Assignment Code: BEGG-174/2021-22

Course Code: BEGG-174

Assignment Name: Creative Writing

Year: 2021-2022

Verification Status: Verified by Professor

Maximum Marks 100

Section A

Q.I Write short notes on the following in about 200 words each: 4 x 5 = 20

(i) Readability is a writer’s ultimate goal.

Ans) Choice of a situation: Situations play an important role in ensuring readability. One of the earliest poetic outbursts came out of the situation of the sage Valmiki accidentally seeing a hunter kill a bird, letting its spouse suffer the pangs of separation. Epics of all languages have a situation of grave importance as their subject matter, and each epic contains a multiplicity of situations.

Direct Experience: It is only then that the necessary involvement to activate the creative process can be generated. A single situation can be the seed for a whole work of creative imagination. It is also possible to take up a chain of interrelated or interconnected situations and weave them into a creative work. The important thing is that the main situation chosen must have, in some substantial manner, affected the writer.

Make your beginning interesting: It is, therefore, essential that you shape your beginnings with discrimination. Let your opening sentence act as a sort of curtain-raiser. Plunge headlong into the thing itself, without beating about the bush. In order to learn how to begin your writing, study carefully as many opening paragraphs as possible of well-known writers—-feature-writers, story-writers, poets, etc.

Ambiguity and suspense: A skilful writer prefers to keep his reader with all sorts of teasing ambiguities, riddles and traps. A successful writer is like a beautiful young girl who never commits herself to her boy-friend, but just leads him on with nods, hums, sighs, smiles and mute whisperings. It’s the same guessing game in courtship, as in creative writing.

Minutiae and Readability: An ingenious manipulation of detail is another device to seize and hold a reader’s interest. On the other hand, it’s often the little details that build up the reader’s interest by investing the writing with credibility.

Language and Readability: One of the main impediments to easy readability is a language that is opaque loaded with heavy latinised diction, and sentences that groan under involved clauses. Such a style invariably turns the reader away. Even if a story has an interesting plot, a feature-article an exciting subject, it will not come through unless it is written in a lucid and forthright style.

(ii) Kinds of travel writing.

Ans) The Kinds of travel writing are:

Promotional literature: The Department of Tourism and the State Tourism Development Corporations publish a variety of brochures and booklets with a view to promoting travel within India. Such publications are clearly designed as forms of advertisement or sales aids. Brochures, booklets, pamphlets and other materials which are put out by state and national tourism promotion establishments, with a view to inducing people to visit a particular area.

Informative articles for the tourist: Articles which inform would-be travellers about interesting places and are meant for publication in a general travel magazine, a Sunday newspaper supplement, or the travel section of any magazine. Based on the contents of your article, a family might decide to spend its hard-earned money on travelling to a particular destination. You have, therefore, a serious responsibility to discharge, and you must do it in the best way you can. Your integrity, your impartiality, and your eye for detail are what matter most in an article of this sort.

Articles aimed at the business traveller: These are factual articles aimed at conveying travel information to this important and growing segment of the travelling public.

Travel trade reporting: This is meant to carry news for members of the travel trade; these comprise travel agents, tour operators, people from the government tourist offices, airlines, and hotels, etc.

(iii) Role of sound effects (SFX) in writing for radio.

Ans) In a radio script, sound effects play a very essential role. Where radio lacks in visuals, the sound effects supply the need. There are a number of ways in which SFX can be described. One useful way to classify them is according to the function they perform. First, action sounds. Mostly, sound is created through movement or action.

The sound produced thereby is an effective indication of the situation. Advancing footsteps may denote an entry. Retreating footsteps may denote an exit. The clock striking indicates the time. Tapping of a cane may denote a blind man and so on. Action sounds may also describe the mood of the situation. A door slamming shut may indicate anger or someone humming or whistling may indicate a sense of light-heartedness.

As a scriptwriter you will have to use a lot of discretion regarding the use of sound. Too few may make your production insipid while too many is quite likely to distract. SFX should be woven into the script in such a way that it does not stand out or draw attention to itself. Needless piling of one SFX on top of another will not only clutter the script but introduce complications both in terms of production and aesthetics.

