Selected Long Composition Writing Prompts 

DIRECTIONS: CHOOSE ONE PROMPT, AND RESPOND IN A WELL-DEVELOPED FORMAL COMPOSITION WORD DOCUMENT  

1. Often in works of literature, a character stands up for something he or she believes in.

 

From the novel you read, select a character who stands up for something he or she believes in. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character stands up for something he or she believes in, and explain how the character’s actions relate to the work as a whole. 

2. Often in works of literature, a character develops a friendship with or feelings of love for someone who is disapproved of by others.

 

From the novel you read, select a character who develops a friendship with or feelings of love for someone who is disapproved of by others. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe the character’s relationship, and explain how the relationship relates to the work as a whole. 

3. In many works of literature, a character rebels against a role that others expect him or her to play.

From the novel you read, select a character who rebels against a role others expect him or her to play. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character rebels against others’ expectations, and explain how the character’s rebellion relates to the work as a whole.  

4. Often in works of literature, a character’s life is affected by a single act or mistake.

 

From the novel you read, select a character whose life is affected by a single act or mistake. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how he or she is affected by a single act or mistake, and explain how the character’s experience relates to the work as a whole. 
 

5. Often in works of literature, characters gain wisdom through experience.

 

From the novel you read, select a character who gains wisdom through experience. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character gains wisdom through experience, and explain how this wisdom relates to the work as a whole. 
 

6. Often in works of literature, a character is influenced by his or her family.

From the novel you read, select a character who is influenced by his or her family. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character is influenced by his or her family, and explain how the character’s experience relates to the work as a whole. 

7. Often in works of literature, a character learns or discovers something that changes his or her life.

From the novel you read, select a character who learns or discovers something that changes his or her life. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe what the character learns or discovers, and explain how the discovery relates to the work as a whole. 

8. Works of literature often feature characters whose pride or selfishness creates problems.

From the novel you read, select a character whose pride or selfishness creates problems. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character’s pride or selfishness creates problems, and explain how the character’s experience relates to the work as a whole. 

9. Often in works of literature, a character is defeated by forces that are beyond his or her control.

From the novel you read, select a character who is defeated by forces that are beyond his or her control. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character is defeated, and explain how the character’s defeat relates to the work as a whole. 

10. Often in works of literature, a character’s position in society changes.

From the novel you read, select a character whose position in society changes. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character’s position in society changes, and explain how the character’s change in position relates to the work as a whole.