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57 Narrative Writing Prompts For 4th Grade

Journaling is an important part of self-exploration and deep thinking. Giving students a list of prompts to choose from allows them to choose which parts of themselves to explore, and helps keep their writing headed in a certain direction.

Below, you’ll find a list of narrative writing prompts to inspire your students to reflect on their thoughts and feelings.

Using These Prompts

Writing prompts are great because they give struggling writers a sense of direction, but they also help more skilled writers explore thoughts and feelings that they might not have thought of before.

Here are a few ways you can use these prompts in your classroom:

  • Challenge students to pick one or two prompts a day for an entire week.
  • Create a spinner using a cut-out circle and a paper clip, and have students spin to see which prompt they’re going to use.
  • Keep these prompts nearby for students to use when they have spare quiet time in class.
  • If you sense a student struggling emotionally, recommend using one of these prompts to help them reflect on these feelings.

The Writing Prompts

  • Describe your ideal field trip.
  • Write about a special memory that you will never forget.
  • Describe your style. Do your parents choose how you dress or do you choose your own clothes?
  • You wake up this morning with wings. Describe what happens next.
  • What kinds of books do you prefer to read? List some examples.
  • Write about a conflict you had with a friend. How did you resolve the situation?
  • Rewrite your favorite children’s story, but make the main character a superhero.
  • Describe the most frightening dream you’ve ever had.
  • How do you entertain yourself when you don’t have access to screens and devices?
  • Write about your favorite family tradition.
  • There’s a classroom in your school that is always locked with its lights off. One day, you walk by and the door is ajar. What happens next?
  • Write about a role model you have, and describe how they’ve affected your life.
  • Describe the ideal snow day.
  • Have you ever lost something important? What happened next?
  • What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this year?
  • Think of a time when you were very irritated. Explain why, and then explain how you resolved it.
  • What is the best part of the school day? Why?
  • What would you do if you were the principal for the day?
  • Write a story about someone who wakes up and realizes they’re microscopic.
  • Why is it important that people help others?
  • Describe something you’ve learned recently. Was it easy or difficult to learn?
  • Write a story from the point of view of someone meeting you for the first time.
  • Are you good at keeping secrets? Explain.
  • Describe a time when you stood up for yourself.
  • Describe a time when you stood up for someone else.
  • What is your favorite thing about your best friend?
  • Explain your favorite board or card game to someone who has never played it before.
  • Write your plans for the perfect weekend.
  • A harmless but wild animal wanders into your classroom. How does your class react? What happens next?
  • You wake up and realize that you can speak to your pet. What do you talk about?
  • Describe a time when you participated in a contest.
  • Write about the perfect summer day.
  • Tell a story about two people who switch jobs for a day.
  • Write about something that makes you laugh.
  • Why is patience important? Do you consider yourself a patient person?
  • Do you think boys and girls are actually different from each other? Explain.
  • Do you enjoy writing? What is your favorite thing to write about?
  • Write the story of how you met your best friend.
  • Describe what you hope your life is like 10 years from now.
  • Describe what you hope your life is like 20 years from now.
  • Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Explain.
  • The plant on your teacher’s desk suddenly sprouts a strange fruit. What is it? What happens next?
  • Do you have a funny or interesting story about losing a tooth? Write about it.
  • Write about a time when you shared a special meal with your family.
  • What would you do if you woke up tomorrow in your favorite video game?
  • If you were to describe your best friend as a color, what color would they be? Why?
  • What is your favorite food? Why do you like it?
  • What is something that you worry about at night?
  • Make a list of ten things you love about yourself.
  • Write a story from the point of view of your shoes.
  • Write about a time when you gave in to peer pressure.
  • Describe the last time you got hurt. What happened?
  • Tell a story about a time when you got caught doing something you weren’t supposed to.
  • Which person in your family are you most similar to? How are you alike? How are you different?
  • Describe a time when you felt embarrassed.
  • Invent a new sandwich. Write about how to make it, and try to convince others to try it.

Looking For More?

Whether you’re looking for writing prompts or classroom resources, our site is your one-stop destination for making your classroom run more smoothly.

