fiction writing prompts for 4th grade

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100 Fun Writing Prompts for 4th Grade: Journal Prompts

• Journal Writing Prompts
• Descriptive Writing Prompts 
• Fiction Writing Prompts 
• Opinion Writing Prompts
• Funny Writing Prompts 
• Informative Essay Writing Prompts
• Animal Writing Prompts 
• Poetry Writing Prompts 
• Narrative Essay Writing
• Emotion Writing Prompts 

Writing help stimulates and organize thoughts in children. They make them better off expressing whatever they have in their mind and feel a little less burdensome.

But, how do we inspire young children to write?

Writing Prompts are a perfect genesis for developing writing habits in kids. They brew creativity, vocabulary, a sense of expression and so much more in them.

Without much ado, let’s get straight to the list of 4th grade writing prompts.

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Here are more learning resources for your 4th grader to aid to their learning!

100 Fun Writing Prompts for 4th Grade

10 Journal Writing Prompts

It is important to develop self-expression in kids, which can be made possible through regular journaling. For kids as young as 4th graders, journalling can boost the flow of ideas and spark reflective communication in them. Refer to the list of 4th grade journal prompts and get your students on a writing fling. 

1. What is a secret dream of yours? What can you do now to reach it later in your life?

2. What kind of a friend do you think you are? List three things where you can improve and become a better friend.

3. What is one thing that your teacher does that you don’t like? How would you like her to do that instead?

4. What is your favorite thing about being in the class?

5. Recount the best picnic you had with friends. Where did you go? What part did you enjoy the most?

6. Make a list of 30 things that you love about your life.

7. Who is your inspiration and why?

8. If you are allowed to make a single wish, what would it be?

9. Write about your favorite hobbies

10. Write about the best gift you have received. What made you love it so much?

10 Descriptive Writing Prompts 

Somewhat similar to 4th-grade journal writing prompts, Descriptive prompts can be a great tap into creativity. When you want to keep your students busy with writing in a way that builds a love of details in them, here are the writing topics for 4th graders that you shouldn’t miss.

1. Write about 3 places that would like to travel to. Why and with whom?

2. Imagine your new classmate starts school today. What would you do to welcome them?

3. Describe a mistake you made and what you learned from it.

4. Your uncle overseas wants to know about your city. Write a letter to him describing your city- the famous monuments, eateries, parks, and more.

5. If you get to become a teacher for a day, which subjects will you teach and why?

6. Who inspires you in the family, and why?

7. Share your experience about a time when something unexpected happened.

8. Describe your favorite classmate. What is one more thing(s) that you would want to learn from him/her?

9. What is your favorite outfit? Why and where would you wear it?

10. You have found a lucky object. Share the little details about it.

10 Fiction Writing Prompts 

What is life without fantasy and fiction? Precisely, nothing. Fiction is a powerful tool to pen down the flow of ideas without having to follow a particular format. It not only fuels creativity but improves writing skills and concentration. So, if you are planning to assay your student’s imaginative power, use these writing prompts for 4th grade.

1. Last night, you traveled into space. What did you see?

2. Put yourselves in the shoes of a mad scientist who just discovered a fruit. How does it look it? Narrate its journey from the innovative lab to the market.

3. In your favorite fairy tale, a prince decides to be a villain instead of a hero. Write the chain of events that unfold.

4. One day, you wake up to see that your elder brother has been turned into a horse by an evil witch. Build a story around the scenario.

5. On a lonely stormy night…Continue the story.

6. You have acquired a superpower to turn invisible whenever you like. Narrate the events of how and where you would use this superpower.

7. You were transported into the last story you read. Where are you? How would the story change with your presence?

8. Imagine you got a chance to climb up the ladder to the clouds. Write what you see there.

9. You woke up to find out that you have grown wings. How would your life change?

10. “Do not be angry” I told myself. But, as I looked down… Complete a story.

10 Opinion Writing Prompts

Supporting critical thinking and vision, Opinion writing prompts can be instrumental in shaping the thought process in young minds. More often than not, even the senior students are not aware of how many strong opinions they hold. Therefore, it becomes crucial to let kids practice how to present their arguments in their development years. Here’s a list of opinion writing prompts for 4th grade to kickstart their writing journey.

1. Should recess time be longer in schools? Why, or why not?

2. Should 4th graders receive pocket money from their parents? Why, or why not?

3. Share the best pizza eatery in your town. Why do you think it’s the best?

4. With the annual function coming up, your school wants to invite a famous personality to deliver an inspirational speech or presentation. Who do you think will be the best fit?

5. Would you rather be a class topper, a fine artist, or an excellent sportsperson?

6. Do you think smoking should be banned? Why, or why not?

7. Share your opinion on students bringing a cell phone to school.

8. Should everyone exercise every day? Share your opinion.

9. If you were to plan the school lunch menu, what will you include?

10. Is homework a good practice for learning? What do you think?

10 Funny Writing Prompts 

Do you see your kids getting bored of writing on general topics? Don’t worry, refer to our list of fun writing prompts for 4th grade! Funny Writing Prompts are a great icebreaker to stir up the imagination and interest in students. Moreover, teachers can let students read aloud their fun stories in class. Get ready for a giggle-packed writing period with writing prompts for 4th grade!

1. Your homework was eaten by a dog. Write a story to convince your teacher.

2. Write a story using 5 words: funny, bird, sleep, guitar and pajamas.

3. Imagine you woke up and saw a giant sleeping next to you. Narrate the story.

4. Create a story where chocolate cake is the main character.

5. The rabbit jumped on the moon and the dish ran away with the spoon. Build a humorous story.

6. Imagine your best friend cannot stop sneezing and farting throughout the day. What do you think the day would look like to him?

7. Imagine someone cast a spell on your mother. She could talk nothing but only meow. How would your life change? What can you do to break the spell?

8. Everyone around you turns into a robot. How would you spend your day?

9. What would happen if you ate a cookie and became a dwarf? Narrate the scenario.

10. I never thought my cat would laugh… Continue the story.

10 Informative Essay Writing Prompts

The essence of Informative Writing prompts lies in how well students can convey particulars about an object, a personality, or an event to the readers. As much as they improve their writing skills, the prompts compel the young minds to think critically, and fetch cues from their memory and learning.

Check out the writing ideas for 4th grade kids on the list to make your work a little easier!

1. Write the importance of water in our lives. How can we save water?

2. What are traditions? Which one do you like the most and hate the most in your family?

3. Imagine you are a city tour guide. What are the best places to visit in your city?

4. What is the most interesting book you have ever read? Write a book review.

5. Write a ‘how to play’ guide for your favorite game.

6. Recollect the times you were in quarantine. Write an interesting story about how you overcame tough times.

7. How should we take care of our younger siblings?

8. You are at a farm with your family. Write all that you see around you.

9. Imagine you just experienced an earthquake. What was the first thing you did? Narrate the details.

10. You have become a store manager for a day. Write about all the responsibilities and tasks that you undertook throughout the day.

