high school writing prompts for 9th graders

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85 Fun 9th Grade writing prompts for reflection

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9th grade can be a tough year. You may have had some challenging classes and teachers, but that also means you are building on your life experiences. Here are some 9th grade writing prompts that you can use to reflect on your emotions or to improve your writing skills. 

These prompts will help you with your writing when figuring out how to write a quality book report or another type of paper for 9th grade. 

I hope this helps someone looking for tips on writing a good paper for 9th grade and beyond!

Let’s get started:

9th Grade Writing Prompts with Passages

• Describe a situation where you had to overcome your fears or insecurities. What did you do? What was the outcome?
• Give a persuasive argument for why petrol should be banned or not be done.
• Please write an essay about how climate change has impacted your life and describe how it’s changed over time.
• Write an essay about the importance of recycling, and explain why it’s essential in today’s world.
• Describe a time when you were encouraged by someone important to you and how that made you feel. What were you doing at that time? How did it make you feel?
• Write an essay about something that recently made you happy or sad, and explain your feelings about what happened and why they occurred (both short-term and long-term).
• Describe a moment that made you feel like you couldn’t do anything right.
• Write a poem about your favorite thing about yourself.
• Write a story about how you would solve the problem of finding money for college tuition.
• Write a short essay describing what it means to be a good friend to someone who has cancer or any other illness or disability that may be affecting their life.
• Write an essay on why you want to go into [field of study] and why it’s important to you now and in the future.
• Describe what you like doing most in your spare time and why it’s important to you now, as well as in the future (not necessarily in order).
• How do you feel about your friends?
• Do you think they are the best people you have ever known? If so, why? What makes them so unique to you? If not, what could make them better?
• What is your favorite part about going home for Thanksgiving?
• What would it be if you could change one thing about the world?
• What do you think is an essential thing in life?

Journal Writing Prompts for 9th-Graders

Journal writing prompts can help you explore your personal priorities, discover new perspectives, and develop your writing skills.

• Write about a time when you experienced something that made you feel completely at peace. What was it? Did you feel like no one could bother you? Did you feel like there was nothing to worry about? Did it happen recently or from memory? How did it make you feel?
• Write about a time when you made a mistake. How did it make you feel? Did it affect your self-esteem or confidence in others’ opinions of yourself? Did it affect your relationship with others? If so, how did this change over time? If not, why not?
• Write about a time when someone close to you told a lie. What was their motivation for lying? Was it to protect someone else’s feelings or themselves from being judged by others? How did they react once they realized they had lied? Do they still lie today (if so), or did they stop lying because they realized how important honesty is)?
• Write a journal entry about the time you felt most comfortable. What do you think made it comfortable? Was it a particular smell? A specific sound? A taste or touch?
• Think about a time someone broke your trust, and write about how that made you feel. How did it make you feel? How did you react to the situation?
• Write about something that happened at school that made you angry or frustrated. What was going on in your life before the event occurred? Do you think any warning signs might have indicated this would happen? Why or why not? What could have stopped this from happening at all?
• Think about something that happened at home with your family recently. Write about what happened, how it made you feel, and what could have been done differently. If anything did go wrong, who was responsible for fixing things, and how did they fix them?
• Write a letter to yourself as an adult talking about what advice your parents gave you when you were younger (if applicable). How has their advice helped or hindered your life today?

Descriptive 9th Grade Writing Prompts  

• What is the best thing about being a 9th-grader?
• What is your favorite class to take?
• If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
• Describe a typical day for you in school.
• What is one of your favorite hobbies?
• What are some things that make your life easier?
• How do you spend your time outside of school?
• What advice would you give a freshman high school student starting the next day at a new school?
• Describe what you did over the summer.
• What did you do over the summer? What was your favorite part of it?
• Describe something that you bought recently.
• Tell us about when you bought something and were surprised by how much money it cost.
• What are you looking forward to doing in school this year?
• Tell us about some of your favorite things about school.
• Write a paragraph about something that makes you feel good about yourself.
• Write a paragraph about something that makes you feel bad about yourself. Write a paragraph about another subject, but make sure it’s funny.
• Describe a time when you felt most like yourself
• What was your favorite book as a child?
• What are three things you want to do before you die?
• Explain why it’s essential to care about people and the planet
• What is your favorite word?
• Describe a time when you were in trouble but managed to get out of it with help from others (e.g., when your parents thought you were playing outside and discovered that you’d been locked in).
• What is one thing that makes you feel alive?

