94 Intriguing Writing Prompts for High School

High school students are constantly writing, but how can we help them improve their skills while also making it enjoyable? Daily writing prompts are the answer! These prompts can range from quick bell-ringers to thought-provoking ideas that will inspire every student in the class, whether they are budding storytellers or aspiring authors.

18 Quick High School Writing Prompts

Kickstart the day with a series of quick writing prompts for high school students. These prompts can be used as bell-ringers, exit tickets, or even as brain breaks to get students in the writing mindset right from the start.

1. What is your favorite way to communicate with friends?
2. Do you prefer watching sports live or on TV?
3. Would you rather have a late start to your school day or an early release?
4. If you woke up famous, what would you like to be famous for?
5. How do you decide whether to keep reading a book or to stop reading it?
6. Do you mind when people use punctuation in their text messages?
7. When would you wait in a line for 30 minutes? What about 3 hours?
8. Is it ever okay to lie?
9. What was the best field trip you’ve been on?
10. What is the first sign that you’re going to like or dislike a teacher?
11. Would you prefer seconds on dinner or a course of dessert?
12. What is the best food you know how to make?
13. Are pranks funny or mean?
14. Do you feel energized from being around friends or being by yourself?
15. Describe your idea of a loyal friend.
16. Write a thank-you note to someone in your life.
17. Would you rather have a lot of friends or a few very good friends?
18. What makes someone admirable?
    

    Add Daily Writing Prompts to Your Class Routine
    

    Implement a daily writing routine in your class by using these prompts. Encourage students to write to the prompt before class begins and consider having them share their thoughts with their classmates to foster discussion and collaboration.

    
    Psychology “Do Now” Writing Prompts & Slides by Loosli Learning
    Grades: 9th-12th
    Subjects: Psychology

    Ideal for psychology classes or any subject focused on critical thinking, these “do now” writing prompts are an intriguing way to start the day. The slides include both psychology-specific and social-emotional prompts, covering topics like motivation, emotion, states of consciousness, and developmental psychology.

    19 Longer Journal Writing Prompts for High School
    

    For a more in-depth exploration of their thoughts, assign longer journal prompts to high school students. These prompts can be used for a year-long journaling activity or as a starting point for class essays and assignments.

19. If you had to start a career today, what career are you most qualified for?
20. What challenges does your generation face that others have not?
21. What are your goals for high school? How will you know if you’ve reached them?
22. Do you think all students should attend school dances?
23. If you could give a speech to your peers about any issue, what would you talk about?
24. Is happiness the most important part of life, or should other things come first?
25. Do you like it when a classroom is decorated, or is it distracting?
26. Which historical event do your parents talk the most about? Which event would you like to ask them about?
27. Is there a skill you wish you had? For example, do you wish you could play an instrument or a sport?
28. What is the difference between a friendly debate and a heated argument?
29. What advice would you give yourself in junior high? What about kindergarten?
30. In your opinion, what sport gets too much attention? What sport should get more attention?
31. When is it okay to break up with a friend?
32. What is the most memorable topic you’ve learned in high school?
33. What was the best birthday you’ve ever had?
34. Do you wish your parents would ask you more questions about your day, or fewer questions?
35. Should someone stay in a job if it doesn’t respect their values?
36. Is there a political topic you would like to learn more about?
37. What is the biggest difference between being a kid and being a teenager?
    

    Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Nature Journal Writing Prompts
    

    Encourage students to step outside the classroom and into nature with a nature walk journal. This resource includes nature observation sheets, scavenger hunt activities, and writing prompts to inspire reflection and creativity.

    
    Nature Walk Journal; Nature Scavenger Hunt; Nature Journal Prompt; Outside Guide by Teach Go Green
    Grades: 3rd-10th
    Subjects: Environment, Science

    Guide high schoolers through a writing walk with a nature walk journal. This resource includes nature observation sheets, scavenger hunt activities, and writing prompt ideas to continue the reflection process.

    20 Creative Writing Prompts for High School
    

    Tap into your students’ storytelling abilities with a collection of creative writing prompts. These prompts can be used to kick off longer narrative essays, spark class discussions, or introduce elements of fiction in language arts classes.

