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35 Meaningful 6th Grade Writing Prompts

December 8, 2023 //  by  Sean Kivi

Some students start to lose interest in writing in middle school, but this is a critical period for writing and an excellent time to help them discover themselves. They want to be heard at this age, so we need engaging, and thought-provoking writing prompts to help draw their voices out in their writing. We have compiled a list of fun writing topics that will elicit emotional and meaningful pieces of writing for your middle schoolers. Have a look at these 35 sixth-grade writing prompts that are sure to help your kids develop their voices and express their opinions in their writing.

Personal Experiences and Reflections

1. How was your first hospital experience?

2. What would you do if you could not use the internet for a month?

3. What would you do if cell phones stopped working tomorrow?

4. If you could, would you go to live on an alien planet?

5. What do you value most about your family?

6. Who is the most important person in your life?

7. What would you do if you were the only person on the planet?

8. What would you do if you had unlimited money?

9. Would you ever get a tattoo? Why or why not?

10. Can you tell me a time that you wished you could trade places with another person?

11. What is your favorite childhood memory, and why?

12. How was your first year of middle school? Why?

13. Which do you value more? Time or money? Why?

14. Would you rather live a short meaningful life or a long boring life? Why?

Creative and Imaginative Thinking

15. How do you think leaves would look if they could grow on Mars? Why?

16. Why do you think there are more insects than mammals?

17. If you could build an ecosystem, what would it be like?

18. Write a poem about a time that you felt outraged.

19. How would the world function without the internet for a day?

20. If you owned a country, what would it be like?

21. Which Harry Potter house do you think best suits your personality and why?

22. Whales don’t sing as much as before because of noise from boats on the water. Write a journal response explaining how we can help the whales sing again.

23. Are scorpions spiders or insects? Why?

24. Do blobfish look the same on land as they do at the bottom of the ocean? Why or why not?

25. Do you think time is real? Why or why not?

26. Write a letter to a friend convincing them to go skydiving.

27. If you had to lose one sense, which would you choose to lose and why?

Education and Learning

28. Should we teach math in school? Why or why not?

29. Do you think college is worth it? Why or why not?

30. Interview a grandparent and report how life was different when they were growing up.

31. Interview a doctor and report their experience in the hospital during the COVID-19 outbreak.

32. Write a journal entry outlining what your response to COVID would be if you were president.

33. Can plants grow in space? Why or why not?

34. Convince me that online learning is better than learning in a classroom.

35. How can we stop an asteroid from hitting the Earth?

Grade 6 Writing Prompts

25 exciting sixth grade writing prompts.

These Grade 6 writing prompts are the perfect way for your child to consolidate knowledge gathered on different styles of writing! Here are the categories covered in this page:

Character, Setting, Object

Metaphor story starters, story titles, general prompts.

• A wizard, A school, and a golden key
• A scientist, a house on wheels, and a time machine
• An explorer, a dark jungle, and a magical hat
• A storm chaser, a small town, and a flying car
• A sports star, a stadium, and magic shoes
• His eyes were ice and…
• There was a weight on her shoulder. She couldn’t…
• The room was a hot furnace. She had never felt…
• Hold on to your dreams because…
• Life is a rollercoaster, you have to…
• The Magical Eletiger
• Volcano Disaster
• The Cloud Explorer
• Mystery In The Night Zoo
• The New Student
• Discuss deforestation and the impact it has on the environment.
• Who is the most important historical figure and why do you think so?
• Are video games a positive or negative influence on people?
• Which morals do you think society should believe are most valuable?
• Which piece of technology do you think should not have been invented?
• What is your favorite website or app and why?
• Write a report about your favorite scientific fact.
• What book should everyone read and why?
• What would make the world a better place?
• What goals would you like to achieve in the next ten years?

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More writing prompts & activities

• Grade 6 Picture Writing Prompts
• Grade 6 Writing Activities
• Elementary Writing Prompts
• Elementary Writing Activities
• Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

Related content

• Elementary Language Arts
• Elementary Writing Curriculum
• Language Arts Resources

6th Grade Writing Prompts: Unlocking Imagination

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on Published: March 27, 2023  - Last updated: July 31, 2023

Categories Writing

6th Grade Writing Prompts are a valuable tool for educators and parents alike, allowing young students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and ideas through creative writing exercises. These prompts can cover various topics, from personal experiences and emotions to thought-provoking scenarios and ethical dilemmas. The aim is to encourage students to think critically and express themselves effectively while developing their writing skills.

At this crucial stage of development, providing a supportive and engaging environment for students to practice and improve their writing abilities is vital. Numerous resources offer a wealth of compelling writing prompts specifically designed for 6th graders. The prompts you’ll find below in this article can inspire students to ponder real-world issues, reflect on their personal experiences, and imagine creative solutions to hypothetical situations.

The Importance of Writing Prompts

Writing prompts play a crucial role in developing the writing skills of 6th-grade students. They provide a starting point for students to begin expressing their thoughts and ideas, helping them overcome the common challenge of “writer’s block.” As students engage with various writing prompts, they learn to think critically, express their opinions, and dive into imaginative storytelling.

By offering a diverse range of topics, such as prompts that focus on procedural writing, students are exposed to different genres and styles of writing. This variety expands their writing horizons and helps them become well-rounded, versatile writers.

Introducing writing prompts at the 6th-grade level also enhances students’ analytical and problem-solving abilities. They learn to use evidence, logic, and reasoning to support their viewpoints and persuade readers. Additionally, writing prompts allow students to explore their creativity and foster a sense of self-discovery.

Lastly, engaging with writing prompts helps 6th graders develop crucial communication skills that serve as a foundation for future academic success and life experiences. Writing prompts encourage active participation in the learning process, promote self-expression, and cultivate a lifelong love for writing.

