The Secret to a Great Writing Prompt
Have you had this convo?
You: Let’s try a writing prompt! You pick!
- Write a five-paragraph essay on your favorite season
- Write about what you did on your summer vacation.
- Write three paragraphs on the following topic: What makes a person successful?
Your kid: Ummmm…
In their head:
- I can’t think of anything to say. (Actually, there’s too much to say. My hand already hurts.)
- I don’t remember summer vacation. (That was, like, ages ago.)
- I have no clue what makes a person successful. (And I don’t really care!)
The issue? Some writing prompts are so open-ended that they leave kids staring at a blank page, not sure where to start. Others are so narrow (or dull) that they result in writing that feels a bit…forced.
The secret to a great prompt is to offer kids just enough direction to get going, but enough wiggle room for them to run with their own ideas and creativity.
That’s exactly our goal in Building Brave Writers: Experience. Oodles of engaging prompts. Three weeks to play, experiment, write, and get fantastic feedback from an interested reader!
You’ll see teacher feedback in action, and even have extra prompts to use afterward!
Want to try a writing prompt from class? Here’s one from Week 3!
Prompt: Your Own Invention
Step 1. Brainstorm
With a pad of paper and a pencil, walk around your house, your yard, or up and down your street. What’s missing that would make your life easier or more fun? Think of ONE new item that hasn’t been invented yet or an existing invention that could be made better/more helpful/faster/easier. It might be a game, a gadget, or some electronic item. Quickly jot down a sentence or two describing your idea.
Step 2. Freewrite!
Set the timer for 5 minutes. List a few ways your new or improved invention could make life better.
Take a quick break, then reset the timer for 5 minutes.
Step 3. Freewrite again!
How could someone use your invention in their daily life? Provide instructions, advice, whatever you think we need to know in order to use your new invention.
Step 4. Draw (if you like!)
Create a simple drawing so we can see what your invention would look like.
Ta-da! Time to celebrate!
For an expanded version of this activity, you can check out our sample classroom.
And if your kids enjoyed this prompt, there are plenty more in Building Brave Writers: Experience. Join us, and learn how to provide prompts that actually inspire writing!
