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Academic Vs. Creative Writing: What You Need to Know Before You Teach

In college and during your teacher training, you probably spent a lot of time discussing how to teach writing to students. Even if you didn’t discuss writing pedagogy, you know the basics of academic writing from having gone through academia yourself. You might feel unprepared, then, when you need students to do creative writing. How do you approach–and teach–academic vs. creative writing?

( Teaching Creative Writing for the first time? You may want to start with this post. )

Teaching the Differences Between Writing Goals

Many of the differences between the two types of writing center on the goal, audience, and purpose of the writing. It’s important to understand these so that you can better communicate them to your students. 

You don’t want students fabricating rich stories for their essays, and you also don’t want them to panic when asked to use their imaginations. Teaching both academic and creative writing is essential, then, for students to be able to respond to the variety of tasks life will throw their way. 

While you might intuitively understand the difference, your students probably have not developed this awareness yet. Use this breakdown of the differences between academic and creative writing to help them know when to use each. 

Academic Vs. Creative Writing Difference #1: Style

It’s important for students to have at least a basic understanding of style before walking them through the differences between academic and creative writing. 

Academic writing uses a much more formal style of writing. Academic settings, like universities and schools, use it almost exclusively. For this reason, your students are probably already familiar with the basic expectations of academic writing. 

Academic writing uses an objective, unbiased tone and focuses on presenting research and evidence to support an argument or claim. Academic writing is typically based on factual information and aims to inform and educate the reader about a particular topic.

Creative writing, however, is more expressive and imaginative and aims to entertain its reader. It can take many forms, including fiction, poetry, and personal essays.

Creative writing uses emotive language. Creative writing is less concerned with presenting factual information and more focused on exploring themes and ideas through the use of storytelling and descriptive language.

Teaching students about style can help them see the differences between academic and creative writing for themselves. It will also help them maintain the correct style for the writing task at hand. 

( Want a fun activity to start a discussion about style? Try this lesson on Literary Voice! )

Academic Vs. Creative Writing Difference #2: Intended Audience

Academic writing is typically aimed at a more specialized and educated audience. For students, the intended audience for most of their academic writing will be teachers, professors, and fellow students. If they pursue academics, they may one day write for peer-reviewed journals or share scholarly articles. 

Because academic writing audiences tend to already be knowledgeable, the writing may be more technical and difficult for a general audience to understand. 

Creative writing, meanwhile, is often aimed at a wider, more general audience. Your students should be able to list all kinds of examples of creative writing from children’s books to fiction novels to even the old classics they read in class. 

Creative writing may be more accessible and engaging to a wider range of readers. (Although this isn’t necessarily true–just look at how our students struggle with Shakespeare today.) Creative writing uses more poetic and figurative language . 

It’s important to discuss intended audiences with your students regardless of what kind of writing they’re doing. Their audiences should inform their choices of language, form, and style in all of their writing. 

Academic Vs. Creative Writing Difference #3: Purpose and Goal

Academic writing is typically focused on presenting research and evidence to support a specific argument or claim. This means that academic writing may be more structured and follow a specific format.

Your students are probably very familiar with the good old five-paragraph essay. They may even have learned C-E-R or some other highly structured format for presenting claims, evidence, and logical reasoning . 

Creative writing on the other hand is more focused on exploring ideas and emotions through storytelling and descriptive language. The intent of a poem can sometimes be as simple as to convey strings of beautifully sounding words.

While academic writing often feels formulaic, creative writing is more open-ended and creative in its approach. (This may actually frustrate some of your students!)

How many ways have you seen authors discuss love? There are poems, plays, stories, and more. Even if you just look at “love poems,” you can see there are countless ways to structure creative writing. 

To demonstrate just how open-ended creative writing can be to students, it might be helpful to show them a variety of mentor texts. For example, you can compare E. E. Cummings’s abstract style with Shakespeare’s highly-structured sonnets. 

