The Policy's Promise and Cost
Reflect on a controversial political policy, its introduction, and its aftermath. Present arguments from both supporters and detractors, supplementing with data, and conclude with your analysis of its effectiveness and fairness.
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.
- End with something the reader can do or think about today.
- State your main point in one sentence before you start.
- Include a counterargument and answer it fairly.
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.
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- An Ideology Through the DecadesExplore the evolution of a particular political ideology over the decades. Trace its origins, major turning points, influential figures, and how it…
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