what is a writing prompt examples

What Is a Prompt in Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 200 Examples)

Ever stumbled upon a blank page and didn’t know where to start?

That’s where a writing prompt steps in, kicking your creativity into gear and guiding your pen (or cursor) in the right direction.

What is a prompt in writing?

A prompt in writing is a starting point designed to ignite creativity, guiding writers to explore themes, genres, or emotions. It can be a word, question, image, or scenario, aiding in overcoming writer’s block.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about prompts in writing.

What Is a Prompt in Writing (Long Description)?

Table of Contents

A writing prompt is essentially a starting point.

Think of it as a spark designed to ignite your creativity and guide your thoughts in a specific direction.

This little nudge can come in various forms – a word, a sentence, a question, or even a picture – and serves the purpose of inspiring you to write.

Whether you’re drafting a story, an essay, or just jotting down your thoughts, prompts help overcome the intimidation of a blank page.

It sets a predefined theme or direction for your writing.

They’re not just about what you write, but how you think and approach writing, encouraging you to explore new ideas, genres, and perspectives.

Here is a good video that explains prompts in writing:

Types of Prompts in Writing

Now let’s go over different types of prompts in writing.

Common prompt types include:

The Story Starter

The question quest, picture this, the first line frenzy.

The Story Starter is your classic nudge towards narrative creativity.

It’s a sentence or scenario meant to kick off your storytelling journey, helping you dive straight into the plot, characters, or setting.

This type of prompt is great for fiction writers looking for a jumping-off point to explore various themes or genres.

It can be as detailed or as open-ended as you like, providing just enough information to spark an idea without dictating the direction of your story.

• “When the clock struck midnight, she realized…”
• “Lost in the forest, he stumbled upon a hidden village…”
• “The last person on Earth sat alone in a room. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door…”
• “In a world where magic is real, a young apprentice discovers…”
• “The photograph in the old book revealed a secret that would change everything…”
• “Stranded on a desert island, they found a message in a bottle…”
• “On her hundredth birthday, she received a letter that took her back to her youth…”
• “The map led them to a place that wasn’t supposed to exist…”
• “In the midst of war, a forbidden love blossomed…”
• “He inherited an old mansion, not knowing the ancestors would still be around…”

The Question Quest prompt type uses intriguing questions to push your thinking boundaries and explore ideas in depth.

It’s perfect for essays, reflective writing, or exploring complex themes and issues.

These prompts challenge you to consider different perspectives, analyze situations, and develop reasoned arguments or narratives based on the question posed.

• “What would you do if you could travel back in time?”
• “How would society change if humans lived to be 300 years old?”
• “Is it possible to live a completely ethical life in today’s world?”
• “What does true bravery look like?”
• “How would the discovery of extraterrestrial life impact humanity?”
• “What is the true cost of progress?”
• “Can happiness be measured?”
• “What role does fate play in our lives?”
• “Is technology bringing us closer together or driving us apart?”
• “What would you change if you were the leader of your country for a day?”

Picture This prompts use images as the springboard for writing.

A photograph, painting, or even a random doodle can unlock a flood of creativity.

Which makes it an excellent tool for both fiction and non-fiction writers.

This visual cue encourages you to dive into descriptive writing, storytelling, or even analytical essays, exploring the emotions, stories, or ideas evoked by the image.

• A deserted street at dawn, with an old bicycle leaning against a lamppost.
• A vintage suitcase, open and filled with letters and photographs.
• A bustling market scene in a foreign country.
• A child gazing out of a rain-spattered window.
• A majestic mountain range under the stars.
• An abandoned house, its rooms still furnished but covered in dust.
• A close-up of a spider web with dewdrops.
• A lively street festival, with people dancing and musicians playing.
• An old, faded map with several places marked in red.
• A serene lake at sunset, with a lone boat tied to a wooden dock.

The First Line Frenzy is a thrilling way to dive into a story.

These prompts provide the opening sentence of your narrative, setting the tone and direction for everything that follows.

It’s a fantastic method for overcoming writer’s block and sparking your imagination, as the initial line can lead to unexpected and exciting story developments.

• “The day began with a mysterious package on my doorstep.”
• “I never believed in ghosts until I moved into the old Henderson house.”
• “The moment I heard the news, I knew my life would never be the same.”
• “Under the light of a full moon, the city revealed its true secrets.”
• “It was the kind of café you’d stumble upon once and never find again.”
• “With a deep breath, I stepped into the unknown.”
• “The letter, sealed with a wax emblem, contained a proposition I couldn’t refuse.”
• “As the train pulled away, she realized her mistake.”
• “In the heart of the ancient forest, a hidden path led to unexpected wonders.”
• “The discovery promised to rewrite history, but at what cost?”

Dialogue Driven

Dialogue Driven prompts center around a snippet of conversation, offering a dynamic entry point into your writing.

This approach is particularly effective for character development and exploring relationships through direct speech.

It can set the scene, reveal personalities, and drive the plot forward, all through the power of dialogue.

• “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” “I was hoping.”
• “Why is this door always locked?” “You’re not ready to know what’s behind it.”
• “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” “That’s where you’re wrong.”
• “The stars look different here.” “Everything does.”
• “I wish I could stay.” “Then why are you leaving?”
• “It’s not about what I want anymore.” “Then what’s it about?”
• “I’ve never seen anything like it.” “And you never will again.”
• “Can you keep a secret?” “Depends on the secret.”
• “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” “We’re not even on the same planet.”
• “It was supposed to be a simple plan.” “Since when does anything go according to plan?”

The Sensory Dive

The Sensory Dive prompts are designed to immerse you and your reader in vivid, sensory-rich experiences.

These prompts encourage descriptive writing that appeals to the senses, painting a scene so tangible that readers feel they can touch, taste, hear, see, and smell it.

It’s a powerful tool for creating immersive worlds and experiences.

• Describe the cacophony of a bustling city market at noon.
• The taste of the first snowflake of winter.
• The scent of old books in a forgotten library.
• The feeling of sand between your toes as waves crash on the shore.
• The sight of a landscape transformed by autumn’s touch.
• The sound of a distant thunderstorm approaching.
• The warmth of a crackling fire on a cold night.
• The chill of walking through a foggy graveyard at dusk.
• The texture of an ancient, carved stone.
• The silence of a snow-covered forest.

The What-If Wonder

The What-If Wonder prompts take you on a journey of imagination, exploring alternate realities and scenarios.

These prompts ask you to consider how different choices, events, or conditions might alter the world, characters, or story.

It’s an excellent way to delve into speculative fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, pushing the boundaries of reality.

• What if humans had the ability to communicate telepathically?
• What if gravity suddenly became a variable force on Earth?
• What if you woke up 100 years in the past with your current memories intact?
• What if plants were the dominant intelligent species on the planet?
• What if you could see the future but only 24 hours ahead?
• What if water was as rare as gold?
• What if everyone had their lifespan displayed above their heads?
• What if you found a door that could take you to parallel universes?
• What if animals could petition for their rights?
• What if dreams were actually glimpses into alternate realities?

The Emotional Rollercoaster

The Emotional Rollercoaster prompt is all about exploring the depths of human emotion, challenging you to convey complex feelings and reactions.

These prompts are perfect for delving into character development, interpersonal relationships, and personal reflection.

By focusing on the emotional landscape, writers can create compelling narratives that resonate with readers on a deeply personal level.

• The moment you realized you were in love.
• Feeling utterly lost in a place you once called home.
• The bitter sweetness of a farewell.
• Overcoming a fear that once held you back.
• The complex emotions of reuniting with someone after many years.
• The guilt of a lie that spiraled out of control.
• The rush of achieving something you thought was impossible.
• The profound sadness of losing a cherished memory to time.
• The unexpected joy found in a simple act of kindness.
• The peace of accepting things you cannot change.

The Genre Blender

The Genre Blender prompts encourage you to mix elements from different genres, creating unique and innovative narratives.

These prompts are excellent for writers looking to break the mold and experiment with their storytelling.

Whether it’s combining science fiction with historical fiction or fantasy with mystery, the possibilities are endless.

• A detective in a dystopian future solving a crime that could change the course of history.
• A romance blossoming in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.
• A fantasy world where magic is dying, and technology is on the rise.
• A historical drama set in ancient Rome, but with a twist of time travel.
• A horror story set in space, aboard a ship with a mysterious alien artifact.
• A western where the frontier towns are protected by wizards instead of gunslingers.
• A cyberpunk thriller featuring a heist in a virtual reality world.
• A mystery set in a magical school where the students must uncover a dark secret.
• A superhero story grounded in the real-world challenges of modern society.
• An adventure tale that blends deep-sea exploration with ancient mythology.

The Time Traveler’s Gateway

The Time Traveler’s Gateway prompts explore the intricacies of time travel, its implications, and its paradoxes.

This type of prompt is perfect for science fiction and speculative fiction writers, offering a playground for the imagination that challenges our understanding of time, history, and causality.

• Discovering a time machine in your backyard and deciding where to go first.
• A message from the future warning of an impending disaster.
• The consequences of changing a small event in the past.
• A society where time travel is common, but strictly regulated.
• An ancient civilization that had advanced time travel technology.
• Meeting your ancestors and learning their secrets.
• The ethical dilemmas of using time travel for personal gain.
• A love story that transcends time barriers.
• The discovery that history is a construct, shaped by time travelers.
• A time loop where the protagonist must solve a puzzle to escape.

The World Builder’s Dream

The World Builder’s Dream prompts invite you to create entire worlds from scratch.

This type of prompt is a boon for fantasy and science fiction writers, offering the freedom to craft unique settings, cultures, laws of nature, and societies.

It’s an opportunity to let your imagination run wild and establish the groundwork for epic tales.

• A planet where the seasons last for decades.
• A city built entirely on the back of a giant, wandering creature.
• A society where people’s roles are determined by their innate magical abilities.
• An underwater civilization that has never seen the surface.
• A world where dreams can be entered and manipulated.
• A floating island nation that travels the skies.
• A dystopian future where memories can be bought and sold.
• A kingdom where music is the source of all magic.
• A realm where the night lasts half the year.
• An alternate Earth where the continents never split apart.

The Unseen Perspective

The Unseen Perspective prompts challenge you to write from the viewpoint of non-human characters or entities.

This approach forces you to step outside the human experience and consider the world from a completely different angle.

It’s a fantastic way to explore themes of consciousness, nature, and the interconnectedness of life.

• The life of a tree over centuries, witnessing the changes in the world.
• A day in the life of a household pet during a major family event.
• The thoughts of a spaceship AI as it travels through the cosmos.
• The experiences of a ghost haunting an old mansion.
• A story told from the perspective of a river, from source to sea.
• The journey of a single leaf from sprout to falling to the ground.
• The collective consciousness of a hive of bees facing environmental challenges.
• The ancient spirit of a mountain overseeing its surroundings.
• The adventures of a book as it passes from reader to reader, experiencing different interpretations and emotions.
• The perspective of a city as it grows and evolves over centuries, through peace and conflict.

The Emotional Journey

The Emotional Journey prompts focus on the internal growth and transformation of characters.

It invites writers to delve into personal development, self-discovery, and the overcoming of obstacles.

This type of prompt is ideal for character-driven narratives, where the emphasis is on emotional depth and the evolution of the protagonist’s inner self.

• A character grappling with the loss of a loved one and finding a way to move forward.
• The journey of self-acceptance for someone who feels out of place in their world.
• A hero facing their darkest fears in order to save what they cherish most.
• A villain’s realization of the impact of their actions and their quest for redemption.
• A young adult’s transition into independence and the challenges they face along the way.
• The transformation of a skeptic into a believer through a series of unexplainable events.
• The struggle of a character to forgive themselves and others for past mistakes.
• The process of rebuilding one’s life after a catastrophic event.
• A character’s journey from indifference to passionate advocacy for a cause.
• The evolving relationship between two characters who start as rivals and become allies.

The Moral Dilemma

The Moral Dilemma prompts put characters in situations where they must make difficult choices, often between two equally undesirable options.

These prompts are great for exploring ethical questions, character morality, and the complexity of human nature.

They challenge writers to think deeply about what it means to make a “right” decision.

• Choosing between saving a loved one or a group of strangers from danger.
• Deciding whether to expose a painful truth that could destroy a friend’s happiness.
• The choice of upholding the law or doing what is morally right in a corrupt society.
• A character must decide whether to seek revenge or forgive an unforgivable act.
• The dilemma of sacrificing personal dreams for the greater good.
• Deciding whether to keep a secret that protects one person but harms others.
• A leader’s choice between peace at the cost of justice or war for the sake of freedom.
• The ethical implications of using advanced technology to alter human nature.
• A scientist faces a moral conflict over a discovery that could change the world but has dangerous implications.
• The struggle of a character who finds out that their entire life is based on a lie and must choose how to react.

The Creative Challenge

The Creative Challenge prompts are designed to push the boundaries of conventional storytelling.

It encourages experimentation with narrative structure, style, and content.

These prompts invite writers to play with unconventional formats, such as a story told in reverse, a narrative composed entirely of dialogue, or a tale that weaves multiple perspectives into a cohesive whole.

• A story told through a series of diary entries, each revealing a piece of the puzzle.
• A narrative structured as a series of text messages between characters.
• A tale that begins with its conclusion and works backward to the start.
• A story where each chapter is from the perspective of a different character, all revolving around a single event.
• A narrative composed entirely of letters sent between two characters.
• A story told through the lens of an inanimate object witnessing events unfold.
• A tale that intertwines the past and present, revealing how they mirror and affect each other.
• A narrative that challenges the concept of linear time, mixing moments from various points in the characters’ lives.
• A story where the setting changes in each chapter, influencing the plot and characters in unique ways.
• A narrative that plays with genre conventions, blending elements from different genres in unexpected ways.

Final Thoughts: What Is a Prompt in Writing?

I hope this guide “prompts” you to understanding, creativity, and motivation to write.

Check out some of our other great guides below.

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Embarking on a Creative Journey: Writing Prompts 101 with Examples

Fellow wordsmiths, if you find yourself, much like me, in a stare-down with a blank page, yearning for that enchanting inspiration to make its grand entrance, worry not! I’m here to acquaint you with the enchanting universe of writing prompts. Think of this as your very own handbook, designed to spark your creativity, vanquish that pesky writer’s block, and set you on a captivating expedition of self-expression.

Unraveling the Magic of Writing Prompts:

What are writing prompts.

Writing prompts are the creative nudge we all need – the spark that turns the mundane into the extraordinary. They’re like the secret handshake between you and your imagination, unlocking a gateway to uncharted storytelling realms. These bite-sized ideas, questions, or scenarios serve as the groundwork for your literary adventures, propelling you into endless possibilities.

Why Use Writing Prompts?

Let’s face it; the blank page can be intimidating. Writing prompts are the antidote to the dreaded writer’s block. They coax your muse out of hiding, inviting her to dance across the page. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just dipping your toes into the vast ocean of words, prompts provide a springboard for creativity, helping you explore new genres, perspectives, and voices.

Navigating the Landscape of Writing Prompts:

Types of writing prompts:, 1. open-ended prompts.

These are the trailblazers of creativity. They present a scenario without a defined resolution, encouraging you to chart your course. For example: “In a world where time travel is possible, you stumble upon a letter from your future self. What does it say?”

2. Visual Prompts

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Visual prompts , like a captivating image or artwork, beckon you to weave a story around what you see. Imagine a deserted street at twilight – what secrets lie in the shadows?

3. Dialogue Prompts

Sometimes, a single line can unravel a multitude of stories. Consider this: “The last thing I expected to find behind the old bookstore was…”

4. Theme-Based Prompts

Themes add a layer of depth to your writing. Explore themes like resilience, loss, or discovery. An example: “Write about a character who finds solace in an unexpected place during a storm.”

5. Crafting Your Prompts

Don’t shy away from creating your prompts. Tailoring them to your interests or current projects can be incredibly rewarding. For instance, if you’re working on a mystery novel, your prompt could be: “A detective discovers a cryptic message written in an ancient language at the crime scene.”

Also Read: How to Keep Students Writing in the Age of AI Tools?

The Power of Examples:

1. open-ended prompt.

Ever wondered what it’s like to live in a world where dreams come to life? Describe a day in the life of someone in this extraordinary reality

In a world where dreams materialize with the rising sun, I woke up to find a vibrant garden of floating lanterns outside my window. Each lantern embodied a dream, gently floating in the morning breeze. My heart raced with the possibilities as I stepped into this dreamscape, where laughter and whispered secrets danced in the air…

2. Visual Prompt

Study the image of an abandoned amusement park below. Craft a story around what led to its demise and the secrets it holds.

The Ferris wheel creaked eerily in the stillness, a testament to the laughter that once echoed through the air. As I ventured through the desolate amusement park, a faded sign caught my eye: “Closed for eternity, but the memories linger.” I couldn’t resist the pull to uncover the tales of joy and sorrow that lingered in the rusting rides and overgrown pathways…

3. Dialogue Prompt

Use the following line as the starting point for your story: “I never thought I’d see you again after all these years.”

I never thought I’d see you again after all these years. The words hung in the air, laden with the weight of forgotten promises and untold stories. As we stood face to face, the years melted away, and the echoes of our shared past reverberated in the spaces between us…

4. Theme-Based Prompt

Explore the theme of resilience by writing about a character who faces a seemingly impossible challenge and discovers their inner strength.

Amid the ruins of shattered dreams, she stood, resilient as a solitary flower pushing through the cracks in the pavement. The world had dealt its harshest hand, but with each adversity, she discovered a hidden reservoir of strength within herself. In the face of despair, she became a testament to the indomitable spirit that could rise, unbroken, from the ashes…

The Road Ahead: Embrace the Journey

Embrace the company of writing prompts on your expedition of self-discovery and creative exploration. Rather than rigid rules, consider them as inviting pathways to venture into. Plunge into the prompts that strike a chord with your soul, fashion your narratives, and witness the spectacle as your imagination takes flight. These prompts are more than mere tools; they wield the enchantment of magic spells, transforming the blank page into a canvas awaiting the strokes of your unique stories. So, let the words flow, fellow storytellers, and revel in the joyous act of writing!

