Stuck trying to spark participation in your non-fiction writing community? Guessing games are a playful way to get members involved and talking. Use these ready-made templates to break the ice, encourage interaction, and build a lively atmosphere.
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Guessing games tap into our natural curiosity and desire to solve puzzles, making them an effective way to boost engagement in non-fiction writing communities. By providing clues and inviting guesses, you reduce the pressure to be 'right' and instead focus on the fun of participation. This format also encourages less active members to join in, as the barrier to entry is low and the environment is non-judgmental.
Additionally, guessing games create opportunities for learning and sharing personal experiences. When members guess and discuss, they reveal their own knowledge and perspectives, sparking further conversation. This leads to deeper connections and a more vibrant, collaborative community.
Guess the non-fiction genre: This book reveals secrets behind famous inventions. What genre am I?
💡 Example: "Guess the non-fiction genre: This book reveals secrets behind famous inventions. What genre am I? (Answer: History)"
Which famous memoirist said this? 'I know why the caged bird sings.'
💡 Example: "Which famous memoirist said this? 'I know why the caged bird sings.' (Answer: Maya Angelou)"
I am a non-fiction writing style focused on explaining scientific concepts. Guess what I am!
💡 Example: "I am a non-fiction writing style focused on explaining scientific concepts. Guess what I am! (Answer: Popular science writing)"
Guess the tool: Writers use me to organize sources and citations.
💡 Example: "Guess the tool: Writers use me to organize sources and citations. (Answer: Bibliography manager)"
I am known for my true crime books and chilling storytelling. Who am I?
💡 Example: "I am known for my true crime books and chilling storytelling. Who am I? (Answer: Ann Rule)"
Which non-fiction writing structure starts with a personal story and ends with a universal lesson?
💡 Example: "Which non-fiction writing structure starts with a personal story and ends with a universal lesson? (Answer: Narrative essay)"
Can you guess the subject of my next article? Clue: It involves famous historical letters.
💡 Example: "Can you guess the subject of my next article? Clue: It involves famous historical letters. (Answer: Letters from World War II)"
Guess the writing habit: Many non-fiction authors start their day with this beverage.
💡 Example: "Guess the writing habit: Many non-fiction authors start their day with this beverage. (Answer: Coffee)"
Which classic non-fiction book starts with 'Call me Ishmael'? Or is that fiction?
💡 Example: "Which classic non-fiction book starts with 'Call me Ishmael'? Or is that fiction? (Answer: Fiction - Moby Dick)"
I am a type of non-fiction that tells the life story of someone. What am I?
💡 Example: "I am a type of non-fiction that tells the life story of someone. What am I? (Answer: Biography)"
Guess the location: This famous travel writer explored the Amazon and wrote about it.
💡 Example: "Guess the location: This famous travel writer explored the Amazon and wrote about it. (Answer: The Amazon rainforest)"
Who am I? I wrote a best-selling book about habits and personal change.
💡 Example: "Who am I? I wrote a best-selling book about habits and personal change. (Answer: James Clear)"
Guess the process: Non-fiction writers use me to check facts before publishing.
💡 Example: "Guess the process: Non-fiction writers use me to check facts before publishing. (Answer: Fact-checking)"
Which non-fiction genre would you guess if I said 'solving mysteries but all true'?
💡 Example: "Which non-fiction genre would you guess if I said 'solving mysteries but all true'? (Answer: True crime)"
I am a famous collection of essays on civil rights and personal identity. Guess the author.
💡 Example: "I am a famous collection of essays on civil rights and personal identity. Guess the author. (Answer: James Baldwin)"
Guess the year: When did the first Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction get awarded?
💡 Example: "Guess the year: When did the first Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction get awarded? (Answer: 1917)"
Who said it? 'Truth is stranger than fiction.'
💡 Example: "Who said it? 'Truth is stranger than fiction.' (Answer: Mark Twain)"
Guess the object: I am a must-have tool for every non-fiction writer's desk.
💡 Example: "Guess the object: I am a must-have tool for every non-fiction writer's desk. (Answer: Notebook or laptop)"
Which non-fiction sub-genre uses interviews as its main source?
💡 Example: "Which non-fiction sub-genre uses interviews as its main source? (Answer: Oral history or journalism)"
I am a famous non-fiction book about the food industry. Can you guess my title?
💡 Example: "I am a famous non-fiction book about the food industry. Can you guess my title? (Answer: Fast Food Nation)"
Who am I? I wrote both 'Outliers' and 'The Tipping Point.'
💡 Example: "Who am I? I wrote both 'Outliers' and 'The Tipping Point.' (Answer: Malcolm Gladwell)"
Guess the habit: Many non-fiction writers do this every morning to beat writer's block.
💡 Example: "Guess the habit: Many non-fiction writers do this every morning to beat writer's block. (Answer: Freewriting or journaling)"
Which publishing format am I? I am digital, short, and delivered to inboxes.
💡 Example: "Which publishing format am I? I am digital, short, and delivered to inboxes. (Answer: Newsletter)"
Guess the topic: I am writing about an animal that changed history. What could it be?
💡 Example: "Guess the topic: I am writing about an animal that changed history. What could it be? (Answer: Horses or bees)"
I am a non-fiction best-seller about space exploration. Guess the author or title.