These Poem of the Week activities are a great way to incorporate a variety of mentor texts and bring different opportunities into your classroom for poetry discussion. 

If you’re teaching a Creative Writing class for the first time, it’s important to go into it with a firm understanding of how it varies from academic writing. This will help you to begin thinking about what lessons and skills you’ll need to focus on in your class. 

Even more important, however, is making sure your students understand these differences for themselves. After all, once they leave school, no one is going to tell them whether to write a formal, five-paragraph essay or a villanelle to summarize their notes for the big meeting. 

Students need to understand the characteristics of both–and learn when to use each–if they’re going to find success (and possibly fulfillment) in writing in their futures. 

Need to teach a whole Creative Writing class and don’t know where to start? Make it easy on yourself with my done-for-you Creative Writing 9-Week Class !

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Academic Writing vs. Creative Writing: Understanding the Key Differences

Both academic writing and creative writing are commonly used in many contexts and serve a variety of goals. While academic writing is widely utilised in educational environments, creative writing is frequently employed in literary and artistic contexts. The ability to write should be universal. No matter what their profession, educational background, or area of interest, everyone may utilise writing to express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

What is Academic Writing and its Features?

What is creative writing and its features.

Writing that uses imagination and creativity to convey thoughts, feelings, and ideas is referred to as creative writing. It is a distinctive style of writing meant to enthral, motivate, and arouse the reader’s emotions.

Key Differences Between Academic Writing and Creative Writing

At first glance, writing for academic and creative objectives may appear to be one and the same thing. Nonetheless, there are two different writing styles, and each has its own traits and goals. The main distinctions between academic writing and creative writing will be covered in this section.

Academic writing frequently has researchers, academics, and subject-matter specialists as its audience. A sizable component of the audience for creative writing is made up of readers of fiction, poetry, and other literary genres.

Accuracy and precision are stressed in formal language used in academic writing. The tone is neutral and objective, and the jargon is specialised and technical. Slang and contractions are not appropriate.

The writer has more leeway to experiment with different structures when writing creatively because there is no set structure to follow. Flashbacks, non-linear tales, and other approaches can be used by the author to develop a distinctive framework.

Advantages of Academic Writing and Creative Writing

1.enhance communication skills, 2.increases analytical abilities, 3.builds data analysis skills.

Research and data analysis are crucial parts of academic writing since they call for in-depth subject knowledge. In many fields, notably scientific research, where the interpretation and analysis of data are critical, this talent is essential.

4.Helps in Expressing Emotions

5.enhance imagination.

For various reasons, it’s important to comprehend the difference between academic and creative writing. In the first place, it can aid writers in deciding which genre to use in a particular circumstance. In addition, it can aid authors in honing the abilities and methods required for every kind of writing. As a final benefit, it can assist authors in understanding the demands and expectations of various writing styles, which is helpful in both academic and professional contexts.

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Academic Writing Vs. Creative Writing: Understanding The Differences

Published by Oliver Smith at September 11th, 2023 , Revised On January 30, 2024

Writing is a vast and varied field, with numerous genres and sub-genres, each demanding a unique approach and mindset. Among the multitude of writing types, academic and creative writing stand out as polar opposites. These two forms of writing serve distinct purposes and possess characteristic styles and tones. This blog will discuss the differences between academic and creative writing. 

What is Academic Writing

Academic writing is a formal style of writing. It is commonly used in universities and scholarly publications. Its characters mainly include evidence-based arguments, logical reasoning, and conciseness.

While some might see it as stuffy or rigid, it is crucial in academia for maintaining clarity and credibility. Let’s break down the features and purposes of academic writing:

Features of Academic Writing

The features of good academic writing include:

Evidence-Based

Academic writing relies on evidence, such as data, facts, logical reasoning, and expert testimonies. Unsupported claims are not acceptable.

Formal Tone

Casual or colloquial language is avoided. Instead, a serious and respectful tone is maintained.

Clear and Precise 

It prioritises clarity and avoids ambiguity. Words and phrases are used in their exact meaning.