10 Animal Writing Prompts 

We all agree that animals fit naturally into our stories. That’s because humans share an unbreakable bond with animals. So, why not have a writing session that features animals? This will surely infuse some excitement and divergent thinking in the classroom . Here’s some animal creative writing prompt for 4th graders!

1. Write some interesting facts that you know about animals.

2. How would it be if you woke up doing ‘meow meow’ one morning? Write a story.

3. Imagine dinosaurs taking over the world. What do they make humans do?

4. What if you are in a forest and a lion starts talking to you? What would the conversation be like?

5. If you were allowed to pet 5 animals, which one will you choose and why?

6. ‘A camel was walking in the desert but suddenly…’ Construct an interesting story.

7. Write a story about the friendship of a pigeon and squirrel living on the same tree.

8. Imagine you are swimming in the Indian Ocean and a shark arrives. What will you do?

9. Is the zoo a good place for animals? Why, or why not?

10. If you could have a superpower to turn into any animal, which animal would you become to save a girl who’s been kidnapped? Why?

10 Poetry Writing Prompts 

In a world where classic literature has been lost under social media slang, poetry is still a breath of fresh air. Moreover, poems for kids can be really helpful in improving creative writing skills. They not only learn the real rules of literature and grammar but find joy in expressing themselves. Jump into the poetic world with these 4th grade writing prompts.

1. Write poetry about your first day in 4th grade.

2. Write a haiku about your favorite ice cream.

3. ‘Silvery sweet sound’… Continue the poem.

4. ‘There was once a wise man who told me’. Write a limerick using this line.

5. ‘I met a funny little man…’ Write an interesting poem.

6. Write poetry about Mother Earth.

7. ‘When the winter snow begins to fade…’ Continue the poem.

8. ‘The story is strange, as you will see, The weirdest thing ever happened to me.’’ Write a poem to describe the weirdest scenario you have been in.

9. ‘I woke up one morning with a mermaid tale’. Write a poem.

10. ‘Snow slips down swiftly’. Write a haiku.

10 Narrative Essay Writing

One of the widely practiced 4th grade writing prompts, Narrative writing is all about expressions and stories. It encompasses the beginning, middle, and end of a narrative. Whether it’s a personal incident or a fact or a fiction, it’s sure to spark a joy of creativity in young ones. Here are some ideas that you can use as 4th grade narrative writing prompts.

1. Suppose you become a school principal for a day. Write about what changes you will make in the school.

2. You have to describe your family members to someone who has never met them before. How will you do it?

3. If you had a chance to keep an extra chair at the dining table tonight, whom would you invite and why?

4. What is your favorite memory from 3rd grade? Share details about it.

5. What is one thing that makes you feel sad? How do you overcome this sadness?

6. Write about your favorite holiday meal.

7. When did you score poorly on a test? What did your parents say?

8. Write about your experience at a summer camp. Would you go this year again?

9. If given a chance to visit another planet, where would you go and why?

10. This year my goals are… Write about what all you want to achieve by the end of the year.

10 Emotion Writing Prompts 

Just as adults need an outlet to express their bubbling emotions, so do kids! Journalling is a powerful tool, facilitating reflection and critical thought. While journalling might be a difficult step for most kids, writing prompts can support their creative outlet. It can aid them in expanding their own ideas, articulating their feelings, and boosting their confidence. Look at some interesting fourth grade journal prompts that kids will love!

1. Write a letter to your 15-year-old self.

2. What are 10 things you and your best friend are good at?

3. Describe your favorite time of the year. What activities do you do during this time? Who do you spend it with?

4. Imagine you found a genie who promises to grant you 3 wishes. What wishes would you make?

5. Write about a time you felt a strong emotion- be it happiness, sadness, anger, etc. What made you feel that way? What did you do to control it?

6. Suppose it is your mother’s birthday next week. How can you make it memorable for her? What planning will you do?

7. Do you know about your strengths and weaknesses? Write 5 each.

8. You have to thank 10 people today. Who will be on your list? How will you be thankful to them?

9. When someone compliments you, how do you respond to it?

10. Write about all the times you have felt happy in the last week.

12 Ways To Help 4th Graders With Writing

When it comes to giving a creative push to 4th graders, there can be nothing better than writing prompts. Since young students face more hurdles in following a structural approach to writing, prompts can help kids relieve that pressure. Consequently, they can enjoy flexibility in writing, allowing more room for creativity and imagination.

While kids may benefit immensely from writing prompts, it cannot be made possible without a mentor’s encouragement and support. Here are some of the creative ideas around 4th grade writing prompts that you can explore with kids:

• Encourage recollecting past experiences to stir up the writing process
• Give them friendly instructions
• Talk through building imaginary scenarios
• Respond actively to their communication and prompts
• Curating problem prompts and discussing the probable solutions
• Sharing classic tales or retelling them to fit the current scenario
• Jotting down facts to build creative prompts
• Emphasizing on development of opinionated argument
• Inspiring to write in a variety of styles
• Providing comprehensive support to build the writer’s confidence
• Highlighting authentic grammar rules and spelling
• Use of digital tools to create prompts

The above list is not exhaustive, and there’s always enough room for creativity.

To ease things for you, here are three steps you can consider while using writing prompts:

Step #1: Introduce the statement or topic to the students to steer the creative writing ship

Step #2: Encourage students to make a personal connection with the prompt given, and brainstorm the key points with them

Step #3: Convey the purpose of the writing assignment- an essay, a paragraph, or any other form of writing. Instruct the students using sufficient information to better equip them with writing cues.

Summing Up…

Young kids need support to build writing skills as much as adults do. Writing prompts can be a perfect anchor to get set kids on a writing spree. We hope the above 4th grade writing prompts can serve the enjoyment and purpose of your class! Good Luck!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can i improve my child’s writing skills using elementary prompts.

It is imperative to build focus in kids as young as 4th graders. Unfocused writing can become troublesome for them in the future. To improve focus, emphasize using basic prompts that encompass their favorite things- toy, place, picnic memory, cup, etc. Make a list of all that they like and ask them to write small details about them. Let them practice these as much as they want. This way, sticking to a single topic, will surely help them stay clear and focused until they start with longer essays.

How do I keep a tab on my child’s progress in writing?

Writing prompts are in themselves a great tool to help teachers and parents measure the progress of the kid. The best way to see whether the kid has improved or not is to let them practice with the elementary prompts daily. You must skim through them, and politely pinpoint the grammatical or punctuation errors. 

However, do not be too harsh on them while communicating their mistakes to them. Remember, all good things take time! Moreover, do not compare your child’s progress to any other child. All children have different capacities and speeds to grasp things. Target steady growth!

How can I make writing prompts a fun activity for the class?

There are endless possibilities to creatively support the use of 4th grade journal prompts. You can divide the students into small groups and pin a challenge of writing prompts between them. Furthermore, teachers can make use of attractive resources like flashcards, worksheets, etc. to add a spark of enthusiasm and fun to the class. 

