Output Challenge 2015/2016 Discussion
Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:14 pm
Grabbing the most important posts (of mine) in the thread, with the prompts and the mini-challenges!
I decided to start a separate discussion thread for the Output Challenge where we can post things others might find useful. Links to audio & video recordings, etc. Because we all need to do output I thought it might be useful to start with a list of potential subjects you might want to generate output about. I've previously posted this elsewhere but it seems very appropriate here.
Writing Prompts:
- What was your favorite food when you were a child? Is it different now? Why did it change/not change?
- What’s the #1 most played song on your MusicPlayer? When did you discover it? Why do you like it? Who introduced you to it?
- What is one of your favorite quotes? Why? What is the background of the person who said it? Do you admire them? Why?
- What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? Who do you do it with? For how long? How did you start?
- If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
- If you could paint a picture of any scenery what would you paint? Have you neen there? With who? Why? When?
- If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? For what? Why? For how long?
- If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Why?
- When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
- Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?
- What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to? What made it great? Who else was there? Where?
- What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
- What was the last experience that made you a stronger person? Why did it make you strong?
- Tell us about the best/worst gift you’ve ever given/received?
- What story does your family always tell about you? What do they get right? What parts have they got wrong?
- Who would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island? Why?
- If money was no object, what would you do all day?
- What is your favorite memory?
- Describe your perfect day.
- If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to, why, and who would you meet with?
- If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
- What does it mean to have courage?
- Can you keep secrets? Describe a time you didn't.
- When did you kiss for the first time and what was it like?
- Describe an activity that you think is truly romantic.
- If you had to pick one place in your town to bring a tourist, where would you go? What would you do? Why?
- Describe your favorite vacation.
- When someone fails at something, what should he or she do?
- Do you know how you got your name? Why did you parents give you that name? Do you like it?
- If there is any place in the world that you could go to live for 1 year, where would it be and why?
- What would your previous co-workers say about you?
- A madman has tied five innocent people to a train track. An out of control train car is careening toward them, and is moments away from running them over. Luckily, you can pull a lever and divert the train to another track. The only problem is the madman has also tied a single person to that track. Considering the circumstances, should you pull the lever? Describe your thoughts.
- Write a description of your hometown for someone who has never been there. Include history, important landmarks, etc.
- Write a short biography of your favorite celebrity.
- Write about the rules of your favorite sport or game.
- Write instructions on how to prepare a meal you enjoy.
- Write about the traditions surrounding your favorite holiday and where they came from.
- Write an objective summary of a television show or movie you dislike.
- Compare and contrast one job or class with another job or class.
- Describe the view from your window as factually as possible.
- Write out instructions for how to ride a bicycle.
- Compare and contrast your house with a friend's house.
- Make something simple out of building toys or craft supplies, then write instructions on how to make it.
- Write a detailed description of the first object on your left.
- Write a short biography of a family member.
- Write instructions on how to use a phone, camera, or another device you use frequently.
- Write about your family history.
- Write detailed instructions on how to use an everyday object like scissors or a spoon as though you were explaining it to someone who had never seen the object before.
- Compare and contrast your city with another city you have visited.
- Write about the type of tree you see most in your area.
- Pick a month. Write about the type of weather your hometown generally has in that month.
- Compare and contrast two different places you would like to visit.
- Write about your birthstone.
- Write instructions on how to get dressed.
- Write about a historical figure that shares your birthday.
- Compare and contrast two different breeds of the same animal, like cats, dogs, or horses.
- Compare and contrast your clothes with someone else's.
- Write a summary of your favorite book.
- Write a detailed description of your work area.
- Compare and contrast two different types of hats.
- Compare and contrast the book version of a work with the movie version.
- Write about an older version of a current type of technology. For example: old telephones, letters or telegrams rather than e-mail, a slide rule or abacus rather than a calculator.
- Compare and contrast two types of fruit.
- Compare and contrast two objects that are the same color.
- Write instructions on how to clean your room.
- Compare and contrast the first book in a series with the last.
- Compare and contrast a remade movie with its original version.
- Write instructions on the best way to pack a backpack or suitcase.
- Write about a custom that your region has that other areas of the world do not.
- Compare and contrast the way people in your area say a certain phrase to the way it is said in other areas for example, people in different areas in the U.S. call soda different names; what the U.S. calls fries the U.K. calls chips.
- Write instructions for a basic safety procedure.
- Compare and contrast the governments of two countries that are on the same continent.
- Explain how to write an expository essay.
- Compare and contrast an expository and a persuasive essay.
- Compare and contrast two sources of information on the same subject; for example, a print encyclopedia entry and a Wikipedia entry, or a newspaper article and journal article.
- Write instructions on how to respond to a bully.
- Interview someone and write about their job.
