Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Stimulate the Imagination!




Alice C. Linsley

Years of teaching creative writing to intermediate and high school students showed me that they are hindered by lack of imagination and limited vocabularies. I designed an activity that stimulates the imagination and expands their vocabularies. This is an example.


Random Word Exercise to build vocabulary and stimulate the imagination. Look up the meaning(s) of unfamiliar words before you try to use them in a poem.

 

Group 1: Use all 15 words and create a poem of at least 15 lines.

caged

pink

fevered brain

glimpse

warp

unfailing

endurance

spreading silence

peaceful

tortuous path

dry

derailed hope

corrosive

benign

bones


Additionally, students are to consider the importance of word choice and the value of devices such as alliteration. 

Why is "spreading silence" more ominous than "silence" alone? 

I invite readers to try this exercise. I'd like to see the results. You may submit your poem at aproeditor-at-gmail-dot-com. Include some information about yourself!


Related reading: Random Word Contests


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