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An Overview
Are you considering participating in The New York Times 9th Annual Student Editorial Contest?
No doubt, the New York Times is a big platform to show your skills of great creative writing. However, before you get excited by clicking the link that says ‘Our Ninth Annual Student Editorial Contest’, you must get an overview of what it’s all about.
Otherwise, if you rush to participate, you might feel clueless and wonder, ‘What can I do to make my essay impressive to the judge?
To get your answer, read this article from my assignment help.
All about the New York Times’ Annual Student Editorial Contest
This initiative was taken by the editorial board of the New York Times to bring out skilled writers from the young minds.
So, this is a contest where students and adults can also raise their thoughts on contemporary topics and their opinions in the editorial section.
In fact, the response has been huge for so many years since thousands of students worldwide have responded to these topics over the past eight years in the form of brief opinion articles.
If you check the essays from the previous winners’ list, you will find topics about – climate change, underpaid teachers, anti-Asian prejudice, mass killings and shootings in school, Black Lives Matter, the video game culture, ‘why pineapple pizza deserves more respect’ and a lot more wide range of topics.
- Why is this contest hype?
This newspaper has been at the forefront of some of the most significant stories of the modern era ever since it was first established in September 1851. Hence, everyone will undoubtedly try to put their stories on the front page! And to make this opportunity a reality, this contest is a golden chance.
Many high school students indeed hope to one day break the news with a by-line at the New York Times. Hence, the starting point begins in the editorial of the New York Times.
Since fulfilling these goals takes time, high school students can participate in this contest and use their ink-filled sword to curve the best article.
What’s Distinctive about New York Times’ Annual Student Editorial?
The essays included in this editorial provide a glimpse into the concerns of a generation, whether they are universal themes like climate change and governmental dysfunction or teen-specific concerns like school clothing standards and navigating modern online culture.
They do, however, always introduce readers to novel concepts and remedies.
For example, if you look at the 9th Year Annual Editorial Contest Winners list, they discuss the advantages of intergenerational living, the need for Gen Z to consider farming as a career, how memes enable young people to participate in global conversations, and the need for schools to pay closer attention to the millions of mixed-race students who enrol in their classrooms.
Secondly, the length of the submitted essays is another feature that distinguishes this competition. Yes, the contest only permits writings of 450 words, which is very challenging.
So, the article should not only raise a point but also be short in length.
Who Can Participate in This Editorial Contest?
If you’re a high school student who loves to write and wants to compete against some of the best writers in the world, this contest is the absolute choice to showcase what you want to express.
But the best part here is – Not only individuals but you can write in a group!
What’s the Prize for This Contest?
The winning entries are posted on the Learning Network, and contest winners are also eligible to have their entries printed in The New York Times.
However, things are a little different here. If you consider that just like other essay competitions offer substantial cash prizes as prizes, it won’t occur here.
What you will receive is recognition from articles in magazines, and this will stay priceless.
Moreover, the New York Times has the value that can influence whether an applicant is accepted or denied by some of the world’s most prestigious institutions and universities!
So, what can be better than that?
What’s the Process for Participating in the Contest?
The fact that this writing competition is open to many students makes it more appreciative. But you must know the criteria as well.
Here they are:
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- Students currently enrolled in middle or high school and between the ages of 13 and 19.
- Students between the ages of 16 and 19 and middle school students living in a nation other than the United States or the United Kingdom.
- You can still submit your essay for the New York Times Student Essay Contest if you do not fall into the above two criteria.
- In fact, any middle or high school student between the ages of 11 and 19 may apply through an adult.
Let us now check the rules.
- Pick a subject you are passionate about
An effective strategy is to consider subjects in which you are already familiar and skilled.
So, if you are simply curious about a topic, do not go for writing that.
Instead, look for a topic which you have been observing for some months now, and you have an argument to write about that can be convincing.
- Ensure your argument is focused
Suppose you decide to write a piece on college admissions. Now, 450 words are certainly far too little space to address all of the issues with the procedure.
But to make your article appealing, limit your claim to a single point. This way, you can concentrate on the logic of your argument and develop a claim that you have room to defend.
- Use at least one source from The New York Times and one other source
This process is necessary to broaden your perspective. Hence, go through various sources, ideally ones that present a variety of viewpoints on the topic you have chosen.
You may credit as many sources as you like, but the experts prefer that you cite at least one ‘Times’ item and one that is not affiliated with ‘The Times’.
As readers (and judges) should always be able to tell where you acquired your evidence, there is a specific field on the submission form where you can list various sources.
- Write your editorial independently or as a group
You can write your entry alone or in a group because editorial writing in newspapers is a collaborative effort, but only one submission per student, please.
But remember to list all of your names when you upload your entry if you are working as a group. Also, if you are submitting as a team, you shouldn’t also submit individually.
- Each entry must be submitted by the specified date
The selecting committee gives a brief extension after that deadline for technological issues. But beyond that, there is no extension.
Be careful with the time frame. For example, the submission window closed on April 13 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time in 2021.
Before submitting your editorial, you can also see the whole list of official eligibility requirements and submission guidelines.
Final Words,
A competition like this is advantageous as students can get global recognition for their thoughts and opinions. Hence, to be a star in a contest like The New York Times Annual Student Editorial Contest, bookmark this blog to prepare for the upcoming contest this year.
Author Bio – Rita Jones is an educationist based in Melbourne. She is also associated with the academic brand MyAssignmenthelp.com where she helps students who request, “Do my History essay,” Along with that, Rita loves to read magazines and watch movies.
