the benefits of joining an essay writing competition

• Editorial Services
• How It Works
• Literary Agent Alert

The Pros and Cons of Writing Contests

The question before us today is whether or not you should enter a writing contest. The idea is enticing and borderline thrilling. What if you win? Beyond the monetary prize, you’ll have won something even more important: prestige. However, what if you lose? Beyond the entry fee, you’ll have lost momentum and maybe a tiny bit of your courage. It could ding your self-assurance and cause you to doubt your writing ability.

Is the risk worth it?

In today’s post, we highlight the major benefits of writing contests. But, to make it fair and give you something to chew on, we’re also tackling the biggest drawbacks of writing contests. Weigh the following benefits and the drawbacks to determine the right move for you.

The Benefits of Writing Contests

Let’s start with the good news and reasons to consider entering a writing contest:

You Get Money*

*If you win.

Money is a powerful motivator, whether it’s $20 or $20,000. Yes, it’s about the craft blah blah blah, but we all need money to survive. That prize money can pay for your next laptop (I can’t be the only writer with a busted keyboard, right?) or even support your lifestyle while you churn out your next book.

You Get Inspired to Write

Yes, honey, money is muse, but the contest itself can also be an inspirational spark. Some writing contests impose a theme or topic that can inspire you and lead to your next great idea.

The contest can also motivate you to act immediately instead of nursing an idea for the next few years.

You Get Bragging Rights

If you win or even if you almost win, you get to tell others about it. Winning anything is worth bragging about. True story, I once bragged in a literary magazine that I won a “clean plate” award from a local fast food joint. Winning is winning. #Shameless

Of course, winning a literary award holds much more weight. You can use this distinction in your author bio to impress others and further your literary career.

Here’s a roundup of writing contests. Subscribe to receive this extra resource.

Download your bonus content:

You Get Published

As part of your prize, some contests offer publication. This is especially true for short stories or excerpts of longer works. You may land a spot in an anthology or magazine.

You Get Validated

This is a tricky benefit. You are a valid writer as soon as you write. Validation should not come from without but within. That said, for many writers, winning a contest proves that their work resonates with others.

You Get Noticed

Perhaps the only souls to see your work have been your mom and your cats. By entering a writing contest, you increase your exposure. Others will read your work, especially if you win or become a finalist.

You Get Acquainted With Deadlines

Deadlines are an ever-present misery for writers. However, deadlines are necessary because they motivate you to act.

By entering a writing contest, you force yourself to work toward a deadline.

You Get To Do Something New

When you enter a contest, you’ll have to focus on the task at hand. This means that you’ll likely need to put other creative work on hold. Writing for a contest can be a nice distraction from your other work, such as a novel that you may be working on currently.

Another bonus is that when you return to your former work, you’ll have a refreshed mind and can then attack the work with vigor.

You Get Invited to an Award Ceremony

Win or lose, you'll likely be invited to an award ceremony for the writing contest. Here’s where you’ll be able to network with other writers, and meet with publishers and literary agents who frequently attend these events, too.

You Can Likely Enter Multiple Pieces

Why enter just one when you can enter multiple pieces? Double-check the rules. However, most contests allow multiple entries provided that you pay a separate entry “reading” fee for each. This is a benefit because it increases your chance of winning.

The Drawbacks of Writing Contests

Writing contests sound awesome, right? Here are some negatives to consider before entering a contest:

You Can Lose Money

Most contests require an entry fee. Boo.

Well, the prize money has to come from somewhere, right? Generally, the contest entry fee is a nominal amount that’s meant to cover administrative costs and go towards the prize. The fee amount depends on many factors, such as the size of the prize, the reputation of the contest, and whether it’s local or international.

Whether you’re paying $10 or $100, you won’t get that money back if you lose.

You May Not Get Anything Even If You Win

Not all writing contests offer a cash prize. Even if they do, that may be all that you win. That and a small boost to your ego. Winning a literary prize from a no-name, no-cred association won’t impress a literary agent or discerning audience. It may not impact your career at all.

You Get a Small Reward

After the hard work and time invested, your prize may not be worth it. If it took you 40 hours to create your winning masterpiece, and you collect a $200 prize, you’ve just made $5 per hour. It may be an insult if you think of it in those terms.

You Can Get Stuck

Some writing contests demand exclusivity. In other words, you can’t submit your work to them and to other contests simultaneously. You may also be prohibited from publishing the work while waiting for the results of the contest.

The deliberation process may take months. This exclusivity clause will affect your ability to make money off of your work while you wait for the results.

You May Get Distracted

Writing contests distract you from your other work. This can be both a positive and a negative. If you get off-track easily and get frustrated with that part of you, be careful. It may be difficult to return to your primary creative work after you’ve finished your contest entry.

If distractions frustrate you and lead to unfinished work, only consider entering a writing contest with a completed piece.

You Will Deal With Rejection

Just like deadlines, rejection is a constant companion for every writer.

In a contest, only one person can win. The odds are always against you, and these odds increase with the number of entrants.

You also open yourself up to criticism as people tear apart your creative work. Losing a contest may be the biggest criticism and disapproval of all, and it’s particularly injurious because you probably won’t get feedback on why you lost.

However, you can turn this negative into a positive. While no one goes into a contest to lose, it’s not a statement against you or even your work. A loss simply means that your work wasn’t meant for this particular panel of judges.

You May Get a Questionable Judge

Speaking of judges…

Let’s talk about this for a second.

Many writing contests have volunteer judges who simply appreciate reading ( maybe ). They may not know much about your genre or its conventions. They may not be writers themselves and have no idea how difficult it is to offer your creativity up for judgment. They may know a lot about literature or they may think they know a lot, but whatever the case is, the opinion is subjective.

It’s important to keep that in mind.

One person’s approval or disapproval of you doesn’t validate or invalidate your writing career.

You May Give Away Your Story Rights

Always read the rules and never relinquish your rights.

Some scammy organizations trick entrants into handing over their rights. While you think you’re entering a contest, they’ve relieved you of your rights and are then able to publish your work and make money off of it without handing over a dime in royalties.

Should You Enter a Writing Contest or Should You Avoid It?

Aside from your entry fee, you don't have much to lose and potentially a lot to gain. You can walk away from a writing contest with new work that, even if it doesn't win, is still yours and can be shared with others. Go for it! But keep your eyes open.

Over to You

Have you ever entered a writing contest? Let us know about your experience in the comments section below!

Enter your email for your FREE 7-Day Bootcamp and learn:

• 5 Unconventional Techniques to help you finish your Draft
• The Key to Getting Readers to Care About Your Characters
• How to Master Dialogue, even if you’re a First-Time Writer
• What You Need to Know to Hold Your Reader’s Interest

We've sent you an e-mail, thanks for subscribing!