There is a clear organisation to the content, whether it is the standard introduction, body, and conclusion of an essay or the abstract, introduction, or other parts of a research paper.

Impersonal Tone

Personal beliefs, feelings, or opinions are typically kept out unless they are relevant to the discussion.

Any information, ideas, or data not original to the author must be cited. This gives credit to original authors and provides a trail for readers to verify information.

Purpose of Academic Writing

Academic writing mainly serves the following purposes. 

Much of academic writing aims to inform the reader about a specific topic. This could be a review of existing literature, explaining a concept, or presenting new research findings.

In some cases, academic writing persuades the reader of a certain viewpoint. This is seen in argumentative essays and papers where the author presents and supports a thesis statement with evidence.

Academic writing can serve as a record of research findings, observations, or experiments. This is crucial for future researchers who might build upon that work.

Reflective essays or reports allow the writer to discuss their experiences, learning, or observations in a structured way.

Audience of Academic Writing

The primary audience of academic writing is the scholarly community, including professors, students, researchers, and experts in the field. 

However, given the increasing accessibility of academic works, the public, policymakers, and other professionals are also counted in the category. 

Types of Academic Writing

Here are the main types of academic writing. 

Essays are short pieces of academic writing that convey the author’s perspective on a particular topic. The different types of essays include argumentative, descriptive, expository, and narrative.

Essays are meant to concisely explore and communicate ideas, arguments, or information. They often require critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to present a coherent argument.

Research Papers

Research papers are in-depth documents that present original research findings on a specific topic. They are often more extensive than essays and follow a structured format.

These papers also contribute new knowledge to a particular field, which helps demonstrate the author’s ability to conduct research, analyse data, and draw meaningful conclusions.

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and dissertations are comprehensive research projects. They are generally required to get a master’s or doctoral degree. They represent the completion of a student’s academic work.

Additionally, theses and dissertations involve in-depth research, critical analysis, and the presentation of original contributions to a specific academic discipline.

Reports are documents commonly used in scientific and technical fields to convey information about experiments, investigations, or research studies. They have a structured format, including methods, results, and conclusions.

Moreover, reports aim to provide detailed and objective information about experiments, allowing others to replicate the study or understand the findings accurately.

Reviews critically assess other works, such as books, articles, or literature. They summarise the main points of the work and provide an evaluation based on specific criteria.

Reviews help readers understand the content and quality of the work being reviewed. They assist in decision-making processes and contribute to scholarly discourse.

Case Studies

Case studies involve detailed analyses of specific cases, events, or situations. They often include real-life examples and explore the factors contributing to a particular outcome.

Furthermore, case studies are used to gain insights into complex phenomena, investigate cause-and-effect relationships, and provide context-rich information for research or educational purposes.

Abstracts are concise summaries of larger academic papers, typically appearing at the beginning of the document. They briefly overview the paper’s main objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions.

Abstracts serve as a quick reference for readers, allowing them to determine whether the full paper is relevant to their interests. They provide a snapshot of the paper’s content without requiring the reader to review it.

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What is Creative Writing

Creative writing is an art form that allows for self-expression and imagination. It breaks away from the more strict constraints of other forms of writing. It encompasses various written works and genres, each characterised by imaginative narratives, characters, and poetic use of language. 

Conclusively, creative writing seeks to tell a story, evoke emotions, or paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.

Features of Creative Writing

An impeccable piece of creative writing has the following features. 

Imaginative and Original

Central to creative writing is the use of imagination. It allows writers to invent characters, worlds, scenarios, and more.

It is a means of expressing personal feelings, emotions, and ideas.

Character Development

Characters in creative writing often undergo growth or transformation, revealing depths of human nature.

Poetic Use of Language

Words are chosen for their literal meaning, sound, rhythm, and emotional resonance.

Narrative Structure

Even though creative writing doesn’t always follow a strict structure, many pieces have a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Evokes Emotion

One of its goals is to make readers feel something—whether it is joy, sorrow, excitement, or fear.

