Creative writing prompts are a great way to get students’ imaginations flowing and to help them develop their writing skills. These prompts can take many forms, from simple prompts that ask students to describe a character or setting, to more complex prompts that challenge students to explore a particular theme or idea.
You can use these prompts in your classroom in a number of ways. They can be used for micro writing assignments; this would be perfect for a bell ringer. They can also be used for collaborative writing, or even for a complete writing assignment.
Here are 50 creative writing prompts for secondary ELA:
- Write a short story about a character who discovers a hidden room in their house.
- Write a poem about the changing of the seasons.
- Write a journal entry from the perspective of a tree.
- Write a story about a character who travels to a faraway land.
- Write a poem about a particular emotion (e.g. love, anger, fear)
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of a character who is stuck in a time loop.
- Write a story about a character who discovers a secret about their family.
- Write a poem about the beauty of nature.
- Write a story about a character who has a magical ability.
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of a character who is traveling through space.
- Write a story about a character who is forced to confront their greatest fear.
- Write a poem about friendship.
- Write a story about a character who finds a mysterious object.
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of a character who is lost in a forest.
- Write a story about a character who has to make a difficult decision.
- Write a poem about the ocean.
- Write a story about a character who discovers a hidden talent.
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of a character who is living in a post-apocalyptic world.
- Write a story about a character who is transported to another dimension.
- Write a poem about the power of words.
- Write a story about a character who has to solve a mystery.
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of a character who is stuck in a dream.
- Write a story about a character who has to confront their inner demons.
- Write a poem about the passage of time.
- Write a story about a character who has to make a difficult choice between two paths.
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of a character who is living in a future society.
- Write a story about a character who has to overcome a great obstacle.
- Write a story about a character who discovers a hidden talent.
- Write a poem about your favorite season.
- Write a story about a character who must choose between two paths.
- Write a poem about a significant moment in your life.
- Write a story about a character who is dealing with a major change.
- Write a poem about your hometown.
- Write a story about a character who is trying to overcome a fear.
- Write a story about a character who has a special relationship with an animal.
- Write a poem about your favorite memory.
- Write a story about a character who is trying to solve a mystery.
- Write a poem about your favorite person.
- Write a story about a character who has to make a difficult decision.
- Write a poem about a dream you had.
- Write a story about a character who has to face their worst nightmare.
- Write a poem about your favorite time of day.
- Write a story about a character who has to make a choice between two people they love.
- Write a poem about your favorite hobby.
- Write a story about a character who discovers a secret about themselves.
- Write a poem about your favorite food.
- Write a story about a character who must save someone they care about.
- Write a story about a character who must travel to a new and unfamiliar place.
- Write a story about a character who must confront their past.
- Write a story about a character who discovers a hidden talent.