creative writing prompts fiction high school

50 Exclusive Writing Prompts For High School Students

• February 23, 2024

Table of Contents Hide

What is a writing prompt, types of writing prompts for high school students, 1. combating writer’s block, 2. skill development, 3. self-discovery and expression, frequently asked questions, we also recommend.

Writing is an essential skill for high school students, whether they are working on essays, creative writing pieces, or research papers. However, sometimes it can be difficult to come up with new and interesting topics to write about. This is where writing prompts come in handy. They can help you explore different themes, genres, and styles of writing, pushing you to think outside the box and expand your writing abilities.

In this article, we have compiled a list of 50 exclusive writing prompts specifically tailored for high school students. These prompts cover a wide range of subjects and genres, from personal narratives to persuasive essays to fictional stories.

Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself with a new writing style or simply want to explore different themes, these prompts are sure to inspire you and help you improve your writing skills.

A writing prompt serves as a cue to guide individuals toward a particular topic, task, or objective. It can take the form of text, a single word, or an image, prompting individuals to engage in writing about a specified topic in a specific manner. These prompts are often utilized in assessments or activities to encourage critical thinking and expression, providing students with a starting point for their writing endeavors.

There are various types of writing prompts suitable for high school students. Here are a few examples:

1. Narrative Prompts: This prompt encourages students to develop characters, setting, plot, and conflict within a story

• Example : You discover a mysterious note tucked inside an old book. What does it say and where does it lead you?

2. Descriptive Prompts: This prompt focuses on using sensory details to create a vivid image

• Example : Describe the feeling of sand slipping through your fingers as you watch the sunset on a beach.

SEE ALSO: 50 Creative Narrative Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination

3. Expository Prompts:

• Example: Explain the process of photosynthesis to a young child. (This prompt requires students to break down complex information into clear and understandable language)

4. Persuasive or Argumentative Prompts: This prompt encourages students to research, develop a stance, and provide evidence to support their argument

• Example: Should social media platforms be held responsible for the spread of misinformation?

5. Reflective Prompts: This prompt encourages students to look inward, reflect on personal experiences, and articulate their growth

• Example: Describe a time you faced a difficult decision and how you overcame it.

6. Creative Prompts: This prompt allows for imaginative expression and experimentation with different forms of writing

• Example: Write a poem from the perspective of a tree witnessing the changing seasons.

7. Analytical Prompts: This prompt requires critical thinking and interpretation of literary elements

• Example: Analyze the symbolism used in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and its significance to the play’s themes.

What Are The Benefits of Writing Prompts?

Writing prompts offer a lot of benefits for high school students, from conquering writer’s block to honing their storytelling skills . Here are some key advantages:

Stuck staring at a blank page? Prompts act like magic sparks, igniting your imagination and providing a launchpad for creative ideas.

With diverse prompts covering different genres, themes, and styles, you’re bound to find something that piques your interest and unlocks your storytelling potential.

You can practice specific skills like descriptive writing, dialogue, or world-building through targeted exercises woven into prompts. To make the best of it, use prompts as springboards to explore emotions, values, and perspectives, weaving them into captivating narratives that reflect your unique voice.

READ ALSO: 10 Effective Writing Strategies to Enhance Your Writing Skills

You can use prompts for introspection and reflection, writing about experiences, feelings, and lessons learned, fostering personal growth. It also helps in unleashing your personal voice and perspective through your writing, showcasing your creativity and individuality.

Descriptive :

• Capture the chaotic energy of a school lunchroom at peak hour, using all five senses to immerse the reader in the experience.
• Describe a character’s most prized possession, revealing their personality and aspirations through its details and history.
• Paint a picture with words of a breathtaking natural landscape you’ve witnessed, conveying its raw beauty and emotional impact.
• Transport the reader to a bustling marketplace in a foreign country, highlighting the sights, sounds, and smells that paint a vivid cultural portrait.
• Imagine a world where emotions have colors and auras. Describe how a specific emotional state manifests visually and how it affects the surroundings.
• You wake up in a completely white room with no furniture or windows. Describe the disorienting atmosphere and how your senses adapt to the sensory deprivation.
• Detail the transformation of a familiar object as it ages, focusing on the subtle changes in its appearance and the emotions it evokes.
• Capture the quiet intimacy of a rainy evening spent indoors, emphasizing the comforting sights, sounds, and smells that create a peaceful atmosphere.
• Describe a character’s most treasured memory, using sensory details and evocative language to transport the reader back in time and experience it alongside them.
• Imagine you can taste memories. Describe the flavor and texture of a particularly significant memory, explaining what it reveals about your past and yourself.

Related Post: 50 Exclusive 2nd Grade Writing Prompts That are Printable for Free

Expository/Informative:

• Explain the history and cultural significance of a traditional dish from your family heritage, detailing its ingredients, preparation process, and meaning within your community.
• Create a step-by-step guide for a unique skill or hobby you possess, making it clear and accessible even for beginners.
• Research and explain the science behind a natural phenomenon that fascinates you, using clear language and engaging examples to captivate your reader.
• Write a detailed profile of a historical figure who inspires you, highlighting their achievements, struggles, and impact on the world.
• Compare and contrast two opposing ideologies or social movements, clearly explaining their core principles, similarities, and key differences.
• Explore the ethical implications of a recent technological advancement, presenting a balanced perspective on its potential benefits and drawbacks.
• Research and explain the cultural traditions and customs of a specific community, emphasizing their unique practices and their significance to its members.
• Create an informative guide to navigating a challenging experience, such as starting a new school, overcoming a fear, or making a major life decision.
• Research and explain the different learning styles and how they can be applied to improve academic performance.
• Investigate and describe the unique ecosystem of a local park or nature reserve, highlighting its biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts.

Narrative :

• You discover a dusty journal in your attic filled with cryptic entries. As you decipher them, they lead you on a thrilling adventure to uncover a family secret.
• Imagine you can communicate with animals. Write a story about a unique friendship you develop with a local creature and the challenges and joys it brings.
• You wake up on a deserted island with no memory of how you got there. Craft a story about your struggle for survival and the mysteries you unravel along the way.
• Write a coming-of-age story about a character facing a pivotal decision that will shape their future. Explore their internal conflict, external pressures, and the ultimate choice they make.
• Imagine a world where dreams become reality. Write a story about the exciting possibilities and unexpected dangers that arise in this unique setting.
• You receive a mysterious letter inviting you to join a secret society. Describe your decision-making process and the thrilling adventures that await you if you accept.
• Rewrite a classic fairytale from the perspective of the villain, revealing their motivations and shedding light on their side of the story.
• Write a story about a time you faced a difficult situation and the unexpected heroes who emerged to help you overcome it.
• Craft a narrative set in a dystopian future where a specific aspect of life is drastically different from our world. Explore the challenges and consequences faced by its inhabitants.
• You find a magic lamp containing a mischievous genie who only grants ironic wishes. Write a humorous story about how you outsmart them and achieve your desired outcome.

READ ALSO: 50 Exclusive First Grade Writing Prompts that are Printable for Free

• Should social media platforms be held responsible for the spread of misinformation? Present your stance with supporting arguments and evidence.
• Is artificial intelligence a threat to humanity or a tool for progress? Analyze both sides of the debate and express your informed opinion.
• Are standardized tests an effective measure of student learning? Explain your view and suggest alternative methods for assessing academic achievement.
• Should school uniforms be mandatory in all public schools? Explore the potential benefits and drawbacks and justify your opinion.
• Should schools prioritize mental health education and resources for students? Offer your opinion and suggest specific recommendations.
• Is it ethical to use genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture? Analyze the arguments for and against and state your position.
• Should space exploration be a priority when there are so many problems on Earth? Defend your stance with well-reasoned arguments.
• Are video games a positive or negative influence on young people? Explain your viewpoint based on research and personal experience.
• Is social media more harmful than helpful for society? Explore both sides of the debate and express your informed opinion.

Persuasive :

• Write a persuasive essay convincing your school board to implement a new program or initiative you believe would benefit students.
• Craft a letter to the editor urging your community to take action on an important environmental issue.
• Develop a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness about a social injustice you care about.
• Write a speech persuading your classmates to participate in a specific school event or fundraiser.
• Create a blog post advocating for a cause you believe in, using compelling arguments and emotional appeals.
• Research and write a report on the history and future of a specific technology that interests you.
• Investigate and analyze the impact of a particular historical event on society and its lasting effects.
• Explore the scientific evidence behind a controversial topic and present your findings in an objective and balanced manner.
• Research and explain the cultural diversity of a specific region or country, highlighting its unique traditions and customs.
• Investigate the different career paths available in a field you’re interested in and present your findings to help others explore their options.
• Choose an ancient proverb or famous saying from another language and research its original meaning, historical context, and how it’s interpreted in today’s world.

These 50 writing prompts for high school students offer a diverse landscape of possibilities, inviting you to traverse genres, explore emotions, and delve into self-discovery. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. So, grab your pen, embrace the adventure, and see where your words take you. You might surprise yourself with the stories you tell and the worlds you create.

While answers can provide inspiration and ideas, it’s crucial to develop your own voice and perspective. Use them as starting points, not complete scripts.

You can find more writing prompts through online resources, books, writing workshops, teacher recommendations, and even everyday observations.

It depends! Some prompts might lead to short stories, while others inspire poems or journal entries. There’s no specific length requirement.

Absolutely! Prompts are meant to be springboards, not limitations. Adapt them to fit your style, interests, and desired outcome.

Share your work with trusted friends, teachers, or writing communities for feedback. Focus on improving your skills and expressing yourself authentically.

• storywritingacademy.com –  60 Creative Journal Prompts for Teenagers
• creativewritingedu.org –  What is a Prompt in Writing?
• 50 Exclusive 3rd Grade Writing Prompts that are Printable for Free
• 50 Exclusive 6th Grade Writing Prompts that are Printable for Free
• What is a Prompt in Writing? Choosing the Right Writing Prompt for Your Genre and Style
• 50 Exclusive 4th Grade Writing Prompts That Are Printable For Free

Related Posts

Do you italicize book titles essay secrets revealed.

• April 17, 2024

14+ Types of Poem to Know With Practical Examples

• April 16, 2024

41+ Homographs Examples for Writers

• April 15, 2024

30+ Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

By: Asiyah Jilani

Here are some unique creative writing prompts high school students can use to think creatively, expand their writing skills, and find enjoyment in writing. The prompts are sorted by genre, including poetry, science fiction, flash fiction, narrative, and even some creative and open choice prompts.

Poetry Writing Prompts for High School Students

• Beginnings - Write a poem where every line begins with the same letter.
• Diminishing Verse - Write a poem in which the end word in a line is the same end word in the previous line, but with the first letter removed. A three line stanza, for example, could have the following end words: “smart”, “mart”, and “art” Or, rather than removing a letter and keeping the spelling of the remaining word the same, you have the option to remove sounds. “Stare” could turn into “tear”, for example, and “tear” into “air”.
• Collective Nouns - Write a poem with a collective noun as its genesis and theme, highlighting the characteristics of a creature we share the planet with. Seek to emphasize the poetic nature of these terms; for example, alliteration in ‘a parcel of penguins’ or the imagery of ‘a bouquet of hummingbirds’. If you’re feeling extra creative, invent a collective noun of your own to include as the basis of your poem.
• Life through a Window - Write a poem that captures the images of life and activity seen through a window over the course of one single morning, day, evening or night.
• Fan Poetry - Write a poem imitating the style of a popular poet, whether it be a Shakespearean sonnet or a naturalistic poem like those of Mary Oliver’s. Be sure to include a footnote, crediting the poet or poem that inspired your piece.

Science Fiction Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

• Solar Power - In 1960, physicist Freeman Dyson proposed a hypothetical megastructure that could encompass a star and suck energy from it to power the earth—an idea known today as a "Dyson sphere." What are the benefits of energy captured from a star? The consequences? Imagine what the world would be like with a Dyson sphere. In prose or poetry, take us into a scene or offer a description of this reimagined world.
• False Familiarity - Medically, déjà vu is false familiarity. Your brain creates an illusion of a feeling that you have lived this moment before. But what if there was more to the story? Write a story explaining déjà vu through fantasy or the supernatural. Is there more to the illusion? Maybe it’s a wild mind control conspiracy in a distant future world, or maybe a disorganized higher power forgot to finish sculpting human minds properly. Be as creative as you like!

Personal Narrative Prompts for High School Students

• Lost things - Anywhere from a paragraph to a page long, tell the story of an object that you’ve lost, detailing: 1. How it was lost. 2. How it changed you. 3. Where you imagine it is now.
• Your world in three senses- Think of a place you love... transport your readers there with three detailed and telling descriptions, each using a different sense: SIGHT, SMELL, SOUND, TASTE, or TOUCH. Perhaps it's the feeling of the dry desert wind that defines this place for you. Perhaps it's the sound of the dogs howling. Perhaps the smell of smog or sea salt. Pick details that are particular and specific, and bring them to life with vivid sensory language.
• Subtotals - In his story, “Subtotals,” Gregory Burnham shares details of his life in number form. For example, he tells us how many rotten eggs he's thrown (1), the number of postcards he's sent (831), the number of miracles he's witnessed (0). Write a story composed of subtotals from your life. Try to select and pair subtotals that speak to each other. For example, the following two numbers aren't very interesting on their own, but together they tell a story: "Number of compliments, given: 4,051; accepted: 2,249."

Flash Fiction Creative Writing Prompts for High School Students

• 99 words - “There was more room to think,” wrote novelist David Gaffney on becoming a flash fiction convert, “more space for the original idea to resonate, fewer unnecessary words to wade through.” Stories of the sudden/skinny/mini/micro variety pack the best parts of fiction into brimming, half-pint packages. Celebrate the art of concision, and write a story in 99 words or less.
• All in a minute - Write a story that takes place in one minute of your character's life. Avoid flashbacks (memories or information from the past) and flash forwards (projecting into the future). Instead, focus on the details of the moment.
• Countdown - Write a story in which your first sentence should have ten words, your second nine words, your third eight, etc., until you’re down to one in your final line.

Check out more flash fiction and other writing resources .

Other Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

• Global Correspondence - Respond to a current event, whether it be local, regional, or global, in your choice of writing form.
• Advertising - Write an advert for a product that doesn’t exist.
• Feel the Music - Write a story about a pair of headphones that actually take you inside a song.
• Personality traits - Write about an argument between two different traits of someone’s personality.
• Other shoes - Put yourself in shoes that you wouldn’t normally imagine yourself in. Create a scenario for that fictional character. Embody a protagonist that showcases your wit, empathy, and imagination as a writer.
• Selecting a Reader - In his poem, ‘ selecting a reader ’ Ted Krooser cleverly imagines whom he would want to be his reader, and how he would like them to treat his work. imagine your reader in vivid detail - their appearance, thoughts, actions, inner world… how might they have arrived at your writing? How do they interact with it? Describe their idiosyncrasies, intentions, and consider how your writing will affect them!
• Musical - Write a piece inspired by your favorite song.
• 200 years ago - Imagine traveling back 200 years, to the exact spot where you are right now. Who was here? How did the landscape look different? Write a passage of historical fiction that takes place in your current location!
• The Pangram - A Pangram, or “holoalphabetic” sentence, contains every letter of the alphabet at least once. Take the following, rather infamous, pangram: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Try your hand at crafting a perfect pangram, or instead use this restricted form to craft the basis of a longer sentence, or even story. You could even link a few pangrams of varying length together.
• First meeting - Think of your favorite fictional character. What would you say to each other?
• Lens change - Write about a particular memory of yours, but in third person instead of first person.
• You - Write a passage of fiction, employing the second person—“you”—point of view.

Tips for Using Creative Writing Prompts in the Classroom

Writing prompts and other activities are low-stakes and can help to create a culture of writing in your classroom. Here are a few tips to getting started:

• Mix up the types of prompts to connect to your curriculum or promote creative thinking.
• Leave time to share some responses out loud and build a sense of community.
• Write when students write to model continuous learning.
• Keep it brief and open to interpretation.

Looking for more tips for using writing prompts as a daily classroom practice? Check out the full Tips for Using Daily Writing Prompts and other resources for teaching writing .

Share this post:

Similar Blogs

Flash Fiction Story Examples and Writing Tips

Often when we think of fiction, the novel comes to mind—a large expanse of an entire and vivid...

Meet the Flash Fiction Competition Winners 2022

The art of flash fiction lies in its ability to make an impact in the briefest way possible. In...

How to Write Flash Fiction with Tara Lynn Masih

Like so many of you, Tara Lynn Masih started to take writing more seriously during high school. As...

75 Of The Best Fiction Writing Prompts For All Writers

What separates the casual fiction writer from the professional one is the commitment to daily writing. But sometimes it’s more of a challenge to get the words flowing.

If nothing triggered you today, and if your mind is playing hopscotch with ideas, fiction writing prompts can get you past the brain block into full writing mode.

The following lists are fiction writing prompts for adults and realistic fiction writing prompts, and while there’s nothing NSFW ahead, the fiction writing ideas are best suited to books written for mature readers.

Here’s how to use these writing prompts:

• Choose a prompt that inspires you to write.
• Feel free to alter the writing idea to suit your creative writing needs.
• View the prompt as an idea to kickstart your writing .
• Begin writing and allow your ideas to flow and lead your writing wherever it might go.
• Write as little or as much as you wish to prime your imaginative juices.
• Don’t judge or critique what you’ve written — just enjoy the process.
• Once you’ve completed the novel prompt writing, move on to your book writing , or use the prompt writing as part of a book you might decide to write.

75 Fiction Writing Prompts and Realistic Fiction Writing Prompts

Try one of these 75 fiction writing prompts to improve your creative writing . Some of these are realistic fiction writing prompts, while others have a more fantasy or mystery bent to them.

Choose the prompt that most inspires you, and start writing!

1. This superhero lives on the streets. While the people she saves are safe and warm, she wanders alone, exposed to the elements. She’s asexual, so she’s not looking for a mate, but she wouldn’t mind having someone to watch her back.

