8th grade essay writing prompts

65 Engaging 8th Grade Writing Prompts for Creative Essays

Creative writing is a discovery process, and 8th grade is a great time to encourage your students to find their voices. It’s the final grade before high school, and it’s a time when students are really discovering themselves and their place in the world as they leave middle school.

It’s so important to give your 8th-grade students writing prompts that will help them explore their thoughts and opinions. These 8th-grade writing prompts for creative essays are designed to do just that.

Journal Writing Prompts

1. If you had the chance to travel anywhere in the world, where would you choose? What attracted you to that location?

4. When it comes to writing, how do you feel? Consider something else in your life when comparing your feelings about writing to it.

6. Write about your favorite movie or book. Why do you love it so much?

8. Consider what you value in life and how it relates to where you want to be in five years. Make a personal vision statement for your life.

9. What are your thoughts on the notion of vulnerability? Have you ever been anxious when you’ve felt weak or exposed?

Creative Writing Prompts

Here are some creative writing prompts to get your 8th graders started:

12. If you had one opportunity to make a difference in the world, what would it be and why?

15. Who would you invite for dinner if you could choose any famous person?

19. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Have you ever heard that? What’s your take on it? To support your standpoint, utilize precise details and scenarios.

Expository Writing Prompts

Although similar to creative writing, expository writing is a different animal altogether. Here are some exciting prompts to get your middle-schoolers started:

27. Write about your typical school lunch and your experience eating in the lunchroom.

30. What are three fun ways your family might spend a family vacation together?

31. Why do you think someone you know should be regarded as a leader?

33. If you had to be an animal, which one would you choose and why?

Precise Language Writing Prompts

36. What is your earliest memory of feeling fear? Write a brief story about that experience.

38. When should you say a specific number instead of “a lot” to avoid being mistaken?

41. What is the difference between music and sound?

43. How can you tell the difference between an opinion and a fact?

Counter-Argument Writing Prompts

To become better writers, students of this age group need to be able to anticipate and refute counter-arguments to their own claims. Here are some counter-argument writing prompts to get your reluctant writers thinking:

45. An old saying goes, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Explain why this might not be true.

47. Some schools enforce a dress code to discourage bullying and encourage learning. Explain why you disagree with forcing students to wear uniforms.

49. Cats are widely regarded as the greatest pets. Why might dogs be a better choice?

50. Some people think that nothing is more essential than fame or popularity. Why do you feel differently?

53. People sometimes believe that important core principles, such as religion and politics, must be shared by good friends. Explain why this isn’t necessary.

54. Some people believe that honesty is more important than compassion. Explain why kindness is more essential at times in your essay.

Informational Writing Prompts

57. What do you know how to do well? Write detailed instructions for someone else to perform this task.

58. Consider a destination that you’ve been to. Describe the site to someone who has never been there before.

61. What impact has new technology had on your life?

63. Tell us about a typical day in one of your parents’ lives.

64. What would you do if you won the lottery?

65. How do people in your community show their support for local businesses?

Fun Fact : There are aids available to assist your students to create correct sentences (free and paid). I researched a particular tool that I believe will improve your learners’ writing skills. Learn more about it here — Complex Sentence Generator: 7 Tools To Build Good Statements .

Get Your Middle School Students Hooked on Writing With These Engaging Prompts!

Last Updated on July 25, 2022 by Emily

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100 Cool 8th Grade Writing Prompts

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100 Cool 8 th Grade Writing Prompts

When students reach the 8 th grade, they’re ready to write longer and in-depth pieces. Here are 100 writing prompts that will help you bring out the best out of your students, including those who are reluctant writers.

In this post, we have for you:

• Creative writing prompts
• Journal writing prompts
• Opinion writing prompts
• Narrative writing prompts
• Counter-argument writing prompts
• Expository writing prompts

Creative Writing Prompts for 8 th Grade

• Which is one place you would like to go to for a vacation? Explain why you have picked this place and what you plan to do there?
• Your teacher has asked you to share a lesson with the students of the 5 th grade. Explain what you will share and why?
• The local authorities want you to design a neighborhood for the future. Using specific details and examples share your vision.
• Is it really true that no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted? Share examples to support your viewpoint.
• If you could bring one change into the world, what would it be and why?
• A legendary jazz musician once said, “A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” Do you agree? Use examples to support your viewpoint.
• Name one thing that you would like to accomplish in the future. Share details regarding why it is so important for you and how you plan to achieve your goal.
• If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why?
• You may have heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” What’s your opinion? Use specific details and examples to back up your viewpoint.
• If you could make a significant change to the appearance or structure of your city, what would it be and why?
• Your school is thinking about making some changes to the dress code, and they have asked you for a recommendation. What would you recommend and why?
• You may have heard the old phrase: honesty is the best policy. But sometimes speaking honestly might hurt someone else’s feelings. Do you agree or not? Use examples and specific details to support your position.
• Your city’s mayor wants you to recommend one improvement to make the community better? Explain your idea for improving your community and why it should be implemented.
• If you could have dinner with any celebrity, who would you pick?
• Write a short story about what life would be like if you lived in the cold deserts of Mongolia.

Journal writing prompts for 8 th Grade

• Write a journal beginning with words…”One thing that I am sure about is…”
• Write about your first memories from childhood.
• Write about your first day in the school.
• Write a journal beginning with words…”The strangest person I ever got to know was…”
• Write a journal beginning with words…”There are so many things in the world that I find really annoying such as…”
• Describe a book you recently read or a movie you recently watched.
• Your city is considering outlawing the buying of energy drinks by those under age 16. What’s your take on this? Use examples to explain your position.
• Write a journal that begins with words…”My proudest moment was…”
• Write a journal that begins with words…”One time I really got scared of was when…”
• Write a journal beginning with words… “Last night I was kidnapped by aliens and taken to….”
• If you were to be allowed to meet the President for 20 minutes, what would you say to him and why?
• Describe a favorite movie or book. Why do you like it so much?
• Tell about a time when you hurt someone’s feelings. What did you do to make it up to him or her?
• Describe your favorite fictional character.
• Write about your first crush.
• After reading a piece on bullying on social media, your dad wants you to stay miles away from Facebook, Instagram, and the rest. Tell him he’s over-reacting.
• Write a short story on a typical day in the life of an eighth grader.
• Tell a story about something happened to one of your friends.
• Describe what you believe your life would be like when you turn 30.
• List 15 questions you would like to ask God.

Opinion Writing prompts for 8 th Grade

• Being which is harder at your age—a girl or boy? Explain why.
• How being emotionally strong is different than being physically strong?
• Is it really possible to fall in love at the first sight? Explain your viewpoint.
• Do you think bullying in school is just as prevalent as before? What steps can be taken to curb this menace?
• Do you think internet make relationships stronger? Or does it have the opposite effect of driving people apart?
• Many say that teens are spending more time in the front of a screen than ever before. Do you agree? How can teens cut down on their screen time?
• Does social media increase peer pressure and bullying? What’s your opinion?
• How can we win the war against climate change? Give five recommendations.
• If you could give one piece of advice to a seventh grader, what would it be?
• People often lie on the internet. How can we tell whether someone we have met on the net is lying or telling the truth?
• Some teenagers today have a phone addiction. Do you have that problem or do you know someone who has it? What’s the solution to this problem?
• Gaming addiction is rampant in teens. How can we tackle this problem? What are your suggestions?
• Will shifting to electric vehicles be enough to significantly reduce carbon emissions? Use well-researched points to support your position.
• Should it be mandatory for students to participate in at least one extracurricular activity? Do you agree? Use specific details to support your position.
• Should group projects be assigned in the school, since one uncooperative member can affect the entire group? Do you agree? Use specific details to support your position.

Narrative writing prompts for 8 th grade

• What does it mean to be emotionally intelligent?
• How can be bullying in schools be prevented?
• Write a bedtime story for a child.
• Describe a watershed event in your life.
• Pick one of your favorite moments in the history. Why do you think it is so special?
• What is hardest thing about being an 8 th grader?
• What is the best thing about being an 8 th grader?
• Is growing up hard as many say? Use specific details to support your position.
• If you could cure one disease, which one would it be and why?
• If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be and why?
• Is it better to be naturally gifted at something or to be a fast learner? Why?
• Do you think we are overly-dependent on technology? Use examples to support your viewpoint.
• How is artificial intelligence changing the way we live and work? Use specific examples when talking about its impact.
• Write a poem about graduation.
• What is the hardest thing about getting older?
• Is the glass full or half-empty? Why?
• What are the best ways to cope with stress in life?
• What is the funniest thing that has happened to you?
• If you go back in time and change one thing that you have done in the past, what would it be and why?
• Have you ever really had a weird dream? Describe it in detail.

Counter-Argument writing prompts for 8 th grade

• Many parents think students shouldn’t be provided with cell phones as they tend to easily get distracted by them. Write an argument in favor of allowing cell phones to students.
• Some people think that bullying is common on social media channels. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some think there’s nothing in the world that’s more important than fame. What’s your opinion?
• Is gaming addiction in teens a real problem or is it just a hyperbole? What do you think?
• Some think dogs make the best pet, some think cats. What’s your opinion?
• Do ghosts exist? Some paranormal investigators use photographs as “proof” of their existence. Is that enough proof?
• Some schools require students to wear uniforms because they think that helps reduce bullying. Do you agree or disagree?
• Crying is a sign of weakness, some say. Do you think that’s wrong? Explain your position.
• You would have heard the old saying, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Do you think that’s really the case? Explain your position.
• Some think that close friends need to share the same core values. Explain why you disagree.

Expository writing prompts for 8 th Grade

• What is your earliest memory?
• What is your favorite job? Describe a typical day in that job.
• What does it mean to be a part of the community?
• Why is it important to celebrate accomplishments such as graduation?
• What qualities make a person good listener?
• What qualities one need to become a good team man?
• What is the best thing about graduating this year?
• Describe your first birthday that you remember.
• Imagine your dream home. Describe all the rooms in it.
• What is the coolest place you’ve ever been? Describe it.
• What is the strangest place you’ve ever been? Describe it.
• Write about one family vacation that didn’t go according to the plan. What happened? 
• Summarize the plot of your favorite movie or book to someone who has not watched or read it.
• What qualities one needs to become a good friend?
• What is more important — to earn more money or to be an honest person?
• How does your family typically spend the weekend?
• How are race and nationality two different things?
• How is being wise is not the same thing as being smart?
• How important is to workout daily? Explain the benefits of being physically fit.
• How important it is for students to learn to budget their time? How can one improve this skill?

We hope these exciting prompts will help your students get started writing everything from in-depth essays to journals and, more importantly, enjoy their writing.

And if you need more writing prompts, we’ve got your back.

Here are some other cool free writing prompts for kids by grade:

• 3 rd grade writing prompts
• 4 th grade writing prompts
• 5 th grade writing prompts
• 6 th grade writing prompts
• 7 th grade writing prompts
• Middle school writing prompts

Plus, you can find Fiction writing prompts here

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88 Writing Prompts for 8th Grade

By the end of junior high, most students have grasped the basics of storytelling, essay writing, and poetry.

However, these skills still need to be practiced and strengthened in order to keep their writing fresh and exciting throughout high school—where they will learn even more skills that will carry them through college.

We’ve put together a list of prompts to keep your 8th graders interested in writing, searching their emotions, and analyzing topics.

Using This List

Your students are probably pretty disciplined writers by now, but they still need a little guidance. Use this list to help challenge their writing skills and take them out of their comfort zone.

The Prompts

• Write about your favorite experience at school so far.
• Tell the story of how you met your best friend.
• Do you think social media increases or decreases bullying? Explain.
• Write a news article about something that recently happened in your school or community.
• What new extracurricular activity do you wish your school offered? Why?
• Do you think you are a good listener? What makes a good listener?
• Explain the plot of your favorite movie.
• Do you see the glass as half-full or half-empty? Why?
• Write an acrostic poem using your name.
• What are you most looking forward to in high school? Why?
• Do you think eSports are a viable career path? Explain.
• What is the hardest thing about getting older? Why?
• Is it more important to be well-read or well-traveled? Why?
• Explain the difference between being wise and being smart. Use examples.
• Are you a cat person or a dog person? Why?
• What is your favorite song? Why?
• What does feminism mean to you? Are you a feminist?
• How do you feel about dog-earring or annotating your books? Why?
• Explain the plot of your favorite video game.
• Why is it essential to examine multiple points of view when forming an opinion?
• Write a letter to a teacher or administrator who has impacted your life.
• Where is your favorite place? Explain it in detail to someone who has never been there.
• Do you think social media is helpful or harmful to teens? Explain.
• What do you wish adults understood about teenagers?
• Do you prefer watching TV or playing video games? Why?
• Write the recipe and steps for creating your favorite meal.
• Do you have any family traditions? Explain.
• Choose a prominent athlete in history and write an essay about them.
• Do you think society relies too much on technology? Why or why not?
• Write about a time when you gave in to peer pressure.
• Do you think the voting age should be lowered to 16? Why?
• Write about a time you felt embarrassed.
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
• Are boys and girls treated equally?
• Describe the movie you saw most recently.
• If you could have dinner with any prominent figure in history, who would it be? What would you talk about?
• Debunk or support a popular conspiracy theory.
• Why is important that our media includes diverse characters, creators, and actors?
• Imagine and describe, in detail, your dream home.
• If you were granted three wishes—and you weren’t allowed to ask for more wishes—what would you wish for? Why?
• Write a news article to accompany the headline, “Bears Seen Ransacking Ice Cream Truck”.
• What are three things you can do to help the environment?
• Some people say crying is a weakness. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
• Explain your favorite board game to someone who’s never played it before.
• What do you think is the most important moment in US history? Why?
• Explain the plot of your favorite book.
• What is a job you’d like to have one day? Why does it appeal to you?
• Describe your favorite children’s story.
• Write a story that takes place at your favorite park.
• Which season is your favorite? Why?
• Explain the qualities of a good friend.
• Describe your earliest memory.
• If you could have one question answered, what would you ask? Why?
• Write a letter to yourself five years from now.
• Write a letter to yourself five years ago.
• Write a letter to someone who inspires you.
• Write about the day in the life of an animal from their perspective.
• Write about your favorite song and why it’s important to you.
• Describe what you would do if you witnessed an act of racism.
• Write a story about an astronaut who finds dragons on Mars.
• Explain three things you like to do when you’re bored.
• If you could have any mythical creature as a pet, which would you pick? Why?
• Write a description of the day from the point of view of your pet (or another animal if you have no pets).
• What is your greatest fear? What can you do to overcome this fear?
• Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken.
• Why is it important for schools to offer free meals to all students?
• Choose a random object and describe it in as much detail as possible. Don’t reveal it until the end.
• Write an alternate ending to your favorite fairy tale.
• Write a poem about your favorite food in the shape of this food (example: a triangle-shaped poem about a slice of pizza).
• Choose a famous woman in science and write an essay about their accomplishments.
• Compare and contrast the best and worst day of your life so far.
• Describe the difference between a privilege and a right. Give examples of each.
• Why is plagiarism a bad thing?
• Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Explain.
• Write an essay about something you’re proud of and why.
• Compare and contrast eBooks, physical books, and audiobooks. Which do you prefer?
• Do you think your generation will change the world? How?
• Do you believe people deserve second chances? Explain.
• Should we continue to explore space, or should we focus more on exploring the oceans? Why?
• What do you think is the most important technological advancement of the past century? Explain.
• Should controversial topics be discussed in the classroom? Explain your reasoning.
• In the novel The Giver, society decides to erase history and feelings, in order to create a simpler lifestyle. Explain the pros and cons of this decision.
• Explain the most important thing you’ve learned from a family member.
• Write about a time when you were surprised.
• Do you think aliens exist? Explain.
• How much time do you spend on your phone daily? What are some days you can reduce this amount of time?
• Do you think homework is beneficial or detrimental to student success? Explain.

