Prompts that lend themselves to personal essay writing:

(clicking on highlighted prompts will take you to one or more student samples)

Junior high and high school:

  • What are three adjectives others would use to describe you?
  • Which adjective would describe you by those who know you best?
  • Write a brief essay that in some way describes who you are.
  • If you could invite anyone in the world to dinner, whom would it be and why?
  • Describe an event that was a turning point in your life.
  • Write about a person who has been an important influence in your life.
  • Discuss some issue of personal importance to you.
  • Describe an experience or achievement that has a special meaning for you.
  • Tell about an experience that helped you to change and grow.
  • What do you think is the hardest choice young people your age have to make?
  • What do you think makes some students so popular with their classmates?

Elementary School:

  • Write about a special toy you have (or once had).
  • Write about a special pet you have (or once had).
  • Being a kid can be hard sometimes. Explain what you look forward to in being an adult (or what you don’t like about being a kid).
  • Tell about a time you were proud (or ashamed, embarrassed, scared, happy, lonely, etc.).
  • Write about a favorite place.
  • Write about something that bugs you.
  • Write about a special person in your life.
  • Write about a time when something bad happened, but something good came out of it.
  • Write about the bravest thing you have ever done.
  • Write about the thing you worry about most.
  • Write about what makes you special or unique.
  • Write about your favorite hobby.
  • Write about a goal or hope you have for the future. Why is it important to you?
  • Explain why you think you are or are not a good loser.
  • Write about the funniest thing that has ever happened to you.
  • Write about the best thing that has ever happened to you.
  • Write about the best idea you’ve ever had.
  • Write about a time you were a very good friend or helper to someone else.
  • If you could go back in time and do one thing differently, what would it be, and why?
  • Write about an object you keep because it reminds you of someone or some special event.
  • What would an ideal brother or sister be like?
  • Write about a favorite family tradition. What is it? How did it start? How do you feel about it?
  • Write about your favorite relative.
  • Write about the qualities that make your best friend your best friend.
  • Write about the advantages/disadvantages of being an only child. Or, write about the advantages/disadvantages of being the oldest, middle, or youngest child.
  • Write about the kind of parent you think you will be.
  • Write about a favorite teacher.

Put each setting, character and object below on separate strips of paper.  Let students draw one of each, and then create a story that uses all three in some way.

SETTINGS

 

beach

apartment

desert

school

home

mansion

camp

mountain

cabin

street

cave

grandparent’s home

train

bus

bottle

theatre

museum

 

 

 CHARACTERS

 

animal or pet

reptile

snake

insect

magician

child

waitress

teacher

principal

secretary

custodian

computer programmer

musician

hairdresser

teenager

Easter bunny

witch

wizard

genie

fairy

godmother/father

dragon

store clerk

grandparent

aunt

uncle

cousin

brother

sister

baby

toddler

school cook

nurse

doctor

band director

 

 OBJECTS

 

button

jumprope

cauldron

magic item

lamp

pencil/pen/crayon

photo

swimming pool

book

trombone

kleenex

sweatshirt

tree

flower

box

rock

false eyelashes

earring

ring

kitchen sink

bathtub

window

telephone

letter (mysterious/chain)

bracelet charm

mirror

lipstick

hat

 

 

 

From the Writing Curriculum Files of Children’s Author, Suzanne Williams www.suzanne-williams.com