Essay guide
General essays and short answers
Catch-all prompts and short answers reward the same base draft, carefully tailored. Draft once at full length, then cut to each word limit without losing the one idea that is yours.
How to approach it
- Write the 650-word version of your core story first, even if every target is shorter.
- Cut by removing whole ideas, not adjectives: a 250-word answer holds one idea well.
- Answer the literal prompt in the first two sentences; readers skim.
- Track versions per sponsor so you never send the wrong tailoring.
Do
- Keep one master draft per theme
- Re-read the exact prompt before every submission
- Respect word limits exactly
Avoid
- Pad short answers to hit the limit
- Send an essay that answers a different sponsor's prompt
- Recycle without re-reading
Example essays
Real published collections, not our own writing. Read a few before drafting; notice how specific they get.