Related : 365 creative writing prompts

Creative 9th-Grade Writing Prompts

• What is the most creative thing you’ve done in the past week?
• How do you feel about being in the ninth grade?
• What are your goals for next year?
• What was the last thing you ate?
• How long does it take for you to get dressed in the morning?
• Why do you like doing this activity?
• What’s your favorite color?
• Have you ever been to a place that was outside of your town? If so, where did you go, and what did you see there?
• If a tree fell in your yard and blocked your driveway, what would be the best way to get around it without calling an emergency plumber or having someone cut it down with an axe?
• What is your favorite way to relax?
• What is the best way to avoid stress?
• If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
• How do you feel about the new school year starting?
• What is something you’d like to change about yourself?
• What is something you want to accomplish in your lifetime?
• What are some things that annoy you?
• What are some things that make you smile?
• How do you feel about the internet?
• What do you think about being on a bus or in the car?
• Are you a morning person or a night owl?
• What’s the weirdest thing that you’ve ever eaten?
• Do you like to get dressed up for parties and stuff, or do you prefer to wear jeans and a T-shirt?
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
• What would you do if you had one hour to live in this world?
• Have you ever been hurt by someone close to you? If so, how did it make you feel? If not, why not?
• What would you do if your health suddenly deteriorated?
• What would you do if the world ended today?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
• Would you rather be able to fly or read minds?
• How would you make the world a better place?
• If you were given $100,000 and had to spend it all in one day, how would you spend it?
• Why are people so afraid of death?
• If there was no more crime in the world and everything was safe, what would be left to do?
• What is your favorite movie, and why?

In a Nutshell

Whether a 9th grader or a parent, you can use these writing prompts to help kids develop vital writing skills. 

Writing prompts help to generate ideas, practice writing skills, and get students started on longer writing pieces. 

This writing prompts can be used in any class requiring the development of written works, and they should provide teachers with enough material to select from. 

Parents helping students with homework can also use these as part of their child’s homework assignments.

Happy Writing!

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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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20 Thought-Provoking Journal Prompts for 9th Graders

Stepping into high school can be a daunting challenge for your child. They might struggle with the onslaught of discovering themselves while transitioning into adulthood. While they will navigate through the differences, either way, you need to ensure that they don’t get sidetracked or find themselves in bad company. After all, this is the time that will largely determine who they grow up to be. Despite the innumerable benefits of mindful writing , it might be that your son or daughter doesn’t know how to prioritize it yet. They might not know what to write about, and that monotony may serve as a barrier. Thus, you must give them great journal prompts for 9th graders. Developing and maintaining interest will be easy if it sparks curiosity according to their level of awareness about the world. 

The prompts in this article will give them a greater sense of who they are and where they want to go from here. So let’s dive in! 

Why Journal Prompts for 9th Graders are Important

‘But isn’t diary writing for kids?’, you might wonder. ‘Why should I encourage my teenage son or daughter to get into it? It just seems ludicrous’. 

While many have the conventional notion that journaling is just for teenage girls writing about their secret crush Josh, the truth is far from it. Developing greater self-awareness is not for a specific gender and there is no age requirement for exploring multi-faceted questions.

The sooner you understand the “Know Thyself” mantra, the better. The world around us is not sunshine and rainbows. We must ensure that our children resort to healthy coping mechanisms for their emotional well-being. 

Here are three reasons why journal prompts for 9th graders are so important: 

It Gives a Sense of Identity

“I used to be such a happy kid. Now my mother criticizes me, and I think she doesn’t like me. I don’t even blame her. Who could love me? I am so ugly after all.”

“Is Ashley really my friend? She ignored me as I tried to talk to her. We’re not even close anymore. Sometimes I feel like she hates me.”

“Josh looked at me today and smiled. He is so cute. Is it possible that he likes me?”

“Omg, why did I say that? God, I feel so stupid. I hate myself. I’m never going to recover from this. I just want to isolate myself.” 

These are just some of the questions that start popping into your mind as the bubble of childhood bursts and makes space for new experiences. 

You suddenly find yourself in a whirlwind of emotions, friendships, dating , school, and peer pressure. Ultimately you have this need to fit in, which is not wrong. 

But we need to be mindful of who we decide to associate with. That is why taking small steps toward self-awareness and shifting the narrative is essential.

Prompts help create a lens to target worries and narrow down scattered and disorganized thoughts. 

• “What do I like about myself?”
• “What is my favorite pastime?”
• “What makes me feel good?”

Although it may strike you as absurd, these will help smooth things out. This is especially true for the ninth grader just beginning to step into the world. 

It Is a Great Source of Emotional Outlet

As an adult, you might struggle with regulating your emotions in healthy and socially acceptable ways. You might even have trouble managing your inclinations and impulsive tendencies. And that is amusing, considering you’re not particularly new to these intense emotions.

Now picture an individual going through their developmental stages and experiencing these intense emotions for the first time. There is a reason why teenage years are difficult for both the parents and their offspring alike. 