Edit for clarity in Microsoft Word & Outlook

• Writing Tips

Life Lessons from Writing Competitions

Writing competitions don’t reflect sustainable writing habits, but they can teach great life lessons. So far, I’ve written a 55,000-word novel, participated in 10 writing competitions and challenges, and placed in several writing and editing competitions. I’m sure no talent scout or publisher will offer me an advance to write my memoir, but those experiences have taught me about community, time management, and perfectionism.

Here’s what I’ve learned—I hope it encourages you to sign up for a writing competition or find another way to push past your writing comfort zone. Read on for three life lessons and five traditional benefits of writing competitions.

Life Lessons Learned from Writing Competitions

Life lesson #1: community is powerful.

Becoming part of a community can inspire you to write and encourage you to continue. Working toward a common goal can be a strong bonding experience that builds friendships. Participating in an intense, yet non-competitive group activity builds connection with your writing community and encourages unselfish support for others. The community aspect of writing competitions makes people more likely to endure a challenge like National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), when participants attempt to write 50,000 words in November.

In a worldwide novel-writing effort, such as NaNoWriMo, other participants encourage you to keep writing. Your only goals are persistence and completion, and your biggest obstacle is yourself. When you doubt yourself or your dedication wanes, that’s when you need encouragement from others. When your writing is going well, it’s easy to encourage others to work on their own novels. This mutual support builds and strengthens your writing community. I was lucky to have local friends participating in NaNoWriMo, so we could connect in person and talk through our struggles. This brought us closer together.

If you’re attempting to write a novel as part of NaNoWriMo, find a forum to join. The Office of Letters and Light, which runs NaNoWriMo, sets up forums by location so you can find a nearby writing group to create a community. Local forums make it easy for participants to meet at public libraries or bookstores and write together. That in-person connection is an excellent way to find the support and solidarity that will help you persevere

In-person writing competitions offer similar community benefits. Even if you’re competing against the other participants, it’s still invigorating to be around other people passionate about a certain style of writing. I’ve even found that everyone’s happy to talk about their projects before and after the 90-minute competition.

Life Lesson #2: Time Management is Crucial

In any writing contest, you have to watch the clock. When I was at journalism competitions, my time limit was 90 minutes. That was true whether I was editing a piece, writing an editorial, or captioning a page worth of pictures. That’s a short time to do a lot of work.

Comparatively, my time limit with NaNoWriMo was one month. It was also a short time to do a lot of work, especially with the added interruptions of school, extracurriculars, friends, and family.

The one-month period meant I ostensibly had 720 hours to write a 50,000-word manuscript. But that time was filled with interruptions in a way journalism competitions were not. I couldn’t drop everything to write for 720 hours and still expect my family and friends to love me when I returned to regular life.

Fifty thousand words over a month comes out to 1,667 words per day. But for most people, writing that much every day of November isn’t possible, especially if you celebrate Thanksgiving. You must plan a schedule and a pace that works with your life. I planned to write 2,000 words per day to give myself a couple days’ buffer around the holidays. I strongly believe that a realistic plan helped me generate my 50,000 words.

NaNoWriMo also requires maintaining a rigorous pace, which mostly meant I had to mute my desire to pore over a sentence for half an hour. To do that, I had to follow my next tip.

What if you had an in-house editor at your fingertips?

WordRake enables you to create precise, highly polished writing.

Life Lesson #3: Don’t Aim for Perfection

The most liberating aspect of NaNoWriMo is that perfection is hopeless, so you stop thinking about it. Everyone is pushing themselves to see what they’re capable of and get a significant start on a project they’ll likely work on for years. No one can write a novel that’s publication-ready in a month—so don’t try to. Focus on completing a first draft, which is enough to keep anyone busy for a month.

Admittedly, my first draft was rough. I had days where I knew 95 percent of what I wrote would need rewriting before I’d show my book to anyone, and I learned not to be bothered by that. Writing that many words in a month requires you to stop trying to achieve perfection, turn off your inner critic, and just write.

Writing daily helped me connect deeply to my story and characters. I became so engrossed in the story that there were times it felt like the scenes and story arcs wrote themselves. Even if I didn’t want a character to say a certain line, I knew it was what he or she would say and what the story needed. It felt as though the characters spoke for themselves. I’ve only felt that way while writing during NaNoWriMo, and I think it’s because of the deep, daily writing time. It’s the most consumed by a story I’ve ever been.

Letting go of perfectionism was freeing and inspiring: it prompted me to write plot twists and characters I never expected. By rejecting perfection, I felt I could take those artistic risks.

Traditional Benefits of Joining a Writing Contest

Writing competitions can teach you a lot about yourself, but it would be disingenuous to overlook the writing improvement opportunities that come from participation. These contests can also be your opportunity to:

Benefit #1: Get Feedback On Your Writing

While most writing contests don’t offer critique for all entries, other competitions do. Some contests will give you feedback for a small fee; others will do it for free. Take critique wherever you can get it because it will help you improve your writing. If you do well, you may get even more feedback and earn attention for your work.

Benefit #2: Showcase Your Work to the Industry

Getting shortlisted or winning a writing competition may mean that publishers or agents see potential in your work. Many writing contests will have literary agents or independent publishers as judges, which can help you get noticed by influential people in the writing industry. If a judge loves your work, they might strike a deal with you, publish your work, or share some feedback. Your next contest could be your ticket to a publishing deal or another writing opportunity.

Benefit #3: Get Motivated

Joining a writing contest can also motivate you to keep writing, especially if you’ve been feeling stuck. A competition and a deadline might help you reconnect with your project or reinvigorate your editing. It can help you set goals and give you the drive you need to move forward—win or lose.

Benefit #4: Discover New Writing Styles

Want to write something different in a different genre or voice? Sign up for a writing competition! Signing up for a competition can help you build the courage to switch genres or learn a new writing style. Maximum word counts can reduce the burden of completing a large new work that may not be a great fit, while still giving you the courage to try it. With limits on how much you can write, quickly coming up with a horror story or an essay is possible.

Benefit #5: Use Past Entries as Starting Points

Let’s face it: Losing a competition sucks. But that doesn’t mean your work was wasted. Keep all your work in one place—you can always revisit to rewrite or refine it. Even if it wasn’t selected as a winner for one writing contest, it could be a great start for another project. Try approaching the old project from a different perspective, or try placing a different limitation on the project that might inspire you to try something new.

Don’t Ditch Your Work—Edit It

Once the competition is over, you might be tempted to throw your work away and never look at it again, but a first draft is a great opportunity to practice polishing and editing your writing. About 70% of writing is editing, but it’s hard to get to the editing stage. So don’t waste the opportunity once you’re there.

