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PICTURE PROMPTS

144 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing

A school year’s worth of short, accessible image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of writing.

By The Learning Network

We’ve been publishing our Picture Prompts series four days a week since 2016. These short, accessible, image-driven prompts invite students to create short stories, poems and memoirs; share experiences from their lives; analyze illustrations, graphs and charts; and weigh in on hot-button issues.

Here, we’ve rounded up all the Picture Prompts we published for the 2019-20 school year and organized them by the type of writing they ask students to do. You can find even more in our roundups for the 2016-17 , 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. That’s over 600 prompts in all. And many are still open for comment by students 13 and up.

To learn how you can use Picture Prompts to build literacy skills, promote critical thinking, spark discussion and foster creativity in your classroom — physical or virtual — watch our on-demand webinar, “ A Picture Prompt Is Worth a Thousand Words .” For dozens more ideas, see our lesson plan, “ How to Teach With Our Picture Prompts (and Other Times Images) .”

If you use this feature with your students, or if you have other ideas for how to use photos, illustrations and graphics to encourage writing, let us know in the comments.

What story does this image inspire for you?

Trapped Inside Wilderness Wayfaring Magical Chores I’m Sorry Dollar Bills Dinosaurs Endless Conversation Looking Back Social Distancing Vibrant Youth Fake Ice United States of Love Over the Falls Marching Band Heavy Head Night Circus Submerged Subway Ride Subway Balloons Under the Ice Resourceful Raccoon Calendar Vivid Voices Writing a Novel Passport Scramble Racing Pug Castle on a Hill Clowns Travel In the Hallway Striking Out Meeting in the City

Share experiences from your own life.

Collect Them All The Stories Maps Can Tell Strange Times, Strange Dreams Songs of Hope Drawing Ramadan in Isolation Across Divides Instagram Challenges Book Updates Funny Flicks Stuck in Paradise Pandemic Projects Home Cooking Your Learning Space Empty Spaces Helpers Favorite Flops St. Patrick’s Day Birthdays The Agony of Defeat Alligators in the Sewers In Memoriam Sibling Dynamics Slumber Parties Food Favors Super Bowl LIV Morning Moods Lunar New Year Internet Affirmation Pet Keepsakes Stargazing New Year, New You? Last-Minute Shopping Car-Free Travel Feasting With Family Mister Rogers ‘No.’ Dream House Strange Cuisine Multitasking Headless Horseman Music Therapy The Heroic Ideal A Place of Solace Pet Pampering Notes of Lavender Neighborhood Celebrations Fashion Idols Tributes Family Cooks Favorite Season Back to School

What do you think this image, chart or cartoon is saying?

‘OK Boomer’ Shadows Open and Shut Baseball Eyeballs Protesting Carrying the Weight Music Notes Flickering Sign Helping Hands Brick Wall Inside a Book Talking and Listening Maze Credit and Blame Newspaper City Pack of People ‘A 📖 of Two 🏙’ Head Spinning You Love You, Bro The President’s Tweets Split Reflections Forest in a Stadium Chasing ‘They’ Missiles, Hummers and Tanks Looking Over the Edge

What’s your opinion on this issue?

Masks The Front Page Teenage Drivers Graduation in a Pandemic Most Challenged Books Brady’s Big Move Mascot Working From Home Mall Rats ‘Bracelet of Silence’ Optimism Government Buildings Valentine’s Day Prizewinning Poodle Library Books Oscar Nominations 2020 Hologram Musicians Baby Yoda Hit Holiday Songs 2019 in Pictures World’s Big Sleep Out Snow Days Tesla’s ‘Cybertruck’ Fortune Tellers Scooters Everywhere Popeyes Chicken Sandwich World Series Champions Small Talk Big City, Small Town Tipping Summer Hits

101 Picture Writing Prompts To Unlocking Creativity for Every Writer

Have you ever wondered how a single image could spark many stories and ideas ? Welcome to the captivating realm of picture writing prompts , a space where every image is a doorway to endless creativity.

In this blog, I present a long list of picture writing prompts meticulously curated to ignite the imagination of writers at every level. Whether you're a student honing your writing skills, a teacher searching for dynamic classroom resources, or a writer battling the dreaded block, these prompts are your key to unlocking new worlds of narrative and description.

From the whimsy of elementary picture writing prompts to the thought-provoking depth of visual writing prompts, each picture invites you to explore, narrate, and create.

