YES! Writing Assignment Samples

For those unfamiliar with YES! Magazine:

YES! Media is a nonprofit, independent publisher of solutions journalism. 

Through rigorous reporting on the positive ways communities are responding to social problems and insightful commentary that sparks constructive discourse, YES! Media inspires people to build a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world.

The publication is both ad-free and operates without a paywall, so all online content is open and free. They even produce educational content around some of the difficult topics it tackles editorially. I receive both the print version and email updates to online content. The Death Issue is a "Let's Talk About It" edition and includes stellar writing assignments around rather complex but highly relevant topics like:

• Three Things That Matter Most
• Border (In)Security
• Feeding Ourselves, Feeding Our Revolution
• Letters of Hope
• Less Stuff, More Heart
• Standing up for Our Neighbors
• Gender Pronouns
• Why Bother to Vote?
• What We Fear
• Your Sacred Place
• Justice for All
• Every Girl's Right

Each writing lesson includes access to a YES! article to introduce the topic and elicit responses, as well as writing prompts and samples of essays for inspiration.

Learn more about YES! Magazine and check out their discussion guides on other tough topics.

And don't miss the YES! National Student Writing Competition!