Participating in NaNoWriMo pushed me to focus on getting out the first draft and accept that I would revise heavily later. When writing a novel, forcing yourself to quickly produce a first draft gets you to the revising stage faster.

At the end of the month (or maybe after a month-long break from your story), you can return to your work to edit with fresh eyes. You can also try editing software like WordRake on your first draft to refine and tighten your writing. Then, you can devote more energy to improving plot and pacing.

Since we improve through practice, writing exercises like competitions can improve aspects of our writing, such as crafting dialogue or developing characters. However, the greatest value of writing contests is the way they challenge what we think we can do. Competitions show us we can write pieces in a short amount of time once we find community, motivate ourselves with goals and timeframes, and let go of perfection.

About the Author

Caroline Engle is WordRake’s Marketing Communications Specialist. She convinced WordRake to hire her as an intern after placing in editing competitions and writing a novel in a month. When she isn’t editing or writing copy, coordinating conference logistics, or helping improve WordRake’s functionality, she’s reading, going on ten-mile walks, or looking up flight prices. Connect with her on LinkedIn  here .

Something Powerful

Tell the reader more.

The headline and subheader tells us what you're offering , and the form header closes the deal. Over here you can explain why your offer is so great it's worth filling out a form for.

• Bullets are great
• For spelling out benefits and
• Turning visitors into leads.

Improve Your Writing with WordRake

Try this revolutionary editing software free for 7 days. Now available for Mac or Windows.

Try Free for 7 Days

Related Posts

See All Posts

© 2024 WordRake, LLC. 8415 154th Avenue NE,  Suite 200, Redmond, WA 98052. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Technology | Contact

Mastering Writing Competitions: Insider Tips from a Two-Time Winner

06 Apr, 2024 | Blog Articles , English Language Articles , Get the Edge , Humanities Articles , Writing Articles

What Are the Benefits of Writing Competitions for Students?

Participating in a writing competition can provide numerous benefits and opportunities for students, as they can give you the chance to broaden your skill set, boost your confidence, and gain access to new resources and connections. Here are just a few of the ways that taking part could benefit you.

I. Skill development

Writing competitions provide an excellent platform for secondary school students to practise crafting compelling narratives, refining grammar and expanding vocabulary. These skills are extremely valuable in any context that involves writing, from schoolwork and exams to university and job applications, from university study and working in academia to the worlds of journalism, content creation and beyond.

Participating allows you to develop critical thinking skills through analysis and interpretation of prompts or themes. While everyone is given the same prompt, it’s your individual approach and response that the judges are interested in and that will give you the edge in a competition (see our guide to writing prompts for some ideas and inspiration). The skills developed by actively engaging with and analysing a given theme will prepare you well for life beyond secondary school.

Writing competitions are also a great opportunity for students to experiment with different writing styles, genres and techniques to enhance their versatility as writers. This provides an exciting chance to learn to work creatively within a given form, and to develop a personal approach and voice when writing.

II. Recognition and validation

Winning or placing in a writing competition can boost your confidence and self-esteem, as it provides you with acknowledgement of your writing achievements. Recognition from competitions run by academic and educational organisations, and judged by professionals and experts, can validate your passion for writing as a legitimate talent and interest.

It’s good to feel that your work is valued and enjoyed, and it’s important to recognise the impact this can have on your progress. Receiving awards or accolades for your writing efforts can motivate you to continue pursuing your creative endeavours and literary pursuits. 

Even if you don’t win, competitions sometimes provide some positive and constructive feedback to encourage you to develop your skills, and the feeling of having participated is in itself highly motivating. Although I didn’t win or get a special mention in the first few competitions I entered, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and this encouraged me to participate in the competitions I went on to win.

III. Academic and personal growth

Participating in writing competitions helps you to develop skills in goal-setting, time management and self-discipline, all essential skills in further and higher education and the world of work. It also helps you to cultivate resilience and perseverance as you face challenges and setbacks in your writing journey, and find ways to overcome them.

Moreover, exploring new topics, themes and perspectives through competitions expands your intellectual horizons and fosters a lifelong love of learning. Competition briefs might even introduce you to a new subject area you’d like to pursue beyond the competition, in future degrees, research or career paths.

IV. Scholarships and awards

Many writing competitions offer scholarships, cash prizes or publication opportunities as incentives for participants. This adds to the sense of achievement and can open up new experiences that make you stand out as a prospective student or employee.

For example, there are over £100,000 worth of prizes to be won in OxBright’s Essay Competition, including a place at our residential summer school , a place on an online course or internship , and a Certificate of Achievement.

V. Community and networking

Participating in writing competitions can allow students to connect with fellow writers, mentors and professionals in the literary community. Joining writing groups, workshops or clubs through competitions can provide you with opportunities to share ideas and receive support. 

This not only provides the chance to learn from professionals, but can also help you to feel part of literary circles. Building relationships with experienced writers, editors and publishers fosters guidance and mentorship for you in your writing endeavours. These connections could also help you find and gain access to future opportunities.

Discover More

Thanks for signing up, 12 insider tips to ace a writing competition.

1. Make a list of the requirements

This first one may sound obvious, but it’s easy to accidentally stray from the guidelines set by the competition. Some things to bear in mind include: 

• Minimum and/or maximum word count . This is very important as your entry could be disqualified if it fails to keep within this.
• Form . Is it meant to be a poem, a short story, an essay, a script or something else?
• Prompt material. A question, statement, title, quote or photograph, for example.
• Suggested approaches . This might be a character perspective, line of argument, or particular image or theme.

By keeping a clear list of exactly what is asked of you, you can reference it as you work and ensure your writing meets the requirements. After all, you don’t want to finish your work only to realise that it needs to be partly or fully rewritten.

2. Plan out the timescale

While a competition may have a seemingly-distant deadline, you don’t want to fall into the trap of leaving it to the last minute and having to rush. Note down the deadline on your calendar or in your planner, then schedule in some time to work on your entry. 

You might want to set a few personal goals based on how much needs to be done, and by when. For example, you could set a date for having completed a plan, and another date to have finished a first draft. Make sure you leave enough time to edit and proofread.

3. Seek inspiration

It’s best to give yourself some time to think about the different ways you could approach the topic/question/theme set by the writing competition. For example, you could consider any ideas you may have had in the past, such as storylines, poetic images, characters or arguments, and see if any of them can be adapted to fit the competition’s requirements. 

Alternatively, you may need to seek out material you haven’t encountered before. This might involve reading books or news articles, visits to new or familiar places, or even something as simple as a walk. However, try not to put too much pressure on yourself, and go about your daily routine – it’s often while doing ordinary tasks that you’ll have a eureka moment.

