226+ ‘Public’ Writing Prompts
-
Royal Dilemma
Create a narrative from the perspective of a royal figure forced to choose between joining India or Pakistan during the partition.
-
Unmasking Stigma
Describe how societal norms and misconceptions contribute to the stigma surrounding Bipolar Disorder.
-
UFO on the Christmas Eve
Invent a story where Santa and his reindeer are mistaken for an alien invasion on Christmas Eve.
-
Impact of Literature in Society
Write a research paper on a specific piece of literature and analyze its impact on contemporary or historical society.
-
Tales from the Subway
Develop a story depicting an exhilarating adventure on an ordinary ride in a metropolitan subway.
-
Celebrity Chase
Craft an adventure story where an everyday person has to follow a secretive city-dwelling celebrity for a day.
-
The Herald
Write a news article covering the events of the original Patriot’s Day as if you were a journalist in that era.
-
Decoding Propaganda
Select a piece of historical propaganda and analyze its purpose, effectiveness, and ethical issues.
-
The Propagation of Earth Day
Write about the origination of Earth Day and how it has evolved over the years.
-
Snapshots of the Civil War
Write from the perspective of a war photographer during the American Civil War.
-
Marie Antoinette’s Dessert Disaster
Write a story of Marie Antoinette’s infamous quote, “Let them eat cake,” triggering a comically catastrophic cake-eating contest.
-
The Virtuoso Violin
Write a suspense-filled narrative about an infamous thief who emerges from retirement to steal a legendary violin that only comes into public view once every decade.
-
Decoding A Political Speech
Select a political speech/declaration that has significantly influenced your political perspective and dissect it.
-
The Unwanted Gift
Imagine a scenario where a character receives a gift they deeply dislike but pretend to love it to not hurt the giver’s feelings.
-
Vanished Without a Trace
Create a scenario where a well-known public figure disappears under mysterious circumstances.
-
Photograph in the Wrong Hands
Craft a story where a harmless photograph gets a character framed for a crime.
-
Ensnared in Conspiracy
Develop a narrative where a young, naive character is unknowingly framed for a complex conspiracy plot.
-
Costumes & Controversy
Create a story about a female superhero who’s not afraid to break the stereotype and what it means for her public image.
-
The Gravity of Leadership
Write about a female superhero thrust into a national leadership role unexpectedly.
-
Spellbound Society
Write a story based around a secret society of witches and wizards who live among us, unbeknownst to the public.
-
Trip to the Grocery Store
Recount a recent visit to your local grocery store or market—what did you see, hear or smell?
-
Analyzing Celebrity Influence
Write about a celebrity who had a significant influence on you during your sixth-grade year.
-
Commoners and Gods
Explore a faction’s relationship with ordinary citizens, dwelling on the societal implications, public opinion, and the heroes’ perspectives.
-
Role Model Reverie
Write about a person who has greatly influenced you and how they’ve shaped your perspective.
-
The Masks We Wear
Create a narrative where a character consciously switches between different ‘faces’ for different situations.
-
Legislative Landscape Review
Write about how recent legislative changes affect the political climate.
-
The Impact of Fake News
Discuss the ethics behind ‘fake news’ and form an opinion on its impact on the society.
-
The Ripples of Influence
Explore a situation where superheroes use their powers to manipulate world events to their own liking.
-
Transformative Disguise
A spy must assume the identity of an internationally renowned celebrity to retrieve top confidential information. How does the fame and exposure hinder or facilitate their mission?
-
Enigmatic Letter
Write a story in which a stranger drops a letter in a public place and your character picks it up.
-
Phantom Stars: The Lost Galaxy
The disappearance of an entire galaxy has scientists, civilians, and governments puzzled.
-
Sustainable Traveler
Ponder upon and write about how you would make your dream vacation in 2021 more sustainable.
-
Species on the Brink
Write a letter to a public representative advocating for the protection of an endangered species of your choice.
-
Performance Day
Write about your feelings and experiences before, during and after a big school event, such as your first performance.
-
School Uniform Controversy
Debate whether or not school uniforms should be required in public schools.
-
Autism Acceptance in April
April is Autism Acceptance month. Write an essay from the perspective of an individual diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
-
Dissecting Rhetorical Devices
Choose a speech by a renowned public speaker and analyze their use of rhetorical devices.
-
Hidden Agenda
Create a character who, on the surface, has a normal job but secretly works as a corporate spy.
