stossel in the classroom essay contest 2023

Submit by March 22, 2024

The winners have been announced!

Every year, we hold an essay contest to give your students an opportunity to express themselves and win great prizes. This year, we’re giving away over $12,000. And we have prizes for teachers, too!

Students have four topics to choose from, allowing them to write on the subject that speaks to them the most., our contest is open to students in grades 5-12, age 10-18, residing in north america, hawaii, or at a u.s. military address.  the deadline to submit is 11:59pm eastern on friday, march 22, 2024. students may submit their essays to us directly, or have them submitted by a teacher or parent ., winners will be announced in may 2024. for topics and complete rules, see below., student submission form, teacher submission form.

• FIRST PLACE – High School Division: $2,500

• FIRST PLACE – Middle School Division: $2,500

• SECOND PLACE – High School Division: $1,000

• SECOND PLACE – Middle School Division: $1,000

• THIRD PLACE – High School Division: $500

• THIRD PLACE – Middle School Division: $500

• 10 FINALISTS – $200 each (5 finalists from each division)

• 10 SEMI-FINALISTS  – $100 each (selected from among the top 10 essays in each division)

• 25 HONORABLE MENTIONS – $50 each (selected from among the top 25 essays in each division)

• For each submission, you’ll receive an entry into a drawing for one of ten $50 Amazon gift cards.

• If you reach 30 submissions, you’ll receive a guaranteed $50 Amazon gift card.

• The teacher with the most submissions will receive a $150 Amazon gift card.

• Entries in our Video Contest count, too!

Do your students prefer making videos to writing essays?

Our video contest is perfect for them.

Teachers and students may choose from any one of these four topics . Find the one that suits your class best, or let your students decide for themselves.

The Housing Shortage: Causes, Solutions, and the Role of Government

In recent decades, many communities have observed a swift rise in housing prices that outpaces inflation. As homes become less affordable, more families struggle to find suitable housing, and some even face homelessness.

Delve into the complexities of the housing market. In a 500-1,000-word essay,   present a comprehensive understanding of the current concerns with housing in America and discuss your perspective on the best paths forward.

• Explore the main causes of the increase in housing prices.
• Propose practical solutions that can help alleviate the housing shortage and make homes more affordable.
• Discuss the role of the government in this situation: Has its involvement been beneficial or detrimental? Do you believe there should be more or less government intervention? Why/Why not?

Your submission should be well-researched, and you are encouraged to incorporate real-world examples, statistics, and credible references. 

You might want to look at the following videos to help you get started:

• How Rent Control Hurts Renters
• Both Sides: AirBNB – Good or Bad?
• Both Sides: How to Solve the Housing Crisis

Ticket Dynamics: Unveiling the Economics of Concert Tours

When artists such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé embark on concert tours, there’s more to the story than just their performances. The intricacies of ticketing—ranging from pricing strategies to consumer experiences—are influenced by factors such as supply and demand, industry dynamics, and regulatory considerations. In addition, such concerts create opportunities for other vendors such as nail salons, hair stylists, and fan merchandise creators and sellers.

In a 500-1,000-word essay, navigate the economic landscape and opportunities of major concert tours. You may want to consider one or more of the following:

• The factors that influence concert ticket pricing. Why do prices vary between geographic locations, seat locations, and artists’ popularity?
• The role of official ticket platforms and third-party resellers. How can they impact consumer experience and pricing?
• The economic impact on communities and host cities. 
• The debate over government intervention in ticketing. Should there be regulations on pricing, resales, or monopolistic behaviors? How might those regulations benefit or harm artists and concertgoers?

Support your essay with data, personal anecdotes, fan feedback, and pertinent news insights to provide a well-rounded perspective on the topic.

• Both Sides: Is Price Gouging Immoral?
• Both Sides: Price Gouging Revisited
• Both Sides: Monopolies

My Vision for 2024: Presidential Campaign Priorities

With each presidential election, candidates present their visions for the nation’s future. They spotlight pressing issues and propose solutions, aiming to resonate with voters and highlight their leadership qualities.

