Writing Prompts

Below are a number of writing prompts using various literary devices to help get those creative juices flowing.

• Write a short story using the literary device of foreshadowing to build suspense and tension throughout the narrative.
• Create a poem that uses alliteration to emphasize certain sounds or ideas. For example, use the repetition of “s” sounds to evoke a sense of serenity or use “b” sounds to convey a sense of aggression or tension.
• Write a dialogue between two characters that uses irony to highlight the difference between what is being said and what is meant. For example, one character might say something sarcastic or hypocritical while the other character takes it at face value.
• Write a descriptive paragraph that uses metaphor to create vivid imagery. For example, describe a sunset as “a fiery ball of gold sinking into the ocean.”
• Create a short story that uses the literary device of flashback to reveal important information about the protagonist’s past and how it has shaped their present.
• Write a persuasive essay that uses rhetorical questions to engage the reader and make them consider your argument. For example, “If we don’t take action now, when will we?”
• Write a character study that uses characterization to reveal the personality, motivations, and traits of a protagonist or antagonist. For example, describe the physical appearance, behaviors, and internal thoughts of a character to create a full picture of their personality.
• Create a short story that uses symbolism to represent a deeper meaning or theme. For example, use a white rose to symbolize purity or a black crow to symbolize death.
• Write a descriptive paragraph that uses personification to give human qualities to non-human objects or concepts. For example, describe a thunderstorm as “angry” or a book as “patient.”
• Create a poem that uses imagery to evoke emotions and sensory experiences in the reader. For example, describe a summer day using vivid colors, smells, and sounds to transport the reader to the scene.