Do The Write Thing (DTWT) is a national youth violence prevention program that asks young people to write and share essays about their experiences with violence. The program was founded in 1992 by then-Vice President of the United States, Albert Gore Jr. and hip-hop artist Chuck D. The program is managed by the National Campaign to Stop Violence.
DTWT operates on the premise that young people have the power to prevent violence by speaking out about their experiences. Participants are asked to write about a time when they were affected by violence – either as a victim, witness, or perpetrator. Essays are shared with others in the community, in an effort to start a dialogue about violence and its effects.
Since its inception, DTWT has collected more than 150,000 essays from young people in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Essays have been published in books, newspapers, and online.
DTWT is open to young people ages 12-18. There is no fee to participate, and no application is required. Essays can be written in English or Spanish.
DTWT is a powerful tool for prevention because it:
-Gives young people a voice
-Starts a dialogue about violence
-Provides a platform for sharing experiences
-Creates opportunities for problem solving
-Builds community
Understanding the Do The Write Thing Program
The Do the Write Thing program is designed to help students understand the consequences of gun violence and to provide them with a voice to share their own stories. The program begins with a writing contest in which students submit essays describing how gun violence has affected their lives. From these essays, ten finalists are selected and their essays are published in a book. The finalists then travel to Washington D.C. to participate in a congressional briefing, where they meet with lawmakers and discuss the impact of gun violence on their lives.
The program was founded in 1996 by the National Campaign to Stop Gun Violence. The goal of the program is to give students a voice to share their stories and to help lawmakers understand the impact of gun violence on young people. The program has been successful in raising awareness about the consequences of gun violence and has helped to change legislation.
The Do the Write Thing program is open to students in grades 6-12. Students are asked to write an essay describing how gun violence has affected their lives. Essays can be personal stories or essays about how gun violence has affected their community or school. Essays must be 500-1000 words in length.
Ten finalists are selected from the writing contest and their essays are published in a book. The finalists are then invited to participate in a congressional briefing in Washington D.C. The briefing is chaired by Representative Carolyn McCarthy of New York. The finalists meet with lawmakers and discuss the impact of gun violence on their lives.
The program has been successful in raising awareness about the consequences of gun violence. In 2002, the program helped to pass the Youth Violence Prevention Act, which provides funding for violence prevention programs. The program has also helped to change legislation, such as the Gun-Free Schools Act.
The Do the Write Thing program is a valuable resource for students and lawmakers. The program provides a voice for students who have been affected by gun violence and helps to raise awareness about the consequences of gun violence. The program is also a valuable resource for lawmakers, as it helps them to understand the impact of gun violence on young people.
The Importance of Examining Essay Examples
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One of the best ways to learn how to write well is to study examples of effective writing. By reading high-quality essays and analyzing their structure, grammar, and style, you can learn to write essays that are clear, concise, and well-written.
Furthermore, reading essay examples can help you understand the assignment question or topic and brainstorm ideas for your essay. By reading a variety of essays on a given topic, you can get a sense of what is expected of you and how to best approach the topic.
Finally, reading essay examples can help you to develop a critical eye and become a better reader and critic of essays. By evaluating and critiquing the essays you read, you will learn how to identify and critique the strengths and weaknesses of essays.
So, if you are looking to improve your writing skills, reading essay examples is a good place to start.
Examples of Thoughtful Essays from Previous Years
In order to submit a successful “Do The Write Thing” essay, it is important to first understand the program and its purpose. “Do The Write Thing” is a national movement dedicated to helping young people understand the serious and often deadly consequences of gun violence. The program provides students with the opportunity to write an essay about how they have been affected by gun violence either directly or indirectly.
The essays that are submitted as part of the “Do The Write Thing” program are typically thoughtful, well-written, and moving. They provide a unique perspective on the impact of gun violence on individual lives.
Below are a few examples of previous “Do The Write Thing” essays that provide a glimpse into the powerful impact that these essays can have.
Example 1
“I never thought that I would be the one to experience gun violence. I was always the one who was too scared to get into any type of trouble. But on July 4th, 2012, that changed. I was at a party with my friends when someone decided to pull out a gun. I didn’t even know what was happening until I felt the pain in my leg. I had been shot.
The party quickly turned into a nightmare. I was rushed to the hospital, and I was terrified that I was going to die. I didn’t know how I was going to tell my parents. I was also worried about the person who had shot me. I didn’t understand why he had done it.
I was lucky that I survived. But the experience changed me. I was no longer the scared little girl who was afraid of getting into trouble. I was now the girl who was fighting for her life.
Since that day, I have become a advocate for gun violence prevention. I want to make sure that no one else has to experience what I went through. I also want to make sure that the person who shot me is held accountable for his actions.