We are home to writing resources, premade forms, and much more! If you’re looking for something specific and can’t find it here, let us know.

We’re here to help your classroom run more smoothly so you can spend more time shaping the minds of the future.

narrative writing topics for class 4

Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

50 Narrative Essay Topics

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a narrative essay can also tell an exciting story and create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind! We’ve got 50 narrative essay topics designed to prompt students to craft memorable written narratives. These can be modified for students in elementary, middle and high school. Feel free to print the entire narrative essay topics list for plenty of inspiration for your next narrative essay assignment!

Narrative Essay Topics

  • Your first day of school.
  • Your most exciting day of school
  • A field trip that your class took.
  • Your favorite summer vacation.
  • A trip that included something unexpected or surprising.
  • A time that you experienced something spooky.
  • A time that you experienced something truly frightening.
  • A time that you learned something new that changed you in some way.
  • The moment when you met someone who changed your life.
  • The day that you got your first pet.
  • A move from one place to another.
  • Something funny that happened to you.
  • Something funny that happened to one of your family members or friends.
  • Something embarrassing that happened to you.
  • Your favorite birthday party.
  • A birthday that was disappointing.
  • A big storm (rain, snow or even a tornado!).
  • A time that the power went out.
  • A summer day when the temperature got much higher than expected.
  • A time when you went to an amusement park.
  • A time when you got lost somewhere.
  • A memorable experience with a favorite family member.
  • A sad experience with someone about whom you care.
  • Your most exciting moment playing sports.
  • Your most exciting moment performing in a play, singing, playing music or dancing.
  • An experience that left you feeling frustrated.
  • An experience that was hard but ended up being worth it.
  • A time that you experienced rejection.
  • A weird encounter with a stranger.
  • A random act of kindness.
  • A time that you took a stand for someone or for an issue that you care about.
  • A moment when you thought you might get hurt but didn’t.
  • Breaking a bone (or otherwise suffering an injury).
  • Your first time away from home for the night (or longer).
  • A time when you experienced a historic event.
  • Where you were when a major event happened. (Note: You don’t need to have been at the site of the event; this prompt is about where you were when you found out about the event and how you reacted.)
  • A time when you rebelled against your parents or teacher.
  • A dangerous experience.
  • A misunderstanding between yourself and someone else.
  • A difficult decision that you had to make.
  • The end of a friendship or relationship.
  • The beginning of a friendship or relationship.
  • A time when you judged someone first and then realized that you were wrong about the person.
  • A time when someone judged you first and then realized that he or she was wrong about you.
  • A moment when you felt that you were starting to grow up.
  • A time when you saw one or both of your parents in a different light.
  • A time when you looked up to your older sibling.
  • A time when your younger sibling looked up to you.
  • A time when you were grateful to be an only child.
  • An experience that you think has only ever happened to you!

Looking for more essay topics? Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Descriptive Essay Topics Cause and Effect Essay Topics Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics

  • Grades 6-12
  • School Leaders

Black History Month for Kids: Google Slides, Resources, and More!

101 Exciting 4th Grade Writing Prompts for 2023 (Free Printable!)

Use them for journal writing, essay topics, and more!

narrative writing topics for class 4

Fourth grade is a time for students to continue to hone their writing chops as they put to use the skills they’ve learned and gain confidence in their abilities. We’ve collected this list of fourth grade writing prompts—including opinion, persuasive, informational, and narrative—to spur your students’ imaginations and get them writing!

You can get 50 of these fourth grade writing prompts in a free PowerPoint slideshow bundle! They make it easy to share these writing ideas with your students.  Grab your free PowerPoint bundle by submitting your email here .

  • Persuasive and Opinion Writing Prompts
  • Descriptive and Expository Writing Prompts
  • Narrative and Personal Writing Prompts
  • Creative Writing Prompts
  • Current Events Writing Prompts

Persuasive and Opinion 4th Grade Writing Prompts

Would you rather be good at sports or good in school? Why?

Would you rather have lots of money or lots of friends? Why?

What is your favorite subject in school? Why?

Are fourth graders ready to stay home alone? Why or why not?

Are fourth graders ready to stay home alone? Why or why not?