2. An unknown spacecraft has sent a rain of unknown elements into the atmosphere, and soon every flower that blooms releases a new, sentient being into the air. And they’re all connected — except for one, whose connection to the hive mind is severed somehow before the opening of his flower. All his fellow, winged warriors have a plan for the people of Earth; he’s the only one looking for a way to save them.

3. He promised me becoming a zombie wouldn’t change him. He had a solution that would preserve his personality and make it possible for him to protect those he loved..

4. A new modern apartment complex is now open, and you’re one of the first to apply for one of its one-bedroom luxury apartments. Less than a week after you move in, tenants start disappearing. Then someone leaves a gift basket at your door….

5. Someone leaves a package with a new, loaded smartphone and a cryptic note in your mailbox. That night, you get a call on that phone, and you answer it. A voice on the other end asks, “Ready to change your life?”

6. You get a chill from something while standing in a grocery store checkout line, and someone cries out and points a finger at you, backing away. “Did anyone else see that?” she asks in a panicky voice, grabbing her baby and heading out the door without her groceries.

7. You left the windows open last night to cool the house after a 90 degree summer day. You wake up to an icy chill and snow blowing in. You soon learn that a catastrophic event has brought on a new ice age. It just so happens you know something that could reverse the freeze before humans become extinct from exposure and starvation.

8. You love how you get when a creative idea takes hold of you, but your loved ones do not. In fact, one by one, they write you off, though you can’t remember why. Then, one evening, the unthinkable happens, and your latest creative idea takes on a life of its own.

9. Your friend just committed suicide, and soon after the funeral, the letters start coming, sent by someone who knew your friend and who (apparently) knows where you live. This someone blames you for your friend’s death, and she won’t stop until you pay for it.

10. Your best friend is suffering from a life-threatening allergic reaction, and there’s no epi pen. As his airways swell shut and his heart stops, there’s no one around to help, and you scream in desperation. That’s when you hear a sound in your own voice that you’ve never heard before. Seconds later, your friend gasps and scrambles to his feet, all signs of swelling gone.

11. Your fiance’s family has staged an intervention to bully you into changing your beliefs and teaching your children to embrace their way of life — and your fiance says nothing in your defense.

12. Your supermodel-thin friend barely survives a terrible car accident, but it changes her. The happy-go-lucky girl with the racecar metabolism and the hot boyfriend has morphed into a moody but more empathetic girl who quickly grows out of her wardrobe and becomes the target of cruel jokes.

13. A predatory classmate ends up dead in your backyard just hours after making unwanted advances to you in the school library. Part of him is missing.

14. Write a story from the point of view of the villain, but don’t reveal the narrator as the villain until the end.

Related: 15 Tips To Help You Write Better And Attract More Readers

15. On Valentine’s Day (which you never celebrate), you receive a surprise anonymous package with a box of licorice all-sorts. The slogan on the side of the box reads, “Everyone is somebody’s favorite.” The last person who called you his favorite died a year ago.

16. You go to sleep one night in an immaculate, luxury apartment and wake up in a small, dingy loft apartment that is full of stacks of newspapers and magazines, elaborately arranged to form the walls of a labyrinth.

17. You’re given the chance to go back in time to save the life of your best friend, but the price is a mission only you can carry out as the doppelganger of a mass murderer’s close confidant. Your mission is to make sure he takes a trip that will lead him into a trap.

18. You write a novel with a main character who has telepathic abilities. You start having dreams about this character, who wants you all to himself. His first token of affection is to punish your neighbor, who has openly criticized your book.

19. Your quirky, potty-mouthed Aunt Em has come to live with you, and the first thing she does is rearrange the kitchen and claim the role of chef and home renovator. You’re fine with it until she hires an assistant, who just happens to be the apartment manager’s recently fired son.

20. You inherit a house from an uncle but decide to rent it out rather than living in it. After interviewing several applicants, you agree to rent it to two brothers…

21. For as long as you can remember, every time you feel panicked, you’ve found yourself quietly singing “Jingle Bells.” You’re about to find out why, and it will change everything.

22. A homeless man is attacked in your neighborhood and sustains a serious head injury. You get him to the hospital, and they save his life, but upon his discharge from the hospital, he starts making money more quickly than you thought was even possible.

23. A stray animal shows up at your door — no tags or anything — and after feeding it, you decide to adopt it. That night, when a stranger comes to your door, you find out the animal is not what it appears to be.

24. You start taking a new dietary supplement you learned about from a late-night commercial, and it does everything it promised — and more.

25. You’re on your way home after work, and you see a strange light up ahead. You get closer, and you see what looks like a black hole about to swallow up your apartment complex. You look up to see your roommate on the balcony taking pictures of it.

26. You go to sleep alone and wake up very pregnant. After checking the calendar and vomiting a few times, you call in sick and schedule an appointment for an ultrasound. Then your boyfriend shows up.

27. A strange plant appears in your window planter, and when its solitary bloom opens, impossible things start happening.

28. You wake up a different gender but with similar facial features.

29. You visit your estranged father and learn some things about him that change the way you see yourself — and everyone else. Turns out, he keeps a low profile for a reason.

30. Your kid starts manifesting a strange, new ability (or no longer hiding it from you), and you know it’s just a matter of time before he attracts unwanted attention. And you’re afraid of what he can do to protect you both — and how it could change him.

31. You’ve always had freakishly good night vision, but with that comes an extreme sensitivity to light. You live like a mole, working overnight shifts and keeping the windows of your apartment covered in blackout curtains. You’ve even disabled the light switches. So, when a thief breaks in, you make him regret it. And it starts something.

32. Your eyes are brown with flecks of green that intensify when you get a sudden chill or come close to remembering something that changed you as a child. Someone notices the intense green in your eyes one day and calls you a freak. He looks familiar.

33. You discover an ability that puts you (more) at odds with your in-laws, and you learn of their plan to get your husband to divorce you and get full custody of your two children.

34. You sign up for a wine delivery service, and while the cases are always left at your door, things start changing in your house. Though you never drink to excess, you start losing chunks of time. And the wine is better than anything you’ve ever tasted.

35. You come home one day and find someone else living there who swears she’s lived there for years. When you look for proof that she’s lying, you find proof to the contrary.

36. You’re making your usual breakfast when you suddenly find you can’t stomach the thought of eating it. When you put a name to your new craving, it scares you. But it won’t go away.

Related: How to Outline A Nonfiction Book

37. You find a ring while walking in the park. The stones aren’t diamonds, and you at first suspect it’s a piece of junk jewelry from the previous night’s Halloween revels. But you like it enough to keep it. No one is more surprised than you when it saves your life.

38. An unknown relative shows up and tells you something you didn’t know about your mother’s family history — and the power that went with it.

39. You’ve started your NaNoWriMo project, and it’s off to a decent start. But when you open the file the next day, you see much more written for it, and the writing is terrible. Then you see that the story is still developing, and while the writing makes your head hurt, the story is drawing you in. Literally.

40. You go to your closet to get a change of clothes for the day before taking a shower, and you find a huge selection of designer clothes (tags still attached) that weren’t there before.

41. You sign up for a class at a local gym, and when you meet the instructor, she seems familiar — and not in a good way.

42. Your kid takes home a Chromebook from school, and one evening you see him staring at the screen, looking entranced. He takes a sudden interest in keeping his room immaculate and volunteering as a member of a new political candidate’s campaign staff.

43. You’ve just given birth to a surprisingly healthy baby two months before the due date, but your husband has inexplicably abandoned you both, and a generous stranger has learned of your situation and offered to help you out and fill the void.

44. Your mother shows up at your door asking for help. Something has taken residence at her home, and she doesn’t feel safe there anymore. You visit the house on your own, and find someone living there who asks, “Where did Mom go?”

45. You finally find a responsible roommate to share the cost of a new luxury apartment. The problem? He knows everything about you — and there’s no reason why he should.

46. You don’t remember the last time you slept for longer than an hour at a time, and you see things others don’t. The things you see that others don’t are causing accidents, and when you try to prevent one, you end up getting blamed for it.

47. Your 12-year-old daughter goes to use the bathroom at the hospital while you’re both visiting her older sister. When she comes back, she seems visibly unsettled, but that gives way to an eery calm and unshakable confidence that her sister will make a full recovery.

48. After experiencing your first nighttime paralysis, you start to see changes in your body. Soon, those changes will be impossible to hide, and a new acquaintance surprises you by making accurate guesses about what you’ve been going through.

49. When you’re about to kill a spider, your kid stops you, catches it, and runs outside to free it. You think maybe killing the non-native spider would have been kinder than putting it outside in the frost-covered grass, but your kid knows something you don’t.

50. It’s Halloween, and your neighbor dresses up as the president and tries to repair his reputation by volunteering at a homeless shelter. Unfortunately, the costume takes over, and he starts firing the other volunteers, one of whom decides to give their homeless guests a Halloween spectacle they won’t forget.

51. Your routine doctor appointment takes a sinister turn when your doc tells you he could put you higher on the waiting list for a liver transplant if you’d pay his ex a visit and help him set a trap for her.

52. Your new smartphone is so much faster than your old one — much faster than you expected from a discounted return. Then you start getting messages made up of symbols you don’t recognize. They resemble hieroglyphs.

53. You’re a high schooler, and today’s lunch is unexpectedly delicious — so delicious that you go back for the seconds. Someone in the kitchen is watching and writing in a notebook.

54. You’re constantly attracting unwanted attention, and you meet someone who knows why. It’s not just your looks that make you unignorable. You’re actually sending out a signal that those around you can’t help responding to. Your new acquaintance offers to train you, so you’ll make better use of your power.

55. You’re sick to death of the clutter in your house, and through a magazine ad, you meet someone who says he can give you the power to instantly transform any room to match a picture you can see in front of you or in your mind’s eye. The only price is one minute of memory from each day.

56. You win a two-week vacation in a real castle (somewhere overseas) with airfare, transportation, and meals, included — along with other surprises. One of them wants to make sure you never leave.

57. You move into a house that has a treehouse out back in one of the tallest, oldest trees. You don’t know until you explore it that the treehouse changes to better suit its occupant. The tree and its house have accepted you. But what does it expect of you?

58. You find an abandoned cabin that is perfect for use as a writer’s getaway, and after some preparations, you settle in for a two-week’ reprieve from city life. The animals aren’t as shy as you expect them to be, though, and they seem to know something about the cabin that you don’t.

59. Your car goes over the edge and down a steep hill. All you remember is the flash of light and the sound of glass breaking before you open your eyes. You check your kids, but none of them answer, and your phone, which had half a charge just minutes ago, is completely dead and unresponsive.

60. You’re shopping for a new computer, and you find one on eBay that the owner says was a gift that he used only briefly before he upgraded to a MacBook. You buy it and revel in its blinding speed and special features. It wakes you that night with a loud beep and prompts you with a single sentence on the screen, “Will you play with me?”

61. Chocolate and wine have gotten you through many a break-up, but this one is harder than most. You wonder why, and a gift from this SO stares you in the face, reminding you of how different your relationship was from those you’ve had with others..

62. Your neighbor has ordered furniture for you from IKEA, and you’re not sure how to deal with it. You love the couch, but you don’t have the budget for it, and you barely know your new neighbor, who seems to have unlimited funds but spends it unpredictably.

63. One of your aunts has died leaving you her pet ______, who helps you cut the toxic people out of your life by scaring them away. One of the few visitors this pet will tolerate is someone you’ve barely noticed but who intuitively knows about and anonymously meets the needs of others in the apartment building.

64. You go fishing in the lake behind your house, and when your hook catches on something, you pull it up. It turns out to be the body of a murder victim, and when the lake is further searched, other bodies are found. Twelve other houses surround the lake, and the police suspect you as much as any of the other residents.

65. You’re renovating your basement and remove a wall that was put in place by one of the previous owners. Behind it is a garbage bag full of cash, and when you examine it, you find it to be genuine.

66. Your spouse tells other Catholics that he knew you were the one when he found out your confirmation saint was the same saint he prayed to for a good Catholic wife. Meanwhile, you’re questioning beliefs you used to take for granted.

67. You wake up to the burglar alarm, and before you can see who has broken in, someone puts a pillowcase over your head and forces you up and out the door.

68. You get a job at your favorite coffee shop, and you meet some local authors, one of whom learns of your book and invites you to their group. They meet in what used to be the living room of a house rumored to be haunted.

69. You can barely make out how many fingers you’re holding up until an elderly neighbor with perfect eyesight shares a secret with you. But there’s a price to pay.

70. You go to sleep listening to static on your radio, which can’t pick up any AM stations. You find out one night, when your bladder wakes you up, that it’s picking up something other than static.

71. You bid on and win an old record player and record collection at an auction. You don’t expect the music to affect you as profoundly as it does and your family thinks you’re just trying to make up for the amount you spent on it. You’re not.

72. You get new glasses at the new eye clinic in town, and they allow you to see better than ever. In fact, when you want to, you can see minute detail from a great distance and microscopic detail up close. This is how you find out your sister’s mole is a malignant melanoma. You also avoid being poisoned by a spiteful coworker. Your fascination with frogs and your large collection of them has made close relationships a challenge.

73. You listen to an audio file designed to make you more creative, and you go into a trance and write a book that people the world over can’t get enough of. Then a visitor asks you if you listened to the entire recording. When you admit to having stopped the recording before it was finished, the visitor smiles in relief and tells you not to listen to the end and to delete the file.

74. When a favorite aunt dies, you inherit a bookstore with an apartment on the upper floor. You look at the finances and realize you have to let go of one of your three employees.

75. You check out a house you like and find moths in every room. The realtor tells you it shouldn’t be a problem to get rid of them but that the house is completely free of other pests — including spiders (which are a huge problem in the area). You buy the house.

Did you enjoy these realistic fiction writing prompts?

Keep this list handy whenever you need a writing prompt to unlock your creativity and kickstart your daily writing.

In fact, you may find ideas for several novels or stories that you can write down the road. Take one of these ideas and begin to flesh out an outline and characters for your story. Let your imagination take you on a journey that may lead to your bestselling book!

1 thought on “75 Of The Best Fiction Writing Prompts For All Writers”

very informative blog, after reading this i got at a point that it will help everyone. thanks for sharing such productive information. thanks a lot https://www.islamic-spells.com/how-to-do-a-black-magic/

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Home › Study Tips › Creative Writing Resources For Secondary School Students

Creative Writing Prompts For High School Students – 12 Categories

• Published January 3, 2023

Table of Contents

Are you a high school student struggling to find inspiration for your creative writing assignments? Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut and can’t seem to come up with new and exciting ideas? If so, you’re not alone. 

Many students struggle with coming up with ideas for creative writing, especially when they feel pressure to produce something original and engaging. 

But the good news is that there are ways to break through the block and find inspiration for your writing. 

For instance, by attending our award-winning creative writing summer programme , you’ll learn how to conquer the fear of the blank page. How? By learning proven formulas for creating brilliant stories. 

Another way to have that creative spark is to use creative writing prompts. 

This article will provide creative high school students like yourself with a list of creative writing prompts. So you’ll get the inspiration you need to get into the flow and start writing!

What are Writing Prompts?

Writing prompts are ideas that help writers overcome writer’s block and get started with their writing. They can come in various forms, including a

• Or series of questions. 

Creative writing prompts get your creative juices flowing. When you encounter a writing prompt, it encourages you to start writing!

What types of writing, you ask? It can be anything from fiction writing to essay writing. Creative writing prompts are even used to get you started with freewriting in your daily journal.

So you see, many writers find writing prompts a quick and easy way to begin a new writing project. Or to overcome writer’s block when they are stuck.

How Do You Use Writing Prompts?

There are many different ways to use writing prompts. Here are a few ideas:

Use writing prompts to start a new writing project. 

Are you having trouble coming up with ideas for a new writing project? Try using a writing prompt to get started. You can use a writing prompt as the starting point for a 

• Short story
• Essay, or any other type of writing.

Use writing prompts to overcome writer’s block. 

Stuck on a particular piece of writing and can’t seem to move forward? Use writing prompts to brainstorm on how to proceed!

Use writing prompts to practice your writing skills. 

As the old adage says, practice makes perfect! You can use writing prompts to practice different writing techniques or styles. Or try out different writing genres!

Use writing prompts to challenge yourself. 

You can use writing prompts to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try writing about things you might not usually write about.

Say your comfort zone is writing fantasy stories. And you want to try something new. Why not use scary writing prompts as a starting point?

To use a writing prompt, choose a prompt that interests you and start writing. There are no hard and fast rules about how to use writing prompts – the important thing is to just start writing and see where the prompt takes you!

Creative Writing Prompts High School Students will Love

Write a story about a character who:

• discovers a mysterious, abandoned house in the woods  
• suddenly gains the power of time travel
• has to confront their greatest fear
• is given the opportunity to live in a different time period
• discovers a secret underground society
• is given a magical object that can grant wishes.

Or, check out the other prompts too:

• Write a poem about a summer day you will never forget.
• Imagine that you are stranded on a deserted island. Write a story about your experience.
• Write a letter to your future self ten years from now.
• Imagine that you are a detective trying to solve a mysterious crime. Write a story about your investigation.

Creative High School Poetry Writing Prompts

Write a poem about a/an:

• summer romance you will never forget
• memorable experience you had with a friend
• place that holds special meaning for you
• moment of clarity or realisation that you had
• person who has had a significant impact on your life
• object that holds special meaning for you
• dream that you had and can’t seem to forget
• time when you felt completely lost
• time when you felt completely free
• moment of beauty that you witnessed

Writing Prompts with an Element of Suspense

• is being stalked by an unknown assailant
• wakes up with no memory of the past 24 hours
• receives a series of mysterious, threatening letters
• discovers a hidden room in their house filled with grotesque objects
• is trapped in a strange, unfamiliar place
• is being pursued by a dangerous, unknown entity
• is being watched by an unknown pair of eyes
• is being followed by a shadowy figure
• hears strange noises in the middle of the night
• finds a mysterious, unmarked package on their doorstep

Writing Prompts for Stories That Start with Dialogue

Start your story with a conversation between two characters who are:

• meeting for the first time
• meeting each other for the first time in ten years after graduation
• trying to solve a problem
• discussing a secret
• trying to keep a secret from someone else
• discussing their future plans
• trying to make amends after a misunderstanding
• reminiscing about the past
• trying to persuade each other of something

Writing Prompts That Ask “What if?”