25 6th Grade Writing Prompts

• Imagine you’ve discovered a hidden door in your home that leads to a secret room. Describe the room and what you find inside.
• Write a story about a day when everyone’s dreams come true. How does this change the world?
• If you could switch lives with any historical figure for a day, who would you choose and why? Describe your day in their shoes.
• Imagine you have a time machine that can only be used once. Where and when would you go, and what would you do?
• Write a letter to your future self ten years from now. What advice would you give, and what questions would you ask?
• Create a new holiday and explain its celebration, including unique traditions or activities.
• Write an opinion essay on whether or not students should be required to wear uniforms in school. Provide reasons to support your argument.
• Imagine you can communicate with animals. What would you talk about, and which animal would you be most excited to speak with?
• Write a short story where the main character finds a mysterious map that leads to a hidden treasure.
• You’ve been chosen to represent Earth in an intergalactic council. What would you share about our planet and its inhabitants?
• Write a persuasive essay arguing for or against using technology in the classroom.
• Create a new superhero and describe their powers, backstory, and how they use their abilities for good.
• Imagine you are the president for a day. What would be your top priorities, and how would you address them?
• Write a story that starts with the sentence: “It was a dark and stormy night…”
• Create a fictional island and describe its geography, culture, and inhabitants. What makes this island unique?
• If you could invent a new gadget or tool to make life easier, what would it be, and how would it work?
• Write a personal narrative about a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it.
• Imagine you could create a new class or elective for your school. What would the class be about, and why would students benefit from it?
• Write a descriptive essay about your favorite place to visit. Use vivid sensory details to make the reader feel like they are with you.
• You wake up one day to find you’ve gained the ability to read minds. How do you use this power, and what challenges or moral dilemmas do you face?
• Create a fictional holiday and write a short story about a family celebrating it for the first time.
• Write a persuasive essay about the importance of conserving natural resources and the steps that should be taken to protect our environment.
• Imagine you are a detective solving a mysterious crime. Write a story that details your investigation and how you uncover the truth.
• If you could converse with any famous author, who would it be, and what would you ask them?
• Write a personal narrative about a memorable experience with a friend and what it taught you about friendship.

Understanding the 6th Grade Writing Curriculum

The transition from elementary to middle school.

As students enter 6th grade, they transition from elementary to middle school. This brings new challenges and expectations in their writing skills. They will be expected to write more complex content and use more sophisticated vocabulary. This includes writing for extended periods, such as long-term research or expressive pieces that may take a week, and writing for shorter durations in one sitting.

Emphasis on narrative writing

In 6th grade writing curriculum, there is a strong emphasis placed on narrative writing. This requires students to develop their storytelling abilities and write in a manner that engages the reader. They will focus on creating a clear narrative structure, developing characters, setting, and plot, and using vivid descriptive language to engage their audience.

Introduction to essay writing and personal narratives

Another vital part of the 6th grade writing curriculum is the introduction to essay writing and personal narratives. Students will learn how to effectively organize their thoughts and ideas coherently and logically. They will gain experience writing various essay types, such as persuasive, informative, and argumentative. Personal narratives will also play a key role, encouraging students to write about personal experiences and emotions and helping them build their voice and style as writers.

Role of reading comprehension and vocabulary development

Reading comprehension and vocabulary development are crucial in the 6th grade writing curriculum. Students must be able to understand complex texts, as this will inform their writing. Students will be exposed to new words and phrases to improve their vocabulary through reading assignments and class discussions. Building a strong vocabulary allows students to express their ideas more accurately and clearly, ultimately leading to more effective writing.

Types of 6th Grade Writing Prompts

Narrative prompts.

Narrative prompts encourage students to tell a story, real or imagined. These prompts can range from personal experiences to creating stories based on given scenarios. For example, a narrative prompt could be “Describe the hardest thing you have ever learned to do.”

Short Story Ideas

Short story ideas are prompts that invite students to create a fictional story with characters, settings, and a plot. These writing activities push students to develop their writing skills, storytelling abilities, and creativity. An example of a short story idea might be to “Write a story about a magical forest.”

Personal Narratives

Personal narrative prompts ask students to write about their own experiences or thoughts. These types of prompts encourage reflection, introspection, and the exploration of personal feelings. A personal narrative prompt might be “Write about a time you overcame a fear.”

Story Starters

Story starters are prompts that provide the beginning of a story, challenging students to continue and develop the narrative. They help spark students’ imaginations and encourage them to think creatively. For example, “In a world where animals could talk, a young girl made a surprising discovery…”

Descriptive Prompts

Descriptive writing prompts ask students to describe a specific object, place, or situation in detail, using vivid language and sensory details. This type of prompt helps students practice their creative writing and observation skills. An example of a descriptive prompt could be “Describe your dream vacation destination.”

Persuasive Prompts

Persuasive writing prompts require students to convince the reader of a particular opinion or point of view. Students practice building strong arguments, using evidence and facts, and addressing opposing viewpoints. An example of a persuasive prompt might be “Convince your readers why cell phones should or should not be allowed in school.”

Expository Prompts

Expository writing prompts ask students to explain, evaluate or analyze a topic, providing information and facts to support their position. This style of writing promotes critical thinking and research skills. A sample expository prompt might be “Explain the benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy sources.”

Creative Writing Prompts

Encourage your students to express their emotions and creativity through poetry. Here are some poetry prompts to inspire them:

• Write a poem about the changing seasons.
• Describe your favorite place using vivid imagery and sensory details.
• Compose a haiku about an everyday object.
• Create a poem from the perspective of an animal.

Imaginative Stories

Imagination is a powerful tool for developing writers. Provide these creative story prompts to spark their ideas:

• Write a story about a school where magic is real.
• Imagine you are a time-traveling scientist. Describe your adventures.
• Develop a story that revolves around a mysterious key.
• Create a tale where the main character’s best friend is a talking animal.

Scriptwriting

Scriptwriting can build dialogue and narrative skills. Suggest these engaging scriptwriting prompts for your students:

• Write a short script about two friends with a deep secret.
• Develop a scene featuring an unexpected encounter.
• Create a script that mixes elements of reality and fantasy.
• Compose a dialogue-rich scene set in a public place.