Name two characters from different books that you think might be good friends. Why?

Which is more important for success, skill or luck?

Should kids be paid an allowance to do chores around the house? Why or why not?

Why are classroom rules important?

If you had a time machine, what era of history would you visit?

Why is math important?

Why is science important?

Should fourth graders have cell phones? Why or why not?

If you could open a store, what type of store would it be and why?

Which would you rather read: a scary story that gives you goosebumps or a funny story that cracks you up? Why?

Which would you rather read: a scary story that gives you goosebumps or a funny story that cracks you up? Why?

What is the hardest thing about being a fourth grader?

If I were the ruler of the world, the first law I would pass would be … because …

If you found a backpack filled with dollar bills, what would you do?

Is it ever OK to tell secrets? Why or why not?

What animal makes the best pet? Why?

Is it better to spend an hour a day reading or an hour a day exercising? Why?

Descriptive and Expository 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you had a YouTube channel, what would you talk about?

What’s the best book you’ve read recently? What was it all about?

If you won a million dollars, how would you spend the money?

If you won a million dollars, how would you spend the money?

Describe what you think of as perfect weather.

Describe how to build a birdhouse step by step.

Write five rules for staying organized.

What is the worst book you ever read?

Describe the physical appearance of someone in your family in detail.

Imagine you are in a hot-air balloon above your house. Describe everything you can see.

Describe how to play your favorite board game.

There’s an old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” What do you think this saying means?

Describe your perfect day.

Describe your perfect day.

One of your little cousins is very nervous about starting kindergarten. What would you tell them to make them feel better?

Imagine you are an adult and describe your dream job.

Explain your morning routine in detail, from waking up to arriving at school.

Describe the perfect meal, including what you’d eat and where you’d dine.

Share what you do on a typical non-school day.

Explain the right way to do one of your household chores, like making your bed or cleaning your room.

Describe your favorite room at home in detail.

How do you prepare for a big test? Describe the ways you study or practice.

Narrative and Personal 4th Grade Writing Prompts

Share one of the stories your family has told you about when you were a baby.

Share one of the stories your family has told you about when you were a baby.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

Write about an adult you look up to.

What’s the nicest thing anybody has ever done for you?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Write about a time you felt like quitting but didn’t. How did you keep yourself going?

Do you like nonfiction books or fiction books better? Why?

What makes your family unique?

What would you say is your greatest strength? Greatest weakness?

Are you a patient person? Why or why not?

What is something you’ve never done that you would like to try?

What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you?

Write about a time you tried something new and how you felt before, during, and after.

What is your earliest memory?

What is your earliest memory?

What’s your favorite holiday? What makes it so special?

Write about a time when you felt proud of yourself.

Tell the story of your favorite field trip of all time.

If you could relive any day in your life, what would it be? Would you want it to be the same or different?

What holiday is important to your family? Describe how you celebrate it together.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten? How did it make you feel?

Creative 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you met an alien, what three questions would you ask them?

Pretend you drank a magic potion that made you as tiny as an ant. Where would you go and what would you do?

Pretend you ate a magic pill that made you as tall as a redwood tree. Where would you go and what would you do?

Pretend you ate a magic pill that made you as tall as a redwood tree. Where would you go and what would you do?

Write a story that includes these five words: keys, spaghetti, uncle, jellyfish, spaceship.

What would the world be like if dinosaurs still existed?

If you could invent something new the world really needs, what would it be? How would it work?

Retell a classic story, making the villain the hero instead.

Retell a classic story, making the villain the hero instead.

Imagine that one day you woke up and found everyone in the world could no longer talk. What would happen next?

Write a new chapter of your favorite book, with yourself as a new character.

Imagine you woke up one morning with a superpower, like invisibility or the ability to fly. Describe your experiences learning how to use that power.

Use these words to start a story: “When I opened the box that came in the mail, I never expected to find …”

Describe a world where it rains fruit juice and snows M&Ms.

Come up with the most ridiculous excuse possible for why you are unable to turn in your homework today.

Describe a world where all the adults are robots, but kids are still human kids.

Imagine a conversation between yourself and a talking animal.

