creative writing for basic 3

108 Engaging Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

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Creative writing is the perfect way to get kids interested in writing. Students’ imaginations are bursting with ideas and they’re usually still willing to share them at this age. The more we can get them writing poems, songs, stories, and paragraphs now, the more they’ll start to see themselves as writers with valuable original thoughts worth expressing. For those times when imaginations are running dry and kids need a little inspiration, or when you want them to practice a specific writing skill, these 108 creative writing prompts for 3rd grade are here to spark creativity. Enjoy!

108 Creative Writing prompts for 3rd Grade

Story Starters and Other Narrative Writing Prompts

Writing stories—fictional or real—gives children a chance to develop several creative writing skills. They practice writing dialogue, developing characters, and fashioning situations that ignite their creativity and send them gallivanting down rabbit trails.

Although 3rd-grade students are still relatively new writers and most won’t produce complete narratives yet, practicing story writing is the best way to introduce concepts like plot, character, conflict, and setting.

Choose one of these concepts to focus on for several lessons and select third-grade writing prompts that lend themselves well to highlighting these aspects of writing. For example, you might ask students to spend a day or two focusing on their descriptions of the characters in their stories and another few days trying out different types of conflict.

Later, they might choose to take the parts they like best from these various assignments and put them together to form a larger narrative.

These story starters are fun writing prompts designed to push kids out of their comfort zones and put their imaginations to work.

Instructions for students

These storytelling prompts are written in a few different styles. Some of them offer you the first line of a story. For these prompts, copy the first line onto your page and continue writing from there.
Other prompts give you a specific situation and then ask you to think about what you might do or say in that situation. They could also ask you to take the idea as a starting point and expand it to make it more your own. Don’t feel like you need to answer the questions directly. They are there to give you more ideas to think about as you develop your story idea. You can write your story as answers to the questions if you like, but you can also just use them as inspiration.
When you see an ellipsis (three dots) at the end of a writing prompt, that means the sentence is incomplete and your version of the sentence should replace the three dots with your own words.

24 Story Starters and Creative Writing Prompts for Third Graders

Imagine you have the ability to become characters in video games. Write a short story that shows how you would use this power.
Do you have a best friend? If so, write the story of how you met and became friends. (You can write what really happened or make up your own version of events to show how two people might become best friends).
Write a story about a group of friends who build or discover a time machine. What time period do they travel to? Describe what they see, hear, smell, and eat.
You and your friends are kayaking on a lake when you discover a hidden island. Describe what it looks like, how you explore it, and what you find there.
It’s the hottest day of the year. You turn on your air conditioner and, instead of giving you an icy blast, it transports you to a snow-covered tundra. You see a small cottage with lights on and knock on the door. Who greets you and how do they help you get back home?
Your doorbell rings. You answer the door, but there’s nobody there. Then you look down and see two lizards talking on cell phones. “We need to talk,” the smaller one says to you. What do they tell you? How do you respond?
You just learned that your good friend has special powers she’s kept secret forever. All she needs is a cup of sand, three fish scales, and a splash of mud and she can make the most incredible thing happen. Write about what happens when she shows you her secret talent.
There’s a big windstorm one night. The lights flicker and the power goes out. A few minutes later, it comes back on and your favorite character from the last book you read is sitting at your table. Who is it, what are they doing, and how do you make them feel welcome?
Think about a fairy tale you know well, such as The Three Little Pigs or Little Red Riding Hood. Write your own version of the story with a few key details changed. For example, instead of The Three Little Pigs, you could write about The Three Shy Turtles or The Three Little Pigs and Their Big Sister.
You go to watch a play at a theater, but when the curtains open, something unexpected happens. What is it and how do you respond?
Write about a day in which time moves backward from night to morning.
Write a story about two characters who don’t seem like they should be friends but somehow are. For example, you could write about a cat and a mouse, or an old woman and a little boy. What brought them together and in what ways does their friendship help them?
You’re playing hide-and-seek with a friend and you hide in the attic. It takes her a while to find you and, while you are waiting, you start looking through some old boxes up there. You find letters written to a family member a long time ago. Who are they from? What do they say? Imagine you learn about a family secret while reading them. What could it be?
Write a story that happens completely in one small space like a closet or a car. Include at least two characters.
A young cat finds itself alone in the forest. How did it get there? What does it do? Who does it meet? Does it find its way home or stay there? Tell its story using lots of descriptive words.
“It’s not all your fault,” my mom said. “There’s something you don’t know.”
One day, everybody brings their favorite stuffie to class. A mix up happens and all the stuffies go home with the wrong kids to the wrong houses. What happens that night? Try to write from more than one perspective. For example, you could write a paragraph or two from the perspective of one of the students and then a paragraph or two from the point of view of a stuffie. You could also have a paragraph that quickly highlights the action at several houses. (“Kimmy’s little sister cried all night. Panda freaked out when he missed his dinner and tried to eat the toilet paper. Leah wanted to call the police but her mom wouldn’t give her the phone.”
Your aunt shows up at your house with a box of glazed donuts and a canoe strapped to the roof of her car. “Time for a little trip,” she says.
Write a story that’s told entirely in letters between two friends. They might write about the last time they saw each other, the upcoming summer break, or some of their favorite book characters. Tell us as much as you can about the characters and their friendship without writing about them. Let everything come out through the letters they send.
What if you could invent a new planet? What sounds, sights, and smells would it have? Would people live there or some other kind of creatures? After you write down the details of your planet, write a short story that takes place there. You might write about how it was discovered or you could write a scene that shows what life is like there.
You’re walking through the park with your family. You come around a curve in the path and spot a fox sitting under a tree writing in a notebook. What do you do? Do you talk to it? Does it speak? What is it writing?
You’re sitting on the sofa watching a TV show when your sister, who is an artist, comes into the room. She has taken all your favorite toys and used them in her art project. Describe what you see, the conversation you have with her, and the lengths you’ll go to to recover your treasured toys.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” said Alex. “If the owl hadn’t climbed the treehouse and eaten the fish…”
The school year ended. You were supposed to be on holidays. Then your parents signed you up for summer school without telling you. It might have been okay if it weren’t for…

For another take on third-grade writing prompts, check out 70 Picture Prompts for Creative Writing .

Poetry Writing Prompts for Third-Grade Students

Another great way to introduce 3rd graders to creative writing is to get them writing free verse poetry. …

Students should be encouraged to brainstorm their own topics, as the ones they come up with will likely be the most inspiring for them. However, if they’re stuck for ideas or you want to give them a list of things to write about, have them pick one of the topics below. They may also find it helpful to use a brainstorming sheet to flesh out their ideas.

Make a list of three things that happened to you this week. Choose one of them and draft a poem that tells what happened and how you felt about it.
Write a poem about a special tradition from your favorite holiday.
Write an ode that celebrates your favorite subject in school. For example, “The Joys of Math” or “Ode to Art Class.”
Write a poem describing the best pet you can imagine.
Write a poem from the perspective of an animal.
Write a poem that tells about an imaginary being. Try to convey details about its size, appearance, feelings, problems, abilities, and lifestyle.
Write a haiku about your favorite summer activity.
Write a poem detailing the first time you tried your favorite food. If you don’t remember that experience, feel free to make it up. How do you imagine it would be tasting that amazing dish for the first time?
Write about a poem that describes a time when you lost something important.
Write a poem about your favorite place without naming the place. Use lots of details that help the reader see this place in their minds.
Write a poem about a recent dream you had. Try not to mention that it was a dream.
Choose one of the four seasons and write a poem describing what makes it special.
Write a poem about something that’s really special to you but that seems ordinary to everyone else such as an old t-shirt or a craft you made out of recycled materials. Try to help your reader understand why it’s so important to you.
Write a poem describing a day when everything goes wrong.
Write a poem about your favorite person. Include details about why they’re so important to you. Consider giving your poem to them as a gift.
Write a poem about a secret place (real or imagined) that only you know about.
Write a poem about all the things you love to do outside.
Write a poem that introduces your city or town to a visitor who has never been there.
Write a poem about a game you love playing such as Hide and Seek, Pictionary, or Charades.
Write a poem that includes dialogue. You could write the whole poem as a conversation or sprinkle dialogue throughout.
Write a funny poem listing everything you think about when you can’t fall asleep at night.
Write a poem that imagines something about your future. It could be a single event such as “When I Finally Go to Disneyland” or it could be a more general description of what you’d like your future life to be like such as “What I’ll Eat When I Grow Up.”
Write a poem that explains how to do a simple task such as one of your favorite (or least favorite) household chores.
Write a poem that uses as many sound words as possible such as bang, splash, chirp, and buzz.

For more poetic inspiration, check out 100 Inspiring Poetry Writing Prompts for Kids .

Journal Writing Prompts

Kids can also stretch their creative muscles through journal writing. Journaling is a precursor to memoir writing and storytelling is the heart of memoir. While journal entries can sometimes gravitate toward a mundane recitation of chronological events, they’re also an opportunity to challenge kids to become better writers.

A nice thing about journalling is that you don’t have to invent completely original material from scratch. You are taking events from your life and making an interesting story out of them, playing with language and sentence structure, and experimenting with what to include and exclude until you end up with something enjoyable to read.

Challenge kids to keep a running list of things that have happened to them in their writing journals so they always have a creative writing topic ready. Remind them that writing topics don’t have to be sensational (the birth of a new sibling, say). Simple events that might otherwise be overlooked—the sighting of the first blue jay to return in the spring, for example—can form the basis of strong pieces of writing when we take the time to reflect on the event and make connections.

Continuing with the blue jay example, such an experience might lead curious children to think about the changes that come with the season and, perhaps, the seasons of their own young lives thus far. Or they might ponder the bird and wonder what she’s been up to since she last visited the backyard. Maybe they’ll see two birds competing for a choice tree and reflect on an argument they had with a sibling. The more we can get them thinking about, reflecting on, and making connections between their experiences, the more we’ll see these themes emerge in their writing.

Here are some ideas to get them thinking about what to write in their journals:

A trip you’ve taken
Your feelings about a situation (losing an important toy, having to share a bedroom, or passing a swimming test, for example)
How you spent a recent birthday or holiday
A new skill you’ve just mastered
A skill you wish you had but haven’t learned yet
A food you tried but didn’t like
A walk you’ve taken in nature
A change in one of your friendships
Something that scared you until you worked up the courage to try and then enjoyed doing
A time when you really wanted something and finally got it
A time when you really wanted something and didn’t get it
A time when someone made you feel good
Something you saw that turned out not to be what you expected it to be
A time when you did something that scared you
The way your favorite song makes you feel
Something you’ve learned about recently that you wish you’d known sooner
Describe your perfect day
The toy or special thing you treasure the most and why it’s so special to you
Your earliest memory
A gift you received that meant a lot to you
A time when you laughed until your belly hurt
A teacher you’ve enjoyed learning from
A book you’ve read over and over again
Three things you love about your family

Need journal prompts for older kids? Check out these 60 Creative Journal Prompts for Teens

Songwriting Prompts

Writing songs is another fun way for kids to practice their creative thinking skills while also processing their emotions and experiences. Coming up with the lyrics to a song can provide stress relief for kids and give them an opportunity to express their emotions safely.

