What is Creative Writing? | An Introduction for Students
But what exactly is it all about? And if you’re new to the subject, how can you get started?
Creative writing is all about using your imagination and creativity to express ideas and thoughts in a way which is personal to you. Quite simply, it’s about adding your own ‘flair’ to writing, going beyond the traditional boundaries of academic or other technical forms of literature.
Learn more about what creative writing is, what the different types are, as well as some top tips on how to get started - all with this helpful guide and introduction to creative writing.
What is creative writing?
As the name suggests, creative writing is a form of writing that goes beyond the traditional realms of normal, professional, academic or technical forms of writing.
Instead, it encompasses a number of different genres and styles across a whole range of fields of both fictional and non-fiction writing; storytelling, playwriting, poetry, prose, journalistic, and more.
Though the definition can be quite vague, creative writing can, for the most part, be considered as any type of writing that is original and expressive of oneself. Typically, it can be identified by an emphasis on narrative craft, focusing on elements such as character development, narrative and plot, infusing its structure with imagination, invention and story.
In this sense, creative writing can technically be considered any writing of contemporary, original composition - it's bound by no standard conventions and uses a whole range of elements in its craft.
In an academic setting, creative writing is typically divided into fiction, poetry, or scriptwriting classes, with a focus on writing in an original style, not defined by pre-existing structures and genres.
What are the different types of creative writing?
Creative writing comes in many forms, encompassing a number of genres and styles. There are lots of different types of creative writing, which can be categorised as fiction or non-fiction. Some of the most popular being:
- Biographies
- Fiction: novels, novellas, short stories, etc.
- Poetry and spoken word
- Playwriting/scriptwriting
- Personal essays
What makes a good piece of creative writing?
First and foremost, it’s important to note that there is no pre-defined description of what it means to create a ‘good’ piece of creative writing. As the very name suggests, creative writing is an imaginative process, created by the individual with all their quirks and personalities.
Creative writing doesn’t fit one set genre and therefore there will never be an umbrella definition to describe the ‘perfect’ piece. Just think about a Gothic short story and then compare it to the features of a great Romantic poem - the two are so very different - it wouldn’t be unfair to judge them together.
However, with that being said, there are a few general principles that you can follow to make your creative writing as strong as it can be - by making it as authentic and true to you as possible:
Know your audience - All great stories begin with a target audience in mind - because it’s exactly what you need to know in order to really tailor your writing and connect with them. Therefore, any creative writer should begin their writing by plotting out exactly who they want to read their work. Once you have this in mind, your writing will naturally begin to take direction and flow in a way that seems appropriate to your audience.
Write what you know - Quite often, the best stories are those which we can connect to and relate in one or another way to our own lives. Or, they’re stories which seem so authentic that you could imagine it to be about the writer’s own life. Now, this doesn’t mean that you quite literally have to write about your life, but drawing on knowledge you have about different elements of our lives to give your story some authenticity and more believability.
Creativity is key - Creativity is one of the most important elements of creative writing. It’s what sets you apart from other pieces of writing in your genre. Of course, this doesn't demand that you write a tale about a totally fantastical and mythical world with unique creatures - but simply use your creativity to think a little outside the box and put a unique twist on things; using literary devices like metaphors, alliteration, and varied sentence structure to make your work unique and interesting.
Push your imagination - One of the great things about creative writing is that there is no definition or rules on ‘how’ to write. It’s a much more subjective genre, and one which relies heavily on your own interpretations. Therefore, you should push your imagination to the limits to see what the end result could be. Some of the most interesting pieces of literature are thought-provoking or make us question the writing or world around us - where could your story take us?
Plot a loose story arc - Despite the loose bounds of creative writing, it is still advisable to plot a loose story arc for any piece of literature you create. Story arcs are critical at giving your writing direction and purpose, helping you to write the whole piece at a good pace, without writing any superfluous content or ‘waffle.’ Follow your story arc, and your writing will have a strong structure, pace and direction - keeping your readers more engaged.
What are some techniques used in creative writing?
To make their writing stand out, writers often employ several creative writing techniques and literary devices, including:
Character development - The process of creating a well-rounded, realistic character with depth, personality, and clear goals or motivations.
Plot development - The story of your piece of writing - how it develops, unfolds, and moves along in time.
**Point of view **- The perspective from which a narrative is told. It indicates who is telling the story and how the information is conveyed to the reader. Quite often writers will play with the point of view of the central character or protagonist to trick the reader and twist their perspective.
Dialogue - Refers to the speech and conversations characters use to speak to one another. Dialogue and the language choices a character makes can be pivotal in helping define their personality.
Literary devices - Such as metaphors, similes and alliteration to make creative writing more imaginative and descriptive. These are used in a myriad of ways by writers to make their writing more vivid, interesting and engaging.
Can creative writing be taught?
Of course! Creative writing can be taught, and is a very popular subject for university students, and for those who attend our summer courses .
Those who pursue the subject of Creative Writing will typically study a variety of texts from different periods of time to learn more about the different genres of writing within the field. They’ll become familiar with some of the leading creative writers from generations past to present, as well as some lesser-known and emerging writers in the industry.
Inspired by what they’ve learnt in the classroom, it’s not uncommon for Creative Writing students to also participate in regular workshops and scratch sessions, where they bring a piece of their writing along to class and have it read by other students and the tutor. They’ll leave with constructive feedback on how to improve their writing, or recommendations of other works which they may want to read to take influence from.
How to start creative writing
If you’re interested in getting those creative juices flowing and improving your writing craft, read some of our tips below on how to start creative writing :
Read as much as you can - For creative writers, inspiration comes from a whole range of sources, but most commonly, from other writers. There’s some excellent examples of creative writing throughout history that all writers should be inspired by. Read a variety of genres by different authors to get a real feel for what type of writing you may want to do. Need some inspiration? Check out our blog: 15 Classic Books to Read
Start journaling - Starting a journal can really help to unleash your inner creativity. Getting into the habit of writing each day about literally anything that’s preoccupied you that day will help you practice the art of writing. The more regular you journal, the more you’ll build your confidence. You never know, you could even find your next great idea from something you’ve journaled about!
Attend a Creative Writing summer course - If you’re just starting out as a creative writer and looking to collaborate, share ideas with others and workshop your writing, then joining a creative writing summer school could be a great option. Our creative writing summer courses are designed to help you extend your creative writing toolkit; you’ll analyse some of the industry’s greatest writers, as well as workshop some of your own writing with your peers.
Practice using literary devices - Literary devices, such as metaphors, similes and rhyme can really help you write more vividly and create really descriptive, imaginative scenes. Practice using them regularly and you’ll soon watch your own creative writing start to flourish. Need some ideas to help you get practising? Look around your house and pick a random object. Then, practice using 5 literary devices to describe that same object - see where your creativity can take you!
Write, write, write! - When it comes to how to start creative writing, one of the biggest pieces of advice we can offer is to pick up your pen or laptop, and start writing. Whether you have a single conversation starter for a character, or a complete narrative arc, you will only begin your creative writing journey when you physically do it. Even if you have no idea on what to write - look for writing prompt inspiration from all around you. The more you practice unleashing your creativity, the easier it will be to write over longer periods of time.
Creative writing is an expressive form of literature; one which demands you to use your own creativity, imagination and story to portray a particular message, emotion, or plot. It defies the traditional bounds of other forms of writing and is completely subjective to our own preferences and experiences.
For those looking to get started with creative writing, it’s important to really immerse yourself in the world of literature, reading and writing as much as you can - and even workshopping your work where possible. Creative writing summer schools and evening classes are a great way to meet other like-minded students, share knowledge and feedback, and really upskill yourself.
Study Creative Writing in Oxford or Cambridge
Interested in joining a Creative Writing summer course? Learn tried and tested writing techniques from some of Oxford and Cambridge's greatest published tutors on our 2-week English Literature and Creative Writing summer course .
Whether you’re new to the subject or looking to advance your skill set, our programme will help develop your own writing voice and style, while learning crucial elements of structure to help your work flow. You’ll learn from our expert tutors - made up of literary critics, authors, and university lecturers - in either the historic city of Oxford or Cambridge .
It’s the most influential learning environment, with the most inspiring tutors - guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing!
Contact us to find out more or apply today to reserve your place.
Share this article
What is creative writing? Get to grips with the subject fundamentals and improve your skill with our introduction to creative writing.
Get Our Newsletter
Oxford Summer Courses Limited
18 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2NA, United Kingdom
+44 01865 818403
Oxford Summer Courses is an organisation which contracts with the colleges of the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London for the use of facilities, but which has no formal connection with the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London.
Oxford summer courses © 2023, oxford summer courses is a company registered in england and wales with company number 08011543.
How to Write Any Type of Letter
Everyone should know how to write a letter, whether a business inquiry, email, personal letter, or letter-format social media post. Letter writing is a useful skill, not only for communicating clearly, but also for making a good impression—especially a first impression.
Below we explain how to write a proper letter, no matter the type you need. We’ll cover the correct format for a formal letter, such as a cover letter or job inquiry, as well as tips for writing a personal letter, with some helpful examples of each.
Polish your letter writing. Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly
What type of letter should you write?
There are no hard-and-fast rules. The most suitable letter format depends on your audience. For a friend or close relative, a casual message or informal letter is usually the best way to go. There are different types of letters that are appropriate for this format. Some include:
- Handwritten letters
- Emailed letters
- Typed social media messages
However, for business contacts or people you don’t know well, a typed formal letter is almost always the most appropriate choice. When used for professional purposes, writing a formal letter is effective for the following:
- Cover letters
- Letters of intent
- Value proposition letters
- Business memorandum letters
- Promotion letters
- Reference letters
- Resignation letters
- Thank you letters
These are just some of the types of letters that you might need to write in a casual or professional environment. Before writing a letter, consider the type of letter you need: formal or informal. Each has a distinct format you’ll want to follow.
Formal letter writing: block style vs. AMS style
Formal letters—like cover letters, business inquiries, and urgent notifications— are some of the most important letters you’ll ever have to write. Because they’re sometimes used as official documents, formal letters have a very precise structure and particular format. In fact, there are a few different “correct formats” to choose from.
The most common formats for formal letter writing are block style and American Mathematical Society, or AMS, style. In the example below, we use block style, specifically full block style, because it’s the most popular. Block style is characterized by all elements being aligned on the left margin of the page. This includes the first lines of paragraphs, which don’t use indentation.
AMS is fairly similar, following many of the same rules as block style. There are a few differences, however, which we briefly cover after the next section.
How to write a formal letter in block style
Step 1: write the contact information and date .
All formal letters start with the contact information and date . In the full block style, this goes in the upper left-hand corner.
First, as the sender, type your full name and address aligned to the left side, just as you would when addressing an envelope. This isn’t just a formality, but a useful inclusion so the recipient can easily find your contact information when they want to respond.
If you’re writing on official company letterhead that already includes this information, you do not need to rewrite the contact information.
After your address, skip a line and then add the date you’re writing the letter.
Last, skip a line again and add the recipient’s name and full address. Feel free to include their job title below their name if it’s relevant. Leave a blank line after the contact information before writing the salutation.
Step 2: Write the salutation
Formal letters always have a greeting at the beginning of the written content as a cue that your message is about to begin. This is known as the salutation.
Most salutations begin with “Dear” and then the name of the recipient. All salutations use title capitalization and end in a comma .
If you don’t know the name of the receiver, you can also use a job title or even the department name, for example, “Dear HR Representative.” As a last resort, you can use the generic salutation “To Whom It May Concern” in any circumstance. Try to avoid “Dear Sir or Madam,” as it’s a little outdated.
Step 3: Write the body of the letter
This is where you write your message. The body of the letter follows the normal rules of grammar , so write it as you would any other formal document. The one exception for full block style is that you do not indent the first lines of paragraphs .
Unlike personal letters, formal letters are straightforward and direct , so don’t be afraid to get straight to the point . Some formal letters are only a sentence or two long, although others can go on for paragraphs if there’s a lot of information to convey. The important thing is that you stay focused and avoid tangential topics.
Although different company cultures have different communication standards, it’s a safe bet to avoid casual phrasing and jokes; some even advise against using contractions . It should go without saying, but don’t use slang, profanity, or other inappropriate language.
If your letter covers a lot, it’s best to include a closing paragraph at the end to summarize everything the recipient needs to know. As always, don’t forget to edit and proofread the body of the letter before sending.
Step 4: Write the complimentary close
Formal letters also use a standard complimentary close or sign-off, similar to the salutation, before ending with an authentic signature.
One of the most common closers is “Sincerely,” including some variations like, “With sincere gratitude,” or “ Sincerely yours .” Other common sign-offs include “Best,” and “Yours.” Unlike salutations, closers use sentence capitalization. Always capitalize the first letter of your complimentary close, but only the first letter. And just like the salutation, always end with a comma .
If you’re sending a paper letter, skip a few lines after your complimentary close—this is where you sign your name. Additionally, always type your name below the signature , along with your job title if relevant. When sending an email or other digital letter, you don’t have to leave a blank line before you type your full name.
Step 5: Mention enclosed materials
This last step is necessary only if you’re sending additional materials with the letter, such as a résumé or CV, application, voucher, etc. If you’re sending only the letter, disregard this step.
After your printed name and optional job title (under your signature), skip a line and then write “Enclosure:” followed by a list of the materials you’ve included. For example, if you were including a résumé, you would write “Enclosure: Résumé.” This is simply a precaution so the recipient doesn’t miss anything or, if they need to, can verify that something was lost in shipping.
Formal letter example (block style)
Detective Inspector G. Lestrade
35 Victoria Embankment
London, England SW1A 2JL, UK
July 1, 1888
Mr. Sherlock Holmes
221B Baker St.
London, England NW1 6XE, UK
Dear Mr. Holmes,
On behalf of the London police force, we request your presence at New Scotland Yard at your earliest convenience. We have a case that requires your special expertise, and we’d prefer to discuss the details in person, considering the sensitivity of the information. Any time before the end of the month is acceptable.
G. Lestrade
Detective Inspector
Enclosure: Visitor pass
How to write a formal letter in AMS style
For the most part, AMS style uses the same rules and guidelines as block style, including enclosures, so you can follow the steps above regardless of the style you use. However, there are two major differences in AMS style that you need to be aware of:
- Don’t leave a blank line between the sender’s full address and the date. The date comes directly underneath the address.
- AMS style always uses a subject line in place of or before the salutation. The subject line should be written in all caps and summarize the content of the letter in no more than a single line, such as “YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED AT SCOTLAND YARD.” As with salutations, leave a blank line before and after the subject line.
Formal letter example (AMS style)
London, England SW1A 2JL, UK
YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED AT SCOTLAND YARD
Dear Mr. Holmes,
How to write an informal letter
True to their name, informal letters are a lot more casual than formal letters. That means there aren’t nearly as many rules and guidelines, and no one will mind if you don’t leave a blank space in the right spot.
Still, there is a correct format that people are familiar with, so follow the steps below as a bare minimum.
Step 1: Put the date at the top (optional)
Putting the date at the top of a letter is a custom stemming from a time when letter writing was the primary means of communication. Nowadays, including the date is no longer a necessity, but some people still do it because of tradition. In informal letters, it’s completely optional.
Just like formal letters, informal letters start with a polite greeting to the recipient. The standard format is the same: the word “Dear” followed by the person’s name, as in “Dear Mr. Lestrade,” using title capitalization.
However, informal letters provide more freedom when it comes to what you say in your greeting, and it’s not uncommon to see casual greetings like, “Hi [Name],” or “Hello [Name].”
As with salutations in formal letters, you normally end your greeting with a comma and then skip a line before beginning the body of the letter. Occasionally you see people end the salutation with an exclamation point, depending on their relationship with the recipient.
The body of the letter is where you write your message, and informal letters are often meant to share news or keep in touch. They tend to have a conversational tone, which means you’re free to include slang and whatever language you use when speaking in person.
While tangents are more permissible in informal letters, going off topic excessively can still bother the reader. Try to stay focused as best you can without sounding restrained—informal letters are supposed to be personal, after all.
Informal letters also use a complimentary close before the signature, following the same format as formal letters. That includes using sentence capitalization (capitalizing only the first letter), adding a comma at the end, and leaving enough space to sign your name if you’re sending a paper letter.
However, you don’t need to stick with the conventional sign-offs like “Sincerely.” If you’re writing a personal letter, you can use something more sentimental depending on the relationship with the recipient, such as “Love,” “Warm regards,” or “See you soon.”
Informal letter example
July 2, 1888
What’s up, Lestrade!?
It’s Sherlock! So stoked to receive your letter. Of course I’ll come to Scotland Yard ASAP, no worries.
Sherlock “Best Detective Ever” Holmes
PS stands for postscript . It’s something you add at the last minute after the letter is complete, usually either minor news or something small you forgot when writing the body of the letter. Typically, you don’t use postscripts in formal letters; if you need to add something, you’ll have to revise the whole document to include the new information.
When writing a postscript, simply write the letters “PS” and then your message. It doesn’t matter if you use periods or not (“PS” and “P.S.” are both acceptable), but both letters should always be capitalized.
If you have more than one postscript, simply add another P to the beginning of each new PS. For example, your second postscript should be labeled “PPS.” and your third postscript should be “PPPS.”
PS. Rob got the position at Great Company! Thanks for all the support during his unemployment.
PPS. I have to cancel my birthday party, but we’re still getting together for drinks that night if you want to come.
The envelope
In the United States, the maximum weight for a first-class letter is 3.5 ounces. If your letter is more than three pages or you’ve written it on heavy paper, you’ll have to weigh it to make sure it meets the requirements. The size and shape of the envelope matter too. It has to be rectangular and smaller than roughly 6 by 11 inches, or you run the risk of the post office returning it.
Sending a letter
After you’ve determined that the envelope is the right kind, now you just have to mail it. (If it’s a personal letter, you can always deliver it yourself. In that case, just write the intended recipient’s name on the outside of the envelope. A bonus of hand delivery? You can use any size or shape envelope you want!)
In the top left-hand corner, write your name and address or attach a mailing label. In the center of the envelope, carefully write the name and address of the recipient. Besides the state abbreviation and zip code, international letters should include the country for both the destination and return addresses.
Postage rates vary. Check the US Postal Service website for current prices or use a Forever Stamp for US destinations. Postage goes on the top right-hand corner of the envelope.
Double-check that everything is correct on the outside of the envelope. If it is, fold your letter and insert it neatly. Don’t seal it until you’re sure that you’ve included every page you intend to send.
Letter-writing tips
Still not sure how to write a proper letter? Keep these letter-writing tips in mind to help you communicate with confidence.
Offer pleasantries
While personal letters naturally tend to use a friendly tone, formal letters, too, can benefit from pleasantries and polite etiquette. A simple phrase like “How are you?” or “I hope you’re well” at the beginning of a letter can help connect the sender and recipient, even if the subject matter is strictly business.
Likewise, you can also express sympathy, regret, support, or gratitude in both formal and informal letters. Aside from mere etiquette, these pleasantries establish a personal connection that separates your letters from those written by machines.
Write for your reader
As with all writing, modify your language to accommodate your specific reader. If you’re writing a formal letter to a business associate, be professional and courteous. If you’re writing a personal letter to an old friend, feel free to crack jokes and use slang.
Sometimes the lines blur—a “formal letter” to a work friend might be more casual than a “personal letter” to a distant relative. Keep in mind the specific reader as you write to strike the right tone. If you’ve never met the recipient before, stick to courteous formality.
Include all necessary information
If you have a lot of information to convey, make a small list beforehand to make sure you cover everything. Treat this like a mini-outline to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
This is especially important for invitations or letters about scheduling events. Make sure you clearly state the essential facts—particularly where and when —as well as other need-to-know information, like directions or special requirements.
Doesn’t it feel good sending a letter you’ve carefully prepared? Certainly, a well-written letter has the best chance of accomplishing its purpose. To make sure your letter really shines, it’s critical that it be mistake-free and set the right tone. Grammarly’s writing assistance catches things like spelling and grammatical mistakes, and Grammarly Premium includes formatting suggestions and guidance that can help you write clear, easy-to-follow letters that hold your recipient’s attention. By using Grammarly, you can write your letter with confidence, wherever you type!
