Criterion accepts submissions at the start of every fall and winter semester. Each Winter Issue features a central prompt and theme. Centering your essay around the prompt is optional, but strongly encouraged to increase your chances of being considered for publication. Each submission should be between 3,000 and 6,000 words (not including the bibliography) and follow current MLA guidelines, including double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and in-text citations. It must also be your original work and properly credit outside sources as needed. At the end of your essay, include a “works cited” page listing your outside sources in MLA format. Once your piece is ready for submission, please submit it to our online submission system as a Microsoft Word file.
