How to Write a Creative Essay
As a student, you will often times be required by your professor to write a creative essay, more so if you are enrolled in an English course. To be able to deliver quality work, you first need to understand the elements of a creative essay. So what is a creative essay?
A creative essay is a style of writing where the author applies their imaginative skills to craft the written work. Unlike conventional essays that follow a rigid structure, creative essays allow you to capitalize on creativity and originality while utilizing meditative, and descriptive elements to engage the readers. The essence of creative essays lies in their ability to evoke emotions and paint vivid images to draw the audience into the authors’ world.
Now that we have defined what a creative essay is, this article will guide you on how to write an effective creative essay, offering you tips and techniques to produce work that is bound to impress your readers, and give you an A in your English course. At the end of the article, we provide you with a detailed sample to help you better understand all the tips we have shared throughout our guide.
Creative Essay Structure
While a creative essay emphasizes more on imagination and creativity, it does not imply that you should entirely disregard the importance of a strong framework. It is critical for an effective essay to have a well-defined structure from the beginning to the end. Similar to all other forms of essay, this structure includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. Let’s dive into the details of these sections.
- Introduction
The first step in any narrative is to set the stage in a creative manner. This is important as it will determine whether the reader will be effectively engaged to a point they will be curious to know more. To achieve this, the introduction should start with a hook. This element may require you to use vivid descriptions and emotive language. Also, the hook should provide a concise description of the area, time of the day, and the history of the situation. However, this varies with the type of creative essay you are writing. Different types of creative essays will be discussed later in this article.
Depending on the type of essay you write, the second section in the introductory paragraph should introduce the subject matter so that the audience knows what to expect in the essay. Further, explain why the topic is important and relevant. Take note that different types of creative writing may require a thesis statement that outlines the main point of the essay and the argument you are trying to make. Also, please note that some creative essays which may be presented in the form of a story may not require you to delineate the structure or provide a thesis statement. Nonetheless, the introduction should accomplish several things;
- Grab the attention of the reader
- Introduce the subject matter
- Portray the significance of the topic
- Body
The body of your creative essay should be divided into clear and brief paragraphs. In each section, you should develop a part of your story or argument. This part of the essay is employed to advance the story or develop the content of the introduction. These sections are also used to introduce shifts in motion and emotion. For instance, as a creative writer, you can introduce a conflict in these paragraphs. This will surprise the reader as it completely changes the tone and pace of the story hence keeping them on edge by adding some level of mystery. Depending on the type of creative essay you are writing, the paragraphs should accomplish the following;
| Factors to consider in writing a creative essay | |
| Narrative arch | · Follow a plot structure with an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
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| Character development
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· If you are writing a fictional essay, creatively develop characters and indicate their relationships, motivations, and personalities
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| Descriptive Passages
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· Use sensory details to create a vivid picture. Describe sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures.
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- Conclusion
The final part of your essay is the conclusion. Whereas in other academic pieces, you might indicate this section by using phrases such as in conclusion, in a creative essay you should reflect on the narrative and main points discussed in the essay. Alternatively, you can set up a conflict and then offer a solution to conclude the discussion. It is also crucial to note that in most creative essays which are presented in story form, the conclusion does not always lead to the essay climax; rather, the authors often opt for cliffhangers. When writing a fictional narrative, writers employ cliffhangers so that the reader is left in suspense by not learning the fate of all the characters.
| Step by Step Guide on How to Write a Creative Essay |
| ü Step 1- Choose a subject/ topic
ü Step 2- Do research on that subject to get insight on what and how to write. ü Step 3- Plan your essay, this includes figuring out how to write, what to write, and who the target audience is. ü Step 4- Keep a log of your ideas and a potential thesis ü Step 5- Write a rough draft ü Step 6- Write a creative essay following the structure we have discussed above ü Step 7- Get feedback from a colleague or teacher, remember constructive criticism will help you identify areas for improvement. ü Step 8- Revise and edit ü Step 9- Finalize your essay.
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Types of creative essays or creative writing
There are different types of creative essays and forms of creative writing; each with distinct characteristics to consider before you start writing.
- Personal creative essay
This type of essay allows you to reflect on your experiences, emotions, and insights. Unlike other essays, in a personal essay, you have more room for creativity as you are the one to decide the direction of the narrative. For instance, you can decide to tell a story from your past or share your perspective on different issues.
- Descriptive creative essay
In this type of essay, you create a vivid portrayal of a scene, event, or person through detailed descriptions. As a creative writer, you should find a way to present the description in an entertaining manner.
- Poetry
This form of creative writing involves creating poetry that expresses emotion and meaning by utilizing rhythm and metaphorical language.
- Narrative
Describes a fascinating narrative, having a distinct storyline, characters, and often a primary message or theme or message.
- Autobiography
This writing documents a person’s existence either from their perspective or as seen through the prism of a certain topic or period.
- Reflective essay
This type of creative essay instigates contemplation and thorough analysis of personal events to show personal development and lessons learned from different experiences.
- Expository essay
In this essay, you explore and discuss a certain given subject, idea, or concept in a way that is both innovative and interesting.
- Imaginative
This creative writing provides you with the opportunity to freely express your imaginations and to include aspects of fantasy, surrealism, or speculative fiction.
- Lyrical essay
The lyrical essay has a lot of similarities with a descriptive essay, however it focuses more on imagery. Some writers may find this type of creative essay challenging as you cannot just use epithets (an adjective or phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned). This is because epithets do not clearly convey your ideas, thus, it is crucial to create an imaginary world in your head and then vividly describe it in your text.
Example of a Creative Essay (Narrative)
(As we have discussed in the guide, there are numerous creative essay types. In this case, we focus on a narrative essay in our example.)