Using these creative writing prompt categories, 6th grade students can develop their writing abilities while letting their imagination soar.

Essay Writing Prompts

In this section, we explore a variety of essay writing prompts for 6th-grade students. These prompts are categorized under opinion essays, informative essays, and persuasive essays.

Opinion Essays

Opinion essays allow students to express their thoughts on a specific subject. Here are some prompts for 6th graders:

• What is your favorite hobby, and why?
• Which is better, traditional books or e-books? Explain your choice.
• What’s the best (or worst) birthday you’ve ever had?
• What is your greatest aspiration? Or, your darkest fear?

Informative Essays

Informative essays help students develop research and presentation skills. They should provide factual information about a topic. Here are some informative essay prompts:

• Describe your favorite short story in your own words.
• Write about the life cycle of a butterfly.
• Explain the process of photosynthesis in plants.
• Describe the history and importance of a famous landmark.

Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays help students to develop their argumentative skills. They should present clear reasons and evidence to support their opinion. Here are some persuasive essay prompts:

• Should school uniforms be mandatory? Why or why not?
• Is it essential to learn a foreign language? Explain your view.
• Do video games have a positive or negative impact on children?
• Should students be allowed to use mobile phones in school? Provide reasons for your opinion.

Subject-Specific Prompts

Integrating subject-specific writing prompts can help students connect their writing skills to various subjects. This section will explore writing prompts for Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Math, and Life Skills.

Language Arts

Language Arts writing prompts encourage students to analyze literature, express their thoughts, and improve their vocabulary. Examples include:

• Write a character analysis of the protagonist in your favorite book.
• Create a poem describing a historical event.
• Compose a short story inspired by a well-known myth.

Science writing prompts assist students in describing experiments, explaining scientific concepts, and making real-world connections. Examples include:

• Describe the steps of the water cycle and its importance to Earth.
• Explain the theory of evolution and provide examples of natural selection.
• Write about the role of technology in reducing the environmental impact of humans.

Social Studies

Social Studies writing prompts help students to explore historical events, cultural perspectives, and global issues. Examples include:

• Write an essay comparing the government systems of two countries.
• Discuss the significance of a famous historical figure’s actions.
• Analyze the impact of a specific geographical feature on human settlement.

Math writing prompts challenge students to apply mathematical concepts in various contexts and describe the logic behind problem-solving. Examples include:

• Explain how to solve a given math problem using the order of operations.
• Describe a real-world scenario where fractions are used and explain how to solve it.
• Discuss the role of geometry in architecture and provide examples.

Life Skills

Life Skills writing prompts encourage students to reflect on their personal experiences, goals, and values. Examples include:

• Write a letter to your future self, discussing the lessons you’ve learned and the goals you hope to accomplish.
• Discuss the importance of effective communication in relationships and provide examples.
• Explain the steps to achieving a specific personal goal and the challenges you may encounter.

Framework for Developing Prompts

When developing 6th grade writing prompts, balancing challenging and engaging topics is crucial. This allows students to explore new concepts while encouraging creativity and critical thinking. The framework presented in this section offers a few guiding principles for crafting effective prompts for this age group.

First, consider the interests and experiences of 6th grade students. Choosing topics related to their lives and what they care about will increase their motivation to write. For example, you might create prompts about the school, friendships, hobbies, or current events.

Next, design prompts that encourage a variety of writing genres, such as narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive. This helps students develop skills in different writing styles and formats. For example, a narrative prompt might ask students to tell a story about a memorable experience, while an expository prompt might ask them to explain how a particular invention works.

Ensure to include prompts requiring students to practice critical thinking and problem-solving. These prompts often involve solving a given situation, analyzing a topic, or comparing and contrasting ideas. This helps 6th graders develop analytical and evaluative skills essential for academic and personal success.

Lastly, incorporate opportunities for reflection and self-expression. Reflective prompts allow students to examine their feelings, beliefs, and ideas. For example, ask students to consider how they would handle a specific dilemma or what they appreciate most about their family or friends.

Following these guiding principles, you can create a diverse collection of 6th-grade writing prompts that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression.

Techniques to Engage Students

Creating meaningful and engaging writing prompts for sixth-grade students involves considering their interests, skills, and development stage. Several techniques can help achieve this.

First, one can use creative prompts to encourage students to think outside the box and express their unique perspectives. Some examples of creative writing prompts for sixth graders include writing a poem about feeling outraged or imagining a day from a cell phone’s perspective.

Next, incorporating argumentative and persuasive prompts can help students learn to articulate their opinions and support them with strong evidence. This is particularly useful in developing research and critical-thinking skills. Examples include writing a persuasive essay on a current issue or debating the merits of a controversial book or movie.

Another effective technique involves using real-world connections in prompts to make them more relevant and applicable to students’ lives. For instance, ask students to write about their first hospital experience or discuss how technology has impacted their daily routines.

Lastly, integrating different writing styles like narrative, expository, and descriptive prompts will allow students to experiment with various writing techniques and improve their writing skills. Examples include composing a personal narrative about overcoming a challenge, writing an expository essay on a historical event, or crafting a descriptive piece about a favorite place or object.

Assessing and Providing Feedback

One of the key aspects of 6th Grade Writing Prompts is the assessment and provision of constructive feedback to students. Assessing their writing skills helps teachers identify strengths and weaknesses and guide future instruction tailored to student needs.

When evaluating student writing, it’s essential to consider various aspects, such as content, organization, word choice, sentence structure, and grammar. Providing specific and actionable feedback allows students to improve their skills and better understand writing concepts.

A helpful approach for grading and feedback is to use rubrics. Rubrics offer a structured way to outline the expectations for a writing assignment and help students understand the evaluation criteria. There are different types of rubrics, such as analytic, holistic, grid, numeric, and hybrid, which can be customized to suit a variety of writing prompts.