Since little appreciation and kind words go a long way, you can keep exciting rewards for the kids who perform exceptionally. There’s so much that you can do to unleash the creative side of your 4th graders.

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101 Exciting 4th Grade Writing Prompts for 2023 (Free Printable!)

Use them for journal writing, essay topics, and more!

Fourth grade is a time for students to continue to hone their writing chops as they put to use the skills they’ve learned and gain confidence in their abilities. We’ve collected this list of fourth grade writing prompts—including opinion, persuasive, informational, and narrative—to spur your students’ imaginations and get them writing!

You can get 50 of these fourth grade writing prompts in a free PowerPoint slideshow bundle! They make it easy to share these writing ideas with your students.  Grab your free PowerPoint bundle by submitting your email here .

• Persuasive and Opinion Writing Prompts
• Descriptive and Expository Writing Prompts
• Narrative and Personal Writing Prompts
• Creative Writing Prompts
• Current Events Writing Prompts

Persuasive and Opinion 4th Grade Writing Prompts

Would you rather be good at sports or good in school? Why?

Would you rather have lots of money or lots of friends? Why?

What is your favorite subject in school? Why?

Are fourth graders ready to stay home alone? Why or why not?

Name two characters from different books that you think might be good friends. Why?

Which is more important for success, skill or luck?

Should kids be paid an allowance to do chores around the house? Why or why not?

Why are classroom rules important?

If you had a time machine, what era of history would you visit?

Why is math important?

Why is science important?

Should fourth graders have cell phones? Why or why not?

If you could open a store, what type of store would it be and why?

Which would you rather read: a scary story that gives you goosebumps or a funny story that cracks you up? Why?

What is the hardest thing about being a fourth grader?

If I were the ruler of the world, the first law I would pass would be … because …

If you found a backpack filled with dollar bills, what would you do?

Is it ever OK to tell secrets? Why or why not?

What animal makes the best pet? Why?

Is it better to spend an hour a day reading or an hour a day exercising? Why?

Descriptive and Expository 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you had a YouTube channel, what would you talk about?

What’s the best book you’ve read recently? What was it all about?

If you won a million dollars, how would you spend the money?

Describe what you think of as perfect weather.

Describe how to build a birdhouse step by step.

Write five rules for staying organized.

What is the worst book you ever read?

Describe the physical appearance of someone in your family in detail.

Imagine you are in a hot-air balloon above your house. Describe everything you can see.

Describe how to play your favorite board game.

There’s an old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” What do you think this saying means?

Describe your perfect day.

One of your little cousins is very nervous about starting kindergarten. What would you tell them to make them feel better?

Imagine you are an adult and describe your dream job.

Explain your morning routine in detail, from waking up to arriving at school.

Describe the perfect meal, including what you’d eat and where you’d dine.

Share what you do on a typical non-school day.

Explain the right way to do one of your household chores, like making your bed or cleaning your room.

Describe your favorite room at home in detail.

How do you prepare for a big test? Describe the ways you study or practice.

Narrative and Personal 4th Grade Writing Prompts

Share one of the stories your family has told you about when you were a baby.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

Write about an adult you look up to.

What’s the nicest thing anybody has ever done for you?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Write about a time you felt like quitting but didn’t. How did you keep yourself going?

Do you like nonfiction books or fiction books better? Why?

What makes your family unique?

What would you say is your greatest strength? Greatest weakness?

Are you a patient person? Why or why not?

What is something you’ve never done that you would like to try?

What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you?

Write about a time you tried something new and how you felt before, during, and after.

What is your earliest memory?

What’s your favorite holiday? What makes it so special?

Write about a time when you felt proud of yourself.

Tell the story of your favorite field trip of all time.

If you could relive any day in your life, what would it be? Would you want it to be the same or different?

What holiday is important to your family? Describe how you celebrate it together.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten? How did it make you feel?

Creative 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you met an alien, what three questions would you ask them?

Pretend you drank a magic potion that made you as tiny as an ant. Where would you go and what would you do?

Pretend you ate a magic pill that made you as tall as a redwood tree. Where would you go and what would you do?

Write a story that includes these five words: keys, spaghetti, uncle, jellyfish, spaceship.

What would the world be like if dinosaurs still existed?

If you could invent something new the world really needs, what would it be? How would it work?

Retell a classic story, making the villain the hero instead.

Imagine that one day you woke up and found everyone in the world could no longer talk. What would happen next?

Write a new chapter of your favorite book, with yourself as a new character.

Imagine you woke up one morning with a superpower, like invisibility or the ability to fly. Describe your experiences learning how to use that power.

Use these words to start a story: “When I opened the box that came in the mail, I never expected to find …”

Describe a world where it rains fruit juice and snows M&Ms.

Come up with the most ridiculous excuse possible for why you are unable to turn in your homework today.

Describe a world where all the adults are robots, but kids are still human kids.

Imagine a conversation between yourself and a talking animal.

Describe the kind of creature you’d create if you were a mad scientist. Would it be scary and mean? Nice and friendly?

Invent a new kind of candy. Give it a name, and write a commercial jingle for it.

Write about a day where kids are in charge instead of grown-ups.

Imagine you’re lost in a haunted wood, and tell the story of your escape.

Tell a story that ends with these words: “… and that’s how we all learned to fly.”

Describe a night in the life of the tooth fairy.

Current Events 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you made a time capsule for this year, what would you put in it?

Describe something that you saw in the news recently and how it made you feel.

Tell about an event that happened recently at your school or in your town.

What do you think is one of the world’s biggest problems right now, and how would you solve it?

Read a news story about something happening in another country and summarize it.

Write a news article about something important that happened to you this week.

Create a poem about something in the local news right now.

Write a letter to the editor about a current issue, explaining your opinion.

Find a “good news” story, and share why it makes you happy.

What living famous person do you most admire and why?

What do you think kids today can do about climate change and global warming?

Learn about an endangered animal, and describe what we can do to help it.

What does the word “racism” mean to you?

What is one thing you would do to make your school or town a better place?

Choose an upcoming sports event, and explain who you think will win.

Describe a current fashion trend or something that’s very popular in your school right now, and how you feel about it.

What can we do to help people with different opinions get along with one another better?

Interview a grown-up you know, and write a news article about them.

What do you think is the best new song right now? The worst? Why?

Describe an event that’s happening in the world right now that you don’t understand. What questions would you ask a grown-up about it?

How do you use writing prompts with your students? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Also check out 57 awesome 4th grade books you’ll want to share with students ..

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Grade 4 Writing Prompts

25 inspiring fourth grade writing prompts.

Get your child's imagination flowing with these wonderful, Grade 4 writing prompts!

Story starters

“if i was…”, general prompts.

