Royal Commonwealth Essay Competition 2009

Another great opportunity for our young people to show what they can do!

The Royal Commonwealth Essay Competition has four different age bands, 'Classes'. Each Class offers five topics, plus the Commonwealth Question and the Charlton Athletic Community Trust Question. As we hope to reach a diverse student body across the Commonwealth, there are options for both academic and creative minds. 

The Competition deadline is 1st March 2009 

CLASS A - Born 1990-1992 

1400-1750 words 

All questions can be answered by writing an essay or a story which explores the topic in an interesting and relevant way.  

1. Can I help you? 
2. Bullying is an issue which concerns young people throughout the Commonwealth. Why does it matter and what can be done about it?  
3. It is 200 years since Charles Darwin was born and 150 years since the publication of "On the origin of Species". In your view, what evolutionary developments are needed to ensure the continuing survival and well-being of humanity? 
4. EITHER Unlikely friends OR An unexpected friendship. 
5. The match.  
6. EITHER the Commonwealth Question OR Charlton Athletic Community Trust Question.

CLASS B - Born 1993-1994 

1200-1500 words 

All questions can be answered by writing an essay or a story which explores the topic in an interesting and relevant way.  

1. Tracks. 
2. What makes a good teacher?  
3. Who's the boss in your family?  
4. Sport ~ love it or loathe it?  
5. The long way home… 
6. EITHER the Commonwealth Question OR Charlton Athletic Community Trust Question.

CLASS C - Born 1995-1996 

500-700 words  

1. Your assignment is to interview an animal for your local newspaper or radio station. Send us the transcript of your interview! 
2. What three plants or trees are most important for life in your country? Why? 
3. What I don't want to do when I'm grown up.  
4. A distant cousin who lives in a very different Commonwealth country is coming to visit for the first time. Write a letter introducing yourself and your home. 
5. Write a story about the sea or a mountain or both. 
6. EITHER the Commonwealth Question OR Charlton Athletic Community Trust Question. 

CLASS D - Born 1997 or later 

300-600 words  

1. There is a fuel shortage in your area. How does your family cope? 
2. You have decided to stand for leader of your community. Write a short speech stating what you will do to improve where you live. 
3. The day was perfect for a swim … 
4. The most exciting day of my life.  
5. Write about what your life would have been like if you had been born a hundred years ago.  
6. EITHER the Commonwealth Question OR Charlton Athletic Community Trust Question. 

Commonwealth Question 

The Commonwealth Question is open to all candidates and entries will be judged according to the relevant criteria used in the four Classes (A to D). 

If you choose to answer the Commonwealth Question please DO NOT submit another essay and keep to your Class word count. 

The value of the prize is equivalent to that of the 4th prize in the relevant class. Any entrant selecting the Commonwealth Question as their topic will also have their essay considered for a main prize. 

Over half of the 1.8 billion people in the Commonwealth are aged 25 or under. What changes in your country would enhance the lives of young people?  

Charlton Athletic Community Trust Question 

  'The Beautiful Game': Why does football inspire such passion around the world?