A Letter Before the Reveal
Write a letter from the perspective of a lesser-known figure during a major historical event. Describe their observations, fears, and hopes without revealing the event until the last sentence.
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 history books
What happened, why, and why it still matters.
History books explain the past, from sweeping surveys of civilizations to microhistories of a single object or day. The bestsellers read like novels: real people, real stakes, and an argument about what it all meant.
What readers expect
- Rigorous research and sources
- People at the center of events
- An argument, not just a timeline
- Connections to the present
A tip before you start
Build it around people and turning points, not dates. A reader follows a person through a decade far more willingly than a decade by itself.
More History prompts
- A Day in a Forgotten LifeChoose a lesser-known historical figure and write a detailed account of a day in their life. Incorporate authentic historical details that reveal…
- The Invention Before the BreakthroughSelect an invention that changed the course of history. Write a narrative exploring the initial failures and challenges faced by the inventor(s)…
- An Overlooked Historical FigureChoose an obscure historical figure who played a vital role during their time. Write a narrative exploring their life, contributions, and the impact…
- The Manuscript's New HistoryWrite from the perspective of a historian decoding an ancient manuscript that could change our understanding of a significant historical event.…
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