This article was originally written by Jennifer Calonia in 2020. It’s been updated to include new information.
if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'tckpublishing_com-box-2','ezslot_3',141,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tckpublishing_com-box-2-0'); What Is Creative Writing? Types, Techniques, and Tips
by Kaelyn Barron | 5 comments
But what exactly makes writing “creative?”
Simply put, creative writing is any writing that falls outside of technical, journalistic, or academic writing.
You can think of it as classic storytelling. It can be written with a number of intentions: to entertain us, comfort us, or teach us a lesson; most importantly, good creative writing speaks to our shared human experience. It shouldn’t just tell us something—it should make us feel something new.
Creative Writing: An Overview
We’re all familiar with school-required “creative writing exercises.” Maybe you had a traumatizing experience when your eighth grade teacher forced you to write a story and read it aloud for the class (no? just me?).
Or maybe you think creative writing is reserved for the artsy free spirits who churn out novels in coffee shops or on sunny farms in Tuscany.
In reality, creative writing is much more than something for your great aunt to scoff at when discussing your major at Thanksgiving dinner.
In this post, we’ll break down creative writing and explain everything you need to know, including:
• Types and examples • Techniques • Who should practice creative writing? • Creative writing exercises to get started
Types of Creative Writing
Examples of creative writing can be found pretty much everywhere. Some forms that you’re probably familiar with and already enjoy include:
• Fiction (of every genre, from sci-fi to historical dramas to romances ) • Film and television scripts • Songs • Poetry • Plays • Vignettes
But creative writing doesn’t have to be limited to fictitious content. It can also include:
• Personal essays • Memoirs • Journals and diaries • Letters
As we can see from this list, some works of nonfiction can also constitute creative writing. After all, many books and films tell stories of real people and real events.
Take, for example, the 2010 film The King’s Speech . The film tells the story of real people and real events, but the script can be considered creative writing as much as the script for Jurassic Park, because it charges historical events with emotion and makes the audience feel invested in the characters.
Writing about your own life is no different. Journals and diaries—when they contain personal thoughts, experiences, or emotions—can also constitute creative writing. Even letters can be included, when they do more than stating facts (not just “today I went to the store” or “today it rained.”)
Creative writing doesn’t require you to make up names or inject unicorns into your manuscript. It just requires a bit of storytelling through more imaginative techniques.
Techniques Used in Creative Writing
You’ll want to make your story one that resonates with people, since creative writing is ultimately telling stories about the human experience. To achieve this, you can apply some of these techniques and literary devices:
Including conversations between characters can help bring them to life, while also moving the plot along without relying solely on the narrator.
This was a favorite technique of Ernest Hemingway. Famous for his simple, straightforward style, he let his characters do most of the talking, which also helped to make them more accessible and relatable.
One great example of character development through dialogue can be found in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice :
“A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!”
“How so? How can it affect them?”
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.”
“Is that his design in settling here?”
“Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.”
Without Austen telling us anything directly, we as readers can get a feel for Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, their relationship, and what they each prioritize.
Good dialogue should sound realistic, but also carry a purpose so that the story can progress in a natural way.
Metaphors and similes
Alternatively, writers can choose to pack their prose with imaginative language, offering the reader vivid descriptions to evoke emotion. This is typical in many forms of creative writing, and it is often achieved through literary devices, like similes and metaphors.
For example, in “A Red, Red Rose,” Robert Burns writes:
“O my Love is like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June; O my Love is like the melody That’s sweetly played in tune.”
Similes create images for the reader by using comparisons, rather than simple adjectives. (What kind of poem would the example above be if Burns just told us his love is “beautiful”?)
While similes can help us to imagine a scene more vividly, they can also be open to interpretation. Because similes rely on association, one word might carry different connotations for different readers (this may very well be the author’s intention).
Metaphors, instead, draw parallels and can take up a few lines, like this famous excerpt from Romeo and Juliet :
“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!”
Or sometimes, metaphors can be recurring elements in a text, like in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist , where the desert setting serves as a metaphor for life itself.
Good metaphors can serve as a shortcut to understanding a text because they can convey something complex in terms that are more concise, yet universal. For this reason, metaphors can add extra depth to your story.
Point of view
Deciding which point of view you want to tell your story from is an essential step because it will determine the story’s voice.
Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby , for example, is written in the first-person limited perspective—but imagine how different the story would be if Daisy were narrating instead of Nick! Changing the point of view can change the entire story.
Anecdotes are like small stories within the big story. When used in creative writing, they offer readers a chance to learn more about a character without simply stating it directly. They can be used to evoke empathy, to entertain, to teach a lesson, or simply to reveal other dimensions of a character.
We can turn to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for one such example:
“Justine, you may remember, was a great favorite of yours; and I recollect you once remarked, that if you were in an ill-humor, one glance from Justine could dissipate it, for the same reason that Ariosto gives concerning the beauty of Angelica—she looked so frank-hearted and happy. My aunt conceived a great attachment for her, by which she was induced to give her an education superior to that which she had first intended.”
This anecdote, delivered by Elizabeth to Victor Frankenstein, provides background for Justine’s character and reveals the history between the characters’ families. By testifying to Justine’s “frank-hearted and happy” nature, readers are led to sympathize with the character even more, especially in light of her tragic fate (she confesses to a crime she did not commit and is promptly executed).
Making proper use of the right techniques can make any writing better, but it’s especially important in creative writing if you want a well-developed story that resonates with readers and doesn’t feel forced.
Who Should Practice Creative Writing?
Now that we’ve gone over what exactly creative writing is and the techniques used to compose it, you might be wondering what exactly you can do with this information.
Because creative writing isn’t just for English majors and best-selling authors. We all have stories to tell, and even if you never show your work to anyone, practicing creative writing can be beneficial to just about everyone.
Aside from proven therapeutic benefits , creative writing exercises can help to:
Build your imagination and creativity: By stimulating the parts of your brain responsible for creativity, you’ll train your mind to think “outside the box” to find new, innovative solutions.
Organize your thoughts: Developing a plot requires the ability to think logically, since you’ll want to make the underlying point clear. This kind of thinking can of course be helpful in the workplace and many other parts of your life.
Grow your confidence: Putting your thoughts down on paper takes guts. Expressing yourself through writing and seeing your ideas translated to words can help build self-confidence.
Improve your communication skills : By refining your writing skills, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively, both in speech and on paper.
Give your mind a break: Like reading, creative writing offers the perfect escape from everyday life. You’re in complete control of everything that happens, so let yourself go and see the wonderful things your mind builds when you set it free.
How Can You Get Started?
If you’re new to creative writing, there are a number of ways to get started. Keeping a diary to write down your thoughts and ideas can be extremely helpful. Or, check out our many great writing prompts to get your creativity flowing!
What do you love to write about? Feel free to share with us in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
- 70 Creative Writing Prompts to Inspire You to Write
- 10 Creative Writing Exercises for Beginners and Writers
- How Writing Prompts Can Boost Your Creative Writing Skills
- Fast and Loose: 3 Ways Freewriting Will Upgrade Your Creative Career
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
I see during my searches of creating writing that the term, snippet is not used. Why is this, as it is a very entertaining concept, as I enclose an example.
The small boy asks his grandpa, “Grand daddy, what will you do if you ever catch the last beaver in th e world?”
“Well son, that will be the saddest day that I ever could imagine.”
“You know son, that almost happened a couple hundred years or so ago. Money was hard to come by and rich people over in Europe wanted all the beaver they could buy from men that were willing to risk their lives in the new America that had a seemingly endless supply of the rich furred animals.”
The old man said, “the only thing that stopped the beaver from being totally wiped out was the silk worm.”
That didn’t stop the boy from his original line of questions about beavers, he could care less about any worms. After all he was a trapper, in his own mind.
The boy, stopped his Grandpa again, in the manner that young kids do, that are impatient for another answer. “Granddaddy, how long have you been trapping beavers?”
“Well son, let me see; I started just about the time I was your age I think.”
“How many have you caught,” came next.
“There’s no telling, maybe a truck load, maybe two.”
The boys next words took the old trapper back a step or two when the boy said, “Granddaddy do we have to catch them all, or can we leave me a few so I can take my son, someday, and show and tell him what you’ve taught me.”
Interesting
Thanks, hope you enjoyed the post!
Great article. I appreciate reading even more now. Understanding these things has opened a new door for me. I mostly wrote for my own entertainment, but what I have learned here, I am inspired to give it a try on a bigger scale.
Thank you for the inspiration.
You’re very welcome Cindy, and thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article :) Happy writing!
Submit a Comment Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Learn More About
- Fiction (182)
- Nonfiction (53)
- Blogging (43)
- Book Promotion (28)
- How to Get Reviews (9)
- Audiobooks (17)
- Book Design (10)
- Ebook Publishing (13)
- Hybrid Publishing (8)
- Print Publishing (9)
- Self Publishing (70)
- Traditional Publishing (53)
- How to Find an Editor (11)
- Fitness (4)
- Mindfulness and Meditation (7)
- Miscellaneous (104)
- New Releases (17)
- Career Development (73)
- Online Courses (46)
- Productivity (45)
- Personal Finance (21)
- Podcast (179)
- Poetry Awards Contest (2)
- Publishing News (8)
- Readers Choice Awards (5)
- Reading Tips (144)
- Software (16)
- Technology (13)
- Contests (4)
- Grammar (45)
- Word Choice (63)
- Writing a Book (57)
- Writing Fiction (187)
- Writing Nonfiction (61)
14 Types of Creative Writing
by Melissa Donovan | Apr 6, 2021 | Creative Writing | 18 comments
Which types of creative writing have you tried?
When we talk about creative writing, fiction and poetry often take the spotlight, but there are many other types of creative writing that we can explore.
Most writers develop a preference for one form (and genre) above all others. This can be a good thing, because you can specialize in your form and genre and become quite proficient. However, occasionally working with other types of writing is beneficial. It prevents your work from becoming stale and overladen with form- or genre-specific clichés, and it’s a good way to acquire a variety of techniques that are uncommon in your preferred form and genre but that can be used to enhance it.
Types of Creative Writing
Free writing: Open a notebook or an electronic document and just start writing. Allow strange words and images to find their way to the page. Anything goes! Also called stream-of-consciousness writing, free writing is the pinnacle of creative writing.
Journals: A journal is any written log. You could keep a gratitude journal, a memory journal, a dream journal, or a goals journal. Many writers keep idea journals or all-purpose omni-journals that can be used for everything from daily free writes to brainstorming and project planning.
Diaries: A diary is a type of journal in which you write about your daily life. Some diaries are written in letter format (“Dear Diary…”). If you ever want to write a memoir, then it’s a good idea to start keeping a diary.
Letters: Because the ability to communicate effectively is increasingly valuable, letter writing is a useful skill. There is a long tradition of publishing letters, so take extra care with those emails you’re shooting off to friends, family, and business associates. Hot tip: one way to get published if you don’t have a lot of clips and credits is to write letters to the editor of a news publication.
Memoir: A genre of creative nonfiction , memoirs are books that contain personal accounts (or stories) that focus on specific experiences. For example, one might write a travel memoir.
Essays. Essays are often associated with academic writing, but there are many types of essays, including personal essays, descriptive essays, and persuasive essays, all of which can be quite creative (and not especially academic).
Journalism: Some forms of journalism are more creative than others. Traditionally, journalism was objective reporting on facts, people, and events. Today, journalists often infuse their writing with opinion and storytelling to make their pieces more compelling or convincing.
Poetry: Poetry is a popular but under-appreciated type of writing, and it’s easily the most artistic form of writing. You can write form poetry, free-form poetry, and prose poetry.
Song Lyrics: Song lyrics combine the craft of writing with the artistry of music. Composing lyrics is similar to writing poetry, and this is an ideal type of writing for anyone who can play a musical instrument.
Scripts: Hit the screen or the stage by writing scripts for film, television, theater, or video games. Beware: film is a director’s medium, not a writer’s medium, but movies have the potential to reach a non-reading audience.
Storytelling: Storytelling is the most popular form of creative writing and is found in the realms of both fiction and nonfiction writing. Popular forms of fiction include flash fiction, short stories, novellas, and full-length novels; and there are tons of genres to choose from. True stories, which are usually firsthand or secondhand accounts of real people and events, can be found in essays, diaries, memoirs, speeches, and more. Storytelling is a tremendously valuable skill, as it can be found in all other forms of writing, from poetry to speech writing.
Speeches: Whether persuasive, inspirational, or informative, speech writing can lead to interesting career opportunities in almost any field or industry. Also, speech-writing skills will come in handy if you’re ever asked to write and deliver a speech at an important event, such as a graduation, wedding, or award ceremony.
Vignettes: A vignette is defined as “a brief evocative description, account, or episode.” Vignettes can be poems, stories, descriptions, personal accounts…anything goes really. The key is that a vignette is extremely short — just a quick snippet.
Honorable Mention: Blogs. A blog is not a type of writing; it’s a publishing platform — a piece of technology that displays web-based content on an electronic device. A blog can be used to publish any type of writing. Most blogs feature articles and essays, but you can also find blogs that contain diaries or journals, poetry, fiction, journalism, and more.
Which of these types of creative writing have you tried? Are there any forms of writing on this list that you’d like to experiment with? Can you think of any other types of creative writing to add to this list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment, and keep writing.
18 Comments
What is “flash” writing or stories.
Flash fiction refers to super short stories, a few hundred words or fewer.
its very helpful especially to those students like me who wasn’t capable or good in doing a creative writing
I’m glad you found this post helpful, Elena.
Thank you Melissa. It’s very helpful!
You’re welcome!
Over all good list. Yes blogs can be publishing platforms but only if something is written first. I read what you wrote on a blog.
Thanks a lot Good job
Are these types of creaitve writing the same or different if I need to teach children’s creative writing? Can you recommend a website to teach these?
Hi Marie. Thanks for your question. I’ve come across many websites for teaching children’s creative writing. I recommend a search on Google, which will lead you to a ton of resources.
these are very helpful when it comes to getting in college or essays or just to improve my writing
Thanks, Donte. I’m glad you found this helpful.
Free writing really helps me get going. For some reason my prose are much better when I am not beholden to an overall plot or narrative with specific defined characters. I like to free writer “excerpts” on theprose.com. It allows me to practice writing and receive feedback at the same time. I am also trying to blog about writing my first novel, both for writing practice and to keep myself accountable. It really helps!
I feel the same way. Free writing is always a fun and creative experience for me.
Was trying to give an inservice on writing skills and the different types of writing.
Your wok here really helped. Thanks.
You’re welcome.
Hi, Melissa can you assist me ? I’m trying to improve my writing skills as quickly as possible. Plz send me some more tips and trick to improve my writing and communication skills.
You are welcome to peruse this website, which is packed with tips for improving your writing. I’d recommend focusing on the categories Better Writing and Writing Tips for writing improvement. You can also subscribe to get new articles send directly to your email. Thanks!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- 23 Calming Hobbies to Restore Your Energy | NunziaDreams - […] You can do a lot with creative writing. […]
Submit a Comment Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
Subscribe and get The Writer’s Creed graphic e-booklet, plus a weekly digest with the latest articles on writing, as well as special offers and exclusive content.
Recent Posts
- Do You Need a Creative Writing Degree to Succeed as a Writer?
- The Benefits of Keeping a Reading Journal
- A Few Good Writing Tips to Keep You on Your Toes
- Writing Resources: The Crafty Poet
- Creative Writing Prompts That Explore Society and Culture
Write on, shine on!
Pin It on Pinterest
Letter Writing - Definition and Examples
- An Introduction to Punctuation
- Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
- M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
- B.A., English, State University of New York
Letter writing is the exchange of written or printed messages .
Distinctions are commonly drawn between personal letters (sent between family members, friends, or acquaintances) and business letters (formal exchanges with businesses or government organizations).
Types of Letter Writing
Letter writing occurs in many forms and formats, including notes, letters, and postcards. Sometimes referred to as hard copy or snail mail , letter writing is often distinguished from forms of computer-mediated communication (CMC), such as email and texting .
In his book Yours Ever: People and Their Letters (2009), Thomas Mallon identifies some of the subgenres of the letter, including the Christmas card, the chain letter, the mash note, the bread-and-butter letter, the ransom note, the begging letter, the dunning letter, the letter of recommendation, the unsent letter, the Valentine, and the war-zone dispatch.
Observations
"The test, I think, of a good letter is a very simple one. If one seems to hear the person talking as one reads the letter, it is a good letter." (A.C. Benson, "Letter-Writing." Along the Road , 1913)
"'The art of beautiful letter writing has declined' with our supposed advances, [Alvin Harlow] lamented--a cry we have been hearing ever more often in the eighty years since his book appeared. Those of us with a strong inclination toward the past must remember that, to its early writers, the handwritten or even chiseled letter must itself have seemed a marvel of modernity, and surely, even in Queen Atossa's time, there were those who complained that letter writing--by its nature a 'virtual' activity--was cutting down on all the face time that civilized Persians had previously enjoyed." (Thomas Mallon, Yours Ever: People and Their Letters . Random House, 2009)
Literary Correspondence
"The age of the literary correspondence is dying, slowly but surely electrocuted by the superconductors of high modernity. This expiration was locked into a certainty about 20 years ago; and although William Trevor and V.S. Naipaul, say, may yet reward us, it already sounds fogeyish to reiterate that, no, we won't be seeing, and we won't be wanting to see, the selected faxes and emails, the selected texts and tweets of their successors." (Martin Amis, "Philip Larkin's Women." The Guardian , October 23, 2010)
Historical Records
"So much of what we know of the world stems from private letters. Our principal eyewitness account of Vesuvius derives from a letter from Pliny the Younger to the Roman historian Tacitus. Our knowledge of the Roman world has been hugely enriched by the discovery in the early 1970s of inky messages on oak and birch discovered not far from Hadrian's Wall in Britain. The letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn and of Napoleon to Josephine show infatuation, weakness and anger--useful additions to rounded character portraits. The list carries on to the present day, with recently collected correspondence by Paul Cezanne, P.G. Wodehouse and Christopher Isherwood adding nuance to influential lives." (Simon Garfield, "The Lost Art of Letter-Writing." The Wall Street Journal , November 16-17, 2013)
The Future of Letter Writing
"All communication is 'human-made'--based upon some form of technology. It is not that some forms of communication are free from technology but rather that all modes of communication are based upon a complex relationship between the current cultural practices and the material resources necessary to support the technology. . . . "Though CMC [computer-mediated communication] may, for those with access, replace letters as a means of rapid personal communication [the] lack of material fixity ensures a continued role for letters. By making a physical mark in the process of communication, letters for the moment support a number of social practices and conventions where authorship, authenticity and originality need to be ensured (e.g. in legal or business interactions)." (Simeon J. Yates, "Computer-Mediated Communication: The Future of the Letter?" Letter Writing as a Social Practice , ed. by David Barton and Nigel Hall. John Benjamins, 2000)
"In prisons across the country, with their artificial pre-Internet worlds where magazines are one of the few connections to the outside and handwritten correspondence is the primary form of communication, the art of the pen-to-paper letter to the editor is thriving. Magazine editors see so much of it that they have even coined a term for these letters: jail mail ." (Jeremy W. Peters, "The Handwritten Letter, an Art All but Lost, Thrives in Prison." The New York Times , Jan. 7, 2011)
Electronic Letter-Writing
"When I sift through my past week's electronic in-box, I find easily half a dozen messages that qualify as letters in every traditional sense. They are coherently structured, written with care and design. They enlighten, they illuminate, they endear. They even follow the old epistolary ritual of signing off (not 'yours ever,' but some venerable variant: 'yours' . . . 'cheers' . . . 'all best' . . . 'xo'). . . .
"[T]hese messages would probably never have come my way if the senders had been obliged to take out pen and paper. Indeed, it is the very facility of electronic communication that makes the Luddite soul tremble. . . .
"Even in the age of tweets and pokes and blasts, the impulse to bring order to our thoughts and lives persists, and at the risk of sounding like a technojingoist, one might argue that technology facilitates this impulse as much as it impedes it." (Louis Bayard, "Personal Compositions." The Wilson Quarterly , Winter 2010)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/smiling-young-woman-writing-at-home-688027605-5ae28720ae9ab80037212469.jpg "what is creative letter writing")
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
We're sorry, this computer has been flagged for suspicious activity.