What if you:

• woke up one morning with the ability to fly? How would you use this ability?
• could time travel? Where would you go and why?
• woke up one day to find that everyone in the world had switched bodies? How would you cope with this?
• could read minds? How would you use this ability?
• suddenly had access to unlimited wealth? How would you use this wealth?
• could talk to animals? How would this change your life?
• were the only person on Earth who knew how to speak a certain language? How would you use this knowledge?
• could turn invisible at will? How would you use this power?
• developed the ability to communicate with the spirits of the dead? How would this change your life?
• could teleport anywhere in the world instantly? How would you use this ability?

Funny Writing Prompts for High School

• wakes up to find that they’ve turned into a giant chicken
• has a magic lamp that grants them absurd wishes
• becomes the world’s worst superhero
• accidentally becomes the president of the United States
• is chased by a giant hamster
• discovers that their reflection is actually an alternate dimension
• becomes a world-famous rapper after a misunderstanding at a karaoke bar
• becomes the world’s worst detective
• is constantly followed by a cloud of bees
• becomes the world’s worst secret agent

Do you have a brother or sister in middle school? Our middle school writing prompts are a great way for them to get into the flow of creative writing effectively.

Journal Prompts for High School Creative Writing

• Write about a time when:
• you felt particularly proud of yourself
• you had to confront your greatest fear
• you had a moment of clarity or realisation
• you felt that life was wonderful
• Write about a place that holds special meaning for you.
• Write about a person who has significantly impacted your life.
• Write about a moment of beauty that you witnessed.
• Write about a dream you had and can’t forget.
• Write about a memorable experience you had with a friend.

Non-Fiction Writing Prompts

Write an essay about a/an:

• significant event in your life and how it has impacted you
• person who has inspired you and why
• current issue that is important to you and why
• time when you had to overcome a challenge and how you did it
• place that you have visited and why it was meaningful to you
• hobby or activity that you are passionate about and why
• book, movie, or TV show that has had a significant impact on you and why
• social issue that you feel strongly about and what you are doing to make a difference
• goal that you have set for yourself and how you plan to achieve it
• person who has made a positive impact on your community and how they did it

Adventurous Short Story Prompts

Write a story about a character who goes on a:

• solo hike in the wilderness and becomes lost
• treasure hunt and faces unexpected challenges along the way
• safari and encounters a rare and dangerous animal
• white water rafting trip and gets stranded in the wilderness
• mountain climbing expedition and faces unexpected challenges
• scuba diving trip and discovers a hidden underwater world
• hot air balloon ride and gets carried away by the wind
• skydiving trip and has to make an emergency landing
• parasailing trip and gets caught in a storm
• snowboarding trip and gets caught in an avalanche

Science Fiction Short Story Prompts

• Write a story about a character who is:
•  given a device that can predict the future
•  the only survivor of an alien invasion
• recruited by a secret organization to fight against an alien threat
• the only one who can communicate with newly-discovered alien species
• the only one who can stop a group of rebels from taking over the world
• the only one who can save the world from an asteroid heading towards Earth
• the only human on a distant planet
• Write a story about a character who travels through time and encounters their future self.
• Write a story about a character discovering a portal to an alternate dimension.
• Write a story about a character who is given a device that allows them to control time.

Scary Short Story Prompts

• Write a story about a character who is 
• being stalked by a demon
• trapped in a haunted house
• haunted by the ghost of a loved one
• terrorized by a clown
• Write a story about a character who
• discovers a cursed object and starts having strange, terrifying experiences
• starts seeing strange, supernatural creatures in their dreams
• hears a lady cry every night, but no one is there
• notices a strange doll appear in their house, not knowing where it came from
• listens to neighbours report they’ve been seeing a toddler running around the house, but your character lives alone

Fantasy Short Story Prompts

• Write a story about a character who 
• discovers that they are a witch or wizard with magical powers
• finds out they are the chosen one, destined to save the world from an ancient evil
• realises they are a fairy or other mythical creature
• is given a magical object that can grant wishes
• discovers a magic book with secrets to the universe
• receives a magical potion that transforms them into a different creature
• accidentally stumbles into a world where everything is the opposite of what they know
• gains a legendary staff that gives them the power to control the elements
• enters a magical, mythical land ruled by an evil king
• discovers that they are the reincarnation of a mythical hero

Need more Creative Writing prompts? Check out this article entitled “ 308 Creative Writing Prompts To Unlock Your Writing Skills .”

How Else Can I Improve My Creative Writing Skills?

1. read widely.

Reading improves your writing skills by exposing you to different 

• And Techniques you can incorporate into your own writing.

Did you know reading widens your vocabulary? It does! And vocabulary is an essential aspect of effective writing. The more words you know, the more effectively you can communicate your ideas.

Also, reading helps improve your comprehension and critical thinking skills. Both of these are valuable for analysing and synthesising information. So you’ll learn how to present ideas clearly in your writing.

2. Write Regularly…and Don’t Stop!

Think of writing as a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes! Writing regularly makes you feel more comfortable and confident. 

What’s more, it helps you develop your own voice and style. Once you hone the aspects that make you unique , you’ll stand out more! 

Writing regularly also gives you a better sense of what works and what doesn’t. And you’ll be able to refine your writing accordingly. 

The more you write, the better you will become at it. So maximise our creative writing prompts and make time to write every day. Even if it’s just for a few minutes!

3. Experiment with Different Writing Styles

Do you know that experimenting with different writing styles and techniques expands your writing skills? Why? Because doing so makes you a versatile writer. Able to adapt your style to different situations and audiences. 

For example, writing poems even when you’re not used to poetry-writing forces you to think . To imagine and create! As a result? You get out of your comfort zone and explore. And you’re better able to reimagine your craft. 

What are the common writing styles?

• Descriptive – often uses similes and metaphors to help the reader experience the writing (e.g. songs, poems)
• Narrative – flashbacks and foreshadowing are common elements of a narrative style with a clear, fleshed-out plot (e.g. novels)
• Or Persuasive writing – convinces the reader to believe what the writer believes (e.g. essays, sales copy)

4. Join a Writing Community!

What better way to keep you motivated than by joining a writing community? A writing community provides support and encouragement. Being surrounded by like-minded folks passionate about writing can be a great source of inspiration!

Plus, you’ll be exposed to different writing styles and techniques. Which can help you expand your horizon and help you become a more versatile writer.

Joining a writing community can also be a great way to get feedback on your writing. Helping you identify areas for improvement. 

Finally, do you know a writing community can be a great source of information and resources? Members often share valuable writing tips and strategies.

5. Enrol In A Creative Writing Course

What is one of the most effective methods in fast-tracking you to massive improvement in your writing skills? Taking a creative writing course!

Why does taking a creative writing course help you improve your writing skills? Because you’ll learn from experienced writers. While having the opportunity to practice writing under the watchful eye of expert tutors. 

Creative writing prompts are useful for high school students looking for inspiration for new and original ideas. You can overcome writer’s block by tapping into your creativity in a new and exciting way.

These prompts will challenge and inspire you. So give them a try and see what amazing stories and ideas you can come up with!

Related Content

Tackling homework anxiety: your guide to a calmer study life.

High School Creative Writing Prompts: Unleash Your Imagination

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Why High School Creative Writing Prompts are Essential for Developing Imagination

How to use creative writing prompts to spark new ideas, discovering your unique voice through high school creative writing prompts, exploring different genres and writing styles with creative writing prompts, harnessing emotion and personal experience in high school creative writing, tips for overcoming writer’s block: unleash your imagination with creative writing prompts, how high school creative writing prompts help cultivate a lifelong love for writing, frequently asked questions, final thoughts.

High school creative writing prompts play a crucial role in the development of imagination among students. Imagination is not just a frivolous ability; it is a powerful tool that allows individuals to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas. By engaging in creative writing exercises, students are encouraged to let their imagination run wild, exploring new worlds, ideas, and characters.

One of the key benefits of high school creative writing prompts is that they prompt students to think creatively and critically. These prompts often present students with ambiguous situations, challenging them to analyze and interpret various perspectives. This process helps students develop their critical thinking skills and enhances their ability to think outside the conventional boundaries. Additionally, creative writing prompts provide a safe space for students to express their thoughts and emotions freely. This not only helps them become more self-aware but also fosters empathy and understanding towards others.

Moreover, high school creative writing prompts enable students to enhance their descriptive writing skills. Through prompts that encourage vivid and detailed descriptions, students learn to paint a clear picture with their words, making their writing engaging and immersive. This ability to utilize descriptive language not only enriches their writing but also cultivates skills that are valuable in various academic disciplines and professional endeavors.

• High school creative writing prompts fuel students’ creative juices.
• These prompts help students develop critical thinking skills.
• Engaging in creative writing exercises fosters empathy and understanding towards others.

How can we overlook the fact that high school creative writing prompts serve as a platform to nurture students’ self-expression? By offering writing prompts that encourage personal reflection and storytelling, students are encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and structured manner. This not only boosts their confidence but also allows them to explore their identity and voice.

To sum up, high school creative writing prompts are a vital tool for developing imagination among students. Through these prompts, students sharpen their critical thinking skills, enhance their descriptive writing abilities, and foster self-expression. So, let’s embrace these prompts as an integral part of the high school curriculum and unlock the immense creative potential within every student.

Benefits of High School Creative Writing Prompts:

• Fuels creativity and imagination
• Develops critical thinking skills
• Fosters empathy and understanding
• Nurtures self-expression and identity exploration

Are you feeling stuck in a creative rut? Are you yearning for fresh ideas to breathe life into your writing? Look no further than creative writing prompts! These magical tools are like a box of keys that unlock the doors to endless inspiration. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting on your creative journey, using writing prompts can be a game-changer.

So, how exactly can you use creative writing prompts to spark new ideas? Here’s a handy guide to get your creative juices flowing:

• Embrace the unexpected: Writing prompts often present unusual scenarios or combine unlikely elements. Embrace these surprises and allow your imagination to run wild. Explore uncharted territories and let go of any preconceived notions. This is your chance to push the boundaries and discover unique ideas.
• Dabble in different genres: Writing prompts cover various genres, from science fiction to romance, mystery to fantasy. Don’t limit yourself to your preferred genre; try something new! This can open up new avenues of inspiration and help you develop a versatile writing style.
• Free-write without judgment: When using writing prompts, give yourself permission to free-write without judgment. Let the words flow without worrying about perfection or structure. This allows your subconscious mind to take the lead, unraveling hidden ideas and surprising twists.

The power of creative writing prompts lies in their ability to ignite your imagination and challenge your writing skills. By embracing the unexpected, exploring various genres, and free-writing without judgment, you’ll find yourself on a thrilling journey of discovery. So, grab a writing prompt, unleash your creativity, and watch as a world of endless ideas unfolds before you.

High school is a time of self-discovery and exploration, and one way to truly uncover your unique voice is through creative writing. Engaging in writing prompts specifically designed for high school students can help you unlock your creativity and express yourself in ways you never thought possible. Here, we will explore how these prompts can ignite your imagination, develop your writing skills, and ultimately help you discover your own authentic voice.

1. Stimulating your creativity: High school creative writing prompts are carefully crafted to spark your imagination. They encourage you to think outside the box and explore new ideas, enabling you to develop unique storylines, characters, and themes in your writing. By challenging your creativity, these prompts push you to stretch your imaginative boundaries and create narratives that are truly your own.

2. Honing your writing skills: Writing prompts are excellent tools for refining your writing abilities. They provide focused topics and styles, allowing you to practice various techniques such as descriptive writing, dialogue, or narrative devices. Through consistent practice with diverse prompts, you will become more adept at crafting engaging plots, using powerful language, and structuring your stories effectively.

One of the most exciting aspects of creative writing is the opportunity to explore and experiment with different genres and writing styles. Creative writing prompts can be an excellent tool to push your boundaries and engage with various literary forms. From science fiction to historical fiction, poetry to magical realism, the possibilities are endless!

By utilizing creative writing prompts, you can challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and venture into unfamiliar terrain. Embrace the thrill of trying new genres and writing styles, discovering hidden talents and nurturing your creativity along the way. Whether you prefer the concise nature of flash fiction or the intricate world-building of fantasy, prompts serve as gateways to dive into uncharted literary territories.

• Experiment with different genres such as romance, mystery, horror, or comedy.
• Try diverse writing styles like first person, third person omniscient, or stream of consciousness.
• Create characters that are completely different from your usual protagonists and explore their voices.
• Play with narrative structures such as nonlinear storytelling or alternating perspectives.

Taking inspiration from prompts allows you to sharpen your writing skills while broadening your creative horizons. Step into the shoes of a detective solving a puzzling crime, or immerse yourself in a historical era to relive the past through words. Use each prompt as a launching pad to develop your unique voice and find what truly resonates with you as a writer.

So, embrace the challenge and embark on a journey of exploration and self-discovery with creative writing prompts. Unleash your imagination, break free from conventions, and let your creativity flow in directions you may have never considered before.

In high school creative writing, harnessing the power of emotion and personal experience is a game-changer. It adds depth, authenticity, and a unique voice to your writing. Whether you’re crafting a short story, poem, or essay, incorporating your own emotions and experiences allows you to connect with your readers on a deeper level. Here are some ways to effectively utilize this approach:

1. Explore your emotional range: Allow yourself to delve into a wide range of emotions – from joy and love to fear and sadness. This will help create a rich and compelling narrative that is relatable to your audience. By tapping into your own experiences and emotions, you can bring your characters and stories to life in a meaningful way.

2. Draw from personal experiences: Your own experiences are a treasure trove of inspiration. Reflect on pivotal moments in your life, both positive and negative, and consider how they can be woven into your writing. Whether it’s a heartwarming childhood memory, a challenging personal obstacle, or a transformative journey, incorporating these personal snippets will make your writing more authentic and engaging.

Remember, the key is to strike a balance between personal anecdotes and universal themes. Embrace vulnerability and let your emotions guide your creativity. By harnessing emotion and personal experience, you’ll be able to captivate your readers and leave a lasting impact with your high school creative writing.

If you find yourself staring at a blank page, desperately seeking inspiration, writer’s block may have taken hold. Fear not, for there are ways to break free from this creative paralysis and unleash the full potential of your imagination. One effective technique is to use creative writing prompts, which serve as catalysts for fresh ideas and new perspectives.

So, how can you make the most out of these prompts? Firstly, allow yourself to explore different genres and writing styles. Write a short story that takes place in a dystopian future, or compose a poem inspired by a vivid dream. By stepping outside of your comfort zone, you not only challenge yourself but also tap into uncharted territories of creativity. Secondly, don’t be afraid to experiment with unconventional ideas. Take a prompt that initially appears ordinary and twist it around to create something unexpected. You might discover that your best work emerges from these unique perspectives.

• Embrace variety: Use prompts from different sources, such as books, websites, or even random word generators. This exposes you to diverse themes, settings, and characters that can spark your imagination.
• Set a timer: Sometimes, a time limit can push your creative boundaries. Challenge yourself to write continuously for a set amount of time, say 15 minutes, without worrying about grammar or spelling. This allows ideas to flow freely without self-censorship.

Remember, writer’s block is a common obstacle that every writer faces at some point. However, with the right tools and mindset, you can overcome it and find inspiration in the most unexpected places. So, grab a writing prompt, unleash your imagination, and let your creativity flow!

High school creative writing prompts can be a powerful tool in developing a lifelong passion for writing. These prompts ignite the imagination, allowing students to explore various writing styles, genres, and themes. By engaging in regular creative writing exercises, students not only enhance their writing skills but also cultivate a deep love and appreciation for the written word.

One of the key benefits of using creative writing prompts in high school is that they encourage students to think outside the box. These prompts challenge students to explore new ideas, experiment with different writing techniques, and unleash their creativity. Whether it’s crafting a poem about a mythical creature or writing a short story set in a post-apocalyptic world, these prompts push students to stretch their writing muscles and step beyond their comfort zones.

The diverse range of topics and themes covered in creative writing prompts also helps students discover their unique writing interests. From science fiction and fantasy to historical fiction and personal narratives, the prompts expose students to various genres, allowing them to explore what resonates with them the most. This exploration helps students find their writing voice and hone their skills in the genres that ignite their passion.

Furthermore, engaging with creative writing prompts not only fosters a love for writing but also improves essential writing skills. By regularly practicing writing through prompts, students develop their ability to structure essays, construct compelling narratives, create vivid descriptions, and express their thoughts and emotions effectively. These skills are invaluable, not only in academic settings but also in everyday life, as they enhance communication and self-expression.

In conclusion, high school creative writing prompts play a crucial role in nurturing a lifelong love for writing. They encourage students to think creatively, explore different genres, and develop essential writing skills. By incorporating these prompts into the curriculum, educators can inspire a new generation of passionate writers who will continue to find joy and fulfillment in the art of writing.

Q: What are some of the benefits of incorporating creative writing prompts in high school classrooms? A: Creative writing prompts offer students a chance to unleash their imagination, enhance their writing skills, and foster self-expression. By engaging in these prompts, students can develop critical thinking abilities , improve communication skills, and gain confidence in their writing abilities.

Q: Can you provide some examples of creative writing prompts suitable for high school students? A: Certainly! Here are a few creative writing prompts for high school students: – Imagine you wake up with the ability to fly. Describe your exhilarating adventures and how this newly discovered power changes your life. – You stumble upon a hidden door in your school that leads to a magical world. Describe the sights, sounds, and experiences you encounter on your adventure. – Write a short story that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. Describe the challenges your characters face and how they adapt to survive. – You come across a mysterious object that grants you one superpower of your choice. Describe how you use this power and the impact it has on your life.

Q: How do creative writing prompts help students improve their writing skills? A: Creative writing prompts encourage students to practice writing regularly, stimulating their creativity and honing their storytelling abilities. By exploring various topics, students develop their vocabulary, communication skills, and grammatical accuracy. These prompts also allow students to experiment with different writing styles and techniques, thus fostering their unique voice as writers.