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8th Grade Writing Prompts: Reflection, Fictional, Opinion, Educational, And Letter Writing

February 6, 2024 //  by  Sean Kivi

Eighth grade is a massive year for our students! They are stressed and under pressure, as they move towards high school. We can reduce that stress through writing as long as the prompts are meaningful and engaging for our students. We compiled a list of 60 engaging prompts to get your students to write and think critically about the message they want to express. Let’s jump in!

Personal Reflection and Self-Expression

1. What new technology has developed in your lifetime, and how has it helped you?

2. Describe your favorite place to someone who has never been there. What can they do and see?

3. Do you think it is easier to be a boy or a girl? Why?

4. What is the most important piece of information that you can give to an adult?

5. Describe a food that someone has never eaten to them. How will it taste, smell and feel?

6. Describe the day of your proudest moment.

7. Describe your dream family vacation. Where would you go? Who would you go with? What would you do?

8. Write a recount of your earliest memory.

9. If you could live in any other country in the world, where would you live and why?

10. You are stuck on a desert island. What five items do you bring with you and why?

11. What are you allergic to, and how do you deal with this daily?

12. What do you do when you are sick?

13. Who is an admirable person or a famous person that you find inspiring? Write about who they are and why you are inspired by them.

Creative and Fictional Writing

14. Write a fictional story using the following opener: “There, on the hill, there was a figure. The figure was standing tall and straight as if waiting for someone, or something.”

15. Write contrasting character descriptions for two fictional characters. Remember to include physical appearance, personality, likes, dislikes, and anything else you think is relevant.

16. Pretend you are a soldier in the American Revolution. What would you do when you hear “The British are coming?”

17. Write a story informing elementary school kids of how to prepare for middle school.

18. If you were to make a YouTube channel, what would it be about and why?

19. Write a fictional story that is set in your hometown.

20. If you were Principal for the day what would you do?

21. If you were creating a sports team with your fellow students, what sport would you play, who would play what position, and why?

22. Write a character profile about one of your favorite television characters.

Opinion and Persuasive Writing

23. Should people be allowed to travel anywhere in the world without a passport? Why or why not?

24. Do you prefer to watch TV or read books? Why is this better?

25. Write a letter to the founding fathers making suggestions of reasonable changes to the constitution.

26. We are becoming too dependent on technology. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

27. Should children be allowed to vote in political elections, such as Presidential elections? Why or why not?

28. Should the wealthiest people in the world be made to give up some of their money to help those who are less well-off?

29. Are boys and girls treated equally?

30. The school board should ban junk food on school grounds/property. Why or why not?

31. Exams and tests should be banned in school. Why or why not?

32. Do eighth graders have the toughest time at school compared to every other grade? Why or why not?

33. Cell phones should be locked away at the start of the school day and only given back at the end. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

34. Should there be a limit on wealth or a maximum amount of money one person can have? Why or why not?

35. Does online bullying exist? Why or why not?

36. Do you think that free speech should not have consequences?

37. Do you think wearing a uniform to school benefits all students? Why or why not?

38. Sometimes people say boys should not cry. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

39. Write a letter to your principal convincing them to let you start a school club.

40. What does “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” mean, and where did it originate?

41. What is haggis, and would you eat it? Why or why not?

42. Write a response to this quote by Frida Kahlo “I don’t paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality”. What does she mean by this, and how can you do this?

Educational and Informative Writing

43. Write a news article outlining the dangers of global warming.

44. Think about your hobby and write an article explaining its benefits to someone who doesn’t know about it.

45. Describe a unique family tradition of yours to someone who is not in your family.

46. Why are writing skills important?

47. Do all states have the same laws? Why or why not?

48. Think about all of the plastic waste in the ocean. Write a solution essay for this problem.

49. Why is it important to conserve the rainforest?

50. What are 5 easy things we can do in our daily lives to look after our planet?

51. You are the writer for the local paper’s advice column. Answer this question a reader has sent in: “My daughter keeps ignoring the chores she needs to do after school and wants to play her Xbox instead. How do I get my daughter to do her chores? I don’t want to take her Xbox away but if she doesn’t start doing her chores, I’ll need to!”

Letters and Communication

52. Write a letter to a friend who has just lost a family member.

53. Write a letter to your grandma teaching her how to use an iPhone.

54. Write a letter to your favorite teacher in your school telling them why they are your favorite and what it is about them that you appreciate.

55. Think about how you could improve your school for yourself and for your fellow students. Write a letter to your school board with your ideas.

56. Write a letter to the seventh graders at your school offering them a piece of advice, telling them what they need to know and what they should do to be successful in the eighth grade next year.

57. Write a letter to yourself, to open on the first day of school next year.

58. Write a letter to your U.S. Representative or Mayor about bullying in schools and what you think can be done to tackle this issue.

59. Write a daily journal entry from the perspective of yourself in 5 years’ time.

60. An advanced artificial intelligence robot has landed on Earth and threatened to destroy our planet. You must write to it and convince it not to.

8th Grade Journal Prompts: Spark Creativity and Reflection

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on August 2, 2023

Categories Writing , Education , Journaling

Are you an 8th-grade teacher looking for ways to engage your students in writing? Or perhaps you’re an 8th grader who wants to improve your writing skills and explore your thoughts and feelings.

Either way, journal prompts can be an effective tool to achieve these goals. In this article, we will introduce you to the world of journal prompts, explain their benefits, and provide you with some ideas to get started.

Journal prompts are writing prompts designed to inspire you to write in a journal or diary. They can be open-ended questions, thought-provoking statements, or creative prompts that encourage you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Journal prompts can help you develop your writing skills, express yourself, and reflect on your life. They can also be a valuable tool for teachers to use in the classroom to engage students in writing and promote critical thinking.

Understanding journal prompts is crucial to getting the most out of them. By learning about the different types of journal prompts, you can choose the ones that best suit your needs and interests. You can also learn how to use journal prompts effectively to develop your writing skills and explore your thoughts and feelings.

In the following sections, we will explore the different types of journal prompts, provide you with some ideas for 8th graders, and discuss how to use journal prompts in the classroom.

Key Takeaways

• Journal prompts are writing prompts designed to encourage you to write in a journal or diary.
• There are different types of journal prompts, including open-ended questions, thought-provoking statements, and creative prompts.
• Journal prompts can help you develop your writing skills, express yourself, and reflect on your life. They can also be used in the classroom to engage students in writing and promote critical thinking.

55 Journal Prompts for 8th Graders

Here are 55 journal writing prompts for 8th grade students:

1. Write about a time you felt really happy. What made you feel that way?

2. If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

3. What is your biggest regret from the past year? What would you do differently if you could?

4. Describe your perfect day. What does it look like from start to finish?

5. Who is your role model or hero? Why do you look up to them?

6. What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you? How did it make you feel?

7. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

8. What is your biggest fear? How do you think you can overcome it?

9. What is your biggest dream for the future? How can you start working toward it now?

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? Describe it in detail.

11. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned so far in life?

12. Describe a time you felt really proud of yourself.

13. What is your dream job? Why does that career appeal to you?

14. Who has been the biggest influence in your life so far? How have they impacted you?

15. What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done? Why did it take courage?

16. Describe one of your role models. What do you admire most about them?

17. What is your favorite thing about yourself and why?

18. What is one thing you would change about school if you could?

19. What do you think your biggest accomplishment has been so far?

20. What is one of your best personality traits? Provide examples of how it helps you.

21. Describe one of your happiest memories from childhood. What made it so special?

22. Who do you admire in your life and why?

23. What have you learned about yourself over this past year?

24. What is your favorite book and why did you enjoy it?

25. What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Would you do it again?

26. What is your favorite family tradition? Why is it meaningful to you?

27. What is your favorite season and why? Describe what you enjoy about it.

28. If you could invent something that would help the world, what would it be?

29. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Who gave it to you?

30. Describe one of your friends. What qualities do you admire in them?

31. What is one thing you hope to accomplish next year? What will you do to achieve it?

32. What is a cause you care about and why?

33. What is your favorite memory from this past year?

34. What was the most surprising thing you learned this year?

35. What was the strangest dream you’ve ever had? Describe it in detail.

36. If you could switch places with any fictional character, who would you choose?

37. What are you most looking forward to about becoming an adult?

38. Describe your perfect weekend. What does it include?

39. What is the most exciting thing that happened to you this year?

40. What is your favorite way to spend free time and why?

41. Who makes you laugh the most? What is it about them that you find funny?

42. What is your favorite movie? Provide details about the characters, plot, and setting.

43. What is one thing you are really good at? How did you get so good at it?

44. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

45. What is the best gift you have ever received? What made it so meaningful?

46. Describe one of the best teachers you have ever had. What made them a great teacher?

47. What is your favorite family tradition? Why is it so special to you?

48. Who is your favorite musician or band? When did you start liking them?

49. What is the bravest thing you have ever said or done? What gave you the courage?

50. Describe one of the most beautiful places you have ever visited. What sights and sounds did you experience there?

51. What makes you laugh? Describe something funny that happened recently.

52. What is your favorite thing to do after school or on weekends?

53. Who is someone you really admire? Why do you look up to them?

54. If you could switch any two movie characters, what switch would lead to the most entertaining story?

55. What is your favorite quote or saying? What does it mean to you?

Understanding Journal Prompts

Journal prompts are writing prompts that are used to inspire and guide you in your journaling practice. They are a great tool for 8th graders to develop their writing skills and express their thoughts and emotions. In this section, we will discuss the purpose of journal prompts and the benefits of journaling.

Purpose of Journal Prompts

The purpose of journal prompts is to give you a starting point for your writing. They can help you explore different topics and ideas that you may not have thought about otherwise.

Journal prompts can also help you to reflect on your experiences and emotions, which can be a valuable tool for personal growth.

Journal prompts can be used in a variety of ways. You can use them to write about your day, your goals, your dreams, or anything else that comes to mind. They can also be used to explore specific themes or topics, such as gratitude, mindfulness, or self-care.

Benefits of Journaling

Journaling has many benefits for 8th graders. It can help you to improve your writing skills, develop your creativity, and express your thoughts and emotions in a safe and private space. Here are some of the key benefits of journaling:

• Improves Writing Skills : Journaling regularly can help you to improve your writing skills, including grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. This can be especially helpful for 8th graders who are preparing for high school.
• Develops Creativity : Journaling can help you to develop your creativity by encouraging you to think outside the box and explore new ideas and perspectives.
• Reduces Stress and Anxiety : Writing in a journal can be a cathartic and therapeutic experience that can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Promotes Self-Reflection : Journaling can help you to reflect on your experiences and emotions, which can be a valuable tool for personal growth and self-discovery.
• Boosts Memory : Writing in a journal can help you to remember important details and events, which can be especially helpful for 8th graders who are preparing for exams and tests.

In conclusion, journal prompts are a great tool for 8th graders to develop their writing skills, express their thoughts and emotions, and promote personal growth. By using journal prompts regularly, you can improve your writing skills, develop your creativity, and reduce stress and anxiety.

Types of Journal Prompts

When it comes to journal prompts, there are different types that you can use to help 8th graders improve their writing skills. Here are some of the most common types of journal prompts that you can use:

Creative Writing Prompts

Creative writing prompts are designed to encourage students to use their imagination and creativity. These prompts can be anything from describing a fictional character to creating a story about a magical land.

Creative writing prompts can help students develop their writing skills by allowing them to explore different writing styles and techniques.

Expository Writing Prompts

Expository writing prompts are designed to help students explain or describe something. These prompts can be anything from explaining how to do something to describing the characteristics of a particular animal. Expository writing prompts can help students develop their writing skills by teaching them how to organize their thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise manner.

Narrative Writing Prompts

Narrative writing prompts are designed to help students tell a story. These prompts can be anything from describing a personal experience to creating a fictional story.

Narrative writing prompts can help students develop their writing skills by teaching them how to create a plot, develop characters, and use descriptive language.

Opinion Writing Prompts

Opinion writing prompts are designed to help students express their opinions on a particular topic. These prompts can be anything from discussing the benefits of exercise to debating the pros and cons of social media. Opinion writing prompts can help students develop their writing skills by teaching them how to support their opinions with evidence and facts.

Fiction Writing Prompts

Fiction writing prompts are designed to help students create a fictional story. These prompts can be anything from describing a character’s journey to creating a story about a haunted house.

Fiction writing prompts can help students develop their writing skills by teaching them how to create a plot, develop characters, and use descriptive language.

Incorporating different types of journal prompts can help 8th graders improve their writing skills and develop their creativity. By using a variety of prompts, you can keep students engaged and motivated to write.

Developing Writing Skills

Writing is an essential skill that every 8th grader needs to develop before entering high school. Writing helps you express your thoughts and ideas, and it also helps you communicate effectively. In this section, we will discuss how you can improve your writing skills and practice critical thinking through journal prompts.

Improving Writing Skills

Improving your writing skills takes time and practice. Here are some tips that can help you:

• Read a lot: Reading is one of the best ways to improve your writing skills. When you read, you learn new words, sentence structures, and writing styles. You can also learn how to write different types of texts, such as essays, stories, and articles.
• Write every day: Writing every day can help you develop a writing habit and improve your writing skills. You can start by writing in a journal, writing short stories, or writing essays.
• Get feedback: Getting feedback from others can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. You can ask your teacher, parent, or friend to read your writing and give you feedback.

Practicing Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is an important skill that helps you analyze and evaluate information. Here are some journal prompts that can help you practice critical thinking:

• Write about a current event and analyze its impact on society.
• Write about a book you read and evaluate its themes, characters, and plot.
• Write about a problem you faced and analyze different solutions to it.

By practicing critical thinking through journal prompts, you can develop your analytical skills and become a better writer.

In conclusion, developing your writing skills and practicing critical thinking are essential for success in high school and beyond. By following these tips and using journal prompts, you can improve your writing skills and become a better thinker.

Exploring Feelings and Thoughts

As an 8th grader, you might be going through a lot of changes in your life. Journaling is a great way to explore your feelings and thoughts and make sense of them. In this section, we’ll explore how you can use journal prompts to reflect on your emotions and express your thoughts.

Reflecting on Feelings

Reflecting on your feelings can help you understand yourself better. It’s important to acknowledge your emotions and not suppress them. Here are some journal prompts that can help you reflect on your feelings:

• What emotions do you feel most often?
• What triggers those emotions?
• How do you usually cope with your emotions?
• Is there a particular emotion that you find difficult to express?
• What makes you feel happy, sad, angry, or anxious?

Answering these prompts can help you gain a deeper understanding of your emotions and how they affect your life.

Expressing Thoughts

Journaling is a great way to express your thoughts and ideas without any judgment. You can write about anything that comes to your mind, even if it seems silly or insignificant. Here are some prompts that can help you express your thoughts:

• What are some of your goals for the future?
• What do you like about yourself?
• What are some things that you’re grateful for?
• What are some challenges that you’re currently facing?
• What are some things that you’re looking forward to?