For some kids, coming up with lyrics and a melody to a song may be too challenging. Encourage them to choose a song, jingle, or nursery rhyme they already know and write new lyrics to the same tune. Examples of simple songs they might start with include: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baa-Baa Black Sheep, London Bridge is Falling Down, Rock-A-Bye Baby, and Waltzing Matilda. You can find more kid-friendly songs in this playlist for kids .

As an extra challenge, kids may want to initially write their lyrics to fit an existing tune and then come up with a new tune once they have their lyrics down. This would be a good extension activity for kids who finish their lyric writing early.

Write a song about your favorite animal.
Think about three or four possessions (things you own) that are important to you. Write a song that celebrates the special role these items play in your life.
Think about the last time you got angry. What made you angry? How did you feel? What did you want to do about it? What did you actually do? Write a song that helps someone else understand how you felt and why.
What is your favorite show or movie? Choose a main character from that story and write a song inspired by them. It could be about them or it might be from their point of view. Think about what’s important to them and what they might want people to know.
Write a song that describes your dream day. What would you do if you could do anything you wanted? Who would be with you? Make the details as specific as possible.
Think about someone in your family who has an annoying habit. For example, your little brother who tells your parents everything you do wrong. Write a song that reimagines that annoying habit as a good thing. (“He must love me to pay so much attention to me…”)
Write a song that is meant to be sung by a whole class of students.
Write a song about someone you look up to.
Write a song about something that most people seem to like but that you hate. Try to convince them they’re wrong about the thing and that it’s truly awful.
Write a song about someone you don’t see anymore such as an old neighbor or a friend who moved away. What do you miss about the times you had with that person?
Think about something you loved doing when you were younger but haven’t done in a while. Write a song that shares your memories of that activity.
Write a song about something you hope for or would like to see happen.

Descriptive Writing Prompts

Descriptive writing adds color and texture to many forms of writing including travel writing, poetry, fiction, and memoirs. One of our challenges as teachers is ensuring kids know how to write effective descriptions while also helping them learn how to balance descriptive prose with other written elements such as dialogue and action. A written work too heavy in descriptive writing might help the reader create vivid pictures in their minds without ever telling them anything.

In third grade, these young writers are generally too young to discern this delicate balance between showing and telling, but it’s still a great time to develop their use of descriptive words.

Before giving them these writing prompts, introduce them to the importance of using specific nouns and vivid verbs and adjectives in their writing. This is a wonderful time to instill thesaurus skills and show them how to choose the most appropriate words for each situation.

When assigning prompts from this section, tell students their goal is to paint a picture with their words. If they read their work to a classmate who closes their eyes, can the classmate picture the scene clearly? If not, where do they need to add or change details?

Write about the most memorable dream you’ve ever had. Describe it in as much detail as possible. Where did it take place? What did you see, hear, and smell? Who was there? What did they look like? What did they do?
Choose a room in your house and describe its most important features.
Go outside and find a tree, flower, or other plant that intrigues you. Describe it in detail: what does it look like? How big is it? What does it feel like? If one of your friends took your description and went to the same outdoor area, could they find your plant based on your description?
If you could decorate your bedroom any way you wanted with no limits, what would it look like?
Imagine the coziest outfit you can. Describe how it looks and feels. How do you feel when you put it on?
Describe your mom or another woman you know well. What does she look like? What does her voice sound like? Does she have wear a certain perfume? How do you feel when she gives you a hug or puts her arm around you?
Describe a regular tradition you have with your family, such as having a large pancake breakfast on Saturdays. Help your reader feel like they’re living the memory with you by painting a detailed picture of the scene.
Write about the inside of your family’s car. What does it smell like? How many seats are there? What would you find if you looked between or underneath the seats? Describe the music you listen to in the car and the kinds of conversations you have there.
Describe a store you go to frequently. If possible, try to visit the store before you write about it and make notes about the things you notice there using your five senses. Tell about what you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel.
Describe your writing process, that is, what you do when you write. Do you sharpen pencils and put an eraser nearby? Do you start writing right away or do you make an outline or brainstorm ideas first? Do you write single-spaced or double-spaced? Is your writing neat or messy? How do you feel when you write?
What is the best thing about being you? Maybe it’s your sense of humor, your Lego-building skills, or the way you ride your bike fearlessly down hills. Maybe you live in a really cool city with lots of fun things to do. Whatever makes your life special, write about that and describe why you love it.
What’s your favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning? Describe what you do, who does it with you, and how you do it.

Other Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd-Grade Students

Write a scene where a famous person from another time period shows up in your classroom.
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a Disney character or a character from a book you’ve read.
Think about a scene you didn’t love in your favorite movie. Rewrite the scene to make it more enjoyable.
Write a letter to your favorite author and tell them what you love about their book(s).
Invent a new country with its own language, customs, and history. Write about how your country came to be and what makes it special. If you want, you can draw a map to go with your writing.
Write a scene from the point of view of an object in your house such as a toaster, the dining table, or a video game console.
Write a story or poem in which each sentence starts with the next letter in the alphabet. In other words, the first sentence or line starts with A, the second with B, the third with C, and so on.
Write about a lost object that was found after many years.
Pick a city you’ve visited and make a travel brochure about it. Include a section in which you describe the city and another in which you talk about your experience there.
Write a comic book* based on your favorite book or story. Try to include both dialogue (in speech bubbles) and descriptions of what’s happening.
On a big piece of paper, draw a picture of the inside of a really cool house with loads of interesting rooms. Then write a short story about the people who live there and what life is like inside their amazing house.
Write an imaginary interview with a character from a book or movie. Pretend you’re asking them questions to publish in a magazine or newspaper and invent their answers.

Comic book templates are available in our post, 10 Fun Writing Activities for Kids .

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Writers' Treasure

Effective writing advice for aspiring writers

Creative Writing 101

Creative writing is any form of writing which is written with the creativity of mind: fiction writing, poetry writing, creative nonfiction writing and more. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions.

Rather than only giving information or inciting the reader to make an action beneficial to the writer, creative writing is written to entertain or educate someone, to spread awareness about something or someone, or to express one’s thoughts.

There are two kinds of creative writing: good and bad, effective and ineffective. Bad, ineffective creative writing cannot make any impression on the reader. It won’t achieve its purpose.

So whether you’re a novelist, a poet, a short-story writer, an essayist, a biographer or an aspiring beginner, you want to improve your craft. The question is: how?

When you write great fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, amazing things can happen. Readers can’t put it down. The work you wrote becomes a bestseller. It becomes famous. But you have to reach to that level… first .

The best way to increase your proficiency in creative writing is to write, write compulsively, but it doesn’t mean write whatever you want. There are certain things you should know first… it helps to start with the right foot.

To do exactly that, here we have a beginners’ guide from Writers’ Treasure on the subject:

An Introduction to Creative Writing
How to Get Started in Creative Writing in Just Three Steps
Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing
Fiction Writing 101: The Elements of Stories
Poetry Writing: Forms and Terms Galore
Creative Non-Fiction: What is it?
Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Creative Writing
Common Mistakes Made by Creative Writers

For novelists: do you want to write compelling opening chapters?

Are you an aspiring novelist? Will your novel see the light of day? For that, you will need to make the first chapter of your story as compelling as possible. Otherwise, readers won’t even pick up your novel. That chapter can be the make-or-break point that decides whether your novel is published or not. It’s because good editors know how you write from the first three pages… or sometimes even from the opening lines.

To solve this problem, I created a five-part tutorial on Writing Compelling Opening Chapters . It outlines why you need to write a compelling opening chapter, my personal favourite way of beginning it, what should be told and shown in it, general dos and don’ts, and what you need to do after having written it. Check it out for more.

Need more writing tips?

Sometimes you reach that stage when you outgrow the beginner stage of writing but feel that you’re not yet an expert. If I just described you, no worries– Writers’ Treasure’s writing tips are here. Whether you want to make your writing more readable, more irresistible, more professional, we’ve got you covered. So check out our writing tips , and be on your way to fast track your success.

I offer writing, editing and proofreading , as well as website creation services. I’ve been in this field for seven years, and I know the tools of the trade. I’ve seen the directions where the writing industry is going, the changes, the new platforms. Get your work done through me, and get fast and efficient service. Get a quote .

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Fun Creative Writing Topics and Prompts for Third Grade

Third grade student working on a creative writing topic.

Sometimes, creative writing assignments aren’t just confusing for the student.

What should a 3rd grader write about?

What should your expectations be? How can you help your student succeed?

Today’s post is all about helping you source creative writing topics that are perfectly suited for third grade (or upper elementary).

What Makes Creative Writing Different?

Creative writing can be tricky to explain to a student, especially if you’re working with a child who is used to thinking conventionally.

In a nutshell, it differs from academic or essay-style writing in that it highlights the writer’s imagination and creative invention.

The artistic nature of creative writing can make some students nervous. That’s why clear-cut creative writing examples are incredibly helpful.

get this picture prompt printable for free!

It’s also helpful to let them read or listen to creative short stories to provide ideas of how to begin. Seeing examples illustrates how to write creatively better than trying to explain it in words.

Another important aspect of creative writing is that it doesn’t have to be true – or even based on fact. It can be difficult for a third grader to believe it’s okay to stray from reality. Eggs and ham aren’t green, so why pretend they are?

Discuss potential story writing topics with your child so you can help him or her break down those restrictions.

Sharing examples will help them see the liberty (and fun!) that creative writing offers.

Creative Writing Tips and Techniques for Grade 3

For elementary students, good topics for creative writing are broad enough for the student to use his imagination but not so broad that he has no idea where to begin.

Instead of just handing him a topic such as “outer space,” try a narrower topic, such as “tell me a story about boy in the future who travels to the moon with his class for a science field trip.”

Here are a few more tips to help while you’re working on creative writing with your own third grader:

Story writing ideas or topics can range from telling a made-up story about what happened at dinner last night to creating an amazing adventure or imaginary world.
When you teach writing to 3rd graders , it’s helpful to give them several creative writing ideas to unleash their imaginations.
Try recording your students as they tell a story. More than likely, just talking about the story they want to write will help them gather their thoughts.
If you’re not sure how to start an introduction paragraph for a third grader , have her look at examples of her favorite books to see how the authors pique her interest immediately.
Discuss the elements of the story beforehand to help it feel more real to your student. Ask him questions about the setting—when it’s happening and where—as well as the plot. Talk to him about the main characters, guiding him with questions that help him see through the characters’ eyes and better envision what they might do.
If your student really can’t get started, set a timer and just have him write whatever comes to mind. There’s nothing uncorks writer’s block faster than just sitting down and writing—even if it starts out as nonsense.
Encourage your student to use literary devices such as similes and metaphors, even if she doesn’t know those terms. Explain how a teddy bear’s fur can be “like a cloud” or that a hard worker can be a “busy bee.”

Above all, to encourage successful creative writing, encourage your students to write about topics they enjoy. Their pleasure will reflect in their stories.

12 Creative Writing Topics for Third Grade That Inspire Imaginative Stories

Speaking of enjoyable topics, here are some examples of creative writing topics paired with question prompts to get your student started:

1. Imagine you step outside, and all the grass has turned blue. What do you do?

The key to a good creative writing topic is, well, creativity! Whimsical topics inspire students to unleash their imagination and enjoy writing.

If your third grader has been reluctant to write lately, it might be time to pull out a fantastical scene like this one and “let them loose” so to speak.

Encourage your student to brainstorm a bit before writing.

These prompts can help:

What made the grass turn blue?
Is it a good thing? Does it cause problems?
Can you fix it? Will the grass ever be green again?