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69 Orignal Writing Prompt Examples

Sometimes we get into a strange conundrum. We have all the energy in the world to write but no idea what to write about. No matter how hard we try we can't get our minds to come up with something. If you are in such a situation a unique and original writing prompt can be of great help. 

• What is a writing prompt?

A writing prompt is a line or two of text describing the beginning of a story or its basic plot. It may seem like nothing, but when you are all fired up to write something, this can act as fuel for your fire.  

Here are some original writing prompt examples that can help you get going. 

Table of Contents

Fiction writing prompts, dark fantasy writing prompts, epic fantasy writing prompts, creative writing prompts /creative writing topics (use inside), some fun writing prompts, deep topics to write about, some random writing prompt ideas, writing prompts on reddit.

• A war veteran wakes up, looks at his scars in the mirror, and reminisces about the battles he has been in. 
• A cop finds his long-lost father who is secretly a drug trafficker.
• Two first-class secret agents are fired from the Agency and open a barbershop. 
• A group of coal miners returns to the surface after their shift. They find the world destroyed in an all-out nuclear war. 
• Two friends are out on a hiking trip. They find a pouch of diamonds lying on the hiking track. The pouch belongs to the Mafia and they are looking for it.
• A scientist steals a chemical from a secret government lab that can heal any wound. 
• A character finds out one day that their greatest desire is fulfilled but He has lost the most important person in his life. 
• Write about a cop who helps a criminal escape for a good reason. 
• A man finds a note on his desk saying, "This will last for hundred days.". The next day he falls in love and starts a relationship with a woman of his dreams. 
• You are busy texting your friend in a busy subway station when suddenly your mobile turns off. You look up and see many people looking up from their phones. In the following days, you find that digital appliances have stopped working for good around the globe. No one knows why.  

Fantasy writing prompts

• Write about a world where tiny people live alongside us. Suppose that in that world you had the power to turn big and small. How will you live in the two worlds?
• Imagine a mysterious island where you find people who can fly. You are their introduction to the modern world. How will everything happen?
• Write about a world where a giant metropolis floats in the air around the globe. You are one of its residents or better you are one below who wants to go into the mysterious flying city.
• You are a magician who has recently completed his apprenticeship in the guild. As your first task, you are on a dark and dangerous journey with a vagabond prince who you don't exactly like. 
• You wake up to find yourself in a strange house. You look into the mirror and you find a stranger looking back at you. 
• You are an angel in the form of a human who is tasked with helping a hero on a perilous journey. On your way, you find various creatures who aid you and hinder you in your goal.
• Write about a kingdom that is fighting an endless thousand years-long war with the armies of the dark. You arrive in chains as the long-prophesized hero who is destined to end the war once and for all.
• Write about a knight who is on an adventure to rescue his beloved mistress who is kidnapped by a fairy. The fairy falls in love with the knight. 
• A world ruled by god-like creatures who are worshipped by the rest as Gods. These Gods have guardians who know their secrets. One of the guardians turns against his god. 
• A world of Kings, knights, princesses, and fairies. A few lone magicians live in remote islands, deserts, and forests. The magicians can turn into dragons but they hide their powers for unknown reasons. A prince finds out their secret and all hell breaks loose.  
• A man finds an old lamp in some forgotten ruins. He lights the lamp only to find himself transported inside it. He finds it occupied with a strange group of creatures. A genie, a king, a troubadour, and a magician.  

• You find a strange pendant in an abandoned house that gives you the power to read people's minds. But at midnight on a full moon, you wake up from a horrible nightmare involving some medieval people. You hear horrible laughter and voices all night. You try to take off your pendant but you can't.
• A prince successfully rescues his betrothed from some monsters. They get married. On the wedding night, the prince finds to his horror that his wife has turned into a creature of the dark. She jinxes him into submission and then starts a cunning plan against the whole castle.  
• A man accidentally turns into a werewolf and kills his own child.
• A world ruled by vile-looking vampires where humanity is fighting a losing battle to survive. 
• Two orcs argue over the booty they found on the dead body of a soldier. 
• A group of mermaids takes away all the men of a fishing village. It is now up to their wives and daughters to rescue them. 
• A village situated at the edge of the forest is attacked by tree-like creatures. 
• Two Kingdoms fight for a red diamond that opens a portal to an empty world of abundance and vast resources. 
• A man finds a strange black stone in some ruins while looking for raw material. He uses the stone in building his house. The next day his house becomes a portal for a daemon world.
• A world finds out one day that half of its population has become intangible. A party from all the kingdoms is sent to find the cause. 
• A legendary sword of great power is found in the ruins of an old civilization. Everyone is helpless against its power. Chaos ensues. 
• The king dies without an heir at the eve of battle between the forces of darkness and humanity. A fairy knight prophesizes that a boy of great promise will find a ring of power in the Old Forest. He will be the new leader. A party is sent to find him. 
• The last of the dragons wake up from a thousand years-long sleep. A knight is given a death sentence in a minor squabble when he is ordered to kill the dragon. Alone.     

• What is your favorite weather? If you have no idea just look outside and observe. What do you find interesting? Think about your favorite place. What kind of weather it has in your imagination?
• Write about a ship that you are taking to some unknown shores. What are your expectations? What are your fears? What excites you about the journey?
• Write about a dream that you remember. What was so interesting about it? Why do you remember that dream? What was so mysterious about your dream?
• Write about some old ruins of ancient buildings that you visited. Why do you think it was abandoned? How did people live there long ago?
• Have you ever observed a clear night sky full of stars? How was your experience? What kind of thoughts comes to your mind when you observe the distant galaxies and stars?
• Write about some famous painting that you find mysterious or beautiful?
• Write about something that has inspired you in your life? Write about something that has kept you thinking for a while.
• Write about some object or animal that has a deep meaning for you. What do you symbolize that object for? What do you find that thing meaningful? How has it impacted your life?
• Write about the darkest time in your life. How did you cope with it? What gave you hope? What are the lessons that you learned?
• Write about a train journey and all the things that you saw on the way. 
• Imagine that you are cast away on an island, a jungle, or an ice-covered mountain. Luckily you found a cave to live in which had water and other necessities. How will you pass your life there? How will you rescue yourself?
• Write about a stranger that has left a deep impression on you. What makes him/her so interesting? What do you find so mysterious?
• Write about something that you enjoy doing very much? What makes it so fun?
• Write about something exciting that you started but never completed. 
• Write about forgiveness. Why is it so hard? Why is it better to forgive than to hold a grudge?
• Write about an event in your life that changed you forever.
• How was your last year? Was it exciting and memorable? What do you regret about last year?

• Turn on your favorite music and write down what comes into your mind. 
• Open a dictionary and look at a random word. Take a walk and think about it for a few minutes. Then start writing. 
• Take a long refreshing bath and think about the most fantastic and fun ideas to write about. Transform one of those ideas into a story. 
• Watch a long-anticipated movie and make a story out of some character that you think was not explored enough.
• Take twenty or thirty random ideas from here or somewhere else. Write them on pieces of paper. Fold them and put them into a box. Now just pick one and start writing. 
• Think about a story or a movie that left you frustrated and angry with its characters. Change some details and write that story again to your heart's satisfaction.  
• Go outside and note the first interesting thing that you see. Start writing a story out of it. 
• Write about a place you visited that had a deep effect on you
• Write about a book that has changed your life
• What do you think about the possibility of life on other stars and planets? What kind of life do you imagine is possible? What do you think about some of the ideas presented in science fiction/
• Eternal life. What do you think about the possibility of living forever? Suppose that you became immortal. How will your life change? What will you do with such a life? Will you be happy or sad?
• Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca said, “A great fortune is a great slavery.” How do you think precious things in this life can make us their slaves. Do you agree with Seneca or do you think otherwise?
• Fame and fortune. How do you think they affect a person's life? Can they be harmful? How? Why?  
• An old man telling the story of his war days in a pub. 
• A broken sad hero on one last mission to finally free himself from all burdens. 
• In a bloody war between two kingdoms, a village is destroyed. One man escapes with his life. His family was dead and his home was gone. He builds a war band that changes the history of both kingdoms. 
• Write about a character who can see the future outcomes of his deeds in dreams. 
• Two lonely people who can meet each other in a dream. A strange romance develops.  

Here are some communities on Reddit with amazing writing prompts:

• r/WritingPrompts
• r/SimplePrompts
• r/Worldprompts
• r/worldbuilding
• r/fantasywriters

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What Is a Writing Prompt and What Types There Are?

June 2, 2022

What Is An Essay Prompt?

Understanding writing prompts, types of writing prompts, how to write a prompt, how to respond to essay writing prompts for beginners, key takeaways.

Do you love writing but sometimes feel stuck or uninspired? Are you looking for a way to jumpstart your creative process ? If so, writing prompts may be just what you need. But what is a writing prompt and what is its role in writing?

In this article, we will discuss the definition of a writing prompt, explore different types of prompts, and learn how to write one yourself.

What Is a Writing Prompt?

A writing prompt is a sentence, paragraph, or (rarer) an image that provides inspiration and guidance for creative writing . It may be used as a possible topic or starting point for an original essay, report, journal entry, story, poem, etc. A writing prompt’s main aim is to test a writer’s analytical capabilities, writing skills, and ability to express their point of view.

Writing prompts for students have long been used in the classroom to encourage student attention and develop their capacity to focus on a certain subject, idea, or concept. They also give students the chance to express their own opinions on a certain topic. Prompts stimulate students’ critical thinking and offer them an opportunity to construct a well-reasoned, structured argument in response to another writer’s viewpoint.

An essay prompt is a subtype of the writing prompt. Essay prompts are generally made up of 1 to 3 sentences that provide some context about the subject, followed by a question that asks students to write about a certain topic in the form of an essay .

The goal is to get students to respond with an essay focusing on a statement or issue in order to assess their writing, reasoning, and analytical abilities.

Analyzing your writing prompt is easier if you highlight the important words while reading it . Here are some of the words you should watch out for:

• Argue – requires you to present facts that support your opinion
• Compare – determine the similarities and differences between two or more concepts
• Define – provide a definition of a specific concept or subject
• Discuss – explain various aspects of a subject or problem and reach a conclusion
• Describe – give a detailed description of an event or a particular person, place, or thing

Prompts can help improve your writing skills by providing practice in brainstorming, planning, drafting, revising, and editing . Daily writing prompts can also help you practice and develop your understanding of grammar when learning a new language .

Following are the most common types of writing prompts that students come across as a part of their degrees or continuing education programs:

Descriptive

Descriptive prompts frequently include cue terms such as “describe in detail,” “describe how something looked/felt/smelled/tasted,” and so on. In this type of writing, the reader should be able to experience what you’re writing about. Descriptive writing exercises frequently request writers to provide details that will help the reader construct a vivid picture by including sensory elements , such as sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.

Expository/Informative

Expository writing prompts are a good writing practice for teens and college students. Expository prompts typically ask the writer to describe, compare and contrast, discuss pros and cons, or define something .

Expository writing has a particular purpose and audience in mind; as a result, the style and voice must correspond to the set subject and audience. The following words are used as cues to elicit expository answers: why, how, what, and explain.

The act of writing a narrative is the process of recording and telling events from one’s personal or fictional experience . Identifying what a narrative writing prompt look like is easy when you know what to look for. These prompts call for insight, creativity, drama, suspense, humor, and/or fantasy, and often contain the term “tell about…,” “write a story,” or “describe”.

Writers should use real or invented experiences when responding to narrative prompts. They should also incorporate dialogue, sensory elements, and sensible sequences into their response.

In this sort of prompt, the writers are expected to express their viewpoint on a certain subject, followed by logical reasoning and facts . This can either be a controversial issue or something light-hearted and fun. No matter what the topic is, if you’re wondering how to start a writing prompt like this, just make sure you’re clear and concise so that the reader knows exactly what is being discussed.

Persuasive prompts are writing prompts that require the writer to convince or persuade the reader to agree with a certain point of view . These types of prompts typically use cue words such as “convince,” “persuade,” and “why” rather than “how.”

To write a persuasive prompt, it is important to first brainstorm ideas and then narrow down your focus to come up with a creative and unique prompt. Remember to consider your audience when writing persuasive prompts.

The research approach to daily writing prompts encourages writers to look for information on a given topic using books, internet resources, films, etc . Such a writing assignment asks students to look up all the details and provide the resources as well, sometimes in the form of a bibliography .

When you start writing, no matter the type and form of the written piece, it’s important to consider your audience and purpose. When you’re responding to a written prompt that lists children as your target audience, for example, you’ll need to use age-appropriate language and focus on the topics that are interesting for the particular age group . Apart from the audience, you need to pay attention to the following factors, as well:

Prompt Construction

Breaking down the writing prompt into three parts is another useful approach for better conveying the task’s meaning:

• the first part introduces the subject
• the second part encourages writers to think about it, perhaps with a brainstorming pre-writing exercise
• the third portion explains what needs to be written

In order to avoid confusion, writing prompts should be brief and focused . The instructor must make sure that the students are provided with sufficient information in order for them to understand the writing assignment completely.

The components of the prompt can be repeated, but using parallel wording will help writers stay focused on the specific writing task.

Bias and Sensitivity

The topics of your creative writing prompts should be inclusive and fair to all potential writers . The prompts should be written in a way that allows writers to easily comprehend them, regardless of their cultural background or other variables. It’s important to avoid cultural, ethnic, gender, or any other form of bias when developing prompts.

After you’ve examined your prompt, it’s time to get creative and prepare for your essay writing:

• First, make a thesis statement to address the main issue . Your thesis statement should be the focal point of your whole essay and should reflect your stance on the issue.
• When responding to writing prompts for beginners, write simple topic sentences that cover all the criteria. Add any facts, elaborations, or evidence you need to back up your viewpoint.
• After you’ve finished, you may add more facts and smooth transitions between each phrase and paragraph . Make sure to include an eye-catching opening line in your first paragraph, as well as a conclusion that summarizes your ideas and thesis statement.

All in all, understanding what is a prompt in writing and how to respond to one is a key skill for all writers. By taking the time to analyze the prompt and brainstorm ideas, you’ll make sure that your written piece is clear, concise, and on-topic. Practicing with different types of prompts will help you hone your skills and become a more confident writer.

The three parts of a writing prompt are the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction sets the tone for the rest of the piece, the body provides support for the thesis, and the conclusion ties everything together and leaves readers with a final thought or impression.

Most writing prompts consist of the following six parts: articulation of purpose, a summary of the assignment, logistics, paper’s key components, framing questions, and evaluation criteria.

What is a writing prompt supposed to be like in order to both challenge a writer and let them showcase their writing skills? It must be clear and concise, and possible to answer in a short amount of time. It should also be open-ended enough to allow for creative interpretation, not requiring prior knowledge in order to be answered.

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Writing Prompt (Composition)

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

A writing prompt is a brief passage of text (or sometimes an image) that provides a potential topic idea or starting point for an original essay , report , journal entry , story, poem, or other forms of writing. Writing prompts are commonly used in the essay portions of standardized tests, but they may also be devised by the writers themselves.

A writing prompt, according to Garth Sundem and Kristi Pikiewicz, usually has "two basic components: the prompt itself and directions explaining what the students should do with it." ( Writing in the Content Areas , 2006)

Examples and Observations

"Today is Kiss and Make Up Day, a day to fix relationships that need mending. " Prompt . Have you ever been in an argument with a friend or a member of your family? What was the disagreement over? How did you resolve it?" (Jacqueline Sweeney, Prompt a Day!: 360 Thought-Provoking Writing Prompts Keyed to Every Day of the School Year . Scholastic, 1998)

Elicting Insightful Responses

"Responses to writing prompts are typically more insightful than if a teacher allows students to simply write for a certain amount of time without specifying a topic." (Jacalyn Lund and Deborah Tannehill,  Standards-Based Physical Education Curriculum Development , 2nd ed. Jones and Bartlett, 2010)

Touching on Experiences

"Two characteristics of engaging . . . writing prompts are that they touch on experiences accessible to the students, and they allow for multiple ways to write an answer." (Stephen P. Balfour, "Teaching Writing and Assessment Skills." Improving Writing and Thinking Through Assessment , ed. by Teresa L. Flateby. IAP. 2011)

Writing Prompt for 'An Initiation'

"For the first assignment in the course, I'd like you to write a personal narrative that tells us something about who you are or what your interests are. The audience for this paper is the instructor and the class and the purpose is to introduce yourself to us in a way that will help all of us get to know each other. Be sure to include specific details that show rather than tell. Consult your class notes about writing successful narratives. Your narrative should be two to four pages long." (Julie Neff-Lippman in Concepts in Composition: Theory and Practice in the Teaching of Writing , 2nd ed., by Irene L. Clark. Routledge, 2012)

Understanding Writing Prompts

"To help build students' skill in reading and understanding a prompt, you should spend a class period analyzing two prompts by discussing the kinds of questions students need to ask themselves as they plan a writing response. . . . 1. What form of writing is the prompt asking for? 2. What ideas or arguments will the reader expect you to suggest? Would these points be good paragraph topics? 3. What does the prompt expect you to do? 4. Who is the audience for this essay? 5. Write a quick one-sentence answer to each question asked in the prompt. Use these answers to develop your outline and thesis ." (Sydell Rabin, Helping Students Write to a Prompt . Scholastic, 2002)

Responding to Writing Prompts on the SAT

"Topics for writing prompts tend to be broad, open-ended, and adaptable enough for any test-taker to find something to write about. Remember that you will not need any specific subject matter knowledge to answer the question. The excerpt in this sample is a typical example: The role of advertising is to induce people to buy goods and services. Advertising is neither moral nor immoral. It is ethically neutral. The writing prompt will most likely be based on a statement or a quotation . In order to answer the question that follows, you must understand what the excerpt is about. However, if you can't figure out the meaning or aren't sure, don't worry. The test-writers tell you the issue in the assignment. "However, don't ignore the excerpt. You may find some phrases that you can use in your essay. Referring back to the excerpt by paraphrasing it or using some words from it can be an effective technique." (Margaret Moran, Master Writing for the SAT: What You Need for Test Success . Peterson's, 2008)

Expository and Persuasive Writing Prompts

"An expository prompt asks you to define, explain, or tell how to do something. The following is an example of an expository writing prompt. Most people have a favorite season or time of year. Write an essay describing your favorite season. Discuss what makes that season special to you. "A persuasive prompt asks you to convince the reader to accept your opinion or to take a specific action. The following is an example of a persuasive writing prompt. To cut back on expenses, your principal has asked the school board for permission to cancel all field trips for the remainder of the year. Some people think this is a good idea because they consider a field trip a 'vacation' from learning and therefore an unnecessary expense. Write to the school board explaining your position on the issue. Use facts and examples to develop your argument. " (J. Brice and Dana Passananti, OGT Ohio Graduation Test: Reading and Writing . Research & Education Association, 2007)

Photographs as Writing Prompts

"Keep in mind that students from diverse cultures may respond differently or not relate at all to some photos, especially when the photos are of unfamiliar objects, places, or people. As you select photographs to share as prompts for this activity, make sure you introduce them to your students and allow students to ask questions they might have about them. If you find that some students are so puzzled by a photograph that using it as a writing prompt would be counterproductive, then select an alternative photo for students to describe." (David Campos and Kathleen Fad, Tools for Teaching Writing: Strategies and Interventions for Diverse Learners in Grades 3-8 . ASCD, 2014)

Sources of Writing Prompts

"On occasions I invite participants in my [writing] group to open the dictionary to a word, any word, and offer it to the next person as her prompt, and so on, around the room with each writer receiving a different word to write from. And I never read anything without a notebook by my side or sticky notes within reach. You never know when the perfect prompt will appear. . . . "The real world can also be a source for writing prompts. I jot down phrases I hear during the day (a writer always eavesdrops), or something I've seen scrawled on a building ('This Is the Last Time'), or notes from a menu at lunch (juice from the ripest berries). . . . Even directions on a cereal box have served as a writing prompt for my drop-in group ('Slide finger under the flap and loosen gently'). Faulkner said there's a bit of the scavenger in every writer. This is what we do when we're collecting inspiration." (Judy Reeves, Writing Alone, Writing Together: A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups . New World Library, 2002)

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Writing Prompts

Table of Contents

It’s normal for writers of all levels to occasionally feel writer’s block. Sometimes we simply lack inspiration and our thoughts are just not turning into words.

