Do you remember the summer of 2020 when we were all cooped up indoors and had a lot of thoughts to share?
Well, The Write Track was launched at YOCee during that summer. Daily prompts were sent out to young writers to write about. It was an amazing way to document our experiences and connect with each other through writing.
Fast forward to 2022, and those everyday writers produced weekly eBooks of all their writings! Pretty cool, right?
Now, we’re gearing up for season 4 of The Write Track and we want YOU to be a part of it!
If you’re under 17, you can join the band of everyday writers by sending an email to editor@yocee.in. Every day, you’ll receive three unique prompts in your mailbox. You can choose to write about any or all of them!
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now and let’s get writing!
May 31, 2023
1. Revolution on transportation (News)
Write a news article about a breakthrough scientific discovery that revolutionises transportation.
2. Physical Education in schools (Opinion)
Take a stance on whether or not schools should implement mandatory physical education programs and support your opinion with convincing arguments.
3. Investigate disappearing homework (Fun)
Imagine you are a detective investigating a mysterious case involving disappearing homework. Write a detective’s log detailing your investigation.
May 30, 2023
1. MS Dhoni’s record in T20 cricket (News)
In the finals of IPL 2023, MS Dhoni quietly becomes the first Indian to record 300 dismissals in T 20 cricket. Write a news piece with data and earlier records of this player
2. Does technology make us more alone? (Opinion)
While connecting us quickly, technology, especially smartphones have become a tool for digital socialising. Many tend to spend more time with their devices. Does it make us more lonely?
3. Create the wildest hairstyle! (Fun)
Of late, we come across some crazy haircuts. Try creating the wildest haircut or style and tell us how did thou think of the style!
May 29, 2023
1. Summiting Mount Everest for 70 years (News)
May 29, 2023 marks 70 years of the first ascent of Mount Everest. Write a news piece with chronological history in short.
2. Do digital photographs lose their meaning due to their abundance? (Opinion)
Photos were rare a decade ago. Now with digital devices, there are too many photos in our albums. How many times do you look at them? What do you think about this abundance of digital images?
3. Surprised at your neighbour (Fun)
Imagine you discovered something surprising about your neighbour. Make up a story with this finding!
May 28, 2023
1. Rains, vegetables and flowers (News)
While the summer has its own effect on the price of perishable goods, the showers have also a similar situation. Be it summer showers or pre-monsoon rains, the quality and price of vegetables and flowers take a hit. Write a news piece with prices, conversation with a few vendors and consumers.
2. Morning person or night owl? (Personal experience)
We all have an internal clock that determines the time we wake up or the best time of productivity and the tiring phase. What are you, a morning or a night person? How do you feel the timing of your work routine helps you?
3. Would you rather visit the Moon or Mars? (Fun)
What is your preferred astrospace? What would you do there?
May 27, 2023
1. Community involvement in protecting rare species (News)
The Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation involved the indigenous community in their efforts. They conducted an awareness programme against hornbill poaching. This helped them protect and monitor the nesting trees and the hornbill species. Write the news in your words and style.
2. General knowledge and quizzes (Opinion)
Who is Tina Turner? The luxury car Mercedes belongs to which country? Which is the longest river in the world? Have you come across such questions in quizzes? What do you think of knowing and remembering such information? How in your opinion such knowledge helps or does not help?
3. Strange pronunciations (Fun)
We come across many silent-letter words every day. For example, foreign, honest, palm, knight… At some point in time, we all mispronounce or are embarrassed when someone pronounces words the right way. Share a fun experience of a bummer moment.
May 26, 2023
1. Historic ‘Sengol‘ in the new parliament building (News)
Have you been reading about the ‘sengol‘ of late? Write a news piece with details about it and its placement in India’s new parliament building. Quote your sources by giving the web links in your news piece.
2. Television entertainment in the digital age (Essay)
Recently, a television entertainment major has announced a loss for the first time. The reason attributed is a slowdown in ad spending. However, investors think that it could be the effect of the digital revolution in the entertainment industry. Write an essay putting together, the facts, figures and perspectives. Try not to make it an opinion piece. Make it just an essay or article.
