Second Grade Writing Prompts

Second graders are just beginning to develop their writing skills. In second grade, students should be expressing opinions, recounting narratives, and providing step-by-step instructions in their writing. Students are engaged in the writing process with these age-appropriate second grade writing prompts.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Students should recount a real or imagined event or sequence of events in their narrative pieces. Details that indicate thoughts, actions, or feelings should be described in their writing. It is important for them to conclude their narrative in a way that leaves the reader with a sense of closure.

1. Kindness Counts. Describe a time when someone did something kind for you. In what ways did they make you feel and what did they do?
2. Special Day. Describe a special day you shared with your best friend. How did it make such a lasting impression?
3. Left Out. Do you remember a time when you felt left out? You should write about what happened.
4. Diaper Days. When you were a baby or toddler, write about something you remember.
5. Rainy Day Fun. You’re over with your best friend and it’s raining outside. How do you make a living?
6. Happy Memories. Your happiest memory should be the subject of a story.
7. Switch-a-roo. For a day, describe what it would be like to switch lives with anyone in the world. What would you do and who would it be?
8. School Sleepover. Imagine you’re trapped in your school alone overnight. Please describe what happened.
9. Fly-on-the-wall. When you wake up, you discover that you are a fly for the day. How do you make a living?
10. Right and Wrong. Describe a time when you were tempted to do the wrong thing, but you chose to do the right thing instead.
11. Scary Stories. If you have ever been scared, write about it.
12. Menu Madness. Let’s say you are in charge of the school lunch menu for the week. If you were to include meals, what would they be?
13. Wild and Wacky. When your class is on a field trip to the zoo, one of the animals starts talking to you. How does he explain it to you?

Opinion Essay Writing Prompts

Using words such as because and and to connect their reasoning, second graders should write opinion pieces that introduce their topic and provide reasons to support their opinions. As a conclusion, the paper should be written.

1. Fun and Games. Which game is your favorite? What makes it better than other activities?
2. Bedtime Tales. What is the best bedtime story your parents have ever told you? Why was it the best?
3. Travel Stops. What would you choose if you could stay in a tent, RV, or fancy hotel while traveling with your family?
4. Playground Fun. Which piece of playground equipment is the best at your school? Why is it the best?
5. Exotic Pets. What wild animal would you choose as a pet if you could choose any?
6. Study Choice. The teacher has asked you to decide what topic the class will study next. Which one do you pick and why?
7. Favorite subject. Do you have a favorite school subject and why?
8. Yucky or Yummy. If you like a food that most people don’t, write about it. What makes it worth a try?
9. Play Time. Is it a good idea for your school to give kids more recess time? Can you explain why or why not?
10. Digital or Print. Can you tell me which is better for reading, a printed book or a tablet?
11. Allergies. Is there anything you are allergic to? What is the importance of people knowing about your allergy?
12. Drinks. Is milk your favorite beverage? Is that soda? Is that lemonade? Let us know what your favorite drink is and why you like it so much.
13. Best Day. Which day of the week is your favorite? The best day of the year should be described in three reasons.

Expository Essay Writing Prompts

The purpose of an expository essay is to inform the reader about a particular topic. They should introduce their topic and provide facts, definitions, or steps to support their argument.

1. School Day. One of your younger siblings has yet to start school. Give him or her an example of a typical school day.
2. Class Pet. For the year, your class gets to choose a classroom pet. Explain the needs (such as food, habitat, temperature) of an animal you think would be a good choice.
3. Favorite Food. Which food is your favorite? Put yourself in the position of the person watching or tasting it for the first time.
4. Seasonal Fun. Give us an idea of your favorite activity during one of the seasons, such as summer or fall.
5. If You Build It. When was the last time you saw something being built (like a house, a new road, or even a snowman)? Describe the stages of the building process.
6. Famous Firsts. Consider a famous first, such as the first person to walk on the moon or the first person to sail around the world. Why was this first so important?
7. Famous People. Describe how you became famous by choosing a famous person.
8. Past Parties. Give an example of the best party you have ever attended and explain what made it so great.
9. Favorite Film. Explain why you love your favorite animated film of all time.
10. Bedtime. Describe the importance of getting enough sleep every night.
11. Funny Pet Tricks. Tell us about an unusual trick your pet can perform.
12. Holiday Happenings. Give an explanation of why or how a popular holiday is celebrated.
13. Smelly Tale. There are different smells in every place, whether they are good or bad. Describe two or three smells associated with your home or school.

Research Writing Prompts

As part of research-based writing, students should read books on a topic and write reports, record science observations, or use provided materials to answer a question.

1. Turtle Power. Turtles have shells for a reason, right?
2. Digging Dinosaurs. Write a report about one of your favorite dinosaurs, including interesting facts.
3. Under the Sea. Discover one interesting animal that lives in the ocean. Describe what you learned in a paper. 
4. Places for People. Give an example of a unique home (such as an igloo or mud hut) and explain why it is appropriate for its environment.
5. Space. Give five interesting facts about one of the planets in our solar system.
6. Science. Describe what you observed during a recent science lesson, such as how plants grow or how the water cycle works.
7. Famous people. You should write a report on someone you are studying in your current history class.
8. How Is It Made? Investigate the manufacturing process of an everyday object (such as LEGO bricks or toilet paper).
9. Desert Dwellers. Write 3-5 interesting facts about an animal that lives in the desert.
10. Creepy Crawlies. Insects and arachnids: what’s the difference?
11. Where in the World? Decide which state or country you want to research. Your report should include 3-5 facts about the place.
12. What’s the Difference? Consider two animals that are similar, such as a horse and a mule, a crocodile and an alligator, or a leopard and a cheetah. Describe how to distinguish them.
13. Sleep Habits. There are some animals that sleep standing up. Sleeping bats hang upside down. Trees are a popular place for birds to sleep. Explain how you would sleep without falling asleep if you were an animal, bat, or bird.