2nd Grade Writing

• 2nd grade
• Common Core W.2.1–W.2.3
• 24 prompts · 8 lessons

2nd graders write longer, better-organized pieces: opinions with reasons and linking words, informative pieces with facts and a conclusion, and stories with details and feelings. The 24 prompts on this page match those three types, plus lessons on paragraphs and editing.

What kids learn in 2nd grade writing

The big step in 2nd grade is organization: an opening that introduces the topic, reasons or facts in the middle, and a concluding sentence. Kids use linking words like because, and, also to connect ideas.

Stories include details about actions, thoughts and feelings, and use time words to show order. 2nd graders also revise and edit with help, and use commas in letters.

Writing a hamburger paragraph is a great 2nd grade milestone.

2nd grade writing prompts

24 original prompts written for 2nd grade, eight each for opinion, informative and narrative writing, the three types in the Common Core writing standards. Pick one a day, or one a week for a longer piece. Download them as a printable PDF with a page of writing paper.

Opinion prompts

How to write it: opinion writing

1. Should recess be longer? Give three reasons.
2. What is the best animal to have as a class pet?
3. Is it better to be a kid or a grown-up?
4. What is the most important rule at home?
5. Should kids be allowed to choose their bedtime?
6. Which holiday is the best? Why?
7. Which superpower would be the best to have?
8. Should every kid learn to cook?

Informative prompts

How to write it: informative writing

1. Teach your reader how to make your favorite snack.
2. Write an all-about piece on an animal you like.
3. Explain how to be a good friend.
4. Tell about a place you have visited.
5. Explain how a seed grows into a plant.
6. Write about a job you would like to have someday.
7. Explain the rules of a sport or game.
8. Tell how your family celebrates a holiday.

Narrative prompts

How to write it: narrative writing

1. Write about a time you were proud of yourself.
2. Tell about a time you got lost or something went wrong.
3. Write about the best day of your summer.
4. Write a story about a dragon who is afraid of the dark.
5. Tell about a time you made a new friend.
6. Write about a time you tried something for the first time.
7. Imagine you shrank to the size of an ant. What happens?
8. Write a story that starts: The door creaked open...

2nd grade writing lessons, in order

Each lesson takes about 10 to 15 minutes and has a quiz and a free worksheet.

1. 1. How-To WritingWriting clear step-by-step instructions with a title, materials, order words and an ending. W.1.2, W.2.2
2. 2. Writing a Friendly LetterWriting a friendly letter with all five parts and correct commas. L.2.2b, W.2.5, W.3.4
3. 3. Opinion WritingWriting an opinion piece with a clear opinion, reasons, examples and a conclusion. W.1.1, W.3.1, W.5.1
4. 4. Informative WritingWriting an informative piece with an introduction, facts grouped by subtopic and a conclusion. W.1.2, W.3.2, W.5.2
5. 5. Narrative WritingWriting a narrative with characters, setting, events in order, details and an ending. W.1.3, W.3.3, W.5.3
6. 6. Writing a ParagraphWriting a paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting details and a closing sentence. W.2.2, W.3.2a, W.3.4
7. 7. Editing and RevisingRevising writing to make it better and editing it to fix mistakes. W.2.5, W.3.5, L.3.2, W.4.5
8. 8. Descriptive WritingUsing sensory details, precise words and comparisons to describe vividly. L.2.1e, W.3.3b, W.4.3d

What the standards say

These are the Common Core 2nd grade writing and language standards this page covers. Most US states use the same or very similar goals.

• L.2.1e: Use adjectives and adverbs, and choose between them depending on what is to be modified.
• L.2.2b: Use commas in greetings and closings of letters.
• W.2.1: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section.
• W.2.2: Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
• W.2.3: Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure.
• W.2.5: With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.

A simple weekly plan

Ten to fifteen minutes a day is plenty. This rhythm works for most families; swap days around to fit your week.

Mixed quiz

Ten questions drawn from the 2nd grade writing lessons: how-to writing, writing a friendly letter, opinion writing, informative writing, narrative writing, writing a paragraph and more. Tap the speaker to hear a question read aloud. Any question your child misses points to the lesson to revisit.

1. 1.What does how-to writing do?

   🔈
   teaches the reader how to do something tells a made-up story gives an opinion
   Show answer

   Teaches the reader how to do something.

2. 2.How many parts does a friendly letter have?

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   five two ten
   Show answer

   Five.

3. 3.What does OREO stand for?

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   Opinion, Reasons, Examples, Opinion Order, Read, Edit, Organize One, Rule, Every, Option
   Show answer

   Opinion, Reasons, Examples, Opinion.

4. 4.What does informative writing do?

   🔈
   teaches the reader facts about a topic tells a made-up story tries to change your mind
   Show answer

   Teaches the reader facts about a topic.

5. 5.What does narrative writing do?

   🔈
   tells a story teaches facts gives an opinion
   Show answer

   Tells a story.

6. 6.What is a paragraph?

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   a group of sentences about one main idea one long sentence a list of words
   Show answer

   A group of sentences about one main idea.

7. 7.What does revising do?

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   makes writing better only fixes spelling copies it neatly
   Show answer

   Makes writing better.

8. 8.What does descriptive writing do?

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   paints a picture with words lists steps gives an opinion
   Show answer

   Paints a picture with words.

9. 9.Which is a good how-to title?

   🔈
   How to Wash a Dog My Dog
   Show answer

   How to Wash a Dog.

10. 10.Which is a greeting?

    🔈
    Dear Sam, Love,
    Show answer

    Dear Sam,

Printables

• 2nd Grade writing prompts (PDF)All 24 prompts plus a page of writing paper.
• How-To WritingPut steps in order, then plan and write your own how-to piece with a title, materials and four steps.
• Writing a Friendly LetterLabel the parts of a model letter, fix commas and capitals, then write your own friendly letter.
• Opinion WritingPick a topic, plan with the OREO organizer, then write an opinion paragraph with linking words.
• Informative WritingSort facts into subtopics, cross out the opinion, then plan and write your own all-about piece.
• Narrative WritingTurn telling sentences into showing sentences, plan a story with a story map, then write it.
• Writing a ParagraphLabel a model paragraph, cross out the off-topic sentence, plan with a hamburger organizer and write your own paragraph.
• Editing and RevisingFix CUPS mistakes in sentences, revise a short draft with ARMS, then use a checklist on your own writing.
• Descriptive WritingFill in a five senses chart, rewrite plain sentences with vivid details, and write a descriptive paragraph.

All 2nd grade worksheets

Practicing at home

Plan with a quick organizer

Opinion, reasons, conclusion; or beginning, middle, end.

Add one detail

Ask: can you tell me more?

Edit with a checklist

Capitals, periods, spelling: one at a time.

Write letters

Thank-you notes and letters to relatives.

More 2nd grade practice

See every reading and writing skill for the year on the 2nd grade page. Earlier: 1st grade writing prompts. Next: 3rd grade writing prompts. All lessons: writing. Related: grammar and punctuation.

Last reviewed: November 11, 2026

Questions parents ask