying the same thing twice in different ways.

Example: first priority; I personally; repeat again

31. Zeugma (or Syllepsis)

Applying a word to a few other words in the sentence in order to give different meaning.

Example: Give neither counsel nor salt till you are asked for it.

Quite a huge list, right? With all these stylistic devices, your writing can potentially be so much more attractive. If you find it difficult to memorize them all, here’s what I recommend you do: make flashcards. Write a stylistic device on one side of the flashcard and its meaning on the other side, then work on memorizing a few a day. Voila! Enjoy your learning and writing.

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12 Comments

great post! thanks Rose, for a super stellar list of dynamic devices! i’ve saved the list for future and fair-constant reference. there’s always something good on this blog! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Oh man, it’s like Christmas has come early. I love posts like this – and I’ll both share it *and* copy it to my desktop ha!

Items I didn’t know about but immediately fell in love with: adnomination, anaphora, hypophora (I hadn’t realised, but I do this all of the time, which now seems pretty annoying!), and zeugma. Thank you once again!

Glad you enjoyed this post! Have a happy Christmas!

Thanks much for you “31 Stylistic Devices … …” I was in the process of writing a transcript when I sort of stumbled across the need to correctly define a scenario.

I did a quick surf, directly asking for what I wanted, this popped up. I scanned your list and had the “Eureka!” moment. “METAPHOR!”

It’s really great of you also sharing without obligation. We do a lot of that in our realm of things.

Okay! Thanks again! Please, have a great weekend!

P.S. For you Ms. Lakin. Thanks for making this site available! Please, have a great weekend, as well!

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you are getting some benefit from the blog’s content!

Do you have a list of stylised paragraphs? Not just the main 4 (descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive), but other types of paragraphs that apply rhetorical ornaments and devices.

Forgot to say thank you for this lovely and informative post.

Wow this post has boost my understanding of the analysing the prose techniques in a book. Thank u very much

I greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into constructing this list. I especially enjoy how you introduced me to unfamiliar and complex stylistic devices. I will attempt to incorporate these techniques in my future writing. Synecdoche is a wonderful device that I have not heard of before, I’ll have to steal it :P. Is there any way I can contact you? I would love to have a nerdy conversation about English!

Sincerely, Jenny Wales

It was interesting when you talked about how parallelism arranges sentences so their structure is parallel to each other. I’ve been wanting to find some poetry online to help me sort through my emotions from a loved one’s death last month. Thanks for teaching me these writing devices to look out for so I can understand the poems as effectively as possible.

Hi Rose I like your terms and I am using it on my writing my thesis on stylistics.

Actually, there are 32 stylistic devices in your list, since there are two no. 17.

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16 Writing Techniques to Make Your Articles Shine

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Are you struggling to bring your writing to life?

It can be frustrating when you can’t find the right words to express yourself. It all sounds great in your head until you try to put it on paper. But did you know you can learn how to write better if you use the right techniques?

The writers in our very own  content marketing agency  use it on a daily basis.

Here are some of the best writing techniques you can use when you feel stuck – and how to apply them.

But before we start, let’s dig into the topic a bit.

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What are Writing Techniques?

Writing techniques refer to different styles and literary devices a writer can use to communicate a message to the reader. Creative writing techniques are particularly important to follow if you plan on having anybody enjoy your writing.

In your career, you’ll need to write various types of writing meant for different target readers. Knowing how to apply the best writing techniques can help you adjust your style to the audience you’re writing for and reach your goal.

Most of these writing techniques are also covered in MasterClass where you can learn from famous writers such as Neil Gaiman to name a few.

#1: Use metaphors

A metaphor is a literary device where you refer to an object by describing something else similar (especially when readers are more familiar with that something else). Using metaphors isn’t desirable when you need to write directly, but there are topics that allow more creativity.

This technique can make your article more interesting and lively. Keep in mind that the metaphor is an effective literary device that can bring your creative writing to a whole new level.

Compared to a metaphor, a simile directly compares two things and can be used much more frequently, albeit often lacking the desired narrative effect that a good metaphor can bring to a story. Metaphors also shine in a poem or a memoir, where similes might fail in that regard for being too unimaginative.

#2: Storytelling

It’s one of the most popular writing techniques in marketing. Storytelling in marketing allows you to use narration, description, and create the whole event in the mind of your reader. It’s particularly useful in persuasive. It’s particularly useful in persuasive writing, like when you’re telling a client’s story to gain the trust of a prospective one. Posts on social media by established brands often use this strategy to convey their brands personality to their audience.

