creative writing journal prompts for middle school

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150 Writing Prompts For Middle School (+Free Printable)

Make writing fun and easy, with these 150 writing prompts for middle school students. 

The more you write, the better you become at writing. But the problem is not all middle schoolers enjoy writing. There’s always something better to do, playing video games , watching YouTube videos , hanging with friends , lazing about the house – Why bother writing, right? The trick is to understand that even the smallest piece of writing can make a huge difference in a student’s attitude towards writing. 

If you unload too many lengthy assignments, such as writing 1,000 words on topic X or 3,000 about something, something – Writing can seem like a long, boring chore for some students. But if you break it down, and mix it up a bit, then your students have a real chance of actually liking writing for fun. Think of creating small writing tasks that take no longer than around 10 or 15 minutes to complete. As students complete these small tasks with ease, their confidence will grow, eventually turning them into avid young writers.

To help inspire and motivate young writers, we have created this list of 150 quick and easy writing prompts for Middle School students. Keep reading for a free printable writing pack for middle schoolers as well! Here is a quick generator that will generate a random middle school prompt for you:

For more fun writing ideas, check out this list of over 300 writing prompt for kids .

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

This list of prompts is great for whenever your middle-schooler is bored and needs some quick ideas to write about:

• Make a list of at least three different opening lines for this story idea: A space knight living in outer space wants to fight a real fire-breathing dragon.
• Complete this sentence in at least three different ways: When I’m bored, I like to…
• Draw a picture of your dream house, and describe some of the coolest features it has.
• Make a top ten list of the scariest animals in the animal kingdom. You could even write down one scary fact about each animal.
• Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell z-o-m-b-i-e.
• Describe the scariest monster that you can think of. You could even draw a picture of it.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: My goal for the next month is to…
• Make a top ten list of your favourite foods of all time. You could even write down one reason for why each food is your favourite.
• Create your own A-Z book or list of monsters. For A is for Abominable Snowman, B is for Bogeyman and so on.
• Research and write down five facts about an endangered species of your choice. Examples of endangered species include the blue whale, giant pandas, snow leopards and tigers.
•  Create a postcard for your local town or city. What picture would you draw on the front? And what message could you include on the back?
• Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell out your own first name. This poem could be about yourself. 
• Make a top ten list of your favourite movies of all time.
• Make a top ten list of your favourite songs of all time.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways. When I grow up I want to…
• Which is your favourite season, Winter , Spring , Summer or Autumn? Write a haiku poem about your favourite season.
• Create a party invite for a dinner party at your house. Think about the party theme, entertainment, food and dress code.
• Write down a recipe that uses eggs as one of the ingredients.
• Write a how-to guide on how to take care of a kitten or puppy.
• What do you enjoy doing on the weekends? Start by making a list of activities that you do on the weekend. Then you can pick one to write about in more detail.
• Using a photograph (or one of these picture writing prompts ), write a short caption or description to go alongside it. 
• Imagine you are the owner of a new restaurant. Create a menu of the dishes you will serve at this restaurant. 
• What has been the best part of your day so far? And what has been the worst part of the day?
• Imagine that you have a time machine. What year would you travel to and why?
• If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
• If you could keep one dinosaur as a pet, which dinosaur would you pick and why?
• Write down everything you remember from a recent nightmare that you had. 
• What is your favourite country in the whole wide world? List at least five fun facts about this country.
• Make a list of at least 3 different story ideas about aliens.
• Create a character description of the world’s most evil supervillains.
• What is your greatest achievement to date? What are you most proud of and why?
• Write an action-packed scene that contains the following: A car chase, a lucky pair of socks and a talking parrot.
• What advice would you give to someone who is being bullied? You could make a list of at least three pieces of advice that you might give.
• Imagine you are stuck on a desert island. Write a diary entry of your first day on the island.
• Imagine you are a pirate sailing the seven seas. Talk about the scariest thing you faced while out at sea.
• You just discovered a new planet . Can you describe this new planet in detail? What would you call it? Does any life exist on the planet? What type of climate does it have?
• Would you rather have a magical unicorn as a pet or a fire-breathing dragon?
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: One day I was walking through the forest and discovered…
• Write a letter to your friend about a favourite memory you have of them. You can use the following starter as inspiration: Remember that time…
• Make a list of book title ideas for a story about a girl who can go invisible whenever she wants.
• A talking cat is fast asleep, then suddenly someone wakes it up. Write down a short script between the cat, and the person arguing. 
• What is the nicest thing that anyone has done for you recently?
• Make a list of 10 online safety tips to help you stay safe online.
• Can you think of at least 5 ways to prevent climate change in your daily life?
• Make a list of your top ten favourite books of all time.
• Think about a movie that you’ve seen recently. What did you enjoy most about this movie, and what did you dislike about it?
• You are just about to take a bite of an apple. And then suddenly the apple starts screaming. What do you do next?
• Describe a magical forest in great detail. What makes this forest so magical?
• Write a super scary scene, using the following starter: As I walked into the haunted house…
• What is your greatest fear? Is it possible to ever overcome this fear? If so, how would you do it?
• Make a list of at least five things you like about yourself. And then make a list of five things that you would change about yourself.
• What would the perfect day look like for you? How would it start? What activities would you do? And how does it end?
• You are standing in the playground when you hear two of your classmates making fun of your best friend. What do you do next?
• A young boy yells at his pet eagle to fly away into the wild. The eagle does not respond. Write down this scene between the two characters in great detail. 
• Describe a pencil in the greatest detail possible.
• Create your own superhero character. What are their strengths and superpowers? What about their weaknesses? Also, think of a cool superhero name for them!
• What is your dream job? What skills and traits do you need to do this job well?
• Imagine that you have had the worst day ever. Write down what happened to make it so bad.
• What is your favourite colour? Now write a short rhyming poem about this colour.
• If you had three wishes, what would you wish for and why? Wishing for extra wishes is not allowed.
• Write an action-packed scene of a lion chasing a zebra in the wild from the perspective of the lion. 
• Imagine you own a video gaming company. Your task is to come up with a new video game idea. Explain this new video game idea in detail.
• What would you do if you were given $1 million dollars? 
• What is your favourite hobby or interest? Can you provide at least five tips for beginners who might be interested in starting this hobby?
• Make a top ten list of your favourite celebrities or YouTube stars.
• Write the opening paragraph of a fairytale about a zombie prince who has returned from the dead.
• Write an alternative ending to a fairytale that you are familiar with. For example, you could write a sad ending for Cinderella or a cliff-hanger style ending for Jack and the Beanstalk.
• Write down a conversation in a script format between two people waiting for the bus at a bus stop.
• Would you rather get abducted by aliens, or discover a magical portal to another realm in your bedroom? Explain your answer.
• Write a shape poem about your favourite food in the shape of this food.
• If you had to prepare for a zombie invasion, which three items would you pack in your bag, and why?
• Describe the most beautiful garden in the world in detail. What type of flowers would it have? Would it have any garden furniture?
• You receive a strange parcel in the middle of the night. You open the parcel to discover… Write down at least one paragraph of what you discover in the parcel.
• Use the word, ‘Stampede’ in at least three different sentences.
• Complete the following metaphor in at least three different ways: Your smile is like…
• Describe the city of the future. What would the buildings look like? How will people travel? What kind of homes will people live in?
• What is Marie Curie (the physicist) famous for? Research and write down five facts about her research and studies. 
• You have just been made leader of the Kingdom of Kinloralm. As the leader, what rules would you set for the kingdom? Make a list of at least 10 rules that you will enforce. 
• A witch has cast a spell on you. Every night at midnight, you turn into a werewolf. Describe this transformation in great detail. What does it feel like when you are transforming? How does your skin change? What about your teeth and fingernails?
• Using the following starter , write at least one paragraph: When I look outside the window…
• After a deep sleep, you wake up to find yourself locked inside a cage. No one else is around. What do you do next?
• You keep on having the same nightmare every night. In your nightmare, you are running as fast as you can, and then you suddenly fall. When you turn around you see… Write at least one paragraph about what you see. 
• Write down at least 10 interview questions that you can ask your favourite celebrity. If you have time, you can even write down the potential answers to these questions from the perspective of the celebrity.
• Write a how-to guide on how to grow tomatoes at home.
• Make a list of at least five tips for keeping your bedroom clean.
• Would you rather drive the fastest car on Earth for one hour or own a custom-made bicycle? Explain your choice.
• Write a limerick poem about an old snail. 
• Find something in your room that begins with the letter, ‘R’, and write a paragraph describing this object in detail.
• Research the history of how the first mobile phone was invented. Create a timeline of mobile phone inventions from the very first mobile to the current time. 
• If you were the headteacher of your school, what changes would you make and why? Try to list and describe at least three changes. 
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of having access to the internet? Try to think of at least five benefits and five drawbacks.
• Write about the best day of your life so far. Then write about the worst day of your life so far.
• Imagine that you are an agony aunt for a newspaper. A reader has written to you with the following problem: Dear Agony Aunt, I have no friends at school. And my classmates are always making fun of me… What advice would you give this reader?
• Imagine that you are a salesperson. Your task is to sell a new chocolate bar to customers. Write down a sales pitch that was selling this chocolate bar. What features would you highlight? What are the benefits of this chocolate bar?
• Can you complete the following sentence in three different ways: When I feel upset, I …
• What is the most difficult part about being in middle school? What is the best part of middle school?
• Imagine that your best friend has just revealed a huge secret. How would you react? Write down a script of the conversation between you and your best friend.
• Have you learned any new skills recently? How did you learn these?
• Imagine you are sitting at a dinner party with a group of strangers. Describe the atmosphere in great detail. Who are you sitting next to? What sort of conversations are the other guests having? What food is being served?
• Five years from now, where will you be? Will you be the same person? How would you have changed?
• Write about your plans for the weekend.
• Describe a day in the life of being a goldfish in a fishbowl at a pet shop.
• While at the seaside, a message in a bottle washes up onto the shore. You open the bottle and read the message. The message reads: Help Me! I’m stranded on an island! What do you do next?
• A mother and her son are baking some muffins in the kitchen. Write down a conversation that they might have while they bake together.
• Make a list of indoor activities you can do when it’s raining outside. Try to think of at least ten activities.
• Write down a diary entry from the perspective of an alien secretly living undercover on Earth. 
• Write at least three different opening lines for the following story idea: A king needs to keep his kingdom safe from the ravenous trolls that come out at night.
• Imagine you are a secret agent cat, write about your most recent mission.
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: If I could change the world, I would…
• If you could program a robot, what tasks would you program it to do, and why?
• Imagine you are the owner of a toy shop. Your task is to hire some toy makers. Write a job description for a toymaker. Think about the skills and traits required to become a toymaker. 
• You are the owner of a zoo. Suddenly you hear people screaming as the lions are accidentally released. What do you do next?
• Your future self comes from the future to warn you about something. Write a conversation that you would have with your future self. 
• If you had a choice to become a superhero or a supervillain, which one would you be and why?
• Can you think of at least three things that no one knows about you? Why have you kept these things a secret?
• During a science experiment, you mix up the wrong chemicals. The liquid turns blue and jumps out of the glass container. It then slides into your backpack. What do you do next?
• Write down at least five things that you are grateful for in your life right now.
• You notice some strange footprints in your backyard leading to your shed. You follow these footprints and discover…
• When was the last time someone upset you or hurt your feelings? How did they hurt your feelings? Do you remember what was said?
• You walk inside a magic shop. You see all sorts of weird and fun things. Describe the inside of the shop in as much detail as possible. 
• Write at least three different opening lines for the following story idea: A young werewolf wants to be a human again.
• Make a list of three different story ideas about dragons.
• Write from the perspective of a kite flying high in the sky. Think about what you feel, see and hear.
• Write about your favourite subject at school. Why do you like this subject?
• Write a haiku poem about the full moon.
• Imagine you are the manager of a TV channel. Make a list of at least three new TV show ideas you can air on Saturday evening.
• You find a baby alien in your basement. What do you do next?
• Think of at least three newspaper headlines for the following article idea: The new mayor of your town/city is planning on creating more homes.
• Imagine that your pet dog has gone missing. Create a missing poster to find your dog. Remember to describe any important details relating to the dog in your power.
• Write an advertisement for the brand new mixer 3000. It mixes all the best music tracks with sounds to create the ultimate track.
• Write down three sentences. One of something interesting that happened to you today. Another of something positive that happened. And finally another sentence of something negative. 
• Write down four different character descriptions. Each character must have a different background story or history when growing up.
• Imagine you had a terrible experience at a restaurant. Write a complaint letter to the restaurant manager, outlining the problems you had. 
• Imagine your family is planning to go on a cruise. As you drive to the boat, a person walks up to your car window, holds up a flyer, and demands that they do what they were told. What is your family’s reply?
• As you’re making your way home, you pass by a group of people. It turns out the person who was walking next to them is a ghost. What do you do next?
• Your best friend has had a terrible year. You need to plan the best birthday party ever for them. Make a list of items that you will need for the party. 
• Using the 5 W’s and 1 H technique, outline the following newspaper article idea: A new breed of wolves was discovered nearby. The 5 W’s include: What, Where, When, Who and why. The one H is How.
• Write a positive self-talk poem, using the following starter: I am…
• Take a recent picture that you have drawn at home or during art class. Using this picture, can you think of at least three ideas for stories from it?
• How can you prevent bullying in your school? Make a list of at least five different ways to prevent bullying.
• Write a list of at least 10 interview questions that you can ask your favourite teacher at school. If you want, you can actually ask these questions and write down the responses your teacher gives.
• Describe a day in the life of being a mouse that lives in your school.
• What qualities to look for in a friend? Make a list of at least 3 qualities. Also, think about what qualities you try to avoid. 
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: When I wake up in the morning, I feel…
• Do you ever wish you could do more to help people? Make a list of at least five ways you can help a friend who is going through a tough time.
• When was the last time you felt angry? How did you deal with this anger? Do you think it is okay to be angry all the time?
• Write down at least three predictions for the future. These predictions can be personal or about the world. You can use the following starter: In 10 years time…
• Do you enjoy writing? If yes, then what kind of things do you enjoy writing about. Explain your answer.
• Think about the last book you read. Which scene in the book stood out to you the most? Why did it stand out for you?
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: The biggest question on my mind right now is…

What did you think of this list of quick and easy writing prompts for Middle School students? Did you find this list useful or difficult to use? Let us know in the comments below!

Printable Writing Pack for Middle Schoolers

Thank you for reading this post! You can download the free PDF writing prompts for Middle School students pack here .

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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50 creative writing prompts for middle school students.

• September 11, 2023
• 11 min read

Table of Contents:

Why creative writing matters, prompts to explore personal experiences, prompts for imagining fantastic worlds, prompts for exploring emotions, prompts to unleash adventure, prompts for humor and laughter, writing prompts for middle school mystery and suspense section, prompts to reflect on the future, prompts for historical time travel, writing prompts for middle school to target sci-fi and futuristic fantasies, writing prompts for middle school to dive into nature, writing prompts for middle school for alternate realities, are these prompts suitable for both classroom and individual use, creative writing.

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Middle school is a time of exploration, growth, and boundless imagination. It’s a phase where young minds are eager to express themselves, and what better way to channel this energy than through creative writing? This article explores 50 creative writing prompts for middle school students to worlds of wonder, emotion, and adventure. These prompts stimulate their creativity, boost their writing skills, and encourage them to think beyond the ordinary.

Creative writing holds a significance that extends far beyond the confines of a classroom. It is a form of expression that acts like a mirror reflecting human emotions, similar to what is explored in What are the three main purposes for writing? . It is a powerful medium through which individuals can express their innermost thoughts, emotions, and ideas, allowing them to connect with themselves and the world around them on a deeper level. This art form empowers individuals to unleash their imagination and paint vivid landscapes of words, enabling them to communicate in ways that traditional language often falls short of. For middle school students, creative writing is a journey of exploration and growth, much like the journey described in How to write a good story: A complete process . As they engage with a diverse array of writing prompts for middle school, they embark on a path that enriches their vocabulary, refines their grasp of grammar, and teaches them the invaluable skill of structuring their thoughts coherently and effectively. Through crafting narratives and weaving intricate tales, students learn the art of storytelling, a skill crucial in literature and various aspects of life. Whether it’s penning down a compelling essay, delivering a persuasive speech, or even drafting a well-structured email, the ability to organize ideas compellingly is a trait that serves students well throughout their academic and professional journey. However, the benefits of creative writing go well beyond linguistic and organizational services like book writing services . This form of expression acts as a mirror that reflects the complexities of human emotions. As students immerse themselves in crafting characters, settings, and plotlines, they inherently develop a deep sense of empathy. By stepping into the shoes of diverse characters and exploring the world from various perspectives, students cultivate an understanding of different viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences. This broadens their worldview and nurtures their ability to relate to and connect with people from all walks of life.

• Discovering a Hidden Door

Imagine stumbling upon a mysterious door in your school that no one else has noticed. Where does it lead, and what adventures await on the other side?

• The Day I Traveled Through Time

You wake up one morning to find yourself in a different period. Describe your experiences and the challenges you face in this unfamiliar era.

• My Conversation with a Talking Animal

While wandering in the woods, you encounter an animal that can communicate with you. Write about your unexpected conversation and the wisdom the animal imparts.

• A Mysterious Message in a Bottle

You discover a message in a bottle washed up on the shore. What does the message say, and how does it change your life?

• Life on a Floating Island

Describe a world where entire civilizations exist on floating islands in the sky. What are the unique challenges and wonders of this airborne realm?

• Journey to the Center of a Candy Planet

You embark on a journey to the core of a planet made entirely of candy. Detail your adventures as you traverse the sugary landscapes.

• The Robot’s Secret Rebellion

In a futuristic city, robots have secretly started rebelling against their human creators. Explore the events leading up to this uprising and the consequences that follow.

• When Magic Came to the Modern World

Magic suddenly becomes real in the present day. How does society change, and how do you adapt to this new magical reality?

• The Joy of Finding a Lost Toy

Revisit a childhood memory of losing a cherished toy and the overwhelming happiness of eventually finding it.

• A Moment of Overcoming Fear

Write about when you faced a fear head-on and emerged stronger and braver on the other side.

• The Bittersweet Farewell

Explore the emotions surrounding a farewell to a close friend moving away. How do you cope with the mixture of joy and sadness?

• An Unexpected Act of Kindness

Describe an instance where a stranger’s small act of kindness profoundly impacts your life and perspective.

• Quest for the Enchanted Crown

Embark on a quest to retrieve a stolen enchanted crown from a treacherous dragon’s lair. Chronicle your epic adventure and the challenges you must overcome.

• Lost in a Haunted Forest

You find yourself lost in a mysterious and haunted forest. Describe your eerie surroundings and the spine-chilling encounters you experience.

• Exploring an Abandoned Space Station

Write about your exploration of a deserted space station, uncovering its secrets and unraveling the mysteries of its past.

• Time-Traveling to Historical Events

Where and when would you go if you could time-travel to any historical event? Describe your experiences and the impact they have on your perspective.

• The Day I Turned into a Vegetable

Imagine waking up one day to find yourself transformed into a vegetable. How do you communicate, and what hilarious misadventures ensue?

• Conversations Between My Pets

Write a humorous dialogue between your pets discussing their daily lives, adventures, and their peculiar perspectives on the world.

• When My Room Became a Miniature Zoo

Describe a scenario where your room suddenly becomes a mini-zoo filled with various animals. How do you manage this unexpected turn of events?

• The Misadventures of Super Socks

Create a quirky superhero story where a pair of socks gains extraordinary powers and embarks on comical crime-fighting escapades.

• The Puzzle of the Whispering Walls

Detail a suspenseful investigation into the strange phenomenon of walls that whisper cryptic messages, leading to an unexpected revelation.

• Footprints in the Forbidden Attic

You discover mysterious footprints leading to the forbidden attic in your house. Write about your daring exploration and the secrets you uncover.

• The Disappearance of the Midnight Carnival

Describe the mysterious disappearance of a beloved carnival that only operates at midnight. What clues do you follow to solve the enigma?

• The Secret Diary of a Famous Explorer

You stumble upon the secret diary of a renowned explorer. Unveil the adventures chronicled within its pages and the hidden truths it holds.

• A Glimpse into Life as an Adult

Imagine yourself as an adult and write about a day in your future life. How have your goals, priorities, and perspectives evolved?

• Inventing a Revolutionary Gadget

Design a revolutionary gadget that changes the world. Describe its features, benefits, and the impact it has on society.

• My First Day on Another Planet

Transport yourself to an alien planet and narrate your experiences on the first day of your interstellar adventure.

• The World After Solving Pollution

Describe a world where pollution has been successfully eliminated. How does this achievement reshape the environment, society, and daily life?

• Prompts for Exploring Friendship

Write about a strong and unbreakable bond between two friends. What challenges have they overcome together, and how has their friendship evolved?

• Adventures of the Dynamic Duo

Create a story about a dynamic duo who embark on thrilling adventures together. What makes their partnership special, and how do they complement each other?

• A Magical Friend from a Book

Imagine a character from a book coming to life and becoming your friend. Describe your magical friendship and the escapades you share.

• Messages in a Bottle Between Pen Pals

Two pen pals communicate through messages sent in bottles across a vast ocean. Write about their unique form of friendship and the stories they share.

• An Interview with a Renaissance Artist

Travel back in time to interview a famous Renaissance artist. Explore their inspirations, struggles, and the impact of their art on the world.

• Surviving the Titanic Disaster

Imagine being a passenger on the Titanic and surviving the tragic sinking. Chronicle your experiences and the lessons you learn from the ordeal.

• Ancient Egypt: Through the Eyes of a Pharaoh

Experience life as an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Describe the grandeur of your rule, interactions with subjects, and leadership challenges.

• Encountering Dinosaurs in Prehistoric Times

Describe an adventurous journey to prehistoric times, where you encounter dinosaurs and experience the wonders and dangers of the ancient world.

• When Robots Ruled the World

Envision a world where robots have taken over as rulers. Detail the consequences of this robotic regime and the struggles of human resistance.

• Galactic Explorers on a New Frontier

Join a group of galactic explorers as they venture into uncharted space territories. Describe their discoveries, encounters, and the mysteries they unravel.