(iv) Importance of editing a text

Ans) Editing a text or document means making it worthy of publication by working on its content, organization and presentation. Editing, thus, may be said to be the art and science of transforming a manuscript into a printed medium of instruction and communication. The field of editing is vast and any and every document needs to go through several stages of modification, improving with every stage, and rare is the document that has been produced in a swift rush of inspiration and found acceptable by the target reader or user.

The scope of editing would cover all the activities encompassed by this effort to transform the manuscript. Right from the moment the manuscript arrives at the desk of the publisher/editor, whether it has been solicited, commissioned or merely sent for consideration by the author, it has to go through a battery of ‘tests’. Even after the publisher has found the manuscript satisfactory, he may need to ensure that it is in conformity with the policy of the publishing house as regards format, size, shape, tone and tenor of text, etc. Thus, every document needs to be, eventually, edited by professionals who will give it the final layout and shape.

Section B

Q. II Answer the following questions in about 350 words each: 4 x 7.5 = 30

Q1. What are some basic guidelines for a creative writer?

Ans) Some basic guidelines for a creative writer are:

1. Read in order to write: One can learn a lot from reading the best in all literatures. Long years of close reading in this manner builds up a writer’s equipment. It increases his vocabulary. It often provides ready answers to the questions which crop up in the process of writing.

2. Allow your experience to ripen: The experience, which you draw from the life around you, should not be put on paper as it is. This kind of gestation will also make it personal, intimate and authentic. Hence, it is not desirable to rush for pen and paper as soon as there is a desire to write.

3. Write about your experience differently: Before writing about anything, you should ask yourself whether it is something trite which others have already written about or something new. If it is new, there is nothing like it. It is not that a writer can always hit upon new things to write about.

4. Start with your diary: Before launching out on more ambitious projects like short stories and novels, it is best to start with your own diary and reminiscences. A few months of consistent writing of the diary, for your private reading, will give you confidence to undertake more difficult types of writing later on.

5. Visualisation, outline and design: Jot down every small detail that occurs to you. Then put down everything sequentially and prepare an outline to show how it will start, develop and end. Before finally putting pen to paper, you should have a clear picture in your mind of the entire work. This is called visualization.

6. Learn to be your own critic: Once your first draft is ready, put it aside till such time as it is out of your mind. It may have to be for a week, a fortnight, or a month, or even more. Now read it again.

7. Seek others’ opinions: For every writer, it is important to build up a close circle of creative writers and discriminating readers who are on the same wave-length and who can read through his/her manuscript patiently and give an honest, unbiased opinion about it.

Q2. Discuss some ways in which you can make a short story interesting.

Ans) Some ways to make a short story interesting are:

Need for Design: Your story must have a beginning and an end. In other words, a promise and a satisfying conclusion, like your grandmother used to tell you when you were a child. The best kind of structure is that which would make the reader look forward to a ‘finding’ at the end of his labours ⎯ the glimpse of a god, a demon, a patch of the blue sky or whatever. Hence the need to design an ascending structure, the process as well as the peak, before you set out to write a story. Otherwise, your story may turn out to be flat, round or labyrinthine, etc.

Manner of Telling: You have now laid down the outlines of the structure. You know the direction in which your plot will proceed. And you have a fairly good idea of the climax-tobe. Now you may go ahead with the telling of the story. Leaving aside the thought-content which we will discuss later, the manner of telling is of utmost importance. It involves certain considerations of pace, tone and colour, which are of particular relevance to a short story, as distinct from a novel. he idea is that you may occasionally throw a hint to the reader, that things are not what they seem to be, and that he would better wait and see.

Message and Comment: And finally, you should remember that all meaning is not limited to a certain notional response in the mind of the reader which you may have predetermined amusement, wonder, anger, disgust, or whatever. In other words, it will be a better story if you could marry the desired emotional response to a certain intellectual understanding in the mind of the reader. Modern literature is growing more and more cerebral, hopefully as a part of the evolutionary process. Your story will, therefore, fall short of your legitimate aspirations, if the end-result of the plot is merely a chuckle or a sigh, and does not provoke the reader to pause for thought. But in order to carry the intellectual message effectively to the modern reader the message should be implicit in the story.

