When most high school, home school writers think of writing in a journal, they think of Anne Frank’s Diary – personal anecdotes, dreams, and rants captured in a diary.
But most writers use a journal not to capture day to day anecdotes and moods, but to explore writing topics before actually writing about them.
Hence, below is a list of journal topics for exploring specific writing genres.
Enjoy!
Some Possible Journal Topics
Journaling topics below may help to inspire you to think about topics for your writing projects.
Friendly Letter Writing Journal Topics
- What is your favorite time of year?
- I was happiest when. . . .
- What is the most important thing you will ever do?
- I always wanted to …
- When I’m older. . . .
- If I had my way. . . .
- My plans for the summer…
- Describe the best hour of the day.
- Complaints.
- Daydreams.
- What is your favorite kind of weather? Why?
- Write one characteristic or habit about yourself that you like and describe it.
- What is your hobby? Why do you enjoy it?
- Write about something you desperately wanted when you were a kid.
- Write about a time you were talked into something and regretted it.
- Did you ever make friends with a wild animal?
- Write about picking apples, berries, or other fruit or vegetables.
- What was it like to get glasses or braces?
- Describe your favorite restaurant.
- Write about a time your parents were proud of you.
- What is the best decision you have ever made?
Personal Narrative Journal Topics
- Home
- My neighborhood
- My family
- My pets
- My favorite holiday
- Awards I’ve earned
- My favorite toy
- My favorite game
- My friends
- Traveling
- My favorite song
- My birthday
- Chores
- My bedroom
- The local store
- Cousins
- My yard
- Hobbies
- Unforgettable vacations
- Strangers
Family Narrative Journal Topics
- Nothing can be worse than. . . .
- The problem is. . . .
- I know better now.
- I’ll never forget …
- I took the blame for …
- Why does it always have to be me?
- Jealousy led to his downfall.
- _____ used to be my hero.
- I was telling the truth and ____ didn’t believe me.
- When he(she) showed up, we were all surprised.
- Our next door neighbor…
- On my first visit to the dentist…
- This weekend I couldn’t ….
- My dad’s (mom’s) greatest accomplishment is …
- The neighborhood bully…
- We were so disappointed …
- It seemed like he (she) had everything.
- I can’t believe I forgot….
- I was only trying to help…
- Thank goodness it was only a nightmare.
- The best advice I’ve ever gotten was from …
Legend Journal Topics
- What is something you do well?
- What is a good neighbor?
- What is your idea of a dull evening?
- What is something that really bugs you?
- What is your favorite song and why?
- 6. What is your favorite movie and why?
- What would happen if everyone wore the same clothes?
- What would happen if you found gold in your backyard?
- What would you do if a friend borrowed things from you but never returned them?
- What would you do if the surprise party was for you but you weren’t surprised?
- What would you do if you found a magic wand?
- If you were five years older you would…
- How would you feel if a new child moved into your neighborhood?
- How do you feel on a warm sunny day?
- How do you feel during a thunderstorm?
- How do you feel when something scares you? What do you do when this happens?
- How do you think eating junk food affects you?
- When you are angry, how do you look?
- Once, when your feelings were hurt, what happened?
- Once, when you were very frightened, what happened?
- Once, when you were embarrassed, what happened?
Interview Journal Topics
- Describe a family member.
- Compare the personalities of two of your friends.
- _____ used to be my hero.
- If he/she had his/her way …
- My favorite holiday guest is …
- I was telling the truth and ____ didn’t believe me.
- A strange meeting …
- The unexpected guest …
- The stranger ….
- Our next door neighbor …
- My favorite teacher …
- My favorite cousin …
- My best friend …
- I’ll never look him/her in the face again.
- Who is the person from history that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Who is the person alive today that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Who is the person from literature that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Babysitting …
- How do you get along with your cousins?
- A famous person …
Research Project Journal Topics
- How do I feel about competition? (sports, school, friends, etc.)
- How I can earn money.
- Buying your own clothes.
- Places I have lived.
- Describe the qualities of a good teacher.
- Describe the qualities of a good parent.
- Describe the qualities of a good friend.
- Pets are like people.
- Cooking is an art.
- Who is the person from history that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Who is the person alive today that you would most like to meet and talk to? Why? What would you like to ask?
- Describe an animal that you identify with strongly. Why do you have a special feeling about this animal?
- What is your favorite kind of weather? Why?
- If you could go back in time anywhere and “anywhen,” where/when would you go and why?
- What law would you like to see enacted which would help people? How would it help?
- What is your hobby? Why do you enjoy it?
- Is there any machine you feel you could not live without? Explain.
- Write about something you desperately wanted when you were a kid.
- Were you ever in a helicopter? limousine? hot-air balloon?
- Write about moving to another city.
- Describe an outdoor game you used to play in the summertime.
Poetry Journal Topics
- A place from my past, including smells, tastes and textures, is …
- Describe sloppy.
- Nothing can be worse than…
- Compare the personalities of two of your friends.
- I was happiest when …
- If my desk could talk…
- Write about an incident that illustrates shyness.
- Write about an incident that illustrates kindness.
- Write about an incident that illustrates courage.
- Write about an incident that illustrates selfishness.
- Write about an incident that illustrates boastfulness.
- I cooked the dinner.
- If I had my way.
- Money of my own.
- Being alone…
- Pets are like people…
- Cooking is ….
- My favorite weather …
- My first vivid memory is …
- The most real emotion is …
- Two animals…
Technical Documents Journal Topics
- Describe your concept of luxury. Create an advertisement for it.
- Describe your ride home. Create a map with direction for it.
- How I can earn money. Write a series of steps to earn money.
- Buying your own clothes. Write a series of steps for how to buy new clothes.
- Your favorite food. Write the recipe for making your favorite food.
- My jobs at home. Write the steps to completing one of these jobs.
- My plans for the summer. Create an advertisement.
- Describe your holiday dinner table.
- Describe a day at the mall.
- Describe your dream room.
- Describe a day at the beach.
- Describe a practical joke you played on a friend or family member.
- Describe a narrow escape.
- Write an advertisement that describes the qualities of a good teacher.
- Write an advertisement that describes the qualities of a good parent.
- Write an advertisement that describes the qualities of a good friend.
- Write the steps to playing with your favorite childhood toy.
- Finish this thought: “If I could change one thing about myself. . .” and write a series of steps for making the change.
- What law would you like to see enacted which would help people? How would it help?
- Is there any machine you feel you could not live without? Write about how your life would be without it.
- Write about a time you performed in front of an audience. List what you did to prepare.
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