6th Grade Writing Prompts

Welcome to our 6th grade writing prompts! Sixth grade brings more opportunity for learning, growing, and maturity. It’s important to ignite a love of writing through a variety of writing opportunities and topics that are both relevant and thought-provoking. Use the categories of “Adventure,” “Video Games,” “Music,” “Patience,” “Self-Awareness,” and “Personal Narrative” to embrace the magic of writing. Writers are encouraged to plan and review their work. Keep in mind that some prompts may demand contextualization depending on the learner’s background and needs. Check out our printable lined paper too – free to download and over 100 different themes!

6^th Grade Writing Prompts

Category 1: Adventure

Whether it’s a mysterious journey, a scientific discovery, or the voyage to find a lost cat, let these creative writing prompts take you further into adventure. Writers can use these prompts to imagine encounters with adversaries, kings, cats, and more.

1. Identify an adventure or quest of interest for you and your classmates. Create a list of items that everyone will need to bring in order to survive the journey.
2. Illustrate a dangerous scene from an adventure. Explain, in a detailed caption, what is happening in the picture and invite the reader to finish the adventure story.
3. Write a poem about the spirit, or feeling, of adventure.
4. Write a story about a group of friends who go on an adventure to help solve a mystery. They face a mild adversary, a local police officer, who doesn’t want their help.
5. Write a story about a science student who discovers a meteor will hit the earth in three days!
6. Write from the perspective of a teen living in Ancient Egypt who is tasked with returning one of the King’s favorite cats, Locust. Create several journal entries about the teen’s quest to track down the cat.

Category 2: Video Games

Video gaming, be it on consoles, computers, or cell phones, is an important part of many people’s everyday lives. These games demand strategic thinking, creative planning, and skill. Writers can use these prompts to craft stories about video games, create infographics, write poetry, research, and more!

1. Create an infographic that explains the history of video games. Which games were most popular in the arcades of the 1970s and 1980s?
2. Design a comic strip featuring a character who becomes addicted to a video game. How do they balance their passion for the game with their life responsibilities?
3. Design and illustrate your favorite video game setup. Explain what you’d need in the space where you play your video games and why each component is essential.
4. Research a famous video game developer and write an article about them. How did their career/ journey into video game development begin? To what degree were they successful and how did they face challenges?
5. Write a poem about a talented gamer who becomes sponsored (paid to play video games professionally).
6. Write a story about a character who is transported into their favorite video game. Explain if/ how they are able to make it to the next level and through what methods they can emerge victorious.

Category 3: Music

Music is an important part of many people’s everyday lives; many of us enjoy listening to music all day long and we owe much thanks to those who produce our favorite tunes and beats. Writers can use these prompts to craft stories, write poems, conduct research, and even write social media posts related to the world of music.

1. Create a comic strip featuring a band that plays different, and sometimes unique and unusual instruments. What kind of music do they play? In what regions and with which audiences are they most popular?
2. Design an infographic that explains the history of a particular genre of music. Who are some significant artists that have contributed to this genre? Where can people find more information and listen to this style of music?
3. Research a famous musician and write an article about their career. What is their legacy (what impact did they have on the music industry)?
4. Write a poem about your favorite song. What does the song make you think and feel?
5. Write a social media post that promotes a new album from your favorite artist. What do you like about the album, and why should your followers listen to it?
6. Write a story about a character who hears music that no one else can hear. How does this affect their life? Describe the music by likening it to certain genres, artists, or songs.

Category 4: Patience

As we mature, we negotiate with our ability to practice patience. While childhood drives our impulses to want everything immediately, young adulthood ushers us into the need to slow down and exercise patience. This can be challenging! Let these creative writing prompts inspire reflections on patience.

1. Create an infographic that explains different strategies for practicing patience. What are some tips for calming and refocusing?
2. Illustrate and write a children’s book about patience. Include a character who learns the value of patience.
3. Reflect on a time when your patience was tested. Write about this time in a short story.
4. Research a famous inventor, scientist, or athlete who had to exercise patience as they navigated their own failures. What did they learn? Did they give up? How did they keep their momentum and passion from completely dwindling?
5. Write a social media post that promotes the importance of resisting impulsive actions and thoughts.
6. Write a story about a character who struggles to be patient as they attempt to achieve their goal. Include the character’s experience as they learn to master their impulses.

Category 5: Self-Awareness

As we age, our sense of self-awareness becomes more acute. We sometimes feel insecure as we come to understand our unique attributes and identities. Let these creative writing prompts inspire personal reflections on self-awareness.

1. Create a bold and eye-catching infographic that explains at least 3-4 ways to increase self-awareness. What are some strategies for better understanding your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors? Be sure that your infographic is easy to read and proofread.
2. Design a comic strip featuring a character who struggles with insecurity and self-doubt. Where do their doubts come from? How do they learn to dispel (quiet; challenge) their own doubts?
3. Research a leader whose self-awareness allowed them to become successful. You may want to review interviews where the person reflects on their leadership style or identity.
4. Write a poem about the importance of self-acceptance. The poem can be personal or focus on a character who learns about self-admiration.
5. Write a social media post that promotes the value of self-reflection. Include helpful resources for viewers.
6. Write a story about a character who learns an important lesson about themselves. What do they discover? How does this knowledge change or help them?

Category 6: Personal Narrative Writing Prompts

As we grow older, we reflect more often about our past and present. Let these creative writing prompts inspire empathy and reflections about fears, triumphs, instinct, and role models.

1. Imagine that you could trade places with someone for a day. Write about who you would choose and what you believe a day in their life would be like.
2. Now that you’re older, your role models may have changed. Write a comparative essay about who you used to look up to, or once admired, and how/if your role model has changed and why.
3. Research one career or job you hope to someday have. Explain why you feel you’d be a good candidate for this field and also what challenges, related to the work, you might face.
4. Write about a day you would choose to relive over and over again.
5. Write about a time when you overcame a fear or challenge.
6. Write an article about the importance of trusting your gut-instinct (intuition). Why is this important? What are the consequences of rejecting your instincts?