Submit your entry and participate in the Open Letters: Our Opinion-Writing Contest by New York Times latest by April 16!
About the Contest
Write an open letter to a specific audience that calls attention to an issue or problem and prompts reflection or action on it.
Whether you choose to write to your parents, teachers, school board members or mayor; a member of Congress; the head of a corporation; an artist or entertainer; or a metonym like “Silicon Valley” or “The Kremlin,” ask yourself, What do I care about? Who can make changes, big or small, local or global, to address my issue or problem? What specifically do I want my audience to understand or do? And how can I write this as an “open letter,” compelling not just to me and the recipient, but to the general audience who will be reading my words?
The Times has published numerous open letters over the years, to both famous and ordinary people. You can find a long list of free examples in our related guide.
This contest invites students to express themselves and imagine that their words can lead to real change.
Eligibility
- The contest is open to middle and high school students aged 13 to 19 worldwide.
- Whether you are an aspiring journalist, a passionate advocate, or simply someone who wants to share their views, this is an excellent opportunity to refine your writing skills and engage in meaningful discourse.
What is an Open Letter?
An open letter is a form of opinion writing directed at a specific person, group, or organization but meant for a broader audience. It combines personal perspective, persuasive argumentation, and factual evidence to make a compelling case for change or awareness. Your letter could address a political leader, a company, a school board, or even society as a whole, whoever you believe should hear your message.
Submission Guidelines
- Word Limit: Entries should be between 450 and 500 words.
- Content: Writers should present a clear argument, supported by strong evidence and reasoning, on a topic of their choice.
- Originality: Submissions must be original and unpublished. AI-generated content is not allowed.
- Format: Entries should be submitted through the official contest platform.
- Language: All submissions must be written in English.
- Tone & Structure: Letters should be persuasive, well-organized, and engaging.
Judgement Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Clarity and Coherence: How well is the argument structured? Is the writing easy to understand?
- Persuasiveness: Does the writer effectively convince the audience with compelling reasoning and supporting evidence?
- Originality and Voice: Does the piece present a unique perspective? Is the writer’s personality and conviction evident?
- Relevance and Impact: Does the topic address a pressing issue and offer meaningful insights or solutions?
Prizes and Recognition
- Publication: Winners will have their essays published on The New York Times Learning Network, providing them with a prestigious platform to showcase their writing.
- Recognition: Having your work featured by The New York Times is an incredible achievement that can boost college applications and future writing opportunities.
- A chance to engage with a global audience, as readers and judges from around the world will read your perspective.
Why Participate?
Writing an open letter is a valuable exercise in critical thinking, persuasive communication, and civic engagement. Here’s why this contest is worth your time:
- Sharpen Your Writing Skills: Writing a strong opinion piece requires you to organize your thoughts, develop arguments, and articulate them persuasively. These are crucial skills for academic and professional success.
- Engage with Real-World Issues: This contest encourages students to think deeply about social, political, and personal issues that matter to them. It’s an opportunity to reflect on your values and advocate for change.
- Gain Recognition and Build Your Portfolio: Winning or being featured in a prestigious competition like this can significantly enhance your resume or college applications. It demonstrates initiative, intellectual engagement, and strong writing ability.
- Make a Difference: Open letters have historically played a crucial role in influencing public opinion and sparking conversations. Your words could inspire change, educate others, and even influence decision-makers.
How to Craft a Winning Entry?
To increase your chances of success, follow these tips:
- Choose a Meaningful Topic: Pick an issue you care about deeply. It could be a social injustice, a policy change, an environmental concern, or a personal experience that reflects a broader theme.
- Address Your Letter to a Specific Audience: Who do you want to reach? A government official, a corporate leader, the general public? Tailor your tone and arguments accordingly.
- Support Your Arguments with Evidence: Use facts, statistics, personal anecdotes, and expert opinions to strengthen your case. Avoid emotional appeals without substance.
- Make Your Writing Engaging: Start with a strong hook, use vivid language, and keep your paragraphs concise and impactful.
- Revise and Edit: Proofread carefully for grammar, clarity, and coherence. A polished piece stands out to judges.
How to Submit?
- Visit The New York Times Learning Network’s official contest page.
- Follow the submission instructions carefully.
- Ensure your entry meets all the guidelines before submitting.
- Submit before the deadline as late entries will not be considered.
How to Register?
Interested participants can register through this link.
Deadline
The deadline for submission is April 16, 2025.
Contact
Write at LNFeedback[at]nytimes[dot]com
Click here to view the official notification of Open Letters: Our Opinion-Writing Contest by The New York Times.
I have no idea what to write about. Where should I start?
Our Student Opinion forum can help via its many questions that encourage you to brainstorm both the audience you might write to and the topics you’d like to address.
Who is eligible to participate in this contest?
This contest is open to students ages 13 to 19 who are in middle school or high school around the world. College students cannot submit an entry. However, high school students (including high school postgraduate students) who are taking one or more college classes can participate. Students attending their first year of a two-year CEGEP in Quebec Province can also participate. In addition, students age 19 or under who have completed high school but are taking a gap year or are otherwise not enrolled in college can participate.
Do I need a Works Cited page?
Yes. We provide you with a separate field to list the sources you used to inform or write your open letter. You’re allowed to format your list however you want; we will not judge your entry based on formatting in this section. Internal citations in your letter are not necessary.
Why are you asking for an Artist’s Statement about our process? What will you do with it?
All of us who work on The Learning Network are former teachers. One of the many things we miss, now that we work in a newsroom rather than a classroom, is being able to see how students are reacting to our “assignments” in real time — and to offer help, or tweaks, to make those assignments better. We’re asking you to reflect on what you did and why, and what was hard or easy about it, in large part so that we can improve our contests and the curriculum we create to support them.
Another reason? We have heard from many teachers that writing these statements is immensely helpful to students. Stepping back from a piece and trying to put into words what you wanted to express, and why and how you made artistic choices to do that, can help you see your piece anew and figure out how to make it stronger. For our staff, they offer important context that help us understand individual students and submissions, and learn more about the conditions under which students around the world create.
When will the winners be announced?
About 8-10 weeks after the contest has closed.
What’s the “prize”?
Having your work published on The Learning Network.
How will my open letter be judged?
Your work will be read by New York Times journalists, as well as by Learning Network staff members and educators from around the United States. We will use this rubric to judge entries.
