Inspire Creativity with One Word Prompts and Topics — Yes! Whether your students are beginning writers or seasoned journalling pros, sometimes everyone could use a little extra inspiration.
Of course, there are plenty of ways to jumpstart creativity, but we’ll always be partial to the new ideas that stem from writing prompts!
Yeppers…
Writing prompts come in all forms, but they can sometimes be as simple as even a single word. One word prompts truly have the power to showcase creativity, as they inspire each student to interpret and reflect in their own unique way.
This wonderful list of 100 one-word writing prompts is designed to give writers of all ages a fresh creative start. Since each prompt is just a single word, students will naturally come up with individualized ways of approaching the topic—particularly with prompts such as the words “present” or “space” that can have multiple meanings.
Ok, get to it and…
Encourage your students to simply begin writing and to go along in any direction that feels inspiring in the moment!
100 One Word Prompts for Writers of All Ages
One word prompts are all about starting with something small and experiencing the wonder of where you find yourself in the end. Use these one word prompts whenever your students need a fresh creative journey. You could print the entire list out and cut the prompts apart to add to a jar for students to select individually.
- Friend
- Space
- Sunshine
- Present
- Smile
- Love
- Tomorrow
- Nourish
- Ball
- Cost
- Winter
- Beauty
- Rain
- Happiness
- Camp
- Direction
- Age
- Friday
- Royal
- Hunger
- Loss
- Tree
- Mirror
- Empty
- Money
- Hair
- Inspire
- Door
- Excess
- Luck
- Intelligence
- Gratitude
- Water
- Beginning
- Responsibility
- Animal
- Country
- Assignment
- Special
- Mystery
- Hero
- Dreaming
- Boredom
- News
- Rebel
- Glitter
- Blue
- Parents
- Train
- Candle
- Strength
- Goodbye
- Surprise
- Game
- Eyes
- Doctor
- Quiet
- Promise
- Excitement
- Answers
- Glass
- Internet
- September
- Dance
- Myth
- Hands
- Sweet
- Light
- Afraid
- Ring
- Secrets
- Perseverance
- Neighbor
- Climb
- Star
- Healthy
- Laughter
- Forgiveness
- Experiment
- Admire
- Cliches
- Relax
- Marketing
- Home
- Time
- Rainbow
- Chaos
- Pancakes
- Travel
- Missing
- Jealousy
- Discovery
- Empathy
- Respect
- Energy
- Water
- Fight
- Art
- Sacrifice
- Growth
I hope you enjoyed these one word topics and prompts (AKA one-word journal prompts)
Related Links & Resources
- Drabble Prompts: 25 Creative Writing Ideas
- Writing Prompt Ideas for Every Type of Writer
- 34 Quick Writing Prompts
- 27 Amazing Picture Prompts for Kids
Now, let’s explore…
Writing Prompts: Why Use Them?
People of all ages who write creatively and keep journals use writing prompts as fuel to get their creative juices flowing.
Writing prompts are unique, fun, or inspiring words, thoughts, or pictures that help writers formulate ideas. They can be in the form of a single word, a sentence, or a paragraph—or even a photo or piece of art that inspires new and engaging thoughts to write about. Best of all, writing prompts can be found anywhere: the dictionary, TV ads, newspapers, magazines, photos, or on the Internet.
As we explored in the one word prompts listed above, a single word has the power to spark new ideas for a student to explore in writing. And you never know what may result from that one single word—perhaps a few paragraphs, a short story, or even an entire novel!
The word “star” is a wonderful example of an effective one word prompt because it can be interpreted in so many different ways.
For instance, one writer may choose to explore what it means to wish upon a star and have that wish come true instantly. Another writer may be inspired to write about stardust streaking across the cosmos at stellar light speed. And yet another writer may choose to write about movie stars or music stars and imagine what it would be like to be one. The writing ideas that can be generated from a single word are truly endless.
Purposes of Writing Prompts
The first purpose of writing prompts is that they give the writer an idea to expound upon. Some writers, when given a blank page, are at a loss as to what to write. Their minds may go blank and they may even experience writer’s block. With a one word prompt or a fresh story starter, the writer’s creative mind engages and their creative wheels begin to spin.
Another fabulous purpose for writing prompts is that a writer may create some really great material. Imagine an idea that started with a word or a phrase but in the end becomes a masterpiece. This is entirely possible! With good writing prompts, a writer’s mind flows with ideas, and many people find it amazing how much inspiration writing prompts produce.
A third purpose to writing prompts is that they support the habit of exploring new ideas in one’s writing. This exploration of new thoughts and ideas becomes a sort of exercise for the mind. It flexes your writing muscles, strengthens your imagination, and develops your writing skills.
Many writing groups, creative writing classes, and English teachers use writing prompts as a means to motivate and inspire students—and to expose them to new ideas that they may never have thought of if left to their own devices. And of course, many websites (including ours!) exist to share writing prompt lists and boost creativity through this wonderful medium. We suggest you explore them…we think you’ll be glad you did!
Until next time, write on…
If you enjoyed these One Word Prompts for Writers of All Ages,
please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest.
I appreciate it!
Sincerely,
Jill
journalbuddies.com
creator and curator
PS – check out this fun Time Travel Prompt post and these word art journal prompts.
