Open-Ended Writing Prompts: Short Story
Level 4
Prompt 1
Michael likes to play tricks on his friends, especially on April Fool’s Day. However, on this
April Fool’s Day, Michael played a trick on someone and everything went wrong.
Think about tricks that you or your friends have played on others. Did they always turn out
well?
Write a short story about Michael’s prank that went wrong and what he does to fix the
situation.
Be sure to
• include a well-developed conflict and resolution
• develop interesting and believable characters
• use a range of literary strategies (e.g., dialogue, suspense) and devices (e.g.,
flashback, foreshadowing, motif, figurative language, allusion, irony) to enhance the
plot.
Prompt 2
Look at the photograph that follows.
Think about how you would feel if you went to sleep one day and woke up in the future or
the past.
© 2011 College Board. All rights reserved.
Write an engaging story about a character who wakes up in a different time and place.
Be sure to
• include a well-developed conflict and resolution
• develop interesting and believable characters
• use a range of literary strategies (e.g., dialogue, suspense) and devices (e.g.,
flashback, foreshadowing, motif, figurative language, allusion, irony) to enhance the
plot.
Writing Workshop 2 • Short Story 2-1
Prompt 3
Look at the photograph below.
Think about heroes you have read about or seen in a film or television program.
Write a short story about an unlikely hero.
Be sure to
• include a well-developed conflict and resolution
• develop complex and believable characters
• use a range of literary strategies (e.g., dialogue, suspense) and devices (e.g., flashback,
foreshadowing, motif, figurative language, allusion, irony) to enhance the plot.
Prompt 4
Think about situations that might be possible with some imaginary help.
Write a short story about what can happen when you use your imagination.
Be sure to
• include a well-developed conflict and resolution
• develop complex and believable characters
• use a range of literary strategies (e.g., dialogue, suspense) and devices (e.g., flashback,
foreshadowing, motif, figurative language, allusion, irony) to enhance the plot.
2-2 Springboard® English Textual Power™ Level 4
© 2011 College Board. All rights reserved.
Look at the photograph below.