Creative information work Module 6 Creative writing
Creative writing
This module is concerned with creative writing in academic environment. Even though
the combination of the creative and the academic may seem impossible, they are not
opposed poles, believe it or not. We will show you that one cannot exist without the
other, we will present writing techniques and teach you to apply them. You have to
complete an assignment in this module.
At the completion of the module you should be able to:
• explain in what ways the techniques of creative writing may be used in academic
work
• name concrete techniques applicable while writing a scientific text
• apply some of these techniques on your paper (in the concrete, inspiration by an
artistic text, inspiration by a visual model, and brainwriting)
• approach the writing of a scientific text in a creative way
• turn a boring research activity (e.g. writing a Bachelor’s thesis) into an inspiring
and entertaining process
Key concepts
Creative writing - a field dealing with the theory and practice of text creation; acquiring
competencies connected with text creation, forming the writer’s personality. As
a teaching method, it helps you solve problems and acquire key competencies.
Scientific text creation - a process of preparation and writing of a scientific text. It is a
complex activity including a large group of theoretical and practical abilities and
knowledge.
Contents
1 CREATIVE WRITING
2 MOST IMPORTANT TECHNIQUES
3 Creative writing and scientific work
4 Methods - examples
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Creative information work Module 6 Creative writing
1 CREATIVE WRITING
This study material is focused on the techniques of creative writing, above all while
writing a scientific paper. These concepts (scientific x creative) may seem very distant; we
will try and show you that this is not necessarily the case. You will find that writing a
scientific paper may be fun and that you can find inspiration anywhere.
It has surely happened to you that you were supposed to write a paper (seminar,
diploma...) and did not know how to move on. Such problems may stress you and lead
you to procrastination. Let us do something with it then. First of all we will explain what
the terms creative writing and scientific work mean. Before you find out, however, you
will get a small task.
Divide a sheet of paper into two halves. Draw a mind map on the topic of creative
writing on the left half, and a mind map on the topic of scientific work on the right half.
What is the result?
How has it come out? The most frequent result is as follows:
You perceive creative writing as:
• something colourful, playful and careless;
• a world in which the letter S may turn into a hissing anaconda, and in which it is
not weird at all that the letter I should represent a chimney;
• an area of imagination and the resulting fun.
You most likely describe scientific work in a “less colourful” way:
• you see its black and white forms, exact and strict rules;
• you are aware of the importance of statements and opinions declared by frowning
and bespectacled scholars.
And maybe you are asking yourselves whether these two worlds can be united in one.
Yes, they can.
Creative writing, that is, cannot do without certain rules, and scientific work cannot do
without creative thinking. Thinking cannot be a routine. It needs imagination. The two
worlds are thus not contradictory. It is without a question that science is based on sense,
concepts and analyses (we do not want to change this). Should we speak of creative
writing in scientific work, then, we will think of exercises facilitating scientific work by
means of methods of creativity development and problem solving.
There are several such techniques/exercises. Below-mentioned techniques form the basis
of brainstorming, mind maps and clustering, among others. They are universal and you
can thus use them while writing any text (and not only while writing).
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Creative information work Module 6 Creative writing
2 MOST IMPORTANT TECHNIQUES
The following labels provide an overview of the most important techniques.
QUESTIONS FORMULATING
Solving begins with a question - problem
formulation. It is advisable to formulate as
many questions as possible; this way you can
view the problem from various angles.
THE USE OF EXISTING DATA AND
ACQUISITION OF NEW DATA
A data overview will allow us to use data to a
maximum extent, and show us “white spots”
(blanks).
PRODUCTION OF MORE IDEAS,
SUGGESTIONS, HYPOTHESES
The traditional rational education places
emphasis on restraint and economy while
solving problems (we formulate only one
solution suggestion). It is more effective to
formulate more suggestions (the first
suggestion is not necessarily the best, so we
will be able to choose better).
DATA OVERVIEW AND THEIR ORGANIZATION
Problems requiring a creative solution usually
have a complicated structure; therefore, a
creative procedure places emphasis on the
acquisition of data overview (in a written
form, in the form of a diagram etc.). This way
we perceive the data as a whole, including
their parts and mutual relations.
PROBLEM REFORMULATING
If we have no idea how to solve a problem,
we can try to reformulate it (transform it into
a soluble form). We can divide the problem
into several sub-problems, simplify it on
purpose, or transform it into a more general
form.
WILD IDEAS
Creative workers purposely try to overcome
the traditional viewpoint on things, so they
look for extreme and unusual suggestions.
CONNECTING DIVERSE ELEMENTS
Wild ideas are usually based on an
unconventional connection of several wellknown
phenomena.
OVERCOMING THE TRADITIONAL VIEWPOINT
ON PHENOMENA
In order to overcome the traditional
viewpoint, we can e.g. ask ourselves: In what
other way could we...?
SOLVING DISPUTES, DIALOGUE,
DISCUSSION, PROBLEM SOLVING IN A
GROUP
The resolver may lead a dialogue with
themselves (aloud, in writing); a discussion of
two or more people is generally easier. While
solving complicated problems, it is advisable
to search for a solution together; we may
cooperate with various specialists, and in this
way acquire a complex view.
MODELLING
A form of simplifying a problem and its solving
by means of a graphic diagram or an external
activity (e.g. when we are refurbishing our
house, we can draw ground plans, cut
furniture out of paper and move it around to
see what arrangement is the best).