Q: Are these prompts suitable for all high school students, regardless of their writing abilities? A: Absolutely! Creative writing prompts can be tailored to fit students’ unique needs and skill levels. Whether a student is a beginner or an advanced writer, these prompts provide a starting point and allow for creative interpretation. Additionally, they cater to different interests and learning styles, ensuring all students can find inspiration and engage with the writing process.

Q: Can creative writing prompts be useful for other subjects besides English literature classes? A: Yes! Creative writing prompts can be valuable in many subjects beyond English literature. Teachers can incorporate them into history classes, asking students to write a historical fiction piece from the perspective of a significant figure. In science classes, prompts can be used to encourage students to imagine futuristic inventions or describe scientific phenomena creatively. By incorporating creative writing across different subjects, educators can foster interdisciplinary learning and enhance critical thinking skills.

Q: How can teachers encourage students to fully engage with creative writing prompts? A: Teachers can encourage student engagement by providing a safe and supportive environment where creativity is celebrated. Group discussions or peer review sessions allow students to share their writing and provide feedback, helping them refine their skills and gain confidence. Teachers can also inspire students by sharing examples of published works or inviting guest writers to offer insight and guidance. Remember, fostering a natural and supportive human tone by providing constructive feedback is crucial in encouraging students to fully embrace creative writing prompts.

Q: Are there online resources available for accessing additional creative writing prompts? A: Yes, there are numerous online resources that offer a wide range of creative writing prompts specifically designed for high school students. Websites like “The Write Practice” and “Reedsy” provide daily or weekly prompts to inspire creativity. Additionally, many educational platforms and social media groups share writing prompts and encourage online communities of young writers to connect and share their work. These resources offer a great opportunity to access a wealth of new prompts and engage with a broader writing community.

Strategies for Success: What to Do When Writer’s Block

Pride Month Writing Prompts: Celebrate Diversity and Identity

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities.

Welcome to Creative Writing Prompts

At Creative Writing Prompts, we believe in the power of words to shape worlds. Our platform is a sanctuary for aspiring writers, seasoned wordsmiths, and everyone. Here, storytelling finds its home, and your creative journey begins its captivating voyage.

© 2024 Creativewriting-prompts.com

37 Creative Writing Prompts for High School

Michele is a writer who has been published both locally and internationally.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

Creative writing prompts for high school students can be a good way to coax reluctant writers into getting their thoughts down on paper. Writing prompts can be silly or serious and work for fiction, nonfiction, and any other type of writing project. A writing prompt is simply meant to spark an idea and get you brainstorming ideas for writing.

Creative High School Poetry Writing Prompts

One type of creative writing is poetry. You can use poetry prompts for high school for language arts class assignments or to create your own personal poems at home.

• Choose a song lyric that best describes your personality and expand it into a poem.
• Use the name of your favorite band or music group to start an acrostic poem.
• Write a haiku about the first class you have at school each day.
• Use your school name, mascot, and colors to write a rhyming school spirit chant.
• Write an ode to your favorite outfit or piece of clothing.
• Write down the first 10 words you think of and then use each word in one line of your poem.
• Write one verse about each year of high school.
• Turn your favorite meme or any viral meme into a poem using the line on the meme as the opening line of your poem.
• Use the name of a video game as your title and write a poem about whatever the opposite of that title would be.
• 70+ Unique Youth Group Name Ideas
• Social Media Effects on Teens: The Positives and Negatives 
• 200+ Birthday Party Names to Celebrate Every Age & Milestone

Fun Writing Prompts for Creative Fiction in High School

Creative fiction writing prompts can help you get started on any piece of creative writing. You can use real life to inspire the fantasy world you'll create in your work of fiction.

Writing Prompts for Short Works of Creative Fiction

Whether you need to write a short story, flash fiction, or a letter, these prompts will help you get a short work of fiction going.

• What magical thing might happen to you when you turn 16 or 18?
• Your parents have decided to move you to the first human colony in space. What's it like?
• You're all trapped in your high school and may be the last teens who can save the world.
• Write a letter to yourself at 60 years old.
• Choose a book or movie that eerily parallels your life. How did they get your story?
• Social media is now the only way people can communicate, so what does this world look like?
• A monster you've imagined is now terrorizing the world. What does it look like? What motivates it to grow? How can you stop it?

Writing Prompts for Long Works of Creative Fiction

If you want to pen your first novel, screenplay, or skit, these prompts can give your storyline a heavy dose of originality.

• Two weather phenomena combine to create a super storm.
• The entire world reaches an epic peace agreement where there are no longer separate countries, but instead one country.
• Each of your closest friends exists in a parallel universe that only you can access.
• People create a world where kids are never allowed to grow up.
• Your high school is taken over by scientists.
• Whenever you hear a song, it opens up a door to another place.

Creative Nonfiction Writing Prompts for Teenagers

From persuasive essays to high school journal topics , nonfiction writing prompts can be just as creative as fiction writing prompts. Take inspiration from journal writing prompts for high school or current news headlines.

• Global warming has hit its worst point; now what does the world look like?
• No one cares about actors, singers, and athletes anymore, so who becomes the new celebrities?
• You are 45 years old and the parent of a teenage daughter who has just told you that she is pregnant. Describe how you would handle this difficult situation.
• You find a time machine that allows you to travel back into the past. What things would you tell your younger self based on the knowledge you have now?
• A Hollywood executive sees your Instagram and wants to make a movie of your life.
• What would happen if you swapped places with the person you most admire for one day?
• What would happen if you swapped places with your worst enemy for the same amount of time?
• Teenagers in your town stage a protest at your school.
• Your town hires a teenager as the new mayor.

Visual Writing Prompts for High School Creative Writing

Using photographs as writing prompts or other forms of visual writing prompts is a great alternative to wordy writing prompts, especially for visual learners. Everything from memes to movie stills can help inspire your creative writing.

High School Creative Writing Games Using Prompts

Using creative writing games in high school doesn't have to feel immature and can help teens get their creative juices flowing.

• Play a drawing board game like Pictionary, only have players write poems or flash fiction about the prompts instead of drawing pictures.
• Host a story starter bee where each student is shown an image, instead of being given a word, and they have 30 seconds to shout out a writing prompt based on the image. The last answer given by the last student standing is the prompt everyone has to use.
• Have each student write a prompt on a piece of paper and crumple it up. Let the teens have a mini paper war, but when you say "Stop!" they each have to pick up the closest crumpled prompt to use for their assignment.

Spark an Idea With Writing Prompts

When you need good writing topics for creative writing assignments or journaling, writing prompts for kids and teens can help spark an idea. If you're teaching writing skills to high school students, creative writing prompts, and even high school journal prompts , geared toward this age group will get them excited about your lesson.

Creative Writing Prompts for High School Students

Plot, Dialogue and Voice

• Test Prep Strategies
• Study Skills
• SAT Test Prep
• ACT Test Prep
• GRE Test Prep
• LSAT Test Prep
• Certifications
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Admissions
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning

• B.A., English, University of Michigan

Whether you're a student or a teacher, these writing prompts for high school students are going to come in handy if you're looking to inspire better writing . Often, kids get stuck – confused, exasperated, irritated – putting their thoughts on paper, because they're bored with the same old book reports, essays and summaries. But one of the only ways to become a better writer is to keep at it whether the assignment is motivational or not. You're never going to become a better 3-point shooter if you don't stand behind the line and make the shots. Writing is the same way. You have to get in there and give it a go. Here are some writing prompts for high school students that may just inspire you or your students to give those ideas rattling around in your brain some room to breathe.

4-Item 1-Paragraph Story

Come up with four things:

• A specific source of light (a flashing neon light reading: "21 and Over", a flickering fluorescent bulb, moonlight filtering through drawn shades)
• A specific object (a pink hairbrush with blonde hair matted in the bristles, a discarded replica of a Dali painting, a baby robin poking its wobbly head from a rickety nest)
• A sound using onomatopoeia (the pinging of a glass bottle ricocheting across a cobblestone street, the ching of a handful of coins in a man's pocket, the wet splat of phlegm hitting the sidewalk from the old lady smoking near the laundromat)
• A specific place (the dingy alley between Brooks St. and 6th Ave., the empty science classroom filled with glass beakers, hot plates and frogs floating in formaldehyde, the darkened, smoky interior of Flannigan's Pub)

Once you create the list, write a one-paragraph story using each of the four items and a single protagonist of your choosing. The story has to briefly introduce the protagonist, put him or her through a struggle (large or mild) and resolve the struggle in one way or another. It's much more fun to write if you keep the list items as random as possible and to put them all together at the end. Don't plan your story prior to creating the list!

Teacher Alternative

Students must write one of each list item (light, object, sound and place) on a slip of paper, and then place each in separately marked boxes on your desk. To write the story, students must draw an item from each of the boxes and write their story after, ensuring they can't plan the story prior to selecting the items.

Crazy Lyrical Dialogue

• Go to a lyrics website and select a song randomly, preferably one you've never heard or one to which you don't know the lyrics. For instance, Fergie's "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)."
• Then, scroll through the song and select the craziest lyric you can find that would be appropriate for school. In Fergie's song, it might be "What do you think, GoonRock?" because it's the nuttiest phrase on there.
• Repeat this process twice more, selecting two more songs and two more crazy lyrics.
• Then, start a conversation with the first lyric you selected between two people very unlikely to use the phrase. For instance, you might write something like, "What do you think, GoonRock?" Aunt Ida asked Bernie, sitting two wheelchairs away in Serenity Meadows Assisted Living Center.
• Once you get the conversation going, insert the other two lyrics elsewhere, shifting the dialogue to make sure the conversation between the two characters makes sense. Continue until you can end the conversation definitively, with a resolution that meets the needs of one of the characters.

Have the students complete the first part of the assignment themselves, then exchange lyrics with people next to them so they end up with a set of three they've never seen. Assign a dialogue length or number of exchanges and grade the punctuation.

Choose three popular characters . They can be cartoon characters (Ren from Ren and Stimpy, Michelangelo from TMNT), protagonists from plays or novels, (Bella from the Twilight series, Benvolio from Romeo and Juliet ) or characters from movies or TV shows (William Wallace from "Braveheart", Jess from "New Girl").

Choose a popular fairy tale . (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Goldilocks and the Three Bears , Hansel and Gretel, etc.)

Write three, one-paragraph summaries of your selected fairy tale using each of your chosen character's voices. How would William Wallace's version of Tom Thumb differ from Bella Swan's? Think about the details each character would notice, the words he or she would use, and the tone in which he or she would relate the story. Bella might wonder about the safety of Tom Thumb, whereas William Wallace might commend him on his bravery, for example.

After going through a novel or play with your students, assign one character from the unit to each of your students. Then, group your students in threes to write a summary of an act in the play or a chapter in the novel from each of the three character's perspectives.

• 3 Poetry Activities for Middle School Students
• Engaging Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders
• January Writing Prompts
• Writing Prompts for 5th Grade
• Great Summer Creative Writing Programs for High School Students
• May Writing Prompts
• Journal Writing Prompts for Easter
• 4th Grade Writing Prompts
• List of Supplies for High School Students
• Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students
• Fun March Writing Prompts for Journaling
• Classroom Rules for High School Students
• 49 Opinion Writing Prompts for Students
• 14 Ways to Write Better in High School
• Writing Prompt (Composition)
• Great Summer Music Programs for High School Students

• How It Works
• Essay Examples

Creative Writing Prompts

Writing and essay prompts are a great learning tool to help you focus on a particular subject or topic and practice writing on that topic using proper sentence structure and development. Writing prompts are meant to open up the imagination as well as the creativity within; to improve these skills you are learning and feel connected to your writing. When you succeed at writing prompts, you will take your writing to a whole new level.

Studying Writing Prompts

How well you write will depend on the skills you are taught and more importantly, the skills you practice in order to gain speed and knowledge. Understanding writing prompts is not all that simple. In fact, many students will not do very good at all because they misunderstood the concept of the writing prompt they were assigned to. Before you write, you need to learn how to better understand your writing prompt. Understanding the prompts will direct your writing in the direction it is supposed to go.

How Important is the Writing Form?

It's important to know what the correct writing form is before you begin. You need to determine if your writing prompt is narrative, persuasive, or expository. While some writing prompts will be specific, others will not, and you must form your own option of the writing style through the directions given. For example, if your instructions use the word "persuade" then you will most likely want to use a persuasive form of writing.

It's better to take the time to observe the details and instructions on writing your assignment correctly than to hurry through it and do it wrong. It just takes a short list like this one below to determine which direction your writing should go in. Look for the following keywords to determine the proper way to write:

• If you see the words: how, define, compare and contrast, what, or analyze in your instructions, your essay should be expository
• If you see the words: why, argue, opinion, convince or persuade in your instructions, your essay should be persuasive
• If you see the words: tell, imagine, relate, story, or describe in your instructions, your essay should be narrative .

Once you learn the keywords, you will know what direction your writing will need to go in order to complete your assignment correctly.

Standardized Test Practice Should Include Writing Prompts

Writing prompts can also be used to help students get ready for the standardized tests. These tests include the ACT and the SAT. Writing prompts are given out according to the age group they are for and often focus on contemporary social problems. It's always a great idea to prepare yourself by keeping up with current events as well as participating in a group discussion. Join a reading group that encourages fiction and nonfiction books with the discussion. Learn to feel more comfortable with your writing prompts so that when you need to take these standardized tests, you will be comfortable with the extensive writing part of the test.

Creative Writing Prompts for Every Day of the Year

There is no better way to hone a skill than to practice, practice, practice. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to come up with a writing prompt every day. Below, you can find a list of creative writing prompts, one for every day of the year. Use these creative writing prompts to write poems, short stories, or even to keep a journal. The main focus here is to use your imagination and just keep writing.

