Independent Study Educational Materials Online Portfolio
Writing Prompts:
Please note: Many of these writing prompts come from the following websites: Creative Writing Prompts.com and writesparks.com. Please visit these two sites for original writing prompt ideas.
Write a prompt on the top of another piece of paper.
Then just start writing.
Please use complete sentences.
1) My favorite place to visit…
2) My favorite book…
3) The best time I ever had with water…
4) Explain what is happening in a photograph.
5) Draw a picture of your dream house and then describe it in detail.
6) Explain how you helped someone find something that was lost.
7) Describe your favorite camping trip.
8) Your friend has a secret. Write what you think it is.
9) Describe a pet, including how it looks, smells, sounds and feels.
10) What does “back to square one” mean?
11) Think of a memorable character (from a book, film or TV show). Craft a story about that character losing the most valuable thing he/she owns.
12) Write a mini-story that begins with: "They had nothing to say to each other."
13) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
14) In five years from now, I want to be…
15) Describe five different uses for a hanger.
16) What would be going on inside the head of a young executive nervously biting on her nails?
17) It only took her a few minutes to…
18) Every dog has his day.
19) Laughter is the best medicine.
20) Beauty is only skin deep.
21) You can’t judge a book by its cover.
22) Variety is the spice of life.
23) Use all of these words in a story: waiter, swing, high-rise building, and computer.
24) Use all of these words in a story: waitress, rock, gas station, and ring.
25) Use all of these words in a story: mother, key chain, kitchen, and flat tire.
26) Use all of these words in a story: brother, purse, dining room, and shoes.
27) Use all of these words in a story: nurse, swing, restaurant, and bus.
28) Use all of these words in a story: banker, glass, school playground, and toy car.
29) Use all of these words in a story: pianist, wallet, bathroom, and desk.
30) Use all of these words in a story: driver, sand, church, and necklace.
31) Write about a person who makes you laugh.
32) Write about what you would say to an uninvited guest.
33) Write about something you wish you could do if there were no rules.
34) Write about your most cherished possession.
35) Describe the town where you live.
36) Where do you feel like going today?
37) If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
38) What is your favorite dream?
39) It was exciting, the first time I…
40) She could rule the world.
41) Write a thank you note.
42) Describe your kitchen.
43) Write the rules for playing tag.
44) Describe how to get from your home to the grocery store.
45) Write the steps to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
46) Describe the differences and similarities of watching a movie and watching a television show.
47) Describe an accident.
48) Describe your favorite meal.
49) Write a letter to someone in a different country and tell that person about your school.
50) You have just created a new toy for a kid. Write an advertisement to sell it.
51) Write a movie review for a movie you have seen.
52) Write about what it felt like to learn something new.
53) Think of a time when you saw a fireworks show. Write a story about yourself. Tell what happened. What did you see, hear, and smell? How did you feel?
54) Is there a special activity you would like to do with your family? Go to the beach? Have a picnic? Persuade your family to plan the activity.
55) Think of a time that you went to a sports event. Who was with you? Did something funny, surprising, or exciting happen? Write about your experience.
56) A person has just arrived in a big city. There are lights on in all the buildings, but there are no people anywhere. The city is deserted! Where did everyone go? Write a story about what happened and how the character solves this mystery.
57) Compare and contrast yourself as a first grade student and as an older student. How different did you look? What did you do in each class that was different? What was the most important thing to you in each grade?
58) Have you discovered the secret to making a close friend or someone in your family laugh? Write instructions that tell how to do it!
59) Should boys and girls go to separate schools, or should they go to the same school? Decide what you think. Then persuade others to agree with you.
60) Some children watch television for several hours each day. Do you think that is a good way or a poor way to spend time? Write your opinion. Be sure to support your opinion with strong reasons.
61) Think of something you made. It could be something you cooked or built. It might be something you painted or sewed. Write a description of your creation. Remember to include details that tell how it looks, feels, sounds, tastes, and smells.
62) Imagine your life is now a book. In 100 words, write the blurb for it. (It's what people will read on the back cover.)
63) Write about your first toy.
64) Write a letter to the 10-year old child you were.
65) Write about the color of hunger.
