Narrative: The snow globe
Your grandfather keeps a small snow globe on his bookshelf, and you have never been allowed to touch it. One afternoon you pick it up. Start your story with "When I shook the snow globe, the people in the tiny town inside looked up and waved."
Write a narrative about what happens next.
In your story, you could include:
- What the town inside the globe is like
- Why your grandfather kept it so carefully
- How the story ends
What it is askingAn ordinary afternoon that slips into a tiny world.
How to startDecide why Grandpa guarded the globe. That secret is your ending.
Persuasive: Should zoos exist?
Some people believe zoos are important because they protect endangered animals and teach visitors about wildlife. Others believe animals should never be kept in enclosures and belong in the wild.
Write a persuasive text giving your opinion on whether zoos should exist.
In your response, you could consider:
- How zoos help or harm animals
- What visitors learn from zoos
- Other ways of protecting endangered animals
What it is askingGood arguments both ways. Pick a side.
How to startWrite your side in one sentence, then three reasons, strongest last.
Your school is electing two Student Representative Council members from your class. Each candidate must give a two-minute speech to the class before everyone votes.
Write a speech to persuade your classmates to vote for you.
In your response, you can consider:
- The qualities that would make you a good representative
- One or two changes you would work for
- Why your classmates can trust you to listen
What it is askingTwo minutes to win votes from classmates.
How to startChoose one change you could really make, and build around it.
Three new swimmers have just joined your local swim squad, The Riverside Dolphins. As one of the older members of the squad, you have been asked by your coach to write an advice sheet for them. They should feel eager to come to training and take part in the swimming carnivals.
Write an advice sheet for the new swimmers on how to get on well in your swim squad and at the local pool.
What it is askingFriendly, practical help for nervous new swimmers.
How to startList what you wish you had known on day one.
Newspaper article: Goats on the job
A primary school has hired a herd of twelve goats to eat the long grass and weeds on its steep back hill, where the mowers cannot reach. The goats will stay for two weeks, and students have been watching them from the classroom windows.
Write a newspaper article for your local newspaper about the goats at the school.
In your article, you could:
- explain why the school chose goats instead of machines
- describe how students and neighbours have reacted
- include comments from the principal and a student
What it is askingA cheerful news story about an unusual school hire.
How to startLead with the surprise: twelve goats, one steep hill, and why.
Diary entry: Lunar New Year
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a boy or girl your age at a Lunar New Year festival. The date is 17th February 2026. Start the entry with "Dear Diary, the moment the first drum began to beat..."
Write a diary entry about what it was like at the festival.
In your diary entry, you could discuss:
- The food and decorations
- Who you went with
- Memorable moments
What it is askingOne entry full of sound, colour and food, from the first drumbeat.
How to startJot five things you could hear, see or taste.
Email: Sorry about the garden
While you were practising your soccer kicks, the ball flew over the fence and flattened the vegetable patch your neighbour, Mrs Patel, had been growing all spring.
Write an email to Mrs Patel saying sorry.
In your email, you could:
- explain what happened
- show that you understand how she might feel
- offer a way to help make things right
What it is askingAn apology to a neighbour, not an excuse.
How to startSay sorry in your first line, then offer one real fix.
One evening the power goes out across your whole town. Start your story with "When the lights went out, the first thing I heard was laughter."
Write a narrative about that night.
In your story, you could include:
- Where you were and who you were with
- What everyone did in the dark
- How the night ended
What it is askingOne night where the dark brings people together.
How to startWork out who was laughing, and why.
Persuasive: Trading cards at school
Many students love collecting and swapping trading cards at lunchtime. Your principal is thinking of banning them, because some cards have gone missing and there have been arguments over swaps.
Write a persuasive text for the school newsletter arguing for or against banning trading cards at school.
In your response, you could consider:
- What students gain from collecting and swapping
- How the arguments and lost cards could be handled
- Whether a ban is fair to everyone
What it is askingFor or against a ban, in a newsletter the principal will read.
How to startAnswer the principal’s worry first, then make your case.
Speech: Thank you, Mr Davies
Mr Davies has been the crossing supervisor outside your school for twenty years, helping students cross the road safely in every kind of weather. He is retiring at the end of term. As school captain, you will make a speech at the final assembly to thank him on behalf of the school. Start your speech with "Mr Davies, for twenty years you have..."
Write a speech to thank Mr Davies and wish him well.
In your response, you can consider:
- What Mr Davies has done for the school
- What students will miss about him
- The format conventions of a speech
What it is askingA thank-you from the whole school, on a big day.
How to startOne small, true moment with Mr Davies beats ten compliments.
A new member has just joined your local chess club. The club president has asked you to write an advice sheet for them, making them feel welcome and keen to keep coming to the weekly games.
Write an advice sheet for the new member on how to get on well in your chess club.
What it is askingAdvice that makes a new member want to come back.
How to startPicture their first game night. What would make them feel silly?
Newspaper article: Delivery drones
Shopping online has become part of everyday life, and many families now have parcels delivered to their door every week. To deliver faster, some companies have started testing drones that fly small parcels straight to people’s backyards, and a trial began in your town last month. Supporters say drones could cut traffic and bring medicine quickly to people who live far from a chemist. Critics worry about the noise, the safety of people below and drones flying over private homes.
Write a newspaper article for your local newspaper about the rise of delivery drones.
What it is askingAn issue, not an event, so both sides get a fair hearing.
How to startSort the points into supporters and critics.
Write diary entries from the perspective of a boy or girl your age during a three-day school camp. The camp is in the bush, two hours from home. Start each entry with "Dear Diary,"
Write diary entries about what it was like at school camp.
In your diary entries, you could discuss:
- The activities you tried
- How you got along with the other students
- Detailed descriptions of what happened
What it is askingThree days of entries, so the writer can change as camp goes on.
How to startDecide how you feel on day one and on day three.
The author of your favourite book series is visiting your school next month. Your librarian has asked students to email the author before the visit, so the author knows what readers want to hear about.
Write your email to the author.
In your email, you could:
- say which book you enjoyed most and why
- ask the questions you would most like answered
- suggest something the author could talk about on the day
What it is askingA fan writing to a busy stranger, briefly.
How to startBuild it around the one question you most want answered.