Describe the kind of creature you’d create if you were a mad scientist. Would it be scary and mean? Nice and friendly?

Invent a new kind of candy. Give it a name, and write a commercial jingle for it.

Write about a day where kids are in charge instead of grown-ups.

Imagine you’re lost in a haunted wood, and tell the story of your escape.

Tell a story that ends with these words: “… and that’s how we all learned to fly.”

Describe a night in the life of the tooth fairy.

Describe a night in the life of the tooth fairy.

Current Events 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you made a time capsule for this year, what would you put in it?

Describe something that you saw in the news recently and how it made you feel.

Tell about an event that happened recently at your school or in your town.

What do you think is one of the world’s biggest problems right now, and how would you solve it?

Read a news story about something happening in another country and summarize it.

Write a news article about something important that happened to you this week.

Create a poem about something in the local news right now.

Write a letter to the editor about a current issue, explaining your opinion.

Find a “good news” story, and share why it makes you happy.

What living famous person do you most admire and why?

What do you think kids today can do about climate change and global warming?

Learn about an endangered animal, and describe what we can do to help it.

Learn about an endangered animal, and describe what we can do to help it.

What does the word “racism” mean to you?

What is one thing you would do to make your school or town a better place?

Choose an upcoming sports event, and explain who you think will win.

Describe a current fashion trend or something that’s very popular in your school right now, and how you feel about it.

What can we do to help people with different opinions get along with one another better?

Interview a grown-up you know, and write a news article about them.

What do you think is the best new song right now? The worst? Why?

Describe an event that’s happening in the world right now that you don’t understand. What questions would you ask a grown-up about it?

How do you use writing prompts with your students? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Also check out 57 awesome 4th grade books you’ll want to share with students ..

These fourth grade writing prompts are great to spark imaginations and get students writing! Perfect for in-person or virtual learning.

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60 Narrative Writing Prompts for Kids

60 narrative writing prompts for kids

2. Write to tell of a day when you were the teacher.  What did you do?

3. Write a story about trading places with your favorite TV, movie, or rock star.

4. One day a spaceship lands on the playground of your school . . .

5. Your shoe must have a story to tell.  Tell it.

6. Your class grew plants as a science project.  One day you looked at your plant and saw

something really strange had grown there.

7. Write a story about what it would be like if you woke up one morning with wings.

8. On your birthday, a strange-looking lady came to you door and handed you a wrapped present.  You rattled it.  It made a noise.  Write a story about this present.

9. Your teacher one day announced that your class was going on a wonderful field trip.  Write a story about this field trip.  In your story, you can have your class go anywhere you wish.

10. One day, as you were petting and talking to your friend’s dog, it answered back!  Write a story about this.

11. Write a story about yourself as a hero.  What did you do to become a hero?  Tell your story.

12. As you walked down the hallway at school, you heard some strange music coming from the custodian’s closet.  What was it?  Write a story about it.

13. Tell a story about children who live in a world where there is no such thing as television, computers, or electronic games.

14. A distant relative bequeathed you a strange ring.  As you put this ring on, you discover that it has strange powers.  What does it look like? What does it do?  Tell a story about this ring.

15. Tell a story about your ideal place to live.  What would it be like to live here?

16. The teacher comes into the room and places a bag on her desk then leaves.  The bag moves and wriggles.  Write a story about what is in the paper bag.

17. Everyone has a day in his or her life that was extra special or dreams about what he or she would do on a special day.  Write a story about a special day you have had or imagine you might have.

18. Every day you pass a door.  It’s always closed and locked.  One day, as you pass, you notice that the door is open.  You step inside.  Write a story about what was on the other side of that door.

19. Tell a story about what happened when you traveled on a wagon pulled by horses.

20. Tell a story about a day in which everything went wrong.

21. Imagine you could travel to the future and live there.  Think of what you think the future would be like.  How different would it be from today?  Now, write a story about living in the future.

22. Imagine you could go to any place you wanted for as long as you wanted any time you wanted.  What place would you visit?  Think about what you would do there.  Write a story about a visit to a really neat place.

23. Pretend that you lived in colonial times.  Think about what your life would be like, how it would be different living more than 200 years ago.  Now, write a story about a young person (or yourself) living in George Washington’s day.

