351 Life Story Questions to Ask People (Storytelling)

Ask people these 351 life story questions for storytelling.

What questions do you ask people when interviewing them about their life stories? What writing prompts do you use to write their story? In this article, I have included 351-plus writing prompts and questions to interview others and write their stories. They are a little random, but you get an idea of what you can discuss. I would encourage you to add questions that come to you.

Using Open-ended Questions

You will note that many of the questions are open-ended questions. I believe open-ended questions are the best type of questions to ask others. Open-ended questions allow people to tell stories they want to share. An example of open-ended questions are:

  1. What did you like to do when you were a little girl?
  2. What did you do on your first date?
  3. Where do you like to go for a vacation?
  4. Who is your favorite author, and why?
  5. What some of your favorite experiences with your mom and dad?

When I interviewed my dad, I lived in a different state. I asked my dad if I could set up a series of telephone interviews that I could record. I chose to break up the interview into 10 60- to 90-minute sessions over six weeks. Each talk focused on a different time period or topic of his life. At the end of each interview, I outlined what I wanted to cover in the following interview to give my dad time to ponder what stories he wanted to share. During our interviews, he shared many personal stories that I had never heard. We laughed, cried, and shared many precious and tender moments.

What questions do you ask people when interviewing them about their life stories? What writing prompts do you use to write their story? In this article, I have included 351-plus writing prompts and questions to interview others and write their stories. They are a little random, but you get an idea of what you can discuss. I would encourage you to add questions that come to you.

I have prepared a couple of other resources that will provide value in interviewing for and writing individual, personal, and family narratives: “Complete Guide for Conducting Oral History Interviews” and “Complete Guide to Writing A Personal Narrative.”

351 Life Story Questions to Ask Others

These 351 writing prompts and questions are part of a 28 article, 108 category series entitled “7,500-plus Questions About Life to Ask People When Writing Narratives.”  I have divided the writing prompts and questions to ask others into the following categories. Click on the category to be taken to the questions.

Early Years

  1. What is your full name, and why were you named that? (Maiden name for females)
  2. Who are your parents and your grandparents?
    a. Your parents? Please give full names.
    b. Your grandparents? Please give full names.
  3. What is your place of birth?
  4. What are your birth date and year?
  5. Were you named after someone?
  6. Where did you live during your early years?
  7. What are the earliest memories of your home?
  8. Did you have any nicknames as you were growing up?
    a. If yes, what would you like to share about the nickname?
  9. What chores did you have as a child?
    a. What memories do you have about your chores?
    b. Which chore did you dislike and why?
  10. What kind of books did you like to read?
    a. Did you have a favorite book or books series?
    b. Why did you like the books?
  11. What was your nighttime routine for going to bed?
    a. What memories would you like to share?
  12. Did you have favorite songs that you liked to sing?
  13. Why type of toys did you like to play with as a child?
  14. What types of games did you like to play?
    a. Indoors?
    b. Outdoors?
    c. Boardgames?
  15. What were your favorite foods as a child? Explain.
    a. Was there ever a time when you did not have enough to eat? Explain.
  16. What did you want to become when you grew up? (e.g., policeman, fireman, nurse, doctor)
  17. Who was the oldest person you remember as a child?
    a. What do you remember?
  18. Did you ever have any childhood diseases (e.g., measles, mumps, chickenpox) growing up? What do you remember?

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School Years-Elementary School

  1. Where did you go to elementary school?
  2. What was the school like?
  3. Who were your friends in elementary school?
  4. What are your favorite memories about your friends?
  5. Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
  6. Were you ever bullied in elementary school? Explain.
  7. What memories do you have about elementary school?
  8. How did you go to school?
  9. Did you eat lunch at school or go home?
  10. What did you like to play?
  11. What did you like to do after school?
  12. What other memories would you like to share?

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School Years-Jr. High School

  1. Where did you go to school in Jr. High or Middle School?
  2. What was the school like?
  3. Who were your friends in Jr. High school?
  4. What are your favorite memories about your friends?
  5. Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
  6. Were you ever bullied in Jr. High? Explain.
  7. What memories do you have about Jr. High school?
  8. How did you go to school?
  9. What classes did you like most and why?
  10. What type of classes did you take for your elective classes? (e.g., band, shop, home education)
  11. Did you participate in after-school activities like sports, marching band, cheer or other activities? What are your memories?
  12. What did you like to do after school?
  13. Were there any dress fads during your school years?
  14. What other memories about Jr. High would you like to share?
  15. Were you ever given any special awards for your studies or school activities?
  16. Describe yourself in High School.

