100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School

By middle school, students have the skills and ability to write complex pieces. However, they may be lacking inspiration and not know where to start. Check out this list of 100 Common Core-aligned writing prompts that are adaptable for all writing levels in middle school.

Narrative Writing Prompts

Narrative writing is what most people think of when they hear "creative writing." Narrative writing includes fiction writing, like short stories and novels, as well as the writer's true personal stories.

Story Starters

Need some inspirational prompts for middle school? Get those creative juices flowing with intriguing ways to start fictional stories.

• John opened the door and picked up the brown package on the porch. Immediately, he knew something wasn't right.
• Today seemed like the perfect day, until.
• The aliens were all around us. They looked like.
• I couldn't believe it when my favorite celebrity wanted to hang out with me! The first thing we did was…
• April ran as fast as she could, desperate to get away from…
• No one was more surprised than I was when the dog began to talk.
• I couldn't believe I had washed up on a desert island. Luckily, I still had my…
• Katie watched as her friends walked away. She never thought their friendship would end after something like this. It all started when…
• When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was that I wasn't in my house.
• Dev was shocked to discover that inside his uncle's gift was.

Mystery, science fiction, and romance fans can choose from more genre-specific story starters as well.

Personal Narrative Prompts

A personal narrative is a creative way to tell a true story. This form of autobiographical writing usually describes one event from a first-person perspective. Here are some ideas for middle schoolers to write about their own experiences.

• Write about the biggest surprise of your life.
• Describe the most memorable holiday in your family, including how you felt and why it was memorable.
• Choose one event that happened recently (today, yesterday, or earlier in the week). Use all five senses to describe the event in a vivid way.
• Write about a time when you felt afraid.
• Talk about a time you felt disappointed. Include what you expected from the situation and how reality did not live up to your expectations.
• What is your favorite place in the world? Use descriptive language to explain how it makes you feel.
• Have you overcome a major challenge in your life? What did it teach you?
• Write about a time when you thought a situation was worse than it really was.
• Describe a memory you have with an animal. Why was this moment special for you?
• Think about your favorite smell. What does it remind you of?
• Think about a terrible smell. What does it remind you of?

You can read examples of narrative essays, as well as examples of famous autobiographies, for more inspiration.

Reflective Writing Prompts

Reflective writing is the process where a writer records their thoughts about an experience. Like personal narratives, reflective writing is nonfiction. The difference is that it is not meant for other readers. It also does not use formal writing. Keeping a journal is one type of reflective writing.

• Describe the events in your day over the course of a week. Which day was the busiest? Did it feel that way?
• Record your emotional reactions for several days in a row. Do you see a pattern? What can you do to change an emotional pattern?
• Make a goal in the morning and reflect back on it at night. Write about whether you accomplished that goal, and if so, what helped you. If you didn't accomplish your goal, reflect on what you could do differently next time.
• Write out a conversation you had as if it were dialogue in a story. Would you change any of your lines if you could do it again?
• Keep a journal in which you track acts of kindness you perform each day. How did you help someone?
• Reflect on your relationship with someone in your family. How do you get along with them? What would you change about your behavior? What could they change?
• List your goals and priorities for the week. Reflect on whether they reflect your personality or just your schedule.
• Describe your favorite things about yourself. What makes you unique? What makes you belong to a bigger group, such as your family, friends, or community?

Check out some helpful tips for bringing reflective writing and journaling into the classroom.

Informational Writing Prompts

Informational text gets the point across clearly and concisely. Expository writing is a type of informational writing that explains who, what, where, when, and why something occurred. Research writing and procedural writing are other ways to convey information.

Expository Prompts

Meant to explain or expose a topic, expository writing is a common style for school essays. It's also found in most newspaper articles and magazine features.

• Explain why you chose the clothes you're wearing today.
• Write about a role model of yours. Why do you look up to them?
• Learn about a traffic law in your neighborhood and explain why it's important.
• Write about something you learned this year. Use as much detail as you can remember.
• Explain why you love your favorite song.
• Choose a character from a story or movie. Explain why they made an important choice.
• Write a news article about an event from your life or the community.
• Describe a historical event and why it was important.
• Explain the plot from your favorite story or movie.
• What are the qualities of a good friend?
• Give your best advice to someone who is about to enter middle school.