24. Novels are fun to read because the action keeps you interested, and the characters almost become your friends.  Think of a book you really liked.  Imagine that you were a new character in this book {choose a book your class has read}. Write a story about what happened.

25. Imagine you woke up one morning and found that you had switched places with a dog or a cat.  Think what it would be like.  What would you do?  Write a story of your day as a dog or a cat.

26. What if you had a personal genie who would grant your every wish? What would your life be like?  Think of some of the details.  Write a story about having a personal genie.

27. Imagine you had a car that would take you anywhere you wanted to go for one day.  Think of where you went in that car and what you did. Write a story about that day.

28. Everyone has a favorite season of the year.  What is your favorite season?  What do you like to do?  Write a story about your favorite season.

29. Imagine one morning there’s a knock at your front door.  You open the door, and to your great surprise, you find an alien standing there. What do you do?  What does it look like?  Write

a story about your encounter with this alien.

30. On your way to school one morning you see a huge truck speeding down the road.  Suddenly, the back door of the truck opens and a large, mysterious box falls off the back of the truck.  It sits there in the road.  What is in the box?  What do you do?  Write a story about this mysterious box.

31. One spring day a skunk wanders into your classroom.  What are the results?  Write a story about the skunk that visited school.

32. Imagine you had a time machine that you could take only to the past. Where would you choose to go?  Think of what you would do there, what it would the like.  Write a story of your adventure in the past.

33. One day you are sitting under a large tree.  An acorn hits you on the head, and you look up.  There, on the branch above you sits a squirrel, laughing at you.  The squirrel then looks you square in the eye, begins to talk to you, and asks you to return its acorn.  What would you do?

What would happen if you encountered a talking squirrel?  Write a story about the experience.

34. Imagine a world where there was no money.  What would people do? What would life be like?  Write a story about living in a world without any money.

35. There are times when we all wish, even for just a moment, that we could be someone else for a day.  Who would you choose to be for that day?  What would you do?  Think of some details of your day.  Now write a story about what your day was like as that person.

36. In a recent disaster, there were some kids who did some heroic things.  Think what constitutes (makes) a hero.  Imagine yourself as one.  Now write a story in which you were a hero/heroine in a tough situation.

37. A little old lady gave you and a friend some magical glitter and told you to sprinkle it on your hair and something special would happen. What happened when you tried it?  Write a story about this mysterious magical glitter.

38. One day you and your friends walked up to an old, seemingly abandoned house.  You couldn’t see inside due to the dust and cobwebs on the windows.  You decide to see if the door is locked.  You try the knob, and it turns.  The door creeks open as if it has not opened in years . . .  What happens next?  What do you find?  What do you and your friend do?  Write a story about entering that old, seemingly abandoned house.

39. Love comes in all forms.  We can love our parents, a boyfriend or girlfriend, a favorite pet, a brother or sister, a place, even a thing. Thing about someone or something you love.  Write a story about that person or thing that involves your feelings.

40. Imagine that your sense of smell was more highly developed than everyone else’s.  What experiences might you have?  How might your life change?  What would you be able to smell?  Write a story about a person with a very highly developed sense of smell.

41. Imagine yourself temporarily lost in a foreign country where you do not know the language.  How do you manage to communicate?  What might happen to you?  Write a story about a day you might have spent lost in a foreign country without knowing the language.

42. Imagine a city project to have every school student do some hours of community service as a part of the required curriculum.  What would you choose to do?  What do you think it would be like?  What people might you meet?  What would you be doing to help?  Write a story about your day of community service.

43. Sometimes family members or friends embarrass you when other people are around.  Think of some times this has happened to you. Think of what could happen.  Write a story about some embarrassing incident you might have had and how you coped with it.

44. Now and then you, without meaning to do so, break something that belongs to someone else.  Think about what might be broken.  Think about what might happen as a result.  Now, write a story about accidentally breaking something that belonged to someone else and the story of what happened as a result.

45. One day your teacher must go home.  Your teacher leaves, telling you that someone else will teach the class for the rest of the time.  Who do you think will replace the teacher?  What happens as a result? Write a story about a time your teacher had to go home, and someone

else took over the class.