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School Years-High School

  1. Where did you go to school in High School?
  2. What was the school like?
  3. Who were your friends in High school?
  4. What are your favorite memories about your friends?
  5. Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
  6. Were you ever bullied in high school? Explain.
  7. What memories do you have of High School?
  8. How did you go to school?
  9. What classes did you like most and why? Least, and why?
  10. What type of classes did you take for your elective classes?
  11. What kind of grades did you get in your classes?
  12. Did you participate in after-school activities like sports, marching band, cheer or other activities? What memories do you have?
  13. What did you like to do after school?
  14. Did you date during High School? What were their names? What memories would you like to share?
  15. What did you wear to school? Describe it.
  16. What other memories about High School would you like to share?
  17. Did you and your friends have special hang-outs where you liked to spend time?
  18. Were you ever given any special awards for your studies or school activities?
  19. Describe yourself in High School.

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School Years-College/University/Trade School

  1. How many years of education have you completed?
  2. Did you attend any school or training after high school?
  3. What can you tell me about your education?
  4. Why did you choose it as your field of study?
  5. Did you graduate? What memories would you like to share?
  6. Describe yourself as a young adult.
  7. Did you attend any school or training after high school?

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Marriage

  1. Did you date as a youth?
    a. How older were you had your first date?
    b. What do you remember about your first date?
    c. Who was your first date?
  2. When did you first meet your spouse?
    a. Where was it?
    b. What do you remember about the first meeting?
    c. Describe your time dating?
    d. What attracted you to that person?
    e. Describe your time together.
    a. Describe them.
    f. How long did you know them before you got married?
    g. Describe your wedding proposal.
  3. Where and when did you get married? (Include date, place, church, etc.)
  4. Describe your wedding day and ceremony.
  5. Who was there? Best Man, Bride’s Maid, other wedding party members?
  6. Did you have a honeymoon?
    a. Where did you go?
  7. How would you describe your spouse(s)?
  8. What do (did) you admire most about them?
  9. How long have (were) you married?
  10. When and where did your spouse die?
    a. How died?
    b. Where buried?
  11. What advice would you give to your child or grandchild on their wedding day?
  12. Have you ever been divorced? What can you share?

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Family

  1. Do you have children?
  2. What are their names, birth dates and birthplaces?
  3. What is the story behind each name you gave your children?
  4. Did you adopt any children?
    a. Can your share your experiences of adoption?
  5. Describe the memory about learning you were going to be a parent for the first time?
  6. What memories do you have about each child?
  7. Describe the personalities of your children.
  8. What are some of the most memorable experiences you had with your children/family?
  9. What memorable experiences did you have with each child?
  10. What is some funny, humorous experience you had with your family?
  11. What were some trying times as a family? Explain?
    a. What did you do to overcome the time?
    b. How did it affect your family?
  12. What did you find most challenging about raising children?
  13. What do you consider to be rewarding about being a parent?
  14. How would you describe your parenting style as a parent?
  15. What are the lessons you learned as a parent?
  16. What were your happiest moments as a parent?
  17. Where were your saddest moments as a parent?
  18. What would you like to do over if you could as a parent?
  19. How did you treat each child?
  20. What do you consider to be the most complex decisions you made as a parent?
  21. What do you regret most as a parent?
  22. Who influenced you most as a parent?
  23. What were your happiest moments as a family?
  24. What were your tragic moments as a family?
  25. Did you move as a family? Why and where?
    a. How did the move affect your family?
  26. How did you first hear that you were a grandparent, and how did you feel about it?
  27. What advice would you pass on to your children/grandchildren?