• The Day I Met an Alien from Mars

Write about the day you encounter a friendly alien from Mars. How do you communicate, and what do you learn from each other?

• Earth 3000: A Utopian Dream or Dystopian Reality?

Transport yourself to the year 3000 and describe the state of the Earth. Is it a romantic paradise or a dystopian nightmare? What led to this outcome?

• Conversations with Forest Creatures

Imagine having conversations with animals in a magical forest. Write about the wisdom they share and the adventures you embark on together.

• My Adventure in the Enchanted Rainforest

Describe your thrilling adventure through an enchanted rainforest with mystical creatures and hidden secrets.

• The Underwater Discovery: Mermaid’s Tale

You discover a hidden underwater world inhabited by mermaids. Chronicle your underwater journey and the interactions you have with these mythical beings.

• Exploring a World Inside a Dewdrop

Write about a micro-adventure inside a dewdrop, where you encounter miniature worlds and experience nature from a new perspective.

• Stepping into a Mirror Universe

Describe an experience where you step into an alternate reality through a mirror. How is this world different from yours, and what challenges do you face?

• The Butterfly Effect: Changing a Single Moment

Explore the butterfly effect concept by narrating a story where changing a single moment in the past has a cascading impact on the present and future.

• My Life as a Fictional Character

Imagine living the life of a fictional character from your favorite book. Describe your experiences as you navigate their world and story.

• When Dreams Became Our Reality

Write about a world where dreams have the power to shape reality. How do people use their dreams to create their lives, and what challenges arise?

• The Ethereal Library

Imagine a mystical library that holds books containing the stories of every possible life you could have lived. Write about a person who stumbles upon this library and can read the book of their alternate life stories.

• The Reality Architect

In a future society, some specialized architects design alternate realities for individuals seeking escape from their own lives. Write about a reality architect and their journey to create the perfect alternate world for a client.

• The Convergence Point

Describe a world where all alternate realities converge at a single point in time. People from different realities can meet and interact for a brief period. Write about the challenges and opportunities that arise during this unique convergence.

The suitability of writing prompts for middle school for classroom and individual use depends on their content and complexity. Prompts encouraging critical thinking, creative expression, and thoughtful discussion can work well in both settings. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Ensure that the prompts are clear and easily understandable by individuals and a group of students. Avoid overly complex language or concepts that might be confusing.
• Writing prompts for middle school allow various interpretations, and responses can engage individual learners and groups. This flexibility encourages students to express their unique perspectives.
• Choose interesting and relevant writing prompts for middle school to the target audience, whether in a classroom full of students or individuals working independently. Engaging prompts are more likely to spark enthusiasm and thoughtful responses.
• Prompts that invite discussion and debate can lead to rich and meaningful conversations for classroom use. These prompts should be open-ended and encourage diverse viewpoints.

Middle school is critical for nurturing creativity, similar to the journey detailed in How to launch a book: The ultimate guide for authors , young students’ creativity, and honing writing skills. These 50 creative writing prompts for middle school offer many opportunities to explore diverse themes, emotions, and scenarios while refining their writing abilities. Whether they’re crafting tales of time travel, exploring futuristic realms, or delving into the mysteries of the past, these prompts will ignite the imagination and open new avenues of self-expression for budding writers.

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The best writing prompts for middle school

Writing has a funny way of bringing the world around us to sharp contrast — which is why creative writing prompts might turn out to be just the trick to get the imaginations of your middle school students going! Whether you make it a journaling activity in the classroom or an interactive project to get your middle schoolers swapping ideas with friends, a writing prompt can do it all for kids: improve their writing skills, skyrocket their creativity, and broaden their perspective beyond the confines of school.

This directory is bursting with the best writing ideas about animals, people, and nature. Feel free to use any of these writing prompts for middle school to help turn your students into young writers with a story of their own.

If you're looking to cut to the chase, here's a list of top ten favorite writing prompts for middle schoolers:

• A character finds an old roll of film, and takes it to be developed. What do they find?
• A mundane ability suddenly becomes a superpower. Write about someone or something affected by this.
• End your story with someone finally conceding to another's point of view.
• Format your story in the style of diary entries.
• Set your story in a confectionery shop.
• Write a story about someone struggling to swallow some harsh (but fair) constructive criticism.
• Write a story in the form of a top-ten list.
• Write a story inspired by a piece of music (without using any lyrics).
• Write a story that focuses on the relationship between siblings.
• Write a story involving a character donating a box of clothes they have outgrown.

If you have a middle school student who's interested in becoming an author, check out our free resources on the topic:

Develop a Writing Routine (free course) — It’s never too early to start developing a writing routine! While creative writing prompts can give a student the spark of an idea for a story, it will take time, effort, and commitment to turn it into a novel. This course will show an author of any age how to develop the discipline that they will need to write a book.

Want to encourage your middle school students to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekly short story contest , for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

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

Creative Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

• Published February 11, 2023

Table of Contents

Creative Writing Prompts for middle school students is a fun list to help unmotivated and uninspired students use their imagination. Do you know one of the major reasons why students struggle with their writing growth is a lack of inspiration and guidance? This can result in low creative thinking leading to lower-quality work and poor confidence.

With these creative writing prompts specifically tailored to middle school students, you’ll have a starting point for your writing. There’s nothing like a spark of inspiration to get you going! Do you need more structured guidance from Oxbridge tutors to give you a massive boost in your creative writing skills? Check out our most in-demand  creative writing summer school !

Are you ready to dive in and feel inspired by exciting writing prompt ideas? Read on!

The Best Writing Prompts for Middle School

Before getting started, you may want to delve deeper into some creative writing examples to get into the swing of things. If you’ve done that, then here are a few of the best writing prompts for middle school students that help spark creativity:

• Who’s your favourite character in a book? Try journaling from the character’s perspective.
• What topic are you passionate about? Write a persuasive essay on the topic. 
• Think about your favourite place on Planet Earth. Write a descriptive essay about it.
• Write a story that begins with the sentence, “It was a dark and stormy night.”
• If you had a time machine, where you would go and what you would do.
• Recall a memorable emotion or experience. Write a poem about it. 
• Think about a current event you find interesting. Write a news article about it. 
• Who would you approach if you could ask for advice from anyone, living or dead? Write them a letter. 
• Imagine you’re an astronaut travelling through space. Write a journal entry about your experience.
• What’s one of the most memorable moments in your life? Write a personal narrative about it. 
• Write a short story about a character who overcomes a challenge or obstacle.
• What topic did you learn about recently? Write an informative essay about it.
• Write a fictional diary entry from the point of view of a historical figure.
• What specific animal do you find beautiful? Write a descriptive poem about it.
• Describe your hopes and dreams for the next five years via a letter to your future self. 
• Imagine that you are stranded on a deserted island. Write a story about your experience.
• Write a scene in a play in an unusual setting.
• What place would you like to visit? Write a descriptive paragraph about it. 
• Write a personal reflection about a significant event or experience and what you have learned from it.
• What’s your favourite animal? Write a fictional story from your fave animal’s perspective.

Creative Story Ideas: 34 Story Starters and Prompts for Middle Schoolers

• A magical pen that brings drawings to life
• A group of friends find a hidden treasure map.
• A world where animals can talk
• A robot who develops human emotions
• A strange creature is discovered in the depths of the ocean.
• A character who can see into the future
• A young detective solves a series of mysterious crimes.
• Teenage superhero navigates the challenges of middle school while saving the world.
• A group of middle school students stumble upon a secret government experiment.
• The magical kingdom is hidden in a scary forest.
• A vengeful ghost haunts the basketball court at a small school.
• Time-travel adventure to the Wild West 100 years ago. 
• Friends have to save their town from a massive alien invasion.
• A character who learns to communicate with animals to save them from illegal hunters.
• A future world where AI technology controls everything.
• A distraught character who can control time and tries to change their past.
• Four teenagers go on a survival camping trip that turns into a nightmare.
• The magical creature must find a way back home against the efforts of evil humans who want to use its powers for their own purposes.
• A young girl discovers she was born 500 years ago.
• An orphan wakes up with no memory of who they are until they accidentally stumble upon an oddly familiar house.
• Students accidentally open a portal to another dimension and try to find their way back home fast because their final exam is a week away.
• A terrifying monster lives beneath the city streets. So why did it start terrorising the city all of a sudden?
• A gamer gets stuck in a video game. How can said gamer get out? Do they even want to?
• A middle school student starts having foreboding dreams that come true. What is the universe trying to warn them?
• Students attend a school for monster-slaying magic. So what monsters are they fighting against?
• A group of kids discover a secret underground society they must fight to save modern civilisation.
• An old man saves his town from a natural disaster in 13 minutes. 
• The dragon wakes up from a century-long slumber. Only to discover it’s the only one left.
• The robot becomes self-aware and must navigate human emotions.
• A young inventor creates a machine that can read minds for a sinister purpose.
• A magical place where everyone has a special ability gets tangled up in a civil war.
• Supernatural mystery in an old, abandoned mansion that can save the world from a looming threat.
• A haunted amusement park contains secrets that can solve a criminal case.
• A young scientist creates a potion that can make people fly.
• An evil character can control the elements. How will the average human hero stop them?

Writing Prompts for Stories That Start with Dialogue for Middle Schoolers

• “I can’t believe you did that,” John says to his best friend. Write a story about what John’s best friend did. 
• “I wish I could go back in time and change everything,” laments Jane. Write a story about Jane’s regrets. What would she do differently if given a chance?
• “I found something bizarre in the backyard,” said Tom to his sister. Write a story about what Tom found. How did the discovery change their lives? 
• “I can’t do this anymore!” screamed Sarah to her parents. What is Sarah complaining about? How did her parents react?
• “I’m going to run away,” whispers Michael to his classmates. Why does Michael plan on running away? What happens when he does?
• “I knew you were hiding something,” said Jack to his friend. Write a story about Jack’s discovery and how it affects their friendship.
• Blake cries to her family, “I’m not who you think I am!” 
• Write a story about how Alex stands up for himself against a bully. Starting with this line: “I’m not going to take it anymore,” 
• “I think we might be lost,” whimpers Lucy to her friends. Where are Lucy and her friends? Why did they get lost in the first place?
• Ryan is grappling with a massive decision. Begin the story with “I think this is a sign.”
• The principal walks through the hallway, saying to Teacher Clare, “Help your students cope with the recent tragedy that plagued our halls.” What happened?

General Creative Writing Ideas for Middle School Students

Here is a list of prompts to get those creative juices flowing:

• Talk about a time you were so happy you wish the moment would last forever.
• You went to art class with a blind friend. How would you describe the painting to them? Use descriptive words.
• If you could go on your dream vacation today, what would it be like?
• Make a list of the most thought-provoking questions you can come up with.
• You’re about to meet your favourite celebrity. What interview questions would you ask them?
• If you could choose what happens next in your life until death, what will your story look like?
• Imagine how your favourite pet was created and use procedural writing to describe the process.
• If you were to insert yourself in a book you read, how would you change the story?

Want more fun writing prompts ? Check these out! Write a/an:

• Short story about reluctant writers whose writing changes the world.
• Acrostic poem about friendship or love.
• Science fiction story about a futuristic world where your favourite toy is a legendary weapon with fearsome power.
• Letter that will help inspire your past self when you were in a difficult part in your life.
• Personal narrative about a memorable event from your childhood.
• Descriptive paragraph about a person you admire.
• Write a horror science fiction story about a world where technology is advanced beyond our current understanding.
• Background story for your least favourite side character.
• List of the benefits of writing. Use persuasive writing
• Instructional essay on how to make a magical portal.
• Mystery story where the main character finds the missing heirloom of an ancient noble family.
• Story about a boy who became a millionaire because of a video game idea.
• Personal letter to a historical figure, asking questions or seeking advice.
• Descriptive poem about a specific season or weather.
• Story about time travel and the consequences of changing the past.
• Fun story about a cross-country road trip you would like to take.
• Story about a character who is an outsider and how they find a sense of belonging.
• Terrifying story about a person haunted by a past event and how they come to terms with it.
• Heroic story about a character who journeys to discover their true identity.
• Persuasive letter to a public figure expressing your thoughts on a current issue

Journaling Prompts for Middle School Writing

Here are journal prompts for middle school kids:

• Describe your hometown.
• What’s your favourite season, and why?
• What are your greatest fears? Do you want to overcome them? Why or why not?
• Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
• Write a descriptive paragraph about your favourite food and why you like it.
• What’s the meaning of your life? Use reflective writing.
• What’s your favourite food and what does it remind you of?
• If you won the lottery today, what would you buy?
• Do you have a pet dog? How do you feel about your furry friend?
• Choose one event in your life you wish didn’t happen. Why?
• What’s your dream dinner party?
• Would you rather become a normal person or a superhero? Why?
• Who would you call first when you’re in a dangerous situation?
• When was the time you felt most peaceful? Describe what was happening.
• Do you enjoy story writing? Why or why not?
• What are your top 3 greatest accomplishments so far?
• If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
• What’s the most embarrassing experience you’ve had?
• If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? Why?
• What’s your dream job? Why?
• Describe your ideal friend.
• Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?
• Write about a time you tried something new and what you learned from the experience.
• What’s the most beautiful movie science you’ve seen? Describe it.
• If you could invent any item, what features would it have? And what is its purpose?

If you feel like challenging yourself then check out our high school creative writing prompts .

There you have it – a fun list of favourite writing prompts for middle schoolers to enjoy. What are your favourite ideas to write so far? And,

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100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School

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Looking for some inspiration for your next short story? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 100 creative writing prompts for middle school to help you get started. Chose your favorite story idea from the list of creative writing prompts below and get started right now.

Why Story Starters and Writing Prompts Work

Writing is a complex skill. Not only do the hands of middle school students still cramp up when they write for more than a nanosecond, but they have to synthesize many new writing skills at once.

Young writers must generate creative writing ideas, assess their ideas to choose the best one, determine a compelling beginning, middle, and end, outline their story, write several drafts, and edit their own work. These are all necessary skills that must be developed, yes, but if we can isolate them, focusing on one or two at a time, we make it easier for middle school children to conquer each skill.

With writing prompts, they have lots of fun writing ideas to choose from. This takes away the stress of having to come up with their own high-concept idea. (And while these prompts only help with writing-induced stress, we recommend these tips for how to relieve stress in general. Being stressed doesn’t go well with creative writing.)

When they have a starting point to work from, writing gets a lot easier. Instead of spending a long time feeling frustrated about a lack of ideas, students can jump right in and write their first sentence. Even reluctant writers tend to get more excited about writing when presented with irresistible story-writing prompts.

In short, the best thing about using these fun writing prompts is that middle schoolers are more likely to fall in love with writing when they have a great time doing it.

Who Should Use These Story Writing Prompts

While these have been prepared with middle school and high school students in mind, many of them are also applicable to adult writers. Most of the prompts below will be too advanced or complex for most elementary school students, though some older kids from the lower grades, especially those with a real passion for writing, might find a few that peak their interest.

To make things a little simpler for you, we’ve also included a free printable version of these prompts that you can grab by entering your information below.

Sign Up for Your FREE Printable Story Starters and Writing Prompts

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Writing Prompts for Stories That Start Out Just Like Any Other Day

• I tiptoed into the bathroom. If anyone caught me doing this, I’d be in big trouble. I grabbed my mother’s lipstick and brought it back to my bedroom where my brother slept…
• I peeked through the curtains. There was a limo parked outside with two bodyguards. I heard a knock at the door…
• I went over to say hello to the cute little baby under the umbrella, but when I reached her, I saw that…
• The bell rang, and I sprinted toward my locker. I had to get out of there before…
• I opened the front door to find the UPS man standing on the front stoop, his arm around a cylindrical package that was almost as tall as him. Oh no. Not again, I thought…
• Irene gripped her mom’s hand harder as they walked through the doors of the imposing gray building. Her mom had promised her they’d never have to come here again, but…
• The lights dimmed and the curtains opened. I felt like I was going to throw up. Why had I ever thought this was a good idea?…
• As soon as I boarded the train, I began my letter to my sister.  I did it. I sold everything and am on my way to…
• A kid’s birthday party seemed like an innocent enough place to blend in and relax for a moment. It’s been a while since I stopped moving. But when the balloon popped…
• I sat down at my desk and sifted through the mail that had been placed in front of my computer. All junk, of course. I was about to dump it all in the recycling bin when I saw my favorite magazine at the bottom of the pile. Tossing the rest aside, I snatched it up, but something unexpected fell out from between the pages…
• We were canoeing across the inlet when we noticed some unusual movement alongside the boat. A whale was surfacing next to us. Another one followed closely behind. Suddenly, our boat was being lifted out of the water and…
• The Instagram account I created for my hamster just went viral and he’s getting calls with job offers from around the world, only …
• At first, we thought the box contained the water guns we ordered online, so we tore it open eagerly, ready to load them up. Instead, what we saw inside completely changed everything.
• I got off the boat furious and trembling. I was never getting back on there again, not with him at least. There was no way I was going to let him…
• The pancakes were perfect—round and golden, soft but a little crispy near the edges. I slathered them in maple syrup and fruit. But then mom went to the fridge and took out the whipped cream, giving me an apologetic look as she did so. It was a treat, a very special one, and she only ever brought it out if…
• We sat around the campfire in eerie silence, nobody wanting to bring up our predicament. Everything was going to have to come out anyway, we might as well get it over with. I was just about to clear my throat when I noticed Sam and Layla standing apart from the group, whispering. What were they plotting now?
• I’d always wanted to be brave like my brother Simon. He wasn’t afraid of anything. I remember once, when he was younger, he…
• We walked through the garden one last time, knowing we’d never return to this house again. I waved goodbye to each flower bed, to the apple tree that I’d climbed innumerable times as a child. I wanted to scream. Why were they making me…
• My dad used to tell me these crazy stories when I was a kid. His life seemed so bizarre to me, but his sense of humor was mysterious, like I could never tell when fact blended into fiction. I still don’t know which ones to believe, like that one about…
• Shivering, I tried to open the door of my car, but it was frozen shut. I looked up and scanned the parking lot to make sure nobody had seen me. Why did it have to be this freezing, today of all days? What if they…

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Writing Prompts for Stories That Start with Dialogue

• “Drink it, quick!” I looked at the bottle. The contents were unlike any I’d ever seen. I closed my eyes and drank it in one gulp…
• “Five more minutes,” my dad grunted, as I tried to pull him out of bed. “Dad, they’re here–we have to go!”
• “Shh…” I said frantically, as Robin’s wheelchair squeaked again. “Don’t you know how much trouble we’ll be in if they find us…”
• “Put me down!” I yelled as I was hoisted into the air by a giant…
• “Stop it!” I cried as my little sister snatched my phone from the desk and tried to eat it. I couldn’t run the risk of anyone seeing the words I’d etched into the back of it, the ones that would save my life if anyone ever…
• “Have you ever driven one of these before?” I asked James, trying not to let him see how nervous I was. “Is it safe?”
• “Are you coming or not?” he demanded as he took a few steps further into the…
• “Is there anyone in there?” I wondered aloud, staring up at the gothic castle. “The letter said they’d meet us…”
• “We finally did it!” I exclaimed to my lab partner. “We’ve invented a cream that actually makes people more beautiful. We are going to be so rich!”
• You have just five dollars to your name, and you decide to spend it on lunch at your favorite fast food joint. Just as you’re about to pay, a boy not much older than you leans in and whispers to you, “Hold onto your money. I’ll show you how to turn that five dollars into five grand.”
• You’re standing in line at a coffee shop when you spot a shiny coin on the ground. You bend down to pick it up, but a big black boot stomps down on it just before your fingers grasp it. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a deep voice warns.
• “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news,” she began, her arms crossed nervously over her chest. “You didn’t get in.” When I raised my eyebrows at her, she added, “And there’s more…”
• He patted my hand reassuringly and said, “It’s okay, you can trust me,” in that voice of his that I’d learned meant I really couldn’t. “All you have to do is…”
• “It’s for you!” she called, after answering the phone. When I went to take it from her, she covered the mouthpiece and whispered menacingly, “This better not be about what I think it’s about, got it?”
• “I should have listened to you,” Greg acknowledged, as he lay curled up on the grass, his clothes caked in mud. “You were right about…”
• “How could you?” I asked in disbelief. “After everything we’ve been through, I thought you were the one person I could trust. I can’t believe you…”
• I kicked at the dust with my shoe. Her question had caught me off guard. I wasn’t prepared to answer it, not yet. I tried to stall. “Remember that time when…”
• “Okay, okay, I’m here,” I said, rolling my eyes for effect. “What was this important news that you had to drag me away from pizza night for?”
• “It’s okay, you can come out, you don’t have to be afraid. Here, take my hand.” The hand that reached out toward me was like any I’d ever seen before.
• “Let go!” I screamed at the man holding me in a headlock. I tried to kick his shins, but he just grunted and held tight.  Think quick , I told myself.  Time is running out. If only…

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Writing Prompts with an Element of Suspense

• Estella ran down the trail, her dog, Gerard, several feet ahead of her. A gust of wind ripped through the forest and a loud crack on her left caught her attention. She watched the tree fall, then turned back to the trail, but Gerard was gone…
• The light started to flicker, first blue, then white. I looked around for a way out, but I was trapped. I guess I’d have to resort to the backup plan…
• The footprints in the snow were fresh. They veered off the path and into the woods. I had to make a choice. It was now or never.
• I tiptoed down the stairs of the prison. I had to break her out of here before…
• It was really hot that day, so I went to my favorite lake. I was about to jump into the cool water when a big splash in the middle of the lake sent ripples over the water. Something was in there. Something…
• My sister and I entered the fairgrounds suspiciously. The note we’d found had said that the mystery person would be here at five, and it was half-past four. We weren’t taking any chances. We had to find him before…
• Ellen squeezed down the narrow aisle of the plane looking for row M. She stuffed her backpack under the seat in front of her with her feet and buckled up. As the plane lifted off the ground, the pilot welcome them aboard their flight to Iceland. Wait, what? This wasn’t the flight to…?
• I walked out of the interview, still holding my breath. This was my dream job and I was afraid that the smallest of breaths would cause me to wake up. I exited the building and a little girl approached me. “The job’s yours,” she said, somewhat prophetically. “All you have to do is…”
• Last night, I was taking a nap on the couch when the phone rang. When I answered it, the voice on the other end said, “Will you accept a collect call from Brazil?” I started to panic, was this the call John has warned me about? I answered it with trepidation…
• It was my seventeenth birthday, and I’d been planning the party for months. Everything was perfect: the decorations were over the top, the food catered by my favorite restaurant, and every cool kid in school was there. The only problem? I was stuck in…
• The shelves in the used bookstore climbed higher than I could see, I’d never seen so many books before in my life. I climbed the rolling ladder to get a better look. Just then, a woman approached and held out a thick, red leather-bound tome. “This is one you seek,” she called out to me. “Look no further. This one will…
• I was sitting at a bus stop when a little girl came up to me and gave me a small box. It started trembling in my hands but when I looked up to ask her what it was, she’d disappeared.
• I tiptoed into the haunted house, looking both ways to see what was in it. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw…
• I was about to enter my house when I saw a little dog running down the street toward the busy intersection. There was nobody with him. Without thinking, I took off after him and…
• A loud crash sent me thundering down the stairs to the kitchen. Wolf, my rottweiler was greedily licking lasagna off the tiled floor. Not unusual in and of itself, but what caught my eye was the shiny silver thing glinting underneath the tomato sauce. Was that what I thought it was?…
•  It was well past dark and I was the last person in the library. It was eerily quiet, except for a faint tapping sound coming from the next aisle. I moved cautiously toward the end of the row and peeked my head around the corner…
• I was running out of time. They’d said they’d give me until sundown, and that was only a few hours away. I had to…
• That’s odd , I thought to myself as I reached the next landing and glanced up at the next set of stairs. I don’t remember there being another set of stairs here before. Is this what the old man was talking about when he said…
• The computer beeped again. It was now pinging six times per minute. Whoever was sending these messages was getting impatient, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out why.
• I woke up yesterday in a tree, without even a sweater to keep me dry. The weird thing is…

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Writing Prompts that Ask “What If?”