A solid narrative writing technique is critical to master if you plan on telling a story that people will actually want to listen to. It might sound odd, but the fact is that this is even more important for writing something like a short story, when you want to convey a full story in just a few pages.

Fiction writers often have a much harder time with storytelling as it’s all made up out of thin air, and not based on real life. Having good grammar is crucial because you could be a great storyteller but your story would have less of an impact if the reader notices little errors every now and then.

#3: Use euphemisms

A milder expression used to avoid offending someone or sounding too negative is called a euphemism. If you think your article sounds too pessimistic, you can use euphemisms to make it sound more cheerful. For example, instead of saying that something is annoying, you can use “not very pleasant.”

( Image Source )

#4: Use empathy

Using emotive language and showing empathy for your readers means you describe their feelings and showing them you understand. This technique makes your writing more relatable and establishes a good relationship between you and your audience.

Empathy is a great literary device to use in expository writing, when you want people to listen to the truth and to side with your opinion.

#5: Be specific

Instead of being vague and using general information, don’t be afraid to be more specific when writing. Don’t say you use many writing techniques to improve your writing – tell your readers what they are. It will contribute to them perceiving you as an expert.

Yeah, it all starts with an idea, but it needs to be a specific and refined idea if you want it to make sense in the grand scheme of things.

#6: Use active voice

Putting the verbs in the active voice will make your article more dynamic. When you use too many passive constructions , it can slow down your storyline and make it unclear. But when you express the verbs in the active form, you can encourage your audience to take some action.

#7: Use colloquial language

Sometimes, your topic will require a conversational tone. It’s like you’re talking to a friend. This technique is common when your readers are young. They can relate better to an article that doesn’t feature too many “big” words that they might have to look up. When it comes to things like business writing however, using colloquial language might not be the best idea.

#8: Use hyperbole

When you need to emphasize a point in your article and you don’t want to repeat yourself, you can use a hyperbole. It refers to excessive exaggeration, like in the following example: I told you a million times to stop biting your nails.

You can also use this technique for persuasion purposes. Take a look at this example from Mark Twain’s “Old Times on the Mississippi.” Using hyperbole can often be an effective tool to use in persuasive writing.

#9: Target positive emotions

Using a light tone and lots of positive words in your article can provoke positive emotions in your readers. Focus on love, empowering messages, humor, and optimism when writing.

One of the best recent examples is the story of the fireman who saved numerous animals from a fire in Australia. The photo of him giving water to a koala quickly went viral, giving people hope.

#10: Use descriptions

Describing is one of the basic writing techniques. Use adjectives and consult a thesaurus to find more picturesque synonyms for your words. It’s something like painting with words – you’re helping the reader visualize your story. That’s why we sometimes don’t like the choice of actors when watching a movie based on a book.

We’ve been imagining them differently. The paragraph in the picture illustrates the point perfectly.

#11: Create an unexpected turn

Letting your reader think that the plot will go one way and then creating an unexpected turn of events can make them sit up and listen. The best thrillers are based on this writing technique. Sudden changes in the storyline can make the reader race to the end of the text.

#12: Use assonance and alliteration

These writing techniques refer to the use of specific words where sounds and vowels repeat. It can add to a better flow of your article or make it sound more poetic, if necessary. It can also sound very catchy if you’re writing slogans, for instance.

You’ve probably heard of Jaguar’s slogan: “Don’t dream it. Drive it.”

This is an example of alliteration — one of the best literary devices out there in terms of descriptive writing that really pops off the page.

#13: Avoid digressions

Among all the writing techniques, this one may be the toughest when you’re writing about a personal experience. Make sure you stick to the main storyline and skip unnecessary details and digressions. You don’t want to leave the reader confused – they may miss the point of your article.

#14: Use the PAS formula

PAS stands for “problem, agitate, solution.” This is a great template to follow if you’re not sure where to start. It’s quite good for writing “how to” articles. First, identify the issue. Then agitate to make it more painful (but not too far). Then offer a solution.

#15: Use a proven structure

A familiar structure, such as the one we all use for writing essays in school, can prevent you from losing track. Introduce the topic, analyze the existing data, raise counterarguments, and then conclude. Sticking to a structure like this will create a logical flow and make your writing look neat.

#16: Write in the first person

Writing in first person may sound more persuasive. If you’ve written an article, but it doesn’t feel trustworthy to you, it probably won’t sound convincing to your readers either. If you put the whole article into the first person, it may have the effect of a testimonial and higher validity.

