Getting teenagers to write creatively (II)

Engaging students in creative writing can be a powerful way to enhance their language skills while fostering creativity and critical thinking. The following activities are designed to inspire students to explore different writing styles and genres, from crafting imaginative media stories to conducting fictional interviews and delving into historical events. These exercises will not only improve their writing but also promote collaboration and constructive feedback among peers.

By using real-world sources such as news headlines and historical events, students will learn to research, plan, and articulate their ideas effectively. Through fun and interactive tasks, they will develop a deeper understanding of language use, narrative structure, and the importance of editing and peer review. These activities are intended to be enjoyable and educational, making the process of learning English both practical and engaging.

A. Media Stories from the News

Preparation: Find headline stories from websites like The Guardian or the BBC. Print the headlines and articles separately. Alternatively, if you have a computer lab, students can read the stories online

Procedure:

• Selection: Ask students to choose a headline that catches their interest.
• Brainstorming: In groups, students brainstorm ideas suggested by the headline and build a story around it. Encourage them to outline, plan, and draft their stories.
• Peer review: Groups exchange their drafts and provide constructive feedback by commenting at the bottom of the page. This feedback should guide the final editing process.
• Comparison: Once finished, students either receive the original texts or look them up online to compare with their stories. They discuss aspects such as word choice, style, and organisation.

B. News Stories with a Twist:

• Headline hunt: Instead of pre-selecting stories, have students search online news sites (age-appropriate) for headlines that intrigue them. This encourages them to be more invested in the chosen topic.
• Spice up the headlines: Instead of just headlines, use intriguing snippets of news stories. Example: “A group of penguins has taken up residence in an abandoned amusement park…”
• Photo prompt: Use captivating news photos instead of headlines. Students write a story based on their interpretation of the image.
• Genre mashup: After brainstorming story ideas, have groups choose a genre (mystery, sci-fi, romance) to twist the original news story into. This injects creativity and challenges them to think outside the box.
• “Fake News” challenge: For more advanced students, consider a fun “fake news” challenge. Groups create a fictional story based on the headline, then compare it to the original news article after revealing it was fictional.

C. Interviews

Preparation: Students work in pairs or small groups and choose a fictional character they would like to interview.

Procedure:

1. Character selection: Students share their chosen character and explain why. They outline the plot of the film, book, or game where the character appears.
2. Question writing: Pairs write imaginative, funny, or deep questions for their character and then provide the answers.
3. Newspaper report: Students write a semi-formal newspaper report of the interview. They can use the internet to compare their report with real interviews.
4. Publication: These reports can be displayed on the school notice board or in the school newspaper.
5. Character Interviews Gone Wild:

• Character roleplay: Instead of just writing questions and answers, have students roleplay the interview! This can be done in pairs or with one student acting as the interviewer and the rest as the character.
• Modern interview format: Explore different interview formats like podcasts or talk shows. Students write the interview script accordingly.
• “What If” scenarios: After the interview, have students write a short story exploring a “what if” scenario based on the character’s answers. This encourages them to think about the character’s motivations and potential future.
• “Fact or fiction”: Incorporate a “fact or fiction” element. Students write an interview with a historical figure, but some details are fictional. The class then guesses which parts are true based on research.
• Character spotlight wall: Display the interview reports on a bulletin board with a picture of the character students drew. This creates a visually engaging “character spotlight” wall.

D. Historical Events

Preparation: Present a few historical events for students to choose from.

Procedure:

• Group formation: Students form groups based on the event they choose. Each group looks up information about their event in the library or online and reports back to the class.
• Monologue writing: Groups imagine what the protagonist of the event was thinking at the time and write a short monologue (e.g., Columbus when he heard “Land!” on October 12th, 1492).
• Peer review: Groups exchange their monologues and provide feedback.
• Creative twist: Groups then write about a bizarre or unusual situation happening simultaneously elsewhere. They share their writing and refine it using feedback.
• Illustration: Encourage students to decorate their texts with drawings, cut-outs, or collages to illustrate their stories.

E. Historical Events with a Twist

• Mystery at the museum: Present historical events with missing details. Students research and write a story filling in the gaps.
• Dear diary: After imagining the protagonist’s thoughts, have students write a diary entry from their perspective.
• “Alternate ending”: Students research a historical event and write an alternate ending to explore “what if” scenarios.
• Time travel twist: Combine historical events with a time travel element. Students write a story about a character from the present who travels back in time and interacts with a historical figure.
• Create a time capsule: Students can include their creative writing pieces in a time capsule to be opened by future students.
• Group murals: Have groups create a large mural depicting their chosen historical event and the fantastical situation they wrote about. This fosters collaboration and visual storytelling.