• Writing Prompts

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School (+Free Printable)

Make writing fun and easy, with these 150 writing prompts for middle school students. 

The more you write, the better you become at writing. But the problem is not all middle schoolers enjoy writing. There’s always something better to do, playing video games , watching YouTube videos , hanging with friends , lazing about the house – Why bother writing, right? The trick is to understand that even the smallest piece of writing can make a huge difference in a student’s attitude towards writing. 

If you unload too many lengthy assignments, such as writing 1,000 words on topic X or 3,000 about something, something – Writing can seem like a long, boring chore for some students. But if you break it down, and mix it up a bit, then your students have a real chance of actually liking writing for fun. Think of creating small writing tasks that take no longer than around 10 or 15 minutes to complete. As students complete these small tasks with ease, their confidence will grow, eventually turning them into avid young writers.

To help inspire and motivate young writers, we have created this list of 150 quick and easy writing prompts for Middle School students. Keep reading for a free printable writing pack for middle schoolers as well! Here is a quick generator that will generate a random middle school prompt for you:

For more fun writing ideas, check out this list of over 300 writing prompt for kids .

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

This list of prompts is great for whenever your middle-schooler is bored and needs some quick ideas to write about:

  • Make a list of at least three different opening lines for this story idea: A space knight living in outer space wants to fight a real fire-breathing dragon.
  • Complete this sentence in at least three different ways: When I’m bored, I like to…
  • Draw a picture of your dream house, and describe some of the coolest features it has.
  • Make a top ten list of the scariest animals in the animal kingdom. You could even write down one scary fact about each animal.
  • Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell z-o-m-b-i-e.
  • Describe the scariest monster that you can think of. You could even draw a picture of it.
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: My goal for the next month is to…
  • Make a top ten list of your favourite foods of all time. You could even write down one reason for why each food is your favourite.
  • Create your own A-Z book or list of monsters. For A is for Abominable Snowman, B is for Bogeyman and so on.
  • Research and write down five facts about an endangered species of your choice. Examples of endangered species include the blue whale, giant pandas, snow leopards and tigers.
  •  Create a postcard for your local town or city. What picture would you draw on the front? And what message could you include on the back?
  • Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell out your own first name. This poem could be about yourself. 
  • Make a top ten list of your favourite movies of all time.
  • Make a top ten list of your favourite songs of all time.
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways. When I grow up I want to…
  • Which is your favourite season, Winter , Spring , Summer or Autumn? Write a haiku poem about your favourite season.
  • Create a party invite for a dinner party at your house. Think about the party theme, entertainment, food and dress code.
  • Write down a recipe that uses eggs as one of the ingredients.
  • Write a how-to guide on how to take care of a kitten or puppy.
  • What do you enjoy doing on the weekends? Start by making a list of activities that you do on the weekend. Then you can pick one to write about in more detail.
  • Using a photograph (or one of these picture writing prompts ), write a short caption or description to go alongside it. 
  • Imagine you are the owner of a new restaurant. Create a menu of the dishes you will serve at this restaurant. 
  • What has been the best part of your day so far? And what has been the worst part of the day?
  • Imagine that you have a time machine. What year would you travel to and why?
  • If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
  • If you could keep one dinosaur as a pet, which dinosaur would you pick and why?
  • Write down everything you remember from a recent nightmare that you had. 
  • What is your favourite country in the whole wide world? List at least five fun facts about this country.
  • Make a list of at least 3 different story ideas about aliens.
  • Create a character description of the world’s most evil supervillains.
  • What is your greatest achievement to date? What are you most proud of and why?
  • Write an action-packed scene that contains the following: A car chase, a lucky pair of socks and a talking parrot.
  • What advice would you give to someone who is being bullied? You could make a list of at least three pieces of advice that you might give.
  • Imagine you are stuck on a desert island. Write a diary entry of your first day on the island.
  • Imagine you are a pirate sailing the seven seas. Talk about the scariest thing you faced while out at sea.
  • You just discovered a new planet . Can you describe this new planet in detail? What would you call it? Does any life exist on the planet? What type of climate does it have?
  • Would you rather have a magical unicorn as a pet or a fire-breathing dragon?
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: One day I was walking through the forest and discovered…
  • Write a letter to your friend about a favourite memory you have of them. You can use the following starter as inspiration: Remember that time…
  • Make a list of book title ideas for a story about a girl who can go invisible whenever she wants.
  • A talking cat is fast asleep, then suddenly someone wakes it up. Write down a short script between the cat, and the person arguing. 
  • What is the nicest thing that anyone has done for you recently?
  • Make a list of 10 online safety tips to help you stay safe online.
  • Can you think of at least 5 ways to prevent climate change in your daily life?
  • Make a list of your top ten favourite books of all time.
  • Think about a movie that you’ve seen recently. What did you enjoy most about this movie, and what did you dislike about it?
  • You are just about to take a bite of an apple. And then suddenly the apple starts screaming. What do you do next?
  • Describe a magical forest in great detail. What makes this forest so magical?
  • Write a super scary scene, using the following starter: As I walked into the haunted house…
  • What is your greatest fear? Is it possible to ever overcome this fear? If so, how would you do it?
  • Make a list of at least five things you like about yourself. And then make a list of five things that you would change about yourself.
  • What would the perfect day look like for you? How would it start? What activities would you do? And how does it end?
  • You are standing in the playground when you hear two of your classmates making fun of your best friend. What do you do next?
  • A young boy yells at his pet eagle to fly away into the wild. The eagle does not respond. Write down this scene between the two characters in great detail. 
  • Describe a pencil in the greatest detail possible.
  • Create your own superhero character. What are their strengths and superpowers? What about their weaknesses? Also, think of a cool superhero name for them!
  • What is your dream job? What skills and traits do you need to do this job well?
  • Imagine that you have had the worst day ever. Write down what happened to make it so bad.
  • What is your favourite colour? Now write a short rhyming poem about this colour.
  • If you had three wishes, what would you wish for and why? Wishing for extra wishes is not allowed.
  • Write an action-packed scene of a lion chasing a zebra in the wild from the perspective of the lion. 
  • Imagine you own a video gaming company. Your task is to come up with a new video game idea. Explain this new video game idea in detail.
  • What would you do if you were given $1 million dollars? 
  • What is your favourite hobby or interest? Can you provide at least five tips for beginners who might be interested in starting this hobby?
  • Make a top ten list of your favourite celebrities or YouTube stars.
  • Write the opening paragraph of a fairytale about a zombie prince who has returned from the dead.
  • Write an alternative ending to a fairytale that you are familiar with. For example, you could write a sad ending for Cinderella or a cliff-hanger style ending for Jack and the Beanstalk.
  • Write down a conversation in a script format between two people waiting for the bus at a bus stop.
  • Would you rather get abducted by aliens, or discover a magical portal to another realm in your bedroom? Explain your answer.
  • Write a shape poem about your favourite food in the shape of this food.
  • If you had to prepare for a zombie invasion, which three items would you pack in your bag, and why?
  • Describe the most beautiful garden in the world in detail. What type of flowers would it have? Would it have any garden furniture?
  • You receive a strange parcel in the middle of the night. You open the parcel to discover… Write down at least one paragraph of what you discover in the parcel.
  • Use the word, ‘Stampede’ in at least three different sentences.
  • Complete the following metaphor in at least three different ways: Your smile is like…
  • Describe the city of the future. What would the buildings look like? How will people travel? What kind of homes will people live in?
  • What is Marie Curie (the physicist) famous for? Research and write down five facts about her research and studies. 
  • You have just been made leader of the Kingdom of Kinloralm. As the leader, what rules would you set for the kingdom? Make a list of at least 10 rules that you will enforce. 
  • A witch has cast a spell on you. Every night at midnight, you turn into a werewolf. Describe this transformation in great detail. What does it feel like when you are transforming? How does your skin change? What about your teeth and fingernails?
  • Using the following starter , write at least one paragraph: When I look outside the window…
  • After a deep sleep, you wake up to find yourself locked inside a cage. No one else is around. What do you do next?
  • You keep on having the same nightmare every night. In your nightmare, you are running as fast as you can, and then you suddenly fall. When you turn around you see… Write at least one paragraph about what you see. 
  • Write down at least 10 interview questions that you can ask your favourite celebrity. If you have time, you can even write down the potential answers to these questions from the perspective of the celebrity.
  • Write a how-to guide on how to grow tomatoes at home.
  • Make a list of at least five tips for keeping your bedroom clean.
  • Would you rather drive the fastest car on Earth for one hour or own a custom-made bicycle? Explain your choice.
  • Write a limerick poem about an old snail. 
  • Find something in your room that begins with the letter, ‘R’, and write a paragraph describing this object in detail.
  • Research the history of how the first mobile phone was invented. Create a timeline of mobile phone inventions from the very first mobile to the current time. 
  • If you were the headteacher of your school, what changes would you make and why? Try to list and describe at least three changes. 
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of having access to the internet? Try to think of at least five benefits and five drawbacks.
  • Write about the best day of your life so far. Then write about the worst day of your life so far.
  • Imagine that you are an agony aunt for a newspaper. A reader has written to you with the following problem: Dear Agony Aunt, I have no friends at school. And my classmates are always making fun of me… What advice would you give this reader?
  • Imagine that you are a salesperson. Your task is to sell a new chocolate bar to customers. Write down a sales pitch that was selling this chocolate bar. What features would you highlight? What are the benefits of this chocolate bar?
  • Can you complete the following sentence in three different ways: When I feel upset, I …
  • What is the most difficult part about being in middle school? What is the best part of middle school?
  • Imagine that your best friend has just revealed a huge secret. How would you react? Write down a script of the conversation between you and your best friend.
  • Have you learned any new skills recently? How did you learn these?
  • Imagine you are sitting at a dinner party with a group of strangers. Describe the atmosphere in great detail. Who are you sitting next to? What sort of conversations are the other guests having? What food is being served?
  • Five years from now, where will you be? Will you be the same person? How would you have changed?
  • Write about your plans for the weekend.
  • Describe a day in the life of being a goldfish in a fishbowl at a pet shop.
  • While at the seaside, a message in a bottle washes up onto the shore. You open the bottle and read the message. The message reads: Help Me! I’m stranded on an island! What do you do next?
  • A mother and her son are baking some muffins in the kitchen. Write down a conversation that they might have while they bake together.
  • Make a list of indoor activities you can do when it’s raining outside. Try to think of at least ten activities.
  • Write down a diary entry from the perspective of an alien secretly living undercover on Earth. 
  • Write at least three different opening lines for the following story idea: A king needs to keep his kingdom safe from the ravenous trolls that come out at night.
  • Imagine you are a secret agent cat, write about your most recent mission.
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: If I could change the world, I would…
  • If you could program a robot, what tasks would you program it to do, and why?
  • Imagine you are the owner of a toy shop. Your task is to hire some toy makers. Write a job description for a toymaker. Think about the skills and traits required to become a toymaker. 
  • You are the owner of a zoo. Suddenly you hear people screaming as the lions are accidentally released. What do you do next?
  • Your future self comes from the future to warn you about something. Write a conversation that you would have with your future self. 
  • If you had a choice to become a superhero or a supervillain, which one would you be and why?
  • Can you think of at least three things that no one knows about you? Why have you kept these things a secret?
  • During a science experiment, you mix up the wrong chemicals. The liquid turns blue and jumps out of the glass container. It then slides into your backpack. What do you do next?
  • Write down at least five things that you are grateful for in your life right now.
  • You notice some strange footprints in your backyard leading to your shed. You follow these footprints and discover…
  • When was the last time someone upset you or hurt your feelings? How did they hurt your feelings? Do you remember what was said?
  • You walk inside a magic shop. You see all sorts of weird and fun things. Describe the inside of the shop in as much detail as possible. 
  • Write at least three different opening lines for the following story idea: A young werewolf wants to be a human again.
  • Make a list of three different story ideas about dragons.
  • Write from the perspective of a kite flying high in the sky. Think about what you feel, see and hear.
  • Write about your favourite subject at school. Why do you like this subject?
  • Write a haiku poem about the full moon.
  • Imagine you are the manager of a TV channel. Make a list of at least three new TV show ideas you can air on Saturday evening.
  • You find a baby alien in your basement. What do you do next?
  • Think of at least three newspaper headlines for the following article idea: The new mayor of your town/city is planning on creating more homes.
  • Imagine that your pet dog has gone missing. Create a missing poster to find your dog. Remember to describe any important details relating to the dog in your power.
  • Write an advertisement for the brand new mixer 3000. It mixes all the best music tracks with sounds to create the ultimate track.
  • Write down three sentences. One of something interesting that happened to you today. Another of something positive that happened. And finally another sentence of something negative. 
  • Write down four different character descriptions. Each character must have a different background story or history when growing up.
  • Imagine you had a terrible experience at a restaurant. Write a complaint letter to the restaurant manager, outlining the problems you had. 
  • Imagine your family is planning to go on a cruise. As you drive to the boat, a person walks up to your car window, holds up a flyer, and demands that they do what they were told. What is your family’s reply?
  • As you’re making your way home, you pass by a group of people. It turns out the person who was walking next to them is a ghost. What do you do next?
  • Your best friend has had a terrible year. You need to plan the best birthday party ever for them. Make a list of items that you will need for the party. 
  • Using the 5 W’s and 1 H technique, outline the following newspaper article idea: A new breed of wolves was discovered nearby. The 5 W’s include: What, Where, When, Who and why. The one H is How.
  • Write a positive self-talk poem, using the following starter: I am…
  • Take a recent picture that you have drawn at home or during art class. Using this picture, can you think of at least three ideas for stories from it?
  • How can you prevent bullying in your school? Make a list of at least five different ways to prevent bullying.
  • Write a list of at least 10 interview questions that you can ask your favourite teacher at school. If you want, you can actually ask these questions and write down the responses your teacher gives.
  • Describe a day in the life of being a mouse that lives in your school.
  • What qualities to look for in a friend? Make a list of at least 3 qualities. Also, think about what qualities you try to avoid. 
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: When I wake up in the morning, I feel…
  • Do you ever wish you could do more to help people? Make a list of at least five ways you can help a friend who is going through a tough time.
  • When was the last time you felt angry? How did you deal with this anger? Do you think it is okay to be angry all the time?
  • Write down at least three predictions for the future. These predictions can be personal or about the world. You can use the following starter: In 10 years time…
  • Do you enjoy writing? If yes, then what kind of things do you enjoy writing about. Explain your answer.
  • Think about the last book you read. Which scene in the book stood out to you the most? Why did it stand out for you?
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: The biggest question on my mind right now is…

