About the contest
The J. Ali Critical Essay Contest encourages students to engage thoughtfully with South Asian history, literature, politics, art, and public life. Essays may be analytical, historical, or reflective, but should make a clear argument and demonstrate careful research and original thinking.
2027 prompt
Take on South Asian writer and use their ouvere to explore the myriad of challenges and opporutnities facing modern South Asia.
How should the world understand South Asia today? Write an essay that offers a fresh perspective on an issue shaping the region. What do prevailing narratives get right, and what do they overlook? Drawing on history, politics, economics, literature, or culture, develop a clear argument supported by evidence.
Submission guidelines
- Entrants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at the time of submission.
- Essays must be original, unpublished work written in English.
- Submissions should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
- Sources should be cited consistently in any recognized citation style.
- Only one submission may be entered per student.
Judging
Entries will be evaluated for originality, clarity, analysis, evidence, and quality. Finalists may be invited to revise their essays before publication or recognition by the Society.