If you are a member, we ask that you confirm your identity by entering in your email.
You will then be sent a link via email to verify your account.
If you are not a member or are having any other problems, please contact customer support.
Thank you for your cooperation
- Letter Writing
Letter Writing - Explore What is, Different Types with Examples
Ever wondered how the practice of writing letters came into being? Letters were one of the earliest forms of passing communication across to family and friends, and it has continued to exist since then. Letter writing is no mere ornamental accomplishment. Even today, letter writing has been thought of as a necessary skill that every individual should acquire.
This article will take you through the following topics
What Is Letter Writing?
Different types of letters, types of letters examples, faq on letter writing and its types.
Letter writing has been deemed as one of the most useful forms learnt and used for various reasons. There are several kinds of letters, each of which has its own form and style. However, there are certain parts of the letter which remain the same. They include:
- Sender’s address
Greeting or Salutation
Body of the letter, subscription, sender’s address.
The writer’s complete postal address has to be mentioned at the beginning of the letter on the left-hand side of the paper. This lets the receiver know where you wrote the letter from.
The date is written just below the sender’s address, and It lets the recipient know when exactly the letter was written. The date may be written in any of the following ways:
4th July 2005
July 4, 2005
The Salutation depends on the relationship between the sender and the receiver.
- To members of your family and friends, it could be Dear Father, My Dearest Friend, Dear Uncle, Dear Diana, etc.
- To Business people or any officer of higher rank, it could be Dear Sir, Dear Sirs, Sir/Ma’am, etc.
The message that you want to convey is stated in the body of the letter. The style, however, depends on the type of letter you are writing. The style of a friendly letter differs completely from that of a business letter or an official letter, but there are certain points that apply to both formal letters and informal letters.
Generally, when you draft the body of your letter, see to that you divide it into short paragraphs, according to the change in the subject matter. Use simple and direct language that is easy to comprehend. Put down all your points in a logical order. Mind your punctuation; incorrect punctuation will alter the meaning of the sentence completely.
The subscription helps you end the letter in a polite and courteous manner. The subscriptions change according to the type of letter you are writing. It can be written as Yours faithfully, Yours lovingly, Yours sincerely, With love, etc.
The signature or the name of the writer should be written just before the subscription.
Letters can be classified into two main types according to the purpose of the letter. Informal Letters, also known as Social Letters, include Friendly Letters and Notes of Invitations.
Formal Letters, also known as Business Letters, include Letters of Application, Letters to Higher Authorities, and Letters to Newspapers.
Informal Letter
Letters to friends and family can be written in a conversational style. They are just a composition of spontaneous thoughts, and they are easy and personal. When writing an informal letter, you are free to use colloquial language, which would be quite out of place in a formal letter. This does not mean that you can pen down random thoughts that are totally disconnected and make no sense. Wrong spelling, punctuation and grammar are not allowed even though the letter is informal and personal.
An informal letter can be written by following a basic format that includes the sender’s address, date, greeting, body of the letter, subscription and signature. To know more about how to write an informal letter, visit Informal Letter Format .
Formal Letter
Formal letters or Business letters should be clear and concise. You should always remember that formal letters are written to bring important information into consideration, so you should always take care to draft the letter carefully by providing only the necessary information.
The language used in formal letters is a lot more professional than informal letters. The format of formal letters is the same as explained above, with a few additions, viz., ‘the Receiver’s Address’, ‘Subject’ and ‘Signature’. Check out Formal Letter Writing in English for more information on formal letters.
Sample Informal Letter – Letter to a Friend in Reply to Her about Planning a Trip Together
16/65, Martins Castle
Hyderabad 500023
Dearest Caro,
I was happy to see your letter, and I loved your idea. I have been wanting to go on a trip with you for a long time, and I think both of us can finally make time to plan and make it happen.
I have a list of places that I thought would be fun to visit. I also do have a list of things I would like to do on our trip. I am too scared of heights, and I know you are too, but I have always wanted to try out bungee jumping with you. Let me know what you think about it. We can also find affordable and beautiful places to stay, and I am sure we can chart it all out. I cannot wait to go on this adventure with you. I know it is a secret to be kept since it is going to be just us, and that makes it all the more exciting. I know for sure that it is going to be worth it too.
I will make sure that I meet you next weekend and make plans for the trip. It would definitely be difficult to get our parents to allow us on this trip, but let’s try hard and make this work. See you soon.
Sample Formal Letter – Letter of Application
3, Old Gate
Nagpur 440003
20 th April, 2018
The Principal
Taurina High School
Mumbai 500043
Subject: Application for the post of English Teacher
I am applying for the position of English Teacher in your organization with reference to the advertisement on The Indian Express dated 18/04/2018. I have great interest in this position and would highly appreciate it if you could consider my application.
I have completed my Post Graduation in English and have experience of working as a High School English Teacher for two years. In my teaching experience, I have come across various challenging situations with kids and parents, and I have learnt to handle all of them well. I have enjoyed connecting with the children and being a part of their growth and development as considerate and intelligent individuals.
I have attached my resume and experience certificate for your kind perusal and hope to hear from you in this regard.
Yours faithfully,
SEAN ALEXANDER
Explore More Sample Letters,
Writing a Letter to Your Friend
More Letter Formats,
How do I start writing a letter?
To start writing a letter, you will have to know who you are writing to and the reason behind the letter. With that in mind, you can start drafting your letter with the Sender’s address on the left-hand side of the paper at the beginning, followed by the date.
What are the types of letter writing?
Letter writing can be divided into two main types – Formal Letters and Informal Letters. Formal letters are letters that are written for official purposes, whereas informal letters are written about anything you want to let your friends or family know.
What are the parts of a letter?
A letter can be said to have six main parts. They include the Sender’s Address and Date, Receiver’s Address, Salutation, Body of the Letter, Complimentary Close and Signature.
Leave a Comment Cancel reply
Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Request OTP on Voice Call
Post Comment
- Share Share
Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs
- Writing Prompts
32+ Letter Writing Prompts: Creative & Persuasive Letter Prompts
Did you know that letter writing has risen in popularity over the recent years? In fact, in the year 2017 to 2018 over 36% of children said that they enjoy writing letters in their free time. While in 2011 this percentage was as low as 28%. It’s not a drastic increase, but it’s definitely a clear increase! So to support this continued rise in interest for letter writing, we have come up with over 32 letter writing prompts to encourage lower and middle school children to write more letters in their spare time.
Our list of letter prompts covers everything from elementary school prompts to middle school letter-writing ideas, as well as persuasive letter writing ideas. See our post on 150 writing prompts for middle school students for more writing ideas.
32+ Creative Letter Writing Prompts
Over 32 letter writing prompts for students in the 1st grade, 2nd grade , 3rd grade to even 6th graders:
- Favourite things: Write a letter to your pen pal asking them about their favourite things. Start by asking them about their favourite colour, food, animal and favourite subject at school. Then you can talk about your own favourite things.
- Distant Relative: Write a letter to a distant relative (someone you haven’t seen in a while). In this letter, you can talk about the things you miss about them and also the things they are missing out on here at home.
- Fan Mail: Write a letter to your favourite celebrity. What would you ask this celebrity? Is there anything you would like to share with them? What do you like most about them?
- Future Self: Write a letter to yourself in 5 years time. What would you tell your older self? What things would you want them to remember from the past?
- Thank an everyday hero: Think about someone that inspires you. This could be a teacher, nurse, doctor, policeman and so on. Write a note to them thanking them for the service they provide every day.
- Write to your favourite superhero: Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Spiderman – Whoever your favourite superhero is, write an imaginary letter to them. You can talk about their superpowers, a recent battle they might have had, their arch-nemesis or anything else!
- Lesson Learned: Think about something that you have recently learned and who you learned this from. Can you write a letter to thank them for teaching you this amazing new lesson?
- See you later Letter: It’s the last day of school. Write a ‘see you later’ letter to your friends which you might not see over the holidays.
- Goodbye Letter: You’re leaving a long adventure and you don’t know when you’ll be back. Write a goodbye letter to your loved ones and friends telling them that you’ll miss them and about the adventure you have planned.
- Old Memories: Think about your favourite past memories. Who are these memories with? Write a letter to this person talking about your favourite moments from this memory.
- Weather forecast alert: Write a letter to someone in another country describing the weather where you are right now.
- Cheer them up: Write a letter to cheer someone up who is sad. You could include a funny story or joke in this letter.
- The first time we met: Think about the first time you met your friend. Write a letter to them reminding them of this time.
- Letter to Grandparents: Write a letter to your grandparents, asking them about the old times. What was school like for them? What kind of games did they play when they were young?
- Birthday Party invites: Write a letter inviting someone to a birthday party that you’re having. Talk about the party theme, food, music and don’t forget to include the time and location.
- Apology letter: Have you hurt anyone’s feelings recently? Write them an apology letter to tell them how sorry you are.
- Letter to Santa: Write a letter to Santa , telling him that you have been good with examples. Don’t forget to include a wish list!
- Alien Invasion Response: Aliens are coming to invade Earth! Send them a letter to convince them to stop invading Earth.
- Letter of complaint: Imagine you recently went to a restaurant and the food was bad. Now write a letter of complaint to the owner of that restaurant. In this letter, you can give them ideas of how they can improve their food and service.
- Letter to publication: Do you have a favourite magazine that you read? Write a letter to your favourite publication telling them how good their recent issue was.
- Letter to your mayor/council: Write a formal letter to the mayor of your town, telling them how to improve your town. You can talk about the issues in your town and how these can be fixed.
- Trapped on an island: Imagine you are trapped on an island in the middle of nowhere. Write a message in a bottle to someone. This can be an SOS message, a message telling others how good your life is now or how bad it is. What message would you want people to find?
- People of the future: Write a letter to the people of the future in 100 years time. What things would you want them to know about your life?
- Secret Admirer: This one is a good Valentine’s Day writing activity . Write an anonymous letter to someone you like, telling them everything you like about them.
- Letter to an object: Write a letter to an inanimate object in your room, like a pencil or a chair. What would ask this object?
- New stuff: Write a letter about something new you got recently. You can start the letter by saying, “Today I got…”
- Deforestation : You just found out that a new company is building its headquarters in your town. To build this new building they will have to destroy the local forest. Send a letter to your local mayor stating your opinion. Take a look at these endangered species writing activities for more environmental fun.
- The Job Application: Write a letter to a company that you want to work for in the future. Tell them why you would make a good worker and why they should hire you.
- Animal Testing: You recently found out that a local beauty company is using animals like monkeys and dogs to test their new range of make-up. Write a letter to this company telling them why this is unethical or bad.
- Homework and more homework: Write a letter to your teacher telling them of your opinion on homework. Do you think homework should be banned? Why or why not?
- Animal Letter writing: Imagine if animals could write. Choose an animal of your choice and write a letter to them. What have you always wanted to ask your chosen animal? This DIY animal envelope tutorial could be a fun idea here.
- Fairytale letters: We’re sure that everyone has read a fairytale . Pick a fairytale character of your choice and write a letter to them. This could be Cinderella, one of the seven dwarves or even the big bad wolf.
- Dear Mom Letter: Write a dear mom letter to your mom! You can start with the following sentence: I love this picture of you… Check this post for more ‘ Dear Mom’ Letter prompts .
What do you think of these creative letter-writing prompts? Let us know in the comments and you can even share your letters with us too!
Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.
Related Posts
Comments loading...
Tons of fun story ideas, writing activities, lessons, printables and much more - ALL FREE forever!
All to help you write your own stories in no time.
Sign-up to our community for FREE writing resources and tools to inspire you!
We use cookies to make this website secure and effective for all its users. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
Continue Change Settings
Top Creative Letter Writing Ideas in 2022
Letters have been a form of written communication for more than five thousand years. Even today, letter writing is still considered a means of communication with a personal touch.
As the world progresses into a more digital age, the art of letter writing is gradually fading. With texts, emails, and social media posts as our primary means of communication, handwritten letters are becoming a rarity. Though this may be the case, there are many reasons why creative letter writing should not be obliterated.
Here are a few reasons why sending creative letters remains a top creative way to connect with loved ones in 2022.
- Creative Letters Add a Personal Touch
A letter allows you to share your personality and emotions in a way that email or text messages cannot. You can tell your loved ones about the little things happening in your life and even what you think about them. A handwritten letter shows them how much you care about them, which they try to keep secured and try never to lose it.
- They Build Memories
It’s important to build memories with those who are close to you. When you write a letter, it will be something that your loved ones can keep and look back on for years to come. The letters you send can also be used as gifts when celebrating birthdays or other special occasions.
Creative Letters can also be fun to write, and they are inexpensive. People like to receive personalized letters. And remember, you are always writing for future generations to read!
Where is Creative Letter Writing Applied?
Creative letter writing is applied in personal relationships and the business world. When two companies have a partnership or are about to merge, they will often exchange letters to get to know one another better. Sometimes, the letters will be very formal with a set structure, and other times, they will be more creative and expressive.
Creative writing can also be used for marketing and sales purposes in the business world. Well-crafted marketing or sales business letter can be an effective way to reach out to new and prospective customers and promote a product or service. It can also be used to demonstrate gratitude towards customers for their patronage.
For example, a company might send a personalized letter to potential customers to introduce their product or service. This marketing strategy is often more effective than sending out a generic, mass-produced advertisement.
Creative letter writing can also be used to convey your feelings and thoughts to a close loved one or even a friend. A written letter allows you to express yourself in a way that you might not be able to do in person. You can choose the words you want to use, and they will be delivered directly into the hands of the recipient, without any interruptions or distractions.
Want To Revive Creative Letter Writing?
Letter writing is a lost art. People used to take the time to handwrite letters to their loved ones, friends, and even strangers. These days, most people send a text or an email.
However, there’s something special about receiving a handwritten letter. It feels personal and intimate. It can be challenging to find the time to write letters in this day and age, but it’s worth taking the time to do so.
If you wish to bring back the lost art of creative letter writing, here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Write a letter to your loved ones telling them how much you love them.
- Write a letter to a friend thanking them for being a great friend.
- Write a letter to your favorite author expressing appreciation for their work.
- Write a letter to a disappointed friend apologizing and telling them how ashamed you are.
- Write a letter to your future self and tell them how proud you are of what you have achieved.
- Write a letter to your diary every day, telling them about your day.
- Write a letter of encouragement to a demotivated colleague, friend, or subordinate.
There are several excuses to write a letter. You might want to write a letter to someone you care about, be it a friend, family member, or even a stranger. To express something that has been bothering you lately. Share a memory from the past that you cherish. Tell the person how much they matter to you. Express your gratitude for all they’ve done for you. You might want to congratulate them on an achievement, say thank you, wish them to get well soon, or express their love.
Why Is Creative Letter Writing So Important?
New experiences help improve creativity and curiosity. Creative letter writing is a lost art. It’s so special and unique, and it’s a shame that so many people don’t take the time to sit down and write a letter to someone they care about.
There are apparent benefits to letter writing- you get to keep your handwriting sharp, you get to practice spelling words correctly, and you get to use your imagination. But the best part about letter writing is that it’s a way to connect with someone else.
You update them regarding your going on in your life, or ask them about theirs. You can tell them what you’re thinking and feeling, or you can write to let them know that they’re on your mind.
Creative letter writing is crucial because it allows you to communicate to show your personality and emotions. The personal touch you can achieve through handwritten letters can’t be replicated with emails or other digital correspondence.
Additionally, handwritten notes are a great way to appreciate someone, whether friends, family members, or colleagues. They also make great keepsakes! But what’s the best way to do so? How can you ensure your letter will be treasured rather than quickly forgotten?
The answer is simple: by being creative.
But it’s not always easy to express yourself verbally. That’s why I’ve written a few tips below. They might help you think of things to say in your letter, or they might help you come up with ideas for how to make the most of writing letters!
Creative Letter Ideas to Make Creative Letter Writing Interesting
There are several reasons to love letter writing! It’s a great way to keep in touch with far-away friends, it’s a fun way to show your creative side, and it can even help improve your writing skills.
Creative letter writing can seem daunting; it’s so easy to get lost in the monotony of writing letters the same way, over and over again. However, your creative letter writing does not have to be mundane with a bit of creativity.
But for many people, the process of creative letter writing can be a little bit boring. If you want to make your letter writing more interesting, why not try some of these creative letter ideas
1. Start With A Colorful Envelope
The thing your recipient sees the first is the envelope. It’s a part of the total package you are sending to them, and it should be eye-catching. It can also make a statement or add color to an otherwise dull letter.
Start with a colorful envelope in your letter; it sets the tone for the rest. Please make sure that the envelope is in sync with the theme to set the tone. It is a part of the total package you are sending and should make a statement about you.
For example, for an office party, start with a bright envelope to show excitement or use a neutral color for a more formal occasion such as a wedding.
2. Add a picture, A Personalized Doodle, Or A Drawing.
Pictures and drawings are great ways to keep your reader interested and engaged in your letter. It also gives them a visual representation of what you are trying to say. You can include pictures and drawings in the body of your letter, on the back, or on the front.
Pictures and drawings can break up the monotony of a long letter and keep the reader more engaged. They can also help to illustrate your points better than words alone. When including pictures or drawings in your letter, be sure to choose ones relevant to your topic to help the reader understand what you are trying to say.
3. Choose A Theme
One way to make creative letter writing more interesting is to choose a theme for your letters. Choosing a theme can be something as simple as picking a different color each time you write, or it can be a more specific theme, like telling a story that takes place throughout several letters. Whatever you opt for, make sure it’s something you’re interested in and keeps you excited to write letters.
Whether based on your recipient’s personality or some other shared interest, choosing a theme for your letter can make the process more fun and give you something to focus on, making it easier to come up with specific things to say.
4. Start with a story
Who doesn’t like a good story, so why not start your letter with one? One of the creative cool ways to write letters is to start with a story. This approach is a great way to get your recipient’s attention, making them more engaged about what you have to say, and keep them reading. It also allows you to use specific details to add color and interest to your letter. Plus, coming up with new and innovative stories to share can be of much fun.
Use a story to give context. You can use a story to provide background information about yourself or the recipient. For example, if you’re writing to someone you met at a conference, you could start with a story about how you first met. If you’re writing to someone new in town, you could start with a story about your neighborhood and what it’s like living there. Or if you are writing to someone who recently had a baby.
5. Write a poem or song
Creative letter ideas don’t always have to be about the letter’s content. They can also be about how you present the letter. For example, you could write a poem or song to your loved one. This approach can add an extra layer of personalization to your letter and make it more interesting to read.
A poem or a song is a great way to make your letter stand out and show your creativity. If you’re good at writing poetry or songs, this is a great way to include that talent in your letter. It also demonstrates that you made an effort to create something exceptional for your loved one.
6. Keep it simple
Less is often more when it comes to creativity, so is the case in creative letter writing. Don’t try to be too fancy or creative with your letter writing – it will only make things more complicated and confusing for both you and the person you’re writing to. When writing a letter, it’s crucial to grab the interest of the audience right from the beginning.
Instead, try to keep your letters simple, easy to read, and straightforward. Use short paragraphs and simple sentences, and avoid long blocks of text. If the audience has to strive to comprehend your letter, they’ll likely lose interest quickly.
Use clear, concise language, and make sure everything is easy to read. You don’t want the person you’re writing to have to struggle to understand what you’re attempting to express. Don’t try to be too clever or use complicated words when writing a letter. While this might work in some cases, for the most part, it makes your letter hard to read and turns your reader off.
7. Be Sincere
Dear Friend,
Nothing beats receiving a heartfelt and thoughtful letter in the mail. It feels personal and unique as if the writer took the time to sit down and pour their heart out just for you. The best letters are sincere and honest, touching on shared experiences and memories. They make you perceive as if you are the only person who matters in the world to the writer.
Unfortunately, creative letter writing has become a fading art. People are too occupied in this fast-paced world to take the time out and sit down and write a letter by hand. However, a little bit of creativity and imagination can go a long way and make creative letter writing enjoyable again.