Doesn’t sound that hard? Picture a 30-student class of hormonal and emotional individuals slowly unveiling the hard truths about life. 

These may include the realization that people to whom they thought they were close did not reciprocate their sincerity. Or that their parents are not always right. 

They might be peer pressured into bad habits as an escape. Parental pressure and validation from one’s friends may result in bottled-up frustration. Irrational rebellion is not surprising at this age.

Journaling will allow a safe space for the expression of such emotions. It’s a way of navigating friendships, dating, family-related issues, and the inevitable drama of the 9th-grade classroom. 

It Allows the Exploration of Various Themes and Interests

Open-ended journal prompts for 9th graders are a great way to spark their imagination. There are loads of themes, topics, and ideas to get into. These may include dreams, hopes, and aspirations. This will encourage them to be open to all sorts of ideas. 

It is a great way to kickstart their creativity . For a moment, blur the lines between perceived possibility and impossibility. 

• Who would you be if there were no imposed restrictions? 
• What is something you would like to do forever? 
• Do you believe in religion? What are the reasons for your belief?
• What do you want to do in terms of your career? Are you in it for passion or money? 
• How do you feel about yourself?
• If you could travel anywhere you wanted to, where would you go? 

See? These are simple questions, and yet they may encourage any individual to think about what they want. Even if the answer seems indefinite, it is discoverable through a bit of introspection. 

While teenagers may not be comfortable talking about their emotions, writing is a relatively safer method. They will not feel judged or instantly reprimanded for their valid and understandable emotions and ideas. 

Plus, it means less time wasted on other less fruitful activities. Win-on-win for everyone involved, isn’t it? 

Common Issues 9th graders are dealing with

Technological advancement has made phones an indispensable part of our lives. Whether it is for staying connected with friends, studies, or work , it’s impossible to negate its importance. 

For ninth graders, social media can open a gateway to problematic thoughts and behaviors. It is important to remember that there’s not much truth in how people portray themselves online. There is misinformation and false narratives on how your life should be. 

These may present problems relating to self-esteem , self-image, body image, peer pressure, and even an unconscious perpetuation of prejudice. 

Although these problems existed even during the pre-social media era, they are more severe now. Everyone has access to everything, even things that may bring more harm than good. 

Consider this: According to research by Elflein , self-harm or suicide was the second leading cause of death among teenagers aged 15 to 19 years. The typical age for ninth graders in the US is about 14 to 15. 

What exactly is happening to incur such a noticeable tragedy? It is worth noting that such problems do not arise all at once. They grow slowly as ideas turn into beliefs. 

The difference between grades eight and nine can be too difficult to be manageable by the student alone. 

Instead of perpetuating unhealthy thought and behavioral patterns, let’s make emotions manageable for kids. Journaling is an effective way to do that. 

So, the next time they feel something, they have a pen and paper to express it. There ought to be a curriculum specifically designed to cater to emotional expression. 

Now, how can we do that? Let’s find out the roles of the two most important forces at play: home and school. 

How to introduce journaling to 9th graders

How can we introduce journaling prompts for 9th graders in a way that doesn’t seem too overwhelming or overbearing? 

Getting a teenager to do anything is quite a challenge. But there are ways to help them discover journaling and its benefits. Let’s break down our theoretical knowledge into executable steps. 

How To Encourage Journaling as a Parent

Although it may seem that way, your child does not hate you. They may harbor resentment , sure. But if you’re consistently improving yourself and switching parenting styles as required, chances are they’re probably stressed about something else. 

Now, what can you do as their guardian? Introduce journaling as a coping mechanism for stress.  Be considerate of their likes and dislikes. What’s their favorite color? Is there a fictional character they like? 

Get them a journal that represents their taste. Your teen will automatically feel drawn to it. It’s important to remember that journaling isn’t just writing. It comprises list-making, doodling, drawing, and just scribbling words or phrases. 

Give them enough space to use it as they prefer.  If they’re Potterhead, get them cool stationery such as these Paper House Productions stickers. This will foster creativity by allowing them to personalize their journal. 

How To Encourage Journaling as a Teacher 

Academic institutions play an essential role in encouraging or discouraging certain activities. 

Reflect on your life: how many times did you participate in a class or at least enjoyed learning simply because your teacher was good? 

Maybe their lecture was engaging, or they posed thought-provoking questions. It could also be that they just had a kind demeanor and you felt understood by them. 

Either way, it made the task at hand easier. Let’s apply the same rules here. 

Whatever your students write, be mindful of any conscious or unconscious invalidation of emotions. Your role here is to create a safe space for expression. That includes not judging or criticizing emotions.

Next, offer them constructive feedback. Is there a specific problem they’re dealing with? Help them out with it. Make it overt or subtle depending on the temperament of the student involved.  