Writing prompts are a great tool to tackle that mental and creative hurdle. They’re also great with helping you make writing a habit.

What is a Writing Prompt ?

By definition, a prompt is a brief text that provides you with a topic around which you can build your ideas. Prompts take many forms: a short phrase, a paragraph, a picture, or even a single word. They can help you develop your original idea or inspire you with a completely new topic . D o not be afraid of challenging yourself and your writing style on any possible occasion – your written work will benefit in the long run.

Examples of Writing Prompts

Check out these 20 writing prompts and use them to kickstart your imagination. As you pick one, do not worry about what ideas come to your mind or whether what you have written is “good”. The purpose is to just get into the habit of writing. You can always polish it later on if you want.

• It was the first cold day of the year.
• He had not seen her since High School graduation.
• The city burned, fire and smoke filling the air.
• She studied her face in the mirror.
• The smell of freshly cut flowers.
• She came back every year to lay flowers at the feet of the statue.
• The streets were empty. Where had everyone disappeared?
• This time her co-worker had gone too far.
• Stars blazed in the night sky.
• He woke to birdsong.
• ‘Shh! Hear that?’ ‘I didn’t hear anything.’
• He had always loved public speaking.
• She woke, sweating, in the dark of the night.
• The garden was overgrown now.
• He had never noticed a door there before.
• She would have to ask for a ride back.
• ‘I told him not to come back!’
• His feet were already numb. He should have listened.

Targeted Writing Prompts

Now you that have a clear idea of what basic prompts may look like, we can begin to discuss the importance and benefit of using targeted writing prompts . Targeted prompts are those which aim your short story or novel in a targeted direction, whether that be around a theme, genre, or perspective . 

Targeting your prompts can hone your writing skills to fit different genres . Additionally, many writers find that using different genres of prompts can kickstart their short story ideas and break away any existing writer’s block .

Let’s take a look at what some more targeted creative writing prompts may look like, specifically separating prompts by use or genre.

Fantasy Writing 

• A wishing well becomes a portal to a mysterious place. 
• You are able to make a new wish every single day . 
• Tired of your fantasy world , you seek a more monotonous planet . 

Sci-Fi Writing 

• After looking into a telescope, you see a group of new planets that look strangely like Earth. 
• An astronaut wakes up on a desert island , unsure of what planet who truly is on. 
• Video games were never supposed to be this real. 

Romance Writing 

• two lovers come together in a new time period . 
• an old friend appears at your front door . 
• You find an old letter hidden within a pen . 

​Old poems seem to be hiding a secret message.

Horror Stories

• Everybody else is wasting their time with their useless hobbies. You prefer a more meaningful skill: murder. 
• After waking up in an unfamiliar  backyard , you begin to question if you are a human or  alien . 
• Gaining a  magical power  wasn’t at good asit seemed. 
• Nobody knew that a simple  journal entry  would unleash the  monster . 
• A  horror  writer seeks to create a  new genre  of literature; one they will regret forever. 

Other Related Resources

You can find numerous sources of writing prompts online. Below are a few sites that provide them:

• ServiceScape Writing Prompt Generator
• 200+ Writing Prompts to Inspire You

How To Make Your Own Writing Prompts

You can find inspiration for writing prompts on your own as well: snatches of overheard conversation, headlines, signs, words picked from a book can give you inspiration for your work. Always keep an eye out for words and phrases that fire your imagination, jot them down, and use them to spark your creativity . They may take you to some fantastic places.

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Ignite Your Creativity: what are writing prompts.

• September 22, 2023

Table of Contents:

What are writing prompts, benefits of using prompts.

• Overcoming Writer's Block

Getting Started

Creative inspiration, enhances creativity:, improves writing skills:, helps with memory retention:, different types of writing prompts, word prompts, sentence prompts, visual prompts, character prompts, action prompts, emotion prompts, prompts for specific genres or purposes, fiction prompts, nonfiction prompts, journaling prompts, poetry prompts, tips for creating your prompts, write down your thoughts, use your imagination, essential elements and detailed insights.

Have you ever watched a blank page, unable to find the right words to express your thoughts? Or perhaps you’re looking for a way to take your writing skills to the next level and explore new creative avenues. Whatever your writing goals, writing prompts can be a powerful tool to ignite your creativity and overcome the dreaded writer’s block. In this piece, we will explore the world of prompts, their benefits, and how to use them to enhance your writing journey.

These simple questions or topics help you get your creative juices flowing. Some may be broad, like “Write a story about the last time you were scared” or “Tell me about a time when something went incorrect.” Others might be more specific, like “Give me a short story about being trapped in an elevator with someone who won’t stop talking.”

The best prompts are ones that make you feel something. They require you to dig deep and explore parts of yourself that aren’t easy to access. If you can find the right prompt for your mood and the type of story you want to tell, writing becomes much easier because it’s no longer up to you to come up with ideas; they’re already there waiting for you.

Here are some of the reasons why prompts can be helpful.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Try prompts if you’re having trouble developing an idea for your next novel or short story. Writing prompts are ideas, themes or questions that can help you jump-start the creative process. Book Writing Founders can help you in overcoming writer blogs.

Sometimes, as outlined in How to Write Historical Fiction: Step by Step Guide , it can seem impossible to get started on a project. You know what you must write about, but getting from point A (idea) to point B (finished product) is difficult. Writing prompts can help remove some of these roadblocks so you can get going on your story.

Writing prompts can also be useful for seeking creative inspiration or new ideas for future projects. They might inspire a new plot twist or give rise to a character who wasn’t there before — they are limitless!

Prompts help you learn how to be creative, much like the ideas explored in Types of Conflict and Why is Conflict Important in Stories . They inspire you to think outside the box and develop new ideas for your writing projects.

Writing prompts help improve your writing skills by encouraging you to practice more often. When used consistently, these exercises can help you improve grammar, sentence structure and other aspects of written communication, such as spelling and punctuation.

Writing prompts also help with memory retention because they trigger memories from past experiences that may be relevant in current situations. Writing prompts could also improve how well people remember information over time and how long they retain it before forgetting it again.

It comes in various forms, each offering unique advantages and opportunities. Let’s explore some of the types of writing prompts:

A word prompt is simply a list of words that can be used as inspiration during your writing session. These prompts allow you to focus on specific aspects of your writing instead of trying to come up with something from the start.

A sentence prompt is similar to a word list but focuses more on sentence structure than individual words. These are usually short phrases or sentences that stick out to you when reading something else or listening to someone speak (e.g., “It was one of those days.”). You can use these types of prompts when working on fiction or nonfiction.

These prompts will give you an image or picture to inspire your creativity. You can use them with any type of writing, but they work especially well for poetry. For example: “I see trees of green and red roses too.” (song lyrics)

These prompts ask you to create a character based on certain characteristics. For example: “Come up with a character obsessed with cats.”

These prompts ask you to give action-filled descriptions or stories for certain objects or animals. For example: “Describe an elephant eating candy.” (fiction)

It encourages you to express emotion through words. For example: “I feel like my life so far has been a waste of time…”

like those in Litrpg Fictions: Revolutionary Genre , can be tailored to specific genres or purposes. providing targeted inspiration for your writing endeavors. Here are some examples:

• Create a backstory for an intriguing character with a mysterious past.
• Write a scene, inspired by How to Write a Mystery Short Story , where two arch-rivals form an unlikely alliance.
• Craft a short story that incorporates elements of magical realism.
• Share a personal anecdote that taught you a valuable life lesson.
• Write a persuasive essay arguing for a controversial social issue.
• Compile a list of practical tips for effective time management.
• Reflect on a recent challenge you faced and describe how it shaped you.
• Write about a place that holds special significance in your heart and why.
• Document your goals and aspirations for the next five years.
• Compose a poem capturing the essence of unrequited love.
• Write a haiku inspired by the beauty of nature.
• Explore the theme of resilience in a free-verse poem.

Here are some suggestions on how to use it effectively:

Start by jotting down any thoughts that come to mind when you read the prompt. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling — just let yourself flow freely with whatever comes out of your head first. If you need help getting started, try starting with what you think the prompt means and explore ways it could be interpreted differently by another person or even yourself at another point in time.

The idea behind prompts is to get your ideas flowing and challenge yourself outside your comfort zone. You might want to try incorporating some unusual sentences into your story or perhaps even do some research on an unfamiliar topic so that you can include some interesting facts in your writing piece. The possibilities are endless!

The following tips can also help you in creating prompts.

• If you’re stuck, try using two or three prompts in one sitting. This will give you more room for experimentation, so it’s easier for something interesting to emerge from the mix.
• Don’t worry about trying too hard or being too serious if that doesn’t suit your mood or style— just write freely and see where it takes you!
• Don’t stress about making sense of what comes out first; that’s part of the fun! You’ll have plenty of time later on to make revisions and edits (and even more time if needed).

Writing prompts are a valuable tool for igniting your creativity, overcoming writer’s block, and enhancing your writing skills. By using different types of prompts, setting time limits, and embracing experimentation, you can harness the power of prompts to explore new ideas, styles, and genres. Whether you’re an experienced writer or just starting, incorporating prompts into your practice can breathe new life into your writing journey.

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162 Persuasive Writing Prompts & Topics: Examples & Tips

Writing a persuasive essay can be a challenging task. While it is excellent for improving a student’s critical thinking and rhetoric skills, coming up with a good topic might be difficult.

The easiest way to kickstart the writing process is to find persuasive writing prompts. Are you passionate about some controversial issue? Want to express your opinion? A prompt will help you to start thinking about it critically. It may contain a set of questions or a brief guideline for your discussion.

Our team will help you!

There is plenty of persuasive writing prompts for high school and college that deserve attention. So, we’ve prepared a list of such. Once you choose one to your liking, remember to read a prompt thoroughly. The controversy of an issue is usually apparent. It is crucial to find a prompt that states the main aspects of the topic clearly.

Believe us—writing a persuasive essay is elementary with prompts at your disposal!

• 🤷 Writing with Prompts
• 💡 How to Write?
• ⭐ 12 Best Prompts
• 🧒 Elementary School
• 🎒 Middle School
• 🖊️ High School
• 🌊 Environment
• 🕹️ Video Games
• 🔌 Technology

🤷 Persuasive Writing with Prompts

Before we dive into the prompts, let’s answer a few vital questions.

What is a persuasive essay?

A persuasive essay is a type of academic writing where you try to persuade your reader using arguments and supporting evidence. You provide facts and examples that explain why your position is the correct one. Describe the issue in the introduction, and express your stance on it in your thesis statement.

Remember to include the other side of the argument in your essay. It is essential to consider different perspectives on the problem. You can find numerous examples of persuasive papers in a free essay database . Not only will it serve as a sample, but can act as a source of writing prompts, too.

What is a writing prompt?

A writing prompt is a short passage that describes an idea for an essay, report, article, or some other piece of writing. It can be as short as one sentence, although it is usually more elaborate.

Some prompts can be presented in the form of an image. The most crucial thing is that they give a clear understanding of the topic.

How does a persuasive writing prompt look like?

The main goal of persuasive writing is to convince the reader that your side of an argument is the most legitimate one. Unlike in expository or descriptive writing, persuasive essay prompts express the duality of a dispute.

Persuasive letter prompts should be pertinent to the audience’s concerns. A prompt should ultimately convey your stance on the subject. Use words like convince , persuade , and why . Avoid using how in a persuasive essay prompt as it distracts from the purpose of such writing.

💡 How to Write a Persuasive Essay Using a Prompt?

Persuasive writing prompts help produce a good quality essay. Here is a list of things you should do to write an essay using a prompt:

• Read it and learn what issue the prompt states. What should you elaborate on? Look out for words that you find especially important or problematic.
• Understand what the prompt wants you to do. See whether you should discuss causes and effects or your opinion. In the case of persuasive writing prompt, it asks you to convince your reader in something. In what? Should you discuss both sides of an argument or state your opinion immediately?
• Divide the prompt. Look deeper into what it’s saying. Write down your initial thoughts on the subject.
• Compose a thesis statement . Outline the question or the situation the prompt states and elaborate on it in one topic sentence.
• Write arguments and supporting evidence. Dedicate one body paragraph to describing the opposing argument. Remember to use transition words to ensure good writing flow.
• Revise if you have time for it. Check with the prompt not to miss anything. That’s why writing drafts is always a good idea. This way, you can change your text without making a mess out of your paper.

⭐ 12 Persuasive Writing Prompts for High School

• Cooking as art — a delicate craft.
• 4-Day work week.
• Facebook vs. Instagram: visual design.
• Winter holidays — a time for friends.
• Is living in a village stressful?
• Beef production.
• Is kindergarten education importnat?
• Hobby as a job is a bad idea.
• High school students and independence.
• Allowance for kids: how much?
• Reptiles as pets — a lifelong commitment.
• Outside classes and fresh air benefits.

✔ 50 Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts

If you have trouble coming up with ideas for writing a persuasive essay, here is our prompts list. Whether you’re in school or college, we’re sure here you’ll find a topic that interests you!

🧒 Persuasive Writing Prompts for Elementary Students

• Your parents should go to bed at 9 pm every day. They say that it’s your time to fall asleep, but why? This way, they get to have a good night’s rest to feel energized the next morning. And your parents need it as their jobs are tedious and stressful. While you would like to have more spare time before going to bed. Persuade your parents that going to bed at 9 pm is perfect for them, not for you.
• We should stop wearing a uniform to school. If not every day, at least once a week, students should be allowed to wear casual clothes to school. Discuss why it is a fun and useful initiative.
• You need to move to another country for a year. Explain why you think that studying abroad is essential for you. Which country would you pick and why? Discuss what made you choose this country.
• Every child needs a pet. Some parents don’t allow animals at home. Explain why it is vital to have a pet in a family. Convince that a pet of your choice is the perfect option for any kid.
• Pupils should select their seats in the class . Your teacher always tells you where to sit in class. Would it be better if you get to pick your place? What is your opinion on that?
• Playing music is an educating activity that is crucial for child development. What musical instrument is the most fun to play? Convince your reader that the music instrument of your choice is the best one.
• The summer break has to be longer. Do you believe the summer holidays are long or short? Is it enough for you to get rest and find the strength to start a new term? Convince your reader that your point of view is the right one.
• The ability to read people’s minds in both the worst and best superpower. Imagine that you get to have this superpower. What are its advantages and disadvantages? When can you use it? Is it ethical? Discuss your opinion in your essay.
• Pupils should select their tutors. In school, you don’t get to choose your teacher. Would it be better if you could? Can students change teachers based on their personal preferences? Discuss why or why not.
• We should manage our budget from an early age. Do your parents give you pocket money? Well, they’re better to start. Some parents think they should give their kids pocket money even if they misbehaved. Others wouldn’t give allowance to their children if they did something wrong. What position do you think is fairer, and why?

