Animals and usPrompts - Timed Essays - Tutorials - Models
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Prompt 1 - What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer. Tutorial Screencast - Model Essay Prompt 2 - Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In your opinion, are such relationships good? Why, or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Tutorial Screencast - Model Essay |
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...more writing prompts for Animals and Us!
About Me - Tell about important animals in your life.
Descriptive - Describe a popular pet in your country. What makes it a popular pet in your country? Narrative - Sometimes interactions with animals can be frightening. Tell a story about you or someone that you know that had a frightening experience with an animal. What happened before, during, and after this experience. Problem / Solution - A friend of yours left you in charge of their pet bird while they were on vacation. While they were gone, you discovered the door to the cage had come open and the bird had flown away. Explain to your friend what happened and propose a resolution of the problem. |
Abstract - Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." What did he mean? To what extend do you agree.
Hypothesis - Some animal species are becoming extinct or disappearing. Choose a large animal species such as a type of bird, fish, mammal or reptile discuss the short term and long term consequences of this animal disappearing. Support an Opinion - Do you agree, or disagree, with this statement. Products for humans should never be tested on animals. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. |
Note for Teachers - The purpose of our 30 minute timed writing prompts is to engage learners in a carefully crafted exercise that will improve fluency of both thought and pen. Quality writing effectively expresses how a person feels, or thinks, in response to any given topic. This doesn't just happen, but requires consistent and meaningful practice (time on task)... the aim and focus of our Daily Writing Prompt website. A guide to constructing a 5 paragraph essay, along with a model passage for students to study and dissect can also be found on this page.
Model Essay - Because humans are themselves animals, it is natural that we would have a relationship with and assign importance to the animals around us. While at a personal level the most important animal would be the household pets, each nation has a few animals that are most prominent. Some of these animals are indigenous to the country; others have gradually gained influence. Sometimes an animal's importance is symbolic like the Bald Eagle. However in a much more practical and real sense, the most important animal in my country is the cow because of its impact on the American diet, American history and geography and even language and culture.
The cow produces prominent components of the American diet and food commerce. Americans love beef and dairy products. When you think of foods that have become iconocially American a lot of them utilize products from the cow, for example a McDonald's hamburger. The impact of the cow on food culture in the United States is significant. Take how American's celebrate the birth of their country on the Fourth of July. Most will celebrate by attending or hosting a barbecue. The menu will be hamburgers for the children and steak for the adults--both beef products. On the hamburgers there will be cheese and for dessert there will be ice cream. This is just one example of the many American meals that are brought to the table by the cow.
The cow was an essential contributor to and a reason for westward migration in the United States. America is large country and it became larger as it spread from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This movement wouldn't have occurred without the cow. Cattle drove the need for more land. For some people the move west was to have greater area to graze cattle to sell as beef and for leather. Also, the cow literally took people West as oxen pulled the wagons of many who moved to areas like Utah and California. Oxen were less expensive and more resilient than horses not only could they pull wagons; they could also pull plows necessary to generate food supplies. The cows themselves could eat a variety of the natural plant life unlike other transport animals as well. Without the cow the national map would likely look much different.
The cow has shaped the culture of the United States. Included in this are some things that Americans say or the symbols that they used by organizations. This impact on culture further validates the cows importance to the United States. Some examples of this would be phrases like, "Cow-a-bunga" or "Don't have a cow" or to "Milk someone for all they are worth." Even people who have never actually owned or had contact with cattle will understand or use these phrases. Also there are many prominent 'cattle' symbols in national sports. Most people around the world have heard of the Chicago Bulls but they might not now that for a long time Chicago was a prominent processor of beef products. Farmers in the midwest would send their cattle to Chicago where the meat would be processed and sent to the East coast market. This is only one of many examples of the cultural influence of cows.
Because of its influence on the culture of the United States, its impetus and enabling contribution to westward movement, and naturally as a prominent part of the American diet, the cow is a very important animal in the United States. Unlike some important animals around the world the cow is not at risk or vulnerable; however, when we understand the cows importance we can be more thoughtful in how we use it. Individuals and collectively the nation should be more thoughtful in their use of beef, dairy and leather products to encourage healthful production. In this way we can show our respect for not only the product but the animal that has shaped our country.