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Parents

  1. What can you tell me about your parents?
    a. What memories would you like to share about your mother?
    b. What memories would you like to share about your father?
    c. What memories would you like to share about your parents together?
  2. Did your parents stay together, divorce or pass away? If yes, did they remember?
    a. What memories would you like to share?
    b. Did you have any stepparents?
    c. What memories would you like to share?
  3. Do you remember hearing your parents describe their lives?
    a. What did they say?
  4. When and where did your parents die?
    a. What do you remember about it?
    b. How they died, were hospitalized, buried?
  5. Did your family belong to a religion? If yes,
    a. Did your parents and grandparents belong to the religion?
    b. Did you attend a church?
    c. What do you remember?
    d. Do you have any experiences you would like to share?

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Grandparents

  1. What can you remember about your grandparents?
    a. What memories would you like to share about each of your grandmothers?
    b. What memories would you like to share about each of your grandfathers?
    c. What memories do you have about your grandparents together?
  2. Do you remember hearing your grandparents describe their lives?
    b. What did they say?
  3. Do you remember your great-grandparents?
    a. What do you know about them?
  4. When and where did your parents die?
    a. What do you remember about it?
    b. How they died, were hospitalized, buried?

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Siblings

  1. Did you have any brothers and sisters? What were their names?
    a. What memories do you have about your brothers and sisters that you would like to share?
  2. How did your family have fun when you were a child?

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Spouses Parents

  1. Where did your spouse’s parents live?
    a. What memories do you have about your spouse’s parents?
  2. When and where did your spouse’s parents die?
    c. What do you remember about it?
    d. How did they die, were hospitalized, buried?
  3. What details can you remember about the death of your spouse’s parents?

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Professional/Career

  1. What was your chosen career?
  2. Where did you receive training/education for your career?
  3. How did you decide on a career?
  4. What do you remember about your first job?
  5. Where have you worked? City? Company?
    a. What were the jobs?
    b. What do you remember about each job?
    c. Has work provided a good living?
    d. Describe a typical day at work?
    e. What did you like most/least about work?
  6. Did you have more than a career? Explain.
  7. What are some of your most memorable experiences/projects?
    • Have you retired? When would you like to retire?

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Military and War

  1. Did you serve in the military?
    a. What branch of the service did you serve?
    b. Why did you decide to join the military?
    c. When and where did you serve?
    d. Where were you trained?
    e. What was your training?
  2. Where were you stationed during active military duty?
    a. Describe each post and what you did?
    b. What are your memories of active duty?
    c. Do you remember your units? If yes, what were they?
  3. What was your highest rank?
  4. Did you ever serve in the war? Which one (s)?
    a. WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, or other?
    a. What were the circumstances?
    b. Were you in a combat or support role?
    c. What campaigns were you in? What was your role in the campaign?
  5. Would you be willing to share your experiences and memories of war?
    a. If yes, where would you like to begin?
    b. Were you injured in war? Explain.
  6. How did your time in the military affect you? Explain.

