SUBJECT AREAS:

Please submit your essay under one of the following subject areas. Kindly note that each entrant can submit ONLY ONE essay.

  • Science & Technology
  • Social Sciences & Psychology
  • Humanities & History
  • Economics & Business
  • Medicine & Health

YOUR ESSAY MUST:

  • be written in English
  • NOT have your name or any identifying details
  • have a minimum of 2,000 words and a maximum of 4000 words, which does not include references, citations, or footnotes
  • be submitted as a WORD document.
  • be original and previously unpublished. Please kindly note that PLAGIARISM will not be tolerated. If plagiarism is discovered, the essay will be disqualified from the competition.

*For the rule about plagiarism, please refer to the website of University of Oxford.

ESSAY STRUCTURE:

In reference to academic essay requirements of the University of Oxford, your essay should have the following structure:

Introduction:

  • Introduce your research question, present thesis statement (the central argument), and give an overview of what will be discussed in the rest of the essay.
  • You may wish to define important terms, or provide some contextualising information here.
  • The introduction is also an opportunity to demonstrate your breadth, your engagement with the topic, and the significance of your research.

Body:

  • Elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop your argument.
  • Each paragraph should introduce a new sub-topic or step in the argument.
  • Make sure you keep your focus on the research question, without straying into irrelevant topics.
  • Each step in the argument should be supported with evidence.
  • Before beginning to write your essay, you’ll need to find and analyse evidence from a range of relevant sources, including existing scholarship on your topic.
  • To avoid plagiarism, the sources you use will need to be referenced in your essay (see ‘References’ below) so it’s important, while you are doing preparatory research for your essay, to always make a note of where you find information or ideas.

Conclusion:

  • Wrap up your essay by summarising your findings and highlighting how you have answered the research question.

References:

  • Include the sources you have used and cited in your paper.
  • These might take the form of footnotes, in-text citations, and/or a bibliography at the end.
  • Referencing is a fundamentally important practice of essay writing and wider academic research.
  • Different formats exist for citing references, such as the APA, MLA, MHRA, and Harvard systems. These formats can be researched online.
  • Which format you take is up to you, but please ensure your referencing format remains consistent throughout the essay and that all sources are properly attributed.

Diagrams, tables, and equations:

  • Where relevant (for example, when discussing certain scientific subjects), candidates may wish to include diagrams, tables of numbers, or mathematical formulae.
  • These should be presented in a clear format, and must be of the candidate’s own presentation (i.e. not photographed or screenshotted from another source), with sources cited where relevant.
  • Please note that diagrams and tables are not expected, and candidates should only include them if absolutely necessary to the essay.
  • A well-organised, efficient structure;
  • Interesting and enjoyable to read.

 

Successful candidates will write essays that are insightful, persuasive, and a pleasure to read, making an original contribution to the scholarship of their discipline.