This document discusses photo-based writing, which uses photographs as prompts to inspire writing for students of all ages. Photos can generate ideas, trigger questions, and tell a story to provide a starting point for writers. Research shows that images allow concepts to be explained or expanded upon in ways that text alone cannot. The document provides examples of different types of writing prompts teachers can use based on photos, such as writing stories about characters, locations, or scenes depicted in an image. It also discusses qualities of photos that make for good writing prompts.

1. Photo-Based Writing
A picture is worth a thousand words
By: Michelle Johnson
National Writing Project
Summer 2012
Florida Gulf Coast Templates
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2. What is Photo-Based Writing?
Photo-Based writing is a teaching strategy that uses
photographs as writing prompts to generate thoughtful
pieces of work from writers of all ages. Pictures are a great
tool to use to inspire writing. All students have the
capacity to write when they are given a starting point.
Photos are a fantastic starting point for writers. Photos
can generate ideas, trigger questions, and tell a story. The
writer finds inspiration from the photo. This strategy
provides students with an opportunity to take a photo and
create their own story.
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3. Picture This!
Photo-based writing can be achieved in different
ways. The first step is finding a photo. An educator
can instruct students to take their own photos that
will inspire writing or the educator can provide the
students with images. Guidelines should be
established in order to ensure effective writing.
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4. Research Indicates
Images often allow us to explain, simplify, or expand
concepts in ways that are very difficult to do with text—
or even with spoken words(Levie,1982).
Photos can be used as an effective guided writing tool to
facilitate students' writing process and to improve their
writing proficiency( Lee, 1994).
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5. “An image contains a story, a narrative, a life of
its own, and what we see is influenced by our
individual perceptions and perspectives at a
given point in time. The photograph spurs
thoughts and stimulates ideas. The photograph
motivates and inspires writing and it is through
writing that students can learn more about a
subject, reflect upon their lives, and express
themselves”.
-Sharon J. Washington, executive director of the
National Writing Project
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6. What makes a good
photo?
Not any photo will work. The photo should draw
the student into the picture. If there's a ‘’world”
in the photo, then there's something to write
about.
Does the photo make you ask a question?
Do you wonder what happened before/after the
photo?
Does the photo tell a story?
Does the photo make you wonder why the
photographer took the photo?
Is the picture clear?
Do you wonder what's happening outside the
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frame?

7. Powerpoint Templates
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8. Writing Prompts
The girl has just received some bad news. Write
that story.
The girl has a secret. She tells it to the dog.
Write that story.
The girl has to make a decision. Write that
story.
The girl hates fishing. Why is she doing it?
Write that story.
It's the last day of summer. The girl in this
photo is worried about going to a new school.
Write that story.
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9. Location Prompts
Use photos to prompt students to think specifically
about different locations.
Where is this location?
What time of year is it?
Is something usual or unusual happening?
What are your thoughts on the location?
What character would be comfortable in this
location? Describe them.
What character would be uncomfortable?
Describe them.
Write a conversation between those two
characters.
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10. Scene Prompts
Write a scene between two characters in the photo before ,
during ,or after the event in the photo takes place.
Write a scene between two characters in the photo during the
event. What is the conversation?
Write a scene between two characters who are watching this
event.
Write the scene that takes place once this event is over. Where
do the characters go next?
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11. Character Prompts
Students often miss connecting character development as
part of the writing process and yet, characters play such a
huge part in a story. Characters are the backbone of all great
stories .Students can use photos to practice writing character
profiles.
What is the emotional state of the person in the
photograph? Why?
What will they do next?
What details can be created simply by looking at a photo?
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12. Look at the above photograph. Write out the
conversation between the bird and the dog. What
would they say to each other if they suddenly
could speak English?
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