🎒 Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

• Tutors should wear uniforms to schools, just like students do. Imagine there is an initiative that wants teachers to do so. Some people believe it is a sign of equality and professional attire. Others think that just a formal dress code is enough. What is your opinion on this?
• Every school has to initiate school trips. Some individuals think they are disruptive to the study process. Other people claim that such trips unite students and are an essential part of education. What do you think? Explain your point of view and why it is the right one.
• Students should learn from famous people from time to time. There is an opportunity for one famous person to come to your school with a motivational speech. Who would you want to come, and why? Discuss why your school can benefit if a celebrity of your choice gives a speech there.,
• Single-sex schools are better than mixed ones. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? Talk about your point of view using convincing argumentation.
• Some individuals should lack money. What’s better: enough money to get by or too much money and more problems? Some think that too much money makes you forget about more straightforward and essential things in life. Yes, cash gives more opportunities, but people tend to strive for more money than necessary. What’s the point of millionaires in the 21st century? What is your opinion on this?
• Fast food damages children’s health and should be excluded from the school meal plan. Do you agree or disagree? What are some benefits of having fast food as a meal option at school? Discuss which opinion is more legitimate.
• Educational institutions have to support the arts and sciences more. Imagine there is a new building opening up in your school. The school administration hasn’t decided what is going to be there. It could be an art studio, a new sports center, or a computer class. Explain why it should belong to the arts and sciences. Talk about how such disciplines motivate students to evolve.
• We should study for four days a week. There is a law that considers implementing a more extended weekend. Do you think three days would be too much? Why or why not? Support your point of view with thoughtful arguments.

• Teachers should be required to turn off their mobiles during the classes. You can’t use your phone during the course (or at school). It’s a law in various educational institutions and for obvious reasons. Should teachers be prohibited from using their phones as well? Is it fair?
• It is better to have PE lessons as the first classes of the day. Some people think it is an excellent way to kickstart the day. Others believe that students will be physically tired to carry on with other classes. Which opinion is the right one?
• Plagiarism and cheating should be punished more strictly. Copying others’ works or using crib notes in class is strictly prohibited, yet it happens. Should schools implement more measures to ensure there is no cheating? How can they work?
• Students should select their courses according to their performance. Some people are better at science, while others excel at arts. Would it be better if we were allowed only to study things we are naturally good at? Why or why not? Convince your reader that your opinion is valid.
• You shouldn’t eat in class. Teachers generally think that it interrupts the lesson and distracts other students. At the same time, eating a snack can help you concentrate better and stay energized. Discuss your opinion on this in your essay.
• There should be mixed sports teams at school. Girls often like to play the same sports as boys. Should schools let them play in the same groups? Why or why not? Support your opinion with argumentation.
• Teachers should treat every student equally. It seems like an obvious thing, but the reality is often different. What would you do to make sure everyone is respected? Why?

🖊 Persuasive Writing Prompts for High School Students

• In the US, the 18-year-olds should be allowed to drink alcohol. In the country, driving is permitted after age 16, while drinking becomes legal after 21. How fair are these age thresholds? Statistics show that countries with integrated drinking culture (like France or Italy) have lower alcoholism rates. Would it be better to bring the legal drinking age down to 18? Discuss why or why not, using supportive argumentation.
• The “book of your choice” is fantastic, and here is why. Write a persuasive essay explaining why your favorite book deserves attention. Convince your audience it is worth reading it.
• Time management skill is vital for a successful adult life. It’s what you acquire in school and use for a job. Why is being organized so important? And why should you learn this already in school? Talk about your opinion on this subject.
• What’s more important in school – discipline or an ability to self-express? Some think that you come to school to get knowledge and acquire social skills. However, some students thrive in a less harsh environment. Discuss your point of view and why it is valid.
• Educational institutions should implement anti-bullying policies. School authorities should intervene if a student is bullied by other students, even outside of school. Do you agree or disagree? Convince your reader that your opinion is the most legitimate.

• Parents shouldn’t raise their children the same way they’ve been raised. Some people think there are universal values and principles that parents should teach their kids. While this is true, times change tremendously as generations grow up. What do you think is more just? Discuss your point of view in your essay.
• Your neighborhood requires a renovation. Imagine city authorities are planning on improving your area. What would you change in particular, and why? Write an essay using the appropriate argumentation.
• The importance of community is overrated. Some people are naturally more outgoing and thrive in such environments. Others often feel pressured and may feel out of place. Talk about your opinion on that subject.
• Are fictional books useless? Some people believe fiction improves imagination and teaches empathy. Others consider it a waste of time since there is no actual value in it. Which stance is more valid?
• Life is fair because it is unfair to everyone. Do you think this statement is true? Discuss the issue of class privilege. Do you think modern society gives everyone equal opportunities? Why or why not?
• Community service should be mandatory for high school students. Do you agree or disagree? What kind of activities would be included? Discuss your point of view in your essay.
• Classic literature should be an integral part of the high school curriculum. Should students be required to read old texts like Homer’s Odyssey or Shakespeare’s tragedies? Why or why not?
• You can make a career out of a hobby. True or not? Pick your side of an argument and convince a reader it’s valid.
• It would be better if all countries in the world switched to one currency. There are many aspects to consider when talking about this argument. Which side of it would you support? Why?
• Safety on school property should be a primary concern. Some institutions offer inefficient security services, which can result in tragedies. They may lack funds to ensure their students are safe. Should the government prioritize these issues? Discuss your opinion on this.

🎓 Persuasive Writing Prompts for College Students

• Abortions should be legal in all US states. Some religious communities are vehemently opposed to abortions. People with more liberal beliefs claim that it should be a mother’s personal choice. Discuss your opinion in an essay.
• The military should be voluntary. Military service is a civic duty is some countries. Should it be obligatory everywhere? Why or why not? Persuade your reader that your opinion is the most legitimate.
• Veganism and vegetarianism should become a new norm. They start to gain popularity in Western society. Some people consider it beneficial for health and the environment. Others switch to these diets because good meat is often too pricey. What are the real advantages? Or are they a myth? Discuss your opinion.
• The education system in the Western world has become outdated. Do you agree or disagree? What should be changed to make it more suitable for modern times?
• Your parents shouldn’t be your buddies. What’s better: a parent who is your mentor or best friend? Choose your stance on the subject and defend it using appropriate reasoning.
• Soft skills are more important than hard skills. It is thought that employers often prioritize your personal skills over professional ones at first. Do you think this is the right position? Express your opinion and support it with facts.

• Social media is a major frustrating factor in the lives of many people. Have you ever gotten FOMO looking at other’s picture-perfect lives? Why is it so easy to succumb to this illusion of ideal life? Discuss your opinion on the subject and support your point of view with pertinent facts.
• Democracy has proven to be the most sustainable governmental form. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Express your opinion and use relevant argumentation in your essay.
• United Nations have become inefficient over time. There is an opinion that the UN does not function properly anymore. Would you agree with this statement?
• Are genderless pronouns a good idea? They have become a crucial tool for transgender and genderfluid people to express their identity. Or does society overthink about words instead of actions? Do you agree or disagree?

💯 Persuasive Essay Writing Topics

If you feel more confident and inspired after reading our prompts list, check out some persuasive writing topics!

🎤 Persuasive writing: Music

• Hip-hop music objectifies women .
• Jazz does not exist anymore.
• Music festivals involve too many drugs.
• Classical music is the most sophisticated genre.
• The music culture of other societies does not get enough attention because of Western dominance .
• Musical therapy is not efficient.
• Patriotic songs can have a stimulating effect on people.
• Listening to music can increase one’s productivity.
• Anyone can learn how to sing.
• Humanity cannot imagine itself without the art of music.
• Music is the most influential form of art.
• Rap should be considered a form of poetry .
• Jazz sounds the best at a live concert .
• A piano is the best musical instrument.
• All children should have musical training at school.
• Music can unite people from all over the world.
• Specific lyrics can trigger aggression in people.
• Queen is the most influential band in Western history.
• To some extent, all music reflects a creator’s personal experience.
• Is the bell ringer a musician?

🦙 Persuasive Writing: Animals

• Wild animals should not be kept in a zoo.
• Animal fights should be illegal.

• Hybrid animals are unnatural.
• Agricultural production puts endangered species at more significant risk .
• Slaughtering farm animals for food does not justify their killing .
• Animal hunts should be illegal everywhere.
• There is no better alternative than animal experimentation for some medicine.
• Exotic animals should not be kept as pets.
• Animals should not be treated as objects—they are meant to cohabitate with humans .
• Cow milk is terrible for human health.
• Dolphins are the most intelligent animals.
• Using animals for medical research is unethical.
• There are better alternatives than cosmetic testing on animals .
• Poaching has multiple adverse effects on the economy.
• Farming is a form of animal abuse .
• Zoos can help in preserving endangered animals.
• All makeup brands should switch to cruelty-free policies.
• The use of elephants in the entertainment industry can lead to their extinction .
• Children should be taught how to treat animals.
• A dog is the best animal companion for a human.

🌊 Persuasive Writing: Environment

• Governments should advocate for the use of renewable energy sources.
• Garbage recycling should be obligatory.
• Humanity should take rainforest conservation more seriously.
• Urban areas should implement environment-friendly design and policies .
• There is a connection between waste management and global warming.

• If proper measures are not taken, the loss of biodiversity in coral reefs will be devastating .
• Greta Thunberg is the voice of her generation . The girl’s letter to the UN was one of the most discussed events of 2019. Talk about why her call to enhance environmental protection is more than timely.
• Sustainable clothing is the best fashion trend in 2023.
• Poor farming technologies accelerate climate change .
• Water pollution will soon become a more significant issue than air pollution.
• Environmental conservation is an essential element of economic growth in developing countries .
• First-world countries should implement a carbon tax.
• It is impossible to decrease environmental pollution without severe damage to the world’s economy .
• Weather forecasts are too inaccurate.
• Climate change trends have made the risk of natural disasters worse.

🌽 Persuasive writing: Food

• Parents in America should take better care of their children’s diets . Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the US.
• Healthy eating is more important than exercise.
• Overeating junk food affects mental health.
• Restaurants should be transparent about the nutritional value of the food they serve.
• There is no harm in consuming GMOs .
• Addiction to sugar can be worse than drug addiction.
• The fast-food industry isn’t entirely responsible for consumers’ health . It is up to every individual to take care of their diet.
• Food is not just fuel; it’s a leisure experience .
• Schools must provide students with healthy food options.
• Intuitive eating is the best diet.
• The downsides of sugar substitutes aren’t thoroughly researched .
• Being underweight is more dangerous than being overweight.
• Social and psychological factors have a notable role in obesity development .
• Eating meat is bad for health.
• Food supplements are harmful.

🕹 Persuasive Writing: Video Games

• Violence in video games causes behavioral problems in kids .
• Board games will never go out of fashion.
• Playing computer games can develop one’s cognitive skills .
• Game addiction is a more prominent concern than most of us realize.
• Virtual reality can disrupt one’s social skills .
• Children should have limited access to certain video games.

• There is no place for gaming in education.
• Certain video games can be beneficial for human health and brains.
• Hunger Games should not have been turned into a franchise.
• Gaming will become the most popular leisure activity in 30 years.
• You can earn a fortune by playing online games.
• Video games have multiple adverse effects on children .
• Gaming is just a way to escape reality.
• First-person shooter games improve one’s reaction and reflexes.
• Playing video games too much affects one’s academic and life performance.

🔌 Persuasive Writing: Technology

• Siri is the best example of publicly available Artificial intelligence .
• Computer science classes at school should incorporate beginner-level software engineering.
• Internet is humanity’s greatest invention.
• E-learning in medicine is still too expensive .
• Nowadays, nobody’s personal data is protected.
• If World War III happens, it will be a war of modern technology and information, not nuclear power.
• Genetically modified organisms are science’s big mistake.
• Cloning should be illegal.
• Cell phone addiction will soon become humanity’s worst challenge.
• Cyberbullying leads to drug and alcohol abuse among the youth .
• Robots will never be able to replace humans .
• Technology can help individuals with learning disabilities .

• Drones are an invasion of privacy and should be illegal.
• Apple is the best technology brand on the market.
• Data mining is an essential part of every company’s marketing strategy .

Thank you for reading the article! Leave a comment below to let us know what you think. Share the page with friends who may find the persuasive writing prompts and topics useful.

🔗 References

• 15 Awesome Persuasive Writing Prompts: Thoughtful Learning, K-12
• 200 Prompts for Argumentative Writing: Michael Gonchar, The New York Times
• English II Persuasive Essay [10th grade]: Brianna Johnson, Trinity College
• Writing Prompt (Composition): Richard Nordquist, ThoughtCo
• What Is a Writing Prompt: Karen Frazier, LoveToKnow
• What Makes a Great Writing Prompt: Laura Davis, Kripalu
• Writing Prompts for Middle School: Holt McDougal Online
• Persuasive Essay Outline: Houston Community College Learning Web
• Tips To Write An Effective Persuasive Essay: Melissa Burns, The College Puzzle
• Counterargument: Gordon Harvey for the Writing Center at Harvard University
• Persuasive Essay: EssayInfo, Writing Guides
• Ten Timeless Persuasive Writing Techniques: Brian Clark, CopyBlogger
• 31 Powerful Persuasive Writing Techniques: Karri Stover, Writtent
• A CS Research Topic Generator or How To pick A Worthy Topic In 10 Seconds: Department of Computer Science, Purdue University
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General Education

The most common advice out there for being a writer is, "if you want to write, write." While this is true (and good advice), it's not always that easy, particularly if you're not writing regularly.

Whether you're looking for help getting started on your next project, or just want to spend 20 minutes being creative, writing prompts are great ways to rev up your imagination. Read on for our list of over 100 creative writing prompts!

feature image credit: r. nial bradshaw /Flickr

10 Short Writing Prompts

If you're looking for a quick boost to get yourself going, these 10 short writing prompts will do the trick.

#1 : Write a scene starting with a regular family ritual that goes awry.

#2 : Describe exactly what you see/smell/hear/etc, right now. Include objects, people, and anything else in your immediate environment.

#3 : Suggest eight possible ways to get a ping pong ball out of a vertical pipe.

#4 : A shoe falls out of the sky. Justify why.

#5 : If your brain were a tangible, physical place, what would it be like?

#6 : Begin your writing with the phrase, "The stage was set."

#7 : You have been asked to write a history of "The Summer of [this past year]." Your publisher wants a table of contents. What events will you submit?

#8 : Write a sympathetic story from the point of view of the "bad guy." (Think fractured fairy tales like Wicked or The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! , although the story doesn't have to be a fairy tale.)

#9 : Look at everyday objects in a new way and write about the stories one of these objects contains.

#10 : One person meets a stranger on a mode of transportation. Write the story that ensues.

11 Writing Prompts for Kids

Any of these prompts can be used by writers of any age, but we chose the following 11 prompts as ones that would be particularly fun for kids to write about. (Most of them I used myself as a young writer, so I can vouch for their working!)

#1 : Include something falling in your writing.

#2 : Write a short poem (or story) with the title, "We don't know when it will be fixed."

#3 : Write from the perspective of someone of a different gender than you.

#4 : Write a dumb internet quiz.

#5 : Finish this thought: "A perfect day in my imagination begins like this:"

#6 : Write a character's inner monologue (what they are thinking as they go about their day).

#7 : Think of a character. Write a paragraph each about:

• An important childhood experience that character had.
• The character's living situation.
• Two hobbies or things the character likes to do.
• The room where the character sleeps.
• An ambition of the character.
• Two physical characteristics of the character.
• What happens when a second person and this character meet.
• Two important defining personal traits of this character.

#8 : Start a story with a quote from a song.

#9 : Begin a story with, "It was the summer of ______ when ______"

#10 : Pretend everyday objects have no names. Think about what you would name them based on what they do, what you can use them for, and what they look like.

#11 : Start a story with the phrases "My grandparents are/were," "My parents are/were," or "My mother/father/parent is/was."

15 Cool Writing Prompts

#1 : List five issues that you're passionate about. Write about them from the opposite point of view (or from the perspective of a character with the opposite point of view).

#2 : Walk around and write down a phrase you hear (or read). Make a story out of it.

#3 : Write using no adjectives or adverbs.

#4 : Write a character's inner dialogue between different aspects of a character's self (rather than an inner monologue).

#5 : Write a true story from your past that involves light or darkness in some way.

#6 : "Saying goodbye awakens us to the true nature of things." Write something in which someone has to say goodbye and has a realization.

#7 : Begin by writing the end of the story.

#8 : Write a recipe for an intangible thing.

#9 : Write a horror story about an ordinary situation (e.g., buying groceries, going to the bank, listening to music).

#10 : Write a story from within a bubble.

#11 : Write down 2-3 short character descriptions and then write the characters in conversation with one another.

#12 : Write a story in second person.

#13 : Write a story that keeps contradicting itself.

#14 : Write about a character with at least three big problems.

#15 : Write something that takes place on a Friday, the 13th (of any month).

15 Funny Writing Prompts

#1 : Write a story which starts with someone eating a pickle and potato sandwich.

#2 : Write a short script where the plot has to do with evil dolls trying to take over something.

#3 : Write about writers' block.

#4 : List five election issues that would be ridiculous to includes as part of your election platform (e.g. outlawing mechanical pencils and clicky pens, mandating every person over the age of 30 must own an emergency last rites kit). Choose one of the ridiculous issues and write a speech in favor of it.

#5 : Write a children's story that is insanely inappropriate but can't use graphic language, curses, or violence.

#6 : List five careers. Write about someone with one of those careers who wants to quit it.

#7 : Write down a list of murder methods. Choose one at random from the list to use in a story.

#8 : Write a romance story in which the hero must have a last name corresponding with a physical characteristic (e.g. Jacques Hairyback or Flora Dimple).

#9 : Come up with 10 different ways to:

• order a pizza
• congratulate someone on a job well done
• return to the store something that's broken

#10 : Search for "random Renaissance painting" (or any other inspirational image search text you can think of) on any online internet image search engine. Picking one image, write half a page each of:

• Statements about this image (e.g. "I meant bring me the BREAD of John the Baptist").
• Questions about this image (e.g. "How many of those cherubs look like their necks are broken?").
• Explanations of this image (e.g. "The painter ran out of blue paint halfway through and had to improvise for the color of the sky").
• Commands said by people in this image or about this image (e.g. "Stop telling me to smile!" or "Bring me some gasoline!").

