One of the easiest and best ways to get students to begin the creative writing process uses prompts, which can work at any age. Writing prompts start students with very little information or just a beginning sentence, and then allow them to finish the story. Starting with "what I did on my summer vacation," "why I like my best friend so much" and "the place I love to visit most" are all areas that can get students writing creatively. Older students can write about the difference between write and wrong or giving alternatives to popular stories. Asking students to write about an event they remember most or something that affected them deeply can also begin a creative writing project.
At a very young age, children listen to stories regardless if they come from a grandparent, movie, book or theater production. The basis of creative writing begins with good storytelling, where students get their introduction to characters, plot, setting and conflict resolution. Children's authors typically address many of the issues that children face, including going to a new school, living with a new pet and cleaning up their room. By exposing children to as many stories as possible, this helps them learn good structure and what makes a good story.
Taking students out of the classroom and letting them observe human behavior, visuals and scents forces them to take note of the details that play a vital role in the creative writing process. Teachers can take students to a farmers' market, park or even a school library where, with notepad in hand, the students can write down what they see and observe. Instead of the student just writing down that the student sees "a woman in a red dress," teachers can press the students for details, such as asking about the person's height, color of hair and if she wore a hat. While students can write down as many adjectives they can think of, just a few allow the students to get into the habit of taking notice.
As the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Allowing students to write about what they see in a picture or even a photograph gives them the opportunity to write about what they see and what they feel. Picking photographs of landscapes or people that may contain multiple meanings allows students to create their own story. Picking out artist drawings can also create the same effect. This exercise also begins to develop critical thinking skills at a young age by letting students make connections and create words from things they see or infer.