4. Do your research

This is especially important for essay competitions, but applies to any kind of writing competition. For example, for both of my winning entries (a poem from the perspective of Queen Joanna I of Castile, and a short story inspired by a painting by Goya, a Spanish artist), I had to carefully research the historical context in which I was setting my narratives. This not only helped to inform what I was writing, but also provided great material to enrich my work and bring the stories and characters to life.

Sources might include books, websites, podcasts, articles, blogs, images and much more.

When essay-writing, backing up your ideas and arguments with evidence and research is essential to making your work convincing. When reading, it’s good to constantly ask yourself what you think about a particular line of thinking, whether you agree or disagree, or if you feel you could provide a more nuanced perspective. Including this in your essay will help make your work stand out to the judges.

Competitions often require referencing in your work, so make sure you use reliable sources and keep a note of where you’re finding each idea or piece of information. That way it’s easier for you to add any necessary footnotes, a list of sources or a bibliography to your entry.

5. Collect and brainstorm ideas before structuring

Try not to worry too much about the structure of your entry at first, and start by collecting any ideas, themes, images and descriptions you come up with, and any information and arguments you’ve read about. Jotting all of this down in mind-maps, lists or posters for example (whichever works best for you), can help you visualise your work. This makes it easier to find the best way to structure your work later on.

6. Take some time to plan

While it might be tempting to dive straight into writing, and this can be helpful when you have the momentum to write a particular part of your entry, it’s still important to plan. This helps to ensure your work is coherent and each section leads smoothly into the next one. 

For example, you may come up with a few stanzas of a poem or paragraphs of a story or essay before planning. However, it’s always good to take a step back and plan exactly where they’ll fit best within your piece, based on other content you want to include.

7. Play with form

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the form set by the competition. For example, you could research different types of poems, narrative types or ways to structure an essay. Sometimes competitions are more specific – for example, if it should be written in first or third person – but there’s always scope to find your personal approach.

Often, the best entries are those that creatively engage with the possibilities and constraints of the form they’re written in.

8. Experiment with imagery

For more descriptive pieces, it can be helpful to research literary devices and techniques. 

You might want to choose certain motifs or literary images to recur throughout the piece, which can help to provide stylistic unity to your work. Exploring the possibilities of a particular set of images or concepts to be presented in different ways can help to develop your work and showcase your creativity and imagination. 

For example, in my poem about Joanna ‘The Mad’ of Castile, I explored the weight of the charge of ‘madness’ and what it implied about illness, suffering, suppression and control.

Alternatively, using lots of different ways to describe the subject at hand can highlight your versatility and creative potential as a writer.

These tips can also be applied to essay writing, as particular case studies, anecdotes and imagery can help to anchor the focus of your work, highlighting your personal take on the subject.

9. Pay attention to tone

It’s important to bear in mind the tone you want to set for your piece. Will it be light-hearted and humorous, bitterly ironic, serious, dramatic or tragic (or something else entirely)? Think about which approach works best for the competition requirements, and try to be consistent with your tone. 

If you want to change the tenor of the piece as it develops – starting off more light-hearted but ending with a serious note, for example – make sure you’re purposeful with the way the tone changes.

10. Don’t give up!

Everyone suffers from writer’s block sometimes, and it’s normal to get a bit stuck at some stage in the writing process. Try not to get disheartened, and instead take a break and come back to working a bit later. You might feel the need to seek out a new source of inspiration, or your brain may simply be tired and you may need a break to gather your thoughts.

11. Take breaks when you need them

You might get into the ‘zone’ and want to blitz your way through the essay at once, but often we need to take a few breaks to get the cognitive juices flowing and persevere through any bouts of writer’s block as mentioned above.

Exercising, listening to music, playing an instrument, reading for pleasure, and meeting up with friends are just some of the ways that you can take a healthy break. The most important thing is to pay attention to how you’re feeling and do what’s best for you.

12. Proofread, proofread and proofread again!

Once you’ve finished your first draft, take a break and come back to proofread and edit where necessary. Pay attention to spelling, punctuation and grammar, and potentially consider alternative ways of phrasing sentences or structuring your ideas. 

Once you’ve gone through your work once or twice, it’s a good idea to ask for a second (and third) pair of eyes to check for typos and give some feedback. A competition may limit the input of the help of others such as teachers, but as long as you keep within the guidelines, asking for others’ responses is a good way to refine your work and get a feel for how others may respond to your writing. This way, you can ensure everything makes sense and is as effective as possible.

Writing competitions are an amazing opportunity for your personal and academic development, as a way of practising and improving your writing skills, encouraging your creativity and interest, and connecting you to the literary community. 

I hope these tips will guide and encourage you with your writing competition applications. Just remember to have fun and let your creativity shine through!

Costas is currently studying a BA in History and Spanish at the University of Oxford, specialising mainly in medieval history and literature. His interests include reading widely, creative writing, and playing and listening to music.

Recommended articles

Best Universities to Study Medicine in the World

A degree in Medicine spans many years, so it’s important to make a good choice when committing yourself to your studies. This guide is designed to help you figure out where you'd like to study and practise medicine. For those interested in getting a head start, the...

What Is A Year Abroad?

One of the great opportunities offered to UK university students is taking a year abroad. But what does this involve? Who can do it? What are some of the pros and cons? In our year abroad guide, we’ll explain some of the things to bear in mind when considering this...

The Ultimate Guide To Summer Internships

Are you eager to make the most of your summer break and jumpstart your career? There are so many productive things students can do in the summer or with their school holidays, and an internship is one of the most valuable! A summer internship could be the perfect...

The Benefits of Entering Writing Contests

I started IEW when my twins were in fifth grade. I bought my Teaching Writing: Structure and Style (TWSS) in the spring. Truth be told, I was a little intimidated to begin, so I put it up for a while. Once my co-op found out I had the TWSS, I was quickly volunteered to teach others’ kids. After all, they reasoned, I was teaching my twins anyway! I cracked open my box and started watching DVDs. Much to my surprise and delight, Andrew Pudewa made it seem easy. The teacher instructions were straightforward. “I can do this!” I thought.

After a year of IEW, I started looking for ways for my own kids to use their IEW skills. We wrote for history class, for literature class, for bible class. Then I stumbled upon a local writing contest. Why not? We discussed the prompt, and I sent them to their desks to work on a draft. Aside from reminding them to add style and checking their grammar, I didn’t critique the content. Although they didn’t win, they did receive recognition for their entries. Thus was born their foray into competitive writing. They entered local writing and speech competitions. They entered national competitions. They lost lots. However, sometimes they won. As junior high students, they started collecting scholarships and sometimes cash winnings. None of the awards were momentous, yet each award bolstered their confidence and determination to keep trying. Years down the road when it came time to write essays for university scholarships, they were well practiced writing prompt-based essays with word limits.