Q3. What are some of the rules for scripting T.V. programmes for children?

Ans) Some of the rules for scripting T.V. programmes for children are:

1. Never talk down to a child. Not only does condescension annoy the child but it makes him/her feel disempowered. Programmes for children should make them feel empowered and confident not passive and powerless. The tone adopted should therefore be one not of ‘sweet condescension’ but one that is serious in intent and at the same time lively and conversational.

2. Keep it simple. Don’t confuse a child with too much of information. This is especially relevant for programmes that fall under the category of ‘knowledge and information’. Only a few important points should be made and all extraneous information kept out. If the programme is dramatic keep the storyline direct and uncomplicated. Develop a few scenes completely and coherently rather than write a succession of staccato scenes.

3. Attention span. The attention span of the child would depend on the specific age-group and this should be kept in mind while scripting. Make sure, the child does not switch off.

4. Production elements Research findings indicate that certain auditory features attract children more that moderate action better enhances plot advancement than rapid action that is often used purely for sensory excitement. It was also found that while high levels of physical activity hold attention, long zooms consistently hold attention.

5. Cultural specificity. Communication works best when the message is tailored to suit specific local and cultural needs. Universalism is a noble concept but unfortunately it does not work for communication.

6. Avoid Metaphors. Do not expect children to “catch” metaphors or abstract symbolisms. “The Lord is our shepherd” will mean just that for the child and nothing more.

7. Humour. This is an essential ingredient for children’s programmes. Most children love to see and read “funnies”. Slapstick humour usually never fails to evoke laughs. Jokes and nonsense also appeal to them.

Q4. Plagiarism has no place in creative writing-elucidate with examples.

Ans) As print publications and internet websites multiply every day, there is a huge demand for content. The marketplace is teeming with “writers” who “write on demand” hoping to make a fast buck. Many of them are inexperienced, have no formal training in writing. To be fair, many do not even know that it is grossly unethical to copy stuff written by others and make it your own. But, many do know and still continue the practice as it is so easy to cut, copy and paste and then put their by-line. When it is published, they rush to share it on social media to boost traffic to their piece of writing and also to tell the world that they have arrived…

Three attributes that are sacrosanct for any publishing house are:

1. Credibility

2. Reliability

3. Professionalism

A good publishing firm will always stick to ethical values as ultimately that is its biggest strength. This is also what serious readers want. They want original and reliable content and not content that has been “lifted” from another published work or even from an independent writer who has written this elsewhere and has just recycled it.

It is plagiarism when a writer picks up information gathered by another writer and weaves it into his story without crediting the original source. It is plagiarism when sentences and paragraphs are copied and woven into your article. It is plagiarism when an idea propounded by someone else is picked up and propounded as your idea. It is just not done. Important values like integrity and credibility get damaged when there are charges of plagiarism. It dents the reputation of both the writer and the publishing house.

Plagiarism destroys the reputation of the writer and the publishing house that carries that work. Once it is detected, both will find it extremely difficult to regain their reputation. Readers will always suspect them even if they stick to the truth as they would suspect it has been lifted from elsewhere.

Section C

Q. III Attempt the following questions using your creative abilities: 5 x 10 = 50

Q1. Given below are the opening lines of a short story. Complete the story in 500 words, giving it a suitable title: The day began like any other day and I did not know what it had in store for me……

Ans) The day began like any other day and I did not know what it had in store for me. Well, it was the month of May and our vacation had just begun, it was the day when we were due to leave for Darjeeling. We packed our luggage and moved to the railway station which was about a ten-minute drive from our house. It must have been about half past twelve and our train was scheduled to arrive at one o'clock at the Agra Cantt railway station. We had almost reached the station when my mother recalled that she had left the gas stove on. So we had no choice but to return. When we reached home, I rushed in and immediately switched off the knobs of the gas stove.

