A writing prompt gives definition and direction to the assigned topic. It can be as simple as a general idea, or complex enough to define the position of the thesis as well as the supporting paragraph.

     If you are a teacher, you may want to visit Writing Effective prompts so that you can effectively tailor make them for your students.

     At this site, you will find type specific prompts and additional information about these three categories of essays:

• Expository,
• Narrative,
• Persuasive.

     Off site writing prompts of varied types can be found at:

• Student Models - great to read others work for a guide
• Bright Ideas - These are prompts for younger students.
• Writing Bugs - prompts for the younger set
• Practice Writing Prompts
• Writer's Digest - over sixty ideas
• Cyberwriter - monthly writing prompts for elementary ages
• 7th Grade Writing Prompts
• Prompts fromt FCAT - good test practice
• Writing Prompts more for middle school
• Smaple Essays and grading Explanations from the ACT
• Writing Prompts and Scoring guides - elementary and middle school
• Writing Prompts
• Blowing Away the State Assessment - lots of topics on a variety of levels
• Sample Test Items
• b>Harry Potter Writing Prompts
• Topics - from the Regent's Testing Program
• Persuasive Writing Prompt Samples
• Writing Prompts - from Massachusetts
• Types of Essays and Student Samples - The samples are from a community college.

     Please feel free to use these ideas to practice and develop your essay writing skill. If you are a teacher, use them as writing topics for your class. As a student, try writing and evaluating your own work according to the rubric or standards used at your school. It is only through practice and evaluation that you truly find that you become a good writer with this form or any type of writing.