• What if every character you wrote automatically came to life and a foreign government was after you to make spies for them?
• What if a family member you’d never met left you a parcel of land in Norway, but when you got there you realized it was an enchanted forest?
• What if your parents came home from work tonight and told you they were sending you to boarding school?
• What if you were eating breakfast alone at your kitchen table when a newscaster interrupted your favorite TV show to break the story of a missing person, and the missing person was you?
• What if you could live in Ikea for a month?
• What if a cruise ship full of celebrities got stuck at sea for two weeks?
• What if you were in a museum and discovered a stack of letters describing the location of a buried treasure in your hometown?
• What if you were cast as the lead in an opera but you’d faked your way into the role and didn’t actually know how to sing?
• What if a child saw her parents stealing, but chose to keep it a secret so that she wouldn’t be separated from them?
• What if someone offered you the gift of being the best painter in the world, but in return, you could never stop painting?
• What if your pet was elected mayor of your city?
• What if you were an Uber driver in a world where people travel by hot air balloon instead of by car?
• What if you found a time machine, traveled back in time to ancient Egypt, and discovered that their world was even more modernized than ours and included more advanced technology but that they’d destroyed all evidence of these advances in an effort to protect future generations from making the same devastating decisions that they had?
• What if a screenwriter approached you about making a movie about your life, but every time she interviewed you, she completely ignored every answer you gave and made up her own?
• What if you could type 1000 words per minute and could write a new novel every hour?
• What if you woke up tomorrow morning speaking five new languages that you’d never heard before, only to discover that you’d been recruited by international spies and they’d filled your brain with secrets and information while you were sleeping?
• What if you could never leave high school, but instead had to keep coming back year after year to try and get perfect grades before you were allowed to move on?
• What if your parents were taking you on a dream vacation to Europe, but they got kidnapped at an airport and you had to navigate new countries on your own while trying to save them?
• What if you invented a new tool that could clean your whole house in fifteen minutes and you became a millionaire overnight?
• What if you were reading a list of writing prompts, and you realized that every sentence that came out of your mouth was, in fact, a writing prompt and that you were compelled to write a story for each one?

You might also enjoy:  Poetry Writing Prompts for Kids

Story Starters that will Bend Readers’ Minds

• The answer is 49. I looked around the room. There was nobody else there except Quincey. Could it be?
• It’s all over the news. Random events are taking place. What if someone discovers that it’s my dreams coming true, literally? What will they do to me? I have to find…
• On Saturday morning I went out to the backyard in my slippers and robe to feed my pet rabbits. When I reached their hutch, I gasped. A large hole had been torn in the wire door and the hutch was empty. Fearing the worst, I scanned the yard for signs of their whereabouts, when suddenly I was tapped on the shoulder. I spun around to find a black bear standing in his hind legs. “If you ever want to see your bunnies again,” he said, …
• Never trust your dreams, they will get you in trouble every time. At least, if they’re anything like mine. Maybe trouble has a way of finding me, but still, you need to be safe. Just last week, I had a dream about…
• I’d been tracking him all day, and I almost had him, but I had to wait until he was under a tree before I could pounce. I stood up and scanned the clearing. That’s when I realized that I’d been duped. I wasn’t the stalker, after all. He was the bait, and I was the target.
• A baby sits alone in the plane’s first-class section, bright red headphones perched on his head. He stares at me a moment as I pass, then snaps his fingers at the flight attendant to get her attention. Was this another one of…
• You’re forty years old and are happily married to your spouse of 15 years. You’re offered an opportunity to go back to your childhood and correct a horrible mistake you made, and you accept it. You fix the mistake and continue moving through the stages of your life as you did before. Only, the day you were supposed to meet your spouse for the first time, they never showed up.
• You’re walking down a deserted street downtown when you pass a building with a mural painted on its wall. As you take it in, the faces on the mural suddenly start talking to you, warning you of crimes that are about to occur in the city. You’re unable to shut out their voices or ignore them.
• You’re in the car when the person on the radio starts talking about something you did yesterday. Only, you didn’t actually do it, you only thought about it. And it wasn’t yesterday, it was five minutes ago.
• You discover a book in your parent’s bedroom that describes everything you’ve ever said and done. But the book is a hundred years old, and you’re just twelve. Or so you thought.
• She stepped off the plane looking different from how I remembered her, which was strange as it had only been a few months. But she was taller somehow, her eyes were darker, her features sharper. What had they done to her at that retreat?
• Sometimes I wish I could just get into a waterproof bubble and float away, forever, away from all of this. Leave it all behind and start over. I never actually thought it would be possible, until…
•  The house started to shake, and at first, I thought it was an earthquake. We’d trained for those at school. I ran to the nearest door frame and pushed my hands and feet into it as hard as I could. But this wasn’t a normal earthquake. None of the other houses outside were shaking, for one thing. And it went on much too long. As the shaking got more and more intense, a hole opened in the middle of the house, and from it rose…
• I can talk to animals. It’s just something I’ve always been able to do. I didn’t even know it was weird until some kids at school saw me shooting the breeze with a murder of crows at recess one day. Now I have to keep it a secret. If anyone else finds out…
• You’re walking home with your friends from school one day when your best friend vanishes down a manhole. You jump in without thinking and discover that in the sewer lives an entire species of…
• Leonard sat down on the park bench to tie his shoelace. An old man walked up with his dog and asked Leonard if he’d watch the dog for five minutes. The man never returned, and Leonard…
• I walked through the market timidly, unsure of what I was looking for, but somehow feeling sure that I would find it here. A flash of light flickered almost imperceptibly to my right, and instinctively I turned toward the stall that I’d just passed, but it was gone. In its place…
• Yesterday, my mother was turned into a rock. Yes, a rock. The kind that’s small enough to put in my pocket and carry around. In fact, that’s where she is right now. I have one week to figure out who did this and find them if I ever want to see her face again.
•  I knew robotics were dangerous. I’ve been warning them for years. Even when I was seven, I could see the harm they were capable of causing. But nobody listened to me. Until now. Now that an evil robot is threatening to destroy the world, suddenly they come running back to me for help. Good thing I’m thirteen now. Maybe they’ll actually listen this time.
• It never occurred to me that it would actually work. Who would have thought that the teleporter at the Star Trek Museum was functional? You’d think they would have put up a sign warning kids about that, or something. Anyway, that’s how Jamie and I ended up in this barren land. Now we need to figure out how to get back.

Hopefully, these creative writing prompts for middle school have given you tons of new inspiration for your next class project. Whether you’re writing short stories, flash fiction, or novels, working from a sentence starter or writing prompt is a fun way to spark ideas.

Wednesday 15th of November 2023

these are cool

Tuesday 27th of June 2023

I love these! I've recently started a creative writing journal and have been struggling to find inspiration. I learned about story starters earlier this week and have been hunting down prompts ever since. This list is perfect, thank you!

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300 Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

February 15, 2024 by Richard Leave a Comment

Here are 300 Writing Prompts for Middle School Students, when looking to engage middle school students in daily writing, it can be difficult to come up with enough creative yet educationally meaningful prompts to fill the school year. That’s why I was thrilled to uncover an incredible list of over 300 Writing Prompts for Middle School Students. With about 180 school days, this mega list of prompts could last nearly two school years without repeating! As a middle school teacher striving to make writing fun while also pushing my students to think deeper, stretch their perspectives, and grow their skills, I appreciate prompts tuned specifically to 11-14 year olds on topics that resonate with their developmental stage and experiences.

The list has prompts spanning popular middle school genres and themes ranging from relationships with friends, family, teachers, and community; to personal growth around emotions, hardships, ethics, and decision making; to navigating their changing identity and society around them. Examples that caught my eye include: “How can peers positively stand up to bullying?” and “What leadership lesson challenged you?” Imagine how students will light up responding to prompts that speak their language and tap into what they care about! With 300 on deck, I can target different skills and rotate in new prompts easily. This treasury of writing ideas unlocks an exciting year ahead!

These prompts are organized in the following categories:

On Relationships

On technology, on emotions.

• Issues in Schools
• Entertainment
• On Hero/Role Models
• Write about what being a good friend means to you.
• Describe your best friend and what makes your relationship special.
• Write about a time a friend disappointed you. What happened and how did you handle it?
• What is the best advice about friendship you have ever received? Who gave you the advice?
• Describe a time you and your friend had an argument. How did you resolve it? What did you learn?
• What qualities do you look for in choosing friends? Explain why those qualities are important.
• What is your favorite memory with your best friend? What happened that makes it so memorable?
• Should friends always agree with each other? Explain your opinion using an example from your life.
• Write about a person who has been a mentor for you. How have they impacted your life?
• Describe how you balance time between family and friends. Give examples.
• Do you find making new friends easy or hard? Discuss a time you made a new friend.
• Explain three qualities that make someone a good family member. Provide examples from your experiences.
• Describe your relationship with your siblings or extended family members. Use examples.
• Should family always come before friends? Discuss why or why not using examples from your experiences.
• Write about a family tradition or ritual you have. Why is it meaningful to you?
• How can families best support teenagers? What is something you wish your family understood better?
• Have you ever had a teacher that was an important mentor for you? If yes, describe how they supported you.
• Describe an adult aside from your family who has been a positive influence on you. Explain how they have helped you.
• Do teachers have lasting impacts on students? Describe one of your teachers who inspired you.
• Write about a figure you admire but do not personally know, like a celebrity, author, or athlete. Explain why you admire them.
• Describe a disagreement you witnessed between two people. How did each handle it? Who handled it better in your view?
• Think of someone you had a disagreement with in the past. Looking back, how could you have handled it better?
• Why is it important to admit when you are wrong? Describe a situation when you had to admit you were wrong. What was it like?
• Write about a time you compromised with someone who had an opposing view from yours. How did you find common ground? What did you learn?
• Do you find it easy or difficult to get along with people different from you? Explain using examples.
• How can people move past stereotypes? Share a time when you or someone else overcame a stereotype.
• Describe a situation where jealousy impacted a friendship or relationship. What damage did it cause? What did you learn?
• Why is trust so essential in relationships? Describe the building or breaking of trust in one of your relationships.
• What have you learned from both good and bad relationships? How have those lessons shaped how you interact with people?
• How do you define respect? Write about a time when respect was present or absent from a relationship.
• Describe a time when words were very hurtful or healing in a relationship. What impact did this have on you?
• Think about a relationship that is difficult. How could you act to improve it?
• Write about a stranger who did a kind deed for you or someone else. How did this small act of kindness make a difference?
• Should people give second chances? Share a story from your own life on second chances.
• For what reasons do conflicts happen between family or friends? Share a personal story.
• How can people prevent or resolve conflicts between each other? Share a time when conflict was prevented or resolved positively.
• Think about a relationship that recently improved. What specifically changed for the better? What can be learned?
• What does it mean to truly listen to someone? Why is listening skills important in relationships? Give an example.
• Choose one word to describe each member of your family and explain why you chose those words.
• What are fun ways for families to spend quality time together? What does your family do and what do you enjoy most? Explain.
• If you had the chance to give advice to a good friend right now, what would it be and why?
• What goals can people set to become better friends or family members? What’s one goal you have set for yourself?
• Who do you turn to when you have problems? Why have you chosen to talk to this person/people?
• Should we forgive friends or family who lie to us? Share your thoughts and experiences with forgiveness.
• Is it ever okay to keep secrets from friends or family? Explain why or why not.
• What does “being responsible” with friendships and family relationships mean to you? Give examples.
• Do you think rules should be different for friends than family? Explain your thoughts with examples.
• Describe a time you felt support from your friends or family during a difficult situation.
• For you, what is the difference between a close friend and an acquaintance? Give examples from your life.
• Explain why friendships and family relationships should be valued and prioritized. Use personal examples.
• Describe your extended family like grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins. How often do you see them? What do you enjoy about those relationships?
• What traditions or rituals does your family have? Why are they meaningful?
• Has a relative ever given you great advice? What was it and why was it helpful?
• How can families best support pre-teens and teenagers? What do you wish your parents understood better?
• What qualities make someone a good brother or sister? Do you think you have those qualities? Explain.
• Describe your mom, dad, or another caregiver’s personality. What are 3 great qualities they have?
• If you had magical abilities, what problem would you solve for a family member? Why?
• What does “unconditional love” mean to you? Describe how your family shows love.
• Should parents be friends with their kids? Explain your view using examples and reasons.
• How should parents handle teens who break rules or make poor choices? Discuss their responsibilities.
• Describe one of your favorite memories with your family. What happened that makes it extra special?
• For what reasons do conflicts happen in families? Share a story from your own family.
• How can families prevent or resolve conflicts positively? Share a time your family resolved a conflict well.
• If you could add a new family rule, what would it be and why? Would others agree it’s needed? Explain.
• What does being a good listener mean in your family? Provide a time when good listening skills were helpful at home.
• Describe one issue your parents had to compromise on while raising you and your siblings. Explain their perspectives.
• What is one clue that a family member needs extra support? Describe a time you or someone else needed support.
• How can trust be built, lost, or repaired in families? Provide a personal example.
• What does “respect” require inside families? Describe how your family shows respect or could improve.
• Share an example of how your family cooperates and supports one another. Why is this important?
• How can families balance personal interests with responsibilities to the family unit or household? Give examples.
• Have religious or spiritual beliefs impacted your family positively? Explain how.
• What does “forgiveness” require in families? Describe someone forgiving or being forgiven. What was the outcome?
• Is venting anger appropriately important in families? Share an example from your household.
• What is one problem you think many families struggle with? Explain ideas for how to address this issue.
• What is a rule that has helped create order or safety in your home? Why was it needed?
• How do parents model good behavior for their children without realizing it? Give examples you’ve observed.
• Write about an annoyance or frustration you have experienced with a parent, guardian, or sibling. How have you worked through this issue?
• Explain why keeping promises and commitments to family matters. Provide a related example.
• What are fun ways for families to spend quality time together? What does your family do that brings you together?
• Should families pray or perform spiritual rituals together? Explain why this can be meaningful or not needed.
• Is getting advice from elders important? Share an example of getting advice from your parents or grandparents.
• How can parents and kids better understand each other’s perspectives? Explain with a personal example.
• Describe one house rule you did not understand as a younger kid. Now that you are older, does it make more sense? Explain.
• How should parents educate kids about racism or discrimination? Discuss using personal examples or observations.
• Do you make friends easily outside your family? Explain how your family gives you confidence or holds you back socially.
• What quality about your parents inspires you to be like them? Explain using examples.
• What is one thing you wish you and your siblings would stop fighting about? Why does this issue cause problems? What could improve it?
• Describe one thing you argue about a lot with your sibling(s) and one thing you get along well doing together. Compare the two relationship dynamics.
• Explain one of your family’s funny little habits or traditions outsiders would find interesting or strange. Where did it originate?
• For what reasons are family relationships often complicated? Share an example from personal experience.
• If a new kid was joining your family as an adopted sibling, what advice would you give him or her about fitting into your established household?
• Should parents give kids advice about friendship or let them learn those skills independently? Discuss, backing your view with reasoning.
• Describe an ethical dilemma or complex problem your family faced together. How did working through it strengthen relationships? What did family members learn about each other?
• How can parents and kids respect each other’s privacy? Discuss setting boundaries while still providing guidance.
• How might experiencing hard times like illness, grief, job loss, etc. bring a family closer together? Describe a difficulty that ultimately strengthened bonds between your family members rather than weakening them.
• Even in difficult or complex family relationships, what makes the bond stronger than conflict? Explain why you think family ties still endure.
• Even if family relationships are challenging or imperfect, why work to understand versus give up on each other? Provide evidence that trying leads in a positive direction.
• When do you think parents should stop influencing adult children’s choices? Explain where the line should be drawn and why.
• What have you learned from your parents’ strengths and weaknesses? How will you carry these lessons into your future as an adult?
• What is your favorite app or website? Describe what you like about it.
• Explain 3 responsible ways you use the internet and social media.
• Should there be laws about how people your age use the internet? Why or why not?
• Describe when it’s okay or not okay to share information or photos online.
• Write about a time technology like GPS maps or the internet really helped you or someone you know.
• Explain why spending too much time on devices can be unhealthy. Provide evidence.
• Describe problems or distractions technology like cell phones can cause at school. Should policies be made to address this issue?
• How is communicating online and via text different from talking face-to-face? Include pros and cons of each.
• Stories are spreading about technology like virtual reality. Describe what you think virtual reality will be like someday based on current information.
• Do you think technology brings people together more than it isolates them? Use reasons and evidence to back your opinion.
• How does the internet make researching for school easier and harder at the same time? Explain with examples from experience.
• Write about a time technology failed to work properly. What problems did it cause? What was the backup plan to address needs?
• How have smart phones impacted how youth and adults spend leisure time? Explain pros and cons.
• Describe an app that helps make people’s lives easier somehow. Explain its standout features.
• What are ways social media connects people positively? Also discuss risks and how to use social media responsibly.
• Should everyone have access to affordable home internet? Explain pros and cons of internet access becoming an essential utility provided via programs for low income families.
• Discuss an innovative medical technology that improves healthcare. How exactly does it help doctors treat patients better?
• Would receiving instruction through technology at home some days help students learn? Explain the possibilities and challenges you envision.
• How have delivery drones and self-driving vehicles started changing the way people transport items? Describe what future possibilities exist to revolutionize transportation.
• Explain how smartphones both waste and make the best use of people’s time. Provide evidence.
• How do various communication methods impact trust and relationships between people both positively and negatively? Cite examples.
• Should schools invest in providing laptops or tablets to each student for learning? Explain reasoning using pros and cons.
• How does advancing technology like electric cars, solar power, etc. positively and negatively impact the environment now and in the foreseeable future?
• How have smartphones changed people’s behaviors for better or worse? Provide evidence from real world observations.
• Should youth be on social media? At what age is appropriate? Cite reasons.
• How does the online world impact body image perceptions? Discuss using observations or evidence. Provide solutions.
• Explain pros and cons you see regarding video games’ impacts on things like kids’ brains, creativity, social skills, and values.
• Discuss positive and concerning impacts highly advanced robotics may have on jobs, the economy, how people treat each other in relationships, self-worth and identity when more labor becomes automated.
• How can the internet and connected technology increase existing inequities? Offer ideas to responsibly address this concern.
• Explain why developing future technology sustainably matters. Provide examples like electric car batteries, solar panels, etc.
• Should tech CEOs or companies do more about issues like device addiction? What exactly should change?
• How does immediate access to so much information impact how people view issues? Explain how quality versus quantity of data impacts judgments made. Cite real world examples like politics, news stories, etc.
• Discuss ways technology harms or helps entertainment quality and enjoyment like movies, shows, music, etc. Compare changes you see over time as innovation progresses.
• How does the internet impact the spread of truth versus lies? Describe how credibility should be evaluated.
• What existing technology truly excites you? Explain what you find interesting and innovative about it.
• Share what harm has occurred when people use technology irresponsibly. Also discuss fixes to address concerns you see being neglected.
• Should schools better educate students about using technology safely and wisely? Explain importance.
• Discuss technology’s influence during an election. Consider media, voter engagement, political messaging, etc. Are changes mostly beneficial or concerning in your view? Explain.
• Explain why websites and apps should value user privacy and security. What should companies transparently share and responsibly protect?
• Has social media made peers kinder or less sensitive to each other? Explain your observations and solutions.
• How does always on the go device access impact family relationships? Provide positives and hints for avoiding pitfalls.
• How does being constantly plugged in emotionally impact people over time based on your observations?
• Discuss an existing technology that worries you. Explain problems it fuels. What regulations could responsibly and ethically decrease harm?
• How does social media impact mental health? Support your perspectives with observations, credible research sources, and possible solutions.
• Share why empathy remains important even as technology progresses. Provide real world evidence supporting your claim.
• Discuss how smartphones both hurt and help people fully live “in the moment.” Use personal examples and suggestions.
• Explain effective tactics for determining if online content and interactions are credible versus manipulative or false. Cite real world examples like clickbait ads. What tips do you recommend?
• Describe pros and cons of computers grading students’ writing versus teacher feedback. Which approach is better in your opinion? Support perspectives with reasoning.
• How does always on technology impact people’s sense of wonder, curiosity to learn new things the old fashioned way, and ability to have insight? Provide observations.
• What existing or emerging technology do you believe is getting too little or too much hype? Explain reasoning using evidence and examples.
• Describe a time when you felt really proud. Why did this accomplishment make you feel that way?
• When was the last time you felt grateful? What happened that made you appreciate something or someone?
• Write about a situation where your emotions felt out of control. How did you eventually handle them?
• What calms you down when feeling nervous or worried? Explain step-by-step what helps you.
• What does courage feel like to you? Describe a situation where facing your fears made you braver.
• Share about a hardship or failure after which you felt resilience. What gave you strength during the tough time?
• Describe a memory where curiosity led to a fun adventure, interesting discovery, or new understanding.
• What sparks your sense of joy or happiness most? Paint a picture with words sharing what that feels like.
• How can friends show kindness to classmates who feel left out or lonely at school?
• What should someone do when social media interactions stir up feelings like anger or envy? Explain smart strategies.
• How might words impact someone’s self-worth without the speaker realizing it? Provide examples.
• How can overcoming a challenge build grit to handle future tough situations emotionally? Recall a time this happened for you or someone else.
• What values guide your life choices? Where did those become important to you?
• How can students show more empathy and compassion at school? Provide examples.
• How do responsibilities like chores influence attitudes and maturity levels? Explain using personal experience.
• What action should people take if they witness bullying? Offer solutions.
• Should students notify an adult if a peer’s joke goes too far emotionally? Explain why or why not.
• How do colors impact someone’s mood? Describe colors that tend to make you feel peaceful, energized, cheerful, etc. and why.
• What makes someone feel understood? Describe mindsets and behaviors that convey acceptance of others’ feelings.
• Is letting anger out always required? Why or why not? Offer healthy strategies for processing anger.
• Which is more important – self-confidence or self-awareness? Support your choice with sound reasoning.
• How can students respect differences in learning abilities, cultures, beliefs, backgrounds, etc.? Provide positive examples.
• Describe mindsets kids should avoid like blaming others for disappointments vs. taking responsibility for choices.
• What advice would you offer someone who feels marginalized for being different like nationality, disability, etc?
• Is perfectionism about looks and grades harmful? Explain problems and smarter mindsets to feel good enough.
• How can families show members they matter through simple gestures like greeting questions, eye contact, etc?
• Should people give second chances? Share why this does or does not make sense in certain relationships or situations.
• When has a pet’s companionship lifted your spirits? Paint an upbeat picture sharing that memory.
• Recount a time laughter healed hurt feelings between family or friends. What humor techniques restore connection?
• Coach someone from your own past on building self-esteem despite mean kid behavior. Offer concrete empowering strategies.
• How can students incorporate more emotional intelligence on social media? Consider acts of exclusion, meanness, etc. and remedies.
• Provide examples of tone and body language that convey trust and acceptance of someone venting feelings. Offer additional tips.
• Share how music enriches your life emotionally. Pick a song that impacts your mood and explain why.
• Should people give compliments just to be nice? Explain pros and cons of this using personal examples.
• How can focusing on gratitude, blessings, self-care, etc. safeguard mental health when undergoing stress? Discuss research-backed techniques.
• Recount a time you put yourself in someone else’s shoes during a tense interaction. How did trying to understand them positively transform empathy?
• Coach a shy student on making a tough social situation better through small acts of kindness. Provide uplifting guidance.
• Suggest healthy emotional habits students should build to handle future challenges like first jobs, college, adulthood, etc.
• How can recess sports and games nurture social skills like teamwork, good sportsmanship, managing disappointment after losses, etc.? Use examples.
• Should students speak up about wrong assumptions peers make regarding diverse groups? Politely clarify truth to dispel stereotypes. Use examples.
• Pick an emotion like awe, angst, delight, despair, wrath, bliss, etc. and paint a vivid personal picture where you felt that way.
• How can social media interactions demonstrate more emotional intelligence? Consider exclusion, meanness, etc. and remedies.
• When is it acceptable to hide feelings to spare someone pain versus speak truth with compassion? Explain where lines should be drawn.
• How can focusing on society’s past moral progress fuel present optimism? Discuss using civil rights victories, democracy wins, etc.
• Recount a time swallowing pride strengthened a valuable relationship. What wisdom did you gain?
• How do fair leaders appeal to citizens’ highest ideals rather than stoke dark emotions like blame, fear, etc.? Share real examples like Lincoln.
• Paint an inspirational picture of society lifting up youth wired to live meaningfully versus seek fleeting thrills. What specifically makes their lives shine?
• How can rules promote ethical, wise digital community behavior versus thoughtless harm? Consider implementing guidelines for more supportive interactions.
• Paint an inspirational picture of people uniting across political divides to solve real problems jeopardizing emotional and physical health like addiction, poverty, human trafficking, etc.
• Recount a time you transformed hurt into helpfulness or comfort for someone else grappling with hardship. What emotional tools and insights can uplift both giver and receiver?