The cow produces prominent components of the American diet and food commerce. Americans love beef and dairy products. When you think of foods that have become iconocially American a lot of them utilize products from the cow, for example a McDonald's hamburger. The impact of the cow on food culture in the United States is significant. Take how American's celebrate the birth of their country on the Fourth of July. Most will celebrate by attending or hosting a barbecue. The menu will be hamburgers for the children and steak for the adults--both beef products. On the hamburgers there will be cheese and for dessert there will be ice cream. This is just one example of the many American meals that are brought to the table by the cow.
The cow was an essential contributor to and a reason for westward migration in the United States. America is large country and it became larger as it spread from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This movement wouldn't have occurred without the cow. Cattle drove the need for more land. For some people the move west was to have greater area to graze cattle to sell as beef and for leather. Also, the cow literally took people West as oxen pulled the wagons of many who moved to areas like Utah and California. Oxen were less expensive and more resilient than horses not only could they pull wagons; they could also pull plows necessary to generate food supplies. The cows themselves could eat a variety of the natural plant life unlike other transport animals as well. Without the cow the national map would likely look much different.
The cow has shaped the culture of the United States. Included in this are some things that Americans say or the symbols that they used by organizations. This impact on culture further validates the cows importance to the United States. Some examples of this would be phrases like, "Cow-a-bunga" or "Don't have a cow" or to "Milk someone for all they are worth." Even people who have never actually owned or had contact with cattle will understand or use these phrases. Also there are many prominent 'cattle' symbols in national sports. Most people around the world have heard of the Chicago Bulls but they might not now that for a long time Chicago was a prominent processor of beef products. Farmers in the midwest would send their cattle to Chicago where the meat would be processed and sent to the East coast market. This is only one of many examples of the cultural influence of cows.
Because of its influence on the culture of the United States, its impetus and enabling contribution to westward movement, and naturally as a prominent part of the American diet, the cow is a very important animal in the United States. Unlike some important animals around the world the cow is not at risk or vulnerable; however, when we understand the cows importance we can be more thoughtful in how we use it. Individuals and collectively the nation should be more thoughtful in their use of beef, dairy and leather products to encourage healthful production. In this way we can show our respect for not only the product but the animal that has shaped our country.
Model Essay - At some point of the stabilization and advancement of society, animals became more than a food source, a security threat or a means of transportation. Man has brought them in to his home, his car and in some cases even into the shower. While this physical and emotional closeness is common, some people question the reasonability of placing an animal in a similar relationship to that between humans. Others see nothing wrong with the close companionship between pet and owner and feel the investment in this relationship is completely justified. While it would be undesirable for relationships with animals to replace all of one's connections with others, emotionally intimate relationships with pets are positive and reasonable because the pet owner has a high degree of control over the relationship which is far more emotionally simplified and may be the only relationship possible for an individual to engage in.
A relationship with a pet is a voluntary relationship made with purposeful intent. In most cases people have made a conscious decision that they would like the relationship with an animal and further they have had full control over elements of that interaction by selecting the type of pet and further important characteristics of the specific kind of that pet. In all but very few human relationships, people do not get to exercise this amount of control over who they interact with. Regarding family members, colleagues, co-workers or neighbors, we've had little to no selective control over. Contrastingly if I would like an animal companion someone to provide both security and recreation. I can select the pet that would maximize my expectations. In this case I would choose a large active dog. Thus fulfilling my desire for both security and companionship in doing outdoor activities. This selectivity builds closeness and naturally would change the dynamic between pet and pet owner.
Pets are much more emotionally stable and simple than humans. Certainly pets experience some of the more prominent human emotions such as happiness, surprise, shame and possibly even anger; however, many of the more toxic emotions such as disgust, contempt and derision are beyond their cognitive capacity. Thus when a human initiates a relationship with an animal; this relationship is going to far more emotionally simple than a relationship with another human. For many people having at least one connection that isn't rife with complex emotions is a refreshing change. A friend of mine recently endured a long and challenging divorce. Naturally this event made many of his closest human relationships very complex. The first thing he did as he begun this new life was to get a cat. When asked why this was, he said that he was looking for simple and pure acceptance and a judgment free relationship. For him like many others, the emotional clarity of their interactions with their pets make the complexity of being human easier to bear.
