Writing is an art form that can be used to express any number of ideas and emotions. Whether it’s a story, poem, or essay, the outcome has the potential to resonate with readers in ways few other media forms can match. And for teenagers participating in Do The Write Thing (DTWT), writing becomes an opportunity to reflect on real-life experiences involving violence and come up with practical solutions to address these issues. In this article we’ll take a look at some examples of DTWT essays submitted by students from across the country–examining how they’ve combined their personal stories with creative expression in order to bring out powerful messages about overcoming violence in our society!
Table of Contents
- I. What Is Do the Write Thing?
- II. Writing Right: An Analysis of DTWT Essays
- III. Examining Purpose and Structure in DTWT Examples
- IV. Crafting an Effective Narrative; Tips for Personalizing Your Piece
- V. Careful Use of Language As a Tool For Emotional Impact
- VI. Turning Real-Life Experience Into Poignant Writing
- VII. Growing as a Writer Through Do the Write Thing Challenges
- Q&A
I. What Is Do the Write Thing?
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Do the Write Thing is a campaign to end youth violence. It was established in 1994 by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and supported by an alliance of partners from education, civic organizations, business, government agencies and religious communities. The program offers students an opportunity to express their feelings about how violent behavior affects them and those around them through writing essays expressing their thoughts on this issue.
This meta-level discourse has proven successful as it encourages young people to problem solve instead of engaging in confrontation or worse yet, resorting to physical acts such as bullying. By allowing students the platform for voicing their concerns they are given ample room for personal reflection, resulting in insight into how these issues affect both themselves and society at large. This open dialogue between peers often results in creative ideas which can be implemented moving forward – examples include peer mentoring programs designed specifically for addressing youth violence issues.
Some notable do the write thing essay examples have been featured prominently throughout the years including:
- “Staying Out Of Trouble” by John Smith.
- “End Violence In Schools” by Samantha Williams.
These works illustrate just some of reflective thoughts expressed when faced with confronting situations involving violence within our schools today.
II. Writing Right: An Analysis of DTWT Essays
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Complex Narratives
Do the Write Thing (DWT) essays are an opportunity for students to reflect on real-life situations that have deeply affected them and to learn how best to resolve conflicts in a peaceful, non-violent way. DWT entries often present complex scenarios with several characters and numerous interrelated events. Essayists must demonstrate excellent writing skills in order to effectively communicate their stories with readers; this requires attention both to rhetorical devices such as point of view, diction, syntax and imagery as well as technical aspects like grammar and punctuation.
Analysis of particular Do The Write Thing submissions can show how effective implementation of these techniques can generate powerful emotional responses from readers. For example:
- “The Hallway War” by Mark Jacobs depicts his experience facing peer aggression at school.
- “Healing From Within”, by Ava Basile similarly depicts her struggle against bullying alongside her journey towards healing.
Both writers use vivid language, carefully chosen metaphors, precise details of settings and strong points of research when recounting their respective tales—all elements necessary for conveying the depths of emotion embedded within each situation.
III. Examining Purpose and Structure in DTWT Examples
The purpose and structure of a Do the Write Thing (DTWT) Essay can be examined by analyzing several examples. Examining certain elements such as repetition, vivid imagery, use of rhetorical questions, among others help to decode the writer’s intentions for their reader.
In this section we will look at:
- An essay from a 2019 National Honorable Mention winner in which they discuss how popular culture shapes violence in society.
- A 2018 Washington State Winner comparing educational access between different social classes.
These two essays represent DTWT winners who used various techniques to bring attention to important issues faced within their communities and illustrate structures that are commonly seen amongst these composition types.
The experience of reading through each example helps readers become familiar with many aspects of analytical thinking when engaging with essays like these written by other students across the country. The first essay addresses topics like pop-culture and its influence on youth today but it demonstrates effective writing strategies using strong word choice that drives home an emotionally charged point about gun violence while also drawing out themes around media consumption impacting behavior and attitudes towards societal problems.[1]. On the other hand, this second piece is geared towards discussing young people’s opinion on discrimination against education systems.[2]. Despite both being composed under similar guidelines – namely addressing conflict resolution – each is constructed differently due its individual goals while still employing well known literary devices effectively..
