Thinking Minds,
Creating Worlds
Think. Write Learning Centre
279 Bishan St. 24 #01-26 S570279
Email: info@thinkwrite.com.sg
Submission: SG50@thinkwrite.com.sg
www.thinkwrite.com.sg
About the Project
Appropriately, one of the fundamental focuses of our SG50 celebrations is to honour the pioneer
generation of Singapore. Without their grit and hard work during the initial years of nation
building, Singapore would not have had the foundation to launch into the success and prosperity
that we enjoy today.
However, for an entire generation of young Singaporeans, the national narrative of transforming
from a third world to a first world country in under fifty years can only be cognitively, not
experientially, understood. Born into a country characterised by success and prosperity, the
aspirations, struggles and concerns that construct their everyday are worlds apart from that of
their founding fathers. Their lives testify to the next chapter of Singapore’s story, of what it
means to be a Singaporean after this laudable transformation.
Neither narrative is more important than the other; both are necessary to encapsulate the fullness
of who we are as a country.
Hence, this project approaches the gesture of giving honour from a different angle. It pays tribute
to the stories of the past by ensuring the continuation of Singapore’s story. Students between 10 and
18 years of age will be given a range of questions pertaining to the present and future of Singapore. They can then
choose to respond to one of these questions with a 500-word essay. 50 of the best essays will be published as a
collection, providing a glimpse into the next chapter of Singapore’s narrative.
In addition to this collection of narratives, five local academics, with their respective interests in
Singapore studies, will lend their expertise to this project. Their academic analysis of the social
and cultural significance of this project, coupled with the raw and honest perspectives of young
Singaporeans, will shed further light on the mind-sets, hopes, expectations, and even fears, of our
future generations.
Think. Write Learning Centre
279 Bishan St. 24 #01-26 S570279
Email: info@thinkwrite.com.sg
Submission: SG50@thinkwrite.com.sg
www.thinkwrite.com.sg
Terms and Conditions
• The Competition is open to nationals or residents of the Republic of Singapore aged 10 to 18.
• Once an essay is submitted, participants will not have the opportunity to revise it. Please
carefully check and improve you writing before submitting the final copy, and also ensure that
all supplementary information is filled in correctly (name, contact details, topic number, etc.)
• Entries must be written in English.
• Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the 'use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another
author without authorisation and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by
not crediting the original author'. If using existing writing material, do cite appropriately.
• The final copy submitted for the competition must be the entrant's own work, and cannot be
unduly corrected or improved by another person. This does not rule out input or assistance
from others. However, an entry will be disregarded if there is any suggestion of excessive
external help.
• The minimum word count is 350 words with a maximum of 500 words for each entry. These
word limits apply to all topics and all formats (essay, poem, letter, etc).
• Essays can only be uploaded in word .doc format.
• All entries must be submitted before midnight (GMT+8) on 9th August 2015.
• The following information listed on the top left hand corner of each essay:
Full Name (NRIC Number)
Name of School (School Level)
Original Title of Essay
• Applicants should email their essays and essay registration form to SG50@thinkwrite.com.sg
Rights: Participants retain ownership of materials submitted to the Competition. However, by submitting any essay to the
Competition, students hereby grant to Think. Write Pte. Ltd. and its affiliates, subsidiaries, licensees and assigns, an
irrevocable, perpetual and royalty-free right to use, reproduce, edit, display, transmit, prepare derivative works of, modify,
publish and otherwise make use of the submitted essay in any and all media, whether now known or hereinafter created,
throughout the world and for any purpose. Where practicable, the essay will be attributed to the author(s) and the college
or university the student(s) attend.
In addition, by submitting any essay or other content to the Competition, participants hereby represent and warrant that
the submitted materials do not and shall not infringe on any copyright or other right of any third party, and that
participant has the right to grant any and all rights and licenses granted to Think. Write Pte. Ltd. herein, including but not
limited to all necessary rights under copyright, free and clear of any claims or encumbrances.
Think. Write Learning Centre
279 Bishan St. 24 #01-26 S570279
Email: info@thinkwrite.com.sg
Submission: SG50@thinkwrite.com.sg
www.thinkwrite.com.sg
Selection Process
1. We are looking for 50 essays that demonstrate competence in these three components:
• A sincere and genuine response to the question. Students should not feel pressured to
write a politically correct essay, or give a ‘model answer’ to the question. We are looking
for responses that authentically represent a young person’s perspective of Singapore.
• An original and thought-provoking take on the question.
• A clear structure and coherent flow of their ideas.
2. Our editors will each read all essay submissions and grade each essay separately, using a rubric
to score the essays in the three components. They will then select the top 50 essays with the
highest collective score.
3. They will compare and justify their choices with a team of local academics and come to a
consensus of the 50 finalist essays.
4. All applicants will receive written feedback on their essay within two months of the date of
submission.
5. Essay finalists will be presented with a copy of the publication and a token of appreciation.
They will be notified by email.
6. Essays will be edited if necessary and prepared for publication.
7. The deadline for submission will be on the 9th of August, 2015.
Think. Write Learning Centre
279 Bishan St. 24 #01-26 S570279
Email: info@thinkwrite.com.sg
Submission: SG50@thinkwrite.com.sg
www.thinkwrite.com.sg
Essay Questions
What does it mean to be a Singaporean in 2015? These essay questions have been crafted in the hope of collecting
a range of personal and sincere responses from the young people of Singapore. 50 of these essays, representing the
thoughts, heart and dreams of your generation, will be published into a book to commemorate SG50.
To participate in the shaping of our national narrative, you may choose from one of the
following questions and respond in no more than 500 words:
1. What is your favourite Singlish word or expression?
2. Name any Singaporean location that you would not want to lose, and why?
3. What do you value most?
4. Which five features would you consider regular parts of your day in 2015?
5. In fifty years’ time, what do you think your generation will be remembered for?
The minimum word count is 350 words with a maximum of 500 words for each entry. These word limits
apply to all topics and all formats (essay, poem, letter, etc).
Essays can only be uploaded in word .doc format.
All entries must be submitted before midnight (GMT+8) on 9th August 2015 with the completed
registration form.
The following information listed on the top left hand corner of each essay:
Full Name (NRIC Number)
Name of School (School Level)
Original Title of Essay
Applicants should email their essays and essay registration form to SG50@thinkwrite.com.sg