Post Ideas

  The following is a list of writing ideas curated from Teacher Gary Anderson on his blog. Feel free to use them as starting-points for ideas, but don't write as though you're "responding to a prompt."

• Tell about a number.
• If you could do whatever you wanted, what would you do right now?  
• Tell about candy.
• Tell how your hair has changed over time.
• What’s your subplot?
• What food or drink best represents your personality?
• How are you intelligent?
• Tell about trust. 
• Does your gender affect your learning?  
• Is justice the same as revenge?
• Begin with this —> Right now, I’m feeling … 
• Write a 26-sentence alphabet entry. The first sentence should begin with A, the second sentence with B, all the way through to the last sentence beginning with Z. 
• What else do you need?
• Tell about your stress.
• Tell about an argument. 
• Tell about your ideal college.
• Tell about something that starts with B. 
• Begin with this: I Am From …. 
• Tell what you think about at night.  
• Tell about a memorable meal.  
• Tell about the difference between passion and obsession.
• Tell about what you don’t understand.
• Tell about something someone (maybe you) said yesterday that is still relevant today.  
• Tell about a memorable car ride.  
• Tell about green. 
• Tell what “normal” means.  
• Tell how you knew it was over.  
• Tell about a work of art (painting, song, film, poem, etc.) that has meant something to you.  
• Tell about when you feel confident.  
• Tell about when you feel awkward.  
• Tell about a trait you probably inherited.
• Tell about the time you didn’t go.  
• Tell about when you’re most comfortable.  
• Tell about something that happened near water.  
• Tell about your favorite clothing item.  
• Begin with this —> I don’t remember …. 
• Begin with this —> I remember…
• What do you need to know?
• Tell about when you don’t want to be disturbed.
• Tell about something someone (maybe you) said yesterday that is still relevant today
• Tell about the games you like (or don’t like) to play
• Tell about something from your refrigerator.  
• Tell how to do something that you do really well. 
• Tell about what isn’t fair.
• Tell about entering a place you go frequently.
• Should we expect to be rewarded for doing the right thing?
• Tell about your luck.
• No words today. Just draw.
• What else do you need?
• Tell about a number.
• Tell about something you got for free.
• Tell about something from an animal’s point of view.
• Tell about leftovers.
• Tell about your perfect day of school.  
• Tell about when you were surprised.
• Tell about your favorite elementary school memory.
• Tell about something annoying.
• Tell about the last thing you bought.
• Tell about something that makes you laugh.
• Tell about something dangerous.
• What are you waiting for?
• Tell about the name you would choose for yourself.
• Tell about a change you would like to see in your school.
• Tell about what you’ve never been asked.
• Tell about a time you couldn’t see.
• Tell about something you’ve always wanted.
• Tell about something red (or read).
• Tell about something shady.
• Tell about your school supplies.
• Tell about a baby.
• Without complaining, tell why you felt (or feel) stuck.
• Write in praise of something not usually praised–fleas, garbage, mold, etc.
• Tell about a first meeting.
• Tell about something soft.
• Tell about something hot.
• What if you had wings?
• Tell about something sweet.
• Tell about an interesting non-English word or phrase.
• Tell about a person you see regularly but don’t really know.
• Tell what you wish more people knew about you.
• Tell about what surprised you.
• Tell about how you get your news.
• Tell about something that flames or burns.
• What worked for you?
• Tell about something that makes you happy.
• Tell about something cold.
• Tell about shoes.
• Tell about what you tried to fix.
• Some have suggested that a way to prevent school violence is for teachers to carry guns. Tell what you think about this idea.
• Tell about your music.
• Begin with this:  I’m glad my name isn’t …
• Tell about unfamiliar territory.
• Tell about something metallic.
• Tell about a favorite childhood toy.
• Tell about a piece of jewelry.
• Tell about your hands.
• What will you do differently next time?
• Tell about something you collect.
• Tell about wearing high heels or neckties.
• Tell about what doesn’t matter.
• Tell about one of your responsibilities.
• Tell what you would do if you were invisible for a day.
• Look through your journal. Tell about what you see in there.
• Tell about what makes a teacher effective or ineffective.
• Tell about something minor that turned major.
• Write the apology you should give, or receive.
• Begin with this: “I used to believe…”
• Do we get the lives we deserve?
• Begin with this:  No thank you. (from Natalie Goldberg)
• Tell about what you see in the mirror.
• Tell about a smell you encounter frequently.
• Begin with this:  What if…
• Tell what you like best about yourself.
• What do you have stored or saved?
• Begin with this:  I want to be ____ because _____.
• What did you recently realize?
• Tell about your favorite lie.
• Tell about your favorite picture of yourself.
• Tell about when you won.
• Make a list of all you’ve learned in the past week, in school and out.
• Tell how you want to live.
• Tell about an interesting family member.
• Tell about the best advice you have received (or given).
• Tell about something someone said yesterday that is still relevant today.
• Make a list of your strongly held beliefs.
• Tell about your favorite animal.
• Rewrite an ending.
• What is a current trend (fashion, music, media, technology, etc.) that you particularly like or dislike?
• Tell about yourself as a little kid. How are you still kind of the same? How are you different?
• Tell about something you earned.
• In one page, tell about your mother or father.
• Tell about one of your dreams.
• Tell about a class that should be offered at your school.
• Tell about being alone.
• Tell about the name you would choose for yourself.
• Tell about what you eat.
• Tell about your manners.
• Tell about the oldest person you have known.
• Who do you believe (or not believe)?
• Tell about how you motivate yourself?
• Tell the president/principal/governor/mayor how she’s/he’s doing.
• Choose one word for this year and tell about your choice.
• If you could make one rule that would be strictly enforced in the community around you, what would it be?
• Tell about someone important to you. Include all 5 senses. (from Kathryn Janicek)
• What is your FREMD acrostic–F is for …, R is for …, etc. (“Fremd” is our school.)
• Tell a true story involving a liquid other than water.
• Tell about Fridays.
• Tell about a disguise or costume you once wore (inspired by Natalie Goldberg).
• Begin with this:  I wish I had more time to …
• If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
• Tell about someone you’re glad you know.
• Tell about something you think is infinite.
• Tell what it would take for you to be more like _____.
• Do you consider yourself young? (inspired by Alyse Liebovich)
• Tell about what you choose.
• Tell about a promise.
• Begin with this: “Today I …” (inspired by Heidi Julavits’s The Folded Clock)
• Tell how you begin.
• Tell how to impress you.
• Tell where you turn for inspiration.
• What makes you happy?
• Tell about when you make a positive difference.
• Tell about fame.
• Begin with this: Home is …
• What are you looking forward to the most?
• Tell about what people take too seriously.
• Tell about the cast in the movie version of your life.
• Tell about something you do most days that is different from most students.
• Tell about a fresh start.
• Tell about how you are tested.
• Tell about being wrongly accused.
• Tell about a holiday you don’t completely understand.
• Who gets your sympathy?
• What are you getting better at?
• Play around with making one of your earlier journal entries into a poem.
• Tell about your state.
• Begin with this: I am your brain, and I …
• Tell why you might dig a hole.
• Tell what you think about grades.
• Where are you not allowed (or aloud)?
• Tell about what made this school year memorable.
• Tell about your class that is most relevant, interesting, important, or inspiring.
• Tell about not giving up.
• Tell about tattoos.
• Tell about one of the most useful things in your home.
• Tell about a word or phrase that people should use more (or less) often.
• Tell about staying in touch.
• Tell about someone who deserves your gratitude.
• How has this school year changed you?  How are you still the same?