• I awoke from my dream and…
• Samantha looked out of her window and saw…
• There was a bright flashing light in the distance…
• I was frozen to the spot, afraid to move because…
• James didn’t realize it yet, but…
• If I was president…
• If I was a teacher…
• If I was an astronaut…
• If I was an engineer…
• If I was an adventurer…
• Has technology improved the world?
• Should students be allowed to choose what to study?
• Should violent video games be banned?
• Can you buy happiness with money?
• How can we slow down global warming?
• How will people travel in 100 years?
• Describe the perfect robot. What features does it have and what can they do?
• Invent a new game and write instructions for it.
• Invent a new tasty smoothie!
• Describe the home of the future.
• If you had one million dollars, how would you spend it?
• What would it be like to live with an elephant?
• What job would you like to have when you are older, and why?
• If you could have a super power, what would it be?
• What would be in your ideal meal? Use all of your senses to describe it in detail.

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Our language arts program for kids can help to improve your child's skills while keeping them engaged, focused, and entertained! Our extensive range of writing activities provide children with thousands of creative writing prompts, interactive lessons, and challenges to ensure steady progression. We also offer personalized feedback from real teachers on all the work submitted on the program.

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57 Narrative Writing Prompts For 4th Grade

Journaling is an important part of self-exploration and deep thinking. Giving students a list of prompts to choose from allows them to choose which parts of themselves to explore, and helps keep their writing headed in a certain direction.

Below, you’ll find a list of narrative writing prompts to inspire your students to reflect on their thoughts and feelings.

Using These Prompts

Writing prompts are great because they give struggling writers a sense of direction, but they also help more skilled writers explore thoughts and feelings that they might not have thought of before.

Here are a few ways you can use these prompts in your classroom:

• Challenge students to pick one or two prompts a day for an entire week.
• Create a spinner using a cut-out circle and a paper clip, and have students spin to see which prompt they’re going to use.
• Keep these prompts nearby for students to use when they have spare quiet time in class.
• If you sense a student struggling emotionally, recommend using one of these prompts to help them reflect on these feelings.

The Writing Prompts

• Describe your ideal field trip.
• Write about a special memory that you will never forget.
• Describe your style. Do your parents choose how you dress or do you choose your own clothes?
• You wake up this morning with wings. Describe what happens next.
• What kinds of books do you prefer to read? List some examples.
• Write about a conflict you had with a friend. How did you resolve the situation?
• Rewrite your favorite children’s story, but make the main character a superhero.
• Describe the most frightening dream you’ve ever had.
• How do you entertain yourself when you don’t have access to screens and devices?
• Write about your favorite family tradition.
• There’s a classroom in your school that is always locked with its lights off. One day, you walk by and the door is ajar. What happens next?
• Write about a role model you have, and describe how they’ve affected your life.
• Describe the ideal snow day.
• Have you ever lost something important? What happened next?
• What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this year?
• Think of a time when you were very irritated. Explain why, and then explain how you resolved it.
• What is the best part of the school day? Why?
• What would you do if you were the principal for the day?
• Write a story about someone who wakes up and realizes they’re microscopic.
• Why is it important that people help others?
• Describe something you’ve learned recently. Was it easy or difficult to learn?
• Write a story from the point of view of someone meeting you for the first time.
• Are you good at keeping secrets? Explain.
• Describe a time when you stood up for yourself.
• Describe a time when you stood up for someone else.
• What is your favorite thing about your best friend?
• Explain your favorite board or card game to someone who has never played it before.
• Write your plans for the perfect weekend.
• A harmless but wild animal wanders into your classroom. How does your class react? What happens next?
• You wake up and realize that you can speak to your pet. What do you talk about?
• Describe a time when you participated in a contest.
• Write about the perfect summer day.
• Tell a story about two people who switch jobs for a day.
• Write about something that makes you laugh.
• Why is patience important? Do you consider yourself a patient person?
• Do you think boys and girls are actually different from each other? Explain.
• Do you enjoy writing? What is your favorite thing to write about?
• Write the story of how you met your best friend.
• Describe what you hope your life is like 10 years from now.
• Describe what you hope your life is like 20 years from now.
• Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Explain.
• The plant on your teacher’s desk suddenly sprouts a strange fruit. What is it? What happens next?
• Do you have a funny or interesting story about losing a tooth? Write about it.
• Write about a time when you shared a special meal with your family.
• What would you do if you woke up tomorrow in your favorite video game?
• If you were to describe your best friend as a color, what color would they be? Why?
• What is your favorite food? Why do you like it?
• What is something that you worry about at night?
• Make a list of ten things you love about yourself.
• Write a story from the point of view of your shoes.
• Write about a time when you gave in to peer pressure.
• Describe the last time you got hurt. What happened?
• Tell a story about a time when you got caught doing something you weren’t supposed to.
• Which person in your family are you most similar to? How are you alike? How are you different?
• Describe a time when you felt embarrassed.
• Invent a new sandwich. Write about how to make it, and try to convince others to try it.

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110 4th Grade Writing Prompts

September 19, 2023 //  by  Sean Kivi

Fourth grade is the year that students begin to take control of their writing. Building on previous years’ knowledge, they can craft all types of texts. This year we give them a boost to hone their abilities and gain confidence in writing. You will keep your students thinking and perfecting their pieces of work. These 52 4th grade writing prompts are the perfect way to continue this development and encourage your students to think critically about their language choices.