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Personal Experiences

  1. By what name/nickname do your friends call you? Does the name have a special meaning?
  2. What name are you known by among family?
  3. As you look back on your life, what would you consider to be the most important ____? Why? Explain your memories.
    a. Inventions? News events? World events? Politics? Technology advances?
  4. Talk about the differences in today’s life compared to the time as a child?
  5. Did you or your family experience events like prohibition, the depression, war? Explain. What do you remember?
  6. Have you had any health problems over the years?
    a. What were the health issues?
    b. When did the health issue arise?
    c. How did they affect your life?
    d. Where they heredity?
    e. What are they?
  7. What do you do regularly for exercise?
  8. Have you ever been hospitalized? If so, what for?
    a. Have you ever had surgery?
    b. What for?
    c. Do you or have you ever had habits that you would consider wrong? Explain?
    d. Do you still have them, or did you overcome them? Explain.
  9. Have you been a victim of crime?
    a. What happened?
    b. How did the incident affect your life?
  10. Have you ever been in a severe accident?
  11. Has anyone ever saved your life?
    a. Describe.
  12. How would you describe yourself politically?
    b. Are you Conservative or Liberal, and why?
  13. Who would you consider to be your good/best friend (s)?
    a. What are their names?
    b. How long have you known them?
    c. What do you like about them?
    d. What do you do together?
    a. What would your friend say about you?
  14. Have you ever met anyone that you would consider being a soul mate or kindred spirit?
    a. Who were they?
    b. Explain why you felt a special bond with them?
  15. What were the most (i.e., challenging, meaningful, troubling) decision(s) you have made in your life? Explain.
    a. What was the outcome?
    b. Do you consider the outcome to good or bad? Why?
  16. Who do you consider the most influential individuals in your life?
    a. Who were they?
    b. What did they do that influenced your life?
  17. What do you consider to be the essential advice you have received in life?
    a. Did you take that advice?
    b. What was the outcome? Explain.
  18. Is there anything you would change about yourself? Why? Explain.
  19. Describe moments/memories in your life when you were most stressed?
  20. What do you consider to be the tough times in your life? Why? Explain.
    a. What helped you get through the period?
    b. How did the experience affect you for good or bad?
  21. Describe times when you were scared? What happened?
  22. Have you ever played a musical instrument?
    a. If yes, what kind? Describe your experience.
  23. Are you or would you consider yourself to be creative? Explain.
  24. Have you ever made something for someone else? Explain?
  25. What types of service have you provided others?
    a. How does it make you feel?
    b. What were the outcomes of your service?
  26. What are moments in life when others served you?
    a. What was the most memorable time?
    b. What were the outcomes of the service?
  27. How would you describe your sense of humor?
  28. How would you describe your sense of humor?
  29. Have you ever played a practical joke on someone?
    a. Describe that experience and what you did.
  30. What type of activities have you enjoyed as an adult?
    a. Recreation? Hobbies? Personal enrichment? Relaxation?
    b. What did you like about each activity?
    c. A most memorable experience with each activity?
  31. When you were not working, what did you like to do?
  32. What would you consider to be the most exciting/wonderful experience in your life?
  33. Did you ever meet anyone famous? Who?
    a. Describe the experience.
  34. Have you ever belonged to any organizations or groups?
    a. What the group about?
    b. What drew you to join the group?
    c. What are your memorable experiences in the group?
    d. Are you still a member? If not, explain.
  35. Have you ever been awarded a price or award as an adult? Explain.
    a. What did you have to do to earn the award?
  36. Describe a time in your life when you felt most happy or at peace?
    a. Where were you, and what were you doing?
  37. Describe the beautiful place you have ever visited, and what was it like?
  38. Have you ever taken an extended trip or vacation?
    a. Where did you go?
    b. What did you do?
  39. What do you consider to be your favorite vacation?
    a. Where did you go, and why was it special?
  40. Do you have a place that is special to you where you like to visit?
    a. Where is it?
    b. Why is the place special?
    c. Can you share your memories?
  41. Have you ever had a pet?
    a. What was the animal?
    b. What was the name of the animal?
    c. How did the pet become part of your life?
    d. Do you have a favorite story about your pet?
  42. What is on your bucket list of things still to do? Why?
  43. Is there a time in your life that you would consider to be most memorable?
  44. What or who is your favorite and why:
    a. Animal? Artist? Athlete?
    b. Author? Boardgame? Book?
    c. Candy? Card game? Color?
    d. Cookie? Desert? Drink?
    e. Ice cream flavor? Flower? Fruit?
    f. Holiday? Meal? Movie star?
    g. Movie? Musical group? Musical instrument?
    h. Painting? Poem? Poet?
    i. Restaurant? Season? Singer?
    j. Song? Sport? Style of music?
    k. Tree? TV program? Vegetable?
  45. How would you describe each member of your family?
    a. Mother?
    b. Father,
    c. Siblings (brothers/sisters)?
    d. Children?
  46. Who fits the following descriptions and why?
    a. Animal lover? Best cook? Best gardener? Best housekeeper?
    b. Best looking? Best memory? Best storyteller? Biggest tease?
    c. Calmest? Funniest? Hardest worker? Most athletic?
    d. Most colorful? Most creative? Most frugal? Most generous?
    e. Most mischievous? Most politically active? Most reclusive?
    f. Most relaxed? Most sociable? Quietest? Shortest?
    g. Tallest? Wildest lifestyle?

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Request for Artifacts

  1. Do you have any artifacts like letters, journals, photos, movies, videos or audio recordings of older family members that can help tell your story?
  2. Would you allow me to make copies (e.g., Photograph, scan, read)?

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