Title: The Girl to the Right of my Right Eye
She was the most perfect creature I had seen ever since I moved to Frigsberg High School. I had heard stories about her but never did I imagine my heart could skip a beat, until I first saw her. Privileged was I, my right eye being in the closest proximity with her left eye, in a class of sixty eyes. But, the closer I was to her, the more she seemed worlds apart from me. She was the most famous girl in the whole school, revered for her looks and charm. She was the darling of every boy and the envy of every girl at Frigsberg High. She was a celebrity in her own right, commanding respect from all and sundry.
(Creative essays must have a clear introduction. In this introduction, we see how the writer sets the stage for the narrative. The introduction is concise and brief, yet it simultaneously attempts to grab the reader’s attention by introducing some element of suspense. Next, in the 4 subsequent paragraphs, we reveal how to develop body paragraphs for your creative essay.)
It was on a Monday afternoon towards the end of the day’s lessons. It was a History lesson, and the last thing I can remember was the teacher talking about segregation. Out of nowhere, I heard, “You alright bro?” I looked up and saw my friend Ben, standing in front of my desk. “I have been talking to you with no response. Get up let’s go home bro,” he said. I inquired, “how long have you been standing there?” Ben told me that he came back for me after he got tired waiting for me in his car. “She is out of your league bro. Tread carefully” he said. I was quick to interject him, asking whom he was talking about. “I’m not stupid bro. I’ve seen how you look at her. But pull back bro. It will get nasty for you,” Ben said. And I thought he was right; there was no possibility of me and her ever being an item. But I was contented, I was contented seeing her on that seat every day. I was contented seeing her smile, even if the smile was in no way intended for me. I did not mind looking to my right and having the frustration of not seeing her look right back at me. A mere geek, there is no way I could compete with the school football captain for her affection. She was to me, a big girl in a small universe. She was to me all an angel could ever be. Call it obsession, as my friend Ben did, because it was.
(In the above paragraph, we see how the writer begins to the develop the plot for the creative essay writing. Direct quotes are applied to further ignite interest in the writing.)
Ben dropped me home around 7 pm. That evening I had planned to work on a project that was due in four days. There was a somber mood at home even before I entered the compound. It was all dead silent everywhere, so much so that I felt like I was walking into a grave yard. I entered the house only to find a note from my mother on top of the table. “I’m off to your grandma’s place. She isn’t feeling alright. See you.” I lived with my mother and I had been so accustomed to having her around that it felt strange that she had to spend that night away from home. Nevertheless, I prepared dinner before settling to work on the project. That night, I slept at around thirty past midnight after trying to fight off feelings of uneasiness that had engulfed my mind that evening.
Tuesday morning. It had been two hours since the day’s lessons began. While everything else seems to be in place, one thing was amiss. The view to the right of my right eye was different. The desk was in its usual position, and so was the chair. But she was missing, Bella was missing! The goddess of Frigsberg High School was not in her throne! You see, it would have been understandable if any other student was missing because then, it would have just been another case of absenteeism. This was however, not the case for Bella. Never had she missed school since my arrival at Frigsberg High School. That Tuesday was perhaps the longest day I have had in my entire childhood life. I felt that I was the only one concerned about Bella’s absence from school. Had I looked around the class, I could have seen the questions floating on everyone’s faces. But it felt as if a cloud had completely covered my eyes and all I could see was nothing. Maybe I was overreacting, but I could not help it!
That evening I walked home, dejected, as if I had lost a battle. I found my mother seated on the couch at home, and all I could say to her was, “hi mom.” I was in bed when I heard it all, “onto some breaking news. The body of a young girl from Frigsberg High School has been discovered dumped on the side of the road at Junction Highway…” I went wild and could not bear the sound of the news. I locked myself in my room and did not sleep that night. Wednesday morning, the view to the right of my right eye was still different. The desk was in its usual position – so was the chair. But she was missing, Bella was missing! And I knew then, the events that would unfold that day.
(In the above consecutive paragraphs, we see how the story unfolds as the writer brings in an element of tension. As we have discussed in our guide in the preceding section, as you write your creative essay, you need to consider factors such as rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Besides, In the paragraphs above, we see rising action as the author obsesses with the girl to the right of his eye. When something seems to go amiss with his object of obsession, the writer’s everyday routine is destabilized and his emotions are deranged. These occurrences evidence the rising action in this creative piece of writing.
Throughout the sections of the body paragraphs of this creative essay, we also see how the writer exploits imagination to retain reader attention by evoking images and emotions. As a writer, you must therefore capitalize on your imaginative skills as you write a creative essay if you intend to produce a good piece of writing.)
The murder of Bella completely changed my perception towards life. Bella was Frigsberg High School and so was the school all about her. Just how everything changed suddenly made me realize the brevity of human life. One minute Bella was mighty, and the next, she was “the body of a young girl.” I later came to learn that Bella was involved in a ring of young drug traffickers and hers was a case of a deal gone wrong. Since then, I have had to be careful about judging people whom I know little about. To me, Bella was this perfect human being that I revered and adored. In reality, Bella was a high school teenager who doubled up as a drug trafficker. I have also learned to be humble because of how replaceable I am. Above all, the thought of how sudden life comes to an end has enabled me to appreciate every minute I am on this world, and everyone who spends that minute with me. The girl to the right of my right eye was not perfect after all.
(In the concluding paragraph, the creative essay factors in the climax of the story. We are able to link back to both the events at the beginning of the narrative, and the concluding occurrences throughout the body paragraphs.)
You can also read How To Write A Research Paper Outline. This is one of the things you will come across during your course work.
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