creative writing prompts grade 8

88 Writing Prompts for 8th Grade

By the end of junior high, most students have grasped the basics of storytelling, essay writing, and poetry.

However, these skills still need to be practiced and strengthened in order to keep their writing fresh and exciting throughout high school—where they will learn even more skills that will carry them through college.

We’ve put together a list of prompts to keep your 8th graders interested in writing, searching their emotions, and analyzing topics.

Using This List

Your students are probably pretty disciplined writers by now, but they still need a little guidance. Use this list to help challenge their writing skills and take them out of their comfort zone.

The Prompts

Write about your favorite experience at school so far.
Tell the story of how you met your best friend.
Do you think social media increases or decreases bullying? Explain.
Write a news article about something that recently happened in your school or community.
What new extracurricular activity do you wish your school offered? Why?
Do you think you are a good listener? What makes a good listener?
Explain the plot of your favorite movie.
Do you see the glass as half-full or half-empty? Why?
Write an acrostic poem using your name.
What are you most looking forward to in high school? Why?
Do you think eSports are a viable career path? Explain.
What is the hardest thing about getting older? Why?
Is it more important to be well-read or well-traveled? Why?
Explain the difference between being wise and being smart. Use examples.
Are you a cat person or a dog person? Why?
What is your favorite song? Why?
What does feminism mean to you? Are you a feminist?
How do you feel about dog-earring or annotating your books? Why?
Explain the plot of your favorite video game.
Why is it essential to examine multiple points of view when forming an opinion?
Write a letter to a teacher or administrator who has impacted your life.
Where is your favorite place? Explain it in detail to someone who has never been there.
Do you think social media is helpful or harmful to teens? Explain.
What do you wish adults understood about teenagers?
Do you prefer watching TV or playing video games? Why?
Write the recipe and steps for creating your favorite meal.
Do you have any family traditions? Explain.
Choose a prominent athlete in history and write an essay about them.
Do you think society relies too much on technology? Why or why not?
Write about a time when you gave in to peer pressure.
Do you think the voting age should be lowered to 16? Why?
Write about a time you felt embarrassed.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
Are boys and girls treated equally?
Describe the movie you saw most recently.
If you could have dinner with any prominent figure in history, who would it be? What would you talk about?
Debunk or support a popular conspiracy theory.
Why is important that our media includes diverse characters, creators, and actors?
Imagine and describe, in detail, your dream home.
If you were granted three wishes—and you weren’t allowed to ask for more wishes—what would you wish for? Why?
Write a news article to accompany the headline, “Bears Seen Ransacking Ice Cream Truck”.
What are three things you can do to help the environment?
Some people say crying is a weakness. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Explain your favorite board game to someone who’s never played it before.
What do you think is the most important moment in US history? Why?
Explain the plot of your favorite book.
What is a job you’d like to have one day? Why does it appeal to you?
Describe your favorite children’s story.
Write a story that takes place at your favorite park.
Which season is your favorite? Why?
Explain the qualities of a good friend.
Describe your earliest memory.
If you could have one question answered, what would you ask? Why?
Write a letter to yourself five years from now.
Write a letter to yourself five years ago.
Write a letter to someone who inspires you.
Write about the day in the life of an animal from their perspective.
Write about your favorite song and why it’s important to you.
Describe what you would do if you witnessed an act of racism.
Write a story about an astronaut who finds dragons on Mars.
Explain three things you like to do when you’re bored.
If you could have any mythical creature as a pet, which would you pick? Why?
Write a description of the day from the point of view of your pet (or another animal if you have no pets).
What is your greatest fear? What can you do to overcome this fear?
Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken.
Why is it important for schools to offer free meals to all students?
Choose a random object and describe it in as much detail as possible. Don’t reveal it until the end.
Write an alternate ending to your favorite fairy tale.
Write a poem about your favorite food in the shape of this food (example: a triangle-shaped poem about a slice of pizza).
Choose a famous woman in science and write an essay about their accomplishments.
Compare and contrast the best and worst day of your life so far.
Describe the difference between a privilege and a right. Give examples of each.
Why is plagiarism a bad thing?
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Explain.
Write an essay about something you’re proud of and why.
Compare and contrast eBooks, physical books, and audiobooks. Which do you prefer?
Do you think your generation will change the world? How?
Do you believe people deserve second chances? Explain.
Should we continue to explore space, or should we focus more on exploring the oceans? Why?
What do you think is the most important technological advancement of the past century? Explain.
Should controversial topics be discussed in the classroom? Explain your reasoning.
In the novel The Giver, society decides to erase history and feelings, in order to create a simpler lifestyle. Explain the pros and cons of this decision.
Explain the most important thing you’ve learned from a family member.
Write about a time when you were surprised.
Do you think aliens exist? Explain.
How much time do you spend on your phone daily? What are some days you can reduce this amount of time?
Do you think homework is beneficial or detrimental to student success? Explain.