3. Love hats? (Fun and descriptive)
Hats, you read it right! Summer, holidays and travel mean accessories that add to comforts as well as fashion. Write a fun piece, describing hats and the types that suit different shapes of faces, their uses and other unknown utilities!
May 25, 2023
1. Medical Tourism in India (News)
Have you read about medical tourism? Reports say that in the past year, about 1.4 lakh medical tourists visited our country. Write a short piece of news with facts and figures.
2. Go with the flow or be adventurous? (Experiential)
Some people prefer to play it safe; others are always ready to take chances. Describe a time when you decided to take a chance.
3. Which famous person would you like to visit your school and why? (Fun)
Think of someone who you would like to visit your school. Not necessarily to motivate you; the person may be someone who could entertain you or even an imaginary person!
May 24, 2023
1. Civil Services (News and explanatory)
The results of the Civil Services Examination 2022 has been announced and we read inspiring stories of the toppers and other who have cleared it. Write the news and also about what do the aspirants see in civil services and take up the administrative career.
2. Living in an independent house Vs. living in a community/apartment campus (Discussion)
Both have advantages and shortcomings. Discuss the various aspects incorporating your opinion on each type of living.
3. Invent a new word, define what it is and use it in various sentences (Fun)
One more word to your dictionary. Start the fun!
May 23, 2023
1. World Turtle Day (Informative)
Every year May 23 is observed as World Turtle Day. It is observed to create awareness about the world’s oldest living reptile. Write an informative note. Do include pics with due credit to the source.
2. What are your earliest memories of music? (Experience)
Music comes into everyone’s life in different forms. Some listen to music and others learn it. At what age you began to enjoy music? Share your experience!
3. What do you want to be doing when you are 90? (Fun)
Growing older necessarily happens with everyone. But today’s old age is not the as it used to be 20 years ago. Some in their 80s and 90s are active, travelling and enjoying. What would you like to do when you hit 90?
May 22, 2023
1. Debris dumped on vacant/unoccupied properties (News)
Recently National Green Tribunal has warned the landowners of vacant plots and unoccupied houses of penalty if any garbage is dumped on their properties. If you have such places in your neighbourhood and see such irresponsible dumping, write a report, talking to people in your area.
2. Fashion and its effects on our earth (Opinion)
The trend these days is to buy, wear and throw away. And then buy more. Repeat! ‘Fast fashion’ ends up in landfills, and pollutes the environment and air we breathe. What do you think about buying more clothes and wearing them for less time than ever before and discarding garments as fast as trends shift?
3. A dialogue between you and a tree in a forest (Fun)
You are walking through the forest when one of the trees starts talking to you. Write a dialogue between you and the tree!
May 21, 2023
1. Summer treat (News in pics)
Be it tender coconut or buttermilk, the street corner shops play cool joints during summer. Walk down your neighbourhood and capture some pictures of such summer treats. Caption each picture.
2. Explain your favourite hobby (Descriptive)
Imagine your hobby is unique and people do not know much about it. Describe the hobby and why you pursue it.
3. Alternatives we need to think of (Opinion)
Plastic pollution is something we all know of and try to find alternatives. Despite our efforts, it comes into our daily life in various forms – from bags to lunch boxes to storage in our study table, pens, and pencil boxes to name a few. Have you ever thought of alternatives to these? If yes, what could they be?
May 20, 2023
1. IPL ‘Rivalry Week’ viewership on TV breaks records (Sports News)
Do you follow the Indian Premier League 2023? Recently Disney Star Network announced that the Week 6 viewership has broken the record on television. Write the news in short with facts and figures. Try and keep the interesting numbers intact.
2. Writing on a postcard (Experience)
Have you written on a postcard recently and posted it? How did you pack all that you wanted to share in the small space? If you haven’t yet, imagine you write one today and share your plan to fit in all that you want to communicate in a postcard.