A long list of picture writing prompts

1. A secret garden hidden behind an old, ivy-covered wall, with flowers that glow in the dark.

2. A futuristic city floating in the sky, connected by transparent walkways.

3. An underwater town with buildings made of coral and colorful fish swimming in the streets.

4. A world where trees are as tall as skyscrapers, with houses nestled in their branches.

5. A small village where every house is made entirely of recycled materials.

6. A castle made of ice, shimmering under the northern lights.

7. An old bookstore where the books are alive and tell their own stories.

8. A mysterious, foggy forest with paths that change direction when not being watched.

9. A beach with purple sand and bioluminescent waves.

10. A post-apocalyptic city reclaimed by nature, with vines covering skyscrapers.

11. A magical marketplace where you can buy dreams in bottles.

12. A mountain range where each peak is in a different season.

13. A train that travels through different dimensions, each with its own unique landscape.

14. An enchanted forest with trees that bear all kinds of fruits and sweets.

15. A space colony on a distant planet, complete with alien flora and fauna.

16. A steampunk city powered by clockwork and steam engines.

17. A small cottage in the woods, where every season is experienced in a single day .

18. A vast labyrinth made of towering hedges, with a different creature guarding each section.

19. A city where the buildings are painted with murals that come to life at night.

20. A desert oasis with a crystal-clear lake and palm trees that whisper secrets.

21. A village where everyone travels by hot air balloon.

22. An abandoned amusement park, with rides that operate on their own.

23. A floating island with a lost civilization, hidden above the clouds.

24. A gothic city where the architecture is inspired by bats and ravens.

25. A valley of giant, colorful mushrooms, some big enough to live in.

26. A kingdom under the sea, ruled by an ancient sea dragon.

27. A massive treehouse community, connected by rope bridges and zip lines.

28. A town where the seasons change every day, cycling through spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

29. An ancient temple hidden in a jungle, covered in mysterious runes.

30. A world where the sun sets in rainbow colors, painting the sky in vivid hues.

31. A cityscape at night, illuminated by neon lights and digital billboards.

32. A carnival that appears only during a full moon, with mystical games and shows.

33. A secret base hidden inside a volcano, accessible only by a hidden tunnel.

34. A village on stilts above a crystal-clear lagoon, connected by swinging bridges.

35. An abandoned astronaut suit on a distant, unknown planet.

36. A giant, ancient tree with doors leading to different worlds in its roots.

37. A whimsical candy land with rivers of chocolate and candy cane trees.

38. A dystopian city with a stark contrast between luxury and poverty.

39. A peaceful meadow that turns into a starry galaxy at night.

40. A world where shadows come to life and interact with their owners.

41. An underground city illuminated by glowing crystals and bioluminescent plants.

42. A medieval town during a festival, with colorful banners and bustling market stalls.

43. A secret laboratory hidden beneath an ordinary suburban home.

44. An enchanted castle that changes its layout every night.

45. A lost city of gold, hidden in the depths of a dense jungle.

46. A futuristic race track in the sky, with flying cars zooming past.

47. A serene monastery high up in the mountains, accessible only by a treacherous path.

48. A ghost town, with hints of the past life lingering in the abandoned buildings.

49. A magical zoo where mythical creatures are kept and cared for.

50. An endless field of vibrant, towering sunflowers under a bright blue sky.

51. A haunted mansion with hidden rooms and secret passageways.

52. A paradise island where the sea glows with bioluminescent creatures at night.

53. A giant library with endless shelves and ladders that lead to mysterious sections.

54. A world where everything is made of candy, from the houses to the trees.

55. A hidden cove with a waterfall that flows upwards.

56. An enchanted mirror that shows a different world or time period.

57. A space station orbiting a beautiful, unexplored alien planet.

58. A whimsical tea party set in a lush, overgrown garden.

59. A city built on the back of a gigantic, sleeping dragon.

60. A mystical forest where the leaves change color depending on your mood.

61. An ice cave with crystals that emit soft, colored light.

62. A giant, mysterious door in the middle of a remote desert.

63. A world where clouds are solid and can be walked upon.

64. A circus set in a world of dreams and nightmares, with surreal acts and performers.

65. An old, enchanted violin that plays haunting melodies on its own.

66. A village where time moves differently, and days can last years.

67. A surreal landscape where the ground is made of clouds and the sky is solid.

68. A secret garden with plants that have healing properties and magical effects.

69. A futuristic metropolis with flying cars and towering skyscrapers.

70. A quaint, cobblestone street in a historic town, lined with antique shops and cafes.

71. A mystical bazaar selling magical artifacts and exotic creatures.

72. A hidden valley filled with ancient, giant statues.

73. An elegant masquerade ball in a grand, old mansion.

74. A peaceful village where houses float on a serene, clear lake.

75. A world where people live in bubbles floating in the sky.

76. A bridge that connects two completely different worlds or dimensions.

77. An ancient, mystical tree that blooms only once every hundred years.

78. A small, isolated cabin in the woods with a mysterious aura.

