Historical Story Starters

Try imagining yourself living during a different time period. Use the writing prompts to write a story with a historical perspective.

1. (Dust Bowl: Oklahoma) Today we had the worst dust storm ever. Ma and Pa say we might have to move to California. I don't want to leave.

2. (Pioneer) Pa is searching for wide open spaces. Every time we get settled, he gets restless. He's loading the wagon again. "wher is Kansas?" I ask him.

3. (Civil Rights Movement) "Daddy says a man named Martin Luther King, Jr. is coming over for dinner. He wants to talk about black and white children going to our elementary school together. I think it's a great idea."

4. (Mayflower - Pilgrims) It has taken months to cross the ocean. I saw a rat the other day. I wonder what America will be like.

5. (Civil War) Today we saw Union soldiers crossing the land on our plantation. My mama was so scared; she made me hide in the root cellar.

6. (Gold rush) Daddy says he will send for us when he strikes it rich in California. I wish I could go with him right now.