What did you think of this list of quick and easy writing prompts for Middle School students? Did you find this list useful or difficult to use? Let us know in the comments below!

Printable Writing Pack for Middle Schoolers

Thank you for reading this post! You can download the free PDF writing prompts for Middle School students pack here .

Writing Prompts For Middle School

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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Our 2020-21 Writing Curriculum for Middle and High School

A flexible, seven-unit program based on the real-world writing found in newspapers, from editorials and reviews to personal narratives and informational essays.

types of writing assignments for middle school

Update, Aug. 3, 2023: Find our 2023-24 writing curriculum here.

Our 2019-20 Writing Curriculum is one of the most popular new features we’ve ever run on this site, so, of course, we’re back with a 2020-21 version — one we hope is useful whether you’re teaching in person , online , indoors , outdoors , in a pod , as a homeschool , or in some hybrid of a few of these.

The curriculum detailed below is both a road map for teachers and an invitation to students. For teachers, it includes our writing prompts, mentor texts, contests and lesson plans, and organizes them all into seven distinct units. Each focuses on a different genre of writing that you can find not just in The Times but also in all kinds of real-world sources both in print and online.

But for students, our main goal is to show young people they have something valuable to say, and to give those voices a global audience. That’s always been a pillar of our site, but this year it is even more critical. The events of 2020 will define this generation, and many are living through them isolated from their ordinary communities, rituals and supports. Though a writing curriculum can hardly make up for that, we hope that it can at least offer teenagers a creative outlet for making sense of their experiences, and an enthusiastic audience for the results. Through the opportunities for publication woven throughout each unit, we want to encourage students to go beyond simply being media consumers to become creators and contributors themselves.

So have a look, and see if you can find a way to include any of these opportunities in your curriculum this year, whether to help students document their lives, tell stories, express opinions, investigate ideas, or analyze culture. We can’t wait to hear what your students have to say!

Each unit includes:

Writing prompts to help students try out related skills in a “low stakes” way.

We publish two writing prompts every school day, and we also have thematic collections of more than 1,000 prompts published in the past. Your students might consider responding to these prompts on our site and using our public forums as a kind of “rehearsal space” for practicing voice and technique.

Daily opportunities to practice writing for an authentic audience.

If a student submits a comment on our site, it will be read by Times editors, who approve each one before it gets published. Submitting a comment also gives students an audience of fellow teenagers from around the world who might read and respond to their work. Each week, we call out our favorite comments and honor dozens of students by name in our Thursday “ Current Events Conversation ” feature.

Guided practice with mentor texts .

Each unit we publish features guided practice lessons, written directly to students, that help them observe, understand and practice the kinds of “craft moves” that make different genres of writing sing. From how to “show not tell” in narratives to how to express critical opinions , quote or paraphrase experts or craft scripts for podcasts , we have used the work of both Times journalists and the teenage winners of our contests to show students techniques they can emulate.

“Annotated by the Author” commentaries from Times writers — and teenagers.

As part of our Mentor Texts series , we’ve been asking Times journalists from desks across the newsroom to annotate their articles to let students in on their writing, research and editing processes, and we’ll be adding more for each unit this year. Whether it’s Science writer Nicholas St. Fleur on tiny tyrannosaurs , Opinion writer Aisha Harris on the cultural canon , or The Times’s comics-industry reporter, George Gene Gustines, on comic books that celebrate pride , the idea is to demystify journalism for teenagers. This year, we’ll be inviting student winners of our contests to annotate their work as well.

A contest that can act as a culminating project .

Over the years we’ve heard from many teachers that our contests serve as final projects in their classes, and this curriculum came about in large part because we want to help teachers “plan backwards” to support those projects.

All contest entries are considered by experts, whether Times journalists, outside educators from partner organizations, or professional practitioners in a related field. Winning means being published on our site, and, perhaps, in the print edition of The New York Times.

Webinars and our new professional learning community (P.L.C.).

For each of the seven units in this curriculum, we host a webinar featuring Learning Network editors as well as teachers who use The Times in their classrooms. Our webinars introduce participants to our many resources and provide practical how-to’s on how to use our prompts, mentor texts and contests in the classroom.

New for this school year, we also invite teachers to join our P.L.C. on teaching writing with The Times , where educators can share resources, strategies and inspiration about teaching with these units.

Below are the seven units we will offer in the 2020-21 school year.

September-October

Unit 1: Documenting Teenage Lives in Extraordinary Times

This special unit acknowledges both the tumultuous events of 2020 and their outsized impact on young people — and invites teenagers to respond creatively. How can they add their voices to our understanding of what this historic year will mean for their generation?

Culminating in our Coming of Age in 2020 contest, the unit helps teenagers document and respond to what it’s been like to live through what one Times article describes as “a year of tragedy, of catastrophe, of upheaval, a year that has inflicted one blow after another, a year that has filled the morgues, emptied the schools, shuttered the workplaces, swelled the unemployment lines and polarized the electorate.”

A series of writing prompts, mentor texts and a step-by-step guide will help them think deeply and analytically about who they are, how this year has impacted them, what they’d like to express as a result, and how they’d like to express it. How might they tell their unique stories in ways that feel meaningful and authentic, whether those stories are serious or funny, big or small, raw or polished?

Though the contest accepts work across genres — via words and images, video and audio — all students will also craft written artist’s statements for each piece they submit. In addition, no matter what genre of work students send in, the unit will use writing as a tool throughout to help students brainstorm, compose and edit. And, of course, this work, whether students send it to us or not, is valuable far beyond the classroom: Historians, archivists and museums recommend that we all document our experiences this year, if only for ourselves.

October-November

Unit 2: The Personal Narrative

While The Times is known for its award-winning journalism, the paper also has a robust tradition of publishing personal essays on topics like love , family , life on campus and navigating anxiety . And on our site, our daily writing prompts have long invited students to tell us their stories, too. Our 2019 collection of 550 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing is a good place to start, though we add more every week during the school year.

In this unit we draw on many of these resources, plus some of the 1,000-plus personal essays from the Magazine’s long-running Lives column , to help students find their own “short, memorable stories ” and tell them well. Our related mentor-text lessons can help them practice skills like writing with voice , using details to show rather than tell , structuring a narrative arc , dropping the reader into a scene and more. This year, we’ll also be including mentor text guided lessons that use the work of the 2019 student winners.

As a final project, we invite students to send finished stories to our Second Annual Personal Narrative Writing Contest .

DECEMBER-January

Unit 3: The Review

Book reports and literary essays have long been staples of language arts classrooms, but this unit encourages students to learn how to critique art in other genres as well. As we point out, a cultural review is, of course, a form of argumentative essay. Your class might be writing about Lizzo or “ Looking for Alaska ,” but they still have to make claims and support them with evidence. And, just as they must in a literature essay, they have to read (or watch, or listen to) a work closely; analyze it and understand its context; and explain what is meaningful and interesting about it.

In our Mentor Texts series , we feature the work of Times movie , restaurant , book and music critics to help students understand the elements of a successful review. In each one of these guided lessons, we also spotlight the work of teenage contest winners from previous years.

As a culminating project, we invite students to send us their own reviews of a book, movie, restaurant, album, theatrical production, video game, dance performance, TV show, art exhibition or any other kind of work The Times critiques.

January-February

Unit 4: Informational Writing

Informational writing is the style of writing that dominates The New York Times as well as any other traditional newspaper you might read, and in this unit we hope to show students that it can be every bit as engaging and compelling to read and to write as other genres. Via thousands of articles a month — from front-page reporting on politics to news about athletes in Sports, deep data dives in The Upshot, recipes in Cooking, advice columns in Style and long-form investigative pieces in the magazine — Times journalists find ways to experiment with the genre to intrigue and inform their audiences.

This unit invites students to take any STEM-related discovery, process or idea that interests them and write about it in a way that makes it understandable and engaging for a general audience — but all the skills we teach along the way can work for any kind of informational writing. Via our Mentor Texts series, we show them how to hook the reader from the start , use quotes and research , explain why a topic matters and more. This year we’ll be using the work of the 2020 student winners for additional mentor text lessons.

At the end of the unit, we invite teenagers to submit their own writing to our Second Annual STEM writing contest to show us what they’ve learned.

March-April

Unit 5: Argumentative Writing

The demand for evidence-based argumentative writing is now woven into school assignments across the curriculum and grade levels, and you couldn’t ask for better real-world examples than what you can find in The Times Opinion section .

This unit will, like our others, be supported with writing prompts, mentor-text lesson plans, webinars and more. We’ll also focus on the winning teenage writing we’ve received over the six years we’ve run our related contest.

At a time when media literacy is more important than ever, we also hope that our annual Student Editorial Contest can serve as a final project that encourages students to broaden their information diets with a range of reliable sources, and learn from a variety of perspectives on their chosen issue.

To help students working from home, we also have an Argumentative Unit for Students Doing Remote Learning .

Unit 6: Writing for Podcasts

Most of our writing units so far have all asked for essays of one kind or another, but this spring contest invites students to do what journalists at The Times do every day: make multimedia to tell a story, investigate an issue or communicate a concept.

Our annual podcast contest gives students the freedom to talk about anything they want in any form they like. In the past we’ve had winners who’ve done personal narratives, local travelogues, opinion pieces, interviews with community members, local investigative journalism and descriptions of scientific discoveries.

As with all our other units, we have supported this contest with great examples from The Times and around the web, as well as with mentor texts by teenagers that offer guided practice in understanding elements and techniques.

June-August

Unit 7: Independent Reading and Writing

At a time when teachers are looking for ways to offer students more “voice and choice,” this unit, based on our annual summer contest, offers both.

Every year since 2010 we have invited teenagers around the world to add The New York Times to their summer reading lists and, so far, 70,000 have. Every week for 10 weeks, we ask participants to choose something in The Times that has sparked their interest, then tell us why. At the end of the week, judges from the Times newsroom pick favorite responses, and we publish them on our site.

And we’ve used our Mentor Text feature to spotlight the work of past winners , explain why newsroom judges admired their thinking, and provide four steps to helping any student write better reader-responses.

Because this is our most open-ended contest — students can choose whatever they like, and react however they like — it has proved over the years to be a useful place for young writers to hone their voices, practice skills and take risks . Join us!