Purpose of Creative Writing

Creative writing is usually done for

Entertainment

Many creative works aim to entertain, taking readers on journeys to far-off places or introducing them to intriguing characters.

Writers often use creative writing as a platform to express personal feelings, beliefs, or experiences.

It can be a medium to reflect on societal issues, human behaviour, or the world at large.

Some creative works, like allegories or satires, can be persuasive, conveying opinions on political or societal issues.

Audience of Creative Writing

While some creative works might target a specific audience, many are meant for anyone who appreciates storytelling, language artistry, or poetic expressions. From children to adults, the audience for creative writing is diverse.

Types of Creative Writing

The types of creative writing include

Fiction is fabricated and based on the author’s imagination. It is not factual, but it may be based on true events or situations.

• Novels: Extended works of fiction that can range from about 50,000 words to several hundred thousand words.
• Short Stories: Brief works of fiction, typically between 1,000 and 20,000 words.
• Novellas: Longer than short stories but shorter than novels, often between 20,000 and 50,000 words.

Poetry uses meter, rhyme, and metaphor to express feelings, ideas, or tell stories. Its form and structure can vary widely.

Drama involves writing that is intended to be performed by actors on a stage, in a film, or on television.

Creative Non-Fiction

This genre uses narrative techniques commonly found in fiction to relay true, factual events or experiences.

• Memoirs: A personal account of someone’s life or experiences.
• Biographies: A detailed account of someone else’s life.
• Personal Essays: Short, introspective pieces that reflect on life experiences.

Flash Fiction

These are very short stories, often characterised by brevity and succinctness. They still have a full narrative but in a much condensed form.

Screenwriting

This involves writing scripts specifically for visual mediums, like movies or TV shows. The script will often include scene directions, character actions, and dialogue.

Songwriting

The art of writing lyrics for music often encompasses a range of emotions, themes, and narratives.

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The Difference Between Academic Writing and Creative Writing

Academic writing and creative writing are two very different types of writing that serve distinct purposes and adopt unique characteristics. Let’s look at the primary differences between them:

Academic Writing: The primary purpose is to inform, explain, argue, or analyse. It is mainly used to present research findings, argues a point, or elaborate on a theory or idea. Examples include essays, research papers, and journals.

Creative Writing: The primary purpose is to entertain, evoke emotions, and express the author’s imaginative ideas. It may also inform or persuade, but stylistically and narratively. Examples include poetry, fiction (novels, short stories), plays, and scripts.

Style and Tone

Academic Writing: Typically adopts a formal tone and uses precise, unambiguous language. Jargon or technical terms relevant to the field may be used.

Creative Writing: Can vary in tone, from casual and conversational to highly formal. Figurative language, rhetorical devices, and a focus on narrative or poetic techniques often mark it.

Academic Writing: Follows a structured format that depends on the type of academic work. For instance, research papers might follow the IMRaD structure (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion).

Creative Writing: More flexible in structure. While there might be conventional structures for certain genres (like the three-act structure in plays), creative writing often allows for more deviation and experimentation.

Evidence and Research

Academic Writing: Relies heavily on evidence, citations, and references. Proper sourcing and avoiding plagiarism are crucial.

Creative Writing: While it may be based on research (e.g., historical fiction), it does not always require citations or references, and it often relies on the author’s imagination.

Point of View

Academic Writing: Typically uses a third-person perspective, and first-person might be avoided depending on the discipline or assignment.

Creative Writing: Can employ first, second, or third-person perspectives. The choice depends on the nature of the story and the writer’s intention.

Objective vs. Subjective

Academic Writing: Strives for objectivity. Even when presenting an argument, the emphasis is on presenting evidence and logical reasoning.

Creative Writing: It is often more subjective, focusing on emotional truths, individual perspectives, and personal experiences.

Constraints

Academic Writing: Generally needs to adhere to specific guidelines formatting rules, and be clear and concise.

