Are you a high school sophomore or junior interested in entering an essay contest? If so, consider applying for the Achievement Awards in Writing! The awards are open to nominated students who submit a piece of creative/argumentative writing. The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a nonprofit professional association of educators, offers the contest to recognize students’ talents and achievements. The NCTE focuses on improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. Each year, multiple winners are chosen and receive a certificate. Additionally, winners of the “First Class Award” will have their name and their school’s name appear on the NCTE website. If you are passionate about writing, we encourage you to apply!

• Sophomores and juniors in the current academic school year are eligible to be nominated by their school’s English department. Nominations should be based on whether the writer exhibits the power to inform and move an audience through language. Entries are only accepted from teachers; students may not self-nominate.
• Schools in the United States, US territories, Canada, and American Schools Abroad are eligible to nominate students. Nominating schools must be US accredited.
• The number of nominees allowed from each school is determined by the current total enrollment in grades 10, 11, and 12. The enrollment figure used must be from an official administrative report of the current year and must not include ninth-grade students.