169+ ‘Skill’ Writing Prompts
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Unconventional Hero
Write a fairy tale featuring an unlikely protagonist who triumphs through unexpected means.
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The Power of Apology
Describe a situation where you had to apologize for something you’ve done wrong. How did saying sorry make you feel, and how did it resolve the situation?
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The Joy of Firsts
Reflect on an achievement that was a “first” for you, such as winning a competition for the first time or mastering a new skill.
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Mapping Future Goals
Write about a big goal you wish to achieve within the next year and what steps you plan to take to reach this.
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The Art of Interviewing
Every journalist requires the skill of insightful interviewing. Write about few individuals you would like to interview, what questions you would ask, and why.
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Descend with the Leviathan
Construct a tale about a character who has the power to communicate with legendary sea creatures, and how this ability is utilized during a crisis.
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Pizza Parlor Fractions
Picture you own a pizza parlor, and each pizza can be divided into unusual fractions. Write about an order you receive, and how you divide the pizza.
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The Perfect Pet
Describe your ideal pet, real or imaginary, and the fun adventures you would have together.
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Holiday Wish Lists
Write about what you want for Christmas this year, and the reasons behind your choices.
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Miracle on the Ski Slopes
Write as though you have just pulled off a miraculous ski maneuver that everyone believed was impossible.
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Unexpected Resolutions
Write about a surprising resolution that you’ve decided to undertake this year.
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Blood Transfusion
Your vampire protagonist develops an intriguing skill – their bite can heal instead of turning humans.
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Journey to the Center of Your Strength
Write about a time when you had to tap into an unknown strength or skill to overcome a challenge.
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The Beast’s Beautician
Write a story about a beautician who tames a ferocious beast and helps him regain his human form.
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A Letter to the Editor
Imagine that a newspaper has published an article with which you strongly disagree. Write a letter to the editor expressing your opinion.
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Poetry Power
Write a poem based on a strong emotion you have experienced, using vivid imagery and metaphors.
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Unpicking Precedents
Choose a landmark legal case that set a significant precedent and explain how your approach would have differed.
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The Lost Hunter
Create a narrative about a zombie exterminator who loses their memory but retains their hunting instincts.
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Balance Beam
Write about a time when you had to juggle multiple activities and how you managed your time.
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The Virtue of Patience
Recall a moment when you had to practice patience, even when it was challenging. Discuss how it impacted the situation and what lessons it imparted.
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Empathy Exploration
Imagine you’re in someone else’s shoes who complained about a situation you initially didn’t understand. Detail how observing things from their point of view changed your perspective.
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Memory Makers
Consider a moment in your life where writing has directly led to a particular success or realization. Relate that to your life in middle school.
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The Future of Literacy Skills
Imagine how improved literacy skills through prompt writing can benefit your future.
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Decoding Patterns
Explain how you recognized a pattern in your day-to-day life and what it means to you.
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Unwanted Lottery
Describe a situation where your protagonist survived because of sheer luck, while others perished.
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Academic Goal Setting
Identify the academic goals that you want to achieve in the near future or upcoming semester. Write about plans and strategies to achieve these goals.
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Blossoming Skills
Select a skill you’ve recently acquired and explain why it’s important to your personal development.
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Pillars of Support
Write about a person who has been instrumental in your personal or professional life.
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Imagine Empathy
Create a story centered around an imaginary friend who’s going through a tough time.
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The Ice-Cream Eating Dragon
Write a story about a dragon who loves ice-cream. What type of Ice-cream does he like? What happens when he can’t get it?
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The Elephant Whisperer
Write a story about a character with the unique ability to communicate with elephants and how this skill comes to play during a wildlife safari adventure.
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A Fairy Princess in the Human World
How would a fairy princess react if she found herself suddenly transported to the human world?
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End of Days Heroes
Create a band of survivors, each with unique skill sets, who navigate the treacherous, post-apocalyptic world.
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Mastering New Skills
Describe a new skill that was challenging to learn when you first started kindergarten.
