Creative Writing Prompts
Ready-to-use story starters, challenges, and vocabulary exercises that spark creativity and build writing confidence.
Think-Pair-Share (Practice Activity)
Think-Pair-Share is a great classroom strategy to get students generating ideas and collaborating. Here is a quick practice lesson to familiarize students with this process.
What Kind of Writer Are You?
When it comes to being a teacher, I like having a long-term vision. Many of my students don’t like reading. And many don’t like writing. My goal, however, is to plant seeds. In five years from now, my students might
Write Clearly and Simply (Mini-Unit)
The following readings and activities are designed to teach students how to declutter their writing. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nx8FH6hIJglbecaljF_uKO0vSc9DziT21eivDTkUmtk/edit?usp=sharing Google Docs of Activities
Write a Creative Story About a Monster!
Worksheet Here: Similar resources here: Donate here:
UPDATED “Six-Seven” Resources!
The Six-Seven Resolution Challenge! Fake Assignment (Six-Seven Edition) Writing Prompt: The Town of 67 Video: Worksheet: Microfiction Challenge “67” Video: Worksheet: Punctuation Practice “67” 10-Sentence Story Slang Edition Directions Challenge “67” What Does “Six-Seven” Mean? Video Worksheet: Get a few
Writing Prompt: Lost in the Woods
Here is my latest story prompt. Students need to watch the video and read the beginning of the story. Then they need to finish writing the story with 150 words or more.
Writing Prompt: My Trip to PARIS!
Creative Writing Prompt: Mars Mission
1. Watch the video prompt. 2. Read the story on the worksheet. This is a great opportunity to review vocabulary and assess students’ comprehension. 3. Replay the video. 4. Check for understanding. Ensure students grasp the task and know they
Write a Short Story About a Storm!
Your Task: Write a Short Story About a Storm. That’s right—a storm. But what kind of storm will it be? Perhaps you’re behind the wheel when the sky darkens, and the clouds begin to swirl like a Van Gogh painting
Writing Prompt: You See the Impossible in the Mariana Trench!
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Write a Creative Story About a TORNADO!
Worksheet More creative writing tasks here: Donate here:
Write a Story About the Wind
Worksheet More Creative Writing Prompts Here: If you like what you see, feel free to donate below:
Write a Story That Takes Place in the Desert!
Your Mission: Write a Story Set in a Desert Whether it’s the Sahara, the Gobi, or the Mojave, your task is to create a compelling story set in the vast, arid expanse of a desert. Maybe your road trip gets
Write a Story About a Chase!
Your Task: Write a Story About a Chase That’s right—a chase. Maybe on your way to work, you saw a monster, and suddenly, the chase was on. Perhaps the U.S. Air Force scrambled jets to pursue a UFO over Alaskan
Write a Story That Takes Place in the Jungle!
Imagine a place covered in dense forests, teeming with tangled vines, insects, vibrant plants, snakes, jaguars, sloths, monkeys, and so much more. This is the jungle—a world of life, danger, and mystery, usually found in tropical climates. Write a story
Writing Prompt: The Time Traveler
Play the video, read the worksheet, and have students finish the story. It’s that easy! Worksheet: You can find similar writing prompts here:
The Sea Monster (Writing Prompt)
Worksheet: More Story Prompts Here: If you like what you see, feel free to donate to Tolentino Teaching below. Thank you!
Write a Creative Story About Dinosaurs!
Pass out the worksheet, play the video, and let students write. It’s that simple. Worksheet: My goal is to create thousands of free resources for English teachers around the world. If you want to support me on this mission, you
Write a Creative Story About a Shark!
Pass out the worksheet, play the video, and let students write. That’s it! Worksheet: If you want to support me in my quest to create THOUSANDS of FREE resources for teachers around the world, click on the link below. Thank
Write a Creative Story About VIKINGS!
Have you really lived if you have never written a story about VIKINGS? Print the worksheet, play the video, and have students write. That’s it! Worksheet: If any of my resources have helped you and your students, feel free to
Write an EPIC Story in 10 Minutes! (Creative Writing)
Print out the worksheet, play the video, and let students write. It’s that easy. I hope your students write some EPIC stories. Worksheet: If you like this activity, you can donate to Tolentino Teaching here!
10 Fun and Engaging Writing Prompts for Students!
Many of my students HATE writing. And this HATRED has only grown post-Covid. This has forced me to be creative with my lesson planning. I love (I mean really love) supplementing my curriculum with low-stakes writing prompts and contests. The
Creative Writing Prompt: Lost in Space!
Video: Worksheet: Similar Prompts here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LZTUNTbw6tnJS_Po61CPZaH_QZNn2gmCFsxWjETroY4/edit?usp=sharing Donate to Tolentino Teaching here:
Story Prompt: Searching for Treasure
Students need to watch the video and read the first half of the story. Then they need to write a creative ending of 150 words or more. I love using these activities as writing contests. The focus is on ideas,
Use “Bruh” in a Story!