#11 : Write starting with a word that sounds like "chute" (e.g. "chute," "shoot," "shooed").

#12 : Write about a character named X "The [article of clothing]" Y (e.g. Julie "The Yellow Darted Skirt" Whyte) or simply referred to by their clothing (e.g. "the man in the brown suit" or "the woman in black").

#13 : Write down a paragraph each describing two wildly different settings. Write a story involving both settings.

#14 : Think of a fictional holiday based around some natural event (e.g. the Earth being at its farthest point from the sun, in memory of a volcanic eruption, that time a cloud looked like a rabbit riding a bicycle). Write about how this holiday is celebrated.

#15 : Write a "Just-So" type story about a fictional creature (e.g. "how the dragon got its firebreath" or "how the mudkip got its cheek gills").

54 Other Writing Prompt Ideas

#1 : Borrow a character from some other form of media (or create your own). Write from that character's perspective.

#2 : Write for and against a non-consequential controversy (e.g., salt vs. pepper, Mac vs. PC, best kind of door).

#3 : Choose an ancestor or a person from the past to write about or to.

#4 : Write a pirate story with a twist.

#5 : Have a character talk about another character and their feelings about that other character.

#6 : Pick a season and think about an event in your life that occurred in that season. Write a creative nonfiction piece about that event and that season.

#7 : Think of something very complicated and long. Write a page about it using short sentences.

#8 : Write a story as a dream.

#9 : Describe around a food without ever directly naming it.

#10 : Write a monologue (one character, talking to the audience/reader) (*not* an inner monologue).

#11 : Begin a story with the phrase, "It only took five seconds to..."

#12 : List five strong emotions. Choosing one, write about a character experiencing that emotion, but only use the character's actions to convey how they are feeling (no outright statements).

#13 : Write a chapter of the memoir of your life.

#14 : Look through the (physical) things you're currently carrying with you or wearing. Write about the memories or emotions tied with each of them.

#15 : Go be in nature. Write drawing your story from your surroundings (both physical, social, and mental/emotional).

#16 : Write from the perspective of a bubble (or bubble-like creature).

#17 : A person is jogging along an asphalt road. Write a story.

#18 : Title your story (or poem, or play, etc) "Anti-_____". Fill in the blank and write the story.

#19 : Write something that must include an animal, a mineral, and a vegetable.

#20 : Begin your writing with the phrase, "6 weeks later..."

#21 : List 5-10 office jobs. Pick one of them and describe a person working in that job as if you were a commentator on an Olympic sporting event.

#22 : Practice your poetic imagery: overwrite a description of a character's breakfast routine.

#23 : Write about a character (or group of characters) trying to convince another character to try something they're scared of.

#24 : Keep an eye out in your environment for examples of greengrocer's apostrophes and rogue quotation marks. Pick an example and write about what the misplaced punctuation implies (e.g., we have the "best" meat or we have the best "meat" ).

#25 : Fill in the blank with the first word that comes to mind: "_______ Riot!" Write a newspaper-style article describing the events that that took place.

#26 : Write from the point of view of your most-loved possession. What does it think of you?

#27 : Think of five common sayings (e.g., "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"). Write a horror story whose plot is one of those common sayings.

#28 : Write a scene in which two characters are finally hashing out a long-standing misunderstanding or disagreement.

#29 : You start receiving text messages from an unknown number. Tell the story of what happens next.

#30 : Write one character bragging to another about the story behind their new tattoo.

#31 : Superheroes save the world...but they also leave a lot of destruction in their wake. Write about a normal person in a superhero's world.

#32 : Sometimes, family is who we are related to; sometimes, family is a group of people we gather around ourselves. Write a story about (some of) a character's found family and relatives meeting for the first time.

#33 : Write a story that begins in the middle of the plot's action ( en media res ).

#34 : Everyone says you can never have too much of a good thing. Write a story where that isn't true.

#35 : What do ghosts do when they're not creating mischief? Write about the secret lives of ghosts.

#36 : Every year, you dread the last week of April. Write a story about why.

#37 : Write a story about what it would be like to have an animal sidekick in real life.

#38 : Heists don't just have to be black-clad thieves stealing into vaults to steal rare art or money. Write about a group of people (adults or children) who commit a heist for something of seemingly little monetary value.

#39 : "Life is like a chooseable-path adventure, except you don't get to see what would have happened if you chose differently." Think of a choice you've made and write about a world where you made a different choice.

#40 : Write a story about a secret room.

#41 : You find a message in a bottle with very specific directions. Write a story about the adventure you embark upon.

#42 : "You'll always be okay as long as you know where your _______ is." Fill in the blank and write a story (either fictional or from your life) illustrating this statement.

#43 : Forcing people into prolonged proximity can change and deepen relationships. Write about characters on a road trip together.

#44 : In music, sonata form includes three main parts: exposition, development, and recapitulation. Write a short story that follows this format.

#45 : Begin writing with a character saying, "I'm afraid this simply can't wait."

#46 : Write a story with a happy ending (either happily-ever-after or happy-for-now).

#47 : Write about a character before and after a tragedy in that character's life.

#48 : Choose an object or concept you encounter in everyday life (e.g. tables, the feeling of hot or cold, oxygen) and write an infomercial about it.

#49 : "Life is a series of quests, whether important or mundane." Write about a quest you've gone on (or would like to go on, or will have to go on).

#50 : List 10 different ways to learn. Choose one (or more) and write a story where a character learns something using that one (or more) method.

#51 : You've been called to the principal's office for bad behavior. You know what you did. Explain and justify yourself.

#52 : A character discovers their sibling owns a cursed object. Write about what happens next.

#53 : Write a character description by writing a list of items that would be on a scavenger hunt about them.

#54 : The slogan for a product or service you're advertising is, "Kid-tested, _____." Fill in the blank and write the copy for a radio or podcast advertisement for your product.

How to Use Creative Writing Prompts

There's no wrong way to use a creative writing prompt (unless it's to harass and hurt someone)—the point of them is to get you writing and your imagination flowing.

To help you get the most out of these writing prompts, however, we've come up with the six tips below. Try them out!

#1: DON'T Limit Yourself to Prose

Unless you're writing for a particular assignment, there's no reason everything you write in response to a writing prompt has to be prose fiction . Instead of writing your response to a prompt as a story, try writing a poem, nonfiction essay, play, screenplay, or some other format entirely.

#2: DON'T Edit as You Write

The purposes of writing prompts is to get you writing, typos and weird grammar and all. Editing comes later, once you've finished writing and have some space from it to come back to what you wrote.

It's OK to fix things that will make it difficult to read what you've written (e.g., a weird autocorrect that changes the meaning of a sentence), but don't worry too much about typos or perfect grammar when you're writing; those are easy enough to fix in edits . You also can always insert asterisks or a short note as you're writing to remind yourself to go back to fix something (for instance, if as you're writing it seems like you want to move around the order of your paragraphs or insert something earlier).

#3: DO Interpret the Prompt Broadly

The point of using a writing prompt is not to write something that best exemplifies the prompt, but something that sparks your own creativity. Again, unless you're writing in response to an assignment with specific directions, feel free to interpret writing prompts as broadly or as narrowly as you want.

For instance, if your prompt is to write a story that begins with "The stage was set," you could write about anything from someone preparing to put a plan into motion to a literal theatre stage constructed out of pieces of old sets (or something else entirely).

If you're using a writing prompt, it doesn't have to be the first sentence of your story or poem, either; you can also use the prompt as a goal to work towards in your writing.

#4: DO Try Switching Up Your Writing Methods

If it's a possibility for you, see if you write differently in different media. Do you write the same kind of stories by hand as you would typing at a computer? What about if you dictate a story and then transcribe it? Or text it to a friend? Varying the method you use to write can affect the stories you're able to tell.

For example, you may find that it's easier for you to tell stories about your life to a voice recorder than to try to write out a personal essay. Or maybe you have trouble writing poetry, but can easily text yourself or a friend a poem. You might even find you like a writing method you've not tried before better than what you've been doing!

#5: DO Mix and Match Prompt Ideas

If you need more inspiration, feel free to combine multiple prompts (but don't overwhelm yourself with too much to write about).

You can also try switching genres from what might be suggested in the prompt. For instance, try writing a prompt that seems funny in a serious and sad way, or finding the humor in something that otherwise seems humorless. The categories we've organized the prompts into are by no means limiters on what you're allowed to write about.

#6: DO Try to Write Regularly

The more regularly you write, the easier it will be to write (with or without writing prompts).

For some people, this means writing daily; for others, it means setting aside time to write each weekend or each month. Set yourself an achievable goal (write 2x a week, write 1000 words a month) and stick to it. You can always start small and then ramp your wordcount or frequency up.

If you do better when you have something outside yourself prompting to write, you may also want to try something like morning pages , which encourages you to write at least 750 words every day, in any format (story, diary entry, social media postings, etc).

What's Next?

Thinking about attending college or grad school for creative writing? Our articles on whether or not you should major in creative writing and the best creative writing programs are there for you! Plus, if you're a high schooler, you should check out these top writing contests .

Creative writing doesn't necessarily have to be fiction. Check out these three examples of narrative writing and our tips for how to write your own narrative stories and essays .

Just as writing prompts can help give form to amorphous creative energy, using specific writing structures or devices can be great starting points for your next story. Read through our discussion of the top 20 poetic devices to know and see if you can work at least one new one into your next writing session.

Still looking for more writing ideas? Try repurposing our 100+ easy drawing ideas for characters, settings, or plot points in your writing.

Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel in high school.

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Write a story about a character who wakes up in space., write a story from the point of view of a non-human character., write a story with a strong sense of place. how is the setting of your world the same as, but different to, our own, write a story imagining 'what if' one historic invention had never happened. how would our world be different now, start or end your story with a character who gets trapped inside a museum overnight., write about two characters who meet and/or fall in love in a museum., write about an art thief who is struggling to commit the perfect heist., write about someone who accidentally destroys a museum’s most valuable artifact., write about a gallery whose paintings come alive at night., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .  

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .

Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.

Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.

Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.

Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.

Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.

High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.

Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.

After you find the perfect story idea

Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:

• How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
• Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
• Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.

Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

• NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
• Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
• Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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Vibrant Teaching

Teaching Resources Creator and Blogger

What are Writing Prompts? A Helpful Guide for Teachers

So you might be asking yourself, “What are writing prompts?” A writing prompt introduces a topic and encourages the student to write in a certain way. It provides an idea or starting point by using words or an image. Writing prompts are also helpful to engage students and help them generate ideas more quickly.

The Importance of Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are beneficial because they can be used with various grade levels and across multiple subject areas. This valuable writing tool helps all types of writers from struggling to advanced. Plus prompts increase students’ confidence, creativity, and writing skills.

The possibilities are endless. Writing prompts can be used for morning work, classwork, centers, homework, and assessments. They are also easily differentiated based on grade level or student ability. Responses can vary by length or kids can respond verbally if needed.

Writing Prompt Benefits:

• Applicable to any grade level and subject area
• Easily differentiated to meet individual needs
• Ideal for both print and digital resources
• Helps generate ideas
• Builds student’s confidence
• Increases engagement and motivation
• Promotes creative writing
• Boosts writing skills

Different Types of Writing Prompts

There are many different writing prompts that can be used in the classroom. Let’s break it down into categories to learn more about each option. It’s helpful to try a variety of the examples below to engage students and build their writing skills.

Generic Writing Prompts

Generic prompts are the most versatile and can be used throughout the year. These can be assigned daily, weekly, or monthly. Some ideas include seasons, holidays, and classroom themes.

Seasons Examples:

• Apple season has begun. Write a story about an apple that escapes from the farm.
• What would it be like to live in a snow globe?

Holiday Examples:

• How would you convince a friend to give you all of their Halloween candy?
• If you could have one famous person over at your house for the holidays, who would it be and why?

Class Theme Examples:

• What are some ways you can help another kid if they are being bullied? (Anti-bullying)
• If you could become a character in any story, which book would you choose and why? (Read Across America)

Genre Writing Prompts

Genre-based writing prompts are related to a specific writing unit. Some examples include narrative, personal narrative, informational, and opinion writing. These prompts are also helpful because they are aligned with the Common Core Standards. Check out some examples for each genre below.

Narrative Examples:

• What if you were given 3 wishes but couldn’t use them on yourself. Tell a story about what you would wish for and why.
• I was taking my friend’s picture in front of the volcano when all of a sudden . . .  

Personal Narrative Examples:

• Write a story about a time you felt your heart race. What happened and how were you feeling at the end?
• Have you ever been so proud of yourself for learning something new?  Write a story about a time this happened.

Informational Examples:

• Explain the ways someone can be a good friend. Be sure to include character traits and how they should act.
• Imagine someone has never played your favorite game.  Explain the steps so they can learn how to play.

Opinion Examples:

• Would you rather live somewhere that’s extremely hot or extremely cold?
• Should kids get money for doing chores or should they just do it to help out at home?

Content Area Writing Prompts

Content area prompts are based on a specific subject such as reading, math, science, or social studies. Prompts can be based on a unit of study for that content area. It’s a similar idea to genre prompts, except those are based on writing units of study.

*Since prompts will be based on the subject area that you teach, here are some topic ideas instead of actual prompts.

• Unit of study
• Guided reading book
• Independent reading book
• Addition and subtraction
• Multiplication and division
• Measurement

Social Studies:

• Communities
• Citizenship

There are a variety of writing prompts to choose from that will engage and motivate students. With so many options, teachers will be able to easily incorporate these ideas into their classrooms. Choose from generic, genre-based, or content area prompts depending on your needs.

Don’t forget to grab your  Free Writing Prompt Guide . This valuable resource will give you everything you need to know about writing prompts. They are ideal for morning work, writing time, centers, and homework. Click the link to get started.

Writing Resources

Related Articles:

• How to Use Writing Prompts Daily

6 Important Writing Prompt Examples for the Classroom

• Monthly Writing Prompts to Engage Students and Make Writing Fun
• Narrative Writing That Sparks Creativity
• Opinion Writing That Motivates Kids
• Information Writing That Empowers Students

Angela Sutton

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Health and Wellness

What is a Prompt in Writing?

Written by Haley Boyce

Motive. That’s the reason we do anything. Usually, there’s some sort of attached incentive – drinking coffee because it’s six in the morning and you’re not your best self until you’re about halfway through that first cup, going on a run for a healthier heart, enrolling in a creative writing program to network and get that first chapter of your novel going. These are things you do because you were compelled in some way. You were prompted to do it. 

A prompt in writing is what motivates or compels you to write. It also tells you what to write about. It can come from a writing instructor, a friend in a writing group, or it could be ready-made prompt you found online or even wrote yourself. It doesn’t matter where it comes from, what matters is that you understand it and respond to it appropriately. 

What is a Writing Prompt?

Writing prompts are instructions for what to write about. 

Sometimes they include how long your writing should be, sometimes they specify which writing style ( APA , MLA, AP, Chicago), and sometimes they can be either very specific about what should be included or terribly vague. 

Different Types of Writing Prompts Draw Out Information and Perspectives for Different Applications

The kind of writing prompt you receive depends largely on why you’re receiving one in the first place. Let’s take a look at a few different scenarios and the types of prompts you might find in each one. 

Literary Analysis Prompts

• Literary analysis is pretty much what it sounds like - analyzing something in literature. You will be assigned a work of literature to read, then you will be instructed to write an essay with your response to the prompt to include your observations, connections, and quotes from the story to support your argument. You’ll see this type of prompt in any prerequisite English class, and if you’re majoring in English or creative writing, you’ll spend so much time responding to literary analysis prompts that you’ll wind up missing them like an old friend when you graduate.
• Literary analysis prompts will usually ask you to discuss theme, character, a particular element of style exhibited by the author, or an element of plot and its impact on the story overall.

You’ve Been Responding to Literary Analysis Prompts Ever Since Book Reports in Your Middle School Language Arts Class

[For much of the novel, the Greasers are seen as hoodlums by the people in their town. This view changes toward the end of the novel when they are proclaimed heroes after saving the children from the burning church. However, they would not have been at the church at all if they hadn’t killed Bob and run away.

What do you think? Are the Greasers heroes or hoods?]

To respond to this prompt, a writer should choose one side of the argument (heroes or hoods), then include quotes from the story and explain why they prove their point. 

Creative Nonfiction Prompts

• While in a creative writing program, you might have the opportunity to write a piece of creative nonfiction. Prompts in this type of setting will ask you to tell a story about something that actually happened – oftentimes something that you experienced firsthand – but with a twist.
• You could be asked to write something like this: Tell the story about something dramatic that recently happened to you, but from the perspective of someone who witnessed it. Here, the writer is being asked to make themselves somewhat vulnerable by sharing what could be a rather personal story. They are then prompted to get creative with the situation by seeing it through the eyes of a person who may have seen the episode differently. Responding to a creative nonfiction prompt will not require quotes or explanations to prove a point. The prompt is answered by telling a true story in a creative way.

Nonfiction Prompts

• Nonfiction prompts will be found in scenarios where a scientist has conducted research and must write very precisely about the observations, hypothesis, research, and the outcome. In cases such as this, a scientist will be prompted to write based on a study they have conducted because of possible cause and effect. These are the types of prompts you would come across in science-based classes at a college or university.
• In situations where a nonfiction scientific paper is being written, strict APA style guidelines should be followed.
• Journalism is another form of nonfiction in which a prompt is often based on a journalist's assigned beat. Prompts will come from news and events that are best suited to their publication.

Would You Rather . . .

These prompts are most likely not something you’d find as a writing assignment in a college or university creative writing program, but they are definitely a clever tool to get you to think beyond the typical writing styles, which can start to feel a little stale after a while. 

Other times, you might find that a deeper approach to an either/or scenario is the perfect writing prompt for your creative mind. Would you rather time travel to the past to meet your great-great-great grandparents or time travel to the future to meet your great-great-great grandchildren? … Would you rather be known for being someone who stopped a war or started one? … Would you rather know what everyone thought about you or not care what anyone thought about you at all?

