When practicing creative writing, adding conflict to a story captivates the reader and drives the plot. As students improve their storytelling skills, their conflict and conflict resolution within those stories will become stronger and more believable.
To help students exercise this skill, we’ve put together a list of conflict writing prompts. With this set of prompts, they can explore types of conflict and let their imaginations run wild.
Using This Guide
Our goal is to take even the most nervous writer and turn them into a confident storyteller.
Using this guide, you can encourage your students to improve their skills and have fun in the process.
Here are a few ways you can use our writing prompt guides in your classroom:
- Have students create a fake conflict that could fit into the plot of the book they’re currently reading.
- Challenge students to use one writing prompt each day for one week.
- Have students pick their plot by adding their birth month and date together and using that number.
Let’s Create Some Conflict!
- Write about a time you were blamed for something that you didn’t do.
- Write a dialogue between siblings who are naming their new pet.
- Tell a story about a kid who takes credit for someone else’s accomplishment.
- Write a poem about conflict using the words: bother, upside-down, lime, toothpick
- Talk about a time when you got into an argument with your best friend. What happened next?
- Write a story about a camper who gets lost in the woods.
- You find a treasure map at the end of a rainbow. What happens next?
- Why do you think conflict is important in creative writing? Use examples.
- You were blamed for pulling a prank, but it was actually your friend who did it. However, if they get in trouble at school one more time, they’ll be suspended. What do you do?
- Tell a story about two students who are having trouble taking turns during recess.
- Write a story about a kid who keeps copying another kid’s work in class.
- Write a dialogue between your two favorite superheroes, who each believe they are the best.
- Talk about a time when you overcame an obstacle when you didn’t think you could do it.
- You accidentally break your sister’s brand-new toy. Write about what happens next.
- Write a step-by-step guide on how to resolve simple conflicts.
- Open the dictionary and pick a random word. Use that word to write a story.
- Write a story about a small lie that grows out of control.
- Talk about a time when you felt like you were being treated unfairly. How did you resolve the issue?
- You and your friend have tickets for one more ride each at the carnival, but you want to do different things. Write about how you would solve this problem.
- Tell a story about a kid learning how to play an instrument.
- Write a story about a kid who is very confident about what they want to say… until they stand up in front of the class. How do they overcome this fear?
- Write 4-6 paragraphs about a historical conflict of your choosing.
- You go to take a bath and find a mermaid in your bathtub. What happens next?
- Tell a story about a kid who gets caught cheating during a family board game night.
- Create a conflict-to-resolution story involving your favorite superhero.
- When was the last time you got into an argument with your sibling? What happened next?
- Write a story between the hero and villain of your favorite video game.
- Write about a time you were afraid to try something new.
- You’re transported into your favorite book. To, you have to complete a quest. Tell a story about what happens next.
- Write a story about someone who is hiding a secret.
- You find a jewel-encrusted box in your attic. What do you do with it?
- Write about a time you were embarrassed.
- Retell your favorite fairytale but change the main conflict.
- Write about the most exciting thing that happened last summer.
- Your class takes a field trip to a haunted museum, where you befriend a misunderstood ghost. What happens next?
- Write a story about something exciting that happened when you were little.
- Your neighbor’s pet snake escapes its enclosure. How does your neighborhood react?
- Write a poem about conflict using the following words: litter, knuckle, happened, twice
- Write a dialogue between two opposing student council candidates.
- You wake up in your favorite video game. How do you get home?
- You’ve discovered the secret of the Bermuda Triangle in your locker, but no one believes you. How do you convince them?
- Your character has to choose between two fun activities. How do they make their choice?
- Write a poem about a storm.
Looking For More?
We have resources for teachers and parents to help their young writers gain confidence and skill.
If you are looking for something in particular and can’t find it, let us know! We’d love to help.
