Writing Prompts Archive
QuaranTEENS
As this pandemic continues, we may lose some friends due to new socializing, but we have all made a new friend…. our favorite mask.
In this new reality so altered by the pandemic and influenced by social media, we need to remind ourselves that it is okay to disconnect from everything a little and to connect with ourselves.
Throughout life, we all experience many difficult and uncomfortable experiences and emotions. These days, it may feel like a tidal wave of stress, adversity, and uncertainty has hit us. There is no one way to cope; there are many. It is up to you to determine what you need and what you’ll do. The purpose of this writing exercise is to explore healthy coping strategies.
Take some slow, deep breaths.
Now, bring your awareness to your surroundings. Notice something beautiful. This can be something that you see, that you smell, that you touch, taste, or hear. Write this down.
When I was a teenager, I became very fond of a particular meditation: “May I have serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Everyone has been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, but the economically insecure have been hit the hardest. With food shortages, an extremely high unemployment rate, and business closures, the wealth gap has been exacerbated by the pandemic, and people are finding it harder and harder to make a living in these uncertain times. This article from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities provides some statistics and analysis on COVID-19’s economic impacts.
Over the past year, people have been scared and confused about the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Presidential Election, and more. Unfortunately, the media world hasn’t helped. The news has been filled with misinformation from social media, mainstream outlets, and even political and social figures. During a volatile time when people’s livelihoods and health are on the line, this phenomenon––unsurprisingly––has detrimental effects.
The events of 2020 have drastically changed many facets of our lives. For many people, one part of the year has been especially different: the holiday season.
As the end of 2020 approaches, it can be meaningful to reflect on the diverse impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on different areas of life and how that might affect one’s outlook for the year 2021.
With the restrictions and uncertainty of COVID-19 school has changed. How have these changes affected how you enjoy school?
A vaccine is being produced for everyone in the US! When you heard the news did it snap you out of your quarantine trance? Are you excited or skeptical?
As news of a successful vaccine broke, the question of who should receive the vaccine first was on everyone's mind.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many schools and businesses to close. This has caused many families to spend more time together in their homes. While this may be wonderful for some, it may be traumatic for others.
Write down all of the emotions you have felt regarding quarantine and COVID-19. Then, write down the emotions you have felt regarding the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the issues that have prompted it. From your list, what is one emotion that is the same between both?
Take a moment to reflect on the word "home." What does it mean to you? What makes your home different from someone else's? How has the pandemic changed your idea of home?
Write in your journal about the power of perseverance. What have you learned by persevering? How will this mindset help you in your future career? What is your dream job?
Cook a masterpiece with just a few ingredients and some creativity in this edition of QuaranTEEN Kitchen. Don’t forget to make it lit and write about your experience!
As states slowly start to proceed forward, what are some adjustments you’ve made that are part of your daily routine now? Are there things you do now that you didn’t do before the pandemic?
“Sadly, there is no one we treat as badly as we treat ourselves,” Kristin Neff, who researches compassion, says. Let’s fix that and practice some self love and compassion!
Did you know, the simple act of expressing gratitude can actually raise our happiness levels? It’s true! Research shows that when we choose to focus on the gifts in our lives, we experience improvements in our health and overall well-being. Make it Lit and start a gratitude journal!
Big feelings? Let it RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Interact with others, New wave.gs? Let it RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Interact with others, New wave. Learn more about this mindfulness practice to help manage emotions.
COVID-19 has rewritten our lives in a way that we never expected. It has flipped our world upside down and made us rethink everything. We can take this idea to our creative writing, too. For today’s prompt, retell a well-known story, but flip the script and throw in an unexpected twist.
As we’ve transitioned to a “new normal” during this pandemic, you’ve likely come across someone who has helped you adjust to distance learning, shown you a random act of kindness or inspired you to remain positive during this trying time. Write a letter to someone who has inspired you during this pandemic and tell them how they made you feel. Gratitude and kindness are contagious and we could all use some of that right now!
Racial Justice
There is a long history of attacks on Asian people in America. As the COVID-19 pandemic arose, violence against Asians in the US increased. This is something all people in America have to reckon with.
Most states in the U.S. had laws founded in racism that lead to the mistreatment of minorities, these are generally referred to as Jim Crow laws.
All around us the world is changing, whether that be the environment, society, or politics.
Write down all of the emotions you have felt regarding quarantine and COVID-19. Then, write down the emotions you have felt regarding the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the issues that have prompted it. From your list, what is one emotion that is the same between both?