Motivated by my own kids’ successes, I started requiring my co-op IEW students to submit contest entries. One student won. Then another. Before long, I was delighted to see that many of my IEW students had won writing contests. This continued through three different co-ops. One year, with three different local branches of a writing contest, IEW students won eight of the nine awards. Was it that I was an amazing teacher? Of course not. The impact of a strong writing program made all the difference.

While I rejoiced with each phone call from a student that started with “guess what,” I was most moved by those students who were my reluctant writers, the kids who thought they couldn’t write well, the kids living in the shadow of an older sibling who was a natural writer. Winning impacted those students beyond a certificate and monetary reward. Those students stood a little taller, wrote a little more willingly, believed in themselves a little more. There was the student who grudgingly completed each of his IEW assignments, often at the last minute. He decided to write for a patriotism prompt and threw his whole heart into it. That fall as the winner for the state of Indiana, he joined a group of his peers for an all-expense-paid trip to Valley Forge for a youth seminar. There were the students who faced their public speaking fears to read their winning essays to a group of Optimists who offered words of encouragement. There was the student who won a citywide contest we participated in as a class. She went on to write for further contests on her own, earning scholarships for her university studies.

Why do IEW kids win writing contests? First, they have learned to ask their brains questions to pull out information (IEW Unit 7). They have learned to key word outline their thoughts so that there is a flow and an organization to their ideas. They add style to their writing, using strong vocabulary and a variety of sentence openers. They know how to follow instructions because they work with checklists. Time after time I have heard feedback from judges’ panels about how well my IEW students express their ideas. Other IEW teachers have had similar experiences.

How can you encourage your students to participate in writing contests? Find local competitions. Often, these do not draw heavy participation, so students have strong odds of placing or winning. I have a list of favorites for my students each year, but I am always on the lookout for new contests. Once you identify a contest, look at the submission date and make sure your student has time to walk through the process without being rushed. Length dictates structure. Almost all writing contests have a word count. Help your students identify how many paragraphs they will need for their entry. Next, discuss with your students who the audience is. If they are writing for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, their entries will be judged by men and women who have served their country with the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice. That’s an important fact students should bear in mind as they approach the writing process.

At that point, guide your students through asking questions about the prompt. Is it asking for a personal connection? Do they need to find a historical example? Is there research involved? Once students have brainstormed (We did this as a co-op class.), send students on their way to develop their key word outlines. Students should write from the inside out: First outline and write body paragraphs; then follow IEW’s structural models for the introduction (attention getter, background/context, topics) and conclusion (topics, most important and why, strong final sentence, title rule).

While there will not be a formal contest checklist, such as what you would see with a traditional IEW writing assignment, the reality is that judges respond more favorably to an essay with strong stylistic elements. Did students use colorful vocabulary that paints word pictures? Show—don’t tell! A variety of sentence openers provides richness to the essay. Additionally, all good writers have an editor. Students should submit their contest entries to an editor to review for grammar and spelling. Hands off content! Finally, students must review the submission guidelines one more time. Title page? Name on entry or not? Double spaced? Prompt at top or a creative title? Judges limit what they need to read by first getting rid of entries that don’t follow submission guidelines. It is a shame for students to work hard on their entries only to have them disqualified because they left something off the entry.

For reluctant writers and for students who may already have a heavy academic load, writing for a contest may be intimidating or seem to be overload. Encourage them. Students will practice their writing skills and internalize the process a bit more. I remind all my students that no one will ever call them and offer a prize because they had a great idea but didn’t follow through. There will be times they enter and don’t win. However, if they don’t enter, they won’t win.

• 2025 Judges
• 2025 Book Award
• 2025 Writing Award
• 2025 Screenplay Award
• 2025 Award Categories
• Get Notified for 2025
• 2024 Winners
• 2024 Award Results
• New For 2024
• 2024 Book Award
• 2024 Writing Award
• 2024 Screenplay Award
• Phoenix Award
• Culture Award
• Editorial Services
• See your Submission Scores
• 2024 Judges
• 2024 Award Prizes
• Young & Golden Writers
• 10 Ways To Win Our Awards
• 10 Key Factors In A Copy Edit
• Self-Editing Trial
• Freebies and Offers
• Testimonials
• Writing Careers Kick Started
• Success Stories
• Entrant's Stories
• Meet Our Team
• Media Centre
• Prado Press
• Character Workshops
• Literary Agent Critique
• Email Marketing For Authors and Writers
• Promoting and Marketing Your Books Boot Camp
• Free Writing Resource For Writers
• ProWritingAid
• Book Promotion
• Writing Products & Services
• Writing Courses & Retreats
• 10 Ways ProWritingAid Can Help You Win Our Awards
• Video Gallery
• Writing Contests
• Find A Literary Agent
• Adapting Novels Into Screenplays

The Benefits Of Entering A Writing Competition

Writing contests offer a multitude of benefits for aspiring and established writers, screenwriters, and other creative professionals.

These competitions provide a platform to showcase your talent, gain recognition, and enhance your skills, potentially leading to significant career advancement.

Writing Contests for Unpublished Writers

For unpublished writers, entering writing contests can be a game-changer. By participating in these competitions, you can gain valuable exposure to the industry professionals and potential publishers.

Winning or being shortlisted in a reputable contest can open doors to publication opportunities, allowing you to share your work with a wider audience and establish yourself as a rising star in the literary world.

Additionally, participating in writing contests provides valuable feedback from experienced judges, helping you refine your writing skills and identify areas for improvement. This feedback can be instrumental in shaping your craft and preparing you for future competitions and professional endeavors.

In Writing Contests Unpublished Writers Receive:

- Increased Exposure: Writing contests provide an opportunity to showcase your talent to a wider audience, including literary agents, publishers, and other industry professionals. Gaining recognition from a the prestigious contest can open doors to publication opportunities and further your writing career.

- Valuable Feedback: Judges often provide constructive feedback on your work, which can help you identify areas for improvement and elevate your writing skills. This feedback can be invaluable in refining your craft and preparing for future competitions.

- Confidence Boost: The thrill of winning or being shortlisted in a writing award can boost your confidence and motivate you to continue pursuing your writing aspirations.

- Networking Opportunities: Writing contests can connect you with other writers, industry professionals, and potential collaborators. These connections can lead to new opportunities for publishing, mentorship, and literary collaborations.

The Royals Royce Of Writing Awards - EA Carter, Book Award Contestant

www.pageturnerawards.com

Writing Contests for For Published Authors

Published authors also stand to benefit significantly from entering writing contests. Winning or being recognized in a prestigious competition can reinforce your literary credibility and attract a wider readership to your existing work. Additionally, these contests can generate media attention and sales, further boosting your career and establishing you as a respected author in your genre. Networking with other authors, agents, and publishers through writing contests can also lead to new opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and publishing deals.

