BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL WRITING PROMPTS

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Overcoming Obstacles with Writers Ink

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Start your story with somebody getting called to the principal’s office.

Middle School – 40 stories

Finish this sentence: "I wish that I. "

You find a magical portal in your bedroom one day. Do you step into it? What happens?

Write a scary story that you could tell around a campfire!

If you could be anything in the world, what would you be? Why?

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Write about your dream for the future. Be as descriptive as possible.

If I were the teacher for a day, this is what I would do! Write about it.

Write about a time that you took a chance.

Think about your favorite place in the world. What makes it so special to you? Write about it.

Write about a time that you felt betrayed.

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Write about a time that you were brave.

One day, you wake up. and your pet has started talking to you! What do they say?

Write a letter to a pen pal in a far away land.

Your friend invents a time-traveling machine, and invites you to enter it. Which year do you travel to?

You get to meet a character from your favorite book. Which three do you pick, and why?

What's your first memory? Describe it as if it were a story.

If I were rich, the first thing I would do is.

Write about a plan that goes wrong, for the better.

Middle School – 38 stories

Create a holiday — one of your own making. What is this holiday of yours? Who celebrates it? How do you celebrate it?

You get to create a new nation. What is your national animal? National flower? National anthem?

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The best writing prompts for middle school

Writing has a funny way of bringing the world around us to sharp contrast — which is why creative writing prompts might turn out to be just the trick to get the imaginations of your middle school students going! Whether you make it a journaling activity in the classroom or an interactive project to get your middle schoolers swapping ideas with friends, a writing prompt can do it all for kids: improve their writing skills, skyrocket their creativity, and broaden their perspective beyond the confines of school.

This directory is bursting with the best writing ideas about animals, people, and nature. Feel free to use any of these writing prompts for middle school to help turn your students into young writers with a story of their own.

If you're looking to cut to the chase, here's a list of top ten favorite writing prompts for middle schoolers:

• A character finds an old roll of film, and takes it to be developed. What do they find?
• A mundane ability suddenly becomes a superpower. Write about someone or something affected by this.
• End your story with someone finally conceding to another's point of view.
• Format your story in the style of diary entries.
• Set your story in a confectionery shop.
• Write a story about someone struggling to swallow some harsh (but fair) constructive criticism.
• Write a story in the form of a top-ten list.
• Write a story inspired by a piece of music (without using any lyrics).
• Write a story that focuses on the relationship between siblings.
• Write a story involving a character donating a box of clothes they have outgrown.

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

Develop a Writing Routine (free course) — It’s never too early to start developing a writing routine! While creative writing prompts can give a student the spark of an idea for a story, it will take time, effort, and commitment to turn it into a novel. This course will show an author of any age how to develop the discipline that they will need to write a book.

Want to encourage your middle school students to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekly short story contest , for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

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