Ah, November. This is the month that is crazy busy with things to do. It’s the month we give thanks to Veterans on the 11th and give thanks to our maker on Thanksgiving Day for giving us so much to be thankful for.
Then it’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday when shoppers come out in full force, in person and on the internet, to look for bargains of all kinds. So, it’s important to keep writing as this is one good way to keep one’s sanity during this most hectic month.
To all deer hunters, wouldn’t it be more challenging if deer could shoot back at you? A firefight with a deer! And ambushes too. Just like you do to a deer. How cool, right!
“Bill, what happened to your butt?”
“Got ambushed by a buck. Damn near took off my right cheek!”
Think of all the war stories you could tell your grandkids. And those trophy heads on the wall would make your stories more true-to-life.
But woe to the hunter who gets wacked by an immature jimmy buck or a short tailed doe. Oh my gosh, forever the butt of a joke!
Sentence starters might seem like a small detail, but they truly form important part of compelling writing. They help you find your rhythm, guide your reader, and create seamless transitions between ideas. In short, they’re the keys to keeping your writing fluid and focused. Let’s break down why these small beginnings matter so much.
Why Are Sentence Starters Important?
A strong sentence starter can be the difference between captivating your audience and losing their attention. They bring rhythm, helping your writing flow naturally while guiding your reader along. Here’s why they play a crucial role:
They set expectations. Starting with intention gives your audience a preview of what’s coming, whether it’s an idea, a question, or a vivid description.
They help combat writer’s block. Sometimes, the hardest part is starting. A well-chosen sentence starter can spark creativity and break the barrier of hesitation.
They make transitions smoother. Great sentence starters guide readers through your thoughts without abrupt stops, making your writing feel cohesive and connected.
They anchor your voice. The way you start a sentence reflects your tone, personality, and purpose, keeping your writing consistent and authentic.
They keep the reader hooked. A strong opening to any sentence builds curiosity, setting the pace for a narrative, argument, or description.
Now that you know their importance, take a look at 4 categories of sentence starters that you can use to keep your ideas flowing.
Goodbye writers block. Use these words to keep your sentences flowing.
Have fun and write something you love. Let it all flow out of you. Connect with your heart and what is important to you.
2. Things that made you smile
Writing about what makes you smile tells you what lights you up. When you’re having a hard day, you can take a look at this and write about something that makes you happy. It’ll turn your day around.
3. Story where you’re the star
We’re all the stars of our own lives, but have you ever written a story where you’re the star? Imagine your dream life and write about it. How does this change the way you think of your life? What changes can you make to make your dreams come true?
4. Write about your beliefs
As you go through life, you’ll faces challenges and pressure. Once you know your beliefs, you can know your values and what principles you want to live by, which will help you when challenges arise.
5. A memory that means something to you
Memories are little nuggets to our souls. We store them for a reason. Reach down inside and determine why you love the memory you wrote down. You’ll learn more about yourself.
6. Your hopes and dreams
What are the things you’d like to see fulfilled? What are the desires and yearnings you’ve had? Often when we reflect on our hopes and dreams for the future, we actually reach those goals and move on, sometimes with little applause. Take time to write your dreams down, and in the future take time to re-read what you wrote. It might surprise you that you reached your dreams you had in the past without recognizing it.
7. A person you admire the most
What are the things you like about this person? Why do you admire this person? Can you bring what you like about them into your own personality?
8. What you love about yourself
We tend to be overly critical of ourselves. Take time to focus on the good qualities you contain and what you love about yourself.
9. The last time you felt happy
Why did you feel happy? Who made you happy?
10. One song that resonates with you
How does this song relate to you? How does it make you feel?
11. What ticks you off
Knowing what you don’t like or what doesn’t ring true to your spirit tells you something about you. After you determine what you don’t like, figure out if you can change your mind about it.
12. Describe your perfect day
If you can plan/orchestrate your perfect day, how would it go? Where would you go? Who would you be with?
13. What people will say at your funeral
What you think people will say at your funeral will tell you how you’ve been living your life. Are those things what you want people to say at your funeral?