Academic Writing Techniques

While the above techniques are great for general use articles, novels, and professional writing, there is a notable exception that requires a different set of rules.

Academic writing much prefers the use of passive voice. Sentences in a passive voice might appear dull and boring, but they are much better at conveying objectivity and distance from the subject of the academic paper at hand. 

However, some recent scientific papers have also called for the increased use of active writing to make researchers and scientists appear more involved in the process rather than merely being observers.

The use of passive voice can also apply to writing an essay. In education, knowing how to best approach a subject and write objectively about it is the key to submitting a successful academic paper, no matter your knowledge or education level.

Additionally, using hyperbole or colloquialism is highly discouraged. A scientific paper aims to convey facts, and as such, the related writing process will naturally differ from the works of a fiction writer, who has much more freedom. 

Additionally, it helps to write in the third person, as these have to be rather impersonal. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the memoir, which is the incarnation of subjectivity.

Can Online Tools Help?

If you don’t think you have a handle on the above-mentioned techniques, there are several apps available that can help you with them.

English writing technique assistants have evolved from simple grammar and spell checker software to become AI-powered and effective at helping writers achieve their potential.

Microsoft Word has a basic spell checker and punctuation module that will eliminate small errors that can ruin what is generally good writing. Google Docs have a similar feature. However, these don’t have the necessary robustness to be sufficient for fiction writing or story crafting.

Grammarly is a great online tool that has a free version to get you started on your writing journey. While the free add-on is pretty bare-bone, only focusing on basic sentence structure, misspellings, and punctuation, the Premium version includes more options . These include repetition checking, as well as the detection of generally overused words or phrases. 

Grammarly can also be set according to your writing technique and writing style, meaning that you can use it for an academic paper, essay, poem, or story.

Another great app for this purpose is Writer . However, it focuses more on professional writing, brand awareness, and a cohesive writing style among groups of writers. It also has several advanced features, such as improving a writing method by suggesting words already used or favored by your company. 

With Writer , you can craft a story related to your brand that resonates across the platforms you use and captivates your target audience with good writing, storytelling, and character.

On the other hand, the Scrivener app is all you need to craft a compelling story, outline your memoir, or decide where to go next with your narrative. It has excellent features that make a story easy to sort, separate, and overview, as well as great character sheets that can be used for reference at any time.

Find What Works for You

We hope this article helps you understand writing techniques better. It’s essential to remember that you should experiment and mix different techniques until you find what works for you and your audience. The bottom line is that it’s the reader that needs to enjoy and understand your writing.

If you experience the writer’s block, just select one of these and start writing whatever comes to your mind. It’s an excellent way to break the blockade.

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Creative Writing Ideas Techniques: 10 Tips to Improve Your Writing Skills

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on Published: June 9, 2023  - Last updated: July 31, 2023

Categories Writing , Creativity

Creative writing is an art form that allows individuals to express themselves through their writing. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and ideas uniquely and creatively.

However, coming up with new and exciting ideas for creative writing can be challenging. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting, having a toolbox of techniques and ideas to draw from can help you develop your skills and take your writing to the next level.

Many techniques and strategies can be used to generate creative writing ideas.

One approach is focusing on a character and building a story around them. Another technique is to use visuals or prompts as a starting point for your writing.

Additionally, brainstorming and freewriting can help you generate ideas and get your creative juices flowing. By incorporating these techniques and others, you can develop your unique writing style and voice.

Creative Writing Basics

As a creative writer, it is essential to master the basics of craft, structure, and literary devices. These three elements are the foundation of any successful piece of writing, whether it is a novel, short story, or poem.

This section will explore these elements in-depth and provide tips and exercises to help you improve your creative writing skills.

Craft refers to the technical skills involved in writing, such as grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. It also includes creating vivid descriptions, believable characters, and engaging dialogue.

To improve your craft, it is essential to practice regularly and seek feedback from other writers or writing groups. You can also read books on writing to learn about different techniques and approaches.

Structure refers to writing organization, including its plot, point of view, and setting.

A well-structured story has a clear beginning, middle, and end; each scene or chapter should move the plot forward.

Choosing the right point of view and setting is essential to convey the story’s emotions and perspective effectively. To improve your structure, you can use outlines, storyboards, or other planning tools to help you map your story’s structure before you begin writing.

Literary Devices

Literary devices are techniques writers use to create meaning and impact.

These include metaphors, similes, imagery, and symbolism. Using literary devices can help create a more vivid and engaging story that resonates with readers. To improve your use of literary devices, you can study examples from other writers or experiment with different techniques in your writing.

