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2011-2012 Newspaper prompts
Here is a prompt update for the coming 2011-2012 school year! By no means are these the final selections yet. Feel free to give us feedback and/or suggest other ideas. The search is still on!
1) Sounds of Fall or Winter: write a poem or other genre of writing that focuses on the sounds you hear during Fall or Winter
2) Memorable First: Write about the first time you tried something new, whether it be a food, sport, or anything else that stands out in your memory.
3) Rhyming Poetry: Submit your best rhyming poetry
4) Non-Rhyming Poetry: Submit your best non-rhyming poetry
5) Line of Dialogue: Write one line of dialogue each for two characters that can tell a whole story, or capture the attention of the reader.
6) Grind your Gears: What do you find really annoying or bothersome? Technology that doesn’t work how it should; certain people’s idiosyncrasies, etc.
7) Slam Poem: Submit your best slam poem. Finalists will have theirs recorded and published on vpr.net
8) Before the Bell: Write about those last few moments before the bell rings at the end of the school day. How do you feel? What do you do, or see others doing? Make it dramatic and compelling.
9) Begin or end a tale with “Close your eyes...”
10) What is at the end of the rainbow?
11) Green: Write about the color green
12) If you could spend one day with a favorite character from a book, who would it be? What would you do?
13) Off Road: Write about what you do to get away from civilization, or to be free.
14) Write about that moment just before the game starts, test begins, etc.
15) “In 10 years I...”
16) What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
17) What is your favorite weather? Describe it as if you were in it right now.
18) Adrenaline rush: What action sports, outdoor activities or other things do you do to get that rush of adrenaline?
19) Photo prompts
20) Plugged In: An extraordinary and ever-growing amount of our time is spent on the Internet or various electronic devices. How does this affect our lives, minds, and relationships?
21) Writing on Writing: Write about the process of writing; it’s challenges, high points, low points, and opportunities for triumph.
22) Habits: What is a good or bad habit that you have
23) Teachings: The times we learn the most from people are sometimes not in the classroom. Who has taught you about life over the years?
24) Driving: Write about how you feel on the open road, either as a passenger or driver. Or, write about crazy things you have seen on the road.
25) Basement Door: You’re all alone in your house, and you hear the basement door creak open...
26) Song: What song is special to you and why?
27) Your Photo: Take your own photograph and write about it. Or, draw, paint, or create something and write about it. Include the photograph in your blog.
28) I Swear: “I swear, I was going to get there on time when all of the sudden...”
29) Under the Bed: You take a peek under your bed... what do you see?
30) Risks: Write a story about a big risk that you took. Was it worth it?
31) Your Town: What do you like or dislike about your town? What would you like to change? What makes it special?
32) Write a story that takes place in the car during a long road trip.
33) Cyber Bullying: How does cyber bullying affect you or the people you know? Does it occur at your school? What should be done about it?
34) Comfort: Who do you go to when you need comfort? Or, what item have you held onto through the years that makes you feel just a little safer?
35) Holiday: Write a story about your favorite holiday. Use a real event, or make something interesting up.
36) Dog Walking: You’re walking your dog when suddenly he senses something in the woods and pulls you into the trees. Write the story of what happens next.
37) Alternate Ending: Write a different ending for your favorite story, book, or television show. Include details so that it is clear what story you’re writing an ending for, and take on the writing style of the author.
38) Dreams: Write about the craziest dream you’ve ever had. Include lots of details. Feel free to make some up if you can’t remember!
39) Smells: Write about your favorite smell, or the one that you hate the most. What smell brings back a lot of memories for you?
40) Pet Talk: You’re sitting with your pet, and suddenly he/she begins talking to you. What does your pet have to say?
41) School: What do you like learning about? What appeals to you about school?
42) Supply: If you could have a never-ending supply of one item, what would it be?
43) Accessory: What is the one accessory you can’t get through the day without? Whether it be a favorite pen, or your sunglasses, describe it in detail and tell us why it is important to you.
44) Anywhere: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Write a story about how you get there and what you do, or describe the place in rich detail, or write a poem about why the place is so special.
45) Unicorn Horn: While walking through the woods, you find a unicorn horn on the ground. What does it do? Why is it there? Tell a vivid story.
46) If you had the power to solve one problem in your town, or the state of Vermont, or even the United States, what would it be?
47) Have you ever met someone and felt to your core that you know this person – from another time, another life? Describe the experience.
48) Mistakes. We all make them. What did you learn from your biggest mistake?
49) Your family attends a family reunion. Describe the anticipation, the event, the people, the ups and downs of that much family in one place at one time.
50) “It was my first day at a new school and ….”
51) “There was something strange about our new teacher, Mr. Smith…”
52) “The most embarrassing moment of my life happened when…”
53) The fair. Describe the scents, the food, the people, the rides, the colors and sounds.
54) Public speaking. Everyone experiences it, but you feel so alone. What’s it like to get up in front of the class and present? Write about any funny, frightening or revealing moments you’ve had in the spotlight.
55) Lottery winning. Against the odds, you win big on just one lottery ticket stuffed in your Christmas stocking. What will you do with the money? How will your life change? Or do you want it to stay the same?
56) Complete the thought, “I feel alive when…” in two paragraphs.
57) “I met Emily Bronte walking in the graveyard near her house …”
58) Singing in a choir. Describe the sound and emotion of adding your voice to the group.
59) Betrayal. What’s it like to suddenly realize that someone you trusted has done you wrong? How do you react? What do you do?
60) “Last summer, my parents sent me to spend a month on my Uncle Fred’s farm in Vermont…”
61) One wish. If you had just one, what would it be?
62) “The best day of my life was…”
63) Saying goodbye. Provide the context. Set the scene. Help the reader understand why this is so difficult.
64) An extraordinary person. Write about someone who has deeply influenced you, whether it be a person close to you or someone you’ve never met.
65) You come upon an injured wild animal in the woods. What do you do? What does the animal do?
66) Write a conversation overheard in the elevator or on the commuter train in a large city.
67) Fishbowl. When you look in, the fish is looking out. What does he see and think?
68) A perfect day. Any season; all or part of the day.
69) Abandoned house. Covered in vines and cobwebs, this old house once sheltered a family. Who were they? Where did they go? How does the house look now, compared to then?
Thanks for all your help so far!
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Yippee!
I like these a lot. Plus you used a bunch of mine!
The Emily Bronte one made me laugh.
-LN
I'm not trying to ruin anybody's life. Sometimes I'm just really, really bad at doing people favors.
Suggestions
a poem based on a song of the writer's choice.
sidewalks
crowds
streetlamps: a story/poem involving one or several in setting/main idea
childhood stories
what music means to you or someone around you
accents do you one or know people who do...a story surround that.
the strangest/scariest/saddest place you've ever been
Just some random suggestions...I like whats up so far.
-Nyx