Creative letter writing can be fun, but it’s essential to be sincere. When you take the time and put in the effort to write a letter to someone special, it should come from the heart and reflect in your writing. Don’t pretend to be someone you aren’t. Relax, be your true self, and let the words flow.
Because when you’re faking it, people can notice, so make sure you mean what you’re writing. It’s also essential to sound sincere and maintain a positive vibe throughout your letter. If you want to show that you’re happy with someone, use words like “happy” or “pleased.” On the other hand, if you have something negative to say, be honest about it and state it is not hurtful or offensive.
8. Be Brief
One way to make creative letter writing more interesting is to be brief. Get right to the point and state your argument clearly. This will keep the reader’s attention focused and minimize their time skimming through your letter.
When you’re concise, you must be more judicious with your choice of words. This approach makes your letters more impactful and memorable. You don’t want to bore the reader with a long-winded letter. Keep it short and sweet by getting to the point right away.
9. Go Overboard With Formatting
When most people think of letter writing, they think of a simple, boring document with Times New Roman font and no formatting. When you’re sending a letter, whether a cover letter for a job or an application letter to a university, you want to make sure that it stands out.
You can achieve this by utilizing creative formatting. Adding attractive formatting to your letters can make them more visually appealing and exciting to read. Some simple formatting ideas include using different fonts, colors, and text sizes. You can also add borders, images, and charts to your letters. You can even use different paper types or create 3D letters if you’re feeling extra creative.
You can also use different margins, alignment, and spacing to create an attractive layout. To break up long texts, you can also make use of bullet points and numbered lists. You can even make your typeface, in case you’re feeling more creative!
Fancy fonts, bolding, underlining, italics, and colored text are great for headlines or headings. One way to make your letters more fascinating is using a diversified set of fonts. You can also play around with several kinds of paper or embellishments. You can also make the text colorful or even add graphics. And don’t forget to sign your name!
10. Proofread
Proofreading is a crucial phase in the process of writing that many individuals tend to overlook. It’s important to remember that proofreading is not just about checking for grammar and spelling mistakes. It’s also about making sure your content is clear, concise, and error-free.
If you don’t take the time to proofread your content, you could end up publishing something inaccurate or difficult to understand. Not proofreading can damage your reputation and cost you, potential customers.
This tip makes your work look polished, which might provide you with a comparative advantage. Additionally, proofreading ensures that your ideas are delivered clearly and effectively. Several ways to proofread your work, including reading it aloud using spellcheck or a grammar checker.
So, it’s essential to read over your letter at least twice before you send it off to ensure no spelling or grammar mistakes or other errors that can make your letter look sloppy and unprofessional.
11. Use A Return Address
One way to make creative letter writing more interesting is to use a return address. Your letter’s return address is the first thing your recipient sees. Make it creative! Use a funky font, or get creative with how you word it. This tip is an excellent opportunity to show off your personality and make your letter stand out from the rest.
This idea adds an extra layer of fun and creativity to your letters. You can also get creative with the type of paper you use, the stamps you choose, and the envelopes you send them in. Be sure to decorate your letters with stickers, drawings, or any other type of embellishment to make them stand out.
Always include a return address so the recipient knows where to send their response if they have any questions about your letter.
12. Do It Yourself
It’s best to do your own letter writing. If you send a formal letter or one that someone else has written, you are more likely to lose credibility with the reader. Such can happen even if the person is an expert in your field.
As you write letters to your family member or business associate, you must remain creative so that your message can be received well and without a doubt. Besides, how can you stand out if all you do with content writing is just copy-pasting?
Finally, don’t feel hesitation in adding some personality to your letters. Let your creativity shine through. If you are looking for creative copywriting services, you can choose Writing Service Hub which is the leading writing agency in the United States.
Creative letter writing is a slowly vanishing form of art in the digital age. But that doesn’t mean you should forget about it altogether. Some unique and creative cool ways to write letters that you can try in 2022 include; starting your letter with a funny story or a pun, sending a funny postcard, writing a letter to your future self, drawing or painting a picture, or a doodle to go with your letter.
When it comes to creative letter writing, the sky’s the limit! We have shared some of our finest and favorite ideas for spicing up your correspondence in this blog post. So get your pens and paper ready, and prepare to get creative!
Writing Therapy: How to Write and Journal Therapeutically
Of course, the answer to that question will be “yes” for everyone!
We all fall on hard times, and we all struggle to get back to our equilibrium.
For some, getting back to equilibrium can involve seeing a therapist. For others, it could be starting a new job or moving to a new place. For some of the more literary-minded or creative folks, getting better can begin with art.
There are many ways to incorporate art into spiritual healing and emotional growth , including drawing, painting, listening to music, or dancing. These methods can be great for artistic people, but there are also creative and expressive ways to dig yourself out of a rut that don’t require any special artistic talents.
One such method is writing therapy. You don’t need to be a prolific writer, or even a writer at all, to benefit from writing therapy. All you need is a piece of paper, a pen, and the motivation to write.
Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our 3 Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values and self-compassion and give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students or employees.
This Article Contains:
- What Is Writing Therapy?
Benefits of Writing Therapy
How to: journaling for therapy, writing ideas & journal prompts, exercises and ideas to help you get started, a take-home message, what is writing therapy.
Writing therapy, also known as journal therapy, is exactly what it sounds like: writing (often in a journal) for therapeutic benefits.
Writing therapy is a low-cost, easily accessible, and versatile form of therapy . It can be done individually, with just a person and a pen, or guided by a mental health professional. It can also be practiced in a group, with group discussions focusing on writing. It can even be added as a supplement to another form of therapy.
Whatever the format, writing therapy can help the individual propel their personal growth , practice creative expression, and feel a sense of empowerment and control over their life (Adams, n.d.).
It’s easy to see the potential of therapeutic writing. After all, poets and storytellers throughout the ages have captured and described the cathartic experience of putting pen to paper. Great literature from such poets and storytellers makes it tempting to believe that powerful healing and personal growth are but a few moments of scribbling away.
However, while writing therapy seems as simple as writing in a journal , there’s a little more to it.
Writing therapy differs from simply keeping a journal or diary in three major ways (Farooqui, 2016):
- Writing in a diary or journal is usually free-form, where the writer jots down whatever pops into their head. Therapeutic writing is typically more directed and often based on specific prompts or exercises guided by a professional.
- Writing in a diary or journal may focus on recording events as they occur, while writing therapy is often focused on more meta-analytical processes: thinking about, interacting with, and analyzing the events, thoughts, and feelings that the writer writes down.
- Keeping a diary or journal is an inherently personal and individual experience, while journal therapy is generally led by a licensed mental health professional.
While the process of writing therapy differs from simple journaling in these three main ways, there is also another big difference between the two practices in terms of outcomes.
These are certainly not trivial benefits, but the potential benefits of writing therapy reach further and deeper than simply writing in a diary.
For individuals who have experienced a traumatic or extremely stressful event, expressive writing guided purposefully toward specific topics can have a significant healing effect. In fact, participants in a study who wrote about their most traumatic experiences for 15 minutes, four days in a row, experienced better health outcomes up to four months than those who were instructed to write about neutral topics (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2005).
Another study tested the same writing exercise on over 100 asthma and rheumatoid arthritis patients, with similar results. The participants who wrote about the most stressful event of their lives experienced better health evaluations related to their illness than the control group, who wrote about emotionally neutral topics (Smyth et al., 1999).
Expressive writing may even improve immune system functioning, although the writing practice may need to be sustained for the health benefits to continue (Murray, 2002).
In addition to these more concrete benefits, regular therapeutic writing can help the writer find meaning in their experiences, view things from a new perspective, and see the silver linings in their most stressful or negative experiences (Murray, 2002). It can also lead to important insights about yourself and your environment that may be difficult to determine without focused writing (Tartakovsky, 2015).
Overall, writing therapy has proven effective for different conditions and mental illnesses, including (Farooqui, 2016):
- Post-traumatic stress
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Grief and loss
- Chronic illness issues
- Substance abuse
- Eating disorders
- Interpersonal relationship issues
- Communication skill issues
- Low self-esteem
There are many ways to begin writing for therapeutic purposes.
If you are working with a mental health professional, they may provide you with directions to begin journaling for therapy.
While true writing therapy would be conducted with the help of a licensed mental health professional, you may be interested in trying the practice on your own to explore some of the potential benefits to your wellbeing. If so, here there are some good tips to get you started.
First, think about how to set yourself up for success:
- Use whichever format works best for you, whether it’s a classic journal, a cheap notebook, an online journaling program, or a blog.
- If it makes you more interested in writing, decorate or personalize your journal/notebook/blog.
- Set a goal to write for a certain amount of time each day.
- Decide ahead of time when and/or where you will write each day.
- Consider what makes you want to write in the first place. This could be your first entry in your journal.
Next, follow the five steps to WRITE (Adams, n.d.):
- W – What do you want to write about? Name it.
- R – Review or reflect on your topic. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and focus.
- I – Investigate your thoughts and feelings. Just start writing and keep writing.
- T – Time yourself. Write for five to 15 minutes straight.
- E – Exit “smart” by re-reading what you’ve written and reflecting on it with one or two sentences
Finally, keep the following in mind while you are journaling (Howes, 2011):
- It’s okay to write only a few words, and it’s okay to write several pages. Write at your own pace.
- Don’t worry about what to write about. Just focus on taking the time to write and giving it your full attention.
- Don’t worry about how well you write. The important thing is to write down what makes sense and comes naturally to you.
- Remember that no-one else needs to read what you’ve written. This will help you write authentically and avoid “putting on a show.”
It might be difficult to get started, but the first step is always the hardest! Once you’ve started journaling, try one of the following ideas or prompts to keep yourself engaged.
Here are five writing exercises designed for dealing with pain (Abundance No Limits, n.d.):
- Write a letter to yourself
- Write letters to others
- Write a poem
- Free write (just write everything and anything that comes to mind)
- Mind map (draw mind maps with your main problem in the middle and branches representing different aspects of your problem)
If those ideas don’t get your juices flowing, try these prompts (Farooqui, 2016):
- Journal with photographs – Choose a personal photo and use your journal to answer questions like “What do you feel when you look at these photos?” and “What do you want to say to the people, places, or things in these photos?”
- Timed journal entries – Decide on a topic and set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes to write continuously.
- Sentence stems – These prompts are the beginnings of sentences that encourage meaningful writing, such as “The thing I am most worried about is…” “I have trouble sleeping when…” and “My happiest memory is…”
- List of 100 – These ideas encourage the writer to create lists of 100 based on prompts like “100 things that make me sad” “100 reasons to wake up in the morning,” and “100 things I love.”
Tartakovsky (2014) provides a handy list of 30 prompts, including:
- My favorite way to spend the day is…
- If I could talk to my teenage self, the one thing I would say is…
- Make a list of 30 things that make you smile.
- The words I’d like to live by are…
- I really wish others knew this about me…
- What always brings tears to your eyes?
- Using 10 words, describe yourself.
- Write a list of questions to which you urgently need answers.
If you’re still on the lookout for more prompts, try the lists outlined here .
As great as the benefits of therapeutic journaling sound, it can be difficult to get started. After all, it can be a challenge to start even the most basic of good habits!
If you’re wondering how to begin, read on for some tips and exercises to help you start your regular writing habit (Hills, n.d.).
- Start writing about where you are in your life at this moment.
- For five to 10 minutes just start writing in a “stream of consciousness.”
- Start a dialogue with your inner child by writing in your nondominant hand.
- Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by maintaining a daily list of things you appreciate, including uplifting quotes .
- Start a journal of self-portraits.
- Keep a nature diary to connect with the natural world.
- Maintain a log of successes.
- Keep a log or playlist of your favorite songs.
- If there’s something you are struggling with or an event that’s disturbing you, write about it in the third person.
If you’re still having a tough time getting started, consider trying a “mind dump.” This is a quick exercise that can help you get a jump start on therapeutic writing.
Researcher and writer Gillie Bolton suggests simply writing for six minutes (Pollard, 2002). Don’t pay attention to grammar, spelling, style, syntax, or fixing typos – just write. Once you have “dumped,” you can focus on a theme. The theme should be something concrete, like something from your childhood with personal value.
This exercise can help you ensure that your therapeutic journal entries go deeper than superficial diary or journal entries.
More prompts, exercises, and ideas to help you get started can be found by following this link .
In this piece, we went over what writing therapy is, how to do it, and how it can benefit you and/or your clients. I hope you learned something new from this piece, and I hope you will keep writing therapy in mind as a potential exercise.
Have you ever tried writing therapy? Would you try writing therapy? How do you think it would benefit you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Thanks for reading, and happy writing!
We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our 3 Positive Psychology Exercises for free .
- Abundance No limits. (n.d.). 5 Writing therapy exercises that can ease your pain . Author. Retrieved from https://www.abundancenolimits.com/writing-therapy-exercises/.
- Adams, K. (n.d.). It’s easy to W.R.I.T.E . Center for Journal Therapy . Retrieved from https://journaltherapy.com/journal-cafe-3/journal-course/
- Baikie, K. A., & Wilhelm, K. (2005). Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 11(5) , 338-346.
- Farooqui, A. Z. (2016). Journal therapy . Good Therapy . Retrieved from https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/journal-therapy
- Hills, L. (n.d.). 10 journaling tips to help you heal, grow, and thrive . Tiny Buddha . Retrieved from https://tinybuddha.com/blog/10-journaling-tips-to-help-you-heal-grow-and-thrive/
- Howes, R. (2011, January 26). Journaling in therapy . Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-therapy/201101/journaling-in-therapy.
- Murray, B. (2002). Writing to heal. Monitor, 33(6), 54. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun02/writing.aspx
- Pollard, J. (2002). As easy as ABC . The Guardian . Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/jul/28/shopping
- Smyth, J. M., Stone, A. A., Hurewitz, A., & Kaell, A. (1999). Effects of writing about stressful experiences on symptom reduction in patients with asthma or rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association 281 , 1304-1309.
- Tartakovsky, M. (2014). 30 journaling prompts for self-reflection and self-discovery . Psych Central . Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/09/27/30-journaling-prompts-for-self-reflection-and-self-discovery/
- Tartakovsky, M. (2015). The power of writing: 3 types of therapeutic writing . Psych Central . Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2015/01/19/the-power-of-writing-3-types-of-therapeutic-writing/
Share this article:
Article feedback
What our readers think.
Hello, Such an interesting article, thank you very much. I was wondering if there was a particular strategy in which writing down questions produced answers. I started doing just that: writing down doubts and questions, and I found that answers just came. It was like talking through the issues with someone else. Is there any research on that? Is this a known strategy?
Hi Michael,
That’s amazing that you’re finding answers are ‘arising’ for you in your writing. In meditative and mindfulness practices, this is often referred to as intuition, which points to a form of intelligence that goes beyond rationality and cognition. This is a fairly new area of research, but has been well-recognized by Eastern traditions for centuries. See here for a book chapter review: https://doi.org/10.4337/9780857936370.00029
As you’ve discovered, journaling can be incredibly valuable to put you in touch with this intuitive form of knowing in which solutions just come to you.
This also reminds me of something known as the rubber ducking technique, which programmers use to solve problems and debug code: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_duck_debugging
Anyway, hope that offers some food for thought!
– Nicole | Community Manager
I have never tried writing therapy, but I intend to. Its so much better than seeing the psychiatrist for my behavior issues, which nobody has even identified yet.
Hi great article, just wondering when it was originally posted as I wish to cite some of the text in my essay Many thanks
Glad you enjoyed the post. It was published on the 26th of October, 2017 🙂
Hope this helps!
Hi Courtney
I know you posted this blog a while ago but I’ve just found it and loved it. It articulated so clearly the benefits of writing therapy. One question – is there any research on whether it’s better to use pen and paper or Ian using a PC/typing just as good. I can write much faster and more fluently when I use a keyboard but wonder whether there is a benefit from the physical act of writing writing with a pen. Thanks.
Great question. The evidence isn’t entirely clear on this, but there’s a little work suggesting that writing by hand forces the mind to slow down and reflect more deeply on what’s being written (see this article ). Further, the process of writing uses parts of the brain involved in emotion, which may make writing by hand more effective for exploring your emotional experiences.
However, when it comes to writing therapy, the factor of personal preference seems critical! The issue of speed can be frustrating if your thoughts tend to come quickly. If you feel writing by hand introduces more frustration than benefits, that may be a sign to keep a digital journal instead.
Hope that helps!
Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Related articles
What Is Bowenian Family and Couples Therapy? 5 Techniques
Our family of origin distinctly shapes who we are. From our personality and behavior to our choices in life, family plays a large role. And [...]
22 Most Effective Adlerian Therapy Techniques and Worksheets
Alfred Adler, a pivotal figure in the early development of psychotherapy, saw the importance of personal choice, cooperation, and connectedness in overcoming difficulties and making [...]
What Is Psychodrama Therapy? 10 Techniques for Your Sessions
Psychodrama has been described as individual therapy in a group format, with action taking place around the protagonist’s multiple roles in life, such as a [...]
Read other articles by their category
- Body & Brain (41)
- Coaching & Application (49)
- Compassion (27)
- Counseling (46)
- Emotional Intelligence (23)
- Gratitude (16)
- Grief & Bereavement (21)
- Happiness & SWB (37)
- Meaning & Values (25)
- Meditation (21)
- Mindfulness (42)
- Motivation & Goals (42)
- Optimism & Mindset (33)
- Positive CBT (24)
- Positive Communication (21)
- Positive Education (41)
- Positive Emotions (28)
- Positive Psychology (33)
- Positive Workplace (38)
- Relationships (32)
- Resilience & Coping (32)
- Self Awareness (21)
- Self Esteem (38)
- Software & Apps (23)
- Strengths & Virtues (29)
- Stress & Burnout Prevention (26)
- Theory & Books (42)
- Therapy Exercises (32)
- Types of Therapy (55)
Download 3 Free Positive CBT Tools Pack (PDF)
By filling out your name and email address below.
3 Positive CBT Exercises (PDF)
Reading Rockets
- Research, Guides and Resources
- Our PBS Shows
An Introduction to Letter Writing
Letter writing can be fun, help children learn to compose written text, and provide handwriting practice — and letters are valuable keepsakes. This article contains activities to help children ages 5–9 put pen to paper and make someone's day with a handwritten letter.
Related Content
- Introduction
Letter writing is an essential skill. Despite the prevalence of emails and text messages, everyone has to write letters at some point. Letters of complaint, job applications, thank you letters, letters requesting changes or making suggestions — the list goes on and on. Encouraging children to write letters from an early age will improve their communication, social and handwriting skills, and teach them what they need to know about writing and structuring letters.
Within schools
Letter writing can be included in a school's curriculum. Visits to museums or farms prompt thank you letters, for example contacting schools in other countries and exchanging letters links into geography. Writing imaginary letters to historical people can encourage understanding of a historical period or topic. Writing letters encourages good social skills, learning to say thank you and asking for information politely.
Letter writing has many purposes, including the following:
- It encourages good manners, especially writing 'thank you' letters
- Children can write invitations
- Children can write letters to friends and relatives
- Pen pals are always popular, giving insights into other children's lives, especially overseas
In this article:
- What's so special about receiving a handwritten letter?
- Warming up to letter writing
- Introducing letter writing
- Formal letters
- Informal letters
- Letter of enquiry and letters providing information
- Thank you letters
- Letters of invitation
- Letters of complaint
- Letters to Santa
- Letters to newspapers and magazines
What’s so special about receiving a handwritten letter?
Quite apart from curriculum requirements, being asked to write letters is a task that will appeal to children. The sheer fun of sending and receiving letters appeals to every child. There is something special about putting letters into the post box and then having letters delivered by the postman… the brightly colored stamps, seeing your name on the envelope and knowing that inside is a long awaited letter from a friend or member of the family. It shows someone cares and has taken the time to sit down and think about you.
Handwritten letters have a charm of their own. You can take time to think about what you want to say. You can keep letters to read again and again. You can admire the handwriting; share dreams and thoughts. Responding by letter is very different to the immediacy of a text message or an email.