You might have a knee-jerk reaction to each of these prompts, knowing what your initial answer might be. But when you step back to consider the pros and cons of each side, there are strong reasons to choose either one. Each of these “would you rather” writing prompts sparks debate, eliciting careful reflection and explanation. The creativity and impact for something that seems so simple on the surface has the power to inspire a complex thought process, and therefore, meaningful writing.  

How to Start a Writing Prompt

If you learn only two things from this section, let it be that smart people ask questions (that’s how they got so smart. And you’re smart, so go ask for help), and that the best way to start responding to a writing prompt is to first understand how the prompt is put together.

A writing prompt usually has two main parts.

When reading a prompt, look for:

• The writing situation: In a writing situation, the prompt will present the general topic students are being asked to write about.
• Directions: Look for expectations of the task you are being asked to meet. This might include what type of essay you’re supposed to write (expository, narrative, persuasive, etc.), format, evidence from the text, length/word count, etc. Elements to include in the essay will vary depending on the instructor and course, but they will be included in the prompt regardless of subject.

You’ve identified the writing situation and directions. So now what? It’s sometimes (most times) helpful to make a little list of the prompt’s basic directions. Jot them down as bullet points on a sticky note and keep it on your computer monitor while doing your research and organizing your evidence or notes. Like this:

• Literary analysis essay
• Theme in Little Women

Figuring out the prompt can sometimes be half the battle. Once you understand what’s being asked of you, you’re bound to have some sort of answer to use as a jumping off point. Take your time deciding the best argument for your paper by choosing an answer you not only care about the most, but also the one that has an abundance of evidence to support your claim.

Prompts in writing are meant to evoke a response from the writer that is passionate and believable. The writing process doesn’t always feel like a party but knowing how to read a writing prompt definitely makes it more enjoyable.

Writing Prompts | Purpose, Types and Examples on How To Write Writing Prompts

Writing Prompts: Writing prompts are a wonderful way to fuel up your creativity, whether you’re searching for help getting started on your next project or want to spend 20 minutes being creative. Talking about being creative, the creative writing prompts, as the name suggests, are of great help to get a quick boost to get your work and writing going.

Writing prompts are bits of information and thought-provoking questions that may be utilised to spark creativity in your writing. They can also serve as a springboard for your writing by giving a beginning point. Any of these prompts can be utilised by writers of any age; however, the article below includes writing prompts for kids as well as writing prompts for adults.

Creative Writing Prompts

What is a writing prompt, purpose of a writing prompt, types of writing prompts, some examples of writing prompts, how to create your own prompts for writing, takeaway from the article.

Giving a person a cue to assist them to focus on a certain topic, task, or goal is referred to as prompting. A written passage, a word, or even a picture might serve as a stimulus. Writing prompts are a form of assessment or exercise that instructs people to write on a specific topic in a specific manner. It is a written guideline that serves as a prospective topic or beginning point for a variety of writing projects.

A writing prompt is a topic that will help you focus and lead your work. The prompt might be anything (a question, a statement, an image, etc.), but the goal is to give you something to think about as you write. Prompts might lead to a short response or a lengthy essay.

The goal of a writing prompt is to put a writer’s analytical and reasoning skills to the test, as well as to inspire a point of view and test writing skills. A writing prompt helps you focus on the issue you’re writing about. It also includes guidelines for completing the writing prompt.

Figuring out what type of writing is required is one of the most difficult aspects of writing prompt interpretation. Prompts may indicate the type of writing to be utilised or provide strong suggestions, such as the term “persuade,” for persuasive writing. Other times, figuring out which writing style to utilise is part of the problem. The trick is to figure out what the hints in the prompt mean.

Writing prompts can be of different forms or even have different styles of writing, which are mainly of five types that are listed below:

When responding to narrative prompts, writers employ actual or invented experiences. Dialogues, sensory details, and logical sequencing should all be included in their work.

In an opinion writing assignment, authors are required to express their thoughts on a topic and back them up with facts and logic. The material supplied should be well-organised and backed up with specifics.

• Descriptive

Descriptive writing prompts frequently encourage authors to incorporate details that aid the reader in conjuring up a vivid image by appealing to the reader’s five senses:

Descriptive writing may also be utilised to assist the reader in understanding how the character feels or reacts.

In research prompts, writers are tasked with finding knowledge about a given topic utilising books, internet resources, video, and other media. Writers should take thorough notes and keep track of the materials they use.

• Informative or Expository

Informative or expository writing prompts require the writer to describe the topic before adding supporting facts and details clearly. Expository or informative writing, in other words, is writing that aims to enlighten the reader on a certain topic.

Persuasive writing challenges inspire authors to strive to persuade the reader to agree with their point of view or thoughts.

If you wish to utilise writing prompts, don’t be concerned with where your ideas lead you or whether what you’ve written is excellent. The goal is to just get into a writing flow. If you like, you may come back and polish it later. Hence, below are some examples of writing prompts for both kids and adults to help you get your creative juices flowing.

Writing Prompts for Kids

The writing prompts listed below are some of the examples that kids can use to write, as these prompts are very much fun and interesting to write about.

• Write a description of your ideal bedroom. What would be in it, and why would it be there?
• You’re stranded on a desolate island with nothing except the belongings in your backpack. So, what exactly do you do?
• Write about a special place in your life.
• When I uncovered hidden riches in the backyard, I…
• Write your instructor a letter explaining why your favourite book should be examined in class.
• Describe a particular relationship you have with an animal.
• You get to spend a day as your favourite animal. So, what exactly do you do?
• Create a tale in which all your favourite characters from literature and movies cross paths. What do they do in their spare time?
• Create a different conclusion for your favourite book or film.
• If you were famous, describe a day in your life.
• I couldn’t believe what I saw as I peeked out the window…
• You have a magical pen. What does it have to offer, and how will you put it to use?
• Describe a blunder you’ve made and what you’ve learnt because of it.
• Prepare a speech that explains why you should be a student leader to the entire school.
• Write a letter to a younger sibling explaining what they need to know about Grade 7.
• If you had the ability to travel through time, would you choose to see the past or the future? Also, explain why.
• Describe a well-known individual and why you admire them.
• Describe the nicest present you’ve ever received. What made it so incredible?
• The dinosaurs have returned, and they’ve landed on your block. So, what’s next?
• If I had the opportunity to go to another planet, I would go to…
• You’re in charge of the class for the day. What are your plans for the lesson?
• If I could have any ability, it would be…
• If I had the power to alter only one thing in the world, it would be…
• Create a tale about a sea voyage.
• You have a budget of $1,000 to spend. What will you purchase?
• Create a “quarantine tale” that takes place in a single home.
• Make a tale out of one of your craziest dreams.
• Make a book or movie recommendation for a friend. What makes you think they’d love it?
• Create an adventure narrative set in a forest.
• Come up with a narrative about a snow day.
• You are teleported into your most recent video game. Where have you gone?
• What would you invent if you had unlimited resources?
• If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be… because…
• You’re a detective working on a major investigation. What exactly is it, and how do you deal with it?
• Create a narrative in which the main character conceals a major secret.
• An alien visits your home. What comes next?
• You reach the top of your neighbourhood’s tallest tree. What are you able to see that you couldn’t see from the ground level?
• Create a scenario in which a regular, daily situation is transformed into a grand adventure.
• Describe the qualities you seek in a friend.
• You’re throwing a friend’s ultimate birthday bash. What do you have in store for them?
• You can swim like a fish and breathe underwater. What are your plans for your newfound power?
• My objective for this year is to…
• Write a letter of gratitude to someone who has aided you in some manner.
• Which season is your favourite and why?
• Describe the individual who is the oldest you know.
• Describe a trek to the peak of a massive mountain.
• You’ve developed wings and can now fly. What route will you take?
• Would you like to live in a chilly, snowy climate or one that is hot and sunny? Why?
• What do people who live in the clouds do?
• Which holiday is your favourite and why?

Writing Prompts for Adults

From a newbie to a skilled professional, adult writers may benefit from using writing prompts to improve their writing skills. The following examples listed below will surely help you to start off.

• Describe what you’re seeing, smelling, hearing, or feeling right now. Objects, people, and everything else in your local area should be included.
• Create a scene that begins with a normal family ritual gone wrong.
• A slipper drops from the sky. Justify your reasoning.
• What would your brain be like if it were a real, physical place?
• Begin your writing by saying, “The stage was set…”
• Consider everyday items in a fresh light and write about the stories they carry.
• On a public transportation system, one person encounters a stranger. Make up a tale based on what happens next.
• Make a list of five problems about which you are passionate. Write about them from a different perspective or from the perspective of a character who has a different perspective.
• Begin your writing with the sentence, “Once again, I was late for…”
• Go on a walk and jot down a word you hear or read. Make it into a tale.
• Write something without using any adjectives or adverbs.
• Create an interior conversation between distinct components of a character’s self for a character (rather than an inner monologue).
• Write a genuine tale about a time in your life when light or darkness played a role.
• Begin by penning the story’s ending.
• Make a recipe for something that doesn’t exist.
• Write a horror story set in an everyday circumstance, such as shopping, bathing, going to the gym, or any other ordinary task.
• Create a tale inside a bubble.
• Make a list of 2-3 brief character descriptions, then write the characters speaking to one another.
• Write a second-person tale.
• Construct a tale that contradicts itself.
• Create a character with at least three major issues.
• Describe an event that occurs on a Friday, the 13th of any month.
• Write a short script about cursed dolls attempting to seize control of something.
• Begin your writing with the sentence, “The clocks were pointing at twelve…”
• Write a story about writer’s block.
• Write an outrageously inappropriate children’s story without using explicit language, cursing, or violence.
• Make a list of five professions. Write about someone who wants to leave one of those jobs.
• Write two paragraphs, one for each of the two vastly different contexts. Create a tale that includes both settings.
• Select an ancestor or a historical figure to write about or to.
• Make up a pirate tale with a twist.
• Begin a tale using the line “It only took five seconds to…”
• Make a list of five intense emotions. Choose one and write about a character who is experiencing that emotion, relying solely on the character’s actions to describe their feelings without using any outright statements.
• Write a chapter in your life’s narrative.
• My deepest and darkest secret.
• On an asphalt road, a person is running. Make up a tale.
• Begin your writing with the line “7 months later…”
• Write a scenario in which two characters are finally working out a long-standing conflict or misunderstanding.
• Write from the perspective of your most treasured thing. What is its opinion of you?
• Consider some well-known proverbs. Write a horror story with a premise based on one of those catchphrases.
• You begin to receive texts from an unknown number. Tell the next chapter of the narrative.
• What do ghosts do when they’re not causing havoc? Write a story about ghosts’ hidden life.
• A character learns that one of their siblings holds a cursed item. Next, write about what occurs.
• Superheroes save the world, but they leave a trail of devastation in their wake. Write a story about a regular person living in a superhero’s world.
• You can never have too much of a good thing, according to popular belief. Make a narrative where this isn’t the case.
• Consider a fictitious festival based on a natural event (for example, the Earth reaching its furthest point from the sun in remembrance of a volcanic explosion, or the time a cloud resembled a rabbit riding a bicycle). Describe how this holiday is observed.
• Make up a narrative on what it would be like to have a real-life animal buddy.
• Make up a narrative about a hidden chamber.
• Write a scene depicting a character before and after a tragic event in his or her life.
• Write about possible conspiracy theories about something that is currently happening in the world like a pandemic, nuclear war, outer space, or others.
• Make a list of five election topics that would be absurd to include in your campaign programme. Choose one of the absurd problems and give a speech in support of it.

You may get inspiration for your own writing prompts from a variety of sources, including overheard conversations, headlines, signs, words taken from a book, and so on. Get in the habit of looking for ideas and phrases that ignite your creativity, write them down, and use them as writing prompts. Look for every minute detail in your day-to-day life and try to find a story behind it as you never really know where they’ll lead you.

Writing prompts are helpful since we all know how difficult it can be to come up with ideas for what to write about. Writing prompts will broaden your creativity and provide you with some ideas for themes to write about, whether you compose short stories, poetry, or keep a diary.

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What Is a Writing Prompt?

Karen is a freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience writing for an array of publications, including authoring several books.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

A writing prompt offers a method for writers to focus, practice, and expand creatively. Prompts serve as jumping-off points to help you hone your craft as a writer.

Anatomy of a Writing Prompt

A writing prompt is usually a statement followed by questions you can use to craft a piece. The initial statement focuses on a particular subject or an area. For example, a creative writing prompt might suggest, "Describe a cold, empty place."

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To further focus the writer, the prompt may then pose a series of questions or offer suggestions for details. For example, for the cold, empty place writing prompt, questions to help the writer focus might include:

• Why is the place cold and empty? What has happened here to make it so?
• What is the overall feel there?
• How does it look?
• How does it sound? How does it smell?
• How does being here make you feel?

Types of Writing Prompts

There are many types of prompts to help you focus on all aspects of writing. Examples include:

• Creative writing prompts spark creativity.
• Non-fiction prompts may focus on all sorts of things, including biographical information, historical events, descriptions of places or works of art, and many others.
• Poetry prompts serve as inspiration to write poems.
• Descriptive writing prompts develop description skills.
• Expository writing prompts help you explain or teach.
• Journal writing prompts offer ideas for journaling.
• Mystery writing prompts are great for writers of whodunnit fiction.
• Narrative writing prompts help you develop a narrative voice and style.
• Short story prompts allow you to tell a brief tale.
• Speculative writing prompts encourage you to explore a given topic by asking questions such as "what if?"
• Essay prompts help student writers focus on or find topics.

Using Writing Prompts

There's no wrong way to use a writing prompt. While prompts are intended to spark imagination, you can also use them to help in your writing work. For example:

• A writing prompt may invite you to explore a dream you later use as part of a novel or short story to show character development.
• Journal or speculative prompts may help bloggers come up with daily topics to continue to engage reader interest.
• The output from a descriptive prompt may show up later in a work of fiction or non-fiction to help add depth.
• A student might use the result of an essay prompt on a college entrance essay.
• A non-fiction writer might use the output from an expository prompt as a starting point for a how-to book or article.

Tips for Working With Prompts

In his book Outliers , author Malcolm Gladwell suggests that you need to spend about 10,000 hours practicing in order to gain mastery-level proficiency with your craft. While there is debate about the actual amount of time needed for proficiency, it's clear that to hone any craft, including writing, it's necessary to spend time performing and practicing it.

Writing prompts offer you the opportunity to build skill and the more time you spend writing, the better you will become at it. You can choose to use writing prompts in any way that feels comfortable to you.

• Choose a daily prompt and write for 30 minutes each day.
• Use a prompt when you are feeling creatively blocked.
• Use a prompt if you are struggling to come up with a topic.
• Join a prompt-based writing group to learn how the same prompt sparks different writers and to receive feedback on your writing.
• Use the prompt as a starting point, but feel free to wander if you move in a different direction than the prompt suggests. Allow your own creative expression to step in and take control.
• Try seeing the prompt as a metaphor instead of taking them literally. For example, with the cold empty space prompt, you could use it as a metaphor for a cold, empty person and describe that person.
• As soon as you read the prompt, start to write. Try a process called continuous writing. Keep your fingers typing or your pen moving throughout the entire exercise. If you get stuck, write the same word over and over until your brain unsticks and you start to move again.
• Don't judge what you're writing or edit as you write. Go back and edit later.
• Prompts don't have to be word-based. You can use photographs, artwork, songs, sounds, aromas, or things you see around you to spark your writing creativity, as well.

Exploring Your Potential

Prompts allow you to explore your potential as a writer. They are fun exercises designed to spark creativity, help you hone your craft, and to allow you move forward as a confident writer.

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Author : Caroline Chartrand

22nd Feb 2024

Creative Writing Prompts for Writers: 80 Ideas Will Inspire You

Don’t Have Time to Read? Listen to this Article Instead!

Key Takeaways: Creative Writing Prompts

• Writing prompts are designed to spark creativity and help overcome writer’s block. They serve as a starting point for storytelling by providing a scenario, question, as well as theme to explore.
• Prompts can vary widely, from single words or phrases to sentences, questions, or even images. They are versatile tools that can be tailored to any genre, theme, or writing style.
• Effective prompts should balance specificity and openness, spark curiosity, encourage imagination, evoke an emotional response, and sometimes utilize visual stimuli to inspire creativity.
• The guide provides examples of prompts for various genres, including mystery and thriller, romance, science fiction, fantasy and paranormal, general fiction, travel and adventure, horror, and young adult.
• Beyond the initial prompt, developing a story involves character development, setting the scene, as well as creating conflict and plot twists to drive the narrative forward.
• Regular writing practice using prompts can boost creativity, improve discipline, and enhance one’s writing skills over time.
• Books, online communities, and daily prompt apps are valuable resources for finding new writing prompts and engaging with a community of writers for feedback and inspiration.

Craft Your Book Using Writing Prompts

Write your next ebook with us. Authors Breeze use creative writing prompts to create compelling narratives that captivate your readers.

Introduction to Creative Writing Prompts

Ever found yourself staring at a blank page, blinking your eyes as you try to summon words that seem to have taken a vacation? You’re not alone. Every writer, at some point, faces writer’s block. But fear not! Creative writing prompts and writing ideas are here to rescue you from the lack of creativity. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore creative writing prompts. They can ignite your imagination, help you weave compelling stories, and significantly improve your writing craft.

Feeling stuck when you want to write is something many of us experience. It can be really tough to come up with ideas or even know where to start. This challenge is something even professional writers face, especially before their work reaches bookshelves or sells books on Amazon . But there’s a helpful solution for when you feel like you’re hitting a dead end: writing prompts. So, these prompts can kickstart your creativity and help you get your writing and publishing going.

What is a Writing Prompt?

At its core, a writing prompt is a starting point to get your creativity flowing. But what does prompt mean in writing? A prompt is 1 to 3 sentences that raise an issue or ask a question that fuels your writing ideas.