Bonus Tip: 

Create a positive association with a particular routine. When are your students most active? When do you think they’ll enjoy it the most? 

Try not to give extensive journaling exercises when tests or quizzes are due. Make it as simplified as possible and see your students thrive. 

You can also check out the following video for some back-to-school journal inspiration! 

20 Great Journal Prompts for 9th graders

• What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
• What are your biggest fears and how do you plan to overcome them?
• Write about a meaningful experience you had in your life so far.
• Who is someone you look up to and why?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses and how do you plan to improve upon them?
• If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why?
• Write about a time you showed courage or resilience in the face of adversity.
• What are your favorite subjects in school and why?
• What are your future career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
• Write about a hobby or interest that you are passionate about.
• What are your values and how do you plan to incorporate them into your daily life?
• Write about a time you took a risk and what you learned from it.
• What is one place you have always wanted to visit and why?
• Write about a person who has had a significant impact on your life.
• What is one thing you are grateful for in your life and why?
• What are some ways you can contribute to your community and make a positive impact?
• Write about a time you failed and what you learned from the experience.
• What are your plans for after high school and how do you plan to prepare for it?
• What is one thing you want to learn more about and why?
• Reflect on your personal growth over the past year and set some goals for the future.

Final Thoughts

Journaling has numerous proven benefits for mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It’s an effective way to detach yourself from your thoughts by putting pen to paper. 

So, whether you’re a parent or a teacher, ensure that your child/student feels heard. Become their best friend. And make journaling their sanctuary, so they have something to resort to even when you’re not there. 

We hope our list of journal prompts for 9th graders proves to be fruitful in sparking and retaining interest. Remember, everyone is doing their best and learning at their own pace. Always be kind to others. 

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The best writing prompts for high school

Ah, high school. The birthplace of future geniuses, the setting of a million Young Adult books — and the cutting ground of many a brilliant young author. Writing in the classroom is often the best outlet of creativity for kids, and what better way to get your students excited about it than through creative writing prompts for high school students?

Whether you use journal prompts or story ideas to kickstart your high school student’s imagination, writing prompts are sure to help broaden their thinking, sharpen their writing skills, record their thoughts, and get them to engage with the world around them.

If you're looking to cut to the chase, here's a top ten list of writing prompts for high school students:

• In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's just experienced a big "first."
• Just then, your phone rings. It's your friend and they have some interesting news...
• Write a short story where the protagonist has a doppelgänger.
• Write a story about a misunderstanding.
• Write a story about a strange family tradition, with at least two characters from the family narrating in the course of the story.
• Write a story about someone who would be described, above all else, as: kind.
• Write a story that centers on an Instagram post.
• Write a story that spans a month during which everything changes.
• Write about a group of people determined to win an award for making the biggest cookie ever.
• Write about someone going to extreme lengths to return an overdue library book.

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

Develop a Writing Routine (free course) — Any high schooler who’s serious about becoming a published author should know that writing a book doesn’t just take talent. 90% of the process is sitting in front of a blank piece of paper, and having the drive and commitment to put words to paper. That’s why we created this free course, which shows people of any age how to develop a writing routine that works for you. It’s never too early to start the process today!

Want to encourage your high 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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Creative Writing Prompts For High School Students – 12 Categories

Written by:

Max Stevens

Administrator

Are you a high school student struggling to find inspiration for your creative writing assignments? Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut and can’t seem to come up with new and exciting ideas? If so, you’re not alone. 

Many students struggle with coming up with ideas for creative writing, especially when they feel pressure to produce something original and engaging. 

But the good news is that there are ways to break through the block and find inspiration for your writing. 

For instance, by attending our award-winning creative writing summer programme , you’ll learn how to conquer the fear of the blank page. How? By learning proven formulas for creating brilliant stories. 

Another way to have that creative spark is to use creative writing prompts. 

This article will provide creative high school students like yourself with a list of creative writing prompts. So you’ll get the inspiration you need to get into the flow and start writing!

What are Writing Prompts?

Writing prompts are ideas that help writers overcome writer’s block and get started with their writing. They can come in various forms, including a

• Or series of questions. 

Creative writing prompts get your creative juices flowing. When you encounter a writing prompt, it encourages you to start writing!

What types of writing, you ask? It can be anything from fiction writing to essay writing. Creative writing prompts are even used to get you started with freewriting in your daily journal.

So you see, many writers find writing prompts a quick and easy way to begin a new writing project. Or to overcome writer’s block when they are stuck.

How Do You Use Writing Prompts?

There are many different ways to use writing prompts. Here are a few ideas:

Use writing prompts to start a new writing project. 