360+ Creative Writing Prompts for you to Use as Inspiration

• Looking out of the window, what do you see right now? What is the weather like or what do you wish were going on outside that window?
• Loving someone who doesn't love you back. How does or would that make you feel.
• You are on a ship or in your favorite vehicle, and you can go anywhere in the world. Where will it take you?
• Dancing frees the soul. Who is dancing and why do they want to dance?
• What will be on your menu today for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Write a poem about meeting someone important in your life in a cafe.
• Two people see each other for the very first time.
• Today a rocket ship blasts off and its destination is set for the moon or another far away Galaxy.
• Remember your most recent dream and write about it.
• Decide on one animal and write about it
• What is your friendship like with someone?
• Picture a dragon. Do you fight your dragon or is the dragon your friend? Use a detailed descriptive language.
• Poems that start with the word, "hello." You can write a short story that starts with this word instead.
• Write a poem using a letter from your own collection or one that you are familiar with.
• Read a book. Randomly select a page in the book and circle a few words. Now use those circled words to create a poem. You can cut words out of magazines too.
• Did you overhear a conversation recently? If so, turn that conversation into a short story, journal entry, or even a poem.
• What are you addicted to? Go into detail about your addiction.
• Select a word randomly from the dictionary. What does that word mean to you?
• Housework is for everyone, including writers and artists. Write about your everyday housework chores and activities.
• Who do you admire and why?
• Go to craigslist.org and find the "Missed Connections" section. Inside that section, you will find stories from random people. Use a story and write about it.
• Your close friend or family member lost their home due to foreclosure. Tell their story through a poem or a short story.
• You can't see in front of you because of fog, smoke, or haze. Write about your experience.
• What has so much sugar in it that it hurts your teeth just thinking about it?
• What numbers or any other figures are important to you and why?
• What are some things that you dread doing?
• Being scared - what scares you and how do you react to fear?
• You see a closed door. What is behind it? Why does it stay closed?
• Shadow someone for the day. Tell the story through shadowing.
• What gives you good vibes and makes you happy?
• Spending money is fun. Talk about how you spend money and what do you have on your wish list this year?
• What teacher influenced you the most? Write about it.
• Take a poem or even a short story and rewrite it using your own words.
• Take a piece of your jewelry and write about it.
• Give yourself an hour to just sit outside with no electronics. Listen to all the sounds around you. Write about the sounds.
• There is always a conflict of some sorts. Write about the most recent conflict that happened to you.
• Write some of your favorite phrases or write a poem and then frame it and hang on your wall.
• You are putting a puzzle together. Write about it.
• Step-by-step instructions on how to build a fire.
• Write about drinking coffee, when to drink it? What do you like in it?
• Someone you know just got their driver's license. Write about it.
• Secrets - Write about a secret you are still keeping from someone or someone may be keeping from you, but you already know about it.
• You are inside an old abandoned building that was once a warehouse. Write about it; what you see, hear, smell, picture.
• You want to do something but you can't. Write about remaining silent when it would feel so good just to scream.
• Have you been insulted by someone? Write about it.
• What if you had a mirror that talked to you. What would it say to you?
• Write a poem on the topic of getting muddy.
• You enter a dark room and finally find a light switch. What do you feel and see?
• Look up in the night sky. What do you see? Does it inspire you?
• Write a poem about a joke.
• Saying no to someone can sometimes make you feel more powerful. Write about it.
• First, you see the sunrise, and then you see the sun setting. It's a never-ending cycle. Write about it.
• Have you heard of memory lane? Take it up a step. What does this lane look like if you were asked to describe it? How would you give directions to it?
• You see a movie that makes you cry or feel very sad. Write a poem about one part in the movie.
• Write a poem about one of your diary entries in the past.
• How did it feel to hold someone's hand for the first time? Write about it.
• You see a picture that catches your eye. Write a short story or journal entry about it.
• Write about setting your alarm clock and waking up.
• What inspires you in the dark?
• Do you remember a time that you felt renewed or refreshed? Maybe on vacation or sipping lemonade on a very hot day? Write about feeling refreshed.
• You are holding something very fragile. Write about it.
• Two of your best friends are fighting, and you are put in the middle. Write about it.
• You make mistakes like everyone else. Write about your mistakes.
• Name a spice that you absolutely love.
• You hear a song on the radio. Rewrite the words and turn it into a poem of your own.
• Take a phone conversation you had recently and write about it.
• Use your name in a poem
• You live in a dollhouse. Write a story describing life in a dollhouse.
• Go to www.wikipedia.com and click on Random Article. What article subject did you get? Write about it.
• Extreme sports or sports that someone makes up can inspire you to create your own game with your own rules. Write about it.
• Your favorite recipe can be turned into a short story. Write about it. You could also write about something abstract, like feelings.
• What is your favorite painting and why? Write about it.
• When you were younger, you went to a special place. Now that you are all grown up, that place is not special anymore like it once was. Write about it.
• Who was the last person you talked to and what was your conversation about? Write about it.
• You get caught doing something really embarrassing. Write about it.
• You get to interview someone that is either fictional or real. What questions would you ask them?
• Write about how you feel about missing someone so bad.
• Choose a country or a state that you have never been to but would like to go. Why do you want to visit?
• Pick up your MP3 player or go to 8tracks.com or Songza.com and choose a song randomly. After listening to a song, write about the song you chose.
• Everyone has a hero. Write a tribute to the hero in your life.
• Walk down the street with your eyes wide open. Write about the people you see.
• Write about a slogan you have seen in an ad recently that caught your attention.
• What is your favorite book? Write a ten-line poem about that book.
• If you had magic at the touch of your fingers, what would you do with it?
• Use your favorite pen or pencil to write a story with.
• Take your readers through your daily life; habits and routine included.
• What does your muse like and what does she dislike? How are you inspired by your muse?
• What is your latest experience with a convenience store or a gas station?
• Choose one of the natural wonders of the world and describe it in a short story.
• Using your latest Twitter or Facebook status update, write a poem. You can also use your friends status if you prefer. If you don't use social media, search online for one that may inspire you.
• Write in detail about growing something.
• Does your family share a family heirloom that has been passed down from one generation to another?
• Write about an insect that you like or are afraid of.
• Create a magic potion. Write a story about what is in it, what will it do, and create an antidote for it.
• Think about a playground or tree house you have visited or would like to visit when you were a child. Write about it.
• Write down the first five adjectives that come to mind. Use them to write a poem or a short story.
• Take a fairy tale and rewrite it with a new ending.
• Someone has a secret to tell. Write about it.
• What makes you smile? Write about it.
• What is your favorite season? Write about it.
• Normal is different for everyone. What is normal to you? Is normal a good thing? Or is normal bad?
• Rewrite something you wrote before.
• Tell what you have in your closet and drawers.
• Create a secret message from within a story. Use acrostic poetry using the last letters of certain words to create a message to decipher.
• Where did you go on vacation? Write about it.
• You are overheating. Write about it.
• Write a spell. Do you use it for yourself? For other people? For mankind?
• You are doing a jigsaw puzzle or crossword. Write about it.
• You are taking a chance in your life. Write about it. What happened in the end?
• Write a journal entry about going to a street fair or carnival in town.
• Write about someone's first time in the city.
• What questions would you ask the universe? Be sure to include the answers too.
• Write about doing a task quickly.
• Write a story about stairs.
• Write a story about your neighbor that you can later turn into a poem.
• Write about a time that you were hurt physically.
• Write a poem about a saint that you know.
• Write about a trip to the beach.
• What shoes do you like wearing and where do they take you?
• Write a poem describing your ex.
• Write a short story in from the first person point of view.
• Describe a day in the life of a stray.
• Describe something that you could sit and stare at forever.
• What is your bed like? Describe it in great detail.
• Do you like the sounds of fireworks? Some people do, some do not. Describe how they make you feel.
• Imagine that you could freeze a moment in your life. What would that moment be? Why?
• Do you like alone time or do you prefer to have people around you all the time? Why do you think you like what you like?
• What do you know a lot about? Write about what it is you like or know a lot about.
• Have you ever made a promise to someone? If so, what was that promise? Did you keep it?
• Do you like commotion or does it feel overwhelming to you? Write about how it makes you feel.
• Create a poem using headlines in the news for today.
• Write a very detailed description of an object that you have a close-up view of.
• What is your favorite type of transportation? Write about it.
• Create or invent something new. What did you create and how did it improve your life?
• Create a love poem that is not so smooth.
• Write a poem that uses ladders as the main focal point.
• Because there is a holiday for almost every day of the year, look up today's date and see what holidays fall on it. Then write a poem you could put on a greeting card about that holiday.
• Create a story using something you see on a favorite blog you like to visit frequently.
• Describe the most recent mail you received in a poem form.
• What have you shared with someone else lately? Write about it.
• Think about a cactus. Write from the cactus point-of-view. You live in a dessert.
• Describe a road sign that you have seen lately that is interesting to you.
• Focus on a piece of furniture in your home. Write about it.
• Write about one time that you failed at doing something. Did you give it another try or give up? Why do you think you did what you did? Do you regret your decision? Are you proud of it?
• Are angels inspiring to you? Write about it or a mystical creature that you find interesting.
• You have wings. Write what you would do with them.
• What if you could see through something? A wall? Through people, maybe? Write a poem about it.
• Using a voice recorder, record yourself saying something. Play it back and write down what you say. Revise your words into a short story.
• Listen to drum loops or just music with a good rhythm but no words. Now create your words to the beat.
• Do a search on color palettes. Write about a color that you find interesting.
• Pick up your favorite magazine and write something based on the first five sentences you read.
• Switch places with someone and tell a story about your experience.
• Everyone needs motivation. Write something that will inspire others to workout and exercise.
• Write about a heart, square, or maybe a circle; something that would take shape on a page.
• Write about what happened on your last birthday.
• Write a poem about aromatherapy.
• Using onomatopoeia, write a poem.
• Write about this moment. What are people doing? What are you doing? What happens normally at this time? Be sure to tell what time it is now.
• Do you like to party? Or do you hate it? Write your thoughts about partying.
• Write a poem using polite words, such as "Thank you" and "Please."
• Take something that you could use a cliche in and rewrite it without using the cliche.
• Going green. What is your concern?
• Write about missing someone special.
• You had to let something or someone go. Write about how it made you feel.
• Feeling left out? Write about it.
• You need to get ready for a trip, or you need to unpack after returning home. Write about it.
• What do you think about elves, fairies, or gnomes? Write a story using them.
• Write about the process of giving and receiving.
• Close your eyes and try to imagine standing in front of a bakery. What do you smell? Write about it.
• You build a secret hideaway or a treehouse that no one can see. Write about it.
• Write about doing something risky.
• Choose an acrostic word and write a poem with the first words starting with each letter in that word.
• Find a crossword puzzle and use the clues in it to inspire your next short story.
• Find something good in a bad situation and write about it.
• You have a pair of gloves. Describe those gloves. What type of gloves are they? Are you wearing them or is someone else wearing the gloves? Why are they being worn?
• Write a poem about something that is shiny.
• Write a short story or a journal entry on jealousy.
• Have you seen flowers growing healthy in unusual places? Write about it.
• Write about what you may see or experience in a courtroom if you had jury duty.
• Write about a present you got from someone or a gift that you gave to someone.
• You are running away from something or maybe someone. Write about it.
• What have you discovered lately? Let it inspire your next entry.
• Have you got a complaint? Write about it.
• Write about what you are thankful for.
• Write a poem using your favorite element in the periodic table.
• Write a story about someone who would deserve a standing ovation when they entered a room.
• Think about your favorite older poem and use the last line in that poem to create the first line of a new poem.
• What do you want to do really bad? Go on a trip? Try something new? Write about it.
• Write a poem that would motivate someone.
• Imagine you found the end of the rainbow. Describe it.
• You get to visit a museum on your own one day. You can take your time and look through everything. Write about what you think would be most important and stand out to you.
• What is your favorite cartoon? Write about it.
• Take a line from a poem that was created by someone famous a long time ago. Use any line in that poem to create your own one.
• You are standing on the top of your roof, and everyone gathers below to hear what you have to say. What are you going to say?
• If you could go back in time, where would you go?
• For one day, you can be someone else. Describe what happens.
• Where do you like to go the most in your neighborhood?
• You are on a pirate ship. Write about it.
• You read an interview recently. Write about it.
• When you were a child, where did you like to hide? Do you like to hide there today? Write about it.
• You can change your hair color, buy new clothes, and completely change your style. What would it look like?
• Write about compassion you may have for another person.
• Write a poem using two things that are opposites.
• You are bored. Make a list of things that you can do to feel entertained.
• Do you remember feeling emotionally or physically strong. Write about it to inspire others.
• You are hungry and have no at all money to buy food. Write about it.
• You have money, power, and fame but you want more. Write about feeling greedy.
• There is a volcano near you that is about to erupt. Write about it.
• Watch a video on Vimeo.com or YouTube.com. Write something about that video.
• What makes you sneeze? Write about it.
• Is there life in outer space? Write about the possibilities.
• Romeo and Juliet's story took place a long time ago. Write a modern version of this love story and keep it short.
• What is your favorite font? Write a poem using your favorite font.
• Find inspiration for today's writing in your schedule.
• Remember a story about your grandparents. Write about it.
• Cut out words in a magazine that catch your attention and use them to create a poem.
• You are alone. What do you do during this time? Do you have to be around someone all the time or do you do well on your own?
• Have you ever seen a waterfall? How did it feel? Write about it.
• Talk about your first kiss in a short story form or a journal entry.
• Have you ever found yourself in an ironic situation? Write about it.
• Write a limerick.
• You are in the grocery store. Write about your experience.
• Find a style that you are in love with either in a magazine or online. Write about it.
• What does it feel like to be close to reaching your goals? Write about it.
• Write a poem about sitting at a bar.
• Have you met a friend online? Write about your experience.
• Do you have someone that you admire? Write about it.
•  You are a garbage collector for a day. Write about your experience.
• Find a piece of mail that you recently received. Write a poem about it.
• You just got out of the shower. Write about it.
• You have reached a low energy moment in your day. Write about how it makes you feel.
• Write a silly poem that rhymes. Make up words to make it more silly.
• You call in and get tech support. Write about your conversation.
• You are working at a hotel. Write about your experiences. What will you see? What will you do?
• Write about an underwater adventure you have.
• Clear your mind with some simple deep breathing exercises. What is the first thing that pops back into your mind? Write about it.
• Write a lie about yourself.
• Using the latest obituary in the local newspaper, imagine that person's life and write about it.
• Go through your pockets. What do you have in there? Write about something.
• Write a Cinquain poem.
• Use every letter of the alphabet to create a poem of your own.
• Write something that was inspiring to you from a comedian.
• Someone you know of is being unfaithful. Write about it.
• Try writing a Sestina Poem.
• You witness an argument between two people. Write about it from your perspective.
• Visit social media websites and write about something you have seen that was interesting.
• Write about what gives you inner peace and serenity.
• What do you imagine seeing in the clouds? Watch the clouds go by for a day and put it into words.
• Sit down on a park bench and look around. Write about what you see, the colors and the scenes. Write about all the emotions you go through while sitting there.
• Try writing a sonnet.
• Use the words would, could, and should in a poem.
• Go through a simple step-by-step process on how to do something.
• Write a poem using alliteration.
• You are playing a card game. Write about it.
• Write for five minutes. Write anything and everything that you can think of in those five minutes. It doesn't have to make sense, just whatever pops into your head.
• Write about how you feel when you dance.
• You need to raise awareness for a cause that you support. Put it in the form of a poem.
• You have a magic trick. Write about it.
• You find a box. You open it up. What do you find inside?
• What has impacted your life in a positive way?
• You lost your favorite childhood toy. Write about it.
• What does your favorite gemstone mean? Write about it.
• You can use your remote to fast forward or rewind to a point in your life. Write about it.
• What has symbolic meaning to you? Write about it.
• Remember a time in your life that seemed hopeless. How did you get through this time? Write about it.
• You are a passenger on a train. Write about the cargo the train was carrying.
• What do you think inspired the phrase, "Where there's smoke, there's fire"?
• What words would you find on an office clipboard? Write about it.
• You are stranded on an island after being shipwrecked. Write about it.
• What popular quote do you like to refer to from a speaker? Write about how it has inspired you.
• Form a mind map using whatever comes to your mind. Then write a poem or journal entry with the results of your map.
• What patterns repeat in your life? Write about it.
• You find a scrapbook. Write about the memories you find when you open it up.
• Can you find a cure for an illness? Write about it.
• Find the subjects in your email that you receive today and use it for inspiration.
• What do you wish for?
• Doodle for about ten minutes today. Look at your doodle and write something.
• You are a student in a classroom. Looking at the chalkboard, write about what you see on it.
• Write about something sticky.
• You have one flashlight, and the room is extremely dark. Write about what pops up in your imagination.
• You have traveled to a fictional place. Write about it.
• You are living in the country. Write about your new setting.
• Make a promise to yourself and plan to keep it.
• You see a brick wall in front of you. Write about what is on the other side and why is there a brick wall in front of you to begin with.
• You were once faced with a difficult choice. Tell about it in today's journal entry.
• You had to repeat yourself because someone wasn't listening. Write about it.
• Write about someone that may be an outcast.
• You have monsters under your bed. Write about it. They don't have to be scary monsters.
• What have you sacrificed before in order to make a difference to another person? Write about it.
• Write a poem about beauty flaws.
• You have a birthday. Write a poem about it.
• Make a list of ten story titles and ten poem titles and then choose one to write for today.
• You have a job interview. Write about it.
• Someone you know is sick, and you can write a poem that will tell them to get better soon.
• What does it feel like to get lost in a crowd?
• Write about staying healthy.
• What are you craving? Write about it.
• Do some research on phobias and then choose one and write about it today.
• You are in the present moment. Write about it.
• You are merrily walking down a sidewalk. What is it that you are seeing?
• Today, you will write about the sky and the stars you see. What does it mean to you?
• You see an old abandoned farmhouse. Write about it.
• Do you have clutter in your home? Go through a little bit of the clutter today and write about what you find.
• Fly a kite and then write about the experience.
• Find a channel on your television and write about the first thing you watch.
• Write a poem about your favorite or not-so-favorite fruit.
• Using your imagination, write about the struggles of a couple who are trying to keep up a long distance relationship.
• Write about wearing glasses.
• You have a robot. Write about it.
• What do you find adorable? Write about it.
• Remember your favorite movie? Try remembering your favorite conversation within that movie and write about it.
• What comes effortlessly to you? Write about it.
• Write about an idiom today.
• Remember being a child on the playground. Write about this memory.
• What are five romantic things partners can do for each other?
• You are a rock star who is famous. Write about what you experience.
• Objects are coming to life. Write about this experience.
• You have met someone on an airplane. Write about what you would talk about.
• Write a poem about what the labels say on the items you have in your medicine cabinet.
• Write about being and feeling determined for inspiration to others.
• Listen to instrumental music. Write a poem matching the beat.
• You have to wait in line. Write about how that makes you feel.
• What is your personality type? Write about what makes your personality unique.
• Choose a decade and write what it is most popular for.
• What beliefs do you have and why?
• Write about something you lost.
• You have a story that you want to tell to someone. Write it in a poem form.
• Write a letter that you never send.
• Tell an interesting story through someone else's perspective.
• What did you learn the hard way?
• You have a favorite recipe. Write about it.
• Pull out an old receipt and write about it. What did you pay for? When? If you bought something, what did you buy it for?
• Visit the bank and write about the experience.
• Talk someone into something using sweet talk.
• Something good happened through chance. What was it? Describe your experience.
• How does it feel when you can't focus.
• You will write about big business today. Choose a compnay that already exists or make up an ideal company you would like to run/work for.
• What is the word of the day? Write a journal entry about it.
• You need a pick-me-up. What is it?
• You need to escape. Where would you go? Why do you need it?
• What project have you started but never finished?
• You were forgiven by someone. Write about why they needed to forgive you and how it went. Did you need to be forgiven?
• What is your one great weakness?
• You want to start on a project. Write about it.
• Gears and moving parts on a machine. Write about the mechanical features of something.
• You have done an act of kindness. Write about it.
• You live in an underground home. Imagine what it would be like and write about it.
• You love the classic rock love ballads. Pick one and rewrite it into a poem.
• You stay up late at night. Write about what you feel.
• What is it about magnetic attraction to someone? Have you ever experienced the feeling? Would you like to?
• You are a part of a team with one common goal. What is it like to work together?
• What are the ups and downs in your life?
• Do motivational posters actually motivate? Write a poem about them.
• Write about games that are being played literally as well as figuratively.
• Write about a turning point in your life.
• Write a spell for a witch.
• Write about a special date on your calendar.
• Do you play the lottery or casino? Write about what it would be like to win.
• You are on a picnic. Write about it.
• What do you see in a garage? Write about it.
• Review your journal entry a month ago. Write about it in poem form.
• You are a detective searching to solve a mystery. Write about your findings.
• Go for a walk and bring your camera. Take some beautiful pictures. Describe what your photos look like when you get back home.
• You are visiting a friend from high school or a family member. Write about it.
• You trust someone in your life. Write about it.
• You did it. You have written in your journal, created short stories, or wrote poems every day for a year. Now write about what this achievement has taught you and continue another year of writing these prompts every day. You will get different inspirations every time you use these as your guideline.

Few final tips to consider when you are polishing up your writing skills. First, try to practice free writing. Just take a pen and write everything that comes to mind. Sooner or later, you will see that your mind is way more creative than you could have guessed. And yes, free writing may seem silly at first, but it is an amazing way to take your writing skills to a totally new level.

Once you master free writing, try a more serious approach. As you should already know, any essay (including SAT paper) is based on the thesis. This is the main statement of any academic work, and if you want to ace your exam, you will have to practice creating compelling thesis statement s. Once again - no need to worry. It is easier than it seems at first. The best thesis is:

In other words, you have to create a statement that has actual meaning in everyday life - yours, your peers, or the society in general. It should not be too obvious; it should be something people can argue with. And finally, it should be expressed in a sentence - maximum, two.

If you are interested in scientific writing as well, follow research paper introduction page.