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Engaging Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

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Nurturing creativity is essential to help middle school students explore their potential and prepare for future challenges. One effective method of promoting creativity in the classroom is through engaging writing prompts. These prompts not only spark imaginative thinking but also enhance skills, such as world-building, descriptive language, and point of view.

While writing prompts can be used with all grade levels, middle school is a prime opportunity to use them to bridge foundational skills and knowledge learned in elementary school with critical thinking and analysis that will be used in high school. Middle school students are at an age in their learning where they can explore creativity and writing in a setting that primes them for the higher level of thinking that will come in later years. The benefits of using writing prompts in middle school validates the argument that they should be regularly integrated into the curriculum throughout the school year. Here, we’ll explore the different benefits of writing prompts, engaging writing activities, and even specific writing prompts that can be used with young writers.  

The Role of Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are brief, thought-provoking statements or questions that inspire students to write clearly and creatively. They serve as the ignition for the creative fire within students, encouraging them to explore new horizons through writing. Writing prompts for middle school students also serve as invaluable tools for fostering literacy skills .

Writing prompts, such as creative writing prompts and personal journal prompts , offer a structured framework within which students can explore a wide range of writing ideas and literacy skills. For example, fun writing prompts can be used as hooks or bellringers to engage students in creative and critical thinking before reading a challenging text.

In addition to playing a role in general classroom instruction, writing prompts can also be used in reading and writing interventions. For example, teachers can provide students who may need extra guidance with sentence starters or story starters to help guide analysis or jumpstart creativity. 

Unlocking Creativity Through Engaging Writing Prompts

Writing prompts can also be used for informative and explanatory writing but as discussed already, they play a pivotal role in fostering creativity. In fact, engaging writing prompts are a powerful tool that can unlock the doors to imaginative thinking and self-expression. Let’s take a closer look at the creative benefits of using engaging writing prompts :

Encouraging Imagination and Originality : Writing prompts challenge students to think beyond the ordinary and come up with original ideas. By exploring diverse topics, they can tap into their unique perspectives and unleash their creativity. 

Inspiring Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills : Some writing prompts present real-life situations or dilemmas, prompting students to analyze and devise solutions. This process nurtures critical thinking abilities, preparing students for future problem-solving challenges.

Promoting Emotional Expression and Empathy : Writing prompts that evoke emotions encourage students to express their feelings and develop empathy toward others. This emotional exploration contributes to their holistic growth as individuals.

Enhancing Communication and Language Abilities : As students respond to writing prompts, they refine their communication skills, learning how to articulate their thoughts effectively. Additionally, they expand their vocabulary and command of the language.

Reinforced Reading Skills : Effective writing prompts can be used to support reading instruction and intervention as well. According to Dr. Jason DeHart in Connecting to the Written Word: Intentional Writing with Older Readers , “Older readers are also keenly aware of their own need for additional support, which can result in avoidance behaviors. Teachers who invite students to comfortably engage in writing and composing can gain knowledge of and build relationships with students who would otherwise stay ‘under the radar.’” From techniques like dialogic reading with young readers to intentional writing with older readers, an integrative approach to reading and writing deepens skill levels and understanding.

Integrating Writing Prompts in the Middle School Curriculum

Integrating creativity and self-expression into the curriculum is a fundamental aspect of nurturing well-rounded and confident individuals. Therefore, the integration of writing prompts in the middle school curriculum is not just about fostering better writers; it’s about empowering students to become effective communicators, critical thinkers, and confident individuals.

Writing prompts can be designed to align with educational standards, ensuring they contribute to the overall learning objectives. Writing prompts can also be tailored to various subjects, making them a versatile tool across the curriculum. 

One of the main concepts that writing reinforces is reading. In The Writing Rope: A Framework for Evidence-Based Writing Instruction podcast episode, Joan Sedita, founder of Keys to Literacy and author of The Writing Rope , explores the notion that writing is a task as complex and multifaceted as reading—but it’s often taught as a single skill. Sedita states, “There is this relationship between reading and writing. And what I found in writing this ( The Writing Rope ) and in the professional development work that I do, is that many of the components that we need to teach to students, skills, strategies, are things that also usually support their reading comprehension.” This is just another reason why writing prompts need to be a foundational part of middle school curriculum. 

Writing Prompt Activities for Middle School Students

Here, we’ve included a list of different writing activities, as well as a specific prompt that can be used with each idea.

Diverse Genre Exploration

Writing prompt activities expose middle school students to various literary genres. This diversity broadens their understanding of the written word and empowers them to find their unique writing voice. 

Some genres students can explore include imaginative fiction, personal reflection, mystery and suspense, historical fiction, and poetry and verse. Through these, students can develop the ability to craft suspenseful plots, create vibrant characters, and build intricate worlds that captivate readers’ imaginations. Moreover, as they step into genres like poetry, they can embrace the rhythmic cadence of language, painting emotions and experiences with words in a way that resonates deeply.

PROMPT : Imagine you have the opportunity to blend two different genres together to create a brand-new story. Choose any two genres (e.g., fantasy, mystery, science fiction, historical fiction, romance, adventure, horror) and combine them in a creative and unexpected way. Write a short story that incorporates elements from both genres.

Imagination Ignited

Prompts that delve into fantastical scenarios, futuristic worlds, or magical realms stimulate students’ imaginations. This activity is especially important for exploring the five senses and having students practice the writing skill of showing, not telling. 

PROMPT : Close your eyes and imagine stepping into an enchanted forest. This forest is no ordinary place—it’s a realm of magic, mystery, and unexpected wonders. As you venture deeper into the forest, describe what you see, hear, and feel. What kind of magical creatures do you encounter? Are there hidden secrets waiting to be discovered? 

Real-Life Relevance

Some prompts present real-life situations or dilemmas relevant to middle school students. Writing about familiar experiences allows students to relate more deeply to the subject matter and encourages them to reflect on their daily lives, maybe even stirring up a favorite memory.

Writing prompt exercises for middle school students go well beyond the boundaries of the classroom, incorporating real-world applicability into the educational process. These activities work as vibrant platforms that help students develop their literary abilities while also forging significant connections with their surroundings. 

PROMPT : Imagine you are a young inventor with a mission to create innovative solutions for a more sustainable future. Choose one real-world environmental challenge, such as plastic pollution, energy conservation, water scarcity, or air quality. Write a persuasive essay explaining your inventive solution to address this challenge. Consider how your solution could make a positive impact on the environment and inspire positive change.

Visual Prompts

Visual prompts, such as pictures or videos, act as powerful catalysts for creativity. These stimuli spark inspiration and help students visualize their ideas, leading to descriptive and vivid writing. A few popular visual prompts for middle school students include: enchanted forest, desert island, abandoned amusement park, hidden doorway, and journey through a wormhole.

PROMPT : Examine the image of a person discovering an object in an unexpected place. It depicts a person stumbling upon an unexpected object in an unlikely place. Write a short story inspired by this limited imagery. Consider who the person is, what the object is, and how they react to this surprising discovery.

Character Building

Writing prompts that focus on character development allow students to create intricate and relatable personas. This activity fosters empathy and an understanding of human emotions and behaviors. Some activities include empathy exploration, personal heroes, character evolution, reflective essays, and acts of kindness narratives. Whether reflecting on real people, analyzing fictional characters, or creating characters of their own, students can think both creatively and critically about the people they experience in the world around them as well as their own character traits. 

PROMPT : Imagine a character who faces a situation that requires immense courage. This could be standing up to a bully, facing a fear, or defending a friend. Write a short story that follows this character’s journey as they navigate their fear and find the inner strength to overcome the challenge. Explore their thoughts, emotions, and the growth they experience along the way.

Time Travel Through History

Historical writing prompts transport students to different eras, enabling them to experience the past through the eyes of historical figures. Such activities blend storytelling with historical context, making history come alive. This offers middle school students a portal to the past and an opportunity to connect with the people and events that have shaped our world. Students can transport themselves to the courts of ancient civilizations, walk alongside figures of significance, and experience pivotal events that have left an indelible mark.

PROMPT : Imagine you have a time machine that can transport you to any ancient civilization in history. Choose a specific civilization (e.g., Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, the Mayan Civilization) and write a detailed account of a day in the life of a young person living during that time. Describe their surroundings, daily activities, challenges, and interactions with others. What do they eat? What do they wear? What adventures do they embark on? 

Writing in Different Tenses and Points of View

Writing prompt activities that require students to experiment with different tenses and points of view expand their narrative skills. From the immediacy of the present tense to the reflective nature of the past tense, and even the speculative intrigue of the future tense, each tense holds a unique charm that can transform a narrative’s tone and texture. This practice prepares them for tackling complex storytelling techniques.

The choice of point of view shapes the reader’s connection to characters and events. Middle school students can experiment with different perspectives, forging intimate bonds or granting omniscient insight that illuminate the narrative in distinct ways. As they use writing prompt activities, let students explore tenses and perspectives. For example, students may be asked to write from the perspective of a best friend, family member, famous person, or main character. By doing so, they not only refine their writing skills but also cultivate empathy for others, new facts or information, and an appreciation for the language.

PROMPT : Write a short story about an unforgettable adventure. Start by describing the adventure in the first person, using the present tense to immerse the reader in the moment. Then, switch to the third person and past tense to recount the same adventure from an outsider’s perspective. Compare the two versions, considering how the choice of tense and point of view impacts the reader’s experience.

Nature and Environmental Themes

Writing prompts inspired by nature and environmental themes promote ecological awareness and encourage students to contemplate their relationship with the natural world. Some nature and environmental themes to spark imaginative writing activities for middle school students include eco-friendly adventures, a letter to future generations, an imaginary ecosystem, an unexpected encounter, and a day without technology.

PROMPT : Step into the shoes of a young explorer who enters a mystical forest known as “The Whispering Woods.” This forest is said to hold ancient secrets and a strong connection to nature. Write a short story that captures your journey through the woods, describing the sights, sounds, and encounters you experience.

The power of writing prompts for middle school students goes beyond honing writing skills; it encourages them to explore their thoughts, express their creativity, and develop a strong voice in the world of words. By providing a diverse array of prompts that resonate with their interests, challenges, and curiosities, educators can inspire young minds to embark on literary journeys filled with self-discovery and growth.

Voyager Sopris Learning’s writing instruction programs include engaging writing prompts and provide an explicit, multisensory approach to writing instruction. For example, Step Up to Writing ® instructional strategies help students understand the importance of each step in the writing process for increased writing success in all content areas. Download free Step Up to Writing lesson samples to explore the program.

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24 of the Best Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

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In middle school, the use of writing prompts are a wondrous thing. Those simple sentences propel students into unleashing their creativity, understanding their core values and rethinking some of their past actions. They’re still coming of age so their responses can be emotional and insightful—for you and the student. Writing prompts are one of the most effective ways to develop confident writers who enjoy the process . We rounded up 24 of the best writing prompts for middle school students who are still finding their writing voice!

1. Uncover their hidden strengths

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Write a narrative about a time when you did something you thought you could not do. Be sure to include specific details so that a reader can follow your story.

2. Let them take the reins

Attach an image (photo, magazine, etc.) to a notebook page and write about it.

3. Have them daydream about the not-so-distant future

Imagine a future in which we each have a personalized robot servant. What would yours be like? Describe what it would do and the features it would have.

4. Allow their creativity and core values to intersect

Create a brand new holiday with its own traditions, rituals, foods, and activities.

5. Let them map out their long term goals and life plans

Make your bucket list for the next five years, the next ten years, and for life.

6. Put their family life at the front of their minds.

Think about hospitality in your family. What’s it like to have guests in your house? Do you prefer to have friends to your house or to go to a friend’s house?

7. Have them think about traits that are important to possess in today’s world

Write about someone who has no enemies. Is it even possible?

8. In a world of a “fake news”—where do they stand?

Can honesty honestly be bad? Write about someone, fact or fiction, who gets in trouble for being too truthful.

9. Reinforce the importance books have in their lives

Remember a favorite book from your childhood. Write a scene that includes you and an old copy of that book you find somewhere.

10. Explore the weight that words hold between two people

William Shakespeare wrote that: “Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood.” Write your thoughts about conversation, or make up dialogue between two characters who are meeting each other for the first time in an unexpected place.

11. Have them evaluate where they’ve been and where they want to be

You have a chance to go back and completely re-do an event in your life. What is it, and how to you change it? What is the outcome? This can be a real or fictional event.