In Writing Contests, Published Authors Receive: - Reinforcement of Credibility: Winning or being shortlisted in a prestigious writing award can enhance your literary credibility and attract more readers to your work. - Gaining New Opportunities: Recognition from a writing contest can lead to new publishing opportunities, such as book deals, magazine features, or speaking engagements. - Networking and Collaborations: Writing contests can connect you with other authors, agents, and publishers, expanding your network and opening doors to new opportunities. - Boosting Sales: Winning a writing contest can generate media attention and sales for your existing work.

Writing Contests For Screenwriters Seeking a Producer

Screenwriters seeking a break into the industry can leverage writing contests to attract the attention of potential producers and studio executives. Winning or being shortlisted in a screenwriting competition can significantly enhance your credibility and increase the likelihood of getting your screenplay produced.

Additionally, these contests can provide invaluable networking opportunities with industry professionals, expanding your connections and opening doors to future collaborations. Some writing contests also offer cash prizes or funding opportunities that can help you further develop your screenplay and bring it closer to production

Screenwriters Seeking a Producer

- Gaining Recognition: Writing contests can provide exposure to potential producers and studio executives, potentially leading to production opportunities for your screenplay. - Reinforcing Credibility: Winning or being shortlisted in a screenwriting contest can enhance your credibility as a screenwriter and attract the the attention of industry professionals. - Building Connections and Networking: Writing contests can connect you with other screenwriters, producers, and industry professionals, expanding your network and opening doors to new opportunities. - Gaining Funding: Some writing contests offer cash prizes or funding opportunities that can help you develop your screenplay further.

In conclusion, writing contests offer a wealth of benefits for writers of all levels of experience. Whether you are an unpublished writer seeking recognition and publication opportunities, a published author looking to enhance your credibility and expand your audience, or a screenwriter pursuing a career in Hollywood, participating in writing contests can significantly advance your literary journey.

Find out what other writers say about our writing contest.

Download a bundle with ten comprehensive booklets on the different aspects of entering your writing into to entering writing contests, screenplay contests and book awards.

Download Your Free Ten Booklet Comprehensive Guide To Entering Writing Contests

Visit Our Sister Sites

© Page Turner Awards 2020 | Made with ♥ in England

Global Submissions

Although we are based and registered in the UK, the Page Turner Awards are open to any authors, writers and screenwriters in the world.

Company name: Page Turner Awards Ltd. Company number: 13632079. Registered in England and Wales. Page Turner Awards is part of Sierra Blanquilla Holdings Ltd.

Join us on social media

Write It Sideways

The Pros and Cons of Entering Writing Contests

October 16, 2012 Suzannah Windsor Freeman Filed Under: Fiction , Productivity

Today’s article is written by Suzannah Windsor Freeman, founding editor.

I’m working on a short story right now, and I have just over two weeks left to finish.

Why? Because I’m writing it specifically for a contest, and the deadline is quickly approaching .

I’ll admit, I’m not the type of writer who enters a lot of contests, but I’ve taken part in a handful of them. I’m interested in those that (a) suit my particular writing style, (b) don’t cost too much to enter, (c) offer a substantial prize, and (d) would look good in my portfolio if I were to win.

There are thousands of writing contests each year, but are they really worth your time, money, and words?

It really depends on a number of factors. Each contest should be evaluated based on its own benefits and drawbacks.

Pros of Writing Contests

• Money . Most writing contests have cash prizes (for winners and runners-up), which can range anywhere from less than a hundred bucks to many thousands. Prize money is usually determined by how many entries are expected, and the prestige attached to the particular contest.
• Prestige . Having your name attached to well-known literary prize looks great in query letter or bio , and if the prize is particularly prestigious, it may help with being noticed by literary agents.
• Publication . Publication in a magazine, anthology, or on a website is generally a fringe benefit of winning or being a finalist in a contest, but in some cases it may be the primary benefit.
• Longlist/shortlist credit . Some contests, such as Glimmer Train’s monthly contests , publish longlists and/or shortlists on their sites. If the contest is well-known, even being longlisted or shortlisted is something you can mention in your portfolio or cover letter.
• Time away from your work . If you’re not allowed to simultaneous submit to other contests or magazines, you’ll be forced to put the manuscript away for a few months. If you don’t end up winning, you may come back to the piece with fresh eyes, and note areas for improvement before sending it out again.
• Deadlines can work in your favour . Working to contest deadlines can help you finish a story more quickly than you normally would, which means you can move on to the next project.
• Not much to lose . You might lose your contest fee, but once you’ve finished and polished a piece, it can always be submitted elsewhere if you don’t win.

Cons of Writing Contests

• Entry fees . While some writing contests are free, many require a small fee—usually between $5 and $50. The money goes toward prizes and covering administrative costs. A fee on the lower end of the scale is appropriate for a smaller, regional contest, whereas a fee on the higher end would likely be required for a more prestigious, national or international contest.
• Exclusive submissions . Many contests require exclusive submissions (you’re not allowed to submit your piece anywhere else) during the course of the contest. Having your manuscript tied up in one place for several months can be less than ideal of you don’t end up winning.
• Lack of prestige . Contests which are not well-known may offer small cash prizes, but little consequence. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enter or that winning doesn’t mean anything, but it’s unlikely to matter much in terms of furthering your career.
• False sense of rejection . Not winning could cause you to assume there’s something wrong with your piece, which may be untrue. Because contests rarely offer feedback, you may have come close to winning or being long/shortlisted and never know. A few years back, I submitted a short story to a national contest, and when it didn’t win I shelved the story for two years. It wasn’t until after I’d published a couple of other stories that I started submitting it again. It was soon accepted and published in a literary magazine.

