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www.jbessay.comBLUE PROGRAMCONTESTS & JOURNALSGRADES 8 - 11

Our Blue Program is dedicated to creating competitive essays and supporting the learning processes behind them. By working one-on-one with a team of trained consultants, you can break down essay writing—from ideation and brainstorming to outlining and editing. J&B will work closely with you to ensure that your essay represents who you are as an innovative thinker. Your nal essay not only stands a chance of winning an award but is a memento of the hard work you put into perfecting your writing!

We understand that no students have the exact same interests: wheth-er you are a passionate creative writer, a philosopher, an economist, or an environmental advocate, J&B provides personalized guidance in recommending essay contests and journals that suit you best. J&B provides support and guidance for the following essay contests and journals:Concord Review Journal of Student Research (JSR)John Locke Essay CompetitionAyn Rand Anthem Essay ContestHarvard International Review Academic Writing ContestScholastic Art & Writing AwardsHarvard International Economics Essay ContestYoungArts Writing AwardsBennington College Young Writers AwardsColumbia Undergraduate Law Review High School Essay ContestJohn F. Kennedy Prole In Courage Essay ContestInternational Philosophy Olympiad

CONCORD REVIEWEligibility: Open to all 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students Type(s) of Writing: Historical researchRelated Subject(s): Classical Studies, Sociology, Technology, STEM and OthersExpected # of References: 50-70Word Limit: 8000 minDeadline: February, May, August, November The Concord Review allows high school students to write about any historical topic that interests them—modern or ancient. Students can explore anything from an under-researched Civil War battle to the back-ground of their favorite artist. With the opportunity to dive into the story of a gure, event, or theme in history that fascinates you, writing for the Concord Review is a chance to test your endurance, the depth of your research, and your commitment to growing as a writer.

JOURNAL OF STUDENT RESEARCH (JSR)Eligibility: Open to all 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students Type(s) of Writing: Academic Research, Reviews for Academic PapersRelated Subject(s): Sciences, Social Sciences and HumanitiesExpected # of References: 10-20Word Limit: 20 pagesDeadline: February, May, August, November The Journal of Student Research is dedicated to publishing and review-ing academic research from high school students. Students entering research to JSR submit projects to specic categories based on their grade level. 9th graders can submit AP Capstone Research projects, 10th graders write research articles, 11th graders work on review arti-cles, and 12th graders can create their own research projects. All JSR papers should fall within the sciences, social sciences or humanities.

JOHN LOCKE ESSAY COMPETITIONEligibility: Any nationality, 18 years old or youngerType(s) of Writing: Philosophical, ArgumentativeRelated Subject(s): Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and LawExpected # of References: 12-25Word Limit: 2000Deadline: Late JuneThe John Locke Essay Competition inspires philosophical thinkers from across the globe to share their ideas and openly challenge controversial topics. By encouraging students to craft essays that express their inde-pendent thoughts, the depth of their academic inquiry and exploration, and capture previously unrepresented perspectives, the John Locke Essay Competition is the place where new ideas meet time-tested con-icts. Contestants have the opportunity to address prompts in cate-gories such as Economics, Philosophy, Politics, History, Law, Theology, and Psychology.

AYN RAND ESSAY COMPETITIONEligibility: Open to all 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students worldwide Type(s) of Writing: Philosophical/argumentativeRelated Subject(s): Philosophy (ethics), Sociology, Literature and PoliticsExpected # of References: 1-3 Word Limit: The Fountainhead: 800-1,600; Anthem: 600 - 1,200Deadline: The Fountainhead: June, Sept, Dec; Anthem: MayThe Ayn Rand Essay Contest encourages high school students to dis-sect Ayn Rand’s novels, and search for deeper meanings and personal connections to passages and themes within her texts. The Ayn Rand Essay Contest offers three different prompts each for Anthem, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged. As clients explore the relevance of a quote or a novel’s title, they learn how to approach literary analyses from a micro level, while also relating key themes or messages in the text to Rand’s philosophies—as well as their own.

HARVARD INTERNATIONAL REVIEWEligibility: Any nationality, 9th-12th gradeType(s) of Writing: Academic ResearchRelated Subject(s): Agriculture, Business, Cybersecurity, Defense, Education, Employment & Immigration, Energy & Environment, Finance & Economy, Pub-lic Health, Science & Technology, Space, Trade and TransportationExpected # of References: 10-25Word Limit: 1200Deadline: May, August or JanuaryThe Harvard International Review invites high school students to weigh in on international affairs, and bring their quality research to topics that receive less attention than they deserve. HIR asks students to become more than your traditional journalist; they must bring globally-minded, critically-informed thoughts to their articles, contributing to—rather than simply repeating—the facts at hand. Students writing for the HIR can write articles in categories such as Agriculture, Business, Cybersecurity, Education, Employment, Immigration, Economics, Public Health, Tech-nology—and more. This is your chance to identify a niche international issue that fascinates you, research it, and shed light on the challenges, impact, and benets at large.