12. Let pop culture intersect with their school life

You get to guest star on a TV show. What show is it? What happens in this particular episode?

13. Put them in an unusual, highly unlikely situation

Write a poem entitled “Hitchhiking on a Saturday Afternoon.”

14. Let them dive deep into the influence they want to have with their friends

Persuade a friend to give up drugs.

15. Take one line, watch a million different possibilities unfold

“Did she actually just say that?” Write a scene that includes this line.

16. Stretch their brain and pun power

Create a menu from a fictitious restaurant. Make sure the restaurant has a theme, such as Classic Books, and the food should all be given appropriate names (e.g., “Mockingbird Pie”).

17. Find out how they connect with their community

List the most attractive things about your current hometown. Now list the most unattractive things.

18. Take on the ultimate “what-if” scenario . . . one everyone secretly dreams of . . .

What would you do if you woke up one morning to find yourself invisible?

19. Unleash good vibes

Write a list of at least 50 things that make you feel good.

20. Have them question everything

Begin a list of questions that you’d like to have answered. They may be about the future or the past.

21. Take on their passions

22. make some music.

Make a soundtrack for your life so far. List songs that describe you or different times of your life. (Make the actual soundtrack on Spotify, etc. too!)

23. Dig into their integrity

Did you ever stick up for someone?

24. Ask a simple question that may provoke surprising answers

What is it like to go shopping with your mother or another person in your family?

What do you think are the best writing prompts for middle school students? We’d love to add to this list. Please share in the comments.

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types of writing assignments for middle school

55 Writing Prompts For Middle Schoolers

  • April 13, 2023

writing prompt for middle schoolers

Writing prompts are an effective tool for middle school students to develop their writing skills. They offer a structured approach to writing that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression. Writing prompts can be used in a variety of ways, from daily journaling exercises to longer writing assignments. In this blog post, I will share with you 55 writing prompt for middle schoolers. These prompts are designed to stimulate the creativity and reflective thinking of middle school students, offering them a variety of scenarios and topics to explore through writing.

Middle school can be a challenging time for students as they navigate the transition from childhood to young adulthood. Writing prompts can help students explore their thoughts and feelings about this transition, as well as other important topics such as relationships, identity, and social issues.

There are many different types of writing prompts available for middle school students , ranging from imaginative prompts that encourage students to create their own stories, to non-fiction prompts that require research and analysis. Some prompts are designed to be completed in a single sitting, while others may require several days or even weeks of work. Regardless of the type or length of the prompt, the goal is always to help students develop their writing skills and become more confident and effective communicators.

Developing Creative Writing Skills

Middle school is an exciting time for students to explore their creativity and imagination through writing. Developing creative writing skills can be an enjoyable process, especially when using creative writing prompts to spark ideas. In this section, we will explore ways to develop creative writing skills and provide tips on how to craft engaging characters, dialogue, and settings.

Exploring Creative Writing Prompts

One of the best ways to develop creative writing skills is to explore a variety of writing prompts. Creative writing prompts can provide a starting point for students to develop their own unique story ideas . By using prompts that encourage creativity and imagination, students can explore different writing styles and genres. Some examples of creative writing prompts for middle school students include :

  • Write a story about a character who discovers a hidden talent.
  • Write a story about a group of friends who go on an adventure.
  • Write a story about a character who learns an important life lesson.

Crafting Characters and Dialogue

Crafting engaging characters and dialogue is essential to creating a compelling story. Characters should have unique traits and personalities that make them relatable to readers. Dialogue should be natural and help move the story forward. When crafting characters and dialogue, it is important to consider the following:

  • What motivates the character?
  • What are their strengths and weaknesses?
  • How do they interact with other characters?

Building Worlds: Setting and Atmosphere

The setting and atmosphere of a story can transport readers to another world. When building a world, it is important to consider the time period, location, and mood of the story. The setting and atmosphere should be descriptive and help readers visualize the world the characters inhabit. Some tips for building a world include:

  • Use descriptive language to create a vivid setting.
  • Consider the time period and location of the story.
  • Use sensory details to create a mood and atmosphere.

By exploring creative writing prompts, crafting engaging characters and dialogue, and building worlds with descriptive settings and atmosphere, middle school students can develop their creative writing skills and explore their imagination.

55 Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

Here are 55 writing prompts tailored for middle school students:

  • Describe your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.
  • Write about the best vacation you ever had.
  • Imagine you could travel in time. Where would you go?
  • What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
  • Describe your dream job and why you’re interested in it.
  • Write a story about discovering a secret passage in your school.
  • What is your favorite book or movie character, and why?
  • If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
  • Write a letter to your future self in 10 years.
  • Describe the perfect day. What would you do?
  • Write about a time you faced a fear.
  • Imagine you’re an astronaut exploring space. What do you find?
  • What are the best and worst things about school?
  • Write a story based on your favorite song.
  • If you could be any animal for a day, which one would you choose?
  • Describe your favorite family tradition.
  • Write about a time when you helped someone.
  • Imagine you’re the president for a day. What would you do?
  • Write a story about a magical object that you found.
  • What is something new you’d like to learn and why?
  • Describe a time when you were proud of yourself.
  • Write about what friendship means to you.
  • If you could live in any book’s world, which one would you choose?
  • What are three things you’re grateful for?
  • Write a story about a day when everything went wrong.
  • Describe the most interesting person you’ve ever met.
  • Write about what you think the world will be like in 50 years.
  • If you could start a charity, what would it be for?
  • Write a story where you are the hero.
  • What is your favorite season, and what do you like about it?
  • Describe a time when you learned a valuable lesson from a mistake.
  • Write about a place you’d like to visit and why.
  • Imagine you could talk to animals. What would they tell you?
  • What are the qualities of a good leader?
  • Write a story about a mysterious neighbor.
  • Describe your favorite meal and why it’s special to you.
  • If you could invent something, what would it be?
  • Write about a time when you felt very determined.
  • What would you do if you won the lottery?
  • Write a story about someone with an unusual talent.
  • Describe a time when you had to be courageous.
  • Write about a historical event you wish you could have witnessed.
  • If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?
  • What are some ways you can make a positive impact in your community?
  • Write a story about finding a lost treasure.
  • Describe your favorite place to relax.
  • If you could create a new school subject, what would it be?
  • Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
  • Imagine living in a world without electricity. What would it be like?
  • What are the pros and cons of having siblings?
  • Write a story about a character with a secret identity.
  • Describe a random act of kindness you’ve experienced.
  • If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
  • Write about a time when something didn’t go as planned, but it turned out okay.
  • Imagine you’re a detective solving a mystery. What’s the case?

These prompts are designed to stimulate the creativity and reflective thinking of middle school students, offering them a variety of scenarios and topics to explore through writing.

Genres and Formats for Young Writers

Middle schoolers are at a stage where they are exploring their creative writing potential. They are discovering their unique voices and styles and experimenting with different genres and formats. Here are some popular genres and formats that young writers can explore:

Tales of Fiction: From Short Stories to Novels

Fiction writing is a popular genre among young writers. It allows them to create their own worlds and characters and explore different themes and ideas. Short stories are a great way to start, as they are less daunting than writing a novel. They allow young writers to experiment with different styles and techniques and develop their skills. Novels are more challenging, but they provide a more in-depth exploration of characters and themes.

Poetry and Narrative Structures

Poetry is a powerful form of creative writing that allows young writers to express their emotions and ideas in a concise and impactful way. It is a great way to experiment with language and imagery and develop a unique voice. Narrative structures, such as memoirs and personal essays, are also popular among young writers. They allow them to explore their own experiences and perspectives and develop their skills in storytelling.

Scriptwriting for Movies and TV Shows

Movie and TV show scriptwriting is a challenging but rewarding format for young writers. It requires a strong understanding of narrative structure and character development and the ability to write visually. It also provides opportunities for collaboration with other creatives, such as directors and actors. Young writers can start with short films or TV show episodes and work their way up to feature-length films or full TV series.

Incorporating Themes and Topics

Middle schoolers are at an age where they are exploring the world around them and discovering their own interests. Writing prompts can be an excellent way to encourage students to delve deeper into their passions and explore new topics. Here are some themes and topics that can be incorporated into writing prompts for middle schoolers:

Nature, Animals, and the Environment

Many middle schoolers have a natural curiosity about the world around them. Writing prompts that focus on nature , animals, and the environment can help them explore this interest. For example, a writing prompt could ask students to imagine what it would be like to live in a world without forests or to write a story about a dinosaur that comes back to life. Students could also write about the effects of climate change or explore the relationship between humans and animals.

Society and Relationships

Middle school is a time when students are beginning to navigate social situations and form relationships. Writing prompts that focus on society and relationships can help them explore these topics in a safe and creative way.

For example, a writing prompt could ask students to write a letter to their future selves or to explore the concept of friendship. Students could also write about bullying and its effects or explore the challenges of aging.

Fantasy and Science Fiction

Middle schoolers often have a fascination with the fantastical and the unknown. Writing prompts that incorporate elements of fantasy and science fiction can help them explore their imagination and creativity. For example, a writing prompt could ask students to write a story about a character with a superpower or to explore a magical forest. Students could also write about aliens or explore a haunted house.

Writing prompts can be an excellent tool for encouraging middle schoolers to explore their interests and develop their writing skills. By incorporating themes and topics that are relevant and interesting to them, teachers can help students engage with the writing process and develop a lifelong love of writing.

Enhancing Writing Through Practice

Middle school is a crucial developmental phase where students face creative blocks due to peer pressure and judgment fears. To foster creativity and enhance writing skills, educators must encourage students to practice writing regularly.

Effective Journaling Techniques

Journaling is an effective way to improve writing skills, as it helps students develop their writing voice, reflect on their experiences, and express their thoughts and emotions. To make journaling effective, students should be encouraged to write every day, choose topics that interest them, and use descriptive language to make their writing more engaging.

Developing Persuasive Writing and Critical Thinking

Persuasive writing is an essential skill that middle school students must develop to express their opinions and ideas effectively. To develop persuasive writing skills, students should be given prompts that challenge them to think critically, research their topics, and present their arguments logically and coherently. This helps students develop critical thinking skills and learn how to analyze and evaluate information.

Grammar and Style: The Finer Details

To become a better writer, students must also focus on the finer details of grammar and style. This includes understanding the rules of punctuation, using appropriate sentence structures, and choosing the right words to convey their message. Educators can provide students with grammar exercises, vocabulary lists, and writing activities that help them develop their grammar and style skills.

Pacticing writing regularly is essential to enhance writing skills. Effective journaling techniques, developing persuasive writing and critical thinking, and focusing on grammar and style are all crucial elements in improving writing skills. Educators must provide students with the right prompts, exercises, and activities to help them develop their writing skills and become confident writers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good writing prompt for 7th grade.

A good writing prompt for 7th grade should be age-appropriate and challenging. It should encourage students to think critically and creatively. A good prompt could be to write a persuasive essay on a current social issue or to write a descriptive essay about a place they have visited.

What are some creative writing prompts?

Creative writing prompts can be anything from writing a short story based on a picture prompt to writing a poem about a favorite food . Other ideas include writing a letter to a future self, writing a story from the perspective of an inanimate object, or creating a new mythological creature.

What is a fictional narrative writing prompt for middle school?

A fictional narrative writing prompt for middle school could be to write a story about a character who discovers a mysterious object that leads them on an adventure. Another idea could be to write a story about a character who must overcome a personal challenge or fear.

What are some engaging writing prompts for middle school students?

Engaging writing prompts for middle school students can include writing a script for a short play, writing a news article about a current event, or writing a personal narrative about a memorable experience. Other ideas include writing a persuasive essay about a topic they are passionate about or writing a letter to a public figure.

How can I find funny writing prompts suitable for middle schoolers?

One way to find funny writing prompts suitable for middle schoolers is to search for them online. There are many websites that offer free writing prompts for middle school students, including humorous prompts. Another idea is to brainstorm with the students and come up with funny prompts together.

Where can I download a collection of writing prompts for middle school students in PDF format?

There are many websites that offer free downloadable collections of writing prompts for middle school students in PDF format. Some popular websites include Teachers Pay Teachers, Scholastic, and Education.com.

What are some quick, 5-minute writing activities for middle school classes?

Quick, 5-minute writing activities for middle school classes can include writing a haiku, writing a six-word story, or writing a descriptive paragraph about a random object in the classroom. Other ideas include writing a list of things they are grateful for or writing a response to a thought-provoking question.

