1151+ ‘History’ Writing Prompts
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The Mystery of the Abandoned Mansion
Imagine a never-before-entered mansion that holds the key to an unsolved murder.
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Hidden City under the Sea
Your protagonist finds a sophisticated yet uncannily advanced city submerged deep in the ocean.
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Origins of Valentine’s Day
Write about how Valentine’s Day began, the history behind it, and the symbolism of its main elements.
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Villain’s Motive Mystery
Write about your villain’s motivations, describing their history and influences.
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The Birth of Villainy
Draft a backstory for a villain, describing the series of events that led to their transformation.
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Time Travel Tales
Create a story about a time machine that allows you to travel anywhere in history.
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Lost Family Heirloom
Create a thrilling quest of a young adult searching for a long-lost family heirloom that holds a significant secret.
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Time Travel Daylight
Imagine waking up on the day of daylight saving time change and finding out you’ve traveled to a different era.
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Historical Time Traveller
If you could go back in time to any historical epoch during your 7th grade history lessons, which would it be and why?
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Forgotten Artifacts
Write about an archaeologist finding a strange artifact underneath a layer of frost and snow.
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Buried Civilizations
Imagine a civilization buried under the snow for thousands of years and detail its discovery.
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Lost and Found Heirlooms
Imagine you find out that you are the last descendant of a forgotten noble family and are told of a hidden family treasure.
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Treasure-filled Basement
Write about discovering an object of extraordinary value in the basement of an old, decrepit house.
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Unveiling a Family Secret
Write a story about a character who, after their grandparent’s death, discovers a shocking family secret tucked away in the attic.
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Cultural Cuisine Exploration
Describe a food or dish from another culture that you’d like to try and why.
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Historical Reimagining
Write a piece of fiction incorporating a significant historical event, but with a twist of your imagination.
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Echoes of the Past
Write a contemporary story where a protagonist discovers their lineage linked to the Trail of Tears.
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Traveling Back to the Past
If you could travel back in time, where in history would you go, who would you meet, and what would you do?
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Quest for the Lost City
You are an adventurer on a journey to uncover a lost ancient civilization. Write about what you find and how it changes your understanding of history.
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A Way Back Into Time
Imagine your character has the ability to travel back in time to a period and place, where and when will that be and why.
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Time-Travel Tourist
You’ve invented a time machine and can travel to any period or location in history for a day. Write about what you see, do, learn, and experience.
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Global Culture Perspectives
Write an essay about a country you’ve never visited but would like to, based on the aspects of that culture that appeal to you the most.
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Dream Destination
Describe your ‘dream’ travel destination for the following year and explain why you chose this location.
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Cuisine Chronicles
Write an opinion piece on how experiencing different cuisines during your travels has influenced your perception of food.
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Family Evolution
Write about the transitions and transformations your family has undergone through different generations.
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Forgotten Dreidels
Describe finding an old Dreidel, but in your story, make this simple object tell a compelling tale.
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Stoke the Curiosity Fire
Delve into areas of interest or obsessions and explore how they can provide substantial writing prompts.
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Remnants of a Ruthless Regime
Write a character who used to be a part of a terrifying dystopian government and still bears scars, both physical and emotional, from that time.
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Chrono-Apparition
Think of a story where a group of ghost friends go on time-traveling adventures to witness history’s greatest mysteries unfold.
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The Archivist
A super-powered historian travels through time, chronicling the unrecorded lives of ordinary people.
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Unscheduled Stop
Write a story in which a time traveler accidentally ends up in a historical event that they did not plan to witness.
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Accentuate the Positive
Write about a time-traveller who uses his power to spread positivity by preventing negative events from happening in the past.
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Stepping Into Famous Shoes
You’ve just time-traveled and wake up as a famous figure from the past. Who are you and what could your average day look like?
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Reshape History
You are offered an opportunity to witness a historical event firsthand. What event would it be and why?
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Wild, Wild West
Imagine being sent back to the era of Cowboys and Wild West. Create an exciting narrative involving wild cons, towering saloons, and cowboy adventures.
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Past Lives, Future Adventures
Write a story where you wake up 100 years in the past. How do you adjust to life without modern technology?