3. Lost City (Fun)
Imagine you had been to a city full of life a few days ago. And you come across the news that the city is lost and not anymore on the map. Tell a story of your visit to the city and what would you miss now.
May 19, 2023
1. Green Deposits (News & Explanatory)
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India launched a regulatory framework for banks to accept green deposits from customers. Research to write an explanator for your juniors to understand what it is and how is it different from other forms of bank deposits.
2. What is luxury in your opinion (Opinion)
Does it mean a lot of money is spent? Is it shopper craves? Flaunting? What is a luxurious living according to you?
3. Try a ‘No Filler’ Day (Fun)
Many of us tend to fill the gap between our thoughts and speech with filler words such as, actually, like, right, I mean, and so among many others. Try speaking for a day or a couple of hours and share your experience!
May 18, 2023
1. Elephant Census year (News)
A nationwide census of elephants is carried out once in four years. The census is due this year. What do you know about this data-collecting exercise? Put a news story together for your readers.
2. Do museums interest you? (Opinion)
Museums have always been captivating spaces, preserving and showcasing humanity’s cultural and historical treasures. How do you see the museums when you visit them? What do you like about them?
3. What is one thing that helps you when you are worried? (Expression)
What do you do to get over disturbing thoughts? How does it help?
May 17, 2023
1. AI in healthcare (News)
World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently issued a warning over the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Read the news from the official websites and write it in the news form. Credit the sources. Take care not to make it an opinion piece
2. Handwriting: does it matter? (Opinion)
Even though technology has replaced writing by hand in many areas, we still write by hand in school and many documents require writing by hand. Does good handwriting still matter?
3. Jus’ pics (Fun)
Put a couple of summer pics together. Be it ice apples in your hand, an umbrella over a street vendor or a waterfalls/lake/beach you visited recently. Caption each of the pictures. More pics more fun!
May 16, 2023
1. India in the Cannes Festival (News)
The Cannes International Film Festival is held from May 16 to 27, 2023. India’s participation in the festival is based on a theme showing creativity and the culture of our country. Read from the official website, India’s Press releases and write a newsy piece on the making of the Indian Pavilion, its theme, films and the participants. Do quote the sources of information in your piece.
2. Filters and fast forwards (Opinion)
Recently, a clip from the forthcoming film, ‘The Little Mermaid’ was criticised by many many fans that the film is too badly lit and difficult to see anything! Do you also see many short films and videos that use a lot of filters and racing at 2x -4x speed? You are not alone. Share your views about these manipulations, and how you like or dislike them. What would be a better way to retain the attention of the viewers?
3. Boring to big adventure (Fun)
Some daily chores are boring. Imagine something unexpected happened while doing one such work. Write a story where a boring, everyday experience gets turned into a big adventure.
May 15, 2023
1. Retail inflation hits a lower level (News and data)
India’s retail inflation slid to an 18-month low of 4.7% in April 2023. Write a piece of explanatory news with data from the past, the sequences and what is included in the retail category or this calculation. Do not lift statistics from other news, but quote reports and their sources.
2. What effect has social media had on you? (Experience)
What do you generally look for in social media? Who do you follow? Are you even allowed to have an account for yourself? If not, do you sneak in with an account of your older sibling or parents? Write about your experience of dealing with all these!
3. Friendship between an introvert and an extrovert (Fun)
Imagine an introvert and an extrovert are very good friends. What would their conversations be like? Try and write an imaginary dialogue between both of them!
May 14, 2023
1. Pawan, Aasha and forest (News)
Research the Net for the news on these and write what, where, who, when and why of all these!
2. Propose an additional recess in school (Persuasive)
Imagine you think an additional break between your classes is necessary. As a school leader, you need to write a proposal convincing the additional interval. Write it out!
3. Invent a new toy for toddlers (Fun)
If there is one toy that would attract a toddler of today, what would it be, invent or design it!
May 13, 2023
1. World Heritage Sites in India (Picture story)
Shantiniketan is recently in the news for its campus has been recommended for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Try and put together as many heritage sites in India with information about them and pictures. Do mention the credits for the pictures in your article.
