This is a creative writing tool kit designed to facilitate engagement and reflection through writing workshops.

 

This toolkit is designed for all ages.

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There are 14 writing prompts in this toolkit that can support a single 60-minute workshop or multiple 60-minute workshops. 

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Select one or two warm-up prompts and facilitate a 10-minute exercise. This will help to focus the intention of the workshop. 

 

For the remaining workshop, select one or two writing prompts and introduce to the group. You can also have students discuss and select prompts they may want to use.

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Encourage students to collaborate with each other in idea generation and translation!

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The writing prompts are available as PDFs which can be printed or viewed as slides. The prompts are also listed below.

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Warm-up Exercises:

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WORD ASSOCIATION
Have one person start by saying a word. The next person says the first word that pops into their head. Continue this process around the room and see where you end up! (You may end up using multiple languages, translating, etc.)

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PAPER SIZE

Do you like this paper format? Or would you prefer something else (eg smaller, larger)? Consider the size of paper that is comfortable for your writing process.

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Writing Prompts:

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1) VISUAL DESCRIPTIONS

Write a short sentence (1-2 paragraphs) using only a visual description. Avoid descriptions of sounds, smells, or touch. Write only what you see happening around you.

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2) SYNONYM RAINDROPS
Select keywords from your writing and write synonyms (a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same) below the original word creating a visual form of raindrops.

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3) WORD CLOUD
Start with a word or phrase in the middle of your paper. Write 7 or more synonyms (a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same) around the center word or phrase. Consider different sizes of writing and placement. Look for new meanings and connections between words or phrases. What is the overall shape of the composition? (e.g. make it look like a cloud on a paper itself).

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4) CHAT GPT 
Consider working in Chat GPT with your words or phrases and see what is generated. From these results, re-write with your style and structure. 

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5) CAREFUL LISTENING

Listen carefully to what is around you. What stories, dialogues, and separate words do you hear on public transport (on the street, at school, etc)? Could they help you to start your story or enrich it?

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6) CAREFUL OBSERVING

When you are on your journey to school, are you seeing the same people each morning? Do you notice some changes on your way, e.g. streets and/or buildings getting renovated? What is the progress?

Are these sites completed? What is the same? What is different on your journey?

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7) MINDFLOW
Experiment! Start writing whatever comes to mind on the topic and then try to compose sentences or the whole story out of it.

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8) APPLY LIMITATIONS ON WRITING 

Consider composing your ideas in one-word sentences. Other limitations to test are using only adjectives and only proverbs. 

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9) REPETITION 

Try repeating a line or reducing words in a sentence (taking words out to create gaps).

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10) ALLITERATION

Use the same sound at the beginning of neighboring words, or build a sentence using words that start with the same letter.

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11) PERSONIFICATION

Give human traits to something that is not human.

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12) HAIKU FORMAT
Traditional and structured, this short form of Japanese poetry is well-known for its rule of 5/7/5: 

5 syllables in the first line, 
7 in the second line,
and 5 in the third line.

In Estonia, a group of poets (Jürgen Rooste, Asko Künnap ja

Karl-Martin Sinijärv) developed their own Haiku rule which is 4/6/4. This structure works better with the Estonian language.

4 syllables in the first line, 
6 in the second line,
and 4 in the third line.

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13) ​RHYTHM
Organize your writing so that it makes you tap your foot when reading out loud. Rearrange word order in a sentence to experiment with a rhythm.

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