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Journeying through Eras
Your protagonist has a time machine that can take him to any point in history. Where does he go and what does he do?
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Epochal Time Travel
Describe a chase scene across different periods of history as both the protagonist and antagonist can time travel.
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The Lone Island
Stuck on a deserted island, your character comes across traces of inhabitance. Develop a story revealing the chilling history behind this solitude.
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Time-Travelling Explorer
Imagine if you had a time machine; what era or historical event would you like to witness? Write about your time-traveling adventure.
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The Harvest Angle
Write about the historical and cultural significance of harvest time, especially as it relates to November.
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Legend of the Lost Kingdom
Write about a forgotten fairy tale kingdom that’s slowly being rediscovered.
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Embellishing The Hearth
Describe a specific holiday decoration in your home in December and explore how it adds to the warmth of your home.
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Last Supper Reflections
Imagine being a guest at the Last Supper. Write about the emotions, conversations, and atmosphere at the table.
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The Making of a Sidekick
Write about the moment your superhero’s sidekick decides to join the fight for justice.
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Fashioned from History
Design a costume for your superhero that is closely tied with their historical or cultural heritage.
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Hidden Kingdoms
Write about a secret royal lineage hidden within a seemingly ordinary family. How is this extraordinary truth revealed?
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The Origin of the Flash
Write a fictional historical account of how flash fiction was first conceived.
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Renaissance Art Visionary
Imagine you are an unknown artist during the Renaissance and you create a masterpiece overlooked by everyone.
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Artifact from Another Era
Describe a day in the life of a character who stumbles upon an artifact from a bygone era.
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Christmas Time Machine
Imagine you have a time machine and you can spend the Christmas day at any point in history.
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Gift From Santa’s Sack
Describe a gift you received from Santa Claus as a child that still holds a significant place in your heart. What does this present symbolize to you now?
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Ancestral Reflections
Imagine you are a 4th generation Irish-American, tracing your roots back to Ireland.
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Piecing Together History
Imagine life in a world where writing didn’t exist. How would information be passed, shared, or remembered? Reflect on the importance of writing in these aspects.
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Unknown Horizons
You’re an explorer setting sail for unknown lands. Detail your fears, anticipations, and experiences.
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Essence of an Era
Choose a historical event or period you find engaging. Write a flash fiction piece that captures its essence within just a few hundred words.
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Journey Through Time
Imagine navigating various epochs of human history with the aid of a time machine.
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Spinning a Toast Tale
Imagine being tasked with giving a toast at an iconic St. Patrick’s Day parade or event. What would you say?
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Missing Pieces
Write a story where the main character is in possession of a mysterious object, the significance of which is revealed as the story unfolds.
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Family Gathering Dynamics
Describe a Thanksgiving dinner where each family member represents a different aspect of the holiday.
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The Thanksgiving Matriarch
Think of a beloved family matriarch present at your Thanksgiving family reunion and describe their role in your family.
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Grateful for Family Traditions
Write about a cherished family tradition and why you are thankful for it.
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Time Travel by Virtual Reality
Imagine using a virtual reality headset that can transport you to any moment in history. Which period would you choose to go to and why?
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Building a Fantasy World
Design a fantasy world from scratch, detailing its geography, history, and inhabitants.
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Trapped in History
Describe the experience of a character who finds themselves stuck in a significant historical event.
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The Abandoned Asylum Writing Prompt
Write a chilling tale of spending the night in an abandoned asylum, exploring its dark secrets.
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Haunted House Mystery
Imagine moving into a new house only to realize it is haunted. Create the backstory of the house and its spectral inhabitants.
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SteamPunk Sentinel
Visualize a superhero during the Victorian Era, exploring the intersections of advanced technology, society, and morality.
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The Ancient Warlord
Imagine a superhero in ancient Rome battling against the dictatorship of a despotic Emperor.
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Design a Superhero Headquarters
Write about the design of your superhero headquarters, including its location, secret features, and defenses.
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Timeless Temple
Create an ancient, mystical base for a superhero who draws power from history and legends.
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Alternate Outcomes
Imagine a historical event where the outcomes were influenced by superheroes from different universes unexpectedly crossing paths.