Online Certification
All individuals scoring composition are required to perform a 30-minute certification video and assessment.
This certification process will ensure that evaluators are offering the best possible scoring quality for our students.
Updated Composition Scoresheet
The composition scoresheet has been simplified to generate the most consistent and objective scoring rubric for our students.
Topic Overviews
Topics and descriptions for each level of composition are available below.
The topic overviews will provide students with a general description of the topic and various avenues to research in preparation for upcoming composition competitions.
Topic Overviews
League Practice Composition Topic:
Over-Tourism
Overtourism happens when a destination receives more visitors than it can handle, often leading to negative effects on the environment and local communities. On the positive side, tourism boosts the economy, creates jobs, and brings cultural exchange between visitors and residents. Many cities and towns depend on tourism revenue to support businesses and public services. However, when the number of tourists becomes too high, it can lead to overcrowding, pollution, strain on infrastructure, and rising costs of living for locals. In some places, historic sites and natural landscapes suffer damage from constant foot traffic. While tourism can benefit a region, overtourism makes it harder to maintain the quality of life for residents and the long-term health of the area. Because of these problems, communities are looking for ways to deal with overtourism such as virtual tourism, closing sacred sites, providing cultural awareness classes, increasing tourist accountability, etc.
Composition Topic:
Endangered Species
An endangered species is a type of animal or plant that is at serious risk of extinction. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over 42,100 species are listed as threatened with extinction, including more than 8,800 animals classified as endangered and over 6,800 as critically endangered. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), passed in 1973, provides legal protection to species listed as endangered or threatened. However, conflicts may arise when these legal protections restrict land use, affect industries like logging or agriculture, or require costly environmental assessments. In addition, several other protective measures such as AI-tracking, captive breeding, cloning, or genetic modification to save species raise concerns about naturalness, animal welfare, and ecosystem integrity.
Composition Topic:
Endangered Species
An endangered species is a type of animal or plant that is at serious risk of extinction. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over 42,100 species are listed as threatened with extinction, including more than 8,800 animals classified as endangered and over 6,800 as critically endangered. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), passed in 1973, provides legal protection to species listed as endangered or threatened. However, conflicts may arise when these legal protections restrict land use, affect industries like logging or agriculture, or require costly environmental assessments. In addition, several other protective measures such as AI-tracking, captive breeding, cloning, or genetic modification to save species raise concerns about naturalness, animal welfare, and ecosystem integrity.
District Composition Topic:
Food Additives and Preservatives
Food additives and preservatives play a vital role in the modern food supply, helping extend shelf life, improve appearance, and ensure safety. Scientifically, researchers continue to examine the long-term health effects of common additives, raising concerns about links to allergies, hyperactivity, or chronic illnesses. Socially, consumer demand for transparency and clean labels has grown, with more people choosing organic or additive-free foods. Governments worldwide regulate food additives through agencies like the U.S. FDA or the European Food Safety Authority, which require rigorous testing but sometimes face criticism for outdated policies or inconsistent labeling standards. As the world’s population continues to grow, the food tech industry is experimenting with new technologies to increase food security. Some scientists claim that these new food technologies such as 3-d printing and synthetic biology will make it easier to eliminate the need for preservatives and additives. The debate around food additives reflects a complex balance between food security, transparency, public health, consumer choice, and industry profitability.
Region Composition Topic:
Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship refers to the responsible, ethical, and informed use of technology and the internet. It includes understanding how to navigate digital spaces safely, protect personal information, communicate respectfully, and think critically about online content. A growing and controversial part of this conversation is cancel culture, where individuals or groups are publicly criticized or boycotted online for statements or actions considered offensive. Meanwhile, the rise of artificial intelligence and the rapid spread of misinformation have made digital literacy more important than ever. To address these challenges and promote responsible online behavior, many platforms now use content moderation systems, community guidelines, and user reporting tools. Schools are also stepping in by offering digital citizenship lessons, and governments and organizations continue to support online safety campaigns and ethical technology initiatives.
State Composition Topic:
Redistribution of Wealth
Redistribution of wealth refers to efforts by governments or societies to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor by moving resources from those with more to those with less. Supporters argue that redistribution is necessary to create a fairer society, reduce poverty, and ensure that everyone has access to basic needs like housing, education, and healthcare. Several methods have been proposed or used to redistribute wealth such as progressive taxation, universal basic income (UBI), etc. Other tools include social welfare programs, public healthcare, and free or subsidized education. While supporters see redistribution as a way to promote justice and equality, critics argue that it can discourage hard work, hurt economic growth, or unfairly take from those who have earned their wealth.