Writing prompts Reddit
A
writing prompt is a brief piece of writing and as its name suggests, prompts
the reader to build on the text and create an original piece of writing like a
journal entry, poem, essay, or a story. A prompt directs the writer on what to
do next but does not always tell the writer what to do. This means that it’s an
open-ended text that gives the writer liberty to think outside the box. Writing
prompts are mostly used in the essay part of a standardized test, but it is
also useful in developing a perspective for both students and writers. It is
also a thought provocative text on online discussion platforms like Reddit,
where people can discuss various topics. The main purpose of a writing prompt
is to provoke the reader to think in a certain direction and brain stop the
idea to develop a fully independent argument. There are two components of a
writing prompt. They include the prompt and instructions detailing what the
reader should do with the prompt. A good writing prompt should both introduce
and limit the reader to a topic.
Things to consider when coming up with
a writing prompt
1. The type of
response you expect from your readership.
Whether
it is an online platform, a standardized test, or just an essay, there is a
specific way you would like the reader to respond to the writing prompt. Here
are the different ways they could respond
• Argue-
Some prompts require the reader to argue for or against the proposition
provided in the writing prompt. These kinds of prompts are known as
argumentative writing prompts.
• Describe-
A descriptive writing creates a comprehensive image in the reader’s mind. The
writer describes the topic in a way that the reader is supposed to experience a
situation in its wholeness. The description gives the reader a clear mental
image of how something looks, feels, smells, and sounds like.
• Inform-
An expository writing will define, inform, and clarify on a specific topic.
This writing is also referred to as analytic, reflective, or evaluative
response. The essays that evaluate a problem and provides a solution, provide
cause and effects are also grouped in this category.
• Give
your opinion – An opinion piece as one that requires the writer to respond
to the prompt with a personal opinion of the topic suggested in the prompt.
• Persuade-
This is the kind of response that requires the writer to provide an argument
that makes the reader agree with the writer. This is by providing supportive
evidence to their argument that leaves no room for doubt.
• Narrate-
This the writing prompt that requires the writer to tell a story.
The
kind of response you would like to receive from the reader of your writing
prompt will determine how you phrase the prompt and the instructions you give
when providing the prompt.
2. The brevity of
the writing prompt
Your
prompt needs to be short and precise. Being wordy does not help the readers of
the writing prompt to understand it; instead, it will only obscure and distract
them from the real issue. It is important to make sure that you have given all
the information your readers needed to fully form and develop ideas based on
the writing prompt.
3. Your audience
The
readers of the writing prompt will be determined by the platform you choose to
relay your prompt. This is because they are the ones you expect to respond to
your writing prompt. So, for example, if the setting is a classroom, your
audience is the students. If you intend to relay your prompt via the internet,
your audience is wider and varied. This, therefore, means that, depending on
your audience, you will be able to formulate a simple or complex writing
prompt. In other words, this determines the appropriateness of the writing
prompt.
4. The contents of
your writing prompt.
The
best approach to writing a good writing prompt is by dividing it into three
sections. The first section is the topic introduction or introducing the
context of the prompt. The second section should be about encouraging your
reader to think about the topic you just introduced. Lastly, you need to describe
the writing task for your audience, including the response you expect from the
responders of your writing prompt.
What makes a writing prompt good?
1. Simplicity-
A writing prompt should not be complex such that your readers are having
trouble trying to understand it. Instead, the language should be simple, and it
should be direct to the point. This makes it possible to understand and be able
to think outside the box.
2. Open-ended
– An open-ended writing prompt encourages the writer to think outside the box
and offers an opportunity to write comprehensive responses. Your prompt should
encourage the writer to express their thoughts, knowledge, and feelings
regarding the topic in question.
3. Specific
– Writing prompts should be confined to a specific topic. This way, the
response is focused on that topic. Otherwise, writers may end up writing
general material that does not communicate effectively.
4. Evocative-
A good writing prompt is thought evocative. It encourages the writer to think
deep and research on the topic. It should bring out new and fresh thoughts for
the reader.
Examples of good writing
prompts from Reddit
1. An illegal psychological experiment gone
wrong leaves a girl with the power to make plants grow and die at will. She escapes
the facility, but with nowhere to go, she confides on the streets of a hazy
city. What does she do with her new-found powers?
2. Native Americans won the war of 1812 and
since then they are the major power in North America (Turtle Island). The year
is two thousand twenty-three (2023), and you are a kid going to history class.
In
conclusion, writing prompts whether meant for Reddit or just for class use
always follow the same structure. Always diversify your prompts to make sure
that other than being simple and brief should not be too brief that there are
only a few points to discuss.
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