Here are the writing prompts from my Senior Year English class. I wrote a typewriter essay on this in more detail here, and am considering re-answering these throughout the year.

What is the difference between a civilized person and a savage? Which is more natural? (9/12)
What are your plans for senior year? What do you hope to achieve? (9/13)
Why do you deserve an education? Give three reasons. (9/14)
What is the best way to cope with an insane situation? (9/15)
Describe high school. (9/20)
Why do you like what you like?
What do you hate? (9/25)
Pep rally … your thoughts? (9/28)
Which is your favorite sense (of the 5) and why? (10/11)
Describe a time in your life when FATE took over. Justify your answer. (If you don’t believe in fate, explain why.)
What is truth? (10/13)
Define Independence (in your own terms). (10/17)
Which is more important: the needs of the individual or those of the state (country)? (10/18)
Applications: (10/19)
What is time for? (10/23)
Legalize drugs? (10/24)
How much should a leader rely on public opinion? (10/26)
Note to self: (3 years from now) BEWARE! The time to choose your caste is fast approaching! Read Chapters 16 + 17 of Brave New world. CHOOSE WISELY. (10/29)
Personal struggle + suffering is necessary. (10/30)
Is death the conquest of the soul by the body? (10/30)
Is the individual the sum of the suggestions implanted into him? (10/30)
Beauty and truth are incompatible with happiness (10/30)
Social justice, in the sense of social equality, is impossible. (10/31)
Write the name of a movie you thought was a tragedy. Why was it tragic? (11/10
Argue for or against the following statement: The stability of society works best when the people of that society are homogenous. (11/3)
Is ignorance bliss? (11/3)
How can a journal “expand your mind?” (11/4)
Who needs to be saved? Why? (11/4)
How does your clothing show who you are? (11/4)
What can civilians do to end war? (11/13)
Using Trash Talk, trash a subject of your choice.
Can a parent be too overprotective?
Write a one-page play for two parts about an alien abduction. Include stage directions.
What makes funny funny?
What do you do when someone is rude to you.
This is Picasso. Look at the picture and comment. (12/3)
Aliens. (12/5)
Winter Musicfest 2007 (12/5)
Is it human nature for people of lower status (ex: mailroom clerk) to envy those with higher status (ex: CEO)? Or… is it possible for people to be happy with their place and not want for more?
Is it important to recognize the New Year?
Is man good/evil?
With regard to peer pressure, who is at fault?
Is jealousy a good or bad thing for a relationship?
Which Senior Superlative do you want to be—and why?
Who should be President of the United States and why?
Writing 25 pages is…
Othello/Shakespeare is…
Double standards and Hillary.
Can you be involved in a “crime” and NOT be guilty?
If a husband or wife cheats, is it their fault or their other’s fault?
Does education = intelligence?
Paper or plastic?
You are halfway through your senior year. Discuss.
There is nothing beyond man’s physical existence. Agree/disagree.
“Ultimately, I am alone in this world, alienated from everything that attempts to define me.” Agree/disagree. (What makes you… you?)
Giants. Discuss.
How do you react to things that are different, new, things that you have never experienced?
Did you vote in yesterday’s primary? Why/why not? Does it matter?
If a noun doesn’t have meaning, does it have a right to exist? Does everything have to have a part?
Do you like Meursault? Why/why not? Can you relate to him?
Describe Hell.
What did you do this vacation?
What gives life meaning?
Sartre: “We are condemned to be free.” Explain. (2/28)
This day only exists every 4 years!! What will you do to make it memorable? (2/29)
Do you agree with Meursault’s view of life at the end of the novel?
Describe your social status. How can you change this?
Should a marriage be practical?
How does the media (of any period of time) portray media?
Do people need “false illusions” to make it through life?”
Imagine that you are one of those people (students) who has blown off all of the reading assignments this year (or at least some of them). Hypothetically speaking, do you feel you’ve missed anything? Explain.

Are.na

The Subtext

Library on Mars