• WRITING A CRITICAL ANALYSIS GUIDE
• How to write a CV or Curriculum Vitae
• How To Write a College Application Essay
• How to Write an Exploratory Essay
• How To Write a Diagnostic Essay

25 Best Writing Competitions for High School Students – 2024

April 12, 2024

Over the past several years, the number of college applicants has been steadily rising. [i] As college admissions become more competitive, there are many steps a student can take to achieve high school success and become an outstanding candidate for college admissions: earning high SAT scores, securing strong letters of recommendation , and participating in various competitions will all boost your admissions prospects. [ii] In particular, writing competitions for high school students are a popular way to win scholarships and prize money, receive feedback on writing, build a portfolio of public work, and add to college application credentials!

Below, we’ve selected twenty-five writing competitions for high school students and sorted them by three general topics: 1) language, literature and arts, 2) STEM, environment and sustainability, and 3) politics, history and philosophy. It’s never too soon to begin thinking about your future college prospects, and even if you are a freshman, many of these writing competitions for high schoolers will be open to you! [iii]

Writing Competitions for High School Students in Language, Literature, and Arts

1) adroit prizes for poetry and prose.

This prestigious creative writing award offers high school students the opportunity to showcase their work in Adroit Journal . Judges are acclaimed writers in their respective genres.

• Eligibility: All high school students (including international students) are eligible to apply. Poetry contestants may submit up to five poems. Prose contestants may submit up to three pieces of fiction or nonfiction writing (for a combined total of 3,500 words – excerpts accepted).
• Prize: Winners will receive $200 and their writing will be published in Adroit Journal . All submitted entries will be considered for publication!
• Deadline: May 1st (specific deadline may vary by year).

2)  Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

This unique essay competition allows writers the chance to explore and respond to Ayn Rand’s fascinating and polemic 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged . Specific essay topics are posted every three months; prizes are granted seasonally with a grand prize winner announced every year.

• Prize: Annual grand prize is $25,000.
• Deadline: Deadlines occur every season, for each seasonal prompt.
• Eligibility: Essays must be written in English and be 800-1,600 words in length.

Writing Competitions for High School Students (Continued)

3)  the bennington young writers awards.

Through Bennington College, this high school writing competition offers three prizes in three different genre categories: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Winners and finalists who decide to attend Bennington College will ultimately receive a substantial scholarship prize.

• Eligibility: U.S. and international students in grades 9 through 12 may apply.
• Prize: First place winners receive $1,000; second place wins $500; third place winners receive $250. YWA winners who apply, are admitted, and enroll at Bennington receive a $15,000 scholarship per year (for a total of $60,000). YWA finalists who apply, are admitted, and enroll at Bennington will receive a $10,000 scholarship per year (for a total of $40,000).
• Deadline: The competition runs annually from September 1st to November 1st.

4)  Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Student Essay Contest

Do you love Jane Austen? If so, this is the high school writing competition for you! With the JASNA Student Essay Contest, high school students have the opportunity to write a six to eight-page essay about Jane Austen’s works, focused on a specific, designated topic for the competition year.

• Eligibility: Any high school student (homeschooled students also eligible) enrolled during the contest year may submit an essay.
• Prize: First place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship and two nights’ lodging for the upcoming annual JASNA meeting. Second place wins a $500 scholarship and third place wins a $250 scholarship. All winners will additionally receive a year membership in JASNA, the online publication of their article, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.
• Deadline: Submission accepted from February-June 1st (specific dates may vary by year).

5)  The Kennedy Center VSA Playwright Discovery Program

Young aspiring writers with disabilities are encouraged to apply to this unique program. Students are asked to submit a ten-minute play script that explores any topic, including the student’s own disability experience.

• Eligibility: U.S. and international high school students with disabilities ages 14-19 may apply.
• Prize: Multiple winners will receive exclusive access to professional development and networking opportunities at The Kennedy Center.
• Deadline: January (specific deadline date may vary by year).

6)  Leonard M. Milburg ’53 High School Poetry Prize

Through Princeton’s Lewis Center for the Arts, this prestigious writing competition for high school students recognizes outstanding poetry writing and is judged by creative writing faculty at Princeton University.

• Eligibility: U.S. or international students in the eleventh grade may apply. Applicants may submit up to three poems.
• Prize: First place wins $1,500; second place wins $750; third place wins $500.
• Deadline: November (specific deadline date may vary by year).

7)  Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

Nancy Thorp was a student at Hollins University who showed great promise as a poet. After her death, her family established this scholarship to support budding young poets.

• Eligibility: Female high school sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Prize: First place wins $350 and publication in Cargoes literary magazine, along with a $5,000 renewable scholarship (up to $20,000 over four years) if the student enrolls in Hollins University, and free tuition and housing for Hollins University’s summer creative writing program (grades 9-12). Second place wins publication in Cargoes, along with a $1,000 renewable scholarship ($4,000 over four years) if the student enrolls at Hollins and $500 to apply toward Hollins’ summer creative writing program.
• Deadline: October (specific deadline date may vary by year).

8)  National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards in Writing

Students may be nominated by their English teachers to win this prestigious writing award. Winners “exhibit the power to inform and move an audience through language” and prompts and genres may vary by competition year.

• Prize: A certificate will be awarded to students who are judged to have exceptional writing skills. Student names will be displayed on the NCTE website.
• Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors are eligible for nomination.
• Deadline: February (specific dates may vary by year). Contest prompts released in August.

9)  National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

At Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, numerous opportunities for scholarships and awards await those who submit writing in various genres: literary criticism, drama, poetry, and fiction. In all, there are 28 generic categories of art and writing to choose from!

• Eligibility: Teens in grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up) may apply.
• Prize: Various types of recognition and scholarships (up to $12,500) are offered for these award winners.
• Deadline: Scholastic Awards opens for entries in September; deadlines range from December to January.

10)  National Society of High School Scholars Creative Writing Scholarship

In this creative writing competition for high schoolers, students have the opportunity to submit a piece poetry or fiction (or both – one in each category!) for the opportunity to be published on the NSHSS website and win a monetary prize.

• Eligibility: Rising high school students graduating in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 may apply.
• Prize: There will be three $2,000 awards for the fiction category and three $2,000 awards for the poetry category.
• Deadline: Submissions Accepted from May to October (specific dates may vary by year).

11)  National Writing Award: The Humanities and a Freer Tomorrow

This writing competition allows high school students the chance to be nominated by a teacher for a piece of writing in response to Ruth J. Simmons’ “Facing History to Find a Better Future.” Specific prompt topics may vary by year.

• Eligibility: Nominating teachers can submit work from 11th and 12th graders in one category (fiction, poetry, prose, or essay).
• Prize: One top prize of $1,000. Four additional prizes of $500 each. Winners will have the opportunity to have their work published by NCTE.
• Deadline: Applications are open September to October (specific dates may vary by year).

12)  New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award

Although this prestigious award isn’t exclusively for high schoolers (anyone younger than 35 may submit a work of fiction), if you’ve written a collection of short stories or even a novel, you should certainly consider applying!

• Eligibility: Any writer below the age of 35 may submit a novel or collection of short stories to participate in this competition.
• Prize: $10,000 award.
• Deadline: September (specific date may vary by year).

13)  Princeton University Ten-Minute Play Contest

This writing competition for high school students awards three annual top prizes for the best ten-minute play. Play submissions are judged each year by an acclaimed guest playwright.

• Eligibility: U.S. or international students in the eleventh grade may apply. Students may submit one play entry; entries must be ten pages or less. Plays must be written in English.
• Prize: First place prize is $500; second place is $250; third place is $100.
• Deadline: Varies by year. However, students are recommended to submit before the deadline date – the submission portal will close when a maximum of 250 applicants have applied.

14)  YouthPLAYS New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights

In this exciting writing competition, students have the chance to submit an original play script for a play of around 10-40 minutes in length. An excellent competition choice for any student considering a future in the theatre!

• Eligibility: Prospective authors ages 19 and under may submit a script for consideration in the competition. See specific writing guidelines here .
• Prize: First prize wins $250 and publication with YouthPLAYS; second prize wins $100.
• Deadline: Submissions run from January 1st to May 1st.

STEM, Environment, and Sustainability High School Writing Competitions

15)  engineergirl essay contest.

This wonderful essay contest invites students to explore topics related to engineering and science. Each year a new, specific prompt will be chosen for young writers who wish to compete.

• Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. Previous winners and close family members of employees of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine are not eligible.
• Prize: First place winners receive $1,000; second place receives $750; third place receives $500.
• Deadline: Competition opens in September and submissions are due February 1st of the following year. Winners are announced in the summer.

16)  Ocean Awareness Contest

The Ocean Awareness Contest is an opportunity for students to create written and artistic projects that explore sustainability, environmentalism, and positive change. High school freshmen (up to age 14) may apply to the Junior Division. Students ages 15-18 may enter the Senior Division.

• Eligibility: Students ages 11-18 may apply (international students included).
• Prize: Monetary prizes ranging from $100-$1000 will be awarded each year. Additionally, $500 will be awarded to ten students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Latino via the We All Rise Prize program.
• Deadline: June 10, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).

17)  Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder / Sense of Wild Contest

If you are interested in issues of sustainability, environment, biology and the natural world, this is one of the high school writing competitions that is just for you! Essay prompts explore the natural world and our place within it and may include poetry, essays, and photography.

• Eligibility: Students must pair with an adult from a different generation (e.g. parent, grandparent or teacher – contestants need not be related). Entries must be submitted as a team.
• Prize: Winners will receive a certificate from RCLA; their first names, ages, and entry titles will be posted on the RCLA website.
• Deadline: November 16th, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).

18)  River of Words Competition

This writing competition for high school students is another top choice for those thinking of pursuing majors or careers in biology, environment, and sustainability; this specific contest hopes to promote positive education in sustainability by “promoting environmental literacy through the arts and cultural exchange.”

• Eligibility: Any U.S. or international student from kindergarten through 12th grade may apply.
• Prize: Winners will be published in the River of Words
• Deadline: January (specific deadline may vary by year).

Writing Competitions for High School Students in Politics, History and Philosophy

19)  american foreign service association essay contest.

With this writing competition for high school students, entrants may submit essays ranging from 1,000-1,500 words about diplomacy, history, and international politics (specific prompts vary by year).

• Eligibility: Students in grades nine through twelve may apply. Students whose parents are in the Foreign Service Association are not eligible.
• Prize: The first-place winner will receive $2,500, an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and the winner’s parents, and an all-expense paid voyage via Semester at Sea. The second-place winner receives $1,250 and full tuition for a summer session at the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.
• Deadline: Early spring (specific deadline may vary by year).

20)  Bill of Rights Institute We the Students Essay Contest

In this writing competition for high school students, civic-minded U.S. high schoolers may explore the principles and virtues of the Bill of Rights Institute. Interested applicants should review the specific submission guidelines .

• Eligibility: Any high school student aged 13 to 19 may apply.
• Prize: Prizes range from $1,500 to $10,000.
• Deadline: Submissions for 2024 due May 19th (specific deadline may vary by year).

21)  JFK Presidential Library and Museum Profile in Courage Essay Contest

For students interested in history and political science, this competition offers the chance to write about U.S. elected officials who have demonstrated political courage.

• Eligibility: U.S. high school students from grades 9-12 may apply.
• Prize: First prize is $10,000; second prize receives $3,000; five finalists receive $1,000 each; ten semifinalists receive $100 each; eight students receive honorable mention.
• Deadline: Submissions accepted from September to January (specific deadline may vary by year).
• Sample Essays: 2000-2023 Contest Winner Essays

22)  John Locke Institute Essay Competition

This essay competition is for students who would like to write about and cultivate “independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style” from one of seven intellectual categories: philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology or law.

• Eligibility: Students from any country may submit an essay.
• Prize: $2,000 for each subject category winner toward a John Locke Institute program; winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.
• Deadline: Registration must be completed by May 31st, 2024; essay submission due June 30th, 2024 (specific deadline may vary by year).

23)  Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association Essay Contest

This exciting writing competition for high schoolers allows students to explore topics related to journalism, democracy and media literacy. Specific prompts will be provided for contestants each year.

• Eligibility: All U.S. students from grades 9-12 may submit original writing to participate in this contest.
• Prize: First-place winners will receive $1,000; second place is awarded $500; third place receives $300.
• Deadline: February (specific deadline may vary by year).

24)  Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Youth Scholarship Essay

This audio essay allows high school students the opportunity to “express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriot-themed recorded essay.” One winner will be granted a $35,000 scholarship to be paid toward their university, college, or vocational school of choice. Smaller prizes range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner in each VFW state wins $1,000.

• Prize: College scholarships range from $1,000-$35,000
• Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 9-12 may submit a 3-5-minute audio essay.
• Deadline: October 31st
• Sample Written Essay: 2023-2024 Prize-winning essay by Sophia Lin

25)  World Historian Student Essay Competition

The World Historian Student Essay Competition recognizes young scholars who explore world historical events and how they relate to the student scholar personally. Ultimately the student writer must describe “the experience of being changed by a better understanding of world history.”

• Eligibility: Internationally, students ages K-12 may submit an entry. See specific prompt and submission guidelines for writing instructions.
• Prize: $500

Writing Competitions for High School Students – Sources

[i] Institute for Education Sciences: National Center for Education Statistics. “Number of applications for admission from first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students were received by postsecondary institutions in the fall.” https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/TrendGenerator/app/answer/10/101

[ii] Jaschik, Scott. “Record Applications, Record Rejections.” Inside Higher Ed . 3 April 2022. https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2022/04/04/most-competitive-colleges-get-more-competitive

[iii] Wood, Sarah. “College Applications are on the Rise: What to Know.” U.S. News & World Report. 21 June 2022. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/college-applications-are-on-the-rise-what-to-know

• Extracurricular Activities

Jamie Smith

For the past decade, Jamie has taught writing and English literature at several universities, including Boston College, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University. She earned a Ph.D. in English from Carnegie Mellon, where she currently teaches courses and conducts research on composition, public writing, and British literature.

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

Creative Writing Unit for High School Students

My creative writing unit for high school students allows for adaptations and for fun! With plenty of creative writing activities, you’ll have flexibility. 

If you are looking for a creative writing unit, I have ideas for you. When I taught middle school, I sprinkled such activities throughout the school year. As a high school teacher, though, I taught an entire creative writing course. With no textbook and very little established activities, I largely worked from a blank slate.

Which. . . turned out well. I love teaching creative writing!

ELA Specific Classes

Older students often can choose electives for their ELA classes, and Creative Writing is a popular class. I’ve condensed my ideas into one post, so I organized the ideas by creative nonfiction and fiction writing and added pictures to organize this information for you.

EDIT: This post about my creative writing unit for high school writers has exploded and is about three times as long as a normal blog post. If you’d like to skip around to get inspiration for teaching creative writing, you can use the pictures and headings as guidance.

ANOTHER NOTE: I attempted to outline the days I spend on each topic, but several factors went into my estimates. First, each class differs in what they enjoy and what they dislike. If a class dislikes a specific topic, we will wrap it up and move on. If a class has fun with an assignment or needs more time to work, the days might vary.

What are the key elements of a creative writing unit?

Key elements of a creative writing unit include introducing different writing genres, teaching basic writing techniques, encouraging imagination and creativity, providing writing prompts and exercises, offering constructive feedback and revision opportunities, and fostering a supportive writing community.

How can we organize such activities?

Starting with creative nonfiction has worked for my classes, small pieces like paragraphs. I believe the success is because young writers can write what they know about. Then we can switch to fiction for the second quarter. Again, the days spent on each assignment varies, and I honestly do not stress about creative nonfiction being nine weeks and fiction being nine weeks.

All of the material listed below is in my newly updated Creative Writing Bundle . The pieces are sold separately, but that creative writing unit includes bonus material and a discount.

Ok, settle in! Here are my ideas about teaching creative writing with high school students.

First Week of School for a Creative Writing Unit

The first day of school , we complete activities that build awareness into the classroom environment about “creativity.” Do not shy away from setting a foundation of support and understanding as you engage with young writers. During my first creative writing classes, I neglected to spend time establishing expectations and community. The following semester, the time invested early paid off with engaged students later.

Those first days, we also discuss:

• Published vs. private writing. I tell writers they may share whatever they like with me and the class. As a community of writers, we will share with each other. Most of our writing will be public, but some will be private.
• A community of writers. Writing and sharing ideas requires maturity and acceptance. Not everyone will agree is largely my motto (about negotiables, not human rights), and I stress with students that they may read and provide feedback with topics in which they do not agree.
• Routines. Writers write. That sentence might sound silly, but some people believe that humans are born with a skill to write or they are not. Writing well takes practice. The practice can be short and unconnected to a larger product. I typically begin each week with a quick writing prompt , and we share our responses, which of course, builds that community of writers.

Whatever you are teaching—a creative writing unit or a creative writing class—spend some time establishing your expectations and goals with your students. Laying a foundation is never a waste of time! In fact, I believe so much in the power of the first week of a creative writing class that I have a blog post devoted to the concept.

Time: 2-3 days

First weeks: creative nonfiction

Creative nonfiction seems to be the genre of our time. Memoirs, essays, and hermit-crab essays flood bookstores and journals.

When students read captions on social media, profiles of their favorite artists, or long Threads, they are reading creative nonfiction. Not only should students be able to dissect this form of writing, but they should also be able to write in our society’s preferred genre.

Below, I’ve outlined creative nonfiction activities that work with teenagers.

Nonfiction Narrative Writing

Writing narratives (and meeting those standards) are trickier with older students. As a teacher, I struggle: Students will often tell me deep, meaningful, and personal parts of their lives, and I am supposed to grade those writings!

When students write a narrative , I address this situation immediately. Share with writers that their narrative ideas are strong (I believe that to be the truth!), and that in no way are we grading their ideas. Rather, we want their excellent narratives to be communicated in the best light; therefore, we will provide guidance about the structures of narrative writing.

The topic for a nonfiction narrative varies. Often, students write about themselves as learners or as community members. Framing students in a positive way allows them to explore their strengths in life and to build confidence as writers.

Time: 7-9 days

Object Essay

An object essay might sound like a “blah” type of assignment, but the simplicity allows students to push past their normal experiences. An object essay is simple, so they can experiment with their writing.

