Reading short stories as a gateway to creative writing: enhancing EFL learners’ writing skills through literary input

Abstract

Developing writing skills in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) remains a complex and demanding process, requiring not only linguistic accuracy but also the ability to express ideas clearly and creatively. This article explores how reading short literary texts contributes to the improvement of writing skills in EFL contexts, with a particular focus on creative writing. The study adopts a qualitative, literature-based approach, synthesizing contemporary research on the use of short stories in language teaching. The findings highlight a strong connection between reading and writing, showing that learners exposed to literary texts tend to produce more coherent, expressive, and structurally developed writing. Moreover, these conclusions are supported by previous research emphasizing the effectiveness of literature-based instruction in enhancing writing performance. Overall, the study argues that integrating short stories into EFL writing instruction can be highly beneficial for bridging the gap between language proficiency and creative expression.