Write an essay totalling approximately 400 words describing a thumbtack to someone who has never seen a thumbtack.

Divide your essay into three sections:

1. "Introduction," which should summarize what your essay will describe. This section should be only one paragraph long.

2. "Description," which should explain the appearance and physical characteristics of the thumbtack.

3. "User's Guide," which should explain how one would use a thumbtack to hang a sheet of paper on a bulletin board.

Don't use any graphics in your paper.

Don't obsess about the number of words. If you nail it down in 250 words, that's great. If it takes you 600 words, that's fine with me, too.

Here are some suggestions:

• Use active voice.

• Use lists.

• Use terminology consistently.

• Describe a simple thumbtack; don't describe a pushpin.

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NOTE: Your essay can't contain any numerical measurements. For example, your essay can't claim that the thumbtack is 4 feet long or that it weighs 2 ounces. To describe the size or weight, compare the thumbtack to something the reader is familiar with.

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Create your essay as pure ASCII text; don't worry about fonts. E-mail me your completed essay. Please don't e-mail me a Microsoft Word or FrameMaker attachment.

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