- Compare and contrast two ancient mythologies (Greek/Roman, Egyptian, Norse, etc.)
- Write instructions on how to take care of a plant.
- Compare and contrast your typical breakfast with a friend's.
- Write about your favorite style of music- history, influential musicians, etc.
- Compare and contrast one style of music with another.
- Pick a fictional work that has at least one male and at least one female character. Compare and contrast their actions/role in the story.
- Write about how your school works or worked.
- Explain how to do a very simple cooking task, like boiling an egg or tossing a salad.
- Write directions on how to do laundry.
- Write instructions on how to replace batteries.
- Write about how to keep a car or bike in good condition.
- Write about the types of animals that live in your climate.
- Write about the types of animals that live in a climate very different from yours.
- Write instructions on how to take care of glasses.
- Write instructions on how to take care of someone who is sick.
- Write about the symptoms of a specific illness.
- Compare and contrast a man's shoe and a woman's shoe.
- Write about ways to cheer someone up.
- Explain how to play a video game.
- Write about the history of a food item, like peanut butter or soda.
- Compare and contrast tea and coffee.
- Write about an allergy or dietary restriction someone you know has.
- Write about how to tell when someone is upset.
- Write about ways to keep from getting scared.
- Write about how to dress for a certain type of weather.
- Write instructions on how to take care of a scrape or cut.
- Write about ways to tell someone you care about them.
- If you know two languages, compare and contrast them.
- Look in the mirror and describe yourself as though you were describing a stranger.
- Write about a 'behind the scenes' job- stagehand, cameraman, animator, etc.
- Write about how to plan an outfit.
- Compare and contrast a food with a substitute for someone who is allergic- for example, milk and soy milk.
- Write instructions on how to find and identify a constellation.
- Write instructions on how to play a musical instrument.
- Compare and contrast two types of cars.
- Write about how to introduce yourself to someone.
- Write about ways to stay warm when it's cold or cold when it's warm.
- Write instructions on how to find information for a report.
- Write about ways to remember something.
- Compare and contrast two different parks or playgrounds.
- Compare and contrast two different types of rock.
- Write instructions on how to solve a math problem.
- Compare and contrast a baby and an adult of the same species.
- Write instructions on how to break a bad habit.
- Write a guide to good manners.
- Write instructions on what to do if you get lost.
- Write directions from one place in your town to another.
- Compare and contrast two different types of fish or bird.
- Write about what you should put in a first aid kit.
- Write about what you should bring with you when you go camping.
- Write instructions on how to fish.
I decided to start a separate discussion thread for the Output Challenge where we can post things others might find useful. Links to audio & video recordings, etc. Because we all need to do output I thought it might be useful to start with a list of potential subjects you might want to generate output about. I've previously posted this elsewhere but it seems very appropriate here.
Writing Prompts:
- What was your favorite food when you were a child? Is it different now? Why did it change/not change?
- What’s the #1 most played song on your MusicPlayer? When did you discover it? Why do you like it? Who introduced you to it?
- What is one of your favorite quotes? Why? What is the background of the person who said it? Do you admire them? Why?
- What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity? Who do you do it with? For how long? How did you start?
- If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
- If you could paint a picture of any scenery what would you paint? Have you neen there? With who? Why? When?
- If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? For what? Why? For how long?
- If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Why?
- When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
- Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?
- What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to? What made it great? Who else was there? Where?
- What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
- What was the last experience that made you a stronger person? Why did it make you strong?
- Tell us about the best/worst gift you’ve ever given/received?
- What story does your family always tell about you? What do they get right? What parts have they got wrong?
- Who would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island? Why?
- If money was no object, what would you do all day?
- What is your favorite memory?
- Describe your perfect day.
- If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to, why, and who would you meet with?
- If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
- What does it mean to have courage?
- Can you keep secrets? Describe a time you didn't.
- When did you kiss for the first time and what was it like?
- Describe an activity that you think is truly romantic.
- If you had to pick one place in your town to bring a tourist, where would you go? What would you do? Why?
- Describe your favorite vacation.
- When someone fails at something, what should he or she do?
- Do you know how you got your name? Why did you parents give you that name? Do you like it?
- If there is any place in the world that you could go to live for 1 year, where would it be and why?
- What would your previous co-workers say about you?
- A madman has tied five innocent people to a train track. An out of control train car is careening toward them, and is moments away from running them over. Luckily, you can pull a lever and divert the train to another track. The only problem is the madman has also tied a single person to that track. Considering the circumstances, should you pull the lever? Describe your thoughts.
- Write a description of your hometown for someone who has never been there. Include history, important landmarks, etc.
- Write a short biography of your favorite celebrity.
- Write about the rules of your favorite sport or game.
- Write instructions on how to prepare a meal you enjoy.
- Write about the traditions surrounding your favorite holiday and where they came from.
