The Engineer Then and Now
Describe a day in the life of a software engineer in the 1980s versus today. Discuss the changes in technology, methodology, and workplace culture.
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.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
- End with something the reader can do or think about today.
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.
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- Bridges Through the AgesWrite an essay on how the evolution of bridge design has mirrored advancements in materials science. Include specific examples and discuss the impact…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
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