Imagine you are running for president in 2024. In a 500-1,000 word essay:

• Which three issues would you prioritize as president?  
• Discuss the significance of each priority and why it’s crucial for the nation’s progress.

Utilize compelling arguments and data to support your positions, and present a cohesive vision for the future to inspire, inform, and persuade America’s voters. 

Unsure of where you stand politically on important issues? Use the world’s smallest political quiz to find out . You might also want to explore our ‘Both Sides of the Issues’ installments . These pieces delve into key topics, presenting balanced viewpoints that can guide your selection of campaign priorities.

The Path Forward: Evaluating U.S. Energy Policy

Energy is essential, impacting everything from the lights in our homes to the cars on our roads. Now, the U.S. is at an energy crossroads. There are debates about who should decide what energy sources we have, how we heat our homes, power our cars, even how we cook. Included in those debates are questions about reliability, cleanliness, and affordability.

In a 500-1,000 word persuasive essay, address the following points:

• Briefly describe the U.S. federal energy policy. What are its goals?
• Examine the tradeoffs between promoting innovative green energy technologies and ensuring a stable, affordable, and reliable energy supply.  What are the challenges of achieving cleaner energy while ensuring it remains affordable and reliable?
• Who should choose what energy sources we use: the federal government, individual states, or consumers and private companies?

Conclude your essay by proposing an energy policy that the federal government should adopt. 

• Electric Cars: Inconvenient Facts, Part 1 and Part 2
• The Energy Debate
• The Green Deal: Fact vs Fiction
• Thank You, Fossil Fuels
• The Nuclear Option

CONTEST RULES

All essays should specifically address one of the four Essay Topics listed above.

Eligibility – The contest is open to writers in grades 5-12, (ages 10-18) at some point during the contest period September 14, 2023-March 22, 2024. No more than one essay submission will be accepted for each essay writer. Students may enter both the essay and video contests. Writers must be located in North America, Hawaii, or a U.S. military address, and all submissions should be in English. Employees of Stossel in the Classroom, Stossel TV, and Center for Independent Thought, or any person or organization involved in the operation and/or setup of the contest, and their immediate family members are not eligible for this contest. Previous winners of a Stossel in the Classroom first place prize are not eligible for prizes in our subsequent contests.

Essay Length – Essays must be 500-1,000 words in length. Submissions that do not meet this requirement, or that exceed it, will be disqualified. If an essay exceeds the word limit due to a “Works cited” page or bibliography, it will not be disqualified. If an essay would not meet the word minimum without its “Works cited” page or bibliography, it will not be disqualified.

Deadline – Essays must be submitted no later than 11:59pm Eastern Time, March 22, 2024.

Plagiarism – All essays must be the original work of the student whose name is listed on the submission form. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

Taxes – Winners will be solely responsible for any federal, state, or local taxes on winnings.

Judges – Essays will be judged on their ability to answer the topic question in an articulate, clear, and organized manner. Stossel in the Classroom will evaluate essay submissions in a fair and unbiased four-round judging system, in which judges all use the same criteria. Judges will be selected by Stossel in the Classroom based on their backgrounds and expertise in education, writing, and the subject matter. Decisions of the judges are final.

Ownership and Use – The ownership of any submission remains the property of the writer, but entry into the competition constitutes the entrant’s permission and consent, without compensation, with or without attribution, for Stossel in the Classroom, Stossel TV, and Center for Independent Thought to use, reproduce, transmit, post, distribute, adapt, edit, and/or display the submission.

TIPS FOR ESSAY WRITERS

• Proofread your essay before it’s submitted. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar count.
• Be mindful of the 500-1,000 word requirement.
• Be original. To win the top prize, your essay needs to stand out among thousands.
• Cite your sources and check your facts.

If you have any questions about our contests, please email us at [email protected] .

The Winter Cohort II application deadline is December 29, 2024! Click here to apply.

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Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest - 10 Tips to Help You Win

One of the best ways to develop your writing and communication skills as a high schooler is by participating in various kinds of writing contests.  Winning or even just participating in such competitions allows you to both develop and demonstrate your writing ability, critical thinking, and initiative. Aside from the experience and the awards, it also benefits your college applications by showing admissions officers that you are engaged and proactive in your education . Plus, it can be a fun and rewarding experience that provides valuable feedback and a sense of accomplishment.  