2. Dealing with criticism (Opinion)
Any personal or public activity normally gets feedback or criticism. Many pass on their opinions freely – some positive and some others hard-hitting. How do you deal with criticism and keep your cool? Share with the readers.
3. Start a restaurant (Fun)
Imagine you open a restaurant. What would you name it? Create the ‘About’ page for the restaurant’s website. Write down the menu with what you think would be a hit and sell well!
May 12, 2023
1. Harry Potter Coin issued recently (News)
These coins were recently in the news. They were issued by the Royal Mint, the makers of the UK’s coin. Tell the news for the readers with facts, tidbits, interesting info, unknown stories about the author and books!
2. Aggregator Business Model ( Explanatory)
Have you used Uber, Ola, Swiggy, or Zomato apps? There are many transport and delivery networks as businesses. They all fall under this category. Do research and explain this network business for a junior to read and understand.
3. The least favourite daily chore (Fun)
Write about your least favourite chore. What don’t you like about it? What would you invent to make the chore easier?
May 11, 2023
1. News from the neighbourhood (News)
Did any that happened near you recently deserve mention in the newspapers? An area reclaimed, cleaned up, a person volunteering to help another, a society planting saplings … Find and write a news piece without bringing in your opinion.
2. If you were to campaign for one thing what would it be? (Opinion)
You feel strongly about something which, you think, should be taken to everyone to practise. What would it be?
3. Put together a Table of Content for your autobiography (Fun)
Pretend you are writing an autobiography and must create a table of contents. What would you name each chapter?
May 10, 2023
1. The Mohityanche Vadgaon model (News)
Mohityanche Vadgaon, a village in Maharashtra is in the news recently. Research and explain what the village is doing and how is it going.
2. Budgeting for yourself (experiential)
Do you have a monthly budget for your own expenses every month? How about making one and giving it to your parents so they can plan your expenses in their budget? Do you think it would help the household to manage money better?
3. Describe the colour green without using the word green! (Fun)
Isn’t it challenging to explain something without using the obvious words? Try it!
May 9, 2023
1. IPL Season (News)
Have you been a follower of Cricket? Write a newsy piece about all that happened so far in IPL 2023.
2. Open Source Vs Proprietary: Describe and compare (Descriptive)
We use many software and applications of both these categories. If you were to explain what are they, how they differ from each other, and the pros and cons to your junior or younger sibling, how would you do it?
3. Did you watch any full-length movie recently? Write a review.
Bring in all the aspects, storyline, cast, dialogues, scenes, sound and songs …
May 8, 2023
1. Safety in tourist places (Editorial)
It is vacation time and many are visiting places of interest. We also hear a couple of unfortunate incidences such as the boat tragedy in Kerala yesterday. Write an editorial piece about what needs to be done from both the tourists and the authorities’ sides. Site examples of precautions taken in other places.
2. Changes to make in everyday habits to help our environment (Opinion)
Do you feel strongly against any daily practice that is harmful to our environment? You know that it is a concern. And you want to convince people to change their habits and help our environment. What and how would yo do it?
3. Imagine you meet someone after a hundred years. He describes life and practices of the time you lived in. Such as – They ate that, the people wrote with something called a pen! Turn your imagination into a fun piece!
May 7, 2023
1. Elections, promises, voting… (News)
There is some noise for elections in a southern state in India now. Do you know of it? Read the news and write it as news for younger readers
2. Digital safety for senior citizens (Opinion)
With the rise of online transactions, apps, and social media, daily tasks have moved to the digital world. This sudden shift has exposed senior citizens, who may not have experience with computer programming or artificial intelligence, to various digital platforms. Unfortunately, their lack of knowledge makes them easy targets for exploitation, resulting in many falling victim to fraud and losing their savings. In your opinion, what can be done to promote digital literacy among seniors?
