John Locke Essay Competition – How to write a winning essay? 2025

Learn how to write a winning essay for the John Locke Essay Competition 2025 with expert tips, examples, structure from MyPaperExperts.

This competition was named after the 17^th century philosopher John Locke who supported freedom, knowledge and rational inquiry to enable the students to think independently. It makes participants think outside the box of textbooks and form their own opinions that are supported by evidence and reasoning.

The John Locke Essay Competition, in a way, is not about becoming familiar with theories but rather it is thinking critically, writing persuasively and learning to question assumptions. The students are also welcomed to ask eternal questions regarding morals, human nature and society, as Locke did in his own philosophical writings.

Tip: Before you start writing, visit MyPaperExperts Essay Writing Guide. Available at: (https://mypaperexperts.co.uk/how-to-write-an-essay-without-mistakes/) to understand how to plan, research, and structure a compelling essay from scratch

Essay questions offered by the John Locke Institute every year require critical thinking and not memorised information. Make sure that you read your question of choice thoroughly before writing and define all of the main points.

An example, in a question, such as “Could a Person Migrate to Another’s Body?” you have to deconstruct philosophically what is meant by person, by migrate and by body. It is the first stage to the proper structure of the essay because it involves an understanding of these terms.

Source: Example of a Winning Essay, 2023 John Locke Competition. Available at: (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olivia-tak-29b0a81bb_johnlocke-essaycompetition-oxford-activity-7092443105823535104-YQHn)

The question that is to be answered in your thesis statement is the main argument. Avoid vague statements. Judges like unique perspective to be based on reasoning.

“A person cannot migrate to another’s body because identity is inseparable from one’s consciousness and memory.”

This type of thesis represents the knowledge and critical thinking concerning the theory of personal identity by John Locke.

Present your case using reliable sources- academic books, peer-reviewed journals, and philosophy books. Do not use any sources that are not reliable or opinionated blogs.

For referencing help, check out Harvard Referencing Made Simple on MyPaperExperts. Proper referencing strengthens the credibility of your essay and avoids plagiarism. Available at: (https://mypaperexperts.co.uk/ultimate-harvard-referencing-guide-for-uk-students/)

Make your essay in a way that the successive paragraphs have a logical sequence. An organised essay has a greater capacity to convince and be followed.

For a deeper breakdown, you can read above Essay Structure Tips for Students.

Make your style formal and readable. Do not use long and complicated sentences, or jargon. Essays, which are smart but clear, are favored by the judges.

Example Comparison:

• Passive: “Many people believe that knowledge is what defines identity.
• Active: “There are a great number of philosophers who claim that knowledge determines personal identity”. The active voice is more persuasive and stronger.

Raising counterarguments demonstrates a level of profundity and harmony of thought. Consider the counter arguments, and provide reasons as to why your side is superior.

“This reveals academic maturity—a key quality the judges value.”

Before submission, review your essay multiple times. Check grammar, spelling, and word count (2000 words max). Ensure consistent formatting:

• Font: Times New Roman or Arial, size 12
• Spacing: 1.5
• File Type: PDF or DOCX

In case of more information for John Locke, you can use this internal reference: (https://mypaperexperts.co.uk/john-locke-essay-competition-how-to-apply-win-2025/)

Ignoring the Philosophical Depth

A lot of students do not research into the philosophical or theoretical background of their subject. Where appropriate, always use the main thinkers like John Locke, Descartes or even Kant.

It is not advisable to offer unjustified views. Every assertion should be supported by facts or arguments.

Keep to your thesis and do not go off tract. Generalities can never beat concrete and clear statements.

Step-by-Step Submission

1. Register on the John Locke Institute website.
2. Choose your subject category (Philosophy, Politics, Economics, etc.).
3. Upload your essay in PDF format.
4. Double-check your word count and citations.
5. Submit before the deadline in June 2025.

Writing a winning essay for the John Locke Essay Competition requires curiosity, discipline, and critical reflection. Don’t write to impress—write to explore ideas that matter to you.

When your essay shows genuine interest, logical structure, and polished writing, it naturally stands out.

If you want to polish your writing before submission, visit past essays by John Locke Institute Competition. Available at: (https://www.johnlockeinstitute.com/past-essays)

Source: Screenshot from JLI Official Website

High school students are forced to think and write in an academic way for the John Locke Essay Competition. This tests their ability to think, their ability to make logical arguments, and their clarity of thought. Philosopher John Locke came up with the ideas of rational thought and the ability to ask questions. The contest is to those ideas. For students to write a good essay, they need to come up with a clear thesis, back up their claims with reliable proof, and use a sound tone that is both formal and interesting.

Participants can win prizes, improve their chances of getting into college, boost their intellectual confidence, and improve their ability to think critically about problems in the real world. For these reasons, the competition is an important experience for people who want to become academics in the future.

“At its core, the competition mirrors Locke’s belief that education should encourage people to

 think, question, and reason freely.”

1. What is the main purpose of the John Locke Essay Competition?

The competition also stimulates students to think independently, argue out, and write good arguments on intricate scholarly issues. It aims at building the ability to think critically, clearly and be able to express original ideas.

2. How can I write a winning essay for the John Locke Competition?

To begin with, one should familiarize themselves with the question and form a clear thesis with rational arguments and verifiable facts. Make your essay properly organized, use an active voice, and have a powerful and thought-provoking conclusion.

3. How long should a John Locke essay be?

The length of essays is usually no more than 2,000 (without references). It is one of the things that judges consider because you have to remain within the word limit and at the same time make your arguments concise and clear.