Every teacher knows the power of a topic that clicks. The room buzzes, hands shoot up, ideas pour out. When students write about something they care about, their vocabulary expands, their stamina grows, and their writing becomes more authentic. Tapping into students’ interests is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve engagement and writing quality.
Research shows that motivation improves when students find a writing task personally meaningful. One study found that intrinsic motivation directly boosts self-efficacy, which in turn lifts writing performance. When writing is rooted in something familiar or exciting, like a football match, a trending show or a seasonal event, students are more likely to take risks, try new vocabulary and structure their sentences with purpose.
Interests also build confidence. A child who finds writing difficult may still be an expert on animals, video games or superheroes. That knowledge gives them a starting point and helps them take ownership of their writing.
Why not link writing to what is already on your students’ minds?
💡 Big sport moments - Player diary, match commentary, post-match report, or a manager’s team talk before kick off.
💡 TV and streaming - Character viewpoint diary, alternative ending, persuasive letter to the producer asking for a spin off.💡 Video games - Mission brief for a new level, world-building description, guide for a beginner. Popular open worlds and sandbox games work well because everyone brings their own knowledge.
💡 Music and artists - Review a new track, write a fan newsletter, or script a short radio segment introducing a song and explaining why it connects with listeners.
💡 Viral memes and trends - Write a how it started vs how it is going narrative, or a short explanation of a trend for someone who has never seen it. Focus on audience and tone.
💡 YouTube and creators - How to script, plan and present a two-minute tutorial. Or write a balanced argument about the pros and cons of being a creator.
💡 Books and graphic novels - Letter from one character to another, blurb rewrite, or a scene retold as a comic strip.💡 Community and school life - Report on a school event, interview a club captain, or write a guide for new students about the best places to read, play or practise.
💡 Tech and gadgets - Instruction text for using a new device safely. Or a persuasive advert for a student invented gadget that solves a real classroom problem.
💡 Environment and everyday issues - Explanation text on a local eco project, a persuasive poster for a school-wide initiative, or a diary from the viewpoint of a reused item on its journey.
Pobble co-founder Simon used these strategies in his own classroom. He often started by asking what students watched, played or talked about that week, then framed a short writing task around it. The trick is to meet students where they already are, then use that interest to model purpose, audience and craft.
Start with a conversation: Ask your class what they’re into right now. What games are they playing? What shows or sports are they following?
Create a class interest wall or suggestion box: Let students share ideas for what they’d like to write about. Choice increases ownership.
Offer flexible prompts: Rather than assigning a fixed topic, try an open-ended frame like “Write about a big moment in your favourite show or game.”
Use interests in grammar lessons too: Practise fronted adverbials or conjunctions with examples drawn from football, fantasy worlds or skateboarding.
Create whole-class or school-wide events: A trip, a themed week or a mystery box full of clues can become a shared experience to write about.
You can’t always plan a dress-up day or a big event, but Pobble makes it easier to keep writing fresh and interest-based. Many of the daily Pobble 365 prompts link to topics your students already love. Think dragons in the library, animal adventures, sporting triumphs or space explorations. Each prompt combines a captivating image with built-in activities to help students get started and keep going.
With a free Pobble account, you get one new prompt every day. With a subscription, you unlock the full calendar, choose prompts that match your students’ interests, and access three levels of differentiation to support every learner.
Link topics to current events like tournaments, holidays or film releases.
Ask students what they’re interested in and build a visible list.
Encourage use of subject-specific vocabulary. If they’re writing about basketball, challenge them to use terms like dribble, rebound or full-court press.
Build on real-life experiences. A school trip to a museum? Write from the perspective of an artefact or the museum guide.
Let students choose how to present their work. A script, blog post, letter or diary entry all give purpose and variety.
Revisit favourite topics across the term to build fluency and voice.
When writing feels personal, students believe in themselves more as writers. They take risks, make creative choices and grow in stamina. Research shows that relevance, motivation and choice all lead to better writing outcomes.
Pobble helps you tap into these strengths with minimal prep. Each prompt gives you the tools to connect to your students’ world, build confidence and get great writing on the page.