-
Gratitude Graffiti
Write about a public place or a natural setting you’re thankful for and express why it’s important to you.
-
Voice from the Crowd
Describe your involvement in a significant event or movement and the impact it had on you.
-
Hard-Hitting Interview
Write an intense dialogue between a relentless journalist and a guarded, high-profile individual.
-
Shadows in the Spotlight
Craft a story about a successful performer wrestling with a deeply held secret.
-
Quest For Power
Create a villainous character who wishes to seize power, but must appear heroic to win the public’s support.
-
The Unwanted Suitor
Write an antagonist who is seemingly the perfect partner: charming, rich, attractive, but with a darker side.
-
The Cured Apocalypse
Write about a zombie apocalypse where a cure has been found, but the cured individuals remember everything.
-
Ghost Village
Spin a suspenseful story set in an empty village where the inhabitants mysteriously vanished overnight.
-
The Unseen Healer
Build a character with a power they cannot control: whenever they touch someone, they heal all their physical ailments.
-
The Power of Misinformation
Explore the role of misinformation during different phases of the pandemic.
-
Global Health Response
Describe your perspective on how international health organizations have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
5. The Ghost Whisperer’s Blooper Reel
Picture a renowned “ghost whisperer” who attracts an audience for all the wrong reasons—the ghosts they “banish” simply can’t resist pulling pranks and cracking jokes.
-
Eras of Yore
Choose an era in history and create a fictional autobiography of someone living during that period.
-
Biodiversity Balance
Analyze how Earth Day raises awareness about the importance of biodiversity and its impact on our ecosystem.
-
An Alter-Ego Unveiled
Craft a story around the idea that a member of Team Rocket lives a secret double life that no one knows about.
-
Public Specter Display
Imagine a scenario where a poltergeist haunts a public space like a library, museum, or town hall.
-
Marilyn’s Ghostly Monologue
Imagine Marilyn Monroe’s ghost delivering a monologue in modern Hollywood, reflecting on her fame, her life, her death, and how she’s remembered.
-
Spectral Scribe
Imagine you’re a ghost writer for a deceased celebrity or public figure. Write a memoir as if it is coming from their perspective.
-
The Ghostwriter’s Secret
Imagine you are a ghostwriter who discovers a hidden secret about your subject, a scandal that could potentially change the public’s view on them entirely. Now speculate on your course of action.
-
Midnight Memoirs
Envision you are a ghostwriter hired to pen the autobiography of a controversial public figure. Detail your thoughts, moral dilemmas and outsider’s perspective.
-
The Unseen Ghostwriter
Write a story from the perspective of a ghostwriter for a famous opinion column, who witnesses the public’s reaction to their anonymous contributions.
-
Tragic Triumph
Write a fanfic where a superhero fails to save the day and explore how they handle defeat.
-
Double Life Dilemma
Write a plot about a character who leads a double life, one that their family and friends know nothing about.
-
Champion Ascendant
Describe the moment your character became the Champion of Kirkwall, their thoughts, feelings, and the immediate aftermath.
-
Gender Roles Within The Qun
Write about the gender-based roles within Qunari society, and how it contradicts or aligns with the character’s personal beliefs.
-
Nexus of Identities
Juxtapose the personal, hidden identity of your anime characters with their heroic public personas.
-
The Portal Library
Envision a story where a public library secretly acts as a portal to different realities or dimensions.
-
Memoirs of a Geisha
Write from the perspective of a geisha in the 19th century, exploring her life, aspirations, and challenges.
-
Specter’s Wrath
Narrate the tale of a once-treasured hero turned vengeful ghost who returns to exact revenge on the kingdom that betrayed him.
-
Celebrating Personal Accomplishments
Write about three personal achievements that brought you immense happiness.
-
My Hero
Write about a role model or someone you admire and the qualities that make them a benchmark for you.
-
The Impact of People
Consider the top 5 influential people in your life, write about why they’re influential and what qualities you admire in them.
-
Ladder of Courage
Chronicle your transformation towards being courageous by writing about a series of actions you could take to overcome your fear.
-
Public Face, Private Suffering
Reflect on how ‘masking’ depression in a professional setting affects your overall mental health.
-
Breaking Down Stigmas
Imagine you’ve organized a public talk aimed at breaking down stigmas around depression and suicide – write the speech you would deliver.
-
The Invisible Weight
Describe what living with depression feels like and how this reality often clashes with public perception.