young minds writing more creatively-NST

Students from various secondary schools at the New Straits Times NST-NIE creative writing workshop.



SETIU: The hall buzzed with muffled discussion as groups of students worked intensely on their projects, helped by teachers who circled among the tables, overseen by the coordinator at the front of the room.
Students from various secondary schools at the New Straits Times NST-NIE creative writing workshop.
Students from various secondary schools at the New Straits Times NST-NIE creative writing workshop.

Some 140 students from various secondary schools in the state were taking part in the day-long NST-NIE Creative Writing Workshop in the hall of Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi, Batu Rakit, on Saturday.

The Form Four and Five students completed various modules, including caption writing and free-style writing.

Sixteen-year-old Nur Fatinnatilah Ibrahim, from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (Agama) Sheikh Abdul Malik, said she had learned to be more creative in her writing and also learned how to make the news more interesting.

"This will definitely be helpful when I write essays.


"I would consider myself a moderate writer, but I think I can do much better now. What I learned will also come in handy when I finish school.

"I plan to become a businesswoman and I can use the skills I picked up here to promote my products," she said.

SMK Seri Budiman student Mohd Suhail Abdul Rahin, also 16, said he had learned the trick to producing quality essays.

"I never thought about using my five senses when it comes to writing. I will do this in future," he said.

The session was more enjoyable because it was more interactive than lessons in the classroom, he said.

Mohd Suhail, who dreams of becoming a doctor, said the workshop would benefit students regardless of whether they are in the Science or Arts stream.

SMK Wakaf Tapai English teacher Nureimei Zaizah said writing skills were important, and the workshop was a good initiative to help the students improve.

"As well as improving their writing skills, it helped them to improve their vocabulary, which will come in handy when they go to university.

"But because of the large number of students in each session, it would be better if the organisers increased the number of facilitators."