Writing about your thoughts and ideas can help you organize them and make them more concrete. It can also help you come up with new ideas and solutions to problems.

In conclusion, journaling is a great way to explore your feelings and thoughts. By reflecting on your emotions and expressing your thoughts, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your life. Try to set aside some time every day to write in your journal, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You might be surprised at how much insight you can gain from it!

Prompt Ideas for 8th Graders

As an 8th grader, you may find yourself struggling to come up with ideas for journal prompts. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Personal Experience Prompts

Reflecting on your own experiences can be a great way to start journaling. Here are some personal experience prompts to consider:

• Write about a time when you overcame a challenge.
• Describe a moment that made you feel proud.
• Write about a time when you had to make a tough decision.
• Describe a moment when you felt like you made a positive impact on someone else’s life.

Dream and Future Prompts

As an 8th grader, you may be starting to think about your future and what you want to achieve. Here are some dream and future prompts to consider:

• Describe your dream job and what it would be like.
• Write about a goal you have for the future and how you plan to achieve it.
• Describe a place you would like to visit and why.
• Write about a skill or talent you would like to develop in the future.

Family and Friends Prompts

Your family and friends are an important part of your life, and writing about them can help you reflect on your relationships. Here are some family and friends prompts to consider:

• Write about a family member who has influenced you in a positive way.
• Describe your best friend and what you admire about them.
• Write about a time when you had a conflict with a friend and how you resolved it.
• Describe a family tradition that is important to you.

School and Community Prompts

Your school and community are also important parts of your life, and writing about them can help you reflect on your experiences. Here are some school and community prompts to consider:

• Write about a teacher who has had a positive impact on you.
• Describe a volunteer experience you have had and what you learned from it.
• Write about a current event that is important to you and why.
• Describe a place in your community that is special to you.

Technology and Society Prompts

As an 8th grader, you are growing up in a world that is heavily influenced by technology and society. Here are some technology and society prompts to consider:

• Write about a social media platform that you use and how it has impacted your life.
• Describe a piece of technology that you think will be important in the future.
• Write about a current event related to technology or society that concerns you.
• Describe a way that technology has changed the way you communicate with others.

These are just a few ideas to get you started with journaling. Remember, the most important thing is to write honestly and reflect on your own experiences.

Using Journal Prompts in the Classroom

Journal prompts are an excellent tool for teachers to engage their 8th-grade students in writing activities. By using journal prompts, you can encourage students to write about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, which can help improve their writing skills and critical thinking abilities.

Here are some ways you can incorporate journal prompts in the classroom.

Group Projects

Journal prompts can be used as a starting point for group projects. Assign a prompt to each group and have them discuss and brainstorm ideas related to the prompt. For example, if the prompt is “What are the most significant challenges facing teenagers today?” the group can discuss issues like bullying, social media, and mental health. The group can then use their ideas to create a project, like a poster or presentation, that addresses the prompt.

Class Participation

Journal prompts can also be used to encourage class participation. Assign a prompt at the beginning of class and ask students to write about it for a few minutes. Then, have students share their responses with the class. This can help students become more comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas in a group setting. Additionally, it can help create a more inclusive classroom environment where everyone’s voice is heard.

Finally, journal prompts can be used to supplement classroom education. Assign prompts that relate to topics covered in class and ask students to reflect on what they’ve learned.

For example, if you’re teaching a history lesson on World War II, assign a prompt that asks students to write about the impact of the war on society. This can help students better understand the material and engage with it on a deeper level.

In conclusion, journal prompts are a valuable tool that can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. By incorporating prompts into group projects, class participation, and education, teachers can help students improve their writing skills, critical thinking abilities, and overall engagement with the material.

Resources for Journal Prompts

As an 8th grader, you may find yourself struggling to come up with ideas for journal prompts. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you get started. Here are some options to consider:

8th Grade Writing Worksheets

Writing worksheets can be a great way to get ideas for journal prompts. These worksheets are designed to help you develop your writing skills and provide you with prompts to get you started. Some popular websites that offer 8th grade writing worksheets include Education.com and K12Reader.com. These websites offer a variety of worksheets on different topics, including creative writing, expository writing, and persuasive writing.

Writing Resources Online

There are also many online resources that can help you come up with ideas for journal prompts. One popular website is JournalBuddies.com, which offers a wide range of prompts designed specifically for 8th graders. Another great resource is KidsnClicks.com, which offers 80 journal prompts for kids that are both fun and inspiring.

If you’re looking for more general writing resources, you might consider websites like Grammarly.com or the Purdue Online Writing Lab. These websites offer tips and advice on writing, as well as resources like grammar checkers and citation generators.

Overall, there are many resources available to help you come up with ideas for journal prompts. Whether you prefer worksheets or online resources, there’s sure to be something out there that can help you get started on your writing journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative writing topics for 8th graders.

There are many creative writing topics that 8th graders can explore. Some ideas include writing about a fictional world, creating a character and describing their life, writing a short story, or writing a poem. You can also write about your favorite hobby, a place you have visited, or a person who inspires you.

What are some emotional journal prompts for middle school students?

Emotional journal prompts can help middle school students explore their feelings and emotions. Some examples include writing about a time when you felt really happy, a time when you felt really sad, or a time when you felt really angry. You can also write about your fears, your dreams, or your goals.

How can 8th graders improve their writing skills?

There are many ways for 8th graders to improve their writing skills. One way is to read more often, which can help you learn new vocabulary and sentence structures. Another way is to practice writing every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You can also ask for feedback from your teacher or peers, and work on revising and editing your writing.

What are some free resources for journal prompts for 8th graders?

There are many free resources available for journal prompts for 8th graders. You can find prompts online, in books, or from your teacher. Some websites that offer free journal prompts include Journal Buddies, Waterford, and The Mindful Page.

What should be included in an 8th grade journal entry?

An 8th grade journal entry should include your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on a particular topic. It should be written in your own voice, and should be honest and authentic. You can also include any relevant details or experiences that help to support your ideas.

How can 8th graders use journaling to reflect on their personal growth?

Journaling can be a great way for 8th graders to reflect on their personal growth. You can write about your goals, your accomplishments, and your challenges. You can also write about how you have changed over time, and what you have learned about yourself. By reflecting on your personal growth, you can gain a better understanding of who you are and where you want to go in life.

Building Book Love

5 Creative 8th Grade Essay Prompts

If you are tired of the same old 8th grade essay prompts then it’s likely your students will be too. Breathe some life into your writing practice with these creative ELA writing prompts that will have your 8th graders charting, analyzing, designing, moving, and more! 

Cheryl Rizzo, a savvy middle school ELA teacher in New York City, joins us today to share 5  essay prompts for 8th grade ELA.  She is a NYCDOE Big Apple finalist, recipient of the grand prize FLAG Award for teaching excellence, and is included in the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who in America registry. You can follow Cheryl’s creativity in the classroom here !  Read on to see how Cheryl has the right stuff to get middle schoolers to write.  

Creative 8th grade Essay Prompts that Don’t Need Much Prompting!

“I don’t know what to write about.”  “How many paragraphs do I need?”  “What goes in the 3rd body paragraph?” Although these may be familiar questions, they don’t have to be!  Here are five clearly structured, engaging essay prompts for 8th grade ELA that will have your students excited to write instead of dragging their pencils.  

Literary Charts Lead to “Off-the-Charts” Essays

Middle Schoolers are a whole mood. What better topic to analyze in literature than the change in mood of the characters?  This “Literary Charts” resource is an amazing essay prompt for 8th graders to visualize the impact the plot has on character mood.  In the image pictured here, students created the mood line graph using the text Uprising which has three main characters with alternating chapters.  Students created three line graphs to not only track the change in each character, but then also compared and contrasted the development of the characters.  You can differentiate by having each body paragraph focus on the development of mood of a different character or three specific points in the text where one character’s mood continues to change. Can’t you already envision the improvement of your students’ moods when it is time to write?  Right!

Rhetorically Speaking , Bar Graphs Get Students Writing

Middle Schoolers spend a lot of time persuading- whether it be why they should be able to  sit next to their bestie in class or why they shouldn’t have to write an essay.  What better way to analyze literature than explore persuasion through rhetorical devices?  This “Rhetorical Bar Graph” resource is an excellent essay prompt for 8th graders to visualize pathos, ethos, and logos use and then determine which is used most effectively. You can find more literary bar graph examples in this post, but in the image pictured above, students analyzed techniques in a speech from Animal Farm and wrote an essay analyzing the types of devices- one in each body paragraph.  Alternatively, students could choose the device type that is used most and write three body paragraphs, each detailing about one specific example highlighted. I’m sure your students will easily be persuaded to try this essay structure!

Literary Lenses Help Students to See the Benefits of Essay Writing

Have you noticed that Middle Schoolers like to try on each other’s glasses- especially those students who don’t normally wear any in the first place.  Take advantage of this phenomenon by providing literary lenses for each of your students to share!  This “Literary Lenses” resource is a great essay prompt for 8th grade ELA to have your students see the text in new ways and thereby deepen their understanding of the text from new perspectives.  In the photo included here, students spent time in stations, rotating  from the psychoanalytic lens, to the historical lens, and then to the reader response lens.  Following this, they used each perspective as a different body paragraph to illustrate the complexity of the text. Another option is to have students choose which lens is their favorite and use it as their essay thesis. This will certainly help your students to see the benefits of essay writing more clearly!

Student Art Helps Frame 8th Grade Writing Prompts

Middle Schoolers love expressing themselves- especially through fashion! These book bracelets or holiday ugly sweater templates encourage students to explore image and color symbolism as they analyze characterization. These artistic prompts for 8th grade ELA help students analyze characters from literature in an original and unique way. 

In the image above, three students worked on a collaborative essay where each person was responsible for writing one body paragraph.  They used the symbolism in their sweaters to explain character perseverance. You can read more information about writing group essays here . You could also have students simply use their own sweater to write an essay by using three symbols- one for each body paragraph. This will certainly lead to “run-way worthy” essays your students will be proud to see celebrated on a bulletin board.

Literary Yoga Creates Flexible Essays

Middle Schoolers are full of energy so how can they be expected to always be sitting still?  What better idea than to stretch our ideas about texts while we stretch our muscles! This “Literary Yoga” resource has a multitude of poses to help explore character, conflict, mood, tone, symbolism, and plot structure- which serves as a wonderful essay prompt for 8th grade ELA. In the image here, to analyze a text, a student chose these three poses- one for each body paragraph. With an essay structure like this, you are certainly encouraging flexible thinking in your classroom!

With all of these amazing essay prompts for 8th grade ELA at your fingertips, your students will be excited to write.  The activities provide a fun way to understand literature and with such clear essay structure, students are willing to write to share their cool findings and new discoveries. When you take the guesswork out of what to write about in an essay, you will find that students certainly have a lot to say. Namaste! 

Do you want exclusive ELA teaching ideas and free resources? Let me send you a Building Book Love Letter!

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8th Grade Writing Prompts

Adam owns a Master's degree in Professional and Digital Media Writing. During his time as a graduate assistant, he developed lesson plans for upper-level English courses.

Table of Contents

What can i write about.

For your last year of primary school, try to tackle new writing topics you haven't explored yet. Take a look at these writing prompts as you prepare yourself for life after eighth grade:

• Definition of Success : How would you measure success? Have you done anything up to this point that would be considered truly successful so far in life? What kinds of success will you strive for in the future?
• Preparing for High School : Moving from eighth to ninth grade is a massive undertaking, and your responsibilities and even social life will see huge changes. What are you doing to get yourself ready for it? How do you personally feel about the transition, and what are you looking forward to seeing once high school begins?
• Technology Reduction : Eighth graders today have never lived in a world without constant access to the internet, smartphones and GPS. Consider how you'd feel if you were born twenty or even ten years earlier. How would your life differ from the always-online society of today? How would it affect your relationships with friends and family?
• Celebrity and Athlete Salaries : Some of the richest people in the world are those we pay to see and/or watch in person and on screen. How do you feel about the amount of money these people take home? What should change about our treatment of them, if anything?
• Think About the Future : If you could accomplish three things in the next ten years, what would they be? Whether you want to see the pyramids in Egypt or learn how to pilot airplanes, write down your three dream accomplishments and explain their meaning for you.

What Else Can I Use to Help?

If you are looking for extra pointers for your writing, you should check out our 8th Grade Language Arts Lessons & Help Course , a self-paced tutoring session that you can freely explore. The writing lessons are sure to give you an advantage as your work on your final year of middle school.

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8th Grade Essay: Examples, Topics, & Writing Tips

If you find yourself on this page, you are probably going to another level of your education – the final year of Middle school!

Isn’t it exciting?

One of the most common assignments in the 8th grade is an essay. Indeed, it gains new features. An eighth-grade essay is not the same as the sixth or seventh-grade one. It has more requirements and needs a deeper level of analysis.

How to write an 8th-grade essay? How many paragraphs should it contain? What is a standard 8th-grade essay format? On this page, you’ll find the answers to these and other questions that might arise. We’ve prepared creative 8th-grade essay topics, examples, and tips to write an A+ informative, narrative, or persuasive essay.

• 🧩 8th Grade Essay 101
• 📑 8th-Grade Essay Types
• 💾 Topics for the 8 th -Graders

🍎 8th Grade Essay Examples

🧩 8th-grade essay format explained.

Once again: the 8th-grade essay format is a bit different from that of the previous years.

Below, we thoroughly explain how long an 8th-grade essay should be and how to write it. We guarantee you’ll have no questions about the format and assessment of this type of work.

What Is the 8 th Grade Essay Format?

In this section, you’ll know which parts comprise any 8th-grade essay.

The first thing to remember: you’ve got onto an entirely new level. So, your writing isn’t as simple and short as it used to be in the previous school years.

Let’s start with the structure. The fundamental parts are the same as in any type of essay:

8th Grade Essay: How to Write & Typical Mistakes

With the help of this section, you’ll get to know the most straightforward and helpful tips for 8th-grade essay writing.

These are the things that any 8th grader should know!

8 th Grade Essay Do’s

• Look for reliable sources to find arguments and evidence.
• Try to arouse eagerness for writing: it surely will ease the whole process for you.
• Choose the topic that is interesting for you if you have such an option.
• Use academic language, special terms, consistent phrases, and correct grammar.
• Use good quotations from reputable sources to solidify your ideas.

8 th Grade Essay Don’ts

• Don’t write dully: an essay is a story. It should be exciting and consistent.
• Don’t make all your examples too similar: diversity is of the essence.
• Don’t let your text look like an unreadable pile of words: use graphic tools to highlight the most critical points.
• Don’t use unreliable sources and websites for citation.
• Don’t be afraid of honest self-expression. Your identity and thoughts are what make your 8th-grade essay unique.
• Don’t forget to revise your text after you’ve finished writing it.

8th Grade Essay Rubric

Meet the assessment strategies for 8th-grade writing. Here you’ll also find some prompts that improve your essay and lead you to a higher score.

So, the assessment pattern of a written piece comprises several main points. These are the things that assessors pay attention to:

📑 Eighth Grade Essay Types

We suppose that you come across different types of assignments during middle school. Among them, there indeed were descriptive and narrative essays.

However, now you are to face other exciting formats of writing. In the section below, you’ll get to know a few new types.

8th Grade Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay is a piece of writing where you make a claim and prove your point of view with solid arguments. Your aim at this point is to make readers nod in contempt while reading and share your opinion.

