An Overlooked Historical Figure
Choose an obscure historical figure who played a vital role during their time. Write a narrative exploring their life, contributions, and the impact they might have had on the world if they were more widely recognized.
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.
- End with something the reader can do or think about today.
- State your main point in one sentence before you start.
- Include a counterargument and answer it fairly.
Writing history books
What happened, why, and why it still matters.
History books explain the past, from sweeping surveys of civilizations to microhistories of a single object or day. The bestsellers read like novels: real people, real stakes, and an argument about what it all meant.
What readers expect
- Rigorous research and sources
- People at the center of events
- An argument, not just a timeline
- Connections to the present
A tip before you start
Build it around people and turning points, not dates. A reader follows a person through a decade far more willingly than a decade by itself.
More History prompts
- The Manuscript's New HistoryWrite from the perspective of a historian decoding an ancient manuscript that could change our understanding of a significant historical event.…
- The Day Before the SpeechChoose a famous historical speech. Research the events leading up to the speech and write a behind-the-scenes account of the 24 hours before the…
- A Factory Worker's DiaryDelve into the era of the Industrial Revolution. Write a series of diary entries from the perspective of an average factory worker detailing their…
- The Rise and Fall of a Lost CityExplore the rise and fall of a famous lost city or civilization. Through in-depth research, present a compelling account of their social structure…
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