ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

What If? (essays)

Alright kiddo, have you ever daydreamed about things that could happen in the future? Maybe you think about what would happen if you could fly or if you got to be president for a day. Well, that's exactly what "what if" essays are all about!

When people write "what if" essays, they're imagining different scenarios and trying to figure out what might happen if they came true. It's kind of like playing a game where you get to make up your own rules! But instead of just having fun, people write these essays to try and learn something new.

For example, someone might write a "what if" essay about what would happen if we all suddenly had superpowers. They could imagine how society might change and explore the pros and cons of having those powers. They might also think about what it would be like if some people had super strength, while others had the ability to fly, and still, others had the power to read minds.

"What if" essays can be a really cool way to get your brain thinking and explore different possibilities. But, it's important to remember that just because someone writes an essay about a "what if" scenario, it doesn't mean that it will actually happen. It's all just a fun way to use our imaginations and learn new things about the world around us.