Here is a fun writing contest idea: Use “bruh” in a story. I tell my students that I want creative ideas and clear writing. I also invite silly ideas. Many of my middle school students love being silly, and this
The Ultimate Set of Creative Writing Prompts
Here is an assortment of activities aimed to get students writing creatively! Here is a Google Doc of Prompts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LZTUNTbw6tnJS_Po61CPZaH_QZNn2gmCFsxWjETroY4/edit?usp=sharing My thoughts on Creative Writing Prompts: If you want to purchase the ebook version of these prompts, click below. I
Story Prompt: Write the Story of Emily Collins
Writing Prompt: Maya the Coder
Writing Prompt: The Whispering Manor
Write a Story About Aliens!
The Missing Shoe (Finish Writing the Story)
Writing Prompt: What Happened to the Missing Artifacts?
Writing Prompt: Turn your favorite song into a short story
I don’t assign homework to parents—but I do share recommendations.
One of my recommendations is twenty minutes of daily reading. Here’s a worksheet and video to help you get started. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgKAg28iaHY&t=2s Worksheet: Donate Here:
Create a Fictional Character
Step 1: Create a Fictional Character Video Explanation Worksheet 1: Describe Your Fictional Character in 250 words or more. Worksheet 2: Draw a Picture of Your Fictional Character Step 2: Exchange your character with a classmate. Then write a creative
Capture the Softer Side of a Villain!
Your mission is to humanize a character from a book or movie who has been labeled a villain. You can tell the “real” story of this character, or perhaps give a day-in-the life of what their life islike. Be creative
Create a Fictional Character
Part 1: Create a fictional character. Part 2: Exchange your character with a classmate. Then write a creative story with your given character.
The Ultimate Writing Challenge (Vary Sentence Length)
Writers often vary their sentence lengths to create rhythm.A long, winding sentence — one that stretches, elaborates, and meanders on and on — can set a flowing, thoughtful pace.Follow that with a short sentence, and suddenly, you have music.Hear it?
The Ultimate Storytelling Challenge!
Write a story (real or imagined) in approximately 200 words.Condense your story to exactly 100 words.Condense it again to exactly 50 words.Condense it once more to exactly 25 words.Finally, condense your story to exactly 6 words. Video Here: Worksheet: Donate
Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Directions Challenge!
This activity is designed to reinforce the importance of carefully reading directions before beginning any assignment. Many students tend to skim instructions and rush into their work, which can lead to errors, confusion, and unnecessary frustration. This challenge provides a
Creative Writing Training: The Ultimate Workout for Your Words
Try this creative writing workout! More writing challenges here: Donate here:
Write a Creative Story About a Monster!
Worksheet Here: Similar resources here: Donate here:
Creative Writing Challenges/Obstacle Courses!
Writing challenges are a great way of shaking things up. They give students space to experiment with ideas, words, and literary devices. Here is an assortment of challenges I use with my students. Worksheets Write a 100-Word Story Inspired by
Can You Pass This CREATIVE WRITING Obstacle Course?
Worksheet: More creative writing prompts here: If you like what you see, feel free to donate here. Thank you!
Writing Challenge: Vary Sentence Lengths in a Story!
Worksheet: More Writing Challenges Here:
Can You Pass This Creative Writing Challenge?
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The ULTIMATE Storytelling Challenge!
Write a Story About a Giant! (Picture Prompt)
Worksheet: If you like what you see, feel free to support me by donating here. Thank you!
Write an Emoji Story
Hello and welcome to Emoji Story. Your mission is to tell a story using the emojis given in this video. For each emoji you will have two minutes to write. You will be given one emoji at a time and
Write a Story with these 5 Verbs!
Think-Write-Pass!
Think-Write-Pass! (Class Writing Activity)
For this task, students need to write a creative story with classmates. Check it out!
Think-Write-Pass!
Here is a fun creative writing activity I use with my middle school students. You can find the direction in the video. I hope it helps! Worksheet here: More THINK-WRITE-PASS Activities Here: If you like what you see, feel free
Think-Write-Pass
I love giving students space to be creative and silly with their ideas. And I love having students write stories together – and sharing their creativity and silliness with one another. Think-Write-Pass is one of my favorite activities for building
Think-Write-Pass
I love giving students space to be creative and silly with their ideas. And I love having students write stories together – and sharing their creativity and silliness with one another. Think-Write-Pass is one of my favorite activities for building
Think-Write-Pass (Write a Story with Classmates)
This is one of my students’ favorite writing activities. Just play the video, pass out the worksheet, and have students write. It’s that easy! Activity 1: Worksheet: Activity 2: Worksheet: Activity 3: Advanced Vocabulary Activity 4: Worksheet: Activity 5: Worksheet:
Think-Write-Pass (Shark Edition)
This is one of my students’ favorite writing activities. Just play the video, pass out the worksheet, and have students write. It’s that easy! Video: Worksheet: More think-write-pass activities here: Donate here:
Microfiction Challenge #4
For the following activities, play the video and let students write stories from the pictures and word counts given.
Microfiction Challenge #2: Write 10 Stories!
Worksheet: Similar activity here: More Flash Fiction Activities Here: Thank you so much for visiting Tolentino Teaching. My goal is to provide ready-made lessons that are creative, clear, and concise. If you like what you see, feel free to support
Microfiction Challenge: Write 10 Short Stories!
