32 ESL Writing Prompts
Ever stare at a blank page, willing words to magically appear?
We’ve all been there.
Especially when it comes to writing in a new language. But fear not, fellow English learners! This blog is here to be your brainstorming buddy, tossing out fun writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing.
So grab your notebook (or laptop!), settle in, and get ready to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) with some awesome ESL writing exercises!
ESL Writing Prompts
Describe Your Favorite Season: Think about the four seasons – spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Consider what you like most about your favorite season. Is it the weather, the activities you can do, or something else? Write about why this season is your favorite, describing it with as many details as possible. Explain what makes this season special to you and how it affects your mood or activities.
A Day in the Life of a Celebrity: Imagine you are a famous celebrity for one day. Think about what your life would be like. What would you do? Who would you meet? How would you feel about the attention? Write a story describing your day from morning to night as this celebrity. Discuss both the exciting parts and the challenging aspects of being famous.
My Dream Job: Reflect on what your dream job would be. It could be anything from an astronaut to a teacher. Explain why you have chosen this job, what responsibilities it would involve, and what kind of skills you might need. Describe what a typical day in your dream job would look like.
An Adventure in Space: Imagine you are an astronaut who just landed on an unknown planet. Describe what you see, hear, and feel. What does the landscape look like? Are there any living creatures? What would you do there? Write a detailed description of your experience exploring this new planet.
A Letter to Your Future Self: Write a letter to yourself ten years from now. Think about what you hope to have achieved by then. What advice would you give to your future self? What questions would you ask? Express your hopes, fears, and questions about the future in this letter.
The Importance of Education: Reflect on why education is important. Think about how education has impacted your life and the lives of those around you. What benefits does education provide? Write an essay explaining the role and importance of education in personal and societal growth.
If I Could Invent Something: Imagine you have the ability to invent anything, whether it’s a new gadget, a medicine, or something else. What would you invent and why? How would your invention help people? Describe your invention and explain how it would change the world.
A World Without Internet: Consider what life would be like without the internet. How would things be different in terms of communication, entertainment, and information? Think about the pros and cons of such a world. Write an essay discussing how a world without the internet would affect society and your personal life.
The Power of Music: Reflect on how music impacts your life. Think about your favorite genre or song and what it means to you. How does music affect your emotions or memories? Write about the role music plays in your life and why it’s important. Explain how music can influence mood, bring back memories, or serve as a form of expression.
A Trip to a Historical Place: Imagine visiting a historical place, like the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, or the Roman Colosseum. Describe what you see, learn, and feel during this visit. What is the significance of this place? Write a detailed account of your experience exploring this historical site and its importance in history.
Overcoming a Challenge: Think about a time when you faced a significant challenge. What was the challenge, and how did you overcome it? What did you learn from this experience? Write about the steps you took and the emotions you felt during this process. Discuss the importance of resilience and learning from difficult experiences.
A Perfect Day: Describe what your perfect day would look like. From the moment you wake up to when you go to sleep, detail the activities you would do, the people you would meet, and the places you would go. Explain why these activities and experiences would make your day perfect.
The Impact of Technology on Society: Consider how technology has changed the way we live, work, and communicate. Think about both the positive and negative aspects. How has technology affected relationships, education, and the workplace? Write an essay analyzing the effects of modern technology on society and daily life.
An Imaginary Animal Friend: Create an imaginary animal friend. What does it look like? What special abilities does it have? How would it interact with you and others? Write a story about adventures you could have with this imaginary friend. Describe the unique characteristics of your imaginary animal and the bond you share.
Learning from a Mistake: Think about a mistake you have made in the past and what you learned from it. How did this mistake change your perspective or behavior? Write about the experience, the consequences, and the lessons learned. Explain the importance of learning from mistakes and how they can lead to personal growth.
A World Leader’s Day: Imagine you are the leader of a country for one day. What decisions would you make? What challenges would you face? How would you interact with other world leaders? Write about the responsibilities and dilemmas you would encounter. Discuss the complexities and responsibilities involved in leading a nation.
Exploring a New Hobby: Think about a hobby you have never tried but find interesting. It could be anything from painting to playing a musical instrument. Describe how you would start learning this hobby, the challenges you might face, and what you hope to achieve. Explain why trying new hobbies is important for personal development and fun.
A Journey Through Time: Imagine you have a time machine and can visit any era in history. Choose a specific time period and location. Describe what you would see, who you might meet, and what historical events you could witness. Write a story detailing your experience traveling through time and the insights you gain.
A Letter to a Historical Figure: Choose a historical figure you admire or are curious about. Write a letter to this person, explaining why you find them interesting, what questions you would ask them, and what advice or message you would share. Express your thoughts and feelings about this person’s impact on history.
The Magic of Nature: Describe a place in nature that you find beautiful or inspiring, such as a forest, mountain, or beach. Explain what you see, hear, and feel in this place. How does being in nature affect your mood and thoughts? Write about the importance of nature in providing peace and inspiration.
A Cultural Celebration: Think about a cultural festival or celebration from any part of the world that fascinates you. Describe the activities, foods, music, and traditions involved. What is the significance of this celebration? Explain how cultural festivals help in understanding and appreciating different cultures.
If I Could Change One Thing About the World: Reflect on one aspect of the world you would like to change. It could be a social issue, an environmental concern, or anything else. Describe what you would change and how you would do it. Discuss the impact this change would have on the world and its inhabitants.
An Unforgettable Character from a Book or Movie: Think of a character from a book or movie who left a lasting impression on you. Describe this character and what makes them memorable. How did they influence the story? Write about why this character is significant to you and what lessons you learned from them.
The Future of Technology: Imagine what technology might be like 50 years from now. Think about how it could change our lives, for better or worse. What new inventions might exist? How would they affect daily life, work, and relationships? Write a speculative essay about the future of technology and its potential impacts on society.
A Meal from Around the World: Choose a traditional dish from any country or culture that you have never tried before. Describe what ingredients you think are in it, how it is prepared, and what it might taste like. Why are you interested in this dish? Explain the significance of exploring different cuisines and what they tell us about their cultures.
The Joy of Reading: Reflect on a book that has had a significant impact on your life. Describe the plot, the characters, and what you learned from it. How did it change your perspective or feelings? Write about the importance of reading and how books can influence our thoughts and emotions.
A World Without Cars: Imagine a world where cars don’t exist. How would this change the way cities are designed, how people travel, and the environment? What alternatives to cars might people use? Discuss the possible effects on society and the environment in a world without cars.
Designing Your Dream House: Think about what your ideal home would look like. Describe the style, the rooms, and any unique features it would have. Where would it be located? Explain why these features and the location make it your dream house.
The Impact of Social Media: Consider how social media has affected your life and the lives of those around you. What are the positives and negatives? How does it influence relationships, self-image, and communication? Write an essay analyzing the role of social media in modern society.
An Act of Kindness: Recall a time when someone did something kind for you, or when you did something kind for someone else. Describe the situation and how it made you feel. What was the impact of this act of kindness? Discuss the importance of kindness and its effects on people and communities.
Life on Another Planet: Imagine what life would be like if you lived on another planet. What would the environment be like? What kinds of creatures or plants might exist? How would you adapt to life there? Write a creative story about your daily life and adventures on this new planet.
Inventions That Changed the World: Think about an invention that has greatly impacted the world. It could be something like the internet, the car, or the telephone. Describe the invention and how it has changed the way people live. Explain why this invention is significant and how it has shaped modern society.
