Put Your Writing to the Test: The Fraser Institute’s Essay Contest
Have some time on your hands during Reading Week or March Break and want to flex your writing muscles? Interested in diving deep into the works of scholars like Milton Friedman, John Stuart Mill, and Jane Jacobs? Want to win up to $1500? Then the Fraser Institute’s Student Essay Contest may be for you!
Writing about The Biggest Issues of Our Time
This contest asks students at all levels (high school, undergraduate, and graduate students) to consider the following question: What would the Fraser Institute’s Essential Scholars say about the world today? The Essential Scholars include economists, sociologists, and other influential scholars and researchers, a full list of which can be found here.
This website — created by the Fraser Institute, the Institute for Economic Affairs, the Institute of Public Affairs, and the Foundation for Economic Education — has free books on all of the listed scholars which you can use to learn about fascinating theories that continue to shape our world today and to develop your essay. There are also lots of videos and interviews on the website to learn more. Even if you decide not to apply to the contest, I’d highly recommend taking a look at the website to learn something new!
Using the above prompt as a guide, you (or a group of friends) will need to put yourself in the shoes (or mind) of one of the Essential Scholars and explain how they would suggest we tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time — such as the housing crisis, inflation, or new technology like artificial intelligence.
Prizes & Eligibility
Apart from expanding your knowledge and improving your writing skills, there’s money on the line too! There are separate categories for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. The first-place prize for all categories is $1500 and prizes are given to five people/teams in each category with the fifth-place prize being $250.
The eligibility requirements are quite simple:
- Attend school (high school or university for undergraduate or graduate studies) in the 2023/2024 school year
- Be a Canadian citizen or international student
- Write a 1,000–1,500 word essay
Check their website for detailed formatting instructions. The deadline for the contest is June 5, 2024.
Inspiration from Previous Winners
Previous winners have written about “Milton Friedman’s Perspective on the 2023 Global Banking Crisis,” applied Joseph Schumpeter’s ideas to economic relief provided to businesses during the pandemic, and tackled F. A. Hakey’s would-be take on acquisitions in the Canadian telecommunications industry.
Having read through previous winners’ essays, here are a few tips and emerging themes I noticed to help you write your best essay.
- Have a clear thesis. This is true for any good essay, but especially so here. Don’t be afraid to explicitly say, “This essay will explore…,” though of course, a more subtle indication of your thesis can also be great.
- Statistics are your friend. Since the Essential Scholars are not around to actually comment on the issues of today, frame their ideas and theories by bringing in statistics that contextualize the current state of the issue you’re exploring or the public’s opinions on the topic.
- Use quotes from the scholar whose ideas you’re exploring liberally. Though most of the essay should be your own work, make sure to integrate short quotes from the scholar from time to time to keep your essay centred on their thoughts.
Note: The Fraser Institute has previously been criticized for producing misleading reports/research. I don’t think this should prevent you from applying and possibly winning some money from the organization, but it’s worth considering this decision on your own!
About the Author
Parmin Sedigh is a stem cell and science communications enthusiast. She’s also a first-year student at the University of Toronto, studying life sciences. You can usually find her on her computer following her curiosity. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