2. What if you woke up and realized you had switched bodies with someone else in your family?

A topic like this is a great exercise for the mind. It may even help him gain a little empathy as he writes and realizes how different a parent’s day is from a child’s.

Some prompts to help him get going:

Which family member do you think would be most interesting to trade bodies with for a day?
Would it be exciting or scary to wake up as that person?
Would your characters keep it a secret?

3. What if your pet could talk but only to you?

Some of the more appealing creative writing topics for kids are those where students can easily form ideas (which builds confidence).

Most children already talk to their pets, so it’s not a huge leap to imagine them talking back. Use that headstart to build a story.

4. What would you do if you found a treasure map?

Finding a treasure map can inspire many tales. The plots are endless!

A few questions to get your child started:

Where was it found?
Was it put there by pirates, a king, or your great grandmother?
Is it in code?
How do you figure out where the treasure is?

5. What if there was a sweet, lovable, non-scary monster who lived under your bed?

This creative writing topic takes the monster-under-the-bed and transforms him into a friend.

What if every night, after Mom and Dad tuck you in, you get to spend some time with an interesting creature known only to you?

6. What if your closet door is really a door to another world?

This Narnia -style prompt inspires students to describe a secret fantasy world. Help them get into the groove by discussing the many characters they encounter.

Are they magical creatures or copies of everyday people he knows now?
What kind of world lies on the other side of his closet?
What’s happening there?
Is it similar to our world or vastly different?

7. Create an imaginary friend and take him on some adventures with you.

This type of freewriting prompt for 3rd grade students allows for more exploration. It’s a broader topic for the child who already thinks creatively and won’t be overwhelmed by its broadness.

If your student likes this topic but still needs some inspiration, here are some questions to ask:

How old is your friend?
Is it a boy or a girl?
What type of creature is he – human, animal, bug, robot, or something else?
What’s something you’d love to do with a friend if you could do anything you want to do?

8. Rewrite a fairy tale so that it takes place today in your own town.

This writing topic alleviates some uncertainty a third grader may have in getting started. Once your student chooses a fairy tale, then it’s just a matter of re-forming the characters and setting.

It’s a wonderful topic for students who need more structure than the average creative writing assignment provides.

9. Explore and describe the dusty old attic of a dilapidated mansion.

This topic is one of the more descriptive writing topics for grade 3 . It’s compelling to think about, but it doesn’t have to be too bizarre.

(Check out this post for examples of descriptive writing .)

Your student can be as creative and imaginative as he or she desires.

Your third grader can create descriptions of realistic objects found in an old attic, or he can dive deep and paint images of ancient or other-worldly artifacts.

10. Imagine your parents won a million dollars. How would your life change?

Let his imagination soar, describing the planes he plans to pilot around the world or the mansion in which he’ll entertain world leaders.

Perhaps he’ll purchase a private island and find hidden treasure or build an orphanage in a third-world country.

11. What if your dolls have their own secret lives when you’re not around?

This creative writing topic has, of course, been explored by many published authors, which just proves it’s a captivating one.

Questions to get started:

What do your dolls do when they “wake up”?
Do they go anywhere?
Do they have jobs?

12. Imagine your older cousin is getting married and asks you to be a bridesmaid (or groomsman). Tell me all about the wedding and your part in it.

Creative writing prompts for grade 3 can also be about a realistic but fictional situation, like participating in a wedding.

Third grade girls, especially, may enjoy planning a fantasy wedding. She may even wish to pen her own wedding!

Have her describe the dresses, the flowers, the decorations, the ceremony, and anything else she’s interested in.

If your child chooses this topic, be sure to tuck her written work away for later—what a fun story to share at her own “real life” wedding!

bring excitement into your student’s writing – no prep required!

About the author.

Jordan Mitchell

225 Fun & Free Creative Writing Prompts for Kids in All Grade Levels

Written by Maria Kampen

Teacher Resources
Prodigy English

Two students sit at a desk together working on writing prompts for kids.

Elementary school writing prompts
Middle school writing prompts
High school writing prompts
Social emotional learning jounal prompts
Math writing prompts

Writing prompts are meant to unlock creativity. They’re story starters designed to inspire creative thinking. They can take you to places you’ve been or recall an important time in your life.

But mostly, they’re useful tools for teachers to inspire writing growth in students from grade school to high school.

“Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…”

It’s amazing how one simple sentence can send you on a journey to places you’ve never been, filled with untold possibilities.

Reading is great, but you know what’s even better? Giving your students the power to write stories for themselves.

Writing prompts for kids help students:

Express themselves and their creativity
Grasp lifelong literacy skills and concepts
Tell their own stories and build self-confidence
Develop a growth mindset when it comes to their writing skills

Writing is like a muscle — it takes practice to build up skills. Luckily, we put together a list of over 200 writing prompts to help your students get started. We’ve also organized them by middle school, high school and elementary school to help teachers decide whether these prompts are age-appropriate for their students.

Grade school writing prompts

Grade schoolers can definitely begin to address complex ideas when it comes to story writing — but you should seek to keep the prompts simple and straightforward.

Reluctant writers might be intimidated by complicated writing ideas — and this is an age where we should be encouraging creativity.

Creative writing prompts for elementary schoolers

Young child sits at a desk with a notebook and pencil, writing in the notebook.

Whether it’s exploring the furthest reaches of outer space, traveling across the Sahara desert or sticking a little closer to home, these creative writing prompts will have students imagining endless possibilities for their writing.

Write about what your life would be like if you turned into a squirrel. What would you do every day?
A strange spaceship just crashed and landed in your backyard. What happens next?
Make up a story about where thunder comes from.
You find an old notebook hidden in an attic. What does it say? Who did it belong to?
You have a magic garden. What magical plants do you grow? How do you take care of them?
Write a story about running away with the circus when it comes to town.
Rewrite “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” from the perspective of one of the dwarfs (Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy and Bashful).
There once was a little boy who ate nothing but oranges. What happened to him?
Write a story about a magical hat. Where is it from? What does it do? What does it look like?
You’re exploring the rainforest and come across a flower that no one’s ever seen before. Describe it!
Tell me a story about a dinosaur living a long, long time ago.
Tell me a story about an astronaut visiting another planet. Where are they going? How do they get there? What do they take with them?
You discover a magic portal in the park. Where does it lead to?
Pick a partner and write a story together! Start by writing the first sentence, then pass it to your partner to write the second sentence.
You find buried treasure in the park, hidden in a big wooden chest. What kind of treasure is it? Who left it there?
Write a story about a family that can travel in time.
Write a story without using the letter “E”.
Write the funniest story you can think of.
There’s a kangaroo in your classroom. How did it get there? What happens when you find it?
Write a story about an explorer who keeps getting lost. Where are they trying to go? What do they find along the way?
Write a story about a wooden door, a can of soda and a blue shoe.
If there was a magical portal in the back of your closet, where would it lead to?
Finish this story: There was a knock on the door. I opened it to find a dog sitting there, and…
You come home and find that everything in your house is upside down. What happened?
Describe the color “red” without using the word “red”.
There’s an old, abandoned house at the end of your street that’s been empty for years. One day, someone moves in.
Rewrite the story of Cinderella from the perspective of the stepsisters.
Write a backstory for Ed, the orange Prodigy mascot.
You wake up one morning and find a mermaid in your bathtub. How did they get there? What do you do?
Write a story about a monster looking for some friends.
Oh no — your balloon blew away! Write about what happens from the balloon’s perspective.
You and your friends are out for a walk when, out of nowhere, your friends start disappearing! What’s going on?
Once upon a time, an old inventor built a weather machine. It sat undiscovered for years — until you found it. What happens next?
You just ate a cookie that turned you 15 feet tall. What do you do next?

Fun writing prompts for grade schoolers

Young child sits at a table in front of a window while writing on a sheet of paper.

Everyday life is full of great inspiration for writing! Get students thinking with these easy and fun writing prompts.Write about something you are good at.

If you could write a book about anything, what would you write about?
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be and why?
Do you have a favorite animal? Tell me all about it! Why do you like it?
What would you do if you woke up one morning and everything was pink — including you?
What food can you not live without? Why?
If you could add any class to your school schedule, what would it be?
Invent a new day of the week. What is it called? When is it? What do people usually do on that day of the week?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
If you could spend a Saturday doing anything you wanted, what adventures would you get up to?
If you could have any wild animal as a pet, what would you choose? Why?
What's your favorite, wacky food?
Where is your favorite place to read? Why?
What was the coolest day of school for you? What made it exciting?
Which of your toys do you wish could talk? What would they say?
If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it look like?
Invent a machine to do a chore for you. What does the machine do? What does it look like?
What's your favorite season? What makes it the best?
What is your favorite math game and why?
Describe your real-life superpower.
Finish the story: When I'm older I want to be an expert in…
If pets could talk to each other, what would they say?
If you were the captain of a ship, what would you call your ship? What would it look like? Where would you go?
If your pet could talk to you, what do you think it would say?
If you were the only person on earth for one day, what would you do?
Plan the perfect birthday party for yourself.
What is your favorite thing to do over summer break?
Describe your ideal birthday cake.
If you could add any type of room to your house, what would it be?
What’s your favorite movie and why?

Persuasive writing prompts for elementary school

Top-down photograph of a girl with braids sitting at a desk next to another student and writing in a notebook.

Are your students’ opinions up for debate? Ask them to flex their critical thinking skills with these persuasive writing prompts. Once they’re done, get class discussion flowing with a spirited debate!

Write a letter convincing your parents to let you get a pet dog. What arguments do you use to persuade them?
Convince your teacher that you should be allowed an extra 15 minutes of recess.
Convince your best friend to read your favorite book.
How would you convince someone to do your chores for you?
Write a commercial for your favorite breakfast food. What would convince someone else to try it?
What flavor of chips is the best? Why?
What would make a better pet — a monkey or a peacock?
Do you think children should be allowed to stay up as late as they want?
What’s your favorite holiday and why should it be everyone’s favorite?
Convince us that your favorite food should be a staple in everyone’s diet.

As students enter middle school, they’re starting to feel like bigger, older kids. They can start writing original short stories and abstract persuasive essays.