1. Would you ever try Casu Marzo? 

2. in your opinion, what’s the best way to eat an egg, 3. what is haggis, and would you eat it, 4. should 4th graders be able to stay at home alone, 5. write a letter to mom persuading her to buy you an ipad. , 6. would you prefer to be meet an alien or godzilla why, 7. is science harder than math, 8. what would you name the eighth wonder of the world, 9. why is the louvre so famous, 10. where does recycling go, 11. write a campaign running for president and win my vote. , 12. write about a time you learned from an accomplishment., 13. why did the egyptians write in hieroglyphics, 14. do you think your mom should give you a cell phone, 15. if you could have any job in the world, what would you pick, 16. do you like to give or get presents, 17. who do you trust the most and why, 18. what makes you the perfect friend, 19. what is a century egg, and how is it made, 20. what would you like to invent and why, 21. how will you make a difference in the world, 22. why should people stop smoking, 23. tell me how to write a letter., 24. why do camels have long eyelashes, 25. where should i go if i want to be a whale photographer, 26. would you rather hunt for your food or never eat pizza again why, 27. is a monkey a good pet to have why or why not, 28. would you rather sword fight one thousand duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck why, 29. what’s the best car to drive and why, 30. what would you make illegal, and why, 31. do you think people who run red lights should go to jail, 32. how do i solve a rubik’s cube, 33. how can you be a friendly person, and why is this important, 34. who are the people on mount rushmore, and why are they important, 35. what would you do if you switched bodies with a celebrity, 36. tell me a time that you got sick after eating food. , 37. what makes people like or hate cilantro, 38. how toasted do you like your toast, 39. what’s happened in your weirdest dream, 40. if you could go to hogwarts, what would you most like to learn, 41. why are more people right-handed than left-handed , 42. describe the perfect theme park. , 43. is it better to be a youtube star or a tik tok star, 44. if you found a truck full of chocolate pies, what would you do, 45. do you think life was easier 50 years ago why or why not, 46. what is the hardest thing about getting up for school, 47. do pineapples belong on pizza, 48. how would you like to be remembered, 49. would you rather travel to the past and see dinosaurs or into the future to see your grandkids, 50. do you think there is alien life, or are we alone in the universe why, 51. what is the ultimate junk food, 52. would you prefer to be rich or famous why, 53. what kind of slime is your favorite glitter galaxy have ever made it yourself before what do you think the ingredients are, 54. do you think you should have longer recess why, 55. do you think gum and hats should be allowed in school, 56. do you think you should have more class computer time why what would you use this extra time for, 57. what would you do if you were principal for a day would you like to do this job, 58. what do you want to be when you grow up, 59. what is your favorite winter activity what equipment or items do you need to be able to do it, 60. what is your favorite summer activity what equipment or items do you need to be able to do it, 61. would you rather have super strength or the ability to read minds, 62. do you prefer ice cream or donuts, 63. what is your favorite type of sandwich, 64. do you like sour or sweet foods, 65. what is your favorite holiday or occasion, 66. what do you like to do at the beach, 67. what would you do if you were a millionaire, 68. do you like fall or spring best why, 69. what would you do if you lived in a castle, 70. what is your favorite subject in school, 71. what is your favorite game to play, 72. do you enjoy board games, 73. what are your hobbies, 74. what is something you are practicing to get better at or learning to do, 75. what is your favorite sport to play, 76. what is your favorite sport to watch, 77. do you prefer breakfast or dinner food, 78. what is your favorite type of candy, 79. do you prefer healthy or unhealthy food, 80. how can you be a kind friend or classmate, 81. who is your favorite superhero why, 82. who was andy warhol have you ever created art similar to his, bonus: would you consider yourself creative, 83. if you could design a new type of candy, what would it taste like and what would you name it.

84. Imagine a world without colors. Describe a day in such a world.

85. If pets could talk, what do you think your pet would say about you?

86. What is the most important invention ever made and why?

87. If trees could speak, what stories do you think they would tell?

88. Do you think robots should be allowed to compete in sports against humans?

89. Write about a magical door that only opens at midnight. Where does it lead?

90. Would you prefer a house on wheels or a floating house on water? Why?

91. What do you think our city would look like 100 years from now?

92. If you had a magic pen, where anything you drew would come to life. What would you draw first?

93. Do you believe in unicorns? Why or why not?

94. What would you do if you found a map to a hidden treasure in your school?

95. If the day had an extra hour, how would you spend it?

96. Describe a visit to a planet made entirely of desserts.

97. Imagine if you could breathe underwater. How would you spend your days?

98. Write about a day when it rained popcorn.

99. If you had the power to shrink or enlarge anything, what object would you choose and why?

100. If every book in the world disappeared, and you could save just one, which would it be and why?

101. What would a zoo with mythical creatures look like?

102. If you could choose any historical figure to be your teacher for a day, who would it be and why?

103. What would be your ideal birthday party? Describe it.

104. Imagine you discovered a new island. What would you name it and who would live there?

105. If you had to spend a day as a piece of furniture, which one would you choose and why?

106. What would a school for wizards and witches teach besides magic?

107. If you could talk to the moon, what questions would you ask it?

108. Describe a sport that is played in the sky. How would it work?

109. If animals held their own Olympic games, which animal would win which event? 

Teaching narrative writing and need some fun writing prompts to get your students thinking? I have found that the more fun you make the narrative writing prompts, the more students will write. Here is a list of 55 narrative writing prompts you will want to use in your classroom. Some are serious and others are hilarious. Take a look at what the list has to offer and feel free to change them up any way you would like.

In this blog post I share 5 different categories of narrative writing prompts, each with 11 prompts. That means when you download it you will have FIFTY-FIVE writing prompts to use all year long. Fill out the form below to have all 55 sent to you in an easy, printable list that will help simplify your lesson planning!

Family Narrative Writing Prompts

All students have had experiences with their families and it’s fun to write about them. Invite students to share their family stories with the class using these thought-invoking narrative writing prompts.

• Tell a story about the most recent trip you took with your family.
• What is something your family likes to do in the fall (spring, summer, winter)?
• Write about your family’s favorite movie to watch. What is the experience like (popcorn, songs, blankets, etc)
• Think about 5 things in your life that are special and write about them. Tell us about your dog, your mom, your uncle, or anything else you can think of.
• Suppose there is an extra space at the table for dinner one night. Who would you invite to join your family for dinner and what would the evening look like?
• Think back on a gift you gave to a family member. Why was it so special to give to them and what was their reaction?
• Pretend you have to describe your family to someone who has never met them before. Write about your family members and their personalities.
• Consider a challenge or tough time your family had to go through. How did your family deal with this challenge and overcome it?
• If you are able, interview one of the oldest members of your family. Ask them what their life was like as a child and about their memories.
• Does your family have an unusual tradition? Tell us about it!
• You can only keep one memory about your family, which memory do you choose. Write about that memory.

Personal Experiences Narrative Writing Prompts

Narratives are the perfect time to write about personal experiences we go through in life. Use these 11 narrative writing prompts about our personal life to get students thinking.

• Explain a moment when you felt embarrassed.
• Talk about a time you were overjoyed.
• What is something that makes you feel sad and how do you make yourself feel better?
• Have you ever helped a friend when they couldn’t do something? Tell us about it.
• Write about a time you were bored and found something to entertain yourself.
• Tell us about a day when you were in a bad mood. What happened?
• Write about a time you were proud of yourself. What did you do?
• Have you ever felt your heart racing? What made your heart race and what did you do?
• Were you ever in a situation where you knew you could get in trouble? What did you do?
• Tell a story about something unusual that happened to you.
• Write about a time you lost something important. What was it and how did you react?

Silly Narrative Writing Prompts

Kids love writing about silly things. These narrative writing prompts are a great way to let them have fun as they get creative with their writing.

• Take a look at your shoe, and tell a story of where it’s been.
• Write a story about what it would be like if you work up one morning with scales on your body.
• You woke up this morning in your pet’s body! What does your day look like?
• There’s a knock on the door. When you open the door, you see a giraffe! What do you do?
• Write a silly story about yourself that uses the words: elephant, watermelon, jet, and computer.
• Finish this story: The explorers set out on their quest to find…
• A friend on the bus gave you a bottle of magical glitter. You and your friend sprinkle it on yourselves. What happens next?
• Imagine you have an amazing sense of smell. What would you use it for? What will you smell?
• You’re inventing a new sandwich. What do you put on the sandwich and how does it taste?
• This morning you woke up and you are 20 feet tall! What will you do all day?
• A spaceship lands on your school’s playground. Write about what happens next.

Want access to use all of these narrative writing prompts in your classroom? Just fill out the form below!

