DIY or Hire a Pro
Write an article debating the pros and cons of DIY home improvement versus hiring professionals. Use personal anecdotes to illustrate points and provide practical advice for someone standing at this crossroad.
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.
More Home and Garden prompts
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- The Garden's Toughest PlantWrite about the most challenging plant you've ever cared for in your garden. Describe the trials and errors, what you learned about gardening and…
- My Weekend RenovationChronicle a particular DIY home improvement project you undertook, focusing on why you chose to do it yourself, the resources you used to learn the…
- A Home That Feels Like YouDiscuss the psychological and emotional benefits of maintaining a home that reflects your personality and values. Use personal anecdotes, scientific…
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