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Abstract

This exploratory study examines the techniques used to generate and select topics for creative writing in each of the following groups: professional writers, high school students identified as having specific interest and ability in creative writing, high school students in above average English classes, and high school students in average English classes. Subjects were presented with a variety of stimuli and asked to generate ideas for potential writing projects, select their best idea, and reflect on strategies used to generate and select ideas. Eight problem finding and eleven problem selection strategies of student writers were identified. Significant differences in the number of ideas generated were found by both group and sex, with more able writers generating more ideas than less able writers, and girls producing more ideas than boys.

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Problem Finding in Creative Writing: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

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References