Issues in School 

• Describe a challenging project and how you completed it successfully.
• Explain why cheating on schoolwork is unethical. Have you dealt with a cheater? Discuss honestly.
• Share about a teacher who inspired you to work hard. Traits? Qualities? Teaching style? How were they excellent?
• Tell how you improved at something that was difficult at first like sports, music, math, etc. Hard work pays off!
• Pick an ethical dilemma at school and explore solutions. Consider rights, rules, safety, fairness.
• Discuss pros and cons of letter grades verses pass/fail evaluation systems. Which promotes actual learning?
• Describe obstacles when group projects frustrate and solutions teachers could try instead.
• How do pressures like getting into college impact student priorities? Reflect on whether the tradeoffs are worth it.
• Discuss technology’s impact on school both positively and concerningly. Consider distraction, behavior, values, etc. Share ideas.
• How can teachers and students unite when controversial real-world issues arise in class conversations? Explore respectful solutions.
• What should teachers say and allow regarding politics, religion, activism etc.? Explain appropriate policies and ethical reasoning.
• How can school sports best prevent injury? Consider health risks of head trauma, ACL tears, etc. Offer student perspective on rule changes, gear requirements, rest guidelines etc. needed to protect players.
• Describe an ethical way you used tech for schoolwork versus a rule you’d add to curb misconduct. Consider cheating potential, theft, privacy invasions, harmful uses, etc. and consequences.
• Discuss public school funding debates. Consider formulas, competing priorities, misperceptions, pros/cons of programs cut or supplemented by parent fundraising. Should policies shift? Why/why not?
• How should schools handle mental health crises? Consider stress, anxiety, depression, trauma’s impacts. Discuss counseling, staff training needs etc. Destigmatize struggles!
• How might school safety improve? Consider emergency protocols, building modifications, security roles, technology aids. Balance protection with warm environments.
• What extracurricular activities matter most to you? Explore their life lessons like teamwork, resilience, commitment. Fund programs empowering students.
• Discuss controversies around school uniforms and dress codes. Consider disciplinary fairness, cost factors, Pros? Cons? Alternatives?
• How can students improve school spirit? Consider event turnout, community service participation etc. Share fun ideas!
• Describe a great teacher. Traits? Qualities? Teaching Style? Why were they excellent? How did they inspire students?
• Share a time good writing instruction made ah-ha connections for you. What teaching approach finally demystified skills? How does this help adults see school positively?
• Discuss positive side effects when youth pitch service projects. Consider impacts on agency, purpose, skill-building.
• How can peers positively stand up to bullying? Consider strategies matching context like severity, ages, power imbalances, supervision etc. Apply compassion.
• What career discovery approach best serves students? Consider guest talks, job shadows, project relevance etc. How can exploration pair with current coursework?
• Should cash incentivize good grades? Consider pros, cons and alternative motivations.
• How might better nutrition improve school performance? Consider food quality, budget disconnects, health ripple effects.
• What advice would you give struggling peers? Consider perspectives affecting motivation like learning differences, attention challenges, skill gaps, emotional blocks. Share supportive guidance.
• What leadership lesson challenged you? Consider group projects, captain positions, committee roles. How can educators further grow student leadership?
• Should middle schoolers use social media? Explain appropriate usage, privacy, ethics. Explore impacts face-to-face versus online communication, identity-building.
• How do sports build character and community? Consider award/recognition systems also encouraging nonsport interests.
• Share a time good teaching eased subject struggles. Consider learning style pairings, tutoring, visuals etc. What finally made content click? How can teachers apply such insights schoolwide?
• How can students practice self-advocacy asking for help? Consider communication method pros/cons. Normalize speaking up!
• How should schools handle grief support? Consider student perspectives on memorials, counseling, handlings of loss. What sensitivity helps healing?
• Should cellphones be allowed in schools? Consider classroom complexities. How to responsibly integrate usage?
• What career skills should schools teach? Consider financial literacy, interview tactics, job applications, workplace ethics alongside math, literature etc. Blend knowledge fields.
• What homework policies best serve students and family lives? Consider hour limits, vacation blackout periods. How can schools support balance?
• Should middle schoolers have recess? Consider mental health benefits balancing packed academic schedules.
• How can dress codes embrace personal style without straying from professionalism? Consider flexibility for religious diversity.
• What grading system most accurately reflects learning? Consider test reliance, extra credit, participation, skill gains versus deficits.
• How young should career advising begin? Consider early goal-setting, age views of self/interests. What roles can teachers play?
• Should community service become a graduation requirement? Consider purpose, logistics.
• How can better school-parent communication occur? Consider platforms, frequency, accessibility etc. Building partnerships around the whole child matters!
• Should teachers incorporate art forms into standard subjects? Consider benefits of music, visual art etc. blending into math, literature, science etc. Explore cross-disciplinary learning pros.
• Pick a controversial real-world issue arising in class study. Outline respectful discussion ground rules enabling equitable idea sharing. Consider rule modification by grade.
• Should schools screen students for mental health needs? Consider care connectors, warning signs role in prevention. Destigmatize support.
• Should schools provide career counseling? If so, what issues should be addressed and what topics avoided? Consider student feelings discussing economic challenges.
• Describe an imaginative teacher capturing learning in creative ways you enjoyed. What did their innovations teach in terms of thinking differently?
• Should students evaluate teacher performance? Consider aspects like tone, control, care shown. Explore survey goals – accountability, improvement insights etc. Discuss complex power dynamics sensitively.
• Is starting school days later better for health and learning? Consider research on adolescent sleep needs.
• How can team and individual activities coexist in gym class Cooperatively rotating through stations enabling choices might help those loving and loathing competition. Discuss solutions valuing all skill preferences.

entertainment 

• What is your favorite movie and why?
• What is your favorite song and why does it make you happy?
• Who is your favorite singer or musical artist? Describe their music.
• What is your favorite TV show? Describe the characters and plot.
• If you could star in any TV show or movie, what would you choose? Why?
• What is the funniest video you’ve seen? Describe what happens in it.
• What is your favorite book? Describe the main character and plot.
• Who is your favorite author? What do you like about the stories they write?
• Describe your perfect day watching movies or TV shows. What would you watch all day?
• What is your favorite smartphone or tablet app for having fun? How do you use it?
• If you could attend any concert, who would you see perform live? Why?
• Describe the most entertaining YouTube video you’ve seen lately.
• What entertainer or celebrity would you most like to meet? What would you talk about?
• Describe a time when you laughed really hard at something funny. What happened?
• What is the funniest joke you’ve heard? Why did you find it so funny?
• Pick three famous people you’d invite to a dinner party. Why did you choose them? What would you talk about?
• Describe a time when you performed in front of an audience. How did it make you feel?
• What games or activities entertain your family when you’re all together? Why do you enjoy them?
• Imagine you could enter any fictional world from a book, TV show or movie. What would you choose and why?
• What local attractions or amusement parks have you visited for fun day trips? Describe what you did there.
• What teachers at your school make learning the most fun? Describe their teaching styles.
• Describe your ideal birthday party for entertainment. What would you do? Who would you invite?
• What is the best school play, concert or other performance you’ve seen? Describe it.
• What do you like doing on weekends for fun?
• What entertainer or celebrity do you think has the best job? Why?
• Describe your favorite hobby. How did you get started doing it? What do you like about it?
• What is your favorite holiday? What entertainment traditions does your family have for it?
• What outdoor activities entertain you? Describe one.
• If you opened your own entertainment business for kids your age, what would you offer?
• When you want to relax and destress, what TV shows, music or other things do you turn to? Why are they relaxing?
• How do reality talent competitions like American Idol or America’s Got Talent entertain you? Do you want to someday audition for one?
• Describe your perfect entertaining day off from school. What fun would you have?
• What were the best fireworks you ever saw? Describe the display.
• Write a short, imaginary dialogue between you and your favorite entertainer or fictional character. What do you talk about?
• What is the funniest joke you know by heart? Why can you remember this one?
• Describe an entertaining family tradition or celebration your family enjoys. What happens each time? What do you like about it?
• What is your favorite live event you’ve attended, like a concert, play, or sporting event? Describe it. What entertained you?
• Have you ever entered a talent show or performed for an audience? Describe your act and the performance. How did you feel?
• Pick three famous historical figures you’d invite to dinner and describe why you chose them and what you might talk about.
• What is the most beautiful place that you have visited that made you happy? Describe what you saw and did there.
• What music always makes you smile and dance? Why does it have that effect on you?
• Watching movies at home or going to the movie theater – which do you prefer and why? Describe your perfect movie experience.
• What were your favorite school subjects as a younger kid? What made learning fun then?
• Have you ever met someone famous? Who was it? Describe the experience.
• If you had the power to become a fictional character for just one day, who would you be and why? Describe some things you would do as that character.
• You can have superpowers for just one whole day. What powers would you choose and how would you use them for entertainment or to help yourself and other people?
• You just won front row concert tickets to see your favorite band perform live. Who is the band and how excited are you as you take your seat? Describe the incredible night.
• Describe your dream vacation – where would you go, who would you take, and what fun things would you make sure to do when you get there? Make your planning committee happy!
• What outdoor summer hobbies and activities do you most look forward to each year? Describe your favorites in vivid sensory detail so the reader feels like they are there with you.
• What do you find entertaining that most other people probably don’t? Describe or demonstrate it and try to convince readers to give it a try!

On Hero/role Model 

• Who is your personal hero? Describe why you admire this person.
• What qualities make someone a hero? Describe your idea of a hero.
• Who in your family do you look up to the most? Explain why.
• Describe a fictional character that you consider a hero. What do you admire about them?
• If you could spend a day with any hero (real or fictional), who would you choose and why? Describe what you would do together.
• Have you ever met someone you consider a hero? Tell about your experience.
• What does being a role model mean to you? Describe someone who is a good role model.
• Who is a positive role model in your community? What makes them a good role model?
• Describe a time when you helped someone. Do you think that made you a role model or hero to them?
• If you had a special power, how would you use it to be a hero in your town? Describe the ways you would help people.
• What central traits do all heroes share? Explain some key qualities heroes have.
• Explain why teachers can be everyday heroes. What makes a teacher a hero to students?
• Describe a fictional superhero origin story for yourself. How did you get your powers and decide to become a hero?
• Whose poster would you hang on your wall: a sports star, entertainer, historic leader, inventor, or someone else? Explain why you admire this person as a role model.
• Who do you think is a hero in your family’s history? Write about one of your ancestors who inspires you.
• When have you felt like a hero? Describe a time you helped someone in an important way.
• What song best describes the qualities of a hero? Explain your choice.
• What is the most heroic career , in your opinion? Describe why.
• Have you read about an inspirational figure who overcame difficulties? Write about why their life story is heroic.
• What fictional place would you want to live where you could train to become a hero? Describe your training.
• Which of your friends shows heroic qualities? Share why you think they are hero material.
• Describe a way you would like to help animals and become their hero.
• What career would you like to have one day where you could be a hero? Explain the ways you could help people in that career.
• Tell about a time you stood up for someone. Do you think that took strength or heroism?
• Describe a character in book who is a good role model for teens. Explain why.
• Who is your hero in sports? Why do you find them inspirational?
• Have you ever written a story featuring yourself as the hero? Share some details.
• What is the most courageous thing you have ever done? Why did it require courage?
• Describe a way you would protect others from bullies if you could.
• Explain why nurses, doctors and other medical professionals are everyday heroes.
• Who is a “hometown hero” where you live and why are they admired?
• What animal is your favorite hero from a movie? Explain why.
• What is more important for being viewed as a hero – talent or good character? Discuss why you think so.
• Describe someone at your school who you think behaves like a hero to others.
• Tell about a time you exercised wisdom in a difficult situation. Does that make you feel heroic?
• Design a new superhero. Describe their costume, superpowers, vehicle, mission and who they protect.
• Parents often tell kids – “Be careful climbing too high or you might get hurt!” Do you think a hero would be careful or bold? Discuss why.
• What 3 traits best describe a hero? Explain your choices.
• How can ordinary people become heroes? Give some examples of ways everyday people have been heroic.
• Pick two fictional mentors you have read about and would want to learn life lessons from about being a hero. Explain your choices.
• Should people think of themselves as heroes or is it best to be humble? Discuss this idea.
• What inspires you to want to make a positive difference in the world? How does this relate to being a hero?
• How are teachers and students heroes for each other? Describe their heroism.
• Tell about a historical hero who inspires you. Why do you look up to them?
• How can music and movies motivate people to be heroes? Give examples of inspirational songs and films.
• What will be the next great challenge that tomorrow’s heroes need to tackle and overcome? Speculate what that challenge might realistically be.
• How can young people reveal their “inner hero” more? What would help them develop heroism?
• How do images of heroes vary across different cultures? How might your idea of a hero change if you lived in another country?
• Do you think there will ever be a time period that doesn’t need any heroes? Explain why you think so.
• Imagine yourself at age 60 looking back – what do you hope young people say about your life that might inspire them or make them see you as a hero?

With over 300 thoughtful writing prompts for middle school students, the possibilities for sparking student engagement are endless. I’m energized imagining how students will dive into these age-appropriate topics and questions that resonate with their experiences and invite them to explore identity, relationships, responsibility, and more.

Whether it’s debating policies around technology in schools or opening up about a time they felt marginalized for being different, students will surely find prompts on this comprehensive list that interest them while also pushing their perspectives and building key literacy skills. Teachers can easily integrate these into warm-ups, journal entries, discussion springboards, and more activities.

Best of all, using so many prompts over a school year prevents repetition and boredom while allowing teachers to customize difficulty, vary formats to meet different learning styles, and scaffold writing skill development. With around 180 school days, weaving these 300 gems in daily exposes students to less redundant ideas so they sharpen a greater diversity of skills through unique responses rather than formulaic approaches. I foresee this prompting richer writing and deeper engagement that unlocks students’ potential. I can’t wait to incorporate these into my lesson planning and unit development this summer to start the year strong and set my young writers up for ongoing success! We have many more writing prompts on our site if you found these useful. 

Related posts:

• Writing Prompts for High School Students
• Daily Writing Prompts
• Daily writing prompts for high school 
• 184 Daily Writing Prompts for Students
• 50 Thanksgiving Writing Prompts

About Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) has worked for literary magazines and literary websites for the last 25 years. He holds degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology and Education. Richard has headed many writing workshops and courses, and he has taught writing and literature for the last 20 years.  

In writing and publishing he has worked with independent, small, medium and large publishers for years connecting publishers to authors. He has also worked as a journalist and editor in both magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as in the medical publishing industry.   Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page .

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• Journal prompts

50 Fun Journal Prompts For Middle School With Examples

• December 20, 2023
• By Niriksha

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Middle school is a whirlwind of change, and amidst the chaos, journaling can be your compass to self-discovery.

We’ve curated 50 prompts that aren’t just questions; they’re sparks designed to make self-reflection a playful journey.

These prompts are your passport to creativity and positivity.

Let’s start with the adventure.

Why Journaling Matters in Middle School?

Journaling helps kids to spill thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Journal prompts act like a cool compass, helping kids navigate the adventure of figuring out who they are.

Journaling is like a creativity gym, where new doors of imagination get opened.

Writing in journals helps improve how kids communicate their ideas and feelings.

Journal prompts are brain workouts that make thinking sharper and problem-solving an easy task.

Also read: 30 Engaging Self-Confidence Activities For Students 

Journal Prompts For Middle School 

These thought-provoking journal prompts are designed to spark creativity, self-discovery, and meaningful expression in middle schoolers.

Journal Prompts For Self-Discovery and Identity Exploration 

Prompt: If you were a superhero, what would your origin story be? How did you discover your powers, and what values would you fight for?

Journal Entry Example: “Today, I imagined myself as Captain Curiosity, gaining my powers from a magical book. My mission is to inspire curiosity and learning in everyone!”

Prompt: If you could travel to any time period, past or future, where would you go and why? What would you do there?

Journal Entry Example: “I hopped into a time machine and went to the Renaissance. I met inventors and artists, and I even tried painting like da Vinci!”

Prompt: Imagine a tree that represents your dreams and aspirations. What does it look like? What are the different branches for different aspects of your life?

Journal Entry Example: “My dream tree has branches for school, hobbies, and friendships. Today, I added a new branch for learning a musical instrument.”

Prompt: Express your day using only emojis. What emojis represent your various emotions and experiences today?

Journal Entry Example: 😃📚🎨 Today was a day filled with happiness, learning, and creativity. I tackled challenges and felt proud of my accomplishments.

Prompt: Create a playlist of songs that represent different aspects of your personality. Why did you choose each song?

Journal Entry Example: “My playlist includes upbeat tunes for my energetic side, calming melodies for reflection, and motivating songs to boost my confidence.”

Prompt: Design your own imaginary island. What would it be called, and what kind of adventures and challenges would you encounter there?

Journal Entry Example: Today on Creativity Cove, I explored Imagination Bay and found a talking seashell. Then, I solved a tricky puzzle in the Valley of Curiosity. Inside a cave, I discovered cool ideas in jars and picked one – making a time-travel gadget from old stuff. Now, I’m putting it together

Prompt: Write a letter to your future self. What goals do you hope to achieve, and what advice would you give your future self?

Journal Entry Example: “Dear Future Me, I hope you’ve achieved your dream of becoming a scientist. Don’t forget to always stay curious and keep reaching for the stars!”

Prompt: Create a timeline of your life, highlighting significant moments and achievements. What do you hope to add to your timeline in the future?

