SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest

The SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest is a joint initiative of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Journalism Education Association (JEA). The contest is designed to promote the importance of journalism and free press.

Competition Details

Introduction:

The SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest is a joint initiative of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Journalism Education Association (JEA). The contest is open to high school students in the United States and is designed to promote the importance of journalism and the free press.

The contest is held annually and students can submit essays in response to a specific prompt. The essays are judged by a panel of journalists, media educators, and other media professionals, who evaluate them based on their clarity, organization, and adherence to the contest theme.

Competition Topic: While consumers are drawn toward tweets and sound bites, how can journalists tell more of the story without losing readers’ interest?

Competition Format: The essay should be 300-500 words. Entries may be typed or handwritten but must be double-spaced.

Recognition and Awards: First Place – $1,000 scholarship, Second Place – $500 scholarship, Third Place – $300 scholarship. The Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists funds scholarships.

Fee: $5 entry fee

Competition Website: LINK

Other Writing Contest you may be interested in: Guide to YoungArts Writing Competition

Eligibility

All students enrolled in grades 9-12 in U.S. public, private and home schools within the United States

Submission deadline

Feb 19, 2023, 11:59 p.m. Central time

General guide and tips to essay competition

  1. Break down the topic: Make sure you understand the topic and take time to research the topic through credible sources such as academic journals, books, and articles. 
  2. Create an outline: Organize your thoughts and ideas by creating an outline for your essay. This will help you stay on track and ensure that your essay is logical and coherent
  3. Write a strong thesis: Make sure your thesis statement is clear and concise, and that the rest of your essay can support it.
  4. Use evidence to support your arguments: Use specific examples, statistics, and quotes to support your claims and make your essay more persuasive. Make sure to cite your sources correctly to avoid plagiarism.
  5. Edit and proofread: Before submitting your essay, make sure to revise and edit it for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors
  6. Practice, Practice, Practice: Writing a good essay takes practice. Don’t forget to practice writing everyday and familiarize with the competition format. 

Our Teaching Methods

Competition - our difference

Students who previously took the class:

Throughout the years, our students have successfully gained admission or are currently attending top-ranking secondary and high schools around the world: America, Australia, Canada, China, and more:

  • Cardigan Mountain School
  • Choate Rosemary Hall
  • Concord Academy
  • Groton School

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