The structure may be pretty familiar to you:

In your argumentative essay, you should back up your opinion with some exact data: statistics, figures, research studies, and polls.

To solidify your claim, you can use three types of arguments:

• Aristotelian . The classical way – you make a statement and try to persuade the audience that it is the one that is fair and right.
• Rogerian . First, you display an issue, then present the opposing view. After that, reveal your own opinion and start convincing readers why they should take up your point.
• Toulmin . Present your thesis statement, then provide the audience with the grounds to support it. The final touch is to connect these parts.

PRO TIP: Explain why you disagree with the opposing point of view on your issue.

8th Grade Persuasive Essay

A persuasive essay is very similar to argumentative writing. There you have to pick up a mainly burning issue and establish a firm opinion towards it. The primary goal is the same as in the argumentative essay: to make your readers believe you.

Remember the three essentials of persuasive writing:

• Logos appeals to logic, which is apparent. Deliver your thoughts cohesively and reasonably.
• Ethos is about persuading the readers, appealing to their sense of ethics and morality.
• Pathos helps you convince through emotions.

8th Grade Essay – Informative

An expository essay brings concepts to complete understanding. In other words, you explain something to give a clue about the subject in question. Successful expository writing makes the audience get the whole picture, leaving no questions or misunderstandings.

To familiarize yourself with expository essay structure, check our recently updated guide on writing an expository essay .

And briefly look at six major types of expository essays:

💾 8th Grade Essay Topics

8th grade argumentative essay topics.

• What is the main challenge you’ve ever met?
• What was the happiest moment of your childhood?
• Tell about the accomplishment you’re most proud of.
• What are the personal qualities you like most?
• Write about an inspiring celebrity.
• What does emotional intelligence mean?
• Write about the largest challenge of getting older.
• How is adolescence different from childhood?

Read the list of topics we’ve prepared for an 8th-grade essay. Choose your favorite or use our Free Essay Topics Generator to find the best one.

Persuasive Essay Topics for 8th Grade

• Would limited screen time be beneficial for health?
• Will the global use of electric vehicles save us from the ecological crisis?
• The government should provide citizens with more qualified psychological help.
• What are the pros and cons of buying a pet for a child?
• Should people use paper and textile bags instead of plastic ones?
• Is it necessary to attend PE classes in school?
• Is it ethical to use smartphones during the lesson?
• Should parents forbid their children from watching TikTok?
• Pros and cons of cheating on exams: immoral or beneficial?
• Should there be only healthy snack vending machines at schools?
• Is it acceptable for a teacher to raise the voice at a student?
• Should modern rappers’ songs be put through censorship?
• Is it ethical for students to discuss their teachers?
• Should all cosmetic products become cruelty-free?
• Should we stop the overconsumption of sugar for the sake of our health?
• Should zoos and circuses be banned forever?

8th Grade Informative Essay Topics

• Compare and contrast the environmental policies of the USA and Europe.
• What are the harmful effects of CO 2 emissions on the environment?
• How is the concept of freedom reflected in 20th-century literature?
• Reveal the details of the famous friendship of Hemingway and Fitzgerald.
• Brush off or fight: how to act when you come across bullying at school?
• What are the most significant challenges school attendees usually face?
• How to overcome your fears without getting traumatized?
• How to prepare for the exam period and overcome anxiety?
• Freedom or despair: the history and concept of trailer parks in the USA.
• Explain the concept of sustainability and what benefits it has.
• Provide a classification of American lifestyles based on location.
• A reasonable person: describe the concept and the features.

Look at our 8th grade essay examples. These are mostly just excerpts, but we included the most significant parts. Approach us in case you need a similar paper or have any questions.

8th Grade Argumentative Essay Example (#1)

The most notorious substance in the ecological discourse: is CO 2 really that bad?

Did you know that it’s better for the earth if you work out or jog with your mouth tightly shut? It’s not common knowledge, but professionals know: we need a considerable amount of CO 2 in our blood. In some terms, it’s even more vital than oxygen. Undoubtedly, there has to be a proper balance, and here is the point: CO 2 can be beneficial.

Though what good does it make to nature and the environment?

It’s all the same as with our body: CO 2 is not evil on earth, but there must be a proper balance. Now, this balance is critical, and we must make serious efforts to change the situation.

• According to last year’s research, the USA is in the second place among countries producing the most significant part of CO 2 in the whole world. The website statista.com published striking figures. 4.57 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions were produced in 2020 by the energy consumption sphere in the United States.
• Besides, a recently published report from the IEA agency reveals another piece of statistics. Compared to the previous year, the amount of CO 2 emissions will rise to 5% in 2021. This year we’re facing 33 billion tons of this greenhouse gas.
• These figures mean nothing without context. Here you are: nature suffers greatly from CO 2 influence. Due to the greenhouse effect caused by an excess of CO 2 , the water temperature in oceans and seas is rising. This process is not positive at all because the natural habitat for sea creatures is altering. The changes are dramatic and lead to the extinction of many species.

In conclusion, we need to find an efficient way to improve the ecological situation regarding CO 2 emissions. The key is global social and individual awareness and consciousness. Each and every inhabitant of the Earth has to understand the meaning of CO 2 for global warming clearly. So, try to jog with your lips closed and choose a bike instead of a car.

Example #2: 8th Grade Persuasive Essay

Is it essential to stay away from social media for the sake of mental health?

Nielsen Company conducted research that says that the average US adult spends more than 10 hours interacting with social media each day. Indeed, social media plays a very considerable role in the life of a modern person. Most of us are more likely to spend time watching short videos than reading a good book. But is it harmful to our mental health to the extent that we have to quit using social media platforms?

To my mind, we are greatly dependent on our Instagram and TikTok accounts, and the content posted there. It certainly has a negative impact, too. However, the complete cancellation of social media is not a way out. The key to good mental condition is in the skill of managing your relations with them.

• One of the recent surveys by the Lancet reports that Facebook users who scroll the newsfeed before sleep tend to be more depressed. Apparently, the deprivation of sleep affects mental well-being to a great extent.
• FInancesOnline has recently posted the results of the research. According to this data, Facebook constitutes 72% of people’s FOMO and anxiety. Posts about traveling and active social life create most of these feelings.
• At the same time, healthy rivalry can motivate development and growth. There’s a reasonable quotation saying that one should compare themselves yesterday instead of comparing to others. The best thing one can do to take care of their mental health is to take a digital detox for a while.

Thus, it is vital to trace your obsessions with social media and negative feelings caused by comparison with others on the Internet. Try to get more aware of it, take your time to rest from social media, and plunge into real life.

5 Paragraph Essay Example for 8th Grade (#3)

The Financier and American Tragedy : compare and contrast two main characters of Dreiser’s novels.

Do you know that Theodore Dreiser is sometimes called an American Fyodor Dostoevsky? Both writers touched upon the most sensitive social and existential issues. However, the subject of this paper is not the comparison of the authors but two famous Dreiser characters: Clyde Griffiths and Frank Cowperwood.

Both of these young American men were striving to reach financial and social success in a world of brutal struggle and hardships.

• Clyde Griffiths represents the desperate strive for American Dream. Born in a poor and religious family, he grows greedy for money and status. In his blind obsession with gaining a high social position, he doesn’t notice his spiritual degradation. He is smart enough to struggle his way into high society but not so witty to solidify his standing with decent means. He cheats, lies, and finally commits a murder: Clyde seems to be already born guilty at times. On reading the story, there doesn’t appear any sympathy toward him. On the contrary, he provokes feelings of abomination and disgust.
• Frank Cowperwood also aims to become wealthy and socially firm. He wants to improve his family’s life quality. Still, his ways and means astonish. Frank is a natural-born predator and strategist. His sophistication and sharp wit show up in him since his very childhood. He isn’t a man of high moral standards: Frank doesn’t mind cheating on his wife and manipulating city treasure money. However, he’s a passionate man, honest and open in his heart urges and impulses. That is the reason why fortune favors him.

However, having similar goals but different personalities and mindsets, Griffiths and Cowperwood reach completely different destination points.

How to Write an Essay in 8th Grade?

– You should pick up a good topic and formulate your attitude to the problem. – Write an outline. – Make a clear and brief thesis statement. – Think of at least 3 firm arguments if the essay type demands it. – Impress your readers with a firm conclusion. Voila! Do not forget to proofread!

How Long Is an Essay in 8th Grade?

The length of the 8th-grade essay slightly depends on the format and the particular type of writing. However, it varies from approximately 500 to 800 words. Within this framework, you have to make yourself clear and deliver all necessary points.

How Many Sentences Are in a Paragraph for 8th Grade?

The size of a paragraph in the 8th-grade essay has to be not less than 8 sentences in each. Besides that, mind that the sentences are primarily compound or complex, error-free, and coherent. Also, remember to connect the sentences and paragraphs with particular language means.

How to Write an Argumentative Essay in 8th Grade?

Choose an exciting and acute topic. Make up a thesis statement out of the problem. Draft an outline or a brief plan. Explore some reliable sources for the evidence and arguments for your essay. Organize the facts and information into a cohesive structure.

I’m an 8th grade student at a private school, and my teacher assigns us up to 4-6 pages most to write. First of all we get other essays on top of this, and usually have nearly to a week to finish. Me and my classmates struggle with this. Do you guys think this is too much for an average 8th grade student?

i am writin apaper right now and it is averreding and its about the changes we woud make to our cafeteria it has to be 5 paragraphs long

Thanks for stopping by at our blog. We would be happy to help you with your paper. You can be interested in some other posts on this blog (https://overnightessay.com/blog/category/essay-tips/) or contact our friendly Support Team to get professional writign help from experienced writers. Good luck with your paper! Best regards,

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70 Example Ideas 8th Grade Writing Prompts

By Suzanne Brown | Last Updated May 4, 2022

School is hard, and when it comes to 8th-grade writing prompts, students are often overwhelmed with the possible topics they can choose from. On top of that, the eighth-grade year is jam-packed with so much material that it becomes impossible to know where to even begin! That’s why we’re here for you. We’ve put together a list of 70 great example ideas for 8th-grade writing prompts, which will help make your job a lot easier.

1. What are You most Proud of Accomplishing? How Do You Feel When You Reflect on It?

2. Write about a Time When Your Best Friend Surprised You

3. what qualities make someone a good listener why are you a good listener, 4. how do you feel about graduating this year what part are you most excited about, 5. why is it important to celebrate accomplishments like graduation, 6. write about something that comes easily to you. what makes you so good at this particular thing, 7. write about something that you find challenging. why is it hard what could you do to improve.

8. What was Your Most Embarrassing Moment? Why?

9. write about a time when you felt successful. what did you do how did you feel afterward, 10. what does it mean to be a part of a community, 11. how will you choose which high school you’re going to do you get to decide, or will your parents decide, 12. do you crave adventure or attention why or why not, 13. if you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would you choose and why.

14. What New Technology Has Developed in Your Lifetime, and How Has It Helped You? 

15. Write a News Article Outlining the Dangers of Global Warming

16. describe your favorite place to someone who has never been there. what can they do and see, 17. think about your hobby and write an article explaining its benefits to someone who doesn’t know about it, 18. describe a unique family tradition of yours to someone not in your family, 19. write a story informing elementary school kids about how to prepare for middle school.

20. Do You Think It is Easier to Be a Boy or a Girl? Why?

21. does online bullying exist why or why not.

22. What is the Most Important Piece of Information That You Can Give to an Adult? 

23. Do You Think That Free Speech Should not Have Consequences?

24. Do You Think Wearing a Uniform to School Benefits all Students? Why or Why not?

25. sometimes people say boys should not cry. do you agree or disagree why, 26. if you were to make a youtube channel, what would it be about and why .

27. Do You Think 8th Graders are Young or Old? Why?

28. what are you allergic to, and how do you deal with this daily, 29. what do you do when you are sick, 30. why are writing skills important, 31. do you prefer to watch tv or read books why is this better .

32. Describe a Food That Someone Has Never Eaten to them. How Will It Taste, Smell and Feel?

33. write a letter to a friend who has just lost a family member.

34. Write a Letter to Your Grandma Teaching her How to Use an iPhone

35. write a letter to yourself, to open on the first day at school next year .

36. How Frequently Do You Take Photos? What Do You Like to Take Photos of? Do You Share them with other People?

37. are you looking forward to advancements in artificial intelligence or has technology already advanced too far.

38. Describe Your Daily Routine to Someone Who Lives in Japan

39. write a poem about graduation, 40. what does “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree mean, and where did it originate” .

41. Write a Letter to Your Principal Convincing them to Let You Start a School Club 

42. Think about all of the Plastic Waste in the Ocean. Write a Solution Essay for This Problem

43. Why is It Important to Conserve the Rainforest?

44. Should People be Allowed to Travel anywhere in the World without a Passport? Why or Why not?

45. What is Haggis, and Would You Eat It? Why or Why not?

46. Do all States Have the Same Laws? Why or Why not?

47. Write a Character Profile about One of Your Favorite Television Characters 

48. What is the Best Way for Schools to Prevent Bullying?

49. Write a Response to This Quote by Frida Kahlo “”I don’t Paint Dreams or Nightmares, I Paint my Own Reality””. What Does She Mean by this, and How can You do this?”

50. We are Becoming too Dependent on Technology. Do You Agree or Disagree with this Statement? Why?

51. Should Children be Allowed to Vote in Political Elections, such as Presidential Elections? Why or Why not?

52. Is the Glass Half – Empty or Half -Full? Why?

53. Who is Your Favorite Actor or Actress? What do You Like about him or her?

54. What does It Mean to be Emotionally Intelligent?

55. Do Your Parents Allow You to Have or Use a Cell Phone? Why or Why not?

56. What is the Best Thing about Getting Older? Why?

57. Write a Short Story about What Life Would be Like If You Lived in a Different Country

59. Do You Consider Yourself to be a Good Test – Taker? Why or Why not?

60. Write a Daily Journal Entry from the Perspective of Yourself in 5 Years’ Time

61. Should the Wealthiest People in the World be Made to Give up Some of Their Money to Help those Who are less Well – off?

62. Are Boys and Girls Treated equally?

63. write a fictional story that is set in your hometown, 64. the school board should ban junk food on school grounds/property. why or why not.

65. Exams and Tests Should be Banned in School. Why or Why not? 

66. Describe the Day of Your Proudest Moment

67. Think about How You could Improve Your School for yourself and for Your Fellow Students. Write a Letter to Your School Board with Your Ideas 

68. Do Eighth Graders Have the Toughest Time at School Compared to every other Grade? Why or Why not?

69. What are 5 Easy Things We Can Do in Our Daily Lives to Look After Our Planet?

70. Cell Phones should be Locked away at the Start of the School Day and only Given Back at the end. Do You Agree or Disagree? Why?

71. Describe Your Dream Family Vacation. Where Would You Go? Who Would You Go with? What Would You Do?

72. should there be a limit on wealth or a maximum amount of money one person can have why or why not .

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8th Grade Writing Prompts Worksheets

Related ela standard: w.8.2.b.

A great process to start with students at this level is to have them write a daily journal. When they have a less than active day or draw a blank have them use writing prompts to get them going. A writing prompt that directly relates to students ' lives will take off like you won 't believe. Your best option with these activities is to let students explore where they want to go with them. At the 8th grade level, we are working with students to be a little more independent and adaptable with their ability to write for purpose. 8th grade students should have a good command of writing to inform, entertain, or persuade. 8th graders should also have solid grammar and sentence mechanics skills. We are hoping that have mastered spelling of vocabulary words that are at their grade level or less. These worksheets will provide students with a collection of deep thinking writing prompts to get them writing and practicing their 8th grade level skills.

