PROMPTS

CREATIVE

  1. Craft a narrative about a fictional character’s firsthand experience of a historical episode. Bring the era to life through vivid details and show how it connects to challenges or values in the modern day.

  2. Imagine waking up to a world where one law of nature no longer applies. How does life change?

  3. You receive a message from your future self, dated 10 years from now. In it, your future self outlines a major decision you’ll soon have to make, one that could change the course of your life. As you read, you begin to question whether the future is truly set in stone, or if it’s shaped by the choices you make today. Explore how the knowledge of a future event alters your present decisions and how you balance fate with free will.

Argumentative

  1. Should there be stricter global regulations on the development and use of artificial intelligence? Argue for or against this position, considering the balance between innovation and ethical concerns.

  2. Should freedom of speech have stricter limitations in the context of misinformation and hate speech online? Argue for a balanced approach to protecting individual rights while maintaining public safety.

  3. Is it the responsibility of wealthier nations to ensure equitable access to vaccines and healthcare for developing countries? Make a case for or against this obligation.

JOURNALISTIC

  1. Highlight an individual or group in your community who went above and beyond during a recent crisis, such as a natural disaster, pandemic, or social upheaval. Explore their motivations and the impact of their efforts.

  2. Focus on the contributions of workers in overlooked professions, such as sanitation workers, delivery drivers, or caregivers. Highlight the significance of their work and the systemic issues they face.

  3. Investigate how protest movements have adapted to the digital age. Consider how online activism complements or challenges traditional forms of demonstration.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Each participant will select 1 prompt from the Creative, Argumentative, OR Journalistic options.

  • The regional qualifying submission has a maximum length of 500 words (not including citations, titles, etc)

  • The top 5 Creative, top 5 Argumentative, and top 5 Journalistic essays from each region will be invited to the Global Final.

  • In the Global Final round, each participant will further elaborate on their essays from the regional submission for a maximum of 1,500 words. (ALL details about the finals will be revealed once the Global Finalists have been announced)

Essays must be submitted by:

February 17th by 11:59PM GMT-0.

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