46. Imagine you opened your own restaurant. Tell the name of your restaurant. Explain what the restaurant looks like, who works there, and what you serve.

47. Describe your favorite character from a book, a movie, or television.

48. Write a story titled, “My Journey on a Pirate Ship.” You and your friends can star in the story.

49. If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be? Describe the pet and how you would take care of it.

50. Do you have any brothers or sisters? If you do, tell what they’re like. If not, tell whether or not you would like to have a brother or sister.

51. If you could have lunch with any famous person who would it be? What would you talk about with this person?

52. How old were you four years ago? Describe some things you can do now that you could not do then.

53. If you could be on any game show, what would it be? Describe what happens when you’re on the show.

54. Describe several ways a person your age can earn money.

55. If you could spend an afternoon with one member of your extended family, who would it be? Tell why you chose this person and tell what you do together.

56. Which superpower would you most like to have– invisibility, super strength, or the ability to fly? Describe what kids of things you would do with your powers.

57. Think of a time when you’ve won something. Tell what you won and how you won it.

58. Invent a new kind of sandwich. Describe what is on it and how you would make it.

59. Describe one thing you’re really good at.

60. Imagine you were twenty feet tall. Describe what life would be like. How would it be different from your life now?

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102 thoughts on “ 60 Narrative Writing Prompts for Kids ”

Fantastic! I love the variety of topics. 🙂

it is the best narrative ideas!:)

Thank you! Happy to share!

hi i like this

Why nothing about gi joe

Yeah, there pretty good!

Good job to Squarehead Teachers for making this.

It’s meh not a lot of depth to the prompts kids have trouble carrying it on to a story without rambling on and on

Ok that’s a little harsh ;-;

you’re nice

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4th Grade Writing Prompts

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narrative writing topics for class 4

Students in fourth grade need varied practice developing their writing skills. According to the Common Core State Standards Initiative , fourth-grade writing should include opinion pieces, informative or explanatory texts, and narratives about real or imagined experiences. Additionally, a fourth-grade writing curriculum should include short research projects. 

These writing prompts offer diverse forms of inspiration for every student.

Opinion Essay Writing Prompts

In an opinion essay , students must state their opinion and back it up with facts and reasons . Ideas should be organized logically and supported by details.

  • Best Friends Forever. Write an essay explaining what makes your best friend the best best friend. 
  • Awesomeness.  Describe the most awesome thing about being in fourth grade.
  • New Worlds. Would you rather help start a colony on a new planet or a city under the ocean? Why?
  • School Food. Name one thing you would like to change about your school’s menu and explain why.
  • Someday. If you could be a race car driver, an astronaut, or president of a country, which would you choose and why?
  • Cityscapes . If you had a friend visit from another state, what is the one place in your city you would insist he or she had to see? What makes this place so special?
  • Shipwrecked. You find yourself stranded on a deserted island with only three items in your backpack. What would you want those items to be and why?
  • Flat Earth. Some people still believe that the Earth is flat . Do you agree or disagree? Include supporting facts.
  • Extra! Extra! Name one class, sport, or club you wish your school offered and explain why it should be available.
  • Seasons. Which season is your favorite and why?
  • One-star . What is the worst book you have ever read and what made it so terrible?
  • Fandom. Who is your favorite TV, movie, or music star? What makes him or her the best?
  • Progress.  Identify a way in which you would like to improve as a student this school year. Explain why you would like to get better and list some steps you can take to make it happen.

Informative Essay Writing Prompts

When writing an informative or explanatory essay, students should introduce the topic clearly, then develop the topic with facts and details. When explaining a process, students should outline the steps in a logical order.