If you like what you see, feel free to donate to Tolentino Teaching by clicking the link below. Thank you!
Write a Creative Story from the 5 Pictures Given!
Rhetorical Flex!
Flex your rhetorical muscles by intentionally using as many rhetorical devices as possible in a single piece of writing—with purpose, not randomness.
Who Said It?
For the following activities, students need to guess who wrote each quote. This is a class favorite – so be ready for fun! Who Said It: Tupac or Shakespeare? Who Said It: Mark Twain or Shakira? Worksheet: Who Said It:
Create a Meme!
Just so you know – young people are great at writing memes. If you don’t believe me, try giving your students these short creative writing tasks. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Activity 1: Activity 2: Activity 3: Activity #4: Activity #5:
13 Icebreaker Activities for Your Classroom!
Here are some icebreakers that I use with my students. I hope they help! Name 3 Things You Couldn’t Live Without! Worksheet: Would You Rather…? Worksheet: Whodunit? Worksheet: You Can Only Keep 3 Things! Worksheet: Random Fact! Worksheet: Create a
Flags Challenges/Quizzes
There is something about flags. Maybe it is the wanderlust they evoke, or the way they remind us of the broader world we are part of. Flags serve as an international language. You can have a student who barely speaks
End-of-the-Year “Chill” Activities!
Here are some END-OF-THE-YEAR “CHILL” Activities. Riddles: Trivia and More: Who Said It? More activities here:
Bellringer: Secret Fact Challenge!
Video Explanation: Worksheet: More Bellringers Here: Donate Here:
Build Your Identity as a Reader and Writer
Students need to see themselves as readers and writers. They need to connect how literacy will help them achieve their dreams and aspirations. Here are a few “seed planting” activities for students to build their identity as readers and writers.
How to Get RELUCTANT READERS to Read!
“I hate reading.”That’s what many of my students say. But I don’t buy it. What they really hate is the frustration that comes from not understanding what they read.They don’t hate reading—they just haven’t built the focus or confidence to enjoy it yet. Here’s
20-Word Summaries
Providing examples of well-written summaries works well for my advanced students. However, my reluctant readers and writers often remain confused, even after seeing these models. For these students, I’ve found that writing 20-word summaries on topics connected to their prior
Write Clearly and Simply.
These readings and activities will guide you in decluttering your writing, helping you express your ideas with precision, clarity, and ease. Google Doc Version Here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nx8FH6hIJglbecaljF_uKO0vSc9DziT21eivDTkUmtk/edit?usp=sharing Reading #1: On Writing Well by William Zinsser (Chapter 2: Simplicity) Read the chapter
How Well Do Your Students Follow Directions?
These activities are designed to reinforce the importance of carefully reading directions before beginning any assignment. Many students tend to skim instructions and rush into their work, which can lead to errors, confusion, and unnecessary frustration. These challenges provides a fun, engaging, and
Advice on Writing by C.S. Lewis!
My goal is for students to see themselves as writers. Here is some advice from C.S. Lewis that should inspire students to see writing in a new light. Worksheet: Build Your Identity as Reader and Writer: Donate Here:
Write Clearly and Simply (Mini-Unit)
The following readings and activities are designed to teach students how to declutter their writing. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nx8FH6hIJglbecaljF_uKO0vSc9DziT21eivDTkUmtk/edit?usp=sharing Google Docs of Activities
What Kind of Writer Are You?
When it comes to being a teacher, I like having a long-term vision. Many of my students don’t like reading. And many don’t like writing. My goal, however, is to plant seeds. In five years from now, my students might
Think-Pair-Share (Practice Activity)
Think-Pair-Share is a great classroom strategy to get students generating ideas and collaborating. Here is a quick practice lesson to familiarize students with this process.
Soundtrack Stories: Writing Inspired by Music
Here are two creative writing tasks related to music. I hope they help. Activity 1: Write a 300-Word Creative Story in Response to Two Songs! In this activity, you will write a 300-word creative story inspired by two songs that
Background Music for Writing!
Before my students write, I ask—“What country do you want to visit today?” We then play a 4K video of that country with light music. There is something about beautiful views and ideas. Here are some videos I play in
20-Minutes of Music and Scenery to Inspire Writing
There is something about scenery, travel, and music that stimulates ideas. Here is a video you can play as your students write. My students write in silence for 20 minutes every class. This video is 20 minutes for that reason.
Music Trivia!
More Trivia Activities Here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13ZYa3cQ3Ggj78koCrocmhvtnGK096SCpoiZEmZcN7F4/edit
Write a 100-Word Story Inspired by a Song!
I’m excited to share this creative writing task with you—it was a huge hit with my students! They absolutely loved it. Here’s how it works: Choose three songs, and have your students write a creative story inspired by each one.
The History of Rap (Vocabulary-Building Activity)
The goal of Paragraph Practice is to instill in students the following habits. The topics for Paragraph Practice are meant to be of high interest (Lionel Messi, rap music, etc). This ensures students have background knowledge or interest in the
