what is prompt in essay writing

What is a Prompt in Writing? Choosing the Right Writing Prompt for Your Genre and Style

• February 22, 2024

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Table of contents, what is a prompt in writing, what is a prompt in writing an essay, analytical prompts:, expository writing, persuasive prompts:, narrative prompts:, what is a prompt in writing for students, determine your genre:, think about your personality:, review your prompt options, match prompt to genre:, adapt prompt to your style:, try new things and explore:, trust your instincts:, recommendations.

For authors, a writing prompt acts as a spark for creativity, allowing for discovery and inspiration. It pushes authors to step outside of their comfort zones and try new things and unconventional thinking.

You can comfortably set off a chain reaction of ideas and feelings that results in unanticipated literary works with a well-crafted writing prompt no matter the type of prompt writing.

But in the real sense, you must understand the ins and outs involved in writing different forms of prompts if you must have top-notch work. That’s why we have provided information about prompt writing and what it entails.

In this article, you will learn more about prompts in writing and how to choose the right writing prompts for your genre and style.

Carefully read through!

A writing prompt is a predetermined subject, query, or instruction sent to authors to stimulate and direct their work. It acts as a springboard or inspiration for coming up with ideas and structuring thinking.

Depending on the writing assignment and goals, prompts might differ in structure and topic. They could be given as statements, quotes, pictures, situations, or open-ended questions.

Writing prompts are meant to inspire or compel writers to delve into a specific subject, articulate their ideas and viewpoints, or craft imaginative tales.

Writing prompts can be applied in a variety of settings, such as workshops, schools, writing competitions, and evaluations.

Writing prompts are frequently employed in educational contexts to foster critical thinking, hone writing abilities, and evaluate students’ conceptual knowledge and effective communication skills.

A vast array of writing styles and genres, including analytical responses, creative stories, persuasive essays, descriptive passages, and personal narratives, can be covered by them.

When it comes to essay writing, a prompt is a particular query, assertion, or instruction that forms the core of the essay’s subject. By defining the essay’s purpose and expectations for its content, it gives the writer direction and guidance.

What are the Types of Prompt Writing?

Depending on the kind of essay and the objective of the writing assignment, essay prompts can take many different shapes. Typical categories of essay prompts consist of:

These prompts require the writer to examine a specific subject, piece of literature, or idea. They might ask the author to look closely at the underlying motifs, topics, or symbols and provide insightful analysis or interpretations.

Expository writing prompts ask the writer to elaborate on or provide clarification on a certain notion, procedure, or concept. They frequently call on the writer to give details, explain terminology, or make points understandably and succinctly.

The purpose of persuasive prompts is to persuade or convince the reader of a specific argument or point of view. Usually, they request that the writer choose a viewpoint on the matter, provide evidence to back up their claims and make an emotional or intellectual argument for the reader.

This kind of prompt asks the writer to narrate a tale or provide a first-hand account. They can ask you to compose a fictional story based on a certain scenario, describe a memorable moment, or consider an important incident.

Essay prompts frequently come with detailed instructions or guidelines that spell out the requirements for the project, including its length, formatting style, and list of references to be used.

To properly discuss the subject and fulfill the requirements of the assignment, writers must carefully read, evaluate, and prepare their essay based on the prompt’s implications.

Read ALSO:  107+ Creative Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

When we talk about writing prompts for students, we mean a particular subject, query, or assignment that serves as a source of inspiration and direction for their work.

It acts as a springboard or stimulant to assist pupils in coming up with ideas, planning their ideas, and efficiently structuring their writing.

Note, student writing prompts might differ greatly based on the grade level, subject matter, and learning goals.

They could be made to inspire pupils to write more effectively, express themselves, examine texts, think back on their own experiences, or engage in creative storytelling.

There are many different ways to present prompts, including:

• Open-ended questions: These kinds of questions allow students to investigate a subject or idea from various perspectives and come up with original theories or solutions.
• Statement Prompts: These writing exercises provide students a statement or assertion to respond to, examine, or expand upon in their compositions.
• Image Prompts: Students are encouraged to compose descriptive passages, narratives, or analytical responses based on the visual material by using images, illustrations, or other visual stimuli as image prompts.
• Scenario Prompts: These prompts pose a hypothetical circumstance or scenario to students, asking them to speculate about possible outcomes, possible responses, or possible courses of action.
• Quotation Prompts: Students are asked to consider a quotation from a well-known individual, literary work, or historical event and incorporate it into their writing by reflecting on its meaning, significance, or implications.