My brother checked the status of our train just in case and we learnt that the train was three hours behind schedule due to some technical issue. It was decided that we will wait in the house rather than sit at the station. Without off-loading our luggage, we went into our house and decided to relax till then. Just then I heard the murmur of water. When I checked, I was astounded to find a major water leakage in our bathroom due to which the bathroom was filled with several inches of water. I immediately contacted the plumber as I knew that in a matter of minutes, the whole house would be flooded with water.

The plumber didn't take long and arrived within fifteen minutes. He checked the leakage and told us that a pipe in the bathroom had burst open which was causing the leakage. He said that he'll be able to fix. it in an hour or so, we reluctantly agreed. The plumber took nearly two hours to repair it. We quickly paid him his charges, locked the house and set out for the station with only twenty minutes to spare. Adding insult to injury, we were stuck in a traffic jam. It was as if all the problems in the world had broken on us. We faced red lights at all signals. Facing a lot of difficulties, we somehow managed to reach the station. We ran as fast we could towards the platform, desperately trying to make our way through the hustle and bustle of the platforms, but to our despair what we could only manage to see was the back of the train and hear the hoot of the engine. To our horror, we realized that we had missed our train and our trip to Darjeeling as well. We returned home deeply saddened by the incident. I've had a lot of bad days in life, but it was by far the worst day of my life and I hope that such an incident never happens again.

Q2. Write a feature in 500 words on “Indian women are still treated as second-class citizens”.

Ans) All too often in crowded Kolkata buses some 30 years ago, one would hear a woman’s voice, angry and urgent, “badite ma-bon ney?” — don’t you have a mother or a sister at home? We would know that once again someone of my gender had misbehaved. I remember once, when a local wit piped up, “That is why he left them at home.”

We all laughed of course, but thinking back, there was a great deal of wisdom in his observation, perhaps more than he intended. We as a nation think of sexuality, first and foremost, as a problem to be managed: Men, especially young men, are dogs, and women, shall we say, tend to be vulnerable. Men and women are like ghee and fire, my elderly relatives used to say, and they have to be kept separate.

Hence the idea that people should be married by the time they are 16 and girls should be home by the time the sun sets. Hence the incessant questions from neighbours as soon as a girl is seen with a man: “Mrs. So and So, is that your nephew we saw her with the other day?”

Hence King Rama, God to millions of Hindus, and hero of the epic Ramayana, subjecting his saintly wife to the public humiliation of a test of her purity, because his subjects had heard that she had been abducted. Proper regulation above all, when it comes to sex.

The consequence is that any woman who is not formally protected by the proper male authority (however scrawny and pigeon-chested) — a husband, father or even a grown son, but not a boyfriend — becomes an anomaly. This is why bright women in the Kolkata slum behind our house would acquiesce to marry total losers (who earn a fifth of what they earn and drink it all away) and display their badge of marriage — red and white bangles, vermillion in the parting of their hair — even when it was known that their husband has taken a second “wife.”

They know that being single is untenable, a signal to everyone that they are fair game. It was well-known in our neighbourhood that the women who nevertheless ended up single — these were often the most unfortunate, the poorest of the poor — would be raped from time to time, at the mercy of the local drunks and assorted thugs.

The community would shake their heads, but there was nothing to be done. A stronger and less misogynistic law about rape will surely help, as will the general revulsion against rapists. But the challenge is much bigger: It is nothing less than that of building a society that recognizes women as autonomous beings, neither opportunity nor chattel, just people.

Q3. Write a nature poem of ten to fourteen lines.

Ans) Nature’s Lullaby

Sounds of singing birds so early in the morn

Is a beauty in life that no one can adorn.

Soothing peace of waves gently caressing the sand

Like embracing lovers, amidst placidity they stand.

The scent of flowers, paint a smile on thy face

Surrounded by nature's love, most peaceful escape.

Showered by warmth and richness from heavenly rays

Extracting the best of thy soul, glowing every day.

Night befalls; the bright moon so tender

To nature's love and heart I surrender.

I lay my head down and say goodbye

To nature's beauty; my sweet lullaby.

-        By Theo Williams

Q4. Structure a T.V. advertisement for a new model of mobile phone.

Ans) Product profile: What is the USP?

It is a new mobile phone with the best camera in the market

What is the price?

