There’s an essay somewhere in this journal entry. Where is it?

The question your entry is circling, its strongest line, and an outline for an essay.


When to use
When something you wrote for yourself keeps feeling like it might be for other people too.
Time
10 min

The prompt

Below is a journal entry of mine, with names and private details removed. I think there’s an essay in it that other people could read. This is about the writing, not about me, so don’t interpret my feelings or offer advice. Tell me the question the entry is really circling, in one line. Quote the sentence of mine that is its heart. Then give me an outline for an essay of about : three to five parts, each with a line of mine that belongs there and a note on what I’d have to write new. Say what should stay in the journal because a stranger doesn’t need it. Don’t write the essay. If you’re guessing at what I meant, say so. Here is the entry:

2 blanks / 0 filled

Write on any underline. A blank you leave empty stays in [brackets] when you copy. What you type is kept on this device and nowhere else.

Tell us it worked.

Ran it and got something you could use? One tap, no account. It is how the next reader knows what to try.

Pass it on.

Send the question, not your answer. Whoever opens it gets the prompt and makes it their own.

Make a result card.

Got an answer worth keeping? Paste a line or two and it becomes an image you can post.

Up to 280 characters. Leave out anything private.

0/280

Glow

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