55 Narrative Writing Prompt Ideas!

This FREE printable list of 55 narrative writing prompt ideas can be sent straight to your inbox! Simply drop your personal email address below & I’ll send it right over! 

*Using a school email address makes it very likely that you won’t receive your freebi e! 

Fictional Narrative Writing Prompts

Sometimes, personal narratives that come from a place of fiction are easier to write about because they aren’t so personal. These narrative writing prompts let students step out of their reality for a moment.

• You are a superhero. What are your powers and how did you get them?
• Imagine a world without televisions, music, digital games, or computers. What would you do for fun?
• Tell a story about a day where everything that could possibly go wrong, does.
• Time travel is real! Would you visit the past or future and why? What would you do?
• Imagine you are a new character in your favorite book. Who are you and what adventures do you go on?
• You’re playing in the driveway when a bus drives by. A neatly wrapped package drops out, what do you do? If you open the package, what is inside?
• One day in class, a skunk climbs through the window. Write about what happens next.
• You wake up one day and realize you can talk to animals. Write a story about the animals you would have discussions with and what might be said.
• Imagine you are the teacher for the day. Write about the changes you would make and what a day in the classroom would look like.
• You and your friends wander into an abandoned house covered in cobwebs. What do you find?
• Your classroom plant has grown a really strange fruit. What is it and what can it do?

Dreams and Wishes Narrative Writing Prompts

It’s always encouraging to write about our dreams and wishes in life. These narrative writing prompts let kids reflect as they write.

• Tell a story about your ideal place to live. Where would it be and what would it look like?
• If you could do anything you wanted as a job, what would you choose?
• Every day of the year is the same holiday, which day do you choose and why?
• You are gifted $1000, what are you going to use it for?
• Pretend you have a personal genie who can grant you wishes. What three wishes would you make and why?
• When you get older, what do you hope to accomplish?
• Write about a dream you remember having recently. Do you wish what happened in the dream would come true?
• If you could make one wish come true for a friend, what would it be?
• You have always wanted to go on a game show. Which game show would you go on and did you win?
• Describe something you are good at or hope to be good at one day.
• Write about your dreams for the world in the future? What do you hope changes?

Narrative writing comes easily to some students, but takes time for others. Hopefully using these fun narrative writing prompts will encourage your students to write about their life experiences as well as some fictional topics. Use these 55 topics to really get them thinking.

Grab them below!

Try my  Weekly Writing Prompts  as well! They are perfect for the classroom and come in print and digital downloads. You can purchase them directly on this site .

You might also like these posts:

5 Strategies for Effective Vocabulary Quizzes: A Guide for Upper Elementary Teachers

15 Heartwarming Read Alouds Christmas Edition: Bringing Joy to the Classroom

50 Exciting Narrative Writing Prompt Ideas for Upper Elementary

29 Books to Read for Fifth Graders: Seasonal Explorations in Literature

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Home » Blog » 140 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

140 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

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Creative writing is an important skill for young students to start learning. Not every child will grow up to be a professional writer, but there are many benefits to having children write. Here we have some useful and effective creative writing prompts for kids to get you started.

These are most suited for a teacher with a class of students. However, parents are welcome to use them as well, to get your kids writing at home.

The Benefits of Writing Prompts for Kids

Aside from creating a published masterpiece someday, there are many benefits to teaching kids to write. This can be done in part by stimulating their minds with some good writing prompts for kids.

Teaching them how to become a better writer will give them advantages in other areas of life.

[table id=26 /]

Animal Themed Writing Prompts for Kids

Most kids love animals. Even if they don’t, personifying and thinking about animals can spark wonderful creativity in kids. It can help kids learn how to become a better writer.

• Jack is a dachshund and stands out among his border collie siblings who bully him for being different. He is determined to prove that he can herd sheep just as well as them.
• 10-year-old Kaitlyn has the unique ability to communicate with all animals. She goes around helping trainers, vets, and researchers.
• Write a story about a family of rabbits living in the woods. What is their life like?
• Imagine you are a big, majestic lion living in a zoo. How do you feel being surrounded by people all the time?
• Do you have a pet? What do you like to do with them? If not, what pet would you love to have?
• What would you do if you had an elephant for a pet?
• If you could be any animal, what would you choose?
• Your cat gets stuck on the roof. How do you get him down?
• A baby wolf gets lost in the forest. How does he find his family again?
• Write about a school of fish who live deep in the ocean.
• How do you think it would feel to fly like a bird?
• What would you and your pet talk about, if they could talk?
• What does a naughty puppy get up to while its owners are asleep?
• Imagine everyone had a horse to ride instead of a car to drive. What would life be like?

Fiction Writing Prompts for Kids

Though they might not understand the complex workings of character and plot development, kids can still start creating fiction. Their minds are capable of telling stories. Starting with short pieces of fiction can teach them how to become a better writer .

Writing longer pieces of fiction at a young age can be more difficult. Using a book writing template might help if they really want to try.

Whatever type of story you encourage them to write, use these simple but imaginative writing prompts for kids.

• Look out the window for 30 seconds. Write a story about what you see and hear in those 30 seconds.
• Write a story about a trip you would like to take with your family.
• You and your friends build a treehouse. But, anyone who enters needs to follow some rules. What are they?
• You are trapped in the mall for the night. What do you do in there?
• Write a story about a magical pair of shoes.
• Write about what would happen if you met your favorite character in person.
• You find a time machine. Where do you go and why?
• Write a story about your parents as teenagers.
• Write a story about a tiny person.
• What does a typical day look like for a mermaid?
• Write about an astronaut who flies to space and discovers a new planet.
• Write a story about a day in the life of the president of the United States.
• A young girl finds a teleportation device abandoned across the street from her house. She soon figures out how to use it.
• Someone your age sneaks onto a space ship going into space. What happens? Do they get caught?
• Try to write a poem or a story in the style of Dr. Seuss.
• You have an assistant for one week who will do whatever you want. What do you ask them to do?
• Write about something you and your best friend would do if you lived in the same house.
• Tell a story about a kid who gets to go for a ride on Santa’s sleigh.
• A kid gets to be invisible for one day. What happens?
• Write a story using these three words: Train, Hat, Saturday.
• A clown shows up at your door one day. What do you do?
• Write about a day where your teacher forgot to wear shoes.
• Write a story about your evil twin.
• You find a treasure chest buried in your backyard. What’s inside?
• Imagine you get to be the opposite gender for one day. What do you do?
• Write a story about an imaginary sport. How does it work? What are the rules?
• You have been asked to create a new holiday. What should the world celebrate?
• Write a story where you get stuck inside your favorite video game or TV show.
• A child has traveled back in time from 1000 years in the future. What do they tell you about their life?
• Start a story with a character saying “I won’t do it, and you can’t make me!”
• Two friends send secret notes to each other through a hiding place no one else knows about. What happens when a new note appears from someone else?
• A family is camping and doesn’t have cell phone service. What do they do when someone gets sick?
• Write a story about a kid who doesn’t have any homework to do on the weekend.
• A kid and their dog are on an adventure in the forest. What happens?
• Write about a kid who loves to play in the rain.
• A family is going together to pick out the perfect Christmas tree.
• What happens when a spaceship lands in your backyard?
• A girl finds a magic door in her closet. What happens when she walks through?
• You are stuck inside your school overnight. What do you do?
• Write a story about a vampire who just wants to fit in with his friends.
• A superhero wants to save the world, but he’s not very good at using his powers.
• Your toys have come to life for one night only. What do you do with them?
• A boy is walking down a deserted road. What does he see?
• An older sibling is babysitting a younger sibling. The older sibling gets locked in a cupboard. What happens next?
• Imagine you live in a world where humans don’t need to sleep. What do you do every night?
• An old lady owns a costume shop. Everyone who buys or rents a costume has an adventure while wearing it. Write about one of these adventures.
• Your character is the only survivor of a shipwreck. She is floating around on a raft. She finally finds an island. What’s on the island?
• The sun decides not to go down for one night. What does everyone do overnight when it’s not dark?
• Write about what you would do if you could read minds for one day.
• You are able to spy on your friends and family for one day and they don’t know you’re there. What do you think you’d see?
• Your grandma tells you a shocking secret and you’re not allowed to tell anybody else! How do you react to this crazy secret?
• You are given one dart to throw at a wall map. Wherever it lands, you have to go there tomorrow. Where do you go? What happens?
• Three kids climb a tree and find a whole new world at the top.
• Write a story about someone who is working hard to keep his grades up so he will be allowed to participate in the annual principal-for-a-day event.
• What would you do if you and your teacher switched places for a day?