8th Grade Writing Prompts Worksheets:

Follow the Money - This writing prompt is pretty deep. If we focus on the quality of our food supply, wouldn't we be healthier? Conduct some brief research, if necessary, to better understand the topic. Then take a position, developing the topic with relevant, well‐chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. Write several paragraphs which completely answer the prompt.

The Human Race? - Look at both extreme measures of it. What are the best and worst qualities of the human race?

Time Travel - If you jumped back to the 1700s, what skills or knowledge would you bring? What knowledge would you want to take back with you to help make your life better?

A Second Chance at Life - A few hundred years is a bit of stretch, I think. If you were to awake several hundred years from now as the first successful cryogenic patient ever, to find that what killed you has been cured, and you are once again healthy, what would be your first thoughts? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of living out your life in this future time period?

Human Progress? - How are we doing as a species? Do you think people are getting better (smarter, kinder, gentler, stronger, healthier, etc.) or worse than they were three, four or five hundred years ago, or do you think that human nature has stayed pretty much the same? How?

The Parent Trap - Are there advantages to being an older parent? Are there disadvantages? What are they?

To Be or Not to Be (a Law) - Imagine a society in which there are no laws. What one thing would you like to do that you are not able to do now?

America's Greatest Moment - What do you think is the most significant moment in American history?

My Favorite... - What is the best type of music, or genre of book or movie? Why? Students love writing prompts that asks them about their favorite things.

If the Shoes Fit... - There is an old saying, "You can't really understand someone until you walk a mile in their shoes." Do you think that this is true?

What's Wrong with Politics? - How would you reform our political system? Do you think politicians should have term limits?

Conspiracy! - A conspiracy theory is a belief that some covert but influential organization is responsible for a circumstance or event.

A Window to the Past - Choose someone from American history (living or dead) and imagine you are able to talk to them for half an hour.

Trucks are for Boys, Tinkerbell is for Girls. . . Says Who? - Do you feel that too many things are targeted specifically to boys or to girls?

The Department of Parenting - What do you think makes a good parent? Do you think that there should be some kind of licensing or screening program in order to have children?

Ideas for 8th Grade Essay Projects

Eighth grade is an educational year that serves as the most important platform for high school for any student. During this grade, the students need to put all their efforts in studies to have a successful future. Eighth graders should have a strong grip on writing and must be creative with the ideas while they write anything.

The most difficult phase for an eighth-grader is where he or she has to select a topic for an essay project. While choosing a topic for such a project, students must be creative and choose something that is according to their interest.

Given below are some ideas to help eighth-graders with their essay projects:

Narrative Essays

One can choose a story as the topic for an essay that can be written in narrative form. In narrative essays, the writer writes about a series of events that had happened in the past. In other words, the writer talks about something that happened and affected the writer. Some ideas for narrative essays include how I spent my holidays, my first day at school, the most exciting day of my life, and other such scenarios.

Descriptive Essays

Descriptive essays describe the events, objects, or people in great details. The writer appealingly describes the selected topic in such essays. For a descriptive essay, the eighth graders can write either on my favorite teacher, the best book I have read, my favorite memory, or other such topics.

Imaginative Essays

Eighth graders can write very creatively and enjoy their writing on an imaginative topic. The examples for such topics include what if the earth was flat, what if dinosaurs still existed, and what is inside a candy land. Writing imaginative essays is easier than writing a narrative or descriptive ones because in such topics, a writer can write whatever comes to his or her mind.

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• Informative Writing Prompts for 8th Grade Students

As an 8th grade student, you have the opportunity to explore a variety of engaging informative writing prompts that will not only develop your writing skills but also spark your creativity. These prompts cover a wide range of topics, including qualities of a good friend, dream homes, favorite foods, and the impact of technology. They provide you with the chance to explain concepts, compare and contrast ideas, and define important terms.

But it doesn’t stop there. These prompts also tackle more complex subjects like cyberbullying, moral dilemmas, and societal perceptions of youth. By delving into these thought-provoking topics, you’ll be able to hone your writing skills while also engaging in critical thinking.

So, how do you go about using these prompts to your advantage? There are plenty of essay prompts and extension activities available to support you in your writing process. These resources will guide you in structuring your thoughts, organizing your ideas, and crafting a well-written piece.

Overall, these engaging informative writing prompts for 8th grade students aim to foster your growth as a writer and encourage you to think deeply about the world around you. So grab your pen, unleash your imagination, and embark on this exciting journey of self-expression and exploration.

• Topics for Informative Writing Prompts in 8th Grade

When it comes to informative writing, 8th grade offers a range of exciting topics for you to explore and express your thoughts on. Whether you’re passionate about social issues or fascinated by scientific concepts, there’s a topic that will spark your interest and ignite your creativity.

One popular topic for informative writing prompts in 8th grade is qualities of a good friend. You can discuss the traits and characteristics that make someone a reliable and supportive friend. This topic not only allows you to reflect on your own friendships but also helps you understand the qualities that are important in building strong connections.

If you have a vivid imagination, you might enjoy writing about dream homes. This topic allows you to describe your ideal living space and explain why certain features are important to you. From cozy cottages to futuristic eco-friendly houses, the possibilities are endless.

Aside from these popular topics, there are also more complex subjects to explore. For example, you can delve into the issue of cyberbullying and its detrimental effects on individuals and communities. You can also tackle moral dilemmas and explore the ethical implications of certain choices or actions. Furthermore, you can examine societal perceptions of youth and discuss how stereotypes can shape the experiences and opportunities of young people.

With these informative writing prompts, you have the opportunity to develop your writing skills, foster creativity, and encourage critical thinking. So, embrace the chance to explore these topics, express your ideas, and make your mark in the world of informative writing.

Enhancing Writing Skills and Critical Thinking

Engaging in informative writing prompts not only improves your writing skills but also encourages critical thinking, allowing you to express your ideas and opinions effectively. These prompts serve as opportunities for you to explore various topics and expand your knowledge while developing essential writing abilities.

In 8th grade, informative writing exercises play a crucial role in honing your skills. These exercises involve tasks such as analyzing and interpreting information, organizing your thoughts, and presenting them in a clear and concise manner. By engaging in informative writing worksheets designed for 8th grade students, you will learn how to structure your essays, use evidence to support your claims, and develop logical arguments.

Informative writing activities for 8th grade offer a range of opportunities to delve into different subjects and sharpen critical thinking skills. You can engage in research, gather relevant information, and present your findings in a coherent and meaningful way. These activities often involve identifying reliable sources, evaluating evidence, and forming well-supported arguments. By working on these prompts, you will not only enhance your writing skills but also develop a deeper understanding of the topics you explore.

• Sample Essay Prompts:
• Explore the concept of cyberbullying and its impact on individuals and society. Provide suggestions on how to prevent and address this issue.
• Examine a moral dilemma that you have encountered or witnessed. Discuss the various perspectives and ethical considerations involved.
• Analyze societal perceptions of youth and the challenges they face. Discuss the stereotypes and misconceptions that exist and propose ways to change these perceptions.

By actively participating in informative writing exercises, worksheets, and activities designed for 8th grade students, you will not only enhance your writing skills but also develop critical thinking abilities. These prompts provide a platform for you to explore new ideas, conduct research, and express your thoughts effectively. So, embrace these engaging writing prompts and unlock your potential as a skilled writer and thinker.

In conclusion, engaging informative writing prompts for 8th-grade students offer a valuable opportunity to enhance your writing skills, stimulate your creativity, and cultivate critical thinking abilities. These prompts cover a wide range of topics, including qualities of a good friend, dream homes, favorite foods, and the impact of technology. By exploring these subjects, you will not only learn to explain concepts and define ideas but also practice comparing and contrasting different perspectives.

Moreover, the prompts go beyond the surface level by addressing more complex issues such as cyberbullying, moral dilemmas, and societal perceptions of youth. This encourages you to think critically, analyze different viewpoints, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around you.

To support your learning process, there are various sources that provide examples of essay prompts and extension activities. These resources offer guidance and inspiration, helping you to explore different writing strategies and develop your own unique style. By engaging with these prompts and activities, you can refine your writing skills, expand your vocabulary, and become a more effective communicator.

Overall, engaging informative writing prompts for 8th-grade students are an essential tool for growth and development. They provide a platform for self-expression, creativity, and critical thinking. So embrace the opportunity to explore new ideas, challenge your thoughts, and craft compelling pieces of writing that will leave a lasting impact.

• Source Links
• https://k12.thoughtfullearning.com/blogpost/15-engaging-explanatory-writing-prompts
• https://www.immerse.education/study-tips/creative-writing/middle-school-prompts/
• https://www.collectedny.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/WRITERS-WRITE-8-Information-Essay-Prompts.pdf

Summer Boarding Courses

100 Persuasive Writing Prompts for Writers aged 8 to 18

Being able to state your ideas and offer evidence for your arguments is an excellent skill to have! If you can convince people that you are right, you will be able to achieve so much more within your job, with your friends and new people that you meet.

Persuasive writing is about trying to get the reader to agree with your opinion or ideas. To be able to express what you want and what you believe to be true, we at Summer Boarding Courses have put together these 100 persuasive writing prompts to help you exercise your tactics!

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Writers

We have 25 fun writing prompts for each age group below that we teach at Summer Boarding Courses in the UK.

Present your arguments like a pro, build upon your critical thinking skills and communicate seamlessly through your writing with these opinion writing prompts.

But first, before you begin to write, you must consider the following…

Which audience are you trying to persuade?

Who are your trying to persuade? Is it your friends, your teachers, the manager of a company or the whole community that you live within? Different groups of people have different wishes, ideas, needs and wants. Think carefully about what appeals to the group you are trying to convince.

For example, if you are student arguing that school break times should be longer to your student friends, they may be easier to persuade than the teachers!

Students love to hang out with their friends, go outside, do sport and eat delicious food.

However, if you are trying to convince the teachers at your school that break times should be longer, they may feel stressed and unsure about this. They have lessons that they need to deliver to you, work goals to meet, and your education and learning is at the forefront of their minds.

If you can convince them that you can complete your learning is less time, they might just agree that longer break times are a good idea!

Always try and appeal to each person’s perspective so that you can convince as best as you can.

Be kind and respectful

We can all have different ideas about what is right, wrong, correct and unusual. Be respectful and kind when arguing in your speech or writing about what you are standing for. We are all entitled to our opinion, and for many issues, there are pros and cons for each side that we take.

Here are some key phrases that you can use to help yourself get your point across clearly and politely:

‘In my opinion…’

‘I feel that…’

‘Others must agree that…’

‘It seems to me that…’

‘Some people believe that…’

‘For this reason…’

‘I agree that…’

‘On the other hand…’

Firstly…Secondly….’

Introduce your argument in the first paragraph

Start your piece with an introductory paragraph that states your argument. This paragraph will clearly tell the reader what your opinion is and what you are standing for.

Support your argument with at least three pieces of evidence

Most people will not be convinced of your ideas unless you can show them evidence. This evidence can be qualitative or quantitative.

Qualitative evidence

Qualitative evidence is descriptive information that can come from a personal story, an interview, a drawing or a photograph. You can find this information from personally talking to people about their experiences.

Quantitative evidence

Quantitative evidence is about numbers, statistics and concrete data. This information can come from surveys, official records and experiments which carefully follow methods to try and ensure accurate information. Many people prefer to see quantitative evidence, as personal stories collected for qualitative evidence can sometimes be inaccurate.

Show that you understand the different sides to your argument

A clear and coherent writer who is putting their argument forward will have taken the time to consider other points of view different to their own. Show the reader that you understand and can see what else people may argue. Try and have a good answer back to these thoughts.

If you have evidence to support your counterargument, even better!

Ask questions

Ask your reader questions to get them to think about what you are arguing. This way, you can challenge their point of view.

They will start thinking about other perspectives that they may not have considered before.

If you’re stuck: think about a time where you did convince someone

Has there been a time in the past where you did successfully manage to persuade someone to see your point of view? Think about this time carefully.

How did you manage to convince the person? What strategies and language did you use?

Has there been a time where you were persuaded by someone?

Channel these techniques into your writing to put forward the best argument you can.

Finish your argument with a strong closing statement

Summarise your ideas and reinforce your argument so that readers are reminded about why your argument is valid. This is your last chance to sway their opinion!

Find below our 100 essay writing prompts to help you practice your persuasive skills.

25 Persuasive Young Kids Writing Prompts

Are you looking for 4th grade and 5th grade writing prompts? Or prompts for ages a little younger or older for kids? Here are our 20 writing persuasive prompts for students aged 8 to 12!

I should be able to go to bed when I want.

All classrooms should have a class pet.

There needs to a be a non-school uniform day every week.

You can only eat apples or oranges for the next week. Which one will you eat? Why?

I should be allowed to stay home alone.

There should be no homework at school.

Break times at school should be longer.

People should be fined for dropping litter.

I should be allowed to eat ice cream every day.

All students should learn how to cook.

Persuade your family to let you open a birthday present the day before your birthday.

Persuade your family to give you twice as much pocket money.

If you could have any pet, what would it be? Convince your family why you should care for it.

Convince your friend to swap their packed lunch with yours.

Students should be allowed to pick their own seats in class.

Persuade your family to watch the film you want to watch.

Dogs are better than cats.

School holidays should be longer.

Imagine in the future, you can live on land or underwater. Which one would you choose? Why?

You have to live in another country. Which one do you choose? Why?

Convince your family to let you watch your favourite TV programme.

Students should be allowed to choose their teacher.

Students should have 3-day weekends.

You can only play one sport for the next month. What is it? Why?

Students who are late to school should do a chore for their class.

You can choose one superhero power to help others: fly or stop time. Which one do you choose? Why?

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25 Prompts for Persuasive Writing for Older Kids

Here are 25 writing persuasive prompts for students aged 11 to 15. If you’re looking for 7th grade and 8th grade writing prompts particularly, these are for you!

Mobile phones should be allowed to be used in the classroom.

It should be made mandatory to eat vegetables every day at school.

The school day should start later and end later in the day.

There should be a computer game room at school.

All students should learn at least 2 languages in school.

Students should be able to wear whatever they want at school.

Students should be taught only how to type; not write with pen and paper.

The first lesson of school every day should be exercise.

Facebook states that you must be at least 13 years old to have a Facebook account. Is this fair?

Persuade your brother/sister to do your house chores for one week.

Smoking should be banned in all public areas.

Teachers must wear a uniform to school. What is the uniform? Why?

Family should only give pocket money if chores are completed.

Persuade your teacher to let you eat your favourite snacks in class.

We should all learn how to grow our own fruit and vegetables.

Persuade your family to take you on holiday to a destination you want to go to.

Persuade your friend who doesn’t like sports to play your favourite sport with you.

Fast food like chips and pizza should be served everyday in the school canteen. Yes or no?

Persuade your family to let you stay at your friend’s house.

Teachers should not be allowed to have their cell phone in the classroom.

There should be one day per week where the whole nation must be vegetarian.

Fizzy drinks should be banned from school.

Students should be paid for getting good grades.

Is it better to have enough money, or too much money?

I should decide what time my bedtime is.

25 Ideas for Argumentative Writing Prompts for Teenagers

These writing prompts are great for students aged 13 to 16!

Teenagers should not do any chores at home.

