National Writing Contest for High School Students

Writing Contest Topic:  Policy change:  If you could effect political or social policy change in the United States on one issue - what would it be and why?" In our last writing contest, we found an interesting theme among the student essay submissions - that many young adults feel their peers are indifferent and apathetic to the world around them.  Thankfully, we know that the students reading and/or actively engaged in this national forum are far from that, so we challenge our regular writers and new writers with a question that allows you pick one issue, one policy, or one social trend, that should be changed.  The topic is up to you.  The politics or viewpoint of the issue is up to you too.  What do you care about?  The environment?  Health care?  Defense of our nation? Food quality?  Energy independence? Don't Ask Don't Tell?  Family values?  Other? What we care about is hearing your passion about an issue and how you'd effect change in this nation if it were up to you (in 500 words or less).  So pick a policy/social issue that's near and dear to your heart and tell us what you'd do to change it, help it, or stop it.  While we want passion, please follow the rules above (no profanity) and keep the essay civil.  If you want to win arguements for your cause, you'll need to be persuasive...and that means shifting opinions of your opponents to your viewpoint through discourse, logic and rationale discussion. Please title your story/essay: "Policy Change:  [insert your policy]." Be creative with this and get specific.  Share a story.  Share advice.  Or maybe go philosophical and open up a larger point of view about the issue/policy itself.

Tip:  Write your essay first in a different program like Word and then cut and paste after clicking the button above.   Writing Contest Deadline:  March 31st at Midnight Pacific Standard Time.   Winners: Will be announced after March 31, 2010   Comments: In the espirit of this writing contest, we'd like to encourage all participants and readers to make comments on contest essays.  You'll see them start to appear in the Search/Answer tab in both the high school and college stages. So let's add some debate to the contest and make comments and give feedback.  Remember to keep all comments/posts/discussions civil and in good taste.     Essay Title: IMPORTANT:  See rules above AND make sure the policy/issue is incorporated into your essay title when you upload to the site by making the title read, "Policy Change: [your headline]".

Contest Topic/Theme:  The 2000's in review:  What would you name the last decade?  The last ten years from a student perspective." Time Magazine called the 2000's the "Decade from Hell" in a recent cover story.  From the 9-11 disaster to the current state of the economy, many have felt the last ten years have been...bad.  Do you agree?  Or do you have a different view of the world and the last ten years?  Please title your essay by giving a name to the last ten years (similar to how Time Magazine did it) but expand upon your thoughts on what the last ten years meant to you...you've been growing up in these challenging times. Be creative with this and get specific.  Share a story.  Share advice.  Or maybe go philosophical and open up a larger point of view about the last decade from a teen and young adult perspective in 500 words or less. See Rules Above AND make sure the theme is incorporated into your essay title when you upload to the site.

Tip:  Write your essay first in a different program like Word and then cut and paste after clicking the button above.   Essays Due:  Jan. 31st at Midnight Pacific Standard Time.   Winners:  Decade of Indifference and Decade of Confusion

Contest Topic:  "The three things I hate/love about the first month back at school." So school is in session again.  There's gotta be a few things running through your head on this topic.  Sitting in class again.  What's bugging you?  What's inspiring you? Be creative with this and let's get specific.  Share a story, advice, point of view or humorous ancedote to this contest theme about the top three things you love or hate about going "Back to School" in 500 words or less. See Rules Above AND make sure the theme is incorporated into your essay title when you upload to the site.

Tip:  Write your essay first in a different program like Word and then cut and paste after clicking the button above.   Essays Due:  Sept. 30th at Midnight Pacific Standard Time.   Winner:  College: Back to School - College Edition High School: Looking Forward to the 11th Grade

Contest Topic:  "How my family makes a difference in my life."  Share a story, advice, point of view or humorous ancedote to this contest theme about your "Family" in 500 words or less. See Rules Above. Essays Due:  Sunday Aug. 23th at Midnight Pacific Standard Time. Winner:  Writing contest winner will be announced and posted here.

Tip:  Write your essay first in a different program like Word and then cut and paste after clicking the button above.

Contest Topic:  Share your thoughts on "Relationships" in 500 words or less. This essay can be themed on your teenage friendships, your first love, family, etc.  Share your insights in how your approach relationships. See Rules Above. Essays Due:  Sunday Aug. 9th at Midnight Pacific Standard Time. Winner:  Writing contest winner will be announced and posted here next week.

Tip:  Write your essay first in a different program like Word and then cut and paste after clicking the button above.