Skip to content
Back to SHS HUMSS Study Notes
Lesson 350 min read

Creative Writing

Literary Elements, Genres, and Writing Techniques

In This Lesson

1. Literary Elements2. Literary Genres3. Literary Devices4. The Writing Process

Literary Elements

What are Literary Elements?

The fundamental components that make up a literary work. These are the building blocks authors use to construct their stories, poems, and plays.

Plot

The sequence of events in a story.

Freytag's Pyramid:

  1. Exposition: Introduction of setting, characters, background
  2. Rising Action: Events that build tension and conflict
  3. Climax: The turning point, highest tension
  4. Falling Action: Events after the climax
  5. Resolution/Denouement: Conclusion, loose ends tied

Character

People, animals, or beings in the story.

By Role:

  • Protagonist (main character)
  • Antagonist (opposing force)
  • Foil (contrasts protagonist)

By Development:

  • Round (complex, realistic)
  • Flat (one-dimensional)
  • Static (unchanging)
  • Dynamic (changes/grows)

Setting

The time and place of the story.

  • Physical Setting: Location, geography, weather
  • Temporal Setting: Time period, season, hour
  • Social Setting: Cultural, economic, political context
  • Mood/Atmosphere: Emotional feeling created by setting

Conflict

The struggle that drives the plot.

  • Character vs. Character
  • Character vs. Self
  • Character vs. Society
  • Character vs. Nature
  • Character vs. Technology
  • Character vs. Fate/Supernatural

Theme

The central message or insight about life.

  • Love and sacrifice
  • Good vs. evil
  • Coming of age
  • Identity and belonging
  • Power and corruption
  • Hope and resilience

Point of View (POV)

The perspective from which the story is told.

  • First Person: "I" narrator, limited knowledge
  • Second Person: "You" narrator (rare)
  • Third Person Limited: "He/She" with one character's perspective
  • Third Person Omniscient: All-knowing narrator

Literary Genres

Poetry

Literary work using rhythm, imagery, and condensed language.

  • Lyric: Personal emotions (sonnet, ode)
  • Narrative: Tells a story (epic, ballad)
  • Dramatic: Meant for performance
  • Haiku: 5-7-5 syllables, nature
  • Sonnet: 14 lines, iambic pentameter
  • Free Verse: No fixed meter/rhyme

Fiction

Prose narratives with invented characters and events.

By Length:

  • Novel (50,000+ words)
  • Novella (17,500-50,000)
  • Short Story (1,000-17,500)
  • Flash Fiction (<1,000)

By Type:

  • Science Fiction
  • Fantasy
  • Mystery/Thriller
  • Romance
  • Historical Fiction

Drama

Literary work written for theatrical performance.

  • Tragedy: Downfall of hero
  • Comedy: Humorous, happy ending
  • Tragicomedy: Mix of both
  • Melodrama: Exaggerated emotions
  • Farce: Absurd comedy
  • Musical: Includes songs/dance

Elements: Dialogue, stage directions, acts, scenes

Non-Fiction

Prose based on real events, people, and facts.

  • Biography/Autobiography: Life story of a person
  • Memoir: Personal experiences and reflections
  • Essay: Short composition on a topic
  • Journalism: News reporting
  • Creative Non-Fiction: Literary techniques with facts

Literary Devices

What are Literary Devices?

Techniques writers use to create special effects, convey meaning, and engage readers. They add depth, beauty, and impact to writing.

Figures of Speech

  • Simile: Comparison using "like" or "as"
    "Her smile was like sunshine"
  • Metaphor: Direct comparison
    "Life is a journey"
  • Personification: Human traits to non-human things
    "The wind whispered secrets"
  • Hyperbole: Exaggeration
    "I've told you a million times"

More Figures of Speech

  • Irony: Opposite of what's expected
    A fire station burning down
  • Oxymoron: Contradictory terms
    "Deafening silence"
  • Alliteration: Repeated initial sounds
    "Peter Piper picked peppers"
  • Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds
    "Buzz, splash, boom"

Narrative Devices

  • Foreshadowing: Hints about future events
  • Flashback: Scene from the past
  • Symbolism: Objects representing ideas
  • Imagery: Vivid sensory descriptions
  • Allegory: Extended symbolic narrative

Sound Devices

  • Rhyme: Similar ending sounds
  • Rhythm: Pattern of stressed syllables
  • Assonance: Repeated vowel sounds
    "The rain in Spain"
  • Consonance: Repeated consonant sounds
    "Pitter patter"

The Writing Process

1. Pre-Writing (Planning)

  • Brainstorming: Generate ideas freely
  • Freewriting: Write continuously without editing
  • Clustering/Mind Mapping: Visual organization
  • Outlining: Structure your ideas
  • Research: Gather information if needed

2. Drafting

  • Write your first draft without worrying about perfection
  • Focus on getting ideas down on paper
  • Don't edit while drafting—that comes later
  • Follow your outline but stay flexible
  • Write in a comfortable environment

3. Revising

  • Content: Are ideas clear and complete?
  • Organization: Does it flow logically?
  • Voice: Is the tone appropriate?
  • Word Choice: Are words precise and vivid?
  • Sentence Fluency: Are sentences varied?

4. Editing & Proofreading

  • Check grammar and punctuation
  • Fix spelling errors
  • Verify sentence structure
  • Read aloud to catch mistakes
  • Have someone else review

5. Publishing/Sharing

  • Format your final piece
  • Share with intended audience
  • Submit for publication if applicable
  • Reflect on feedback received

Tips for Creative Writers

  • "Show, don't tell" - Use action and description
  • Read widely in your genre
  • Write every day, even if just for 15 minutes
  • Keep a journal for ideas and observations
  • Accept constructive criticism gracefully
  • Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite—great writing is rewriting
← Previous: World ReligionsNext: Social Sciences →