Can you suggest creative writing exercises for middle school students?

Yes, some creative writing exercises for middle school students include writing a story using only dialogue, writing a story backwards, or writing a story that incorporates a specific theme. Other ideas include writing a story from the perspective of an animal or writing a story in the style of a favorite author.

What are some effective social emotional journal prompts for middle school?

Effective social emotional journal prompts for middle school can include writing about a time when they felt proud of themselves, writing about a time when they overcame a challenge, or writing about a person who inspires them. Other ideas include writing about a time when they felt grateful or writing about a time when they showed kindness to someone else.

Ben

I'm Ben, a data engineer who adores journaling. My passion for recording life experiences inspired me to develop Otto's Journal, an online diary app. Join me as I blend data and storytelling in the ever-changing tech world, making journaling more accessible and exciting.

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8 Tips for Teaching Middle School Writing

Jennifer Prescott

Middle school is the first-time students learn in-depth writing, and it usually starts with essays. Although writing intimidates many children, the good news is that tweens and young teens have many interests, opinions, and ideas that teachers can help draw out and shape.

Middle-school students are old enough to have experienced a healthy dose of “life,” and with that comes family stories, memories of imaginative play when they were younger, knowledge gleaned from books they’ve read, and curiosity piqued by places they’ve been and events they’ve witnessed. So, they can certainly have a lot to say. Teaching writing to middle schoolers can be an excellent opportunity for educators to really get to know their students and allow them to express their own unique voices.

Here are eight middle school writing strategies teachers can use to improve these skills for students.

Teaching Writing to Middle Schoolers

Tip 1: give them the freedom to freewrite.

Some middle schoolers may look like the proverbial deer in a headlight when you tell them it’s time to write. While writing can be a positive experience and thousands of people write for enjoyment, stress relief, and other productive benefits, some students might find it intimidating. One positive approach is to give students the opportunity to freewrite in personal journals that they will not be required to share unless they choose to. Set a timer for five minutes and tell students to write whatever comes into their minds, without stopping, for the duration. What they write is up to them—it can be a list of random words, a description of what they had for breakfast, or sentences such as “I have no idea what to write!” The important part is to keep the pencil moving across the page. Grammar and spelling don’t matter for this exercise, and students will not be graded or judged on their work.

Tip 2: Start with Poetry

Another great access point to writing is to start with poetry. Glenis Redmond, a poet and teaching artist, says, “When I enter a classroom, I always begin with praise—a praise poem , that is—an introductory poem of origin—because it is an accessible poem form for students and teachers to begin writing. It also allows me to assess where students are developmentally…These poems are made up of metaphors and similes—forms of comparison relating the writer to an object, a person, a color, or a feature in nature.”

“There is a strong correlation between readers of poetry and writers of poetry,” says Ekuwah Moses , an elementary educator, nonfiction picture book author, and literacy specialist from Las Vegas. “Some teachers set up a staged area of their classroom for students to perform weekly open mic time. This is an opportunity for students to read poetry they have written out loud to their peers or read aloud a poet's work. It is a community-building celebration of writing, reading, speaking, and listening.”

Tip 3: Use Anchor Charts

Anchor charts can be an excellent collaborative tool to engage and motivate students in their writing. According to this document from the International Literacy Association, “Anchor charts are organized mentor texts co-created with students. Charts are usually handwritten in large print and displayed in an area of the classroom where they can be easily seen. Used to anchor whole group instruction, the charts provide a scaffold during guided practice and independent work.”

Anchor charts are intended to be homemade—capturing what the students have learned and then remaining on display as an artifact for future reference. Although bold lettering and bright colors can make an anchor chart stand out, you don’t need superior artistic skills to create one; just a pack of markers and some large chart paper will do the trick! An anchor chart for writing could, for example, capture a list of words students could use to replace overused words such as “said” or “very.” It could be an inspirational “doodle-style” sketch of all the reasons writers write, e.g., to share their feelings, to tell their own story, to persuade someone, or to inform people about important events. Or it could show a diagram of how to create an organized paragraph with a hook/topic sentence, details, and a closing statement.

Resources for Teachers : Download these printable anchor charts from HMH Into Literature .

types of writing assignments for middle school

Tip 4: Create a Toolkit of Graphic Organizers

It’s helpful for middle schoolers to organize their ideas before they put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). You can make toolkits by assembling file folders with a selection of graphic organizers that can help them brainstorm ideas and create an orderly sequence of thoughts. For example, students could use this word web to break down the larger topic of “The Arctic” into details such as “wildlife,” “climate,” and “geography.”

Other tools that can encourage students to connect more deeply with a topic include a 5 Ws chart , Venn diagram , and KWL chart .

Ekuwah Moses adds: “Keep the brain in mind when using graphic organizers. Handwritten or hand-drawn organizers are the best method for learning to write. The process of drawing and writing teaches children how to organize information for long-term retrieval, versus relying upon or always searching for a pre-made document.”

Tip 5: Break It Down and Give Frequent Feedback

Students can sometimes feel as if writing is subjective. What makes one short story “better” than the next, anyway? Indeed, some of this does relate to a gut instinct: We know when a story or an essay moves us and captures our attention. We know when a character feels real, and we can hear when words are used lyrically to make a piece of writing “sing.” But by showing students that a great piece of writing comes from a series of steps that include prewriting, drafting, and revision, you can demystify the process.

By breaking the writing process—including feedback and evaluation—into bite-sized pieces, you can make the learning more manageable and help students see their progress. Research shows that delivering quality feedback leads to better revisions and results. The real-time, personalized feedback in a program such as Writable helps empower students every step of the way.

Nick Wheeler, a sixth-grade ELA teacher at Bristow Elementary in Kentucky, uses the tools and instructional supports available in Writable to help students take ownership of their writing. The students “are part of each piece of that writing process, from freewriting, to drafting, to revising and editing, and finally publishing,” he says.

Tip 6: Model Your Own Writing Process for Students

Even published authors rarely, if ever, churn out a perfect first draft. It may encourage students to realize that their favorite books were the result of many revisions and, often, collaboration with editors and proofreaders. You can model this process for students in a couple of ways. First, you can talk through the thought process that you go through when writing—for example, a letter to your local town council.

Share your thought process out loud as you write quick notes that the class can see. For example, “Okay, I would like to have a place for my dog to play freely with other dogs. I’d love it if the town created a dog park.” Write “dog park” in the center of the whiteboard as your main topic, and circle it.

You might continue to share further thoughts out loud: “But hmm, I know it might cost money and require community support. What points could I make to convince my readers that a dog park would be a great asset to this town? Maybe I could suggest that the dog park requires a small membership fee, which would bring revenue to the town? Maybe I could suggest that this park might encourage more rescue pet adoptions?” Add “paid membership” and “pet adoptions” to the whiteboard as “spokes” coming from the main topic, as well as any suggestions students might offer.

Then, talk the class through your plans as to how you might organize all these points into a coherent and persuasive piece. Lastly, you could then explain how you might ask a colleague to be your editor and review your letter. Does it make sense to them? Do they find it persuasive? Do they see any errors in spelling or grammar? Students can partner with peers to do the same!

Tip 7: Teach Them to Read Like Writers and Write Like Readers

“It’s important to remember that reading and writing are interconnected,” says Michael Vea, a former classroom teacher and now an education systems-level leader at San Diego Unified School District. “When they read, students can be thinking like writers; e.g., How did the writer of this text craft such a beautiful piece? How did the vocabulary words they chose make the piece more powerful? And when they write, they can think like readers; e.g., How will this piece of writing be received? What emotional reaction might the reader get?”

“One of my favorite mentors in my professional training, Pam Allyn, the founder of LitWorld , used to say that ‘Reading is like breathing in and writing is like breathing out.’,” he adds. “That always resonated with me.”

One tactic to get writers thinking like readers (and vice versa) is to use model writing pieces, such as those available in the Writer’s Notebook in Into Reading , examples of authentic student writing, or photocopies of a favorite passage from a piece of literature. Annotating a sample piece of writing can help scaffold the writing process for students. “We reference the model writing during each day of drafting, editing, and revising,” says Rhode Island teacher Kayla Dyer. “I will prompt students to refer to the model piece as they are drafting so I can have individual conferences or small group conferences.”

Here is an example of how Dyer annotated a piece of nonfiction writing, “The Amazing Sea Pig.”

types of writing assignments for middle school

Tip 8: Use Rubrics

Rubrics are your friend when it comes to writing. They help students build confidence and give teachers a way to help family members understand their grading process. A rubric lets students know and see the expectations and exactly what they will be graded on. Self-review in writing is so important, and a rubric can ensure that students learn to check their work for content as well as for grammar.

“You can further build a writing culture by frequently pulling exemplar student writing, gathered from your classroom or across the grade level, and discussing it anonymously with the class,” recommends Ekuwah Moses. “Project the exemplar, and then use the grade-level writing rubric to highlight where it meets or exceeds the expectations of the rubric. These positive examples help students to see that the ‘impossible' is possible, and students whose work is featured appreciate the praise.”

Another benefit of rubrics is that they can facilitate self-assessment. In addition to evaluating their work against the criteria laid out in the rubric, students can reflect on their writing assignments by answering three questions:

  • What did you like best about this assignment?
  • What was the most difficult part?
  • What do you want me to know about this work you did?

Teaching writing for middle schoolers can be rewarding, frustrating, or both at the same time, but working through the process and giving clear feedback every step of the way can empower your students and help them learn the value of their words. Showing your students how to use their voices can be one of the greatest gifts you can give them, especially if you do it thoughtfully.

Need additional support to improve writing skills in middle school? Try Writable to support your ELA curriculum, district benchmarks, and state standards with more than 600 fully customizable writing assignments and rubrics for students in Grades 3–12. Learn more .

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Fun Writing Activities for Middle School

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Does your middle schooler heave a sigh when it’s time for writing? 

Add some appeal to the subject of writing with these fun writing activities for middle school. 

Fun Writing Activities for Middle School

Writing Activities for Middle School

The six types of writing are descriptive, expository, persuasive, technical, and poetic.  (I know, I know, your middle schooler is nodding off already.)

The truth is these writing types can be enjoyable if you have some fun topic ideas. 

Not only does it make writing fun, but it also gives students a chance to practice those dreaded middle school spelling words that they need to master.

Read on for some writing activities that are fun and (ssh! Don’t tell!) educational.

This article contains affiliate links to things that you might like.

Descriptive Writing Activities for MIddle School

As the name implies, descriptive writing describes something. 

You want to create mental pictures for your reader so they can see in their mind’s eye exactly what you are describing. 

This writing style can be a delight to compose if you like the topic, so pick one that resonates with your student.

Describe the car of the future  

Use your imagination to describe all the amazing features it will have.  What will it look like?  

Imagine an alien is your pen pal  

How would you describe yourself so your alien friend knows what you look like?

Describe the ideal pet

Some people love hamsters, and others love hounds. 

Some adore cats, while others keep chameleons. 

What is your ideal pet?  Describe it in detail. 

What does it feel like? Look like? Eat? How does it act?

Expository Writing Activities for Middle School 

Expository writing gives information, but it does so in a different way from descriptive writing. 

It is all about the facts and lacks flowery language. 

Like a newspaper article, it investigates an idea, subject, or event.  

Newspaper articles written by dogs  

Imagine there is a secret underground dog newspaper that dogs write and distribute that tells the news of the day from their perspective. 

Write an article for that paper as a doggie journalist. 

Consider possible titles like “Scuffle at the Dog Park,”  “Duck Befriends Dog,”  or “Frisbee Competition Wows All.” 

Compare and contrast the best and worst pizzas

Everyone has an opinion on pizza.  Compare your favorite pizza with your least favorite. 

Consider all the elements: size, crust, temperature, and toppings.

Write a how-to  

Topics could be how to be happy, how to play Minecraft, how to be a good friend, how to make perfect pancakes, or anything else you know how to do (or would like to think through how to be).

fun writing activities for middle school

Persuasive Writing Activities for Middle School

Ah, middle schoolers, how they love to argue.  Channel that natural proclivity to argue into persuasive writing.

Whether children should have chores

Let them choose pro or con (can you imagine a child choosing pro?). 

Whether parents should limit their kids’ screen time 

Consider having them outline both pro and con and choose one to write about. 

It’s always good to think through both sides before you write about one.

Whether companies should market their products to kids

Aren’t you curious as to which side your student will pick?

