1151+ ‘History’ Writing Prompts
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Time-Traveling Train
You’re the conductor of a steam-powered locomotive that can travel through time.
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Comparative Cultures
Create a narrative that summates St. Patrick’s Day’s transformation from being a typically ‘Irish’ holiday to a global phenomenon.
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Leprechaun Origins
Write a fictional origin story for leprechauns, the legendary creatures of Irish folklore.
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Leprechaun Legends
Write a story about an ancient leprechaun’s costume, ranging from its creation, journey through history, and the magic it holds.
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The Ancient Shape-Shifter
Tell the story of an ancient shape-shifter who has witnessed thousands of years of history.
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Sports Spotlight
Choose a lesser-known sport and write a persuasive article on why it should be more popular.
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Rewrite History
Choose a historical event and reimagine it with a speculative element, such as alien intervention or time travel.
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Parallel Existence
Imagine that a mirror is a portal to an alternate dimension, document one day from both sides.
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Moon Landing Conspiracy
Construct an alternative history where the Moon landing was truly a hoax. What reasons and evidence would support this conspiracy theory?
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First Contact
Create a dialogue between a human astronaut and an alien life form meeting for the first time.
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Secrets in the Attic
While rummaging through the attic, your character stumbles across a series of letters exchanged between their grandparents during World War II.
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Retracing Happy Steps
Write about an accomplishment or happy moment that happened before your heartbreak.
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Cryptic Clues from a Brush with the Past
Write about a character who discovers a mysterious object related to an unresolved historical event.
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Vanishing Diary
Outline a mystery regarding an old diary found hidden in the town library that gradually disappears after being exposed to daylight.
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The Silent Auction
Write a suspenseful story about a series of strange events that begin to unfold in a small town after a mysterious artifact is put up for auction.
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Haunting of Honeysuckle Lane
Devise a tale centered around the oldest house in a small town, said to be haunted. What ingriguing or chilling tales does it hold?
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Ticket to the Past
Write a story where your main character finds a ticket one day that does more than just get them on a bus.
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Travel through Time
You’ve just hopped into a time machine. Describe your journey to a different era and how you adapt to a new (or old) way of life.
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Hidden Ruins
Write a story about an archaeologist stumbling upon an ancient civilization in a wholly unexpected location.
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The Perfect Copycat
Write a thriller story about a serial killer reenacting historical murders exactly.
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The Time Machine Discovery
Imagine you discovered a time machine in your backyard. Where would you go and what would you do?
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Local History Lesson
Write a report about a local historical event that took place near your school.
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Preserved in Salt
Imagine a cherished memory forever preserved like a fish in salt. Write a detailed exploration of this memory.
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Unexpected Love
Write a story where two individuals who have disliked each other for a long time realize they are in love.
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The Lighthouse Keeper’s Winter Lover
Conceptualize a tale about a lighthouse keeper finding a mysterious person washed ashore on a freezing winter day.
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Kaleidoscopic Time Traveler
Envision yourself as a time traveler who accidentally landed in a part of history you hadn’t studied yet.
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The Earth’s Biography
Compose a biographical narrative for Mother Earth from her earliest days till now.
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Piecing Together Zodiac
Write a crime story based on the Zodiac Killer that blends fiction with the unresolved aspects and ciphered messages.
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Saintly Swap
Write a story where St. Patrick swaps places with a different historical or legendary figure.
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The Companion of Time
Write a letter to yourself that speaks to your experiences from the past year.
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Ancestral Threads
Draft a narrative on the traditions in your family that have been passed down through the generations.
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Historical Perspective
Investigate the history and origins of Daylight Saving Time and reflect on its relevance in today’s world.
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A Moment in History
Choose a quote from a historical figure and reflect on its relevance to your present life.
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Delia’s Time-Traveling Dentures
Imagine a sweet old grandmother’s dentures have an uncanny ability to transport her to any place or time she fancies to chew on.
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Time-traveling Encounter
Write a story about going back in time to witness a historical event or meet a historical figure.
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Spice of Life
Share a story about a food experience that changed your perspective towards a certain cuisine or dish.
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The Language of Trees
If trees could talk, what would they say? Write a conversation between yourself and a tree.
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Rewriting History
Choose a significant event in history and write a detailed account of how it might have transpired differently.
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The Time Traveler’s Memoir
Write a travelogue detailing your experiences when you travel back in time to a particular era.
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Lost Civilization
Imagine a space exploration team stumbling upon an ancient alien civilization. However, this civilization is long lost, and only its ruins remain.
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Historical Heroes
Write a poem about a historical figure who inspires you, exploring why you find them inspiring.
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Historical Fiction: A Different Timeline
Choose an event in history you’d like to change and elaborate on how its altered timeline looks.
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Historical Investigation
Choose a historical event and write a detailed account of it from a modern standpoint.
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Lost Civilizations
Write about discovering an ancient, lost city.
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Famous Footsteps
Write a biographical sketch of a historical figure that has been an inspiration to you.
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Archimedes’ Principle
Write a story inspired by the discovery of Archimedes’ principle, which explains why objects float or sink.
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Survival in the Ice Apocalypse
Imagine a world where the coldest day in history never ends. How do you survive?
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The Immortal Poet
Write a piece from the perspective of Li Bai, a famous Tang Dynasty poet, expressing his marvel or despair over current events.
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The Jade Emperor’s Decree
Write a story about an order from the Jade Emperor during an ancient Chinese dynasty that changed the course of history.
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Time Machine Troubles
Facing a malfunctioning time machine, you are stuck in the prehistoric era. How would you navigate this new old world?
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A Day in the Shoes of Cleopatra
Write about a day in the life of Cleopatra, the legendary queen of Egypt.
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Creating Traditions
Reflect on a tradition in your family or community and why it is significant to you.
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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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The Forgotten Presidents
Write a story about one of the lesser-known presidents and events during their presidency.
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Historic Earthkeeper
Select a figure from history who has contributed significantly to the preservation of our planet. Write an appreciation post for their contributions.
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Presidential Plates
In honor of Presidents’ Day, research and write about a favorite meal of an American President.
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Ground Zero
Describe the Ground zero – the location where the apocalypse first began.
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Unprecedented Action
Consider a radical or unprecedented action taken by a president and its consequences.
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Revolution Rewritten
Picture a group of aliens that have successfully overthrown an oppressive regime and are now rewriting their cultural history.
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Perspective of Time
Choose a historical event and write a poem from the perspective of someone present during that period.
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Van Gogh’s Perspective
Suppose you are Vincent Van Gogh and write a poem describing what inspired you to paint ‘Starry Night’.
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Poetic Time Machine
Write a poem as though you’ve time-traveled to a notable historical era.