by Lauren Copelan
“Academic writing isn’t creative and creative writing isn’t academic.”
Says who?
The learned dichotomy between creative and academic writing privileges one form of writing over the other. We are taught that there is a time and a place for both, but that college is the place for academic writing only (save a few specific disciplines). This dichotomy tells us that to be relevant in our fields or successful in higher education, we must master academic writing, often at the expense of creativity.
But what if we could do both?
What if we could incorporate creative writing into our academic writing?
Fortunately, integrating the creative writing process into academic writing is possible!
Creative Inquiry
The first way to incorporate the creative writing process into academic writing is by focusing on the inquiry of our writing. When presented with a topic, begin by thinking outside the box, researching and collecting a variety of information, and inquiring about everything related to the topic at hand. How does your research on the topic change based on your positioning on the topic? Does that exploration of your topic lead you to new ideas or conclusions? Creative inquiry can open up a new realm of possibilities for your topic or writing interest!
Storied Arguments
Another way to incorporate creative writing into your academic writing is by experimenting with the way you write. Most academic writing focuses on the explanation of a topic, argument, or position. While the exploration of the topic or argument is crucial within academic writing, experimenting with how we go about introducing and discussing that topic or argument can make our writing more enjoyable and even accessible to our readers. Integration of storied or narrative elements into your writing can make academic writing more engaging, leading to greater information synthesis for both you and your reader!
Don’t be Afraid of Language
The addition of language in academic writing can also lend itself to creative writing. Now I know what you’re thinking—academic writing is FULL of academic language—and it is! But adding in and making use of rhetorical devices like metaphors, imagery, and expressive language can be used to elevate your writing, taking it from boring and dull to exciting and innovative.
Enjoy the Process
Most importantly, just enjoying the creative process of writing. Regardless of the format, creative or academic, you are creating original thoughts, synthesizing ideas, and transforming the information you are given. This in and of itself is a creative process!
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your writing. The integration of creative writing into academic writing can take your work to new levels, engaging you in the writing process and providing your reader with the best of both worlds.
Lauren Copelan, Visual Artist and Educator. Lauren serves as a WIP TA for Art Education and Dance courses during the 2021–22 academic year.