- What's new in seventh-grade writing
- Two-sided argument prompts
- Point-of-view stories
- Research and citation prompts
- Quick reflections for a single sitting
- How to get better arguments from seventh graders
- A simple way to grade seventh-grade arguments
- My advice for seventh-grade writing
- Frequently asked questions
Here are 24 writing prompts for 7th graders, centred on the new skill seventh-grade writing adds: acknowledging the other side. Under the Common Core, seventh graders introduce a claim and acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, write stories with a clear point of view, and cite sources in a standard format. Every prompt is ready to copy.
Seventh graders love an argument, which makes this a fun year to teach writing. The challenge is getting them to take the other side seriously instead of waving it away. That's exactly what the seventh-grade standard asks for, so these prompts are built to make 'some people think...' a natural part of every argument. They're for teachers, tutors and parents of twelve- and thirteen-year-olds, and they mix serious debates with lighter topics so nobody burns out on persuasion.
What's new in seventh-grade writing
| Skill | What the Common Core asks |
|---|---|
| Argument | Introduce claims, acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organise reasons and evidence logically |
| Evidence | Logical reasoning with accurate, credible sources |
| Narrative | Establish a context and point of view, introduce a narrator or characters |
| Research | Use search terms effectively and follow a standard format for citation |
| Routine | Write over longer and shorter time frames, from research projects to a single sitting |
The step up from sixth grade is the word 'acknowledge'. A seventh-grade argument that never mentions an opposing view is missing something the standard explicitly asks for.
Two-sided argument prompts
Each prompt asks for a claim and a fair mention of the opposing view. A useful frame: 'Some people believe... However...'.
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Should school uniforms be required? State your claim, then acknowledge one strong argument on the other side before explaining why you still disagree.
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Should seventh graders be allowed to choose some of their own subjects? Make your case and address an opposing claim.
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Is it better to learn a musical instrument or a coding language? Argue one side and acknowledge the other.
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Should towns build more cycle lanes, even if it means fewer parking spaces? Consider both sides.
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Should homework be graded or just checked? Write an argument that includes the strongest counterpoint.
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Are reality TV shows harmless entertainment? Make a claim and fairly present a view you disagree with.
Point-of-view stories
Seventh-grade narratives set a context and a clear point of view. Several prompts ask for a perspective students wouldn't normally take.
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Retell a famous fairy tale from the villain's point of view.
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Write about a school sports match from the perspective of the referee.
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A family moves to a new country. Tell the first day from the youngest child's point of view.
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Write a story narrated by a smartphone that's just been dropped in a lake.
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Two characters remember the same argument very differently. Write both versions.
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Write a story set during a power cut, told by someone who's never been without electricity before.
Research and citation prompts
Short research pieces that practise effective search terms and a simple citation format.
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Research how a local landmark was built. Note the search terms that worked best and cite two sources at the end.
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Find three facts about a recent scientific discovery and cite each one in a consistent format.
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Research the history of a food you eat often. Write a short article with a reference list.
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Investigate why a particular animal is endangered. Use at least two credible sources and cite them.
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Research a sport's rules in another country and compare them with yours, citing your sources.
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Write a short biography of an inventor, with a citation for every date you include.
Quick reflections for a single sitting
For warm-ups or homework that takes fifteen minutes.
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What's one thing you believed when you were younger that you've changed your mind about? What changed it?
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Describe a place that feels completely yours, and explain why.
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Write about a time someone surprised you by being kinder than you expected.
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If you could change one thing about how school works, what would it be and what might go wrong?
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What's a skill you'd like to master by the end of the year, and what's your plan?
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Write a letter to yourself to open at the start of eighth grade.
How to get better arguments from seventh graders
- Give students sentence frames for counterclaims: 'Some argue that...', 'It's true that... but...'.
- Have pairs argue the opposite of what they believe before they write. It makes acknowledging the other side easier.
- Agree on one simple citation format for the class and stick to it all year.
- Teach search terms explicitly: show how changing two words changes the results.
- In narratives, ask students to name their narrator before they start writing.
For extra source material, my list of explanatory essay topics for students adapts well to seventh grade, and my guide to starting a research paper is a good next step for confident writers.
A simple way to grade seventh-grade arguments
Keep a four-line checklist on the wall: Is there a clear claim? Is there evidence from a credible source? Is the opposing view acknowledged fairly? Is there a conclusion that follows from the argument? Students can mark their own drafts against it before handing them in. It mirrors what the standard asks for and makes feedback quicker, because you're talking about the same four things every time. Once students are confident with the checklist, add a fifth line for style: does every paragraph link back to the claim? That small addition starts preparing them for the cohesion the eighth-grade standard asks for, where linking words and phrases have to hold claims, counterclaims, reasons and evidence together.
My advice for seventh-grade writing
Make 'what would the other side say?' the question you ask every time. Students who learn to present an opposing view fairly write more convincing arguments, and they tend to become better listeners too. Mix in point-of-view stories to keep the year creative, and keep citation simple but consistent, so it becomes a habit rather than a chore.
Frequently asked questions
What's new in 7th grade writing?
Arguments must acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, narratives establish a point of view, and research uses effective search terms and a standard citation format.
How do 7th graders write a counterclaim?
Introduce the opposing view fairly, with a frame such as 'Some people argue that...', then explain why your claim still holds.
What makes a good 7th grade writing prompt?
A topic students have real opinions about, with evidence available on both sides.
Do 7th graders need to cite sources?
Yes. The standard asks them to follow a standard format for citation and to assess the credibility and accuracy of each source.
How long should 7th grade writing tasks be?
The standards expect both longer projects over time and shorter pieces written in a single sitting or a day or two.