38. Describe the perfect summer. Who would you spend it with? What would you do?
39. You found a mysterious diary in your house. What secrets does it reveal?
40. That witch you met in the forest seems fine. Sure, she’s a little creepy, but she gave you a powerful gift. What was it?
41. Write a story about an app that lets you time travel — but only to your own memories.
42. You’ve been accused of a crime that you didn’t commit. What happens next?
43. Imagine a world where you could read everyone’s mind, but no one could read yours.
44. A mysterious letter arrives at your house. What does it say?
45. Write about a day in the life of your pet or any other animal from their perspective.
46. Your robot has become self-aware. What do you do next?
47. “When I went on the field trip, I never thought…”
48. Imagine a reality where humans have three arms. How is life different?
49. Write a story about a town that wakes up with all its vehicles missing.
50. That love potion you invented doesn’t seem to work. Instead, it seems to…
51. “When people turn 16 in my family, we suddenly have the power to …”
52. You’re the first person to explore this remote alien planet. Everything seems fine, except…
53. Imagine an invention that solves a major problem in society. What is it?
54. Write a story about a minor character in your most recent book. How did they see the events from their perspective?
55. Everyone’s afraid to step through that portal in the school hallway. But not you! What’s on the other side?
56. Write a story about two characters from different TV shows meeting.
57. You and your friends are lost on the hiking trail. There’s a cabin up ahead, but it looks a little creepy…
    

    Explore Their Imaginative Side with Creative Writing Prompts
    

    If your students need a boost in their fiction writing, help them get creative with a series of narrative fiction writing ideas. These prompts can be incorporated into a fiction-writing unit or used as icebreakers to kick off the school year.

    
    9 Weeks of Creative Writing Journal Prompts for High School by It’s Lit Teaching
    Grades: 9th-12th
    Standards: CCSS W.9-10.3, 4, 6, W.11-12.3, 4, 6
    Subjects: Creative Writing, Poetry

    This set of creative writing prompts is editable, extensive, and aligned to CCSS writing standards. It includes three writing choices for each slide: two creative writing prompts and a free write prompt for students who prefer that option.

    
    Narrative Writing Prompts: TASK CARDS by Stacey Lloyd
    Grades: 6th-10th
    Subjects: Creative Writing, English Language Arts

    Avoid writer’s block with a helpful set of narrative writing task cards. This resource includes 40 cards with starting points for narrative essays to guide young writers in the right direction, along with a handout on the elements of literature, a writing checklist, and a rubric.

    18 Argumentative High School Writing Prompts
    

    Encourage high school students to express their opinions through writing by introducing persuasive writing topics in class. These prompts can be expanded into longer persuasive essays or used to prepare for formal debates.

58. Should high school last until age 20, or stop at age 16?
59. How much freedom should teenagers have?
60. Should high schoolers have the choice to do homework if they’re passing their classes?
61. Is history an important class for today’s teenagers, or is it a waste of time?
62. Should employers be allowed to check their employees’ social media accounts?
63. Are TV shows and movies diverse enough to reflect 21st-century society?
64. Are the drawbacks of animal testing worth the benefits to humans?
65. Is it fair to judge someone based on social media posts from years ago?
66. Do parents deserve respect no matter what?
67. What should be the minimum age to vote in the United States?
68. Should kindergartners use tablets and laptops? Why or why not?
69. Are students entitled to online privacy, or should parents be allowed to read their texts and social media posts?
70. Should children receive participation trophies if they don’t win?
71. Are extracurriculars important, or should students have more rest time outside school?
72. Should students be allowed to use AI on their assignments?
73. Are boys and girls treated the same in high school?
74. Should students be required to take a music or art class?
75. Should students be allowed to use AI on their assignments?
    

    Hone Debate and Research Writing Skills
    

    Help students strengthen their arguments with research resources and debate topics. Important argumentative writing skills include considering counterarguments, posing challenging questions, and finding reputable resources to support their claims.