Technical Writing Activities for Middle School

Some students say they are not good writers because they dislike creative writing, but your logical, detail-oriented students will shine doing technical writing. 

Although this writing style is, well, technical, you can introduce it in middle school.

Write a manual on how to use a certain phone app or device

My son has to show me how to manage the settings on my Roku, so he could write me a manual for that…

Create a sales pitch brochure 

Imagine a product you invented, and write a brochure convincing someone to buy it. 

Be informative and persuasive. You can include pictures!

Fun Writing Activities for Middle School

Poetic Writing Activities for Middle School

Children were raised on poetry (think of Dr. Seuss), so although writing poetry may seem like a daunting task to some, they have already been steeped in it. 

Reawaken the poetic with these poetry activities. 

Think of a word or phrase like “SUMMER” and write it vertically down the page. 

Then compose a line that starts with each letter.  For example, “Sunny, unstructured, magazines at the beach, etc…”

Haikus are three-line poems that have 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second, and 5 in the third. 

They are traditionally about nature. 

These tiny poems can be fantastic first poems for the poetry intimidated.

Texting poem (or poem for two voices)

Write a poem that can read like a text conversation between two people

Middle School Writing Activities

Not every writing assignment has to be a five paragraph essay.  Writing should be fun and personal as well as educational and informative.  Keep it fun and fresh with these fun writing activities for middle school.

You May Also Like:

  • Teaching Creative Writing
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20 Creative Writing Activities for Middle School

April 10, 2023 //  by  Stephanie Ledford

Some students are prolific writers, needing no help putting pen to paper and telling their stories. However, there are other students who need a little more direction in order to get their stories out. Whatever the case may be, these 20 creative writing activities for middle school will have all of your students showing their creative prowess.

1. I Am From

After reading the poem “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon, have students write their own “I Am From” poems. Using a template, all students will be able to create wonderful poems illustrating their own unique backgrounds.

Learn More: Made by Teachers

2. Found Poems

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Using the words of others, students create their own “found poems.” By taking a snippet here and a line there, they can arrange them in their own creative ways to create new, interesting poems. Reading a book as a class? Have them use the book to create a found poem!

Learn More: Read, Write, Think

Your middle schoolers are sure to feel like poets in the making with this creative assignment. Encourage them to connect themselves to something bigger, like their families, their culture, or their historical background as you task them with creating poems using their own names. Prompt them to begin their writing process by having them use the letters of their names to inspire a new line of poetry that they think reflects who they are as a person.

Learn More: Mama Smiles

4. Chain Stories

This assignment has each student start with a blank piece of paper. After giving them a writing prompt , every student begins writing a story. After your chosen time limit is up, they stop writing and pass their story to the next person in their group who then has to continue telling the story. When each story returns to its original author, the activity is complete.

Learn More: Creativities ESL

5. Visual Character Sketch

Being able to add depth to a character can be difficult for many students. By allowing a student to create a visual sketch, you are allowing them a different approach to writing a character description.

Learn More: Adobe Education Exchange

6. What If…

“What if” writing prompts are a great way to get your learners’ creative juices flowing. By posing a question, they’re given a starting point, and it’s up to them to decide what twists and turns their stories will take. Will they write a sad, action-packed, or scary story? The possibilities are endless!

Learn More: Journal Buddies

7. Descriptive Writing Prompts

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Descriptive writing activities are another way for middle school students to practice their creative writing skills. They can give their descriptions their own unique twists by using their different writing styles to describe common objects. And hey, they might have a different appreciation for the things in their everyday worlds after this assignment!

Learn More: Academic Writing Success

8. Scary Stories

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Go through the entire writing process and teach your students how to write scary stories! Before you begin writing, though, read them some (age-appropriate) scary stories to give them the chills and an idea of what is expected in a scary story.

Learn More: Keep ’em Thinking

9. Daily Journal Writing

There is no better way to improve students’ writing abilities than to do daily writing. Each day, give students a different prompt and allow them to write for fifteen minutes. After, allow them the opportunity to share their story with their peers or the class.

Learn More: Daily Teaching Tools

10. So Much Depends Upon…

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“ The Red Wheel Barrow “–such a simple yet eloquent poem. Following this lesson plan, your students will be able to write their own simple yet eloquent poems and feel like accomplished writers.

Learn More: NYLearns

11. An Ode to…

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Reluctant writers are often intimidated by complicated writing ideas. By using a template like the one pictured above, your students will all be able to feel like poets as they create their own odes about a person, place, or thing.

Learn More: Crafting Connections

12. Story Starters

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Story starters are a great way to help students begin their stories. If you have a digital classroom, the Scholastic story starter page is great because it can formulate much different writing prompts, helping engage all students.

Learn More: Scholastic

13. My Time Machine Trip

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What is everyday life like in 1902? How about in 2122? Have students write stories about their experiences traveling through time using the attached worksheet. For those that need a little extra help, allow them to research time periods so they have an idea of what life was like then.

Learn More: K12 Reader

14. Writing and Math

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This is a great assignment for a math class! Using the provided instructions, students are to write a story that explains to their boss the math they used while delivering packages. Since this assignment asks them to cover specific math concepts, make sure you cover them in class first (or hand this assignment to a math teacher and let them have at it!).

Learn More: Dr. Hamblin

15. How to Bake Cookies for Santa

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Seasonal writing activities are a great way to get kids excited around the holidays! One way to get descriptive paragraphs out of your students is through these instructions on how to bake cookies for Santa. The great thing about this assignment is all levels of writers can participate. Those that are more advanced can provide more details and struggling writers can still feel accomplished by explaining the cookie-making process!

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

16. Diary Entry of a Literary Character

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Another favorite among creative writing ideas is having students write diary entries in the voice of a character from literature. This can be a character from a book you read as a class or from a book they read on their own. Either way, it will showcase their creative writing skills and their knowledge of the character!

Learn More: Banana Magic

17. Write a Rant

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Writing a rant is a good assignment to use when you are trying to teach about the different voices we use when writing. When writing a rant, you are going to use an angrier, more aggressive voice than if you were writing a children’s story. This is a great warm-up to get students ready to write persuasive essays.

Learn More: Teachers and Writers Magazine

18. Write a Newspaper Story

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After reading through some newspapers to get ideas on how newspaper articles are formatted, have each of your students write their own article. When they are all done, you can compile a classroom newspaper!

Learn More: Nie Online

19. Coat of Arms

Studying Shakespeare? Maybe European countries where it was common to have a Coat of Arms? If so, this assignment is perfect for your class. Have students create a coat of arms and then write a few paragraphs explaining their choices.

20. A Letter to Yourself

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Have students write letters to their future selves. Give them specific questions to answer like “where do you see yourself in five years? Are you happy with your life? Is there anything you would change?” And then in five years, mail the letters to their parents!

Learn More: Ms. Carota

types of writing assignments for middle school

Bell Ringers

Writing authentic narratives in middle school.

types of writing assignments for middle school

  • Establishing a situation
  • Organized a logical event sequence
  • Describing scenes, objects or people
  • Developing characters’ personalities
  • Using dialogue as appropriate
  • Establishing a context 
  • Situating events in a time or place
  • Developing a point of view
  • Developing character motives

types of writing assignments for middle school

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types of writing assignments for middle school

5 Secrets for Helping Middle School Writers Succeed

Even though I spent 19 years as a middle school teacher, I frequently ask myself what makes a middle school writing classroom work. I know successful teaching is a series of flexible moving parts. I know it’s one part inspiration and a bigger part organization. I know that every middle school teacher struggles to achieve more good days than bad.

In  Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School , I share meaningful and practical ideas for using what I’ve learned about teaching writing in middle school. My aim is to validate what you already know and give you new ways to support students. I also point out obstacles to watch out for and ways around them, so you don’t sacrifice the integrity of your teaching or the writing lives of your students.

As teachers, our greatest challenge may not be understanding best practices, but implementing those practices in classrooms where writing skills vary, time is precious, and the demand for high test scores can smother even the most creative teaching. But take heart. Teaching writing well is not impossible. Here are 5 secrets I know work in middle school and will help your young writers succeed:

1.     The teacher must model how to learn.

If we want our students to write, we have to show them we are writers ourselves, which means opening ourselves up to scrutiny.

2.      Learning should be infectious.

Look for inspiration everywhere and revise you lesson plans accordingly to foster a fascination with language, not just an understanding of terms. Who knows where this might lead?

3.     Students must be active.

Engaging in lively activities, working in small groups, sitting on the floor, listening to music, using the computer, and talking about works in progress keep students moving, and therefore, learning.

4.     Students will work hard if we give them rigorous, relevant tasks.

Let students take a giant leap forward and come up with their own projects and use the skills they have learned over the years to accomplish it. What they write matters less than the fact that they choose to write with such passion and determination.

5.     Students deserve honest, detailed feedback.

Get serious about providing feedback. Students will appreciate your suggestions for making their writing smoother, clearer, and more interesting, and, like any serious writers, won’t always agree or follow them. But your students trust you to tell them the truth because they know your feedback, as difficult as it sometimes will be to convey, will help propel their work forward.

The secrets of writing, once locked away in the writing teacher’s vault, must be revealed and explored. How else will we sort out what works from what doesn’t? But you know this already. The writing lives of your middle school students depend on our getting it right.

To learn more about  Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School , you can purchase the book  here.

About the author:

Ruth Culham, Ed.D.,  has published more than 40 best-selling professional books and resources with Scholastic and the International Literacy Association on the traits of writing and teaching writing using reading as a springboard to success. Her steadfast belief that every student is a writer is the hallmark of her work. As the author of  Traits Writing: The Complete Writing Program for Grades K–8 (2012), she has launched a writing revolution.  Traits Writing  is the culmination of 40 years of educational experience, research, practice, and passion.

4 Activities to Help Middle School Students Uncover New Ideas for Writing

No matter how old you are, no matter how much writing you do, no matter how much you improve over time, finding ideas and writing about them clearly and compellingly is a challenge. Small wonder, then, that middle school writers find the ideas trait difficult to master.

Writing must make sense, and that’s what the ideas trait is all about—choosing a topic, narrowing it down, and supporting it with enough details to make the message clear and engaging. In  Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School , I outline the ideas trait’s 4 key qualities:

1.     Finding a topic

2.     Focusing the topic

3.     Developing the topic

4.     Using details

The following activities will help your students develop these qualities. Each is a creative, classroom-tested idea that allows students to try out skills and strategies that you share in warm-ups and focus lessons. These activities can take 5 minutes or 50, depending on your students’ needs and interest levels, and can be carried out by students independently or in small groups.

Finding a topic | Writer’s Notebooks

Often, the best topics are the ones students come up with themselves. As you work with students, encourage them to jot down in a notebook possible ideas for use in writing later—ideas that occur to them during science, social studies, health, fine arts, or English, or in everyday life. Let students select a notebook that makes them feel comfortable. Keep your own notebook and model how you jot down ideas for writing, words and phrases you like, intriguing information and observations, and questions to ponder.

Focusing the topic | The Best and the Worst Activity

Have your students brainstorm a list of real-world jobs that require a great deal of writing: a writer for a late-night talk show, a fund-raiser for a charity, a developer of video games, an author of children’s books, and so on. Write the jobs on a chart. Divide the class into small groups and assign one of the jobs to each group. Ask group members to prepare a panel presentation explaining the best and worst parts of the job and present it to the class, using some sort of visual aid that illustrates key points, such as a chart or diagram. Hang their creations in a prominent place for everyone to read and think about. This activity teaches students that writing is a big part of most professions—a lesson they will come to learn on their own soon enough.

Developing the topic | Top-Ten List

Ask students to write a top-ten list of things every adult should know about middle school students. Encourage them to develop each point in a fun, truthful, and interesting way. Here are examples of 2 developed points:

We don’t like to be told what to do. But if you don’t tell us, we won’t do it. And even when you do tell us, many times we don’t do it unless you get mean about it. We’re kinda flakey.

Remembering to put our names on our papers is harder than being blindfolded and sending a text message with our thumbs.

Using details | Getting Into the Details Activity

Give students a general statement, such as “I love Friday,” and ask them to work with a partner to brainstorm at least 10 details that explain why Friday is their favorite school day. Have pairs share those details with the whole class and make one long list. Now ask students to select their favorite details, at least 5 but no more than 10, and choose the one they consider the most important. From there, have pairs write a paragraph describing all the great things about Friday, emphasizing one detail they feel is most important. When they’re finished, ask students to put their paragraphs on their desks and invite their classmates to walk about and read them. Later, discuss the techniques students used to focus the reader’s attention on one detail more than others.

