47 Writing Prompts About Being Different

Abby the apple felt out of place in the fruit bowl with the family of oranges.

Baby orange gave her funny looks, and Papa orange never said a word to her.

“If only I weren’t red and shaped differently,” Abby thought to herself.

Then one day, Mama orange told Abby that she was welcome in the family.

“But I’m not an orange!” Abby replied. Mama orange smiled and gave her a hug.  “It’s OK. We are all still fruit.”

Topics related to being different teach young writers to think critically about diversity and acceptance.

Writing about diversity not only improves writing skills, but can even change young writers’ perspectives on the world. 

How to use our writing prompts:

Writing prompts can be used for occasional assignments or you can choose one prompt every day to get students into the habit of regular writing.

Either the entire class can use the same prompt or each student can randomly pick a number. 

The Prompts:

  1. How are you different than your Mom? 
  2. Have you ever felt different from the rest of your class? How?
  3. What does an apple and an orange have in common?
  4. What do you have in common with a classmate of another race?
  5. What do you have in common with a disabled classmate?
  6. Think of your two favorite dinosaurs. How are they different?
  7. What is the difference between a banana and an apple?
  8. Imagine that you took a spaceship to another planet. How would aliens be different from you?
  9. How are your toys different from your friend’s toys? 
  10. What is the difference between a cat and a dog?
  11. How can you show kindness to someone who is different than you?
  12. Imagine that you visited another country. What would it feel like to be different from everyone else?
  13. How is your house different than your friend’s house?
  14. How would your life be different if your family was poor?
  15. How would your life be different if you lost an arm or leg?
  16. Was a classmate ever mean to you for being different? How did it make you feel?
  17. How could you be nice to a classmate with purple hair and funny clothes?
  18. What would the world look like if everyone was exactly the same?
  19. Write about five reasons why it’s good to be different. 
  20. Write about what it would be like to eat the same thing for a week. 
  21. How are you different from your best friend? 
  22. What is something special about you?
  23. How would you like your life to be different?
  24. What would you like to change about how you look?
  25. What would it be like if you woke up and everyone looked exactly like you?
  26. How do you think your grandmother’s childhood was different than yours?
  27. Have you ever changed something about yourself to fit in with the crowd?
  28. Why do you think it’s important to be yourself?
  29. What are five things you like about yourself?
  30. Write about a neighborhood that’s different from where you live. 
  31. How would your life be different if your parents were rich?
  32. If you could pretend to be someone else for a day, who would it be? Why?
  33. Imagine that you switched places with a classmate for the day. What happens?
  34. If you could have lunch with someone from a different culture, what would you talk about?
  35. What language would you like to learn how to speak? Why?
  36. How would your life be different if you were deaf or blind?
  37. How are other countries different from where you live?
  38. How would the world be a better place if we were all nice to people who are different?
  39. Were you ever mean to someone who was different?
  40. How are you different from your Dad?
  41. Write about what it would be like to have a twin.
  42. How could you play with a best friend who is blind or deaf?
  43. How are you different now than you were two years ago?
  44. Why is it important to find things you have in common with someone who is different than you?
  45. Write a story about a cat and a dog who became best friends.
  46. Why is it important to be accepted for who you are?
  47. Write a story about why you are proud of being different. 

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