Before You Enter…

So, you’re ready to give this contest thing a try? Keep these practical tips in mind:

• Keep track of upcoming contests . When we miss a contest deadline, we tend to say, “Maybe next year.” But don’t rely on your memory—write it down! Take note of upcoming contests that suit you, along with important details such as deadlines, word count requirements, restrictions, etc. Check back with your list monthly, so you’re always aware of what’s ahead and never miss out.
• Familiarize yourself with   the contest’s aesthetic . Be absolutely sure to read previous winning entries (and runners-up) if they’re published on the contest’s website. Take note of the general aesthetic. Do they like character-driven literary sketches? Longer stories with well-defined plots? Experimental pieces? Humour? Compare these pieces to your own writing style to make sure you have a good match. Read FAQ and interviews with contest judges. If the judges’ names are published, find out what type of books or stories they write.
• Be aware of eligibility restrictions . Some contests require you to be a resident of a particular country or region. Youth-oriented contests may require you to be under a certain age. Contests for new writers may only accept pieces from those who are previously unpublished. Be sure to double-check your eligibility before you go any further. I once got very excited about a writing contest only to discover you had to be a U.S. resident to enter. Luckily I found out before I wasted my money.
• Read the rules—twice . Be particularly aware of word restrictions, manuscript formatting preferences, and whether or not your contact information should appear on the manuscript. Contests that are ‘judged blind’ often ask that you remove your name and contact details from the piece so as not to bias judges’ opinions. I submitted an entry to such a contest earlier this year, only to discover afterward that I’d removed my contact details from the upper corner of the piece, but left my full name right below the title. It’s entirely possible that my piece was disqualified for this, and my entry fee wasted.
• Start small…or don’t . If you’ve never been published before, you may want to start with smaller contests. Winning one could give you a much-needed boost in confidence, and perhaps garner you your first publication credit. On the other hand, if you’ve been published a few times and are more confident in your writing abilities, you may want to shoot higher. Consider the personal benefits to you, and choose from there.
• Consider multiple entries to targeted contests . Are there just two or three contests you’d really like to enter this year? Do they allow multiple pieces by the same author (you’ll have to pay separate entry fees for each)? If so, you may want to enter more than one piece to each of these targeted contests to increase your odds.

Right now, the contest I’m targeting is the CBC Short Story Prize . The entry fee is a modest $25, and the word count is between 1200 and 1500 words. Given the short count, I don’t doubt many writers are entering multiple pieces at once.

The winner receives $6000, publication in e nRoute m agazine , a 2-week writer’s residency, and an interview on CBC radio. Four runners-up receive $1000 and publication on CBC’s website. Last year, there was also a longlist of 35 entries.

This is a well-known contest with some excellent prizes and fringe benefits—one that I believe is more than worth my time and money.

Some writers love contests, some find them to be a waste of time. Submitting my work to literary magazines and anthologies usually comes before contests, but some opportunities are too good to pass up.

It’s wise to be aware of the pros and cons of writing contests, so when the right opportunity presents itself, you’re ready to take advantage.

Do you enter writing contests? What’s your best advice for choosing wisely/ What are your top tips for making your piece stand out from the crowd?

About Suzannah Windsor Freeman

Join the discussion.

October 17, 2012 at 11:20 pm

Good morning Suzannah, Thank you for this insightful article. I thought I knew something about contests but I learned a whole lot more from your presentation. I’ve been toying around with entering my first contest (and also submitting my first article and story for publication) but your article gave me pause about the contests. I didn’t realize there were so many contests going on. My question is: where to you find out about these contests? Is there a website that lists contests or do you just have to dig around to uncover the treasure? The only one I know about right now is from Writer’s Digest, which I would consider a big one (a very little fish in a very big pond!), but I don’t know about any others.

Have a blessed day and thank you for work on this site! I’ve been most encouraged!

October 19, 2012 at 6:41 am

I’m so glad this article was helpful to you! Finding out about contests isn’t difficult, but it can take a bit of searching. There are many different websites that compile lists of contests, but I I don’t think it’s possible for them to be comprehensive. Sites like the following one are very good, and if you have a few on your watchlist, you should be covered in terms of keeping abreast of upcoming opportunities: http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-contests.html

October 18, 2012 at 12:59 am

So glad you listed the pros and cons of contests, Susannah. I have entered contests before. They’re a great motivator to finish a story, and – you’re right – a forced opportunity to step away from a story for a while. I haven’t ever won a contest, but I have been a finalist. That alone was the boost of confidence I needed at the time.

Now, the only reason I choose the contests I enter more wisely is because of the entry fees. However, there are contests that don’t require fees. Poets & Writers has a database where you can search specifically for contests with no fee ( http://www.pw.org/grants ). I’m sure there are other similar sites. Otherwise, I read about writing contests on Twitter and Facebook (ahh, social media).

October 19, 2012 at 6:44 am

I’ve never won a contest, either, Christi! But the benefits of entering the few that I have definitely outweigh the cons. Like you, I do often see tweets about writing contests. I have seen some pretty good writing contests with no entry fees, but they’re rare.

October 18, 2012 at 3:02 am

Great overview. I think contests are great for beginning writers who want to build up credits and get some encouragement during the long, slow slog toward novel publication. You’ve got some great points all entrants should to consider. Definitely the prestige of the contest matters and DO read the winners of previous years. I entered one contest and only later read some of the winners and realized I thought they were awful. I didn’t win of course, but my money was wasted. But winning–even first prize–would not have been something I’d want to mention in a query letter.

October 19, 2012 at 6:49 am

That’s a great point, Anne. A contest isn’t worth your time if winning it will embarrass you! But there are still small, regional-type contests that can give writers greater confidence in their work, even if winning doesn’t bring much prestige, exposure or money. For example, a contest hosted by your local library or city newspaper.

October 18, 2012 at 8:01 am

Excellent overview of contests. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because so many of the contests I’m seeing don’t offer a cash prize and sometimes cost quite a bit. To date I’ve only entered a few contests and I do want to enter more, but I’m being selective about where I enter.

It’s rare to see a contest that offers feedback, but it’s invaluable information if you can get it. The feedback I received from the Stiletto contest was very helpful and got me thinking about ways to improve the story.

October 19, 2012 at 6:51 am

Roxanne, I believe Women on Writing host quarterly flash fiction contests in which you can pay a bit extra for a critique of your work. For some newer writers, this can be a helpful service. I’m wondering what the benefits are of winning a contest in which there are entry fees but no cash prize. Is it publication in a magazine or anthology? Thanks!

October 18, 2012 at 10:43 am

Hi, Not only have I entered contests — but 2 of them led to publication. My poetry collection, Mythmaking, was a winner in the Word Journal Press 2004 chapbook contest and was published by Word Journal. My mystery novel, MOTHER, MURDER AND ME, was a winner in Swyers’ Publishing First New Author (fiction) Contest 2011 and was published by Swyers in April 2012. So — yes, I believe in the possibilities of contests — you never know what good things can happen. But if you don’t enter, you can’t win. What was that saying– you’ve got to be in it to win it? (Or was that the lottery.)

October 19, 2012 at 6:57 am

Thanks for sharing your positive experiences with contests, Sandy!

My personal compass for entering or not entering is now this: do I really, truly, deeply believe I could actually win the contest? Is the piece I’m working on strong enough to surpass most other writers’ entries? There’s a lot of intuition involved in assessing your own work in this way. I’ve had times where I’ve known my piece was good, but probably not good enough to win. Why would I waste my fee?

