The Harvard Crimson Essay Competition provides a chance to demonstrate imaginative and analytical skills that students and aspiring writers may possess. The competition offers a chance for competitors to showcase their work to the judges. It also helps the students who participate in this competition to improve their writing and critical thinking skills.
Crimson Harvard essay competition also shows commitment to thinking and expressing complex ideas clearly. This may also lead to academics and, more importantly, help participants build a strong foundation for their future ambitions. It is also a pathway for reaching both educational and career purposes.
The students’ creativity in Crimson’s essay offers a unique perspective that exhibits their deep comprehension of competition. Therefore, this article outlines a few strategies to help you write an essay that will show your creative side to the contest judges.
First, let’s learn what this essay competition is.
What is the Harvard Crimson Essay Competition?
The Harvard Crimson organises the annual Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition. The contest brings together young high school students 13–18 years of age from all around the world who are interested in writing. At the beginning, every student selects a topic of their choice and writes an essay that should not exceed 500 words.
Moreover, the competition is divided into three distinct domains: journalism, argumentation, and creative writing. The contestants in this competition show their unique writing skills to the readers in these domains.
Now that you know what this competition is about, let’s learn how students can show artistry in their writing.
How to Show Creativity in Harvard Crimson Essay Competition?
Writers need to learn the art of expressing their personal qualities. Creativity is not simply expressing opinions; it is also about creating a narrative that is interesting to readers. Below are the 10 strategies that can help students present their creativity in their writing for the Harvard Crimson essay competition.
Now, let’s take a closer look at these tactics and see how students use them to write compelling essays that will earn them rewards.
1. Understand the Prompt
To exhibit creativity in the Harvard Crimson essay competition, it is important to grasp the specific prompt in all its facets. Focus on one of the keywords in the prompt to define the most critical aspect of the subject matter. Restructuring terms to cover themes quickly is not advisable because it risks losing originality.
Moreover, understanding Harvard College’s values, such as intellectual curiosity, leadership, and social responsibility, is crucial for effectively addressing readers. This helps the development of unique ideas which will satisfy their needs. The final consideration to take into account is how important the prompt’s requirements are. So, the answer to this question should be relevant, and creative by adding challenges, bold claims and unique ideas.
2. Brainstorm Unique Ideas
A common requirement for the Crimson Harvard essay competition is to show your creativity in a short period. It requires finding unique solutions, taking the main point of view, and writing something extraordinary.
Here are a few suggestions on how one can make some original ideas:
- Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and simply write down as many ideas as you can. Do not stop for anything or use proper grammar or spelling.
- Create a visual map of ideas by starting with a central theme. Expand it with sub-themes, ideas, and relevant associations.
- Try to formulate a problem related to the above question.
- The SCAMPER technique aids in identifying dilemmas and generating new ideas. This strategy includes Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange.
- In an attempt to obtain ideas, brainstorming sessions should be conducted with the students, relatives, or friends.
3. Do Extensive Research
Originality is best demonstrated during the contest by the necessity of doing research. This means gathering the appropriate materials, assessing evidence and integrating the information into a structured and thoughtful essay. The following advice will assist you in conducting in-depth research:
Do Broad Search
A college student must uncover unique perspectives by exploring a wide range of reliable websites, databases, and journals. This will help you to know the central issues and ideas and the extent of the topic.
Use Scholarly Sources
In searches, prioritise academic sources such as books, conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals. These resources are available to enhance your argument since they are reputable and credible.
Seek Expert Opinion
To improve essay quality and impact, it’s recommended to engage in interviews or forums with experts in the field of study for their valuable insights.
Interpret Research Results
Collecting data is not enough. The data should be further analysed to discover trends, relationships, and associations. This way, you will practise your power of analytical skills and be able to develop a new angle of approach.
Investigate the Sources Thoroughly
It is important to cross-examine your sources in terms of bias, reliability and credibility. This approach would help you support your case without relying on false or misleading information.
4. Develop A Strong Thesis Statement
A successful thesis statement is the most critical aspect of creativity in the Harvard Crimson essay competition. A thesis statement serves to guide the reader by emphasising a particular direction as well as the dominant quality of the entire document. If you lack the skills to write a compelling thesis statement, you can acquire services from a reliable essay writing company. They can assist you from providing a suitable title to writing a thesis statement and a complete, well-researched essay.
You can also follow the below-mentioned strategies for the subject matter:
- Do not blur the core argument.
- Be direct and concise.
- Take a position.
- Use powerful verbs
- Avoid common or predictable language.
- Get to the point.
- Use persuasive language.
5. Use an Engaging Opening
In the Harvard Crimson essay competition, it is required to be creative and develop a new way to begin the essay. Every paper must start with a hook sentence that makes the reader interested in the topic. However, this could be a baffling number or even a question that makes the readers pause and contemplate.
The following recommendations will help you achieve a powerful introduction;
- Get a hook first.
- Make a detail that evokes the reader’s interest.
- Unroll a neat and interesting storytelling.
6. Incorporate Personal Stories
Writing engaging personal statements can enhance the overall charm of documents. Thus, you can make an essay more unique by presenting interesting stories and personal experiences. These anecdotes not only provide vivid illustrations of your views but also highlight unique perspectives. Hence, it helps the judges find your essay more compelling.
The Reasons for Constructing Personal Narratives
Following are the reasons to construct personal narratives in your essay;
Authenticity: A personal touch makes the essay more engaging and fun to the reader.
Originality: A unique experience may separate an applicant from other participants and help in their creativity.
