Writing Prompt: Describe the Legacy of Steve Jobs

Week #4 – Emerging trends in technology

July brings us five weeks of writing prompt pleasure. In the fourth week of July, we focus on emerging trends in technology. This week’s set of prompts is particularly exciting because it affects a large number of people. Technology changes rapidly. One man revolutionized it. Do you know how? Your job is to describe the legacy of the late, great former founder of Apple products, Steve Jobs.

Creative Idea Gal’s Thoughts

Apple and IBM had been fighting for many years. There was always the group of people who favored IBMs and those who were staunch Apple supporters. I fell into the camp of IBM fans, having been practically raised in a family of IBM aficionados. The first time I really began to understand anything about Apple products was a mere ten years ago, when I began working with a graphic designer who swore by Apple.

And then came Steve Jobs. I think I may have paid attention to him only a year or two before his passing. An intelligent man and a fearless leader, Steve Jobs managed to keep the public in serious suspense with each release of the iPhone and iTunes and iPads, and everything else. I’ll never forget when my husband first got his iPhone and I couldn’t stand it. I wouldn’t go near it. I complained about how hard it was to figure out and how it was totally unnecessary. Six years later, I’m attached to my iPhone in very unhealthy ways. Let’s just leave it at that.

Unfortunately, Steve is gone now, but his legacy remains. His story is a fantastic one. Definitely one for the books. This is a great opportunity for you to practice general research, writing, and synthesis skills.

Tips on How to Spark Creativity in Writing

• Tip #10 – Be original! Be unique! Be yourself!

This is old advice for any writer, but still necessary to discuss. Even in today’s society, writers are often reluctant to let their individuality and personality shine through. Some types of writing like corporate writing, scientific writing, and standard business writing don’t allow writers as many opportunities to be original, but that doesn’t mean that the writing has to be dry.

Nothing sparks creativity more than injecting your own unique brand into your writing. Whether it’s with humor or colorful anecdotes or the set of three adjectives in a row (as I often use), it’s good to add yourself into your writing somehow.

Emerging Trends on Twitter

Here is a sampling of yesterday’s emerging trends based on Twitter hashtags:

• #RoyalBaby (related: #Kate Middleton – Wow, not one, but two hashtags devoted to the intrigue of the impending baby of the Duchess of Cambridge)
• #SONA2013 (South Africa state of the nation address)
• #RHONJ (related: #melissa gorga and #wwhl) (cable show Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo)

Writing Prompt 085

Prompt: Describe the legacy of Steve Jobs

• Step 1: Researching and writing about people who have passed away is different than researching and writing about living people. More information is available about those who have passed away! Begin with basic research on Steve Jobs.
• Step 2: Read the history of Steve’s personal and professional projects. Read everything, but focus on major turning points and unique tidbits to make your description more interesting.
• Step 3: Describe the legacy of Steve Jobs. Your writing can be as informal or formal as you like. Writing should never read like a book report, though. School writing is filled with rules. Real-world writing is more flexible. Experiment!

Please be sure to leave comments about this writing prompt. We want to hear from you!

About the Author

Amanda M. Socci is the creator of this unique 10-month training program providing writing prompts to nonfiction writers. Amanda is a diehard creative and an aspiring book author, currently blogging a book on faith, A Slice of Faith, on a community website. Visit Amanda’s blog. Follow Amanda on her journey to book publication. Like A Slice of Faith on Facebook.