No matter if it is a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or even a picture, a writing prompt can open doors to untold stories waiting to be told. So, if you learn how to write a prompt, you can enhance its effectiveness in sparking creativity.

However, what makes prompts for writing so magical? Well, they come with built-in writing challenges: to conjure up a unique story based on a predefined starting point. This constraint, surprisingly, liberates rather than confines creativity. It is a paradox of the creative process. Boundaries often lead to the most boundless imagination.

How to Write a Writing Prompt?

Crafting effective writer prompts is an art in itself. Your goal should be to strike a delicate balance between specificity and openness. In addition, you need to provide just enough detail to guide the writer, but not so much that it stifles their creativity. Here are some tips to consider:

Spark Curiosity

An excellent prompt should pique interest. It could be something as simple as:

“The clock struck thirteen,” prompting the question, “Why thirteen?”

This could serve as a fantastic mystery and thriller writing prompt.

Encourage Imagination

Allow room for interpretation. A prompt like the following opens up endless narrative possibilities:

“In a world where dreams are currency.”

It is perfect for science fiction writing prompts or even dystopian writing prompts.

Emotional Connect

Try to evoke an emotional response. Prompts that relate to universal feelings, love, fear, and joy, can be particularly compelling.

Visual Stimulus

Sometimes, a picture can be worth a thousand words. For example, a mysterious photograph or a bizarre painting. It can serve as a powerful prompt.

The beauty of writing prompts lies in their versatility. You can tailor them for any genre, theme, or writing style . It makes them invaluable tools for writers of all stripes.

Pro Writing Tip: Incorporate direct quotations, summaries, and rephrased content from the provided material to bolster your opinions and insights. It’s crucial to demonstrate to your audience that you are actively interacting with the author’s ideas and the content they’ve shared. For instance, if you find yourself at odds with a recommendation in the material, refer to a specific section and articulate your reasons for disagreement. This approach will aid in convincing others to understand and possibly align with your perspective.

How to Start a Writing Prompt?

Staring down a prompt can be as intimidating as the blank page itself. Here’s how to leap over that initial hurdle:

Allow yourself to write without judgment or editing . Let the prompt lead you wherever it may, even if it initially seems nonsensical.

Ask Questions

Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? These questions can help you unpack the prompt and start weaving a narrative web.

Play with Perspectives

If the prompt is a sentence, try writing from the perspective of different characters or objects within that scenario.

Mix and Match

Combine the prompt with another idea you’ve been toying with. The intersection of two ideas can often be where the magic happens.

Genre-Specific Creative Writing Book Prompts

Let’s look at some writing prompt examples that will help you with more writing prompt ideas:

Mystery and Thriller Writing Prompts

Everyone loves a good mystery or a heart-pounding thriller. These genres keep readers on the edge, eager to turn the page. So, here are a few prompts for mysterious writings:

• While renovating your grandmother’s attic, you discover a diary belonging to a relative you never knew existed. The entries hint at a family secret buried for decades.
• You receive a series of anonymous letters, each with a clue that leads you closer to uncovering the identity of a person who claims to have changed your life forever.
• A renowned magician disappears during a live performance. However, this time, it is not part of the act.
• A detective receives a series of cryptic letters. They seem to be linked to unsolved cases from decades ago.
• You witness a crime that hasn’t happened yet. Can you be able to prevent it, or will you become part of it?
• A journalist stumbles upon a conspiracy tied to a secret society that has influenced historical events.
• An ordinary book contains a secret message. It leads to a dangerous treasure hunt across the city.
• A family heirloom is stolen on the eve of a meaningful ceremony. It reveals long-buried family secrets.
• Someone is following you, always a step behind. However, when you turn around, there’s never anyone there.
• A small town is gripped by fear as residents receive anonymous threats predicting their deaths.

Pro Writing Tip: Always start with a relatable scenario but add a twist that invites curiosity. For example , instead of presenting a generic setting like “ walking in a park, ” twist it into something unexpected like “ walking in a park where every bench tells a story of a lost civilization. ” This approach not only grabs the reader’s attention but also provides a fertile ground for their imagination to take off. It encourages them to think beyond the ordinary and dive into the creative process with enthusiasm.

Romance Writing Prompts

Love fuels countless stories, from the tragic to the transcendent. Therefore, with the help of romantic writing prompts, you can explore the complexities of relationships and the human heart. In addition, you can try these creative writing prompts for romance novels :

• Two former lovers unexpectedly reunite in a small coffee shop after years apart. What led to their separation? Moreover, what secrets have they held onto?
• A love letter meant for someone else lands in your hands. It leads you on a quest to find the intended recipient and, perhaps, a love of your own.
• Messages in bottles wash up on the shore. They are penned by a lovelorn sailor from the past.
• A scientist discovers a way to time travel, only to fall in love with someone from a different era.
• Two rival dance champions are forced to partner up, finding love in their quest for the title.
• An astronomer and a poet, sharing a love for the stars, find their paths intertwined under a celestial event.
• Two strangers exchange notes daily in a coffee shop’s suggestion box, leading to an unexpected romance.
• A musician rediscovers a love song written by their late partner. It leads them to a new beginning.
• Two people meet on a cross-country train ride. They form a connection that challenges their destinations.
• Longtime friends make a pact to marry if they’re both single at 30. Then, as the deadline approaches, real feelings emerge.

Science Fiction Writing Prompts

The future is a playground for the imagination. It offers endless possibilities for exploration. Moreover, science fiction writing prompts can take you on journeys through time, space, and the depths of the human mind. Here are some short fiction ideas:

• You discover the last remaining library in the future where all books are banned. What will you do to protect it?
• In a world where memories can be bought and sold, you wake up one day with no recollection of your past. The quest for your identity leads you to dark and unexpected places.
• Earth’s sun is dying. Humanity’s last hope rests on a crew sent to reignite it with untested technology.
• A new technology allows people to swap consciousnesses. However, one person discovers they can’t switch back.
• An ancient alien artifact is unearthed. It holds the key to unlimited energy and the potential for interstellar war.
• A scientist accidentally opens a portal to a parallel dimension where history turns dark.
• There is a world where memoirs can be engineered. One person uncovers a conspiracy to manipulate the human race.
• AI servants start to develop consciousness. It leads to a society-wide debate on rights and existence.
• On a distant space colony, sabotage reveals deep-seated corruption and a fight for survival.
• A time capsule meant to be opened in a thousand years is accidentally triggered early. It reveals the unforeseen future of humanity.

Fantasy and Paranormal Writing Prompts

Get into worlds where magic is real and the paranormal is just another part of life. These prompts invite you to explore good story starters:

• You stumble upon a forest that everyone in your village avoids. Inside, you find a world that is teemed with creatures and magic you never believed possible.
• A ghost bound to an ancient mansion seeks your help to solve the mystery of their death. They reveal secrets that will change the history of the place.
• A librarian discovers their library is alive, with books that can transport readers into their stories.
• There is a discovery of the last dragon egg. It threatens to ignite a war between humans and dragonkin.
• A person makes a deal with a ghost to solve their unfinished business, entangling their fates.
• A royal heir finds their destiny intertwined with a crown that grants immense power and a deadly curse.
• Magic is banned in a world where a young mage discovers a hidden truth about their power.
• A keeper of magical portals between worlds faces a dilemma when a forbidden love crosses boundaries.
• An unlikely hero is chosen as the apprentice to the last witch in the world, tasked with saving magic.
• A mysterious carnival appears in town overnight, offering fantastical wonders and hidden dangers.

Pro Writing Tip : When crafting a fantasy or paranormal novel, the key to captivating your audience is to blend the familiar with the extraordinary. Simple Writing Prompt : Imagine a world where everyone has a magical talent that manifests on their 16th birthday. Your protagonist, however, wakes up on their 16th birthday to discover they have no talent. Explore their journey as they navigate a world where they feel out of place, only to uncover a hidden power within themselves that transcends the known talents. Creative Writing Prompt : In a city where the night brings out not just stars but also portals to other dimensions, your main character is a night courier, delivering packages to these alternate realms. One night, they receive a mysterious package that is not to be delivered to another dimension, but to a being that hasn’t been seen in centuries. This delivery leads them on an adventure through various dimensions, uncovering secrets about the city, its night-time wonders, and themselves.

General Fiction Writing Prompts

Sometimes, the most compelling stories to write are those that reflect our own world, warts and all. General fiction story ideas and prompts offer a canvas for the human condition:

• You find a phone with one unread message that changes your perspective on life.
• At a pivotal moment in your life, you meet a stranger. He offers you advice that could change everything.
• Once a year, a lottery gives one person the chance to change their life completely—but at what cost?
• An artist discovers they can paint pictures that make others relive memories. It alters their perception of the past.
• A café sits at the crossroads of reality. The customers of the café find themselves confronted with life-changing decisions.
• A box of unsent letters was found in an attic. They tell the story of a family’s hidden history.
• The last bookstore in a world dominated by digital media. It becomes the center of a community’s struggle to remember its humanity.
• A watchmaker creates a watch that can stop time for everyone but the wearer, exploring the consequences of isolation.
• A series of balcony gardens across a city weaves together the lives of its residents in unexpected ways.
• Two childhood friends make a promise to achieve their dreams. However, life takes them on very different paths.

Travel and Adventure Writing Prompts

For the wanderlust-driven soul, travel and adventure prompts whisk you away to far-off lands and thrilling escapades:

• You get an old map that leads to a place not found on any modern map. What do you discover at the end of the journey?
• After a storm at sea, you wash up on the shores of an island. It hides a civilization untouched by the outside world.
• A map is marked with unknown names. It leads to a journey uncovering hidden histories and forgotten places.
• In the heart of the desert, a mirage reveals a hidden oasis with secrets of its own.
• An expedition to an uncharted island reveals a civilization thought to be a myth.
• A trip to see the Northern Lights uncovers a phenomenon more magical. But it is more dangerous than ever expected.
• A hidden path in an ancient forest leads to a world untouched by time.
• An urban explorer discovers an underground city beneath the streets of a bustling metropolis.
• A mysterious castle appears in the sky. It is accessible only to those who dare to find a way up.
• A traveller returns from an otherworldly journey with tales. They challenge the limits of belief.

Horror Writing Prompts

Horror writing prompts are a great resource for vampire romance books and other horror-related genres. So, tap into the depths of fear with horror story prompts that are sure to send shivers down your spine:

• A painting you acquire at an estate sale changes each time you look at it. Eventually, it reveals something horrifying.
• A person discovers their reflection. It has a mind of its own. In addition, it reveals dark truths.
• The woods near your house are said to be haunted. One night, you hear your name whispered among the trees.
• You hear about a melody that haunts a town. It drives its listeners to madness and reveals a sinister history.
• A house filled with lifelike dolls that seem to watch your every move. It hides a grim secret.
• A fog rolls into a small town, and with it comes whispers that drive people to do unspeakable things.
• You see a door in the basement that was never there before. It leads to a dark and forgotten place.
• Residents of a small town are visited by a figure in the night, who watches from afar, never approaching until.
• A grave that doesn’t appear on any map is found to hold the key to a century-old curse.
• A rare lunar eclipse reveals a horrifying figure walking across the moon’s surface. It signals a dark event.

Young Adult Writing Prompts

Young adult fiction often tackles the tumultuous journey of growing up. The following prompts focus on the challenges and triumphs of youth:

• At your new school, you’re invited to join a secret society. It promises adventure but hides a dark secret.
• On your sixteenth birthday, you discover you have a power. It could change the world or destroy it.
• A group of friends discovers a hidden bunker during summer break. It leads to a mystery that tests their friendship.
• A secret society meets at midnight to share stories. However, their tales start to come true.
• A teen discovers their ancestry is linked to an ancient legend. It thrusts them into a world of magic and danger.
• Teens have the power to enter dreams. They must save one of their own from a nightmare that could trap them forever.
• A high school talent show reveals a student’s unique ability. It attracts unwanted attention.
• There is a society where books are banned. A group of teens starts an underground library and fights for the right to read.
• A teen discovers a parallel world where their every decision creates ripples. It affects both worlds in unexpected ways.
• At a summer camp set to close, campers encounter a mystery that ties the camp’s history to their own lives.

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Beyond the Prompt: Develop Your Story with Creative Writing Prompts

You now have ideas for writing prompts. Then, it is time to transition from story writing prompts to a fully realized story. Writing prompts serve as the initial stage. However, the journey from prompt to page is where the real magic happens. Let’s look at how you can develop writing prompts into captivating narratives.

Character Development

Start with questions.

Who is your protagonist? What do they want more than anything? What’s stopping them? Characters drive stories, such as:

• Foil Characters
• Morally Grey Characters
• Round Characters

Therefore, you need to understand the motivations, fears, and strengths of your characters.

Give Them Flaws

Perfect characters are boring. Flaws make characters relatable and their journeys compelling. So, think about how the weaknesses of your character might impact their decisions and the outcome of the story.

Set the Scene

World-building.

World-building is especially important in genres such as fantasy and science fiction. However, every story needs a setting. Look at how the environment affects the story. Is it a dystopian future that challenges the characters at every turn, or a buzzing city filled with opportunities and threats?

Sensory Details

Bring your world to life with sensory details. What does it smell like in the haunted mansion or on the alien planet? In addition, what sounds fill the air in the bustling marketplace or the quiet village?

Plot Twists and Turns

Outline the journey.

Even if you’re not an outliner by nature, you should have a rough idea of where your story is headed. As a result, it can help keep you on track. So, think of it as a map with room for detours.

Conflict is Key

Conflict is one of the top elements of fiction . No conflict, no story. So, your characters should face challenges, make decisions, and deal with the consequences. In addition, these conflicts can be external (a villain, a natural disaster) or internal (fear of failure, struggling with identity).

Bring Your Story to Life

Our ghostwriters transform your ideas into mesmerizing stories using creative writing prompts to ensure your voice shines through.

The Value of Practice

Keep in mind that the goal is not to write a book on your first try. The goal is to write. Each story you write and each prompt you explore help hone your skills and deepen your learning of the craft. So, practice regularly with writing prompts. As a result, it will:

Boost Creativity

The more you write, the easier it becomes to develop new ideas for writing a book and solve narrative problems.

Improve Discipline

Set a writing routine, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. It can help turn writing from a hobby into a habit.

Resources and Ideas for Creative Writing Prompts

Find new and exciting prompts. It doesn’t have to be a chore. Here are some resources to keep your prompt well full:

Books and Journals

Many books are dedicated to providing writers with prompts. Similarly, literary journals sometimes offer prompt-based contests.

Online Communities

Websites like Reddit have communities dedicated to writing prompts. Participating can also provide you with feedback from fellow writers. Such platforms are excellent sources of free writing prompts, daily writing prompts as well as random writing prompts.

Daily Prompt Apps

There are several apps available that deliver a new writing prompt to you each day. In addition, they ensure you always have a source of inspiration at your fingertips.

Captivate Your Audience with Unique Articles

Infuse your articles with creativity and depth. Our article writers leverage unique prompts to craft articles that stand out.

Additional Resources:

Books on Writing Craft: “ On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King “ Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within” by Natalie Goldberg “The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles” by Steven Pressfield Online Writing Communities: Reddit ‘s r/Writing and r/WritingPrompts Wattpad : A platform for writers to share their work and connect with readers Scribophile : A writing group and online writing workshop where writers can critique each other’s work NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month): An annual event that encourages writers to complete a novel in a month, held every November Writing Software and Tools: Scrivener : A powerful content-generation tool for long documents Grammarly : A writing assistant that helps with grammar, punctuation, and style Hemingway Editor : A tool that highlights complex sentences and common errors to improve readability Evernote : A note-taking app that can be useful for organizing research and ideas Creative Writing Courses and Workshops: Local community colleges or universities often offer creative writing courses Online platforms like Coursera , Udemy , and Skillshare offer a variety of writing courses taught by experienced authors Writing retreats and workshops, such as those offered by The Highlights Foundation or The Loft Literary Center

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some cool prompts.

Here are a few writing prompts to get you started:

• Write about a song that evokes a strong emotion in you.
• Narrate a childhood memory from the perspective of someone else who was there.
• Describe an object that isn’t valuable but means a lot to you.
• Today’s color: What color do you feel like today and why?

What are 500 writing prompts?

The “500 Writing Prompts” journal is a treasure trove for writers. It offers a wide range of prompts across genres and themes. Moreover, it is designed to spark your creativity and help you explore the depths of your imagination, one prompt at a time.

What are 5-minute writing prompts?

These quick prompts are perfect for daily journaling or warming up your writing muscles. They include gratitudes, aspirations, affirmations, reflections on the day, and thoughts on improvement.

What are some good writing questions?

Here are a few journal prompts to ponder:

• What do you aspire to be?
• List five adventures you want to have before you turn 20.
• What’s your dream job?
• Imagine your life at 30. What does it look like?
• What are the three most impactful jobs in the world, in your opinion?
• Would you ever want to be president?

Writing prompts are not just a cure for writer’s block. They’re an excellent tool that can help your growth as a writer. In addition, they make your way to explore new genres and a method for honing your craft. Every word you write brings you one step closer to the writer you aspire to be. So, grab some good writing prompts from the many creative writing topics we have discussed. Then, see where it leads you. In addition, if you face any problems, you can always come to Authors Breeze .

Enhance Your Blog with Writing Prompts

Our blog writers use innovative writing prompts to produce posts that engage, inform, and delight your audience.

Caroline Chartrand

As a writing expert, Caroline R Chartrand has written numerous books across various genres, from memoirs to self-help guides. With a passion for history and literature, she has delved into the lives of some of the fascinating figures in history, uncovering hidden stories and surprising facts.

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Craft the perfect creative writing prompt from Microsoft Designer's AI images

march 22, 2024

by Monica Jayasinghe

Hello, fellow educators! I recently discovered an exciting way to create engaging writing prompts for my students using AI and Microsoft Designer . The results were amazing, and I can't wait to share this fun and innovative approach with you!