It’s best to inspire creativity at this age and encourage them to explore their own voice and different writing styles. These prompts will definitely go a long way in inspiring that.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

Invent a new type of transportation for the future. Who uses it? Where does it go?
If you had a time machine, where would you visit first — the past or the future? Why?
You get on the bus and find a four-piece jazz band giving a concert. What do you do?
Design and name your own Prodigy pet . What element are they? What’s their special power?
Finish this story: “Something just touched my foot,” they shouted, swimming frantically towards the shore.
Write a silly or scary story to tell around a campfire.
Finish this story: Everything was going so well today — until I tripped and fell, right in front of…
Throughout your adventures as a pirate on the high seas, you’ve seen lots of strange and magical creatures. Which one was the most interesting?
Deep in the heart of a dark and mysterious cave, there lies a magic stone. Write about your quest to find it.
Write an acrostic poem using the word “strawberry.”
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She knit and she baked, but what else did she do?
Finish this story: “One thing I’ll never do again,” she said, “Is go on vacation with an alpaca.”
Make up a new planet and describe it.
Write a story about a family of penguins living on an iceberg.
Write a story about a girl who can walk through walls.
You’ve been invited to a ball at the Queen’s palace! What is it like?
Imagine you’re exploring the Amazon jungle. Write a diary entry about your day.
If you could invent a TV show, what would it be about?
You discovered an underwater kingdom! What is it like there?
A lonely trumpet player makes friends with the dancer who lives next door. What happens next?
You go to the park to fly a kite, but get carried away by the wind! What happens next?
Write a story about a volcano that’s about to erupt.
Write a story about visiting an old lady who lives deep in the woods.
Boom, you’re a superhero! Give yourself an origin story, describe your superpowers and plan what you’ll do to make the world a better place.
Write a story using these six words: calendar, headphones, lipstick, mug, bear.
You wake up to find you’re invisible. How did it happen? What do you do?
There’s been a robbery at the bank, and you’re in charge of finding the culprit. How do you solve the case?
Finish the story: Once upon a time, there was a dragon...
You just joined a super-secret spy organization. What’s your first mission?
Write a story about being cold without using the word “cold.”
You’re a scientist and you’ve just discovered a new type of bug. Describe what it looks like, where it’s from and what you’re going to call it.
Imagine a world where all the birds can talk. What would they say?
Write about what happens after the end of your favorite book or movie.
Finish the story: She sprinted down the driveway to the mailbox. The package was here!
You’re on a hike and a bird starts talking to you. What do you do? What does it say?
Write a story using these five words: bubblegum, stapler, spoon, lightbulb, strawberry.
You ate a magical carrot and your skin turned orange! What happens next?
Write about what it would be like if you had an elephant for a pet.

Fun Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

If you were in charge of the classroom for a day, what would your class do?
Tell me about the last dream you had.
You’re trapped on a desert island. What three things did you bring with you and why?
What mythical creature would you like to have as a pet? Why?
Invent a new type of pasta. What does it look like? What does it taste like?
If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? Make a plan and tell the story of your dream vacation.
Plan the perfect picnic. Where would it be? What food would you have?
If you could decorate your bedroom any way you wanted, what would it look like?
Write a story that sounds loud, using onomatopoeia (words that sound like their meaning, like crash, snort, bang and boom.)
Invent a new type of cookie. What does it taste like?
Invent a new sport. What is it called? What are the rules?
How would you disguise yourself to blend in with a forest?
You just won a special award from the president. What did you do to earn that award?
Do you collect anything? What is it and why? If not, what would you like to collect?
You just found a genie in a bottle. What three things would you wish for? (Remember, no wishing for extra wishes!
Explain how to play your favorite sport or do your favorite hobby. Make it as exciting as possible!
Describe the most beautiful sunrise or sunset you’ve ever seen.
If you could live in any book or movie, which one would you choose and why?
Imagine that you’re going on a camping trip. What do you pack to make sure the trip is fun?
If you could invent a robot to do any chore, what chore would it be? How would the robot do it?
Would you rather it was always raining, or always snowing?
Imagine you’re a toy inventor. What will you create?
Would you rather climb to the top of a mountain or go scuba diving?
Interview a family member about their childhood, then write it as a story.
What was your favorite toy growing up — why was it so special to you?

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School

If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why?
Is it better to read the book before you watch the movie, or watch the movie before you read the book?
Persuade someone to try out your favorite hobby or sport.
What’s the best way to try and persuade a friend to do what you want to do?
When is peer pressure good? When is peer pressure bad?
Is it better to have lots of friends, or just a few really good friends?
Should students be in charge of what they learn in school?

High school students can either be tasked with more complex writing prompts or breathe nuance into simple story ideas. Students can drive these prompts in a million different ways.

So while not necessarily more complicated than middle school, these prompts can be tweaked, either by the student or teacher, to encourage thought-provoking output.

Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

Write a story about someone your age who lives on the other side of the world.
Pick up the nearest book and turn to page 7. Close your eyes and point to a random word on the page, then write a story about that word.
Write a story in ten words or less.
You fell asleep for 100 years. What does the world look like when you wake up?
Finish the story: “This isn’t what I hoped would happen,” she said….
You’re walking down the street when you see someone who looks exactly like you.
Write a story where the main character learns something new about themselves.
Write a story that takes place in the desert.
Write a story about a day where everything seems to go wrong.
Write a poem about the color blue.
How would your life be different if you didn’t have access to a computer, video games or your phone?

Fun writing prompts for high schoolers

You win a million dollars, but there’s a catch — you have to spend it all in 24 hours, or you lose all the money. What do you do?
Write about something you or your family does from the perspective of someone from another country.
If you could make up a new holiday, when would it be and what would it celebrate?
Go out on a nature walk and find a tree. Write the story of that tree, from the time it was a seed until now.
What’s the most boring superpower you can think of? How would it be useful?
If you could pass any law, what would it be?
You meet yourself in the future, as a grown-up at age 35 — what do you talk about?
If you had to show aliens the most important/best things in the world, what would you show them?
Who is your hero and why?
Write about the best surprise you ever got.
What are three good things you can do for the environment? How can you encourage the people around you to do good things for the environment?
What is your earliest memory? Write down as many details as you can remember.
If you could take two people – real or fictional – on a cross-country road trip, who would you take? Where would you go?
If you could have any job in the world tomorrow, what would you do?
What is the best thing about living in your city or neighbourhood?
Write a letter to your 30-year-old self. What do you think you’ll accomplish by then?
Teach me how to make your favorite recipe.
Describe the sound of your favorite song using descriptive words.

Persuasive writing prompts for high school

Should kids be allowed to use social media unsupervised? Why or why not?
Persuade someone to start a healthy habit, or get rid of a bad one.
Should all single-use plastics be outlawed? Why or why not?
Should our school have a dress code? Why or why not?
Is it more important to be right or to not hurt someone else’s feelings?
What important historical figure do you think belongs on the ten-dollar bill?
Do you think you’re born with your personality traits, or do you gain them as you grow up?
Should mobile apps be responsible for protecting your privacy — why or why not?

Social emotional learning journal prompts

Two students sit outside against a brick wall, working in notebooks.

School is about more than just books and quizzes — it’s about preparing students for the rest of their lives. Social emotional learning teaches them how to build good relationships with peers, understand and control their emotions and make healthy life decisions.

Journaling is a great way for students to reflect on their feelings in a safe, private space. Use these journaling prompts as thought starters for more social emotional learning!

Check out our list of the 25 best social emotional learning activities for students here.

Tell me about a tradition you have with your family or friends.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
Have you ever found something that you lost? How did you feel when you found it?
What is something you haven’t learned this school year that you’re still wondering about?
What do you do when you’re angry? Write about three ways you calm yourself down.
Where do you feel the safest? Why do you feel safe there?
Write a poem to make a friend happy.
When was the last time you were kind to someone? How can you be kind to someone today?
How are you feeling today? Are you happy, sad, excited or anxious?
If you could give your best friend a present, what would it be?
What are the qualities you look for in a friend? Why is it important to be a good friend?
What does responsibility mean to you?
Who do you talk to when you’re worried about something? How do they make you feel better?
If you could make a card for anyone in your life, who would it be for and what would it say?
What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
Write about a time you had to make a hard decision. How did you make your decision?
What do you do to make yourself happy when you’re sad?
Write about a time you were disappointed.
What are three things that make your best friend awesome?
What do you think empathy means? Why is it important?
How can you cheer up a friend who is sad?
What makes you a good friend? How can you be a better friend?
What’s the best piece of advice a friend, parent or teacher has ever given you?
Write three goals for the rest of the school year. How are you going to accomplish them?
What does responsibility mean to you? What are you responsible for at school and at home?
What person in your life makes you feel confident?
What scares you? How can you overcome your fears?
Tell me about a time when you tried something new. How did it feel? Did you do it again?

Math writing prompts for kids

A student holds an orange with an equation written on it while working on a math writing prompt.

Whether it’s tackling word problems or explaining a new concept, writing is a surprisingly good tool for the math classroom.

A math journal can help you understand what students already know, while giving them space to work through tricky concepts on their own. Use these writing prompts to promote literacy in every subject — and help students avoid math anxiety .

Tell me everything you know about ________.
Explain, in words, how to solve this problem.
What is and isn’t true about this situation?
What is _______?
Explain two different ways to solve this problem. Which one is better?
What did you get correct in this problem?
What mistakes did you make while solving this problem?
What do you not understand about _____?
Write a word problem using the concept we’re learning about.
What did you learn today?
How do you use math in your everyday life?
What is the easiest/hardest part of math class?
What discoveries did you make in math class today?

Final thoughts on writing prompts for kids

Writing prompts aren’t the end of the story — they’re just the beginning. Encourage your students to build a regular writing practice, and soon you’ll see the benefits in every class.

Where will your students’ imaginations take them?

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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Bright, colorful creative writer's desk with notebook and typewriter -- What Is Creative Writing

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Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

Short stories
Screenplays
Flash fiction
Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

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26+ Creative Writing Tips for Young Writers

So you want to be a writer? And not just any writer, you want to be a creative writer. The road to being a legendary storyteller won’t be easy, but with our creative writing tips for kids, you’ll be on the right track! Creative writing isn’t just about writing stories. You could write poems, graphic novels, song lyrics and even movie scripts. But there is one thing you’ll need and that is good creative writing skills.

Here are over 26 tips to improve your creative writing skills :

Read a wide range of books

When it comes to creative writing, reading is essential. Reading allows you to explore the styles of other writers and gain inspiration to improve your own writing. But don’t just limit yourself to reading only popular books or your favourites. Read all sorts of books, everything from fairytales to scary stories. Take a look at comics, short stories, novels and poetry. Just fill your heads with the knowledge and wisdom of other writers and soon you’ll be just like them!

Write about real-life events

The hardest thing about creative writing is connecting emotionally with your audience. By focusing your writing on real-life events, you know that in some way or another your readers will be able to relate. And with creative writing you don’t need to use real names or details – There are certain things you can keep private while writing about the rare details. Using real-life events is also a good way to find inspiration for your stories.

Be imaginative

Be as crazy and wild as you like with your imagination. Create your world, your own monsters , or even your own language! The more imaginative your story, the more exciting it will be to read. Remember that there are no rules on what makes a good idea in creative writing. So don’t be afraid to make stuff up!

Find your writing style

Thes best writers have a particular style about them. When you think of Roald Dahl , you know his books are going to have a sense of humour. While with Dr Seuss , you’re prepared to read some funny new words . Alternatively, when you look at R.L.Stine, you know that he is all about the horror. Think about your own writing style. Do you want to be a horror writer? Maybe someone who always writes in the first person? Will always focus your books on your culture or a particular character?

Stick to a routine

Routine is extremely important to writers. If you just write some stuff here and there, it’s likely that you’ll soon give up on writing altogether! A strict routine means that every day at a certain time you will make time to write about something, anything. Even if you’re bored or can’t think of anything, you’ll still pick up that pencil and write. Soon enough you’ll get into the habit of writing good stuff daily and this is definitely important for anyone who wants to be a professional creative writer!

Know your audience

Writing isn’t just about thinking about your own interests, it’s also about thinking about the interests of your audience. If you want to excite fellow classmates, know what they like. Do they like football , monsters or a particular video game? With that knowledge, you can create the most popular book for your target audience. A book that they can’t stop reading and will recommend to others!

Daily Exercises

To keep your creative writing skills up to scratch it is important to keep practising every day. Even if you have no inspiration. At times when your mind is blank, you should try to use tools like writing prompts , video prompts or other ways of coming up with ideas . You could even take a look at these daily writing exercises as an example. We even created a whole list of over 100 creative writing exercises to try out when you need some inspiration or ideas.

