An Ancient Natural Landmark
Reflect on an ancient natural landmark you have visited (like a volcano, canyon, or ocean). Discuss its history and the sense of continuity or connection you felt with past generations who have witnessed it.
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 from Tomorrow's OceansWrite a letter from the future describing the state of the world's oceans. Use current data and trends to predict the future, and offer advice to…
- Saving the Endangered SpeciesChoose an endangered species and write a detailed profile on it, including its habitat, challenges for survival, and what can be done to protect it.…
- Voices for ConservationExplore the concept of conservation through a series of interviews with different people who work in environmental fields, such as marine biologists…
- A Community After the FloodInvestigate the impact of a recent natural event (like a hurricane, wildfire, or flood) on a specific community. Include personal stories of…
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