We all strive to make the world a better place, but it starts with one person taking initiative. For many teens across America, that first move was writing an essay for Do the Write Thing (DtWT). Today, we’ll take a look into exactly what made these winning essays stand out and how just one powerful story can spark lasting change.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction to Do the Write Thing Essay Contest
- 2. Tips for Crafting a Winning Entry
- 3. Exploring Prompts and Formats
- 4. Focus on Conveying Your Message Effectively
- 5. Building Connections with Your Reader
- 6. Examples of Successful Do the Write Thing Entries
- 7. Final Considerations & Conclusion
- Q&A
1. Introduction to Do the Write Thing Essay Contest
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Do the Write Thing Challenge is a nationwide essay contest that provides an opportunity for middle school students to think deeply and critically about violence in their schools, communities, and families. The program encourages participating students to explore solutions to help end the destructive cycle of youth violence.
The Do the Write Thing Contest challenges each student participant to be creative and reflective on what can be done at home, as well as within his or her community, to minimize incidences of violence among peers. Through essays written by young people from diverse backgrounds engaging with pressing social issues such as bullying, substance abuse, gang activity and more; participants are given an outlet for expression while providing new perspectives on complex topics related directly to their lives. At its core mission is raising awareness about this significant problem through education initiatives like dialogue sessions where enlightened teachers facilitate deeper conversations between motivated learners before they write thoughtful essays tackling real-world problems alongside potential solutions.
In addition there are several tangible outcomes from these efforts such as: improved writing skills; heightened self-awareness and confidence built through voicing personal thoughts articulately; increased empathy due factors such interpersonal stories being shared during classroom discussions around “the Why” behind important decisions making processes – all leading back into larger themes explored in Do The Write Thing Essays including but not limited too: mindfulness practices when it comes dealing with peer pressure scenarios & understanding cycles of perpetuation which propel violent behavior beyond acceptable norms.
2. Tips for Crafting a Winning Entry
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Crafting an effective essay requires that certain criteria are met. It is important for the entry to be well written, organized and original. This section will provide tips on how to compose a winning entry.
- 1) Understand the Prompt
The first step in crafting a winning essay is understanding what you are asked to write about. You must accurately interpret the prompt so that your answer follows it exactly as requested by judges evaluating your work. For example, if you’re applying for Do The Write Thing,you should focus on finding solutions to reduce youth violence and present this concept within up-to-date examples or situations of societal importance related to youths today.
- 2) Draft Your Entry
Include current statistics or stories experienced personally which connect directly back into central thesis enabling readers gain full perspective when reading your piece.(e..g: According To Do The Write Thing project those who apply receive an invitation ‘if they demonstrate sound judgment in addressing issues facing our nation’s young people.) . Be creative but direct, use simple words whenever possible yet never compromise voice behind message being broadcasted through text composed
3. Exploring Prompts and Formats
When it comes to exploring writing prompts and formats, many students struggle due to having too little or too much structure. A few popular examples of creative essay prompts include the Do The Write Thing Essay Challenge from the National Campaign To Stop Violence (NCSV), the Common App Personal Statement prompt from American College Application Services (AMCAS) and even scholarship essay contests such as the yearly Fountainhead contest hosted by The Ayn Rand Institute.
An effective way for a professor to help students is providing them with pre-written templates outlining potential methods they can employ when tackling these types of essays. It’s generally beneficial if at least one example contains details specific to each individual student’s experience, such as in Do The Write Thing, where participants are asked how violence has affected their lives and what proactive steps they can take against it.
A simple template for this kind of assignment could be divided into three parts: an introduction describing personal involvement/observation related to violence; body paragraphs that describe how physical acts of aggression impact society in both tangible and intangible ways, including any learned lessons about preventing future occurrences; finally, a conclusion summarizing facts addressed throughout while offering suggestions on positive approaches towards solutions. This type of approach helps professors ensure that all required elements have been adequately covered without dictating exactly what should be written.
4. Focus on Conveying Your Message Effectively
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An important part of writing any essay is being able to effectively communicate your message. That means making sure that, when it comes to grammar and structure, you are using the right words in the right order so that your readers can understand what it is you’re trying to say. It also involves careful consideration of rhetorical devices such as metaphors or satire – they give a richness and depth to your work which simple facts alone can’t provide. If done correctly these techniques will be far more effective than simply describing an issue; instead they evoke emotion or invoke thought from within the reader.
For example, consider how well-known ‘A Toast for Peace’ by Rufus Clement conveys his point without needing complicated language: “Let us break bread together / On our knees let us pray / That all hatred and bitterness / Forever from our land pass away”. Through this metaphor he communicates a powerful image while cleverly avoiding complex description – something we should all strive towards achieving in our own essays! Similarly take note of Nikki Giovanni’s poem Do The Write Thing Essay Example 2 – “The Funeral”>, her choice of sombre words paints an unforgettable picture in few words: “dark shadows lie dormant about me/lest I forget my sorrow” . These examples clearly show that concise, precise and thoughtful phrasing can speak volumes without compromising quality.
