The Panama Canal Project
Dive into the challenges and triumphs of a major engineering project (like the construction of the Panama Canal or the International Space Station). Detail the engineering hurdles, the coordination between diverse international teams, and the ultimate impact of the project on global economics or sciences.
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.
More Engineering prompts
- A Community Engineering WorkshopDraft a proposal for a community workshop aimed at introducing young students to the basics of engineering. Include a schedule, list of materials…
- Engineering and Moral ResponsibilityDiscuss the ethical implications of a recent engineering advancement—such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, or renewable energy…
- Questions for a Pioneer EngineerImagine you're interviewing a pioneering engineer from the 20th century. Prepare a list of insightful questions you would ask about their greatest…
- The Dam DebateWrite an article on the ethical implications of a controversial engineering project (such as large dams, nuclear power plants, or geoengineering).…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
Plans from $9.99 a month. Cancel any time. Your words are always yours.