The Heirloom Through Generations
Choose an heirloom or family keepsake that has been passed down through generations. Tell its story through the eyes of different family members who have owned it, detailing the emotional significance it holds.
Suggested length: An essay or article: 800 to 2,500 words
Start the clock
Pick a sprint, press start and keep going until it stops. Momentum beats polish on a first draft.
Make it yours
Three ways to take this prompt somewhere nobody else will.
- Use one example from your own life.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
Writing essays
A mind at work, one subject at a time.
An essay collection gathers short nonfiction pieces: personal, critical, funny or all three. What ties them together is the writer's voice and way of seeing.
What readers expect
- A distinctive voice
- Personal stakes
- Surprising connections
- Pieces that stand alone
A tip before you start
Follow a question, not a thesis. The pleasure of an essay is watching someone think.
More Parenting and Family prompts
- The Keepsake Our Family CherishesChoose an object that holds sentimental value in your family's history. Narrate its story, including where it came from, its journey through the…
- Discipline Across GenerationsDiscuss the role of discipline in your family upbringing. Compare the methods your parents used on you to the ones you use on your children. Explore…
- The Family TraditionWrite about a family tradition that has shaped your view of life and parenting. Include a detailed description of how this tradition started, its…
- Advice for a New ParentWrite an open letter to a new parent, offering insights and advice from your own experiences. Include both the joys and challenges of parenthood, and…
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