Tag: Drafting
New York Times Writing Contests · Independent Student Guide · Editorial Library
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How to Get Useful Feedback on a Contest Entry — and What to Ignore
Most feedback on a contest entry is proofreading or personal taste. A three-question reader brief, a triage matrix for deciding what to act on, and the hour you should stop listening. Read article →
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The Summary Trap: How to Write About a Book, Film or Article Without Retelling It (2026)
Most weak NYT contest entries are not badly written — they are retellings. A five-minute highlight test, three claim shapes and a worked rewrite that turns summary into argument. Read article →