Today, I do believe the story I’m working on is strong enough to make it to the top. I believe I have just as good a chance as anyone at the winning spot. Of course, that may not happen, but I’m confident enough in my story to spend $25 for the chance to enter!

October 20, 2012 at 8:20 am

I’ve been researching contests recently in the effort to get something out there. I really appreciate your listing of the pros and the cons because I wondered if entering a contest was a waste of my time. I’ve been eyeing the Women on Writing contest which I was made aware of through a list of contests that Perl Luke provides on her site: http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-contests.html . Since you can pay an additional fee for feedback, it makes it worth giving a try.

October 20, 2012 at 9:33 am

Thank you for writing this article. I hadn’t come across an article about entering contests yet. I debate about contests, partly because I have so little time to devote to my works in progress. But, I also wonder about how to verify if a contest is a good writing credit. I Google and I post what I see on writers’ message boards. So, for me, I base the credibility on message board feedback and Google. Any other suggestions to try to verify what winning a particular contest is worth for your writing credits?

October 20, 2012 at 11:12 am

Another helpful post, I was thinking of writing something for a competition and you just gave me some more motivation.

October 21, 2012 at 9:34 am

This is a great topic to offer your readers Suzannah. Thank you. Contests are a good way to promote yourself…when you win. I appreciate you sharing your insight and experience with not winning. I have often considered not winning a rejection and you are right it’s not the same. You don’t get feedback…you could be a runner up. I use contests to help me practice “cutting the fat”. The restrictive word counts force me keep the plot moving and make the words count. They are also a good exercise in working with deadlines and really knowing your genre. Good luck with your current submission.

October 26, 2012 at 2:18 am

Excellent tips on how to know if it’s right for you. I found that the Writer Beware website actually has really good tips on contests, and how to make sure they’re not in to take your money or scam you. Because some of them are there just for that purpose.

November 13, 2012 at 5:55 am

These are excellent tips. Perhaps one of the best reasons for entering contests, systematically, is that – even if you don’t win – you are painlessly enhancing your craft skills. I must declare an interest: I judge the Writers’ Village short fiction contest. Contestants typically tell me that they are motivated to enter, not by the prize money, but by the assurance of feedback on their stories. Not many contests provide that but those who do are well worth considering.

And yes, there are a few scam contests out there. If a contest doesn’t announce its winners and showcase their stories on its site, how can you tell if any prizes were ever awarded? 🙂

November 19, 2012 at 6:08 am

I didn’t see it mentioned – did I miss it? – but one possible con of contest writing is the draconian rights grab you may not even realize applies to you.

READ CAREFULLY: if phrases such as “all rights” is triggered by SUBMISSION, not just by winning the contest – make sure you aren’t giving away rights in perpetuity to publication by merely entering the contest.

Ditto, if the prize includes publication, check carefully to see what rights might be required to get that publication. The rights to print your story or article once, or for a given period of time (say, one year) may be reasonable. Ownership, or the right to print your story whenever they want, or inclusion in an anthology in which your entry is included without further payment to you – maybe not so much.

Even Amazon had me shaking my head at the terms in one of its contests, so the source of the prizes – and good intentions on the part of the contest organizers – doesn’t supersede the actual words on the contract you sign – or sign implicitly by sending in your entry and fee*. Read, read, read – and never neglect to understand all the fine print before and after you send in your entry, and especially when it comes to claiming a prize.

Many a contest have I skipped after carefully reading what they so clearly (in tiny print) put out for your perusal.

Do not assume – the letter of the law always governs. — *Note: the best contests, and some of the most prestigious, are free (ex.: the Yale Drama Award for new playwrights).

February 16, 2013 at 2:39 am

Valuable info. Lucky me I discovered your website unintentionally, and I am surprised why this twist of fate didn’t happened in advance! I bookmarked it.

[…] The Pros and Cons of Entering Writing Contests by Suzannah Windsor Freeman at Write It Sideways […]

[…] The Pro’s and Con’s of Entering Writing Contests by Suzannah Windsor Freeman. […]

[…] opinion, a Duotrope membership is arguably a better use of your writing money than, say, multiple contest entry fees. It’s easy to go broke on those, and with an uncertain benefit to boot; at least […]

Browse the Website

• New? Start Here
• Resources I Recommend
• About Write It Sideways
• Blog for Writers
• Submit an Article

Browse by Topic

• Best Articles
• Inspiration
• Non-Fiction
• Productivity
• The Business of Writing

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

Top tips when entering an essay competition!

Essay competitions provide inspiration and direction to students, helping them get ahead and maximise their chances of success, especially in terms of university applications. Challenging questions and engaging subject categories ignite curiosity and encourage participants to delve deeper into their chosen field of study. In fact, students who do research are 25% more likely to be accepted to a top 10 university. Essay competitions provide a perfect vehicle for students to research and write in this capacity.

Producing a compelling 1,000-word essay with a clear thesis statement will challenge anyone’s research, analytical, and writing skills. Competitions, such as those provided by Avernus Education , offer students a chance to enhance their academic abilities and critical thinking skills to prepare them for future educational pursuits. Additionally, learning to write about a broad or rigorous topic in relatively few words is great practice for the type of writing required within university-level academics. By dissecting complex issues and formulating well-reasoned arguments, students sharpen their cognitive abilities.

We asked past winners to summarise their top tips for success:

1. Thoroughly read and discern the guidelines for the competition – successful essays will demonstrate a clear understanding of what is being asked. Is it looking for a personal connection? Do I need to find a historical or practical example? Is there research involved?

2. Don’t be afraid to show off your passion for a subject. Make your essay compelling, well-researched and innovative to grab the interest of the markers and judging panel.

3. Start with a strong, clear thesis, and try to maintain consistency in this. Essays that effectively outline what you’re proposing, and how you’re proposing it, are appealing to readers. Make your arguments concise and follow them through to a clear judgement.

4. Keep to a clear and organised structure. It’s easy to spot the difference between an essay that has been thoroughly planned and edited, and a rushed one containing lots of mistakes or contradictions. Brainstorming, outlining, and drafting essays can have real benefits. Of course, don’t forget to proofread, edit, and polish; check the essay for errors, inconsistencies, and improvements.

For more tips, students are often able to access guidance and support throughout the writing process. The team at Avernus Education are always on hand to assist anyone entering the International Essay Competition.

• Essay Competition

Looking for the best custom research paper writing service by experts? We offer top-tier, personalized research papers crafted by experienced writers. With a focus on quality, originality, and timely delivery, our expert team ensures that every paper meets academic standards and is tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you need assistance with complex topics, formatting, or thorough research, our professionals handle it all to help you excel. Buy custom research paper services and enjoy a seamless, stress-free academic experience with guaranteed results designed to meet your goals.