3. If there could be a weather machine that can transform daily weather according to your wish, how would you handle it? (Fun)
May 6, 2023
1. Covid Pandemic is no longer an emergency, declares WHO (News)
The World Health Organisation has said that the pandemic is no longer an emergency. Write a news story describing the timeline, the effects and the present condition. Do mention dates and numbers.
2. A matter of trust (Opinion)
When it comes to trusting anything or anyone, what do you look for? What makes you doubt something or someone? Think of reasons why you are cautious before believing in something or someone.
3. The one food item you look for in your fridge always (Fun)
Are you the one who goes to the fridge every time you are bored? So, what’s that one item you look for in the fridge always? Share your search!
May 5, 2023
1. Mental wellness sessions in educational institutions (News)
Recently, IIT-Madras has started mental wellness sessions at the institute. The director of the institute said that happiness is a collective responsibility. Find this news, research and write your report by speaking to students/educators on the idea of such sessions.
2. Write an editorial expressing your opinion on a current issue that matters to you. This can be anything from climate change to social media, as long as it’s a topic you feel strongly about.
3. My favourite season of the year. (Experiential)
Is winter your favourite season? Or summer? Write what you like about your favourite season
May 4, 2023
1. Growing Internet users in India (news)
According to a recent report, the number of active Internet users in India grew by 10 per cent in 2022. Do research on this news and write a report. Take care not to copy sentences from other reports, but you are welcome to quote them in your piece.
2. Discipline or fines/penalties? (Opinion)
Frequently, we observe that authorities impose fines as a penalty for failing to comply with regulations. For instance, fines for not wearing a helmet or a seatbelt while driving. Is it the responsibility of individuals to self-discipline, or should the government continue to impose charges for such infractions? What measures can be implemented to encourage individuals to adhere to rules independently?
3. Do you collect anything? What is it and why? If not, what would you like to collect? (Fun)
Many have a hobby of collecting stuff. From stamps to miniatures. What do you collect? Or what would you like to collect?
May 3, 2023
1. World Press Freedom Day (Editorial)
We are all entitled to unrestricted dissemination of information and access to facts. While we get them through the newspaper and media, unrestricted freedom also comes with a large dose of bias and misinformation, especially now with the expansion of digital media. What, according to you, will be a balanced approach that will retain credibility and freedom of the press?
2. Everyone is different (Opinion)
Recently Mattel Inc. launched a Barbie doll with Down syndrome. They say that it is celebrating inclusion through play. How do you see this doll? What is your perception of toys and dolls that represent the diversity of people?
3. Your old notebook found today (Fun)
Imagine a notebook, diary, journal or colouring book you used when you were 5 years old surfaces now. You read or see a funny piece in them. Express your feeling about it as you see it today!
May 2, 2023
1. Summer showers (News)
They are common. But, their patterns are different. Many places in the southern part of India and a few other northern states are experiencing these showers now. Write a news piece with info and quotes from IMD. Use sources of official accounts of the Met Department and a few quotes from people’s experiences.
2. Traditional shops/bazaars or supermarkets/malls? (Opinion)
Where do go shopping these days? And what’s your preference? Write an opinion piece on your shopping choice.
3. Plan the perfect birthday party for yourself all alone (Fun)
Celebrate your own birthday in your own style and with yourself!
May 1, 2023
1. Working abroad and returning to the motherland (News)
Are you hearing about #OperationKaveri of late? Would you be able to explain the news and operation in simple words to a junior in your school? Then, write a piece about it in 300 words.
2. Radios, podcasts and talks in the times of videos and shorts (Opinion)
Have you listened to any of the episodes of ‘Mann Ki Baat, the radio broadcast series by India’s Prime Minister? The series celebrated its 100th episode last Sunday. Or, if you are a regular listener of a podcast series, how does it appeal to you? Do you prefer watching videos or listening to broadcasts? Tell us why!
3. A favourite thing to do on a lazy day (Fun)
What would you like to do on a lazy day? Take a bubble bath? Play a board game? Cook or bake? Curl up with a good book? Or any other favourite thing on your list?