As a community of future leaders, we must think about how our actions will help create equity in the coming years.
Mental health & Mindfulness
With the restrictions and uncertainty of COVID-19 school has changed. How have these changes affected how you enjoy school?
During these unpredictable times, everyone has difficult days and it can be easy to let negative emotions consume us. To help yourself through this, try writing a letter for your future self to open when you’re having a difficult day.
What if recipes weren't just for food? If you had to cook up a perfect day, what would your recipe look like?
“Sadly, there is no one we treat as badly as we treat ourselves,” Kristin Neff, who researches compassion, says. Let’s fix that and practice some self love and compassion!
Did you know, the simple act of expressing gratitude can actually raise our happiness levels? It’s true! Research shows that when we choose to focus on the gifts in our lives, we experience improvements in our health and overall well-being. Make it Lit and start a gratitude journal!
Big feelings? Let it RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Interact with others, New wave.gs? Let it RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Interact with others, New wave. Learn more about this mindfulness practice to help manage emotions.
You can do this 5 senses practice anywhere from your bedroom, backyard, looking out the window or a walk around the block. Start by taking a deep breath and then notice each of your senses. Make it Lit: Write about an emotion using this poetry template that incorporates the 5 senses.
Try these breathing exercises to help quiet your mind and to stay in control of your thoughts and actions. Make it Lit: Read a poem “Keeping Quiet” by Pablo Neruda and journal.
climate change
In the last month, many wildfires have broken out across the West Coast. Each year, these seasonal wildfires become more dangerous and disruptive.
lessons from the news
In determining which news makes sense and can be trusted, there are online resources that can help determine fact from opinion. Check out this guide.
In the era of coronavirus, we are bombarded with news more than ever. But what’s fact, fiction and opinion? This three-part lesson will help you decide!
Find new meaning in COVID-19 news. Write a poem using words found in articles or other text sources.
AUTHOR SERIES
Write your own letter in which you apologize for a mistake. That mistake can be taken from your life experience or an imaginary one through the eyes of a character you are developing. Either way, taking ownership of a mistake can reveal a lot about character!
Picture books aren't just for kids! Try writing your own version of Corinna’s heart poem.
Imagine that you're living your normal ordinary life and the person you rely on most for your care and security, maybe a parent or parental figure is arrested on false information and taken from you …
Alan Gratz asks you to imagine that you exist in the middle of a civil war with bombs coming down on your neighborhood. You can only pack a single bag and run. What do you hear? How do you feel? Who do you talk to?
CRAFTS
With COVID-19 being especially dangerous for the elderly, nursing homes and assisted living facilities across globe have restricted access to visitors. To help combat the loneliness that comes with social distancing for a generation that doesn’t live online, write a letter. The non-profit Love for the Elderly is collecting letters to send to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospices and senior centers across the globe. Here’s how to participate!
Find new meaning in COVID-19 news. Write a poem using words found in articles or other text sources.
POLITICS
On January 20, 2021 Poet Amanda Gorman recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration of President Biden. Take some time to listen to this poem: The Hill We Climb
After listening to this poem, reflect and write about the following:
Every 4 years ballots are filled out and a president is elected. The office of the president is not the only office filled by election. Members of congress, local officials and other positions are also decided by election.
This election year is tense with a feeling of impending change. Use this prompt to focus your feelings on something you are passionate about. WHAT kind of change do I want to see in the world? WHERE are the places that this change could take place? WHO do you need for this change to happen? WHEN would this change take place? WHY would/should/could this change happen? Write now about the change you wish to see right now!
QUARANTEENS KITCHEN
Cook a masterpiece with just a few ingredients and some creativity in this edition of QuaranTEEN Kitchen. Don’t forget to make it lit and write about your experience!
This dish, carefully selected from YA novel The Book of Unknown Americans for its simplicity and symbolism is perfect for your quaranTEEN kitchen. As you cook these scrumptious buñuelos, reflect on other memories connected to food. Has food brought you together as a family during this difficult time? Do any treats in particular bring you comfort? Have you learned to cook any other new recipes during this extra time at home? What special restaurants are you missing?
VIRAL CHALLENGES
Create your own TikTok featuring BOOKS as the best #stayathome activity. Remember to tag @WordsAliveSD and use the hashtags #BooksConnectUs #BookTok #quaranTEEN #stayhome