All students should teach one lesson to their class each term.

Students should be allowed to use their mobile phones at any time in school.

All students should volunteer in their community once every week.

Persuade your friend to help you with your homework.

Imagine you can create a new class to be taught in your school. What subject would it be? Why should it be taught?

Students who commit cyber-bullying should be suspended from school. Yes or no? Why?

The voting age should be lowered to age 13.

Persuade your teacher to have their lessons outside in the Summer.

Persuade your family to let you redecorate your bedroom.

Imagine that you have been granted a ticket to live on Mars. If you go, you are not allowed to come back to Earth. Would you go? Why?

Textbooks should be replaced by tablets or e-readers.

Persuade your teacher to end their class 10 minutes early.

Persuade your teacher to let your class have a party.

Imagine that you are given 1 million pounds to improve your neighbourhood. What would you do with the money? Why are your ideas the right thing to do?

Persuade your teacher to not set your class homework for the next month.

Everyone under the age of 17 should have to stay in after 9pm.

People should only be allowed to drive their cars 4 days a week to minimise pollution.

Country life is better than city life.

All students should be allowed to study abroad once per year.

Teenagers under the age of 15 should not be allowed to have a Facebook page.

The internet should be free for everyone.

Everyone should eat vegan food one day per week.

All school classes should be outdoors in the forest.

25 Young Adult Persuasive Essay Prompts

These quick writing prompts for students aged 15 to 17 will have you scribbling away to get your point across!

All students should learn how to make YouTube videos.

People should pay extra tax when they buy drinks in plastic bottles.

Humans are living longer, to the point where we may become immortal in the future. Would living forever be a good? Argue your point of view.

Students should be allowed to listen to their own music on headphones when working in class. Argue your viewpoint.

Teenagers around the world should not be allowed to drive until they are 18.

You have been given money to hold a major event in your hometown. What would the event be about or for? Why should people come?

Imagine you want to be the next president of your country. Why should people vote for you?

Convince your friend to lend you something special of theirs.

Persuade your family to let you study overseas at a Summer School next year.

Imagine that you have been given the chance to interview for your dream job. Convince the boss that you are the person they should choose.

Persuade your family to watch a movie on Netflix that you want to watch.

You have just started a new business making a phone better than the iPhone. Explain what features your phone has, that makes it much better than Apple’s.

Persuade a friend to come to a new activity group with you that they are feeling anxious about.

Aliens exist. True or false? Argue your point of view.

All young adults should be required by law to volunteer in their community once every week. Yes or no?

Mathematics class is more important than music class. Yes or no? Why?

City life is better than country life.

Driving tests should be mandatory every year after you are 65 years old.

Students who bully others should be suspended from school.

There should be one currency for the whole world.

Recycling should be a legal requirement for every household.

Life is better than it was 10 years ago.

Girls and boys should study separately in school.

You can choose to put one celebrity on your country’s highest-value banknote. Who is the celebrity? Why should they be placed on the note?

Life is better without a computer.

Are you ready to improve your persuasive writing?

We hope you have enjoyed these free writing prompts! This is your chance to change the world in which we live through your thoughts!

If you want to work on your writing in English, try and aim to make these your daily writing prompts! We also recommend using pictures as writing prompts. Looking at pictures with writing prompts, rather than just seeing a sentence, can help you create your arguments and ideas if you are a  visual learner .

Want more inspiration for your next writing tasks? If so, explore our rundown of the best books for essay writing.

Or, if you are ready to fully immerse yourself in a thriving and educational setting, come and study with us this Summer!

At Summer Boarding Courses, we run many courses for all international students aged 8 to 17 years old and would love for you to join us. We can help you improve your ESL writing as well as your English speaking, listening and reading skills with many other nationalities.

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Journal Buddies Jill | October 16, 2023 August 17, 2023 | Writing Worksheets & Printables

Yes! 8th Grade Writing Worksheets PDF

Hello and Welcome. Here you will find 8th grade writing worksheets pdfs, plus writing prompt and journal page pdfs.

There are tons of great activities and tools you can use to make sure your eighth-grade students are prepared for high school—but one of the absolute best options is to have them start writing a daily journal.

To help support you in your efforts to provide your kids with the writing skills they need, we offer you the following free writing resources. Some of the resources are writing worksheets and others are printables. We also share a link to one of our favorite writing worksheets resources for eighth-graders.

If you need fun ways to support your kid’s writing skill development, you have come to the right place. We welcome you and hope you enjoy the resources on our blog.

There are some great resources from you here on JournalBuddies.com. So get to it and use these resources with your writers this school year. I think you’ll be glad you did!

8th Grade Writing Worksheets

Enjoy these writing worksheets for 8th Grade printables.

→ Find your ← Grade 8 Writing Worksheet here!

→ Grab the ← 8th Grade Writing Prompt PDF

Access the Printable Journal Page for Eighth Graders → here! ←

More Free Grade 8 Writing Resources

Writing Prompts for 8th Grade (This is where you can find the prompts from the printable pdf and discover even more great writing information for your grade 8 child.)

When students finally reach eighth grade, they’re ready and eager to move on to the next big challenge that lies ahead: high school. That makes your job as an eighth-grade teacher especially tough! You have to strike the right balance between encouraging them to look ahead and reminding them that they also need to focus on their work this year so that they’re fully prepared to graduate in just a few short months.

Writing is one of the most powerful modes of self-expression, and it is also an incredibly effective way to help your students sort out all of their thoughts and feelings. Best of all, journaling also doubles as extra critical thinking practice and gives your students an additional opportunity to practice their writing skills! 

31 8th Grade Writing Ideas

Eighth grade is a confusing and stressful time for many teens, and regular writing and reflecting can help your students better understand their thoughts, feelings, and dreams. 

In these brand new journal prompts for eighth-graders, students will consider topics like the greatest challenges facing teens today, the most important lessons they’ve ever learned, and what it means to be an adult. 

Eighth graders are also asked to reflect on the merits of class participation and think about how often they experience diversity and different opinions in their own classrooms. As students write, they’ll naturally come around to new ideas and ways of seeing the world—and they’ll feel more prepared for all the new experiences awaiting them in high school

Character Development Printable Worksheet for 8th Graders — Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” is spooky, scary and chilling. It’s also a good way for students to practice analyzing a character. Brought to you by K12reader . com.

Favorite Things and Favorites Writing Prompt Ideas

In addition to the list of writing resources for 8th grade students above, I have this excellent and simple list of journal ideas for you to use in your lesson plans and classroom instruction.

You see…

For those reluctant writers, non-writers or just to easily and quickly get students writing, I suggest you use the time-tested favorite writing prompts. They are simple ideas that nearly every writer can answer without much effort. Plus, they are an excellent way to get those creative writing juices flowing for writers of all skill levels.

• Favorite game
• Favorite sport
• Favorite foods
• Favorite place
• Favorite book
• Favorite toy
• Favorite season
• Favorite movie
• Favorite animal
• Favorite pet
• Favorite food
• Favorite Celebrity
• Favorite Birthday party
• Sibling (or other relative)
• School subject
• Time of day
• Place to visit
• Thing to think about
• Thing to remember
• Silly thing to do
• Place to go

Whew, what a great list of simple and easy ideas for middle school students and junior high kids to write about this year!

Now….

Let’s Write Creatively

Creative writing sounds inherently as though it should be easy—after all, the word “creative” expresses a sense of freedom and possibility that other, more restrictive forms of writing don’t have.

However, sometimes the lack of boundaries makes it even more difficult to begin writing. Kids are sometimes confused by assignments that don’t have many rules, and they may struggle to begin writing creatively.

The following five tips get the creativity flowing and encourage kids to think outside the page.

1. Promote New Experiences

Encourage kids to pursue other interests besides writing. While it might seem counter-intuitive that the first creative writing tip suggests doing anything but writing, alternative experiences actually promote greater creativity once students return to their desks. Kids who struggle with writing can find inspiration by enjoying their favorite activities and trying new things.

 2. Don’t Worry About Perfection

Perfection is the greatest enemy of creative writers everywhere. When a person writes about things that matter deeply to him or her, it’s only natural to care about the quality of the finished product.

However, people shouldn’t worry about perfection during the early stages of writing.

Junior high students who worry too much about getting a sentence exactly right may become frustrated easily and associate the negativity they feel with writing as a whole. Instead, encourage your kids to write freely at first and to get as many ideas down as possible. They can go back later and correct mistakes during the editing process.

3. Write about What You Love

Though you might be tempted to give students a particular writing assignment, sometimes it’s best to sit back and let them write about whatever they love most.

Encourage your 8th graders to take a general topic and spin it in any direction that interests them. Most kids will have much more to say and will feel more comfortable writing when they are able to discuss familiar and enjoyable topics.

4. Focus on the Senses

Sensory writing is interesting writing—and focusing on the senses can also help students who are struggling to get started. Give your eighth-grade writers a setting or situation and ask them to describe what a character experiences through the lens of the five senses. What does the view look like? What noises does the character hear—shouting or the rustling of leaves? Are there any smells in the air? Can the character taste anything—flavored lip balm or perhaps a delicious apple pie? What is the character touching?

5. Set Small Goals

Small, realistic goals for assignments also help kids who are struggling with creative writing. Encourage kids to write for 10 minutes daily or to compose one or two paragraphs. With an end goal in sight, even students who dislike writing will know what they can expect and will have an easier time completing the task. As students get more comfortable with writing, you can slowly increase the length of assignments—and watch as their creativity increases at the same time.

If you enjoyed these 8th Grade Writing Worksheets and resources, please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it!

Until next time, keep on practicing those writing skills with your eighth-graders…

Sincerely, Journal Buddies Jill journalbuddies.com creator and curator

Tap to See Prompts 31 8th Grade Writing Ideas 30 Excellent 8th Grade Writing Prompts Essay on Presidential Election Writing Prompts ------------Start of Om Added --------- @media (min-width: 320px) and (max-width: 767px) { .inside-right-sidebar { display: none !important; } } Search Now Offering You 18,000+ Prompts!

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Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

8th Grade Writing

For eighth graders, this Common Core area helps students gain mastery of writing skills by working collaboratively and producing written texts, understanding syntax and vocabulary, and organizing their ideas. Among the complete standards for this grade, eighth graders will be asked to: support the claims of their arguments with evidence, logical reasoning, and credible sources, use a formal style when writing, be able to develop the topic of a work with details, facts, definitions, and quotations, employ formatting, graphics, and multimedia to present information in the written medium, employ narrative techniques like pacing, description, reflection, and dialogue to develop events and characters within a text, go through the process of writing, editing and revision for their written work, use appropriate technology to publish writing and to collaborate on written projects, demonstrate keyboarding skill, go through the process of writing, editing and revision for their written work, conduct short research projects to answer a question, quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of supporting texts while avoiding plagiarism and using proper citation, use evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Abraham Lincoln Bio Poem

Your students will write a bio poem about Abraham Lincoln.

Bio Poem: My Mother

A fun Mother’s Day bio poem activity for your students!

Bio Poem: Pilgrim

A biography poem, also called a bio poem, is a short poem which describes a person or thing. This printable Thanksgiving Activity guides students through creating a bio poem about Pilgrims.

Bio Poem: Someone You Know

Students will write a bio poem about someone they know using the format set in this worksheet.

Christmas Tree Bio Poem

A biography poem, also called a bio poem, is a short poem which describes a person or thing. Sometimes writing a bio pem can be tricky! This printable Christmas Activity guides students through creating a bio poem about a Christmas tree.

Correct the Transition Words Mistakes – Worksheet

Have your students revise sentences and correct transition word mistakes with this educational writing activity.

Edgar Allan Poe: Secrets in Poetry

Students read from Edgar Allan Poe’s “An Enigma” and decipher the name of the woman’s whose name is hidden within the text.

Father’s Day Bio Poem: My Father

Enhance your students’ writing skills with this fun Father’s Day Biography Poem activity.

Fourth of July Bio Poem: America

Encourage your students to learn about America with this Fourth of July Biography Poem activity.

George Washington Bio Poem

Your students will write a bio poem about George Washington.

George Washington’s List of Rules

When George Washington was a young boy, he made a list of rules for himself. Students choose one of the rules and write what it means.

Halloween Bio Poem Activity: Ghost

Create a bio poem about your own personal ghost with our fun Halloween printable activity!

Main Idea Organizer

Teach your students how to organize their writing with this helpful Main Idea Organizer. Students will be asked to complete the worksheet by writing their own main idea, three details, and a summary. This will help your students better understand how to organize their ideas for writing in the future, especially when writing an essay!

Write a Biography Poem

Bio poems are usually short poems following a specific format. In this worksheet students will write a bio poem about themself.

Bio Poem: A President

Bio poems are usually short poems following a specific format. Students will write about a President in this worksheet.

Bio Poem: An Ocean

Have your students get creative by writing a bio poem about an ocean.

Editing and Proofing a Paragraph

Your students will further their editing and proofing skills by correcting a paragraph in this printable classroom worksheet.

George Washington: Almost a King

What if George Washington had become king? Students ponder this question and then write about what it would be like.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

This activity helps students develop a strong thesis statement for their essays by providing practice writing sample statements.

How to Write an Introduction: Bridge Building Activity

This activity is designed to help students learn about writing introductions through a fun bridge building activity to join the lead noun card and thesis statement card.

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best ideas for your essay

A List of Unique 8th Grade Expository Essay Writing Prompts

Expository writing tests the ability of an 8th grader to understand a scenario, idea or event and describe it. Prompts are used to provide a scenario or context which the 8th grader is supposed to expound. Prompts for 8th graders should revolve around imagination and things that they come into contact with on regular basic.

Here is a list of prompts that would enable 8th graders to produce excellent expository essays.

• You have been invited to a basketball event that will be graced by your favorite NBA star. Describe how you would prepare when given the opportunity to shake his hand.
• Describe your favorite spot in town to a friend who has never visited the area.
• What is your favorite sport and why?
• You have woken up in the middle of the desert. You have no idea where you are. Describe how you would find your way around.
• It is 1500 and you are the king of your territory. Describe the one weapon you would recommend to your army to ensure that you are adequately protected.
• Imagine you are in front of the crowd at the United Nations plenary hall. You have been invited to speak on how to improve the education standards for grade 8. What issues would top your agenda?
• If you were to return to grade five, what things would you do more and better?
• Assume that you are living in a society that has no law. What thing would you enjoy doing that is prohibited for now?
• If you had a chance to become a pet, what would your favorite animal be and why?
• Write an essay explaining to a friend how to learn riding a bicycle
• You have been given an opportunity to become a teacher today. Which teacher would you become and why?
• One morning you wakeup and you have a button in front of you. The button is used to decide which weather will prevail for the day. Explain the weather you would choose and why.
• You have been given an opportunity to organize an event that will be enjoyed by everyone in your neighborhood. What event would you organize and how will you make sure that everyone enjoys?
• If today was your last day alive, what would you do?
• Who is your favorite musician and what do you like about him/her?

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Essay Topics – List of 500+ Essay Writing Topics and Ideas

List of 500+ essay writing topics and ideas.

Essay topics in English can be difficult to come up with. While writing essays , many college and high school students face writer’s block and have a hard time to think about topics and ideas for an essay. In this article, we will list out many good essay topics from different categories like argumentative essays, essays on technology, environment essays for students from 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades. Following list of essay topics are for all – from kids to college students. We have the largest collection of essays. An essay is nothing but a piece of content which is written from the perception of writer or author. Essays are similar to a story, pamphlet, thesis, etc. The best thing about Essay is you can use any type of language – formal or informal. It can biography, the autobiography of anyone. Following is a great list of 100 essay topics. We will be adding 400 more soon!