Historical Writing Prompts for Kids

Writing stories about history can be a fun way for kids to learn some basic historical facts and events. Use these writing prompts to walk them through time in a way they can enjoy.

A book writing template may come in handy here as well. History can be complicated and confusing. It might be beneficial to have some information laid out in a structured way.

• Imagine everything in a historical museum comes to life one night. What happens?
• If you could have a conversation with one person from the past, who would it be?
• Imagine your family ruled over an ancient kingdom. What would life be like as a prince or princess?
• Write a story about the life of a child before TV was invented.
• Write a story about a family traveling a far distance by horse and carriage – before cars were invented.
• Imagine you were alive when the pyramids in Egypt were being built. What are they like in person?
• What do you think would have happened if humans were alive at the same time as dinosaurs?
• How do you think people in the past celebrated holidays?
• If you could travel backward in time to before you were alive, where would you go and why?
• If you could change any part of history, what would it be?
• Many years ago, all the grades of a school would be in a class together. Would you like this? Why or why not?
• Write about a building that no one has lived in for 100 years. What is left in the building? Who used to live there?
• What do you think the worst thing is about being a king or queen?
• Write about what kids did for fun in the old days.

Stimulating Writing Prompts for Kids

In addition to writing stories, many kids will benefit from other forms of mental stimulation. These can be done in a journal or essay writing exercise.

Use these prompts and questions to get them thinking. Encourage them to answer all questions with as much detail as possible.

• Write a detailed description of your favorite toy.
• How would you describe the color green to someone who is blind?
• Where is your favorite place to hide during hide and seek? Why?
• Write a letter to your grown-up self.
• Imagine you are the first person to ever walk on the moon. Write a letter to your family about what it’s like up there.
• Write about something you want to learn more about.
• If the sky could rain any food for one day, which food would you want and why?
• Someone has never heard of magic. Explain it to them.
• A genie is going to grant you one wish. What is it?
• You are in charge of your school for a whole week. What do you do?
• What is the worst possible superpower someone can have?
• If you had $1,000 what would you buy for yourself?
• Which animal is your favorite? What do you like about it?
• What would your life be like if you were a movie star?
• Write about what life would be like without electricity.
• If you could go anywhere for a school trip where would it be and why?
• What do you want to do once you turn 16?
• If you could ask your teacher one question and get an honest answer, what would it be and why?
• Write about the weirdest dream you ever had.
• Describe the happiest day of your life so far.
• If you were in the circus, what would you do?
• If you won an award, what would it be?
• What is your favorite holiday and why?
• If you could have one extra limb, what would it be and why?
• What is your favorite season and why?
• Write about what life would be like if you got your dream job as an adult.
• If you could create a new animal, what would it look like?
• What is your favorite day of the week and why?
• Write about the person you admire the most.
• What is the best joke you ever heard? Why did it make you laugh so hard?
• You are in charge of inventing a new sandwich. What are you putting on it?
• Write about three things you are good at.
• If you could make anything grow on trees, what would it be and why?
• What is your most unusual talent?
• What’s the best book you’ve ever read? Describe the book to someone without spoiling the story.
• What one thing would make your life easier?
• Imagine you are 16 and your parents have bought you a car. What does it look like?
• What one thing would make school more fun?
• Describe what happens on the absolute best day you can think of.
• What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
• You are given $1,000 but you can’t spend it on yourself. What do you buy and for who?
• You are creating the perfect town for you and your family to live in. What does the town have?
• What is one talent you wished you had but don’t?
• Write about your favorite music.
• Describe your favorite movie without mentioning the title or the characters names. Can anyone guess the movie?
• If you could control your own dreams, what would you choose to dream about tonight?
• You can ask the government one question and they have to answer you honestly. What do you ask and why?
• Do you think you could go a whole day without talking? What would be difficult about this?
• If you could stop anyone else from talking for one day, who would it be and why?
• If the world was going to end in one hour, what would you want to do?
• What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?
• Do you have any toys right now that you think you will still play with when you are 20? Why or why not?
• What would you do if you were the last person on earth?
• Write about something you believed as a small child, but it turned out to be wrong. What was it? How did you find out?
• What would you do if you suddenly woke up in another country and no one could understand you?

Writing Tools for Older Kids

As kids get a little bit older, they can start being introduced to some tools and programs that will help their writing. As they age, they will start to get a sense of how to write properly and they will develop a voice and style of their own.

Those who are serious about writing and/or show some real promise might benefit from the use of some writing software to help them become an even better writer.

We have created a list of 20 excellent tools for writers and gone over them in detail. But, a good place to start is with Squibler and Grammarly .

Squibler will help them figure out how to organize a book. It offers a place to take notes and record research. It then encourages the writer to break down their chapters and scenes for easy organization and editing.

Squibler also offers a series of templates that might be helpful to kids as they learn about story structure and character development. These templates will walk them through the writing of a book and offer guidelines and suggestions to make the story as effective as possible.

There are several style and genre options, but a good place to start is with the general fiction template:

Second, is Grammarly . Kids will often struggle with grammar and punctuation for a while. Grammarly is designed to help all types of writers fix and polish up their work from a grammatical standpoint.

It is largely intended for professional writers who do it for a living, or students who need to hand in perfect written pieces. But, that doesn’t mean kids can’t benefit.

As they go through their work in Grammarly and find their errors, they will learn from them. If they see the same thing pop up numerous times, they will learn not to do it anymore.

