1. In "The Scholarship Jacket," the author is nervous talking to the principal. Write about a situation in your life which caused you similar anxiety, and how did you resolve it?

2. Write an essay about an event in your childhood where you faced the choice between right and wrong and how that affected you.

3. Write an essay either espousing the benefits of racial profiling or attacking the issue.

4. Write an essay about how an event changed your attitude or perception.

5. Write an essay outlining what you think could be done from keeping police officers, politicians, etc., from abusing their power.

6. Write about an event which made you feel completely powerless.

7. Discuss some changes you would like to see that would either improve our safety or help us to maintain our privacy.

8. How was your childhood different from that of your parents' childhood? Was one better than the other?

9. Write about a family tradition.

10. Write a definition essay defining "a hero."

11. Write an essay defining the importance of teamwork.

12. Should high-risk sports and activities be banned or limited? Why or why not?

13. At the end of "Blind to Faith," the author states, "There are summits everywhere. You just have to know where to look." Write an essay defining "summits" and how that statement might fit into your personal life.

14. Why do some people feel the need to participate in high-risk sports?

15. The author in "Primary Colors" says that people have this need to categorize, classify, and stereotype people. Do you agree or disagree and why?

16. Write an essay explaining how your first impression of someone proved to be incorrect.

17. Write an essay discussing a situation in which you were forced to take sides.

18. Write an essay discussing a situation in which you acted against tradition.

19. "Dumpster Diving" talks about waste in America. Write an essay about how this waste affects us and possibly suggest alternatives.

20. Choose a group of people (football fans, teenagers, doctors, computer hackers, etc.) and discuss the language that is created to identify them.