writing resources
This website breaks down the elements of narrative writing, explaining the sophisticated ways authors use these elements to influence the reader:
Below you can find a range of writing prompts in a variety of text types(narrative, comparison, description, persuasion).
To start, here are 2 links you may want to have a look at:
Now you could try some of these:
Most of these prompts come from the website http://grammar.about.com/
Narrative:
- On the other side of that door
- Late again
- What I’ve always wanted
- A sound I’d never heard before
- Everyone else was laughing.
- What if . . .
- The last time I saw him
- At that moment I should have left.
- Just a brief encounter
- I knew how it felt to be an outsider.
- Hidden away in the back of a drawer
- What I should have said
- Waking up in a strange room
- There were signs of trouble.
- Keeping a secret
- All I have left is this photo.
- It wasn’t really stealing.
- A place I pass by every day
- Nobody can explain what happened next.
- Staring at my reflection
- I should have lied.
- Then the lights went out.
- Some might say it’s a weakness.
- Not again!
- Where I’d go to hide out from everyone
- But that’s not my real name.
- Her side of the story
- Nobody believed us.
- It was time to change schools again.
- We climbed to the top.
- The one thing I’ll never forget
- Follow these rules and we’ll get along fine.
- It may not be worth anything.
- Never again
- On the other side of the street
- My father used to tell me
- When nobody was looking
- If I could do it over again
- It wasn’t my idea.
- Everyone was staring at me.
- It was a stupid thing to say.
- Hiding under my bed
- If I tell you the truth
- My secret collection
- Footsteps in the dark
- Trouble, big trouble
- Laughing uncontrollably
- It was just a game to them.
- an embarrassing experience
- The first day
- The last day
- The small disastrous
- an encounter that changed your life
- Sometimes devices can be more trouble than they’re worth
- a frightening experience
- a memorable journey
- an encounter with someone you were in awe of
- Rejected
- your first visit to the countryside (or to a large city)
- A new friend
- Friends no more
- people should be careful of what they wish for
- a silly misunderstanding
- a dangerous experience
- appearances can be deceiving
- a difficult decision
- an event that marked a turning point
- an act of heroism
- an act of cowardice
- breaking the rules
- taking a stand
- a strange visitor
- an amazing trip
- away from home
- a traffic accident
- a day when everything went right (or wrong)
- an experience that made you laugh until you cried
- the day you decided to change your life
- the experience of being lost
- an unexpected encounter
- surviving a natural disaster
- an experience that taught you a lesson
- an important discovery
- an experience that helped you grow up
Procedures:
- How to survive a night of babysitting
- How to pitch a tent in the rain
- How to train your dog
- How to kick a bad habit
- How to overcome insomnia
- How to mow your lawn
- How to succeed at school
- How to plan the perfect party
- How to enjoy the weekend for under $20
- How to make the perfect ….
- How to keep peace with a brother or sister
- How to bathe a cat or dog
- How to complain effectively
- How to develop self-confidence
- How to get along with an teacher without sucking up
- How to plan your homework
- How to make the perfect drink
- How to save money while saving the environment
- How to build a great sandcastle
- How teachers make up lessons
- How parents make us feel guilty
Comparing & contrasting
- Two perspectives on the same place: morning and night
- Two fast-food restaurants
- Two stages of a person’s life
- Two places you have visited
- Two perspectives on the same place: past and present
- Two politicians
- Two pets you know or have had
- The rules set for you as a child and the rules you plan to set for your own children
- Two professional athletes
- Two views of your parents: when you were in prep & now
- Your experiences before and after giving up a bad habit
- Two neighborhoods
- Two vampires
- Two ways to break a bad habit
- A real vacation and a dream vacation
- Two hosts of late-night talk shows
- A good boss and a bad boss
- Two video games
- Two types of exercise
- Your family home and the house of your dreams
- Harry Potter–on the page and on the screen
- Two memorable teachers
- Two restaurants
- Two coffee shops
- Two close friends
Descriptions:
- a waiting room
- a basketball, baseball glove, or tennis racket
- a cell phone
- a treasured belonging
- a laptop computer
- a favourite restaurant
- your dream house
- your ideal roommate
- a closet
- your memory of a place that you visited as a child
- a locker
- an accident scene
- a city bus or subway train
- an unusual room
- a child’s secret hiding place
- a bowl of fruit
- an item left too long in your refrigerator
- backstage during a play or a concert
- a vase of flowers
- a rest room in a service station
- a street that leads to your home or school
- your favourite food
- an art exhibit
- an ideal apartment
- your old neighborhood
- a small town cemetery
- a hospital emergency room
- a particular friend or family member
- an inspiring view
- a work table
- a refrigerator or washing machine
- a Halloween costume
- the inside of a spaceship
- the scene at a concert or athletic event
Persuasive:
- Though texting is a valuable way of communicating, some people spend too much time sending messages by phone instead of interacting with others face to face. Explain why you agree or disagree with this observation.
- Most of the so-called reality programs on television are highly artificial and bear little resemblance to real life. Drawing on one or more specific programs for your examples, explain why you agree or disagree with this observation.
- Online learning could take the place of classroom learning. Explain why you think this is a good or a bad idea.
- Some people are paid way too much. Do you agree?
- Teachers at some schools are now allowed to randomly inspect students’ lockers and backpacks. Explain why you support or oppose this practice.
- Explain why you do or do not favour a majorreform of English spelling so that each sound is represented by only one letter.
- Should mobile phones be banned in schools?
- Children over 10 should be allowed to vote. What do you think?
- Australians should have more holidays and longer vacations. What do you think?
- Participating in team sports should be compulsory. What do you think?
- People have become overly dependent on technology. What do you think?
- Privacy is not the most important right. What do you think?
- Drunk drivers should be imprisoned on the first offense. What do you think?
- To encourage healthy eating, there should be higher taxes on soft drinks and junk food. What do you think?
- Zoos are like prisons for animals and should be shut down. What do you think?
- A student organization should be formed to rescue and care for the lost cats and dogs. What do you think?
- No-one should be allowed to drive a car unless they make up for the pollution they cause in some way.
- The government has been asked to change the work and school week to 4 days, with a 3 day weekend. What do you think?
- In a speech to the head of your school, explain why snack and soda vending machines should be included or removed from all schools.
- Explain why you support or oppose school uniforms.
- Research has shown that a short afternoon nap can promote physical well-being and improve mood and memory. Explain why you support or oppose napping times at school or work, even if this means a longer work day.