Writing Prompts
Submitted by: Ruth Petsel
If I were the teacher, I would...
If I could give one piece of advice to any person in history, that advice would be...
Describe a dream that you had recently. Provide as many details as possible.
The best lesson my grandparent (or parent or any relative) ever taught me was...
[on the day after the Grammy Awards are announced.] Do you think the right artists won? Why or why not?
Tell five things you'd like to do on your next birthday.
Imagine a friend of yours is considering whether to take steroids. What would you tell that friend to persuade him or her not to do that?
In 20 years, I will be...
Tell about an event in your life that has caused a change in you.
I was most angry when...
If you could design one room in a house to suit only your needs, what would it look like? (Challenge kids to be as fanciful as they like. For example, would someone have a desk made of chocolate?)
Describe your perfect vacation.
My worst mistake was...
[for high-school students.] Do you believe in love at first sight?
If you and your best friend could have a free limo for 24 hours, where would you go and what would you do?
You have the freedom to travel to any city or country in the world. Where would you go and why?
What would you do if you were president of the United States?
You have an extra $100,000 to give away; you cannot spend it on yourself. What would you do with the money?
The qualities that make a best friend are...
If you were an insect, what kind would you be and why?
Describe your room at home in detail.
What are you proudest of and why?
[using a current local controversy] Do you agree with the decision?
Why? Would you change if anything? What?