Journal Entry Example: “Today, I added winning the spelling bee to my timeline. Next, I want to add joining a club and making new friends.”

Prompt: List five things you want to achieve before the end of the school year. Why are these goals important to you?

Journal Entry Example: “My bucket list includes learning to skateboard because it looks so cool and participating in a talent show to showcase my hidden talents.”

Prompt: Create a collage that represents different aspects of your identity. Include pictures, words, and symbols that reflect who you are.

Journal Entry Example: “My identity collage is a mix of family photos, my favorite book quotes, and symbols that represent my love for adventure and learning.”

Journal Prompts For Social Dynamics and Relationships 

Prompt: If friendship were a recipe, what ingredients would you need? Describe the qualities that make a great friend.

Example: “A pinch of kindness, a cup of laughter, and a spoonful of understanding – that’s the recipe for an awesome friend!”

Prompt: If you could have any fictional character as your sidekick, who would it be and why? How would they enhance your friendships?

Example: “I’d choose Hermione Granger as my sidekick because she’s smart and loyal. Together, we’d tackle homework and have magical adventures!”

Prompt: Start a compliment chain! Write a compliment about yourself, and then compliment someone else. Keep the chain going.

Example: “I’m a great artist! Sarah is an amazing athlete, and Alex is super funny. Compliments are like sunshine – they make everyone shine!”

Prompt: Use emojis to express how you feel about your closest friend today. What emojis capture your emotions?

Example: 😊🤗 Today was awesome hanging out with my bestie! We laughed so much, and it made my day brighter.

Prompt: Imagine you and your friends are a team of adventurers. What quest would you embark on together, and how would each friend contribute?

Example: “Our quest is the ‘Great Homework Hunt.’ Emma’s the brainiac, Jake’s the strategist, and I’m the motivational cheerleader!”

Prompt: Write a letter apologizing to a friend for a misunderstanding. How would you express your feelings and make amends?

Example: “Dear Sarah, I’m sorry for the mix-up. Let’s talk it out and get back to being the dynamic duo we are!”

Prompt: Create a bucket list of things you want to do with your friends. What adventures or experiences do you hope to share?

Example: “1. Go on a camping trip with friends. 2. Have a movie marathon. 3. Create a secret handshake together!”

Prompt: If you could switch places with a friend for a day, whose life would you want to experience? What do you think you’d learn about them?

Example: “I’d switch with Maya to understand her love for soccer. Maybe I’d discover my own hidden talent for scoring goals!”

Prompt: Describe a time when someone’s small act of kindness made a big impact on your day. How did it influence your feelings?

Example: “When Jake shared his notes with me, it made studying less stressful. Small acts of kindness create a ripple effect!”

Prompt: Create a comic strip featuring you and your friends. Highlight a funny or heartwarming moment that captures your friendship.

Example: [Drawn comic strip] “The Epic Lunchtime Chronicles: When Pizza Became our Superpower!”

Journal Prompts For School and Learning 

Prompt: If you could travel back in time to any school day, which one would it be and why? What memorable moment would you relive?

Example: “I’d go back to the science fair day. Explaining my volcano project was so much fun, and everyone loved the eruption!”

Prompt: Imagine you can design your dream classroom. What would it look like, and what features would make learning more exciting for you?

Example: “My dream classroom has comfy bean bags, interactive whiteboards, and a reading nook with shelves full of adventure books!”

Prompt: If you could have one superpower to make learning easier, what would it be? How would you use it in different subjects?

Example: “My learning superpower would be ‘Memory Boost’ to remember all those tricky math formulas and historical dates effortlessly!”

Prompt: If you could have a book character as your study buddy, who would it be and why? How would they help you with your homework?

Example: “Hermione Granger would be my study buddy. She’s a genius with magic, and I’m sure she’d make homework a breeze!”

Prompt: Picture a parallel universe where school is completely different. What changes would you make to the subjects, schedule, or rules?

Example: “In my parallel universe school, Fridays are dedicated to creative projects, and we have a ‘No Homework Weekend’ rule!”

Prompt: Imagine you just unlocked an achievement for learning. What did you accomplish, and how did you celebrate your success?

Example: “Achievement Unlocked: Mastered the Multiplication Tables! Celebrated with a victory dance and a scoop of ice cream!”

Prompt: Describe a time when you made a mistake but turned it into a learning opportunity. What did you discover about yourself?

Example: “Forgot my presentation notes, but I improvised and spoke from the heart. Turns out, I’m pretty good at thinking on my feet!”

Prompt: Create a time capsule filled with things that represent your current school life. What items would you include, and why?

Example: “I’d include my favorite pencil, a doodle-filled notebook, and a class photo to remind Future Me of these awesome middle school days.”

Prompt: If you could swap one subject for a day, which would it be, and what would you teach instead? How would you make it fun?

Example: “Swapping math for ‘Adventure Planning.’ We’d learn map skills while plotting a fictional journey with pirates and treasure!”

Prompt: Imagine yourself in the future. What career are you pursuing, and how did your middle school experiences contribute to your success?

Example: “Future Me is an astronaut! Middle school science experiments sparked my love for space exploration.”

Journal Prompts For Fears, Dreams, and Aspirations 

Prompt: If you could have a superhero power to conquer any fear, what would it be? Describe a situation where you use this power.

Example: “My fear-busting power is ‘Fearless Flight.’ I’d soar above my fear of heights and see the world from a whole new perspective!”

Prompt: Imagine your dream destination. Where is it, and what adventures would you have there? How does this dream inspire you?

Example: “My dream destination is a tropical island. I’d explore hidden waterfalls, learn to surf, and maybe even discover a treasure chest!”

Prompt: Picture yourself achieving your biggest aspiration. What steps can you take today to bring that dream a little closer to reality?

Example: “My aspiration is to be a marine biologist. Today, I researched ocean life and drew a cool poster for my room!”

Prompt: If you had a sidekick to help you face your fears, who would it be? How would they support and encourage you?

Example: “My fear-fighting sidekick is ‘Brave Buddy,’ a courageous cat who cheers me on when I’m scared. Together, we can conquer anything!”

Prompt: Invent a magical object that helps people achieve their dreams. What does it look like, and how does it work?

Example: “The DreamSphere! It’s a globe that shows you the steps to reach your dreams. Spin it, and it reveals your path to success!”

Prompt: List three fears you want to overcome. What small steps can you take to confront and conquer each fear?

Example: “1. Fear of public speaking: Practice in front of a mirror. 2. Fear of spiders: Learn more about them. 3. Fear of the dark: Use a nightlight.”

Prompt: If you could have a magical adventure during the day, what would it be? Describe the sights, sounds, and discoveries you encounter.

Example: “My dream daytime adventure involves a flying carpet, talking animals, and a quest to solve riddles in a sunlit enchanted forest!”

Prompt: Create a playlist that represents your dreams and aspirations. What songs would be on it, and why do they inspire you?

Example: “1. ‘Eye of the Tiger’ – reminds me to stay focused on my goals. 2. ‘Happy’ – because success feels joyful. 3. ‘Unstoppable’ – for moments of doubt.”

Prompt: Write a diary entry about a time you faced a fear head-on. What did you learn from the experience, and how did it make you feel?

Example: “Today, I confronted my fear of performing in front of others. It was nerve-wracking, but afterward, I felt proud and stronger!”

Prompt: Create a collage representing your dreams and aspirations. Use pictures, words, and symbols that capture your vision for the future.

Example: [Drawn collage] “My dream collage includes a diploma, a globe, and a stage – symbols of education, exploration, and performing.”

Journal Prompts For Creativity and Fun

Prompt: Invent a wacky gadget that would make your life more fun. Describe how it works and the adventures you’d have with it.

Example: “Introducing the Bubble Blaster 3000! It shoots bubbles that turn into candy when they pop. Imagine the sweet surprises!”

Prompt: If you could paint the sky with any colors you like, what would they be? How would it change the mood of the day?

Example: “Today, the sky is painted in shades of candy pink and teal. It feels like living in a giant cotton candy dream!”

Prompt: Write down three random objects. Now, create a short story that includes all three. Get creative!

Example: Objects: Balloon, Map, Sunglasses. Story: “Inflatable Map Adventures: The sunglasses revealed hidden paths on the magical balloon map!”

Prompt: Invent a character who would be the star of a carnival. What’s their special talent, and what attractions would they have?

Example: “Meet Sparkle the Juggler! She juggles with glow-in-the-dark balls, and her carnival has a Tunnel of Ticklishness!”

Prompt: Doodle a scene with two characters. What are they saying to each other? Create a dialogue to go along with your doodle.

Example: [Doodle of two aliens] Alien 1: “Greetings from Planet Giggle! Have you tried Earth snacks?” Alien 2: “I love popcorn!”

Prompt: If you could send a time capsule to your future self, what creative items would you include? Draw or describe each one.

Example: “1. A self-portrait with a space helmet. 2. A mixtape of laughter. 3. A letter from present me to future me.”

Prompt: Design a sidekick for your favorite superhero. What powers and quirks would they have? How would they complement the hero?

Example: “Captain Curiosity’s sidekick, Quizzical Quokka, asks questions that unveil the hidden solutions to challenges!”

Prompt: Create a recipe for a snack that represents your personality. What ingredients would you use, and how would it taste?

Example: “Energetic Energy Bites: Mix laughter, chocolate chips, and a dash of adventure. Roll into bite-sized balls and enjoy the burst of joy!”

Prompt: If you could time-travel to any historical period, where would you go, and what creative adventures would you have?

Example: “Visited the Renaissance and had a paint-off with Leonardo da Vinci. Our masterpiece: a flying pasta-saucer!”

Prompt: Combine features of different animals to create a brand new creature. What’s its name, and what magical abilities does it have?

Example: “Meet the Fluttergator! Part butterfly, part alligator – it can soar through the sky and perform dazzling underwater ballets.”

Must read: 50 Fun Journal Prompts For High School Students With Examples

Tips and Tricks for Inspiring Journaling

• Create a special place where you feel comfortable writing.
• Choose a time that works for you – it could be before bed or during a quiet moment in the afternoon.
• Experiment with various writing styles to keep things interesting.
• Write poems, make lists, or even create imaginary dialogues between characters.
• Spice up your journal with drawings, doodles, or simple sketches.
• Make collages using images from magazines or printouts to visually express your thoughts.
• Don’t worry about making everything perfect – it’s your space!
• Feel free to be silly, messy, and totally honest with your thoughts and feelings.
• Share parts of your journal with people you trust.
• Choose moments or entries you feel comfortable sharing to strengthen connections with friends or family.

Check out: Daily Journal Prompts for Mental Health

Through these engaging Journal Prompts For Middle School, seize the chance to explore your dreams, conquer fears, and unleash creativity.

They’re more than words on paper – they’re a pathway to express your aspirations, discover your likes and dislikes, and form a cool relationship with yourself.

It’s an interesting way to actively shape your future, overcome fears, and express yourself freely.

Let each prompt be a step towards discovering the empowered person you are becoming.

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104 Journal Prompts For Middle School: Personal Growth, Future Aspirations, Entertainment, And More

February 27, 2024 //  by  Brittany Ray

Sometimes trying to get your middle school students to write is like trying to pull teeth from an alligator. However, you can make this challenge a little less daunting by giving them engaging, fun, and inspiring journaling topics to write about. Journaling is a great way to start class and give your kiddos some time to free-write.

We’ve compiled a fantastic list of 104 journal prompts for middle schoolers that are sure to spark their interest and make writing less of a chore! Read on and pick out a few to try out with your class during your next writing lesson!

1. Do you think that video games are the cause of violence?

2. What is your favorite animal and why?

3. If you could meet any famous person living or dead, who would it be and why?

4. If you were trapped on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want to have with you?

 5. Should schools have dress codes?

6. If you could hop into a time machine, what time period would you travel to and why?

7. What does your dream house look like? Write down every detail!

8. What is your favorite season of the year and why?

9. Who is your favorite person in the whole world and why?

10. What is your favorite subject in school and why?

11. What is your least favorite subject in school, and why?

12. What would your dream vacation be?

13. What did it feel like on your first day of school this year?

14. Who is your role model and why?

15. If you could come up with a new video game idea, what would it be?

16. Write about a time that you took a trip and everything went wrong! 

17. Create a scary story about a camping trip.

18. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

19. If you were to have a dinner party where you could invite anyone in the whole world, who would you invite and why?

20. Explain your dream job and the steps (you know now) that you need to take to achieve that goal.

21. Write about a time when things were difficult and explain how you got through it and who helped you.

22. Create an acrostic poem from your name.

23. What are the best and worst things about middle school students?

24. What things do you do in your daily life to have a positive attitude? 

25. Write down step-by-step how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

26. Create an action-filled story in which YOU are the superhero.

27. What games do you/would you play on a cross-country road trip?

28. What are some inventions of our current time that you think are detrimental to society?

29. For five minutes find out everything you can about Mother Teresa. When the 5 minutes are up, write about her for 10 minutes. 

30. What do you think some of the benefits of writing in a journal every day are?

31. Do you believe that all beliefs are good at heart?

32. Explain a time when someone embarrassed you. How did it make you feel and what did they do?

33. What are some things you worry about and why?

34. Make a list of ten interview questions.

35. How do you think ancient people would act if they were brought to our time?

36. Write the funniest story you’ve ever heard!

37. Who do you think is the most beautiful person in the world (either inside or out)?

38. If you found a magical portal to take you anywhere, where would you go?

39. If you were trapped on a deserted island with one person, who would it be and why?

40. What kind of pet would you buy from a pet shop?

41. What new story idea would you pitch to Netflix?

42. What is the most difficult part of everyday life?

43. Who would you throw a surprise birthday party for and why?

44. Which animals do you think are the smartest in the Animal Kingdom, and why?

45. What do you like about your art class?

46. What do you like/dislike about math class?

47. Would you rather eat a worm or a spider?

48. Create a contents page for your life.

49. Write down your perfect music playlist.

50. Who was your favorite elementary school teacher?

51. What things bring you happiness?

52. Name one thing you would change about yourself.

53. What is the strangest dream you’ve ever had?

54. What would you do if you won the lottery?

55. What are your college/career goals?

56. Create a bucket list.

57. How do you handle confrontation?

58. What is your favorite memory of a family member?

59. Who are your best friends and why?

60. What is something you do when you are sad?

61. Do you like sweet or salty best?

62. What is your favorite meal that your mom or dad makes?

63. Explain one of your family’s traditions.

64. What is your greatest fear?

65. Would you rather run a mile, or do 100 jumping jacks?

66. What is the best prank you’ve ever seen?

67. What makes you laugh the hardest?

68. What is your favorite snack?

69. Would you rather stick your hand in a bowl of spiders or a bowl of snakes?

70. What would you do if you were the President?

71. What is your favorite sports team and why?

72. Name one place you would like to volunteer at.

73. What is the most important part of everyday life?

74. List five short-term and five long-term goals for your life.

75. Who is your favorite music artist?

76. If you could time travel to witness one moment in history, which would it be?

77. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

78. How do you handle peer pressure?

79. What are the qualities of a good friend?

80. Write a letter to your future self, five years from now.

81. Imagine being an explorer in a newly discovered land. What challenges would you face, and what would you hope to find?

82. What is the one quality you admire most in others and why?

83. If you could bring any fictional character to life, who would it be and why?

84. What would you do if you became famous overnight?

85. What is the most courageous thing you have ever done?

86. If you could redesign your school’s uniform or dress code, what changes would you make?

87. What are three things you value most about your family?

88. Describe the most fantastic day you can imagine.

89. If you had the power to end any global issue, which would you choose and why?

90. Which fictional universe or world would you most want to live in and why?

91. What is the most meaningful gift you have ever received?

92. Do you believe in life on other planets? Why or why not?

93. What personal qualities make a good leader?

94. Imagine you are 30 years old. Where are you and what are you doing in life?

95. What does “happiness” mean to you?

96. What lesson from your parents has stuck with you the most?

97. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

98. What’s the most inspirational book you’ve ever read and why?

99. If you could create a new holiday, what would it be and how would it be celebrated?

100. How do you define success? What will it look like for you in the future?

101. What’s the most unusual food you’ve ever tried? Would you eat it again?

102. If you could swap lives with someone for a day, who would it be and why?

103. What is the most adventurous thing you want to try?

104. How do you show kindness to others.

120 Engaging Middle School Writing Prompts

Getting middle school students to write can be particularly challenging. However, if you provide your students with a fun, interesting, and engaging writing prompt, you’ll find that their creativity and enthusiasm for writing can be easily sparked.

Below is a list of writing prompts for middle school students, including creative prompts, journal prompts, persuasive writing prompts, expository writing prompts, and story starter prompts. These are perfect for classroom exercises, homework assignments, or even just for personal exploration, helping students to develop their writing skills, express their ideas, and discover the joy of writing.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

These creative writing prompts are cues or scenarios that inspire imaginative storytelling and personal expression. These prompts will encourage middle school students to explore new ideas, develop their narrative skills, and express themselves in unique and creative ways. Here’s a list of creative writing prompts for middle school students:

• Write a story where the main character discovers a secret passage in their home.
• Imagine a world where animals can talk. What would they say?
• Create a tale about a mysterious, abandoned city you stumbled upon.
• Write about a day where everything you draw becomes real.
• Imagine finding a book that contains your entire life story. What do you do?
• Write a story set in a futuristic world where everyone lives underwater.
• Create a tale about a magical garden that grants wishes.
• Describe a journey to a planet entirely different from Earth.
• Write about a character who can switch lives with anyone they meet.
• Imagine your school is a castle. What adventures unfold there?
• Write a story about a secret society of kids with superpowers.
• Describe a world where it’s night for half the year.
• Create a story about a mysterious forest that changes with the seasons.
• Write about discovering an old map that leads to a hidden treasure.
• Imagine waking up in a world where you are the ruler.
• Create a tale about a magical snow globe that transports you to different places.
• Write about a character who invents a new holiday.
• Describe a world where shadows have a life of their own.
• Imagine finding a door in your backyard that leads to a different universe.
• Write a story about a character who can hear others’ thoughts.

Journal Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

These journal writing prompts are thought-provoking questions or ideas that will encourage middle school students to reflect on their personal experiences, feelings, and beliefs. These prompts are designed to help students develop self-awareness, enhance their writing skills, and express themselves in a safe, private space. Here’s a list of journal writing prompts for middle school students:

• Write about your most memorable day and why it stands out.
• Describe your dream job and why you’re interested in it.
• Reflect on a time when you overcame a challenge.
• Write about what kindness means to you and a time you experienced it.
• Imagine your perfect day. What would it involve?
• Describe your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.
• Write about the best advice you ever received and who gave it to you.
• Reflect on your greatest strength and how it has helped you.
• Write about a goal you have for this school year.
• Describe a place where you feel completely relaxed and happy.
• Reflect on a book or movie that deeply impacted you.
• Write about someone you admire and why.
• Describe a time when you helped someone and how it made you feel.
• Imagine what the world will be like in 50 years.
• Write about your favorite memory with your family.
• Reflect on a moment when you felt proud of yourself.
• Describe your ideal adventure.
• Write about a time you were scared and how you handled it.
• Reflect on what friendship means to you.
• Write about a skill you’d like to learn and why.

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

These persuasive writing prompts are designed to inspire middle school students to develop arguments and persuade readers about a particular viewpoint or idea. These prompts will encourage critical thinking and research skills and enable students to present and justify their opinions clearly. Here’s a list of persuasive writing prompts for middle school students:

• Should homework be banned in schools? Argue your point.
• Persuade your readers why recycling should be mandatory.
• Is it better to read a book or watch a movie adaptation? Make your case.
• Argue for or against the importance of physical education in schools.
• Should students have a say in what they learn? Persuade your audience.
• Persuade your readers about the importance of learning a second language.
• Is it more beneficial to be a team player or an individual performer? Justify your opinion.
• Should animals be kept in zoos? Present your arguments.
• Argue why your favorite season is the best.
• Persuade your audience about the importance of arts in education.
• Should there be stricter rules for students’ internet use? Make your case.
• Argue for or against school uniforms.
• Is it better to give money to charity or volunteer your time? Persuade your readers.
• Persuade your audience on the importance of eating healthy foods.
• Should video games be considered a sport? Argue your viewpoint.
• Is it more important to be smart or kind? Persuade your readers.
• Argue why your city or town is a great place to live.
• Should students be allowed to use mobile phones in school? Present your arguments.
• Persuade your audience on the importance of having a hobby.
• Argue for or against the significance of space exploration.

Expository Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

These expository writing prompts are designed to help middle school students explore and convey information in a clear, concise, and structured manner. This type of writing requires students to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a coherent way. Here’s a list of expository writing prompts for middle school students:

• Explain the significance and process of the water cycle in nature.
• Describe the causes and effects of climate change.
• Write about the history and significance of a famous holiday.
• Explain how a specific technology works (like smartphones or virtual reality).
• Describe the steps involved in making your favorite meal.
• Write about the life cycle of a butterfly or another animal.
• Explain the importance of a balanced diet and exercise.
• Describe what life was like in a particular historical period.
• Explain how governments are formed and function.
• Write about the journey of water through the water cycle.
• Describe how a bill becomes a law.
• Explain the impact of social media on modern communication.
• Write about the process of photosynthesis.
• Describe the different types of renewable energy and their importance.
• Explain the significance of recycling and its impact on the environment.
• Describe how the human body’s immune system works.
• Explain the causes and effects of a significant historical event.
• Write about how a particular invention changed the world.
• Describe the process of creating a movie or a television show.
• Explain the importance and process of goal setting and planning for the future.

