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Icebreakers

February 28, 2018 by Jim Potter 6 Comments

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·  Writing Prompts  ·

Today I have some “icebreakers” to share with you.

You might find them valuable and fun as a tool in “breaking the ice” in a group of people who need a reason or excuse to start talking to one another.

Or, they can be used as writing prompts for your students in a writing class.

Each index card has a different question laminated on each side. I pass them out, one card per person, and have individuals “partner up.” It always works!

These questions are self-starters for a conversation. People have a lot to talk about and share with one another. The participants also get a chance to practice listening. Each person answers the same question. They trade-off on talking first.

I’ve got hundreds of these engaging questions that I’ve collected and created over the years. They were invaluable at our summer Kids Camp.

But they’re also ideal topics to be used as writing prompts for students or adults. I’ve used them at writing workshops.

If you’re in a writers group, consider using any of these ideas. They’re designed for brief encounters, but I can imagine myself writing an essay on nearly every one.

With the imagination of a writer, I’ll bet you can turn any one of these inquiries into a fifteen-minute writing exercise. Or, use a question to warm up your brain and your fingers for further writing.

Here’s one story-starter: “When you were little, who was your favorite superhero and why?”

When I was a kid, my favorite superhero was Superman! I imagined myself flying.

When the fierce winds would rise up off Lake Michigan, I grabbed a towel as a cape, stood on our front porch, and pretended: “Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.”

In my response to the question, I’d explain that with superpowers I knew how I would help planet Earth become a more peaceful place. As a child I limited my thinking towards fighting crime, but today–as an adult–I’d take on greater world-wide challenges. 

Here are a few more prompts: “A future goal I have is . . .”     “Have you ever been in a parade or watched one in person? Describe your experience.”     “What is the most creative thing that you’ve ever done?”     “What traits do you admire in a friend?”     If you were an animal, what would you be and why?”     What is one thing you’re really good at?”     If you were to write a book, what would you choose as a topic?”

If you’d like to share a brief response to one of these writer prompts, write back. I’m curious! 

Happy writing and reading!

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Filed Under: Blog posts Tagged With: breaking the ice, icebreakers, self-starters, story starters, writing prompts, writing workshop

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. alex potter says

    February 28, 2018 at 11:28 am

    I love this one! Ask the question…

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      February 28, 2018 at 8:15 pm

      Yes, asking an question is an invitation to open minds and a way to make friends.

      Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    March 1, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    Really interesting ideas and something I have never seen. Jim certainly has a creative mind, to have thought of “hundreds” of these cards for the expanding of our minds and spirits.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      March 1, 2018 at 3:13 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply
  3. Jim Potter says

    March 3, 2018 at 6:48 am

    You said you wanted feedback so here it goes. I remember one time in either High School or college we had to write about what kind of animal we would be in terms of our personality and I find it to still be true today but my personality is a cat. I want to be pet otherwise just leave me alone and don’t even get me backed into a corner bc then I will fight and scratch and bite. Now in real life I have never scratched or bitten anyone but you get the idea.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      March 3, 2018 at 6:53 am

      Your response to a writing prompt is a perfect example of how a person’s imagination can be encouraged. Have a great day! Meeoww!

      Reply

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