66) Begin a story with "There was once a chance I didn't take..."
67) Write about a weird day in your workplace.
68) Use all of these words in a story: typewriter, filing cabinet, puncher, clerk, and janitor.
69) For this prompt, you'll come up with a poem about an object that describes you. First, choose an object. Next, list down the reasons you think the object you chose represents you. From your list of reasons, which one is the most powerful? Which one conveys the strongest image of you? Once you've chosen your main image, list down things that support this main image. Build your poem from there.
70) Describe what you feel right now using your sense of smell. If you feel frustrated, write about what your frustration smells like. Use vivid words. Don't skimp on adjectives.
71) Make a list of ten things that happened to you this month. They can be funny, embarrassing, happy, or infuriating. Then pick one from your list and write about it.
72) Electricity is a recent discovery. Think of 12 things to do when there's no power.
73) Fairy tales have happy endings. All of us know what happened in that mushy fairy tale, Cinderella. Yeah, it's romantic, the prince actually finding Cinderella. They lived happily ever after. But happy endings can sometimes be, well...boring. No zing. So predictable. So...happy. What if the shoe fit one of the sisters? What happens then? Play with your imagination here. Be funny if you like. Or serious if you feel like it. Or be an Alfred Hitchcock. Whatever you are into, write your ending to the Cinderella story -- but this time, make it so that the shoe fit one of the icky sisters. What does Prince Charming do? How does Cinderella cope with it? And what about the Fairy Godmother? Start your story here.
74) The dictionary atop your shelf has more than 200,000 words defined. Why don't you blow off some of the dust on its cover and randomly pick out 10 words? Don't look at the meanings; just concentrate on the words. Write down your chosen words on a (blank) sheet of paper. Now, you're going to have fun creating meanings for those words. What do the words make you think of? What do *you* think should they mean?
75) A picture is worth more than a blank page. Take out those dusty photo albums. Pick out photo # 14. Count however way you like, but make sure you stop at photo #14. Look at the photo for 2-3 minutes. Then for 10 minutes, write all the feelings that photograph made you feel. Don't censor yourself. Just write.
76) Close your eyes briefly. Think of one object that's in the room and focus on it. Without opening your eyes, recall as much detail as you can about it. After 3 minutes or so, open your eyes and write about that object without looking at it.
77) Write about "a plate of sunshine."
78) Describe a hot day.
79) Describe a rainy day.
80) Describe a snowy day.
81) What do you do on a rainy day?
82) What do you do on a snowy day?
83) What do you do on a sunny day?
84) Put Shaggy (Scooby-Doo's partner) and Batgirl in an elevator and write about what happens.
85) What does "a string of laughter" make you think of?
86) Write about a time you hid from someone, or a time you disguised who you really were.
87) What's your idea of a perfect vacation?
88) Use the following words in a story: friend, cookie jar, city, telephone.
89) List five things you're afraid of. Pick one fear and write about it.
90) List five things you can do with tissue paper. Pick one from the list and write about it.
91) Write about a blue-colored object.
92) Begin a story with the line, "The clock winked."
93) If I had the power to change something, I would change...
94) What's the most boring day you've had? Describe it, but this time, make it sound not boring at all.
95) Write a story about an empty glass.
96) Write about one of the easiest decisions you've made in your life.
97) Write about one of the most difficult decisions you've made in your life.
98) I thought I saw...
99) A funny thing happened on my way to...
100) List five things worth saving then choose 1 of those things and write about it.
101) Write a profile of one of your relatives.
102) Use all of the words in a story: plastic bottle, hockey puck, dirty handkerchief, crumpled note, unhinged door.
103) Write a story about a town that ran out of sugar.
104) Write about what you'd cook for an enemy.
105) Write about a good thing gone bad.
106) Write about the biggest lie you've ever told.
107) What was the worst meal you've had? Write about it as if the event is taking place right now.
108) Write the story of a disastrous family picnic.
109) Take two people who dislike each other and stick them in the backseat of a cab. What happens?
110) Flip through a magazine and create a story around the first image you see.
111) Write about a memory related to a holiday.
112) Write a letter to the teacher who gave you a hard time in elementary school.
113) Write about a task, job or chore you dislike.
