Creative writing

picture stimulus
An approach based on Image to Text: Manchester
Art Gallery.

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 IGCSE English Language
• In paper 2 you will be asked to undertake a piece of
imaginative writing.
• One element provides you with a picture prompt.

• You will be asked to write a story, or a descriptive piece and

may be given a title or a starting point.

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Approach
• Remember all the elements of narrative you know from your
study of English Literature and from early years.

Development
of character tense
and narrative
setting person

Mood and
atmospher
Narrative voice
e

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Opening the
imagination…
• Look at your picture.

• Now really look at your picture. This can be hard so I want to

suggest a few techniques which might help you to “get into”
the task you have been set.

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Lines
• One way to make yourself look into the picture is to draw lines
based on the lines in the picture.
• Try one, add another and another.
• Is there a pattern?
• Where is your eye led by the lines?

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Where do the lines lead?

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Lines…
• Had you noticed the land in the distance?
• Had you noticed the convergence point at the base of the
picture?
• What do you make of the bird?
• What of the strong vertical?

• Just let yourselves think silently and write down any ideas you
have… and yes…
• The bird poo idea is relevant if you wish it to be!

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Light and shade The land is very faint:
• This one is black and white… they maywhy?
not all be. So what
strikes you and how might that enter a story

He is in silhouette.
Which way is he facing?

Time of day?

Is this bright pathway of

light significant?

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Ask questions of the
picture
• As you interrogate the picture – make notes. Ask questions
which you can develop answers to to help your planning.

• Next questions: How many characters are there in the picture?

• I think there are certainly 4

• The child
• The bird
• The sea itself (Walt Whitman…)
• And… the viewer – who is looking, where are they standing and
why are they there? Are you the viewer as you tell this story?

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Word Cloud (or
“splurge”)
• On a clean sheet of paper write single words which come to
you as you look at the picture.

• We will collate them here in 4 minutes.

• Don’t share yet…

• Sssssshhhhh!

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Questions
• You will have realised that we are asking the usual questions:

• Who, What, Where, Why and How…

• In groups… use the A3 to write all the questions relating to

your “W” question. Write as many as you can in 7 minutes…

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sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Answers
• When you get your copy of the question sheet, look at the
questions.

• Choose one and answer it, in some detail…

• Choose another…

• Pass the sheet on ….

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Imaginations
• Should now be in overdrive

• Let’s share some of our ideas…

• This creative thought process is what you need to try to tap

into.

• In the exam you may have 5 minutes or so to plan – these

techniques may help to open up your imaginations….

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Metaphor
• So much good writing uses figurative language for descriptive and atmospheric effect
• Let’s consider the oldest form of Metaphor:
• KENNINGS: 2 word descriptors from Anglo Saxon literature

• What am I describing?
• Boat Carrier
• Sky Candle
• Heavens’ breath

• What is the difference here:

• “Widow Maker” or “Homeland Defender”

• Thinking in this way can help to develop images which are yours – not reliant on “dead”
language and cliché…
• See what you can come up with from the picture, trying to find ideas for each element – the
figure, the land, the sea….

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Character
• try these prompts for establishing a narrative around a character:
• How old is he/she

• Who or what do they most dislike?

• Who does he most respect?

• Everyone has secrets. What is the hidden secret your character has?

• What is the deepest regret?

• Greatest strength?

• What item is always carried with them and why?

• Where will he sleep tonight?

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 1 Personst
• When you write you have a VOICE – a “narrative voice”.

• 1st person, is close and subjective. It reflects the media idea of

a shot in close up.

• In this case the person might be either the viewer or the figure
in the picture, for example

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 3 person rd
• Often referred to as “OMNISCIENT” because 3rd person
narration often seems objective nd seems to know everything
– it is as though the writer can see inside peoples’ heads and
read their minds.
• Related to the media idea of the long shot and the establishing
shot…

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Your choice
• Can you write as the 1st person or do you prefer to begin from
longer distance.

• Write a short paragraph based on this image. Then rewrite in

the “other person”.

• What has happened? Which suited you better? Has the tone
of the writing changed?

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Last Game
• What lies outside the frame – just out of view?
Thinking compass points work with a neighbour to draft a
continuation
to the Image and see if
This adds to your
narrative.

Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche

sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 What
can he
see that
we
can’t? Is this
the open
sea or a
city
scape?

Who is
watching
What
is
here?
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016 after http://manche
sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges
 Q:
using this image, answer the question below…

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sterartgallery.org/learn/schools-and-colleges