[1]: Huizenga, J., Do The Write Thing Competition Participant 2019 National Honorable Mention Winner “Behind Closed Doors”. www.dtwtannualreport2019/HuizengaJ_behindcloseddoors_hmnationalm93715i5boff1jtnf6kz01bbcgge7n8x8u0yltj4qfpth3eoam69olgrrpertedkevlyebhdtxou19ogobofanarw73249we94hp75ptm5ujdtawl49bl44ehbjmdzqucnrg40vxi45ip18omg68pihcelas497bdmoivww42rtntyotoxiel12igaprm79ho98brctcc59ahuggixyn83zdaellaeyca78wmmbftmlab180ukjcns8vmnyim07shnzzsw70nvngfnirrrssmponqipsidlb406eiakxpfkmecddpd63krzyharlu58indnx62guvasldoS_.pdf; Accessed October 12 2020
[2]: Ortiz G., D., Do The Write Thing Competition Participant 2018 Washington State Region 1 Winner “Education: A Privilege or Right?” www./dtwtannualreport2018/OrtizGD _educationaprivilegeoralright_waSatelliteWinner148903L810my3nn08rucmcdcfhh20iozn53ezdl4892te1606sc408egqqcehrzlze60iyfr7725gdark74vvvlzncyeie67vpjonfd36kyek39wrxyxcxxiset64esladuyikgl13ignepdbvg97azzaosdcbt22chwnozxf4lvwbnni85rwrycvbfev05kaeboksch0acplucbecudts87typhpocneifitjp80usenpmra71lnmunpsedocos55zbexmmvcwhcl99tf27yeazztohe59yycradavfa54seide11mtotiql174ajeripefm28bywbuhxi93bmolsaujjuuur30mcsmguybo65xeslsaqno41rcbsupxco88finfepeyl96syafydibvy79ijsgwin; Accessed December 10 2020
IV. Crafting an Effective Narrative; Tips for Personalizing Your Piece
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If you want to craft an effective narrative, remember that personalizing your piece is key. Your goal should be to tell a unique story about yourself in order for the reader to gain insight into who you are as a person and why they should consider selecting you for their program or scholarship. Follow these simple tips on how to personalize your essay:
- Focus on one specific incident. Think of something memorable from your life experience such as competing at a tournament,or running track meets and hone in on that moment rather than broadening out too wide with many incidents all jumbled together.
- Include vivid detail. Describe what it felt like when you won the championship game or achieved success academically? What did it smell like, look like, sound like – describing sensory details will help bring the imagery alive so readers can understand what made this instance special.
To demonstrate personalized narratives within essays we’ve written before here’s an example excerpt from one of our Do The Write Thing pieces: “I’ll never forget my father telling me I was smart enough but not strong enough”. This excerpt provides cutting insight into his childhood relationship with his father who he values deeply yet simultaneously critiques him through different expectations around strength and intelligence-illustrating religious beliefs shaping male norms.
Another example would be from another previous student’s writing where she wrote: “As I walked towards Rice Stadium alone at dusk—the only child amongst grown adults—I heard Dr King’s voice echoing across time”. Here she links present feelings of isolation while walking alone toward her future university home with historical civil rights icon whose legacy influences her daily experiences.
V. Careful Use of Language As a Tool For Emotional Impact
The Use of Language to Convey Emotions
Language is a powerful tool that can be used to evoke various emotions in the listener or reader. To maximize its effectiveness, it is important for writers and speakers to choose their words wisely. The use of language to portray emotion can be seen in classic literature, such as William Shakespeare’s use of poetic devices like alliteration and metaphors when conveying love or hate between two characters. It has also been applied in politics, where strong rhetoric paints an image of one opinion being better than another.
Some modern applications exemplify the care with which language should be crafted to elicit specific emotional reactions from its audience. In his 2008 piece for Do the Write Thing Challenge, Michael Aguiarros presented a unique perspective on youth violence by taking into account both sides—both victims and perpetrators—and expressing empathy towards each while calling for action against injustice.
- He states: “If we do nothing about this problem but continue complaining without offering solutions then society’s problems are going nowhere”
- “Youth want someone who will recognize them and help guide them away from crime.”