Another strategy for providing effective feedback is ensuring students know the learning objectives and quality expectations for their writing assignments. Explicitly discussing the writing goals and criteria helps students focus their efforts and self-assess their progress.

Lastly, integrating student-teacher conferences or peer review sessions can benefit the feedback process. These sessions allow for dialogue, clarification, and additional insights from different perspectives.

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100 Entertaining 6th Grade Writing Prompts

• DESCRIPTION 100 Entertaining 6th Grade Writing Prompts
• SOURCE pixdeluxe / iStock / Getty Images Plus
• PERMISSION Used under Getty Images license

Sixth-grade writing prompts don't have to be dull and unimaginative. Upper elementary students and young middle schoolers can write more deeply than they could last year. Here are 100 opportunities for sixth graders to express themselves through writing, all aligned to the Common Core writing standards .

Narrative Writing Prompts

Whether you're writing about a true event or a magical adventure, narrative writing involves telling a story. Narrative writing typically includes a plot structure that progresses through the story's beginning, middle, and end. Reflective writing is a type of narrative writing that focuses on the writer's ability to reflect rather than tell a story.

Story Starters

Want to write a story but don't know where to start? Check out a list of story writing topics for grade 6 students.

• The most surprising thing I found in the old house was...
• When we found the genie's lamp, we decided to...
• My best friend and I were in the worst fight ever. It all started when...
• My dream vacation to ______ was ruined when...
• I had never seen a dragon before that day in the forest.
• As the world's first 12-year-old doctor, I have to share my discovery.
• My first trip on a hot air balloon did NOT go as planned. First...
• Rosa looked down at her food, which looked as gross as...
• I had the biggest surprise of my life when my cat...
• Sara had never planned on being on another planet. Luckily, she had a...

Make sure you include the essential elements of story writing after you choose a prompt. You can also explore more creative writing prompts for middle school.

Personal Narrative Prompts

Personal narratives tell true stories in descriptive ways. Help sixth graders choose the best way to express themselves with these prompt ideas.

• Think about the best day of your life. What made it so great?
• Who is the oldest person you know?
• Describe a friend situation that changed over only one day.
• Write about how it feels when you're alone.
• Describe your favorite vacation.
• Has a book, movie, or album ever changed your life?
• Think about your future self. Write about a day in your life, one year from today.
• Tell a family story from your perspective.
• Describe a memory you have of extreme weather.
• Think about a time you had to work hard to learn something.

Planning another autobiographical assignment? Check out more tips on personal narratives before starting the next lesson.

Reflective Writing Prompts

Keeping a journal or writing reflectively is a great way for young students to keep track of progress. Use these prompts to get started.

• Track the weather for a week. What day was the most comfortable?
• Sit outside in nature and describe what you see. What feeling does it give you?
• Make a list of your daily goals. Reflect on which one was easiest to accomplish.
• Track the foods you eat during the day. How did you feel after each meal?
• Write down all the emotions you feel during the day.
• Reflect on a friendship. What makes it special?
• Write down a list of your favorite things about yourself.
• List your sports or extracurricular activities. What have you learned from each?
• Think of three things you have learned in school this year.
• What is your favorite physical activity? What do you enjoy about it?

Learn more about the benefits of emotional journal writing or using reflective writing in the classroom. You can also find more journal writing exercises for enthusiastic diarists.

Informational Writing Prompts

When you want to get the point across clearly, informational writing is a great way to explore a nonfiction topic. Add some research to strengthen your writing and try your hand at technical writing to explain a procedure.

Expository Prompts

Expository writing compares and contrasts, investigates causes and effects, and poses solutions to problems. It also describes the who, what, where, when, and why of an event.

• Write an extended definition essay on one of your vocabulary words.
• Find an interesting story in your local newspaper and describe it in your own words.
• Pretend a friend hasn't seen your favorite TV show. What is it about?
• Compare and contrast two of your friends.
• Describe your school year so far. What have been the most important events?
• Choose a problem at your school. What's the best solution?
• What was the cause of a recent argument you had? What was the effect?
• Compare and contrast two of your favorite sports or activities.
• Discuss a conflict in a movie you like. How was it resolved?
• Write a definition essay about the concept of empathy.

Expository writing skills are important outside the essay structure, too. Take informational writing to the next level with an informative speech .

Research Prompts

Research is the process of answering a question with credible sources. If you're having trouble picking a topic, use these prompts to get started.

• Why was your school built?
• How long can fish live out of water?
• What endangered animals are close to extinction?
• Research your dream career. What do you need to do to achieve it?
• What is the history of your favorite sport?
• Research an important invention in the last 50 years.
• When and why was your country founded?
• What does smoking do to your lungs?
• What are civil rights? Who has fought for them?
• Why do sharks hunt other fish?

Explore writing times for writing APA-style research papers , or read about topics that are not the best options for research writing .

Procedural Prompts

It may not seem like procedural writing is as fun as fiction writing. However, the right prompts can even make writing user manuals entertaining.

• Explain how to send a friendly text message.
• Teach a reader how to play your favorite board or card game.
• Write about the steps needed to tie a shoe.
• Create a user manual for something you use a lot (e.g., hair straightener or cell phone).
• Describe how you get home after school.
• Tell a younger reader how to do homework without wasting time.
• How do you get to the library from your classroom?
• How do you choose what to watch on a streaming service?
• Explain how to pass a difficult level in a video game.
• Write about the steps you follow to listen to your favorite music.

Want more procedural writing practice? Check out the characteristics of procedural writing or examples of technical writing .

Argument Writing Prompts

Arguments don't always mean that you need to get angry. Argumentative essays pose both sides of a situation in a formal writing format. Persuasive writing uses rhetorical devices to convince the reader to take the writer's side in an argument.

Argumentative Essay Prompts

Whether you feel passionate about a topic or are curious to learn both sides, argumentative essays are a great way to develop writing skills. Select any of these prompts to start the discussion today.