Get Kids Thinking With These Writing Prompts

The kids are the next generation of writers , authors , and creators. Start their skills early and encourage them to expand and improve. Teach them how to craft their words. Teach them how to paint a picture in someone else’s mind.

From writing descriptions to organizing thoughts and emotions, and even creating interesting characters – kids should be flexing their creativity muscles whenever possible.

Whether they go free form or you use a book writing template , encourage them to let their imaginations loose on a regular basis.

These writing prompts for kids will get them started, but if you’re looking for more, try using the scholastic website. They have a writing prompt generator with lots of variety. It also has a fun design if you’re using it with your kids.

This will give you an endless source of fun prompts for the kids to enjoy.

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4th Grade Writing Prompts

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Students in fourth grade need varied practice developing their writing skills. According to the Common Core State Standards Initiative , fourth-grade writing should include opinion pieces, informative or explanatory texts, and narratives about real or imagined experiences. Additionally, a fourth-grade writing curriculum should include short research projects. 

These writing prompts offer diverse forms of inspiration for every student.

Opinion Essay Writing Prompts

In an opinion essay , students must state their opinion and back it up with facts and reasons . Ideas should be organized logically and supported by details.

• Best Friends Forever. Write an essay explaining what makes your best friend the best best friend. 
• Awesomeness.  Describe the most awesome thing about being in fourth grade.
• New Worlds. Would you rather help start a colony on a new planet or a city under the ocean? Why?
• School Food. Name one thing you would like to change about your school’s menu and explain why.
• Someday. If you could be a race car driver, an astronaut, or president of a country, which would you choose and why?
• Cityscapes . If you had a friend visit from another state, what is the one place in your city you would insist he or she had to see? What makes this place so special?
• Shipwrecked. You find yourself stranded on a deserted island with only three items in your backpack. What would you want those items to be and why?
• Flat Earth. Some people still believe that the Earth is flat . Do you agree or disagree? Include supporting facts.
• Extra! Extra! Name one class, sport, or club you wish your school offered and explain why it should be available.
• Seasons. Which season is your favorite and why?
• One-star . What is the worst book you have ever read and what made it so terrible?
• Fandom. Who is your favorite TV, movie, or music star? What makes him or her the best?
• Progress.  Identify a way in which you would like to improve as a student this school year. Explain why you would like to get better and list some steps you can take to make it happen.

Informative Essay Writing Prompts

When writing an informative or explanatory essay, students should introduce the topic clearly, then develop the topic with facts and details. When explaining a process, students should outline the steps in a logical order.

• Bullied. Explain how you would handle being bullied and the steps you would take to stop a bully.
• Mad Skills. Describe an unusual talent, hobby, or skill that you possess.
• Cuisine. Describe a food that is unique to your family or area of the world to someone who has never tasted it.
• Role Model. Think of a person who has made an impact on your life and describe the role they’ve played.
• Pay It Forward. What is one thing you would like to do—either now or in the future—to make the world a better place?
• Packing. Explain the most effective way to pack for a trip to ensure that you have everything you need.
• Wild Kingdom. Of all the animals wild or domesticated, write about your favorite. Include interesting facts about this animal in your essay.
• Gaming. Explain how to play your favorite video or board game to someone who has never played it before.
• Problematic. Describe a problem you’re facing and three ways you could possibly solve it.
• Extreme Weather. Choose an extreme weather condition or a natural disaster such as a tornado or a volcanic eruption. Explain its causes and effects.
• Sweet Treats. Explain the process of making your favorite dessert.
• Learning Styles. Think of the way you prefer to learn, such as by reading, listening, or doing. Explain why you think you learn best that way.
• Edison. Thomas Edison said that he didn’t make mistakes, he just learned 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb. Describe a mistake you made and the lesson you learned from it.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

When writing narrative essays about real or imagined experiences, students should use descriptive details and logical sequence. They can use dialogue and sensory details to develop their essay .

• Microscopic Details. Imagine being microscopic. Describe an adventurous trip through your body.
• Alone. You find yourself locked in your favorite store alone overnight. Where are you and what do you do?
• Homeless. A friendly stray dog follows you home from school. What happens next?
• Time Travel. Imagine you could travel back in time to when your mom or dad was your age. Write an essay about your relationship with your fourth-grade parent.
• Mismatched. Write a story about someone your age. The story must include a giraffe, a mouse, a flying carpet, and a large birdcage.
• Pet Peeve.  Recount a moment when something really got on your nerves. Describe the experience and why it irritated you so much.
• Surprise! Think of a time your teacher surprised your class. Describe what happened and how the class reacted.
• Special Moments. Think of a specific day or event that you will always remember. What made it so special?
• Travel Through History. Imagine you could travel back in time to live through one event from history . Describe the event and write about your experience.
• The Most Terrible Day. Write an essay about a day when everything went wrong. How did the day start and end, describe the experience.
• Road Trip. Write about a favorite family vacation or road trip. Where did you go? What made it special?
• Funny Pet Tricks.  Can your pet do a funny or unusual trick? Describe it.
• President. If you could be president for a day (or the principal of your school), what would you do?

Research Project Essay Writing Prompts

Fourth-grade students should also complete short research projects using books, magazines, and online sources . Students should take notes and provide a list of the sources they used in their research.

• New Puppy. You want a new puppy. Do some research to determine the best breed for your family and write about it.
• Battles . Research and write about what you consider the most significant or famous battle in history.
• Famous People. Choose a famous person from history or science and write about their lives and contributions.
• Animal Kingdom. Select an animal to research. Include facts about its behavior, habitat, and diet.
• Countries. Choose a country. Investigate its culture and holidays, and find out what life there is like for kids your age.
• States. Pick a state you’ve never visited. Learn three to five unique facts about the state to include in your essay.
• Inventions. What do you think is the greatest or most useful invention of all time? Find out who invented it and how and why it was invented.
• Native Americans. Choose a Native American tribe. Learn about where they lived, their culture, and their use of natural resources in their area.
• Endangered Species. Research and write about an animal that is endangered. Include facts about why it is endangered and any changes that people can make to help increase its population.
• Fine Arts. Learn more about an artist or composer. Include facts about their life and death and most well-known works.
• Authors. Research an author whose books you enjoy. Include facts about what inspired him or her to start writing.
• Dig Deeper.  Research something you’ve studied in history, science, or literature but would like to know more about.
• State Standouts. Choose a famous person from your state. Learn about his or her life and contributions.
• Engaging Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders
• Second Grade Writing Prompts
• Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students
• Personal Essay Topics
• January Writing Prompts
• February Writing Prompts
• First Grade Writing Prompts
• Fun March Writing Prompts for Journaling
• November Writing and Journal Prompts
• 24 Journal Prompts for Creative Writing in the Elementary Classroom
• Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Prompts
• September Writing Prompts
• December Writing Prompts
• Writing Prompts for 5th Grade
• How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech
• May Writing Prompts

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