Work together with others

Everyone needs a little help now and then. We recommend joining a writing club or finding other classmates who are also interested in writing to improve your own creative writing skills. Together you can share ideas, tips and even write a story together! A good storytelling game to play in a group is the “ finish the story” game .

Get feedback

Without feedback, you’ll never be able to improve your writing. Feedback, whether good or bad is important to all writers. Good feedback gives you the motivation to carry on. While bad feedback just gives you areas to improve and adapt your writing, so you can be the best! After every piece of writing always try to get feedback from it, whether it is from friends, family, teachers or an online writing community .

Enter writing competitions

The best way to improve your creative writing is by entering all sorts of writing competitions . Whether it’s a poetry competition or short story competition, competitions let you compete against other writers and even help you get useful feedback on your writing. Most competitions even have rules to structure your writing, these rules can help you prepare for the real world of writing and getting your work published. And not only that you might even win some cool prizes!

Keep a notebook

Every writer’s best friend is their notebook. Wherever you go make sure you have a notebook handy to jot down any ideas you get on the go. Inspiration can come from anywhere , so the next time you get an idea instead of forgetting about it, write it down. You never know, this idea could become a best-selling novel in the future.

Research your ideas

So, you got a couple of ideas for short stories. The next step is to research these ideas deeper.

Researching your ideas could involve reading books similar to your ideas or going online to learn more about a particular topic. For example, if you wanted to write a book on dragons, you would want to know everything about them in history to come up with a good, relatable storyline for your book.

Create Writing Goals

How do you know if your writing is improving over time? Simple – Just create writing goals for yourself. Examples of writing goals might include, to write 100 words every day or to write 600 words by the end of next week. Whatever your goals make sure you can measure them easily. That way you’ll know if you met them or not. You might want to take a look at these bullet journal layouts for writers to help you track the progress of your writing.

Follow your passions

Writing can be tedious and many people even give up after writing a few words. The only way you can keep that fire burning is by writing about your true passions. Whatever it is you enjoy doing or love, you could just write about those things. These are the types of things you’ll enjoy researching and already know so much about, making writing a whole lot more fun!

Don’t Settle for the first draft

You finally wrote your first story. But the writing process isn’t complete yet! Now it’s time to read your story and make the all-important edits. Editing your story is more than just fixing spelling or grammar mistakes. It’s also about criticising your own work and looking for areas of improvement. For example, is the conflict strong enough? Is your opening line exciting? How can you improve your ending?

Plan before writing

Never just jump into writing your story. Always plan first! Whether this means listing down the key scenes in your story or using a storyboard template to map out these scenes. You should have an outline of your story somewhere, which you can refer to when actually writing your story. This way you won’t make basic mistakes like not having a climax in your story which builds up to your main conflict or missing crucial characters out.

It’s strange the difference it makes to read your writing out aloud compared to reading it in your head. When reading aloud you tend to notice more mistakes in your sentences or discover paragraphs which make no sense at all. You might even want to read your story aloud to your family or a group of friends to get feedback on how your story sounds.

Pace your story

Pacing is important. You don’t want to just start and then quickly jump into the main conflict because this will take all the excitement away from your conflict. And at the same time, you don’t want to give the solution away too early and this will make your conflict too easy for your characters to solve. The key is to gradually build up to your conflict by describing your characters and the many events that lead up to the main conflict. Then you might want to make the conflict more difficult for your characters by including more than one issue in your story to solve.

Think about themes

Every story has a theme or moral. Some stories are about friendship, others are about the dangers of trusting strangers. And a story can even have more than one theme. The point of a theme is to give something valuable to your readers once they have finished reading your book. In other words, to give them a life lesson, they’ll never forget!

Use dialogue carefully

Dialogue is a tricky thing to get right. Your whole story should not be made up of dialogue unless you’re writing a script. Alternatively, it can be strange to include no dialogue at all in your story. The purpose of dialogue should be to move your story forward. It should also help your readers learn more about a particular character’s personality and their relationship with other characters in your book.

One thing to avoid with dialogue is… small talk! There’s no point in writing dialogue, such as “How’s the weather?”, if your story has nothing to do with the weather. This is because it doesn’t move your story along. For more information check out this guide on how to write dialogue in a story .

Write now, edit later

Writing is a magical process. Don’t lose that magic by focusing on editing your sentences while you’re still writing your story up. Not only could this make your story sound fragmented, but you might also forget some key ideas to include in your story or take away the imagination from your writing. When it comes to creative writing, just write and come back to editing your story later.

Ask yourself questions

Always question your writing. Once done, think about any holes in your story. Is there something the reader won’t understand or needs further describing? What if your character finds another solution to solving the conflict? How about adding a new character or removing a character from your story? There are so many questions to ask and keep asking them until you feel confident about your final piece.

Create a dedicated writing space

Some kids like writing on their beds, others at the kitchen table. While this is good for beginners, going pro with your writing might require having a dedicated writing space. Some of the basics you’ll need is a desk and comfy chair, along with writing materials like pens, pencils and notebooks. But to really create an inspiring place, you could also stick some beautiful pictures, some inspiring quotes from writers and anything else that will keep you motivated and prepared.

Beware of flowery words

Vocabulary is good. It’s always exciting when you learn a new word that you have never heard before. But don’t go around plotting in complicated words into your story, unless it’s necessary to show a character’s personality. Most long words are not natural sounding, meaning your audience will have a hard time relating to your story if it’s full of complicated words from the dictionary like Xenophobia or Xylograph .

Create believable characters

Nobody’s perfect. And why should your story characters be any different? To create believable characters, you’ll need to give them some common flaws as well as some really cool strengths. Your character’s flaws can be used as a setback to why they can’t achieve their goals, while their strengths are the things that will help win over adversity. Just think about your own strengths and weaknesses and use them as inspirations for your storybook characters. You can use the Imagine Forest character creator to plan out your story characters.

Show, don’t tell

You can say that someone is nice or you can show them how that person is nice. Take the following as an example, “Katie was a nice girl.” Now compare that sentence to this, “Katie spent her weekends at the retirement home, singing to the seniors and making them laugh.”. The difference between the two sentences is huge. The first one sounds boring and you don’t really know why Katie is nice. While in the second sentence, you get the sense that Katie is nice from her actions without even using the word nice in the sentence!

Make the conflict impossible

Imagine the following scenario, you are a championship boxer who has won many medals over the year and the conflict is…Well, you got a boxing match coming up. Now that doesn’t sound so exciting! In fact, most readers won’t even care about the boxer winning the match or not!

Now imagine this scenario: You’re a poor kid from New Jersey, you barely have enough money to pay the bills. You never did any professional boxing, but you want to enter a boxing competition, so you can win and use the money to pay your bills.

The second scenario has a bigger mountain to climb. In other words, a much harder challenge to face compared to the character in the first scenario. Giving your characters an almost impossible task or conflict is essential in good story-telling.

Write powerful scenes

Scenes help build a picture in your reader’s mind without even including any actual pictures in your story. Creating powerful scenes involves more than describing the appearance of a setting, it’s also about thinking about the smell, the sounds and what your characters are feeling while they are in a particular setting. By being descriptive with your scenes, your audience can imagine themselves being right there with characters through the hard times and good times!

There’s nothing worse than an ending which leaves the reader feeling underwhelmed. You read all the way through and then it just ends in the most typical, obvious way ever! Strong endings don’t always end on a happy ending. They can end with a sad ending or a cliff-hanger. In fact, most stories actually leave the reader with more questions in their head, as they wonder what happens next. This then gives you the opportunity to create even more books to continue the story and keep your readers hooked for life (or at least for a very long time)!

Over 25 creative writing tips later and you should now be ready to master the art of creative writing! The most important tip for all you creative writers out there is to be imaginative! Without a good imagination, you’ll struggle to wow your audience with your writing skills. Do you have any more creative writing tips to share? Let us know in the comments!

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.

How to Boost Children's Literacy during Winter Holidays imagine forest

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Elements of Creative Writing

(3 reviews)

J.D. Schraffenberger, University of Northern Iowa

Rachel Morgan, University of Northern Iowa

Grant Tracey, University of Northern Iowa

ISBN 13: 9780915996179

Publisher: University of Northern Iowa

Language: English

Formats Available

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Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Colin Rafferty, Professor, University of Mary Washington on 8/2/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Fantastically thorough. By using three different authors, one for each genre of creative writing, the textbook allows for a wider diversity of thought and theory on writing as a whole, while still providing a solid grounding in the basics of each genre. The included links to referred texts also builds in an automatic, OER-based anthology for students. Terms are not only defined clearly, but also their utility is explained--here's what assonance can actually do in a poem, rather than simply "it's repeated vowel sounds,"

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Calling the content "accurate" requires a suspension of the notion that art and writing aren't subjective; instead, it might be more useful to judge the content on the potential usefulness to students, in which case it' s quite accurate. Reading this, I often found myself nodding in agreement with the authors' suggestions for considering published work and discussing workshop material, and their prompts for generating creative writing feel full of potential. It's as error-free, if not more so, than most OER textbooks (which is to say: a few typos here and there) and a surprising number of trade publications. It's not unbiased, per se--after all, these are literary magazine editors writing the textbook and often explaining what it is about a given piece of writing that they find (or do not find) engaging and admirable--but unbiased isn't necessarily a quantity one looks for in creative writing textbooks.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The thing about creative writing is that they keep making more of it, so eventually the anthology elements of this textbook will be less "look what's getting published these days" and more "look what was getting published back then," but the structure of the textbook should allow for substitution and replacement (that said, if UNI pulls funding for NAR, as too many universities are doing these days, then the bigger concern is about the archive vanishing). The more rhetorical elements of the textbook are solid, and should be useful to students and faculty for a long time.

Clarity rating: 5

Very clear, straightforward prose, and perhaps more importantly, there's a sense of each author that emerges in each section, demonstrating to students that writing, especially creative writing, comes from a person. As noted above, any technical jargon is not only explained, but also discussed, meaning that how and why one might use any particular literary technique are emphasized over simply rote memorization of terms.

Consistency rating: 4

It's consistent within each section, but the voice and approach change with each genre. This is a strength, not a weakness, and allows the textbook to avoid the one-size-fits-all approach of single-author creative writing textbooks. There are different "try this" exercises for each genre that strike me as calibrated to impress the facets of that particular genre on the student.

Modularity rating: 5

The three-part structure of the book allows teachers to start wherever they like, genre-wise. While the internal structure of each section does build upon and refer back to earlier chapters, that seems more like an advantage than a disadvantage. Honestly, there's probably enough flexibility built into the textbook that even the callbacks could be glossed over quickly enough in the classroom.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Chapters within each genre section build upon each other, starting with basics and developing the complexity and different elements of that genre. The textbook's overall organization allows some flexibility in terms of starting with fiction, poetry, or nonfiction.

Interface rating: 4

Easy to navigate. I particularly like the way that links for the anthology work in the nonfiction section (clearly appearing at the side of the text in addition to within it) and would like to see that consistently applied throughout.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

A few typos here and there, but you know what else generally has a few typos here and there? Expensive physical textbooks.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The anthology covers a diverse array of authors and cultural identities, and the textbook authors are not only conscious of their importance but also discuss how those identities affect decisions that the authors might have made, even on a formal level. If you find an underrepresented group missing, it should be easy enough to supplement this textbook with a poem/essay/story.