• Should kids have homework?
• Is your city a good place to live?
• Is it important to learn math?
• Should school start later?
• What's the best way to eat an ice cream cone?
• Should skateboarding be allowed in private parking lots?
• Is Monday through Friday the best school schedule?
• Does pizza make a good breakfast?
• Are hamsters fun pets?
• Should students be allowed to go anywhere they want on the Internet?

A strong essay requires a strong structure. Before you start the first draft, be sure to include an argumentative essay outline .

Persuasive Prompts

Get your readers on your side with emotional appeals and other rhetorical devices. Here are some prompts for you to start making your case.

• What's the best show on television?
• Who should be the next president of the United States?
• Is composting a good idea for your school?
• Why would you make a great school principal?
• What's the best season?
• Who is the best character in a book you've read?
• Is college important?
• What's the best job to have?
• Who is the greatest football/basketball/baseball/soccer player of all time?

Get beyond the essay format. Newspaper editorials or school election speeches are great ways to hone a persuasive voice.

Poetry Prompts

Poetry is a beautiful way to express yourself. Whether sixth-graders prefer writing in free verse or iambic meter , they'll enjoy these creative poetry prompts.

• Write a haiku about how you feel today.
• Create a shape poem about your favorite sport or activity.
• Choose an example of onomatopoeia and use it five times in a poem.
• Think of a metaphor for this school year and write a poem about it.
• Write a poem about friendship in which every line includes a rhyme for "friend."
• Create an ode to a book, TV, or movie character who has died.
• Look through a magazine and create a found poem with interesting words.
• Write a rap song about your favorite food.
• Choose a historical figure and write a poem about an event from their point of view.
• Write a descriptive poem about the way something annoying sounds.

Combine narrative writing and poetry with examples of narrative poems . Young writers may also benefit from additional tips on writing poems .

More Creative Writing Tips

Looking for more inspiration? Check out 100 more creative writing prompts for middle school . Or, you can try some flash fiction if you're pressed for time. As you make your way through those creative writing exercises, think about how you might include these important words for some real impact!

Elementary Assessments

51 Great Sixth Grade Writing Prompts That Move Pens

Your sixth graders are guaranteed to have plenty of ideas to write about using these engaging sixth grade writing prompts.

Not only do these writing prompts for sixth graders prevent writer’s block, but they also help students reflect on personal experiences, sharpen writing skills, instill a love for writing, and encourage students to express their thoughts well.

So pencil into your lesson plan this week a few of these high-interest sixth grade writing prompts.

Sixth Grade Writing Prompts

1. Describe the hardest thing you have ever learned to do.

2. Write about a typical day from the perspective of a cell phone.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being in the sixth grade?

4. Give detailed instructions for how to download an app onto a cell phone.

5. Describe the best present you ever received.

6. Write about something that we can do to benefit the environment.

7. Would you rather live in the city or the country for the rest of your life? Explain.

8. Explain how to make a perfect score on a math test.

9. Write a letter to yourself at thirty years old.

10. Compose a story using these words: locker, box, secret, key

11. Write about a time you got really angry.

12. Describe how to win your favorite online game.

13. You get to have dinner with Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, and Christopher Columbus. What questions would you ask them and why?

14. Write 10 words related to the human body. Then compose a poem with the words.

15. Do smartphones make people smarter? Explain.

16. How do you multiply two or three-digit numbers? Explain the steps for solving.

17. Write about your first-ever day of school.

18. Draft a new chapter for your favorite book or a new scene for your favorite movie.

19. What do you like best and least about responding to sixth grade writing prompts?

20. Write about the challenges and adventures of being a sixth grader.

Related Content: 101 High-Interest Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

21. If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?

22. Design a bumper sticker that represents sixth grade.

23.  Describe a time you felt guilty.

24. What are the three best things about being a sixth grader?

25. Describe the plot of your favorite book to someone who has never read it without giving away any spoilers.

26. Should schools let students listen to music while doing their work? Explain.

27. Describe your life with no electricity.

28. What are the benefits of using text features when reading non-fiction books?

29. Describe your dream career.

30.  Write a letter to someone in another state explaining something special about where you live.

31. Describe the color green to a person who is blind.

32. Tell the characteristics of your favorite relative.

33. Write a letter to sixth graders encouraging them to volunteer at the local park this weekend collecting trash.

34. What are the similarities and differences between this grade level and the last?

35. The phrase between a rock and a hard place refers to making a decision where both outcomes are difficult. Write about a time you were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

36. Share a memory of your favorite vacation.

37. Explain to a 100-year-old person the steps for sending a text message.

38. Write an instructional manual for middle schoolers teaching how to play your favorite board game.

39. What steps are required in order to brush one’s teeth?

40. When surfing the TV, how do you finally decide on what to watch? What thinking goes on in your mind to help you decide?

41. Explain how to pass the most difficult level of your favorite video game.

42. Draft a biographical summary of your school.

43. Do you think sixth grade writing prompts should be included on standardized tests? Why or why not?

44. Compare and contrast yourself to a sibling or friend.

45. Brainstorm a few issues that your school faces. Now choose one, and write about the process you would take to solve the problem.

46. The headline of your local newspaper reads, “Food Fight at Local Diner Leads to Minor Injury! “. Write the story.

47. Write about a friend who you have become closer with over the past year.

48. Write about your favorite season of the year. Explain why it is your favorite.

49. Retell an experience you had with a natural disaster.

50. Write about a time that you put forth maximum effort in order to achieve a goal.

51. How did you acquire your academic strengths, and what measures can you take to improve your weaknesses?

Final Thoughts: Sixth Grade Writing Prompts

Now you have an assortment of sixth grade writing prompts that will motivate students to write from their hearts and with purpose.