Creative Writing: Offers more freedom, allowing writers to play with language, structure, and content.

Academic Writing: Typically written for scholars, researchers, students, or professionals in the field.

Creative Writing: Aimed at a general audience, although some works might cater to niche readerships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is creative writing part of academic writing.

Creative writing and academic writing serve different purposes. While academic writing prioritises evidence-based arguments, clarity, and objectivity, creative writing emphasises storytelling, character, and emotion. However, you can use elements of creative writing to enhance academic pieces and make them more engaging.

What is the difference between academic writing and creative writing?

Academic writing presents researched information and is mostly clear, properly structured, and objective. Creative writing emphasises storytelling, imagination, and emotional resonance. While academic writing seeks to inform or argue based on evidence, creative writing aims to entertain, provoke thought, or express personal insights. Both have unique styles, purposes, and conventions.

What are the characteristics of creative writing?

Creative writing emphasises imagination, originality, and expression. It prioritises storytelling, character development, emotional resonance, and vivid imagery. Unlike formal styles, creative writing allows for flexibility in structure and language, encouraging the exploration of diverse narratives and voices.

What is an example of academic writing?

“Recent research on climate change highlights its adverse effects on global sea levels. Using satellite data from 1990-2020, Smith et al. (2022) found a 3.2mm annual rise in sea levels. This upward trend, linked to melting polar ice caps, underscores the urgent need for sustainable environmental policies worldwide.”

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In grammar, passive voice is a verb form in which the subject receives the action of the verb. It contrasts with the active voice, where the subject performs the action. Passive constructions are formed using the verb “to be” + the past participle of the main verb.

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5 Key Differences Between Academic Writing & Creative Writing

The world of writing is quite intricate. There are multiple categories in it. But if we are to, we will divide writing into two broad brackets – formal and informal. And this is the fundamental difference between academic and creative writing: the former is formal, and the latter is informal.

If you find it too difficult to comprehend the fine line between the two, you can opt for a paper writing service for your college assignments. Meanwhile, you can work on your writing skills.

If you are an aspiring writer, know that there is a great demand for both academic and creative writers out there. But when you undertake an assignment, you must be able to determine the style of writing it requires. To help you with it, we will walk you through the key differences between academic and creative writing.

How to Distinguish Between the Two Types of Writing

Academic writing is more factual and standardized than creative. You have to stay true to evidence and facts that you take from authentic resources. These kinds of assignments require you to provide references as proof of the argument you are putting forth. Academic content is largely covered by EssayService to aid students in their college assignments. And each educational institution might have its own rules and standards.

On the other hand, creative writing is personal and informal. There is no specific style guide or standardization. You can even voice your opinion and support it with some reference without being completely sure of its original source. Examples of creative writing include stories, personal experiences, ideas, opinions, poetry, and journals. Needless to say, adherence to grammar and spelling rules is a common requisite in both.

Now, let’s explore the key differences between the two types of writing in detail.

The style of writing is one clear difference between academic and creative articles. While creativity is not bound by any specific style or pattern, you have to stick to certain parameters in academic content. Academic writers should always abide by the standard structure. There are several guidelines designed for different types of papers. Institutions choose their preferred style from a variety of widely-used style guides.

On the other hand, creative writers enjoy a fair amount of freedom in terms of writing style. The writing of a story or a personal opinion does not need adherence to a particular tone. The writer can choose to shape the content any way they want.

The purpose of writing is another significant difference between the two. Academic content is written to prove a point or give your audience a well-backed perspective. Whether you are writing a school/college paper or preparing a piece of content for your client, the main aim of academic writing is to explain, discuss, and elaborate on a given topic. You back up your thoughts and beliefs with the latest statistics and valid data.

On the contrary, creative writing mainly focuses on the expression of one’s idea through the medium of suitable words. You need not present any facts or figures to support your content. You can go on to write content for scripts, plays, stories, prose, poetry, biographies, etc., with the sole aim to entertain or educate your target audience.

