About Free Writing Prompts and Paragraph Planners (Grades 2-5)
Planning first breaks a big task into small ones. A child who has listed three reasons with examples, or what they saw, heard and smelled, has the whole paragraph in pieces before writing a sentence, so the draft comes out organized.
By the ToolFluency team · Updated October 2026
Free printable writing prompts and paragraph planners for Grades 2-5. Pick a kind of writing (descriptive, narrative, opinion or informational) and a level, then print a planner, a draft page or a sheet of prompt cards. Each planner is the graphic organizer that fits the kind: five senses for a description, who, where, when and beginning, middle and end for a story, Opinion-Reason-Example for an opinion, and facts and details for an explanation. There are forty prompts for each level, or you can type your own, and every planner and draft page comes with a 4-point marking rubric.
How to use
- Choose the Kind of writing and the Level. Grades 2-3 pages have wider, primary-style writing lines and simpler planners; Grades 4-5 planners add a third reason, a hook, dialogue and comparisons.
- Choose the Page. The Planner breaks the prompt into boxes to fill in before writing. The Draft page has the prompt, a checklist to tick and writing lines. Prompt cards prints eight prompts to cut out for a writing centre or journal jar.
- Choose a prompt from the list, pick A random prompt, or choose My own prompt and type it in. New prompt picks another one.
- Print the worksheet, the rubric, or both. The rubric scores five criteria from 4 to 1 and matches the checklist on the draft page, so children can check their own writing first.
Frequently asked questions
Why use a planner before writing?
Planning first breaks a big task into small ones. A child who has listed three reasons with examples, or what they saw, heard and smelled, has the whole paragraph in pieces before writing a sentence, so the draft comes out organized. Graphic organizers like these are a standard part of writing instruction in Grades 2-5 and match the Common Core writing standards (W.1 opinion, W.2 informative, W.3 narrative) and the Ontario Language curriculum's focus on developing and organizing ideas.
What is the OREO opinion planner?
OREO stands for Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion again. The opinion planner follows it: state the opinion, give a reason and an example or fact for each reason (two in Grades 2-3, three in Grades 4-5), then say the opinion again in new words. A bank of linking words (because, for example, another reason) sits underneath.
How is the writing marked?
Print the rubric for the kind of writing. It scores five criteria from 4 to 1, such as sensory details and word choice for a description, or reasons and linking words for an opinion, plus conventions, for a total out of 20. The checklist on the draft page asks the same questions in child-friendly words, so students can check their work before handing it in.
Can I use my own writing prompt?
Yes. Choose My own prompt from the Prompt list and type it in; the planner, draft page and rubric all show it. Copy link saves the page with your prompt, and Add to workbook puts it in a printable workbook.
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