Writing is key when it comes to your second grader’s critical thinking, self-expression, and communication skills. To be an effective writer, kids are going to have to practice. Second grade writing prompts can help!
In this article, we’ll provide a range of skill-specific writing prompts aligned with the 2nd grade curriculum. We’ll also share some tips on how you can support your budding writer.
Key Takeaways
- Second grade writing prompts range from narrative, descriptive, and informative to opinion and imaginative. By using a variety of prompts, your child will become an all-around better writer and communicator.
- In second grade, your child may be able to write in different styles, follow a writing process, adhere to structure and grammar skills, and exhibit research skills. They’ll also likely be able to write legibly.
- Set your writer up for success by asking them to share their ideas before beginning to write. Also, set attainable goals for them, review writing rules, and provide feedback on their work.
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2nd Grade Writing Prompts
Stretch your second grader’s imagination and skills with a host of 2nd grade writing prompts. Let’s dive in!
Narrative Writing Prompts
Narrative writing is a first-person fiction or nonfiction story about one or a sequence of events. Put more simply, it’s the writer telling a story using character, setting, sequence of events, and problem/solution.
This sort of writing includes details such as the writer’s actions and emotions and words that suggest timing, such as first, then, and afterward. It also features a clear ending.
Here are some example narrative writing prompts to try with your 2nd grader:
- Write a story about your favorite summer vacation. Where did you go? What did you do?
- Write a story about your most memorable birthday. Include all the details that made it so special.
- Imagine you are a pirate on a treasure hunt. Write a story about how you go about finding the treasure.
Informative Writing Prompts
Informative writing seeks to educate the reader clearly and concisely on a given topic. When writing an informative text, include a topic sentence, facts and details, and a concluding sentence.
Here are some informative writing prompt examples:
- Research your favorite animal and write down five facts about this animal.
- Choose a pet and explain how to take care of it.
- Detail how to make your favorite food. Be sure to give some tips for substitutions in case the reader doesn’t have all the ingredients!
Descriptive Writing Prompts
Descriptive writing invites writers to employ all of their senses to capture an object, scene, or personal experience. This sort of writing includes lots of detail and a range of vocabulary.
2nd grade writing prompt examples include:
- Describe your bedroom. What color is it? How is it decorated? What does it smell like and sound like?
- Write about what it’s like standing on your front steps on a rainy day. What do you see, hear, smell, and feel?
- Describe a trip to the zoo. What did you see, hear, and smell? What did the animals feel like?
Opinion Writing Prompts
Opinion writing centers around the writer’s own thoughts and perspectives. The writer’s goal is to explain and justify their own viewpoints to the reader.
Opinion writing should include an introduction that states the writer’s opinion. It should also state the reasoning behind that opinion using linking words like because and also and, lastly, it should have a clear conclusion.
Here are some prompts to give your 2nd grader:
- What do you think should change at school? Why and how would you change it?
- Should kids be allowed to choose their own bedtime? Why or why not?
- What is the best game to play in gym class and why?
Imaginative Writing Prompts
Imaginative writing gives the writer a chance to get creative. With this sort of writing, your child has license to explore new worlds, build unique characters, and defy the laws of physics!
Imaginative writing prompt examples include:
- If you could be a superhero, what power would you have? What would you call yourself? How would you help people?
- Imagine that your favorite stuffed animal is your teacher at school. What would they teach the class about?
- What if you woke up one morning to discover that you had a pet dinosaur?
2nd Grade Writing Skills
Wondering if your young writer is on track for second grade? Here are the writing skills practiced this year.
Write in Different Styles
In second grade, your child will start writing narrative, informative, descriptive, and opinion-based texts. 2nd grade writing prompts give them opportunities to try out these different writing styles.
Follow a Writing Process
Second graders follow a writing process that takes them from ideation to draft, revision to edit. Here’s what their process should look like:
Planning
Your 2nd grader first brainstorms and researches a topic to write on. They then organize their thoughts in a graphic organizer (such as a Venn diagram, flow chart, or mind map).
Drafting
After planning, they write the first draft of their text based on the planned idea.
Revising
With the draft complete, kids now enlist an adult to guide the revising process. Revisions are mostly focused on organization and clarity at this age.
Editing
After revising, it’s time to edit. Editing addresses any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes.
Adhere to Structure and Grammar Rules
In 2nd grade, kids will continue learning how to write using structure and grammar rules. These include:
- Writing in both simple and compound sentences
- Capitalizing appropriately
- Using possessives, commas, and correct end punctuation
- Using parts of speech appropriately (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)
- Spelling correctly with the assistance of a dictionary, when necessary
Exhibit Research Skills
When researching their writing topic, second graders determine what questions they’ll need answered, and then find this information using texts and websites.
In school, research is often done in groups, so children also learn how to cooperate and collaborate with their classmates to find the information they need.
Write Legibly
By second grade, teachers need to be able to read their students’ work to assess it. It’s important for kids to be able to form letters fluidly so their thought flow doesn’t get interrupted. Additionally, if kids are held back by handwriting, they may stop taking risks with their ideas.
Tips to Set Your Writer Up for Success
Here are a few ways you can support your budding writer.
Ask Your Child to Share Their Ideas
When you ask your child to share their ideas, you can give them quick, informal feedback. This can help them to better brainstorm and organize their thoughts before they start to write.
Set Attainable Goals
Setting attainable writing goals for your child gives them a sense of accomplishment. Then you can set new, more challenging goals.
Review Writing Rules and Provide Feedback
To support your writer, offer to read their work and provide feedback. First focus on pointing out a few positive things you notice, and then check their writing for things like:
- Sentence structure
- Punctuation
- Capitalization
- Spelling
Gather a dictionary or other resource if you need it, and consider making a one-sheet with some of the key writing rules for your child to reference when they get stuck on something.
As for any feedback you’re giving them, remember to be encouraging! This will help them develop more confidence in their writing skills.
Writing with Begin
Practicing 2nd grade writing prompts is one of the best ways your child can improve their writing skills. Begin’s Early Learning Kits provide great hands-on practice, while our HOMER app is the go-to for a child who prefers to work digitally.
Through Begin’s interactive and fun reading and writing activities, your child will develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime!
Frequently Asked Questions
What writing milestones should my 2nd grader reach?
Most 2nd graders will learn to write using simple, complex, and compound sentence structures and understand capitalization, punctuation, and spelling rules.
When it comes to the writing process itself, your 2nd grader will plan and research, and then revise and edit with the support of an adult.
What if my 2nd grader hates writing?
If your 2nd grader hates writing, first try to figure out why. The issue might be physical (like having a hard time holding a pencil) or emotional (they’re afraid to make a mistake). Once you know the problem, you’ll be able to address it.
How long should a 2nd grader’s writing prompt response be?
Although there’s no one answer as to how long a 2nd grader’s text should be, on average, 2nd graders are able to write prompt responses of about three to six sentences.
How can I use these writing prompts with my child?
Make writing prompt practice part of your child’s daily routine. Be sure to tailor the prompts to your child’s specific interests, so it feels less like work and more like fun.
