Submit your entry and participate in the Open Letters: Our Opinion-Writing Contest by New York Times latest by April 16!
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.
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.
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
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:
To increase your chances of success, follow these tips:
Interested participants can register through this link.
The deadline for submission is April 16, 2025.
Write at LNFeedback[at]nytimes[dot]com