- Write an objective summary of a television show or movie you dislike.
- Compare and contrast one job or class with another job or class.
- Describe the view from your window as factually as possible.
- Write out instructions for how to ride a bicycle.
- Compare and contrast your house with a friend's house.
- Make something simple out of building toys or craft supplies, then write instructions on how to make it.
- Write a detailed description of the first object on your left.
- Write a short biography of a family member.
- Write instructions on how to use a phone, camera, or another device you use frequently.
- Write about your family history.
- Write detailed instructions on how to use an everyday object like scissors or a spoon as though you were explaining it to someone who had never seen the object before.
- Compare and contrast your city with another city you have visited.
- Write about the type of tree you see most in your area.
- Pick a month. Write about the type of weather your hometown generally has in that month.
- Compare and contrast two different places you would like to visit.
- Write about your birthstone.
- Write instructions on how to get dressed.
- Write about a historical figure that shares your birthday.
- Compare and contrast two different breeds of the same animal, like cats, dogs, or horses.
- Compare and contrast your clothes with someone else's.
- Write a summary of your favorite book.
- Write a detailed description of your work area.
- Compare and contrast two different types of hats.
- Compare and contrast the book version of a work with the movie version.
- Write about an older version of a current type of technology. For example: old telephones, letters or telegrams rather than e-mail, a slide rule or abacus rather than a calculator.
- Compare and contrast two types of fruit.
- Compare and contrast two objects that are the same color.
- Write instructions on how to clean your room.
- Compare and contrast the first book in a series with the last.
- Compare and contrast a remade movie with its original version.
- Write instructions on the best way to pack a backpack or suitcase.
- Write about a custom that your region has that other areas of the world do not.
- Compare and contrast the way people in your area say a certain phrase to the way it is said in other areas for example, people in different areas in the U.S. call soda different names; what the U.S. calls fries the U.K. calls chips.
- Write instructions for a basic safety procedure.
- Compare and contrast the governments of two countries that are on the same continent.
- Explain how to write an expository essay.
- Compare and contrast an expository and a persuasive essay.
- Compare and contrast two sources of information on the same subject; for example, a print encyclopedia entry and a Wikipedia entry, or a newspaper article and journal article.
- Write instructions on how to respond to a bully.
- Interview someone and write about their job.
- Compare and contrast two ancient mythologies (Greek/Roman, Egyptian, Norse, etc.)
- Write instructions on how to take care of a plant.
- Compare and contrast your typical breakfast with a friend's.
- Write about your favorite style of music- history, influential musicians, etc.
- Compare and contrast one style of music with another.
- Pick a fictional work that has at least one male and at least one female character. Compare and contrast their actions/role in the story.
- Write about how your school works or worked.
- Explain how to do a very simple cooking task, like boiling an egg or tossing a salad.
- Write directions on how to do laundry.
- Write instructions on how to replace batteries.
- Write about how to keep a car or bike in good condition.
- Write about the types of animals that live in your climate.
- Write about the types of animals that live in a climate very different from yours.
- Write instructions on how to take care of glasses.
- Write instructions on how to take care of someone who is sick.
- Write about the symptoms of a specific illness.
- Compare and contrast a man's shoe and a woman's shoe.
- Write about ways to cheer someone up.
- Explain how to play a video game.
- Write about the history of a food item, like peanut butter or soda.
- Compare and contrast tea and coffee.
- Write about an allergy or dietary restriction someone you know has.
- Write about how to tell when someone is upset.
- Write about ways to keep from getting scared.
- Write about how to dress for a certain type of weather.
- Write instructions on how to take care of a scrape or cut.
- Write about ways to tell someone you care about them.
- If you know two languages, compare and contrast them.
- Look in the mirror and describe yourself as though you were describing a stranger.
- Write about a 'behind the scenes' job- stagehand, cameraman, animator, etc.
- Write about how to plan an outfit.
- Compare and contrast a food with a substitute for someone who is allergic- for example, milk and soy milk.
- Write instructions on how to find and identify a constellation.
- Write instructions on how to play a musical instrument.
- Compare and contrast two types of cars.
- Write about how to introduce yourself to someone.
- Write about ways to stay warm when it's cold or cold when it's warm.
- Write instructions on how to find information for a report.
- Write about ways to remember something.
- Compare and contrast two different parks or playgrounds.
- Compare and contrast two different types of rock.
- Write instructions on how to solve a math problem.
- Compare and contrast a baby and an adult of the same species.
- Write instructions on how to break a bad habit.
- Write a guide to good manners.
- Write instructions on what to do if you get lost.
- Write directions from one place in your town to another.
- Compare and contrast two different types of fish or bird.
- Write about what you should put in a first aid kit.
- Write about what you should bring with you when you go camping.
- Write instructions on how to fish.