Competition Overview
The Concord Review
The Concord Review (TCR) is a prestigious journal dedicated to publishing exemplary high school student research papers on historical topics. Founded in 1987, TCR provides a platform for students to showcase their analytical and writing skills, encouraging rigorous academic research and a deep understanding of history.
Eligibility
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Open to high school students worldwide, typically in grades 9-12.
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Papers can be submitted by students independently or through teacher recommendations.
Subject Categories
TCR accepts essays on any historical topic, covering any time period or geographical area. Topics may include but are not limited to:
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Ancient, Medieval, Modern, or Contemporary history
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National and international events, figures, movements, or phenomena
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Political, cultural, economic, social, or military history
Competition Topic Example
2025
There is no specific annual theme. Students are free to choose any historical topic that allows for deep research and analysis.
Requirements
Eligibility & Guidelines
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Must be completed before finishing secondary school
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Sole-authored, original, and unpublished (except school publications)
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Length: 5,000–10,000+ words (including endnotes & bibliography)
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Published papers typically exceed 8,000 words
Citation
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Use Turabian (Chicago Style): Endnotes only, no footnotes
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Endnotes & bibliography go at the end of the essay
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Use Arabic numerals, include access dates in URLs
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All endnotes must end with a period
File Format & Layout
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Submit in .doc, .docx, or RTF only—no PDFs, Google Docs, or Pages
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Filename: FirstName LastName_First 3 Words of Essay Title.docx
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Do not include images, charts, or visuals
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Use a single font (e.g., Times); formatting styles like italic and bold are allowed
Submission Process & Fees
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Fill out the online submission form
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Pay the submission fee
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Includes 4 issues of the journal's Electronic Edition
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Optional: Add Print Editions for an extra fee (plus shipping)