AI Prompts for Writers

Copy-paste AI prompts for overcoming writer's block, drafting articles, editing, brainstorming ideas, and improving your writing.

Who These Prompts Are For

Bloggers, journalists, novelists, essayists, content writers, and anyone whose primary work involves writing.

How to Use These Prompts

Copy any prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI tool. Replace the brackets [ ] with your specific details.

Idea and Outline Prompts

Overcome writer’s block:

I'm writing a [type of piece] about [topic] and I'm stuck.
Here's what I know I want to say: [bullet points of your key ideas]
Target reader: [describe]
Tone: [describe]
Write 3 different opening paragraphs with different angles. 
I'll use them as inspiration or a jumping-off point.

Generate article ideas:

Generate 20 article/essay ideas for a writer who covers [niche/topic].
Target audience: [describe]
Mix of: evergreen topics, trending angles, contrarian takes, 
how-to formats, and personal essay topics.
For each: the idea and a one-sentence hook line.

Build an outline:

Create a detailed outline for a [word count] [article / essay / chapter] on [topic].
My angle: [what I'm arguing or exploring that others aren't]
Target reader: [who they are and what they already know]
Tone: [describe]
For each section: the key point and one supporting idea or example.
Flag which sections need original research vs. personal opinion.

Drafting Prompts

Write an introduction:

Write an introduction for a piece titled: "[title]"
Target reader: [describe]
Main promise: [what the piece delivers]
Angle: [the specific approach]
Hook them in the first sentence.
Do not start with "In today's world" or similar generic openers.
Under 100 words.

Write a section:

Write a section of my article on [topic].
Section heading: [H2/H3 heading]
Key point this section makes: [describe]
Supporting ideas or evidence: [what I want to include]
Tone: [describe]
Length: [word count or estimate]
Context from previous sections: [brief — what reader already knows]

Write a conclusion:

Write a conclusion for an article about [topic].
Main argument or finding: [what the article established]
What I want the reader to feel or do: [describe]
Avoid: summarizing everything that was just covered.
End with: [a forward-looking thought / a question / a call to action]
Under 100 words.

Editing Prompts

Feedback on a draft:

Review this draft and give me honest feedback:
[paste your draft]
Tell me:
1. Where does the writing lose energy or momentum?
2. Which sentences are too long or unclear?
3. Where is the argument or structure weakest?
4. Any clichéd or generic phrases?
Do not rewrite it — identify the problems so I can fix them myself.

Improve a paragraph:

Rewrite this paragraph to be more [concise / vivid / direct / conversational]:
[paste paragraph]
Preserve my meaning exactly. Give me 2 alternatives.

Cut word count:

Cut this passage from [X] words to [Y] words without losing any key information.
[paste text]
Prioritize clarity and impact. Remove filler words, redundant phrases, 
and anything that doesn't add value.

Headline and Title Prompts

Article headlines:

Write 15 headline options for a piece about [topic].
My angle: [what makes this piece different]
Target reader: [describe]
Include a mix of: question headlines, how-to, numbered lists, 
and bold statement formats. No clickbait.

Subheadings:

Write 8 subheading (H2) options for an article about [topic].
Outline of what the article covers: [brief]
Make them: descriptive, scannable, and varied in format.
A reader should understand the article structure from the headings alone.

Research and Brainstorming Prompts

Research briefing:

Summarize what's known about [topic] for a writer who needs background context.
I need to understand: [list your specific questions]
Level: [brief overview / detailed background]
Flag areas where expert opinion is divided or where I should seek primary sources.

Counterargument finder:

I'm writing a piece arguing that [your position].
What are the strongest counterarguments I should address?
For each counterargument: the argument itself and how I might respond to it.

Metaphor and analogy ideas:

I need a metaphor or analogy to explain [complex concept] to [audience].
Generate 5 options.
Each should: make the concept immediately understandable without oversimplifying.