Page 1119 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

3. Superstition aside, what are some reasons that a person might
not want to get a tattoo of a living person’s image or name?

Topics for Writing

Essay 1: Ink Well

The first time she saw a woman with a tattoo, Sarah Peacock fell in

love with the idea of being tattooed. Do you like the idea of having
tattoos? Why or why not? If you want (or already have) tattoos,

discuss the kinds of tattoos you have or want, and your reasons for

wanting them. For instance, do you want them for their own sake, as

body art, or do you want them to mark special milestones in your life

or to remember people you love? If you do not like the idea of tattoos,
discuss your reasons for not wanting one. For instance, do you think

you might regret that pink unicorn when you are 40? Do you worry

about the impression you might make on an employer with visible ink?

Do you worry about inking in allegiance to a person who might not be

in your life later on? Discuss.

Essay 2: Holding On, Letting Go

A tattoo is a unique way of holding on to a loved one while at the

same time coming to terms with that person’s death and letting go,

and yet letting a loved one go while still keeping that person’s memory

alive is something that everyone copes with eventually. If death has

taken someone you love, write about how you managed to let go and
remember.