Writing Prompts for Programmers
The most effective way I know to improve your writing is to do freewriting exercises regularly. — Peter Elbow
Prompts
- What is a tool that you have been using lately?
- What tool would you miss the most if it were to disappear?
- What is the first thing that you look to do when setting up a new computer?
- What is a process that has been painful recently? How might you fix it?
- What is a product that you think should exist?
- What is a programming pattern that you have been appreciating lately?
- What is a programming pattern that you have been avoiding lately?
- Is there any value in bikeshedding? Why or why not?
- How would you compare two solutions to a problem?
- What are three strategies for reversing a list of strings?
How to use these prompts
These prompts were curated for freewriting, an exercise to help you get started writing. To start, follow these steps:
- Pick a prompt that piques your interest
- Grab a pen and paper or open a text editor
- Set a timer for 5, 10, or 15 minutes
- Write until the timer goes off
Once you are done, it’s up to you: stop or continue, discard or publish. The goal was to write and strengthen those muscles, and you’ve succeeded!