The Y Writing Journal is published annually to celebrate exemplary student writing from Brigham Young University’s first-year writing course. We invite faculty to reflect on the student work they’ve received over the past year and nominate projects that can serve as inspiring models for future students. We publish writing projects in the following categories:

Powerful Prose

This category covers the narrative, analytical, and reflective elements of W150 assignments, with a focus on stylistic excellence, compelling storytelling, insightful close reading, thoughtful interpretation, and meaningful engagement with the reflective process.

Examples include but are not limited to: personal essays, literacy narratives, This I Believe essays, interviews, genre analyses, source analyses, visual rhetorical analyses.

Inquiry and Argument

This category covers the inquiry and advocacy elements of W150 assignments, with a focus on celebrating exceptional research and inquiry-based argumentation.

Examples include but are not limited to: inquiry reports, research reports, investigative reports, backgrounders, advocacy papers, research-based arguments (conference papers), opinion editorials, persuasive letters.

Note: If students base their argumentative writing on the research conducted for their inquiry assignment (i.e., students write on the same topic), you are encouraged to submit both the research and argument assignment as a single submission (even if two separate documents). Exemplary examples of both assignments from the same student can provide effective mentor texts for future students learning the transition from research to argument.

Multimodal Projects 

This category covers the multimodal elements of W150 assignments, with a focus on creative engagement with different modes of communication. 

**Given the range of multimodal projects, we request that instructors submit a copy of your assignment sheet with your student project submission.**

Examples include but are not limited to: writing portfolios, podcasts, recorded oral presentations, video essays, infographics, website portfolios, photo essays, experiential design projects. 

All submissions will be considered for publication in the journal. Additionally, one distinguished submission in each category will be awarded the “Y Writing Award” and receive a cash prize.

Contest Submission Guidelines

To be considered for the 2026 issue of Y Writing, projects must have been composed by a human student enrolled in a W150 class during the 2025 calendar year. The submission deadline is Thursday, January 15, 2026.

**All submissions must be nominated and submitted by faculty. Students should not submit their essays directly.**

Faculty may nominate up to two student projects per category.

*Contest Submission Link forthcoming