The Maze Runner Writing Prompts - Video Clips and Journal Writing Topics

These writing prompts for The Maze Runner by James Dashner provide a meaningful way for students to connect to the novel through short, high-interest video clips paired with thoughtful journal questions. This no-prep resource is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the novel’s themes by encouraging them to reflect on real-world connections. After viewing each short clip, students respond to a journal prompt that invites them to make text-to-self or text-to-world connections. The videos are not directly from the text but are intentionally selected to reinforce the ideas, challenges, themes, and experiences represented in the novel, helping students better understand and connect to The Maze Runner by James Dashner while also improving their writing skills.

This is included in a unit plan:
>>> The Maze Runner Unit Plan

Included in The Maze Runner Writing Prompts Video Resource:

➡️ The Maze Runner Video Journals Presentation Slides: This PowerPoint presentation includes links to twelve carefully selected video clips, each paired with a journal prompt connected to key themes in the novel. The clips are organized by reading sections so they align naturally with your pacing as you move through the novel, with two prompts provided for each section. Each slide includes a video link alongside a writing prompt that encourages students to think critically about the ideas presented and connect them back to events, characters, conflicts, and themes from the novel. These slides make it easy to pause for reflection at key points in the novel, helping students to make text-to-self and text-to-world connections. The prompts are organized into these chapter sets:

• Section 1: Chapters 1–8
• Section 2: Chapters 9–17
• Section 3: Chapters 18–28
• Section 4: Chapters 29–37
• Section 5: Chapters 38–51
• Section 6: Chapters 52–63 (Epilogue)

➡️ The Maze Runner Video Journals Response Page: Students use the included printable response sheet to record their written reflections after watching each video clip. The template provides a space for students to respond to each writing prompt and makes it simple for you to collect responses.

How to Use The Maze Runner Writing Prompts Video Resource:

• After reading the relevant chapter section, show the corresponding video clip to your class to introduce or reinforce the theme connected to that part of the novel.
• Next, display the paired journal prompt and give students 5–10 minutes to respond independently in writing. Encourage them to reference specific moments from the text as well as their own experiences or prior knowledge to make meaningful text connections.
• Once students have written their responses, invite them to share in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. This discussion time allows students to hear multiple perspectives, deepen their understanding of the novel’s themes, and reflect on the choices and challenges faced by the characters.

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