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Home › Study Tips › Creative Writing Resources For Secondary School Students
Are you a high school student struggling to find inspiration for your creative writing assignments? Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut and can’t seem to come up with new and exciting ideas? If so, you’re not alone.
Many students struggle with coming up with ideas for creative writing, especially when they feel pressure to produce something original and engaging.
But the good news is that there are ways to break through the block and find inspiration for your writing.
For instance, by attending our award-winning creative writing summer programme , you’ll learn how to conquer the fear of the blank page. How? By learning proven formulas for creating brilliant stories.
Another way to have that creative spark is to use creative writing prompts.
This article will provide creative high school students like yourself with a list of creative writing prompts. So you’ll get the inspiration you need to get into the flow and start writing!
Writing prompts are ideas that help writers overcome writer’s block and get started with their writing. They can come in various forms, including a
Creative writing prompts get your creative juices flowing. When you encounter a writing prompt, it encourages you to start writing!
What types of writing, you ask? It can be anything from fiction writing to essay writing. Creative writing prompts are even used to get you started with freewriting in your daily journal.
So you see, many writers find writing prompts a quick and easy way to begin a new writing project. Or to overcome writer’s block when they are stuck.
There are many different ways to use writing prompts. Here are a few ideas:
Are you having trouble coming up with ideas for a new writing project? Try using a writing prompt to get started. You can use a writing prompt as the starting point for a
Stuck on a particular piece of writing and can’t seem to move forward? Use writing prompts to brainstorm on how to proceed!
As the old adage says, practice makes perfect! You can use writing prompts to practice different writing techniques or styles. Or try out different writing genres!
You can use writing prompts to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try writing about things you might not usually write about.
Say your comfort zone is writing fantasy stories. And you want to try something new. Why not use scary writing prompts as a starting point?
To use a writing prompt, choose a prompt that interests you and start writing. There are no hard and fast rules about how to use writing prompts – the important thing is to just start writing and see where the prompt takes you!
Write a story about a character who:
Or, check out the other prompts too:
Write a poem about a/an:
Start your story with a conversation between two characters who are:
What if you:
Do you have a brother or sister in middle school? Our middle school writing prompts are a great way for them to get into the flow of creative writing effectively.
Write an essay about a/an:
Write a story about a character who goes on a:
Need more Creative Writing prompts? Check out this article entitled “ 308 Creative Writing Prompts To Unlock Your Writing Skills .”
1. read widely.
Reading improves your writing skills by exposing you to different
Did you know reading widens your vocabulary? It does! And vocabulary is an essential aspect of effective writing. The more words you know, the more effectively you can communicate your ideas.
Also, reading helps improve your comprehension and critical thinking skills. Both of these are valuable for analysing and synthesising information. So you’ll learn how to present ideas clearly in your writing.
Think of writing as a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes! Writing regularly makes you feel more comfortable and confident.
What’s more, it helps you develop your own voice and style. Once you hone the aspects that make you unique , you’ll stand out more!
Writing regularly also gives you a better sense of what works and what doesn’t. And you’ll be able to refine your writing accordingly.
The more you write, the better you will become at it. So maximise our creative writing prompts and make time to write every day. Even if it’s just for a few minutes!
Do you know that experimenting with different writing styles and techniques expands your writing skills? Why? Because doing so makes you a versatile writer. Able to adapt your style to different situations and audiences.
For example, writing poems even when you’re not used to poetry-writing forces you to think . To imagine and create! As a result? You get out of your comfort zone and explore. And you’re better able to reimagine your craft.
What are the common writing styles?
What better way to keep you motivated than by joining a writing community? A writing community provides support and encouragement. Being surrounded by like-minded folks passionate about writing can be a great source of inspiration!
Plus, you’ll be exposed to different writing styles and techniques. Which can help you expand your horizon and help you become a more versatile writer.
Joining a writing community can also be a great way to get feedback on your writing. Helping you identify areas for improvement.
Finally, do you know a writing community can be a great source of information and resources? Members often share valuable writing tips and strategies.
What is one of the most effective methods in fast-tracking you to massive improvement in your writing skills? Taking a creative writing course!
Why does taking a creative writing course help you improve your writing skills? Because you’ll learn from experienced writers. While having the opportunity to practice writing under the watchful eye of expert tutors.
Creative writing prompts are useful for high school students looking for inspiration for new and original ideas. You can overcome writer’s block by tapping into your creativity in a new and exciting way.
