Today, we are sharing strategies for succeeding in a Writing Competition.

We have frequently highlighted the value of Writing Competitions, providing details about various contests. Today, we will outline specific methods to excel in a major Writing Competition.

Universities often evaluate a student’s ability to comprehend lectures and integrate into academic settings through their proficiency in English.

This is why the following factors are essential:

• English Subject Grades (AP, IB English Courses): Grades can sometimes be inflated, leading to skepticism.
• High Scores on SAT/ACT
• Personal Essays (Admissions Essays)
• TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, etc. (International Student Assessments)

Despite strong scores in these areas, concerns may still arise.

The most effective way to eliminate doubts? Winning a Writing Competition!

As our YouTube audience continues to grow, some question whether A-One Institute possesses genuine expertise in achieving competition success. To address this, we are showcasing the outcomes of our students' participation in these contests.

John Locke Essay Competition

Not every student achieves exceptional results, even with our guidance.

We previously withheld final results because, although 8–9 out of 10 students succeed, 1–2 may not, and we were hesitant to focus solely on positive outcomes.

However, with increased interest from subscribers, we are now sharing our results.

2023 John Locke Preparation:

• 11 students participated
• 8 students reached the Short List
• 1 student ranked in the Top 2%

John Locke Success Rate: 72.73%

Short-listed students receive email notifications, whereas typically only 16.9% of participants make the Short List. Our students achieved this at a rate exceeding 70%!

Top 2% winners receive emails from the Dean, invitations to speak at Oxford, or requests for Zoom meetings.

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

This is an intensely competitive contest with a large number of participants.

2022 Results (17 students):

• Overall Win Rate: 52.94%
• Key Award Rate: 41.18%
• National Medal Rate: 5.88%
• 2023 Results (40 students):
• Overall Win Rate: 47.5%
• Key Award Rate: 37%
• National Medal Rate: 5%

Why does John Locke yield higher success rates?

Students who participate in this competition tend to be better prepared, leading to stronger performance.

In fact, even if you do not win the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, refining your skills can improve your chances of winning the John Locke Award.

Ayn Rand Essay Contest

No participants competed last year, but in 2021, one student prepared and secured Second Prize.

The New York Times Summer Reading Contest

We have not previously discussed this contest in detail, so here is a brief overview:

This 10-week summer competition involves commenting on selected NYT articles.

Participants select an article, post a comment, and are judged based on its quality. Winners are featured weekly in The New York Times, making this an engaging and exciting competition to explore.

John Locke Essay Competition: Winning Strategies

Let’s review how to structure essays to succeed in this competition.

Since approaches vary by contest, today we will concentrate on strategies for the John Locke Essay Contest.

2021 History Category Winning Question:

• Should we judge those from the past by the standards of today?
• How will historians in the future judge us?

Winning Essay’s Conclusion:

• The first question: Evaluating based on modern standards is somewhat necessary.
• The second question: Attempting to predict the unpredictable is unwise; instead, we can only hope future historians assess us fairly.

Key Strategy: In the History category, the structure and development of the essay matter more than presenting absolute conclusions!

Paragraph Framework:

1. Main Idea – State the core topic or thesis.
2. Elaboration – Provide a detailed explanation of the thesis.
3. Example – Include specific evidence or examples to reinforce the argument.
4. Always maintain clarity and logical progression throughout the essay!

Step 1: Analyze the Question

Break the question into smaller components and assess its significance.

Example Approach:

• Are today’s standards valid?
• Is it appropriate to judge people?
• What defines the past?
• Conclusion

Step 2: Review Sources

Incorporate historian perspectives and arguments, highlighting their limitations.

Example Evidence:

• Instances such as slavery, Napoleon’s era, and the Holocaust demonstrate the challenges of applying contemporary standards to historical events.

Step 3: Use Rebuttals

Anticipate opposing viewpoints to strengthen your arguments.

Step 4: Organize Arguments

Adopt a structured approach:

• Pose questions about whether today’s standards are universal.
• Provide examples of contradictions, citing specific cases to challenge assumptions.

Example Argument:

• Past standards may differ from today’s morality, introducing complexities.
• Focus on assessing systems rather than individuals, while countering this idea to affirm that judging individuals remains valid.

Step 5: Define the Past

Use citations to establish the concept of “the past” and conclude with optimism about fair judgment from future historians.

Key Takeaways:

1. Break down the question and assess each part.
2. Follow this structure: Main Idea → Elaboration → Example.
3. Include counterarguments in every paragraph.

3 Tips for Winning John Locke Essay Competition

1. Analyze Winning Essays: Study how references are integrated effectively.
2. Research Quality Sources: Prioritize high-level references over news articles.
3. Focus on Writing Quality: Maintain technical accuracy in grammar and structure.

Remember that the John Locke competition requires more references than expected, and high-quality references are preferable to news articles.

We recommend reviewing past winning essays before starting your writing process.

For more information about Writing Competitions, please contact A-One Institute.

Thank you!