In conclusion, mastering the basics of craft, structure, and literary devices is essential for any creative writer. By practicing regularly and seeking feedback from others, you can improve your writing skills and create stories that captivate readers.

Generating Ideas

In creative writing, generating ideas is one of the most important steps. Without a good idea, it can be difficult to get started and keep going. Fortunately, many techniques can help you develop great ideas for your writing. Here are a few techniques to consider:

Creative Writing Prompts

One of the easiest ways to generate ideas is to use creative writing prompts. These are short, simple ideas or phrases that can be used as a starting point for your writing. You can find creative writing prompts online or in books or come up with your own.

Some popular prompts include:

• Write a story about a character who falls in love with someone unexpectedly.
• Describe a place you’ve never been to before.
• Write a story that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world.

Observation

Another way to generate ideas is to observe the world around you. Pay attention to the people, places, and things you encounter daily. Take notes on interesting details or observations that you can use in your writing. For example, if you notice a couple having an argument in a coffee shop, you could use that as inspiration for a scene in a romance novel.

Freewriting

Freewriting is a technique that involves writing without stopping for a set period. The goal is to write whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. This can help you get past writer’s block and generate new ideas. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write whatever comes to mind. You might be surprised at what you come up with!

Reading is a great way to get inspired and generate new ideas. When you read, pay attention to the writing techniques that the author uses. Take notes on interesting phrases, descriptions, or characterizations that you can use in your writing. You can also use reading to spark your imagination. For example, if you’re writing a nonfiction essay about love, you could read a romance novel to get ideas.

Research is another way to generate ideas for your writing. Look up information on topics that interest you, and take notes on interesting facts or details you can use in your writing. You can also use research to spark your imagination. For example, if you’re writing a nonfiction essay about love, you could research the history of marriage to get ideas.

Character Development

One of the most important aspects of creative writing is character development. Characters are the driving force behind any story, and their actions and motivations are what keep readers engaged. Here are a few techniques to help you develop compelling characters:

Understanding Your Characters

Before you start writing, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your characters. This means knowing their backstory, their motivations, and their personality traits.

One way to do this is by creating a character profile including their age, occupation, hobbies, and fears. This will help you create a fully realized character that feels real.

Writing Prompts

Writing prompts can be a great way to develop your characters. For example, you could write a scene where your character faces a difficult decision. This will help you understand your character’s thoughts and values. You could also try writing a scene from your character’s past to explore their backstory.

Like any skill, character development takes practice. One way to improve is by writing character sketches. These short scenes focus on a specific aspect of your character, such as their relationship with another character or their reaction to a specific event.

By writing these sketches, you’ll better understand your character and how they fit into your story.

Overall, character development is a crucial part of creative writing. By understanding your characters, using writing prompts, and practicing, you can create compelling characters that will keep your readers engaged from beginning to end.

Narrative Techniques

Narrative techniques are the tools that writers use to tell a story effectively. They can help to create a sense of atmosphere, convey emotions, and develop characters. In this section, we will discuss some of the most important narrative techniques that writers use.

Point of View

The point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. It can be first person, second person, or third person. The First-person point of view uses “I” or “we” to tell the story. The second-person point of view uses “you” to address the reader directly. The third-person point of view uses “he,” “she,” or “they” to describe the characters.

The point of view can affect the reader’s understanding of the story and their relationship with the characters.

The setting is the time and place in which the story takes place. It can be used to create a sense of atmosphere and convey the story’s mood.

The setting can also affect the characters and their actions. For example, a story set in a dark, eerie forest will have a different feel than one set in a bright, sunny meadow.

Emotions are an important part of any story. They can help to create tension and conflict, and they can also help to develop the characters. Writers can use descriptive language and imagery to convey emotions and create a sense of empathy with the characters.

Perspective

Perspective refers to how the story is told. It can be objective or subjective. An objective perspective is when the narrator is neutral and does not take sides.

A subjective perspective is when the narrator has a specific point of view and may be biased. Perspective can affect the reader’s understanding of the story and their relationship with the characters.

Storytelling

Storytelling is how the story is told. It can be linear or non-linear. Linear storytelling is when the story is told in chronological order. Non-linear storytelling is when the story is told out of order. Storytelling can affect the reader’s understanding of the story and their relationship with the characters.

Metaphors are comparisons between two things that are not alike. They can be used to create imagery and to convey emotions. Metaphors can help to make the story more vivid and memorable.

