Creative Writing
What is imagery?
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell).
What does "coming of age" mean?
Growing up and learning important lessons about life and identity.
Who are the two main social groups in The Outsiders?
The Greasers and the Socs
What are the names of the two feuding families in Romeo and Juliet?
The Montagues and Capulets
Who wrote Animal Farm?
George Orwell.
Name one form which creative writing can take
Short story, diary entry, letter, poem etc.
Name one common theme in "coming of age".
(BONUS 200: Transform one of the central themes into a thematic statement)
Identity, belonging, independence, friendship, responsibility.
(BONUS: True friends are more like family.)
Who is the narrator of The Outsiders?
Ponyboy Curtis
What are the central themes of Romeo and Juliet?
(BONUS 200: Transform one of the central themes into a thematic statement)
Love and hate.
(BONUS: Young love can make people act recklessly and impulsively)
What is the farm an allegory for?
The Russian Revolution and rise of Soviet communism.
What does "first-person" voice mean? (BONUS 200: Why is it important to show a character's internal thoughts?)
Writing from the “I” perspective, where the narrator is also a character.
BONUS: This can help the reader understand how the character feels and thinks, not just what they do. It makes the writing more personal, realistic, and emotional.
Why are relationships, particularly friendships, important in "coming of age" stories?
They shape identity, provide support, and challenge characters to grow
Why is Cherry Valance an important character?
She bridges the gap between Socs and Greasers, showing they aren’t so different.
Why do people still study Romeo and Juliet today?
Its themes are universal and timeless.
Why is the character Napoleon important? What does he represent?
He represents dictatorship and the corruption of power.
Give one example of how you might show a character's identity (for example, that they are shy) in a creative text without directly saying it
Instead of writing “I am shy,” you could show it through action: “I stared at the ground and twisted my hands together when the teacher called my name.”
How can conflict with adults show "coming of age"?
It highlights independence and the struggle between childhood and adulthood.
How does Johnny change after the church fire?
He becomes heroic and selfless, showing growth beyond his earlier fear and trauma.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
What does this quote mean, and who is saying it?
Juliet is reflecting on how Romeo’s last name, Montague, is the only thing keeping them apart.
How does propaganda work in Animal Farm?
Squealer manipulates language to control how animals think.
Explain how writing about stereotypes can connect to the theme of coming of age.
Coming of age often involves challenging or realising the truth about stereotypes. A young character might learn that people are more complicated than labels, or they might struggle with being judged unfairly. Writing about stereotypes shows the journey of growing up and seeing the world in a more mature way.
Explain how a character realising people are 'more than labels' is linked to "coming of age".
It shows maturity: understanding that the world is more complex than simple stereotypes.
Explain how The Outsiders is a coming-of-age story.
(BONUS 200: Name another 'coming of age' story and explain what makes it so.)
Ponyboy (and others) learn lessons about identity, stereotypes, violence, and empathy: maturing in how they see the world.
(BONUS: Teacher to judge.)
Explain how Romeo and Juliet shows the dangers of impulsive decisions. Why is this relevant to teenagers today?
The characters act quickly on emotions (love, anger, grief), leading to tragedy. This mirrors challenges teens face around risk-taking and decision-making.
Explain how Animal Farm explores the theme of power and corruption.
It shows how leaders can begin with good intentions but become oppressive, warning about the abuse of authority.