PHHS CUP graphic mark PHHS CUP ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGE

SHANGHAI PINGHE SCHOOL

Seek Boundless Truth,
Kindle the Light of Wisdom

Write to Thrive

Critical Thinking × Academic Writing

Explore Past Prompts Read Winning Essays
Eligibility Students in Grades 7–9 worldwide Organizer High School Division, Shanghai Pinghe School
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

What Is the PHHS CUP
Essay Writing Challenge?

Organized by the High School Division of Shanghai Pinghe School, the PHHS CUP Essay Writing Challenge provides a platform for middle school students who are passionate about writing, committed to critical inquiry, and beginning to build an academic foundation.

We value not only the answers writers reach, but also how they frame questions, develop arguments, and form independent judgments from complex materials.

Ask meaningful questions Build testable arguments Respect evidence and difference
PAST PROMPTS

Past Prompts

Browse prompts, writing instructions, and evaluation criteria by year.

2022
CONTENT FORTHCOMING

2022 Essay Prompt

Place the official 2022 prompt, source materials, length requirements, and evaluation criteria here.

01
2023
CONTENT FORTHCOMING

2023 Essay Prompt

Place the official 2023 prompt, source materials, length requirements, and evaluation criteria here.

02
2024
CONTENT FORTHCOMING

2024 Essay Prompt

Place the official 2024 prompt, source materials, length requirements, and evaluation criteria here.

03
2025
CONTENT FORTHCOMING

2025 Essay Prompt

Place the official 2025 prompt, source materials, length requirements, and evaluation criteria here.

04
2026
CONTENT FORTHCOMING

2026 Essay Prompt

Place the official 2026 prompt, source materials, length requirements, and evaluation criteria here.

05
AWARD-WINNING ESSAYS

Winning Essays

Centering each essay’s title and text, this section presents the complete, independent arguments of young writers.

Winning Essay Title One

Insert the winning essay text here. The page displays no year, prize level, discipline, or author category, keeping the reader’s attention on the title and argument itself.

Winning Essay Title Two

Insert the winning essay text here. This area may contain an abstract, opening paragraphs, or the complete article, with the option to open a dedicated reading page.

Winning Essay Title Three

Insert the winning essay text here. For publication, replace only the title, article text, and reading link; no year, prize, or discipline tags are needed.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

What Are the Essay Prompts
and Requirements?

  1. 01
    Choose One Prompt

    Participants must select one of the listed prompts and may submit only one essay.

  2. 02
    Language and Length

    Essays may be written in Chinese or English and must not exceed 2,000 Chinese characters or English words.

  3. 03
    Genre

    Any genre is permitted except poetry and scripts.

  4. 04
    Evaluation Criteria

    Originality, critical thinking, and logical coherence are the principal criteria in the review process.

  5. 05
    Authenticity and Citation

    All participants must ensure that their essays are authentic and follow accepted academic citation standards.

  6. 06
    AI-Assisted Writing

    Any use of AI tools must remain within reasonable bounds and strictly comply with the principles of academic integrity.

  7. 07
    No Plagiarism or AI Ghostwriting

    Participants must not plagiarize or have AI generate the essay content on their behalf.

  8. 08
    Consequences of Violations

    Any violation of these requirements will result in disqualification. Participants are expected to act with integrity and help uphold the fairness and credibility of academic work.

PHHS CUP