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Creative information work Module 6 Creative writing
SPONTANEOUS ASSOCIATIONS, “DREAMING
WITH ONE’S EYES OPEN”
Unusual associations leading to solutions
often occur while we are sleeping, falling
asleep, waking up, relaxing etc. We can use
this experience on purpose: we devote some
time to collected materials (the solution will
come of its own accord) and write down
ideas which come while we are relaxing or
pursuing another activity.
PUTTING PROBLEMS ON ICE,
POSTPONEMENT OF THEIR SOLVING
If we are unable to find a solution for a longer
period of time, we postpone the problem (we
relax, devote our time to other work). Our
physical condition thus improves, the work
ability of nerve cells regenerates, and we are
more likely to find a solution.
ANALOGY
Analogy means using the experience from
solving a similar case in the past.
And others…
3 Creative writing and scientific work
We will summarize what creative writing is.
It is a field dealing with the theoretical aspects of text creation and their application in
practice (by means of creative training). We can also perceive it as a creative activity
forming the writer’s personality. It is based on a set of methods suitable for the
development of creativity and problem solving. As a teaching method, creative writing
helps you solve problems and acquire key competencies.
What is scientific creativity, then?
It is a convergent thinking of the left hemisphere. Science without creativity would be
mere routine and would not be able to move on. Science needs new questions,
approaches...
The techniques of creative writing can be applied in two stages - text preparation and
writing itself.
The creation of a scientific text can be divided into a preparatory stage and the stage of
writing itself.
A. in the preparatory stage:
• examining our feelings (what do I want to write and why?);
• examining the existing knowledge about the paper topic;
• examining our motivation; paper planning;
• collecting ideas and materials (searching for ideas, reading, archiving).
B. in the process of writing itself, you focus on:
• writing training (stylistics, grammar, typography),
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Creative information work Module 6 Creative writing
• self-assessment,
• assessment.
With every step/point you can use creative techniques. Among these techniques are e.g.:
• brainstorming,
• brainwriting,
• mind maps,
• illustrations,
• clusters,
• alphabetaries,
• timelines,
• acrostics,
• instructions,
• automatic texts,
• role-playing,
• inspirations by models…
4 Methods - examples
Inspiration
While collecting ideas, you may use various methods. You already know brainstorming;
now we will have a look at a second method - inspiration by a picture. The purpose of this
method is to inspire you to acquire new impulses. The model may be anything - a photo, a
replica, a postcard. Hand-drawn pictures are perfect.
Look at some picture and write any idea regarding the relationship between the picture
and your problem.
Clustering - controlled associations
Now we will have a look at the method of clustering, i.e. a technique of controlled
associations. This method was introduced by Gabriele L. Rico in 1976. Both brain
hemispheres are used. The right hemisphere works first, and its task is to generate as
many associations as possible. The left hemisphere then rationally processes them step
by step. Writing is linear, while collecting ideas is non-linear.
Procedure: define a keyword, write it down in the centre of a sheet of paper and circle it,
write down associations around this core (in radiuses and lists); when you run out of
associations, return to the original word and start over, write down words in a different
direction, you can draw links where you feel them appropriate; the resulting cluster will
look like a spiderweb, a network or a cluster...
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Creative information work Module 6 Creative writing
You can pick anything that you think you might use, anything that is inspiring etc. This
method is better than brainstorming if you work alone and want to find out the state of
your knowledge quickly.
Book titles
This method means you search for new titles of your paper. The purpose of these titles is
for you to be able to look at your work from a different viewpoint. You look at your topic
from various perspectives and at the same time distance yourselves from a “serious”
perception of the paper.
Instructions
Try to reformulate the title of a scientific paper in such a way that it is catching and
suitable for publishing as non-fiction and then as a book for children and youth.
Example
The title of a scientific paper:
The motif of graveyard in the works by J. H. Krchovský
Change:
Above one graveyard
Undead, yet lifeless
Once upon a time there was a graveyard
Synectics
You can try the method of synectics, which is based on the work with metaphors and
analogies. And works even in situations in which imagination cannot really be applied. The
idea of this method is a belief that anything can be connected.
Procedure:
1. describe your problem (for example, “the street noise bothers me”)
2. create analogies as different as possible (the roar of engines, dental drill)
3. create analogies to yourself (I cry for help, sing loudly enough)
4. create fantastic analogies (a battle of giants who move noisily)
5. create emotional analogies (big bang, end of the world)
6. analyse (try to find a solution to all analogies, e.g. battle of giants = try to agree on
ending the fight, or take up a shield)
7. apply the solution to the original problem (I will take up a shield => I will study
somewhere else; trying to agree on ending the fight => I will discuss my family
problems)
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Creative information work Module 6 Creative writing
SCAMPER
A good method is the method SCAMPER or Osborne’s questions. The method is named
after Alex Osborne, the father of brainstorming. Each letter represents several questions:
S – Substitute
Which part of the solution may we replace? What can be replaced? You can use
something new and original.
C – Combine
Is it possible to join some functioning parts of the solution?
A – Adapt
What change may help solve the problem? Is it possible to use a functioning solution from
a different field/different work?
M – Modify
Can you change anything in the current solution? A function, a shape, anything... Can you
add anything or take anything away?
P – Put to another use
Is it possible to use the current solution in a different way? Who could use it?
E – Eliminate
What will happen if you eliminate some parts? Can you eliminate an element which is
generally used?
R – Reverse
What can be regrouped? Turn everything upside down. Look at the solution from a
different viewpoint and turn its every part.
Summary
You have learned that creative techniques may easily be applied while writing a scientific
paper. Scientific work cannot do without imagination, it needs new questions and
impulses.
We have not mentioned all methods of course; they are many. These are mere
suggestions. If you want to learn other methods as well, have a look at recommended
literature.
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