Welcome to CornDogArt, a collection of writing prompts inspired by my art.

This is precisely what writers and artists do- they see what everyone else doesn't. For students to become better writers, mastering the art of observation is crucial.  Using CornDogArt Images helps students to practice their observational skills in a fun, exciting way.  They never know what they'll see until they start looking.

Interpretation is subjective.   Every student who views an illustration has a unique experience.  How one person interprets the mood, colors and details in the image is completely unique.  Using CornDogArt images in this way teaches students to make inferences and think critically.

Create!  I hope to inspire many to think about the possibilities in the work- what it means and what stories, in particular, can be written based on the details in the images. Comment- and share your stories!

When analyzing art, students must make inferences and decisions based on what they see and feel. One image may be interpreted in a myriad of ways, and that is a wonderful thing.  When looking at a work of art with students, you may prompt a conversation by asking specific questions and/or playing devil's advocate. For example, one of my images, Looking Though the Keyhole, you may ask what the girl is feeling as she peers into the room. Follow up responses with clarifying questions are crucial: "Is she afraid, or determined? How do you know? What does she see on the other side of the door? What about the shadow? Who or what is it? Can you defend your answer?" Your objective should be to facilitate a lively debate among students. The concept that students have to 'defend their answer' relates to supporting details in their writing.  If they are going to make statements, they have to back them up with specifics, and hopefully those specifics are based in logic and reason.

Look at all the possible writing prompts from these images!

• Write a paragraph describing how these characters got into this situation. Describe the minutes leading up to this scene.
• Choose  one character and write the story from the perspective of that  character. Remember, a character may be a person, animal or object.  How  would his/her feelings be different than the feelings of others?
•  Imagine  you are in the picture.  Now look around.  Predict what is happening  just outside of the image? Are there any other characters we can't see?  How does that change the story?
• After  writing your story, trade it with another student.  Read your partner's  story.  Make a list of all of the similarities and differences.
•  Explain the time of day, mood and location of the image. Use details in the image to support your answers.