Academic Integrity Policy

The essay must be the student’s own work

The entrant must choose the argument, conduct the research, evaluate the sources, write every sentence, and make every substantive revision. Teachers, parents, tutors, and peers may discuss the published question and give high-level feedback, but may not write, rewrite, translate, or restructure any part of the essay.

No generative AI

Generative AI systems may not be used for brainstorming, question interpretation, research, source discovery, summarisation, outlining, drafting, paraphrasing, translation, citation generation, rewriting, or editing. This includes chatbots, writing assistants, and generative features embedded in search engines or office software. Basic non-generative spelling and grammar checking is permitted only when it flags an error without proposing newly generated prose.

Sources and citations

Every quotation, paraphrase, non-obvious fact, dataset, and borrowed idea must be cited using Chicago Notes and Bibliography, 17th edition. Fabricated sources or citations are grounds for disqualification. A bibliography is required whenever external sources are used.

Verification

Entries may be screened for textual overlap and irregularities. Screening results are indicators, not automatic proof. If questions arise, the organiser may ask for drafts, revision history, notes, source copies, or a short video interview about the argument and research process. Refusal or inability to provide a credible account may make the entry ineligible.

Questions

If a tool or form of feedback is not clearly allowed, ask before using it: guanzhihao1221@163.com.