Assignment:

Is it necessary for people to imitate others . . . (part 1 of prompt)
. . . before they can become original and creative? (part 2 of prompt) Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.

Brainstorm:
For this question, it may be helpful to think of times when imitating others lead to your own, original creation. For example, if you take music lessons, perhaps imitating the teacher early on allowed you to be more creative in your expression later. Additionally, it may be helpful to think of historical examples in which people had to imitate others before becoming creative.
On the other hand, it may also be helpful ― if you wish to support an opposing hypothesis ― to remember the definition of creativity: something which is truly new and original. Oftentimes, creativity can be inspired by someone else’s work, but is in no way an imitation.

Writing Your Essay

Introduction:

Grab Attention:

_______ once said “____________________.” By saying this, he/she meant that _______ . This is one of the most poignant examples of ________.
Example: A great man once said “good artists copy; great artists steal.” By saying this, he meant that popular creative works are often not just imitations, but may even be an original work of art that was popularized by someone else. This is one of the most poignant examples of imitation leading to creative work.

Transition to Thesis:

I have also been greatly impacted by ideas like ____, and because of them …
Example: I have also been greatly impacted by ideas like the one above, and because of them …

Thesis:

… I believe that ______________.
Example: … I believe that imitation is often the greatest catalyst for creative works.

State Reasons:

This is because (I have experienced___/ I have studied ____ / I have read about ____ / I have observed ____).

Example: This is because I have studied many thinkers who have created masterpieces by imitating the work of others.