A winning law essay for high school students focuses on clear reasoning, not legal jargon. Strong essays explore a legal or ethical question, present a clear argument, address opposing views, and use simple language supported by real-world examples.
Students can challenge themselves through competitions such as the John Locke Essay Competition and the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review High School Contest, which value critical thinking and persuasive writing. With strong preparation and thoughtful analysis, even students without legal training can write standout law essays.
1. What Is a Law Essay?
A law essay is not a test of how many statutes you’ve memorized or how well you can sound like a professional lawyer. At the high school level, a law essay is an exercise in using a well-reasoned argument. It asks you to explore a legal question, evaluate different perspectives, and defend a position using clear logic and real-world evidence.
Unlike essays in history or literature, law essays focus less on storytelling or textual analysis and more on structured thinking. You are expected to identify an issue, explain why it matters, and work through the problem systematically. This often involves discussing principles such as equity, responsibility, rights, or justice rather than specific legal codes.
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2. What Teachers Value In a Strong Law Essay
Teachers and competition evaluators understand that students are not trained lawyers. At least not yet. Rather than expecting technical legal knowledge, they are looking for evidence of critical thinking, clear structure, and thoughtful engagement with complex legal questions.
When reading a law essay, evaluators are not impressed by long lists of laws jargon. What weighs far more heavily is how you appraise an issue and articulate your position. Strong essays move logically from one idea to the next, guiding the reader from point A to point B without gaps in reasoning. A well-structured argument should feel clear, coherent, and convincing at every stage.
One of the most effective ways to strengthen a law essay is by addressing opposing viewpoints. Teachers value essays that acknowledge counterarguments and respond to them respectfully, showing maturity and balance in reasoning.
Persuasive writing is key: successful essays explain complex ideas in a simple, accessible way and support claims with relevant evidence (e.g., historical cases, real-world examples, or current events) rather than relying on opinion alone.
3. Tips for Writing a Law Essay Without Legal Training
The steps below will help you write an essay that feels thoughtful, well-structured, and professional:
Research the big picture first
Before forming an opinion, take time to understand the broader context of your topic. Research how experts frame the issue using reliable sources such as academic law journals like the American Criminal Law Review, reputable news outlets, or official national and international organizations. Importantly, don’t limit your research to viewpoints you agree with. Actively seek out the strongest arguments against your position so you can address them thoughtfully later.
Clearly state your opinion in the introduction
Your introduction should provide a clear thesis statement (your main stance) that categorically gives an idea about your stance and a roadmap. The roadmap is a brief sentence telling the reader exactly which three or four points you will cover in the pages to come.
Use the IRAC formula
To stay organized, many legal writers use IRAC.
Issue: What legal or ethical question are you answering?
Rule: What law, precedent, or principle applies?
Application: How does that rule apply to the specific situation or case you’re discussing?
Conclusion: What conclusion follows from your analysis?
Keep your language simple
Many students think using big, fancy words makes them sound more like a lawyer when in fact it often makes their work harder to read. In writing, clarity in language is an indication of understanding. Stick to clear, active verbs and short sentences. If you can explain a complex legal concept so that a friend can understand it, you’ve done your job well.
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Edit for respectful tone
Legal writing values civility. Even when criticizing a law or court decision, your tone should remain measured and respectful. Rather than dismissive language, frame disagreements thoughtfully, for example, by suggesting that an alternative interpretation may better serve the interests of justice. This approach demonstrates maturity and strengthens your credibility as a writer.
4. Top Law Essay Competitions to Challenge Yourself
John Locke Essay Competition
The John Locke Essay Competition is organized by the John Locke Institute, an independent education organization located in Oxford, UK. The law category of the John Locke Institute Essay Competition requires students to answer philosophical questions about the nature of justice. Recent prompts that have been asked were questions such as, “Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?” and “What injury should one person be permitted to inflict on another in the defense of private property?”
Eligibility: High school students 18 years old or younger and Middle School students 14 years old or younger at the submission deadline.
If you want a winning edge, check out our Guide to John Locke Essay Competition and Master the John Locke Essay Competition Law Questions 2025 for tips on meeting their specific requirements.
Columbia Undergraduate Law Review (CULR) High School Contest
The CULR High School Essay Contest is a perfect opportunity for high school students to deepen their enthusiasm for and knowledge of law, compete amongst peers nationwide and internationally, and gain recognition for their skills. Hosted by one of the top law schools in the US, the competition focuses on how law affects our daily lives and society. The prompts in the competition often center on constitutional issues, such as due process or the limits of government power during national crises. It’s a great way to showcase your thorough research on the US legal system.
Eligibility: High school students from any grade level worldwide.
In addition to joining the competition, students with an interest in law can also participate in 14 Law Internships for High School Students.
5. Aralia Education John Locke Essay Competition Prep Class
If you’re aiming for a high commendation or a prize in the John Locke Institute Essay Competition, you don’t have to go through the process alone! Aralia Education offers a specialized John Locke Essay Competition Prep Class specifically designed to help students like you navigate these challenging legal and philosophical prompts. By joining our prep class, you’ll transform a daunting challenge into a rewarding learning experience that will prepare you for a winning essay and beyond.
John Locke Essay Competition Prep
In this John Locke Essay Competition Prep course, students will learn the ins and outs of essay writing, in preparation for entering the competition. We offer prep classes in all categories: philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. Students will choose one topic, compose an original thesis and argument, and write an essay for submission. Students will engage in a guided analysis of primary and secondary sources, develop critical thinking skills, and discover interesting insights. In addition to the group lecture classes, students will receive guidance on their individual projects from the instructor, in one-on-one sessions.