Back to Top
Activity 1: Warming up to letter writting
Use the above themes to encourage the children to discuss letter-writing. Ask the children to put their hands up if they have ever received a personal letter. Ask for one or more volunteers to talk about how they felt to receive the letter. Here are some initial questions that may help:
- What was in your mind as you read the letter?
- Did you keep the letter to read again?
- Did you share your letter with anyone?
- Did you write back?
And some questions for whole class or group discussions:
- Can the class describe any differences between the handwritten letter and an email?
- Do the children think there is ever a time when only a handwritten letter will do?
Ask the class to interview each other to find out each individual's experiences of writing and sending letters. This can be recorded in a chart.
Activity 2: Introducing letter writing
Collect a supply of different types of letters — both formal and informal. Ask the children to sort them out into two groups. Which were written to friends? Which are formal letters from businesses? Which features or characteristics distinguish formal from informal?
Having done that ask the children to look for differences between the two groups. This allows a discussion to take place about the different types of letter. Draw up a chart for each group covering:
- Address — business or private?
- Greeting — formal or informal?
- Style of letter — friendly or business?
- What is the message?
- How does the letter end?
This will allow the children to find out for themselves the differences between formal and informal letters.
This could be followed by a discussion of the type of letters the children or their families write. How many occasions can they think of which would deserve a letter to be written? For example:
- Letters of congratulation
- Exchanging news
- Writing to friends
- Letters saying sorry for doing something wrong
- Making appointments
- Asking for information
- Dealing with banks or stores
- Letters to family members who live some way away
- Letters to Santa Claus
- Letters showing how much you appreciate someone
- Letters responding to someone who has had bad news — showing how much you care by trying to share their sadness
In each case the children should decide what type of letter would be most appropriate in each case — formal or informal? Draw up a chart for each group.
Activity 3: Formal letters
These are sometimes known as business letters. They are written in a strictly formal style. Such letters are always written on an A4 (8" x 11") sheet of paper. They can be folded three times so that the address to which the letter is being sent can appear in the window of a business envelope. The layout is always the same.
- The senders address is put at the top right hand side
- Include telephone number and email if available
- The address of the person receiving the letter goes on the left hand side below the sender's address
- Greeting — Dear Sir or Madam, or To Whom It May Concern. You can use the titles Miss, Mrs. or Mr. if you know the name of the person to whom you are writing
- The message
- Complimentary close — Yours faithfully (when you don't know the person's name), or Yours sincerely (when you know the person's name to whom you're writing)
- Write name in block letters (this is to ensure that the person receiving the letter knows exactly who has sent it. Signatures may not be very clear)
Typical layout of a formal letter
Activity 4: Informal letters
These are letters to friends and relations, or people you know well. Structure:
- The sender's address should always appear on the top right hand corner of the page.
- Greeting — There are several variations that can be used depending on how well you know the person: Dear Mary, Hi Mary, Greetings
- Complimentary close — short comment, for example Love, Lots of love, With thanks, See you soon
Typical layout of an informal letter
Tips for writing good letters
- Make sure that they are well written. It can be very annoying for someone to have to struggle to read handwriting. Always use your best and clearest handwriting.
- Make sure all your contact details are clearly written down at the top of the letter. If they are not, then you might not get a reply. The correct address is essential.
- Think about what you want to say. If necessary make some notes on a separate sheet of paper first. This will ensure that you do not forget anything.
- Think about to whom you are writing the letter. Use the right style of writing and language — formal or informal, business like or friendly.
- Lay out your letter using paragraphs. This makes it easier for the reader.
Activity 5: Letter of inquiry and letters providing information
Suitable for school, children ages 7-9
These are formal letters and messages need to be precise and detailed, covering all the required information. Two types of letters can be undertaken — a letter requesting information; and a reply providing it.
Out in the Milky Way, there is an alien curious about Earth. He writes a letter asking for information about liquids and gases. These do not exist on his planet and he finds it hard to understand what they are.
Write a letter explaining what liquids and gases are. How do they work? What examples could be included? What would be confusing about them? This could link to your science curriculum and could act as a revision exercise giving an opportunity for a discussion about gases and liquids.
The following day, give the children a thank you letter from the alien!
You could link up with another class in the school. One class could write letters of inquiry. These would be delivered to the second class for answering.
Activity 6: Thank you letters
Suitable for school, children ages 5-7 and 7-9
Thank you letters are very important and can be used in lots of ways: thanking organisations for helping, thanking people for helping you, thanking someone for a lovely time. They make a good follow up exercise after receiving presents or going on a visit.
Your class has just been out on a school visit to a farm. Write a thank you letter to the farmer. You will need to say thank you and how much you enjoyed the visit. Give some examples of what you enjoyed best about the day? Was it feeding the lambs? Pond dipping? Seeing the young animals?
Activity 7: Letters of invitation
Everyone likes receiving invitations. Receiving a hand written letter asking you to a party or a special event makes you feel very special.
Discuss what type of event might create a need to write letters of invitation. There are plenty of examples — birthday parties, Christmas parties, a visit to a beach with friends; going out to a farm or to the cinema, a wedding or when a new baby is christened; or simply inviting a friend to stay overnight at your house.
Choose a special event and write a letter inviting a friend. What do you need to include in the letter so that they have all the necessary information? You need to be clear on the date and the time, as well as the location. Your friend would be very upset if he or she went to the wrong place. Does he or she need to bring anything with them? Does he or she need to be collected at a set time? Will outdoor clothing be needed if the weather is bad? How will your friend reach the location of the event? Should a parent bring them or will you provide transport?
Remember to ask them to reply saying yes or no. Give a date by which you must have their reply. This is important if food and drink are being provided, or if you need to know exactly how many people are coming.
Activity 8: Letters of complaint
Suitable for school or home, children ages 5-7 and 7-9
When might a letter of complaint be sent? It might be when someone has done something wrong. Sometimes people write letters to organisations or the newspapers to complain about litter or poor service.
Just imagine what Mr. Bear must have been thinking at the end of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. A naughty girl had broken into his home, eaten his porridge; broken a chair and then gone to sleep on his child's bed. Then she had run away without even saying sorry when the bears came back.
Write a letter of complaint from Mr. Bear to the parents of Goldilocks. What would he say? He would need to get his complaint across very strongly. There would be a list of Goldilocks' misdeeds. He would ask for an apology. Would he ask for payment for the broken chair? Would he ask for action to be taken against Goldilocks? Discuss the various possibilities with the children. What might he ask? Would it be a formal or informal letter?
Activity 9: Letters to Santa
Every year children write letters to Santa Claus, asking for special toys at Christmas time. But how many children think about Santa Claus himself? What is his life like? What are the problems of living amid all that snow and ice?
This is an exercise that could involve two classes within a school. Both classes should prepare for the task by listening to some unusual letters. J R Tolkein wrote a lovely book entitled Letters from Father Christmas. Every December a letter would appear telling wonderful tales of life at the North Pole — how the reindeer got loose and scattered presents all over the place; how the accident-prone Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Santa Claus's house.
Children in the younger class should write letters to Santa. They should ask about life at the North Pole. What do they think it is like? What sort of characters live there? How does Santa Claus occupy his time for the rest of the year? Consider how they would feel living in a land of snow and ice all year round? Would they want a holiday somewhere warmer?
Once the letters are written, gather them up and take them to an older group of children. Give each child a letter and ask them to write a reply. This would give them the opportunity to use their imagination and create imaginative responses, possibly little stories about life at the North Pole. They could also add in their own ideas. But care should be taken to make sure that all the questions in the original letters are answered.
Finally, take the answers back to the original class for reading and discussing.
Activity 10: Letters to newspapers and magazines
These are letters that aim to pass on an opinion or a message. Examples can be easily obtained from local newspapers or from children's magazines such as DK Find Out or Aquila. They are written slightly differently to normal letters and are always addressed Dear Sir, or Dear — (name of magazine).
These are letters that are directed at a wide audience — anyone who happens to read it. The sender never gets a direct letter back through the post. Sometimes people are so interested in a letter, which has appeared in a magazine that they want to express their opinions. So they then write a letter to the magazine giving their comments.
So what might go into a letter to a newspaper or magazine? It might be a request — could you provide more stories about skate boarding, or nature? It might be a way of thanking people for providing help. Sometimes letters to local newspapers are used to thank people who helped find a lost dog or help after an accident; but who did not leave their names. By writing to the paper, the sender hopes that the message will reach the people concerned. Sometimes such letters are used to express opinions such as on climate change, treatment of animals, poor services, not enough buses, and human rights.
Letters of this kind need to be very precise. Arguments should be clearly made. Requests for action should be clearly indicated. From reading the letter, everyone should know exactly what the sender is asking.
A major issue is recycling and energy conservation. Everyone is trying to reduce the amount of energy we use. Look at all the reasons why energy conservation is so important. Then, write a letter to a paper or magazine saying why you believe we should avoid wasting energy. Give examples of how energy can be saved? What measures should we take in our homes or schools? Could anything more be done?
My Child magazine. (2007). Letter Writing Resource Pack. London, U.K. Author. Retrieved February 26, 2008, from http://www.mychild.co.uk/docs/walw/Letter_writing_Resource_Pack.pdf.
Related Topics
Quite helpful
This is quite helpful for students.
Teaching my third grade students tomorrow found it very helpful specialy the activities.Thanks.
Very helpful
this helped me understand an informational letter
Great basic format. It is a strong foundation to start. The layout gives a structure that students can use as a template.
Some useful ideas, but I'm concerned that the layout of the formal letter is incorrect - the date should be underneath the address on the top right of the page, and a letter beginning Dear Sir/Madam should end in Yours faithfully, not Yours sincerely! Sorry for pointing it out, but I hope it helps!
this is really helpful. thanks
It is very helpful for our students, but I think we need more examples and also how could these letters be evaluated in class.
really wonderful activities are suggested to improve letter writing.
I'm teaching my 7 year old daughter the art of personal letter writing. I found this information very useful! Thank You!!
very!!!!!!!!!helpful
You can give more topics for kids to write at home
I don't think you should write your name in the top right hand corner of the letter regardless of whether it is formal or informal. You should only write your address and the date there but not your name. Am I wrong?
Yes. You're right.
very useful site
This is quite useful but needs more examples
Thank you this was very helpful! Teaching this to my third graders tomorrow!
A great read as I am looking for various language to use in writing thank-you notes to parents for Christmas gifts. Our whole sharing month in December revolved around distinguishing between a need and a want. The thank-you with a purpose will be awesome as an example of an informal thank-you letter. As a follow up, we will write a formal thank-you to our parent council for their efforts in generating funds for our school. (Christmas raffle baskets with a theme)
quite helpful
These came in handy as I prepare mu pupils to write letters. Thanks a million for this information.
I had my ELLs create an invitation using your lesson. After choosing the event, we brainstormed together, using a concept map, what would need to be included. Then I made like a story map for them to fill in with the required info. For my lower ELLs, I used frames: Please come to my ____ on ____ at ____. They referenced the vocabulary we brainstormed and that I had written on a chart. After drafting, we did peer edits, from a specific check list, and revised and edited for specific errors based on peer edit. It went really well and studets enjoyed decorating their invitations as well!
Two books for children i have found very useful are Dear Greenpeace ( Walker Books) and The Jolly Postman or other peoples letters ( Puffin Books) there amazing for this topic for ks1
this is quite helpful for students..
I LOVE the letters to santa lesson! I am student teaching and third grade right now and trying to figure out how to pull this off. For example, should they write the letters to Santa or should they answer the letters. I am pretty sure a lot of them believe in Santa still...Anyway, love this idea and will use it in the future if not this year!
i am looking for a decent and friendly handwriting scheme/style to use from Reception through to Year 6. Currently we have Berol and it doesn't seem to be favoured by many. desperate for some feedback and guidance
I'm a 3rd grade teacher and have done this activity for many years. Teaching in a K-5 school, I've teamed with a 5th grade teacher to answer the letters. I've done it 2 ways: 1) the students write to Santa asking for something, but they have to PERSUADE Santa that they deserve the present they are asking for (use evidence of what you did to earn the present. 2) My students are "buddies" to a class of Kinders. They ask their buddies what to name a present they would like. The 3rd grader asks the buddy about their behavior/good deeds, etc, then writes the letter on behalf of the buddy (and reads it aloud along with the response.) The 5th graders writing the responses are instructed to respond to the letters as one of Santa's elves. They make up a name (Snowflake, Jiggly, Dreamboat, etc, so 3rd grader doesn't know that a 5th grader is writing) and then commend the writer for their hard work/good deeds BUT they cannot guarantee a present. The 5th grade teacher encourages them to make up contingencies (that's a popular request, we're running low on stock, I'm not sure we have that yet, etc) so that the writers' evidence/behavior is acknowledged, but 3rd's aren't set up for disappointment. The letters are delivered by a mysterious knock, with a plain envelope laying in front of the door, but no delivery person in sight. Jewish students write letters to their parents requesting Hanukkah gifts, using the same evidence criteria. I've done this project 15+ years, and every year this project is a big hit, as students read and re-read their responses to their classmates. (Third graders also become proofreaders when they find writing mistakes by the elves. I respond that the elves need to have more writing lessons.)
Thank you for the awesome resource..
teaching this unit tomorrow, this was helpful
letters are important, a skill sadly lacking these days
What about 'grading' a thank you letter?
Its better to include more examples of types of letters.
I teach English Lnguage Learners and they will love this unit. A good (and funny) book to use with this unit is "I Wanna Iguana" by Karen Kaufman Orloff. Thanks!
Add comment
More information about text formats
- No HTML tags allowed.
- Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
- Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
New and Popular
Our Literacy Blogs
Reading SOS
Tips from experts on how to help your children with reading and writing at home.
Target the Problem
Pinpoint the problem a struggling reader is having and discover ways to help.
FAQs About Reading
Real questions from parents and educators, answered by experts.
Literacy Apps
Find the best apps for building literacy skills.
Book Finder
Create your own lists of fiction and nonfiction children’s books. We have more than 5,000 books in our library!
Live Customer Service | M-F 10am-6pm Eastern: 864-729-3997
FORMATTING + DESIGN
FREELANCE COMMUNITY
Creative Writing Examples (20 Types for You to Try)
Posted on Mar 9, 2023
by Gloria Russell
“Creative writing” is a simple term which encompasses a huge amount of art. Much of the creative writing you see on a regular basis might not even seem like creative writing at first! You may have even done some creative writing yourself without realizing it.
We’re here today to talk about some different types of creative writing, show you some examples, and give you some pointers if you’re looking to start creative writing yourself.
Today’s guide to creative writing examples covers:
What does creative writing include.
- Short Story
- Flash Fiction
- Microfiction
- Personal Essays
How do I start creative writing?
Let’s take a look at some different types of creative writing, as well as some examples:
A novel is a fictional story which is about the length of a book, and it follows a narrative. Books are generally around 90,000 words, but they can be hundreds of thousands of words long depending on the author and publisher. Novels come in many different genres and subgenres, including mystery, fantasy, science fiction, contemporary, literary fiction, horror, and romance.
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
Make a Full-Time Passive Income From Book Sales
Creative Writer Class: How to Write & Publish a Fiction Book
Taught by a Bestselling Author with YEARS of experience doing JUST THIS! Learn the most recent fiction marketing tactics, Amazon algorithm deep-dive, with case studies, & more.
Short Story
A short story is a complete fictional narrative, but it is, as the name implies, much shorter than a novel. Short stories range between 1,000 and 10,000 words, and like novels, they appear in a variety of genres.
- “Passing Ghosts” by Hannah Lee Kidder (from her collection Starlight)
- “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gillman
- “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe
Flash Fiction
Flash fiction is a subtype of short fiction and usually refers to stories which are 1,000 words or less. The focus of flash fiction is usually much smaller than in short fiction, novellas, or novels, and the author will describe a very specific moment, character, or scene instead of following a character through a long quest or journey.
- “Dear Emma” by Hannah Lee Kidder (from her collection Little Birds)
- “Curriculum” by Sejal Shah
- “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury
Microfiction
Microfiction is a subtype of flash fiction. The term ‘microfiction’ is often used interchangeably with ‘flash fiction,’ and there are ongoing debates about the definitive length of microfiction. Depending on who you ask, it ranges between a handful of words up to 1,000 words.
- “Ignorance” by Hannah Lee Kidder (from her collection Little Birds)
- “Chapter V” by Ernest Hemingway
- “Give it Up!” by Franz Kafka
Novella
A novella is essentially a short novel or a very long short story. They range between 10,000 and 40,000 words, and they follow a fictional narrative much in the same way that novels or short stories do. The plot of a novella is compact and short because of its word count.
- Home by Toni Morrison
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Prose Poem
Prose poetry is poetry that isn’t broken up into the sort of lines you see in verse poetry, but which contains many of the same elements as poetry, like symbolism, metaphor, and imagery.
- “Spring Day” by Amy Lowell
- “Information” by David Ignatow
- “Year of the Dig” by Danielle Mitchell
A poem is a piece of writing which relies heavily on metaphor and symbolism to convey meaning. Poetry often takes on a songlike quality. The term ‘poetry’ encompasses an enormous variety of structures and forms. There’s no word limit for poetry—poems can be thousands of words long, or they can take up only one line or two lines.
- “The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred Tennyson
- “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allen Poe
- “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson
Sonnet
Sonnets are a form of Italian poetry . They’re generally fourteen lines long, with those lines being broken up into four subgroups. The first three groups of lines appear in sets of four, or “quatrains,” and the sonnet ends with a group of two lines.
- “There is another sky” by Emily Dickinson
- “Silence” by Edgar Allen Poe
- “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare
Haiku
A haiku is a poem with three lines. The first line contains five syllables, the second line contains seven syllables, and the final line contains five syllables. These are often used to focus on a specific image, emotion, or scene.
- “The Old Pond” by Matsuo Bashō
- “Haiku [for you]” by Sonia Sanchez
- “The Taste of Rain” by Jack Kerouac
Limerick
Limericks are made up of three long and two short lines which follow the rhyming sequence AABBA. These are often rowdy or lewd, and almost always intended to be funny.
- “There’s a Ponderous Pundit MacHugh” by James Joyce
- “A Wonderful Bird is the Pelican” by Dixon Lanier Merritt
- “There Was a Young Lady of Station” by Lewis Carroll
Plays
A play is a script intended to be performed by actors on a stage in front of a live audience. Plays come in as many genres as films or novels do—comedies, romances, tragedies, and murder mysteries have all been written for the stage. Since plays are written in script form instead of in prose form, the focus is on stage direction and character dialogue—there’s not really a narrator in the way there is for a novel.
- The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
- Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
- A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Movie & T.V. Scripts
Scripts for movies and television follow a format similar to scripts for the stage, but they take the different medium into account. Scripts tend to account for about one minute of screen time per page, and they’ll often include specific directions for the crew to follow while filming.
- Shrek dir. Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
- Pride & Prejudice dir. Joe Wright
- Steel Magnolias dir. Herbert Ross
Personal Essays
Personal essays are autobiographical accounts of events, but they’re told casually. Instead of feeling like an autobiography or an encyclopedia entry, these feel more like the author’s sitting down with you at coffee and telling you about something which happened to them.
- “Barrel Fever” by David Sedaris
- “Julius: The Story of a Premature Birth” by Jon Michaud
- “The Sordid Necessity of Living for Others” by Justin Torres
Songs
A song is a type of verse poetry which is intended to be performed musically. There are tons of different songwriting methods and patterns and there aren’t any hard rules, but generally, they include some sort of verse, some sort of repeating chorus, and a bridge towards the end of the song, usually before the last iteration of the chorus.
- “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
- “I’m Not Okay” by My Chemical Romance
- “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
Blogs
Blogs aren’t always creative writing endeavors, but they can be! These are basically online personal essays, usually updated regularly for an audience. Authors will often use creative storytelling or creative writing skills to tell engaging, interesting stories, or to convey information in an interesting manner.
- The Creative Pen by Joanna Penn
- The Artist’s Road by Patrick Ross
- terribleminds by Chuck Wendig
Diaries
Diaries are a personal recording of one’s thoughts and feelings. These can be very therapeutic, as they help the writer get their private concerns and anxieties out on paper, and it can be a great way to practice writing creatively without worrying if someone else will see it. These are written without the intent to show anyone, but lots of diaries have made it to print.