5. Building Connections with Your Reader
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Using Literary Techniques to Engage Readers
One of the most important elements of writing, especially in essays, is engaging readers with your words. Writers can do this by using literary techniques such as mood and tone, dialogue/narration description and presentation of characters – all devices used to create imagery inside a reader’s head that help them more deeply experience what it might feel like if they were actually in the situation themselves. To emphasize these points further let us take two examples from Do The Write Thing Essay Contest Winners: “Unhelpful Hands” by Christina Arokiasamy (2011) and “A Day at School Without Bullying” by Kenneth Beard (2010).
In her essay Unhelpful Hands, Arokiasamy utilizes vivid details which paint an image for the reader early on when she states “The bullying was cruel; I felt ganged up against because everywhere I looked there were hands pushing me down…I felt isolated like a cell surrounded my walls confined from freedom.” In addition to descriptive language she also establishes strong emotion within each line conveying how difficult it was being discriminated against based upon gender: “When other boys started cat-calling girls or making inappropriate comments about their bodies…It made me angry but not just normal anger; raging inferno lava-like anger”. This adept use of detail helps draw readers into feeling empathy towards those suffering under oppressive systems.
Beard also successfully compels his readers through imagery when he shares his personal experience dealing with bullies saying “it seemed like there were too many people for our solutions to reach”; however he outdoes himself later when he transitions away describing oppression onto promoting empowerment through this statement: “…temporary obstacles are placed in our paths every day testing us and giving us opportunities to become better versions of ourselves”…These lines demonstrate both charisma together with intelligence creating highly persuasive arguments capable motivating others into actionable outcomes. Both writers have donean exemplary job orienting their readers understanding situations where individuals suffer from discrimination allowing themto visualize own lives overcome similar challenges.
6. Examples of Successful Do the Write Thing Entries
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Students Speak Out through Winning Essays
Do the Write Thing is a national writing competition that allows students to express their feelings about violence and how it affects them personally. Winners of Do the Write Thing are featured on The National Campaign website. These essays demonstrate powerful statements from young adults who have taken a stance against violent crime in their communities. Here are some examples of exceptional work:
- Staying Connected amidst Chaos, submitted by Rachel S., Utah – In her award-winning essay, Rachel talks about how she uses music to stay calm during stressful moments to avoid lashing out at those around her. She emphasizes why connecting with healthy outlets can help youth resist turning towards violence.
- “Love yourself more than you hate others,” ,submitted by Michaela B., Illinois – This essay discusses situations in which hatred between peers can fuel further aggression toward one another. Michaela suggests unconditional love and respect for oneself as a way to break this cycle of negativity before retaliatory behaviors take root.
Such thoughtful reflections capture an important conversation among teens who strive for cultural understanding while promoting positive solutions within our society. Through these example entries we see not only the power behind each student’s words but testimonies supporting nonviolence amongst adolescents everywhere.
7. Final Considerations & Conclusion
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Developing Your Final Considerations
Once the content of your paper has been addressed, it is now time to form your final conclusions. This process should be a reflection on what has previously been discussed and should provide an examination of potential implications or outcomes related to the topic area that you have chosen. Begin by synthesizing the ideas presented in each paragraph into one concise sentence. Afterward, review these statements as they relate to your thesis statement and consider how you could apply them in real-world contexts. For example, if discussing middle schoolers writing about gun violence in mass shootings for Do The Write Thing, this conclusion might discuss solutions such as improved mental health screenings at schools arising from student reflections within essays.
To further strengthen your argumentation, supplement any claims with evidence culled from prior research materials or studies used throughout the paper; signals such as “for instance” can be employed here while citing figures from various sources will help bolster validity.: include qualitative data like Do The Write Thing essay examples provided by students themselves so readers can appreciate their perspective first-hand (e.g., “As Jessica R.’s essay illustrates ‘Gun control laws must change because even just one accident is too many'”). Ultimately, developing well rounded arguments and providing supporting data are key components of forming sound conclusions which bring additional value to work overall when written thoughtfully!
Q&A
Q: What inspired you to write a winning Do the Write Thing essay?
A: Growing up in an environment surrounded by violence and aggression, I realized that there was something more powerful than fists – words. Writing gave me a voice and allowed me to express my thoughts on issues such as gun violence that our society is facing today. My passion for writing motivated me to enter the Do the Write Thing challenge, where I felt confident using my skills of expression to make a difference.
Q: What advice would you give aspiring writers who want their essays recognized?
A: To any aspiring writers out there looking for their work to be noticed, don’t underestimate the power of your story! Whether it’s heartfelt or humorous, all stories have value so embrace yours with confidence when submitting for competitions like Do The Right Thing. Also focus on crafting meaningful lines and clear arguments backed by relevant evidence in order to strengthen your piece; these are key elements judges look for in successful essays!
Q: How did it feel having your essay chosen as one of the top winners from among thousands of submissions?
A: It truly was an amazing feeling knowing all those hours spent writing had resulted in being part of this inspirational journey! Although hard work pays off regardless even if not specifically recognized with awards like these, it felt extra special seeing my efforts awarded amongst some incredible peers across North America who also shared stories about social injustice and making positive change through creative problem solving.
This year’s Do the Write Thing Essays were a particularly inspiring bunch. It was heartening to see such motivation and commitment from young people across the nation, all fighting for a brighter future. Each essay is its own kind of victory, and we hope their work will have an impact on us all far into the future!
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