Very excited to use this in my Intro to CW classes--unlike other OERs that I've used for the field, this one feels like it could compete with the physical textbooks head-to-head. Other textbooks have felt more like a trade-off between content and cost.

Reviewed by Jeanne Cosmos, Adjunct Faculty, Massachusetts Bay Community College on 7/7/24

Direct language and concrete examples & Case Studies. read more

Direct language and concrete examples & Case Studies.

References to literature and writers- on track.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

On point for support to assist writers and creative process.

Direct language and easy to read.

First person to third person. Too informal in many areas of the text.

Units are readily accessible.

Process of creative writing and prompts- scaffold areas of learning for students.

Interface rating: 5

No issues found.

The book is accurate in this regard.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

Always could be revised and better.

Yes. Textbook font is not academic and spacing - also not academic. A bit too primary. Suggest- Times New Roman 12- point font & a space plus - Some of the language and examples too informal and the tone of lst person would be more effective if - direct and not so 'chummy' as author references his personal recollections. Not effective.

Reviewed by Robert Moreira, Lecturer III, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 3/21/24

Unlike Starkey's CREATIVE WRITING: FOUR GENRES IN BRIEF, this textbook does not include a section on drama. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

Unlike Starkey's CREATIVE WRITING: FOUR GENRES IN BRIEF, this textbook does not include a section on drama.

As far as I can tell, content is accurate, error free and unbiased.

The book is relevant and up-to-date.

The text is clear and easy to understand.

Consistency rating: 5

I would agree that the text is consistent in terms of terminology and framework.

Text is modular, yes, but I would like to see the addition of a section on dramatic writing.

Topics are presented in logical, clear fashion.

Navigation is good.

No grammatical issues that I could see.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

I'd like to see more diverse creative writing examples.

As I stated above, textbook is good except that it does not include a section on dramatic writing.

Introduction
Chapter One: One Great Way to Write a Short Story
Chapter Two: Plotting
Chapter Three: Counterpointed Plotting
Chapter Four: Show and Tell
Chapter Five: Characterization and Method Writing
Chapter Six: Character and Dialouge
Chapter Seven: Setting, Stillness, and Voice
Chapter Eight: Point of View
Chapter Nine: Learning the Unwritten Rules
Chapter One: A Poetry State of Mind
Chapter Two: The Architecture of a Poem
Chapter Three: Sound
Chapter Four: Inspiration and Risk
Chapter Five: Endings and Beginnings
Chapter Six: Figurative Language
Chapter Seven: Forms, Forms, Forms
Chapter Eight: Go to the Image
Chapter Nine: The Difficult Simplicity of Short Poems and Killing Darlings

Creative Nonfiction

Chapter One: Creative Nonfiction and the Essay
Chapter Two: Truth and Memory, Truth in Memory
Chapter Three: Research and History
Chapter Four: Writing Environments
Chapter Five: Notes on Style
Chapter Seven: Imagery and the Senses
Chapter Eight: Writing the Body
Chapter Nine: Forms

Back Matter

Contributors
North American Review Staff

Ancillary Material

University of Northern Iowa

About the Book

This free and open access textbook introduces new writers to some basic elements of the craft of creative writing in the genres of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The authors—Rachel Morgan, Jeremy Schraffenberger, and Grant Tracey—are editors of the North American Review, the oldest and one of the most well-regarded literary magazines in the United States. They’ve selected nearly all of the readings and examples (more than 60) from writing that has appeared in NAR pages over the years. Because they had a hand in publishing these pieces originally, their perspective as editors permeates this book. As such, they hope that even seasoned writers might gain insight into the aesthetics of the magazine as they analyze and discuss some reasons this work is so remarkable—and therefore teachable. This project was supported by NAR staff and funded via the UNI Textbook Equity Mini-Grant Program.

About the Contributors

J.D. Schraffenberger is a professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa. He is the author of two books of poems, Saint Joe's Passion and The Waxen Poor , and co-author with Martín Espada and Lauren Schmidt of The Necessary Poetics of Atheism . His other work has appeared in Best of Brevity , Best Creative Nonfiction , Notre Dame Review , Poetry East , Prairie Schooner , and elsewhere.

Rachel Morgan is an instructor of English at the University of Northern Iowa. She is the author of the chapbook Honey & Blood , Blood & Honey . Her work is included in the anthology Fracture: Essays, Poems, and Stories on Fracking in American and has appeared in the Journal of American Medical Association , Boulevard , Prairie Schooner , and elsewhere.

Grant Tracey author of three novels in the Hayden Fuller Mysteries ; the chapbook Winsome featuring cab driver Eddie Sands; and the story collection Final Stanzas , is fiction editor of the North American Review and an English professor at the University of Northern Iowa, where he teaches film, modern drama, and creative writing. Nominated four times for a Pushcart Prize, he has published nearly fifty short stories and three previous collections. He has acted in over forty community theater productions and has published critical work on Samuel Fuller and James Cagney. He lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

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Third grade language arts.

Our grade 3 grammar and writing worksheets focus on the parts of speech, the construction and punctuation of sentences and writing paragraphs and short pieces in a structured manner.

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In this fun and energetic summer course, students build critical reading and writing skills as they create their very own picture books.

Live instructors guide students (ages 8–11) through lessons in reading, analyzing, and creating a range of original pieces.

This course is recommended for students entering Grade 3 or 4. We recommend that students enroll in Language Arts courses at grade level.

In this course, students build their reading and writing skills by studying the works of picture book masters. Each day in class, students begin by reading and discussing a picture book addressing an advanced Language Arts topic. Then, they try their hand at writing with a unique assignment based on the daily topic. In the final days of the course, students will have the chance to apply what they’ve learned as they write and illustrate a picture book of their very own.

Each lesson includes a balance of lively discussion, independent writing time, and games to get the creative juices flowing!

Students must purchase the required book(s) before the start of the course.

Our instructors hold classes virtually, in a small-sized (10-16 students) videoconferencing classroom. With a small class size, teachers can give individualized attention to each student, providing real-time verbal and written feedback and supporting students' growth as writers.

Our Language Arts summer courses do not include homework. Students receive frequent feedback on their writing and present their work throughout the course.

If you drop a summer course before the start of your first class session, we'll issue a full refund for the course tuition. No refunds will be issued for withdrawing from a summer course after the start of your first class session. We do not accept Language Arts book returns, since they are purchased from a third party.

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101 Engaging Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

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Are you ready to spark your third grader’s imagination and creativity? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of 101 engaging creative writing prompts specifically tailored for 3rd graders. Whether your child loves to write about magical adventures, funny mishaps, or exciting discoveries, these prompts are sure to inspire them to express themselves through the power of storytelling. From whimsical prompts to thought-provoking scenarios, this comprehensive list is designed to encourage young writers to explore their creativity and develop their writing skills. Get ready to embark on a journey of imagination and storytelling with these 101 captivating creative writing prompts for 3rd grade!

Whether you are a parent looking for a fun activity to do with your third grader or you’re a teacher looking for a list of writing prompts for the year, you are in the right place! I love working with third graders as their imaginations are expanding and their ability to write out their thoughts is gaining experience. Use these fun and free note booking pages to to draw a picture and write a few sentences for each of the following prompts!

Journal Creative Writing Prompts

Journal writing prompts are important in 3rd grade for several reasons. First, they help students develop their writing skills by providing them with a structured starting point for their creative expression. By responding to prompts, students can practice organizing their thoughts, using proper grammar and punctuation, and expanding their vocabulary.

Secondly, journal writing prompts encourage students to reflect on their experiences, thoughts, and emotions, fostering self-awareness and self-expression. This can be particularly beneficial for 3rd graders as they navigate through a period of significant cognitive and emotional development.

Additionally, journal writing prompts can serve as a tool for teachers to assess students’ writing abilities and monitor their progress over time. By reviewing students’ responses to prompts, teachers can identify areas for improvement and tailor their instruction to meet individual needs.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
If you could create a new magical land, what would it look like? What kind of creatures would you find there?
If you could meet a famous person, who would it be and what would you do together?
If you could invent a new holiday, what would it be and how would people celebrate it?
Describe a day in the life of your favorite book or movie character.
What is your favorite thing to do with your family and why?
If you could be any animal for a day, which animal would you choose and why?
Write a story about a talking animal who goes on an adventure.
What is something that makes you laugh really hard?
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
Describe a time when you had to be really brave and how you handled the situation.

101 engaging creative writing prompts for third graders

Funny Creative Writing Prompts

By using humor as a catalyst for writing, students are more likely to feel motivated and enthusiastic about the writing process. This can help alleviate any potential anxiety or reluctance towards writing, making it a more enjoyable and rewarding experience for 3rd graders.

Also, funny writing prompts can inspire students to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas, leading to more imaginative and entertaining compositions. This can help nurture a sense of playfulness and originality in young writers, fostering a positive attitude towards writing and self-expression.

Write a story about a day in the life of a silly superhero with unusual powers.
Imagine if animals could talk – what would your pet say to you?
Create a recipe for a birthday cake for your favorite pet.
Write a dialogue between two talking vegetables in a grocery store.
Describe a day in the life of a mischievous mouse causing chaos in a classroom.
Invent a new holiday where everyone has to wear silly hats and tell jokes all day.
Write a story about a talking animal who tries to learn how to dance.
Describe a world where everything is made of candy – what would happen?
If you could have a pet dinosaur, what funny things do you think it would do?
Create a comic strip about a group of wacky aliens visiting Earth for the first time.

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Narrative essay writing prompts.

Narrative essay writing prompts provide young students with an opportunity to develop their storytelling skills by crafting narratives based on their own experiences and imaginations. This process allows 3rd graders to practice organizing their thoughts, using descriptive language, and creating engaging storylines, which are essential elements of narrative writing.

If your shoes could talk, what would they say?
Describe a special day when you discovered a hidden treasure in your backyard.
Tell a story about a time when you had to solve a mystery or a puzzle.
If you were given 100 oranges what would you do with them?
Describe a memorable family vacation and the exciting things you did.
Tell a story about a time when you overcame a fear and felt really brave.
Write about a day when you found a secret passage to a mysterious place.
Describe a time when you had a funny mishap or a silly misunderstanding.
Tell a story about a time when you made a new friend and had a great adventure together.
If one day you woke up and could fly, where would you go? What would you do?

101 Engaging Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders on a desk with office supplies

Fiction Writing Prompts

By engaging with fiction writing prompts, students can explore a wide range of imaginative scenarios, characters, and settings, allowing them to expand their creative thinking and storytelling abilities. Also, fiction writing prompts provide an opportunity for 3rd graders to develop their language skills, vocabulary, and descriptive abilities as they bring fictional worlds and characters to life through their writing.

What story does a camera want to tell the world?
A princess is trapped in a castle that is guarded by a beast. Instead of waiting for her prince charming to save her, she uses the resources and tools from inside the castle to build her escape plan. What all would she use and how? Write her escape story.
‘There was a knock on the door. I opened it and saw a cat sitting there and,….’. Finish the story.
You had a chance to take over your father’s job for a day. Write a story narrating all your day’s events.
‘On a vacation to paradise, something unexpected happens.’ Continue with the story.
There was a butterfly in Ohio who needed to earn the colors for herself. She could only earn five colors for herself. What would she do to earn colors, and how?
One day, you woke up and realize that you have a magic pen next to you. Narrate the events that followed it.
Imagine you get to choose how you would want to live your next 50 years. What would you choose? Who will be the people with you?
Your balloon just blew away! Write the story from the balloon’s perspective.
You ate a brownie, and now you are 20 feet tall. What do you do next?