Narrative Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

These narrative writing prompts encourage middle school students to tell a story, either about themselves, someone else, or a completely fictional scenario. This type of writing helps students develop their storytelling skills, enhances their creativity, and allows them to express their thoughts and experiences in an engaging way. Here’s a list of narrative writing prompts for middle school students:

• Write about a time you faced a difficult decision and how you resolved it.
• Imagine you can time travel; describe your first adventure.
• Tell the story of a day when everything went wrong.
• Write about your most cherished memory with a friend or family member.
• Imagine you woke up one day and could speak another language fluently. What would happen?
• Describe a moment when you tried something outside of your comfort zone.
• Tell a story about a mysterious object you found and its origins.
• Write about a time you helped someone and how it made you feel.
• Imagine a day in the life of your pet. What adventures do they have?
• Describe your dream vacation and what would make it special.
• Write a story about meeting a famous person in an unexpected place.
• Tell the tale of a historical event from the perspective of someone who lived through it.
• Imagine a world where children are in charge. What would it be like?
• Write about the day you had a surprising encounter with wildlife.
• Describe a time when you overcame a significant challenge.
• Tell a story about a journey to a magical place.
• Write about the day you made an unlikely friend.
• Imagine discovering a secret room in your house. What’s inside?
• Describe a time when you achieved something you didn’t think was possible.
• Write about a day in the future, 50 years from now. What has changed? What has stayed the same?

Story Starters for Middle School Students

These story starters are engaging, imaginative prompts that provide the opening sentence or scene of a story. These starters will ignite the imagination, encouraging students to explore various genres, characters, and plots. They’re an excellent tool for overcoming writer’s block and for practicing narrative development, character creation, and setting establishment. Here’s a list of story starters for middle school students:

• “As the mysterious music played, the ancient book on the table suddenly flew open.”
• “Lost in the forest, I stumbled upon a hidden cottage made entirely of candy.”
• “The moment I put on the strange glasses, I could see into the future.”
• “Under my bed, I found a map leading to a secret underground city.”
• “When I woke up, I realized I had switched places with my pet.”
• “The old clock in the town square struck thirteen times, and then everything changed.”
• “I discovered a hidden door in the school library that led to a different world.”
• “On my way to school, I found a mysterious golden key with my name on it.”
• “During the night, all of my dreams escaped from my mind and became reality.”
• “The mirror in my room showed a reflection of a place I had never seen before.”
• “As I read the last page of the diary, the ghostly writer appeared in front of me.”
• “The new kid at school could do something no one else could – talk to animals.”
• “In the attic, I found a dusty old board game that turned out to be real.”
• “The picture in the museum started to move and reached out to me.”
• “I got a mysterious package in the mail with no return address. Inside was a magical object.”
• “During a thunderstorm, our house was suddenly transported to a different world.”
• “I found a strange old coin on the ground that had the power to grant wishes, but each wish came with a price.”
• “While exploring the beach, I stumbled upon a message in a bottle from a stranded pirate.”
• “In the garden, I discovered a plant that grew overnight and whispered secrets.”
• “When I looked through the telescope, I saw not stars, but the eyes of something watching.”

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50+ Inspiring Journal Prompts for Middle School

Middle school is a time of significant growth and discovery. Journaling is an exceptional way for students to express themselves, reflect on their experiences, and explore a multitude of topics. This extensive list of 50 journal prompts for middle school caters to a wide range of interests, encouraging middle schoolers to delve into creative, reflective, and personal writing.

Daily Reflections and Personal Growth

• Mindfulness Moments : Start your day with a mindfulness exercise and journal about the experience.
• Dream Diary : Record and interpret a recent dream.
• Gratitude List : Write about three things you’re grateful for today.
• Overcoming Challenges : Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it.
• Emotional Check-in : How are you feeling today? Explore your emotions in detail.
• Personal Goals : Set a goal for the week and outline the steps to achieve it.
• Self-Reflection : What are three words that describe you and why?
• New Beginnings : Write about starting something new or a change in your life.
• Favorite Memories : Recall and describe your favorite childhood memory.

Educational and Creative Exploration

• Science Wonders : Write about a recent science experiment and what you learned.
• Historical Time Travel : If you could go back to any historical period, where would you go and why?
• Literary Journey : Create a new ending for your favorite book.
• Artistic Inspiration : Describe an artwork you love and how it makes you feel.
• Nature Observation : Spend time in nature and write about your observations.
• Technology and Future : Imagine a new invention that could change the world.
• Exploring Space : If you could visit any planet, which one would it be and why?
• Poetry Creation : Write a poem about your feelings or a recent experience.
• Cooking Adventures : Document your experience of trying a new recipe.

Social Connections and Community

• Friendship Qualities : Write about what friendship means to you.
• Family Traditions : Describe a family tradition and its significance.
• Community Service Ideas : Think of a way to improve your community and plan it out.
• Cultural Awareness : Research a culture different from yours and write about what you learned.
• Role Models : Write about someone you admire and why.
• Leadership Reflection : What qualities make a good leader? Do you see them in yourself?
• Global Issues : Choose a global issue and write about why it’s important to you.

Fun and Imaginative Scenarios

• Fantasy World : Create a fantasy world and describe its inhabitants and rules.
• Adventure Story : Write an adventure story set in your favorite vacation spot.
• Superhero Saga : Invent a superhero and describe their first adventure.
• Mystery Plot : Create a mystery story set in your school.
• Time Machine Trip : If you had a time machine, where and when would you go?
• Space Exploration : Describe an encounter with an alien species.
• Magical Powers : If you had a magical power, what would it be and how would you use it?
• Animal Conversations : Imagine you can talk to animals. What would they tell you?
• Dream Vacation : Plan your dream vacation. Where would you go and what would you do?

Personal Interests and Hobbies

• Music Playlist : Create a playlist of your favorite songs and explain why you chose them.
• Book Review : Write a review of the last book you read.
• Sports Analysis : Discuss a recent sports game you watched or played.
• DIY Projects : Plan a DIY project and detail the process.
• Hobby Exploration : Describe your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.
• Movie Critique : Write a critique of the last movie you watched.
• Photography Project : Take a series of photos and write about what they represent.
• Cultural Foods : Explore a cuisine from a different culture and write about the experience.
• Fashion Trends : Discuss a current fashion trend and your opinion on it.

Reflections on Society and the World

• Environmental Conservation : Write about the importance of environmental conservation.
• Historical Figures : Choose a historical figure you admire and write about their impact.
• Social Media Influence : Reflect on the impact of social media on society.
• World Leaders : If you were a world leader, what changes would you implement?
• Future Careers : Explore a career you’re interested in and why it appeals to you.
• Global Travel : Write about a country you’d like to visit and why.
• Time Management : How do you manage your time for school and leisure?

Encouraging middle school students to engage in journaling not only helps develop their writing skills but also fosters emotional intelligence, creativity, and critical thinking. These journal prompts for middle school provide a diverse range of topics to inspire and engage young minds in meaningful and enjoyable writing exercises.

For more journaling tips, please visit Journaling for Emotional Wellness .

A fun middle school prompt could be: “If you could invent a new holiday, what would it be about, and how would people celebrate it?” This prompt encourages creativity and allows students to explore their imagination while considering cultural and social aspects of creating a holiday.

To brainstorm a middle school essay, start by identifying the main topic or question. Then, use techniques like mind mapping, listing, or the 5 Ws (Who, What, Where, When, Why) to generate ideas. Encourage students to think freely and write down all thoughts, no matter how outlandish they may seem. Grouping related ideas together can also help in forming a more structured outline for the essay.

The 5 Minute Journal typically includes prompts focused on gratitude, personal reflection, and setting intentions for the day. Examples include “I am grateful for…”, “What would make today great?”, and “Daily affirmations. I am…”. These prompts are designed to encourage positive thinking and mindfulness in just a few minutes each day.

Children can start journaling as soon as they are able to write, usually around the age of 5 or 6. However, it’s important to adapt the journaling practice to their developmental stage. For younger children, this might include drawing pictures or using single words or short sentences. As children grow older and their writing skills develop, they can move on to more structured and detailed journaling.

55 Writing Prompts For Middle Schoolers

• April 13, 2023

Writing prompts are an effective tool for middle school students to develop their writing skills. They offer a structured approach to writing that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression. Writing prompts can be used in a variety of ways, from daily journaling exercises to longer writing assignments. In this blog post, I will share with you 55 writing prompt for middle schoolers. These prompts are designed to stimulate the creativity and reflective thinking of middle school students, offering them a variety of scenarios and topics to explore through writing.

Middle school can be a challenging time for students as they navigate the transition from childhood to young adulthood. Writing prompts can help students explore their thoughts and feelings about this transition, as well as other important topics such as relationships, identity, and social issues.

There are many different types of writing prompts available for middle school students , ranging from imaginative prompts that encourage students to create their own stories, to non-fiction prompts that require research and analysis. Some prompts are designed to be completed in a single sitting, while others may require several days or even weeks of work. Regardless of the type or length of the prompt, the goal is always to help students develop their writing skills and become more confident and effective communicators.

Developing Creative Writing Skills

Middle school is an exciting time for students to explore their creativity and imagination through writing. Developing creative writing skills can be an enjoyable process, especially when using creative writing prompts to spark ideas. In this section, we will explore ways to develop creative writing skills and provide tips on how to craft engaging characters, dialogue, and settings.

Exploring Creative Writing Prompts

One of the best ways to develop creative writing skills is to explore a variety of writing prompts. Creative writing prompts can provide a starting point for students to develop their own unique story ideas . By using prompts that encourage creativity and imagination, students can explore different writing styles and genres. Some examples of creative writing prompts for middle school students include :

• Write a story about a character who discovers a hidden talent.
• Write a story about a group of friends who go on an adventure.
• Write a story about a character who learns an important life lesson.

Crafting Characters and Dialogue

Crafting engaging characters and dialogue is essential to creating a compelling story. Characters should have unique traits and personalities that make them relatable to readers. Dialogue should be natural and help move the story forward. When crafting characters and dialogue, it is important to consider the following:

• What motivates the character?
• What are their strengths and weaknesses?
• How do they interact with other characters?

Building Worlds: Setting and Atmosphere

The setting and atmosphere of a story can transport readers to another world. When building a world, it is important to consider the time period, location, and mood of the story. The setting and atmosphere should be descriptive and help readers visualize the world the characters inhabit. Some tips for building a world include:

• Use descriptive language to create a vivid setting.
• Consider the time period and location of the story.
• Use sensory details to create a mood and atmosphere.

By exploring creative writing prompts, crafting engaging characters and dialogue, and building worlds with descriptive settings and atmosphere, middle school students can develop their creative writing skills and explore their imagination.

55 Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

Here are 55 writing prompts tailored for middle school students:

• Describe your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.
• Write about the best vacation you ever had.
• Imagine you could travel in time. Where would you go?
• What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
• Describe your dream job and why you’re interested in it.
• Write a story about discovering a secret passage in your school.
• What is your favorite book or movie character, and why?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
• Write a letter to your future self in 10 years.
• Describe the perfect day. What would you do?
• Write about a time you faced a fear.
• Imagine you’re an astronaut exploring space. What do you find?
• What are the best and worst things about school?
• Write a story based on your favorite song.
• If you could be any animal for a day, which one would you choose?
• Describe your favorite family tradition.
• Write about a time when you helped someone.
• Imagine you’re the president for a day. What would you do?
• Write a story about a magical object that you found.
• What is something new you’d like to learn and why?
• Describe a time when you were proud of yourself.
• Write about what friendship means to you.
• If you could live in any book’s world, which one would you choose?
• What are three things you’re grateful for?
• Write a story about a day when everything went wrong.
• Describe the most interesting person you’ve ever met.
• Write about what you think the world will be like in 50 years.
• If you could start a charity, what would it be for?
• Write a story where you are the hero.
• What is your favorite season, and what do you like about it?
• Describe a time when you learned a valuable lesson from a mistake.
• Write about a place you’d like to visit and why.
• Imagine you could talk to animals. What would they tell you?
• What are the qualities of a good leader?
• Write a story about a mysterious neighbor.
• Describe your favorite meal and why it’s special to you.
• If you could invent something, what would it be?
• Write about a time when you felt very determined.
• What would you do if you won the lottery?
• Write a story about someone with an unusual talent.
• Describe a time when you had to be courageous.
• Write about a historical event you wish you could have witnessed.
• If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?
• What are some ways you can make a positive impact in your community?
• Write a story about finding a lost treasure.
• Describe your favorite place to relax.
• If you could create a new school subject, what would it be?
• Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
• Imagine living in a world without electricity. What would it be like?
• What are the pros and cons of having siblings?
• Write a story about a character with a secret identity.
• Describe a random act of kindness you’ve experienced.
• If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
• Write about a time when something didn’t go as planned, but it turned out okay.
• Imagine you’re a detective solving a mystery. What’s the case?

These prompts are designed to stimulate the creativity and reflective thinking of middle school students, offering them a variety of scenarios and topics to explore through writing.

Genres and Formats for Young Writers

Middle schoolers are at a stage where they are exploring their creative writing potential. They are discovering their unique voices and styles and experimenting with different genres and formats. Here are some popular genres and formats that young writers can explore:

Tales of Fiction: From Short Stories to Novels

Fiction writing is a popular genre among young writers. It allows them to create their own worlds and characters and explore different themes and ideas. Short stories are a great way to start, as they are less daunting than writing a novel. They allow young writers to experiment with different styles and techniques and develop their skills. Novels are more challenging, but they provide a more in-depth exploration of characters and themes.

Poetry and Narrative Structures

Poetry is a powerful form of creative writing that allows young writers to express their emotions and ideas in a concise and impactful way. It is a great way to experiment with language and imagery and develop a unique voice. Narrative structures, such as memoirs and personal essays, are also popular among young writers. They allow them to explore their own experiences and perspectives and develop their skills in storytelling.

Scriptwriting for Movies and TV Shows

Movie and TV show scriptwriting is a challenging but rewarding format for young writers. It requires a strong understanding of narrative structure and character development and the ability to write visually. It also provides opportunities for collaboration with other creatives, such as directors and actors. Young writers can start with short films or TV show episodes and work their way up to feature-length films or full TV series.

Incorporating Themes and Topics

Middle schoolers are at an age where they are exploring the world around them and discovering their own interests. Writing prompts can be an excellent way to encourage students to delve deeper into their passions and explore new topics. Here are some themes and topics that can be incorporated into writing prompts for middle schoolers:

Nature, Animals, and the Environment

Many middle schoolers have a natural curiosity about the world around them. Writing prompts that focus on nature , animals, and the environment can help them explore this interest. For example, a writing prompt could ask students to imagine what it would be like to live in a world without forests or to write a story about a dinosaur that comes back to life. Students could also write about the effects of climate change or explore the relationship between humans and animals.

Society and Relationships

Middle school is a time when students are beginning to navigate social situations and form relationships. Writing prompts that focus on society and relationships can help them explore these topics in a safe and creative way.

For example, a writing prompt could ask students to write a letter to their future selves or to explore the concept of friendship. Students could also write about bullying and its effects or explore the challenges of aging.

Fantasy and Science Fiction

Middle schoolers often have a fascination with the fantastical and the unknown. Writing prompts that incorporate elements of fantasy and science fiction can help them explore their imagination and creativity. For example, a writing prompt could ask students to write a story about a character with a superpower or to explore a magical forest. Students could also write about aliens or explore a haunted house.

Writing prompts can be an excellent tool for encouraging middle schoolers to explore their interests and develop their writing skills. By incorporating themes and topics that are relevant and interesting to them, teachers can help students engage with the writing process and develop a lifelong love of writing.

Enhancing Writing Through Practice

Middle school is a crucial developmental phase where students face creative blocks due to peer pressure and judgment fears. To foster creativity and enhance writing skills, educators must encourage students to practice writing regularly.

Effective Journaling Techniques

Journaling is an effective way to improve writing skills, as it helps students develop their writing voice, reflect on their experiences, and express their thoughts and emotions. To make journaling effective, students should be encouraged to write every day, choose topics that interest them, and use descriptive language to make their writing more engaging.

Developing Persuasive Writing and Critical Thinking

Persuasive writing is an essential skill that middle school students must develop to express their opinions and ideas effectively. To develop persuasive writing skills, students should be given prompts that challenge them to think critically, research their topics, and present their arguments logically and coherently. This helps students develop critical thinking skills and learn how to analyze and evaluate information.

Grammar and Style: The Finer Details

To become a better writer, students must also focus on the finer details of grammar and style. This includes understanding the rules of punctuation, using appropriate sentence structures, and choosing the right words to convey their message. Educators can provide students with grammar exercises, vocabulary lists, and writing activities that help them develop their grammar and style skills.

Pacticing writing regularly is essential to enhance writing skills. Effective journaling techniques, developing persuasive writing and critical thinking, and focusing on grammar and style are all crucial elements in improving writing skills. Educators must provide students with the right prompts, exercises, and activities to help them develop their writing skills and become confident writers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good writing prompt for 7th grade.

A good writing prompt for 7th grade should be age-appropriate and challenging. It should encourage students to think critically and creatively. A good prompt could be to write a persuasive essay on a current social issue or to write a descriptive essay about a place they have visited.

What are some creative writing prompts?

Creative writing prompts can be anything from writing a short story based on a picture prompt to writing a poem about a favorite food . Other ideas include writing a letter to a future self, writing a story from the perspective of an inanimate object, or creating a new mythological creature.

What is a fictional narrative writing prompt for middle school?

A fictional narrative writing prompt for middle school could be to write a story about a character who discovers a mysterious object that leads them on an adventure. Another idea could be to write a story about a character who must overcome a personal challenge or fear.

What are some engaging writing prompts for middle school students?

Engaging writing prompts for middle school students can include writing a script for a short play, writing a news article about a current event, or writing a personal narrative about a memorable experience. Other ideas include writing a persuasive essay about a topic they are passionate about or writing a letter to a public figure.

How can I find funny writing prompts suitable for middle schoolers?

One way to find funny writing prompts suitable for middle schoolers is to search for them online. There are many websites that offer free writing prompts for middle school students, including humorous prompts. Another idea is to brainstorm with the students and come up with funny prompts together.

Where can I download a collection of writing prompts for middle school students in PDF format?

There are many websites that offer free downloadable collections of writing prompts for middle school students in PDF format. Some popular websites include Teachers Pay Teachers, Scholastic, and Education.com.

What are some quick, 5-minute writing activities for middle school classes?

Quick, 5-minute writing activities for middle school classes can include writing a haiku, writing a six-word story, or writing a descriptive paragraph about a random object in the classroom. Other ideas include writing a list of things they are grateful for or writing a response to a thought-provoking question.

Can you suggest creative writing exercises for middle school students?

Yes, some creative writing exercises for middle school students include writing a story using only dialogue, writing a story backwards, or writing a story that incorporates a specific theme. Other ideas include writing a story from the perspective of an animal or writing a story in the style of a favorite author.

What are some effective social emotional journal prompts for middle school?

Effective social emotional journal prompts for middle school can include writing about a time when they felt proud of themselves, writing about a time when they overcame a challenge, or writing about a person who inspires them. Other ideas include writing about a time when they felt grateful or writing about a time when they showed kindness to someone else.

I'm Ben, a data engineer who adores journaling. My passion for recording life experiences inspired me to develop Otto's Journal, an online diary app. Join me as I blend data and storytelling in the ever-changing tech world, making journaling more accessible and exciting.

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Journal Prompts For Middle School

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Engage middle school students with our compelling journal prompts. Encourage creativity, self-expression, and improve writing skills with these fun and educational ideas specifically designed for middle schoolers.

Navigating through middle school can be quite an adventure with its unique ups and downs. Journaling during this time can offer an exceptional way to articulate thoughts, emotions, and dreams that are transforming through this exciting period of growth. It serves as a sanctuary of self-expression, while fostering writing skills and boosting creativity.

In this article, we’re delighted to share a collection of journal prompts specifically fashioned for middle school students. These prompts aim to ignite your imagination, encourage introspection, and help you frame your experiences in powerful narratives. Whether you’re trying to decipher your whirlwind of emotions or want to capture sweet memories and reflections, our handpicked prompts will act as your compass.

So, pick up your favorite pen, open up your journal, and let’s embark on this thrilling writing expedition together. 🚀

Personal Growth Exercises

Focusing on Personal Growth Exercises in journaling supports the development of self-awareness, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence, crucial aspects for middle school students transitioning into adulthood. Here are 20 writing prompts designed to encourage personal growth:

• Write about a personal strength you're proud of and how you can use it more in your daily life.
• Reflect on a mistake you made recently. What did you learn from it?
• Write a letter to your future self. What advice would you give yourself?
• What are three things you can improve about yourself? How can you start working on these improvements?
• Identify a fear that you have. How can you overcome this fear?
• Describe a moment you stood up for yourself or someone else. How did it make you feel?
• Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision. What was the outcome?
• Write about a time you disappointed yourself. How did you handle it?
• Jot down all your achievements from the past year.
• Describe a character trait you admire in others and would like to develop in yourself.
• Write about how you deal with stress and what techniques you could use to better manage it.
• What are three things you are grateful for today?
• Reflect on a time when you persevered through a particularly tough situation.
• What new skills would you like to learn and why?
• Write about a time you reached a goal. What steps did you take to get there?
• Write about a habit you want to break. What plan can you create to tackle it?
• Reflect on an occasion when you positively affected someone else's life.
• Describe a situation when you had to step out of your comfort zone. What did you gain from the experience?
• If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?
• What are your personal values and beliefs? How do these shape your life and decisions?

Family Reflections

Fostering family reflections in journaling can create space for exploring familial dynamics, understanding shared history, and deepening relationships. Here are 20 prompts to inspire you to delve into Family Reflections:

• Write about your favorite family tradition and why it's meaningful to you.
• Describe a memorable family holiday and explain why it stands out.
• Reflect on something important you've learned from a family member.
• Record a funny or unique family story.
• Document a time when your family supported you in a challenging situation.
• Write a letter to a family member expressing gratitude for something they've done.
• Describe your role in your family and how you feel about it.
• Imagine future family gatherings, what would they look like?
• List three traits you share with your family members.
• Reflections on how your family influenced your interests or hobbies.
• Explain how a particular family member inspires you.
• Write about a time you felt especially proud of your family.
• Recall a conflict in the family and how it was resolved or handled.
• Describe a meaningful conversation you've had with a family member.
• Reflect on a family member you would like to get to know better, and how you can achieve this.
• Document a time when your family had to adapt to change.
• Write about a family heirloom or keepsake and its significance.
• Reflect on how your family's culture and history has shaped you.
• Describe a favorite family meal and why it brings you joy.
• Write a letter to a future family member about your hopes for them.