These prompts will challenge and inspire you. So give them a try and see what amazing stories and ideas you can come up with!
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Writing the college essay
How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?
These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.
While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:
University of Chicago
Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026
What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.
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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.
The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.
Harvard University
Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.
What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?
How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.
University of Pennsylvania
Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.
What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.
How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.
University of Notre Dame
Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?
What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.
How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.
Stanford University
Prompt: List five things that are important to you.
What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.
How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.
While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.
Tim Walz gets his moment in the spotlight as many Americans learn about him for first time.
by Lauren Henry, KTUL Staff
SKIATOOK, OKLA (KTUL) — Skiatook parent, Olivia Gray, is raising concern over a research assignment her daughter received in her sophomore history class.
The assignment asks students questions about how the world started and who started it, before asking other questions surrounding Christianity and if God is real.
Gray posted a photo of the assignment and the questions it asks on Facebook, where she began to receive hundreds of comments.
“I thought the questions were leading. I was concerned with the first paragraph that gave instructions because it was poorly written. But then as I read the questions, they were asking the kids, I said how are you supposed to research this? This is all opinion-based," said Gray.
Gray says that aside from the nature of the assignment, she's more concerned with who is teaching her daughter and if they meet the required qualifications to do so.
Gray continued, “I think those things should be discussed at home with families. There’s the religious aspect, there’s the Ryan Walters letter, there’s the targeting of children, but there’s also the fact that this teacher can’t write a sentence. And why is that person teaching our children? If they can’t write instructions, how are they teaching my kid?"
Erich Richter is the teacher who gave out the assignment. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education's website, Richter's emergency certification in English for grades 5-12 expired in June.
On top of the attention Gray's post has attracted online, she says she has not heard from the school.
“They’re very aware of the situation and they can call me when they need lunch money and they can call me when they need me to sell cookie dough, and they can call me now," said Gray.
Skiatook Public Schools confirmed that Richter is still employed with the district.
In a statement, they said:
Skiatook Public Schools became aware of the World History assignment in question through a social media post. Once administration reviewed the assignment, it was determined that the presentation of the material was not conducive to our instructional plan. Administration and staff will continue to collaborate on best practices to meet the Oklahoma Academic Standards. Skiatook Public Schools encourages parents concerned about any assignment to contact the site administrator.
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The Democratic National Convention begins Monday and will give Vice President Kamala Harris her biggest platform yet.
by STAFF REPORTS
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WCHS) — The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission announced additional changes to school classifications ahead of the 2024 football season.
Adjustments from a review board - with members appointed by the state Board of Education - decided to grant waivers to 11 schools requesting classification changes earlier this week.
A news release from the WVSSAC has reclassified an additional 12 schools:
The original revisions included the following schools:
“We have been working diligently to work through the logistics and implications of the board of review’s mandate since Monday,’” WVSSAC executive director David Price stated in the news release. “We’re now looking forward to getting competitions started here very soon.”
High school football in West Virginia kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 29.
By boris akunin.
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3. Expository essay assignments. Another common type of high school essay practice, expository writing assignments ask students to explain, describe, or expose interesting ideas about a subject. Doing so helps students think critically about the world around them and develop a deep enough understanding of a topic that they're able to lead ...
Some of the texts I've used in the past include essays, short stories, poetry, videos, comics, and articles: "School Is Hell" cartoons by Matt Groenig. "Superman and Me," an essay by Sherman Alexie. "Changing Educational Paradigms," a TED talk by Sir Ken Robinson. "The Bees," a poem by Audre Lorde. "Learning Like a Jungle ...
First writing assignments, assigned. Classes will write a paragraph, a paper, a reflection of some sort. Diving into teaching writing can be a slow process, or with older students, it can begin those first days of class. Here is what I know from teaching over a dozen years: Those first writing assignments with a new class, matter.
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.
A few of my favorite writing assignments for high school: Mini-memoirs (narrative standards) Response to informational text ... Writing standards are guidelines that outline the skills and knowledge students should acquire in writing. They provide a common framework for teaching writing skills, ensuring consistency across classrooms and grade ...
6. Creative Prompts: This prompt allows for imaginative expression and experimentation with different forms of writing. Example: Write a poem from the perspective of a tree witnessing the changing seasons. 7. Analytical Prompts: This prompt requires critical thinking and interpretation of literary elements.
