English Literature Teachers' Views on Lexical Choices, Syntax, and Morphology in Creative Writing in Pakistan

Abstract

The paper explores the perception of English literature teachers about the use of unique lexical, syntactical structures and morphological variations in creative writing. The data were collected from the semi-structured interviews with 26 English Literature teachers from public and private universities in Pakistan. The findings explicitly reveal a diverse understanding of Pakistani literature teachers' perspectives on creative writing. Despite varying opinions, there are common perceptions, emphasizing creative writing as a space for imagination, self-expression, and emotion. Language choices, including word selection and sentence structures, play a pivotal role in shaping narratives and evoking mood and atmosphere in the text. Pakistani creative writers contribute cultural elements and enrich their work with Urdu words. Creative writing significantly influences Pakistani English and serve as a powerful means of expressing cultural identity. The study recommends implementation of teacher development programs to enhance creative writing skills among students and foster collaborative idea-sharing. Additionally, it advocates for integrating creative writing into standard curricula to promote diversity and preserve cultural identity through the use of unique lexes, syntactical structures and morphological variations. Lastly, the recommendation includes promoting a student-centric approach through personalized feedback, imaginative assignments, and creative writing competitions for motivation and recognition.