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- Conversations with Myself by Nelson Mandela
- A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe
Memoirs
A memoir describes a specific period of time in one’s life. Unlike an autobiography, a memoir might twist information to make a more poignant metaphorical or symbolic point. The focus is more on artistic expression than the strict cataloguing of facts.
- The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
- Just Kids by Patti Smith
- In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
Letters
Letters are a form of communication written from one person to another. While these are often simple and without embellishment, it’s very common for people to include creative elements in their letter writing. Love letters, for example, are often painstakingly written with imagery and metaphor to convey the depths of the sender’s affection.
- Letters from an American Farmer and Sketches of Eighteenth-Century America by J. Hector St. John De Crevecoeur
- The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O’Connor by Flannery O’Connor
- Essays and Letters: Friedrich Holderlin by Friedrich Holderlin
Columns
Columns are written for newspapers. While journalism is focused on conveying factual information to the reader (and therefore would be considered non-fiction), columns often leave more room for the writer’s personal opinions, and for the use of more creative language. Think of a column like a blog, but printed instead of online.
- “A Short Story about the Vietnam War Memorial” by Molly Ivins for Dallas Times Herald
- “Gamalielese” by H.L. Mencken for Baltimore Sun
- “Pithy into the Wind” by Dave Barry for The Miami Herald
Comics
Comics are strips of illustration accompanied by dialogue and some narrative text. Usually, comics are written out like scripts before they’re put down in the comic strip format. A comic might be a graphic novel, which is the length of a book, or it might be a single strip in a newspaper.
- The Essential Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
- Hulk: the End by Peter David
- Maximum Ride: 1 by NaRae Lee
If you’re looking to give creative writing a try, here are a few tips to help you get started and stay motivated while you’re learning!
Step 1 – Pick a type of creative writing
Read a few of the types of creative writing on this list and find one that speaks to you or that you’d like to try. Read some more to get a feel for the form and how it works. Knowing what kind of creative writing you’d like to make will make it much easier for you to get your thoughts on paper.
And you don’t have to stick to one type forever! Practicing in different forms will actually strengthen your writing skills overall, so don’t be afraid to branch out.
Step 2 – Set a goal
As with any new skill, creating a goal will help you practice and improve. Your goal might be project-oriented (complete a short story) or routine-oriented (write every day for five days), but whatever it is, it should be quantifiable and actionable. “Write a story” is a little vague. “Write a short story by the end of the month” is specific.
Step 3 – Make a writing routine and stick to it
To help you achieve your goal, carve out a little space in your day for writing . This doesn’t have to be a massive time commitment, and it doesn’t need to be anything fancy. If you can, write at the same time every day and create some kind of ritual around it (making tea beforehand, changing into comfy clothes, whatever works). This will help train your brain to know when it’s time to write, and it’ll get those creative gears turning automatically.
Step 4 – Practice, practice, practice
The most important thing a new writer can do is practice. Don’t get caught up worrying about publishing or perfectionism—you just learned this skill, and now you need to hone it. Practice as often as you can, and focus more on working consistently than putting out a ton of work. The more you practice, the better you’ll get overall!
Gloria Russell
Most popular blog posts, what is self-publishing school.
We help you save time, money, and headaches through the book, writing, marketing, and publishing process by giving you the proven, step-by-step process and accountability to publish successfully. All while allowing you to maintain control of your book–and its royalties. Learn to publish a book to grow your impact, income, or business!
- DESCRIPTION creative cover letter dos and don'ts
- SOURCE Created by Karina Goto for YourDictionary
- PERMISSION Owned by YourDictionary, Copyright YourDictionary
Hiring managers have to go through piles and piles of applications every single day. They have to sort through cover letters that use all the same mindless words, like “great team player” or “good at computers.” A good cover letter can set you apart from all that and send the rest of those applications straight to the recycle bin. So how do you write a cover letter that’ll get you straight from the “to read” pile to the CEO of the company?
What Is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document that acts as a personal introduction and accompanies a resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
It’s called a cover letter because back in the day, when you had to apply to things by turning in actual physical pieces of paper, the cover letter appeared as the cover for your application.
Cover letters are a type of business communication usually associated with job applications, but they can be a requirement for all sorts of application processes. That can include everything from literary magazine submissions to mortgage loan applications to grad school applications.
What Goes Into a Creative Cover Letter?
Cover letters are flexible by nature, a chance to showcase your writing abilities and provide more information about your job skills , experience, education, and other pertinent information that doesn’t show up on a resume or CV.
That’s the important part: Your cover letter isn’t a retread of your resume. Instead, it goes beyond that to help a hiring manager (or admissions representative or loan representative) learn more about you beyond some grades, numbers, and a list of dates. All of that should ideally fit on a single page.
That leaves a lot of wiggle room, but your creative cover letter will generally include:
- A salutation
- An opening paragraph that introduces you and your career
- One to two paragraphs that directly address the job listing
- A closing paragraph that notes future correspondence for an interview
- A proper closing or sign-off
How To Write a Cover Letter for a Job
Now you know what goes into a creative cover letter. Seems pretty straightforward, right? While it’s definitely simpler than you’re probably thinking, it does require a little extra thought to portray yourself accurately while still maintaining a creative, engaging voice in your cover letter. Seeing some examples of cover letters can also give you a better idea of what to write.
Creative cover letter template
Focus on a dynamic opening line.
Much like a good essay introduction, a creative cover letter begins with a great hook . This doesn’t have to be the most amazing piece of writing ever conceived, but it should give the hiring manager an idea of what to look forward to (in the letter and in you as a person). Talk about what compelled you to even consider the open position.
Examples of intriguing opening lines for different occupational fields include:
- Film Industry - As a savvy administrative professional who has seen all the studio's movies (yes, all of them, you can quiz me), I was excited to see the job posting for the Publicity Assistant position with ABC Film Company.
- Education - Teaching is the hardest job I've ever had, but it is the only thing that I ever want to do.
- Sales - Ever since I broke the troop record for selling the most Girl Scout cookies in a single month, I knew I could sell anything to anyone.
- Management - I believe that a leader should be willing to do anything that they ask their team to do, which is how I ended up picking up litter along the highway every weekend.
- Tech - As an avid coder since age 12, I have been striving to find a position like the Technical Specialist position at XYZ Technologies.
Notice how these opening lines are brief, enthusiastic, and personable. They help to immediately bring the reader into your letter.
Tell a Story About Your Achievements and Experience
You went to school, got a degree, worked some number of years before finding yourself opening a new document to write out a new cover letter. If you just listed out those touchstones (school, degree, work experience) in your letter, the reader wouldn’t really have any idea of you as an actual person.
This is where narrative writing can help. It helps to show your personality and sense of humor, while giving a hiring manager a more concrete example of your achievements and obstacles.
There’s a difference between saying “I am well-organized” and:
In my previous job, I was in charge of organizing conferences. The most complex of these was by far this past year’s French Toast Conference. This involved getting in touch with numerous home cooks, catering services, event organizers, and other personnel to ensure the smoothest and tastiest French toast get-together in North America. The day ended with syrup all over my top and powdered sugar in my hair, but the conference saw the highest number of attendees in years.
That narrative demonstrates more of your abilities, even beyond just “good organization.” It shows a specific thing that you accomplished, along with a look at how you dealt with potential conflict. Do your best to show your work experiences with anecdotes and storytelling.
Talk About How You Can Contribute to the Team
Following the body paragraphs discussing your work, include a short paragraph about how you will contribute to the team. It’s one thing to have skills and experience, but it’s a whole other thing to know your unique qualities and how they’ll make a company better.
That could be as simple as your personality or your in-depth knowledge of the product, but it’s still worth mentioning.
As an extremely enthusiastic and positive person, I hope to imbue the company with new energy that will help to produce even more solid work. I have a natural love for French Toast Product, and I hope to only spread my love to more people with my skills.
Conclude With a Look Toward Future Steps
The body of the cover letter is where you should invest most of your time and energy. The conclusion is mostly about planting the seeds that will get you to the next step of the hiring process.
It can feel a bit arbitrary, but the closing paragraph for your cover letter does give you the opportunity to thank the hiring manager for their time. Whether or not you actually get the job, a little kindness never hurt anyone.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to setting up any future steps toward working together. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to contact me through my email.
Use Confident (But Not Overconfident) Language
All cover letters should sound confident, which is often why people dread writing them. Sometimes it feels like you're bragging about yourself when you'd rather be humble, but being truly confident goes hand-in-hand with being humble.
- Don't say - I'm the absolute best office manager you'll ever meet. I've never lost a message, missed an appointment, or misused company time.
- Do say - My experience as an office manager has taught me priorities in my life. I strive toward being organized and keeping my appointments in order, and I am very conscious of using company time appropriately.
You want to assure a hiring manager that you are skilled but also grounded. Confident language will move your cover letter to the interview pile. Less-confident language may make you sound unsure or unskilled.
Use Humor (But Don’t Be Sarcastic)
Humor can make you more personable and comfort the hiring manager. However, be careful with your humor, especially when it comes to sarcasm . Humor is really hard to communicate through writing, and if there is even the smallest chance that someone might take that joke or sarcastic remark the wrong way, you’re better off avoiding it.
- Don't say - Stapling packets together is my favorite thing to do. If I had to choose between going to the Super Bowl and stapling packets, I'd be stapling during kickoff.
- Do say - I've learned to appreciate a range of tasks in my current position, from the everyday joy of stapling packets to the unexpected pleasures of an organized file system.
That first example makes you sound a little cynical, a little off-putting, and generally unpleasant to be around. The second is maybe not as outright humorous, but it’s a lot more harmless.
Get Ready for Your Interview
With your cover letter perfectly proofread and edited and your application submitted, it’s a good idea to prepare yourself for a potential interview. It’s always better to assume that you’ll get at least an introductory interview than to be caught unawares, so take the proper steps to get ready, from thinking about potential weaknesses to coming up with good questions to ask your interviewer .
paperswritten.com
- Сreative Ways to Write
Creative Ways To Write Letters
There are many different ways to write a letter, depending on what you want to say and how you want to say it. Here are some tips on how to make your letters more creative:
1. Start with a funny or interesting opening sentence.
For example, “Hey, you! I was just thinking about you the other day…” or “How are you doing? I hope you’re doing well.”
2. Use colorful adjectives and descriptive words.
For example, “The sun was shining brightly in the sky” or “The leaves were gently rustling in the breeze.”
3. Write in a poetic or song-like style.
For example, “The world is a beautiful place, and I’m glad you’re in it.” or “I wish you could see the stars tonight, they’re so bright.”
4. Use humor to make your points.
For example, “I hope you’re not too mad at me, I know I was a little naughty.” or “I hope you’re not too sick of me yet, I promise to go away soon.”
5. Make your letters personal and unique to the recipient.
For example, “I hope you’re doing well in school” or “I miss you a lot and can’t wait to see you again.”
How can I make a letter more fun?
There are a few things you can do to make your letters more fun. You can add clip art, colorful borders, or fun fonts to make them more interesting to look at. You can also add some fun stickers, or even attach a small gift to the letter. If you’re writing to a child, you can also make the letter into a game by hiding a small prize inside. Whatever you do, just make sure that the letter is still readable, and that the recipient will enjoy getting it.
How do you spice up a letter?
A letter can be spiced up in many ways, but it depends on what the letter is for and who it is from. Here are a few tips:
If you are writing a personal letter to a friend, you can add little drawings, jokes, or funny stories. You can also make the letter more personal by talking about things that only the two of you would know about.
If you are writing a business letter, you can make it more interesting by using specific examples to illustrate your points. You can also use strong adjectives and powerful verbs to make your writing more dynamic.
No matter what the letter is for, you can always add a personal touch by signing off with a warm and friendly message.
What are the 4 styles of letters?
The four main styles of letters are Casual, Contemporary, Classic, and Retro. Casual letters are typically less formal and more relaxed in their appearance. Contemporary letters are typically clean and professional in appearance. Classic letters are typically more ornate and have a more formal appearance. Retro letters are typically inspired by older, traditional styles of lettering.
What is creative letter writing?
Creative letter writing is a type of writing that is not constrained by the traditional rules of grammar and syntax. This type of writing allows for more freedom of expression, and often results in more interesting and unique letters.
One of the benefits of creative letter writing is that it can be used to communicate more effectively with others. In a world where most communication is done through emails and text messages, creative letter writing can help you stand out from the crowd and communicate in a more personal way.
Another advantage of creative letter writing is that it can be used to express yourself more fully. Often, we are unable to communicate our thoughts and feelings in a clear and concise way through emails and text messages. Creative letter writing can be used to express emotions that might be difficult to put into words, and can be a great way to communicate with loved ones.
If you are interested in learning more about creative letter writing, there are a number of resources available online and in print. There are also a number of courses available that can help you improve your writing skills.
How can I make my letter more interesting?
When writing a letter, it’s important to make sure that it’s interesting. This means that the letter should be well-written and engaging, so that the reader will want to continue reading. There are a few things that you can do to make your letter more interesting.
The first step is to make sure that your writing is neat and easy to read. Use a clean font and make sure that your paragraphs are short and concise. If the reader has to struggle to understand your writing, they’re not going to bother finishing the letter.
Another important part of making your letter more interesting is to add some visual elements. This can be done by including graphs, charts, or photos. If you’re writing a letter about a recent event, for example, adding photos can help to bring the event to life.
You can also add humor to your letter. This can be a great way to engage the reader and make them want to keep reading. Just be careful not to go too far off-topic and lose the focus of your letter.
Finally, make sure to personalize the letter. If you know the person you’re writing to, use their name and mention something that you know about them. This will help to make the letter feel more personal and will show that you took the time to write it.
By following these tips, you can make your letter more interesting and engaging. The reader will be more likely to read it all the way through and will appreciate the effort that you put into it.
How do you write a good creative cover letter?
When it comes to finding a job, your cover letter is one of the most important tools in your arsenal. It’s your chance to show off your skills and personality, and convince the hiring manager that you’re the perfect candidate for the job.
But writing a great cover letter can be tricky. How do you make your letter stand out from the rest?
Here are a few tips for writing a creative cover letter that will help you catch the hiring manager’s attention:
1. Start with a strong introduction.
Your introduction is your chance to grab the hiring manager’s attention and make them want to read the rest of your letter. Make sure it’s strong and concise, and highlight your best qualities and accomplishments.
2. Show off your personality.
A great cover letter should be fun and interesting to read, and it should show the hiring manager your personality. Be creative and use your own voice, and make sure your letter stands out from the rest.
3. Sell yourself.
Your cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself to the hiring manager. Make sure you highlight your skills and qualifications, and explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job.
4. Keep it concise.
Your cover letter should be brief and to the point. Make sure you focus on the most important points, and don’t include too much information.
5. Proofread your letter.
Make sure you proofread your letter before you send it, and correct any mistakes. Typos and errors can make you look unprofessional, so it’s important to take the time to proofread your letter carefully.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to write a creative cover letter that will help you stand out from the competition and get the job you want.
How do you write an impressive letter?
When it comes to writing letters, many people feel intimidated. They may feel like they don’t know how to write an impressive letter. However, with a few simple tips, you can easily write an impressive letter that will make a great impression.
The first step to writing an impressive letter is to make sure that you have a strong introduction. The introduction should be brief, but it should also capture the reader’s attention. You should also clearly state the purpose of the letter.
Once you have your introduction, you should start to focus on your body paragraphs. Each paragraph should be focused and concise. You should also make sure that each paragraph supports your main point.
Finally, you should conclude your letter with a strong conclusion. The conclusion should summarize the main points of your letter and it should also leave the reader with a positive impression.
If you follow these simple tips, you can easily write an impressive letter that will make a great impression.
How do you make an informal letter fun?
When it comes to writing letters, many people believe that they have to be formal in order to be professional. However, that’s not always the case. In fact, there are many ways to make an informal letter fun, interesting, and unique.
One way to make an informal letter more fun is to add graphics or images. You can find free clipart online, or you can use images from your own personal collection. Another way to add interest is to use different fonts. Be careful not to use too many fonts, as this can be distracting, but a few different fonts can add some visual appeal.
You can also add color to an informal letter. This can be done by adding colored borders, by shading certain parts of the letter, or by using different fonts in different colors. If you want to go all out, you can even create a colorful background.
Another way to make an informal letter more fun is to add humor. This can be done by using funny fonts, by adding cartoons or comics, or by writing in a light-hearted tone. However, you should be careful not to overdo it, as too much humor can make the letter seem unprofessional.
In addition to making the letter more interesting, you can also use informal letters to communicate more personal information. For example, you can use an informal letter to update a family member on your life , to ask for advice, or to tell a funny story.
Ultimately, the key to making an informal letter fun is to be creative and to have fun with it. Be expressive, use different fonts and colors, and add images and humor where you can. By taking these steps, you can create a letter that is both professional and personal, and that is sure to stand out from the crowd.
How can I make my letters more interesting?
There are a few things you can do to make your letters more interesting.
One way is to add embellishments. This could include stickers, glitter, or even small pieces of paper. You can also add color by using different pens or markers.
Another way to make your letters more interesting is to add text. You can write a poem, a song, or a short story. You can also include funny or interesting facts about yourself or your life.
Finally, you can make your letters more interesting by adding graphics. This could include illustrations, photos, or even clip art.
What are some good things to say in a letter?
A letter is a great way to show your appreciation for someone. Here are some good things to say in a letter:
Thank you for being a great friend/teacher/parent.
I appreciate all that you do for me.
I’m grateful for your support.
I love you.
How do you get a pretty letter?
How do you get a pretty letter? There are many different ways to get a pretty letter. The most common way is to use a calligraphy pen. You can also use a brush pen or a marker.
How do you make cute love letters?
There’s something about handwritten letters that just feels more special than emails or texts. Maybe it’s the fact that they require more time and effort. Or maybe it’s because they’re a physical embodiment of your love.
whichever it is, handwritten letters make for a great way to show your partner how much you care. And if you want to make them extra special, you can add a little bit of cute flair to them.
Here are a few tips on how to make cute love letters:
Start by picking out a pretty stationary set. You can find a lot of great options at your local stationery store, or online.
Next, start by drafting out a simple letter. Just tell your partner how much you love them, and how much you appreciate them.
Once you’ve got the main body of the letter written, start adding in some cute embellishments. You can use things like hearts, flowers, or doodles to add a bit of personality.
If you want to take things a step further, you can also add in a small gift. This could be something like a piece of jewelry, or a book.
Finally, don’t forget to sign your name !
By adding a bit of extra effort, you can make your love letters really stand out. And your partner is sure to appreciate the sentiment behind them.
What are the 4 types of lettering?
There are a few different types of lettering that you may come across. Knowing the different types will help you choose the right type for your project.
Block lettering is the simplest type of lettering. Each letter is a solid block with no outlines. This type of lettering is often used for titles or headlines.
Script lettering is more complex and has a more flowing, cursive look. This type of lettering is often used for body text or for adding a touch of elegance to a project.
Gothic lettering is a type of block lettering that has a more dramatic look. This type of lettering is often used for headings or titles.
Decorative lettering is a type of script lettering that has a more intricate look. This type of lettering is often used for adding extra flair to a project.
What are the different styles of letters?
There are many different types of letters. Some are more formal, while others are more casual. Here are some of the most common styles of letters.
Block Style Letters
Block style letters are the most formal type of letter. They are written in a rigid, rectangular font, with all of the text aligned to the left margin. Block style letters are typically used for business letters and other formal correspondence.
Casual Style Letters
Casual style letters are less formal than block style letters. They are typically written in a more relaxed, cursive font, and the text is not aligned to the left margin. Casual style letters are often used for personal correspondence, such as letters to friends and family.
Semi-Block Style Letters
Semi-block style letters are a mix of the block style and the casual style. They are written in a more rigid font, but the text is not aligned to the left margin. Semi-block style letters are typically used for business letters that need to be less formal than block style letters, but more formal than casual style letters.
What are the 4 forms of creative writing?
There are many different types of creative writing, but four of the most common are poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and screenwriting.
Poetry is the art of writing lyrics or verses. Fiction is the telling of stories, either in prose or verse. Non-fiction is writing that is based on fact, either true stories or essays. Screenwriting is the writing of scripts for movies or television shows.