14. Characteristics you admire in a person
Pinpointing the characteristics of a person that you like can show you what matters to you in a friendship(s) you’re longing for. Do you have people in your life who have these characteristics?
15. If you had three wishes from a genie
What would you wish for if you had three wishes? Don’t limit yourself.
16. One thing you regret and what you would do if you could change it
Lessons you learn from regrets are priceless. These are lessons that can help you prevent it from happening again
17. A confession
Write it all out. Remember, no one will see this unless you decide to share.
18. Your talents
What makes you unique and what talents do you possess? How are you utilizing your talents in your everyday life, career and/or relationships?
19. A turning point in your life
What events have made a difference in your life? How did that event change your life to where you are now?
20. Your hobby
Write about your hobby and what you enjoy about it.
21. Your insecurities
Why do you have those insecurities and what is the first memory attached to them? What would you say to yourself if you were a friend?
22. A compliment that mattered to you
Compliments can come in different forms. Which compliments have you appreciated lately?
23. How does your best friend describe you?
Try viewing yourself in a third person like your BFF/BF/GF/SO. How would you describe yourself? What are the positive sides of you?
24. A trip you’ve been dying to go on
Where would you want to explore to? How can you get started on this trip happen?
25. The first time you felt loved
Jot down what made you feel loved and why. Do you like compliments more or spending time with someone you love more?
26. A forgiveness letter
Forgiveness is about freeing yourself from being confined in someone else’s prison cell.
27. A letter you would write to your 16-year-old self
What are the things you’d wish your 16-year-old self knew?
28. A letter you would write to your 60-year-old self
What are things you’d like your 60-year-old self to remember from this time of your life?
29. 5 things you’d like to accomplish in the next 5 years
What are the things you want to do with your time in the next 5 years?
30. What you want to be remembered for?
How do you want to be remembered at the end of your life? What emotions do you want others to feel? How do you want to be celebrated? Are you becoming the person you’d like to be?
My hope is that when you write about these topics that you feel connected to yourself and to your soul. You don’t need to do these questions everyday. Do them as consistently as you can, but if you miss a day, that’s okay! Have fun with these topics and really dig deep.
By the way, the prompt for October 31 is anything scary!
Start the new year with 31 writing prompts. Number 2 (Today) is a doozy! Have big fun.
Is your New Year’s resolution to write every day? Then these 31 January writing prompts are the perfect place to start.
Write down at least five goals for this year. What do you want to achieve by the end of this year?
The 2nd of January is believed by some to be the unluckiest day of the year. Write a story about a house cat who has the worst day ever.
Write a short poem about fireworks in the night sky.
Interview your favourite fictional character from a movie.
The clock strikes midnight. It’s the first of January, but of what year? You leave your house to realise it’s the year 1900. Write a journal entry from the point of view of a child living in the year 1900.
Write a how-to guide on how to organise a writing desk.
Write a fairytale about a young prince who has been turned into a snowman by a witch.
Can you write a funny limerick about a snowman who wants to go on holiday?
Write a movie review of a movie you’ve seen recently
What are your five tips for cheering someone up?
The full moon in January is called Wolf Moon. Write a short origin story on why you think it’s called the Wolf Moon. You can use this story starter to inspire you: Some believe the full moon in January is called the wolf moon because…
Write a day in the life story of a young penguin living in Antarctica.
Write a haiku poem about snow falling.
Write a letter to someone who inspires you.
Describe the best gift you ever received.
Imagine that you’re a fortune-teller. What predictions can you make for the future? Try to write down at least five predictions.
Describe the happiest moment you had last year.
Write a story about a magical calendar which predicts the future.
Describe the weather outside at this very moment.
Complete the following sentence in at least 10 different ways: January is the best month of the year because…
Write a story about a homeless man titled January Blues.
Would you rather play in the snow or make sandcastles at the beach?
When winter came all the trees lost all their leaves in the forest, apart from one magical tree.
Imagine if you had the power to turn objects into ice and create snowstorms. Would you use it for good or for bad?
Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell January.
If January was a person what type of person would they be? Describe their personality, likes and dislikes.