Narrative techniques are essential for writers to tell a story effectively.

The point of view, setting, emotions, perspective, storytelling, and metaphors are all important elements that can help to create a compelling story. Using these techniques, writers can create an atmosphere, convey emotions, and develop characters that readers will remember.

Genre-specific Techniques

Regarding creative writing, different genres require different techniques to make the story stand out. Here are some genre-specific techniques to help you write your next masterpiece.

Romance novels require strong character development and emotional depth. To create a compelling romance story, consider the following techniques:

• Develop relatable characters with vulnerabilities and flaws
• Use vivid sensory details to bring scenes to life
• Build tension and conflict between characters
• Use dialogue to reveal character personalities and motivations
• Create a satisfying resolution that leaves readers feeling fulfilled

Nonfiction writing requires extensive research and a clear, concise writing style. To make your nonfiction work stand out, consider the following techniques:

• Use storytelling techniques to make the information engaging and memorable
• Use clear, concise language to convey complex ideas
• Use concrete examples and evidence to support your arguments
• Use formatting techniques such as headings, bullet points, and tables to organize information
• Use a strong voice and point of view to connect with readers

Fantasy writing requires world-building and a vivid imagination. To create a captivating fantasy story, consider the following techniques:

• Create a unique and believable world with its own rules and customs
• Develop complex characters with their motivations and backstories
• Use vivid sensory details to bring the world to life
• Use magic and supernatural elements to create a sense of wonder and awe
• Use themes that resonate with readers, such as the battle between good and evil

Mystery writing requires a strong plot and attention to detail. To write a compelling mystery story, consider the following techniques:

• Create a complex and intriguing plot with unexpected twists and turns
• Develop a strong protagonist with a unique perspective and backstory
• Use vivid sensory details to create a sense of atmosphere and tension
• Use foreshadowing and clues to keep readers engaged and guessing
• Create a satisfying resolution that ties up loose ends and surprises readers

Sci-fi writing requires a strong imagination and attention to scientific detail. To create a captivating sci-fi story, consider the following techniques:

• Create a unique and believable world with its own scientific rules and technology
• Use themes that resonate with readers, such as the impact of technology on society
• Use scientific concepts and theories to create a sense of wonder and awe

Fairy tale writing requires a sense of magic and whimsy. To create a captivating fairy tale story, consider the following techniques:

• Create a unique and fantastical world with its own rules and customs
• Develop archetypal characters such as heroes, villains, and mentors
• Use vivid sensory details to create a sense of enchantment and wonder
• Use themes that resonate with readers, such as the power of love and the battle between good and evil
• Use magical elements such as spells and curses to create a sense of danger and suspense

Dramatic writing requires a strong plot and emotional depth. To write a compelling dramatic story, consider the following techniques:

• Use themes that resonate with readers, such as the struggle for power and the search for identity

Improving Your Writing

Improving your writing is a continuous process that requires dedication and practice. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, new techniques and ideas exist to explore.

This section will discuss some effective ways to improve your writing skills.

Writing Techniques

Writing techniques are essential tools that can help you enhance your writing skills. Some of the most effective writing techniques include:

• Brainstorming : This technique involves generating ideas and concepts about a specific topic. Brainstorming can help you develop new and creative ideas for your writing.
• Outlining : Outlining is organizing your ideas and thoughts before you start writing. It can help you create a clear structure for your writing and make the writing process more efficient.
• Drafting : Drafting involves writing a rough version of your work. It can help you identify areas that need improvement and refine your writing.
• Editing : Editing involves reviewing and revising your work to improve its quality. It can help you identify errors and inconsistencies and refine your writing.

Observation is an important skill that can help you improve your writing. Observing the world around you can help you develop new ideas and perspectives for your writing. Some effective ways to observe include:

• People-watching : Observing people and their behavior can help you develop realistic and relatable characters in your writing.
• Nature-watching : Observing nature can help you develop vivid descriptions and settings in your writing.

Freewriting is a technique that involves writing continuously for a set amount of time without worrying about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Freewriting can help you generate new ideas and overcome writer’s block.

Reading is an essential part of improving your writing skills. Reading can help you better understand different writing styles and techniques. Some effective ways to read include:

• Reading widely : Reading a variety of genres and styles can help you develop a diverse range of writing skills.
• Analyzing literature : Analyzing literature can help you understand the techniques and styles used by other writers and apply them to your writing.

