62 grade 8 writing prompts
Eigth year is a huge year for our students! They are stressed and under pressure as they head for high levels school. We can reduce this stress by in writing as long as the prompts are meaningful and engaging to our students. We have compiled a list of 32 attractive prompts to get your students in writing and think critically about the message they want to convey.
1. What new technology has developed in your lifetime and how has it helped you?
2. Write a news article describing the dangers of global warming.
3. Describe your favorite place to someone who has never been there. What can they do and see?
4. Think about your hobby and write an article explaining its benefits to someone who doesn’t know it.
5. Describe one of your unique family traditions to someone outside of your family.
6. Write a story telling elementary school kids how to prepare for college.
7. Do you think it’s easier to be a boy or a girl? Why?
8. Does online harassment exist? Why or why not?
9. What is the most important information you can give to an adult?
10. Do you think freedom of expression should have no consequences?
11. Do you think that wearing a school uniform benefits all students? Why or why not?
12. Sometimes people say boys shouldn’t cry. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
13. If you had to create a YouTube channel, what would it be about and why?
14. Do you think 8th graders are young or old? Why?
15. What are you allergic to and how do you deal with it on a daily basis?
16. What do you do when you are sick?
17. Why are writing skills important?
18. Do you prefer watching television or reading books? Why is it better?
19. Describe a food that someone has never eaten. How will it taste, smell and feel?
20. Write a letter to a friend who has just lost a family member.
21. Write a letter to your grandmother teaching her how to use an iPhone.
22. Write a letter to your principal to convince him to let you start a school club.
23. Describe your daily routine to someone who lives in Japan.
24. What does “the apple does not fall far from the tree” mean and where does it come from?
25. Think of all the plastic waste in the ocean. Write an essay solution to this problem.
26. Why is it important to conserve the rainforest?
27. Should people be allowed to travel anywhere in the world without a passport? Why or why not?
28. What is haggis, and would you eat it? Why or why not?
29. Do all states have the same laws? Why or why not?
30. Imagine you are a soldier of the American Revolution. What would you do when you heard “The Brits are coming?”
31. Write a letter to the founding fathers suggesting reasonable changes to the constitution.
32. Write a response to this Frida Kahlo quote “I paint neither dreams nor nightmares, I paint my own reality”. What does she mean by that, and how can you do that?
33. We are becoming too dependent on technology. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?
34. Should children be allowed to vote in political elections, such as presidential elections? Why or why not?
35. Write a daily journal entry from the perspective of yourself 5 years from now.
36. Should the richest people in the world be forced to give up some of their money to help the less fortunate?
37. Are boys and girls treated the same?
38. Write a fictional story that takes place in your hometown.
39. The school board should prohibit junk food on school grounds/property. Why or why not?
40. Write a fictional story using the following introduction: “There on the hill was a figure. The figure stood tall and erect as if waiting for someone or something.”
41. Describe the day of your proudest moment.
42. Think about how you could improve your school for yourself and your classmates. Write a letter to your school board with your ideas.
43. Examinations and tests should be prohibited in schools. Why or why not?
44. Do eighth graders have the toughest times in school compared to all other grades? Why or why not?
45. What are 5 easy things we can do in our daily life to take care of our planet?
46. Cell phones should be locked up at the start of the school day and returned only at the end. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
47. Describe your dream family vacation. Where would you go? Who would you go with? What would you do?
48. Write a letter to your favorite teacher at your school telling him why he is your favorite and what you appreciate about him.
49. Who is an admirable person or famous person that you find inspiring? Write about who they are and why they inspire you.
50. Write contrasting character descriptions for two fictional characters. Don’t forget to include physical appearance, personality, likes, dislikes, and anything else you deem relevant.
51. Write to your US Representative or Mayor about bullying in schools and what you think you can do to fix it.
52. Should there be a wealth limit or maximum amount of money a person can have? Why or why not?
53. Write a letter to the seventh graders at your school offering advice, telling them what they need to know and what they need to do to succeed in eighth grade next year.
54. You are the author of the advice column in the local newspaper. Answer this question a reader sent: “My daughter keeps ignoring the chores she has to do after school and wants to play her Xbox instead. How can I get my daughter to do her chores I don’t want to take her Xbox but if she doesn’t start doing her chores I will need it!”
55. Write an account of your first memory.
56. If you were Principal for the day, what would you do?
57. If you could live in any other country in the world, where would you live and why?
58. An advanced artificial intelligence robot has landed on Earth and threatened to destroy our planet. You have to write to him and convince him not to.
59. If you were to start a sports team with your classmates, what sport would you play, who would play what position and why?
60. You are stuck on a desert island. What five items do you bring with you and why?
61. Write a character profile on one of your favorite TV characters.
62. Write yourself a letter to open on the first day of school next year.
