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HIR Academic Writing Contest
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Resources & Preparation

Read widely, then argue narrowly.

A practical preparation guide for the HIR Academic Writing Contest—where to read, how to choose a prompt, and how to build an argument the rubric rewards.

Read like a contestant

Follow international affairs

Good arguments grow out of wide reading. Before you commit to a prompt, spend a few weeks reading serious coverage of world affairs—not to find a thesis to copy, but to learn how careful writers frame questions and weigh evidence.

Read for structure as much as content: notice how a strong piece states a claim, anticipates objections, and uses a single well-chosen example instead of ten shallow ones.

Where to read

  • The Harvard International Review, for the house style you are writing toward
  • Foreign Affairs and Foreign Policy, for argument-driven analysis
  • The Economist, for disciplined, concise reasoning
  • Primary sources: treaties, data, and institutional reports

A method that works

Four moves from prompt to draft

01
Narrow the prompt
Turn a broad theme into one answerable question. “Has streaming flattened national film cultures—or revived them?” beats “global culture in the digital era.”
02
Stake a claim
Write a one-sentence thesis a reasonable person could dispute. If no one could disagree, it is a summary, not an argument.
03
Choose evidence
Pick two or three strong examples and analyze them—explain what each proves—rather than listing many.
04
Structure & revise
Outline so the argument builds, then revise line by line against the 55-point rubric.

Get the details right

Write in AP Style

AP Style is the editorial standard the contest requires. A few habits cover most of it: spell out numbers one through nine, use figures for 10 and up; keep titles short; cite carefully; and prefer plain, active sentences. “Adherence to the HIR Style Guide” is a scored line—don’t give those points away.

Keep it original

The essay must be entirely your own work. AI-generated text is prohibited and screened for, as is plagiarism. Use sources to inform your argument and cite them—then write every sentence yourself. Integrity is not just a rule here; it is the point of the exercise.

Optional coaching

Want a coach in your corner?

Our writing coaches work one-on-one with students—helping you pick a prompt, structure an argument, meet the rubric, and prepare for Defense Day. It is optional, and never a substitute for your own work.

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