Tag: Writing Craft
New York Times Writing Contests · Independent Student Guide · Editorial Library
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How to End a NYT Contest Entry: Last Lines That Land
A weak ending wastes a strong entry. A craft guide to closing a NYT contest response: four kinds of landing, the endings to avoid, and a last-line self-test. Read article →
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How to Open a NYT Contest Entry: Writing a First Line That Earns the Next One
Judges read fast. A craft guide to opening a NYT contest entry: five lead types, the anatomy of a strong first sentence, and the throat-clearing openers to cut. Read article →
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Reading The Times Like a Writer: A Mentor-Text Method for NYT Contest Prep (2026)
Most students prepare for NYT Learning Network contests by writing more. The faster gains come from reading better: a four-pass mentor-text method, a contest-to-genre reading map, and the originality line you must never cross. Read article →
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Writing NYT Contest Entries in Your Second Language: A Craft Guide for ESL Students (2026)
A craft guide for students writing NYT Learning Network contest entries in English as a second language: the five most common ESL pitfalls, why bilingual writers hold real advantages, and a revision workflow built… Read article →
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How to Find Your Story for a NYT Contest (2026)
A craft process for finding a genuine story for a NYT Learning Network writing contest: how to notice, narrow, and test an idea before you draft a single line in 2026. Read article →