100 Interesting Writing Prompts for High School

Break through writer’s block and sharpen communication skills with this list of writing prompts for high school students. Use them for daily warm-ups, journal entries, creative writing, narrative essays, and so much more.

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Benefits of Writing Prompts

The more writing practice kids get in high school, the better. Here’s how they benefit from using writing prompts in any classroom.

Improve written communication skills

In today’s world, many careers require people to be able to communicate clearly and succinctly through the written word, whether in emails, online messages, reports, or other communications. Writing comes easily for some students, but in general, the best way to get better is to practice, practice, practice!

Overcome writer’s block

Teachers hear it again and again: “I don’t know what to write about!” Specific prompts help overcome those complaints, helping students get started by providing a focus, style, or other instructions.

Build critical thinking skills

Challenging writing prompts and essay topics encourage students to think more deeply about topics, approaching them from different points of view. Writers practice evaluating cause and effect, weighing evidence, and taking a stand on issues.

Invite personal reflection

Journal prompts and personal narratives inspire students to consider their own emotions, reactions, and behaviors. They can spur students to build resilience, mindfulness, and personal strength as they write.

Encourage self-expression

Creative writing and journal prompts are especially good for emboldening students to share more about themselves. This helps build self-confidence, as well as offering ways for them to process experiences and emotions.

How To Use Writing Prompts With High School Students

Wondering how to work writing prompts into your classes? Try these ideas:

• Daily warm-ups: Start with a short writing prompt to get kids thinking and ready to participate.
• Journal writing: Give kids space to write personal and private thoughts and reflections each day.
• Creative writing practice: Help students write stories, plays, poems, and more.
• Discussion starters: After students spend some time writing on a topic, put them into pairs or groups to talk about their thoughts.
• Test prep: Give prompts that students might find on SAT, ACT, AP, or other standardized exams to practice timed essay writing.
• Substitute plans: Writing prompts make easy sub plans! Leave substitute teachers a list for students to choose from, and class will take care of itself!
• End-of-class reflection: Use prompts as exit tickets or a way for students to summarize what they learned and make real-life connections.

Journal Writing Prompts for High School

1. What do you value most in a friend?
2. What’s one thing you’d like to improve about yourself, and how could you start?
3. Write about a quality you admire in yourself.
4. What are you most afraid of? How could you overcome that fear?
5. Describe a place where you feel completely comfortable.
6. Which subject is hardest for you, and how do you handle it?
7. Write about a teacher who made a positive difference in your life.
8. Do you prefer working alone or in groups? Why?
9. What motivates you to keep going when life feels difficult?
10. How do you feel about homework?
11. Describe your ideal classroom environment.
12. Who do you look up to and why?
13. What makes someone trustworthy?
14. What role does social media play in your friendships?
15. How do you cope when you’re feeling anxious or worried?
16. What’s a lesson you’ve learned from a relationship that didn’t go well?
17. How do you show appreciation for others?
18. What matters more, honesty or kindness?
19. Do you think high school friendships can last a lifetime? Why or why not?
20. What does happiness mean to you?

Creative Writing Prompts for High School​

21. The power goes out across the world. Write about what happens during the first 24 hours afterward.
22. A character writes a letter but never sends it. What does it say, and who was it meant for?
23. You discover an old photograph taken decades ago—and realize you’re in it.
24. Write about a day in a world where emotions are sold in bottles.
25. Describe a UFO landing in your backyard and who or what is inside.
26. Write about a superhero with a silly superpower and how the “real” superheroes treat them.
27. Write about a day when every thought you have is visible to everyone around you.
28. Describe a world where music has magical powers.
29. Today you realized your whole life is a reality TV show—and everyone else is actors. Now what?
30. Imagine a day in the life of a pet (yours or someone else’s).
31. Write about the first people to visit another planet and find life there. 
32. Write an episode of your favorite show with you as a guest star.
33. Choose a book or story and write a different ending for it.
34. Write a story set in a world where people age backward.
35. What would happen if people could no longer see colors, only black, white, or shades of gray?
36. Write the news article for this headline: Scientists Discover the Secret to Eternal Life.
37. Write a story set in a world where people communicate through dance instead of spoken language.
38. You’ve been accused of a terrible crime you didn’t commit. Write about your experiences.
39. Write a story set on a spaceship that travels the galaxy but never lands anywhere.
40. Write a conversation between two historical figures from different eras.