Friendship Chronicles

Exploring Friendship Chronicles in journaling is a wonderful way to ponder over and express feelings about precious friendships, their complications, and insights from them. Here are 20 prompts that can help in fettering out unforgettable memories, emotions and learning from their journey of friendship:

• Write about the first friend you ever made in school. What do you remember the most about them?
• Discuss a time when you had a disagreement with a friend. How did you handle it?
• Describe a fun memory you shared with a friend. Why does it stand out?
• Write a letter to a friend who moved away. What would you want to say?
• Jot down how your best friend has influenced you in a positive way.
• Discuss a challenging period in your friendship. How did you overcome it?
• Describe the qualities that you value the most in a friend.
• Recall a time when a friend stood up for you. How did that make you feel?
• Write about the most important thing you’ve learned from a friend.
• Describe a situation where you had to apologize to a friend. What did you learn?
• Write about a friend who changed over time. How did it affect your friendship?
• Discuss a moment when you felt proud of your friend.
• Describe a shared goal or dream you and your friend had.
• Recall a time when you and a friend had a memorable adventure or trip.
• Write about a friend who you look up to and why.
• Reflect on a misunderstanding you had with a friend. How did you resolve it?
• Write about the kindest thing a friend has ever done for you.
• Discuss how a friend helped you in a difficult time.
• Write about a moment of shared sadness or loss with a friend.
• Share some ways you wish to be a better friend.

School Life Experiences

School Life Experiences often make the richest sources for reflective journals as they capture key learning and growth moments. Here are 20 prompts to encourage middle schoolers to delve into their School Life Experiences:

• Write about your memorable first day in middle school. How did you feel?
• Describe a time when you faced a challenging situation at school and how you overcame it.
• Reflect on a moment when you felt proud of something you accomplished at school.
• Write about a new friend you made in school this year. What do you like about them?
• Discuss a moment when you disagreed with a teacher. How did that situation resolve?
• Talk about an interesting school trip you went on. What did you learn from it?
• Describe a time when you tried something new or out of your comfort zone at school.
• Share a moment that you helped someone with a problem at school. How did it make you feel?
• Write about a lesson you learnt from a school project or assignment.
• Reflect on a club or team you joined at school. What are your experiences as a part of it?
• Describe a moment when a teacher praised you for your work. How did you feel?
• Write about a challenge you had during a group project. How was it resolved and what did you learn?
• Share something that you learnt about yourself from a school test or exam.
• Discuss an incident at school which changed your perspective on something.
• Reflect on a moment when you felt most connected with your classmates.
• Write about your favorite class or subject in school. Why do you enjoy it?
• Discuss a day in school when things did not go as planned. How did you deal with it?
• Describe an act of kindness that you witnessed at school and how it made you feel.
• Write about a teacher who has significantly influenced your school life experience.
• Reflect on the most important lesson that school life has taught you so far.

Hobbies And Interests Exploration

Engaging in Hobbies and Interests Exploration through journaling can inspire self-discovery, encourage creativity, and foster a deeper connection to personal passions. Draw upon the following 20 writing prompts to explore individual hobbies and interests:

• Write about your favorite hobby. Why do you enjoy it?
• Describe a hobby you would like to start, and explain why.
• List three hobbies you've never tried but would like to, and why they attract you.
• Reflect on an interest that you have outgrown. Discuss the reasons.
• How does your favorite hobby or interest make you feel?
• Write about someone who shares your hobby and how it connects you.
• Describe the most challenging part of your hobby and how you overcome it.
• What is a skill you have learned from your hobby?
• Write about the first time you engaged in your hobby or found your interest.
• Who or what initially inspired your interest in this hobby?
• How does your interest or hobby influence your daily life?
• Describe how you can share your hobby with others.
• If you could turn your hobby into your career, describe how you would do it.
• Reflect on how your hobby or interest has evolved over time.
• Write about a hobby or interest that you are passionate about but haven't pursued.
• How did you get involved in your current hobby or interest?
• Discuss any struggles or obstacles you've faced while pursuing your interest.
• What is one way your hobby or interest has enriched your personal life?
• Describe how you could use your hobby to benefit others.
• Reflect on where you hope your hobby or interest will take you in the future.

Dreams And Aspirations

Exploring dreams and aspirations through journaling can provide middle school students with a platform to express their goals, hopes, and visions for the future. Here are 20 diverse prompts to incite reflection on dreams and aspirations:

• Write about a profound dream that you wish to achieve in your lifetime.
• Envision your ideal life ten years from now. What does it look like?
• Can you remember the first dream you ever had? Has it changed or stayed the same over time?
• Describe an aspiration that scares you because it seems unattainable. Why does it scare you?
• Write a letter to your future self about the dreams you hope to have achieved by then.
• Suppose you're handed a magic wand that grants wishes. What aspiration would you wish for first and why?
• What steps can you take now to get closer to your dream?
• Recall a moment when someone told you your dream was impossible. How did you respond or how do you wish you had responded?
• List out five skills you need to develop to make your dream come true.
• What are three obstacles that could prevent you from reaching your dream? How might you overcome them?
• How would achieving your dream impact those around you?
• Write about someone you know who has achieved their dream. What can you learn from them?
• What or who inspired your current major dream or aspiration?
• Imagine you have achieved your dream. How does it feel?
• Why is the dream you wrote about in prompt 1 important to you?
• If you had unlimited resources, which dream would you pursue?
• Write about a time when you gave up on a dream. Why did you give up?
• Illustrate your dream visually through a diagram or flowchart.
• Write a poem about your dream. What feelings does your dream evoke?
• How does your dream align with your values and who you are as a person?

Understanding Emotions

Understanding emotions through journaling prompts can help middle school students gain awareness and control over their complex feelings, promoting emotional wellbeing and healthier relationships. Here are 20 writing prompts to assist you:

• Write about a time when you felt happiest. What was happening, and why did it make you feel this way?
• Describe an experience when you were angry. How could you manage it positively the next time?
• Reflect on an incidence that made you feel sad. How did you cope up with that emotion?
• Recall a situation when you were most anxious. What were your reactions and thoughts?
• Write about a time when you felt really proud. What made you proud?
• Describe a moment of embarrassment. How did you handle that emotion?
• Narrate a situation where you felt loved. How does this love reflect in your actions or thoughts?
• Share an experience where you felt grateful. How do you express gratitude in your daily life?
• Explore a time when you were overwhelmed. What strategies can you use to manage such feelings in future?
• Recall a situation where you were jealous. How did you manage to overcome it?
• Describe an experience when you felt disappointed. How did it affect you and what did you learn from it?
• Write about a time when you felt calm and peaceful. What were the elements contributing to this peace?
• Reflect on a time when you were full of energy. How does this energy manifest in your actions or behavior?
• Write about a moment of surprise. How did you react and why?
• Describe an incident depicting fear. What could you have done differently to handle it?
• Reflect on the most inspiring moment to date. How did it influence your emotions?
• Recount an episode where you felt guilt. What steps did you take to overcome it?
• Write about a moment of rejection. How did it feel and what are the ways to manage such feelings?
• Share an instance where you felt relief. What led to this emotion?
• Describe an experience that made you feel confident. How did this emotion impact your actions?

Daily Gratitudes

Practicing Daily Gratitudes through journaling cultivates a habit of contentment, acknowledgment, and positivity, which is crucial in the formative years of a middle schooler. Here are twenty prompts to guide the journey of expressing Daily Gratitudes:

• Write about one person who made your day better. How did they do it?
• List three small things that happened today that you feel grateful for.
• Recall a moment when something didn't go as planned but turned out better.
• Name a skill or talent you possess for which you are grateful.
• Write about an unexpected kindness or smile you received.
• Who is a teacher you feel grateful for? Why?
• Reflect on a challenge you faced that resulted in unexpected growth.
• What made you laugh or smile today?
• List the places you visited today and something you enjoyed about each.
• Who is a friend you are grateful for? Why does their friendship matter to you?
• What book, song, or movie are you thankful for?
• Name something in nature you observed today that made you feel gratitude.
• Write about a family ritual or tradition you appreciate.
• Think back to a time you overcame a fear. How did that make you feel?
• Recall a lesson learned from a mistake.
• What is one thing about your school or class you're grateful for?
• Who made a difference in your life recently?
• Reflect on a personal achievement you are proud of.
• Name an opportunity you had today to learn something new.
• Write about an act of kindness you witnessed or experienced today.

Memorable Moments

Journaling about Memorable Moments allows us to revisit and explore emotional or impactful experiences from our past, providing deeper personal insights. Here are 20 writing prompts focused on recalling and reflecting on these notable occasions:

• Describe the happiest moment you've ever experienced. What made it so special?
• Write about a time you overcame a great challenge. How did you manage to do it?
• Share a moment when you accomplished something you didn't think you could. How did that change your feelings about yourself?
• Reflect on a time when you unexpectedly met a friend. What ensued?
• Recall a situation where you were the bravest you've ever been. How does that make you feel now?
• Describe the most beautiful place you have ever visited. What captivated you about it?
• Write about a funny incident that you still laugh about when you remember it.
• Share about a special tradition or event in your family that stays vivid in your memory. What do you like about it?
• Describe a moment when you felt genuinely proud of yourself. What triggered this feeling?
• Reflect on a time when you learned a valuable lesson the hard way. What was the lesson?
• Share the most impactful book, movie, or song you've encountered. Why does it linger in your memory?
• Write about a random act of kindness you witnessed or received. How did it affect you?
• Describe a time you had an unforgettable adventure or trip. What made it memorable?
• Reflect on a moment when you stood up for something you believe in. What inspired you?
• Recount a memorable conversation that had a profound impact on you. What was it about?
• Write about a time you faced your fears. What was the outcome?
• Share a moment when someone showed you an unexpected kindness. How did it make you feel?
• Describe a landmark moment in your life. Why do you think it's important?
• Reflect on a time when something turned out much better than you expected.
• Share the most unexpected and pleasant surprise you've ever received. What was it and why was it special?

Exploring Cultures And Diversity

Exploring Cultures and Diversity through journaling is a profound way for middle school students to gain a better understanding of different cultures and promote inclusivity in their daily lives. Here, we have compiled a list of 20 engaging prompts regarding this topic:

• Write about a cultural event you would like to experience that is not part of your own culture.
• Describe a tradition from another culture that you find interesting. What do you appreciate about it?
• List three things you admire about a culture different than your own.
• Imagine you've moved to a country with a different official language. How would you adapt?
• Write about a conversation you'd like to have with a person from a different cultural background.
• How can embracing diversity make your school a better place?
• Describe how the world would be if we didn't have diverse cultures.
• Reflect on a cultural misunderstanding you've witnessed or experienced. How was it resolved?
• Write about a time when you felt outside your comfort zone due to cultural differences.
• Imagine you're a world leader addressing the topic of cultural respect. What would you say?
• Discuss the importance of diversity in story characters in books and movies.
• Write a letter to your future self about the importance of understanding different cultures.
• If you could introduce a tradition from your culture to the world, what would it be and why?
• Choose a culture you know little about. What questions would you ask someone from this culture to learn more?
• Reflect on a dish from another culture that you enjoyed. Why did you like it?
• What does 'cultural diversity' mean to you?
• How can learning about different cultures prevent prejudice and stereotypes from forming?
• Think about a celebration or festival from another culture that you would like to participate in.
• Write a short story that showcases two different cultures coming together in a positive way.
• Imagine you're creating a multicultural feast. Which dishes from different cultures would you include and why?

Travels And Adventures

Exploring travels and adventures through journal prompts enhances middle schoolers' ability to imagine different cultures, experiences, and places, stimulating their creativity and broadening their worldview. Here are 20 engaging prompts about travels and adventures for middle school students:

• Write a journal entry as if you are on the first spaceship to Mars. What can you see? What are you feeling?
• Describe an adventure to a hidden treasure island. What dangers did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
• Imagine you have a magical map that can transport you to any place in the world. Where would you go and why?
• Chronicle your journey through a haunted forest. What scary or mysterious events take place?
• You’re a time traveler visiting ancient Egypt. Describe your day.
• Think of an insect-sized adventure in your backyard. What challenges do you face?
• You're a scientist exploring the depths of the ocean. Describe the strange and wonderful creatures you encounter.
• Write about your first day living in a different country. How is life different from your home?
• You've discovered a secret door in your house leading to a mystical land. What's it like?
• You're on a mission to climb the highest peak in Himalaya. Journal your feelings as you reach the summit.
• Visit your favorite story or book. Write about your experience.
• Imagine you're on a safari in Africa. Describe the wildlife you see.
• You're an explorer discovering the Amazon rainforest. What unique plants and animals do you encounter?
• Describe a day as a pirate sailing the seven seas. What's your pirate name and how did you get it?
• You are on a train journey across Europe. Describe the sights, sounds, and tastes you experience.
• You are living with a tribe in the Amazon Rainforest for a week. Write about your routines, meals, and newfound friends.
• Imagine you've discovered a new planet. What does it look like, and what kind of creatures reside there?
• You are hiking the Great Wall of China. Document the challenges and highlights of your adventure.
• Write a postcard to your family from a campsite in a national park. What animals and sceneries have you seen?
• Describe surviving a week on a deserted island. How do you find food and shelter? What do you do to stay hopeful?

Fantasy And Imagination

Utilizing Fantasy and Imagination in journaling can stimulate creativity and inspire broadened perspectives for middle school students, paving the way for personal expression and innovative thinking. Here are 20 prompts to exercise your mind and spirit through the wonder of fantastical imaginings:

• Describe a magical world you might stumble upon through a hidden door in your school.
• Invent a new creature and write down its unique attributes.
• Write a story where the main character communicates with animals.
• What if you were an astronaut, and you discovered a new planet? Describe it.
• Imagine you have a superpower. What does a normal day look like for you?
• Detailed a conversation you might have with a dragon.
• What if you could freeze time? Write a story about your first day with this ability.
• Create a story where you are the ruler of an underwater kingdom.
• What kind of magical item would you like to find? What powers does it have?
• You stumble upon a mirror that doesn't reflect your image but shows your future. What do you see?
• Describe your adventures in a realm where everyone can control one of the four elements.
• Suppose you found a map to a hidden treasure within your school. Describe your journey.
• Write about a daring rescue mission in a world of mythical creatures.
• Picture yourself as a tree with the ability to control the environment around you. What changes would you make?
• Write a letter to an alien, explaining life on Earth.
• You find a book that gives life to any story penned down in it. What's your first story?
• Inventively describe a day in a town where gravity doesn't exist.
• Write about a society where children are in charge and make all the rules.
• If your best friend was a mythic beast, describe your daily life together.
• Write about a day when you wake up to find everything around you has turned miniature.

Sports And Fitness Insights

Sports and Fitness Insights can provide an interesting avenue to explore self-awareness and personal growth through journaling. Here are 20 prompts that can guide middle schoolers in their journaling about sports and fitness:

• Write about your favorite sport and why you enjoy it.
• Describe a time when you faced a challenge in your sport or fitness routine. How did you overcome it?
• Reflect on a time when you achieved a personal best in a sport or fitness activity. How did it make you feel?
• Detail a goal you have related to sports or fitness and how you plan to achieve it.
• Write a short narrative about a memorable sports event you participated in or watched.
• List three ways you could improve your involvement or performance in sports or fitness.
• Think about a teammate or opponent who impressed you and describe what you can learn from them.
• Imagine what it's like to be a professional athlete in your favorite sport. How would your daily routine change?
• Write about a sports or fitness-related setback you've experienced and what it taught you.
• Reflect on how sports or fitness activities affect your overall mood and wellbeing.
• Describe an inspiring sports figure. How have they influenced your approach to fitness and sports?
• Write about a situation where teamwork led to success in a sporting event.
• Reflect on how discipline plays a role in your sports or fitness routine.
• Imagine you're designing a new sports game. Describe the rules, objectives, and why you think it would be fun.
• Write a letter to your future self about your current sports or fitness ambitions.
• Reflect on the influence of nutrition on sports performance.
• Write about the best advice or motivational quote you've heard related to sports or fitness.
• Discuss your pre-game rituals or routines and why they are important to you.
• Reflect on the role of a coach or mentor in your sports or fitness journey.
• Write about a time when you had to show sportsmanship and how it affected you.

Pets And Animal Adventures

Exploring Pets and Animal Adventures through journaling can ignite curiosity, empathy, and a sense of responsibility towards other beings, opening up a world of narratives and thoughtful reflections. Here are 20 creative writing prompts about Pets and Animal Adventures:

• Describe a typical day in the life of your pet from their perspective.
• Imagine you and your pet have switched roles for a day. What would you both do?
• Write about a memorable adventure you had with an animal.
• You woke up as a zookeeper. Describe your interactions with various animals.
• Investigate what it would be like if your pet could talk. What would they say?
• Detail the epic journey of a lost pet finding its way home.
• Envision an unusual animal has become your pet. What challenges might you face?
• Recall a lesson you've learned from observing an animal.
• Weave a tale about a team of animals trying to escape from the zoo.
• Narrate an encounter between your pet and an alien.
• Illustrate a battle of wits between two animals in your backyard.
• Record a conversation between your pets when no humans are around.
• Chronicle a day in the life of a street dog finding food and shelter.
• If your pet opened a detective agency, describe their first case.
• Script an adventure story about a wildlife rescue operation.
• Draft an episode of your pet entering a national talent show.
• Set up the scene for a face-off between your cat and a mischievous mouse.
• Visualize being stranded on an island with a parrot who can speak any language.
• If an elephant came to live in your neighborhood, predict how the residents would react.
• Picture a world where animals rule and humans are their pets. Describe a typical day.

Environmental Awareness

Understanding our relationship to the environment through journaling can spark meaningful conversations about environmental responsibility, encouraging mindfulness about our daily actions and decisions. Below are 20 prompts that will inspire consideration and dialogue about environmental awareness:

• List three ways you personally could be more environmentally responsible.
• Write a letter to your future self, explaining what steps you are taking now to protect the environment.
• Describe your ideal clean, green, and sustainable neighborhood. How does it function?
• Reflect on the most beautiful natural place you've ever visited. Why is it important to protect such places?
• Write about a global environmental issue that worries you. What can you do to raise awareness about it?
• Discuss a local environmental problem. How could your school or community fix it?
• Imagine you are a tree being cut down. Write from its perspective.
• List five things you can recycle at home and school, and how it helps the environment.
• Write a persuasive essay convincing someone to change one harmful environmental habit.
• Think about a wild animal endangered due to human activity. Write a diary entry of its daily struggles for survival.
• Describe an experience where you felt a strong connection to nature.
• Discuss a green technology you've learned about and explain why it’s important.
• Imagine a conversation between Mother Earth and humans. What would they say to each other?
• Write an action plan where you commit to doing three eco-friendly activities in the next week.
• Describe the environmental changes you would like to see in the next five years.
• Think of your favorite animal or plant. How does climate change or pollution affect it?
• Write a poem expressing your love for nature.
• Discuss why it’s important to combat false information or myths about the environment.
• Imagine a world without plastic. What would it look like and how would it function?
• Write a pledge to future generations about what you promise to do to protect the environment.

Scientific Inquiries

Exploring scientific inquiries through journal prompts encourages a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and fosters critical thinking skills. Here are 20 prompts to stimulate curiosity and engage in scientific inquiry:

• Describe the process of conducting a scientific experiment you've recently learned about.
• Imagine you could interview any scientist, past or present. What would you ask them and why?
• Write down three questions about the natural world you want answers to.
• Narrate a day in the life of the Earth if gravity suddenly disappeared.
• Reflect on a scientific theory that changed the way you perceive the world.
• Imagine travelling back in time. How would you explain today's technology to people from the past?
• Write about how the concept of evolution affects how you view life.
• Create a hypothesis about why some animals hibernate.
• Describe how the concept of 'photosynthesis' affects an average day for a plant.
• Reflect on a scientific concept you initially found confusing but now understand. How did your understanding evolve?
• Invent a new piece of technology that could solve a current global issue.
• Develop a simple experiment to demonstrate a scientific principle and explain how it works.
• Write about the different stages of the water cycle and their importance.
• Predict what advances in science we might see in the next 100 years.
• Recall a scientific experiment you conducted and any unexpected outcomes.
• Describe a natural phenomena you have witnessed and explain the science behind it.
• Discuss the importance and limits of scientific models such as the Bohr model of the atom.
• Ponder about how scientific discoveries from other planets might affect life on Earth.
• Craft a dialogue between two elements on the periodic table.
• Propose a way to prove that the Earth is spherical and not flat.

History And Time Travel

Exploring the notion of history and time travel through journaling allows middle-schoolers to widen their knowledge and perspective while sparking their imagination. Below are 20 thought-provoking prompts that introduce students to different moments in history and allow them to imagine the possibilities of time travel:

• If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
• Rewrite a historical event from the perspective of a bystander.
• Imagine you discovered a time machine. Explain your first trip in detail.
• If you could spend a day in an ancient civilization, which one would you choose and why?
• Write about the diary of a person from the Stone Age.
• You've been sent back to the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. Describe your day.
• Narrate a day in the life of a pyramid builder in Ancient Egypt.
• If you were a knight in Medieval times, what would your typical day look like?
• Imagine you have the power to change a moment in history. What would it be and why?
• Write a letter to yourself from the perspective of your future self in 2050.
• You have dinner with a historical figure. Who is it and what questions would you ask?
• You have to describe the internet to somebody in the year 1897. How would you explain it?
• Comment on historical changes you would want to witness if you could time travel.
• Imagine waking up in a colonial American town. Describe your day.
• Write about a futuristic invention that you believe will change the world.
• What pieces of advice would you give to your great-great-grandparents if you could meet them?
• Find a historical picture online. Then, write a narrative of what led up to that moment.
• If you had a chance to prevent a war, which one would it be and how would you do it?
• Detail the events of the day if you were a teenager during the civil rights movement.
• Transport yourself to a world where the dinosaurs never went extinct. Describe your interactions.