79. A city where the architecture is inspired by different musical instruments.

80. A vibrant, bustling market in a Middle Eastern city, with spices and textiles galore.

81. A quiet, moonlit pond that shows reflections of other worlds.

82. A grand, old theater where the plays are performed by ghosts.

83. A magical winter landscape with ice sculptures that come to life.

84. A surreal world where gravity doesn't exist, and everything floats freely.

85. A hidden oasis in the desert, with a palace made of sand.

86. A mysterious, foggy island that appears and disappears without warning.

87. An abandoned space colony on a distant planet, overrun by alien flora.

88. A quaint village where every resident owns a unique, magical pet.

89. A deep, dark forest with a hidden, enchanted glade.

90. A futuristic laboratory where new life forms are created and studied.

91. A magical, snow-covered village that celebrates Christmas all year round.

92. A world where paintings come to life and interact with the viewer.

93. An ancient, abandoned city covered in vines and overrun by wildlife.

94. A hidden cave behind a waterfall filled with ancient artifacts and treasures.

95. A giant, abandoned robot lying on a forgotten battlefield.

96. A mystical shrine surrounded by clouds and mist in the mountains.

97. A luxurious underwater hotel with glass walls to view the ocean life.

98. A grand castle on a hill, with a mysterious light shining from the highest tower.

99. A colorful, bustling street in Tokyo, filled with neon signs and busy shops.

100. A magical forest where it's always autumn, with leaves of gold and crimson.

101. A spaceport in the future, bustling with aliens and spaceships from different galaxies.

These prompts are not merely exercises to encourage writing; they are gateways to uncharted territories of thought, reflections of life's diverse scenes, and blank canvases awaiting your unique brushstrokes of words.

Whether it's a charming photo of a dog beside a house, a complex scene challenging your descriptive prowess, or an image that resonates with the soul of young writers, let these images be the catalyst that rejuvenates your creativity.

So, are you ready to let an image transform your writing today? Your next great story, character , or life-changing insight is just a picture away!

Frequently Asked Questions About Picture Writing Prompts (FAQs)

What are picture writing prompts.

Picture writing prompts are fascinating images or photos that kickstart the writing process. They serve as a visual catalyst to inspire creativity and ideas in writers, which is particularly beneficial for young writers and students in a classroom setting.

How Can Picture Prompts Help in Elementary Education?

Elementary picture writing prompts encourage writing among younger students by providing them with an engaging, visual starting point. These prompts can help develop writing skills through storytelling, descriptive writing, or even simple comments about what they see in the picture.

Are There Any Specific Picture Prompts for Middle School Students?

Absolutely! For middle school students, picture prompts often delve into more complex themes and encourage deeper character development and creative writing. These prompts help students explore many story ideas and develop their writing skills further.

How Do Picture Writing Prompts Aid in Overcoming Writer's Block?

Writer's block can be a significant hurdle. Picture writing prompts offer a refreshing break from the usual text-based prompts. They can trigger new ideas, help writers visualize scenes, and provide a fun and intriguing way to get the words flowing.

Can Picture Prompts Be Used in Journal Writing?

Yes! Using visual writing prompts in journal writing is a great way to encourage self-expression. They can help students and writers of all ages to describe their thoughts and feelings about an image, leading to more personal and reflective writing.

What Types of Pictures Work Best as Writing Prompts?

The most interesting pictures that work as writing prompts usually have an element of mystery , action, or emotion. They should be open to interpretation and allow for a range of responses. Think of scenes from life, snapshots of nature, or even abstract images.

How Can Teachers Integrate Picture Prompts in the School Curriculum?

Teachers can integrate picture prompts in various subjects throughout the school year. For example, a picture can be the starting point for short stories in creative writing classes. In a history class, a historical photo could prompt a descriptive essay.

Can Picture Prompts Be Used in Digital Formats like Google Slides?

Absolutely! Incorporating picture writing prompts into Google Slides is an innovative way to present them in a digital classroom. This method allows for interactive and collaborative writing activities, making it easier for students to share and discuss their ideas.

What Are Some Fun Ways to Use Picture Prompts with Kids?

Kids love stories! Using pictures of animals (like a dog), everyday scenes (like a house), or imaginative settings can spark their imagination. You can encourage them to tell a story about what they think happened before or after the scene in the photo.

How Can Picture Prompts Aid in Developing Writing Centers?

Various picture prompts can be displayed in writing centers to cater to different interests and age groups. These centers become a space where students can freely choose a picture that resonates with them, fostering independence and self-motivation in writing.

Are There Any Free Resources for Picture Writing Prompts?

Many websites and online writing centers offer free collections of picture prompts. These can range from daily life scenes to the more abstract and challenging, providing a wealth of material for writers and educators to use.