Journal prompts, in plain English.
370 short questions to write about, in six themes. Every one was written for this page, in English that a learner can read and a native speaker won’t find childish.
Pick a theme, choose one prompt, and write for five minutes. If you are learning English, start with the prompts for learners: each one is tagged with a level from A2 to C1.
Six themes
Ten to start with 10 prompts
One or two from every theme. Each links to its place in the full list.
- If today had a title, what would it be?morning · Today’s plan
- What is the most ordinary thing you will do today, and how could you do it slowly?morning · Noticing
- When did time go quickly today, and when did it drag?evening · Looking back
- Write a two-line thank-you note you will not send.evening · People
- Who do you rarely thank but rely on?gratitude · People
- On a difficult day, what still worked?gratitude · On harder days
- What would your younger self be surprised to learn about you?self-reflection · Who you are now
- What have you changed your mind about recently?self-reflection · Change and growth
- What is the minimum version of this goal for a busy week?goals · What gets in the way
- Describe today in exactly 50 words. Then cut it to 25.writing in English · Your day
How to use a prompt
- Choose one. Read down a list until a question makes you think of an answer straight away.
- Set a limit. Five minutes, or half a page. A limit makes it easy to start.
- Keep writing. If the answer goes somewhere else, follow it. The prompt is only the way in.
- Stop and leave it. You don’t need to finish a thought. You can come back to the same prompt another day.
For whole methods — morning pages, a line a day, rapid logging — see journaling methods. For a first week step by step, see how to start a journal.
Frequently asked
What is a journal prompt? A journal prompt is a short question or instruction that gives you something to write about, so you don’t start in front of an empty page.
How do I use journal prompts? Pick one prompt, write for five to ten minutes, and stop. You don’t have to answer it exactly or use every prompt in order; skip any that don’t suit you.
Can I use these prompts in my own journal? Yes. They are free to use in your own journal, on paper or on screen, including the Journal here on the Writing Desk.