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8th Grade Writing Prompts: Reflection, Fictional, Opinion, Educational, And Letter Writing

February 6, 2024 // by Sean Kivi

Eighth grade is a massive year for our students! They are stressed and under pressure, as they move towards high school. We can reduce that stress through writing as long as the prompts are meaningful and engaging for our students. We compiled a list of 60 engaging prompts to get your students to write and think critically about the message they want to express. Let’s jump in!

Personal Reflection and Self-Expression

1. What new technology has developed in your lifetime, and how has it helped you?

2. Describe your favorite place to someone who has never been there. What can they do and see?

3. Do you think it is easier to be a boy or a girl? Why?

4. What is the most important piece of information that you can give to an adult?

5. Describe a food that someone has never eaten to them. How will it taste, smell and feel?

6. Describe the day of your proudest moment.

7. Describe your dream family vacation. Where would you go? Who would you go with? What would you do?

8. Write a recount of your earliest memory.

9. If you could live in any other country in the world, where would you live and why?

10. You are stuck on a desert island. What five items do you bring with you and why?

11. What are you allergic to, and how do you deal with this daily?

12. What do you do when you are sick?

13. Who is an admirable person or a famous person that you find inspiring? Write about who they are and why you are inspired by them.

Creative and Fictional Writing

14. Write a fictional story using the following opener: “There, on the hill, there was a figure. The figure was standing tall and straight as if waiting for someone, or something.”

15. Write contrasting character descriptions for two fictional characters. Remember to include physical appearance, personality, likes, dislikes, and anything else you think is relevant.

16. Pretend you are a soldier in the American Revolution. What would you do when you hear “The British are coming?”

17. Write a story informing elementary school kids of how to prepare for middle school.

18. If you were to make a YouTube channel, what would it be about and why?

19. Write a fictional story that is set in your hometown.

20. If you were Principal for the day what would you do?

21. If you were creating a sports team with your fellow students, what sport would you play, who would play what position, and why?

22. Write a character profile about one of your favorite television characters.

Opinion and Persuasive Writing

23. Should people be allowed to travel anywhere in the world without a passport? Why or why not?

24. Do you prefer to watch TV or read books? Why is this better?

25. Write a letter to the founding fathers making suggestions of reasonable changes to the constitution.

26. We are becoming too dependent on technology. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

27. Should children be allowed to vote in political elections, such as Presidential elections? Why or why not?

28. Should the wealthiest people in the world be made to give up some of their money to help those who are less well-off?

29. Are boys and girls treated equally?

30. The school board should ban junk food on school grounds/property. Why or why not?

31. Exams and tests should be banned in school. Why or why not?

32. Do eighth graders have the toughest time at school compared to every other grade? Why or why not?

33. Cell phones should be locked away at the start of the school day and only given back at the end. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

34. Should there be a limit on wealth or a maximum amount of money one person can have? Why or why not?

35. Does online bullying exist? Why or why not?

36. Do you think that free speech should not have consequences?

37. Do you think wearing a uniform to school benefits all students? Why or why not?

38. Sometimes people say boys should not cry. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

39. Write a letter to your principal convincing them to let you start a school club.

40. What does “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” mean, and where did it originate?

41. What is haggis, and would you eat it? Why or why not?

42. Write a response to this quote by Frida Kahlo “I don’t paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality”. What does she mean by this, and how can you do this?

Educational and Informative Writing

43. Write a news article outlining the dangers of global warming.

44. Think about your hobby and write an article explaining its benefits to someone who doesn’t know about it.

45. Describe a unique family tradition of yours to someone who is not in your family.

46. Why are writing skills important?

47. Do all states have the same laws? Why or why not?

48. Think about all of the plastic waste in the ocean. Write a solution essay for this problem.

49. Why is it important to conserve the rainforest?

50. What are 5 easy things we can do in our daily lives to look after our planet?

51. You are the writer for the local paper’s advice column. Answer this question a reader has sent in: “My daughter keeps ignoring the chores she needs to do after school and wants to play her Xbox instead. How do I get my daughter to do her chores? I don’t want to take her Xbox away but if she doesn’t start doing her chores, I’ll need to!”

Letters and Communication

52. Write a letter to a friend who has just lost a family member.

53. Write a letter to your grandma teaching her how to use an iPhone.

54. Write a letter to your favorite teacher in your school telling them why they are your favorite and what it is about them that you appreciate.

55. Think about how you could improve your school for yourself and for your fellow students. Write a letter to your school board with your ideas.

56. Write a letter to the seventh graders at your school offering them a piece of advice, telling them what they need to know and what they should do to be successful in the eighth grade next year.

57. Write a letter to yourself, to open on the first day of school next year.