Are you having trouble coming up with ideas for a new writing project? Try using a writing prompt to get started. You can use a writing prompt as the starting point for a 

• Short story
• Essay, or any other type of writing.

Use writing prompts to overcome writer’s block. 

Stuck on a particular piece of writing and can’t seem to move forward? Use writing prompts to brainstorm on how to proceed!

Use writing prompts to practice your writing skills. 

As the old adage says, practice makes perfect! You can use writing prompts to practice different writing techniques or styles. Or try out different writing genres!

Use writing prompts to challenge yourself. 

You can use writing prompts to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try writing about things you might not usually write about.

Say your comfort zone is writing fantasy stories. And you want to try something new. Why not use scary writing prompts as a starting point?

To use a writing prompt, choose a prompt that interests you and start writing. There are no hard and fast rules about how to use writing prompts – the important thing is to just start writing and see where the prompt takes you!

Creative Writing Prompts High School Students will Love

Write a story about a character who:

• discovers a mysterious, abandoned house in the woods  
• suddenly gains the power of time travel
• has to confront their greatest fear
• is given the opportunity to live in a different time period
• discovers a secret underground society
• is given a magical object that can grant wishes.

Or, check out the other prompts too:

• Write a poem about a summer day you will never forget.
• Imagine that you are stranded on a deserted island. Write a story about your experience.
• Write a letter to your future self ten years from now.
• Imagine that you are a detective trying to solve a mysterious crime. Write a story about your investigation.

Creative High School Poetry Writing Prompts

Write a poem about a/an:

• summer romance you will never forget
• memorable experience you had with a friend
• place that holds special meaning for you
• moment of clarity or realisation that you had
• person who has had a significant impact on your life
• object that holds special meaning for you
• dream that you had and can’t seem to forget
• time when you felt completely lost
• time when you felt completely free
• moment of beauty that you witnessed

Writing Prompts with an Element of Suspense

• is being stalked by an unknown assailant
• wakes up with no memory of the past 24 hours
• receives a series of mysterious, threatening letters
• discovers a hidden room in their house filled with grotesque objects
• is trapped in a strange, unfamiliar place
• is being pursued by a dangerous, unknown entity
• is being watched by an unknown pair of eyes
• is being followed by a shadowy figure
• hears strange noises in the middle of the night
• finds a mysterious, unmarked package on their doorstep

Writing Prompts for Stories That Start with Dialogue

Start your story with a conversation between two characters who are:

• meeting for the first time
• meeting each other for the first time in ten years after graduation
• trying to solve a problem
• discussing a secret
• trying to keep a secret from someone else
• discussing their future plans
• trying to make amends after a misunderstanding
• reminiscing about the past
• trying to persuade each other of something

Writing Prompts That Ask “What if?”

What if you:

• woke up one morning with the ability to fly? How would you use this ability?
• could time travel? Where would you go and why?
• woke up one day to find that everyone in the world had switched bodies? How would you cope with this?
• could read minds? How would you use this ability?
• suddenly had access to unlimited wealth? How would you use this wealth?
• could talk to animals? How would this change your life?
• were the only person on Earth who knew how to speak a certain language? How would you use this knowledge?
• could turn invisible at will? How would you use this power?
• developed the ability to communicate with the spirits of the dead? How would this change your life?
• could teleport anywhere in the world instantly? How would you use this ability?

Funny Writing Prompts for High School

• wakes up to find that they’ve turned into a giant chicken
• has a magic lamp that grants them absurd wishes
• becomes the world’s worst superhero
• accidentally becomes the president of the United States
• is chased by a giant hamster
• discovers that their reflection is actually an alternate dimension
• becomes a world-famous rapper after a misunderstanding at a karaoke bar
• becomes the world’s worst detective
• is constantly followed by a cloud of bees
• becomes the world’s worst secret agent

Do you have a brother or sister in middle school? Our middle school writing prompts are a great way for them to get into the flow of creative writing effectively.

Journal Prompts for High School Creative Writing

• Write about a time when:
• you felt particularly proud of yourself
• you had to confront your greatest fear
• you had a moment of clarity or realisation
• you felt that life was wonderful
• Write about a place that holds special meaning for you.
• Write about a person who has significantly impacted your life.
• Write about a moment of beauty that you witnessed.
• Write about a dream you had and can’t forget.
• Write about a memorable experience you had with a friend.