3. Time Limitations

In most cases, academic writers have to face time restrictions. There will be almost no room for brainstorming. Also, you cannot afford to procrastinate. You will have to prepare much ahead of writing and gather all the necessary data well in time.

Creative writers generally do not face time limitations. Even if they are writing for a production house or publishing company, they get ample time to create engaging, unique, and fresh content. And when the creative juices flow, the writers can curate amazing content within a very short period.

4. Language

While writing academic content, you should be mindful of the language. Depending on the type of assignment, you will have to decide upon the jargon. The usage of informal language or slang is strictly prohibited. You cannot use colloquial expressions, idioms, and contractions extensively in academic writing.

But in the case of creative content, the writers can decide upon the tonality. One can use casual or semi-formal language. Creative writers can experiment with the language as per the demand of the content and the target audience. There are no hard and fast linguistic rules to be followed by creative writers.

Academic writers should be aware of the formats for different types of papers. They must adhere to the formatting guidelines such as APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago. These guidelines also can vary depending on the subject and even the professor’s demands.

The format for creative assignments is not as stringent as it is for academic projects. If you wish to create the desired impact on your audience with your creative content, you should keep the preferred formats in mind.

Wrapping Up

At the school or college level, you should be able to curate both academic and creative write-ups based on your project requirements. However, specialization in any of these niches can take you to great heights in your career.

We hope that the mentioned points have made it all clearer for you. Now, keep practicing your craft and have faith in your abilities .

Naomi Kizhner

On NaomiKizhner.com, I want to share tips, tricks, and quotes that will hopefully inspire someone who might be struggling. Also, I wish to help others find their true passion in life and cut out any negativity.

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Creative Writing(ENG-207) Week#7:- Difference between Academic and Creative Writing

• Week#7:- Difference between Academic and Creative Writing

Difference between Academic and Creative Writing

Creative writing is different from  academic writing . Writing for websites is different from writing for newspaper columns. Journal entries are different from writing press releases on behalf of a brand. Writing purposes do vary. It's important that when undertaking any writing you have a firm grasp on this concept.

Let's look at the fundamental differences between academic and creative writing.

The Principal Difference

Style is the chief difference between academic and creative writing. Creative writing need not adhere to any specific style parameters. Academic writing is different. Academic writing needs to be structured and executed adhering to a series of guidelines. Indeed, so stringent are these guidelines that academic institutions include these guidelines as part of their curriculum.

Style Guidelines Outlined

These documents or manuals outline the rules and standards needed for the successful execution of any written exercise. A quick Google search and you'll find web pages dedicated to clearly communicating the guidelines of academic writing. However, many institutions have their own stylistic guidelines.

Common Style Guide Conventions vs. Informal Writing

Here is a look at some of the differences between informal writing and conventional, academic writing.

Contractions – generally speaking contractions are acceptable in academic writing, though overuse will dilute the integrity of the writing. Studying academic writing you'll see that the writer makes use of contractions to get points across.

Technical terminology –when writing for academic purposes it's important that you always bear the audience in mind. If you're writing for a niche market alone the audience will understand any jargon that may be lost on the layman. Take out technical terminology altogether if writing for a diverse audience.

Reference appropriately – good academic writing includes references for any information used to support your argument. These need to be referenced appropriately.

Colloquial expressions and clichés – creative writing, especially dialogue, will have expressions that are unique to that character. However, these should not be used in academic writing. For example, it's unwise to describe Noam Chomsky's contribution to linguistics as ‘awesome.'

