330+ ‘Critical thinking’ Writing Prompts
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Making Warmth
Explore the steps and necessities involved in creating a warm and cozy home during winter from scratch.
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Legacy of a President
Choose a specific President and write about their legacy and the lasting influence they left on the nation.
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Recycling Today for Earth Tomorrow
Craft a step by step guide on how you would implement a recycling system in a community that has never had one.
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The Philosophy of Time
Write about your opinion regarding time – is it linear, cyclical, or something completely different?
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Savvy Snack Selections
Write a persuasive piece about why your favorite snack should be served in school cafeterias.
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Examining Standardized Testing
Write a persuasive essay detailing your views on the pros and cons of standardized testing in schools.
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My Hero
Write about a personal hero, someone you admire, and the qualities that make them stand out for you.
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Problem-Solving Puzzles
Recall a problem or challenge you had to solve in your kindergarten experience and detail how you handled it.
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Under a Cultural Lens
Choose a unique or particular cultural practice from around the world and express your thoughts on it.
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Embrace or Resist?
Consider a cultural practice from your own culture that you disagree with. Write about if it should be altered or abandoned and why.
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Exotic Pets: Unconventional Love
Argue for or against keeping exotic pets. What are the pros and cons?
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Consumerism Critic
Write about consumerism – is it a beneficial driving force for the economy or detrimental to societal values and the environment?
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Amendments in Order
If you could amend or add a human right to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, what would it be and why?
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Climate Change Stand
Write about your views on climate change and the measures you believe should be taken to combat it.
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Unsung Heroes
Choose a figure from history who doesn’t often get recognition. Write a non-fiction piece about their life and achievements.
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A Day in History
Write about a significant historical event, and describe what it would have been like to witness it.
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Dinosaur Explorer
Pretend you are a paleontologist discovering dinosaur fossils. Describe the dinosaur you found and the process of uncovering the remains.
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Review Reporting
Review a recently released movie, book, or album with the eyes of a professional critic.
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Treasure Map Conundrum
Write a story about finding a mysterious treasure map. What does it lead to, and what obstacles do you encounter along the way?
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False Notions of Green Living
Pen an essay debunking fake ‘green’ products that have pervaded the market.
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Eco-Warrior or Just a Myth?
Concoct a character who is perceived as an eco-warrior but denies their environmental impact.
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Missing Mascot Mystery
Your school’s beloved mascot has mysteriously disappeared right before the biggest game of the year.
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Musical Influence
Write about a musician who greatly influences you and how their music helps shape your views.
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Breaking Down a TV Show
Describe one of your favorite TV shows, characters, or episodes and why it resonates with you.
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Earth Day Meditation
Write a thoughtful essay about how you plan to make your lifestyle more sustainable for Earth Day.
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Changing Fates
A fairy godmother grants an individual’s deepest desire but with unintended, modern consequences.
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Migration Myth Busting
Identify a common myth or misconception about migration and provide data-backed evidence to challenge it.
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My Favorite Story
Write about a book or story that resonated with you personally and affected your thoughts or emotions.
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Letter to my favorite book character
Choose a favorite character from a book and write a letter to them expressing your thoughts, questions, or feelings.
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The Sealed Study
Create a plot where a renowned scientist is discovered dead in his study, the door locked from the inside.
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Opinions on Classics
Write about a classic piece of literature that you either strongly agree or disagree with.
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Dear Book Character
Write a letter to a character from a book you’ve read recently. You can ask questions or share your thoughts.
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Famed Inventions
Choose a significant invention from history and describe the process from concept to reality.
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Parallels within Myths and Miracles
Analyze the miracles attributed to St. Patrick and make parallels to biblical accounts.
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Subjects and Struggles
Write about a subject you find challenging in school and how you approach it.
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White Elephant Adventure
Write about an interactive version of the White Elephant gift exchange that involves a series of challenges or quests.
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Detective Diary
You’re a young detective tasked with solving a mystery. Detail the clues, your investigations, and how you eventually solve it.
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Reimagining Historical Events
Imagine conducting an interview with a famous woman from history at a pivotal moment in her life.
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A Bite Into The Future
Project your thoughts about how the future of food might look like in the next century.
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Journey to a Parallel World
Write about a journey you undertake into a parallel world, and describe the differences and similarities you find.
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If I Were The Principal
As a student, you have a unique perspective on how things are run in your school. Write an essay on what changes you would make if you were the principal of your school.
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The Artful Explorer
Imagine that you are an explorer visiting an alien planet, describe the art forms you encounter among the extraterrestrial population.
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Potential Pathfinder
If you could find a solution to any of the world’s problems, which one would you choose and how would you solve it?
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Historical Profile
Write an informative piece about a significant historical figure and their impact on society.
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Incorporating Prompts into Lessons
Write about how you would incorporate writing prompts into a week’s worth of lesson plans.
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The Significance of Research Skills
Write a persuasive essay stating why research skills are important for 8th graders.
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Spectacular Superhero Story
If you could have any superpower and become a superhero, what would your power be, and what adventures would you have?
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Book Reviewer
Choose a favorite book and write a review on it, discussing your favorite parts, characters, and what you learned from it.
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Exploring Future Careers
Write about a job you would like to have when you grow up and discuss what you would do and how your day would look like.
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Easter Adventure
Suppose you were shrunk down to the size of an Easter egg during an Easter egg hunt. Describe your adventure.
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Decoding Propaganda
Select a piece of historical propaganda and analyze its purpose, effectiveness, and ethical issues.
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Meeting Marco Polo
You have been given a chance to meet Marco Polo after his return from the Far East. What would you ask him and what tales would you want to hear about his adventures?
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Exploring Ancient Civilizations
Imagine you are an archaeologist uncovering an ancient lost civilization, what do you discover, and how does it rewrite what we know about history?
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Environmental Advocacy Essay
Write an argumentative essay choosing one environmental issue you feel passionately about.
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Recycle Rework Reinvent
Imagine your school has implemented incredibly strict recycling/zero waste measures, write about the changes you would see around you.
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Evaluating Factual Evidence
Consider a popular scientific theory, opinion or fact. Discuss the evidence supporting it and outline your own opinion on the matter.
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Decoding A Political Speech
Select a political speech/declaration that has significantly influenced your political perspective and dissect it.
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Personalize Grading
Describe a personal grading system you would create specifically for 7th grade writing prompts. What would it look like and why?
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Exploring Balance
Argue for the balance between content, creativity, and grammar in grading student writing.
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Mystery in the Classroom
Describe your day as a detective in school, solving a mystery with your classmates.
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Mapping Personal Progress
Write about a time where you set a goal and achieved it, recounting the steps you took along the way.
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Alien Invasion
Examine how the world might react to a peaceful visit from extra-terrestrial beings, using current world facts and scenarios.
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Unexpected Superpowers
Imagine waking up one day with a superpower of your choice, what would it be and how would you use it?
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My Own Magic Land
Create your own magical land ruled by you. Describe its landscape, inhabitants, and the set of special rules that govern this land.
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Blossoming Ideas
Describe a new idea or concept you have recently come across and how it has affected your perspective.
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Animal Council Meeting
Create a comic strip dialogue of a council meeting between animals as they discuss humans.
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New Year Resolutions
Write about New Year resolutions you’d like to adopt, modify from the past, or remove.
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Solar System Secrets
Create a hypothesis about why Pluto was demoted from being a planet and write a conclusion based on your research.
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A Letter to the Teacher
Write a letter to your new teacher introducing yourself and giving them three fun facts about you.
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Haunted School Mystery
You discover a long-hidden secret about your middle school – it’s haunted. Write a story about how you solve the mystery.