SCHOLASTIC AWARDSEligibility: Any nationality, 7th–12th grade, ages 13 and upType(s) of Writing: Writing intended to inform or convince a reader about a specic idea or topic, such as art or media reviews, persuasive essays, opin-ion essays, etc.Related Subject(s): Arts, Literature, PoetryExpected # of References: 10-25Word Limit: 500-3,000 wordsDeadline: December/January With its emphasis on originality, nesse, and authenticity, Scholastic al-lows young writers to explore the extent of their creativity, and express their compelling personal vision in written form. Writers can enter into writing categories that include: Critical Essay, Dramatic Script, Journal-ism, Personal Essay & Memoir, Poetry, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and Short Story, among others. Whether you are tackling immigration in America, a dystopian future, or an everyday interaction at school, Scho-lastic welcomes it all—your challenge is not to decide what to write about, but rather how you want to manifest a subject, topic, or theme that inspires you.

HARVARD INTL. ECONOMICS ESSAY CONTESTEligibility: Any nationality, 9th-12th gradeType(s) of Writing: Academic writing that has a great grasp of economic theory and real-world examplesRelated Subject(s): Economics, International Affairs Expected # of References: 10-30Word Limit: 1,500Deadline: January The Harvard International Economics Essay Contest (HIEEC) allows high school students to debate pressing economic issues. Although the HIEEC is economics-based, it is not solely for economics masters—anyone can compete. The HIEEC asks its contestants to apply in-depth research, analysis, and real-life examples to their work, crafting an argument the way they might form an argumentative essay. Every year, the HIEEC comes up with four unique essay topics that contestants can choose from. A chance to dive into economic theory or discuss a current nancial crisis, the HIEEC is the ideal place to add depth to your writing arsenal.

YOUNG ARTS WRITING AWARDSEligibility: U.S. citizen, resident, or green card recipient, 10-12th gradeType(s) of Writing: Creative Writing Related Subject(s): Arts, Literature, PoetryExpected # of References: N/AWord Limit: N/ADeadline: Mid-OctoberFor many young people, applying to YoungArts may be the rst step in affirming “I am an artist.” YoungArts is one of the only organizations in the U.S. that supports artists across 10 disciplines at all stages of de-velopment, beginning with the critical moment when they decide to pur-sue a life in the arts, and continuing throughout their careers. Writing is one of 10 artistic disciplines in YoungArts’ national competition. The strongest submissions demonstrate a sense of inventiveness, show at-tention to the complexities and technical aspects of language, and have a clear, original, and distinct point of view. This discipline encompasses: Fiction, Nonction, Play or Script, Poetry, Spoken Word.

BENNINGTON COLLEGE YOUNG WRITER AWARDSEligibility: Open to all 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students worldwideType(s) of Writing: CreativeRelated Subject(s): Poetry, Fiction, Non-ction, LiteraryExpected # of References: 7-15Word Limit: 1500 wordsDeadline: Early NovemberBennington College’s Young Writers Awards stands as a beacon for emerging literary talent. Founded by the renowned liberal arts institu-tion, this competition recognizes and celebrates the creative voices of young writers across the nation. The Awards encompass a variety of literary genres, including poetry, ction, and nonction, offering partic-ipants a unique opportunity to showcase their diverse and imaginative storytelling abilities. Participants are tasked with submitting original and compelling pieces that demonstrate a mastery of language, a unique perspective, and a creative approach to storytelling. The compe-tition not only encourages students to hone their writing skills but also fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among aspiring writers.

COLUMBIA UNDERGRADUATE LAW REVIEWEligibility: Open to all 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students worldwideType(s) of Writing: Academic research with legal analysisRelated Subject(s): Legal Issues, Political IssuesExpected # of References: 12-30Word Limit: 1500Deadline: June The Columbia Undergraduate Law Review (CULR) High School Es-say Competition provides high school students with the opportunity to showcase their legal acumen and writing prowess. Organized by Columbia University’s Undergraduate Law Review, this competition encourages young minds to delve into legal issues, analyze complex cases, and articulate their perspectives on contemporary legal matters. The competition serves as a bridge between high school students’ interest in law and the academic rigor of legal scholarship. Participants in the CULR are tasked with crafting essays that demonstrate a deep understanding of legal principles, thoughtful analysis of case law, and the ability to present well-reasoned arguments.

JFK ESSAY IN COURAGE ESSAY CONTESTEligibility: United States citizens, 9th-12th gradeType(s) of Writing: Argumentative, AnalyticalRelated Subject(s): Politics, HistoryExpected # of References: 5-12Word Limit: 1000Deadline: JanuaryThe John F. Kennedy Proles in Courage Essay Contest asks students to explore the meaning of courage through the lens of U.S. political history and rhetoric. As students question the obstacles and risks of political courage, they get the chance to draw from excerpts from JFK’s iconic book, Proles in Courage. The essay contest asks writers to not only examine JFK’s political impact on America but allows them to analyze the challenges of political, moral, and social responsibility in a democratic republic. Every year, the contest introduces a new topic, en-couraging students to write an essay that addresses the prompt from a unique point of view.

INTERNATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OLYMPIADEligibility: Open to all 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students worldwideType(s) of Writing: Philosophical and critical analysisRelated Subject(s): Philosophy (ethics), Politics, History, Psychology and OthersExpected # of References: 7-15Word Limit: 1500Deadline: JanuaryThe IPO gathers talented young minds from around the world gather to engage in intellectual discourse and philosophical exploration. Founded with the aim of promoting philosophical inquiry among high schoolers, the IPO has grown into a globally recognized event that encourages critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deep appreciation for diverse philosophical traditions. Participants, often selected through national philosophy competitions, converge to exchange ideas, challenge each other’s perspectives, and deepen their understanding of fundamental philosophical concepts.

CONSULTING PROCESS[Step 1] OrientationWe want to ensure that our clients are fully informed of all the details associated with consulting steps. During the orientation, we will go over each consulting step in detail, address any questions/concerns, introduce our project platform (on which clients should upload comments, questions, drafts and other documents) and how to utilize it. Prior to moving on to the next step, any of the client’s questions and/or concerns will be clearly addressed. [Step 2] Ideation & BrainstormingOne does not need to emphasize how important it is to have good ideas in essay writing. We (“J&B”) certainly know what they are. Good ideas are the ones uniquely generated and selected by the writer, and they directly contribute to producing a nal draft both logical and creative. In this step, J&B methodologically help clients come up with not just so-so but superb ideas for their competition essays. [Step 3] Topic/Idea ConrmationBy the end of Ideation & Brainstorming session, clients should expect to have working but less concrete ideas for their potential essay topic(s). That is absolutely ne. In this step, J&B helps polish the rough, incomplete ideas. How so? Well, by providing clients with top three topics of their interest and passion. This is feasible, for we are relying on the client’s ideas and thoughts gathered in Ideation & Brainstorming session. We make sure we fully utilize the client’s ideas and thoughts in order to transform them into a list of competitive topics that fully reects the client’s interest and passion. [Step 4] LectureOnce the topic is selected and nalized, we are ready for the lecture. In this step, our consulting team prepares and provides clients with a detailed, PowerPoint-based lecture on the selected topic. The clients are additionally provided with ten scholarly journals to review and prepare to actively engage in discussions for Step 4, which is a seminar session.

[Step 5] Seminar/DebatePrior to this step, we expect clients to thoroughly re-review the lecture slides as well as scholarly journals provided with. In this step, we engage in active discussions with clients on three to ve journals of our choice. Clients should expect to, for example, restate the writer’s thesis in their own words, formulate counterarguments that would potentially invalidate the writer’s claim(s) and others. By the end of Seminar/Debate session, clients should be ready to begin working on an outline.[Step 6] J&B’s Unique Outline In this step, clients will be provided with J&B outline template, model outline and reading sources. It is vital to fully understand the underlying structure and logic in the outline template. A pursuit of essay writing is both creative and logical. Merely having creative ideas is not enough; having a solid, logical structure with compelling evidence to adequately embrace those ideas is equally important to produce a unique, superior nal draft. We need both art and science to create a masterpiece. [Step 7] First DraftOnce clients fully review and understand the outline template, model outline and read-ing materials provided in the previous session, they are now ready to work on a rst draft. A signicant number of our clients have greatly beneted from the resources, especially the model outline. The outline – typically 7-12 page-long – is detailed and clear enough for the clients to fully understand the content (e.g. thesis, claims, etc.) as well as underlying logical structure. Don’t worry if the rst draft seems rough and incomplete! It is supposed to be, indeed, rough and incomplete at this stage. [Step 9] Editing & Feedback #1In this step, it is J&B’s full responsibility to make thorough, detailed edits as well as provide meaningful feedback to the rst draft produced by clients in First Draft step. We utilize comments when giving feedback; moreover, we ensure to correct inconsis-tencies, logical fallacies, awkward, ungrammatical sentences, and others. Our edits and feedback are detailed, clear and meaningful.

[Step 10] Second DraftAfter thoroughly reviewing the edits and feedback provided in Editing & Feedback #1 step, clients are now ready to revise the rst draft, which ultimately becomes a second draft. We expect they carefully review and consider our feedback left in com-ments accordingly. In case clarication or/and elaboration required, we can be readily reached on a clients’ project platform. [Step 11] Final Editing & PolishingIn this step, we ensure to review and correct, if needed, all errors, both big and small. Moreover, we polish any word, sentence or paragraph that requires further improve-ment. J&B believes, based on experience, that an innite number of revisions do not necessarily lead to a more quality draft; rather, it often results in, oy vey, a worse quali-ty draft. Our edits, feedback and polishing are quality-oriented not quantity-oriented. [Step 12] EvaluationUpon satisfactorily producing a nal draft, our next and nal step of consulting is so-called evaluation. We thoroughly evaluate clients’ writing skills based on session participation (e.g. ideation & brainstorming, seminar, etc), rst and second drafts. It is our aim that clients meaningfully utilize the evaluation along with other academic resources and experience gained from consulting when working on other essays in fu-ture. We truly hope the experience with us will help them become more independent, competent essay writers.

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