The River's Pollution Problem
Reflect on a local environmental issue in your community (such as river pollution, deforestation, or urban sprawl). Write an investigative piece exploring the causes, impacts, and possible solutions, including interviews or statements from affected parties and experts.
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 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 Nature prompts
- A Letter to Future EarthCompose a letter to future generations describing the current state of Earth's environment. Include personal observations, feelings, and hopes for the…
- A Conservationist's DayCraft a narrative centered around a day in the life of a wildlife conservationist working in a national park or reserve. Explore both the triumphs and…
- A Moment in the WildDescribe a personal experience in nature that profoundly changed your outlook on life. This could involve a specific encounter with wildlife, a…
- A Life in Nature ConservationInterview someone who works in a nature-related field (such as a park ranger, biologist, or environmental scientist), and write a profile about their…
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.