Finish this story starter: When the clock struck twelve something strange happened to me…
Describe your future self in 10 years in five words.
Continue this short story: One day Simon went ice-skating with his friends, but suddenly…
Would you rather go ice-skating on Neptune or skiing with a yeti?
A young wolf cub gets lost in the snowy mountains, where he befriends a baby eagle learning to fly.
31 January Writing Prompts: Plus FREE Printable ✏️ | Imagine Forest
Below, you’ll find 3 questions that can be jumping-off points for writing or discussion in the classroom, or conversation starters for the dinner table, such as: What are your Turkey Day traditions? What are your favorite side dishes? Do you participate in Black Friday shopping?
What are your favorite side dishes?
Source: New York Times Upshot based on Google search data
What do people eat on Thanksgiving in your state? Take a look at the map above, which shows the most “distinct” Thanksgiving side dish by state as determined by the number of Google searches during the week of Thanksgiving from 2004 to 2013, relative to the number of searches in other states. Have you ever tried any of these foods?
What are your Turkey Day traditions?
Every family celebrates Thanksgiving differently. What are your holiday traditions?
How do you and your family or community celebrate Thanksgiving? What does the food you serve or the things you do that day say about where you are from?
Or, read about how the Turkey Trot became a Thanksgiving tradition.
What has been your most memorable Thanksgiving?
Students, share a “snapshot” of your most memorable Thanksgiving. What makes that day stand out in your mind?
These prompts provide teachers a great way to add more writing time in class. Some have two suggestions, one for middle school (MS) and one for high school (HS). These can be simple writing assignments, warm-ups, or journal entries. Feel free to use these any way you wish.
Writing Prompts
May 18 – Theme: International Museum Day
There are numerous world-class museums around the world. For example, there is The Louvre, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Hermitage. There are also some oddball museums such as Museum of Bad Art or the National Mustard Museum. If you could create a museum about any topic, what would it be about? Describe two or three exhibits that would be in your museum.
May 19 – Theme: Circus Month
In 1768, the English equestrian Philip Astley demonstrated trick riding by trotting in a circle rather than a straight line. His act was named a ‘circus.’ As today is circus day, you have a choice of topics:
If you were in a circus, which performer would you be and why?
Do you like circuses? Explain your answer.
Do you think circuses should feature animals? Why or why not?
May 20 – Theme: National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
Each state requires a specific number of minutes that students should participate in physical activity. If your state requires physical fitness activity for the next 30 minutes, what activity would you choose? Why?
May 21 – Theme: Lindbergh Flight Day
On this day in 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off on his famous flight across the Atlantic. Would you like to learn how to fly a plane? Why or why not?
May 22 – Theme: Older Americans Month
Do you believe that older Americans are treated with enough respect today? Explain your answer.
May 23 – Theme: World Turtle/Tortoise Day
Today is World Turtle Day. Conservation efforts are demonstrating success, and turtle populations are up. Tortoises can live long lives. One, Adwaita the Tortoise (1750-2006), is reputed to have lived over 250 years. What events would a tortoise who lived that long have witnessed? What event would you like to have seen?
May 24 – Theme: First Morse Code Message Sent
A simple substitution code is when you replace each letter with a different letter. For example, all A’s become B’s, and B’s become C’s, etc. I have written the following sentence using this type of code so that each letter of the alphabet is written as the letter that comes after it. What does my sentence say? Do you agree or disagree with it? Dpef csfbljoh jt fbtz boe gvo.
May 25 – Theme: John F. Kennedy’s Speech About Sending a Man to the Moon
On this day in 1961, John F. Kennedy said that America would send a man to the moon before the end of the 1960s.
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”
Why is this speech so significant? Should Americans continue space exploration because it is “hard”?
May 26 – Theme: National Hamburger Month
On average, Americans eat three hamburgers a week. What is your favorite type of hamburger or veggie burger? Is it plain or with toppings like cheese, bacon, onions, etc.? If not a hamburger, what food do you (or could you) eat three times a week? Describe a favorite food using at least three of the five senses.