I am not sure what the future holds for me, but I know that I am going to keep fighting. I am going to do the write thing.”
This essay is moving and powerful. The author discusses her own experience with gun violence and how it has changed her life. She is now a advocate for gun violence prevention and is determined to make a difference.
Example 2
“When I was 12 years old, my uncle was shot and killed. He was only 26 years old. I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I was at my grandmother’s house when I got the call. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it.
My uncle was a happy-go-lucky person who always had a smile on his face. He was always there for his family, and I loved him dearly. I don’t think I ever fully recovered from his death.
Over the years, I have struggled with depression and anxiety. I have also had problems with alcohol and drugs. I think I was trying to find ways to numb the pain. I wanted to forget that my uncle was ever killed.
But I can’t forget. I see his face every time I close my eyes. I hear his laugh every time I hear someone laugh.
I think about him every day. And I think about the fact that he was killed by a gun.
I don’t want anyone else to have to go through what I have gone through. That is why I am an advocate for gun violence prevention. I want to make sure that no one else has to lose a loved one to gun violence.
I may never get over the death of my uncle
Analyzing Effective Writing Techniques in Winning Essays
The Do the Write Thing (DTWT) essay competition is an annual event that asks middle and high school students to write about a personal experience with violence. The winning essays often exhibit strong writing techniques, making them particularly effective examples to analyze.
One such technique is using specific, concrete details to create a vivid picture for the reader. In her essay “A Knife in the Back”, winner of the DTWT competition in Maryland in 2016, Faith Payne does this expertly. She begins by describing the fear she felt when her ex-boyfriend pulled a knife on her:
“The knife was cold and heavy in my hand. I could feel the sharpness of the blade as it sliced through the air. My heart was racing and my palms were sweaty. I was terrified.”
This opening paragraph immediately puts the reader in the moment, making them feel the fear and anxiety that Faith was experiencing. She goes on to describe how the knife made her feel:
“The blade felt like it was a part of him. It was like he was holding me hostage with it. He had all the control and I had none.”
These specific, visceral details help the reader to understand the power that the knife had over Faith, and how it made her feel.
Another strong technique in Payne’s essay is the use of dialogue. In one particularly powerful passage, she recounts a conversation she had with her ex-boyfriend after he pulled the knife on her:
“I asked him why he did it and he just laughed. He said that I had deserved it. That I had provoked him. I didn’t know what to say. I was in shock.”
This passage effectively conveys the fear and confusion that Faith was feeling at the time. The use of dialogue also helps to create a sense of suspense, making the reader want to keep reading to find out what happens next.
Overall, the winning essays in the DTWT competition are excellent examples of how to write effectively about a personal experience with violence. They use strong writing techniques to create a vivid, suspenseful, and emotional reading experience for the reader.
How Previous Essays Reflect Awareness of Youth Violence
The “Do the Write Thing” essay competition is designed to help young people understand the consequences of youth violence. The competition asks students to write about how violence has affected them or someone they know. The essays can be personal or fictional, and can be about any type of violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
Many of the essays that have been submitted as part of the “Do the Write Thing” competition reflect a deep awareness of the impact of youth violence. The essays often discuss the ways that violence has affected the students’ lives and the lives of those around them.
Some of the essays focus on the physical consequences of violence, while others discuss the emotional and psychological impact of violence. Many of the essays also explore the ways that violence can lead to social isolation and feelings of despair.
Many of the essays also discuss the ways that violence can be prevented. The students often suggest ways that schools, families, and communities can work together to create safe and supportive environments.
The “Do the Write Thing” essay competition is a powerful way to help young people share their stories and raise awareness about the impact of youth violence. The essays submitted as part of the competition are often moving and insightful, and they offer a unique perspective on this important issue.
Inspiring Action Through Powerful Essay Examples
What is the best way to get someone to take action? According to the Do the Write Thing website, the answer is to inspire them with a powerful essay. Do the Write Thing is a national organization that helps young people prevent violence by writing and sharing essays about their experiences.
The website features a number of inspiring examples of essays written by young people who have been affected by violence. Each essay is accompanied by a video of the author reading their work. These moving stories are sure to motivate anyone who reads them to take action and make a difference in their community.
One essay, written by a young man named Dontae, tells the story of how he was shot four times and survived. Dontae credits writing his essay with helping him to heal and move on from the tragedy. He now travels the country speaking to young people about the dangers of gun violence.
Another essay, written by a young woman named Lanesha, tells the story of how she was raped at the age of 12. Lanesha says that writing her essay was the first time she had ever told anyone about what happened to her. She is now an advocate for sexual assault victims and works to help them heal and find justice.
These essays are powerful examples of how writing can be used to inspire change and make a difference in the world. They remind us that even the most tragic experiences can be turned into something positive if we are willing to share them with others.