Essay

The essay is an assignment I give to you, the student, the first night of class and is due the second night of class.  The essay does not need to be anything fancy.  It is a simple, one page hand-written essay.  You can write more if you wish, but one page is all that is required.  Don’t worry, I do not grade for spelling, grammar, or even penmanship.  It is not required to be typed, though you may type it if you wish.  The main goal of this essay is for you to put some serious thought into why you are taking this course.  It will help me help you get the most out of this experience with specific demonstration, practice, or discussion in class.

The essay is an extra assignment beyond DNR requirements for the course.  However, I find it useful to discover what each student’s reasons and desires are for taking this course.  It will help me help you get the most out of this experience with specific demonstration, practice, or discussion in class.  The title of your essay should be “Why I’m Taking Firearm Safety.”  But, what I am asking for, exactly, is for you to write about your personal reasons for taking this course.  I do not want you to rewrite what you will be reading in your student manual or what we will be discussing in class.

I dowant to know what has led you to sign up for this class.  For example, if it is because hunting is a big tradition in your family, then write about that tradition and why you want to be a part of it.  If it is because you want to join a local shooting club where you can test your skills as a competitive shooter, then write about that.  If If it is because you are new to hunting and shooting — if no one in your family hunts, if you are taking the class to join friends in the outdoors — then write about why this new experience sounds like something you might enjoy.  If you are taking this class just because you want to learn more about firearms, muzzleloaders, bows, wildlife, survival skills, or responsible hunter ethics, then write about which of those reasons most interests you.  Most students who take this course are 11-14 years old, but if you are an older student who hasn’t felt the desire until now, a college student new to this outdoors thing, or a parent taking the course with their child, then write about your unique reasons for taking this course.  If the only reason you are here is because mom and dad said you had to, then write about why you don’t want to be here — I’m glad you are — and we’ll see if we can change your mind in three weeks time.  The reasons you can write about are limitless, but they need to be your reasons.  They are inside each and every one of you.  You just need to put them on paper.

Over the years, students have written some amazing essays and I will be posting some examples of my favorites in the Essays category under the Homework and Other Useful Stuff column.