Behind

Assignment

Define one word through creative nonfiction, using concrete scenes and several definition techniques.

Central idea

“Behind” is a position we mistake for an identity. Different lives have different starting points, destinations, and timelines.

Essay plan

1. A good day feels inadequate after scrolling.
2. Define being behind: relative to whom, and in what race?
3. Separate real deadlines from invented life timelines.
4. Question comparison without rejecting ambition.

Format

• Max 2 pages
• TNR 12 pt, double-spaced
• 1-inch margins

Reference

Why Everyone Feels Behind Now