Writing Prompt
Your prompt:
Write an essay on a subject from your study of the practice of empathy.
Directions
Each hyperlink in the prompt leads to the entirety of what you need to write this essay. It starts with the writing process post, which leads you to your writing guide:
The questions guide you through the modular elements of writing. Here is the second page:
You start by finding a subject to write about. In this case, the subject is not empathy; it’s something more specific, taken from the readings or the exercises you completed.
Subject Sources
Readings
There are dozens of possible subjects related to empathy in the instructional post:
Fowler’s essay alone suggests many interesting subjects to explore. He mentions imposter syndrome early — that’s one subject that relates to empathy. He also describes himself as an introvert — another possible subject. You would consider how these ideas relate to empathy, and your writing would take shape through the universal guide.
Exercises
Another likely source for this essay’s subject is the formal assignment given with it. These are exercises in practicing empathy that appear about halfway through the instructional post:
They were then more formally assigned through Google Classroom. Over a few days in the space, you could brainstorm, discuss, and write your way through these exercises.
Note that each exercise comes in two parts:
- First, you complete an exercise using Fowler’s logic and definitions — e.g., you pretend to be an “enemy” and write about the conflict as if you were that person.
- Second, you complete a metacognitive response detailing how you approached the exercise, how you wrote the first part, what you learned, etc..
You will find many possible subjects — and even parts of essays themselves — in one or both of those parts.
∇
Remember that the goal of this sort of essay is to “find the river,” which means to find the interesting and worthwhile approach to this subject. This is best done through collaboration — discussion, especially. Talk with your peers and teachers as you get started.
You can also discuss your ideas and ask questions here, in the comment section below. Use this resource as necessary.