Picture Prompts

In early October we began learning how to write good picture prompts, not only in preparation of the NJ ASK testing in March, but also to help develop our story-writing. There are four major elements that should be included in a well-developed story:

Opening

--include a good description of the characters and setting!--

Problem

--introduce a reasonable problem that has to do with the picture!--

Events

--three or four interesting events that will be the bulk of your story, leading to the solution of the problem--

Solution/Closing

--How did your story end?--

Here are some tips for writing an amazing Picture Prompt:

*Be sure to keep the story ABOUT THE PICTURE! Use the people in your picture as your characters, and the setting from the picture as your setting. DESCRIBE them with good details. Using the five senses is a good way to do this. Make sure that if there is something happening in the picture, it should happen in your story as well!

*Give VERY specific details. Name your characters-- give them an age and a history. Describe the setting: what do your characters see, taste, smell, feel, and hear in your setting?

*Add dialogue-- but not too much. Remember, dialogue "plays tag!" It is important to tag your dialogue by showing who is speaking. Also remember that with every sentence of dialogue, an action sentence should follow!

*Try to have a theme. If you can, have your character learn a lesson.

*PREWRITE! Take a few moments to jot down your ideas by making a list or creating a web. Students do better on their writing when they prewrite. Organization counts!

*Write, write, WRITE! You are given 25 minutes. The first few minutes should be spent on your pre-writing, and the last five minutes should be devoted to rereading, revising, and editing. The more you write and the more details you give, the better your writing- and the better your score!

*ALWAYS choose to revise and edit! Make sure your writing makes sense. Also check for spelling and grammar mistakes!

Picture Prompt Practice

Complete and print any of these picture prompts for fun- or hand them in for extra credit!

Interactive Picture Prompts
(scroll down to view. different pictures are added daily)

Sample Picture Prompt 1
Sample Picture Prompt 2
Sample Picture Prompt 3
Sample Picture Prompt 4
Sample Picture Prompt 5
Sample Picture Prompt 6
Sample Picture Prompt 7
Sample Picture Prompt 8
Sample Picture Prompt 9
Sample Picture Prompt 10
Sample Picture Prompt 11
Sample Picture Prompt 12
Sample Picture Prompt 13
Sample Picture Prompt 14
Sample Picture Prompt 15
Sample Picture Prompt 16
Sample Picture Prompt 17
Sample Picture Prompt 18
Sample Picture Prompt 19
Sample Picture Prompt 20
Sample Picture Prompt 21

These picture prompts are NOT NJDOE samples. They are from www.ettc.lrhsd.org