The Rise and Fall of a Lost City
Explore the rise and fall of a famous lost city or civilization. Through in-depth research, present a compelling account of their social structure, technological advancements, and what might have led to their disappearance.
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.
- Cut every sentence that only repeats the one before it.
- Find one surprising fact and build around it.
- Use one example from your own life.
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
- Three Views of a ControversyConfront a historical controversy or conspiracy theory by presenting three differing perspectives from the time. Include interpreted facts…
- Why Ancient Empires FallWrite an analysis of an ancient civilization's decline, drawing parallels to modern societal issues. Explore factors like technology, economic…
- A City at the CrossroadsCreate a detailed profile of a city at a turning point in its history, such as during the Industrial Revolution, wartime occupations, or during…
- A Tradition Through TimeImagine you are a historian tasked with documenting a lesser-known but significant cultural tradition from any time period and location. Explain the…
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