The Artwork That Moved Me
Write a personal essay on the first piece of art or architecture that truly moved you. Describe the experience and analyze why it had such a profound effect on you.
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.
- State your main point in one sentence before you start.
- Include a counterargument and answer it fairly.
- Cut every sentence that only repeats the one before it.
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 Art, Architecture and Photography prompts
- The Architect Who Shaped a CityWrite about the life and works of an underrated architect whose designs have significantly impacted a city or region, yet remains relatively unknown…
- The Photograph That Changed EverythingDraft a piece that narrates the life of a fictional photographer who revolutionized the world of photography with a single, iconic shot. Explore the…
- Art in the Public SquareChoose a controversial piece of public art that sparked significant debate or backlash. Discuss the artwork in detail, including the artist's intent…
- Forgotten PhotographersResearch and compose a piece on a lesser-known photographer whose work has impacted the evolution of photography. Explore their style, the themes they…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
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