Slightly higher than the average smarphone.

What are the distinctive features?

Good body, great quality, best camera, good operating system.

Let us structure a framework.

With the given inputs in the product profile, we have to structure a suitable campaign for the market segment identified. It is reasonable to assume that literacy will be fairly high among the market segment in question⎯ i.e. the Indian urban, upper middle and upper class. The choice of the medium of the ad is thus made automatically⎯English, which also reinforces the product identification with occidental cultural values that appeal to the target segment.

This literate group is able to respond better to incidental triggers than direct cues. If the film is slick and competent it should at the same time guard against being spectacular. Surfeit of special effects and gimmickry are usually relegated to the realm of science fiction by the target market. Our suggestion is a refined, aristocratic, slightly understated film.

The USP has been given as a “best camera in the market.” This gives us good opportunities to showcase the use cases and applications of having the best camera in a mobile phone. Showcasing people shooting movies on it gives a very good impression of that.

Q5. Write a travel article about your home town in order to attract tourists to visit it. (500 words)

Ans) Lush green tea plantations, serene winding backwaters and spice plantations are a few features that define Kerala as one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Popular as ‘God’s Own Country’ Kerala is a haven for travellers who come here to unwind in the salubrious climes, away from the concrete jungle. In a state where the topography ranges from cool hills to balmy sea beaches, Kerala is a sight for sore eyes. Here is a list of places which are a ‘must-see’ for all those visiting this tropical paradise.

Alleppey

Alleppey or Alappuzha is best known for the world renowned backwaters of Kerala. The backwaters are a network of brackish canals, rivers and lakes that weave through half of the state of Kerala. One can cruise down the backwaters while enjoying the unique feel of the “Kettuvallams” or house boats which provide amenities including a taste of typical Kerala cuisine. For other curious travellers, there are several unique temples and churches which add more value to the picturesque beauty of Alleppey.

Kochi

Kochi is the cultural and economic capitals of Kerala. It’s a hub of tourist activity and attracts visitors from all over the world. From Chinese fishing nets to exotic spice cultivations, there’s a lot to feast your eyes upon in Kochi. This city is an amalgamation of various cultures which seek to endure even till date. There’s a surprise in every corner of Kochi, just waiting to be discovered.

Thekkady

Thekkady is home to the popular Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. You can observe the elephants that roam around the sanctuary, explore the verdant green forests, take a boat cruise over Periyar Lake or take an elephant safari into the depths of the wilderness. Periyar is the perfect getaway for wildlife enthusiasts and for people who want to rejuvenate in the misty mountains of the Nilgiris.

Munnar

Munnar is considered one of the most beautiful tourist places in Kerala. Situated on the Western Ghats, Munnar is evidently one of the highest producers of tea on the Indian subcontinent. The view of undulating hills as the touch the clouds in Munnar rejuvenates your mind and soul. The town is flanked by a narrow patch of the Arabian Sea and The Western Ghats on the other side which makes Munnar a unique getaway from the city life. Palm-fringed backwaters, scenic waterfalls, sunny beaches, misty mountains and gushing streams, Munnar has it all!

Kovalam

Sink your feet into the warm sandy beaches of Kovalam. There are numerous coconut trees here as far as the eye can see, add to that prime resorts surrounding lush green vegetation and you’ve got yourself a popular tourist destination. Kovalam has gained popularity as centre of Ayurvedic healing in the past few years. So if you want to take a break and feel re-energized, Kovalam is your kind of getaway.

Wayanad

One of the prime hill stations in the south, Wayanad boasts of production of tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper and other spices. The region is populated with many natural marvels such as waterfalls, caves, lakes and dams which you are bound to enjoy the cool weather of Wayanad. Do visit Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to wildlife species like the Spotted Deer, Bison, Cheetah and Bears.

Kannur

Kannur was previously a very important British trading centre in the south, hence much of the city still carries the aura of Colonial times which is mixed in with the local flavour of Kannur. You can explore St. Angelo Fort, walk along the Payyamabalam Beach, spot some wildlife at Aralam wildlife sanctuary or take a ferry ride over the Laccadive Sea. Kannur is a destination for everybody