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RULES 

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Please read all rules carefully before registering. By submitting an essay, you agree to be bound by these rules.

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Section 1

 

 Who Can Enter WorldSEAM is open to any student currently enrolled in a secondary school anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on nationality, country, or school type. Home-schooled students are also eligible.

Two categories:

  • Senior — students aged 15 to 18 on the submission deadline

  • Junior — students aged 14 and under on the submission deadline.

  • Age and school enrolment verification is required from winners only. If you are selected as a Regional or Global Winner you will be asked to provide one of the following before your award is confirmed: a copy of your school ID, a letter from your school on headed paper, or a document confirming your date of birth and current enrolment. Winners have 14 days to provide this. If verification cannot be provided within 14 days the award will be passed to the next eligible student.

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Section 2

 

 One Entry Per Student: Each student may submit one essay per cycle. A student may enter multiple cycles across the year. Group submissions are not permitted — every essay must be the sole work of one student.

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Section 3

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 The Essay

  • Word limit: 800 to 1,500 words

  • The essay must respond directly to the current cycle prompt

  • Essays may be written in the student's native language with an English translation submitted alongside. The translation must carry the meaning — not just the words. Translation tools are permitted. AI writing tools are not.

  • Your name must not appear anywhere inside the essay document — all essays are judged anonymously

  • The essay must be original work, not previously published or submitted to any other competition

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Section 4

 

 AI and Plagiarism AI-generated writing is not permitted at any stage. You may use AI tools for grammar checking only. Plagiarism and AI-generated content are grounds for immediate and permanent disqualification. In confirmed cases the student's school may be notified.

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Section 5

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 How to Submit

  • Complete the registration form on the Register page

  • You will receive a confirmation email with your reference number

  • Email your essay as a PDF or Word document to [competition email]

  • Use your reference number as the email subject line

  • You will receive a receipt confirmation once your essay is received

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Section 6

 

 Judging All essays are judged anonymously. Judges do not know the student's name, school, or country. Essays are scored out of 100 across six criteria — Relevance, Argument, Evidence, Counter-argument, and Clarity. Full judging criteria are available on the Judging page. All judging decisions are final.

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Section 7

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 Winners and Certificates

  • One Regional Winner selected per region every two months

  • One Global Winner selected every four months from among Regional Winners

  • All participants receive a digital Certificate of Participation

  • Regional and Global Winners receive a physical certificate mailed to their home or school anywhere in the world

  • The Global Winner receives a cash award

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Section 8 

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  • Consent By submitting you confirm:

  • The essay is entirely your own original work

  • You consent to your name, school and essay title being listed on worldseam.com as a confirmed submission

  • If selected as a winner you consent to your essay being published on worldseam.com

  • If selected as a winner you consent to your name and photograph being published on worldseam.com and shared with participating schools

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Section 9 

 

Disqualification Entries will be disqualified for: plagiarism, AI-generated writing, submitting work previously published elsewhere, including your name inside the essay document, providing false registration information, or missing the submission deadline.

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