Poetry Writing Prompts

Poetry writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage creativity, self-expression, and language exploration. By engaging with poetry writing prompts, students have the opportunity to experiment with language, rhythm, and imagery, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and power of words.

Write a poem about your favorite season and all the things you love about it.
Create a poem about a magical creature you imagine living in a hidden forest.
Write a poem about your best friend and all the fun adventures you have together.
Describe a day at the beach through a poem, capturing the sounds, sights, and feelings.
Imagine a world made of candy and write a sweet poem about it with a maximum of 30 words.
Write a poem about the colors of the rainbow and what each color makes you think of.
Create a poem about a funny dream you had that made you laugh.
Describe a rainy day in a poem and how it makes you feel.
Write a poem about your favorite animal and why you love it.
“Dear Friend…” write a poem to a friend about what you like about them.

Informative Essay Writing Prompts

Informative essay writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage critical thinking, research skills, and the development of clear and organized writing. By engaging with informative essay prompts, students have the opportunity to explore and present factual information on a given topic, fostering their ability to conduct research and communicate knowledge effectively.

Explain how plants grow and what they need to thrive.
Describe the life cycle of a butterfly and the stages it goes through.
Write about the importance of recycling and how it helps the environment.
Explain the different types of weather and how they affect our daily lives.
Describe what daily habits you do to take care of yourself each day.
Explain the concept of telling time and how to read a clock.
Write about the different habitats where animals live and how they adapt to their surroundings.
Describe the water cycle and how it helps sustain life on Earth.
Explain the importance of good manners and how they make a positive impact on others.
Write about the different types of community helpers and the roles they play in our society.

Opinion Creative Writing Prompts

Opinion creative writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage critical thinking, persuasive communication, and the development of individual perspectives. By engaging with opinion writing prompts, students have the opportunity to express their thoughts, beliefs, and preferences on various topics, fostering their ability to articulate and defend their opinions in a structured and convincing manner.

Do you think students should have homework? Why or why not?
Should kids be allowed to have a pet? Why or why not?
Do you think it’s important to eat healthy food? Why or why not?
Should kids be allowed to have a cell phone? Why or why not?
Do you think it’s better to be the oldest, middle, or youngest child in a family? Why?
Should students have to wear school uniforms? Why or why not?
Do you think it’s important to be kind to others? Why or why not?
Should kids be allowed to watch TV all day? Why or why not?
Do you think it’s important to protect the environment? Why or why not?
Should kids be allowed to have a later bedtime? Why or why not?

Animal Creative Writing Prompts

Animal creative writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage imagination, empathy, and language exploration. By engaging with animal creative writing prompts, students have the opportunity to explore the natural world, develop characters, and create stories that incorporate animals as central figures, fostering their creativity and storytelling abilities. Also, animal creative writing prompts provide a platform for 3rd graders to develop empathy and understanding for animals as they imagine themselves in the roles of different creatures. This process can help students develop a greater appreciation for the diversity of life on Earth and the importance of empathy towards other living beings.

Write a story from the perspective of a mischievous monkey swinging through the jungle.
Imagine you are a dolphin exploring the ocean – describe your underwater adventures.
Create a tale about a brave lion leading a group of animals on a daring rescue mission.
Write a story about a curious cat who discovers a magical secret in the neighborhood.
Imagine you are a bird flying high in the sky – describe the sights and sounds you encounter.
Create a story about a friendly bear who helps lost animals find their way home in the forest.
Write a tale about a clever fox outsmarting other animals in the woods.
Imagine you are a playful puppy at a pet show – describe the fun and excitement of the event.
Create a story about a group of animals working together to solve a problem in the wild.
Write a tale about a baby elephant’s first adventure away from the herd.

Descriptive Creative Writing Prompts

Descriptive creative writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage the development of vivid language, sensory details, and observational skills. By engaging with descriptive writing prompts, students have the opportunity to practice using descriptive language to paint rich and detailed pictures with words, fostering their ability to create engaging and immersive narratives.

Additionally, descriptive writing prompts provide a platform for 3rd graders to develop their powers of observation and attention to detail as they describe scenes, objects, or experiences. This process helps students learn to notice and appreciate the nuances of the world around them, contributing to their overall awareness and mindfulness.

Describe your favorite place in the world and why it’s so special to you.
Write a detailed description of a magical garden filled with colorful flowers and friendly animals.
Describe a day at the beach, capturing the sounds, smells, and feelings of the seaside.
Imagine a world made of candy and describe what it looks, smells, and tastes like.
Write a detailed description of a mysterious cave and the adventures that await inside.
Describe a rainy day, capturing the sights and sounds of the rain and how it makes you feel.
Imagine a day in a bustling city and describe the sights, sounds, and energy of urban life.
Write a detailed description of a magical forest and the creatures that live within it.
Describe a delicious feast fit for a king, including all the mouthwatering dishes and desserts.
Imagine a day in a winter wonderland and describe the beauty of the snowy landscape and the fun activities you would do.

Emotional Creative Writing Prompts

Emotional creative writing prompts can help 3rd graders develop their language skills and vocabulary as they seek to convey a wide range of emotions through their writing. This can contribute to their ability to express themselves with depth and nuance, enhancing their overall language proficiency and literacy development. This also can foster a sense of self awareness and emotional intelligence in a creative space.

Write a story about a time when you felt really proud of yourself and what you accomplished.
Imagine a day when you felt very happy and write about all the things that made you smile.
Create a story about a time when you felt scared but found the courage to overcome your fear.
Write about a time when you felt really sad and how you found comfort and support.
Imagine a day when you felt very excited and write about the thrilling adventures that followed.
Create a story about a time when you felt very angry and how you managed to calm down and find a solution.
When I make a mistake I… (Finish the story)
Imagine a day when you felt very surprised and write about the unexpected events that unfolded.
Create a story about a time when you felt very curious and eager to learn something new.
Write about a time when you felt very loved and describe the heartwarming moments that made you feel special.

Overall I feel that these 101 creative writing prompts for 3rd graders is a great place to start allowing you minds speak for themselves as they are developing an awareness to the world around them and their contribution to it.

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Basic Creative Writing Techniques: Tips for Beginners

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on June 9, 2023

Categories Writing , Creativity

Creative writing is a form of writing that allows writers to express themselves creatively, using their imagination to create stories, characters, and worlds.

Basic creative writing techniques are the building blocks of this form of writing, and mastering them is essential for anyone who wants to become a better writer. Whether you are writing a novel, a short story, or a poem, there are certain techniques that you can use to make your writing more engaging, interesting, and effective.

One of the most important basic creative writing techniques is to show, not tell.

This means that instead of simply telling the reader what is happening, you should use descriptive language and sensory details to paint a picture in their mind. This will help the reader to become more engaged with the story and to feel like they are a part of it.

Another important technique is to use dialogue to reveal characters and advance the plot. By having characters speak to each other, you can show their personalities, motivations, and conflicts and move the story forward naturally and engagingly.

Finally, using strong verbs and vivid adjectives to create a sense of action and movement in your writing is important. Choosing the right words can make your writing more dynamic and exciting and keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

Basic Creative Writing Techniques

As with any craft, mastering the basics is essential before diving into more complex techniques.

Basic creative writing techniques include structure, grammar, literary devices, point of view, dialogue, storytelling, imagination, character development, foreshadowing, imagery, personification, alliteration, hyperbole, and euphemisms.

Structure is the backbone of any piece of writing. It refers to organizing ideas, plots, and characters logically and cohesively. A clear and well-structured story will engage readers and keep them interested until the end.

Good grammar is essential for clear and effective communication. It includes proper use of punctuation, sentence structure, and verb tenses. Poor grammar can distract readers from the story and make it difficult to understand.

Literary Devices

Literary devices are tools used to enhance the beauty and meaning of a piece of writing. They include metaphors, similes, symbolism, irony, and imagery. Proper use of literary devices can add depth and richness to a story.

Point of View

Point of view refers to the perspective from which a story is told. It can be first person, second person, or third person. Choosing the right point of view is crucial for conveying the story most effectively.

Dialogue is the conversation between characters in a story. It can reveal their personalities, motivations, and relationships. Good dialogue should sound natural and move the story forward.

Storytelling

Storytelling is the art of conveying a message or idea through a narrative. It includes plot, character development, setting, and theme. A well-told story can captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.

Imagination

Imagination is the ability to create new and original ideas. It is essential for coming up with unique and interesting stories. Cultivating imagination can be done through exercises such as brainstorming and free writing.

Character Development

Characters are the heart of any story. Developing well-rounded and believable characters is crucial for engaging readers. This includes giving them a backstory, personality traits, and motivations.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing uses clues or hints to suggest what may happen later in the story. It can create tension and anticipation in the reader and make the story more satisfying.

Imagery uses descriptive language to create a mental picture in the reader’s mind. It can bring the story to life and make it more vivid and memorable.

Personification

Personification is the attribution of human qualities to non-human objects or animals. It can add depth and meaning to a story and make it more relatable.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of multiple words in a sentence. It can create a pleasing rhythm and draw attention to certain words or phrases.

Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration for emphasis or effect. It can add humor or drama to a story and make it more engaging.

Euphemisms use mild or indirect language to describe something unpleasant or taboo. They can soften the impact of harsh realities and make the story more palatable.

In conclusion, mastering basic creative writing techniques is essential for any writer looking to create engaging and memorable stories.

By focusing on structure, grammar, literary devices, point of view, dialogue, storytelling, imagination, character development, foreshadowing, imagery, personification, alliteration, hyperbole, and euphemisms, writers can create stories that captivate readers and leave a lasting impression.

Writing Techniques

When it comes to creative writing, writers can use several writing techniques to improve their craft. These techniques include spelling, punctuation, writing style, vocabulary, creative writing skills, and types of writing.

Spelling is an essential aspect of writing. Ensuring that words are spelled correctly is important to avoid confusion and misinterpretation. Writers can use tools like spell-check to identify and correct spelling errors.

Punctuation

Punctuation is another crucial aspect of writing. It helps to convey meaning and clarify the writer’s intent. Proper use of punctuation marks like commas, periods, and semicolons can make a significant difference in the readability of a piece of writing.

Writing Style

Writing style refers to how a writer expresses. It includes elements like tone, voice, and syntax. Developing a unique writing style can help writers stand out and make their work more engaging.

A broad vocabulary is essential for effective writing. It allows writers to express themselves more precisely and vividly. Reading widely and keeping a notebook of new words can help writers expand their vocabulary.

Creative Writing Skills

Creative writing skills are essential for writers who tell compelling stories and create engaging content. These skills include elements like character development, plot structure, and dialogue.

Types of Writing

There are several types of writing, including expository, persuasive, descriptive, and narrative. Each type has its unique characteristics and requires different techniques.

Expository Writing

Expository writing is used to explain or inform readers about a particular topic. It requires a clear and concise writing style and often includes facts and figures to support the writer’s argument.

Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing convinces readers to take a particular action or adopt a particular point of view. It requires a strong argument and the use of persuasive language.

