Whether you’re a published or an unpublished author, a poet or a playwright, a teacher or a student, every writer needs feedback. A lot of feedback!
Writing is an art form that can look like magic to the reader – but is often not appreciated by those who are involved in the process. It’s important to have people look at your work and offer their opinions. You can’t write what you think people will like and you can’t write what you think people will think is good. You have to write what you know and what you feel. Your instincts as a writer will guide you to where your work belongs, but you also need people around you who can help point out the weaknesses in your stories or poems.
Develop Critical Thinking
By teaching creative writing, you can increase your students’ ability to look at texts critically and to analyze the underlying messages being sent by the texts. The more you know about how literature works, the more you can appreciate it and the more you can help your students develop their critical thinking skills.
For example, a student may read a dystopian novel with a completely different point of view from yours. Your job is not to fixate on this but to encourage your students to identify the various elements of the text that allow them to see the story from a different perspective. You can also ask them to evaluate how well the writer has managed to convey their point of view and whether or not they have used any specific devices to do so. These are all critical thinking questions and the more you ask them, the better. The more you know about how texts work, the more you can appreciate them for what they are – no matter what genre they may fall under.
Improve Collaboration
The most effective teachers are often those who are good at getting the best out of their students. CreativeWriting workshops can help bring your students together and encourage them to work with others on their projects. Whether you’re looking for an extra pair of hands or you want to find someone with a different viewpoint, getting your students working together can improve the quality of their work and the final product. There’s a reason why so many universities offer accredited creative writing programs – getting students to work together and become team players is one of the best ways to improve their writing skills.
Boost Self-expression
We all need an outlet for our thoughts and our feelings. Creative writing offers a safe space for your students to explore their innermost emotions and through this process, help them discover a new side of themselves that they may not have revealed to anyone else. It may be cathartic for them to write about how they feel and what they think and if you’re a good facilitator, you can help them find the right words to express their feelings.
Through this process, they may gain a new confidence. Whether or not their writing is good, they have the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings through an art form and that in itself can help them find a way to find value in their own lives. It’s something that we can all use right now.
There’s a reason why so many universities offer creative writing programs – increasing global awareness through literature is one of the best ways to improve people’s understanding of others and increase their ability to empathize. Through creative writing, you can help your students discover a new side of themselves that they may not have revealed to anyone else. It’s not only a skill that they can use in the future but one that they can carry with them into all areas of their lives. This is the value of creative writing – it may not solve all of their problems, but it can certainly help.