Grammar's Important Role in The Art of Creative Writing

Normally, people are familiar with writing. After all, we encounter them every single day. Students are always tasked with assignments that require them to write or workers who need to write reports of their meetings with precision. If so, is creative writing any different than the category above? By the word creative, we can already assume that this form of writing needs a creative mind filled with unique self-expression by the writers themselves.

Even if the definition can be a little vague, creative writing can be considered any type of writing that is original and expressive of oneself. Usually, it's recognized by its emphasis on narrative craft, focusing on elements such as character development, narrative, and plot, combining its structure with imagination, invention and story (Oxford Summer Courses, 2024) The goal is to self-express and create something beautifully written that comes right out of a person's heart. Rules do not apply the same way to writing academic papers which contain a rigid structure. This article aims to show the importance of grammar and its use in creative writing.

Even if someone were to make a form of creative writing, such as fiction stories or poems, it needs to have an accurate structure as its foundation. This is where grammar plays an important role in the English language, especially in writing. The use of grammar is important because it provides a structure and set of rules that ensure effective communication in both written and spoken language.

In this case, when we think of creativity, we often mistake it for something that is not bounded by a set of rules. But the truth is we still need to think carefully about the choices we make to form words, phrases, clauses, and sentences, because understanding the rules that everyone knows will make it easier for the writer to communicate their writing to others. We write something to communicate our ideas to other people, which explains why it's important to ensure our writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. Without proper grammar, our message can become muddled, leading to misunderstanding and misinterpretation. By following grammatical rules, we can structure our sentences in a way that is easy and logical for the reader to follow. For example, a writer wouldn't want their story which they spent their time working on to be misunderstood. A poet wouldn't want their deeply meaningful poem to appear puzzling and hard to understand. They all want the same thing, which is understanding and connection with their reader. Without proper grammar, the essence of their work can be lost. When a writer creates a story or a poet who pours emotion into a poem, they aim to evoke specific thoughts and feelings from their reader. Regardless of how compelling the content or ideas inside a writing, poor grammar can disengage the readers. Therefore, it's important to carefully think of what you're about to write, even if it's in creative writing.

Why is grammar so important in creating writing? 

1. Clarity and understanding

Proper grammar helps to ensure the reader understands the writer's intended meaning. The point of having grammar rules is for effective communication between people. When grammar rules are followed, sentences are structured in a way that logically conveys the writer's thoughts and intentions. On the other hand, poor grammar can cause sentences to become unclear and awkward, which may lead to confusion. For example, misplaced punctuation, incorrect verb tenses, or unclear pronoun references can make it difficult for readers to determine what the writer means. This can result in misunderstandings, where readers interpret the message differently from what the writer intended.

Creative writing, while it relies on a person's imagination still needs to be clear and easy to understand. For example, in a story, we need to ensure that the reader can follow the narrative and plot inside its imaginative world. When the dialogue of a character or even the background of the story doesn't make grammatical sense, it leads to ambiguity.

2. Flow and rhythm

Flow and rhythm are important because it refers to how grammar contributes to the pacing of a piece of writing. This point is crucial in engaging the reader. For example, commas, periods, semicolons, and other punctuation marks guide the reader's breathing and pausing. Proper use of punctuation ensures that the writing flows naturally. If someone writes something with inaccurate punctuation, the reader will have a hard time understanding what the person intended to convey. Punctuation is important for controlling the flow of writing. It can slow readers down, allowing them to focus on a specific idea, or speed them up, creating a sense of momentum or tension (Dindsdale, 2022).

3. Grammar as a tool for creativity

While grammar can be misunderstood as a set of rules that may restrict creativity, it's more accurate to say that grammar also plays the role of an instrument that writers can use to enhance their writing. A good understanding of grammar is useful for the writer to pick out words and sort them out not only in an accurate way but also beautifully written, enabling the reader to resonate with the writer's feeling poured inside their creation.

In conclusion, grammar plays an important role in creative writing. It helps writer convey their ideas effectively and in a way they want the reader to understand. It's also important to remember that grammar is always a crucial aspect of the English language. It's not a constraint but a tool that, when used skillfully and correctly, improves the quality of the writing we make, making it more compelling and accessible for other people.

References:

Oxford Summer Courses, (2024, November 1). What is Creative Writing? | An Introduction for Students. Retrieved from

https://oxfordsummercourses.com/articles/what-is-creative-writing

Dindsdale, (2022, May 18). 5 Reasons Why Grammar is Important in Writing. Retrieved from

https://prowritingaid.com/why-is-grammar-important-in-writing