Tips from Teachers and Practice Prompts

Tips from Teachers and Practice Prompts

The International Creative Writing Competition is about creativity and less about grammar and spelling (though they are somewhat important).  The best ways to help students prepare are to help stimulate their creativity and to practice writing on the prompts as much as possible

Many students struggle with being creative.  It may help to practice creativity first, then writing. 

NOTE:  Prompts will be given in English and Mongolian at the competition.

Ideas for stimulating creativity among your students:

·         Draw a picture related to the topic, especially if it is a visual topic.

·         Have them close their eyes and visualize (in their minds) the topic.

·         Brainstorm ideas as groups and then as individuals on a topic.

·         Use charts and other graphic organizers to find and organize ideas about a topic.

·         Have them share ideas with each other.

Tips for writing the essays:

·         Take a few minutes and quickly plan your essay.

o   What ideas do you have – main idea(s) and supporting ideas?

o   Write a quick outline to decide in what order you will write.

·         Answer all parts (questions) of the prompt.

·         Use lots of descriptions, including good adjectives and appeals to the five senses.  What did it look like?  Sound like?  Smell like?  Feel like?  Taste like?

·         Many prompts ask for a reason for your idea(s).  (Why?)  Make sure to give a reason or several reasons.

·         Don’t worry if it sounds silly.  Be as creative as you can! 

·         After you finish writing, if you have time, check the wording, grammar, and spelling.  Before that, don’t worry about it.

·         If you make a mistake while writing, cross it out and keep writing.  (The judges should be able to read it just fine.)  Don’t take time to erase something or use a correction pen.  Those take too long!

Prompts from 2011:

8^th grade:  If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?

9^th grade:  If you could fill the night sky with something other than stars and planets, what would it be and why?

10^th grade:  What is the funniest thing you have ever done or that has ever happened to you?

11^th grade:  What was God like as a child?

Prompts from 2012:

8^th grade:  Write about what you would cook for an enemy.

9^th grade:  You wake up, go to the bathroom, and look in the mirror.  A different face looks back at you.

10^th grade:  Write about a think you feel should not have been invented.

11^th grade:  Write about your perfect place.