Different than traditional writing prompts, scribble sparks can come from a variety of genres and forms, meant to lead to open-ended, low-stakes, free writing. After writers share a scribble spark, they respond in whatever way feels best to them. There is not “wrong” way to write a scribble. In fact, it is the diversity of directions writers can take that make a strong scribble spark. One student may draw a picture, another write about a memory from their childhood, and another write a poem about zombies. Scribbles allow students and teachers to explore our voices, preferences, and identities as writers, while building a community of writers. Teachers should write while the students are writing.

If you are interested in reading more about scribbles, please read Joseph Wiederhold (CUWP ’12) and Debbie Dean’s (CUWP ’09) article, “Scribbling: Making Time for What Matters,” published in the Utah English Journal in 2020.

Below, you will find links and descriptions of how to use a range of scribble sparks as writing starters for your classroom. The sparks shared on this page have been compiled from CUWP fellows, and this page will continue to be updated, so keep checking back for more!