"I can't believe this is the work of teenagers," said Guest Judge Aymann Ismail.
This month, our writers were tasked with the challenge of sculpting an opinion into a bold argumentation capable of changing the minds of others. And, as always, entries for our Op-Ed Writing Competition did not disappoint! Continue reading to discover the teen winners chosen by Aymann Ismail plus some honorable mentions that also caught his eye.
Winner:
“Why Can’t We See Stars At Night?,” by SabBlade (India)
"But now in the city, seeing a constellation is so rare that it makes me feel lucky." Loved this line. Great hook! I like the topic, too. Light pollution is quietly smart. Really lovely flow from personal anecdote to problem to statistics to conclusion. Really well thought out arc. I like that the writer reckoned with why it might be necessary that this exists. Crucial in any op-ed in my opinion. Very well done!
Runner-Up:
“The Shooting Was One Trauma. The Response Was Another.” by Lizzie Blonder (United States - Maryland)
This piece was so good for how specific it was. Details like a teacher saying she “didn’t feel scared until the moment when the police came into my classroom” really capture the second trauma you’re describing. It captures the essay’s core argument in a way that statistics never could. The essay is strongest when it stays close to what you saw and experienced, so I’d keep leaning into those moments. My only quibble is with the conclusion. It seems to rest entirely on a “maybe.” I'd have liked for the writer to contend with the broader question of what safety actually looks like in schools. But overall, really strong essay.
Best Peer Review:
“Why Horse Racing is Abusive," reviewed by Vibez (New Zealand) [Selected by Write the World]
This review stood out for its personality and specificity. The reviewer, in bringing their own connection to the topic—a friend who rode horses, their own experience with the animals—makes the feedback feel like a genuine conversation rather than a checklist. Avoiding vague praise, they make frequent use of annotations to pinpoint exactly what the piece does well. In their developmental edits, they explain not just what's missing but why it matters. The criticism is always constructive and the warmth never feels hollow. The closing reminder that the suggestions are optional is a small but thoughtful touch that respects the writer's autonomy, and the added personality—the "ehe," the self-aware "I do yap quite a bit"—keeps the sharp, in-depth analysis human and approachable. Well done!
Piece Finalists:
“Celebrating Nature’s Unsung Heroes: Bats!” by DragonflyWings (United States - Pennsylvania)
This piece has so much personality. Starting with the story of the bat preserved in resin tells me the writer brought their real interests to the page. The line “‘You don’t want to get treated for rabies, do you?’ my mom would ask me, knowing I despised needles.” made me laugh! The essay does a really nice job connecting the ecological importance of bats — something I learned for the first time reading this — especially when it imagines the ripple effects their disappearance could have on our food supply chain. It’s informative without losing the writer’s voice, which isn’t always easy to pull off. Really lovely work.
“Making Health Decisions Great Again… in 2040,” by RedStuff (United States - Ohio)
The satire here works because they clearly understand the logic they're making fun of. Lines like “I’d rather my immune system meet pathogens unprepared” and the closing idea that confidence matters more than science are funny but also sharp. The only thing I’d watch is making sure every joke keeps pushing the argument forward rather than stretching the bit. But overall, really fun to read. Nice job!
“No Longer the Art of the People: The Commercialization of Wynwood Walls,” by Reyna_T (United States - California)
This essay felt really controlled in a good way. The essay does a thoughtful job unpacking what happens when something meant to be public becomes fenced off and monetized. The line about art becoming “the art of the people who can afford it” hit hard. I did wonder if the piece could be stronger if they put in a little more of their own voice intercut with the analysis so it feels less segmented and blocky. But great topic choice, and strong execution.
“The New Caste System: Why ‘Designer Babies’ Will End Human Equality,” by austen.esque (United States - Massachusetts)
There’s a lot of ambition here. I especially liked the idea that gene editing could move inequality “inside the skin,” which is a really chilling way to add urgency. Found myself wanting the writer to wrestle a little more with the counterargument, especially the potential medical benefits, because that would make the warning even stronger. But overall, really nice job!
“The Night the Internet Decided My Future,” by ole (Rwanda)
The intro reads like a novel I can’t put down. LOVED the hook. Ole has some seriously great instincts about storytelling. “This is the part no one talks about when it comes to the divide. The feeling of powerlessness. The quiet frustration of depending on things you can't control.” Great writing. The writing is mostly kept simple and while that’s very effective, I found myself wanting the writer to tell me what it was, not what it wasn’t. Phrases like "The digital divide isn't dramatic" would be stronger if rewritten to tell me what it is instead of what it’s not. That being said, the writer let the argument grow naturally throughout the story. Overall, really lovely work!
“The Use of Nuclear Weapons,” by Ro000 (United Arab Emirates)
It’s obvious to me this essay clearly comes from a genuine curiosity. The historical explanations were informative and added real weight to the argument about how fragile nuclear deterrence actually is. But I thought the argument was undercut by the idea that it seems escalations are avoided because of the existence of these bombs. In the end, I found myself wanting the writer to bring a bit more of their own voice into the piece so it feels less like a research report and more like a personal argument. But it’s always great to start from a place of curiosity. Keep doing this!
“The Violence of Indifference,” by Alisaa (United States - New York)
This piece was lovely. I really love the focus, that saying “I’m not really into politics” is a form of privilege. Timely and relevant. I thought the comparison of politics to “a genre preference” was very clever. The piece might hit even harder if they grounded some of the ideas in their own life, how they experience politics on a local level personally, or why they themselves are unable to withdraw from politics entirely. But overall, this was an ambitious take and it’s very nearly there! Very memorable work. Good job!
“They Were People Before They Were Paperwork,” by flowersdrafts (United States - California)
This was a difficult piece to take on, and I give the writer a lot of credit for that. The line “When paperwork becomes the priority, humanity becomes secondary” is simple but powerful, and the ending phrase “people before they were paperwork” stuck with me. I’d encourage the writer to lean even more into the personal perspective they introduced about their family, because that’s where the essay really comes alive. This was an extremely ambitious topic, and I would love to see a version where it begins with a family connection, makes an argument for why they are the right person to offer their critique, and use even more evidence to explain their position. But overall, nice work!
“Why the removal of the British monarchy should no longer be disputed,” by Demi (United Kingdom)
Really like the opening scene. Dramatic and vivid. I write in the same way when on assignment for Slate. This essay has a lot of energy. I could clearly feel they’re very bothered, but it’s a bit jokey so I found myself unsure how seriously to take the essay. Would love to have read a bit of the writer’s vision for the process of moving away from the monarchy. If I’m going to support your argument, I need to know what I’m signing up for. I’d suggest letting the facts do a little more of the work in places so the argument stays as sharp as their passion. But overall, really lovely work! Great job!
Peer Review Finalist:
“The Parental Dilemma and the Curse of Thanklessness,” reviewed by Sunset_writer (Malaysia) [Selected by Write the World]