What object? I have assigned this essay several ways. For instance, I have brought in a very plain object (like a rock) and had students explain it. I like this approach because students can work together to discover the best descriptions.

Another way, my preferred way, is to allow students to choose the object. Students write about a coffee cup, water bottle, car keys, or bus pass. When students choose, the essays are richer with meaning.

Neither approach disappoints me, though! With a plain object, students must stretch themselves to be creative. Judge what your class needs and get students writing!

Time: 3-4 days

How-to Paper

No, not a “how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich” paper. A fun and meaningful how-to paper can encourage classes as they see themselves as experts.

What I like about a how-to paper is students get to be the expert in their paper. Finding a used vehicle to buy? Shopping for a formal event? Saving money? Cleaning a closet? Selling at consignment stores? Each writer has an area in which they shine, and a how-to paper allows them to share their knowledge with others. They write about “behind the scenes” or little known secrets.

Of all the creative writing activities, I assign the how-to paper early. It builds confidence in young writers.

Time: 5 days

Sell this Apple

Why an apple? When I wanted students to creatively sell something, I searched for something they could all have in common but sell in different ways. I wanted classes to have one object but to witness the multiple approaches for advertising. Apples (which I could also afford to bring to class) fit nicely.

What do students sell when they “sell an apple”?

• Dips for apples.
• Apples for preschool snacks.
• Charcuterie apple boards.
• Apple crisp.
• Red and green apple rainbows.

Basically, students can create a marketing plan for multiple age groups and other demographics. For instance, they can write a blog post about safety in cutting pieces for young children (and complete some research in the process). They can then “promote” a local apple orchard or fruit stand.

Another advertisement is an apple pie recipe for a Thanksgiving brochure for a supermarket.

When I gave students something simple, like an apple, they ran with the idea. Then, we can share our ideas for selling apples.

A profile is difficult to write, so this assignment is normally my last assignment of the quarter. Before we switch to writing fiction, we apply all our concepts learned to writing a profile.

Profiles are more than summaries of the person. Writers must take an angle and articulate the person’s traits utilizing Showing vs. Telling. Of all creative writing assignments, the profile, might be the most difficult. I place it in the middle of the semester so that writers understand our goals in class but are not tired from the end of the semester.

Time: 10-12 days

Final weeks: fiction

Fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, romance: Students consume a variety of fiction via books, movies, and shows. Fictional creative writing activities invite young writers into worlds they already consume.

Below, I’ve outlined some that work with teenagers.

Alternative Point-of-View

Grab some googly eyes or some construction paper and send students loose. (A few guidelines help. Should students remove the googly eyes from the principal’s office door?) Have them adhere the eyes to an inanimate object to make a “being” who learns a lesson. They should snap a picture and write a quick story about the learned lesson.

What type of lesson? Perhaps an apple with a bruise learns that it still has value and is loved with blemishes. Maybe a fire extinguisher realizes that its purpose is important even if it isn’t fancy.

Honestly, the creativity with the googly eyes adhered to inanimate objects is so simple, but it always is my favorite event of the semester. I officially call it the “ alternative point-of-view ” activity, but “googly eyes” is how my writers remember it.

Time: 2 days

Create a Superhero with a Template

A superhero does not need to wear a cape or fancy shoes. Rather, in this creative writing activity, students build a superhero from a normal individual. When I created the activity, I envisioned students writing about a librarian or volunteer, but students often write about a grandparent (adorable).

Since students enjoy graphic novels, I wanted students to experience making a graphic novel. The colorful sheets allow students to add their ideas and words to pages that fit their messages.

After students create a comic book, they will also write a brief marketing campaign for a target audience. Learning about who would buy their graphic novel typically leads them to parents and librarians which should lead students to discover the importance of reading. The advertising campaign additionally serves as a reflective component for the initial activity.

Product Review

Product reviews and question/answer sections are a genre all their own. SO! Have students write reviews and questions/answers for goofy products . Students will find a product and write several reviews and questions/answers.

This quick activity lends itself to extension activities. Once, a teacher emailed me and said her school bought some of the goofy products for a sort of “sharing” day with the school. Since students have access to pictures of the item, you can make a “catalog” for the class out of a Canva presentation and share it with them and your colleagues.

Here are a few examples:

• Banana slicer .
• Horse head .
• Wolf shirt.

Aside from the alternative point-of-view activity, the product reviews remain my personal favorite part of a creative writing unit. Writers find random products and write goofy workups that they share with the class.

Time: 3 days

Character Creation

Creating a well-rounded and interesting character requires prep work. The brainstorming part of the writing process, the pre-writing? We spend lots of time in that area as we create fleshed out characters.

I like to start with a multiple-choice activity. We begin my imagining the main character. Next, students take a “quiz” as the character. How does the character eat? What sort of movies does the character enjoy? hate? After the multiple-choice activity, they can derive what those pieces explain about their characters. Finally, they can begin to brainstorm how those pieces will develop in their story.

Flash Fiction

Flash fiction is a simple, short story. Writers might cheer when they hear I expect a 300-word story, but often, they discover it is a challenging assignment from class. A large part of a creative writing unit is giving students a variety of lengths so they can practice their skills under different circumstances.

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction is a popular genre, and classes are familiar with many popular historical fiction books. I find it helpful to have several books displayed to inspire students. Additionally, I read from the books to demonstrate dialogue, pacing, theme, and more.

Since my historical fiction activity takes at least two weeks to accomplish, we work on that tough standard for narrative writing. To that end, these activities target the hardest components:

• Pacing within a narrative.
• Developing a theme .
• Building imagery .
• Creating external conflicts in a story.
• Establishing a setting .

First, I used pictures to inspire students, to get them brainstorming. Second, I created those activities to solve a problem that all writers (no matter the age!) have: Telling vs. Showing. I found that my writers would add dialogue that was heavy on explanation, too “world building” for their narrative. The story sounded forced, so I took a step back with them and introduced mini-activities for practicing those skills.

Third, the above creative writing activities can EASILY be assignments independently for short and fun assignments. I teach them with historical fiction because that activity is at the end of the semester when my expectations are higher, and because students enjoy writing historical fiction so they are invested.

But! You can easily add them to another narrative activity.

Time: 10-12 days 

A clean tabloid! Tabloids are largely replaced by online social sharing creators, so they are fun to review with students. Students might not be familiar with tabloids at the grocery store checkout, but they are familiar with catchy headlines. They will be completely ready to write a tabloid !

To ensure a clean tabloid, I ask students to write about a children’s show, something scandalous happening from a cartoon. The results are hysterical.

Time: 4 days

Children’s Book

I have two introductory activities for the children’s book. One, students answer questions about a mentor text (another children’s book). Two, students evaluate the language of a specific book to start them in their brainstorming.

My students write their children’s book as a final activity in class as it requires all the elements of creative writing. When a school requires me to give a final exam, students write a reflection piece on their children’s books. If you are looking for a finale for your creative writing unit, a children’s book is a satisfying ending as students have a memorable piece.

Time 10-12 weeks

Final note on creative writing activities and bundle

I intended for this post to inspire you and give you ideas for teaching either a creative writing unit or a creative writing class in ELA. My first time through teaching creative writing, I worried that my lessons would flop and that students would not find their groove with me. I found success, but with modifications, I formed a cohesive semester.

The first time through, I did not frontload information and expectations. (Spending time at the start of class is my biggest message! Please establish groundwork with students!) I also did not provide concrete enough guidelines so students understood the differences between the assignments. After a few semesters, I developed my creative writing unit . With a variety of activities and an appropriate amount of structure, I found success, and I hope you do too.

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates about new blog posts, freebies, and teaching resources!

Marketing Permissions We will send you emails, but we will never sell your address.

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected] . We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here.

*This post contains affiliate links. You can read my complete disclosures .

creative writing creative writing activities

Engaging Narrative Writing Prompts High School

Narrative essays are a form of writing that allows high school students to share personal experiences and tell captivating stories. Whether it’s for a personal statement, an AP Language and Composition assignment, or a college application, choosing the right narrative essay topic is crucial. In this article, we will provide a list of engaging narrative writing prompts specifically designed for high school students. These thought-provoking ideas will spark creativity and help improve their writing skills.

• Key Takeaways:
• Engaging narrative writing prompts are essential for high school students.
• Narrative essays focus on storytelling and personal experiences.
• Choosing the right topic is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative.
• Show, don’t tell, using descriptive language and sensory details.
• Using dialogue and personal reflection can enhance the narrative.

Understanding Narrative Essays vs. Analytical Essays

When it comes to writing essays, high school students must be aware of the differences between narrative essays and analytical essays. These two types of essays require different approaches and focus on distinct aspects of writing. A clear understanding of these differences is crucial for students to excel in their academic writing.

Narrative essays are all about telling a story and providing a first-person account of personal experiences. The emphasis is on engaging the reader through creative details, vivid imagery, and sensory descriptions. Students are encouraged to show, rather than tell, using descriptive language to bring their stories to life. Personal reflection and a well-structured narrative are essential elements of a strong narrative essay.

On the other hand, analytical essays require critical thinking and the presentation of logical arguments. These essays focus on analyzing and interpreting a topic or issue, often requiring students to conduct research and provide evidence to support their claims. Structure and organization play a significant role in analytical essays, with a clear thesis statement and well-developed paragraphs. Students must demonstrate their ability to analyze and evaluate information in an objective manner.

• Key Differences Between Narrative and Analytical Essays:
• Focus: Narrative essays focus on storytelling and personal experiences, while analytical essays focus on analysis and logical arguments.
• Writing Style: Narrative essays use descriptive language and vivid imagery, while analytical essays require a more objective and formal writing style.
• Structure: Narrative essays typically follow a three-act structure, while analytical essays follow a more traditional essay structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
• Purpose: The purpose of a narrative essay is to entertain and engage the reader, while an analytical essay aims to inform and persuade.

By understanding the differences between narrative essays and analytical essays, high school students can approach their writing assignments with clarity and confidence, ensuring they meet the specific requirements of each type of essay.

How to Choose the Right Narrative Essay Topic

Choosing the right narrative essay topic is crucial for high school students. The topic you select will determine the success of your essay, as it sets the foundation for the entire writing process. To help you choose the right narrative essay topic, here are some guidelines to consider:

• 1. Consider your interests and passions

Start by thinking about the things that genuinely interest you or the topics you are passionate about. Writing about something you care about will make the process more enjoyable and authentic. It could be a personal experience, a hobby, a social issue, or any other subject that resonates with you.

• 2. Reflect on your personal experiences

Your own life experiences can provide a wealth of material for a narrative essay. Reflect on moments that have had a significant impact on you, whether they are joyful, challenging, or transformative. These personal experiences can help you create a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience.

• 3. Brainstorm different ideas

Take some time to brainstorm different ideas and topics for your narrative essay. Write down any thoughts or memories that come to mind, even if they seem unrelated at first. This can help you uncover unique and unexpected storylines that will make your essay stand out.

By following these guidelines, you can choose a narrative essay topic that is meaningful to you and captivates your readers. Remember to select a topic that allows you to showcase your writing skills and create a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impression.

Elements of a Strong Narrative Essay

When writing a narrative essay, there are several key elements that can help create a strong and engaging piece of writing. By paying attention to these elements, you can captivate your readers and make your narrative essay stand out.

• 1. Show, Don’t Tell

One of the most important elements of a strong narrative essay is the ability to show rather than tell. Instead of simply stating facts and events, use descriptive language and vivid imagery to create a sensory experience for your readers. This will allow them to fully immerse themselves in your narrative and make it more engaging.

• 2. Start with a Strong Opening

The opening line of your narrative essay is crucial in grabbing your readers’ attention and setting the tone for the rest of the story. Consider starting with a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid description that immediately draws your readers in and makes them want to continue reading.

• 3. Follow a Three-Act Structure

Structuring your narrative essay around a three-act structure can help create a cohesive and well-paced story. The three acts consist of the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution. In the setup, introduce the main characters, setting, and background information. In the confrontation, present the main conflict or challenge that the characters face. And in the resolution, provide a satisfying conclusion or resolution to the story.

• 4. Include Personal Reflection

At the end of your narrative essay, it’s important to include personal reflection to give your readers insight into the impact of your experiences. This allows you to provide a deeper understanding of the story and share any lessons or insights you’ve gained. Personal reflection adds depth and meaning to your narrative, making it more impactful for your readers.

By incorporating these elements into your narrative essay, you can create a strong and compelling piece of writing that will captivate your readers and leave a lasting impression.

Engaging Narrative Essay Topics for High Schoolers

When it comes to narrative essay writing, choosing the right topic is crucial for high school students. A well-selected topic not only sparks their interest but also provides ample material to create an engaging narrative. To help you in this process, here is a list of 50 narrative essay topics specifically designed for high school students.

• The most memorable birthday party you ever had
• A childhood incident that taught you an important life lesson
• A favorite family vacation and the adventures you experienced
• A special family tradition that holds meaning for you
• An unforgettable moment shared with your siblings
• A time when your parents surprised you with a thoughtful gesture
• An outdoor adventure that pushed you out of your comfort zone
• A beautiful place in nature that holds a special meaning for you
• An encounter with wildlife that left a lasting impression
• A concert or music festival that had a profound impact on you
• A song that represents a significant moment or emotion in your life
• Your experience learning to play a musical instrument
• Relationships:
• A friendship that has stood the test of time
• A mentor who has had a positive influence on your life
• A romantic relationship that taught you valuable lessons
• Self-Reflection:
• A personal accomplishment that made you proud
• A challenge you overcame and the lessons you learned
• A moment of self-discovery that changed your perspective
• Overcoming Adversity:
• A time when you faced a fear and came out stronger
• An experience that taught you resilience and perseverance
• A setback that turned into a valuable learning opportunity
• School Experiences:
• A teacher who inspired you and made a lasting impact
• An extracurricular activity that helped you discover a passion
• A memorable class project that challenged your creativity

These narrative essay topics cover a wide range of categories and themes, providing you with plenty of options to explore. Remember to choose a topic that resonates with you personally and allows you to showcase your unique voice and perspective. With the right topic in hand, you’ll be well on your way to writing an engaging and captivating narrative essay.

Using Writing Prompts to Spark Creativity

Writing prompts are a valuable tool for high school students to overcome writer’s block and ignite their creativity. They serve as a starting point, providing a specific idea or topic to kickstart the writing process. Using writing prompts can help students explore different perspectives, genres, and writing styles. Whether they are working on personal narratives, poetry, or fiction, writing prompts can serve as catalysts for imaginative and engaging stories.

• How to Use Writing Prompts Effectively

When using writing prompts, it’s important to approach them with an open mind and embrace the opportunity for self-expression. Here are some tips on how to use writing prompts effectively:

• Read the prompt carefully and understand the underlying theme or idea.
• Allow yourself to brainstorm and explore various angles or interpretations of the prompt.
• Use the prompt as a guide, but don’t be afraid to deviate from it and follow your creative instincts.
• Experiment with different writing styles, tones, and perspectives to make your writing unique.
• Set a timer and challenge yourself to write continuously for a specific amount of time to build momentum.
• Revise and edit your work to refine your ideas and improve the overall quality of your writing.
• Examples of Writing Prompts

Writing prompts can come in various forms, such as words, phrases, images, or questions. Here are a few examples of writing prompts that can inspire high school students in their creative writing endeavors:

• Write a letter to your future self, describing the person you aspire to be.
• Imagine you are stranded on a desert island. Describe your daily routine and how you survive.
• Write a poem about a vivid childhood memory that holds a special place in your heart.
• Write a short story about a hidden treasure that is discovered in an unexpected location.
• Describe a person you admire and explain why they inspire you.
• Write a persuasive essay arguing for or against a controversial topic of your choice.

By using writing prompts effectively, high school students can unlock their creativity, explore new ideas, and improve their writing skills. The process of responding to prompts allows students to think critically, develop their unique voice, and express their thoughts and emotions through the written word.

Creative Writing Prompts High School Students Will Love

Engaging high school students in creative writing can be a challenging task. To help inspire their creativity and encourage them to explore their writing skills, here is a comprehensive list of creative writing prompts specifically tailored for high school students.

• Storytelling Prompts:
• Create a story about a character who discovers they have a unique superpower.
• Write a story about a mysterious object that grants wishes, but with unexpected consequences.
• Imagine a world where time travel is possible. Write a story about a character who travels back in time to change a significant event.
• Write a story about a group of friends who embark on an adventure to find a hidden treasure.
• Poetry Prompts:
• Write a poem about a favorite childhood memory.
• Compose a poem that captures the beauty of nature during a specific season.
• Write a poem about a personal struggle or overcoming a difficult challenge.
• Create a poem inspired by a piece of artwork or a photograph that resonates with you.
• Suspenseful Narrative Prompts:
• Write a suspenseful story about a character who receives anonymous threatening messages.
• Create a story about a character who wakes up one day and realizes they have lost all their memories.
• Write a suspenseful story about a character who stumbles upon a hidden secret in their family’s attic.
• Create a story about a character who starts receiving visions of future events, but they are unsure if they can change their fate.
• Dialogue-Driven Prompts:
• Write a conversation between two characters who have opposing views on a controversial topic.
• Create a dialogue between two best friends who find themselves in a heated argument.
• Write a conversation between a mentor and a mentee, discussing life lessons and personal growth.
• Create a dialogue between two strangers who meet on a train and discover they have a shared connection.
• “What If” Prompts:
• Imagine a world where animals can talk. Write a story about a day in the life of a talking animal.
• Create a story about a character who wakes up one day with the ability to fly.
• Write a story about a world where technology has advanced to the point where humans can upload their consciousness into computer programs.
• Create a story about a character who discovers a portal to a parallel universe.
• Funny Prompts:
• Write a humorous story about a character who always seems to find themselves in embarrassing situations.
• Create a funny poem about a memorable family vacation gone wrong.
• Write a dialogue between two quirky characters who are trying to solve a ridiculous problem.
• Create a story about a mischievous talking animal who causes chaos in its owner’s life.