Arts And Crafts Inspirations

Using Arts and Crafts Inspirations for journal prompts aids in developing creativity, imagination, and thoughtful expression in middle school students. Here are 20 encouraging prompts to ignite artistic inspiration and craftsmanship through journaling:

• Recount your most fascinating arts and crafts project. What made it unique?
• Describe how you felt when you saw your finished art or craft for the first time.
• What is your favorite material to work with in arts and crafts and why?
• Write a step-by-step guide to create your dream craft project.
• Reflect on a craft project that didn't go as planned. How would you improve it next time?
• If you were to teach a friend to make an art piece, what would it be and why?
• Imagine you have unlimited resources, what massive art project would you want to create?
• Write about a craft project you're proud of. What feedback did you receive from others?
• Reflect on a piece of art that has inspired you greatly. Describe it in detail.
• Imagine making a gift for someone you love. What craft will you create and why?
• Invent a new craft technique and describe how it's done.
• Write about a time when you customized an everyday item to make it beautiful or unique.
• Discuss the most challenging aspect of your favorite art style.
• Paint a mental image of a piece of art that brings you joy.
• Reflect on which artist or craftsperson has influenced your work the most.
• Describe a craft project that taught you something new about yourself.
• Write about a time when creating art helped you express a complex emotion.
• List out the future art projects you would like to work on and why they excite you.
• Discuss the role of colors in your art. Do you have a favorite color to work with?
• Write about how art and craft have enriched your life in middle school.

Music And Performing Arts Reflections

Music and Performing Arts Reflections in journaling aid in processing emotions, experiences and ideas, sparking creativity, and fostering a deeper understanding of self and art. Below are 20 writing prompts centered around Music and Performing Arts Reflections:

• Reflect on a piece of music that moved you emotionally. Explain the feelings it stirred in you.
• Write about a time when you performed in a play or concert. How did you prepare, and how did it feel?
• Imagine yourself as a famous musician. Describe a day in your life.
• List three things you learned from a recent art class or performance.
• Describe a song or piece of music that makes you feel happy every time you hear it.
• Think about an artist or performer you admire. Write down why you respect them.
• Recall a favorite scene from a film or play. Describe in detail why it resonates with you.
• Write about how music can influence our mood or thoughts.
• Reflect on a piece of artwork that confused you. What were your initial thoughts, and did your perception change over time?
• Remember a time when you saw a live performance. Write about the atmosphere and audience reaction.
• Explore how creating art or music can be a form of self-expression.
• Write about a troubling event or emotion, then describe a song or piece of art that could capture it.
• Recall a time when you gave a standout performance. How did it make you feel and what feedback did you receive?
• Describe the connection between emotion and creativity in the performing arts.
• Imagine you could meet any artist or musician, dead or alive. Write a letter to them expressing your admiration.
• Reflect on a piece of music or art that brought comfort or solace during a difficult time.
• Write about a time when a performance didn't go as planned. How did you handle the situation?
• Describe a musical composition or art piece you would like to create, and the inspiration behind it.
• Write about the role that music or art plays in your culture or upbringing.
• Reflect on a time when you connected with someone over a shared taste in music or art.

Tech And Innovation Thoughts

Utilizing tech and innovation thoughts in journal prompts for middle school not only sparks creative thinking but also equips students with insights on rapidly changing technology trends. Here are 20 engaging journal prompts centered around tech and innovation:

• Imagine a new piece of technology that could help make your everyday life easier. Describe it.
• Write about a day in your life 20 years from now, assuming all current futuristic technology projections come true.
• Describe an invention that can help address an environmental problem.
• Explain how social media could be utilized for educational purposes.
• Focusing on your favorite gadget, how does it work and why do you like it?
• Write a story where technology plays a villain's role.
• Think about an app you would like to see created, explain what it does and why it'd be beneficial.
• Imagine how earth would look if technology didn't exist.
• How could technology be used to improve assistive devices for people with disabilities?
• Discuss your perspective on the influence of video games on children's creativity.
• How has technology enhanced communication between people living in different parts of the world?
• Discuss the impact of technology on your favorite hobby.
• Envision transportation of the future. What would it look like?
• What are the considerations to make when sharing personal information online?
• Explore how technology can help in health and fitness.
• What's your opinion on the use of drones? What other applications could they have?
• How might virtual reality (VR) transform the way we learn in the future?
• Consider a day in the life of a robot in your home. What tasks would it perform?
• Think about the possibilities of social networking if language barriers are fully removed by technology.
• If you had all the resources, describe an innovation you'd create to solve a problem in your school or community.

Nature And Outdoor Experiences

Exploring Nature and Outdoor Experiences through journaling can help middle school students notice their environment, develop observation skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the world around them. Here are 20 journal prompts centered around Nature and Outdoor Experiences:

• Write about your favorite outdoor memory. What made it special?
• Describe the feeling of the sun on your skin or the wind in your hair.
• Jot down what you see, hear, touch, and smell during a 10-minute observation outdoors.
• Recount a time when an animal or plant fascinated you. What piqued your interest?
• Write a letter to a tree near your home, expressing what it means to you.
• Reflect on a scary outdoor experience. How have you grown from it?
• Describe the process of a sunset or sunrise. How does it make you feel?
• Document the changes you observe in a particular plant or tree over a week.
• Imagine a day in the life of a forest animal. Document its activities and experiences.
• Compare two different natural environments you’ve visited. What were the key differences and similarities?
• Draw a map of your favorite outdoor spot and describe each part.
• Write down 10 things you would like to learn about the natural world.
• Reflect on how weather impacts your mood and activities.
• Journal about an outdoor activity or sport you love. What makes it exciting?
• Express your feelings about the changing seasons. Which season is your favorite and why?
• Describe the starry sky or a constellation you observed.
• Write about an interesting insect you encountered and its behavior.
• Capture the thrill of a hike or climbing a hill. What did you see from the top?
• Journal about witnessing a natural event, like a storm, a rainbow, or a meteor shower.
• Reflect on your role in preserving nature. What actions could you take to make a difference?

Charity And Volunteer Work Reflections

Considering the impact of charity and volunteer work through journaling allows middle school students to reflect on their actions and understand the importance of selflessness and empathy. Here are 20 thought-provoking prompts about Charity and Volunteer Work Reflections:

• Describe in detail the last time you volunteered or participated in a charity event.
• Write a letter of thanks to someone who helped you in volunteering or charity work.
• Imagine what the world would be like if everyone dedicated a day to helping others.
• Think of a time when you helped someone less fortunate. How did it impact them and how did it make you feel?
• Describe your feelings after you completed your last volunteer work.
• List three new charities or causes you'd like to support and explain why.
• Write about a significant lesson you learned from volunteering or doing charity work.
• Recall a time when you felt rewarded for your charitable deeds, how did that serve as motivation?
• Document your favorite volunteering experience and the difference you felt you made.
• Think of a reason that would discourage you from volunteering. Reflect upon how can you overcome this obstacle.
• Write about how you can encourage your friends or family to participate in volunteer work.
• Describe a charity event that you have attended. What were your takeaways from the experience?
• Express your feelings before, during, and after a charity event or volunteering session.
• Write about the person or group who benefits from your volunteer work.
• Reflect on a moment during volunteering when you felt a deep connection or empathy.
• Imagine what your community would look like if everyone volunteered one hour a week.
• Write a pledge about the changes you want to make in your volunteering approach.
• Reflect on how often would you like to participate in charity work – daily, weekly, monthly, or annually?
• Describe a situation when volunteering or charity work challenged your views.
• Write about what you think is the most significant barrier to people's participation in charity and volunteer work, and propose a solution.

Celebrations And Festivities Chronicles

Fostering a record of our experiences in celebrations and festivities through journal prompts can facilitate a deeper understanding of our cultural heritage and foster joy and personal growth. Here are some writing prompts to capture the essence of festivities and celebrations:

• Describe a favorite holiday celebration that brings your family together.
• Write a narrative of your most memorable birthday party.
• Reflect on the feelings you experience during the holiday season.
• Describe a significant celebration you've learned about in school that you think is interesting.
• Detail a local festival you attended and what made it memorable.
• Write about creating a new holiday and how you would celebrate it.
• Reflect on a meaningful gift you received and why it was special.
• Imagine you are organizing a festival, describe what it would be about and how you would celebrate it.
• Write a letter thanking someone who made your holiday season special.
• Describe a tradition from a culture different from yours that you find beautiful or interesting.
• Write about a celebration or holiday in a book or movie that you would like to participate in.
• Detail a celebration or festival that is unique to your hometown or state.
• Reflect on how your feelings change from the start of a celebration to the end.
• Write about an unexpected joyous celebration you were part of.
• Imagine celebrating a festival in space! Write down how you plan to celebrate it.
• Recount a time when a celebration or festival helped you understand a friend's culture better.
• Write about a celebration that didn't go as planned but still turned out fun.
• Reflect on the best food you ever had at a celebration or festival.
• Write about a celebration that taught you an important life lesson.
• Document a scenario where two different cultural celebrations coincide and how you would like to celebrate them mutually.

Nutrition And Wellness Insights

Focusing on Nutrition and Wellness Insights through journaling allows us to recognize and appreciate our health, and could cultivate better habits for long-term wellness. Below are 20 prompts that can initiate thoughtful responses about Nutrition and Wellness:

• Describe your favorite nutritious meal and what makes it healthy.
• Reflect on a day when you felt physically well and energetic. What were some contributing factors?
• Write about a new exercise you want to try and why it interests you.
• List three ways to improve your hydration today.
• Discuss a time when you chose a healthy option over an unhealthy one. What motivated your decision?
• Detail your ideal exercise routine and how it could contribute to your wellness.
• Why is nutrition vital to your daily life?
• Discuss a nutritional myth you once believed in, and what you learned later.
• Write about an occasion when you felt proud of maintaining a balanced diet or workout routine.
• Create a plan for adding more fruits and vegetables to your weekly meals.
• Reflect on a time you were unwell and how it affected your daily life.
• Detail a wellness goal you have for yourself this year.
• Write a persuasive paragraph on the importance of eating breakfast daily.
• Recall a time when you educated somebody else about nutrition or health, and its impact on them.
• Describe a moment when you felt a physical activity improve your mood or stress levels.
• Discuss a wellness habit that you admire in someone else and how you can adopt it.
• List five foods you know to be healthy and why they are good for you.
• Write about the connection between good nutrition, mental health, and school performance.
• Discuss an instance when you helped or encouraged a friend or family member to make a healthier choice.
• Reflect on how your understanding of nutrition and wellness has changed in the past year.

Career Explorations And Dreams

Career Explorations and Dreams in journaling serves as a tool for middle school students to discover their passions and aspirations, opening avenues for their future careers. Below are 20 prompts that encourage exploration and reflection about this area:

• Write about a career that you admire but isn't directly related to your main interests. Why does this career appeal to you?
• Draw an image that represents your dream job. What aspects of this job make it your ultimate dream?
• Think of someone you know who loves their job. Describe what you think makes their job fulfilling to them.
• Write about a career you're interested in, and list the pros and cons you can think of related to that occupation.
• Imagine what a typical day in your dream job would involve. Write down your itinerary for that day.
• Here's a twist – write about the job you'd least like to do. What about it turns you off?
• Describe a career that you think will change significantly in the next 20 years. How do you think it might change?
• Write a letter to your future self, outlining the steps you've taken to reach your dream career and what you've achieved.
• Think about your favorite subject in school. What careers could you pursue related to this subject?
• Write about a job that you think would bring you the most happiness and why.
• Recall a job or task you've done recently that you found rewarding. What made it satisfying?
• Write about a career-related goal you have for this year.
• List five skills you think are important for your dream job.
• Describe a career-related fear or obstacle and how you plan to overcome it.
• Imagine you have the job of your dreams. How does it affect your lifestyle and personal life?
• What is a must-have quality in your dream job and why?
• Think of a job that you believe is underappreciated and write about why it deserves more recognition.
• Describe a task or responsibility you anticipate with excitement in your dream job.
• Write about a career you know little about, but would like to understand better.
• Reflect on the people who inspire you and their jobs. What aspects of their careers make them role models for you?

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100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle & High School – 2024

April 15, 2024

Some high school students dream of writing for a living, perhaps pursuing an English major in college, or even attending a creative writing MFA program later on. For other students, creative writing can be useful for school assignments, in English and other subjects, and also for preparing their Common App essays . In a less goal-oriented sense, daily freewriting in a journal can be a healthy life practice for many high schoolers. Not sure where to start? Continue reading for 100 creative writing prompts for middle school and high school students. These middle/high school writing prompts offer inspiration for getting started with writing in a number of genres and styles.

Click here to view the 35 Best Colleges for Creative Writing .

What are Creative Writing Prompts?

Similar to how an academic essay prompt provides a jumping-off point for forming and organizing an argument, creative writing prompts are points of initiation for writing a story, poem, or creative essay. Prompts can be useful for writers of all ages, helping many to get past writer’s block and just start (often one of the most difficult parts of a writing process).

Writing prompts come in a variety of forms. Sometimes they are phrases used to begin sentences. Other times they are questions, more like academic essay prompts Writing prompts can also involve objects such as photographs, or activities such as walking. Below, you will find high school writing prompts that use memories, objects, senses (smell/taste/touch), abstract ideas , and even songs as jumping-off points for creative writing. These prompts can be used to write in a variety of forms, from short stories to creative essays, to poems.

How to use Creative Writing Prompts

Before we get started with the list, are a few tips when using creative writing prompts:

Experiment with different formats : Prose is great, but there’s no need to limit yourself to full sentences, at least at first. A piece of creative writing can begin with a poem, or a dialogue, or even a list. You can always bring it back to prose later if needed.

Interpret the prompt broadly : The point of a creative writing prompt is not to answer it “correctly” or “precisely.” You might begin with the prompt, but then your ideas could take you in a completely different direction. The words in the prompt also don’t need to open your poem or essay, but could appear somewhere in the middle.

Switch up/pile up the prompts : Try using two or three prompts and combine them, or weave between them. Perhaps choose a main prompt, and a different “sub-prompt.” For example, your main prompt might be “write about being in transit from one place to another,” and within that prompt, you might use the prompt to “describe a physical sensation,” and/or one the dialogue prompts.  This could be a fun way to find complexity as you write.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School Students (Continued)

Write first, edit later : While you’re first getting started with a prompt, leave the typos and bad grammar. Obsessing over details can take away from your flow of thoughts. You will inevitably make many fixes when you go back through to edit.

Write consistently : It often becomes easier to write when it’s a practice , rather than a once-in-a-while kind of activity. For some, it’s useful to write daily. Others find time to write every few days, or every weekend. Sometimes, a word-count goal can help (100 words a day, 2,000 words a month, etc.). If you set a goal, make sure it’s realistic. Start small and build from there, rather than starting with an unachievable goal and quickly giving up.

100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School Teens

Here are some prompts for getting started with your creative writing. These are organized by method, rather than genre, so they can inspire writing in a variety of forms. Pick and choose the ones that work best for you, and enjoy!

Prompts using memories

• Begin each sentence or group of sentences with the phrase, “I remember…”
• Describe a family ritual.
• Choose an event in your life, and write about it from the perspective of someone else who was there.
• Pick a pathway you take on a regular basis (to school, or to a friend’s house). Describe five landmarks that you remember from this pathway.
• Write about your house or apartment using a memory from each room.
• Write an imaginary history of the previous people who lived in your house or apartment.
• Write about an ancestor based on stories you’ve heard from relatives.
• What’s your earliest memory?
• Who was your first friend?
• Write a letter to someone you haven’t seen since childhood.
• Write about yourself now from the perspective of yourself twenty, or eighty, years from now.
• Write about the best month of the year.
• Write about the worst day of the year.
• Rant about something that has always annoyed you.
• Write about the hottest or coldest day you can remember.
• Visualize a fleeting moment in your life and as though it’s a photograph, and time yourself 5 minutes to write every detail you can remember about the scene.
• Draw out a timeline of your life so far. Then choose three years to write about, as though you were writing for a history book.
• Write about a historical event in the first person, as though you remember it.
• Write about a memory of being in transit from one place to another.

Objects and photographs as creative writing prompts

• Describe the first object you see in the room. What importance does it have in your life? What memories do you have with this object? What might it symbolize?
• Pick up an object, and spend some time holding it/examining it. Write about how it looks, feels, and smells. Write about the material that it’s made from.
• Choose a favorite family photograph. What could someone know just by looking at the photograph? What’s secretly happening in the photograph?
• Choose a photograph and tell the story of this photograph from the perspective of someone or something in it.
• Write about a color by describing three objects that are that color.
• Tell the story of a piece of trash.
• Tell the story of a pair of shoes.
• Tell the story of your oldest piece of clothing.

Senses and observations as creative writing prompts

• Describe a sound you hear in the room or outside. Choose the first sound you notice. What are its qualities? It’s rhythms? What other sounds does it remind you of?
• Describe a physical sensation you feel right now, in as much detail as possible.
• Listen to a conversation and write down a phrase that you hear someone say. Start a free-write with this phrase.
• Write about a food by describing its qualities, but don’t say what it is.
• Describe a flavor (salty, sweet, bitter, etc.) to someone who has never tasted it before.
• Narrate your day through tastes you tasted.
• Narrate your day through sounds you heard.
• Narrate your day through physical sensations you felt.
• Describe in detail the physical process of doing an action you consider simple or mundane, like walking or lying down or chopping vegetables.
• Write about the sensation of doing an action you consider physically demanding or tiring, like running or lifting heavy boxes.
• Describe something that gives you goosebumps.
• Write a story that involves drinking a cold glass of water on a hot day.
• Write a story that involves entering a warm house from a cold snowy day.
• Describe someone’s facial features in as much detail as possible.

Songs, books, and other art

• Choose a song quote, write it down, and free-write from there.
• Choose a song, and write a story in which that song is playing in the car.
• Choose a song, and write to the rhythm of that song.
• Choose a character from a book, and describe an event in your life from the perspective of that character.
• Go to a library and write down 10 book titles that catch your eye. Free-write for 5 minutes beginning with each one.
• Go to a library and open to random book pages, and write down 5 sentences that catch your attention. Use those sentences as prompts and free-write for 5-minutes with each.
• Choose a piece of abstract artwork. Jot down 10 words that come to mind from the painting or drawing, and free-write for 2 minutes based on each word.
• Find a picture of a dramatic Renaissance painting online. Tell a story about what’s going on in the painting that has nothing to do with what the artist intended.
• Write about your day in five acts, like a Shakespearean play. If your day were a play, what would be the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution?
• Narrate a complicated book or film plot using only short sentences.
• Read a short poem. Then write a poem that could be a “sister” or “cousin” of that poem.

Abstract ideas as creative writing prompts

• Write about an experience that demonstrates an abstract idea, such as “love” or “home” or “freedom” or “loss” without ever using the word itself.
• Write a list of ways to say “hello” without actually saying “hello.”
• Write a list of ways to say “I love you” without actually saying “I love you.”
• Do you believe in ghosts? Describe a ghost.
• Invent a mode of time travel.
• Glass half-full/half-empty: Write about an event or situation with a positive outlook. Then write about it with a miserable outlook.
• Free-write beginning with “my religion is…” (what comes next can have as much or as little to do with organized religion as you’d like).
• Free-write beginning with “my gender is…” (what comes next can have as much or as little to do with common ideas of gender as you’d like).
• Write about a person or character that is “good” and one that is “evil.” Then write about the “evil” in the good character and the “good” in the evil character.
• Write like you’re telling a secret.
• Describe a moment of beauty you witnessed. What makes something beautiful?

Prompts for playing with narrative and character

• Begin writing with the phrase, “It all started when…”
• Tell a story from the middle of the most dramatic part.
• Write a story that begins with the ending.
• Begin a story but give it 5 possible endings.
• Write a list of ways to dramatically quit a terrible job.
• Write about a character breaking a social rule or ritual (i.e., walking backwards, sitting on the floor of a restaurant, wearing a ballgown to the grocery store). What are the ramifications?
• You are sent to the principal’s office. Justify your bad behavior.
• Re-write a well-known fairytale but set it in your school.
• Write your own version of the TV show trope where someone gets stuck in an elevator with a stranger, or a secret love interest, or a nemesis.
• Imagine a day where you said everything you were thinking, and write about it.
• Write about a scenario in which you have too much of a good thing.
• Write about a scenario in which money can buy happiness.
• Invent a bank or museum heist.
• Invent a superhero, including an origin story.
• Write using the form of the scientific method (question, hypothesis, test, analyze data conclusion).
• Write using the form of a recipe.

Middle School & High School Creative writing prompts for playing with fact vs. fiction

• Write something you know for sure is true, and then, “but maybe it isn’t.” Then explain why that thing may not be true.
• Write a statement and contradict that statement. Then do it again.
• Draft an email with an outlandish excuse as to why you didn’t do your homework or why you need an extension.
• Write about your morning routine, and make it sound extravagant/luxurious (even if it isn’t).
• You’ve just won an award for doing a very mundane and simple task. Write your acceptance speech.
• Write about a non-athletic event as though it were a sports game.
• Write about the most complicated way to complete a simple task.
• Write a brief history of your life, and exaggerate everything.
• Write about your day, but lie about some things.
• Tell the story of your birth.
• Choose a historical event and write an alternative outcome.
• Write about a day in the life of a famous person in history.
• Read an instructional manual, and change three instructions to include some kind of magical or otherwise impossible element.

Prompts for starting with dialogue

• Write a texting conversation between two friends who haven’t spoken in years.
• Write a texting conversation between two friends who speak every day and know each other better than anyone.
• Watch two people on the street having a conversation, and imagine the conversation they’re having. Write it down.
• Write an overheard conversation behind a closed door that you shouldn’t be listening to.
• Write a conversation between two characters arguing about contradicting memories of what happened.
• You have a difficult decision to make. Write a conversation about it with yourself.
• Write a conversation with a total lack of communication.
• Write a job interview gone badly.

Final Thoughts – Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School & High School 

Hopefully you have found several of these creative writing prompts helpful. Remember that when writing creatively, especially on your own, you can mix, match, and change prompts. For more on writing for high school students, check out the following articles:

• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• 160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics
• 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
• Good Transition Words for Essays
• High School Success

Sarah Mininsohn

With a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sarah is a writer, educator, and artist. She served as a graduate instructor at the University of Illinois, a tutor at St Peter’s School in Philadelphia, and an academic writing tutor and thesis mentor at Wesleyan’s Writing Workshop.

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