    
    Writing Prompts – Research Papers and Argumentative Essays by Laura Torres Newey
    Grades: 8th-11th
    Standards: CCSS W.8.1, 8.7, 9-10.1, 9-10.7, 11-12.1, 11-12.7
    Subjects: English Language Arts, Writing-Essays

    This resource provides students with a variety of topics, questions, and research ideas to choose from for their argumentative essays. With 40 research question cards, every student in the class can have a different persuasive essay topic.

    19 Informational Writing Prompts for High School
    

    By the time they reach high school, students have knowledge on various subjects. Let them showcase what they know through expository writing prompts that cover a range of topics from everyday activities to subject-specific knowledge and career exploration.

76. Explain how fashion has changed in the last 100 years.
77. Describe how a popular company started and how it runs today.
78. What is the most important environmental law affecting your life today?
79. What are the positive and negative effects of teenagers owning smartphones?
80. Describe how people stereotype your generation, and how that stereotype is untrue.
81. Explain how to play your favorite sport, including how each position interacts with the others.
82. Describe an impactful musical artist and how they are positively affecting society.
83. What are the differences between private schools, public schools, and homeschool?
84. How does sleep affect your daily health?
85. What rights does free speech actually protect in the United States?
86. Explain how your generation can begin to protect the environment.
87. What is the impact of class size on student education?
88. How do student loans work?
89. What are the positive effects of owning pets?
90. Describe the attributes of a leader.
91. Explain how a bee extinction would change our lives.
92. Describe how any American president has affected life in the 21st century.
93. Explain how the COVID-19 pandemic changed society.
94. How do elections work? What rights do you use when you vote?
    

    Tie Writing Prompts into Real-World Experiences
    

    Connect writing prompts to lesson plans and real-life experiences to engage students in their responses. Help students prepare for future employment by using writing prompts that cover different aspects of the job-seeking process.

    
    Vocational Picture Writing Prompts by Adulting Made Easy aka SpedAdulting*
    Grades: 6th-12th, Special Education, Adult Education

    Introduce students to important job-related tasks and processes with 20 differentiated writing prompts that include age-appropriate images. This resource is designed to familiarize students of all skill levels with basic concepts of the employment process across various occupations.

    Practice the Writing and Revision Process
    

    Guide students through the writing process with a focus on revision and proofreading skills. Encourage students to take their informational writing from a quickwrite to a formal essay through writing workshops and revision-focused lessons.

    
    Writing Prompts for Building Skills & the Habit of Revision by Room 213
    Grades: 8th-12th
    Standards: CCSS CCRA.W.5, CCRA.W.10
    Subjects: English Language Arts, Writing

    This set of writing prompts takes students through the revision process by helping them add details, examples, opposing views, and improve idea development and sentence fluency in their writing.

    How to Use Writing Prompts in Every Class
    

    Writing prompts can be incorporated into every class, not just language arts. Encourage interdisciplinary writing ideas by integrating prompts into science, social studies, math, music, and art classes to inspire students throughout the day.

    • Science: Have students write argumentative or informational journal entries on science-related topics such as climate change, human impacts on the ecosystem, and important inventions.
    • Social Studies: Encourage students to write creatively about historical events or figures, or imagine alternative historical outcomes.
    • Math: Students can reflect on the practical applications of math in their daily lives or explore potential math-related career paths.
    • Music: Guide students through informational writing prompts on influential musicians, significant moments in music history, or the mechanics of musical instruments.
    • Art: Encourage students to write persuasively about different art mediums and why others should try them.
      

      Keep High Schoolers Writing All Year Long with TPT
      

      Daily writing prompts provide students with ongoing opportunities to enhance their writing skills beyond the confines of traditional essays. Explore more high school writing resources on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) that can be used across various subjects and supplemented with additional prompts from students or teachers.

      In conclusion, writing prompts are a valuable tool for high school students to improve their writing skills, express their creativity, and explore a range of topics. By incorporating different types of prompts into daily routines and across various subjects, educators can help students develop their writing abilities and critical thinking skills throughout the school year.