💡 Example: "I am a non-fiction best-seller about space exploration. Guess the author or title. (Answer: 'The Right Stuff' by Tom Wolfe)"
Which famous journalist wrote about Watergate and inspired a movie?
💡 Example: "Which famous journalist wrote about Watergate and inspired a movie? (Answer: Bob Woodward or Carl Bernstein)"
Guess the technique: Non-fiction writers use me to make stories feel more immediate.
💡 Example: "Guess the technique: Non-fiction writers use me to make stories feel more immediate. (Answer: Present tense narration)"
I am a fact but sound unbelievable. Can you guess if I am true or false?
💡 Example: "I am a fact but sound unbelievable. Can you guess if I am true or false? (Example: Honey never spoils. True!)"
Who am I? I wrote about my journey walking across the United States.
💡 Example: "Who am I? I wrote about my journey walking across the United States. (Answer: Peter Jenkins)"
Guess the sub-genre: I blend facts with personal reflection and research.
💡 Example: "Guess the sub-genre: I blend facts with personal reflection and research. (Answer: Personal essay)"
Which writing award is only for non-fiction books published in English?
💡 Example: "Which writing award is only for non-fiction books published in English? (Answer: Baillie Gifford Prize)"
I am a famous non-fiction podcast on business and innovation. Guess my name.
💡 Example: "I am a famous non-fiction podcast on business and innovation. Guess my name. (Answer: How I Built This)"
Guess the method: Non-fiction writers use this to check accuracy of dates and events.
💡 Example: "Guess the method: Non-fiction writers use this to check accuracy of dates and events. (Answer: Cross-referencing)"
Which non-fiction genre would you pick if you like learning new skills?
💡 Example: "Which non-fiction genre would you pick if you like learning new skills? (Example: How-to or instructional)"
Guess the author: I wrote about the science of sleep in a best-seller.
💡 Example: "Guess the author: I wrote about the science of sleep in a best-seller. (Answer: Matthew Walker)"
I am a classic non-fiction book about a famous trial. Guess the title.
💡 Example: "I am a classic non-fiction book about a famous trial. Guess the title. (Answer: In Cold Blood)"
Who am I? I turned my blog into a best-selling non-fiction book.
💡 Example: "Who am I? I turned my blog into a best-selling non-fiction book. (Answer: Mark Manson)"
Guess the writing stage: I am between the first draft and the final edit.
💡 Example: "Guess the writing stage: I am between the first draft and the final edit. (Answer: Revision)"
Which non-fiction genre do you think is the hardest to write? Why?
💡 Example: "Which non-fiction genre do you think is the hardest to write? Why? (Example: Memoir, because it is so personal)"
I am a writing device that helps organize big ideas. Guess what I am.
💡 Example: "I am a writing device that helps organize big ideas. Guess what I am. (Answer: Outline)"
Guess the famous non-fiction title: 'The ___ of Everything' by Bill Bryson.
💡 Example: "Guess the famous non-fiction title: 'The ___ of Everything' by Bill Bryson. (Answer: Short History)"
Choose a template from the list and customize it with your own clues or examples. Post it as a standalone thread or inside an ongoing engagement series. Encourage all answers, celebrate creative guesses, and reveal the correct answer after a set time. Mix up the topics to keep things fresh and invite different types of members to join the fun.
For all platforms, use clear formatting to highlight your clues and questions. Pin or feature guessing game posts to boost visibility. Use polls where possible for multiple-choice guesses, or prompt text-based replies for more open-ended fun. Tag or mention members to invite participation and keep engagement steady.
When designing guessing games around non-fiction book excerpts, use short passages that fall under 'fair use,' or summarize key concepts in your own words. Focus on unique writing styles, historical contexts, or thematic elements distinctive to the author. Always credit sources when possible and avoid sharing extended passages from recent publications to ensure copyright compliance.
Frame guessing game questions to focus on factual details or authorial techniques rather than opinions. For example, ask members to guess which investigative journalist broke a particular story or to identify the era an influential memoir was published. This keeps engagement educational and grounded, minimizing heated debates around sensitive topics.
Customize guessing games by alternating between subgenres and using genre-specific clues. For narrative journalism, reference storytelling techniques or famous case studies; for self-help, focus on foundational principles or bestselling authors. This not only diversifies engagement but also educates members on the breadth of non-fiction writing styles.
Create prompts where members guess the correct term based on a definition, or identify which part of a sample passage serves as the 'lede.' You can also present scenarios where members must choose the best 'primary source' or spot an example of thorough 'fact-checking.' This reinforces industry terminology while keeping the games interactive.
Use game prompts where you share a brief summary or writing sample and ask members to identify the subgenre. Provide clues about the narrator's point of view, focus, or scope. For example, highlight whether the story is told in the first person (memoir/autobiography) or by a third-party (biography) to facilitate learning through play.
Structure guessing games where members must spot the factual inaccuracy in a statement, or guess which resource would be most reliable for verification. Use real-world scenarios—like verifying a statistic or quote from a non-fiction bestseller—to make the games practical and directly relevant to members' non-fiction research and writing skills.
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