114) Use these words in a story: Hurricane, Flashlight, Lawn Mower.
115) Think of a product you wouldn't be caught dead using. The company who makes that product plans to stop its production. Write a strong letter to the company and convince them not to take that product off the market.
116) Write a story about a man who skipped breakfast.
117) Use the first line of a nursery rhyme (take your pick) to start a story.
118) Write about a habit you find hard to break.
119) Recall a time when you did something to get noticed. Write about it.
120) Write about how you felt when you discovered you were lied to.
121) You come home and check your phone messages. You get to your third message and freeze. Begin from there.
122) Write about a man who got stood up on a date.
123) You wake up, go to the bathroom and look in the mirror. A different face stares back at you. Begin your story here.
124) Write a news story using this headline: Lightning bolt zaps turkey — AND COOKS IT TO A GOLDEN BROWN! (Weekly World News, January 2000)
125) Come up with 10 images for this prompt: "My home makes me think of..."
126) Today I will...
127) I used to think...
128) Write about something that bothered you this week.
129) If you could invent something to help mankind, what would it be?
130) What would you do with three wishes?
131) Create a poem using Emily Dickinson's "Bring me the sunset in a cup" as a starting point.
132) Write a fictional scary encounter with your hairdresser/barber.
133) List five things you do whenever you procrastinate.
134) The best thing in life is...
135) Brenda Ueland said, "Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force." Today, stop what you're doing and listen for 2 minutes. Then write the new thoughts you had as a result of this simple activity.
136) Write about a person who does everything "by the book."
137) What happens when a computer malfunctions and traps about 400 people in a small department store? There is only one food store in there.
138) Write about something wrapped.
139) Use all these words in a poem: crash, crumpled paper, straw, and gravel.
140) How would a broken plate feel?
141) I wish someone told me...
142) What are things you can do in 3 minutes? List them.
143) Describe a perfect day.
144) Write how to get along with an enemy.
145) The hallway was silent...
146) Put an athlete, artist and a fitness instructor in a museum. Add in a broken window and a crooked painting. One of the three panics. Write what happens.
147) Weave a story around a 60-year old photograph.
148) Incorporate this sentence somewhere in your story: "The strange noises grew louder."
149) Describe a day in the life of a window washer.
150) What happens when two friends visit an old house that one of them inherited from a distant relative? In the house, there is a 100-year old mirror that has never been broken.
151) Write a story about the candy or candies you would pick to represent your personality.
152) Describe your favorite food. How does it taste? What does it look like? Why do you like it?
153) If you were a bird where would you make your nest?
154) A fable is supposed to teach the reader a lesson. Write a fable about something you want to teach someone.
155) My friend and I made ice cream the other day. It was different from any other kind we've ever made because we ...
156) We opened a lemonade cone stand on Saturday. On the first day, something unusual happened...
157) Did you ever lose something? Did it belong to someone else? Did you find it? Write about a time when you lost something.
158) We are amazed at some of the things that wind up in our waterways. Choose a toy or an appliance and write a story that tells how it went from belonging to someone, to being abandoned or lost, to ending up in the river where a volunteer discovered it.
159) Write a story about pets who hug each other.
160) If I could talk to an endangered animal, I would ask it __________. Think of a list of questions for an interview.
161) Pretend you are a member of an endangered species. Describe what it is like to be one of the few remaining members of your species on Earth. How has life changed for you?
162) King Leland was a cowardly man. Oftentimes he would ask his wife, Queen Emily to do things for him. One day, King Leland saw a gang of invading marauders storming towards the castle...
163) Write a story about something you collect, or would like to collect.
164) Tell about a time you were mad at a person.
165) As the knight crossed the moat, the lightning struck the drawbridge.
166) If you could be ice cream, what flavor would you want to be? Why?
167) It was early evening when the three students pitched their tents beneath the cliffs.
168) A long time ago in galaxy far, far away lived a...
169) Write a story about a young queen who falls into danger as a direct result of refusing to do something.
170) Write an essay about why you think using good manners is important. Tell why you think the way you do.
171) Write a paragraph describing your sense of humor and what makes you laugh.