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing paints a vivid picture of a person, place, or thing. It requires sensory details and figurative language to create a compelling image in the reader’s mind.

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing is used to tell a story. It requires a clear plot structure, well-developed characters, and engaging dialogue.

Professional Writing

Professional writing is used in the workplace and requires a clear and concise writing style. It includes types of writing like business writing and letters.

Business Writing

Business writing is used in the workplace to convey information and make requests. It requires a formal writing style and often includes elements like reports and memos.

Letters are a type of business writing used to communicate with clients, customers, and colleagues. They require a polite and professional tone and often include greetings and salutations.

In conclusion, mastering these writing techniques can help writers improve their craft and create more engaging and effective writing pieces. By paying attention to spelling, punctuation, writing style, vocabulary, and creative writing skills, writers can develop their unique voice and tell compelling stories.

Reading and Research

Creative writing, reading, and research are essential components that can help you improve your writing skills. Reading and researching can help you develop your writing style, find inspiration, and build your knowledge base.

This section will discuss the importance of reading and research in creative writing.

Your reader is one of the most important things to consider when writing creatively.

Knowing your audience can help you tailor your writing to their interests and preferences. Reading books, articles, and other written materials can help you understand your audience better. By reading, you can learn about the topics that interest them, the language they use, and the writing styles they prefer.

Another important aspect of creative writing is the theme. The theme is the underlying message or idea you want to convey through your writing.

Reading can help you develop your theme by exposing you to different perspectives and ideas. By reading widely, you can find inspiration for your writing and develop a deeper understanding of the themes you want to explore.

Research is also an important component of creative writing. Research can help you find evidence to support your ideas, develop your characters and plot, and create a more realistic and engaging story. By conducting research, you can also ensure your writing is accurate and well-informed.

In conclusion, reading and research are essential components of creative writing.

By reading widely and conducting research, you can develop your writing style, find inspiration, and build your knowledge base. Understanding your audience, developing your theme, and finding evidence to support your ideas are crucial elements of successful creative writing.

In conclusion, basic creative writing techniques are essential for aspiring writers to improve their skills. Using brainstorming, outlining, and character development techniques, writers can create compelling stories with well-rounded characters and engaging plots.

Another important technique for writers is to revise and edit their work thoroughly. This includes checking for grammar and spelling errors and ensuring that the story flows well and makes sense. By doing so, writers can create polished pieces ready to be shared with the world.

It’s also important for writers to find their unique voice and style. This can be achieved through experimentation and practice, as well as reading and studying the works of other writers.

Overall, while there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creative writing, by using these basic techniques and finding their own voice, writers can create engaging and memorable works.

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Write about someone who summons the creative muse through a convoluted ritual or method.

Your protagonist has the perfect day scheduled — but things don’t go according to plan., write from the pov of a character in a story who keeps getting re-written by their second-guessing author., your protagonist discovers that everything they type comes true. what happens next, start your story with someone who wants to give up on their career right before their big break., subscribe to our prompts newsletter.

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Follow a group of strangers touring a city on some kind of vehicle — a bus, a duck tour boat, a party bike… anything that transports passengers!

Write about someone who’s traveling away from their hometown for the first time., write about someone’s journey to retrieve an important object that’s been out of their possession for a long time., set your story in an airport where all flights have been canceled and all the passengers and crew members are stranded., write about someone who’s traveling to a place they’ve never been to meet someone they’ve never met., end your story with someone saying “i do.”, write a story from the pov of a plus-one., start your story with people arriving at a special ceremony., write a story in the form of a speech (or multiple speeches)., center your story around two people who meet at a wedding., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .

Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.

Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.

Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.

Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.

Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.

High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.

Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.

After you find the perfect story idea

Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:

How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.

Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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Grade 3 Writing Activities

8 great grade 3 writing activities.

At third-grade level, children have now begun to build up sufficient writing skills to begin writing for pleasure. We’ve created these writing activities to help make writing fun and engaging for your child. We hope they enjoy them!

1. Hero, Object, Setting, Villain

A wonderful way to spark the imagination of your child is to supply them with a range of story features and ask them to build a narrative around them.

Prepare a pile of cards detailing examples of hero characters , villainous characters, and interesting objects. You’ll also need larger images of story settings .

Ask your child to select a card from each pile and lay them face down in front of them. Then instruct your child to turn over their cards one at a time, arranging them neatly on the image of their setting (example below).

Once your child has arranged their cards and thought of names for their characters, they can begin writing.

You might like to have some story openings on hand for anyone struggling to get their story started.

Helping identify object, hero, and setting

2. Team Writing

Children often respond well to team activities. It is a great way of taking the pressure off their shoulders and helps remove the responsibility they may feel in crafting an entire piece of writing themselves. One of the ways you can do this is with ‘Teamwork Acrostics’.

The activity is very simple. Arrange children into teams between 4 - 6 people around a table. Place on the table the corresponding number of acrostic poem writing prompts (see example below) so that each child has one to start with. Then instruct children to select a letter and complete one element of the poem. When they have finished, pass the poem to the right hand side around the table and continue in this way until all poems are complete.

3. Let’s Get Reading!

Sometimes, the best way to inspire great writing is by reading great examples. You could do this by reading alongside your child or by challenging them to pick up a storybook they love. Ask them to make notes on the aspects of the book that interest them the most, such as characters, events or settings. Finally, once they’ve finished reading, set them the task of answering a short book report template all about the book they have read. You can use this helpful template below or invent your own questions with your child.

4. Write a comic book

Creating a comic book is a great way to get your child excited about writing as it is often a new, interesting format for them to explore. It also enables children to tell their stories through drawings alongside small sections of writing. This can make the activity appealing for those children who don’t usually enjoy writing long paragraphs in a traditional storybook format.

5. Recipe Writing

A great way to inspire your child is to complete a practical activity and then invite them to write about what they did. It can be really fun to cook a simple dish together and then challenge your child to write a recipe and instructions for it. This can be as simple as making a sandwich. It just needs to include enough steps and ingredients to inspire the written work afterwards.

6. Caption Competition

This is a really great activity to set up for children to take part in on a weekly basis. You’ll just need to prepare a bank of amusing or interesting images for your child to write captions for.

Animals can make great subjects for these caption competitions as they can be caught in some amusing situations. You can also use photos that you have taken on trips together with your child, as they respond very well to situations they associate with. This short and snappy activity might just provide the spark for a reluctant writer who normally feels intimidated by having to write long form writing.

7. The Animal Report

You’ll find that the vast majority of third-grade children will love this activity as they’ve almost certainly got a particular animal (real or fantastical) that they are very interested in and knowledgeable about. You can harness this passion and turn it into a wonderful piece of writing.

Here are a few tips for how to get the most out of this activity:

Allow your children time to read and watch videos on the animal they have chosen to write about

Encourage children to draw the animal and label the facts they know around it. This can be very useful when they come to write their long-form report.

Supply a few questions to help children structure their report.

8. Night Zookeeper

Night Zookeeper makes writing fantastically fun for children aged six to twelve.

Our writing program for kids includes thousands of writing activities created to keep your child entertained as they learn, including vocabulary games, interactive lessons, and challenges. We also provide personalized feedback on all of your child's writing!

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108 Engaging Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade
Writing stories—fictional or real—gives children a chance to develop several creative writing skills. They practice writing dialogue, developing characters, and fashioning situations that ignite their creativity and send them gallivanting down rabbit trails. Although 3rd-grade students are still relatively new writers and most won't ...
Creative Writing 101: A Beginner's Guide to Creative Writing
Creative Writing 101. Creative writing is any form of writing which is written with the creativity of mind: fiction writing, poetry writing, creative nonfiction writing and more. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Rather than only giving information or inciting the reader to make an action ...
12 Creative Writing Topics for Grade 3
Fun Creative Writing Topics and Prompts for Third Grade
Creative Writing 101: Everything You Need to Get Started
Creative Writing 101: Everything You Need to Get Started
225 Fun & Free Creative Writing Prompts for Kids in All Grade Levels
225 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids of All Grade Levels
8 Tips for Getting Started With Creative Writing
8 Tips for Getting Started With Creative Writing - 2024
105 Creative Writing Exercises: 10 Min Writing Exercises
105 Creative Writing Exercises To Get You Writing Again
Creative Writing for Kids: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Story
Step 2: Setting and genre. The next step in your child's creative writing process is to choose where it takes place. They should also decide the genre of their story, as some settings won't work for some specific genres (for example, a sunny beach wouldn't pair well with a moody mystery). This story's setting could be a real location ...
What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)
Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes. (This post may have afilliate links. Please see my full disclosure)
13 Creative Writing Topics For Your Primary 3 To Try at Home
11. Hard Work Pays Off. Write about a character who wanted something very much, and how he or she worked hard to get it. Purpose: Creative writing for primary 3 students should draw from the child's imagination to construct an inspiring story. Read more: How to Make Creative Writing for Primary 3 Easy for Children. 12.
26+ Creative Writing Tips for Young Writers
Simple - Just create writing goals for yourself. Examples of writing goals might include, to write 100 words every day or to write 600 words by the end of next week. Whatever your goals make sure you can measure them easily. That way you'll know if you met them or not.
Creative Writing: 8 Fun Ways to Get Started
If you're interested in the world of creative writing, we have eight fantastic exercises and activities to get you started. ️🤩 Don't miss on the joy of Creative Writing: here are 8 ways to get started. Click to tweet! 1. Use writing prompts every week. Coming up with ideas for short stories can be challenging, which is why we created a ...
Elements of Creative Writing
Elements of Creative Writing - Open Textbook Library
PDF Creative Writing Activity Packet
Creative Writing Activity Packet
Grade 3 Grammar & Writing Worksheets
Grade 3 Grammar & Writing Worksheets
Grade 3 Writing
Third grade writing requires children to demonstrate: Effective communication of ideas through written texts. Structured writing pieces, including a short introduction, main body and conclusion. Paragraph-writing skills. Using correct spelling and grammar in their writing (such as tenses and capitalization) Longer and more complex sentence forms.
Creative Writing for Grades 3-4
In this fun and energetic summer course, students build critical reading and writing skills as they create their very own picture books. Live instructors guide students (ages 8-11) through lessons in reading, analyzing, and creating a range of original pieces. Creative Writing. Grade. 3-4. Term.
101 Engaging Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade
Poetry Writing Prompts. Poetry writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage creativity, self-expression, and language exploration. By engaging with poetry writing prompts, students have the opportunity to experiment with language, rhythm, and imagery, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and power of words.
Basic Creative Writing Techniques: Tips for Beginners
Basic Creative Writing Techniques. As with any craft, mastering the basics is essential before diving into more complex techniques. Basic creative writing techniques include structure, grammar, literary devices, point of view, dialogue, storytelling, imagination, character development, foreshadowing, imagery, personification, alliteration, hyperbole, and euphemisms.
1800+ Creative Writing Prompts To Inspire You Right Now
1800+ Creative Writing Prompts To Inspire You Right Now
Grade 3 Writing Activities
Step 3: Once your child has arranged their cards and thought of names for their characters, they can begin writing. You might like to have some story openings on hand for anyone struggling to get their story started. 2. Team Writing. Children often respond well to team activities.
8 Creative Writing Exercises to Strengthen Your Writing
8 Creative Writing Exercises to Strengthen Your ...
Best Creative Writing Courses Online with Certificates [2024]
Best Creative Writing Courses Online with Certificates [2024]