Some additional prompt ideas for the classroom

As a resource, here are the prompts from 2005-06. You are free to send in entries from Vermont students for these prompts; please note the prompt at the top of the entry and mark them as "general." We'll publish the best of them.

If you have ideas for future prompts, click here.

Iraq. It is a name that carries many meanings and emotions. When you hear about Iraq, what comes to mind? How has the conflict in Iraq affected you? Your family? Your friends? Tell a story about the impact of the conflict.

Scared. Write a story or poem about a time when you were very scared. Set the scene: Give the reader the details we need to understand and to be afraid as well. What happened? What did you learn or how did you get stronger as a result?

I ran through the woods... Tell a story or write a poem in which you use those words.

Advertising. We are bombarded with ads in newspapers, on the radio and television, even on the Internet. How does it affect you? How does it affect others? If you want, pick an advertisement that you find really annoying and talk about it. Or, conversely, write about an ad you really like. Why do you like it?

Drugs. What comes to mind when you hear that word? Tell a story or write a poem. Do you know someone who have abused drugs? Have you been pressured to use drugs? Have you seen other people take drugs? Have you used drugs? Write real. If you need to, we can give you a penname.

The future. What will your home town be like 50 years from now? Describe what it looks like. What remains? What is gone?

Time travel. If you were given the opportunity to go back in time, which time period would you want to visit? What would you be? Pick a character you would go back and meet — someone who really lived or a character in a book. Tell the story of meeting that person. What do you do together?

Homeless. Have you been homeless? Tell a story about it. Tell what happened, what you felt, how other young people treated you. For those young writers who have not been homeless, imagine what it would be like to be homeless. Then write a story or poem focusing on what happens when your classmates realize your situation: How does a friend, acquaintance react? What changes?

Sports. Tell a story about something that happened on the field or about a team or game.

Memories. Think of a memory that stands out. It may have been the first time you did something. Or something emotional — joyous or sad. Or just something that you remember clear as day. Tell a story about it. DEADLINE: March 15

Last day. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today? Tell a story about a moment in your last day. DEADLINE: March 22

Hair. Write the story of your hair.

Express yourself. Every day we're asked to express ourselves. How do you do it? How do you do it with parents? And teachers? How is it different with friends? Tell a story of how you expressed yourself when you felt strongly about something. Or when others were doing something you didn't want to do.

I'm sorry. Tell a story or write a poem in which you use that phrase.

Phrases. Li-Ho was a Chinese poet who traveled throughout the lands writing down phrases or words that he liked on scraps of paper. He kept the scraps in a plain bag, and at the end of his day he would take out the paper and formulate a poem. Using a paper bag, or any other small bag, collect thoughts, phrases and words that come to you throughout the day. At the end of the day, pull out all the scraps of paper and create a poem in which you use those words and phrases.

Invention. What one thing needs to be invented?

Friendship. Write about a moment in which someone you know and care about proved they were a friend. What did they do? How did they support you or what you believe?

Mentor. Write about someone who has made a change in your life. Who is this person? What did they do to help you? Tell a story.

Aging. Choose a topic or a specific thing that changes over time and write about your object/thing as it watches time go by; how does it age? It can be something that lives, or something inanimate, it's up to you.

Imagine. Flip though a newspaper or magazine and find a picture with several people that piques your interest; write a short story about what they are doing, who they are and where they are. (Keep the photo handy. If your piece is chosen, we'll want to publish it as well.)

Last line poem. Choose a poem you really like. Use the last line to begin a new poem of your own. DEADLINE: May 10

Unfair. Think of a rule at school or at home or in town that you think is unfair. Write about why you think it's unfair and what you would do to change it.

The day. List 10 things that happened to you today. Pick one and write about it. Tell a story. Use detail, dialogue, action.

Acceptance. Is it important to be accepted? Why? Tell a story about what you have done to be accepted.

Teen life. Are you a teenager? Write about your lives -- your successes, your worries, the struggles you face, the joys you achieve. Tell a story, write a poem, craft an essay, tell about a conversation, but tell the other generations something about what you see.