The Old Tree's Memories
Write an essay from the perspective of a century-old tree in a bustling city park. Reflect on the changes the tree has observed over the decades, from the evolving skyline to the people it has provided shade for.
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.
- Include a counterargument and answer it fairly.
- Cut every sentence that only repeats the one before it.
- Find one surprising fact and build around 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 Nature prompts
- An Ancient Natural LandmarkReflect on an ancient natural landmark you have visited (like a volcano, canyon, or ocean). Discuss its history and the sense of continuity or…
- 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…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
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