There are many resources available to help you improve your writing skills. Some of the most effective resources include:

• Writing courses : Writing courses can help you develop new skills and techniques for your writing.
• Writing groups : Writing groups can provide feedback and support for your writing.
• Writing books : Writing books can provide valuable insights and techniques for improving your writing.

By utilizing these techniques and resources, you can improve your writing skills and develop your unique writing style.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a common problem that many writers face. It can be frustrating and discouraging, but there are several techniques that you can use to overcome it.

One way to overcome writer’s block is to change your environment. Sometimes, being in the same place for too long can stifle creativity. Try a new location, such as a coffee shop or a park, to get a fresh perspective.

If you can’t physically change your environment, try changing your workspace’s lighting, music, or scents.

Another technique to overcome writer’s block is approaching your writing differently. If you’re stuck on a particular scene or character, try writing from a different character’s point of view or in a different tense. This can help you see your writing in a new light and develop fresh ideas.

In addition to changing your environment and perspective, several other techniques can help you overcome writer’s block. These include:

• Freewriting: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar or structure.
• Outlining: Create an outline of your story or essay to help you organize your thoughts and break down your writing into manageable chunks.
• Brainstorming: Write down every idea that comes to mind, no matter how silly or impractical it may seem. This can help you generate new ideas and get unstuck.

Using these techniques, you can overcome writer’s block and return to writing with renewed creativity and confidence.

Publishing and Community

Publishing and community are two essential aspects of creative writing that every writer should consider. While publishing is about sharing your writing with the world, the community is about finding an audience and connecting with other writers.

This section explores how to publish your writing and build a community around your work.

The publishing industry is vast, and there are many genres to choose from regarding creative writing. Every genre has its unique audience and publishing opportunities, from romance to horror to science fiction.

For example, if you’re interested in writing romance novels, you might consider submitting your work to Harlequin, one of the largest publishers of romance novels.

Novels are one of the most popular forms of creative writing, and many publishing opportunities are available for aspiring novelists.

Some publishers specialize in specific genres, while others accept a wide range of fiction. Before submitting your work, research the publisher’s submission guidelines to ensure that your manuscript meets their requirements.

Short Stories

Short stories are a great way to hone your writing skills and build a portfolio of published work. Many literary magazines and journals accept short story submissions, and there are also many online platforms where you can publish your work.

If you’re interested in publishing your short stories, research the submission guidelines for each publication to ensure that your work is a good fit.

Playwriting is a unique form of creative writing that requires a different set of skills than other forms of writing. If you’re interested in writing plays, there are many opportunities to have your work produced and published.

Some theaters accept unsolicited submissions, while others only accept submissions through agents. Research the submission guidelines for each theater before submitting your work.

Personal Essays

Personal essays are a popular form of creative nonfiction, allowing writers to share their experiences and insights.

Many literary magazines and online publications accept personal essay submissions, and there are also many opportunities to publish personal essays in anthologies and collections. If you’re interested in publishing your essays, research the submission guidelines for each publication to ensure that your work is a good fit.

Blogging is a popular way for writers to share their work and connect with readers. Whether you’re interested in starting your blog or contributing to an existing blog, there are many opportunities to publish your writing online. If you’re interested in blogging, research the platform’s guidelines and audience to ensure your content is a good fit.

Building a community around your writing is essential for finding an audience and connecting with other writers. There are many ways to build a writing community, from attending workshops and conferences to joining online writing groups.

Connecting with other writers allows you to receive feedback on your work, share resources and ideas, and find support and encouragement throughout your writing journey.

In conclusion, creative writing is a valuable skill that can be developed through various techniques and approaches. As we have seen, there are many different ways to approach creative writing, from using similes and imagery to exploring different points of view and narrative structures.

One key aspect of successful creative writing is originality. By exploring new ideas and perspectives, writers can develop unique stories that stand out. Additionally, turning points and resolutions can add depth and meaning to a story, helping to engage readers and keep them interested.

Another important factor to consider is the writing style. Whether you prefer the concise, straightforward prose of Ernest Hemingway or the more elaborate language of a crime novel, developing your unique writing style can help you stand out as a writer.

Of course, it’s also important to remember that creative writing should be fun! Whether you’re exploring funny story ideas or delving into more serious themes, writing should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

If you struggle to develop ideas for your next writing project, don’t hesitate to ask friends and family for inspiration. You can also explore literature, movies, video games, and other sources for creative writing ideas and techniques.

Ultimately, the key to successful creative writing is to stay true to your voice and vision. You can develop your skills and boost your confidence as a writer with practice and perseverance. So go forth and write, and see where your imagination takes you!