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Inversion Inspiration
Instead of identifying something to change or achieve, write about habits or traits you appreciate about yourself and resolve to maintain.
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The Skills Time Capsule
Write a letter to your future-self partway through the year, discussing the skill you’re working on, your current progress, and your hopes.
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From Novice to Master
Choose a skill you’ve always wanted to master, and write a narrative imagining how the future-you, having mastered that skill, lives their life.
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Skillful Reflection
Looking back over the past year, write about a skill you’ve learned and how it has changed you.
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Unleashing the Hidden Artist
Write about how developing a new creative hobby or skill has affected your views on creativity.
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Unexpected Discoveries
Write about a skill you’ve developed over the year you didn’t even know you were interested in.
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Looking Back and Moving Forward
Write about the moment you realized you’ve developed a significant new skill.
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Chords of Courage
Write a story about a character learning to play a traditional Irish instrument, like the bodhrán, fiddle or pipes.
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Titan of the Seas
Write a story about a recently retired S.W.A.T. officer who witnesses a murder on the world’s largest cruise ship, and takes matters into his own hands.
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Epic Battle Of The Office
Imagine two office colleagues, each claiming to be the best teapot pourer, engaging in an epic mock-heroic battle to settle the dispute.
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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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Journey of a Pizza
Write up a report explaining the process of making a pizza from scratch to table.
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Ghostly Whispers
In this story, a psychic detective has a unique skill – the ability to communicate with ghosts.
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“First-Time Adventures”
Describe a first-time experience or adventure you have had such as your first day of school, first pet, or first trip to the sea.
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Special Child Skills
Think about a skill or talent you had as a child that you no longer possess or utilize. Why did you stop? How have you changed since you ceased this activity?
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Journey to Adulthood
Write a story about a young prodigy who must leave their comfort zone to meet a great challenge.
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Inspiring the Pencil
Write about a book or author that made you realize the impact writing can have.
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Survival of the Clumsiest
What if the most clumsy and uncoordinated people were the only survivors of an apocalypse because of their unexpected attributes?
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Creating a Routine
Write about why having a routine for writing can help you use journal prompts more effectively.
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Hidden Legacy
Unearth a hidden artifact that reveals a shocking secret about a famous historical figure.
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Unlocking Inner Resilience
Identify a personal trait, skill, or resource that you discovered or sharpened this year to overcome a tough situation.
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Crystal Memories
Write about a character who enjoys ice sculpting but one day, a sculpture tells them a story.
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April Childhood Memories
Reflect on a specific childhood memory that occurred in April, detailing the events and your feelings.
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Rise Through The Ranks
Tell the journey of an individual from the lower echelons of the Galactic Empire rising to a high position.
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Crafting a Fictional City
Construct a brand-new city from scratch, considering its culture, geography, architecture, and society.
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The Super-Power within Family
Imagine if your family collectively had a superpower, what would it be? How would it be used?
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The Princess’s Perspective
Write a story from the viewpoint of a princess waiting for her prince to rescue her. What does she do while she waits?
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The Day of Decision
Narrate a time when you had to make a difficult decision and the outcomes of that choice.
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My Hidden Superpower
Write about a skill or trait that you have, that others might not immediately recognize.
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Empathy in Action
Write about a time you felt empathy for someone else. How did it change your actions?
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Awakening New Force
Write about your character discovering a new aspect to their force abilities just before they exit for a new galaxy.
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The Learning Curve
Write about a time you struggled to learn something new and discuss how you eventually overcame that challenge.
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Deep Dive Operation
Craft a story where an underwater archaeologist turns spy after discovering military secrets in an ancient sunken ship.
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Highlighting Hidden Talents
Write about a distinctive skill or hobby you had during your childhood that makes you unique.
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Interstellar Dogfights
Put your readers in the pilot seat by diving into the chaos and thrill of a space dogfight.
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A Snapshot of a Life
Write a brief description of a character based only on the contents of their backpack or purse.