Non-Fiction Writing Prompts

Write an essay about a/an:

• significant event in your life and how it has impacted you
• person who has inspired you and why
• current issue that is important to you and why
• time when you had to overcome a challenge and how you did it
• place that you have visited and why it was meaningful to you
• hobby or activity that you are passionate about and why
• book, movie, or TV show that has had a significant impact on you and why
• social issue that you feel strongly about and what you are doing to make a difference
• goal that you have set for yourself and how you plan to achieve it
• person who has made a positive impact on your community and how they did it

Adventurous Short Story Prompts

Write a story about a character who goes on a:

• solo hike in the wilderness and becomes lost
• treasure hunt and faces unexpected challenges along the way
• safari and encounters a rare and dangerous animal
• white water rafting trip and gets stranded in the wilderness
• mountain climbing expedition and faces unexpected challenges
• scuba diving trip and discovers a hidden underwater world
• hot air balloon ride and gets carried away by the wind
• skydiving trip and has to make an emergency landing
• parasailing trip and gets caught in a storm
• snowboarding trip and gets caught in an avalanche

Science Fiction Short Story Prompts

• Write a story about a character who is:
•  given a device that can predict the future
•  the only survivor of an alien invasion
• recruited by a secret organization to fight against an alien threat
• the only one who can communicate with newly-discovered alien species
• the only one who can stop a group of rebels from taking over the world
• the only one who can save the world from an asteroid heading towards Earth
• the only human on a distant planet
• Write a story about a character who travels through time and encounters their future self.
• Write a story about a character discovering a portal to an alternate dimension.
• Write a story about a character who is given a device that allows them to control time.

Scary Short Story Prompts

• Write a story about a character who is 
• being stalked by a demon
• trapped in a haunted house
• haunted by the ghost of a loved one
• terrorized by a clown
• Write a story about a character who
• discovers a cursed object and starts having strange, terrifying experiences
• starts seeing strange, supernatural creatures in their dreams
• hears a lady cry every night, but no one is there
• notices a strange doll appear in their house, not knowing where it came from
• listens to neighbours report they’ve been seeing a toddler running around the house, but your character lives alone

Fantasy Short Story Prompts

• Write a story about a character who 
• discovers that they are a witch or wizard with magical powers
• finds out they are the chosen one, destined to save the world from an ancient evil
• realises they are a fairy or other mythical creature
• is given a magical object that can grant wishes
• discovers a magic book with secrets to the universe
• receives a magical potion that transforms them into a different creature
• accidentally stumbles into a world where everything is the opposite of what they know
• gains a legendary staff that gives them the power to control the elements
• enters a magical, mythical land ruled by an evil king
• discovers that they are the reincarnation of a mythical hero

Need more Creative Writing prompts? Check out this article entitled “ 308 Creative Writing Prompts To Unlock Your Writing Skills .”

How Else Can I Improve My Creative Writing Skills?

1. read widely.

Reading improves your writing skills by exposing you to different 

• And Techniques you can incorporate into your own writing.

Did you know reading widens your vocabulary? It does! And vocabulary is an essential aspect of effective writing. The more words you know, the more effectively you can communicate your ideas.

Also, reading helps improve your comprehension and critical thinking skills. Both of these are valuable for analysing and synthesising information. So you’ll learn how to present ideas clearly in your writing.

2. Write Regularly…and Don’t Stop!

Think of writing as a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes! Writing regularly makes you feel more comfortable and confident. 

What’s more, it helps you develop your own voice and style. Once you hone the aspects that make you unique , you’ll stand out more! 

Writing regularly also gives you a better sense of what works and what doesn’t. And you’ll be able to refine your writing accordingly. 

The more you write, the better you will become at it. So maximise our creative writing prompts and make time to write every day. Even if it’s just for a few minutes!

3. Experiment with Different Writing Styles

Do you know that experimenting with different writing styles and techniques expands your writing skills? Why? Because doing so makes you a versatile writer. Able to adapt your style to different situations and audiences. 

For example, writing poems even when you’re not used to poetry-writing forces you to think . To imagine and create! As a result? You get out of your comfort zone and explore. And you’re better able to reimagine your craft. 

What are the common writing styles?

• Descriptive – often uses similes and metaphors to help the reader experience the writing (e.g. songs, poems)
• Narrative – flashbacks and foreshadowing are common elements of a narrative style with a clear, fleshed-out plot (e.g. novels)
• Or Persuasive writing – convinces the reader to believe what the writer believes (e.g. essays, sales copy)

4. Join a Writing Community!

What better way to keep you motivated than by joining a writing community? A writing community provides support and encouragement. Being surrounded by like-minded folks passionate about writing can be a great source of inspiration!

Plus, you’ll be exposed to different writing styles and techniques. Which can help you expand your horizon and help you become a more versatile writer.

Joining a writing community can also be a great way to get feedback on your writing. Helping you identify areas for improvement. 

Finally, do you know a writing community can be a great source of information and resources? Members often share valuable writing tips and strategies.

5. Enrol In A Creative Writing Course

What is one of the most effective methods in fast-tracking you to massive improvement in your writing skills? Taking a creative writing course!

