Engaging 7th Grade Writing Prompts For Creative Essays

In 7th grade, students develop their ability to write complex, coherent, and well-organized essays on a variety of topics. For you to successfully guide them through this process, you’ll undoubtedly need a variety of engaging and motivating 7th-grade writing prompts!

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 67 great writing prompts for you to use in your classroom.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essays usually tell a story, either personal or fictional. Below are some narrative essay writing prompts that you can use in your classroom:

1. Family conflicts may help strengthen relationships. Describe a shared experience that cemented your family ties.

2. What makes your hometown special? Describe this characteristic.

3. Describe a time when you were in a leadership position. What did you learn from the experience?

4. Tell us about the most hilarious or clever prank you’ve ever played on someone (or been the victim of). What made it amusing?

5. Explain how you like or relate to your favorite television series.

6. When people reach middle age, they may be ashamed of things they used to enjoy. Describe something you liked in the past that you’re now embarrassed by.

7. Tell us about your close relationship with your BFF and its importance to you.

8. Write about a time when you misplaced (or recovered) something of great importance. How did the event influence your view on “Finders keepers; weepers losers?”

9. What do you wish your parents, teachers, or coaches knew about you?

10. Being new to a community or school may be difficult since you don’t know anyone, or it might be thrilling because no one knows who you are and your old life. Describe a time when you were the new kid in school.

11. Trips and vacations offer you and your family a lifetime of memories. Describe your favorite family vacation experience in an essay.

12. Describe a life lesson you’ve learned while engaging in your favorite sport.

13. Special food may be capable of creating long-lasting memories. Describe a particular meal that has stayed with you for a long time.

Compare and Contrast Writing Prompts

In a compare and contrast essay, your students will need to identify the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Below are some compare and contrast essay writing prompts:

14. They claim, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” In what ways is the pen mightier than the sword?

15. What’s the difference between coffee and tea? How are they similar?

16. What does the phrase “comparing apples to oranges” imply? Are there no similarities between these two fruits?

17. Pick your two favorite role models. What do they have in common, and how do they differ?

18. What’s the difference between a smartphone and a regular phone?

19. What’s the distinction between a cheetah and a tiger?

20. What are some differences and similarities between a drawing and a photograph?

21. What are the similarities and the differences between you and your best friend?

22. Consider the last two family vacations you’ve had. Compare and contrast them.

23. What family characteristics do you have in common with your siblings or relatives?

24. Choose two of your favorite characters from books. What characteristics do they have in common? What sets them apart from each other?

25. Think about the most recent dream you can remember. Compare and contrast it with a nightmare you recently had.

26. Think of your favorite sports team. How do they compare to their biggest rivals?

Expository Essay Writing Prompts

An expository essay requires you to investigate an idea, evaluate the evidence, expound on the main idea, and set forth your argument concisely. Here are prompts to assist your seventh-grade students in building these core writing skills of an expository essay:

27. Would you want to go to a public school, a private school, or be homeschooled? Write an essay about your chosen option.

28. Community service is an excellent experience. Tell us about a time you volunteered at a summer job. What did you do, and how did it make you feel?

29. If you could live in any city in the world, where would you choose? Write an essay describing your ideal hometown and why you want to call it home.

30. What superpower do you wish you had, and why?

31. Your friend expresses an interest in your favorite pastime. Explain it to him.

32. Time capsules are used to preserve history throughout the ages by burying them. What would you put in a time capsule to give a current impression of life?

33. A neighboring city has been hit by a natural catastrophe, which has resulted in the loss of homes and businesses. Describe how you can help.

34. Who do you respect in your life or from history? Describe how their personality or contributions to their community have earned your respect in an essay.

35. A friend wants to know how to prepare your favorite meal. Give your friend a step-by-step description so they can repeat the process.

36. Do you live in a major metropolis or a rural area? Why do you love it or hate it there?

37. It’s tough to be a middle school student when your peers and bullies pressure you. Describe a situation in which you were forced or bullied and how it impacted you.

38. When you’re an adult, what do you want to be? Explain why you’d choose that profession or what you’ll do to get ready for it.

39. Drug or alcohol addictions have a significant impact on many individuals. Discuss the harmful effects of these substances on families and communities.

Creative Essay Writing Prompts

Creative essays are meant to be expressive, imaginative, and original. These writing prompts will get your students’ creative juices flowing:

40. You own two pets from different species. Write a narrative from the perspective of your two pets about a day spent at home alone.

41. A time machine has been discovered in your backyard. What happens when you go inside?

42. Write a short story about your favorite characters from a book, film, or television show.

43. You get snowed in for a week with your family. There’s no electricity or phone service, so what do you do for fun?

44. Write a narrative from the viewpoint of an object found in your refrigerator.

45. You put on a pair of shoes you purchased at a thrift store. You’re whisked away into someone else’s life. Describe what happens next.

46. Consider a scenario in which you were awakened during the middle of a spectacular dream. What would’ve happened if the dream hadn’t been interrupted?

47. You’ve just discovered an unknown island. What’s next for you now that you’ve set foot on it?

48. You get a crumpled package in the mail. Describe the route by which it passed from the sender to you.

49. You discover that your closest friend has been hiding something from you. What is this secret, and why didn’t your pal tell you about it?

50. You’ve just found a door that you haven’t seen before. When you go through it, what happens?

51. Imagine that you’re a pioneer who has established a colony on Mars. Describe a typical day in your new home.

52. You’re listening intently to two people chatting animatedly, but you can’t hear what they’re saying. Make a guess about what they’re talking about.

Descriptive Writing Prompts

Descriptive prompts inspire your students to describe something using vivid language. These prompts can help your seventh-graders get started:

53. Describe the school spirit at your school.

54. How about a rainbow? Write about the last time you saw one.

55. Describe your bedroom in detail. Describe as many features as possible.

56. A school rule has just been abolished. How did the students react?

57. You have a new teacher this year. Describe their unique style.

58. A fire has broken out in your neighborhood. What do you see and smell as you watch the blaze (use your five senses)?

59. The family pet has just passed away. Write about the memories you have of this animal.

60. You’re at a carnival. What sights, sounds, and smells do you take in?

61. Write about a time when you were extremely embarrassed.

62. What does your favorite food taste like? Write a descriptive paragraph about its flavor, texture, and smell.

63. You’ve just returned from a trip to a foreign country. Describe the people, food, and customs that you encountered.

64. Describe a sunset using as many adjectives as possible.

65. You find a mysterious box on your doorstep. What’s inside?

66. You’re at a museum. Describe the paintings, sculptures, and other artwork that you see.

67. You’re chosen to be a contestant on a game show. What do you have to do to win?

Jump In:  Essay writing opens up opportunities for your 7th-grade students to write down their thoughts. Guide them as well to appreciate poem reading (and writing) by  providing them with my list of 20 Amazing 7th-Grade Poems Your Students Will Love!

Watch Your Students’ Writing Come Alive!

Now that you have a huge list of 7th-grade writing prompts at your disposal, you can use them in any way you see fit.

Assign one prompt as a free-write at the beginning of class and watch your students’ creativity unfold.

Or, have students choose their favorite prompt and write a longer piece that incorporates all of the elements of a good story.

No matter how you use these prompts, your students are sure to have a blast!

Last Updated on July 25, 2022 by Emily