Essays Online
Directions: Students should read as wide a variety of good personal essays as possible. The internet makes this more possible now than ever before. Use these links to practice evaluating and emulating good personal essay writing. Note: Although the following links work now, they may become outdated soon. Rather than rely on the links, use this section to begin to create your own bookmarks for powerful essays:Mitch Albom
A complete archive of his work in the Detroit Free PressJohn Balzar
Recent Columns in the Los Angeles TimesRick Bragg
New York Times CorrespondentMaureen Dowd
From the Archives of the New York TimesEllen Goodman
A Month of EllenGoodman at The Boston Globe
Ellen Goodman Archives at The Washington Post Writers GroupLeonard Pitts, Jr.
A Month of Leonard Pitts, Jr. at The Mami HeraldAnna Quindlen
The Last Word: Anna Quindlen's Column in Newsweek
Three Sample Essays from NewsweekWilliam Rasberry
Recent Columns at The Washington PostRick Reilly
The Life of Reilly--Achives of Last Columns from Sports llustratedGeorge Will
Archives at the Washington Post Writer's Group
The Last Word: George Will Column in NewsweekBrent Staples
Essay on Racial Identy
"Black Men and Public Spaces"George Will
The Last Word: George Will Column in Newsweek
Use the Checklist for Essays that Defend, Challenge, or Qualify to guide the reflective thinking, writing and grading of your essay.