These are just a few tips for anyone considering how to cater to their writing for academic or creative purposes. Follow these are you will give yourself the best possible chance of executing a well-crafted piece of work, no matter the purpose.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CREATIVE AND ACADEMIC WRITING

In personal, reflective, or creative writing, there are far fewer rules since it is.. well. personal and creative!  In this kind of writing, one can tell a story,  summarize their experiences, or express their opinions, ideas, or emotions.  Their writing can be entirely fictional, requiring minimal factual evidence or support.  However, writers may still want to include support for their assertions, especially if their personal writing is supposed to be persuasive or deliver an opinion.  Writers may support their claims with personal experiences and information that they have heard, even if they aren’t entirely sure where from.  Their evidence doesn’t have to include the page number of the specific text it is found in like academic writing does.  This is simply because it is writing for the purpose of only the writer’s intentions.  It doesn’t need to satisfy requirements or match the grading of a rubric. Academic or scholarly writing on the other hand is a little more standardized.  One's writing must be much more organized and formatted, and the evidence used as support for their assertions must come from concrete sources.  The sources should be properly cited both in text and in a works cited page.  In academic writing, the writer needs to prove to the reader that what is being said is factual and correct.  Ideas need to be explained, and any inferences or deductions based on textual evidence or data must include support.  Contrary to creative writing, one cannot simply ponder about an idea and ask questions.  In academic writing, questions must be answered.

Another difference between academic writing and creative or personal writing is the presence of pressure due to time restraints.  In timed essays, ones writing situation may greatly change.  There is no time to brainstorm or procrastinate, so being able to organize ideas quickly is essential.  Also, far greater preparation before beginning the paper is required.  The writer does not have the luxury of aimlessly searching through sources for evidence.  The subject of the timed essay must be understood thoroughly, prior to the beginning of the timed writing.

Overall, creative writing allows for more personal expression whereas academic/scholarly writing aims to explore an idea, argument, or concept.  Academic writing requires more factual evidence for support, and presents challenges such as the pressure of time.  They each have their own purpose, and as a developing writer, I hope to improve my writing of both types.

• Week#1:- Literature and major forms of literature
• Week#2:- Drama and forms of drama
• Week#3:- Poetry and kinds of poetry
• Week#4:- Objective poetry and its kinds
• Week#5:- Benefits of Creative Writing
• Week#6:- Types of Writing and Writing Process
• Week#8:- Elements of Short Stories
• Week#9:- Novel and its types
• Week#10:- Novel and its uses
• Week#11:- Communication and its types
• Week#12:- Communication's elements and benefits
• Week#13:- The Barrier to effective communication
• Week#14:- Essay and its types
• Week#15:- Figures of speech
• Week#16:- Poem: "Mending Wall"
• Chapters 16
• Department Business Administration

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Academic VS Creative

I've just started college, and the professor's talking about the importance of academic writing. It got me thinking: what's the difference between that and creative writing?

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Technical vs. Creative Writing

Aug 01, 2014

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Technical vs. Creative Writing. Technical. Conveys specific information about a technical subject to a specific audience or specific purpose. creative. Is fiction – poetry, short stories, plays, and novels – and is most different from technical writing. Proper technical writing practice.

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• technical writing practice
• active voice
• organize thoughts
• identify audience

Presentation Transcript

Technical • Conveys specific information about a technical subject to a specific audience or specific purpose.

creative • Is fiction – poetry, short stories, plays, and novels – and is most different from technical writing.

Proper technical writing practice • Planning • Clarity • Brevity • Simplicity • Word Choice • Active Voice • Commit to the process

plan • Identify audience • Know purpose & material • Understand the task • Organize thoughts and material • Budget time for planning, writing, & revising

Clarity • Avoid jargon • Audience familiarity with topic determines jargon • Define unfamiliar words • Abbreviations in parenthesis

Brevity • Don’t be too wordy • Never use 2 words when 1 will do • Less is more • Include essentials ONLY • Most important first • EX: The Giants won the game, despite making several errors in the first half. • Remove redundancy

Simplicity • Use details wisely • Balance details with audience need for clarity

Word choice

Word choice • Choose words that are clear • Order words carefully • Do not overuse pronouns (it and this) • Avoid excess words that slow comprehension of meaning

Word choice, con’t

Active voice • Natural sound • Present tense

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