These creative writing prompts are designed to spark the imagination of high school students and provide them with a wide range of ideas to explore. Whether they choose to write a story, compose a poem, or engage in dialogue-driven writing, these prompts will inspire them to unleash their creativity and develop their writing skills.

Using Journal Prompts for High School Creative Writing

Journal prompts can be a valuable tool for high school students looking to engage in creative writing on a regular basis. By providing a starting point or a specific topic to explore, journal prompts can help inspire creativity, promote self-reflection, and improve writing skills. Here are some creative writing journal prompts specifically tailored for high school students:

• 1. Moments of Pride

Think about a time when you felt a deep sense of accomplishment or pride. Describe the experience in detail, including what led up to it, how it made you feel, and why it was significant to you.

• 2. Confronting Fears

Write about a time when you faced a fear or overcame a challenge. How did you feel before, during, and after? What did you learn from the experience and how did it shape you as a person?

• 3. Moments of Clarity

Reflect on a moment when everything seemed to fall into place and make sense. What was the situation and what led to this moment of clarity? How did it impact your perspective or understanding of yourself and the world around you?

• 4. Special Places

Describe a place that holds special meaning to you. It could be a childhood home, a favorite vacation spot, or a peaceful outdoor sanctuary. What makes this place significant to you and how does it make you feel when you are there?

• 5. Impactful People

Think about someone who has had a significant impact on your life. Describe this person and the ways in which they have influenced you. Why are they important to you and what lessons have you learned from them?

• 6. Moments of Beauty

Write about a moment when you witnessed something truly beautiful. It could be a natural phenomenon, a work of art, or a simple act of kindness. Describe the experience in detail and explain why it had such a profound impact on you.

Explore your dreams and aspirations. What are your biggest dreams for the future? Describe them and explain why they are important to you. Reflect on the steps you are taking or plan to take to turn these dreams into reality.

• 8. Memorable Experiences with Friends

Think about a memorable experience you had with friends. Describe the event, the people involved, and why it stands out in your memory. Reflect on the impact of friendship and the importance of these relationships in your life.

These journal prompts are designed to inspire high school students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through creative writing. By engaging with these prompts regularly, students can develop their writing skills, enhance their self-expression, and unlock their imaginative potential.

Non-Fiction Writing Prompts for High School Students

Developing strong non-fiction writing skills is crucial for high school students as it allows them to effectively communicate their thoughts and experiences. To help high school students explore the world of non-fiction writing, we have compiled a list of engaging non-fiction writing prompts that will inspire them to share significant events, personal perspectives, and impactful moments from their lives. These prompts will encourage students to delve into topics such as inspirational people, current issues, challenges they have overcome, and social issues they care about. By engaging with these prompts, high school students can develop their storytelling abilities and enrich their writing.

• 1. Write about a significant event in your life:
• Reflect on a moment that shaped your character and explain its impact.
• Write about a time when you faced a major challenge and how you overcame it.
• Share an experience that taught you an important life lesson.
• 2. Discuss a person who has had a significant influence on your life:
• Write about someone who has inspired you to become a better person.
• Describe the qualities and values that make this person remarkable.
• Explain how this person’s actions or words have impacted your life.
• 3. Explore a social issue you are passionate about:
• Discuss a social issue that you believe needs more attention and awareness.
• Examine the root causes of the issue and propose possible solutions.
• Share personal experiences or encounters that have fueled your passion for this issue.

These non-fiction writing prompts are designed to empower high school students to express their unique perspectives and experiences. By engaging with these prompts, students can develop their writing skills and gain confidence in sharing their stories with others. Remember to approach each prompt with honesty, clarity, and a reflection of your personal journey. Happy writing!

Adventurous Short Story Prompts for High School Students

If you’re a high school student looking to embark on an exciting writing adventure, these adventurous short story prompts are perfect for you. Get ready to unleash your creativity and take your readers on thrilling journeys filled with suspense, danger, and excitement. Whether you prefer tales of solo hikes through the wilderness, treasure hunts in exotic locations, or scuba diving adventures in underwater worlds, these prompts will inspire you to craft captivating narratives that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats.

• 1. Solo Hike

Imagine yourself on a solo hike in a remote and unfamiliar forest. As you navigate through winding trails and dense foliage, you stumble upon a hidden cave. Curiosity gets the better of you, and you decide to explore the mysterious depths. What do you discover inside? Is it a hidden treasure, a forgotten civilization, or something more sinister? Craft a suspenseful and thrilling story that captures the challenges, dangers, and unexpected twists that await you on this daring adventure.

• 2. Treasure Hunt

You receive a mysterious map that leads to a long-lost treasure. Determined to uncover its secrets, you assemble a team of adventurers and set off on a treasure hunt that takes you across treacherous terrains, ancient ruins, and hidden chambers. Along the way, you encounter dangerous obstacles, rival treasure hunters, and cryptic clues. Will you be able to outsmart your competitors and claim the treasure for yourself? Write a thrilling short story that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

• 3. Scuba Diving Expedition

You sign up for a scuba diving expedition to an unexplored underwater world. As you descend into the depths of the ocean, you come across a sunken shipwreck with a mysterious cargo. As you investigate the wreckage, you uncover a shocking secret that could change the course of history. Can you overcome the challenges of the deep sea and protect the secret from falling into the wrong hands? Dive into the depths of your imagination and create a captivating narrative that plunges readers into the heart of the underwater adventure.

These adventurous short story prompts will push your storytelling skills to new heights and ignite your imagination. Whether you choose to embark on a solo hike, join a treasure hunt, or dive into the depths of the ocean, these prompts will provide you with the inspiration you need to craft thrilling and captivating narratives that will transport readers to extraordinary worlds of adventure.

Science Fiction Short Story Prompts for High School Students

Science fiction offers high school students a fascinating platform to explore imaginative and futuristic ideas. With these science fiction short story prompts, you can unleash your creativity and embark on thrilling adventures through time and space. From battling aliens to saving the world from catastrophic events, these prompts will inspire you to craft captivating science fiction narratives.

• 1. Time Travel:

Imagine being able to travel through time. Write a story about a high school student who discovers a mysterious time-traveling device and uses it to change the course of history.

• 2. Alien Encounters:

Create a story centered around a high school student who makes contact with extraterrestrial beings. Will they form an alliance with the aliens or face a dangerous interstellar conflict?

• 3. Dystopian Future:

Explore a future where society has collapsed, and chaos reigns. Write a story about a high school student who navigates through a dystopian world, fighting for survival and searching for hope.

• 4. Technological Advancements:

Imagine a world where advanced technology has transformed everyday life. Write a story about a high school student who stumbles upon a groundbreaking invention that has both extraordinary benefits and unforeseen consequences.

• 5. Earth vs. Asteroids:

Create a gripping narrative where a high school student takes on the mission to save the world from an impending asteroid impact. Will they succeed in diverting the catastrophic collision?

With these science fiction short story prompts, you have the power to create captivating narratives that transport readers to extraordinary realms. Let your imagination soar, explore the unknown, and craft thrilling tales that will leave your audience on the edge of their seats.

• Scary Short Story Prompts for High School Students

Scary stories have a way of captivating readers and keeping them on the edge of their seats. If you’re a high school student looking to explore the chilling and suspenseful world of scary storytelling, we’ve got you covered. Here are some scary short story prompts that will send shivers down your readers’ spines and ignite your imagination:

• The Haunted House: Write a story about a group of friends who decide to spend the night in a notoriously haunted house. As the night progresses, they begin to experience strange and terrifying events.
• The Mysterious Doll: Tell a tale about a creepy doll that seems to have a life of its own. Explore the doll’s origins and the eerie incidents that occur when it’s around.
• The Ghostly Encounter: Write a story about a character who has a chilling encounter with a ghost. Explore the ghost’s backstory and the impact it has on the protagonist’s life.
• The Cursed Object: Create a narrative around a cursed object that brings misfortune and terror to anyone who possesses it. Explore the consequences of the object’s curse and the attempts to break free from its grip.

These scary short story prompts will allow you to delve into the realm of horror and create suspenseful and spine-tingling narratives. Let your imagination run wild and captivate your readers with tales that will leave them with a lingering sense of fear.

In conclusion, the use of engaging narrative writing prompts is crucial for high school students to develop their writing skills and unleash their creativity. The provided prompts cover a wide range of topics and genres, offering students the opportunity to explore different storytelling techniques and styles. By utilizing these prompts, high school students can overcome writer’s block, find inspiration, and enhance their narrative writing abilities.

Whether they choose to write personal narratives, poetry, suspenseful stories, or non-fiction essays, these prompts serve as a catalyst for sparking imagination and resulting in the creation of compelling and captivating narratives. The prompts are designed to generate thoughtful and reflective content, enabling students to express their ideas and experiences in a meaningful manner.

By utilizing the strategies and tips provided throughout this article, high school students can transform their narrative writing into a powerful and engaging form of communication. Through the selection of the right narrative essay topics and the incorporation of key elements, such as showing instead of telling, using descriptive language, incorporating personal reflection, and employing dialogue, students can craft narratives that captivate readers and convey their unique perspectives.

In summary, narrative writing prompts are a valuable tool for high school students to improve their writing skills and cultivate their creativity. The prompts provided in this article aim to inspire and guide students as they embark on their narrative writing journey, enabling them to create narratives that are impactful and compelling.

• Source Links
• https://www.weareteachers.com/personal-narrative-ideas/
• https://blog.collegevine.com/narrative-essay-topics-for-high-schoolers
• https://www.immerse.education/study-tips/creative-writing/prompts-for-high-school-students/

• Contributors
• Melissa Bobe

I t looks like Moscow, she said, softly but decisively. They’d been travelling for days and days—weeks?—and he’d never mentioned where they were headed. She never noticed signs—the daughter of the kind of people who never asked for directions, had no sense of direction, could not point out a direction to others, couldn’t read a map, were prone to getting lost, didn’t recognize the North Star, couldn’t find where the bulk of the moss grew on the tree—and she never spoke to anyone, because they travelled late in the nighttime. Sex, when they had it, happened at dawn or around what she was relatively certain was lunchtime (having been robbed of a sense of direction, nature had seen fit to give her a somewhat strong internal clock). It was brief and rough; they barely broke a sweat, picked a position and stayed with it, and she often gazed out the window for the duration, both to help the time pass and because she was curious to see if people everywhere were the same. So far, this seemed to be the case.

She’d never been to Moscow, so she had no memory with which to compare what she was seeing. She felt him come, and then he rolled off her back and walked to the bathroom. She heard him brushing his teeth.

I’m sure it could be Moscow, she said. Everyone outside was wearing a warm coat; there were many stray dogs, for a single street. She didn’t remember being on a plane, but it was possible. Travel seemed to her an unremarkable thing, and she overlooked much of it by drifting off into her own thoughts.

Once, when they were at a fair, she and her mother lost each other and themselves. She had been looking for the caged animals, and instead found herself in front of a mirror maze. Even at such a young age, she knew how dangerous it would be for a person with no sense of direction to go into a maze of mirrors. She saw a woman and a little boy of about her age coming out of the maze, and approached them without hesitation.

Are you lost? the woman asked.

My mother is, too.

They walked all around the fair until they found her mother, wringing her hands and chewing her bottom lip. A monkey in a nearby cage followed suit.

Her mother embraced her, the smell of her perfume strong, mixed with fearful, anxious sweat.

I was looking for the fortune-teller, her mother offered as an explanation. What were you looking for, sweetie?

She watched the monkey shake the bars of his cage violently, screaming at her, vicious and jealous. Tears of shame blurred her vision; she couldn't see her mother anymore. All that was left was the scent of her.

Melissa Bobe holds an MFA in Creative Writing and Literary Translation from Queens College of the City University of New York. In the spring of 2011, she was a writer-in-residence at the Louis Armstrong House Museum Archives. She founded and taught a creative writing workshop for teens at the Rockville Centre Public Library for six years, and has also taught nonfiction prose writing as an adjunct instructor at Queens College. She is currently pursuing a PhD in English Literature at Rutgers University.

Get Anomalous Issue #5

Issue 1: Table of Contents

In this issue.

• Russell Jaffe
• ...No Punctuation Birthday
• A. Kendra Greene
• ...Every Glass Flower in the Harvard Museum
• Joseph Mains and Donald Dunbar
• ...from   Jorge: Sangre del Mar
• D.E. Steward
• Melanie Noel
• ...Warm Earth
• ...Cloud Trophy
• Hai-Dang Phan
• translating Phan Nhiên Hạo
• ...Paper Bells
• ...Morning at O’Hare Airport
• Dana P. Diehl
• ...The Collectors
• Chris Siteman
• ...The Bindery
• Kyle Hemmings
• ...Gross Fable 2
• Kari Larsen
• ...Van’s Friend in the City
• David Shook
• ...Fourth Tenochitlan
• ...Like Asterisks
• Jamie L. Olson
• translating Irina Yevsa
• ...[Don’t whine, just eat your soup]
• ...South Station
• ...[How are things in Eden?]
• Greg J. Hayes
• ...Drawn Boxes

.

, , .

, , .

• Member Dashboard

Add New Books

Write a Review

Backpack Reading Lists

Monthly Newsletter

One Night in Winter

Author(s): Simon Sebag Montefiore

Location(s): Moscow

Genre(s): Fiction, Historical

Era(s): 1945

Buy from Amazon or your favourite bookseller

If  your  children were forced to testify against you, what terrible secrets would they reveal?

Moscow 1945.  As Stalin and his courtiers celebrate victory over Hitler, shots ring out. On a nearby bridge, a teenage boy and girl lie dead.

But this is no ordinary tragedy and these are no ordinary teenagers, but the children of Russia’s most important leaders who attend the most exclusive school in Moscow.

Is it murder? A suicide pact? Or a conspiracy against the state?

Directed by Stalin himself, an investigation begins as children are arrested and forced to testify against their friends – and their parents. This terrifying witch-hunt soon unveils illicit love affairs and family secrets in a hidden world where the smallest mistakes will be punished with death.

Review this Book

To review this book, please

Other books set in this location

The Russian Interpreter

The City of Stardust

No Lemons in Moscow

The Translator

Other books by this author

Jerusalem: The Biography

TripFiction

Making it easy to match a location with a book

Find out more about us and our philosophy

Book Reviews

Lead Review

“A master storyteller when writing as a historian, Sebag Montefiore’s fiction is just as compelling in this thriller set in Stalin’s Moscow.” (GQ)

Read review

Latest Blogs

Destination thriller set in THAILAND (and London)

17th April 2024

Her Last Summer by Emily Freud, destination thriller set in THAILAND (and London). #Destinationthriller You know from the book...

Short stories set in TOKYO (and London and South Africa)

16th April 2024

Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green, short stories set in Tokyo (and London and South Africa) If there’s any justice...

Novel set in London: portrait of an ever-changing city

15th April 2024

Our London Lives by Christine Dwyer Hickey, novel set in LONDON; a portrait of an ever-changing city. “…those few...

Novel set in a “Divorce Ranch” outside RENO, Nevada.

12th April 2024

The Divorcées by Rowan Beaird, novel set in a Divorce Ranch outside Reno, Nevada. Divorce ranches were a key...

Thriller set mainly around OXFORD

11th April 2024

A Lesson in Cruelty by Harriet Tyce, thriller set mainly around OXFORD. #audiobook I have previously read a couple...

Talking Location With … author Tilly Bagshawe – WENGEN

10th April 2024

TalkingLocationWith …. Tilly Bagshawe, author of The Secret Keepers – WENGEN My new novel, The Secret Keepers, is partly...

Search our database for travel-related fiction, travelogues, and memoirs

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Other benefits of membership include:

   receiving an entertaining monthly newsletter,    adding new books to the site,    reviewing books you have read.

🎉 Our next novel writing master class starts in – ! Claim your spot →

BEST HIGH SCHOOL WRITING PROMPTS

Join (probably?) the world's largest writing contest. Flex those creative muscles with weekly writing prompts.

Showing 103 prompts reset

All fun and games, write a story about a social media rumor..

High School

Write a story about a salutatorian.

It's the summer before college, and your character has one last goodbye to make., write a story about someone who thinks their life is a romcom and they’re the protagonist., write a story about someone who overthinks every single thing, blowing the tiniest incidents out of proportion., start your story with a daydream sequence, before snapping back to reality., begin your story with somebody getting (or taking) the blame for something they didn’t do., write a story about coming of age in a big city., start your story with someone sharing a secret that has a big impact on everyone., end your story with someone dancing in the rain., write a story where the law plays an important role., write a story that includes the line “i can’t believe we’re arguing over this.”, include a character in your story that is often in an apartment building, but doesn’t actually live there., set your story in an unlikely sanctuary., set your story at a global fashion event — or a carnival ball., write a story that centres around an instagram post., write a story about a conflict that breaks out over something ordinary (like tea, perhaps)., write about a character, animal or human, who is reborn as something totally different., write a story where a character runs into someone they’ve seen in their dreams, or enters a building they’ve dreamt about before., a character stands in front of two doors. write a story about what happens after they choose one to enter., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Contest #246 LIVE

Enter our weekly contest.

This week's theme: All Fun and Games

Prize money

Contest entries, closes at 23:59 - apr 19, 2024 est, recent contests ✍️.

#245 – Heavenly Bodies

#244 – Oh Snap!

#243 – Re-Imagining Our World Through Speculative Fiction with Alice McIlroy

#242 – Fine Art

Recent winners 🏆

Kerriann Murray-Todd – read

Thomas Iannucci – read

Niamh O'Dea – read

Liz Grosul – read

Leaderboard 🥇

#1 Zilla Babbitt

32362 points

#2 Deidra Whitt Lovegren

28692 points

#3 Abigail Airuedomwinya

22415 points

#4 Graham Kinross

14380 points

#5 Scout Tahoe

13196 points

#6 Chris Campbell

11157 points

#7 Thom With An H

10608 points

#8 Rayhan Hidayat

10212 points

#9 Michał Przywara

9879 points

#10 Deborah Mercer

9608 points

NEW VIDEO COURSE 🎉

How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months . Learn more →

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢

Oops, you need an account for that!

Log in with your social account:

Or enter your email: