What is the John Locke Essay Competition

The John Locke Essay Competition is an annual essay writing competition that brings together students from all over the world to compete for coveted recognition and awards. Named after the philosopher John Locke, the competition aims to help students expand their horizons by analyzing and answering current global topics and concerns under different themes. Joining the John Locke Competition can help students strengthen their critical thinking skills and showcase their writing skills. Furthermore, it’s an opportunity for them to have their essays reviewed by expert professors from leading academic institutions like Oxford and Cambridge. These senior academics assess the students’ independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis, and persuasive style on topics in 7 categories namely, philosophy, politics, history, law, economics, psychology, and theology.

The competition is open to students aged 14-18 worldwide. There’s also a Junior Category where students 14 years old and below can join. Students are required to submit an essay between 2,000 to 2,500 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography). It should also adhere to the format provided by the John Locke Institute and must be submitted online via the competition’s official website. Essays should also be the students’ original works and have no excessive reliance on outside help.

How can you prepare for the John Locke Essay Competition?

Joining the John Locke Competition will help students hone their skills in writing and critical thinking. For students joining for the first time, here’s how they can prepare:

1. Start Early - Most students prepare months in advance due to the in-depth research and analysis involved in answering a question. Starting early lowers the chances of errors because it gives students the time to reread their work. One way a student can prepare early is by availing of an online tutoring service where they can brainstorm with tutors from top universities like Oxford and Cambridge about the topic that best suits their interests and current knowledge.

2. Analyze the Question - The John Locke Institution usually announces the questions under each category before registration begins (usually during April). Understanding the question is key to a good essay as it will enable students to identify the ideas and concepts they must include in their essay. This not only guides students in their research but also helps them in structuring arguments more effectively, ensuring that their essays are coherent and aligned with the JLI’s expectations.

3. Avoid Plagiarism - The John Locke Institute is a reputable institution that is strict on its no-plagiarism policy. All ideas must be properly cited, and any quotations must be accurately referenced. Originality is crucial in the competition, so students must acknowledge their sources and attribute ideas and information to their original authors to maintain academic integrity.

4. Refine the Essay - Students should always refine their work. After drafting the essay, they must review and revise it multiple times. Refining the essay doesn’t stop at correcting grammatical errors and improving sentence structure but also ensuring that the arguments are logical and well-supported by evidence. Students may ask for help from their family or friends to review their essays. They may even opt to work with a tutor from a reputable educational agency to have their works further evaluated, guaranteeing that their essays meet the high standards expected in the John Locke Essay Competition.

5. Manage Time Effectively - Participating in any essay competition can be stressful; there is a lot of preparation that students need. Thus, students must learn to manage their time properly. One way they can manage time is by setting up a schedule for different stages of their writing process. They can set a specific deadline for analyzing the question, conducting research, and writing the essay’s introduction, body, and conclusion.

Writing a high-quality essay is hard, so students must thoroughly prepare to produce an essay that is worthy of the John Locke Institute’s prestige.

Essay writing tips

To help students with their entry, here are some essay writing tips they should take note of:

1. Think Broadly – After choosing the question they want to answer, students should also consider the broader implications of the topic. They should ask themselves questions such as, “How would arguments fit into larger debates or issues?” and “So what?” By asking and answering these questions, students can improve their arguments and remove unnecessary ideas from their essays.

2. Get Expert Advice – Working with educational agencies may provide students with access to additional resources, such as sample essays, one-on-one feedback from tutors, and editing services, that can further aid in their preparation and cater to their specific needs. Through this, students can identify their strengths and areas for improvement, significantly enhancing the quality of their essays.

3. Be Resourceful – Students should utilize all resources available to them. Do in-depth research, explore resources, and read past essay winners. Students must dig deeper to find diverse perspectives that can broaden their analysis further. Additionally, they should also take advantage of guidance provided by their teachers or online educational platforms. After all, being resourceful doesn’t stop at research.

Overall, participating in the John Locke Essay Competition is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their prowess in writing and their knowledge of the social sciences. Beyond the recognition and the awards, the experience of crafting a well-researched essay can significantly enhance students’ skills in critical thinking, argumentation, and research. Through their participation in the John Locke Essay Competition, students position themselves for academic growth, making it a worthwhile endeavor.