Read ALSO:  140 Exclusive Writing Prompts For Adults

How to Choose the Right Writing Prompt for Your Genre and Style

To make sure the writing prompt fits with your creative vision and objectives, it is important to take into account several variables while selecting the appropriate one for your genre and writing style. The following guidelines can assist you in choosing the ideal writing prompt:

Choose a writing genre or style to explore, such as memoir, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or something different. It’s critical to select a prompt that aligns with your preferred genre because each one has its own customs, themes, and storytelling strategies.

Consider your tastes and writing style. Do you like writing that is contemplative and reflective, or are you more drawn to stories that are whimsical and imaginative? Think about answering questions that speak to your own voice and sense of style.

Examine your options for writing prompts by taking a look at a range of prompts in various genres and styles. Seek for creatively stimulating and thought-provoking prompts.

Select the suggestion that most closely aligns with your thoughts and interests by taking into account the themes, settings, people, and conflicts that are offered.

Make sure the writing prompt you select is appropriate for the genre in which you intend to write. Pick a prompt that offers a gripping mystery or exciting scenario, for instance, if you’re interested in creating a mystery novel. Seek writing prompts that evoke lyrical language and images if you enjoy poetry.

After deciding on a prompt, think about how you can modify it to fit your writing preferences and style. You are free to interpret the prompt creatively and make it uniquely your own; you are not required to follow it precisely as given. Make the prompt uniquely your own by adding aspects of your own voice, viewpoint, and storytelling style.

Don’t be scared to try out various writing prompts and styles. Take advantage of the prompts to experiment with different subjects, genres, and narrative devices.

So, strive to write in genres or styles that you haven’t previously experimented with, pushing yourself to write outside of your comfort zone.

In the end, when selecting a writing prompt, follow your gut and intuition. Select the creative prompt that best inspires and motivates you by listening to your inner creative voice.

Make sure you choose the writing prompt that feels most appropriate for you at that particular time. Writing is a very personal and intuitive activity.

Read ALSO: 50 Exclusive 4th Grade Writing Prompts That Are Printable For Free

A writing prompt is a specific topic, idea, or phrase that serves as inspiration for writing. How can writing prompts help with creativity? Writing prompts can spark new ideas, encourage creativity, and help writers overcome writer’s block. How do I choose the right writing prompt for my genre? Consider your genre and style of writing when selecting a prompt to ensure it aligns with the tone and themes you want to explore. Can I modify a writing prompt to better suit my needs? Absolutely! Feel free to adapt or customize a writing prompt to better fit your creative vision.

Yes, there are various types of writing prompts including Expository writing prompts, persuasive prompts, and narrative prompts.

Yes, using writing prompts consistently can help improve your skills by challenging you to think outside your comfort zone and explore new ideas.

It’s up to you! Some writers use prompts daily as part of their routine while others incorporate them sporadically for inspiration.

There are numerous websites and resources dedicated to providing daily or themed writing prompts for writers of all levels.

To inspire creativity and direct the writing process, it is critical to comprehend the function of a writing prompt. You may efficiently channel your ideas and give your work depth by choosing a prompt that is in line with your genre and style. Regardless of your level of experience, the correct writing prompt can be a useful tool for breaking through writer’s block and coming up with original ideas.

Trying out various writing prompts might also help you develop your writing abilities and discover new genres. The next time you sit down to write, keep in mind the influence a thoughtfully selected prompt may have on the form and quality of your writing.

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• W ritersperhour.com- What is prompt writing in an essay
• 50 Exclusive 4th Grade Writing Prompts That Are Printable For Free
• 140 Exclusive Writing Prompts For Adults
• 107+ Creative Writing Prompts For Middle School Students
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What Is a Writing Prompt and What Types There Are?

June 2, 2022

What Is An Essay Prompt?