Describing the Vision:

To get started, head over to Microsoft Designer . We'll use the power of AI to generate an image that will serve as the foundation for our writing prompt.

We'll use Image Creator , where you can describe the image you want to create. The goal is to generate an image that will capture your students' imagination and inspire them to write.

For this example, I entered the prompt, A spacecraft landing near a house, futuristic, mysterious.

Choose the image you want to work with

Once you select Generate , Microsoft Designer will provide you with a variety of AI-generated images. Since we're creating a writing prompt, look for an image that has space for adding instructions and is easy to read.

You'll be amazed by the number of options available! When you find an image you like, click on it and select Edit image .

Customize the image

After selecting your preferred image, it's time to customize it.

• Click on Resize in the top panel and adjust the dimensions to match a PowerPoint slide. This will ensure that the image fits perfectly when you're ready to present it to your students. You can also align the image anywhere on the page to create the perfect composition.
• In the box labeled AI tools , you'll see additional customization options. Consider playing with the filters to update the mood and color scheme of your image.

Add instructions and text

To make the writing prompt clear and easy to read, click on the existing text and customize it. To add a heading, click on Text in the left panel. The right panel will populate with even more ideas you can use.

In this example, I changed the color to white and added a story starter.

Engage your students

The possibilities for using AI-generated images as writing prompts are endless! Here are a few options:

Get inspired by the artwork

The most obvious way to use these images is as direct inspiration for student writing. Generate a bold, fantastical, emotional, or silly image and have students write a story about what's happening in the image.

Try this prompt: A whimsical classroom under the sea. The teacher is a wise old octopus. The classroom is decorated with shell desks and seaweed streamers .

Bring stories to life

Another great idea is to take an excerpt from a story you're reading in class and use the AI to generate an image that matches that specific part of the story. This will spark engaging discussions among your students and bring the story to life in a whole new way.

Bring units to life

Why stop at a story? You can also generate images that fit the theme of a unit you're working on, whether you're exploring weather patterns or reliving life on the Oregon Trail.

Consider setting aside some time each day or week for students to free write or journal. Kick off the writing session with an AI-generated image, then throw on some light classical music and let them write. Mix up the kind of images you show them, from lush landscapes to abstract pop art, and see what it inspires.

Try this prompt: An abstract painting in vivid colors

You can even include animated options. After you generate your image in Microsoft Designer, select the image and Create Design . In the right-hand panel that appears, you'll see several design options. Usually, one or more of these options will be animated. Select the animated option and add it to your PowerPoint!

Accessing your AI-generated images

One of the best features of Microsoft Designer is that all the images you create using AI are saved in the My Media section. This means you'll never lose your creations and can easily access them whenever you need them.

This feature enables educators to curate a collection of visuals for various writing themes, be it aliens, dragons, or any other imaginative scenario.

Wrapping up

Microsoft Designer is a game-changer for educators looking to inspire their students' creativity. The AI-generated images, customization options, and easy access to your creations make this a powerful tool for any classroom.

Head over to designer.microsoft.com today and start creating unforgettable writing prompts!

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How to write AI prompts for your email marketing campaigns

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Stuck staring at a blank page, wondering how to craft captivating email content? Then let artificial intelligence (AI) give you a helping hand. In this post, we'll teach you how to write effective AI prompts for subject lines, email copy, and calls to action (CTAs) and provide a creative spark to your copywriting.

PUBLISHED ON April 04, 2024

At this point you’re probably familiar with AI-powered copy generators such as OpenAI ChatGPT , Gemini , and Sinch Mailjet’s AI Tool . You might have even had the chance to experiment with them yourself, perhaps creating different subject line ideas or CTAs.

However, sometimes the results can sound mechanical. While AI can assist in generating prompts, it's the human touch that adds authenticity, emotion, and brand voice to your messages . Striking a balance between the two is what allows email marketers to get the most out of these tools, while still writing compelling content that resonates with their audience. Which is what we’re here to show you how to do today.

Table of content

What are AI writing prompts?

How do write ai prompts (best practices), #1 be specific, #2 think of your audience, #3 brand voice and tone, #4 always proofread copy, ai writing prompt examples, campaign ideas, subject lines and preheaders, event invitation, webinar series, reengagement campaign, create high-performance emails with sinch mailjet’s ai copy generator.

01 What are AI writing prompts?

02 How do write AI prompts (best practices)

03 AI writing prompt examples

04 Create high-performance emails with Sinch Mailjet’s AI Copy Generator

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AI writing prompts are instructions (or inputs) that guide AI tools to generate creative text formats such as articles, a short story, social media posts and of particular interest to us, email marketing copy.

However, as British computer scientist Wilf Hey famously coined when working on high-level programming languages: rubbish in, rubbish out. In other words, if you feed the algorithms garbage, that’s exactly what they will spit back out – the information that you enter the AI copy generator heavily influences the quality of its outputs .

So, how do you go about improving your input data? Let’s run through some of the best practices when it comes to writing AI email marketing prompts.

AI models are trained on massive amounts of data and learn to identify patterns. So, when your prompt is vague, the AI has more freedom to interpret it based on those patterns, which can lead to those undesired outputs we referred to earlier.

For example, if you enter a generic prompt like " write me an email " what do you think the AI copy generator’s response will be? An email about pirates? A love sonnet? Will it be written to an audience of 10-12th graders? Or adults? The results will all depend on the model's understanding of " an email ".

Being as clear, concise, and specific as possible with your inputs will help the AI tool generate relevant copy specific to your campaign requirements.

Sinch Mailjet’s AI Copy Generator uses campaign-specific prompts to guide your copy

The more specific you are about your target audience and demographics, the better the AI copy generator can tailor the content to their interests, needs, and pain points. Generic prompts will result in generic emails – and generic emails, ladies and gentleman, do not get opened.

Just take a look at the results from our new report The path to email engagement 2024 which highlights the importance of a personalized inbox experience :

A combined 80.8% of survey respondents said personalized email content is important when deciding whether to open an email.

With a clear audience in mind, you can provide the AI with details like age, interests, and purchase history. This allows the AI to craft content that resonates with their specific needs and wants.

Pro tip : Try asking the copy generator to think as a specific buyer persona. You will find it generates more specific prompts as it attempts to emulate their position and tailor its answers accordingly.

Your brand voice sets you apart from competitors. It’s how customers recognize you, for you. That’s why a consistent brand voice across all communication channels – especially email – builds brand recognition and trust .

So, when you provide clear guidelines about your brand's tone of voice and personality (friendly, professional, humorous, etc.) in your prompts, the AI-generated content will better reflect your unique identity.

This saves you a ton of time when going through and editing the final draft.

While these large language models are powerful tools, capable of the type of content generation we only dreamt possible a handful of years ago, it’s still important to remember their responses can be false, inaccurate, and entirely misleading.

So, before trusting in the tool’s ability to craft that perfect subject line or blog post summary, make sure you proofread it first . This is general good practice when it comes to content creation, regardless of whether it was created by an AI tool or not, as you should always check your copy before publishing.

Now that we’ve gone through some of the best practices for writing AI prompts, let’s look at some concrete examples.

We've all been there – staring down at a blank page, willing ideas and words to spring from our mind as if by magic. Writer’s block is real and can be one of the most frustrating parts of email marketing. Fortunately, generative AI can help.

By inputting prompts related to the product or service being promoted, AI copy generators can suggest potential campaign angles, themes, or messaging strategies you perhaps hadn’t thought of.

Imagine you’ve been asked to come up with some ideas on how to promote a new, instant transfer feature for a mobile banking app. The transfers can be made to anyone on your WhatsApp contact list if their phone number is linked to an account on a recognized banking network.

AI writing prompt : Generate a list of email marketing campaign ideas for the promotion of a new instant transfer feature for a mobile banking app. Transfers can be made to anyone on a user's WhatsApp contact list if their number is linked to an account on a recognized banking network. The target audience are mobile bank users (current and non-customers) and the tone of voice should be educational, yet formative.

Let’s input this prompt into Gemini and see what she comes up with:

So, the first idea the tool suggests is to run a campaign announcing the feature, highlighting some if its benefits, use cases, and how it works. And the second focuses on a campaign built around social proof.

Some further ideas suggested include running a campaign around a specific use case, such as bill splitting and another addressing a potential customer concern around the app’s security.

What do you think? Not bad, right? Try tweaking your AI writing prompt to see what different results you get and use them as inspiration for your next campaign.

Another area that AI can come in clutch for email marketers is with subject lines and preheaders. Now, it could be argued they’re two of the most important elements of any campaign . In a crowded digital space, these snippets of text determine whether someone opens your email and engages with your content, or not. So, getting them right is crucial.

Sticking with the same mobile app instant transfer feature as above, this time we’ll use Sinch Mailjet’s built-in AI Subject Line Generator tool to help us with our copy.

AI writing prompt : Come up with a subject line for a newsletter promoting a new instant transfer feature for a mobile banking app. Transfers can be made to anyone on a user's WhatsApp contact list if their number is linked to an account on a recognized banking network.

Here are some of the results generated from Sinch Mailjet’s AI Subject Line Generator tool after inputting the prompt:

As you can see, five different options are automatically generated based on your AI writing prompt . You can then select which subject line you think best matches your campaign, and it will automatically be added to your newsletter.

Remember, you can always go back and tweak your prompts if you’re not happy with the generator’s results.

You can access Sinch Mailjet’s AI Subject Line Generator via a button on the fly-out panel within the Email Editor . It's a natural extension of the AI Copy Generator, designed to keep you ahead in the competitive landscape.

The ultimate goal of almost every email marketing campaign is to get subscribers to take action after reading, right? This could be anything from making a purchase, signing up for a free trial, downloading a resource, or visiting a specific webpage.

A clear and compelling CTA tells subscribers exactly what you want them to do next, making it more likely they'll follow through and convert. Let’s try feeding Sinch Mailjet’s AI Copy Generator a prompt and see what ideas it comes up with.

AI writing prompt : Write a call for action (CTA) for an email marketing campaign promoting a new instant transfer feature for a mobile banking app. Transfers can be made to anyone on a user’s WhatsApp contact list if their number is linked to an account on a recognized banking network.

Here is the result generated from Sinch Mailjet’s AI Copy Generator tool after inputting the prompt:

As with the Subject Line Generator, you can automatically add your CTA to the newsletter. You may have also noticed the Try again button. Clicking on this will generate a different CTA based on your prompt. You can then cycle through the various outputs until you find one you think encourages subscribers to act.

A common newsletter type email marketers are often tasked with creating are event invitations. Now, this could be to raise brand awareness, promote a new product or service, or perhaps even to strengthen customer relationships in a particular city.

For continuity, let’s stick with our mobile banking instant transfer theme and create a prompt for an upcoming event celebrating the launch.

AI writing prompt : Write a draft for a newsletter inviting customers to an event celebrating the launch of a new instant transfer feature for a mobile banking app. Transfers can be made to anyone on a user’s WhatsApp contact list if their number is linked to an account on a recognized banking network. The event will take place on April 1 st , at the Estadio Benito Villamarín in Seville, Spain.

Email isn’t just a channel to promote new blog posts, eBooks, and bug updates. You can use to inform subscribers about upcoming webinars, too.

Unlike static content , webinars allow for real-time interaction with your audience . You can answer questions, address concerns, and build relationships with potential customers ( Sinch Mailjet’s Email Academy series is a great example).

Let’s try a prompt for an upcoming webinar educating customers on how to get the most out of a new product feature.

AI writing prompt : Write a draft for a newsletter announcing an upcoming webinar that will show customers, step by step, how to use the new instant transfer feature for a mobile banking app. Transfers can be made to anyone on a user’s WhatsApp contact list if their number is linked to an account on a recognized banking network. The webinar will take place on March 26.

If you’re new to the term, a reengagement email campaign is an email (or potentially series) specifically designed to win back inactive subscribers on your email list . These are people who signed up to receive your emails at some point but haven't opened or interacted with them recently.

Reengagement campaigns are great for several reasons:

Improve email deliverability: Having a high number of inactive subscribers can negatively impact your email deliverability rates . Reengagement campaigns help clean your list and ensure your emails reach engaged recipients.

Reignite interest : Subscribers signed up to your email list for a reason, right? Reengagement campaigns can help remind them why that was, either through incentives or offering valuable content.

Boost customer retention: Reactivating inactive subscribers is often easier and less expensive than acquiring new customers.

So, with that said let’s look at a potential AI writing prompt to input into our tool.

AI writing prompt : Write a reengagement newsletter targeting subscribers who haven’t interacted with our recent campaigns. The copy should ask what their preferences are and offer some sort of incentive for them reengaging.

Think you’ve got enough AI writing prompts on hand to give this a go? If so, great! Our built-in AI copy generator is now available to paying customers, embedded seamlessly into our email marketing software.

By using some of the prompt examples above, you can now easily craft engaging email subject lines, body copy, and CTAs in just seconds. The best part is you can do this directly within the platform itself – and in more than 20 different languages .

Just select the AI Copy Generator within Mailjet, type a descriptive prompt of the content you need, specify things like tone of voice and length, and let the tool get to work. You can also further refine your results, including incorporating your brand voice and adhering to your communication objectives.

Create content faster with Mailjet's AI Copy Generator

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Content Manager at Sinch Mailjet

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5 ChatGPT prompts to try now that the chatbot is free for all

O penAI has made it possible to have a conversation with its artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT without having to first sign up for an account.

This is a move designed to increase usage of the bot, although will only give you access to the two-year-old GPT-3.5 model, rather than the more advanced GPT-4 .

The AI lab is under increasing competition for the chatbot space with Microsoft even offering GPT-4 for free and without users having to sign-in to an account. 

There is also a range of open source models available through Groq , the super-fast inference engine, and Pi from Inflection doesn’t require a login. I suspect Google may look to offer something similar with a version of Gemini in future.

Why is OpenAI opening up ChatGPT?

OpenAI says the move is part of its mission to “make tools like ChatGPT broadly available so that people can experience the benefits of AI.”

The experience without signing in won’t be exactly the same as OpenAI says it has introduced more safeguards including blocking prompts and generations from a wider range of categories.

Like the free version you also won’t have access to any of the multimodal features available in ChatGPT Plus such as sending an image or document to the AI. But the core “conversation” will still work even if it refuses to respond to more topics than normal.

You also won’t be able to save your chat or review your chat history without an account, but this is a great way to try out ChatGPT if you don’t want to commit to yet another account.

Prompt ideas to get started with ChatGPT

1. the meaning of life.

One of my favorite ways to start any AI conversation is with the deepest of deep questions — what is the meaning of life? ChatGPT will have no great insight, although it is drawing on much of human knowledge and information, but it is fun to see how it responds.

In my case, ChatGPT told me it was a subjective question that would be answered in a multitude of different ways depending on who is asking. For example, it suggested a philosophical perspective might focus on finding happiness, whereas a religious one would be geared to faith.

What makes this a good starter prompt is that it is perfect for follow up — and that is where the true value of ChatGPT sits. You could say “I thought it was 42”, referencing the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy books, or even share your own perspective and use it as a sounding board.

2. Planning a trip

Our next useful starter prompt is around planning a trip. We can’t go to the Quentulus Quazgar Mountains as Arthur Dent did, but we could plan a weekend break in New York. 

Keep the prompt simple but precise: “I want to go to New York for a weekend break, give me some ideas for things to do and places to eat while I’m there.”

It listed a series of top attractions, places to eat such as the Levain Bakery or Chelsea Market and warned me to make a reservation in advance as it can get very busy. 

This is also ripe for a follow-up as you could ask what the weather is likely to be in any given weekend, how busy it usually is at a specific time and even have ChatGPT make an itinerary.

3. Writing poetry

ChatGPT isn’t the greatest poet in the world, particularly the GPT-3.5 powered version available without signing in, but it can write something snappy for a group of friends.

For the next prompt I asked it to: “Write a poem about New York to go in an invite card for friends to come with me on a weekend break to the city. Make it relatively short but funny.”

It gave me:

In New York City, there's always a show.

We'll munch on bagels, hot dogs, and more,

Exploring each corner, every floor.

So pack your bags, don't hesitate,

For in the Big Apple, we'll celebrate!

With friends by our side, laughter in the air,

A weekend in New York, an adventure rare.

You could follow up by asking ChatGPT to shorten it, make it a Haiku or even add a specific name, word or phrase into the poem and it will adapt it for you. 

It gave me this Haiku:

Bright lights never sleep,

Skyscrapers kiss the blue sky,

NYC, let's leap!

4. Dating on a budget

ChatGPT is particularly good at planning. It doesn’t always come up with the most creative ideas but it will give you a list. For this prompt I asked it to: “Create a list of 10 unique and creative date ideas for couples on a budget, suitable for different seasons and locations.”

It did just that, including a picnic under the stars, DIY wine tasting, hiking, cooking together at home or an outdoor movie night in the backyard. It also suggested volunteering together, spending an afternoon in a bookstore or holding a DIY outdoor games tournament.

You can follow up by asking it to expand on any of the 10 ideas it shared, ask it to try again but maybe give it more specifics such as any health issues that might prevent one or more ideas.

5. Simplifying complex ideas

On Reddit Explain it Like I’m Five is a popular phrase for people trying to get their head around a complex idea or concept. For example, how does a large language model actually work? Or in the case of this prompt — relativity.

I asked ChatGPT: “Imagine you're having a conversation with Albert Einstein. Ask him to explain the basic concept of relativity using everyday examples that a 10-year-old can easily understand.” You could change relativity for any topic, and Einstein for any expert.

It gave me a dialogue between a child and Einstein. The AI-Einstain used a ball being thrown on a train with an outside observer as a way to describe different perspectives. ChatGPT allows you to share conversations within the app and this is a good one to share .

More from Tom's Guide

• Google Gemini vs OpenAI ChatGPT: Which AI wins?
• ChatGPT Voice is now available to everyone — here is how to have a conversation with AI
• ChatGPT is now available to everyone without an account — here’s how to get started