Writing Prompts in Literature

Whether you're in a literature class or you're studying literature for your personal education and enjoyment, writing prompts are a great way to connect with what you're reading! You can also use prompts to get past writer's block when you're writing an essay about authors and/or literature. Here are a few writing prompts to get you started. (You can also use these prompts over and over as you read different works, or find yourself in a different place with your reading experience.)

How do you procrastinate?
Reading can be a form of procrastination. How do you procrastinate?

How would you compare the text?
With what other work(s) of literature would you compare the book you're currently reading? Why?

What book would you read?
Is there a book you've always wanted to read, but you just haven't found the time?

What do you look for in a book?
When you are looking for something to read, what do you look for in a book?

What do you remember?
Do you remember the first book you read? What did you think?

What questions do you have - author?
What questions do you have about the author? Why?

What questions do you have - text?
What questions do you have about the text you're currently reading? Why?

Where do you prefer to read?
Do you have a spot where you enjoy reading?

Which author would you meet?
If you could go back in time, which author would you like to meet?

Which book do you hate?
Is there a book you hate? Is so, why?

Which book would you take - island?
If you knew you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, which ONE book would you take with you?

Which character are you?
If you were to pick one character, who would you be?

Which character do you most like?
In the work you're currently reading, which character do you most like?

Who is your literary hero?
Is there someone you look up to--as a literary hero? Why?

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Classic Literature