This creative writing assignment encourages the student/writer to remember visual details in every corner of their day. This is a fun chance to see just what has been happening under one's nose, so to speak!
Begin by explaining the activity. Have students close their eyes. Tell them a few items will be placed in front of them and they will have the opportunity to study them for three minutes. Remove the items. Have the students answer the following questions.
Creative Writing Assignment
- What were the items resting in?
- What color was the outside of the container?
- Guess the dimension of the container. State the answer in words, not precise measurements. Ex.: 'bigger than a brick but smaller than a notebook'
- Guess the weight of the container (again in words)
- What was the container made of?
- How many items were in the container?
- How many items had a similar shape?
- For how many minutes did you study them?
- How many of the items were from nature?
- What did you have for dinner last night?
- How many cars did you see in the parking lot before walking into this class?
- What was the last thing you did before leaving the house this morning?
- Which item was the most interesting to you?
- What was the last chore you did at home?
- Why do you think I asked you these questions? (And what do they have to do with writing?)
Writing Techniques
A good writer is always looking beyond the obvious and sees things other people miss. Details in all parts of life make up the basis for good writing. Most students will be able to remember some of the details from these fifteen questions, while very few usually remember them all. Encourage the writers to begin noticing details in every aspect of life, a necessary step to good writing.
How many editors would say the following story is interesting?
"Shaquille O'Neal is tall."
None! It's too obvious. Now, if someone had the inside scoop on the nail polish color Shaquille O'Neal's mother wears to each of his games and why....now, that makes for an interesting angle and detail about a unique human interest story.
Writers need to notice details, remember them and use them in their writing.
Writing Process
"Close your eyes, quickly!"
"What do I have on today?"
"What color is the chair you are sitting on?"
"Who is sitting directly across from you?"
"What color is their shirt?"
"Who is wearing a cologne today?"
"Who sounded sick or coughed today?"
Questions like these can be asked randomly in a writing class to get the students prepared for noticing and writing about details to make their writing more effective at painting a picture for the reader.
Writing Skills
Details make writing come alive in the reader's mind. Describing sounds, smells, taste, touch and sight helps writers think beyond the basic structure of their story, poem, essay or letter to Grandma. No matter what is being written, the words can take the reader to a vivid place or inside their own uncharted thoughts by the power of the details.
For more ideas on writing, read about Similes and Metaphors to enhance creative writing skills.
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