6th Grade Writing Prompts

If your 6th grader enjoys creative writing, print this free 6th grade writing prompts PDF. With worksheet was created t0 help aspiring writers and language arts teachers. There are 20 writing prompts to get your pen moving. Some of the writing prompts are intellectually challenging, while others are fun and will inspire your imagination.

Click the image thumbnail below to download the PDF version. Alternatively, you can read online by scrolling further down the page.

6th Grade Writing Prompts List

• The year is 1700, and you are in charge of starting a colony in the New World. Name your colony, and describe how you would build it. What challenges would you face, and how would you overcome them?
• You meet a wise man at the top of a mountain, who knows all the answers. He will let you ask him one question. What do you ask?
• Humans have colonized Mars, and now you are on a space ship traveling to the new Martian settlement. Describe your thoughts about traveling to this new planet. Why are you going? What will you see? Who will you meet?
• The year is 1880, and your sailing ship has just crashed on a tropical island in the Pacific. How will you survive?
• You have just found a time machine. What happens next?
• What is the difference between hearing and listening?
• Your space ship has been sucked through a black hole and miraculously you have survived the trip to the other side. Describe what you encounter.
• If you could not longer use a cell phone for an entire year, how would you communicate with people?
• You’re a detective in the 1930s. Write a story about your first case.
• How did computers affect the world?
• Invent a new holiday. Describe what you’re celebrating and some traditions that go along with the holiday.
• Name one problem that currently exists in the world. How would you solve it?
• What is your definition of creativity? How are you creative?
• Write an autobiographical haiku.
• Write a plot summary of a story that contains three fictional characters from three separate books by three different authors.
• Write myth explaining how the world was created.
• Write a story about a superhero with a ridiculous superpower.
• You’re spending the day with the wizard Merlin. Write down some of the wise lessons he teaches you.
• The campfire grew out of control…
• Describe your life if you lived during the Middle Ages.

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Home » Tips for Teachers » The 9 Best Creative and Argumentative Writing Prompts for 6th Grade

The 9 Best Creative and Argumentative Writing Prompts for 6th Grade

Keeping middle schoolers excited about writing is important. Writing is such an essential skill that students will need as they complete their education and move on to finding a real job.Many middle school-age students, however, often begin seeing writing as something that isn’t fun or worthwhile. Other students get discouraged about their abilities as a writer and may stop trying their best.

Finding the best writing prompts for 6th grade is so important in keeping students excited and writing and seeing it as something that is worth their time.A few years ago, I took a job as a 6th grade writing teacher. I almost immediately noticed that many of my students seemed bored with writing, while others seemed to shut down when asked to write.I searched and found some engaging writing prompts that sparked my students’ interest. What a difference it made! Students that claimed writing was ‘useless’ were now engaged and sharing their work with others!

I’d love to help you bring about this change in your students, too! Continue reading, and I’ll share:

• The 6th grade writing standards →
• Advantages of using writing prompts with your lessons →
• My favorite creative writing prompts for 6th grade →
• My favorite argumentative writing prompts for 6th grade →

5 Creative Writing Prompts for 6th Grade

Providing students with opportunities for creative writing is important. Creative writing can help students process their emotions, build their confidence, express their individuality, and increase their imagination.

Below are some of my favorite creative writing prompts for 6th grade.  You can use document cameras in order to follow your student’s writing.

Prompt: When you become disappointed, what do you do to manage your emotions?

Before having students begin writing, brainstorm some possible reactions as a class. These may include crying, breathing deeply, counting to 10, taking a break/removing oneself from the situation. After brainstorming, have students select the strategy (or strategies) that best describe their reactions and write about what they do.

2. Flying Superpower

Prompt: One morning, you wake up and realize that you are suddenly able to fly. What adventures would you like to go on?

This writing prompt will really tap into students’ creativity and imagination. Since flying is something they clearly have never done, they will have to think about all the things that would be possible and choose a few to write about.

3. Letter to Future Self

Prompt: Write a letter to your future self. What would you want yourself to know?

Tell students that they will be writing a letter to themselves to read when they are older. You can either pick an age/milestone (graduating from college, getting their first job, having children, etc.), or allow students to pick. Ask students to think about what they believe would be important to know at that juncture in their life and include it in their letter.

You could also modify this by having students write a letter to their past selves. What would they have wanted to know at the beginning of the school year, before they lost their first tooth, or before they even learned how to walk?

4. No Internet for a Month

Prompt: If there was no internet available for a month, what would you do?

This could be a fun one to do with middle schoolers who are so dependent on technology and the internet. Before students begin writing, get them to brainstorm a list of all the ways their lives are dependent on the internet.

Encourage them to think beyond the ‘obvious’ online game play and video streaming to consider other impacts such as ordering items online or communicating via email with friends and family.

5. Genie in a Bottle

Prompt: You released a genie from her magic bottle, and she said she would give you any talent that you ask for. What talent would you want and why?

This is another great creative writing prompt for sixth graders. They’ll have fun thinking about a talent they would like and what they would like to do with that talent.

4 Argumentative Writing Prompts for 6th Grade

Argumentative writing is another important skill for students to practice and develop. With argumentative writing, students must decide their opinion or position related to an issue and provide reasons that support their position. These reasons should be evidenced based, so research to find the support is often required.

You’ll find some of my favorite argumentative writing prompts to use with 6th grade students below.

Prompt: Which animal makes the best pet? Support your opinion with facts and examples.

I like this writing prompt for introducing students to argumentative writing. The topic of pets is something all students are familiar with, even if they don’t personally own a pet.

You can also use this topic to introduce students to providence factual reasons, versus opinions, to support their answers. For example, if students want to say that a cat is the best pet, a factual reason can’t be that cats are cute. However, they could say something like cats are the best pet because they do not have to be taken outside to go to the bathroom on a cold or rainy day.

2. Teaching Math in School

Prompt: Is it necessary to teach math in school? Why or why not?

I liked using this writing prompt with my 6th graders. Before I had students start, I took an initial poll by having the students raise their hands. Not surprisingly, a fair number of hands went up to vote against teaching math in school.

