Wondering how to write a Youth Perspective? Here’s some tips and guidelines for you.
Reactions: Your Real-Time Take on What’s Happening
Sometimes you need to respond quickly to what’s unfolding in the world. The Reactions format is your platform for immediate, authentic responses to current events and cultural moments.
What Makes a Great Reaction
Your reaction should start with a single sentence that sets the stage—what happened and why it matters. Then dive straight into your take. No fluff, no lengthy background explanations. Just your direct, honest response to what’s going down.
The key is timing and authenticity. Focus on events from the past 3-5 days or major cultural moments that everyone’s talking about. Your reaction should feel immediate and genuine, capturing the raw emotion of the moment—whether that’s frustration, hope, anger, or excitement.
How to Write It
Keep it sharp and personal. Use the kind of language you’d use when texting a friend about something that just happened. If you’re angry, let that come through. If you’re hopeful, show it. The goal isn’t to sound polished or academic—it’s to sound real.
Skip the jargon and overly formal language. Your reaction should read like it came from an actual young person, not a corporate press release. Let your personality and emotions drive the tone.
Before You Submit
Double-check your grammar and spelling, and make sure your thoughts flow logically. Find a compelling, relevant image to accompany your reaction—something that captures the essence of what you’re responding to.
Recommendations: Your Blueprint for Change
When you see a problem in the world, you don’t just want to complain about it—you want to fix it. The Recommendations format gives you space to propose real, actionable solutions that policymakers and leaders can actually implement.
What Makes a Strong Recommendation
Start by clearly explaining the issue you’re addressing. Give enough context so that someone unfamiliar with the problem understands why it matters and why it’s urgent. Then present your solution in 4-6 clear sentences that spell out exactly what needs to happen and who needs to do it.
Your recommendation should be specific and practical. Instead of saying “governments should do more about climate change,” propose specific policies, funding mechanisms, or regulatory changes. Think about what would actually work and what young people like you would support.
The Structure That Works
After presenting your recommendation, spend 2-4 sentences explaining why this solution makes sense. What evidence supports it? Why is this approach better than what’s currently being tried? How does it address the unique concerns and priorities of your generation?
Ground everything in reality. Consider the political, economic, and social factors that would affect implementation. Your recommendation should feel bold but achievable.
Making It Count
Focus on issues that TYP has identified as priorities, and make sure your solutions could realistically be put into practice. Think about policy changes, product innovations, or shifts in how society approaches problems.
Write with confidence but stay constructive. You’re not just pointing out what’s wrong—you’re showing the way forward.
Next-Gen Insights: Your Vision of What’s Coming
The most powerful content you can create reveals what others can’t see yet—the emerging trends, cultural shifts, and generational changes that will reshape how we live, work, and engage with the world.
What Makes an Insight Transformational
Start with a bold, high-level observation about where things are heading. This should be something that feels both surprising and inevitable—a trend that’s just beginning to emerge but will have massive implications once it fully takes hold.
Your insight needs to be backed up with serious depth. We’re talking 3+ pages of detailed analysis, real-world examples, data points, and case studies that prove your point. This isn’t just a hunch—it’s a forecast based on what you’re seeing and experiencing as part of the generation that’s driving change.
Why This Matters for Leaders
Every insight should come with a clear explanation of why decision-makers need to pay attention right now. What happens if they ignore this trend? What opportunities will they miss? What advantages will they gain by acting early?
Focus on trends connected to how young people think about politics, social issues, technology, the environment, and what they expect from the companies and institutions they interact with. Your insights should reveal something about youth values, priorities, and behaviors that older leaders might not naturally understand.
The Tone That Gets Attention
Write with authority and urgency. These insights should feel like essential reading for anyone who wants to stay ahead of cultural, political, and market shifts that are already beginning to happen.
You’re not just observing—you’re forecasting. You’re telling leaders what’s next and how they can position themselves to succeed in the world your generation is creating.
Bringing It All Together
Like the other formats, make sure your writing follows standard grammar conventions and flows logically from section to section. Include a powerful, relevant image that captures the essence of your insight.
Your Voice, Your Impact
Whether you’re reacting to breaking news, recommending solutions to global problems, or revealing the trends that will define tomorrow, these formats give you the structure to make your voice heard by the people who have the power to create change.
The world needs your perspective. Use these tools to make sure it gets through loud and clear.