If you’re looking for an interesting and valuable writing competition to take part in, then today’s blog on the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest is just for you.

What Is the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest?

The Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest  is an annual competition designed to engage middle and high school students with current events and public policy. Named after the well-known journalist John Stossel,  the contest aims to promote free thought and critical thinking by encouraging research and analysis of critical and complex issues impacting the world, and articulating these views in a comprehensive essay . By participating, you can not only learn valuable research and writing skills, but also gain a deeper understanding of economic and political concepts, which can be useful for your future studies. Plus, winners receive cash prizes and national recognition , which can be a great addition to your resume.

Is it prestigious?

Yes, the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest is considered prestigious.  Thousands of students from across the United States and even internationally participate each year. The competition is intense, and the topics require a deep understanding and thoughtful analysis. The contest is pretty selective, and being a finalist or winner can set you apart in college applications.  More importantly, it teaches you to think and communicate at an advanced level, a valuable life skill that will stand you in good stead regardless of what career or education you choose to pursue.

Who is eligible to participate?

The contest is open to middle and high school students residing in North America, Hawaii or at a US military address. You simply need to be in grades 5-12 and between 13 and 18 years old. Participation is free of charge .

How is the competition structured?

The Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest is structured around four specific prompt categories, each addressing a significant topic in current events, economics, or public policy. Once the contest opens in mid September, you have until March 22 to submit an essay of 500-1000 words on the prompt of your choice .  Here’s a detailed look at each of the prompts for 2024:

The Housing Shortage: Causes, Solutions, and the Role of Government - This category invites you to explore the complex issue of the housing shortage. Any essay you submit here should address the underlying causes of the housing crisis, including economic factors, zoning laws, and other regulatory constraints. You are expected to analyze potential solutions, such as deregulation, increased housing supply, and innovative building technologies.  You should also discuss the role of the government in both contributing to and resolving the housing shortage. Consider examining case studies of cities or countries that have successfully tackled similar issues, and provide a balanced view of the potential benefits and drawbacks of different approaches.

My Vision for 2024: Presidential Campaign Priorities - In this prompt, you are asked to envision the key priorities for the upcoming presidential campaign in 2024. Essays should outline what you believe should be the main focuses of the candidates, such as economic policies, healthcare reform, climate change, education, and national security. Your essay should present a well-argued case for why these issues are critical, supported by current data and trends . You are encouraged to provide specific policy recommendations and explain how these priorities could address the nation’s most pressing challenges. This category requires a forward-thinking approach and an understanding of the political landscape.

Ticket Dynamics: Unveiling the Economics of Concert Tours - This category explores the economic intricacies behind concert tours. Your essay will need to explore the various factors that influence ticket pricing, such as supply and demand, production costs, and market competition. You are expected to analyze the financial dynamics that artists and promoters face, including revenue streams from ticket sales, merchandise, and sponsorships.  You should also discuss the impact of secondary ticket markets and scalping on concert economics. Consider highlighting examples of successful tours and what made them economically viable, as well as the challenges smaller artists might face in the industry.

The Path Forward: Evaluating U.S. Energy Policy - This prompt challenges you to evaluate current U.S. energy policies and propose a path forward. Your submission will need to look at each of the various energy sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable energy, and their respective roles in the country’s energy strategy. You’ll then need to analyze the environmental, economic, and geopolitical implications of different energy policies.  You are encouraged to explore the potential of emerging technologies and the importance of energy independence. Providing a comprehensive evaluation of current policies and offering realistic, evidence-based recommendations for the future is key to this category.

Essays will be judged on:

Clarity and coherence of arguments.

Depth of analysis.

Originality.

Grammar and style.

Each submission goes through four rounds of judging, each using these criteria by different judges, to ensure a fair and rigorous evaluation process.

What are the prizes on offer?

