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Jintao Zhu

September 2nd, 2020

Essay Competition 2020

6 comments

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Jintao Zhu

September 2nd, 2020

Essay Competition 2020

6 comments

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Exciting News! Our Annual Essay Competition has returned!
Essay Question 2020:
What is the most important lesson for political leaders to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?
In early 2020, a major outbreak of SARS‑CoV‑2 spread across the globe. Virtually no aspect of human existence was untouched by the pandemic, which disrupted economic systems, tested political ones, and—in many cases—suspended public life altogether. Some events dramatically change the course of human history, and most commentators agree that this pandemic is one of those events. Such historical crossroads can be enormously destructive, but they also bear the potential to effect positive change and build a better system for everyone. In order to realise this potential, however, we need to figure out what lessons we can learn from the pandemic and how these lessons can help our governments and political leaders build a better future. So, we ask you—the next generation of leaders—in which ways we have to change the current system for the better. In other words, what is the most important lesson for current political leaders to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Why Enter?

1st Place Prize:
  • £100 Amazon Voucher
  • Certificate signed by Cheryl Schonhardt-Bailey, Head of the LSE Department of Government
  • Essay published in the LSEUPR blog
  • The opportunity to attend and to present your essay at the LSEUPR Annual Conference
2nd Place Prize:
  • £50 Amazon Voucher
  • Certificate signed by Cheryl Schonhardt-Bailey, Head of the LSE Department of Government
  • Essay published in the LSEUPR blog
3rd Place Prize:
  • £25 Amazon Voucher
  • Certificate signed by Cheryl Schonhardt-Bailey, Head of the LSE Department of Government
  • Essay published in the LSEUPR blog
As well as the prospect of winning a prize, this competition presents a unique opportunity for:
  1. Exploration: this is a chance to engage with the topic and to explore your ideas and thoughts in a new way, outside the confines of academic stress related to examinations and grades.
  2. Experience: for those of you wishing to apply to university, this essay competition is a chance to produce an evidence-based, long form piece of writing. This is exactly the kind of work you will be regularly asked to produce at university, LSE or elsewhere!
  3. Prestige: taking part in this competition is an achievement in itself and something that you can discuss in interviews, on your CV, and even your personal statement for university.

How to Enter:

To enter, fill out the Google form below with your personal details and please ensure to attach your essay submission as a PDF.

Deadline:

1st October 2020, 9am, BST

Submission Specifics:

  • Must be written in English
  • The word limit is 1000 words, any submission that is longer than this will be automatically disqualified
    • Please note: any in-text citations and headings are included in the word count, but the title, bibliography and appendix, if applicable, are not included.
  • Arial font, sized 12
  • Standard 1-inch margins
  • Submit essay as a PDF
  • Ensure that the PDF essay entry is completely anonymised, there should not be any personal details such as name or school attended included within the PDF.
  • This is an independent piece of work. While you are free to discuss the topic with your peers/teacher, the final submission ultimately needs to be your own work.
  • Students from any country are allowed to enter, the competition is not limited to the UK, but is limited by level of study (see below).
  • Essays should be concise, analytical, imaginative, and impartial.
    • Submissions that are explicitly biased, agenda-fuelled, or without strong supporting evidence, are discouraged – scholarly essays are not columnist opinion pieces.
  • It is extremely important to cite your sources. You are free to use any established referencing style, as long as its use is consistent.
  • You must be yet to complete your A-Level studies, IB or equivalent, i.e. about to begin year 12 or 13 of secondary school or equivalent.

Resources:

Strategies for clear and engaging writing
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Jintao Zhu

Posted In: Essay Competition

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