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

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

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

What Is a Writing Prompt?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Descriptive

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

Expository/Informative

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prompt Construction

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

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

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

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

Bias and Sensitivity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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• Humanities ›
• English Grammar ›

Writing Prompt (Composition)

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

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

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

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

Examples and Observations

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

Elicting Insightful Responses

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

Touching on Experiences

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

Writing Prompt for 'An Initiation'

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

Understanding Writing Prompts

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

Responding to Writing Prompts on the SAT

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

Expository and Persuasive Writing Prompts

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

Photographs as Writing Prompts

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

Sources of Writing Prompts

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

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Embarking on a Creative Journey: Writing Prompts 101 with Examples

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

Unraveling the Magic of Writing Prompts:

What are writing prompts.

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

Why Use Writing Prompts?

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

Navigating the Landscape of Writing Prompts:

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

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

2. Visual Prompts

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

3. Dialogue Prompts

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

4. Theme-Based Prompts

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

5. Crafting Your Prompts

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

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

The Power of Examples:

1. open-ended prompt.

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

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

2. Visual Prompt

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

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

3. Dialogue Prompt

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

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

4. Theme-Based Prompt

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

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

The Road Ahead: Embrace the Journey

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

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Understanding writing prompts

Contributor: Aaron Smale

For many college papers, a prompt will ask questions related to readings and class discussion, asking you to demonstrate analysis and discussion of the topic. Decoding what a prompt is asking can sometimes be overwhelming. The sooner you understand a prompt, the sooner you can start writing. Here are some useful tips to understand writing prompts:

As soon as you receive the prompt, read through it twice:

• Though many prompts are complex to encourage well-reasoned responses, they can be confusing/inaccessible if read only once before drafting. Reading the prompt as soon as possible may help you identify how long a paper should be, how much information you should gather, and can reveal concepts you need to understand before approaching the assignment.

Once you have read the prompt, try to share out what you think the prompt means to a friend, family member, or another student:

• This helps to “check” if your understanding of the prompt matches that of other people outside of the class and may help to identify what you still need to know.

Key words can identify the type of assignment that the prompt is calling for :

• Most prompts signal if the paper is expected to be a compare-and-contrast paper, rhetorical analysis, synthesis paper, etc. Keywords may include terms such as compare, synthesize, develop, explore, etc.

Come back to the prompt and highlight key characteristics, terms, and phrases relevant to the topic/assignment and compare it to course notes/assignments:

• When reviewing the prompt, highlight terms or phrases that have come up frequently in discussion or are significant in the course. You may also choose to highlight terms in the prompt that you need to study more. Sometimes a prompt asks you to recall resources or texts from an earlier point in the course, so a review of key sources, topics, course notes or related assignments can help you to write an effective paper. Additionally, this reveals key scenes or text sections identified within the prompt.

Look for language in the prompt that indicates who the target audience is:

• Even though your audience will often include your professor and peers, some prompts for research papers and essays will ask you to address other target audiences. For example, a paper that discusses a new method of patient support may cite a hospital board of directors as a potential audience. By identifying your target audience, you can establish context necessary for your audience to engage with your paper.

Prepare questions for discussion to ask your TA or professor regarding parts of the prompt that are unclear:

• Once you have gone through the prompt itself, make a list of questions to discuss with your professor or TA so you can get more clarity on the assignment.

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IV. Tips for Writing Prompts

Writing prompts: the instructions.

A writing prompt in WRIT will ask you to consider the same set of questions each week. The prompt instructions remind you that there are three very important components that should be included in your response for optimal success. Below are the standard prompt instructions that you’ll see each week in WRIT:

Your Task: compose a critical response essay—including, ideally, an introduction, at least three body paragraphs, and a conclusion—to the text below

Goals: your essay should include the following:

• A brief summary of the author’s argument
• mostly agree with the author and provide your own persuasive assertions that extend support for the author’s position
• mostly disagree with the author and provide your own persuasive assertions that defend your counter-position
• Your refutation of at least one objection a reader might have to your argument (or any point therein)

Failing to address each of these goals will significantly reduce your ability to respond appropriately and completely to the prompt.  Don’t worry, though! In WRIT, you’ll learn how to respond to each of the requirements listed in the instructions above; it will just take a bit of time and practice.

Prompt Writing Guide

When you study a writing prompt closely and use it as the basis for your outline, you will be better equipped to address the goals of your own response.  It’s important to do the following when reading and responding to a prompt:

Putting the Pieces Together Copyright © 2020 by Andrew M. Stracuzzi and André Cormier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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