Having students respond to writing prompts daily or regularly helps build writing stamina and improve writing skills. A useful writing prompt resource is Visual Writing Prompts.  This website features a quote, thought, or question accompanied by an image for students to respond with writing.  Teachers can search the website by genre, grade, or subject.

If displaying a prompt with an image isn't an option or not preferred, there are some prompts created and used by secondary students (both middle and high school).  Modify as you see fit!

• Which class does this school not offer that you wish it had?

• Explain why this class would be beneficial to students and the school.

• If you had three wishes, what would you wish would happen?  (No wishing for more wishes!)

• What would you do if you were lost on a deserted island?

• There’s a saying, “Finders keepers.  Losers weepers.”  If you found $100,000, would you return it, or do you agree with the saying?  Explain what actions you would take.

• What is your most memorable childhood memory?

• What do you do to deal with stress?  Explain how you conquer it.

• Write about a time you or someone you know overcame an obstacle.

• Who is your favorite musical artist or group? What is your favorite song by this artist or group, and what is special about the music?

• Should people keep it real and not wear fake hair, fingernails, or get plastic surgery, or is it okay to enhance yourself to look like you want to look?

• Adults claim that youth spend too much time on social media and are disconnected from the real world.  Do you agree or disagree?  Explain.

• Which animal is unnecessary?  If you had the power to make one animal disappear from existence, which animal would it be?

• How do you deal with betrayal?  Is it possible to fully trust someone again if he or she betrayed you?

• If you could give the entire human race a superpower, what would it be and why?

• If you could meet a relative who died before you were born, who would it be?  Explain.

• Which holiday or annual celebration do you enjoy most?

• Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

• Describe where you would like to go for a school learning trip and what you would like to learn and/or explore.

• If you could instantly master a skill, what would it be and how would it benefit you?

• If it were possible for you to travel into the future for 24 hours, how far into the future would you go, and what would you like to learn?

• What is one lesson about life you have learned from the people who raised you?

• Describe something that really drives you crazy.

• How much value do you put into your reputation? What have you done to maintain or change your reputation?