  • Bullied. Explain how you would handle being bullied and the steps you would take to stop a bully.
  • Mad Skills. Describe an unusual talent, hobby, or skill that you possess.
  • Cuisine. Describe a food that is unique to your family or area of the world to someone who has never tasted it.
  • Role Model. Think of a person who has made an impact on your life and describe the role they’ve played.
  • Pay It Forward. What is one thing you would like to do—either now or in the future—to make the world a better place?
  • Packing. Explain the most effective way to pack for a trip to ensure that you have everything you need.
  • Wild Kingdom. Of all the animals wild or domesticated, write about your favorite. Include interesting facts about this animal in your essay.
  • Gaming. Explain how to play your favorite video or board game to someone who has never played it before.
  • Problematic. Describe a problem you’re facing and three ways you could possibly solve it.
  • Extreme Weather. Choose an extreme weather condition or a natural disaster such as a tornado or a volcanic eruption. Explain its causes and effects.
  • Sweet Treats. Explain the process of making your favorite dessert.
  • Learning Styles. Think of the way you prefer to learn, such as by reading, listening, or doing. Explain why you think you learn best that way.
  • Edison. Thomas Edison said that he didn’t make mistakes, he just learned 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb. Describe a mistake you made and the lesson you learned from it.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

When writing narrative essays about real or imagined experiences, students should use descriptive details and logical sequence. They can use dialogue and sensory details to develop their essay .

  • Microscopic Details. Imagine being microscopic. Describe an adventurous trip through your body.
  • Alone. You find yourself locked in your favorite store alone overnight. Where are you and what do you do?
  • Homeless. A friendly stray dog follows you home from school. What happens next?
  • Time Travel. Imagine you could travel back in time to when your mom or dad was your age. Write an essay about your relationship with your fourth-grade parent.
  • Mismatched. Write a story about someone your age. The story must include a giraffe, a mouse, a flying carpet, and a large birdcage.
  • Pet Peeve.  Recount a moment when something really got on your nerves. Describe the experience and why it irritated you so much.
  • Surprise! Think of a time your teacher surprised your class. Describe what happened and how the class reacted.
  • Special Moments. Think of a specific day or event that you will always remember. What made it so special?
  • Travel Through History. Imagine you could travel back in time to live through one event from history . Describe the event and write about your experience.
  • The Most Terrible Day. Write an essay about a day when everything went wrong. How did the day start and end, describe the experience.
  • Road Trip. Write about a favorite family vacation or road trip. Where did you go? What made it special?
  • Funny Pet Tricks.  Can your pet do a funny or unusual trick? Describe it.
  • President. If you could be president for a day (or the principal of your school), what would you do?

Research Project Essay Writing Prompts

Fourth-grade students should also complete short research projects using books, magazines, and online sources . Students should take notes and provide a list of the sources they used in their research.

  • New Puppy. You want a new puppy. Do some research to determine the best breed for your family and write about it.
  • Battles . Research and write about what you consider the most significant or famous battle in history.
  • Famous People. Choose a famous person from history or science and write about their lives and contributions.
  • Animal Kingdom. Select an animal to research. Include facts about its behavior, habitat, and diet.
  • Countries. Choose a country. Investigate its culture and holidays, and find out what life there is like for kids your age.
  • States. Pick a state you’ve never visited. Learn three to five unique facts about the state to include in your essay.
  • Inventions. What do you think is the greatest or most useful invention of all time? Find out who invented it and how and why it was invented.
  • Native Americans. Choose a Native American tribe. Learn about where they lived, their culture, and their use of natural resources in their area.
  • Endangered Species. Research and write about an animal that is endangered. Include facts about why it is endangered and any changes that people can make to help increase its population.
  • Fine Arts. Learn more about an artist or composer. Include facts about their life and death and most well-known works.
  • Authors. Research an author whose books you enjoy. Include facts about what inspired him or her to start writing.
  • Dig Deeper.  Research something you’ve studied in history, science, or literature but would like to know more about.
  • State Standouts. Choose a famous person from your state. Learn about his or her life and contributions.
  • Engaging Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders
  • Second Grade Writing Prompts
  • Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students
  • Personal Essay Topics
  • January Writing Prompts
  • February Writing Prompts
  • First Grade Writing Prompts
  • Fun March Writing Prompts for Journaling
  • November Writing and Journal Prompts
  • 24 Journal Prompts for Creative Writing in the Elementary Classroom
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Prompts
  • September Writing Prompts
  • December Writing Prompts
  • Writing Prompts for 5th Grade
  • How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech
  • May Writing Prompts

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