However, after we discussed the pros and cons of eliminating math instruction and students had to make their final decision before starting on their prompt, a lot of students changed their minds. It was encouraging to see them looking at the stronger reasons for leaving math in the curriculum and letting them outweigh their desire for ‘easier’ school.

3. Screen Time Limits

Prompt: Should parents place limits on how much screen time their children can have? Why or why not?

However, once they start thinking about reasons to limit screen time and examine evidence showing the impact of too much screen time on children, they may change their mind.

4. Conserving Energy

Prompt: What is the most important thing all households should be doing to conserve energy?

This writing prompt can pair nicely with a science unit on energy conservation. Clearly, there are a number of things that families can do to reduce their environmental impact.

However, for this writing prompt, students must decide which one thing is the most important and provide evidence to support their opinion.

Writing Standards for 6th Grade

Sixth graders will continue to build on the knowledge and skills they learned in elementary school. As the first of the middle school years, the writing expectations for sixth grade will be greater than those during the elementary school years.

Sixth grade is a critical year for students in regards to writing and other subject matters. They are transitioning from elementary school to the upper grades and will need the right supports to help them master the grade-level standards.

Below is an overview of the writing standards for 6th grade related to the writing process, writing purposes, writing evaluation, conventions, and research and inquiry.

Writing Process

Students should receive instruction and practice on each stage of the writing process. They should independently implement each of the stages when producing their own written work.

The stages of the writing process that sixth graders are expected to know and use include:

Writing Purposes

Sixth graders should be composing texts for a variety of purposes and intents. Many of these texts should be at least 500 to 700 words long.

Some of the different forms/intents that students should be writing about in sixth grade include:

• Research Reports
• Responses to Literature

Writing Evaluation

In sixth grade, students should practice evaluating and giving constructive feedback for another student’s wiring.

They should also begin evaluating their own work and identify their strengths and weaknesses as a writer. Then, they should use this information to set persona writing goals for improving their work.

Conventions

Below are some of the key convention skills that sixth graders should be proficient with:

• Sentence structure
• Capitalization
• Punctuation
• Cursive or manuscript

Research and Inquiry

Research and inquiry is another important standard for sixth graders to show proficiency with. By the end of the year, students should be able to:

• Compile information from multiple sources to complete a report
• Use graphic organizer to show prior knowledge about a subject
• Create a plan for research and take notes about a topic
• Create appropriate questions to research
• Choose appropriate and authoritative sources
• Locate relevant information from resources
• Summarize the information found from various sources
• Document and cite sources
• Understand and articulate the importance of avoiding plagiarism

Advantages of Writing Prompts at the Lessons

You may be wondering why you should use writing prompts with your sixth graders. There actually are a number of benefits associated with using writing prompts, some of which may surprise you.

A few of the benefits of using writing prompts during your writing instruction include:

• The ability to focus student writing on a specific form of writing (informative, narrative, expository, etc.).
• Giving students the opportunity to practice writing and strengthen their skills as a writer.
• Presenting students with engaging tasks and assignments.
• Helping us as teachers come up with new ideas to get our students interested and engaged.
• You can find many writing prompts online for free, which is always a benefit when you are a teacher.

Got to sub in 6th grade today, the predictions were coming fast and furious for today’s writing prompt. Got to love engaged students! pic.twitter.com/nBfzMxxP0T — Nick Jurrens (@NickJurrens) February 20, 2021

Home » Blog » Writing » 30+ Fun and creative 6th grade writing topics

30+ Fun and creative 6th grade writing topics

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Certain things must be considered to improve your writing skills and help you become a better writer. Your task is to present this information excitingly and make it more interesting for the readers. So are you looking for an idea for 6th grade writing topics? 

You’ve come to the right place! 

We’ve gathered a list of great ideas for 6th-grade writing topics that you can use in your classroom or in life.

Let’s get started!

Narrative 6th Grade Writing Topics

Narrative 6th grade writing topics can include:

• Write a story of a trip to the zoo.
• Write a story about your favorite food.
• Write a story of how you got lost in the forest.
• Write a story about what you did on your summer vacation.
• I’m a 6th grader, and I love math. What do you like about it? What is most challenging about it?
• I am a 6th grader, and I like to read.
• My favorite subject is English, but it’s not easy because it is so hard to understand what people mean when they write something down on paper or on a computer screen!
• My favorite book right now is ‘The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep by Stephen King because it has lots of action, and it’s exciting to read about how people can change themselves by reading different books, watching movies, or listening to music!
• My favorite part of school is going to school dances with my friends because we get into trouble when we are together, so we always have fun when we go out together at school dances!
• I have a pet dog named [name of pet], an orange retriever. He loves to play in the snow and eat ice cream.
• I once went to the movies with my friend, [friend’s name]. We saw [movie title]. It was terrific!
• One time when I was at home, I wanted to go outside, but it was raining so hard that the water got into the house through the window and flooded the whole place! It was terrifying!
• Your name is [name], and you are a sixth grader. You want to write a narrative about what happened to you today at school.
• Tell a story about when you were in trouble with your parents. What did you do? How did it turn out?
• What is the best advice you have ever gotten from your parents?
• How do you feel about having to write essays and papers for school? Do you like it or hate it?
• Write a letter to a friend who has been misbehaving and tell them what their punishment should be for their behavior.
• How do you feel about your parents? Do they support you in all that you do? What do they expect from you?
• Describe a time when you felt like an outcast and how it changed your life for the better.
• What is the best way to get along with others?
• Describe a situation where you were faced with a difficult decision, and how did you decide?
• What would your dream job be like? What skills would make it possible for you to do this job well, and why do you want it so badly?

