SUMMARY PASSAGE 1

1 All of us are creative even though we often think that we are not. Believing that one is
not creative is one of the most common misconceptions people generally have about creativity.
This belief that I am not creative is far from true because usually we do not give ourselves a
chance to be creative. We are afraid we will be laughed at or think our idea will not work. We
are afraid we will be laughed at or think our idea will not work. We are also afraid that others
will not approve. In short, we are afraid to be creative.

2 It is also a self-fulfilling prophecy. When we believe we are not creative, we do not act
creatively and so we become not creative. We need to change our attitude. If we think we can,
we can. Tell yourself that you can do it and you can do it. We must be confident and have faith
in ourselves. The first step in creative thinking is telling yourself I am creative.

3 Another common misconception about creativity is that many people associate

creativity with the various branches of the arts dance, art, poetry, music and the like. Thus,
they feel that only artistic people such as choreographers, film directors, performers or writers
who excel in their own field of the arts can be labelled creative, whereas ordinary folks like
most of us are not creative.

4 But the truth is, everyone can be creative in his own way. The world witnesses
hundreds of creative ideas, big and small, every day. Mothers cook up interesting new dishes,
electricians wire up homes in original ways, mechanics fashion spare parts for old cars,
children design elaborate clothes for dolls and teachers produce imaginative teaching aids.
Creativity can be found in all spheres of human activity and in all walks of life.

5 Then there is, the misguided idea that people who are creative are eccentrics because
they do things differently. This leads others to think that they are mad. Think about the last time
you suggested an idea that nobody had ever thought of; you probably got these common
responses Are you mad? and You must be crazy!

6 Of course, the line separating creativity and insanity is a thin one, but there is a big
difference between the two. Creativity is a conscious state whereas insanity is not. Creative
people know they are creative while mad people do not even know that they are mad. We are
purposely creative because we are made that way.

7 Another fallacy about creativity that people have is that creativity cannot be taught. We
are either born creative or not creative. Thus, if you are born uncreative, there is nothing you
can do about it. This is not true. Research shows that creativity can be taught. Many well-
known motivational experts and creativity gurus have done a splendid job increasing the
creativity of businessmen, students, housewives and politicians. Many creativity techniques
can be acquired through special training. Teachers can incorporate creative thinking in their
classroom teaching to produce a future generation of creative people.

8 More importantly, we must rid ourselves of the idea that creativity is a luxury for most of
us, but this is not so. On the contrary, it is a necessity. In this modern world, we need to be
creative to survive. Whether in business or in the professions, one must constantly come up
with new products or new processes. Innovation has become a necessity to stay ahead in
business or to stay in practice. Of one is not creative enough to cope with the fast pace of
change, one may become extinct like the dinosaur or the dodo.

(Adapted from the article On Creativity by Dr Leo Ann Mean)

Panitia Bahasa Inggeris, SMK Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru

Question: In this essay, the author discusses creativity and the misconceptions about it.

Based on the passage given, write a summary of the various misconceptions about creativity,
and the differences between creativity and insanity.

Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change the original
meaning.

Your summary must:

be in continuous writing form (not in note form)

use material from paragraph 1 to the second sentence of paragraph 8

not be longer than 120 words, including the 10 words given below

Begin your summary as follows:

Everyone is creative although we may disagree. This is because

Panitia Bahasa Inggeris, SMK Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru