The Day Our Family Changed
Recall a significant event that brought about change or revelation in your family dynamics. Describe the event, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned that could help other families in similar situations.
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 Parenting and Family prompts
- Raising Children Across CulturesExplore the unique challenges and joys of raising children in a multicultural family. Discuss how you incorporate different cultural beliefs, customs…
- The Heirloom Through GenerationsChoose an heirloom or family keepsake that has been passed down through generations. Tell its story through the eyes of different family members who…
- The Keepsake Our Family CherishesChoose an object that holds sentimental value in your family's history. Narrate its story, including where it came from, its journey through the…
- Discipline Across GenerationsDiscuss the role of discipline in your family upbringing. Compare the methods your parents used on you to the ones you use on your children. Explore…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
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