Welcome to the Laws of Life Essay Program! 

​The Laws of Life Essay Program is a character-education essay-writing contest that includes students reflecting, writing and discussing their laws of life (ethical values) that help people live productive and meaningful lives.  Laws of Life values should lead to positive and life-affirming essays.  The essays may describe and analyze the laws of life of individuals in history, literature or in their own life story.

Character.org will be assuming the administration of the contest as a national competition. Please contact Arthur Schwartz at arthur@character.org for more information. 

Given the many adaptations that are made to teach safely during COVID, Laws of Life essay writing is suggested to help students focus on ethical values to persevere with optimism during these challenging times.

Please review the Laws of Life Program Handbook to be aware of essay writing guidelines for student essays. The contest is available to all Connecticut schools and students in grades 5-12. Those outside of Connecticut are invited to use any resource here to begin their own program.

Essay writing early in the year is encouraged. Laws of Life essays are a great way to start a school year by identifying and discussing values that can help support a positive classroom environment.
Teacher Observation
I love this essay program. It offers students a clear assignment to reflect on their guiding values and provides them an opportunity to share them in writing.
Student Observation
I learned that having consistent laws of life can help you to achieve your goals.

Student Observation
I found it very interesting to talk to others about their laws of life. It helped me get to know my classmates better...
Laws of Life concludes each year with a Celebration Dinner for the writers, their teachers and family.  Pictured above are the top ten essay writers
that attended the celebration in 2019 and two essayists who read their essays.

Essays submitted to SEE are sent to volunteer judges for scoring in March.  Laws of Life essay judges include university faculty, newspaper reporters and other professionals committed to ethics and character. Essays are read by at least two judges. Judges are not provided the name of the essay author or their school. Scoring is completed, scores averaged and ranked and winners announced during the first week of April.

​The top ten essayists are invited along with two guests and their teacher to attend SEE's Character Celebration banquet, which is usually held on the first Wednesday in May.

​To register for the 2020-2021 Laws of Life Essay Program Connecticut, click on the "Register Here" button in the right column and complete the form. 
Registration Closes Wednesday,
January 27, 2021
SEE is a non-sectarian 501(c)3 education organization that obtains meaningful financial support from public and foundation grants, fees for services, and gifts from those who support ethics in action. SEE is not affiliated with any religious organization and does not espouse or represent any specific religious belief.

​About Laws of Life

Laws of Life ​Blog

Judge's Scoring Guide

Judge's Scoring Form


2020-21 Winning Essays

2019-20 Winning Essays

2018-19 Winning Essays

​​2017 - 2018 Celebration Pictures 
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2016 - 2017 Celebration Pictures
​​Ethics in action creates character