172) It is two thousand years in the future. What is life like for you as a teenager? What is important in society? How do people live? What is the government like? What is popular? Create a mini-story to describe this futuristic place.
173) You are an astronaut in the year 2405. You have just landed on a planet that no one has ever explored. Tell us about your adventures.
174) The woeful magician was having a terrible time, he just couldn't...
175) Living in a free country, like the United States is...
176) The toy bear was in the chest.
177) As I walked towards the cave, there was an eerie sense of being watched.
178) Imagine that you drank a magic potion, and then suddenly you started to grow smaller and smaller. Finally, you were no larger than a fly. What would you do?
179) You and your friend went to the junkyard to look around. Write a story describing the items you find.
180) Mrs. Margett's class was on a field trip. They had been learning about ocean life and rented a submarine. They set sail from the Port of Everett and submerged in the San Juan Islands. Everything was going just great until the submarine collided with a...
181) Imagine you are sitting on a beach enjoying a beautiful hot summer day. What do you see?
182) Have you ever wished you could create a new sport and write all the rules? Well, if I could create a new sport it would...
183) Imagine that you own a hotel. It might be a lodge in a national park, a resort on a tropical island, a peaceful country inn, or a busy hotel in the heart of an exciting city. Write a brochure that tells travelers all about the attractions of your hotel and its location. Convince potential visitors that your hotel is the best on in the area.
184) Captain Larson was at the helm of his submarine when, through his periscope, he saw...
185) You are a television reporter assigned to describe an eyewitness account of a crime scene. Describe the characters and events as they occur.
186) The moon cast eerie shadows over the faces of the friends seated around the fire pit.
187) Write a story about a nature walk you are taking. Describe what you see, hear, and touch.
188) Uncle Mike, Jessie, and Lizzie were going to the beach in 2 weeks. Their cousin Gary wanted to go very badly! So write how he made Uncle Mike say he could go along.
189) The jungle path wound slowly on...
190) I woke up this morning, and looked outside the window. Suddenly, I realized that everything had...
191) Write a story about a fruit stand that you own.
192) Imagine that your school will soon be celebrating its 25th anniversary. You are on the invitation committee. Write a letter that will go to the students who have graduated from your school. Tell them about the celebration and convince them that they should attend.
193) Write a book entry for a class-reading log. Choose a book you felt strongly about, summarize it, and explain why you felt as you did. Support your opinion with reasons and examples. Your entry should help a friend decide whether to read the book.
194) You will be writing your own version of the story about the three little pigs. You can choose to have different characters in your story. Give your characters names and personalities. Choose a different setting for your story. Try an unusual setting--maybe in the rainforest or on the moon. Use lots of describing words and details so your story will be fun to read.
195) Imagine that you have just spent your first day in a new school. Write a letter to a friend about it. Describe what happened and tell how you felt about it. Compare the new school to another school you have attended.
196) One day I woke up and the sun was shining bright. I was deciding what I should do that day then the doorbell rang and it was my friend, Jake...
197) All of the townspeople were glued to the television. They were anxiously awaiting the local news. The entire area wasn't sure what to expect.
198) Once there was a boy who became lost in the woods.
199) From the moment I got out of bed, everything seemed to be upside-down.
200) Imagine that you are eight years old and just visited the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty. Now write a letter to a friend, a cousin, or your grandparents, etc. telling them about what you saw and a few facts about the Statue.
201) I was in the auditorium listening to the performers when...
202) Once there was a gorilla who was always complaining and grumbling about everything. When his Mom asked him to take out the garbage he would grumble. When she asked him to do his homework he would grumble. But one day...
203) Write a letter telling your Mother how you appreciate everything she does for you. Start your letter with Dear Mom.
204) Silence surrounded the three boys as they huddled in Brandon's...
205) What were we going to do? We found ourselves stuck on the island with no food or water, not even a cell phone!
206) It was going to be a strange weekend to camp.
207) We went to the circus and had a fantastic time!
208) Imagine that you are the movie critic for a community newspaper. Write a short review comparing the best and the worst films you have seen recently. Describe some of the details of each film to support your opinions.
209) If you could be anything you wanted to be, what would you be?
210) What is the first thing you can remember in your life?
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Last updated 02/10/11