101 Argument Essay Prompts for High School. Teaching argument writing can be very exciting, especially if you have great argument essay prompts for your students to choose from. It provides students with an opportunity to explore interesting topics. I give my students choices when I am teaching argument writing in my classroom.
Meaningful and engaging writing assignments include a dash of real-world, relevant writing opportunities, a pinch of skill transfer, and a sprinkling of creative freedom. Let's elevate students' writing experiences while meeting standards. But, don't forget to balance tough, academic-style writing with some more flexible options that will ...
The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here.) Public and private schools. Capitalism vs. communism. Monarchy or democracy. Dogs vs. cats as pets. WeAreTeachers. Paper books or e-books. Two political candidates in a current race.
54. Write about a time that you embarrassed yourself in front of classmates. 55. Tell a story about a day when everything went wrong. 56. Describe the best April Fool's Day joke you've ever experienced. 57. Write a story about an entire day where everyone at school walks backwards. 58.
A good narrative essay will begin with an attention-grabbing opening line. But make sure to avoid common clichés, such as "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.". Instead, come up with something original and specific to you and your situation. For example: "My pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles.
Changes over the past decade. Stereotype changes in history. Exploration of healthcare. College education costs. Keeping exotic animals in captivity for personal use. The ethics of keeping wild animals in zoos. Selling a piece of art as an NFT. Implementing school uniforms in public schools in America. So get to it and use these essay topics ...
4 Engaging Writing Tasks for High School Students. Short, authentic writing tasks can encourage high school students to compose richer long pieces. It's quite likely that many of your students dislike writing. After all, they're often expected to compose lengthy pieces that typically require lots of brainstorming, researching, planning ...
Here are 10 writing prompts for high school students to get them excited about writing in the new year. 1. The TED Talk. There are a lot of amazing TED Talks out there that students love. Launch a TED Talk unit by showing this one, from Tim Urban, called " Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator .". Talk about what makes it powerful.
Below you'll find 55 journal writing prompts. High school students will find plenty to say about these topics, but I suggest setting ground rules for writing and setting a time limit (with timer projected). First: Write for the whole time. Second: Don't worry about making sense or making sure what you write is perfectly-edited.
Common Types of Writing Assignments. While much of the writing you did in high school may have been for an English or literature class, in college, writing is a common form of expression and scholarship in many fields and thus in many courses. You may have to write essays, reflections, discussion board posts, or research papers in your history ...
Writing Prompts for Stories That Start with Dialogue. Start your story with a conversation between two characters who are: arguing. meeting for the first time. meeting each other for the first time in ten years after graduation. trying to solve a problem. discussing a secret. trying to keep a secret from someone else.
Part 1: Chapter 3. College writing assignments serve a different purpose than the typical writing assignments you completed in high school. The textbook Successful Writing explains that in high school, teachers generally focus on teaching you to write in a variety of modes and formats, including personal writing, expository writing, research ...
In many college courses, writing is a common form of expression and scholarship. Students from fields as varied as computer science, biology, psychology, art history, and accounting are expected to write essays, term papers, reflections, discussion board posts, theses, and more. Writing assignments in college vary in length and purpose.
For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their ...
SKIATOOK, OKLA (KTUL) — Skiatook parent, Olivia Gray, is raising concern over a research assignment her daughter received in her sophomore history class. The assignment asks students questions ...
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WCHS) — The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission announced additional changes to school classifications ahead of the 2024 football season. Adjustments from a ...
Special Assignments ebook ∣ Erast Fandorin 5 · Erast Fandorin By Boris Akunin. Sign up to save your library. With an OverDrive account, you can save your favorite libraries for at-a-glance information about availability. ... and who may have more in common with London's own Jack the Ripper than simply a taste for women of easy virtue. ...
Preview pages of the 1962 yearbook from Moscow High School from Moscow, Kansas online. Register for free to see them all, or buy a printed copy of yearbooks from Moscow High School from Moscow, Kansas today.
Moscow's Jr Miss. Miss Moscow 1965. Miss Debutante 1965. Homecoming Queen - Harriot. Homecoming Princess - Sandy. Senior Ball Royalty. Staffan comes to Moscow.
Vnukovo. Vnukovo District is an administrative district of Western Administrative Okrug, and one of the 125 raions of Moscow, Russia. Most of the district is occupied by Vnukovo International Airport, a small adjacent residential area, and a separate residential micro-district. Photo: Ssr, CC BY-SA 3.0. Ukraine is facing shortages in its brave ...