The time you spend teaching students where ideas come from and how to develop them effectively is critical to their success as writers. Finding a topic, focusing it, developing it, and using precise details to support it is where the writing begins.

Learn more about the ideas trait and other traits critical to writing success with  Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School . You can purchase the book  here .

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120 Engaging Middle School Writing Prompts

Getting middle school students to write can be particularly challenging. However, if you provide your students with a fun, interesting, and engaging writing prompt, you’ll find that their creativity and enthusiasm for writing can be easily sparked.

Below is a list of writing prompts for middle school students, including creative prompts, journal prompts, persuasive writing prompts, expository writing prompts, and story starter prompts. These are perfect for classroom exercises, homework assignments, or even just for personal exploration, helping students to develop their writing skills, express their ideas, and discover the joy of writing.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Creative Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These creative writing prompts are cues or scenarios that inspire imaginative storytelling and personal expression. These prompts will encourage middle school students to explore new ideas, develop their narrative skills, and express themselves in unique and creative ways. Here’s a list of creative writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Write a story where the main character discovers a secret passage in their home.
  • Imagine a world where animals can talk. What would they say?
  • Create a tale about a mysterious, abandoned city you stumbled upon.
  • Write about a day where everything you draw becomes real.
  • Imagine finding a book that contains your entire life story. What do you do?
  • Write a story set in a futuristic world where everyone lives underwater.
  • Create a tale about a magical garden that grants wishes.
  • Describe a journey to a planet entirely different from Earth.
  • Write about a character who can switch lives with anyone they meet.
  • Imagine your school is a castle. What adventures unfold there?
  • Write a story about a secret society of kids with superpowers.
  • Describe a world where it’s night for half the year.
  • Create a story about a mysterious forest that changes with the seasons.
  • Write about discovering an old map that leads to a hidden treasure.
  • Imagine waking up in a world where you are the ruler.
  • Create a tale about a magical snow globe that transports you to different places.
  • Write about a character who invents a new holiday.
  • Describe a world where shadows have a life of their own.
  • Imagine finding a door in your backyard that leads to a different universe.
  • Write a story about a character who can hear others’ thoughts.

Journal Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Journal Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These journal writing prompts are thought-provoking questions or ideas that will encourage middle school students to reflect on their personal experiences, feelings, and beliefs. These prompts are designed to help students develop self-awareness, enhance their writing skills, and express themselves in a safe, private space. Here’s a list of journal writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Write about your most memorable day and why it stands out.
  • Describe your dream job and why you’re interested in it.
  • Reflect on a time when you overcame a challenge.
  • Write about what kindness means to you and a time you experienced it.
  • Imagine your perfect day. What would it involve?
  • Describe your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.
  • Write about the best advice you ever received and who gave it to you.
  • Reflect on your greatest strength and how it has helped you.
  • Write about a goal you have for this school year.
  • Describe a place where you feel completely relaxed and happy.
  • Reflect on a book or movie that deeply impacted you.
  • Write about someone you admire and why.
  • Describe a time when you helped someone and how it made you feel.
  • Imagine what the world will be like in 50 years.
  • Write about your favorite memory with your family.
  • Reflect on a moment when you felt proud of yourself.
  • Describe your ideal adventure.
  • Write about a time you were scared and how you handled it.
  • Reflect on what friendship means to you.
  • Write about a skill you’d like to learn and why.

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Persuasive Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These persuasive writing prompts are designed to inspire middle school students to develop arguments and persuade readers about a particular viewpoint or idea. These prompts will encourage critical thinking and research skills and enable students to present and justify their opinions clearly. Here’s a list of persuasive writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Should homework be banned in schools? Argue your point.
  • Persuade your readers why recycling should be mandatory.
  • Is it better to read a book or watch a movie adaptation? Make your case.
  • Argue for or against the importance of physical education in schools.
  • Should students have a say in what they learn? Persuade your audience.
  • Persuade your readers about the importance of learning a second language.
  • Is it more beneficial to be a team player or an individual performer? Justify your opinion.
  • Should animals be kept in zoos? Present your arguments.
  • Argue why your favorite season is the best.
  • Persuade your audience about the importance of arts in education.
  • Should there be stricter rules for students’ internet use? Make your case.
  • Argue for or against school uniforms.
  • Is it better to give money to charity or volunteer your time? Persuade your readers.
  • Persuade your audience on the importance of eating healthy foods.
  • Should video games be considered a sport? Argue your viewpoint.
  • Is it more important to be smart or kind? Persuade your readers.
  • Argue why your city or town is a great place to live.
  • Should students be allowed to use mobile phones in school? Present your arguments.
  • Persuade your audience on the importance of having a hobby.
  • Argue for or against the significance of space exploration.

Expository Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Expository Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These expository writing prompts are designed to help middle school students explore and convey information in a clear, concise, and structured manner. This type of writing requires students to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a coherent way. Here’s a list of expository writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Explain the significance and process of the water cycle in nature.
  • Describe the causes and effects of climate change.
  • Write about the history and significance of a famous holiday.
  • Explain how a specific technology works (like smartphones or virtual reality).
  • Describe the steps involved in making your favorite meal.
  • Write about the life cycle of a butterfly or another animal.
  • Explain the importance of a balanced diet and exercise.
  • Describe what life was like in a particular historical period.
  • Explain how governments are formed and function.
  • Write about the journey of water through the water cycle.
  • Describe how a bill becomes a law.
  • Explain the impact of social media on modern communication.
  • Write about the process of photosynthesis.
  • Describe the different types of renewable energy and their importance.
  • Explain the significance of recycling and its impact on the environment.
  • Describe how the human body’s immune system works.
  • Explain the causes and effects of a significant historical event.
  • Write about how a particular invention changed the world.
  • Describe the process of creating a movie or a television show.
  • Explain the importance and process of goal setting and planning for the future.

Narrative Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Narrative Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These narrative writing prompts encourage middle school students to tell a story, either about themselves, someone else, or a completely fictional scenario. This type of writing helps students develop their storytelling skills, enhances their creativity, and allows them to express their thoughts and experiences in an engaging way. Here’s a list of narrative writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Write about a time you faced a difficult decision and how you resolved it.
  • Imagine you can time travel; describe your first adventure.
  • Tell the story of a day when everything went wrong.
  • Write about your most cherished memory with a friend or family member.
  • Imagine you woke up one day and could speak another language fluently. What would happen?
  • Describe a moment when you tried something outside of your comfort zone.
  • Tell a story about a mysterious object you found and its origins.
  • Write about a time you helped someone and how it made you feel.
  • Imagine a day in the life of your pet. What adventures do they have?
  • Describe your dream vacation and what would make it special.
  • Write a story about meeting a famous person in an unexpected place.
  • Tell the tale of a historical event from the perspective of someone who lived through it.
  • Imagine a world where children are in charge. What would it be like?
  • Write about the day you had a surprising encounter with wildlife.
  • Describe a time when you overcame a significant challenge.
  • Tell a story about a journey to a magical place.
  • Write about the day you made an unlikely friend.
  • Imagine discovering a secret room in your house. What’s inside?
  • Describe a time when you achieved something you didn’t think was possible.
  • Write about a day in the future, 50 years from now. What has changed? What has stayed the same?

Story Starters for Middle School Students

A Story Starter writing prompt for Middle School Students

These story starters are engaging, imaginative prompts that provide the opening sentence or scene of a story. These starters will ignite the imagination, encouraging students to explore various genres, characters, and plots. They’re an excellent tool for overcoming writer’s block and for practicing narrative development, character creation, and setting establishment. Here’s a list of story starters for middle school students:

  • “As the mysterious music played, the ancient book on the table suddenly flew open.”
  • “Lost in the forest, I stumbled upon a hidden cottage made entirely of candy.”
  • “The moment I put on the strange glasses, I could see into the future.”
  • “Under my bed, I found a map leading to a secret underground city.”
  • “When I woke up, I realized I had switched places with my pet.”
  • “The old clock in the town square struck thirteen times, and then everything changed.”
  • “I discovered a hidden door in the school library that led to a different world.”
  • “On my way to school, I found a mysterious golden key with my name on it.”
  • “During the night, all of my dreams escaped from my mind and became reality.”
  • “The mirror in my room showed a reflection of a place I had never seen before.”
  • “As I read the last page of the diary, the ghostly writer appeared in front of me.”
  • “The new kid at school could do something no one else could – talk to animals.”
  • “In the attic, I found a dusty old board game that turned out to be real.”
  • “The picture in the museum started to move and reached out to me.”
  • “I got a mysterious package in the mail with no return address. Inside was a magical object.”
  • “During a thunderstorm, our house was suddenly transported to a different world.”
  • “I found a strange old coin on the ground that had the power to grant wishes, but each wish came with a price.”
  • “While exploring the beach, I stumbled upon a message in a bottle from a stranded pirate.”
  • “In the garden, I discovered a plant that grew overnight and whispered secrets.”
  • “When I looked through the telescope, I saw not stars, but the eyes of something watching.”

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8 Truths About Teaching Writing to Middle Schoolers

Middle school writers are full of imagination and creativity, and teachers can honor that while teaching writing conventions.

A middle school student writing in class

There’s something extraordinary about middle school writers.

Maybe it’s the tension of existing between childhood and adulthood and their ability to articulate this tension. Maybe it’s their fully intact imaginations and natural inclination to creatively express themselves. Whatever it is, they’re capable of astounding us and each other if we teach them well.

What I’ve learned to be true about teaching writing to middle schoolers is rooted in the importance of both coaching them on the conventions of writing in English and giving them room to be who they are.

What I’ve Learned

1. Choice is crucial, but students need help choosing: When students are able to follow their interests and curiosity, it’s more likely that their writing will be honest and compelling. However, if left to their own devices, students sometimes begin writing about topics that don’t lead them anywhere.

Before writing, students should brainstorm and have the opportunity to talk with you—and their peers, if possible—about their ideas. They’ll need your help discerning which idea would yield the most engaging writing for them. Your guidance is invaluable.

2. Clichés are fantastic for teaching creative expression: Middle schoolers often use clichés, in the belief that using them makes their writing better. When we define clichés for them and explain the better choice of describing familiar things in fresh, unique ways, students begin taking more risks in their writing.

A colleague gave me the idea to create a cliché graveyard for my classroom—a poster cut into the shape of a gravestone that we add clichés to as we identify them. This makes hunting for clichés fun, and each time we bury a cliché, students come up with new creative descriptions. Theirs are always better.

3. Simple rubrics make a huge difference: Rubrics let students know what you’re looking for in their writing, and middle schoolers are most attentive to rubrics that include as little text as possible.

I list vertically the five to 10 elements (title, lead, thesis, etc.) that I assess on the left side of the rubric, and horizontally along the top I include four simple categories: AWESOME, Pretty good!, OK..., and a crying emoji. More text can overwhelm students and limit you when you’re grading.

4. Students should interview published writers: Middle schoolers learn a ton about the craft of writing when given opportunities to interview published writers. Thankfully, many writers are happy to visit classrooms and meet with students for free. Visits by video call also work.

Before a visit, students should read a small selection of the writer’s work and prepare five to 10 questions on that work and the writer’s process. As a class, they should ask their questions and take notes on what the writer says. It’s amazing how much ground they can cover in one class.

5. They need to name their strengths and weaknesses: When meeting with students one on one, begin by asking them to identify the strengths and weaknesses of whatever piece they’re working on. Students can often name the strengths of their writing, but you still need to encourage them to be specific: “What makes this sentence work well?”

It’s more difficult for them to name weaknesses. “I just don’t like this part,” they’ll say. Again, your job is to help them be specific.

The more students are encouraged to name the strengths and weaknesses of their writing, the more self-sufficient they become as writers.

6. We can embrace the quirks: It’s important to teach students the terminology and structures of English grammar so that they understand what you mean when you discuss the makeup of a sentence. And generally a writer should know the rules of the language before breaking them.

However, middle schoolers sometimes create sentences with peculiar characteristics that look and sound striking but are grammatically incorrect. Because they haven’t fully internalized English grammar, they’re still playful with the language.

On these occasions, I’ve found it helpful to allow them to break the rules but also let them know how they’re doing so. This way, grammatical conventions aren’t forgotten—they’re purposefully ignored to help students develop a voice on the page.

