Psychologist B.F. Skinner was born in 1904. When asked about the future of ...See MoreWriting prompts by James Wayne for March 17 - 23 have been posted and are linked below. Following is just a sample of the stellar prompts for next week. (BTW, the first prompt for March 19 will resonate with some readers here. Perhaps we can discuss on this board.)
Psychologist B.F. Skinner was born in 1904. When asked about the future of computers, he said, “The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.” What do think he meant by that?
In 1942, two American scientists describe element 94, which they named “plutonium,” after the newly discovered planet. If you discovered a new element, what would you name it? Describe what a new element might be like, and why you chose the name you did.
French scientist Louis Pasteur began work on a vaccine against anthrax in 1877. Pasteur had already proved that microorganisms cause disease, and had invented a way to purify milk and other liquids that cannot be boiled. This process was named pasteurization, after him. If something was to be named after you, what would you like it to be, or to do?
Here's just one of many writing prompts for specific days in March that will entertain and motivate students...and adults!
Today is St. Urho Day in Finland. St. Urho didn't really exist, but was made up by a department store manager as an excuse to have a sale—and a party. It is said he chose today for his saint to get ahead of the Irish and St. Patrick's Day. He made up a story about St. Urho's holy chanting driving away the grasshoppers that threatened to ravage the wild grape vines of Finland. Since grapes have never grown wild in Finland, the story is way bogus. The Finns know it, but many of them celebrate the holiday anyway. A fake saint deserves some fake traditions to go with his holiday. Invent a tradition about how St. Urho's Day should be celebrated.
Click below to find out when to celebrate St. Urho Day and to access dozens of additional prompts.
All of those intriguing questions and many more will be answered during March in Jim Wayne's very popular Writing Prompts! The first installment for March is now online!
Here's a sample from the writing prompts for Feb. 28:
Most of the people of Curiepe, Venezuela, make their living fishing for sardines. Every year on this day, they have a funeral for the sardines they have caught during the previous year. The funeral serves to remind them of the need to protect the sardines from overfishing and pollution. Describe another ceremony or celebration that would help to remind people of the need to take care of the natural world.
This week's prompts are now posted! Here's a sample from the dozens available!
In 1930, the first cow flew on an airplane. The cow was even milked while on the airplane. What kind of problems do you think there would be trying to fly a cow or other large animal on an airplane?
"BARELANG Bridge is a chain of 6 suspension bridges links Batam Island, Tonton Island, Nipah Island, Rempang Island, Galang Island and New Galang Island. Local people used to call “Jembatan BARELANG”, BARELANG itself stand for BAtam, REmpang and gaLANG which is taken from the name of three biggest islands out of 6 Islands. The bridge is well known as icon of Batam Island and Riau Islands Province. BARELANG Bridge named by Local community which is more popular than the real name taken from fifteenth to eighteen century of the Riau Sultanate was King Fisabillilah. Construction began in 1992 and finished by 1998 with cost over 400 Billion Rupiah. Barelang Bridge is a high technology pilot project and involved Indonesian engineer without interference from foreign experts. The bridge Built for expands area of Batam authority as regulator of Batam Island industrial area. The first bridge which is Fisabillilah Bridge made in “cable stayed bridge”style with length 642 meters with two 118 meters high pylons and main span 350 meters and its 38 meters above the water linked Batam Island and Tonton Island. Tonton-Nipah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with total length 420 meters and main span 160 meters. Setoko - Nipah Bridge is a girder bridge with total length 270 meters and main span 45 meters .Setoko - Rempang Bridge is a cantilever bridge with total length 365 meters and main span 145 meters. Barelang Bridge (Rempang - Galang Bridge) is an arch bridge with total length 385 meters and main span 245 meters. Total length of the Barelang Bridge from the abutment of first bridge to the abutment of last bridge is 50 KM. The plan was a transportation pathway bridging 6 islands to maximize Batam Island became an Industrial island like Singapore initiated by Mr. Habibie. But the plan changed lately, turn into a tourist icon of Batam Island, due to the scenic beautiful view of small islands surrounded by the blue sea and unspoiled forest and away from the bustle of the city. "