Prompt Library

Would You Rather Writing Prompts (That Force Real Choice)

30 copy-paste prompts

30 copy-paste "would you rather" writing prompts that force genuine decision-making. Build argument muscles, generate personal essays, and produce honest writing through structured choice.

In short: This page contains 30 copy-paste ready prompts, organized into 6 categories with a description and pro tip for each. The first 5 prompts are free instantly, no signup needed. Hand-curated and tested by the AI Academy team.

Louis Corneloup
By Louis Corneloup · Founder, Techpresso
Last updated ·Hand-curated & tested by the AI Academy team

Easy Warmups

5 prompts

Always Hot or Always Cold?

1/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose always feeling hot or always feeling cold, then defend it with three specific reasons and why the other side still tempts people. You pick one, then write the three reasons before you steelman the other option.

Would you rather always feel hot OR always feel cold? Write your choice. Defend it with 3 specific reasons. Address why the other option might appeal to others.

💡

Pro tip: Easy questions teach the structure (claim + reasons + counter). Build the muscle on low-stakes choices.

Read Minds or Talk to Animals?

2/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose reading minds or talking to animals, then write 2-3 paragraphs with moments when each gift would help or hurt. You decide first, then use one concrete scene for the useful side and one for the harm.

Would you rather read minds OR talk to animals? Choose. Write 2-3 paragraphs explaining your choice with specific examples of when each ability would be useful or harmful.

💡

Pro tip: Both options have appeal AND drawback. Forces real weighing, not slam-dunk choosing.

Live Without Music or Movies?

3/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you give up music or movies for life and defend it with personal examples of songs you would miss versus films. You name the tracks or titles, then write why that loss would change your week.

Would you rather give up music OR movies for the rest of your life? Choose. Write your choice with personal examples — specific songs you'd miss vs specific films.

💡

Pro tip: Personal examples make the choice real. "Bohemian Rhapsody specifically" beats "music in general."

Time Travel: Past or Future?

4/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you travel to the past or the future, but only after you name a specific year, then explain the choice. You lock the year first, then write what you would do in that time and what you would refuse to touch.

Would you rather travel to the past OR the future? Pick a specific destination (which past year? which future year?) and write your choice with reasoning.

💡

Pro tip: Forcing specific year makes the abstract concrete. "1922" reveals more than "the past."

Coffee or Tea Forever?

5/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you drink only coffee or only tea for life and defend it with taste, ritual, and how you drink with other people, in 2-3 paragraphs. You write the sensory bits first, then see if the social habit still matches your pick.

Would you rather drink only coffee OR only tea for the rest of your life? Pick. Defend with sensory detail (taste, ritual, social use). 2-3 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: Sensory-defense writing builds descriptive muscles. "Coffee at 7am after a hard week" beats "I like coffee."

Hard Decisions

5 prompts

Know When You'll Die or How?

6/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose knowing the exact date you will die or knowing how, but not when, then write 3-4 paragraphs on how each fact would change your days. You take the thought seriously, then write how you would live differently, not a joke answer.

Would you rather know the EXACT date you'll die OR know HOW you'll die (but not when)? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs exploring how each knowledge would change how you live.

💡

Pro tip: Heavy topic produces deep writing. Push past initial reaction; sit with the question.

Save 1 Stranger or 5 Strangers?

7/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose saving 1 stranger you can see or 5 you cannot, then write 3-4 paragraphs on why the feeling fights the math. You sit with both pictures, then write why one still feels harder even if the numbers are clear.

Would you rather save 1 stranger you can see OR 5 strangers you can't see? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs exploring why one feels different from the other (even though math is clear).

💡

Pro tip: Classic ethics dilemma. The "they're both strangers" framing forces engagement with the visibility difference.

Lose Your Memories or Lose Your Future Memory?

8/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose losing every past memory or losing the ability to make new ones, then write 3-4 paragraphs on what each loss would take. You name one memory you would miss, then write the quieter cost of never storing tomorrow.

Would you rather lose all memories of your past OR lose the ability to make new memories from now on? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs exploring the loss in each case.

💡

Pro tip: Forces engagement with what memory IS. Past-self vs future-self trade-off.

Live Forever Alone or Die at 50 Loved?

9/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose living forever alone or dying at 50 surrounded by people who love you, then write 3-4 paragraphs. You pick the life you would actually accept, then write a weekday in that life so the choice gets real.

Would you rather live forever but always alone OR die at 50 surrounded by people who love you? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: Forces clarification of what makes life worth living. Strong personal essay material.

Be Right or Be Kind?

10/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose being right and wrecking a relationship or being kind and bending the truth, then write 3-4 paragraphs about one specific situation. You name the people and the fight, then write the sentence you would actually say.

Would you rather be RIGHT (when you are) and ruin a relationship OR be KIND (compromising the truth) and preserve the relationship? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about a specific situation.

💡

Pro tip: Real moral tension. Many people want both; the prompt forces choosing.