Emotional Connection: The reader may probably develop such intimacy with an essay upon hearing such stories that they evoke emotions.
Depth and Complexity: The inclusion of personal accounts will enrich the essay with more depth and complexity. In addition, this makes it more interesting and creative.
Some Guidelines for Including Personal Narratives
- Pick a relevant one.
- Use descriptive language.
- Add visual aids; do not describe.
- Connect the story to the prompt.
1. Structure Your Essay Innovatively
The Harvard Crimson Essay Competition effectively demonstrates an innovative approach to drafting the essay. It is pertinent that applicants should not stick to the traditional framework of paper, as this would inhibit their creativity and ability to offer their opinions.
The following are the benefits of structuring your paper creatively:
- Standing out from the crowd
- Breakthrough ideas.
- Enhances attention.
- Explain difficult ideas.
Creative Essay Formats
Following are the various creative essay formats.
Non-Linear story: Instead of having a linear time flow in your story, you may think of a non-linear story.
Unity of Purpose in Disparate Scenes: Using a composition of short scenes where the scenes are interrelated or emphasise a theme or a particular aspect of the story.
Dialogue-Based Essay: As the name suggests, let the dialogue drive the ideas and the plot.
Novel Layout: Rather than just writing down your views orally, consider writing them down in a novel layout such as a play.
2. Use Vivid Imagery and Descriptive Language
Proving your creativity in an essay is achieved by including detailed descriptions and imagery in your document. This strategy not only captivates the reader but also mentions that one can think outside the box. Moreover, students should come up with an unusual method to portray the main idea.
Here are the benefits of incorporating descriptions and images in your paper:
- Constructs an image for the readers.
- Add depths.
- Proves your skill in writing.
How to Illustrate and Describe the Content
- Write something that the readers can visualise.
- Be specific.
- Don’t tell, show.
- Employ figures of speech.
3. Edit and Revise with Creativity in Mind
Editing and revising are equally important as writing about creativity in the Harvard Crimson essay competition. Editing and revision need not be dull. Students can enhance their writing, support their arguments, and make editing and revision more interesting.
Benefits of Editing and Revising with the Help of Creativity
- Enhances your ideas.
- Reinforce your arguments.
- Ensures succinct and clear communication.
- Encourages creativity.
Finally, do not stray too far from your natural writing during the editing phase. While editing is helpful, it is evident that excessive editing can kill the unique appeal that makes your essay stand out. So, a well-structured argument can effectively update a paper while still retaining a personal voice, ensuring a compelling and persuasive essay for judges.
4. Seek Feedback and Iterate
To show originality in the writing that you present for the Harvard Crimson essay competition, here is how you go about the revision and essay seeking feedback. Additionally, incorporating feedback from others can enhance your ideas and strengthen arguments. Hence, this makes your article more appealing and convincing.
Seeking Input and Coping with Revisions
- Obtaining feedback from various individuals, such as mentors and writing experts, can provide valuable insights and new perspectives on an essay.
- Embracing criticism is the most effective way of achieving professional growth, as it always seeks to improve oneself.
- Address any weaknesses or areas for improvement identified during the paper review. Make necessary changes based on the feedback received.
- Revising several times and re-evaluating is not bad. It enables you to clarify your ideas and substantiate your argument.
- To monitor essay progress and quality improvement, make changes by receiving feedback.
Enjoy the process. Be open to experimentation. Never give up on a task until you complete it with all your energy and enthusiasm. However, if you have tried all the strategies and are still unsatisfied with your performance, then buying essays online from experts is the best solution. It ensures your essay stands out from the rest of the contestants and boosts your confidence.
How Do You Get into the Harvard Crimson?
The Crimson is Harvard University’s student-controlled newspaper. Applications are accepted through a competitive process referred to as “comp,” which means competition. The comp process varies depending on the student’s choice to join departments such as news, editorial, multimedia, arts, or business.
To get into Harvard Crimson, you must;
- Attend the introduction events with the audience.
- Choose a section.
- Apply to the comp process.
- Meet the requirements and observe the deadlines.
- Ask the current members of the network questions.
- Be active and eager to help.
Harvard Crimson Essay Competition Structure
It is important to understand the terms and format of the competition. Fully comprehending the competition format enhances student’s chances of winning any competition.
A description of the format from the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition 2024 is given below:
Format for Competition
- Students in grades 9 to 12 in high school are ready to take part in the competition.
- Competitors compose an original essay on the given topic selected from a Harvard newspaper.
- The length of the essays should be between 500 and 750 words.
The competition consists of two phases: the initial phase and the concluding one, which are also known as the preliminary rounds and the finals.
First Round
- Students in the preliminary stage have to submit the essay online.
- After reviewing all the submissions, the panel of judges selects the 20-30 best essays for the final round.
Last Round
- Students selected in the final round are required to write a new essay on a different topic within 2-3 hours.
- Judges review the final documents in the last round, and the winners are determined.
Wind Up
The Harvard Crimson essay competition offers students the chance to demonstrate both their writing and creative thinking abilities. Keep in mind that the contest is more than simply a writing assignment. So, it’s a chance for you to demonstrate your passion, inventiveness, and intellectual curiosity. Being creative when following the step-by-step guidelines makes you stand out in a crowded field.
Additionally, the contest is an opportunity to demonstrate that you are not only an accomplished writer but also an original thinker with new insights. You may write an essay that is well-written and connects with readers. This helps you win the competition by embracing the unknown and taking strategic chances.
In the end, you have the opportunity to present your best work and leave a lasting impression on the judges. If you are creative, persistent, and prepared to take chances, no one can stop you from success.
