YJI First-Person Essay
by Youth Journalism International (YJI)
Award Certificate
International journalism contest category by YJI for young writers aged 19 and under, recognizing outstanding personal narrative essays with journalistic context. Entry fee $7 USD.
Mode
Online
Fee
$7
Participation format
Individual
Duration
Annual contest cycle
Time needed
Submission of previously published work
Eligibility
Open to non-professional journalists aged 19 and under worldwide. Work must have been published or broadcast in English during the previous calendar year. Entries must be accessible online with a public link.
- Age range
- Up to 19 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Prerequisites
- Published first-person essay accessible online in English
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Certificate
Award Certificate
Custom-made award certificate for winners from first place to honorable mention
Recognition
International Journalism Recognition
Skills your child builds
How to apply
- 1Submit entry via YJI online form with public link to published work
- 2Pay entry fee of $7 USD (fee waivers available for financial hardship)
Rules and guidelines
- Entrants must be non-professional journalists aged 19 or under
- All entries must be accessible online with a public link
- Work must have been published or broadcast in English during the previous calendar year
- Entries accepted from school publications, blogs, online papers, and other venues
- Previous first-place winners cannot re-enter the same category
- Judges may reassign entries to a more appropriate category
Technology requirements
- Internet access for online submission
Fees and financial support
Fee details
Individual entry fee is $7 USD. Fee waivers are available for individuals facing financial hardship: write to contest@youthjournalism.org. Waiver requests are limited to two entries.
Financial support
Fee waivers available for individuals experiencing financial hardship. Contact contest@youthjournalism.org. All financial information is kept confidential.
About this opportunity
The YJI First-Person Essay category is part of the annual Youth Journalism International Excellence in Journalism Contest, which has been celebrating exceptional work by teen journalists since 2010. This category recognizes outstanding personal narrative writing that combines introspective storytelling with journalistic context and perspective.
Open to non-professional journalists aged 19 and under worldwide, the category invites submissions of previously published first-person essays written in English. Past winning entries have featured deeply personal narratives addressing topics such as identity, culture, and lived experience, demonstrating the power of individual voice in journalism.
Winners receive custom-made award certificates, with recognition spanning from first place to honorable mention. All entries are evaluated by a global panel of more than two dozen judges, including professional journalists, teachers, and media experts from around the world.
Participants gain international recognition for their personal narrative craft and develop essential skills in reflective writing, storytelling, and self-expression through the journalistic lens.
Rounds and format
Single round evaluation of previously published first-person essays by a global panel of judges
How entries are judged
Entries evaluated for strength of personal voice, narrative quality, journalistic merit, and authenticity in first-person storytelling
Academic details
Difficulty: Intermediate
Frequently asked questions
What types of personal narratives are most competitive in this category?
Strong entries typically feature introspective, deeply personal essays that address lived experiences with journalistic context. Past winning entries have explored topics such as identity, culture, and social issues through authentic first-person storytelling.
Can previously published blog posts qualify as first-person essays?
Published work from school publications, personal blogs, online papers, and other digital venues qualifies, provided it is accessible online with a public link and was published in English during the previous calendar year.
How do judges differentiate between first-person essays and other writing categories?
Judges evaluate entries specifically for the first-person narrative voice, personal insight, and journalistic merit. If an entry better fits another category, judges retain the right to reassign it to a more appropriate one.
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