The Dam Debate
Write an article on the ethical implications of a controversial engineering project (such as large dams, nuclear power plants, or geoengineering). Explore both sides of the argument, interview experts if possible, and conclude with your own reasoned opinion on the matter.
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.
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- The Engineering Turning PointWrite a personal essay reflecting on a pivotal moment in engineering history that changed the way technology impacts daily life. Discuss what it was…
- The Light Bulb RevolutionReflect on the societal impact of a once revolutionary, now commonplace piece of engineering. How has something as simple as the light bulb or the…
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