May 27 – Theme: Golden Gate Bridge Opens
The Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of San Francisco, recognizable by people all over the world. Do you have any symbols or monuments for your city or community? What are they? Even if you don’t have a symbol that you can think of, explain why you think these types of symbols are important to people.
May 28 – Theme: Amnesty International Day
The goal of Amnesty International is to protect and promote human rights across the world. Their motto is, “Fight injustice and help create a world where human rights are enjoyed by all.” In some countries, genocide (the systemized killing of an entire ethnic group) is still being carried out. What is the responsibility of the United States? Do we have a duty to step in and stop these types of human rights violations? Explain your answer.
May 29 – Theme: Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a federal holiday that originated when decorations were placed on the graves of Civil War soldiers. Decoration Day gave way to Memorial Day, the last Monday in May. After World War I the nature of the holiday changed to honor the memory of all Americans who died in any war – not only Civil. What are three things that we can do to honor those men and women who died while serving in our military?
May 30- Theme-Emerald Gemstone
The emerald is May’s gemstone. The stone is a symbol of rebirth and is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. The color green is associated with new life and the promise of spring. What promises of spring do you see now?
May 31 – Theme: Meditation Day
A combination of anecdotal and scientific evidence suggests that meditation in schools may help improve grades and attendance. Yoga and meditation may help students at all grade levels feel happier and more relaxed. What do you know about meditation and yoga? Would you like to see meditation programs brought into your school?
Congratulations on completing this writing assignment. Well Done!
These prompts provide teachers a great way to add more writing time in class. Some have two suggestions, one for middle school (MS) and one for high school (HS). These can be simple writing assignments, warm-ups, or journal entries. Feel free to use these any way you wish.
Writing Prompts
May 8 – Theme: National Train Day
High-speed trains can travel fast with some prototypes with speeds over 400 mph. In theory, a high-speed train could race up the East Coast, from NYC to Miami, in seven hours. The same trip would take a car about 18.5 hours. Should Americans invest in high-speed rails for trains or in roads for cars? Why or why not?
May 9 – Theme: Peter Pan Day
Pretend you were in J.M. Barrie’s story about Peter Pan, a boy who never grows up and remain eternally young. Which part would you most like to see or do: fly, visit with mermaids, fight the pirate Captain Hook, or meet the mischevious fairy Tinkerbell? Explain your answer.
May 10 – Theme: Civil Disobedience.
In 1994, political activist Nelson Mandela was sworn in as South Africa’s 1st Black president. Mandela followed the example of the civil disobedience practices used by Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Consider King’s statement, “Any man who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust and willingly accepts the penalty by staying in jail to arouse the conscience of the community on the injustice of the law is at that moment expressing the very highest respect for the law.” For what injustice would you practice civil disobedience?
OR
May 10: Theme: Postcards
In 1861, the US Post Office authorized the first postcard. Postcards are usually sent from a vacation place or as a greeting card to mark an event, or even just to say “hello”. Design a postcard and prepare a message.
May 11 – Theme: Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month
Do you have asthma or allergies? If so, what are your triggers? (What makes you have an attack or sneeze, etc.) If not, do you think that schools do enough to help those who have asthma and allergies? Why or why not?
May 12: Theme: National Limerick Day
Limericks are poems with the following scheme: five-lines of an anapestic meter (unstressed syllable, unstressed syllable, stressed syllable) with a strict rhyme scheme of AABBA. For example:
“There was an Old Man in a tree, Who was horribly bored by a Bee; When they said, ‘Does it buzz?’ He replied, ‘Yes, it does!’ ‘It’s a regular brute of a Bee!'”
Try to write a limerick.
May 13 – Theme: Mother’s Day
Write a descriptive paragraph or poem about either your Mother or someone who is a Mother figure to you.
OR
May 13 – Theme: Tulip Day
In the 17th century, tulip bulbs were so prized that traders would mortgage their houses and fields. Describe a tulip or another flower using all five senses.
May 14 – Theme: Lewis and Clark Expedition
William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was able to create a map of the Louisiana Purchase by merely walking through and exploring it. Today Google uses cars with custom cameras over five million miles to develop their Google Maps apps. How do maps figure in your life? How might they figure in your future?
