15 ChatGPT Writing Prompts for Non-Fiction Topics I Know Nothing About

As writers, it’s easy to get stuck writing only about subjects we’re already familiar with. But stretching into new areas is how we grow our skills and perspectives. ChatGPT is great for generating writing prompts for non-fiction topics I know nothing about to challenge myself.

Why Use Writing Prompts?

Writing prompts are useful tools for exploring topics outside our normal scope. They provide a starting point and structure without requiring in-depth prior knowledge. Working through prompts allows me to learn about new areas and practice research, organization, and narrative skills.

ChatGPT in particular excels at crafting thoughtful prompts tailored to any subject. Its AI abilities mean prompts cover nuanced angles I may not have considered on my own.

15 Non-Fiction ChatGPT Prompts

Here are 15 writing prompts from ChatGPT spanning a variety of non-fiction genres on topics I have little familiarity with:

1. Explain the history and current state of renewable energy technology. What still needs to be improved and what future advancements seem most promising?
2. Discuss the political landscape and major issues facing one country I’m unfamiliar with, such as Bhutan or Eritrea. How do citizens view their government and priorities?
3. Profile an influential scientist throughout history whose work I’m not already familiar with, like Rosalind Franklin or Barbara McClintock. What breakthroughs did they make?
4. Analyze the fashion trends of a past decade like the 1980s or 1920s based on photograph and article research. What do the styles say about the culture of the time?
5. Choose a medical condition I have limited knowledge of and explain its causes, symptoms, diagnosis process, and treatment options to educate others.
6. Investigate the wildlife and ecosystem of a biome, such as rainforests or coral reefs. What species live there, and how are conservation efforts faring?
7. Research the history and cultural significance of a musical genre like blues, flamenco or gamelan. How did it develop and what role does it play in associated communities?
8. Pick an influential social movement from the last century and analyze its goals, tactics, successes and ongoing impacts. For example, the American civil rights movement.
9. Provide an overview of a foreign religion I’m unfamiliar with like Shinto, Jainism or Yoruba traditions. What are its core beliefs and how do adherents practice their faith?
10. Choose an academic field outside my expertise like anthropology, linguistics or art history. Explain some of its fundamental concepts and how experts apply the discipline.
11. Investigate the origins and evolution of a language family like Niger-Congo, Austronesian or Uralic. How did related languages diversify over time and geography?
12. Pick a city I’ve never visited and profile its history, culture, architecture, cuisine and other defining features through research. Make me want to travel there!
13. Select an artistic or intellectual movement from the past like Romanticism, the Harlem Renaissance or Existentialism. What inspired it and how did it shape the surrounding era?
14. Research the life and work of an influential historical figure in a field I’m unfamiliar with, like Rosa Parks, Alan Turing or Jane Goodall. What was their impact?
15. Choose a specialized non-fiction topic area and brainstorm 5 potential article prompts to explore it through research and narrative writing.

Summary

In summary, ChatGPT writing prompts open doors to a wealth of non-fiction topics outside my normal scope. The process strengthens my research, organization and storytelling skills while expanding my knowledge base.

FAQ: Using ChatGPT Prompts for Non-Fiction Writing