Unlock Your Writing Potential: Students in Our Writing Competition Preparation Class Are More Likely to Secure Awards
1. What is the New York Times One Pager Challenge?
The New York Times One-Pager Challenge invites students to respond to a New York Times article, opinion essay, video, graph, photo collection, or podcast by creating a one-page illustrated submission. The challenge’s goal is to honor a different type of expression than writing and help students find themselves, their communities, and their interests in the pages of The New York Times.
2. Who Can Participate in the Contest?
Teenagers from 13 to 19 years old anywhere in the world are invited, whether in middle school, high school, or recent high school graduates who haven’t yet started college.
Students attending their first year of a two-year CEGEP in Quebec Province can also participate. In addition, students aged 19 or under who have completed high school but are taking a gap year or are otherwise not enrolled in college can participate.
The children and stepchildren of New York Times employees are not eligible to enter this contest. Nor are students who live in the same household as those employees.
3. What’s the Contest Timeline and Structure?
All entries must be submitted by Jan. 10, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to having their work published on The Learning Network and be eligible to be chosen to have their work published in the print editions of The New York Times.
4. What are the Submission Requirements?
- The headline and publication date of the selected New York Times piece.
- At least one quote or specific detail from the piece.
- An image or illustration that reflects or comments on the piece. The image can be hand-drawn or found online (excluding copyrighted material). Creative Commons images are allowed with proper attribution. Artificial intelligence-generated images are not permitted.
- You can participate in the One-Pager Challenge alone or in pairs, but each student should submit only one entry.
Your one-pager should also address at least two of the following: why you chose the article, your opinion, something you learned, its impact on your understanding, a summary in your words, questions for the author, connections to other content, who you’d share it with, new vocabulary, how it influenced you as a reader, missing perspectives, additional information you wanted, analysis of the argument, comparison to other media, something you admired, improvements you’d suggest, or an action you’d take as a result.
90% of Aralia Students Win Awards in Writing Contests
Aralia’s writing contest preparation classes have a proven track record of success. Our students consistently win awards, thanks to personalized coaching from award-winning teachers who have years of experience guiding students.
5. What Makes a Great Submission to This Contest?
A submission that showcases the personal connection between the New York Times content and your illustration/photograph
Choosing a piece that resonates with you personally will help spark your interest and curiosity. The more passionate you are about the subject, the more engaging your submission will be. In addition, your visuals should offer a unique perspective, which can be related to your life, your personal experience, or even the people around you. This personal connection can add depth to your submission and demonstrate how the article influenced your perspective or actions.
View Examples of Past Winning Submissions for Inspiration
New York Times has published last year’s winning entries to help students get started and understand what it takes to stand out in the competition. Analyzing what made those submissions successful can inspire students and give them a clearer idea of what the judges seek.
In addition, the newspaper released a step-by-step guide to familiarize students further with this type of submission request.
Always Seek Feedback and Revisions
When completing the one pager, you should pay attention to details like spelling, grammar, and image quality, as technical precision is just as important as creativity. When our students complete their work, we always recommend them to seek feedback from peers, teachers in school in addition to Aralia’s teacher. Don’t hesitate to make revisions to ensure your one-pager is the best it can be.
6. Participate in Aralia’s Writing Competition Preparation
At Aralia Education, we offer online competition preparation classes designed to help students excel in writing competitions, including the prestigious New York Times One Pager Challenge. Our team of experts provides students with guidance from experienced teachers vetted from the nation’s top-ranking high schools. Take a class with Aralia to improve your writing, stimulate your creativity, and prepare for the New York Times One Pager Challenge!