For the high school division, the prizes available are as follows:

First place - $2,500

Second place - $1,000

Third place - $500

5 finalists - $200 each

10 semi-finalists - $100 each

25 honorable mentions - $50 each

10 tips to help you win

Understand the prompt before deciding:  Make sure you fully understand what the prompt is asking. Read it several times and take notes on key points. Contrast it with your own experience, understanding, interest, and access to resources before finalizing on it. The more exposure and interest you have for the topic, the richer your output is likely to be.

Use SITC’s vast resource library:  From SITC’s video library  to their Both Sides of the Issue  section, they have a huge amount of resources that can thoroughly equip you to understand and write on any of the given prompts. Be sure to take advantage of these easily available resources, and try to complement them with more research.

Do even more research:  For your final essay, you’re going to need credible sources to back up your arguments. Avoid using only one source - diversify your research to present a well-rounded essay. While SITC has comprehensively structured modules  to get you started, try to also refer to government records, public data and research papers.

Create an outline:  Plan your essay structure before you start writing. An outline helps you organize your thoughts and ensures a logical flow of ideas. It also helps you pre-empt and avoid any logical pitfalls.

Be original:  If you want to win, you’ll need to stand out by presenting unique viewpoints or new angles on the topic. Originality is key to catching the judges' attention. While this is easier said than done, the more you research, the larger the pool of ideas you’ll have access to when trying to come up with your own solutions.

Refer to past winners’ work:  Look at past winning essays to understand what made them successful. Note their structure, argumentation, and style. While you won’t need to incorporate them as is, they’ll still give you an idea of what the judges are looking for in a winning entry.

Write clearly and concisely:  Avoid long-winded sentences. Be clear and to the point. Make sure every sentence adds value to your essay. A 1000 word limit may seem like a lot, but it’s easy to cross it when discussing a complex topic in detail. You’ll need to work hard at trimming the fat while keeping the meat of your argument.

Edit and proofread:  Don’t submit your first draft. Don’t even submit the second or third. Edit multiple times and proofread for grammar and spelling errors. Consider asking a teacher or friend to review your essay.

Practice critical thinking:  Don’t just present facts; analyze and critique them. Demonstrate your ability to think critically about the topic. Try to take the reader on a journey, argument by argument, leading up to the inevitability of your conclusion.

Follow the guidelines:  Strictly adhere to the contest guidelines regarding word count, formatting, and submission procedures.

By following these tips and putting in the effort, you can enhance your chances of winning the Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest. Good luck!

Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in conducting and presenting in-depth research on various topics in literature or beyond, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs , selective online high school programs for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the   application form  here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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Stossel in the Classroom Essay & Video Contests

For middle school, high school, and college students.

Today we are featuring the Stossel in the Classroom Essay and Video Contests . Here are the details you need to know:

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Essay Contest:

Eligibility:.

Open to students in grades 5-12, age 10-18, residing in North America, Hawaii, or at a U.S. military address.

Application Requirements:

Choose from one of four topics (see below) and write an essay of 500-1,000 words in length. Submissions that do not meet this requirement, or that exceed it, will be disqualified. If an essay exceeds the word limit due to a “Works cited” page or bibliography, it will not be disqualified. If an essay would not meet the word minimum without its “Works cited” page or bibliography, it will not be disqualified.

Video Contest:

Open to students age 10-23 residing in North America, Hawaii, or at a U.S. military address.

Choose from one of four topics (see below) and create a video no shorter than 1 minute in length and no longer than 3 minutes in length. Videos must be uploaded to somewhere accessible to others, such as YouTube, TikTok, Vimeo, or Google Drive. Make sure your video is not set to Private. You may set it to “Unlisted” on YouTube. Submissions that do not meet these requirements will be disqualified.

Topics for Essay & Video Contests:

The Effect of Minimum Wage on Entry-Level Workers

A Better Immigration System

Cancel Culture or Censorship – Is it an assault on 1st Amendment freedoms?

Coercion vs. Choice

Entry Deadline for Essay & Video Contests: 11:59pm Eastern Time, March 21, 2025.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Rob Schimenz from Stossel in the Classroom about their essay and video contests. Rob shares lots of helpful tips for students entering these contests. Click here to listen to my conversation with Rob:

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Argument Writing: Stossel in the Classroom Contests

2023 deadline: March 31

Need a real-world reason to assign argumentative essays? Look no further. The Stossel in the Classroom 2022-23 Essay Contest welcomes your students’ arguments. I have used Stossel in the Classroom contests twice with middle schoolers, and even though none of my students won, the contests were valuable experiences. I think whenever we can get kids writing for a real-world audience, everyone wins.

