If you’re like me, one of your favorite ways to build vocabulary is to practice creative writing. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to think of topics to write about. Many times, I’ve looked at a blank page for 30 minutes without being able to write anything. This post is here to help! I’ve created seven creative writing prompts, specifically for advanced ESL students like you. Each of these writing prompts is inspired by one of America’s beautiful national parks. Are you ready? Get out your writing journal, and let the creative juices flow!
Which of these writing prompts most tickles your imagination? Tell us in the comments!
Related: Learn 10 of my favorite ways to remember advanced English vocabulary!
ESL Writing Prompt 1: BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Badlands National Park is located in South Dakota and is known for its rock formations and its rich deposits of fossils. In fact, this park contains one of the richest fossil beds in the entire world!
To learn more, visit the park’s website, and for extra inspiration as you write your story, check out the park’s Flickr page.
What does it mean to STUMBLE UPON SOMETHING?
ESL Writing Prompt 2: SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia was right in my backyard. It’s filled with rolling mountains, lush forests, waterfalls, and views that stretch as far as the eye can see. On a hike in the Shenandoah, you’re likely to see all kinds of animals, from deer and skunks to snakes and lizards.
Here’s the park’s website, and its Flickr page! Enjoy learning more!
What in the world is a MOONSHINER?
moonshiner = someone who makes moonshine
What's a PROPOSITION?
Related: 10 Creative Writing Prompts Inspired by Birds 🐥
ESL Writing Prompt 3: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Yosemite National Park in California is one of America’s most famous national parks. It even has a cartoon character named after it! Yosemite Sam is a universally recognized character in the United States. Here he is doing a jig with Bugs Bunny.
To learn about Yosemite’s spectacular waterfalls and more, visit their website or check out some of the photos people have posted on Flickr.
I know the word 'nature', but what's a NATURALIST?
What does NOCTURNAL mean?
Owls, bats, foxes, and raccoons are all examples of nocturnal animals.
ESL Writing Prompt 4: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Did you know that Yellowstone was the first national park in the world? One of the most iconic features in Yellowstone is its geyser, named Old Faithful. It can propel water up to 140 feet in the air!
Learn all about Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park on their website, or check out the photos they’ve posted on Flickr if you need more inspiration to help you respond to this writing prompt!
Related: Do you love similes? Check out these 12 animal similes!
ESL Writing Prompt 5: EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Florida is famous for its oranges, its beaches, and Disney World, but it’s also famous for the Everglades National Park. The Everglades are a subtropical playground for alligators, crocodiles, and all sorts of other species.
The website for the Everglades has lots more information, and for extra writing inspiration, check out their photos on Flickr!
Don’t worry if you can’t remember how to write a haiku! It’s simple! You don’t need to worry about rhyming, just counting syllables.
A haiku is a three-line poem that has 17 syllables total. English adopted this form of poetry from the Japanese.
Haiku Structure
Line 1: Five Syllables
Line 2: Seven Syllables
Line 3: Five Syllables
Here are some examples of famous haiku in English.
ESL Writing Prompt 6: MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK
I’m the only member of my family who hasn’t been to Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park, but it’s on my bucket list! Mammoth Cave boasts over 400 miles of underground space, making it the longest known cave system in the world. If you’re stuck for topics to write about, Mammoth Cave can give you plenty of inspiration.
You can find more information about the cave on their website, or check out the photos people have posted on Flickr.
ESL Writing Prompt 7: SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
The last of these nature writing prompts comes from Saguaro National Park. When people think of the American West, they might think of cowboys and vast expanses of land, Native Americans and free-roaming buffalo, gunslingers and saloons. One of the symbols of the American West is the giant saguaro cactus, which you can find in abundance in Arizona’s Saguaro National Park.
The park’s website has more information about the saguaro and other flora and fauna in the park. For more writing inspiration, check out the stunning photos of the park people have shared on Flickr.
I hope these seven English writing prompts have inspired you to pick up your English journal and play with the language a bit! Challenge yourself to search for words you don’t know, and venture outside of your comfort zone. You can do it, Stepper!
