The AFSA High School Essay Contest is an annual writing competition organized by the American Foreign Service Association that invites students in grades 9–12 to submit original 1,000–1,500 word essays on topics related to the Foreign Service and international affairs. Open to students at public, private, parochial, and home schools across the United States and beyond, the contest emphasizes rigorous research using primary sources and academic materials formatted to MLA standards. It is an excellent opportunity for students passionate about global issues and diplomacy to develop their research and writing skills while competing for national recognition.
Writing to convince a reader of a position using evidence and logic.
Gathering and evaluating information systematically to answer a question.
Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.
Setting long-term goals and mapping out the steps to reach them.
Essay contest explicitly evaluates understanding of Foreign Service and awards trip to meet State Department officials.
Requires deep research and analysis of Foreign Service topics with proper academic sourcing and citation.
Develops research, writing, and source evaluation skills through rigorous essay composition and MLA formatting requirements.
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