The deadline is March 31 and the prizes are generous . Granted, these are national contests and, therefore, very competitive. Still, providing a contest of any kind often provides some motivation to make writing argument essays worthwhile. After all, students can’t win if they don’t enter.

Choosing a topic is often a barrier to starting. Stossel in the Classroom makes that easy by providing three essay topic choices to choose from.

In the past, my students could usually zero in on one topic that piqued their interest. Sure, you may need to help middle schoolers connect the some of the choices to their young lives, but once they see how these grown-up topics do indeed affect them, they’ll be able to insert their unique viewpoints into a conversation!

Here are this year’s argument choices:

• The American Constitution in our lives
• Inflation: Root causes and community impact
• Economics in the Wild

Refer to this page of the website for the rest of the prompts, which provide context and background info, videos, and resources to get students brainstorming.

Here are a few other details to know:

• Essay length must be 500-1,000 words, excluding Works Cited entries
• Both high school and middle school students have their own age category and prizes
• Stossel in the Classroom also invites students to create video essays in a separate contest. Visit this page for more info on that option.

Check out the website for resources that will help you guide students to their research. The contest website offers a video library , Both Sides of the Issue video series , and modules that offer more videos centered around debatable topics. Also: mentor essays! Read previous winners here. These would all make good sources and would keep students from wandering the internet for random research.

Thanks for reading! Stossel’s argument essay contest is a good thing. There’s no cost to enter and students can learn so much from producing an argument for a real-world audience.

Browse through my Student Contest page for more contests, most of which I’ve used with middle schoolers and high schoolers. Also, feel free to leave a comment or ask a question using my Contact page. Have a great week!

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Stossel in the Classroom Scholarship Contest

Scholarship value: $2,500, awards available: 51, award deadline: mar 21, 2025.

We hold an essay contest every year to give students an opportunity to express themselves and win great prizes. This year, we’re giving away over $12,000—and we have prizes for teachers, too!

We have four topics to choose from, so students and teachers can find the subject that fits them best.

Our contest is open to students in grades 5-12, age 10-18, residing in North America, Hawaii, or at a U.S. military address.  The deadline to submit is 11:59PM Eastern on Friday, March 21, 2025. Students may submit their essays to us directly, or have them submitted by a teacher or parent.

Winners will be announced on May 30, 2025. For topics and complete rules, see below.

Teachers and students may choose from any one of these four topics. Find the one that suits your class best, or let your students decide for themselves.

• The Effect of Minimum Wage on Entry-Level Workers
• Cancel Culture or Censorship Is it an assault on 1st Amendment freedoms?
• A Better Immigration System
• Coercion vs. Choice

CONTEST RULES

All essays should specifically address one of the four Essay Topics listed above.

Eligibility – The contest is open to writers in grades 5-12, (ages 10-18) at some point during the contest period September 5, 2024-March 21, 2025. No more than one essay submission will be accepted for each essay writer. Students may enter both the essay and video contests. Writers must be located in North America, Hawaii, or a U.S. military address, and all submissions should be in English. Employees of Stossel in the Classroom, Stossel TV, and Center for Independent Thought, or any person or organization involved in the operation and/or setup of the contest, and their immediate family members are not eligible for this contest. Previous winners of a Stossel in the Classroom first-place prize are not eligible for prizes in our subsequent contests, unless they’re competing in a different division. For example, first-place winners of the Middle School Division are eligible for prizes in the High School Division, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Essay Length – Essays must be 500-1,000 words in length. Submissions that do not meet this requirement, or that exceed it, will be disqualified. If an essay exceeds the word limit due to a “Works cited” page or bibliography, it will not be disqualified. If an essay would not meet the word minimum without its “Works cited” page or bibliography, it will not be disqualified.

Deadline – Essays must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time, March 21, 2025.

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