Why does taking a creative writing course help you improve your writing skills? Because you’ll learn from experienced writers. While having the opportunity to practice writing under the watchful eye of expert tutors. 

Creative writing prompts are useful for high school students looking for inspiration for new and original ideas. You can overcome writer’s block by tapping into your creativity in a new and exciting way.

These prompts will challenge and inspire you. So give them a try and see what amazing stories and ideas you can come up with!

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30 Fun Creative Writing Prompts for High School

There are situations when one gets stuck in the middle of the writing process. Sometimes it happens at the very beginning when you have no clue what to start with, lacking creativity and inspiration even to come up with something brief. Usually, such mishaps happen to young high school students who need more experience in writing. In such cases, professors and tutors assist their students by providing them with so-called writing prompts. It may be a motivating question or instruction which helps to catch the idea and purpose of the assignment and thus helps to generate a writing plan.

TOP 7 Creative Writing Prompts for High School Students

Plus TOP 9 ideas for high school essay in presentation updated for 2020

Writing prompts come in different shapes and sizes. Such writing “tips” serve as a starting point for students, boost imagination and help to concentrate on the topic. Funny and amusing prompts are given to students when they have to share some creative stories with each other. Here are some interesting writing prompts for high schools students:

• Write about your childhood toys.
• What would you do if you were able to communicate with animals?
• Write a short poem about your classroom.
• Describe some holiday or celebration. Welcome the others to join you and have fun.
• Describe your best friend.
• Write about the most important thing in your life.
• Write a poem about your favorite hobby and/or game.

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All of the mentioned prompts are aimed to evoke writing inspiration. This kind of assignment helps to develop writing habits and abilities, discover some hidden talents and improve students’ skills to express themselves.

On the other hand, creative writing prompts help students to broaden their outlook and improve thinking. It is important for students to be assigned tricky tasks which would make them think, therefore, writing prompts should sometimes be challenging and even controversial.

Example of The Best Writing Prompts for 9 th Grade

Next 23 Writing Prompts for High School from Writing Elites Team

• Write a letter to your manager.
• What would you do if you traveled back in time?
• If you were the president, what would you change?
• Write about a homeless animal that you brought home.
• What would you do if you found out you had the magic powers?
• Write about a vacation that you will never forget.
• Describe the best show you have ever attended.
• Write about the time when you outsmarted someone you had always wanted to.
• If you were to be an animal, which one would you choose and why?
• Describe your worst nightmare.
• Imagine you woke up and found that you are invisible?
• Describe the experience you had with an alien that took you with him to his planet.

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• Imagine you found a golden ring on the floor?
• Would you prefer having a brother or a sister? Why?
• Write a poem about your father.
• You meet a fairy, and she tells you to wish for only three things, what would those be?
• Write about your worst fear.
• Describe your future life.
• Who is your role model? Why?
• It was an unusual Wednesday morning when I heard...
• Write about a moment that you were put to shame
• Write a letter to the future you.
• Write about the moment when you broke an important promise.

List of Writing Prompts That May Be of Interest to High School Students in 2023

• Describe a time when you faced a difficult decision and how you overcame it.
• If you could travel back to any historical event, which event would you choose and why?
• Write a short story about a character who must overcome a major obstacle to achieve their goal.
• Argue for or against using social media in schools in a persuasive essay.
• Write a descriptive essay about a place important to you and explain why it holds significance.
• Share a personal essay about a lesson you learned from a mistake you made.
• Write a poem about the changing seasons and what they represent to you.
• Compare and contrast two different cultures or religions in an essay.
• Craft a short story about a character who must confront their fear to succeed.
• Argue for or against using standardized testing in schools in a persuasive essay.
• Describe a person who has had a significant impact on your life in a descriptive essay.
• Share a personal essay about a time when you had to stand up for what you believed in.
• Write a fictional letter to a future version of yourself, describing your hopes and dreams for your future.
• Write a poem about a significant moment in your life and the emotions it evokes.
• Compare and contrast two different works of literature or movies in an essay.

Original Writing Prompts to Reflect on in Middle School

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50 Writing Prompts for All Grade Levels

Sometimes students need a little push to activate their imaginations.

The collection of prompts below asks young writers to think through real or imagined events, their emotions, and a few wacky scenarios. Try out the ones you think will resonate most with your students. 

As with all prompts, inform students that their answers should be rated G and that disclosing dangerous or illegal things they’re involved in will obligate you to file a report with the administration or school counselors. Finally, give students the option of writing “PERSONAL” above some entries that they don’t want anyone to read. We all need to let scraggly emotions run free in our prose sometimes.