Short 5-Minute Writing Prompts for High School​

41. What’s one skill you’d like to learn that isn’t taught in school?
42. Describe your mood right now using only weather words.
43. What sound do you find particularly annoying?
44. What’s one thing you’re grateful for today and why?
45. Give today a movie title, and explain why you chose it.
46. What’s one school rule you would change if you could?
47. List five things you’d put in a time capsule being buried today and opened in 50 years.
48. Write a complete story in five sentences or less.
49. What’s something small that made you feel happy recently?
50. What’s one small thing you could do today to make the world a better place?

10-Minute Writing Prompts for High School

51. Write a letter to someone you love, telling them why you love them.
52. Write about a smell you associate with a happy memory.
53. Set a small goal for yourself, and explain how you’ll accomplish it.
54. Write a text message exchange between two fictional characters.
55. What’s going really well in your life right now, and what is most challenging?
56. Choose a favorite song and describe how it makes you feel.
57. How do you cheer yourself up on a bad day?
58. If money were no issue, what career or job would you choose?
59. List three new things you’ve learned recently, then explain which is the most important.
60. If someone offered you the thing you want most, what would you be willing to give up for it in exchange?

Fun Writing Prompts for High School

61. What’s the funniest joke you know? Why does it always make you laugh?
62. Describe the perfect meal from start to finish.
63. Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
64. How would you fight a monster 50 times your size?
65. Write a commercial for shoes that let you walk on the ceiling.
66. Create a new holiday, and explain how it’s celebrated.
67. List the five funniest excuses for being late to class.
68. Make up a sport that could only exist on another planet.
69. What if every time you sneezed, you switched bodies with the person closest to you?
70. Write a letter to your personal hero, then imagine their response to you.

Writing Prompts for High School Seniors

71. Which grade year of school has been your favorite?
72. Which grade year of school was your least favorite?
73. When you look back over your K-12 years, what do you wish you had done differently?
74. What class do you wish you had been able to take (real or imaginary)?
75. Do you think your K-12 years have prepared you to be an adult? Why or why not?
76. Compare and contrast the friends you had when you were in elementary school and the friends you have now.
77. List 10 things you hope to have accomplished 10 years from now. Which of these is most important to you?
78. What teacher has had the greatest impact on your life over the years?
79. What advice would you offer to kids just starting kindergarten? 
80. Fill in the blanks, then explain your answers: Graduation is the end of ____________ and the beginning of ____________.

Narrative Writing Prompts for High School

81. Describe a time when you did something you later regretted.
82. Write about your proudest moment.
83. Describe your favorite field trip of all time.
84. Write about the best party or celebration you’ve ever attended.
85. Write about a time when you or someone you know displayed courage.
86. If you could relive any day in your life, what would it be? Would you want it to be the same or different?
87. Explore a time when you were treated unfairly.
88. When was the last time you questioned something you had thought to be true?
89. Choose one of the communities to which you belong and describe that community and your place within it.
90. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

Get more engaging personal narrative topics here.

Challenging Essay Writing Prompts for High School​

91. What’s the difference between equality and equity?
92. What responsibilities do wealthy people have to poorer people?
93. Is artificial intelligence (AI) dangerous or helpful?
94. Should terminally ill people be allowed to end their lives when and how they choose?
95. Why does today’s society seem so divided and adversarial?
96. Choose a person whom many consider to be a hero, and explore why you disagree.
97. What’s more important, personal freedom or community safety?
98. Should there be any limits on free speech?
99. What are the benefits and drawbacks of standardized testing?
100. If you could make one change to our system of government, what would it be and why?

Find more high school essay topics here.

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