For once, you must have heard about writing prompts. Writing prompt is a great tool one can use in any kind of writing idea. Therefore it is important to get the idea of what is a writing prompt and how you can incorporate creative writing prompts in your writing. 

In this blog, I have covered all the required information you must know regarding what is writing prompt, prompt definition, and many more. So without any further ado let’s get started.

Know the prompt definition before what is writing prompt

According to the Cambridge dictionary, to define a prompt in the English language is to make something happen. However, as far as writing skills are concerned, the prompt definition differs. 

The prompt definition can be read as to provide someone a hint to help them concentrate on a given topic, project, or goal. A prompt might be anything from a passage of text to a single word to an image. A brief entry or a lengthy essay can be the consequence of a prompt. 

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What is Writing Prompt ? 

We often come across terms that are not that familiar to us. As a result, we keep wondering what that means. Similarly, I know you must have heard your professors, teachers, or language books suggest you make use of writing prompts.

A writing prompt is just a topic around which you might begin brainstorming ideas. You have the liberty to either stick to the subject or let your mind dawdle. A prompt is a reference point for you to refine your writing abilities. They enable you to focus and extend your creativity as a writer. 

What is writing prompt | Forms of writing prompt

They can take the form of: 

• Report
• Essay
• A brief passage of text
• Journal entry
• Story
• Poem 
• Other writing forms

Types of writing prompts

Now that we know what is a writing prompt, let’s analyze the types of writing prompts.

The prompt definition clarifies that it is a clue given to concentrate on a specific topic. Keeping that in mind, have a look at the different types. 

1. Descriptive- Descriptive writing prompt demands to include details that enable the reader to create an image in mind. This prompt influences the reader’s five senses:

• Vision(eyes)
• Hear(ear)
• Touch(skin)
• Smell(nose)
• Taste(tongue)

2. Explanatory/ Informative- This type requires the writer to clearly describe the topic before adding supporting facts and details. This writing prompt, in other words, is written with the intention of informing the reader on a specific issue.

3. Narrative- When responding to narrative prompts, writers employ real or invented experiences. They should integrate the following in their writing:

• Dialogue 
• Sensory particulars
• Sensible sequences

4. Opinion- In this type of writing prompt, the writers are supposed to give their opinion about a topic followed by logical reasoning and facts. 

5. Persuasive- As the name suggests, persuasive means to persuade. The persuasive type asks the writer to influence the reader to agree with their opinion and idea. 

6. Research- Research type encourages writers to locate information on a given topic with help of books, online resources, videos, etc. This writing prompt asks them to do a thorough scanning of details and include the resources as well.

7. Creative- This type sparks creativity and makes writing look more attractive to the readers.

8. Non-fiction prompts- This writing prompt may focus on all sorts of things, including biographical data, historical events, descriptions of places or works of art, and a variety of other topics.

9. Speculative- A type that tricks the writers to explore a topic asking what if… questions. 

10. Journal – Journal prompts open rooms for ideas writers can use for journaling. 

Got a concise understanding of what is a writing prompt along with its forms and types? Continue reading the blog to land on more relevant information.

Advantages of writing prompt

• Stability on paper- More often than not, you keep wondering what to write about.  It irritates you sitting in front of a blank page for long. Here, the writing prompt comes into play. They give you a topic you can immediately start writing on.

• Helps you practice- Practice makes a man perfect. With that being said, a writing prompt help you enhance your writing skills in multiple ways. Writing them regularly acts as an exercise regime to make it easier to write longer and longer.

• Get you enough writing material- A topic may provide you with ideas to form a complete story. Moreover, you may also run into completely new ideas while working on another piece. Once you start writing, there’s no stopping.

• Increases creativity- A writer stands out for their creativity. In order to make your writing a unique one, you need to be creative. Creative writing prompts enhances your innovative skills. Start working with prompts and you will see a difference in your work. 

Certain questions to ask while working with prompts

What is a writing prompt more than a beginning point for your writing? It’s just that. However, it’s not just that. There are more extensions to get the writing game right. 

Writers should ask questions regarding the project to assist them to narrow down their final goal, just as they would in any prewriting exercise.

The following questions must be answered while you work with them.

• Is there a specific writing style that must be used?
• What is the purpose ?

• What data do I require to accomplish the task?
• What kind of information or arguments does it imply?
• Who is the audience for the essay?
• What impact does my writing style have on the expectations of the audience?

Writers can get a head start on their essay structure and thesis formulation by asking and answering these questions. Writing one-sentence answers to each question is an excellent place to start. 

Writers will be well on their way to drafting an essay that thoroughly addresses the goals prompt if they carefully analyze the writing prompt and use it as a prewriting guide. This is also a great way to get ready for any type of long-form writing.

Working with Writing Prompt: Few Pointers

We know what it is and why are they important. However, every craft needs a few tips and tricks to ace. 

Author Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, suggests that you need to spend 10,000 or more hours practicing to master your craft, be it any! Regardless of the quantity debated, it is apparent that every craft, including writing, requires time spent performing and practicing it.

The more time you spend writing regularly, the more proficient you will be in it. Below are few tips you should follow:

• Choose a prompt daily and try writing for 30 or 45 minutes each day. 
• When you are creatively blank, go for a writing prompt.
• Can’t find a topic? Refer prompts. 
• Start writing the moment you see a topic.
• View the prompt as a metaphor.
• Don’t edit while writing. That is the later step. 
• Go with the flow if the topic takes you on another idea.
• Join a prompts-centric community to have a look at how the same prompts are written differently by writers.
• Don’t just stick to words. Make use of photographs, artwork, etc.
• Be original. Do not try to copy from anywhere.
• Do not procrastinate and practice as much as you can. 
• Always look forward to creative writing prompts.

Follow the aforementioned tips while working with creative writing prompts and turn into a better writer each passing day. 

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Examples of creative writing prompts

It can be a daunting task to decide on which writing prompt to choose from the ocean of topics. I have compiled a list of 20 prompts you can use to boost your innovative imagination.

1. Turn one of the last texts you sent into a story.
2. A letter to your 18-year old self.
3. A stranger you met.
4. Your first flight/train journey experience
5. Justify any recent debate
6. The smell of wet mud
7. Your favourite reality show
8. Any three things you fear the most in life
9. The times when mathematics was your biggest enemy
10. Any secret confession
11. Your first heartbreak and the aftermath
12. When a girl falls in love with a girl.
13. A day without food would be like?
14. Last 10 days of your life.
15. Your take on religious disparities.
16. Dreams that remained dreams.
17. Write about your favourite destination
18. Feminism 
19. “As he stood near the metro station, his life flashed in front of him”…continue with the rest.
20. An alternative to any of the recent scenes of a movie you liked. 

Writing Prompt Generator

A writing prompt generator throws random story plots and character names at you. It can be a single sentence or a whole paragraph as well. It is a useful source of inspiration.

Writing prompt generator will give you an idea that you can carry forward. the ideas are creative enough to ignite a spark inside you. Have you ever faced a writer’s block? Use these writing prompt generator tools to beat the block like a pro:

1. Squibler
2. Seattle 7 Writers
3. Random First Line Generator
4. Spring Hole
5. Seventh Sanctum

Get The list of 101 creative writing prompts by blogreedsy

Conclusion

To conclude, the concept of what is a writing prompt has been made understandable in this guide. Alongside, I have tried covering everything you should know about what is a writing prompt, its importance, types, benefits, and examples you can pick yours from!

You can get inspiration for your own writing prompts from a variety of sources, including overheard conversations, headlines, signs, words taken from a book, and so on.

Explore your potential of writing Know your inner abilities and excel in your craft!