7. Letting them try on different writing styles is invaluable: A great way to help students develop their writing voices is to let them imitate others. When students read short pieces by authors with distinctive voices and as a class identify how—on the sentence level—the writing is unique and interesting, they learn practical ways to infuse writing with personality.

If given opportunities to use these styles in their own writing, students are one step closer to understanding how to make their written work more representative of who they are.

8. They need to consistently ask themselves two questions: Middle schoolers often leave important ideas off the page because they either assume you know they’re talking about or haven’t pushed themselves to think critically about what they’re saying.

If during class and in your comments you consistently challenge students to answer “How?” and “Why?” they learn to be more thoughtful and thorough in all of their writing. These simple metacognitive questions lead to fuller, more sophisticated thought processes for them and stronger pieces of writing for others to read.

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Understanding Writing Assignments

This resource describes some steps you can take to better understand the requirements of your writing assignments. This resource works for either in-class, teacher-led discussion or for personal use.

Argument Papers

This resource outlines the generally accepted structure for introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions in an academic argument paper. Keep in mind that this resource contains guidelines and not strict rules about organization. Your structure needs to be flexible enough to meet the requirements of your purpose and audience.

Research Papers

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Exploratory Papers

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Annotated Bibliographies

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Book Report

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Definitions

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While most OWL resources recommend a longer writing process (start early, revise often, conduct thorough research, etc.), sometimes you just have to write quickly in test situations. However, these exam essays can be no less important pieces of writing than research papers because they can influence final grades for courses, and/or they can mean the difference between getting into an academic program (GED, SAT, GRE). To that end, this resource will help you prepare and write essays for exams.

Book Review

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Academic Proposals

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Six March Lesson Plan Ideas for Middle and High School Students

The title "March Activity and Lesson Plan Ideas for Middle and High School Students" with icons representing Pi Day, St. Patrick's Day, Women's History Month, March Madness, Spring, and upcoming Earth Day.

Can you believe it’s already March? With the promise of spring in the air, it’s the perfect time to infuse some fresh energy into your classroom. Here are 10 lesson ideas and activities to keep your students engaged and excited about learning throughout the month.

Celebrate Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, making it a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. Organize a research project where students can explore the lives of influential women in various fields such as science, literature, politics, and activism. Encourage them to create presentations, posters, or even short plays to share their findings with the class.

Women's History Month, March activities and lesson plans

10 Helpful Resources for Women’s History Month

Junior Scholastic: Women’s History Kit

National Women’s History Museum Digital Classroom Resources

Pi Day Extravaganza

March 14 is Pi Day (3/14), a mathematical holiday that celebrates the mathematical constant π. Plan a Pi Day extravaganza filled with fun activities like memorizing digits of pi, solving pi-related puzzles, and baking delicious pies to enjoy together. You can also incorporate discussions about the significance of pi in mathematics and its applications in real life.

types of writing assignments for middle school

Fun and Simple Pi Day Activities

Pi Day Logic Puzzles

13 Pi Day Activities for Middle and High School Students

Pi Day Activities for Middle School Math Class

Explore Irish Culture for St. Patrick’s Day

Get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by exploring Irish culture with your students. Dive into the history and traditions behind the holiday, from the legend of St. Patrick to the significance of shamrocks and leprechauns. Engage students in activities like learning traditional Irish dances, trying their hand at Irish language phrases, or creating Irish-inspired artwork.

Four leaf clover with different ELA activities written on each leaf. Perfect for March activities in ELA!

St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Middle and High School

7 St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Secondary ELA

22 St. Patrick’s Day Writing Prompts and Activities

Environmental Awareness Projects

March is also a great time to focus on environmental awareness, especially with Earth Day approaching in April. Assign students to research environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, or conservation efforts. Have them brainstorm creative solutions or initiatives that they can implement within their school or community to make a positive impact on the environment.

7 Eco-Projects for Middle Schoolers

Earth Day Projects for Secondary Students

10 Environmental Research and Passion Project Ideas for High School Students

March Madness Math

Put a twist on the popular basketball tournament with a March Madness-themed math competition. Create brackets featuring math problems of varying difficulty levels, and have students compete against each other to solve them. Award points for correct answers and progress through the brackets until you crown a math champion. It’s a fun way to reinforce mathematical concepts while fostering friendly competition. 

types of writing assignments for middle school

March Madness Activities for Your Classroom

Poetry March Madness

March Madness in the Middle School Classroom

March Madness: Using Tournament Brackets to Debate Academic Questions

Spring-Themed Writing Prompts

Capture the essence of springtime by incorporating spring-themed writing prompts into your lessons. Encourage students to write descriptive essays about their favorite spring memories, poems inspired by the sights and sounds of the season, or short stories set in a springtime landscape. You can also take your class outside for a nature walk to gather inspiration for their writing.

Spring break writing fun in personal narrative and journal writing. Great for March lesson plans and activities!

Spring Break Personal Narrative Essay and Journal Writing Activities

25 Spring Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

Spring Writing Prompts for Grades 9-12

So there you have it—six exciting lesson ideas to inspire and engage your students throughout the month of March. Remember to have fun, stay flexible, and embrace the spirit of learning together. Happy teaching!

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IMAGES

  1. 18 Middle School Writing Process Worksheets / worksheeto.com

    types of writing assignments for middle school

  2. Twelve Assignments Every Middle School Student Should Write

    types of writing assignments for middle school

  3. Free Quick Write Rubric for elementary and middle school.

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  4. Good essay guide

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  5. Writing Assignments for Any Novel|Middle School Writing Activities

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  6. Writing Assignments for High School: Getting Started

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COMMENTS

  1. 150 Writing Prompts For Middle School (+Free Printable)

    Keep reading for a free printable writing pack for middle schoolers as well! Here is a quick generator that will generate a random middle school prompt for you: Click the 'Random' button to get a random middle school writing prompt. Random. For more fun writing ideas, check out this list of over 300 writing prompt for kids.

  2. PDF Middle School Writing Stylebook

    The Howard County Middle School Writing Stylebook is designed to guide and standardize basic writing expectations and stylistic elements across all middle schools for students and teachers. This publication is intended to be a resource for students and to supplement classroom instruction. The stylebook incorporates strategies from 6+1 Traits of ...

  3. 16 Meaningful Writing Activities that Engage Students

    Read about 16 high-interest writing assignments that middle school and high school students actually enjoy! #WritingActivities #MiddleSchoolELA #HighSchoolELA ... and sentence types. And, if you want students to go back and apply grammar to writing they've already completed, this free grammar in writing game is perfect for revision sessions!

  4. 40 Wonderful Middle School Writing Prompts

    40 Great Middle School Writing Prompts. In essay form, discuss how going through disappointments can have a positive side. Write about someone you care about and why they are so important to you. (Tip: You could include all the traits about them you most admire.) Playing a team sport can have both good and bad points.

  5. Middle School Writing (33 Ideas!) » JournalBuddies.com

    33 Middle School Writing Ideas & Prompts. Students should consider a recent history lesson, and then write a short story based on the perspective of a historical figure that they learned about in class. Encourage students to flip through a magazine or newspaper, and cut out one photograph. Ask them to write an essay to explain what they feel ...

  6. Our 2020-21 Writing Curriculum for Middle and High School

    The demand for evidence-based argumentative writing is now woven into school assignments across the curriculum and grade levels, and you couldn't ask for better real-world examples than what you ...

  7. 48 Writing Prompts for Middle School Kids

    These prompts are aimed at middle school students (roughly age 11 - 14) - but younger or older writers might enjoy trying them as well. I've split them into different types of prompts - imaginative prompts, non-fiction/essay prompts, short story prompts and journaling prompts - but feel free to use them in any way you like. For ...

  8. 100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School

    Lacking inspiration for a middle school writing project? Get your pencil moving with 100 varied creative prompts for narrative, informational, argument, and poetry writing.

  9. Engaging Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

    The Role of Writing Prompts. Writing prompts are brief, thought-provoking statements or questions that inspire students to write clearly and creatively. They serve as the ignition for the creative fire within students, encouraging them to explore new horizons through writing. Writing prompts for middle school students also serve as invaluable ...

  10. 115 Great Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

    21. Tell what you like best and least about responding to middle school writing prompts. 22. Describe the similarities and differences between two holidays. 23. Write a new section of your science textbook. You choose the topic. Include appropriate text features. 24.

  11. 40 Easy Writing Prompts for Middle School

    First, they help students develop their writing skills. As students practice writing, they will become better able to communicate their thoughts and ideas. Additionally, writing prompts can help students explore their imaginations and creativity. Writing prompts can provide a fun and engaging way for students to learn about themselves and the ...

  12. The Best Writing Prompts for Middle School

    We rounded up 24 of the best writing prompts for middle school students who are still finding their writing voice! 1. Uncover their hidden strengths. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "You must do the thing you think you cannot do.". Write a narrative about a time when you did something you thought you could not do.

  13. 55 Writing Prompts For Middle Schoolers

    Writing prompts are an effective tool for middle school students to develop their writing skills. They offer a structured approach to writing that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression. Writing prompts can be used in a variety of ways, from daily journaling exercises to longer writing assignments. In this blog post, I will share with you 55 writing prompt for middle ...

  14. 8 Tips for Teaching Middle School Writing

    Tip 8: Use Rubrics. Rubrics are your friend when it comes to writing. They help students build confidence and give teachers a way to help family members understand their grading process. A rubric lets students know and see the expectations and exactly what they will be graded on.

  15. Fun Writing Activities for Middle School

    Writing Activities for Middle School. The six types of writing are descriptive, expository, persuasive, technical, and poetic. (I know, I know, your middle schooler is nodding off already.) The truth is these writing types can be enjoyable if you have some fun topic ideas. Not only does it make writing fun, but it also gives students a chance ...

  16. 20 Creative Writing Activities for Middle School

    9. Daily Journal Writing. There is no better way to improve students' writing abilities than to do daily writing. Each day, give students a different prompt and allow them to write for fifteen minutes. After, allow them the opportunity to share their story with their peers or the class. Learn More: Daily Teaching Tools.

  17. A Quick Guide to Teaching Any Middle School Academic Essay

    The academic essay is often largely subjective in terms of skill sequence and design involved in a unit plan. As I get the opportunity to work with more and more teachers, I find that this type of assignment is largely assigned based on the teacher's own personal learning experiences, the teacher's experiences with their mentor teacher, or ...

  18. 25 Great Writing Activities for Middle School Students

    8. Draft a Newspaper Article. For this middle school writing activity, students will write newspaper articles that cover the essential "Who, What, When, Where, and Why" of a given current event or assigned topic. 9. Complete Quick Writes. Set a short time limit, and have students respond to a series of quick writes.

  19. Writing Authentic Narratives in Middle School

    Basically, I combined everything I had ever done with narratives, and made it very middle school "rigorous," relatable, and engaging. Essentially using mentor texts, modeling and learning about narrative writing elements, and then used a workshop model (kind of an accident on that one). First of all, we read Freak the Mighty.

  20. Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School

    Here are 5 secrets I know work in middle school and will help your young writers succeed: 1. The teacher must model how to learn. If we want our students to write, we have to show them we are writers ourselves, which means opening ourselves up to scrutiny. 2. Learning should be infectious.

  21. 120 Engaging Middle School Writing Prompts

    Below is a list of writing prompts for middle school students, including creative prompts, journal prompts, persuasive writing prompts, expository writing prompts, and story starter prompts. ... This type of writing requires students to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea ...

  22. 8 Truths About Teaching Writing to Middle Schoolers

    Your guidance is invaluable. 2. Clichés are fantastic for teaching creative expression: Middle schoolers often use clichés, in the belief that using them makes their writing better. When we define clichés for them and explain the better choice of describing familiar things in fresh, unique ways, students begin taking more risks in their writing.

  23. Common Writing Assignments

    These OWL resources will help you understand and complete specific types of writing assignments, such as annotated bibliographies, book reports, and research papers. This section also includes resources on writing academic proposals for conference presentations, journal articles, and books.

  24. Six March Lesson Plan Ideas for Middle and High School Students

    Spring Break Personal Narrative Essay and Journal Writing Activities. 25 Spring Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers. Spring Writing Prompts for Grades 9-12. So there you have it—six exciting lesson ideas to inspire and engage your students throughout the month of March. Remember to have fun, stay flexible, and embrace the spirit of learning ...