A formal essay is a short, relatively impersonal composition in prose. In contrast to the familiar or personal essay, the formal essay is typically used for the discussion of ideas. Its purpose is generally to inform or persuade.
First Place: "OAN, CNN… Why Can’t America Be One Again?" by Oliver Laczko
Second Place: "Police Body Cameras" by Kirill Prikhodko
Third Place: “A Deadly Second Pandemic” by Logan Lary