October Writing Prompts

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October begins with students and teachers still happily enjoy the summer holidays and ends with the excitement of heading back to school. Feel free to use these writing prompts for each day in October as daily warm-ups or journal entries.

October Holidays

  • Adopt-a-Shelter-Animal Month
  • Computer Learning Month
  • Family History Month
  • National Dessert Month
  • Energy Awareness Month

Writing Prompt Ideas for October

  • October 1 - Theme: World Vegetarian Day
    Are you a vegetarian? Why? If not, would you ever consider becoming one? Why or why not?
  • October 2 - Theme: Peanuts Comics Strip First Published
    Why is your favorite character from Peanuts: Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Peppermint Patty, or another character? Explain your answer.
    OR October 2- Theme: International Day of Non-Violence
    Non-violence has been used to bring about social change.
    Read up on Gandhi. What social change would you suggest should be brought about?
  • October 3 - Theme: Family Television Day
    Is there any television show that you watch together as a family? If so, what are they? If not, explain which TV show is your favorite.
  • October 4 - Theme: Toot Your Own Flute Day
    What is something that you are really proud about? What are you good at? For today's writing assignment, brag about yourself.
  • October 5 - Theme: Fast Food (Ray Kroc's Birthday)
    What is your favorite fast food restaurant? Why?
    OR October 5 - Theme: World Teachers' Day
    Established by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) in 1994.
    Write a teacher from your past (or present) a heartfelt “thank you” letter or card.
  • October 6 - Theme: Thomas Edison Showed the First Motion Picture
    Explain how movies have changed the world OR consider the economics of the motion picture industry (MPAA). What is the significance of this industry that employs roughly 2.1 million jobs while paying out $49 billion to local businesses across the country?
  • October 7 - Theme: Computer Learning Month
    Are you a gamer? A coder? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, how would you rate your skills using a computer?
  • October 8 - Theme: Columbus Day -(celebrated)
    Should Columbus Day still be celebrated as a national holiday?
    Explain your answer.
  • October 9 - Theme: Explorer Leif Erikson Day
    Celebrate the explorer who found America!
    No, not Columbus. The other explorer, the Viking, Leif Erikson, who beat Columbus by 400 years. Why do you think we do not celebrate this explorer?
  • October 10 - Theme: Cakes (Cake Decorating Day)
    If you could have any cake for your birthday, what would it be?
    Describe the type of cake, the type of icing, and how it would be decorated.
  • October 11 - Theme: Eleanor Roosevelt's Birthday
    Eleanor Roosevelt was born on this date in 1884. She is considered one of the most influential First Ladies. In your opinion, what kind of influence should the First Lady have on the government?
  • October 12 - Theme: Indigenous Peoples Day (traditionally Columbus Day)
    Indigenous Peoples Day began as a counter-celebration to the U.S. federal holiday of Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples' Day is intended to celebrate North and South American peoples, and to bring attention to Native Americans who continue to practice their cultures today. Do you know which indigenous peoples are associated with your town, city, or state?
  • October 13 - Theme: Train Your Brain Day
    Are you a fan of crosswords, sudoku, or other mind games? Why or why not?
    OR October 13 - Theme: National M&M Day
    There are over 340 million M&Ms produced daily.
    Which is your favorite kind of M&M candy? (plain, peanut, etc) If they had to invent a new M&M, what would you suggest?
  • October 14 - Theme: Chocolate Covered Insect Day
    The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization notes that there are more than 1,900 edible insect species on Earth. Insects may be one way to feed the world population in the future.
    Would you ever consider eating a chocolate covered insect? Why or why not?
  • October 15 - Theme: National Poetry Day
    T. S. Eliot said, "Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood." What do you think he meant by this?
  • October 16 - Theme: Dictionary Day
    Based on the life and times of Noah Webster of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, this day celebrates words. Over 800 words are added annually to our language. Look up some of the new additions or make a suggestion for the adoption of a new word.
  • October 17 - Theme: Wear Something Gaudy Day
    Describe the gaudiest outfit imaginable. Would you wear it?
    OR October 17 - Theme: Chess
    ​In 1956, a 13-year old Bobby Fischer won the a chess match against the 26-year-old champion Donald Byrne in what is called the chess Game of the Century.
    Do you play chess or other strategy games (board or video)? Do you think age makes a difference in who is a champion in a game of strategy? Why or why not?
  • October 18 - Theme: Adopt-a-Shelter-Animal Day
    According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year.
    If you were to buy a dog or cat, would you go to a shelter to adopt one or buy from a breeder? Explain your reasons.
  • October 19 - Theme: Thomas Edison Demonstrated the Electric Light
    A survey taken at the end of the 20th Century found that "Edison was the most influential figure of the millennium....". Do you agree or disagree? Describe at least five things that would be different about life if there were no electric lights.
  • October 20 - Theme: Sweetest Day
    Describe at least three nice things that you can do for someone you care about.
  • October 21 - Theme: Reptile Awareness Day
    Reptiles can an alternatives for people who are allergic to furry or feathery animals. There are some drawbacks, however, as there are many species of  reptiles that will bite. Some species are venomous.
    Would you own a snake or other reptile as a pet? Why or why not?
  • October 22 - Theme: National Color Day
    What is your favorite color? How would you describe your favorite color to a blind person?
    OR October 22- Theme: Risk
    On this day in 1779, the French balloonist André-Jacques Garnerin was the first person to use a parachute when he jumped out of a balloon over Paris using a silk parachute that he made himself.
    What is the riskiest thing you have ever done? Would you do it again?
  • October 23 - Theme: Mole Day
    Mole Day is an unofficial holiday for chemistry enthusiasts celebrated between 6:02 a.m. and 6:02 p.m., or 6:02 10/23 (a measuring unit in chemistry).
    What are three ways in which chemistry has made the world a better place?
  • October 24 - Theme: United Nations DayIn 1971, United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday.
    If you could visit one foreign country, which would it be and why?
  • October 25 - Theme: Sarcasm (Sarcastic Month)
    Are you a fan of sarcasm? Are you personally sarcastic? Explain your answers.
  • October 26 - Theme: Make a Difference Day
    Pick an area of your life: family, school, work, friends, or society. Explain 5 ways you can make a positive difference in that area.
  • October 27 -Theme: US Navy Day
    The US Navy was created by the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution but it was not until 1794 after an engagement with Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean that the Navy showed its prowess. What do you know about this branch of the military? Would you ever consider a career in the military?
  • October 28 - Theme: Statue of Liberty's Birthday
    The Statue of Liberty, or 'Liberty Enlightening the World,' was a symbolic gift from the people of France to the people of the United States in 1886.
    What does this the Statue of Liberty symbolize today?
  • October 29 - Theme: National Cat Day
    68 percent of all households in the United States own a pet cat, making the number of pet cats close to 95.6 million.
    Are you a cat pet person or are you a dog pet person? Or do you even want a pet? Why or why not?
  • October 30 - Theme: National Candy Corn Day
    What's your favorite Halloween candy? Why?
  • October 31 - Theme: Halloween
    The National Retail Federation estimates that over $9 billion dollars will be spent on Halloween. Do you plan on spending money for Halloween? Do you like Halloween? Dressing up? Why or why not?
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Your Citation
Kelly, Melissa. "October Writing Prompts." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/october-writing-prompts-8480. Kelly, Melissa. (2023, April 5). October Writing Prompts. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/october-writing-prompts-8480 Kelly, Melissa. "October Writing Prompts." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/october-writing-prompts-8480 (accessed March 28, 2024).