Articles
1.
Write a feature article for a newspaper or magazine on the role
played by memory and the past in our lives.
(2012)
a.
Use memories already developed for the personal essays we’ve done
lately
b.
Memories help with – ice-breaking, making bonds, keeping those
who’ve passed away close, giving us a sense of who we are, experiences we can
learn from, helping us to become tougher / wiser /
kinder…
c.
Memories as‘personal’ history – oral history, listening to
grandparents, national history
d.
Helping us keep a connection if we’ve moved home / country or if
our family structure has changed
2.
Write a light-hearted and entertaining article, intended for
publication in a magazine aimed at young people, in response to the phrase, “…
all the time in the world”. (2012)
a.
Fake indignation – all the time indeed! List deadlines /
obligations / decisions
i.
LC
ii.
CAO
iii.
Social life
iv.
Homework deadlines
v.
Household chores
vi.
Family responsibilities
b.
Write a‘mock’ day in the life, if you were to really act as
though you had all the time in the world (strolling into school at 11, no work
done etc)
c.
Maybe think about how it’s more useful to live as though you’re
time is limited, so you get the most out of
life?
3.
Write an article for a popular magazine in which you outline your
views about the impact of technology on the lives of young people.
(2011)
a.
All the types of technology – phone, laptop, games console,
satnav, IT in classroom…
b.
Have we gained or lost by all of this?(could be a bit of
both)
c.
Does anyone really have 750 ‘friends’? Is ‘liking’ a status
becoming a substitute for actually talking /
connected
d.
Have we become so connected that we have in reality
disconnected
e.
Maybe discuss the atmosphere at a class retreat as opposed to
online interactions?
f.
Use slightly ridiculous examples to give some
humour
4.
Write an article for a popular magazine (serious and/or
light-hearted) on being a good neighbour.
(2010)
a.
Could be written as a ‘let me tell you about my neighbour from
hell’ story
b.
Think of all the awful things that a neighbour could inflict on
you, but try not to stick to standards like ‘loud
noise’
c.
Animals could feature – a goat in the garden? Escaped
snake?
d.
Give the other side – when neighbours are too
good – always coming over, using neighbourliness as an excuse for nosiness
e.
Maybe admit to a few ‘less than neighbourly’ incidents of your
own?
5.
Write an article for a school magazine (serious and/or
light-hearted) about your experience of education over the last number of years.
(2009)
a.
Huge scope here! Your chance to say everything you’ve ever wanted
to about school (no real names!!!!!)
b.
Compare school structures to the outside world /real
life
c.
Analyse the huge use you’ll be making of some of the things
you’ve had to learn (tongue-in-cheek)
d.
Drag out every school anecdote you have (‘I’ll never forget the
day when…’)
6.
Write an article for a popular magazine (serious and/or
light-hearted) in which you give advice to adults on how to help teenagers cope
with the ‘storm and stress’ of adolescence.
(2008)
a.
Could be an open letter: Dearest parents, we know you try (you
never stop telling us!) but we feel we could give you just a couple of
pointers…
b.
Could be done as a ‘Dos and Don’ts’ (Do: Keep the house supplied
at all times with Doritos, dips and chocolate mini-rolls. Nutrition is essential
at this pivotal point in our lives. Don’t: Expect towels to be picked up. Ever.
If they’re on the floor, they can’t fall off the rail. Just let them
be.)
c.
Don’t forget the ‘storm and stress’ aspect, but you can interpret
that liberally. It could be more ‘storm in a teacup’ type issues. (‘Never
underestimate the trauma that can be caused by deleting (favourite show) from
the SkyPlus box’)
7.
Write an article for a school magazine in which you explore
aspects of life that make you happy.
(2008)
a.
‘It’s the little things in life’ approach? ‘Nothing fills me with
a greater sense of peace than when the clock reads 17.17. Could there be a
better time?’
b.
Could pretend to be a mean person? ‘Seeing my little sister
heading off to school with odd shoes on just warms the cockles of my
heart…’