If your class uses daybooks (an approach recommended in Thinking Out Loud: The Student Daybook as a Tool to Foster Learning ), wait for composition notebooks to go on sale at Target, the Dollar Store, or Walmart for $0.50 a piece. To organize the daybook, direct young writers to leave the first three pages blank and number and date each entry—adding these entries to a table of contents that they create as they work so they can return to specific entries later. 

High School Prompts

• Should cameras on drones watch all public spaces to prevent crime, or is that a violation of privacy? 
• Do Americans have it too easy? Why do you think that?
• What causes racism?
• The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation hires you as a consultant to determine how best to use $20 billion to save the world. What’s your plan?
• What’s the worst thing about the internet? 
• Would you rather be very beautiful or very smart? Explain.
• You can save one object before your house burns down. What is it? What makes that object important to you?
• How much control over your life do you have? What makes you say that? 
• Describe your ideal life 15 years from now. What is something you can do every day to reach that goal?
• What would your friends say is your most lovable quality? Describe that quality. 
• What is something scary that you would like to try? What makes it scary for you? How might you overcome that fear?
• What things do you conscientiously do to feed your brain?
• What are three of your most profound learning experiences? Where and when did they occur?
• By age 18, the average American has seen 200,000 acts of violence on TV, including 40,000 murders. What is it about television violence that is so compelling to people?
• Would you rather be loved or respected? Because?
• Does social media represent individuals authentically? Explain with examples. 
• Imagine that it’s the last day of high school and you’ve been asked by a teacher to say a few words that summarize the events that have occurred over the last four years that are most meaningful to you. What do you say? 

Middle School Prompts

• Which classmate would be the best to lead us through a zombie apocalypse? Why? 
• What real-life situations would work out better for you if you were a different gender? Why?
• How can you tell when someone your age is feeling insecure? Are most people more insecure or anxious than they let on?
• If the internet were to crash forever, what would the benefits be for you? The drawbacks?
• Write a scene that features a) a classmate, b) $100 million, and c) magical shoes. 
• What three features should your future house have? Why?
• If you starred in a television show about your life, what would the show be called? What genre would it be? (Examples: comedy, drama, thriller, romance, action-adventure, fantasy, superhero, soap opera, reality, game show, space adventure, Western, tragedy, etc.) Summarize the plot of an episode. 
• In the future, what extreme sports will people be talking about?
• Is your ethnicity an important part of your identity? How so? 
• You get to take one book, one food item, and one famous person (living or dead) to a deserted island. What and who do you take? Why?
• Write a powerfully supportive email to yourself 10 years from now. Send that email to yourself using FutureMe.org . 
• You have been selected to be king or queen of your school. What are five rules that every kid should follow at your school? What should the punishment be for rule breakers?
• What do the five friends you hang out with most have in common? How are you most like them? How are you different from them?
• What contributes to someone becoming a bully? What can help stop someone from bullying?
• Do you make friends slowly or quickly? Describe how one of your important friendships evolved.
• Should we fear failure? Explain.
• If a wizard could tell you anything about your future, what would you most like to know?
• Do you believe in luck? Are you superstitious? How so? If not, why do you think some people are?

Elementary School Prompts

• I wish my teachers knew that . . .
• What’s the most beautiful person, place, or thing you’ve ever seen? Share what makes that person, place, or thing so special. 
• Which is better, giant muscles or incredible speed? Why?
• What is your most difficult subject in school? Why is it difficult? What can you do to get better at that subject?
• Rewrite “Hansel and Gretel” from the witch’s perspective.
• Describe a scary situation that you’ve experienced.
• What is your first memory? Describe it.
• You wake up tomorrow with a silly superpower that makes you famous. What is that silly power? How does it lead to your becoming an international superstar? 
• Are you a good loser? Explain. 
• What are examples of things you want versus things you need? 
• Last Friday, you were given one wish by a magical panda. You tried so hard to make the wish positive, but after the whacked-out events that unfolded over the weekend, you regret ever meeting that tricky panda. What did you ask for, and what happened?
• I wish my friends . . . 
• Describe a routine that you often or always do (in the morning, when you get home, Friday nights, before a game, etc.).
• What things do all kids know that adults do not?
• What TV or movie characters do you wish were real? Why? 

After they’ve finished an entry, ask students to read their work aloud or exchange daybooks for a read-around. If you give the entries written feedback, show that their work is respected by using a sticky note or scratch paper. 

You might also incorporate background writing music one day a week—say on “Music Monday.” For some examples of music you might use in class, Pitchfork has an article called “ The 50 Best Ambient Albums of All Time .” My favorite album for composing is the Birdy soundtrack by Peter Gabriel—a good one for older kids. Other Edutopia staff and bloggers like writing to Coffitivity , Noisli , Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven by Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Alcest’s Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde .

Don’t forget to write along with your students. Why should they have all the fun?

What are your students’ favorite writing prompts?