Career + Life Decisions

5 prompts

Job You Love or Job That Pays Well?

11/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose a job you love that barely pays or a job you hate that pays $300k, then write 3-4 paragraphs on how that would shape a life. You run a sample month of money and mood, then write which one you could sustain.

Would you rather have a job you LOVE that barely pays OR a job you HATE that pays $300k? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs exploring how the choice would shape your life.

💡

Pro tip: Universal trade-off prompt. Pushes engagement with what work means to the writer.

Famous or Anonymous?

12/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose being famous and always watched or staying completely anonymous, then write 3-4 paragraphs on that trade. You pick a real Tuesday in each life, then write which Tuesday you would keep.

Would you rather be famous (recognized everywhere) but always observed OR completely anonymous (no recognition ever)? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs exploring the trade-off.

💡

Pro tip: Modern relevance — social media has made this question more pressing.

Work Remote Forever or In-Person Forever?

13/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose fully remote work forever or fully in-person forever, with no hybrid, then write 3-4 paragraphs on why. You list what you would gain and lose in a week, then write the version you would sign.

Would you rather work fully remote for the rest of your career OR fully in-person for the rest of your career? No hybrid. Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about why.

💡

Pro tip: Highly current topic — strong opinions on both sides. Engaging for working-age writers.

Start Over or Stay the Course?

14/30

✨ What it does

This prompt puts you mid-career and asks whether you would start over in a new field or stay on an uncertain path, then write 3-4 paragraphs on the costs. You name the field you would jump to, then write the first year of bills and doubt.

You're mid-career. Would you rather start completely over in a different field OR stay in your current path even if you're uncertain about it? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about the costs of each.

💡

Pro tip: Personal essay material. Most working adults have considered both directions.

Work Less or Earn More?

15/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose 20 hours a week at $50k or 60 hours at $200k, then write 3-4 paragraphs on what you would do with the extra time or money. You spend the difference on paper first, then write which life still looks like yours.

Would you rather work 20 hours a week and earn $50k OR work 60 hours a week and earn $200k? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about what you'd do with the differences (in money OR time).

💡

Pro tip: The "what would you do with the difference" forces real engagement. What does extra time/money actually buy you?

Like these prompts? There are full tutorials behind them.

Learn the workflows, not just the prompts. 300+ easy-to-follow tutorials inside AI Academy — and growing every week.

Try AI Academy Free

Relationship + Identity

5 prompts

Loyal Friend or Honest Friend?

16/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose a friend who is always loyal or always honest, then write 3-4 paragraphs. You recall one moment you needed each, then write which friend you would call at midnight.

Would you rather have a friend who is always LOYAL (defends you no matter what) OR always HONEST (tells you the hard truth)? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: Surface choice obvious; engagement with both deepens. Most want both; prompt forces priority.

Soulmate Far Away or Mediocre Partner Nearby?

17/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose a perfect partner across the world or an okay partner nearby, then write 3-4 paragraphs on the trade. You write the travel and the quiet evenings, then see which loneliness you could live with.

Would you rather find your perfect partner who lives across the world OR an okay-but-not-great partner who's nearby and convenient? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about the trade-off.

💡

Pro tip: Forces engagement with what relationship work means. The "okay-but-convenient" option is real and tempting.

Be Universally Liked or Have 5 Best Friends?

18/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose being liked by everyone in a medium way or having 5 intense friendships, then write 3-4 paragraphs. You count the hours those five would take, then write which room you want to be in.

Would you rather be liked by everyone (medium) OR have 5 deep friendships (intense)? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about the trade-off.

💡

Pro tip: Most people claim depth; many actually live for breadth. Honest engagement reveals which you actually are.

Know What People Really Think of You or Never Wonder?

19/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose knowing exactly what everyone thinks of you or never wondering again, then write 3-4 paragraphs. You imagine opening one honest file, then write whether peace or the truth would let you sleep.

Would you rather know exactly what every person thinks of you OR never wonder again? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: Forces engagement with the cost of either. Knowing might destroy you; not wondering might be liberation.

Forgive Without Apology or Apologize Without Forgiveness?

20/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you choose forgiving someone who never apologizes or apologizing to someone who will not forgive you, then write 3-4 paragraphs on which feels harder. You pick a real unfinished fight, then write the email you would send.

Would you rather forgive someone who never apologizes OR have to apologize to someone who refuses to forgive you? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about which feels harder.

💡

Pro tip: Real ethics dilemma. Both options are common life experiences; few have considered which they'd choose.

Worldly Trade-Offs

5 prompts

Solve Climate Change or Cure Cancer?

21/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you press a button that solves climate change or one that cures cancer for good, then write 3-4 paragraphs on the different impact. You refuse a cute tie, then write who you are choosing to help first and why.

Would you rather press a button that immediately solves climate change OR cures cancer permanently? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about the impact differential.