But Before that you may wanna read some awesome Essay Writing Tips here .

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should plastic be banned?
• Pollution due to Urbanization
• Education should be free
• Should Students get limited access to the Internet?
• Selling Tobacco should be banned
• Smoking in public places should be banned
• Facebook should be banned
• Students should not be allowed to play PUBG

Essay Topics on Technology

• Wonder Of Science
• Mobile Phone

Essay Topics on Festivals on Events

• Independence Day (15 August)
• Teachers Day
• Summer Vacation
• Children’s Day
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
• Janmashtami
• Republic Day

Essay Topics on Education

• Education Essay
• Importance of Education
• Contribution of Technology in Education

Essay Topics on Famous Leaders

• Mahatma Gandhi
• APJ Abdul Kalam
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Swami Vivekananda
• Mother Teresa
• Rabindranath Tagore
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• Subhash Chandra Bose
• Abraham Lincoln
• Martin Luther King
• Lal Bahadur Shashtri

Essay Topics on Animals and Birds

• My Favorite Animal

Essays Topics About Yourself

• My Best Friend
• My Favourite Teacher
• My Aim In Life
• My Favourite Game – Badminton
• My Favourite Game – Essay
• My Favourite Book
• My Ambition
• How I Spent My Summer Vacation
• India of My Dreams
• My School Life
• I Love My Family
• My Favourite Subject
• My Favourite Game Badminton
• My Father My Hero
• My School Library
• My Favourite Author
• My plans for summer vacation

Essay Topics Based on Environment and Nature

• Global Warming
• Environment
• Air Pollution
• Environmental Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Rainy Season
• Climate Change
• Importance Of Trees
• Winter Season
• Deforestation
• Natural Disasters
• Save Environment
• Summer Season
• Trees Our Best Friend Essay In English

Essay Topics Based on Proverbs

• Health Is Wealth
• A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
• An Apple a Day Keeps Doctor Away
• Where there is a will, there is way
• Time and Tide wait for none

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Essay Topics for Students from 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

• Noise Pollution
• Environment Pollution
• Women Empowerment
• Time and Tide Wait for none
• Science and Technology
• Importance of Sports
• Sports and Games
• Time Management
• Cleanliness is next to Godliness
• Cleanliness
• Rome was not Built in a Day
• Unemployment
• Clean India
• Cow Essay In English
• Describe Yourself
• Festivals Of India
• Ganesh Chaturthi
• Healthy Food
• Importance Of Water
• Plastic Pollution
• Value of Time
• Honesty is the Best Policy
• Gandhi Jayanti
• Human Rights
• Knowledge Is Power
• Same Sex Marriage
• Childhood Memories
• Cyber Crime
• Kalpana Chawla
• Punctuality
• Rani Lakshmi Bai
• Spring Season
• Unity In Diversity
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Attentiveness

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Nearly fifty years ago, the writer George Perec spent three days sitting behind a café window in Place Saint-Sulpice in Paris recording everything he saw. In his short book, An Attempt at Exhausting a Place in Paris , his observations of mundane occurrences and objects often considered unnoteworthy—passersby, cars, buses, pigeons, signs, and slogans—are documented. This week situate yourself in one spot, perhaps in your home or workplace, or in a public space like a park, busy crossroad, commercial area, library, or café. Then, jot down the objects and behavior you see, and the snippets of conversation you hear. Write a lyric essay composed of these notes, trying to avoid interpretations or analysis. Taken together, how do your observations create a portrayal of a specific time or place? Pay particular attention to how one observation might lead to another, and to potential rhythms and repetitions.

Power Couple

The 2023 thriller film Fair Play , written and directed by Chloe Domont, follows the lives of a young, newly engaged couple, Luke and Emily, who are colleagues working as analysts in the cutthroat world of high finance in New York. The film focuses on the progression of their relationship, which has been kept hidden from their hedge fund office, and the bitter disintegration of their happiness after a promotion that was initially rumored to go to Luke is unexpectedly bestowed upon Emily, which situates him as a subordinate to his wife within a misogynistic workplace. Write a short story that revolves around an occurrence that catalyzes a shift in the power dynamic between two main characters who have a close relationship. What are the initial responses, and does the transformation happen suddenly or gradually? Are there gender, generational, or other cultural issues that play a role?

Organic Insinuations

“All too often, on a ‘poetry scene,’ people prioritise ‘subject matter,’” says John Burnside in a 2023 interview about his writing process by Jesse Nathan published on McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. “I am sure that, as I am working, environmental concerns insinuate their way into the content of a poem organically, as other concerns will—but I would never start from there.” Inspired by the late Scottish poet, who died at the age of sixty-nine on May 29, write a poem that springs not from a predetermined topic or subject matter, but instead allows you to “trust in the sounds, the rhythms that come out of the day-to-day, the sheer immediacy and truth of the quotidian…and the images that lead, sometimes via fairly roundabout paths, to metaphor.” Later, as you reread and revise, what do you discover is the subject of your poem? What might have organically insinuated itself into your poem?

The maintenance or restoration of native plant and animal species has long been at the heart of many ecological and conservation projects, and has historically been a focus of land and environmental stewardship principles held by native and first peoples all over the world. But what if a beloved plant or animal is considered invasive, like the palm trees of Los Angeles or the cattle of Texas? What are the effects or consequences of centuries of existence with this invasive species in a particular locale? This week reflect on the notion of belonging—what are various places and times when you have felt a strong sense of belonging, and situations when you did not feel you belonged? Consider your own perspectives and responses when you encounter someone or something else that seems invasive or does not belong.

In Stephen King’s 1983 novel, Pet Sematary , a doctor moves into a remote house in Maine with his wife, two young children, and their pet cat, and learns from a neighbor about an ancient burial ground nearby cursed by a malevolent spirit which gave it power to reanimate those buried there. This is put to the test first by the family cat, and then by members of the family who die throughout the course of King’s horror story. While each formerly dead being is returned to the land of the living, they don’t come back quite the same. Write a story in which a creature or person returns from the dead, either in actuality or under circumstances in which their reappearance feels as if they are “back from the dead.” What familiar traits remain the same and what is disconcertingly different? Is their return ultimately for the better or the worse?

“I told a friend about a spill at the grocery store, which—the words ‘conveyor belt’ vanishing midsentence—took place on a ‘supermarket treadmill,’” writes Madeleine Schwartz in a recent essay published by New York Times Magazine about her experience of negotiating with and toggling between the French and English languages after moving from New York to Paris. In the piece, Schwartz notes that as she became more comfortable with living and thinking in French, she noticed a blurring of her linguistic capabilities, including a muddling of her articulative abilities in English. Think about a time or situation when words have failed you, or you’ve drawn a blank as to the mot juste. Write a poem that traces or enacts a loss of language, perhaps using invented words, phrases, and spellings or experimenting with font sizes, line breaks, and spacing.

Edible Memories

Many foods, flavors, and dishes hold a wellspring of emotional associations because they remind us of loved ones, habits and traditions, specific locales, and a different time of our lives when we were different people. Write a series of flash nonfiction pieces this week with each segment focusing on an edible item that evokes particularly resonant memories for you. You might begin by jotting down lists of foods you ate regularly growing up—breakfasts, school lunches, vending machine go-tos, favorite fast-food joints, diners, late night spots, home-cooked specialties—as well as a few momentous meals. Who are the people you associate with each one? Aside from taste and smell, consider the surrounding environment, atmospheric sounds, time of year, and who you were at that point in your life.

Wheels and Nails

While the American proverb “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” may be one you’ve heard time and again, often in reference to the idea that whoever raises or vocalizes a criticism the loudest will be appeased, there is a Japanese saying that translates to “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” which points to the positives of conformity in order to maintain a productive and humble society. It can also refer to putting someone who has become too successful back down in their place. Write a story in which your main character diverges from a group of people, and sticks their neck out, so to speak. Perhaps they vocalize a contrary perspective, protest something they feel is unjust, or simply present themselves in an unconventional manner. What are the consequences? Does your story lean toward one proverbial lesson or the other, or does the conclusion demonstrate more ambiguity?

Night at the Museum

If you could spend a night at any museum, which would you choose, and why? The French publisher Editions Stock has a series of books that begins with this premise—each author selects a museum, arrangements are made for an overnight stay, and a book is written about the experience. In Jakuta Alikavazovic’s Like a Sky Inside , translated from the French by Daniel Levin Becker, she spends a night at the Louvre in Paris, where childhood memories of visits with her father are vividly recalled. “From March 7 to 8, 2020, I spent the night in the Louvre, alone. Alone and at the same time anything but,” writes Alikavazovic. Write a poem that imagines a night at a museum of your choosing, anywhere in the world. What memories will you excavate from this imagined, solitary experience?

Chosen Family

Although the origin of the term is unknown and can be defined in many ways, a chosen family is made up of a group of people who choose to embrace, nurture, and support each other despite conventional understandings of biological or marital relationships. Oftentimes a chosen family is formed to take the place of a biological family, however, in some cases, these relationships are formed to expand a family. Write a personal essay about a relationship you have with a chosen family member. How did you first meet? Was there a particular incident that catalyzed what would become an inextricable bond? Has your commitment to each other been tested in ways big or small? Reflect on past memories and experiences you have had with this special person and how your relationship has evolved over the years.

Kingdom of the Planet

In the 1968 science fiction film Planet of the Apes , which is based on French author Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel and has spawned several sequels and a recent reboot, a crew of astronauts crash-lands on a planet ruled by apes who have developed an advanced and hierarchical civilization, complete with systems of governance, labor, scientific research, and a military force. In this far-off place, humans have been reduced to mute primitive beings who are subjugated and kept captive as workers for the primates. Write a speculative story that takes place in another universe with a premise revolving around a role reversal. What are the rules and governing structures of the society that you invent? You might decide to approach your narrative with a tone of horror, satire, or comedy to emphasize your perspective on stereotypical assumptions and social expectations.

Another Country

“I love these raw moist dawns with / a thousand birds you hear but can’t / quite see in the mist. / My old alien body is a foreigner / struggling to get into another country. / The loon call makes me shiver. / Back at the cabin I see a book / and am not quite sure what that is.” In these eight lines that comprise Jim Harrison’s poem “Another Country,” which appears in his final collection, Dead Man’s Float (Copper Canyon Press, 2016), the late poet moves between observations about a natural outdoor setting and the speaker’s own bodily presence, arriving in the final two lines at a sentiment that expresses a feeling of defamiliarization at the seemingly mundane sight of a book. This week write a poem that explores the concept of being so absorbed in one environment or circumstance that to behold a different scene is like traveling to a strange and unknown realm.

Self-Healing

A recent study in Scientific Reports journal revealed that, for possibly the first time, a nonhuman wild animal was seen using plant medicine to heal an active wound. In a rainforest in Indonesia, a Sumatran orangutan was observed ripping off leaves from a climbing vine plant, chewing them, and applying the plant sap to treat a wound on his face, which then healed after a few days. Write a personal essay on the theme of self-healing. Think about experiences when you’ve witnessed another person perform this task, or particularly resonant memories that pertain to your own past behavior. What are the primary emotions present throughout this process? What instances of self-treatment or self-medication in film, art, or literature created an impression on you?

Campus Story

Take inspiration from the concept of a campus novel—which takes place in and around the campus of a university and often involves the intertwined dynamics of students, professors, and conventions about learning and power—and write a story that engages with a school setting, whether prominently situated in the context of the plot or used for a particular scene. Some recent additions to the campus novel canon include Elif Batuman’s The Idiot (Penguin Press, 2017), Xochitl Gonzalez’s Anita de Monte Laughs Last (Flatiron Books, 2024), Kiley Reid’s Come and Get It (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2024), and Brandon Taylor’s Real Life (Riverhead Books, 2020). Will you include a character who is a student, teacher, administrative staff member, custodial worker or caretaker, or possibly an alumni revisiting the past? Consider the multitude of ways the incorporation of an educational environment might permeate the atmosphere of the narrative.

The Last Friend

“The day the last friend / dies / we sit alone. / A visitor / from outer space / tries hard / to summon us. / Someone says / EAT DEATH. / I fish around for answers / but the questions / still won’t come,” writes Jerome Rothenberg, who passed away in April, in his poem “The Last Friend.” Included in his collection of one hundred poems, A Book of Witness: Spells & Gris-Gris (New Directions, 2022), the poem presents a list of statements and observations, many of which refer to death or dying in some personal way, though the connections are enigmatic and the logical progression is oblique. Try your hand at writing a poem that mentions its subject directly, but which also deliberately obfuscates or remains ambiguous in its intentions. How might using the “I” as a witness include the reader into your point of view?

Mind Your Manners

The New York City culture and news website Gothamist recently asked New Yorkers about their thoughts on sidewalk etiquette in the crowded, bustling streets of their beloved city. What are the rules, who has the right-of-way, and who should yield? Respondents focused on always walking to the right of the sidewalk and to “move quickly and never stop.” One thoughtful respondent considered the cultural differences of sidewalks used for recreational strolls versus commuting. But the overall consensus was that among nine-to-fivers, tourists, parents with kids, dogwalkers, bicyclists, and groups, seniors deserve the right-of-way. Write an essay about the unwritten rules or etiquette you have observed in your daily surroundings. How have these common practices adapted to fit the needs of different people? Do they evolve over time as social norms change? Consider some of your own experiences with how public etiquette has helped or hindered harmonious community life.

The term sub rosa means “under the rose” in Latin and refers to something said or done in private. The rose has been associated with secrecy since ancient times, a decorative symbol often carved and painted in places like meeting rooms, banquet halls, and confessionals as reminders of confidentiality. This week write a short story that revolves around a conversation or discussion that occurs sub rosa in an enclosed space. Does a certain detail get leaked out or overheard? How might the secretive nature place a burden on your characters? Consider the ways in which the atmosphere and tone of your story feel distinctive in the time and space of your sub-rosa conversation versus the scenes that take place before or after the talk.

Wisdom in Translation

In the anthology Another Room to Live In: 15 Contemporary Arab Poets (Litmus Press, 2024) edited by Omar Berrada and Sarah Riggs, multinational and multilingual poet-translators challenge foundational narratives and rework mythologies through poetic expression. Yasmine Seale’s poem “Conventional Wisdom (Arabic Saying Translated Twenty Ways)” is composed of translations of an ancient aphorism expressing the inextricable place of poetry within Arab cultural heritage. Each line presents a variation on the truism: “Poetry is the record of the Arabs / The art of poetry is Arabs, collected / Good poetry is a list of Arabs / To speak in verse is to remain in Arab memory / To surpass another poet is the Arab odyssey.” Write a poem inspired by this idea of translating a proverb or maxim—either from another language or from English into English. How might you creatively interpolate different “translations” of the saying by incorporating connotations and riffing on free associations and personal experiences?

In Response

In a recent interview with Aria Aber for the Yale Review , when asked his thoughts on the responsibility of the poet, Jackson Prize–winning poet Fady Joudah says, “I often think that the responsibility of the poet is to strive to become the memory that people may possess in the future about what it means to be human: an ever-changing constant. In poetry, the range of metaphors and topics is limited, predictable, but the styles are innumerable. Think how we read poetry from centuries ago and are no longer bothered by its outdated diction. All that remains of old poetry is the music of what it means to be human.” Write a creative nonfiction piece that presents your personal theory of the responsibility of a writer or an artist. To construct an expansive approach, you might use observations about how different creative disciplines overlap in their goals, or consider what has remained resonant as the arts make their mark throughout various eras.

