Lessons From the Campaign Trail
Detail the experience of volunteering for a political campaign. Reflect on the interpersonal interactions, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned about the political process.
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.
- Find one surprising fact and build around it.
- Use one example from your own life.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
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 Politics and Political Science prompts
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- Letters Across Political ErasDraft a series of letters between two political figures from different eras or geographical areas, discussing a timeless issue such as power…
- A Local Turning PointDescribe a moment in history when a political decision or event inspired a major change in your local community. Explore both the immediate impact and…
- A Political Life in ProfileWrite an in-depth profile of a lesser-known political figure who has had a significant impact on a pressing issue in contemporary politics. Explore…
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