💡

Pro tip: Forces engagement with scale, time horizons, and what counts as "solving" a global problem.

Eliminate All War or Eliminate All Poverty?

22/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you magically end all war or all poverty, only one, then write 3-4 paragraphs on why that one matters more. You follow the second-order effects, then write the world you would wake up in.

Would you rather magically eliminate all war OR all poverty (one only)? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs about why one matters more.

💡

Pro tip: Philosophical heavy lifting. The choice reveals values about what causes most suffering.

Time Speed Up or Slow Down?

23/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you speed life up to twice as fast or slow it to half for the next 10 years, then write 3-4 paragraphs. You pick an age you will be at the end, then write what you would rush or linger on.

Would you rather have time speed up (your life moves twice as fast) OR slow down (your life moves half as fast) for the next 10 years? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: Forces engagement with what we want from time. Faster = sooner reach goals; slower = more savoring.

See the Future or Change the Past?

24/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you see the future you cannot change or change one thing in the past without seeing what follows, then write 3-4 paragraphs. You name the one past change, then write why you would accept not knowing the ripples.

Would you rather see the future (but unable to change it) OR change one thing about the past (but unable to see consequences)? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: The trade-offs are clear and weighty. Both come with significant downsides.

Keep Your Brain or Keep Your Body?

25/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you keep your brain and get a different body, or keep your body and get a different brain, then write 3-4 paragraphs. You decide what "you" means in that swap, then write the first morning after.

Would you rather keep your current brain (memories, skills, personality) but get a different body OR keep your current body but get a different brain? Choose. Write 3-4 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: Reveals where the writer locates "self" — in body or in mind. Strong philosophical exercise.

Go from copy-pasting to actually mastering AI.

AI Academy: 300+ hands-on tutorials on ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, and 50+ other tools. New tutorials added every week.

Start Your Free Trial

Quick + Silly

5 prompts

Pizza or Tacos Forever?

26/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you eat only pizza or only tacos for the rest of your life and write 1-2 paragraphs of reasoning. You pick the one you would not get tired of by month six, then write the topping or filling that saves you.

Would you rather eat ONLY pizza OR ONLY tacos for the rest of your life? Choose. Write 1-2 paragraphs with reasoning.

💡

Pro tip: Easy warmup. Builds the form on low-stakes choices.

Always Speak in Rhyme or Always Speak in Whispers?

27/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you always speak in rhyme or always speak in whispers, then write 1-2 paragraphs on which would annoy you more over years. You try one spoken sentence each way, then write the one you could stand at work.

Would you rather always have to speak in rhyme OR always speak in whispers? Choose. Write 1-2 paragraphs about which would be more annoying long-term.

💡

Pro tip: Silly prompts loosen up writers stuck on serious topics. Useful warmups.

Have a Dragon or Have a Yacht?

28/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you own a hungry impressive dragon or a useful yacht, then write 1-2 paragraphs. You price the food or the dock in your head, then write which problem you would rather have.

Would you rather own a dragon (impressive but hungry) OR own a yacht (mundane but useful)? Choose. Write 1-2 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: The mundane vs magical choice reveals practical orientation.

Have a Trail of Music Follow You or a Cloud of Confetti?

29/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you walk with a personal soundtrack or a cloud of confetti, then write 1-2 paragraphs. You picture the grocery store, then write which spectacle you would still want on a quiet day.

Would you rather have a personal soundtrack play wherever you go OR have confetti fall around you whenever you walk? Choose. Write 1-2 paragraphs.

💡

Pro tip: Whimsy choice — fine for warmup. Reveals personality.

Be a Cat or Be a Dog?

30/30

✨ What it does

This prompt has you live as a cat or a dog for one week, then write 1-2 paragraphs about that week. You pick the house and the humans, then write a morning-to-night day in that body.

Would you rather live as a cat OR as a dog for one week? Choose. Write 1-2 paragraphs about your week.

💡

Pro tip: Cats vs dogs is endlessly engaging. The "one week" frame keeps it grounded.

Free tool

Prompt Optimizer

Turn a rough idea into a structured, professional AI prompt.

Try it free →

Frequently Asked Questions

They force decisions. Most writing prompts let you avoid taking a position; "would you rather" requires choice. Choice = clarity = stronger writing.
Yes — pick easier prompts for younger kids. The decision-based structure builds early opinion writing. Adapt complexity to age.
Yes — the harder prompts (mortality, ethics, identity) produce strong personal essays. Choice + reasoning + reflection = essay structure.
Both. Classroom use with sharing produces engaged discussion. Solo journaling produces deeper personal reflection. Different strengths.
Easy warmups: 1-2 paragraphs. Hard decisions and identity prompts: 3-4 paragraphs. Personal essays from these prompts: 1-3 pages.

Prompts are the starting line. Tutorials are the finish.

A growing library of 300+ hands-on tutorials on ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, and 50+ AI tools. New tutorials added every week.

7-day free trial. Cancel anytime.