Journal Writing Prompts for 6th Graders

• What are some reasons why you like school?
• What is something that makes you feel happy when you get home?
• How do you think your parents feel about their jobs?
• How do you think your teachers feel about their jobs?
• Do you like to study for tests? Why or why not?
• If someone gave you a dollar and said they did not want it, would you keep it? Why or why not?
• How many times have you gotten in trouble at school?
• What is your favorite sports team?
• What do you like to do on a rainy day?
• What was the last movie that you watched?
• Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
• What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?
• What was the last book you read? If there were multiple books, which one would you most like to re-read?
• Describe a time when you felt like you were invisible to others.
• What is the best advice you have ever received?
• What are some of your goals for the future?
• How do you deal with rejection?
• What is something that makes you feel better about yourself?
• Describe a time when someone helped you get out of a bad mood or helped you feel better about yourself.
• Describe a time when you felt like you were being watched.
• What is your favorite thing about school?
• What’s the best part of being in second grade?
• Write a funny story or poem using the word “love.”

Short 6th Grade Writing Topics

Here are some ideas for writing topics for 6th graders:

• Write about your favorite color.
• Write about a time when you felt like the world was against you and how you overcame it.
• Write about a time when someone else saved your life or helped you and how they changed your life forever.
• Write about a time when you were really mad at someone and then forgive them later in life.
• Write about how much fun it is to play sports, especially if you are good at them!
• My favorite subject is math because it gives me a lot of opportunities to explore and use my brain.
• I spend time reading and listening to music every day.
• I like to read books about space and time travel adventures because it is exciting to imagine what could happen if we were able to travel in time!
• I always have fun playing games with my friends because we can all play together on the same team and make up our own games!
• My favorite thing to do outside school is play sports with my friends or go hiking with my family in the mountains around our hometown!
• A short story about a secret you only know about your best friend from school.
• A short story about how you got rejected from being on a team at recess but then found out that it was because they didn’t have enough cuties to go around, and now you’re mad at them!
• A short story about how you decided to make some friends with your neighbor, but it turned out that he was really annoying and made your life miserable until you finally had enough of him and decided to make him disappear forever!
• The Boy Who Cried, Wolf.
• The Boy Who Wanted To Be A Lion.
• The Boy Who Was Afraid Of Dogs.
• The Boy Who Lived With Wolves.
• The Boy Who Never Saw Snow.
• The Boy Who Couldn’t Read.

Related : Middle school writing prompts

Inspiring 6th Grade Writing Topics

• What is the first thing you notice when you look in a mirror?
• What do you think makes someone a good leader?
• Why do you think people get angry quickly?
• What would you do if you were stuck on an island with no way to get off?
• How can parents help their children build up their self-confidence?
• I think it is essential to always be yourself. How can you expect to get along with others if you are not who you are? I believe that being yourself will make it easier for you to make friends.
• I think being yourself is essential because if someone says we should be someone else, they may try to change us.

Opinion Writing for 6th Graders

Opinion writing for 6th graders is a great way to express how you feel about something. This type of writing differs from persuasive writing when you explain an idea or argument from a position that supports your view. This type of writing asks the reader to make their own decision based on the ideas presented.

You can write an opinion essay describing how much you like a movie, TV show, book, or other media piece. You can also write an opinion essay to express your feelings about current events in your life or the world around you. In both cases, there are several ways to approach this sort of writing:

• Explain what made it so good (or bad)
• Explain why it was important to you at the time that it happened
• Tell a story about why it matters now (or didn’t)
• Write about your opinion of what you think is essential to know in school.
• Write about why you think it’s essential to learn these things.
• What do you think about animals that are hurt or killed because of humans?
• What do you think about the war in Syria? Should we stay out or go in?
• What is your opinion?
• How do you know what your opinion is?
• How do you know if it’s right or wrong?
• What makes an opinion good or bad?
• Why should people care what your opinion is?

Descriptive 6th Grade Writing Topics

• Describing an event or a person.
• Describe an event or a person that you have experienced.
• Describe the most memorable moment of your life and why it was so special.
• Describe the most memorable moment of someone else’s life and why it was so impressive.
• Describe a significant decision you have made in your lifetime, and explain its importance to you now.
• What did you do today?
• Did you have a good day? A bad day?
• Describe a time when you felt angry, upset, or disappointed. What happened? How did it feel? Was there anything that helped you feel better about yourself?
• If you’ve ever been to a theme park, then you know that the rides are a big part of what makes the experience. They’re fun and exciting, but they also have a special place in our hearts because they differ from other things we do at home or school. A theme park is like a cross between a zoo and an amusement park—it’s got animals, rides, and activities geared toward kids and families.
• To write about a theme park you’ve visited, consider what kind of animals you saw there (you could include pictures if you want!). Then think about how they differed from any other animal you’ve seen. Are they bigger? Smaller? Did they have different colors? Did they smell bad or good? Did they look scary or cute? Did they have horns or tails? Was there more than one type of animal? Did the animals seem like they belonged in their environment? Did you get to pet them? Did you get to feed them? Did you get to see them interact with each other or with humans in some way?

Creative writing Prompts for 6th Graders

• You are a character in an old-timey tale. What would you do?
• What is your favorite part of school?
• Write a story about a time you were caught in a rainstorm. What did you do? How did you feel? What was your reaction when you realized how much water had gathered in the house?
• Write about the first time you got your hands on an electronic device (smartphone, tablet, etc.). Tell us what happened and how it made you feel.
• Tell us about the last time you ate something that made your mouth tingle or burn in any way—what did it taste like? What was the texture like? Is there anything else we should know?
• What do you think about when you’re bored?
• What is your favorite animal?
• If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
• Pick a time in history and write about how it affected your life today.

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Parven founded Kids N Clicks after obtaining her MSc in Corporate Governance from the London School of Economics. She worked as a business studies and digital marketing lecturer. Internet Matters recognizes her profound knowledge of online safety, dubbing her an Internet safety expert. At Kids N Clicks, Parven keeps abreast of the newest apps. Drawing from her teaching background, she fervently promotes screen-free activities for students and encourages introspective thinking through journaling, games and writing prompts.

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