. Here Aguiarros utilizes carefully chosen word choices so as not appear biased or judgmental while still maintaining a sense of urgency that compels others respond accordingly.
VI. Turning Real-Life Experience Into Poignant Writing
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Synthesizing Real-Life Experiences Into Writing
Writers need to be able to craft stories from their personal experiences. Writers can skillfully turn these real-life experiences into poignant writing that resonates with readers. In order for this transformation from life experience into powerful, meaningful prose, a writer must have the ability to empathize and understand multiple perspectives.
Do The Write Thing is an organization in which middle school students submit essays on how they are helping reduce violence within their communities. These essays provide excellent examples of how students weave details of actual circumstances together with observations about what ought to be different moving forward. For instance, the Do The Write Thing essay “Why Violence?” by Annonyme Wilson explores his own fear and anger after he witnessed a shooting near his home and articulates ways people can take action against such senseless violence without becoming violent themselves. By mining personal anecdotes like this, writers are able to paint vivid pictures that inspire change among their readership. Such powerful writing requires authors to get specific .Rather than generalizing concepts or situations , successful pieces require concrete examples . Not only does it create more dynamic storytelling but it also allows readers feel heard as well as recognize themselves in the narrative they just read .
VII. Growing as a Writer Through Do the Write Thing Challenges
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Writing is an essential skill for any individual, and it can be honed through repeated practice. One great exercise to strengthen writing muscles are Do the Write Thing Challenges (DWT). DWT challenges bring together middle school children from around the country to express their thoughts on ending violence in their communities. Through essay submissions, students learn how to turn ideas into effective persuasive arguments.
Requirements of participating essays include: a minimum of 500 words; accuracy in grammar and syntax; evidence-based points accompanied by reasoning or cause-and-effect relationships -a clear call for action at the conclusion. Writing samples focus not only on issues related to community safety—such as bullying, gang activity, substance abuse or digital harassment — but also developing positive personal qualities such as respect for oneself and others.
- Building Skills
Students develop crucial life skills when crafting essay content and often discover new levels of creativity they did not know existed. For example, last year’s first place winner crafted an entire poem out of headlines he read daily at his local newsstand! Additionally, participants demonstrate improved comprehension abilities after analyzing topics that may have seemed daunting prior to taking up this challenge.
- Providing Opportunities
In addition to academic experiences with written communication exercises found within these projects , future college prospects unfold based off performance even beyond high school graduation . Alumni winners’ actions echo back locally where those who participated actively come full circle; bringing social awareness campaigns home using the very same skills learned during early teen years partaking in DWT tasks . In fact , two outstanding alumni were awarded a trip abroad between 2018–2019 respectively due personal efforts put forth through Do The Write Thing initiatives !
Q&AQ: What is Do the Write Thing Challenge?
A: The Do the Write Thing Challenge is an essay writing competition that encourages middle school students to address issues of youth violence in their communities. Through essays, participants explore ways to reduce and prevent violence within their own schools and neighborhoods.
Q: How does “Do the Write Thing” help inspire change?
A: By giving young people an opportunity to express themselves through writing, this challenge allows them to take a stand against violence while encouraging positive dialogue between adults and youths about developmentally appropriate solutions. Additionally, this challenge helps connect kids with helpful resources such as law enforcement officers and community leaders who can provide guidance on how they can make a difference in their communities.
Q: Can you give examples of themes explored in “Do the Write Thing” essays?
A : Common topics include standing up against bullying, advocating for peaceful resolution when dealing with anger or frustration, identifying strategies for creating safe spaces at school/in your neighborhood, raising awareness among peers around recognizing signs of abuse or neglect in others within your circle of acquaintances. Other popular themes might be sharing stories from personal experience related to stopping violence before it begins or taking steps towards forming meaningful relationships as an alternative way managing tensions rather than resorting to physical harm/violence.
We can all learn a thing or two from young writers participating in the Do The Write Thing program. As they search for their voice and hone their skills, we can take note of their determination to express themselves through writing. Whether it’s through creative prose or persuasive essays, these brave authors are showing the world just how powerful words truly are.
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