What are the 5 styles of writing?
There are five main styles of writing: expository, persuasive, descriptive, narrative, and poetic. Each style has its own unique characteristics that are suited for specific purposes.
Expository writing is factual and objective, and is typically used for reports and essays. Persuasive writing is designed to convince the reader of something, and is often used in arguments and debates. Descriptive writing creates a vivid picture of the subject matter, and is often used in narratives and poems. Narrative writing tells a story, and is often used in memoirs and fiction. Poetic writing employs literary devices to create a powerful and memorable effect, and is often used in poetry.
Each style of writing has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it is important to choose the right style for the task at hand. Expository writing is concise and straightforward, making it ideal for factual reports. Persuasive writing can be effective in convincing the reader of an argument, but can also be heavy-handed and manipulative. Descriptive writing can bring a subject to life for the reader, but can be verbose and excessive. Narrative writing can be engaging and entertaining, but can also be melodramatic and over-the-top. Poetic writing can be beautiful and evocative, but can also be dense and difficult to understand.
Choosing the right style of writing can make the difference between a successful piece and one that falls flat. It is important to be aware of the different styles and know when to use them.
daltontalley
- Сreative Ways To Write
- How To Write Сreative Papers
JournalBuddies.com
Journal Buddies Jill | September 9, 2022 April 11, 2018 | Journal Prompts & Writing Ideas
32 Fun Letter Writing Topics, Prompts, and Ideas
Letter Writing Topics, Prompts, and Ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders— Letter writing may not be in fashion anymore, but it’s still an incredibly valuable skill for people of all ages to have—and there’s no better time to introduce students to letter writing than in your classroom.
Of course, you know that students in grades third, fourth, and fifth may not be totally familiar with the letter-writing process. Still, we hope that they will quickly grow to appreciate the art and the opportunity for deeper communication that letter writing brings. Which is why…
The 32 topics to write about in a letter shown below begin with a few guiding questions to help your writers explore the value of the written letter. Then, students will dive into a variety of prompted letters and convey their thoughts and feelings to people like their parents, friends, popular media figures, and even their past and future selves.
As students write, they’ll learn how to clearly and concisely express their thoughts to a specific intended audience—all while practicing a traditional social experience. So get to it and use this wonderful list of letter writing topics and prompts for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade class levels to help your kids learn the benefits of written communication!
Letter Writing Topics, Prompts, and Ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders
- Why do people write letters to one another?
- Have you written many letters in your life? Who have you written to?
- What are the merits of writing a letter versus having a verbal conversation with someone?
- What scenarios can you think of where it would be beneficial to write someone a letter?
- Does a letter have the same impact if it is written digitally rather than by hand? Why or why not?
- Write a letter of thanks to one or both of your parents for the most recent thing they helped you with.
- Write a letter to your grandparents that describes what you’ve been doing lately at school.
- Write a letter to a friend that includes one or two of your favorite memories together.
- Write a letter to the president and share your opinion on a current event with him.
- Research a local issue and then write a letter to a local congressperson about it.
- Write a letter to “the world” in which you share your ideals for the future.
- Write a letter to your past self. Tell him or her things you wish you had known then.
- Write a letter to one of your ancestors telling them what your family is like today.
- Write a letter to someone from the future telling him or her what life is like here in the early 21 st
- Write a letter to someone your age who lives in another country. Describe your life and find out how his or hers differs.
- Write a letter to an anonymous stranger. Tell him or her anything you’d like to share.
- Write a descriptive letter that could convince someone why your stance on an issue is correct.
- Write a letter to your favorite celebrity and tell him or her what you love about his or her work.
- Write an encouraging letter to yourself to read when you are feeling sad.
- Write a coded letter to a friend. Then, exchange letters and try to figure out what the other person wrote.
- Write an opinionated letter to your local newspaper about an issue that matters to you.
- Write a letter to someone you admire and tell the person what you appreciate about him or her.
- Write a letter of commitment that you want to make to yourself. Then, plan when and how often you will re-read it.
- Write a letter to someone you haven’t seen in a long time and catch him or her up on your life.
- Write a letter to someone you’re angry at and express all the things you’ve wanted to say—and then, destroy the letter!
- Write a letter to someone that you’d like to get to know better and introduce yourself.
- Write a letter to a school official and tell him or her one thing you’d like to see improved at our school.
- Write a letter in support of a charitable organization that you admire.
- Write a letter to your favorite character from a book, movie, or TV show. Ask him or her all your questions or share your favorite parts of his or her story.
- Write a letter nominating someone you know for an award they deserve. Explain why he or she is deserving of the honor.
- Write a letter to someone you appreciate and let him or her know how he or she has made an impact on your life.
For even more letter writing fun, check out these 55 Inspiring Letter Ideas for Kids and Pen Pal Prompts for Summer (and Beyond)!
Until next time, write on…
If you enjoyed these 32 Letter Writing Topics for students , please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it!
Sincerely, Jill journalbuddies.com creator and curator
Links & Resources
- Grades 3-5 Free Letter Writing Units
- More grade 3 prompt lists
- More grade 4 prompts
- More grade 5 topics
Tap to See Prompts 162 Creative Writing Topics and Ideas (Updated!) 27 Amazing Picture Writing Prompts for Kids 57 Exciting 3rd Grade Writing Prompts (Updated!) ------------Start of Om Added --------- @media (min-width: 320px) and (max-width: 767px) { .inside-right-sidebar { display: none !important; } } Featured Posts
Tap to See Prompts 162 Creative Writing Topics and Ideas (Updated!) 27 Amazing Picture Writing Prompts for Kids 57 Exciting 3rd Grade Writing Prompts (Updated!) Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7-8 Grade 9-12 All Ages ------------End of Om Added --------- Tags Grade 3 , Grade 4 , Grade 5 , help kids learn , How to Write a Letter , letter writing , Letter Writing Ideas , Letter Writing Prompts , Letter Writing Topics , letters , prompts for kids , students write , write , Write a letter , write letters , writing , writing a letter , Writing Letters , writing prompts , written communication , written letter div#postbottom { margin-top: 12px; } Featured Posts
- By Job Titles
- By College Majors
- By Companies
- By Location
- Job Search Advice
Creative Cover Letters (With Examples)
- How To Write A Cover Letter
- When Is A Cover Letter Necessary
- Free Cover Letter Templates
- Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid
- Cover Letter Tips
- How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter
- Cover Letter Examples
- Best Cover Letters
- Cover Letter For Internship
- General Cover Letter Templates
- Career Change Cover Letter
- Promotion Cover Letter
- College Student Cover Letter
- Entry Level Cover Letter
- Legal Cover Letter
- Creative Cover Letter
- Cover Letter For Government Job
- Cover Letter With No Experience
- Short Cover Letter Examples
- How To Send An Email Cover Letter
- How To Write A Cover Letter For A Job With No Experience In That Field
- Cover Letter Format
- Salutation and Greeting
- Who To Address When Unknown
- How To Start A Cover Letter
- How To End A Cover Letter
- Best Cover Letter Font And Size
- Cover Letter Spacing
- Cover Letter Length
- Key Elements Of A Cover Letter
- How To Write An Address
- Official Letter Format
- Cover Letter Opening
- How To Sign A Cover Letter
- Salary Requirements In Cover Letter
- Referral In Cover Letter
- Cover Letter Body
- Use Dear Sir Or Madam?
- Use Mrs. Or Ms.?
Find a Job You Really Want In
- What Is a Creative Cover Letter?
How To Write A Creative Cover Letter
Tips for making cover letters creative, 10 examples of creative cover letters, creative cover letter faq.
- Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs
When cover letters are done right, they can immediately set you apart from the rest of the applicant pool, but they can be tricky to perfect. Without overwhelming your reader, there’s a lot of information you need to cover in a limited amount of space. You can make your cover letter stand out in two ways: with compelling writing and creative flair. While you might think it’s impossible to infuse a cover letter with any personality or creativity, it’s actually a fairly easy way to improve your application. We’re going to break down some creative cover letters and give you examples of cover letters to look at. Keep on reading and you’ll be ready to add some creative flair to your job application and stand out from the crowd. Key Takeaways: Hiring managers can read through dozens of cover letters in a day, so making sure yours stands out is key to getting an invitation to interview . A creative cover letter helps grab the reader ’s attention by doing something different, whether that’s done visually or through the written content. Before submitting a creative cover letter, research the company to look for any guidelines and make sure your letter matches the company culutre. What Is a Creative Cover Letter?
A creative cover letter is a cover letter that grabs the reader’s attention by doing something different, whether that’s done visually or through the written content. You might be wondering what exactly a creative cover letter entails, but the good news is that it’s totally flexible.
You can get creative with the design of your cover letter, which is great for people in creative industries such as:
Architecture
Graphic design
Entertainment
It’s really up to you and what creative elements you think will fit with your experience, the job you’re applying to, and the industry you work in.
Hiring managers and recruiters see so many cover letters in a day and most of them are dry, but if you can add a little bit of excitement, you’re sure to be remembered. Keep reading to see our best tips for adding a little creative flair to your cover letter writing.
Research the company. If you’re thinking about changing the design to be more creative than the standard header and content format, make sure that your creative cover letter will be well-received. Some professions are stricter and want to see your skills, experience, and qualifications instead of your creativity.
In these cases, it’s best to stick with a classic cover letter with just a professional header and you can get more creative in the body of your letter .
Choose Your format. In industries where creativity is encouraged and a good way to attract attention, you can play with the layout, design, and color scheme. The sky’s the limit and you can get super creative.
You just have to make sure that your cover letter is legible and communicates all of your skills and experience. If you’re getting creative, try matching your cover letter to your resume , website, or portfolio. Use the same color scheme or design across all of your application materials so your submissions are easily identifiable and cohesive.
If you’d rather leave your cover letter looking traditional and just spice up the content, there are plenty of ways to make your writing engaging. Improving your writing and adding a little extra flair can liven up your cover letter, making it exciting for the reader.
Take advantage of your first sentence. One of the best ways to spice up your cover letter is by adding an engaging first sentence. Choose something that will draw your reader in and make them want to keep reading.
Make sure whatever you write is relevant to the job position or your experience , but you can have a little fun with that first sentence.
Tell them why you are interested in the company. One way to get creative is to research the company and find interesting facts or stories that you connect with, then mention them in your cover letter.
Include things about where your interests intersect or why you love that company in particular. Some examples include charities that you’re both passionate about or how the organization has made an impact on your life.
Highlight your accomplishments. You might have an achievement that you’re especially proud of or is particularly relevant to the position you’re applying for.
If that’s the case, leading with that might be a good way to capture your reader’s attention right from the beginning.
When it comes to the actual writing of your cover letter, you want to present your information in the most engaging way possible. Infuse the letter with some personality and stand out from the rest of the applicants.
If you can communicate your personality through the cover letter, you’ll stand out and get a chance to start building rapport with the hiring team. Here’s a few tips on how to make your cover letter stand out:
Show off your passions. If you love your career path or you’re super excited for the position you’re applying to, let it be known!
Sharing your genuine excitement and passion for a field, industry, or job is a good way to show your dedication, expertise, and engagement.
Create a story. Your cover letter doesn’t just have to be a dry walkthrough of your professional life and achievements.
Include a belief statement. Like a goal or objective on a resume , a belief statement on your cover letter can give hiring teams a one sentence overview of who you are and what you want to achieve.
Mention a network connection. If you have a friend who already works at the company or got a referral from someone in your network, you should add that to your cover letter . That shows that you already know people at the company and they could vouch for you.
Proofread. Before submitting your cover letter, make sure you are rereading to look for any spelling or grammar errors. You can even have someone else look over it to catch anything you might have missed. It can look unprofessional to send in a letter with errors in it.
Tailor your cover letter. Make sure you are tailoring your letter to each job. Hiring managers can tell when you send in the same cover letter. Make sure to include the company name and the recruiters name if you found it. It can also be a good idea to include any keywords from the job listing or company website.
It can be hard to get started on a creative cover letter , so here’s a few examples of how you can incorporate our tips from above.
Just remember that creative cover letters are still professional documents that are meant to convey specific information on your professional experience and your skills.
It’s important to add some personality to your cover letter, but you still need it to perform its professional function.
Some people may say that I’m crazy for quitting my real estate job and going to culinary school, but those people have never tasted my signature pasta alla vodka. My unique career journey positions me perfectly to manage ABC Restaurant as they franchise and expand, while keeping the quality of service consistent.
As the recipient of the American Financial Technology “Most Cutting-Edge IT Initiative” award, I’m always ready to bring my best, most creative ideas to whatever IT project I’m tackling. I’m committed to staying up-to date with industry trends and bringing that knowledge and expertise to share with all of my colleagues when we tackle projects.
When I noticed that ABC Company donates 10% of its profits to the ASPCA, I knew that I had to apply to this position. I care deeply about animal welfare causes and even spend my free time volunteering with the ASPCA. Being able to work at an organization that gives back to a group I support while allowing me to grow professionally is an opportunity that I cannot pass up.
As an accountant , I believe that everyone should know how to manage their finances responsibly. I do not just analyze and watch over my clients’ finances, but teach them how to be financially responsible so they can make informed decisions about their money.
When I was a kid, I lived at the movie theater. I would always see new movies as soon as they came out and kept going back to see everything again. Since then, I’ve worked to fit my love of movies and skill as a writer to find a career in media journalism. This position writing for the culture section of XYZ Magazine is the perfect opportunity for me to contribute to an iconic publication while bringing my personal passions into my professional life.
You’re looking for a social media savvy content marketer ? Look no further, I’m right here. I have grown Instagram accounts by 5000+ followers, created dedicated TikTok audiences, and ran Facebook ads with 200% ROI in the last year alone and I’m excited to beat those stats with ABC Company.
Thanks to my former colleague, Jane Doe, I heard of an opening for a PR Director at your company and was immediately intrigued. Jane has nothing but great things to say about your company and once I saw the job description, I knew it would be a perfect fit.
I have been constantly refreshing XYZ Company’s careers page since I found out about their mission to support local nonprofits with innovative tech. When I finally saw a job posting that happened to be in my industry, I applied immediately. I admire XYZ’s mission and I believe my enthusiasm for web development and your mission will make me the perfect fit for the Full Stack Developer position.
If you’ve seen my resume, you know that I’m not exactly qualified for the business analyst position. But what you can’t see from my resume is my dedication to teaching myself the ins and outs of the industry in my spare time or the endless networking I’ve done to understand the role of a business analyst . Here’s why I’m uniquely positioned to wow you as your newest business analyst.
I believe that every business has a valuable service to provide, it’s just about finding the perfect audience for it. As a marketer , I love tackling the “hard to sell” businesses and flipping around their branding and messaging until they’re profitable.
What should a creative cover letter include?
A creative cover letter should include a standard heading but a unique body paragraph. A standard header is important for professionalism, but the body of the letter should be an interesting way of introducing your skills and accomplishments.
How do I make my cover letter unique?
You can make your cover letter unique by adding relevant personal touches. For example, telling a brief story about how and why you left your real-estate job to pursue culinary school can speak to your passion and willingness to learn.
Plus, such an opening is unexpected and clever. What restaurant would expect you to talk about real estate? But, that makes you a more unique and memorable candidate.
How do you end a creative cover letter?
The best way to end your creative cover letter is through charming confidence. Briefly summarize why you’re the best candidate for the job, and thank the employer for their time.
Are creative cover letters effective?
Yes, creative cover letters are effective. For example, up to 83% of hiring managers say that a great cover letter could convince them to schedule an interview with an applicant.
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating / 5. Vote count:
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.
Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.
Recent Job Searches
- Registered Nurse Jobs Resume Location
- Truck Driver Jobs Resume Location
- Call Center Representative Jobs Resume Location
- Customer Service Representative Jobs Resume
- Delivery Driver Jobs Resume Location
- Warehouse Worker Jobs Resume Location
- Account Executive Jobs Resume Location
- Sales Associate Jobs Resume Location
- Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs Resume Location
- Company Driver Jobs Resume
Related posts
Cover Letter Spacing and Margins
How To Include Salary Requirements In A Cover Letter (With Examples)
When Are Cover Letters Necessary (With Examples)
How To Write A Legal Job Cover Letter (With Examples)
Topics: Cover Letter , Cover Letter Examples
How to write a letter
HOW TO WRITE A LETTER: A GUIDE FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
In this age of digital communication, writing letters is becoming something of a lost art. Emails and text messages can be sent instantly and for a fraction of the cost good old-fashioned snail mail can offer.
So, why bother teaching letter-writing at all? Well, though electronic ‘letters’ are often freer in terms of formatting and language than physical letters, we can also apply letter-writing rules to electronic media. However, physical letters do offer some distinct benefits of their own too.
A WELL-WRITTEN LETTER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.
Whilst we pride ourselves here on how to write a great essay, information report, or another text type that is primarily used in an educational setting, the ability to craft a powerful letter or email has literally changed people’s lives, altered the course of history and been the difference between life and death in some cases.
It can be the one opportunity we have to remove all the noise and confusion on any subject area and honestly tell someone how you feel straight from the heart. Pen to paper.
For whatever reason, a thousand emails, tweets, and likes will never have the same impact as a well-crafted handwritten letter. Its very creation and existence show your reader how passionate and genuine about what it contains.
Letters fall under the category of transactional writing, and if you want to know more about transactional texts, be sure to check out our in-depth guide here.
COMPLETE LETTER WRITING UNIT FOR STUDENTS
Over 100 PAGES of engaging RESOURCES , various letter SAMPLES , LESSON PLANS and INTERACTIVE DIGITAL RESOURCES to teach your students how to write amazing LETTERS and EMAILS .
Teach this life skill with confidence through this excellent ALL-IN-ONE RESOURCE . No preparation is required.
3 REASONS TO TEACH LETTER WRITING
1. the personal touch: .
Those of us who grew up in an age before the internet really got going will well remember the excitement of waiting for and receiving a letter. Many of us will have had childhood pen pals we never met or received love letters from our teenage sweethearts. Maybe some of those treasured letters are still securely stored in a bedside drawer.
There is something extremely personal and intimate about the letter that email is incapable of capturing. Letters are a physical thing, and their increasing rarity makes them seem even more intimate today.
Receiving a personally written letter in this day and age is something a unicorn in communication terms. Students who know how to produce a well-crafted letter can use it to their advantage. For example, any business hiring manager will undoubtedly be numbed by the constant torrent of emails flooding their inbox.
That mailed resume accompanied by a handwritten letter that waits for them on their desk in the morning is sure to stand out and secure an attentive read. The letter, in its various forms, is guaranteed to stand out and make an impact in an age where the vast majority of communication is digital.
3. Handwriting
Just as letter writing has declined in popularity, so too has the emphasis on well-developed handwriting skills. You can, if you wish, take the opportunity here to have the students work on their handwriting skills.
While students may protest that they can accomplish the task much quicker by word-processing, another benefit of handwriting a letter is that the speed becomes almost meditative. This allows students to focus carefully on their grammar and punctuation without always resorting to the crutch of spell-checkers and grammar correction software.
FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTER WRITING: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
The table below outlines whether your letter should be written formally or informally, with some suggested prompts . Whilst there are many similarities, a formal letter should always be considered as a document with a real purpose and ramifications.
FORMAL LETTER FEATURES
USED FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION THESE DOCUMENTS FOLLOW A PRESCRIBED FORMAT. THEY ARE WRITTEN IN A PASSIVE VOICE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND IN MANY CASES ARE LEGALLY BINDING. SOME EXAMPLES ARE.
INVITATION Make someone feel special about an upcoming event.
APPLICATION Write a professional letter of application for a job or group you wish to join.
REFEREE / REFERENCE Vouch for another’s skills, personality or credibility.
ACCEPTANCE & REJECTION Approve or deny an applicant in a professional manner.
MAKE AN OFFER Make a formal and binding offer in writing.
EXIT / RESIGNATION Formally leave or step down in a professional and dignified manner.
INFORMAL LETTER FEATURES
USED FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION THESE LETTERS HAVE NO PRESCRIBED FORMAT AND ARE WRITTEN IN AN ACTIVE VOICE.
