Bridges Through the Ages
Write an essay on how the evolution of bridge design has mirrored advancements in materials science. Include specific examples and discuss the impact on communities connected by these structures.
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.
- Use one example from your own life.
- Open with a specific story, then widen out to the big idea.
- Write for a curious friend, not an expert.
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 Engineering prompts
- Inside the RefrigeratorDetail the engineering principles behind a common household appliance, such as a microwave or refrigerator. Explain how incremental improvements over…
- Building a Sustainable FutureWrite a detailed article exploring the evolution of sustainable engineering practices. Include case studies of successful sustainable engineering…
- Quantum Computing in MedicineWrite a predictive piece on how a current emerging technology (such as quantum computing or 3D printing) will transform a specific industry or aspect…
- Lessons from the Bridge CollapseExplore the role of failure in successful engineering. Narrate a first-person account or a journalistic investigation into a significant engineering…
Fifteen minutes in? Keep going.
Chapterly gives a draft somewhere to grow: chapters, daily word goals, and readers when you're ready.
Plans from $9.99 a month. Cancel any time. Your words are always yours.