Caring for an Unusual Pet
Imagine you are writing a pet owner's manual for an exotic animal most people wouldn't consider as a pet. Detail the special care, unusual habits, and the joys and challenges such a pet might bring.
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.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
- End with something the reader can do or think about today.
- State your main point in one sentence before you start.
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 Pets prompts
- Bringing Home My First PetWrite an essay detailing the day you brought home your first pet. Reflect on your thoughts and emotions, detailing how this addition changed your…
- A Pet's Guide to YouCompose a letter from the perspective of your pet addressing a new pet owner. What advice would they give? What secrets would they share about their…
- A Guide to Unusual PetsCreate a detailed guide on caring for an unusual pet (think along the lines of a raccoon, a snake, or a tarantula). Incorporate both factual…
- A Breed Through HistoryInvestigate and document the history of a specific breed of dog, cat, or another animal that is popular today. Discuss its origins, historical…
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