THANK YOU Let someone know you appreciate their efforts.
CONGRATULATIONS Acknowledge someone’s achievements in life.
GRIEVANCE / LOSS Acknowledge someones personal loss or suffering and let them know you care.
FRIENDSHIP & LOVE Tell someone how special they are to you and why?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR / MAYOR ETC. Let someone know how their actions and adversely affect you and others.
LETTER TO SELF Give your older or younger self some words of advice and wisdom.
INFORMATIONAL UPDATE Write a letter back home telling them what you have been up to.
HOW TO WRITE FORMAL LETTERS
The writing process begins with planning.
As with all genres of writing, the process of formal letter writing should start with planning. This should involve sketching a brief outline from which to work rather than a comprehensive detailing of minutiae. The plan should include:
- Note addresses, names etc. – who are you writing to?
- Record the purpose of the letter – what do you want to say?
- List points to be made (each will form a paragraph) – how will you say it?
- State action point – what do you want the reader to do?
Formal letters can be written for a wide range of purposes and may come in various shapes, including a letter of complaint, a cover letter accompanying a job application, a letter of invitation, a reference letter, or a proposal letter – to name a few. Though each will adhere to its own rules of formatting and tone when writing formal letters, students should avoid using slang or contractions.
Language should be straightforward and polite. Encourage students to avoid bursts of purple prose in favor of direct, functional language. Usually, a formal letter will be written to achieve a particular end and should be written with that end foremost in mind. Students should avoid meanderings and stay firmly focused on the task at hand.
TIPS FOR WRITING GREAT FORMAL LETTERS
- The writer’s address should be in the top right-hand corner.
- The date should be written below the writer’s address
- The recipient’s name and address are below that on the left-hand side
- Use the correct opening (Dear Sir / Madam, Dear Mrs Ferguson, etc.)
- Use Standard English
- The opening sentence should explain the purpose of the letter
- Each paragraph should make a single specific point
- Use an appropriate formal tone and register in the wording of the letter
- Avoid contractions, slang, and abbreviations
- The concluding ‘action point’ paragraph states what you want the recipient to do
- The formal ending, such as Yours Sincerely or Yours Faithfully
A Note on Salutations
If the student knows the intended recipient’s name, start with Dear Mr. / Mrs Surname and end with Yours Sincerely. If they don’t know the recipient’s name, start with Dear Sir / Madam and end with Yours Faithfully.
Use of Rhetorical Devices
As mentioned, formal letter writing focuses on attempting to convince someone to take some course of action or other. To do this, it is helpful to employ some rhetorical devices to make the writing more persuasive . Some useful techniques to encourage your students to employ include:
Direct Address: Using the pronoun ‘you’ in a formal letter makes the reader feel that you are speaking directly to them. This helps to engage the reader and encourage them to continue reading the letter.
Emotive Language: Where students are trying to convince the reader to take a course of action, the use of emotive language can often be a powerful tool. Students can use either positive or negative colored words to create the desired response in the reader.
Facts and Figures: Another way to persuade and convince is to employ facts and figures to support the points made in the letter.
FORMAL LETTER STUDENT EXAMPLES
How to write an informal letter
Common features of informal letters:.
There are far fewer rules to follow when writing an informal letter, but there are still some practical guidelines to follow that will prove helpful for students engaged in writing informally.
As with any piece of writing, it is important to consider who the audience is and the reason for writing in the first place. In particular, this will help decide the tone and the language register. The more intimate the relationship, the more informal the language can be.
Though the letter will be informal, it will still have a purpose. Information should still be organized into paragraphs, as would be done with a formal, more ‘official’ letter. Students sometimes struggle with this aspect, as they often conflate ‘informal’ with ‘disorganized.’ Making them plan their informal letter before writing can help ensure it is sufficiently organized.
HOW TO START AN INFORMAL LETTER
Informal letters will start with a greeting appropriate to how close the relationship is. For acquaintances, this may be ‘Dear Tom,’ (using the first name instead of the surname) to a very informal ‘Hi Jane,’. Don’t forget the comma after the name!
After the greeting, a general opening sentence should follow. Usually, this will be something like a ‘How are you?’ or a ‘How have you been?’. If the recipient is married or has kids, you may wish to ask how their spouse or children are.
Next, students should state the reason for writing. The language should be open and friendly in tone and, in contrast to the formal letter, colloquial language, idiomatic expressions, and contractions are perfectly okay and even desirable.
Just as the opening salutation to an informal letter is much more relaxed, so too will the closing salutation. There are many possibilities for the students to choose here, and their decision will depend on who they are writing to and their personal preferences. Some examples of possible closings include ‘Love’, ‘Best regards’, ‘All the best’, and ‘Thanks’.
INFORMAL LETTER STUDENT EXAMPLES
Teaching Resources
Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.
PRACTICE LETTER WRITING WITH THESE ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS
The most effective way for students to internalize all the features of letter writing, formal or informal, is to gain experience by writing various letters for differing purposes. The following activities offer some suggestions for students to get practising today:
1. FICTION AS A SPRINGBOARD
Have students write as if they were a character from a piece of fiction you have been reading in class. Choosing a dramatic point in the plot , ask students to imagine they are one of the characters writing a letter to another character in the story. This writer may be either formal or informal, depending on the scenario presented. This will give students realistic letter-writing practice while also getting them to engage closely with the text and respond imaginatively to its themes.
2. THE AGONY AUNT
Either offer a range of possible life predicaments or cut out the questions from the ‘agony aunt’ page of a local newspaper. Students must write back offering advice in response to the predicaments expressed in the question or predicament. The response should be written in full letter format. This activity also lends itself to several variations. The response may be written to a close friend, for example, or written from the perspective of a professional agony aunt employing a more formal tone and presentation.
3. A LETTER OF COMPLAINT
Have students think of their favorite candy bar or clothing item. Encourage them to imagine they have bought this product lately and found it to be substandard. Students must write a formal letter of complaint to the manufacturer outlining their complaint and recommending a course of action to satisfactorily resolve that complaint. They must use all the features of a formal letter as outlined above.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR HANDWRITTEN LETTERS LOOK OLD AND AUTHENTIC.
- Write in pencil or a calligraphy pen,
- screw them up tightly and carefully unfold and flatten.
- Lightly dab coffee stains over the paper to make it look aged.
- Carefully singe or burn the edges of your paper.
- Add some sepia-filtered photos for effect.
SIGNING-OFF
As students become more confident in their understanding of letter-writing formats, encourage them to exchange letters with each other for peer assessment. You may wish to provide them with a checklist of features to look for while reading over their partner’s work.
Letter-writing can also be a great way to partner up with schools overseas; often, children studying English as a second language will be delighted to receive letters from (and write to) students in English-speaking countries. And though email increasingly encroaches on the traditional territory of the letter, many of the skills garnered in the practice of letter writing are transferable to the modern manifestation. There is ample opportunity here to link letter-writing learning with approaches to writing emails too.
Letter-writing can provide a focus for a wide range of learning objectives while also teaching students valuable practical skills that will serve them well beyond their school years, both in their personal and work lives. And who knows, perhaps in years to come, one of the letters your student writes in your class may become a treasured keepsake in someone’s bedside drawer.
LETTER WRITING GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS (TEMPLATES)
WRITING CHECKLIST & RUBRIC BUNDLE FOR ALL TEXT TYPES
HOW TO WRITE A FORMAL LETTER TUTORIAL VIDEO
OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO LETTER WRITING
Transactional Writing
Personal Narrative Writing Guide
How to Write a Recount Text (And Improve your Writing Skills)
Content for this page has been written by Shane Mac Donnchaidh. A former principal of an international school and university English lecturer with 15 years of teaching and administration experience. Editing and support content has been provided by the literacyideas team.
NO PREP REQUIRED TWO ready-made units on WRITING LETTERS await you.
- Arts & Music
- English Language Arts
- World Language
- Social Studies - History
- Holidays / Seasonal
- Independent Work Packet
- Easel by TPT
- Google Apps
Interactive resources you can assign in your digital classroom from TPT.
Easel Activities
Easel Assessments
Unlock access to 4 million resources — at no cost to you — with a school-funded subscription..
letter writing template for first grade best creative
All Formats
Resource types, all resource types, results for letter writing template for first grade best creative.
- Price (Ascending)
- Most Recent
Best Class Ever End of the Year Writing Activity Letter to Future Students
Summer Review BUNDLE, NO PREP Grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5. Editable Coupon Bonus!
December Bulletin Board, Class Writing Book, and Monthly Family Homework K, 1
Also included in: Class Books: The GROWING BUNDLE! Writing Workshop Kindergarten, 1st Grade
First Grade Sight Word Bracelets Benchmark Advance Unit 10
Also included in: Sight Word Bracelets Benchmark Advance First Grade
End of Year Memory Book End of the Year Activities Digital and Printable Google
Also included in: End of Year K-2 Digital Bundle Class Awards and Memory Book Virtual Google
Benchmark Advance First Grade Sight Word Bracelets
Also included in: Benchmark Advance First Grade Unit 8 Bundle
First Grade Sight Word Bracelets Benchmark Advance | Unit 9
Also included in: Benchmark Advance First Grade Unit 9 Bundle
Primary Paper Pack
Writing Prompts | Opinion Writing & Narrative Writing | Informational & How To
End of Year Memory Book | Printable and Digital for Google Slides & PowerPoint
Also included in: End of Year Bundle | Awards Ceremony & Digital Memory Book
Benchmark Advance Sight Word Bracelets Unit 5
Also included in: Benchmark Advance First Grade Unit 5 Bundle
Benchmark Advance Sight Word Bracelets Unit 1
Also included in: Benchmark Advance Unit 1 Bundle
Benchmark Advance Sight Word Bracelets Unit 2
Also included in: Benchmark Advance First Grade Unit 2 Bundle
Benchmark Advance Sight Word Bracelets Unit 4
Also included in: Benchmark Advance First Grade Unit 4 Bundle
Writer's Workshop Bundle | Writing Tools and Writing Strategies
Grandparent's Day Goodies | Distance Learning
Also included in: Grandparents Bundle
Santa Craft Christmas Writing Activity
Vacation Lapbook | Kindergarten and First Grades
Also included in: Back to School Activities | Kindergarten and First Grade | Bundle
Valentine's Day Bulletin Board
End of the Year Student Advice Books
Classroom Easter Bunny Letter Activity
Benchmark Advance Sight Word Bracelets Unit 3
Also included in: Benchmark Advance First Grade Unit 3 Bundle
Benchmark Advance Sight Word Bracelets Unit 6
Also included in: Benchmark Advance First Grade Unit 6 Bundle
Valentines Activity Bundle
TPT empowers educators to teach at their best.
- We're Hiring
- Help & FAQ
- Terms of Service
- Trademark & Copyright
- Privacy Policy
- Student Privacy Policy
Keep in Touch!
Are you getting the free resources, updates, and special offers we send out every week in our teacher newsletter?
Canyon Crest Academy’s Creative Writing Club announces Jonathan Maberry Inspiring Teens Award winner
- Show more sharing options
- Copy Link URL Copied!
Canyon Crest Academy’s Creative Writing Club recently announced the winner of the Jonathan Maberry Inspiring Teen Awards which will be given at the in-person 12th Annual CCA Writers’ Conference on Saturday, March 11. The online conference will be held on March 18. This event is the only free writing conference for high school students in the country. Students can register on the conference website: https://ccacreativewriters2023.weebly.com/ .
The 2021 Jonathan Maberry Inspiring Teens Award will be given to Adam O. Davis, author of Index of Haunted Houses (Sarabande, 2020). Winner of the Kathryn A. Morton Prize, Davis is the recipient of the 2022 Poetry International Prize and the 2016 George Bogin Award from the Poetry Society of America. His work has appeared widely in journals and anthologies, including The Believer, The Best American Poetry, and The Paris Review. He has received grants and fellowships from Columbia University, the New Literary Project, and Vermont Studio Center, and he is also the co-host of the podcast Poetry Goes to the Movies. He lives in San Diego and teaches English literature at The Bishop’s School.
Davis said in a news release, “As a teacher and a poet who would be neither without the guidance, support, and enthusiasm of his teachers, I’m honored to receive this award that speaks to the spirit of all teachers and writers--to explore, inspire, and innovate both in the classroom and on the page for the benefit of future writers.”
The club created the award in 2016 to honor Jonathan Maberry for all he does to inspire writers. The award is given annually to a writing professional who is dedicated to inspiring San Diego teens to:
— Pursue their artistic endeavors with heart, enthusiasm and integrity;
—Give back to their community; and
—Actively improve their art.
Emma Morin, co-president of the CCA Creative Writing Club, said in the news release, “The Creative Writing Club chose Adam O. Davis because he inspires people through his books and poems and also has a direct effect on the youth of today because he teaches creative writing.”
Matt Coyle, author of the bestselling Rick Cahill crime series, will present the keynote address. His books have won the Anthony, Shamus, Lefty, Authors on the Air Book of the Year, Ben Franklin Silver, Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Silver, and San Diego Book Awards as well as being nominated for many others, including the Barry Award.
Other authors include: Alonso Nunez, Greg van Eekhout, Naz Kutub, Amy Spalding, and Tammy Greenwood.
The conference will take place in the Educational Center, Canyon Crest Academy, 5951 Village Center Loop Road, San Diego, CA 92130. Registration is required.
Get the RSF Review weekly in your inbox
Latest news from Rancho Santa Fe every Thursday for free
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Rancho Santa Fe Review.
Become a press patron
Support local journalism.
At a time when local news is more important than ever, support from our readers is essential. If you are able to, please support the Rancho Santa Fe Review today.
More on the Subject
Fleet Science Center marks its 50th anniversary with ‘Flashback’ exhibition
North Coast Rep’s Ellenstein, Baird team up again for Chekhov classic ‘The Cherry Orchard’
March 2: Local and regional events
Best Bets: A quick guide to online and in-person entertainment and experiences
‘Mean Girls’ musical makes long-awaited arrival in San Diego next week
Timken Museum to open video installation inspired by Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Creative writing is the act of putting your imagination on a page. It's artistic expression in words; it's writing without the constraints that come with other kinds of writing like persuasive or expository. Write with originality Grammarly helps you refine your word choice Write with Grammarly What is creative writing?
Creative writing is an expressive form of literature; one which demands you to use your own creativity, imagination and story to portray a particular message, emotion, or plot. It defies the traditional bounds of other forms of writing and is completely subjective to our own preferences and experiences.
Formal letters always have a greeting at the beginning of the written content as a cue that your message is about to begin. This is known as the salutation. Most salutations begin with "Dear" and then the name of the recipient. All salutations use title capitalization and end in a comma.
Simply put, creative writing is any writing that falls outside of technical, journalistic, or academic writing. You can think of it as classic storytelling. It can be written with a number of intentions: to entertain us, comfort us, or teach us a lesson; most importantly, good creative writing speaks to our shared human experience.
Scripts: Hit the screen or the stage by writing scripts for film, television, theater, or video games. Beware: film is a director's medium, not a writer's medium, but movies have the potential to reach a non-reading audience. Storytelling: Storytelling is the most popular form of creative writing and is found in the realms of both fiction ...
Letter writing is the exchange of written or printed messages . Distinctions are commonly drawn between personal letters (sent between family members, friends, or acquaintances) and business letters (formal exchanges with businesses or government organizations). Types of Letter Writing
The dictionary defines creative writing as writing that displays imagination or invention. Creative, artistic writing uses words to convey emotion or feeling. One must use imaginary...
Letter writing has been deemed as one of the most useful forms learnt and used for various reasons. There are several kinds of letters, each of which has its own form and style. However, there are certain parts of the letter which remain the same. They include: Sender's address Date Greeting or Salutation Body of the Letter Subscription Signature
Favourite things: Write a letter to your pen pal asking them about their favourite things. Start by asking them about their favourite colour, food, animal and favourite subject at school. Then you can talk about your own favourite things. Distant Relative: Write a letter to a distant relative (someone you haven't seen in a while).
A letter is a written message that can be handwritten or printed on paper. It is usually sent to the recipient via mail or post in an envelope, although this is not a requirement as such. Any such message that is transferred via post is a letter, a written conversation between two parties.
The true definition of creative writing is: original writing that expresses ideas and thoughts in an imaginative way It's the "art of making things up" or putting a creative splash on history, as in creative nonfiction. In any instance, creative writing makes you step out of reality and into a new realm inspired by your own imagination.
A poem or a song is a great way to make your letter stand out and show your creativity. If you're good at writing poetry or songs, this is a great way to include that talent in your letter. It also demonstrates that you made an effort to create something exceptional for your loved one. 6. Keep it simple.
A cover letter is one of the first things a recruiter or hiring manager may review for your job application, and having a creative one can help you stand out from other candidates. A creative cover letter can encourage potential employers to notice you for your passion, talent and drive.
Writing therapy, also known as journal therapy, is exactly what it sounds like: writing (often in a journal) for therapeutic benefits. Writing therapy is a low-cost, easily accessible, and versatile form of therapy. It can be done individually, with just a person and a pen, or guided by a mental health professional.
Introduction. Letter writing is an essential skill. Despite the prevalence of emails and text messages, everyone has to write letters at some point. Letters of complaint, job applications, thank you letters, letters requesting changes or making suggestions — the list goes on and on. Encouraging children to write letters from an early age will ...
"Creative writing" is a simple term which encompasses a huge amount of art. Much of the creative writing you see on a regular basis might not even seem like creative writing at first! You may have even done some creative writing yourself without realizing it.
Writing a creative cover letter can be just what you need to stand out in the application process. Find out how to make your presence known in your cover letter.
Creative letter writing is a type of writing that is not constrained by the traditional rules of grammar and syntax. This type of writing allows for more freedom of expression, and often results in more interesting and unique letters. One of the benefits of creative letter writing is that it can be used to communicate more effectively with others.
Letter Writing Topics, Prompts, and Ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders— Letter writing may not be in fashion anymore, but it's still an incredibly valuable skill for people of all ages to have—and there's no better time to introduce students to letter writing than in your classroom.
In this style of letter writing, it is important to avoid colloquialisms (chatty) and be mindful of the purpose when deciding on language. To learn more about these differences with your 5th/6th Class, explore our examples of a Formal and Informal Letter. Formal Letter Writing Samples to Explore with your 5th/6th Class
Dear Mr. Blueberry Open-Ended Creative/Letter Writing Liturature Price: 42 pages X .5 = $2.10 Unit includes: 1. Goals 2. Unit directions 3. Materials needed 4. Whale Facts 5. Whale facts learned from the story 6. Answer Keys 7. Vocabulary development 8.
for if you don't make them smile. your writing may go to the waste. Shouldn't poetry be your main form. or the long articles with a lot of pics. and what is to be seen as the norm. that is using some well tested tricks. Should original be better than old themes. although hard for search engine to find. but just adding to the old, so it seems.
A creative cover letter is a cover letter that grabs the reader's attention by doing something different, whether that's done visually or through the written content. You might be wondering what exactly a creative cover letter entails, but the good news is that it's totally flexible.
1. FICTION AS A SPRINGBOARD. Have students write as if they were a character from a piece of fiction you have been reading in class. Choosing a dramatic point in the plot, ask students to imagine they are one of the characters writing a letter to another character in the story.
If you want to write a cover letter that is creative and can help you impress the hiring manager, it's beneficial to follow these steps: 1. Choose a unique opening paragraph. There are many ways you can choose to begin your cover letter, and this is your first chance to show the hiring manager you're the right fit for the position.
For example, you may have won a national design award for a logo you created for a client. 5. Describe your work experience. Outline your work history, starting with your most recent job, and include the job title, company, employment duration and location. Provide concise descriptions of your job duties and accomplishments in three to five ...
The First Grade Creative. 4.9. (9) $15.00. PDF. This portfolio and memory book resource is a must have for your kinder, first grade, and second grade classroom. This resource is perfect for showing student growth throughout the year, goal setting, reflecting on memories, and more!
Canyon Crest Academy's Creative Writing Club recently announced the winner of the Jonathan Maberry Inspiring Teen Awards which will be given at the in-person 12th Annual CCA Writers' Conference on Saturday, March 11. The online conference will be held on March 18. This event is the only free ...