The Details
Eligibility
Open to juniors and seniors in U.S. high schools, including home-schooled students, as well as U.S. citizens attending high school overseas. Additional questions regarding eligibility may be emailed to essaycontest@thefire.org.
Word Length
Students must submit an essay between 700 and 900 words on the provided topic below.
Deadline
FIRE must receive all entries by 11:59 EST, December 31, 2021. Winners will be announced by February 15, 2022.
Scholarship Prizes
One $10,000 first prize, one $5,000 second prize, three $1,000 third place prizes and four $500 prizes will be awarded.
Get to know us! The mission of FIRE is to defend and sustain individual rights at Americas colleges and universities. These rights include freedom of speech, legal equality, due process, religious liberty, and sanctity of consciencethe essential qualities of individual liberty and dignity. In addition to defending the rights of students and faculty, FIRE works to educate students and the general public on the necessity of free speech and its importance to a thriving democratic society.
The freedom of speech, enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is a foundational American right. Nowhere is that right more important than on our college campuses, where the free flow of ideas and the clash of opposing views advance knowledge and promote human progress. It is on our college campuses, however, where some of the most serious violations of free speech occur, and where students are regularly censored simply because their expression might offend others.
In a persuasive letter or essay, convince your peers that free speech is a better idea than censorship.
Your letter or essay must be between 700-900 words. We encourage you to draw from current events, historical examples, our free speech comic, other resources on FIREs website, and/or your own personal experiences.
Note: While there is no required format for your submission, many entrants use MLA guidelines. Successful entries will show an understanding of the importance of free speech and the pitfalls of censorship. You may use in-text citations, and do not need to include a References or Works Cited page. Essays that do not address the prompt question or fail to meet the word-count requirements will not be considered. View the essays of some of our past winners here!
Entering this essay contest constitutes agreement to having your name and essay published on FIREs website if you are selected as a winner. FIRE reserves the right to make minor edits to winning essays before publication on our website.
The contest will reopen in September 2022.
Here is the original post:
Free Speech Essay Contest - FIRE
- Free speech is sacred [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2011]
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- The Zionist War on Free Speech [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- UC Berkeley Mario Savio Free Speech Movement 45th Ann. [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- The New Culture Wars: How the Right Stifles Free Speech Through Art Censorship [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- Free speech in Europe [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2011]
- DMD2 Is Not Alone - I AM ME MONTH [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- Free Speech for Hamsters [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2011]
- Students Who "Support" Free Speech Want to Ban Conservatives From Radio [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2011]
- Ai Weiwei a symbol of free speech in Hong Kong [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2011]
- Shariah Muslims Hate Free Speech [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2011]
- Christopher Hitchens -- Free Speech Part 1 [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2011]
- 'Geert Wilders verdict: Victory for Free Speech' [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- Wilders hails acquittal as 'a victory for free speech' [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- Free Speech is Offensive* [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- FSTV Newswire - June 23rd, 2011 Segment Two [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2011]
- Violent Video Games are Protected by Free Speech [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2011]
- Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona Campaign Finance Law-Nick Dranias [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2011]
- Mark Steyn on Free Speech [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2011]
- Independent Voices 5x15: Johann Hari on free speech and religious fundamentalism [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2011]
- Independent Voices 5x15: Max Mosley on free speech and the press [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2011]
- Independent Voices 5x15: Evgeny Lebedev on the importance of free speech [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2011]
- Independent Voices 5x15: Charlotte Harris on the law and free speech [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2011]
- Bernie Sanders address to Free Speech TV Activsts [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2011]
- Town Moves To Ban Free Speech in Private Homes, Group Meetings [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2011]
- Free Speech TV NAACP Coverage Promo [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2011]
- 07/21/11 Adam Full Show We're all terrorists now, Free bullets, not free speech, [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2011]
- Free Bullets, not free speech [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2011]
- Christopher Hitchens -- Free Speech Part 2.flv [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2011]
- The CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley - Cell service shutdown ignites free speech debate [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2011]
- Youtube proves free speech requires money [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2011]
- Defending Free Speech With a 'Panic Button' [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2011]
- ADL - Anti-Defamation League - the war on free speech. [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2011]
- Police at the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office try to censor free speech of protestors. [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2011]
- Supreme Court Revokes Annoying Man's Free Speech Rights (Season 1 Ep: 3 on IFC) [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- Political signs become issue in race [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- Ezra Levant: Saudi Arabian Fascists Threaten Free Speech In Canada! [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2011]
- Zionists Attack American Muslims Right To Free Speech [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2011]
- Imam Rauf on Free Speech [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- No Freedom of Speech in War? [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- [OCCUPY WALL STREET] NYPD Violently Strips the Right to Free Speech [#OccupyWallstreet] [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Inside Story - Free speech at any cost? [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2011]
- Obama's Visit to Minneapolis - Free Speech Zone Outside [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- "Citizens Intervention" Free Speech Open Mic #Oct29 No. 1: PhenomeJon - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- NYPD Violently Strips the Right to Free Speech - OCCUPY WALLSTREET - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Free Speech Is Great! - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- What's the Biggest Threat to Free Speech? - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- Does free speech exist at all? - Video [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- Supreme Court rules free speech allowed at funerals - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Everything Is Different Now - Free Speech - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Citizens Arrested for committing FREE SPEECH in Washington DC - Video [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- ACLU Explains Free Speech Rights For Protesters - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Free speech activist faces jail for criticizing Islam, Sharia Law - Video [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- Occupy NS Oct 21 2011 Free Speech - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2011]
- OccupyMN Wins Free Speech Battle With Hennepin County - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Teacher Blog : Free Speech ? - Video [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Mark Levin Discusses Free Speech, The American Flag, And The Leftist Assault On Our Public Schools - Video [Last Updated On: November 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- Free speech #7 w/ Tormel Pittman - Video [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2011]
- Metallica - Free Speech for the Dumb | with lyrics - Video [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2011]
- YOUTUBE BEING SUED FOR 51 PERCENT CONTROL FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE 'S FREE SPEECH - Video [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2011]
- Rense Radio - David Duke The Patricia McAllister Free Speech Controversy [2011.10.26] - Video [Last Updated On: November 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 19th, 2011]
- Christopher Hitchens Debate - Free Speech, Liberty and politics - Video [Last Updated On: November 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 22nd, 2011]
- Pulaski County Planning Commission Watershed Vote attempt to stop free speech 02.wmv - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2011]
- FSTV Thanksgiving - Video [Last Updated On: November 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2011]
- Do Cops Have Free Speech in the Drug War? - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Speak Out: America Is a Free Speech Forum - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- You Can Defeat Elites' SOPA Bill to Censor Internet Free Speech - Video [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2011]
- Occupy Protesters Free Speech Class - Video [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2011]
- John Stossel - Free Speech And Its Enemies - Video [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2011]
- COFS - Free Speech in the Age of Terrorism (10-10-11) - Video [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2011]
- Internet Kill Switch = Death of Free Speech on the Web: Infowars Nightly News - Video [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2011]
- Muslims Exercise Free Speech in Germany.Cops Show Support and Rip Down Israeli Flag - Video [Last Updated On: January 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 2nd, 2012]
- Don't Mess with Firefly! How SciFi Fans Made a Campus Safe for Free Speech (feat. Neil Gaiman) - Video [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 4th, 2012]
- Your allotted amount of free speech has expired! - Video [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2012]
- COFS - Free Speech in the Age of the Internet (10-10-11) - Video [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2012]
- Bullying is Free Speech? - Video [Last Updated On: January 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 12th, 2012]
- Free Speech Has a Price - Video [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2012]