Earth to You

In honor of Earth Week, write a scene that revolves around a character who experiences an unexpected moment in a natural environment that produces a sensation of wonder, perhaps an unusual encounter with wild flora or fauna. You might contrast the elements of this scene with others in your story in which the character is interacting solely with humans or only attuned to the sounds, rhythms, and sights of city life and densely packed civilization. Is the occurrence mind-bogglingly quick and then reflected upon in hindsight, or does time slow down in the scene? How do you manage or manipulate the pacing and rhythm of your prose to draw attention to the emotional and psychological response of the character?

From Dirt Level

In Sharon Olds’s poem “May 1968,” the speaker recounts the memory of spending the night with other protesting students, who lay down their bodies on a New York City street at a university’s campus gates in order to obstruct the mounted police force that had been called in. While “spine-down on the cobbles,” she observes the city and surrounding scenery—the soaring buildings and the police and horses’ bodies—as she gazes upward, thinking about the state of her pregnant body. Write a poem this week from the vantage point of lying face-up, “from dirt level.” What circumstances bring you into this position? How does this upward point of view transform what you see, and how you feel about your own body?

More, please? Or, no more, please? In The Fast: The History, Science, Philosophy, and Promise of Doing Without (Avid Reader Press, 2024), John Oakes recounts his personal experience conducting a weeklong fast and examines the practice’s history and place within a wide range of religions and philosophies. The book also explores the act of self-deprivation and the potential transformative benefits of subtracting rather than adding to one’s life. “The act of fasting…won’t stop routine, but impedes it for a bit, signifying a shift and a determined unwillingness to follow standard operating procedure,” writes Oakes. Use this idea to consider your personal relationship with consumption—of food, conversation, media, clothes, space—and write a personal essay that reflects on what you might otherwise take for granted.

All in Your Head

In “Table for One,” a short story from Korean author Yun Ko-eun’s new collection of the same name, translated by Lizzie Buehler and published by Columbia University Press in April, a surreal quality seeps into the tale of a lonely office worker who enrolls in a course to make solitary dining easier. Tips from the course include: “Target corner tables rather than those in the middle. Seats at the bar are also good. Hang your coat or bag on the chair facing you and take advantage of tools like a book, earphones, a cell phone, or a newspaper.” The fantastic element of the story lies less in the oddity of the premise than in the narrator’s meticulously recounted neuroses and detailed rendering of processes that become seemingly cyclical. Write a scene that focuses on your character’s minute observations as they attempt to overcome something debilitating. Does the situation lend itself to a quirky or dark sense of humor?

Neither Questions nor Answers

“Where is the homeland / to lay a cradle for the dead / Where is the other shore / for poetry to step across the end point / Where is the peace / that lets the days distribute blue sky...” In Sidetracks , forthcoming in May from New Directions, the Chinese poet Bei Dao begins his book-length poem with a list of twenty-five enigmatic questions that dance around mythological, philosophical, and existential subjects. In Jeffrey Yang’s translation, the speaker’s questions lack the end punctuation of the original text, with question marks omitted. Through these unanswered questions, the poet conjures loss and nostalgia. Loosely following this structure, write a prologue to a poem that poses a series of questions gesturing toward your most pressing uncertainties. While Bei Dao’s lines are mysterious and mystical, allow your poem the tone and allusions that feel instinctive to you.

With Certainty

In a 1789 letter, Benjamin Franklin wrote the phrase, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Franklin was reflecting on the establishment of the U.S. Constitution, which he said promised to be durable, as well as his own ailing health and mortality. This week write a personal essay that riffs off this proverb, reflecting on your own worldview about what can be certain. You might start off with the prompt: “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes, and ______.” Tell the story of how you arrived at your own ideas about what you can always count on, whether good or bad. What past experiences, encounters, or memories seem to reinforce your belief?

About Our Writing Prompts

What is a writing prompt and how do you use one? Whether you find yourself in front of a blank page or stuck in a work-in-progress, writing prompts can offer a spark that ignites your creative thinking and can lead to new writing. Prompts offer guidance, fresh ideas, and direction for writers of all levels of experience. First, choose a prompt for the genre in which you’d like to write, then carefully read it and consider what it is asking you to think about. It could be a specific setting, a writing technique, or an element of an imagined character; a specific poem, story, essay, song, book, or film from which you might take inspiration; or a current event or a topical theme. A writing prompt is filled with endless possibilities—and there is no wrong way to use one to generate new writing!

What makes our writing prompts unique? We have an archive of over 2,000 prompts, all original and offered here and in our weekly newsletter . You’ll find a variety of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction prompts—some inspired by recent and classic literature and other forms of art, current events, and writing practices, and others that offer guidance for a particular form, including sonnets, erasure poetry, flash fiction, lyric essays, and more. For more than fifty years, Poets & Writers has supported creative writers with trustworthy information and inspiration, and our weekly prompts provide a regular dose of encouragement and motivation.

What are the benefits of using writing prompts? Writing prompts can help you get unstuck if you’re in a rut and the ideas aren’t flowing. But even if you’re not experiencing writer’s block, writing prompts can offer a fresh take or a new approach to a work-in-progress. Writing prompts can also provide the motivation to experiment with a new form, try out a new genre, or learn about other writing techniques. And writing prompts are an invaluable tool for teachers who want to encourage and inspire their writing students.

What is this list of Best Books? Best Books for Writers is a list of essential books for creative writers that we curate to support your writing practice. Every week, we add a book (whether new or a classic) with a synopsis and highlights. Included are books on the writing life, anthologies of craft essays, collections of lectures, practical guides with writing exercises, and more.

Poetry writing prompts Every Tuesday we post a new poetry prompt to guide you in your practice. Get to know the work of contemporary and classic poets, as well as a variety of poetic forms.

Fiction writing prompts Every Wednesday we post a new fiction prompt to spark your imagination. Take inspiration from recently published short stories and novels, and of course, the classics.

Creative nonfiction writing prompts Every Thursday we post a new creative nonfiction prompt to help your exploration of this ever-changing genre. These prompts include information and inspiration for a variety of essays as well as memoirs. Discover new writers and their craft, and fresh ways to generate writing inspired by your life.

Need a starter pack? Check out our Writing Prompts for Beginners .

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The Best Student Writing Contests for 2023-2024

Help your students take their writing to the next level.

When students write for teachers, it can feel like an assignment. When they write for a real purpose, they are empowered! Student writing contests are a challenging and inspiring way to try writing for an authentic audience— a real panel of judges —and the possibility of prize money or other incentives. We’ve gathered a list of the best student writing contests, and there’s something for everyone. Prepare highly motivated kids in need of an authentic writing mentor, and watch the words flow.

1.  The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

With a wide range of categories—from critical essays to science fiction and fantasy—The Scholastic Awards are a mainstay of student contests. Each category has its own rules and word counts, so be sure to check out the options  before you decide which one is best for your students.

How To Enter

Students in grades 7-12, ages 13 and up, may begin submitting work in September by uploading to an online account at Scholastic and connecting to their local region. There are entry fees, but those can be waived for students in need.

2.  YoungArts National Arts Competition

This ends soon, but if you have students who are ready to submit, it’s worth it. YoungArts offers a national competition in the categories of creative nonfiction, novel, play or script, poetry, short story, and spoken word. Student winners may receive awards of up to $10,000 as well as the chance to participate in artistic development with leaders in their fields.

YoungArts accepts submissions in each category through October 13. Students submit their work online and pay a $35 fee (there is a fee waiver option).

3. National Youth Foundation Programs

Each year, awards are given for Student Book Scholars, Amazing Women, and the “I Matter” Poetry & Art competition. This is a great chance for kids to express themselves with joy and strength.

The rules, prizes, and deadlines vary, so check out the website for more info.

4.  American Foreign Service National High School Essay Contest

If you’re looking to help students take a deep dive into international relations, history, and writing, look no further than this essay contest. Winners receive a voyage with the Semester at Sea program and a trip to Washington, DC.

Students fill out a registration form online, and a teacher or sponsor is required. The deadline to enter is the first week of April.

5.  John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

This annual contest invites students to write about a political official’s act of political courage that occurred after Kennedy’s birth in 1917. The winner receives $10,000, and 16 runners-up also receive a variety of cash prizes.

Students may submit a 700- to 1,000-word essay through January 12. The essay must feature more than five sources and a full bibliography.

6. Bennington Young Writers Awards

Bennington College offers competitions in three categories: poetry (a group of three poems), fiction (a short story or one-act play), and nonfiction (a personal or academic essay). First-place winners receive $500. Grab a poster for your classroom here .

The contest runs from September 1 to November 1. The website links to a student registration form.

7. The Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest

Looking for student writing contests for budding playwrights? This exclusive competition, which is open only to high school juniors, is judged by the theater faculty of Princeton University. Students submit short plays in an effort to win recognition and cash prizes of up to $500. ( Note: Only open to 11th graders. )

Students submit one 10-page play script online or by mail. The deadline is the end of March. Contest details will be published in early 2024.

8. Princeton University Poetry Contest for High School Students

The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding work by student writers in 11th grade. Prizes range from $100 to $500.

Students in 11th grade can submit their poetry. Contest details will be published this fall.

9. The New York Times Tiny Memoir Contest

This contest is also a wonderful writing challenge, and the New York Times includes lots of resources and models for students to be able to do their best work. They’ve even made a classroom poster !

Submissions need to be made electronically by November 1.

10.  Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

The deadline for this contest is the end of October. Sponsored by Hollins University, the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest awards prizes for the best poems submitted by young women who are sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school. Prizes include cash and scholarships. Winners are chosen by students and faculty members in the creative writing program at Hollins.

Students may submit either one or two poems using the online form.

11.  The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers

The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers is open to high school sophomores and juniors, and the winner receives a full scholarship to a  Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop .

Submissions for the prize are accepted electronically from November 1 through November 30.

12. Jane Austen Society Essay Contest

High school students can win up to $1,000 and publication by entering an essay on a topic specified by the Jane Austen Society related to a Jane Austen novel.

Details for the 2024 contest will be announced in November. Essay length is from six to eight pages, not including works cited.

13. Rattle Young Poets Anthology

Open to students from 15 to 18 years old who are interested in publication and exposure over monetary awards.

Teachers may choose five students for whom to submit up to four poems each on their behalf. The deadline is November 15.

14. The Black River Chapbook Competition

This is a chance for new and emerging writers to gain publication in their own professionally published chapbook, as well as $500 and free copies of the book.

There is an $18 entry fee, and submissions are made online.

15. YouthPlays New Voices

For students under 18, the YouthPlays one-act competition is designed for young writers to create new works for the stage. Winners receive cash awards and publication.

Scroll all the way down their web page for information on the contest, which accepts non-musical plays between 10 and 40 minutes long, submitted electronically. Entries open each year in January.

16. The Ocean Awareness Contest

The 2024 Ocean Awareness Contest, Tell Your Climate Story , encourages students to write their own unique climate story. They are asking for creative expressions of students’ personal experiences, insights, or perceptions about climate change. Students are eligible for a wide range of monetary prizes up to $1,000.

Students from 11 to 18 years old may submit work in the categories of art, creative writing, poetry and spoken word, film, interactive media and multimedia, or music and dance, accompanied by a reflection. The deadline is June 13.

17. EngineerGirl Annual Essay Contest

Each year, EngineerGirl sponsors an essay contest with topics centered on the impact of engineering on the world, and students can win up to $500 in prize money. This contest is a nice bridge between ELA and STEM and great for teachers interested in incorporating an interdisciplinary project into their curriculum. The new contest asks for pieces describing the life cycle of an everyday object. Check out these tips for integrating the content into your classroom .

Students submit their work electronically by February 1. Check out the full list of rules and requirements here .

18. NCTE Student Writing Awards

The National Council of Teachers of English offers several student writing awards, including Achievement Awards in Writing (for 10th- and 11th-grade students), Promising Young Writers (for 8th-grade students), and an award to recognize Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines.

Deadlines range from October 28 to February 15. Check out NCTE.org for more details.

19. See Us, Support Us Art Contest

Children of incarcerated parents can submit artwork, poetry, photos, videos, and more. Submissions are free and the website has a great collection of past winners.

Students can submit their entries via social media or email by October 25.

20. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose

The Adroit Journal, an education-minded nonprofit publication, awards annual prizes for poetry and prose to exceptional high school and college students. Adroit charges an entry fee but also provides a form for financial assistance.

Sign up at the website for updates for the next round of submissions.

21. National PTA Reflections Awards

The National PTA offers a variety of awards, including one for literature, in their annual Reflections Contest. Students of all ages can submit entries on the specified topic to their local PTA Reflections program. From there, winners move to the local area, state, and national levels. National-level awards include an $800 prize and a trip to the National PTA Convention.

This program requires submitting to PTAs who participate in the program. Check your school’s PTA for their deadlines.

22. World Historian Student Essay Competition

The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an international contest open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, as well as those in home-study programs. The $500 prize is based on an essay that addresses one of this year’s two prompts.

Students can submit entries via email or regular mail before May 1.

23. NSHSS Creative Writing Scholarship

The National Society of High School Scholars awards three $2,000 scholarships for both poetry and fiction. They accept poetry, short stories, and graphic novel writing.

Apply online by October 31.

Whether you let your students blog, start a podcast or video channel, or enter student writing contests, giving them an authentic audience for their work is always a powerful classroom choice.

If you like this list of student writing contests and want more articles like it, subscribe to our newsletters to find out when they’re posted!

Plus, check out our favorite anchor charts for teaching writing..

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Best 2024 Competitions for Students in Grades K-12

Competitions in STEM, ELA and the arts, and more! Continue Reading

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Freshman requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
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• English language proficiency
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Additional information for

• California residents
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Transfer requirements

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• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. You may use the additional comments field to note extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, if necessary. 

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Things to consider:  If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

Download our worksheets:

• English [PDF]
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Digital SAT Suite of Assessments

SAT Practice and Preparation

From free practice tests to a checklist of what to bring on test day, College Board provides everything you need to prepare for the digital SAT.

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Download and install the Bluebook app.

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Take a full-length practice test in Bluebook.

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Complete exam setup in Bluebook and get your admission ticket.

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Find full-length practice tests on Bluebook™ as well as downloadable linear SAT practice tests.

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Get information on how to practice for the digital SAT if you're using assistive technology.

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Take full-length digital SAT practice exams by first downloading Bluebook and completing practice tests. Then sign into My Practice to view practice test results and review practice exam items, answers, and explanations.

What to Bring and Do on Test Day

Find out everything you need to bring and do for the digital SAT.

SAT Student Guide (U.S.)

This guide provides helpful information for students taking the SAT during a weekend administration in Spring 2024.

SAT International Student Guide

A guide to the SAT for international students to learn how to prepare for test day. It covers the structure of the digital test, how to download the app and practice, information about policies, and testing rules.

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Information about SAT School Day, sample test materials, and test-taking advice and tips.

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A Parent/Guardian's Guide to Official SAT Practice: Getting Your Teen Ready for the SAT

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A Parent/Guardian's Guide to Official SAT Practice: Getting Your Teen Ready for the SAT (Spanish)

Sat suite question bank: overview.