5th Grade Writing

• 5th grade
• Common Core W.5.1–W.5.3
• 24 prompts · 9 lessons

5th grade writing prepares kids for middle school: well-supported opinions, research reports from several sources, and stories with real craft. The 24 prompts on this page are written for 5th graders, in the three types of writing in the standards.

What kids learn in 5th grade writing

5th graders support opinions with logically ordered reasons and facts, and link them with words, phrases and clauses like consequently and specifically. Informative writing draws on several sources, uses precise vocabulary and quotes, and has a clear conclusion.

Narratives use pacing, dialogue and description, and a conclusion that follows from the events. 5th graders summarize and paraphrase sources and list them at the end.

Expect multi-paragraph essays, with planning, drafting, revising and editing as a routine.

5th grade writing prompts

24 original prompts written for 5th 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 students have a say in school rules? Support your view with reasons and evidence.
2. Is technology making kids' lives better or worse?
3. Should every student learn a second language?
4. Should junk food be sold in schools?
5. Are sports or the arts more important in schools?
6. Should kids be allowed to use AI tools for homework?
7. Should all students do community service?
8. What is the most important problem kids could help solve? Convince your reader.

Informative prompts

How to write it: informative writing

1. Research a natural disaster and explain its causes, effects and how people prepare.
2. Explain how a law is made in the United States.
3. Compare two historical time periods.
4. Explain how ecosystems depend on each other.
5. Write a report on a scientist and their discoveries.
6. Explain how to start a small business, like a lemonade stand.
7. Write a how-to guide for a skill you've mastered.
8. Research an endangered animal and explain how to protect it.

Narrative prompts

How to write it: narrative writing

1. Write a personal narrative about a challenge you overcame.
2. Write a story in which the main character must make a difficult choice between two friends.
3. Write historical fiction: a day in the life of a kid in another time.
4. Write a mystery story with clues and a surprise ending.
5. Tell a story from the point of view of an object, like a backpack.
6. Write about a time you stood up for something you believed in.
7. Write a story where the setting changes the plot.
8. Continue this story: The power went out, and that's when we heard the knock.

5th 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 Write an EmailWriting a clear, polite email with a subject line, greeting, body, closing and name. W.4.4, L.4.3c, W.5.6
2. 2. Opinion WritingWriting an opinion piece with a clear opinion, reasons, examples and a conclusion. W.1.1, W.3.1, W.5.1
3. 3. Informative WritingWriting an informative piece with an introduction, facts grouped by subtopic and a conclusion. W.1.2, W.3.2, W.5.2
4. 4. Narrative WritingWriting a narrative with characters, setting, events in order, details and an ending. W.1.3, W.3.3, W.5.3
5. 5. 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
6. 6. Transition WordsChoosing transition words to show order, add ideas, give examples, compare and conclude. W.3.1c, W.3.3c, W.4.2c, W.5.2c
7. 7. Writing a Book ReportWriting a book report with basic information, a short summary and a supported opinion. W.3.1, W.4.9, W.5.9
8. 8. Writing a SummaryWriting a short summary in your own words that keeps only the main idea and key details. RI.4.2, W.4.8, W.5.8
9. 9. Short Research ProjectsDoing a short research project: asking questions, finding sources, taking notes and writing it up. W.3.7, W.3.8, W.4.7, W.5.7

What the standards say

These are the Common Core 5th grade writing and language standards this page covers. Most US states use the same or very similar goals.

• W.5.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
• W.5.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
• W.5.2c: Link ideas within and across categories of information using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., in contrast, especially).
• W.5.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
• W.5.6: With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
• W.5.7: Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
• W.5.8: Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.
• W.5.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

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 5th grade writing lessons: how to write an email, opinion writing, informative writing, narrative writing, editing and revising, transition words 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 the subject line do?

   🔈
   tells what the email is about says goodbye shows the date
   Show answer

   It tells what the email is about.

2. 2.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.

3. 3.What does informative writing do?

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   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.

4. 4.What does narrative writing do?

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   tells a story teaches facts gives an opinion
   Show answer

   Tells a story.

5. 5.What does revising do?

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   makes writing better only fixes spelling copies it neatly
   Show answer

   Makes writing better.

6. 6.What do transition words do?

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   connect ideas name characters end every sentence
   Show answer

   Connect ideas.

7. 7.What goes in the introduction of a book report?

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   the title and author the ending your rating
   Show answer

   The title and author.

8. 8.What does the first sentence of a summary include?

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   the title and main idea your opinion a small detail
   Show answer

   The title and main idea.

9. 9.What is the first step in a research project?

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   ask a question write the report make a poster
   Show answer

   Ask a question.

10. 10.Which is the best subject line?

    🔈
    Question about Friday's field trip Hi READ THIS NOW!!!
    Show answer

    Question about Friday's field trip

Printables

• 5th Grade writing prompts (PDF)All 24 prompts plus a page of writing paper.
• How to Write an EmailLabel the parts of a model email, fix subject lines and greetings, then write your own email.
• 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.
• Editing and RevisingFix CUPS mistakes in sentences, revise a short draft with ARMS, then use a checklist on your own writing.
• Transition WordsChoose the best transition for each sentence, sort transitions by job, and smooth out a choppy paragraph.
• Writing a Book ReportA book report template: title, author, genre, characters, setting, summary, opinion with reasons and a star rating.
• Writing a SummaryRead a short article, cross out details that don't belong, fill in a summary frame and write the summary.
• Short Research ProjectsA research planner: choose a topic, write questions, take notes in your own words with sources, and list your sources.

All 5th grade worksheets

Practicing at home

Outline first

A quick outline saves time and keeps writing focused.

Cite sources

List every book and website used.

Revise for voice

Read it aloud: does it sound like you?

Write for real audiences

Letters to officials, reviews, blog posts.

More 5th grade practice

See every reading and writing skill for the year on the 5th grade page. Earlier: 4th grade writing prompts. All lessons: writing. Related: grammar and punctuation.

Last reviewed: November 11, 2026

Questions parents ask