Students' attitudes towards the role of reading literature in enhancing creative writing

Abstract

The present study aims chiefly at probing into the Algerian master year learners’ attitudes towards the role of reading literature in order to draw their attention to the great impact that literature held on their creative writing at the departments of English in both universities Abderrahmane Mira of Bejaïa and Mohammed Mentouri of Constantine. Owing to the overriding importance of literature in promoting learners’ creativity in writing as well as imagination, the present research work revolves around the basic hypothesis that the enhancement of EFL learners’ creative writing is due to extensive literature reading. To this end, a questionnaire was handed to 60 students. However, the analysis of this research instrument has demonstrated that the vast majority of the learners are fond of reading literature and they believe that literature can be a backup for enhancing writing creatively. That is, the research hypothesis was confirmed. These gained insights into the learners’ attitudes and the way they perceive the role of literature, then, open the door to further research attempts and suggestions in the realm of literature and creativity in writing, two seemingly complex and multifaceted concepts.