Pets can provide connection to those who have difficulty building similar connections with humans. Some humans simply have trouble with other humans. This may be the result of traumatic experiences or it may be a cognitive or emotional difference that creates misunderstandings. Pets can help compensate for or heal the interpersonal wounds that perpetuate these difficulties. Many people have what are called therapy pets for this express reason. A man Jack is a returned war veteran. While before Jack went to war he had many friends and close family relationships since his return he hasn't been able to initiate and maintain relationships with other people. His counselor said that this is a typical response for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to prescribing some medicine to take when his anxiety or anger levels become unmanageable, the counselor recommended that he get a pet which he did. He and his dog Scout have become inseparable and through the comfort Scout has brought, Jack has made many improvements.
Because of pets' abilities to help treat those who are suffering and simplify the emotional lives of their owners through controlled and selected interactions, that pet owners would develop an emotional bond with their pet is completely reasonable. Reaching a point of acceptance and encouragement of the relationships between some humans and their pets has many implications. As individuals we should be accommodating of other's relationships with their pets and show genuine interest in this connection. Within neighborhoods and cities, we can support pet friendly policy and see that in times of economic hardship people receive aide to also help take care of their pet. Also society can do more to highlight the invaluable relationship between many owners and their pets; this can help modify stereotypes and increase public awareness of important pet related laws and social norms.
A relationship with a pet is a voluntary relationship made with purposeful intent. In most cases people have made a conscious decision that they would like the relationship with an animal and further they have had full control over elements of that interaction by selecting the type of pet and further important characteristics of the specific kind of that pet. In all but very few human relationships, people do not get to exercise this amount of control over who they interact with. Regarding family members, colleagues, co-workers or neighbors, we've had little to no selective control over. Contrastingly if I would like an animal companion someone to provide both security and recreation. I can select the pet that would maximize my expectations. In this case I would choose a large active dog. Thus fulfilling my desire for both security and companionship in doing outdoor activities. This selectivity builds closeness and naturally would change the dynamic between pet and pet owner.
Pets are much more emotionally stable and simple than humans. Certainly pets experience some of the more prominent human emotions such as happiness, surprise, shame and possibly even anger; however, many of the more toxic emotions such as disgust, contempt and derision are beyond their cognitive capacity. Thus when a human initiates a relationship with an animal; this relationship is going to far more emotionally simple than a relationship with another human. For many people having at least one connection that isn't rife with complex emotions is a refreshing change. A friend of mine recently endured a long and challenging divorce. Naturally this event made many of his closest human relationships very complex. The first thing he did as he begun this new life was to get a cat. When asked why this was, he said that he was looking for simple and pure acceptance and a judgment free relationship. For him like many others, the emotional clarity of their interactions with their pets make the complexity of being human easier to bear.
Pets can provide connection to those who have difficulty building similar connections with humans. Some humans simply have trouble with other humans. This may be the result of traumatic experiences or it may be a cognitive or emotional difference that creates misunderstandings. Pets can help compensate for or heal the interpersonal wounds that perpetuate these difficulties. Many people have what are called therapy pets for this express reason. A man Jack is a returned war veteran. While before Jack went to war he had many friends and close family relationships since his return he hasn't been able to initiate and maintain relationships with other people. His counselor said that this is a typical response for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition to prescribing some medicine to take when his anxiety or anger levels become unmanageable, the counselor recommended that he get a pet which he did. He and his dog Scout have become inseparable and through the comfort Scout has brought, Jack has made many improvements.
Because of pets' abilities to help treat those who are suffering and simplify the emotional lives of their owners through controlled and selected interactions, that pet owners would develop an emotional bond with their pet is completely reasonable. Reaching a point of acceptance and encouragement of the relationships between some humans and their pets has many implications. As individuals we should be accommodating of other's relationships with their pets and show genuine interest in this connection. Within neighborhoods and cities, we can support pet friendly policy and see that in times of economic hardship people receive aide to also help take care of their pet. Also society can do more to highlight the invaluable relationship between many owners and their pets; this can help modify stereotypes and increase public awareness of important pet related laws and social norms.