May 15 – Theme: L. F. Baum’s Birthday
Author of the Wizard of Oz books and creator of Dorothy, the Wicked Witch of the West, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Wizard. Which character from the world of Oz would you most like to meet? Explain your answer.
May 16 – Theme: National Bar-B-Que Month
The word barbecue comes from the Caribbean word “barbacoa.” Originally, barbacoa was not a way of cooking food, but the name of a wooden structure used by indigenous Taino Indians to smoke their food. Barbeque ranks in the top 20 most popular foods in the USA. What’s your favorite picnic food? Do you like bar-b-que, hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, or something else entirely? What makes it so special?
May 17 – Theme: Kentucky Derby
(MS) This horse race is also called “The Run for the Roses” for the draped blanket of roses placed over the winning horse. This idiom uses a rose, as do many other idioms. Choose one of the following rose idioms, or any other idiom you know, and give an example as to when it could be used:
a bed of roses
a rose by any other name
bed of roses
bloom is off the rose
bring the roses to (one’s) cheeks
come out smelling like a rose
(HS) Just before the race at the Kentucky Derby, the crowds sing “My Old Kentucky Home.” The revised lyrics of the original song by Stephen Foster changed the word “darkies” and substituted the word “people.” Crowds now sing:
“The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home Tis summer, the people are gay…”
Should songs with questionable lyrics from years ago continue to be used for public events? Are there songs that are so inappropriate that they should be dropped entirely?
May is a beautiful month, full of flowers and sunshine. May also celebrates a week for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Many of the following writing prompts for each day of May are written to take advantage of this time of year.
These prompts provide teachers a great way to add more writing time in class. Some have two suggestions, one for middle school (MS) and one for high school (HS). These can be simple writing assignments, warm-ups, or journal entries. Feel free to use these any way you wish.
Writing Prompts
May 1 – Theme: May Day
(MS) May Day is a traditional celebration of Spring in countries around the globe, often including dancing and flowers around a maypole. However, May Day is rarely celebrated in the United States. Do you think that Americans should celebrate May Day? Why or why not? (HS) In Chicago 1886, 15 people were killed during the Haymaker Riot strikes held to protest poor working conditions. In sympathy, European nations, many socialist or communist, established May Day to honor the cause of the worker. Same prompt for you.
May 2 – Theme: Holocaust Remembrance Day
Is the Holocaust too disturbing for students to learn about in middle school or even in high school? Write a persuasive paragraph explaining why it should be included in the curriculum.
May 3 -Theme: National Day of Prayer
May 3 – Theme: National Day of Prayer is usually observed on the first Thursday of May. It’s an inter-denominational event when faiths from across the country pray for the United States and its leaders. The word “pray” was first used in the early 13th century to mean “ask earnestly, beg.” What would you like to “ask earnestly, beg” for in your life?
May 4 – Theme: Star Wars Day
The date comes from the catchphrase, “May the 4th [force] Be With You.” Do you have an opinion about the “Star Wars” film franchise? Do you love it, hate it? Are there reasons to appreciate the series? For example, from 2015 to the present, the film series has made millions of dollars:
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) over $900 million
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017) over $600 million
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) over $500 million
May 5 – Theme: Cinco de Mayo
Many people across the United States celebrate the day, but they do not know what Cinco de Mayo commemorates. The day recognizes the Mexican Army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, in 1862. Should we know more about this holiday or other international holidays?
May 6 – Theme: American Bike Month
(MS) 40% of Americans have a bicycle. Do you have a bicycle? Do you know how to ride it? What could be the advantages of riding a bicycle? What are the disadvantages of riding a bike? (HS) Urban planners include more bike lanes to reduce car traffic. The benefits of bicycles in cities are the reduction of car emissions and the increase of exercise. Is this planning a good thing? Or is more city planning needed? Could this planning be like the idiom the says something is needed “like a fish needs a bicycle “?
May 7 – Theme: Teacher Appreciation (Week May 7-11)
What qualities do you think a great teacher must have? Explain your answer. Do you have a favorite teacher from your school experiences? Write a letter of appreciation to that teacher.
