As a high school student, you may want to consider participating in writing contests and essay competitions. Essay competitions and writing contests sharpen your creative thinking, writing, and reading skills, which are the building blocks of college success.
But there is more: most high school writing competitions offer cash prizes. Moreover, to be named among the winners of a prestigious writing competition for high school students can boost your confidence and college application. Most high school essay competitions do not expect expert knowledge. The review boards look for creativity, or a unique perspective on topical issues. Most writing contests have multiple winners, increasing your chances of claiming a prize.
There are different types of essay competitions in different subjects. Whether in science, art, economics, business, technology, or any other field, you can easily find and apply to a writing contest that matches your academic strengths and interests. There are also creative writing contests which involve writing poetry, fiction and nonfiction.
Essay Writing competitions are common, especially in philosophy, science, and the social sciences. You will be challenged to develop a clear thesis statement, reference your claims, and present this in a logical way. A typical easy writing prompt could be “Is Technology Controlling Us?”. Essays have a more structured format compared to creative writing contests. You must include an introduction, body paragraphs with clear transitions, a conclusion summarising your key points and adhere to a strict word count.
If you consider yourself an imaginative student, a creative writing contest may be preferable to an essay competition. Creative writing contests offer the opportunity to write in a variety of literary genres and subgenres: fiction (e.g. science fiction, the short story), poetry and nonfiction (e.g. autobiographical writing). In this type of contest, the review board assesses how you engage your audience with ingenious narratives, vivid descriptions and evocative figurative language.
Here is a list of writing competitions you can apply for:
This contest is open to high school students between the ages of 13 and 19. It involves writing a public-facing letter about a matter you care about. The key to being successful in this competition is to write a persuasive argumentative piece in 500 words or fewer, and to include at least two sources, one from the New York Times and one from outside the Times. i
The Scholastic Art and Writing Competition is the US’s “longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens”. High school students who wish to participate can submit work either in the literary or visual arts, or a combination of both. This is judged by experts in the field. Winners receive cash prizes as well as recognition via exhibitions and publication.
The Foyle Young Poets Award is an annual poetry contest that celebrates the talent of young writers aged 11 to 17. Each year, the contest recognises 15 top winners and 85 commended poets. Participants are free to choose their theme and style, and they can submit several poems of no more than 40 lines each. The Poetry Society will support the winners throughout their journey, providing publication, performance, and development opportunities. Many past winners of the poetry contest, like Jay Bernard and Richard O'Brien, have established successful careers as poets.
Organised by Bennington College, the Bennington Young Writer Awards is a yearly free writing contest promoting high school students' creative writing excellence. With three categories—poetry, fiction, and nonfiction—the competition recognises winners in each category. Alongside cash prizes, finalists and winners are eligible for undergraduate scholarships to continue their education at Bennington. This competition is a celebration of Bennington College's literature program, which has been a springboard for the careers of many Pulitzer Prize winners and New York Times bestsellers.
The John Locke Essay Competition is a free, world-renowned competition that enables young writers to showcase their independent thought and critical analysis skills in the Humanities. The competition is named after the 17th-century Oxford philosopher John Locke, who is credited as one of the founding figures of Classical Liberalism. Locke was also a political scientist, economist and medical doctor who believed that the primary goal of education is to foster ‘a love and esteem of knowledge’ in young minds.
The John Locke Essay Competition is founded on this principle since participants are expected to answer predefined essay questions that address issues not usually covered by school curricula. There are 7 subjects (‘categories’) to choose from: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law. Participants can submit as many essays as they wish in each category, but these must not exceed 2,000 words. Judges will select the best essay in each category, as well as a ‘Grand Winner’ for the best essay overall and the best essay in the Junior Category (writers under 15 years old).
The Ocean Awareness Contest encourages young people to reflect on environmental issues and their place in the natural world using different media and modes of expression: film, creative writing, poetry, the spoken word, visual art (digital or handcrafted), music and dance, or a combination of these. The contest has two divisions: Junior and Senior High School. High school students can participate either as individuals or as part of a group.
Writing contests are a great way to prove your creativity and the depth of your knowledge. Unlike standardised tests, like SAT or ACT, writing contests and essay competitions enable you to practise argumentative and creative writing and to access publication opportunities.
No matter what subject you are interested in, you have your own ‘voice’ and stories to tell. However, it is important to learn to communicate this ‘voice’ through a writing piece that has a coherent, logical flow. You can learn this by analysing past submissions available on the competitions' webpages and by studying research written by academics. Reading this material will give you an idea of the format, tone, length, and topics that are typically successful.
If you want to succeed in your writing competitions, you can also find a mentor who can help you guide and give feedback along the way. Most of the competitions will allow students to have mentors as long as the work and ideas are the students’ own.
Indigo Research can provide you with mentors from top universities who can help you with research and guide you in your essays, whether you are applying for a writing contest or publishing in high school journals. Join our online high school student mentorship program and start early planning for the next essay you will write and submit to writing competitions.
Increase your chances of excelling in top writing contests by honing your skills with Indigo Research. Our program connects you with mentors from prestigious universities such as Columbia, Cornell, and Harvard, who can guide you through the intricacies of academic writing. By engaging in research under their expertise, you'll not only refine your writing techniques but also enhance your analytical and critical thinking skills, setting you apart in any contest. Join Indigo Research today and transform your writing into a winning craft.
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Increase your chances of excelling in top writing contests by honing your skills with Indigo Research. Our program connects you with mentors from prestigious universities such as Columbia, Cornell, and Harvard, who can guide you through the intricacies of academic writing. By engaging in research under their expertise, you'll not only refine your writing techniques but also enhance your analytical and critical thinking skills, setting you apart in any contest. Join Indigo Research today and transform your writing into a winning craft.
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