Deadline: 12 November 2023
K-12 students: Make your voice heard this fall by writing a letter to a local elected representative that explains the global issue you want them to prioritize, shows how it connects to your local community, and proposes a solution. Through this contest, students can practice global citizenship, civic action, and persuasive writing, all while exploring the underreported issues that matter to them through Pulitzer Center news stories.
Prizes
- They will select three first place winners, including one high school entry (grades 9-12), one middle school entry (grades 6-8), and one elementary entry (grades K-5). First place winners will receive:
- $100 to support global community engagement in your classroom (prize distributed to your class teacher)
- Publication of your letter, photo, and bio on the Pulitzer Center website
- Additional finalists will be selected across all grade levels. Finalists will receive:
- Publication of your letter, photo, and bio on the Pulitzer Center website.
What should I expect during the workshop? How long will it last?
- Workshops last 45-75 minutes, depending on your availability and preference. They suggest scheduling a 60-75 minute workshop, if you have the class time, for a more robust discussion.
- During the workshop, the facilitator will introduce the contest mission and rules to students. They will also explore an excerpt of a news story together and will practice the thinking routine underlying a successful letter. Time permitting, they will analyze a past winning entry and explore how students can get started with their letters. The primary workshop goals are to get students excited about writing their letters, and to help them feel prepared and empowered to write persuasively about issues that matter to them. Workshops are designed to be highly interactive and discussion-based. They will provide students with multiple ways to engage (verbally, in writing, in small groups, kinesthetically, etc.)
Eligibility Criteria
- They welcome entries for all current K-12 students across the globe. Letters may be written in English and/or Spanish. Students will be judged separately in high school, middle school, and elementary categories, using the same judging rubric.
- Workshops are designed to support students in planning their letters, but participation in a workshop does not affect eligibility for the contest.
Judging Criteria
Letters will be judged using this rubric. Here are some guiding questions and tips from the Pulitzer Center team:
- How can I explain this global issue and its importance to someone who is less familiar with it?
- How am I connected to the global issue I am writing about?
- What solutions to this problem already exist?
- Who has the power to effect the change I want to see?
For more information, visit Pulitzer Center.
